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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Missing Africa's innovation moment? Geopolitical shifts could push Israel away
As global innovation hubs shift and new markets emerge, Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming a critical arena of opportunity. By the end of this century, an estimated 40% of the world's population will live inAfrica. This is not just a demographic trend; it is a geopolitical pivot. The only question is whether Israel will be there as a partner or left behind as an afterthought. As global innovation hubs shift and new markets emerge, Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming a critical arena of opportunity. With demographic momentum, rapid tech adoption, and bold economic ambitions, the continent is not merely catching up; it is setting the pace in areas that matter most. So, how do we seize this potential and align ourselves with the trends shaping tomorrow? Sub-Saharan Africa offers one of the most significant opportunities of the 21st century. Its youthful, fast-growing population and urgent needs in agriculture, water, energy, and healthcare make it a natural fit forIsraeli innovation – solutions that can improve quality of life and accelerate development. Yet Israeli engagement remains limited. Trade with Kenya, for example, one of Africa's most vibrant economies, totals only tens of millions of dollars. By contrast, Kenya's trade with the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands, economies similar in size to Israel's, reaches into the billions. This is not only an economic gap; it is a moral one. Africa contributes little to global carbon emissions but bears the brunt of climate change, including droughts, flooding, and food insecurity. These are precisely the areas where Israeli technology could make a lasting impact. Some ventures are already showing this potential. NOF, a company that developed a portable off-grid cooling solution for preserving agricultural produce, is helping reduce food loss in emerging markets. The company grew out of the Pears Challenge, a venture-building program hosted by the NURA Global Innovation Lab that supports Israeli entrepreneurs in developing scalable technologies that address real-world challenges in developing regions. These efforts reflect a growing recognition in Israel that global development innovation must be grounded in a deep understanding of local realities. Real impact requires co-creating solutions with local communities, building long-term partnerships with ecosystem leaders, and designing products and business models tailored to actual needs on the ground. These partnerships aim to position Israeli climate tech within global efforts to address urgent challenges in agriculture, water, and infrastructure, especially in arid regions. One powerful example of this kind of ecosystem-building is the DeserTech and Climate Innovation Center in the Negev. The center works to turn climate challenges into business opportunities by promoting cutting-edge technologies, supporting new ventures, and connecting talent, research, and industry. In 2024, NURA partnered with DeserTech to organize a new cycle of the Pears Challenge, specifically focused on building connections between innovators in the Negev and communities in East Africa, regions facing similar environmental conditions. This model strengthens Israel's positioning as a long-term partner in sustainable development across desert and climate-vulnerable areas. Israel has the ingredients for long-term engagement in Africa – innovative start-ups, academic excellence, research institutions, and a growing network of public-private partnerships. However, its current activity remains far below potential. In East Africa, the opportunity is especially clear. Countries like Kenya and Tanzania are actively seeking partnerships in agritech, water solutions, and sustainable energy. Israeli ventures can meet this demand, but success requires more than one-off pilots. It demands ongoing presence, cultural understanding, and mutual trust. Meanwhile, the global race is accelerating. China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the Gulf nations are steadily expanding their footprint across the continent. These players come not only with technology and diplomacy but also with state-backed financing, development programs, and strategic patience. Israel's bid to gain observer status in the African Union was recently rejected – a symbolic warning. If Israel does not wake up, it may miss the train. Unlike its competitors, Israel lacks a coordinated national strategy to support its private sector in Africa. Many successful international companies operate with the backing of their governments, using aid frameworks, concessional funding, and diplomatic infrastructure to reduce risk and open doors. Israeli firms, by contrast, are too often left to operate alone. It is also worth noting that Africa is not waiting for Israel or anyone else. Across the continent, innovation ecosystems are gaining momentum, powered by local entrepreneurs, regional investors, and forward-thinking policies. From fintech in Nigeria to e-mobility in Rwanda and agritech in Kenya, African-led ventures are solving real problems at scale. In 2023 alone, African start-ups raised over $3 billion in venture capital, much of it for climate-resilient solutions. This is not a future in the making; it is already happening. Africa is asserting itself as a frontier of innovation, and those who engage now will help shape what comes next. Those who hesitate may find the continent has moved on without them. What Israel needs is a clear, forward-looking Africa strategy. This means more than symbolic visits. It means focused trade missions, targeted public investment in innovation, and meaningful joint ventures with African partners. This is not charity; it is strategic policy. Until such a strategy is in place, it is up to forward-looking companies and innovation ecosystem players to take the lead. Because if Israel does not step forward today, it will be chasing others' footsteps tomorrow. The writer is managing director of NURA – The Global Innovation Lab. Sign up for the Business & Innovation Newsletter >> Sign in to access your portfolio
ABC News
5 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Australia's Lachlan Kennedy wins 100m race in Nairobi
Lachlan Kennedy beats Ferdinand Omanyala and Bayanda Walaza to the finish line in a 100-metre race at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet.
Reuters
7 hours ago
- General
- Reuters
Kennedy becomes first Australian to crack 10 second barrier in 22 years
June 1 (Reuters) - Lachlan Kennedy became the first Australian sprinter to legally break the 10-second barrier for the 100 metres in more than two decades when he won the sprint event at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday. Kennedy crossed the line in 9.98 seconds to join national record holder Patrick Johnson as the only Australian to have dipped under the 10-second mark and the first to do so in 22 years. "I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time," Kennedy said. "It's so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually." Kennedy had been locked in a battle with teenage rival Gout Gout to become the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier since Johnson set the national record of 9.93 seconds at the Mito International meet in Japan in 2003. Gout has run a wind-assisted sub-10-second 100 metres but Kennedy is the first of the pair to do so legally, having previously run 10 seconds flat in the heats of the Australian championships in Perth in April. "I'm getting better with every race," the 21-year-old told Australian Athletics. "It's an advantage to have a long season at home. I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships."
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy breaks 100m 10-second barrier with blistering run
Aussie sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy etched his name in the history books after becoming only the second Australian to run under the 10 second mark in a 100m race. Kennedy, 21, ran 9.98-seconds in the Men's 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya overnight - becoming the first Aussie to manage the feat since Patrick Johnson in 2003. 'As soon as I saw the 9.98 I was thrilled, the feeling was so surreal. I couldn't believe it,' Kennedy said. 'I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time. 'It's so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually. 'I've got a good coach (Andrew Iselin), good training partners — shoutout to Calab Law — and a good S&C (strength and conditioning) and team around me. How about that ‼️ 🇦🇺's Lachlan Kennedy rules at the @KipKeinoClassic 🔥 9.98 PB to win the 100m and move up to 2nd on the Australian all-time list 👏 #ContinentalTourGold — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) May 31, 2025 'It's been about trusting the process.' Kennedy's exciting breakthrough has sent shockwaves through Aussie athletics, with former stars posting about the run. 'Enormous,' posted Matt Shirvington on Instagram. Yes yes yes,' wrote Sally Pearson. Kennedy is part of a group of young sprinters, that includes schoolboy star Gout Gout, who have been chasing the 10 second mark. Kennedy wasn't bothered by a false start during his historic race. 'I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today,' he revealed. 'I didn't think a nine was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal. 'I'm getting better with every race. It's an advantage to have a long season at home. I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
'He is here': Athletics world blown away as Lachlan Kennedy records rare Aussie feat
Aussie sprinter Lachlan Kennedy has become just the second Aussie male to ever run sub-10 seconds in the 100m event having won the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya. Kennedy has been tittering around the 10 second mark across the 12 months with his personal best recorded at 10 seconds. Although the Aussie made sure he became just the second man, after Patrick Johnson, to break the 10 second barrier having recoded a 9.98 to win his race at the Kip Keino Classic. Kennedy had to do it the hard way having come from behind in a stacked field that was made up of with an Olympic medalist. Kennedy was able to break away and hold onto his narrow lead to crash over in first head Bayanda Wazala of South Africa and Kenya's African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala. "Finally, finally, the Australina has gone under 10 seconds. He has been waiting to do that for so, so long," the commentator said as Kennedy embraced his fellow sprinters with a smile. However, Kennedy wasn't truly stunned until the moment his legal time of 9.98 popped up on the board. "As soon as I saw the 9.98 I was thrilled, the feeling was so surreal. I couldn't believe it," Kennedy said after the race. Johnson achieved his record of 9.93 back in 2003 and Kennedy has one-eye on eclipsing this feat soon. Rohan Browning has the third fastest time ever recorded by an Australian with 10.01, while Matt Shirvington's best was 10.03. And while Kennedy isn't getting ahead of himself the 21-year-old is making waves in the athletics community ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo later this year. Kennedy has been selected to represent Australia at the World Championships in the 100m. Kennedy has featured for Australia at the Olympics and Indoor Championships, but never at the World Championships. Only earlier this year And the Aussie will have sent a warning shot to rivals such as Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles. Aussie fans were absolutely delighted for Kennedy who is proving to be another global star for Australian athletics. The nation's program is currently entering its golden era with the likes of Gout Gout and Torrie Lewis making waves overseas across the last 12 months. How about that ‼️🇦🇺's Lachlan Kennedy rules at the @KipKeinoClassic 🔥 9.98 PB to win the 100m and move up to 2nd on the Australian all-time list 👏 #ContinentalTourGold — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) May 31, 2025 This is so awesome to wake up to. Lachlan Kennedy runs 9.98 to become just the second Australian to run a legal sub-10 really about to go through a golden era of Aussie men's sprinting. — Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) May 31, 2025 🔥 WOW 🔥Lachlan Kennedy🇦🇺 becomes only the second Australian to run under 10 seconds for 100m, running 9.98 (-0.7)Wins the race against some classy opposition at the Kip Keino Classic🇰🇪 and goes sub-10 despite the headwind#sensational 📽️ World Athletics — athsSTATS (@athsstats) May 31, 2025 Lachlan inching closer to that Oceania Record1️⃣9.93 (+1.8) Patrick Johnson2️⃣9.98 (-0.7) Lachlan Kennedy3️⃣10.01 (+0.8) Rohan Browning4️⃣10.03 (-0.1) Matt Shirvington5️⃣10.08 (+1.9) Joshua Ross5️⃣10.08 (-0.3) Edward Osei-NketiaThey're all Australian🇦🇺 — Anderson Emerole (@EmeroleAnderson) May 31, 2025 Lachlan Kennedy joins the ranks of sub 1 men 🫡And what's more insane? It was into a headwind out in Nairobi. A gold level win, 2nd Aussie (wind legal) to break the mark, and into a headwind for 9.98Unreal scenes — Mitch Dyer (@mitchdyerlive) May 31, 2025 Lachlan Kennedy just beat a 9.7 man on his own soil and an Olympic medallist in the same raceHE IS HERE. — Timmytheinventor 🇦🇺 🇳🇬 (@Jubbitie) May 31, 2025 Kennedy has shot to international prominence in recent months alongside fellow Aussie young gun Gout. Earlier this year, Kennedy made his Diamond League debut in Xiamen. On this occasions, he recored 10.18 - well down from his then PB of 10.00. This saw Kenya's Omanyala out run him with winner South African Akani Simbine the runaway winner in 9.99. But Kennedy has improved in the last two months and eclipsed his best time. Already in 2025, he has claimed silver in the 60m at the world indoors in Nanjing. He ran a PB of 10.00-flat in the heats at the Australian championships earlier this month, but broke this in Kenya having broken the elusive 10 second barrier.
