Compiled by Eamonn Ryan from the presentation transcript
At the 2024 GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference held on August 23 in Cape Town Brian Tahinduka, senior manager of natural resources logistics at Standard Bank Group, delivered a presentation highlighting the bank’s strategic role in driving Africa’s economic growth through innovative financial solutions. This is Part 2 of a three-part article.
Tahinduka’s presentation not only outlined Standard Bank’s strategic objectives but also painted a hopeful picture for Africa’s logistics and energy sectors. With a focus on sustainability, access to finance, and energy security, the bank is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the continent’s economic landscape.
Embracing innovation
Tahinduka highlighted the persistent challenge of high energy costs across many African markets, noting the need for alternative solutions. He discussed the potential of next-generation packaging and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the logistics sector, which promise increased automation and efficiency for businesses. “These developments present significant opportunities for enhancing operational performance,” he stated.
A key theme of his presentation was the growing importance of the circular economy, which includes waste reduction, reuse, repackaging, and remanufacturing. He urged industry players to consider how these practices can be adopted to create sustainable value chains.
The concept of a shared economy was also front and center, with Tahinduka advocating for collaborative approaches within the logistics ecosystem. “Sharing warehousing space and moving assets can lead to greater efficiency and reduced costs,” he explained, emphasizing the potential for collective resource utilization among various stakeholders.