Discover the Lion
Together with the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC), STT organises a series of highly interactive workshops on the future of technology intensive sectors in Africa. The series is part of STT's project on the future of technology in Africa. The workshops focus on the technology driven trends in Sub Saharan Africa and their consequences for Dutch entrepreneurs. During each workshop, experts present today’s developments and tomorrow’s expectations. Based on the expert's and their own experience, the participants interactively develop ideas on opportunities in African markets. The series consists of seven workshops on energy, ICT, food, water, logistics, agriculture and business models. For further information and registration, please contact Josine Hoogenraad: Josine.Hoogenraad@nabc.nl
[ Overview of all Discover the Lion workshops as pdf document ]
Future Workshops
The Discover the Lion series will be continued by the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC). Details about upcoming workshops can be found at www.nabc.nl/site/events-upcoming.php.
(scroll down for past workshops and workshop reports)
Past Workshops
W1: Africa EmPowered - Discover how new energy technologies spread in Africa
Date: 17 March2009, 13.30h – 17.30h. IBM HDK Forum Amsterdam.
[ Africa EmPowered: invitation and programme ]
[ Workshop report and presentations ]
Access to electricity and the reliability of its supply will significantly increase in coming years in Africa. Literally thousands of megawatts in capacity are coming online in the next 24 months, both centralized and decentralized. The first workshop in our series provides you with an overview of African trends in electricity production and consumption. We also explore aspects electricity transport and energy storage.
W2: IT’s Africa - Discover the African ICT revolution
Date: 08 April 2009, 13.30h – 17.30h. IBM HDK Forum Amsterdam
[ IT's Africa: invitation and programme ]
[ Workshop report and presentations ]
While mobile phones have penetrated all of Africa, only 5% of the population have access to the internet. New infrastructures and new technologies are going to dramatically change this in the near future. In the next 24 months, up to seven glass fibre broadband cables will hit the coasts of Africa, at least 16 new communication satellites aim to serve rural markets at competitive rates, and new wireless technologies will carry signals a lot further than the proverbial last mile. And in some regions, businesses are more than ready and qualified to serve global markets. In this workshop, we will update you on the most recent ICT trends on the supply and demand side in Africa.
Press coverage related to the workshop includes a radio interview by speaker Paul Tjia (GPI consultancy) with BNR radio and online articles at De Telegraaf, Z24.nl and nuzakelijk.nl.
W3: Africa & food - Discover the global dimension of African food and food in Africa
Date: 12 May 2009, 13:30 -17:30, FrieslandCampina, Deventer.
[ Africa & Food: invitation and programme ]
[ Workshop report and presentations ]
Several countries in Africa are getting into shape to start serving the international food market. This includes improvements in agricultural technology, transport and storage infrastructure, as well as processing capacity. More and more fish, fruit, vegetables and oils are being exported from countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana and Mozambique. The UK already sources 14% of its total fruit and vegetable imports in Africa. At the same time, some African local markets are developing and diversifying their diets. In this workshop we will provide you with the latest trends and opportunities, as well as pioneering projects in the African food sector.
W4: Africa H2O - On innovation in African water sectors
Date: 10 June 2009, 13.30h-17.30h. IBM HDK Forum Amsterdam
[ Africa H2O: invitation and programme ]
[ Workshop report and presentations ]
Fresh water supply, targeted water use and waste water treatment are key challenges in many African regions. New infrastructures and new technologies ranging from large scale organic waste water treatment to individual water filters and catalysts provide the opportunity to alleviate the problem. In this workshop, we provide you with a number of cases how Dutch businesses are currently participating in this field and what changes we expect in the near future.
W5: Lion Logistics - How to get your product moving to, from and in Africa
Date: 14 September 2009, 13.30h-17.30h. IBM HDK Forum Amsterdam
[ Lion Logistics: invitation and programme ]
[Workshop report and presentations]
The largest obstacle to the development of trade within and with Africa is the lack of infrastructure. For this workshop, we invite experts, who have a proven track record of successful logistics in Africa. They will explore challenges and opportunities in getting goods to move to, from and within Africa.
W6: Green Africa - How African agriculture grows business
Date: 15 October 2009, 13.30h – 17.30h. PTC+ International, Ede
[Lion Agriculture: invitation and programme]
[Workshop report and presentations]
Agriculture in Africa ranges from small subsistence farms to vast plantations. The national strategies for the sector differ widely across the continent. In this workshop, we identify and explore the most agriculturally dynamic countries in Africa. We describe their ambitions and how Dutch companies are moving into the sector. After laying down the trends, we invite you to together develop ideas on how you can participate in this development and on what impact it will have on your business. You will not leave the room without your own concrete idea on your next steps in Africa and a network of interesting partners in the process.
W7: Market Africa- Business models for the Lion
Date: 17 November 2009, Location: TU Delft Aula Congress Center, Mekelweg 5.
[ Market Africa - invitation and programme ]
[ Workshop report and presentations Vlisco and Celtel ]
[ Workshop presentation Brabantia removed ]
Seeing the potential of African markets is one thing, actually serving that market is quite another. In this workshop, we explore a number of successful business models for African markets. Afterwards, we invite you to together develop ideas on what the appropriate business model would look like for your activities in Africa. You will not leave the room without your own concrete idea on your next steps in Africa and a network of interesting partners in the process.