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FOOD AND WATER Africa's food and water security now national and geopolitical priorities. 26th August 2026 Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Font size: - + Africa's food and water security, along with resilient local value chains - water, agriculture, processing - are no longer just development topics, they have become national and geopolitical priorities across governments and investors, said Business Sweden strategy and business development Middle East and Africa project manager Kudakwashe Koke. Speaking at a high-level Thought Leadership Forum hosted by Alfa Laval, in partnership with Business Sweden, he said that the continent's global dependency created vulnerability, as Africa imported large volumes of staple foods, such as wheat, rice and maize, and was experienced global shocks, including wars, which disrupted fertiliser, grain and logistics flows. The forum, which convened Swedish and South African government representatives, industry leaders and technical experts, explored how Africa stands at a pivotal moment where food security, pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and water resilience have become urgent priorities shaping the continent's industrial future. Conflict is a primary driver of food security, with 167-million people - 78% in conflict-affected countries - having faced acute food insecurity in 2025. Further, climate and water stress exacerbate the situation, with agricultural productivity reducing 34% since 1961 owing to climate change, and extreme weather, droughts and floods increasingly disrupting food systems and water availability. "The [challenges] are now national and geopolitical priorities... it is now the central discussion around government and the public sector working together with the private sector." Africa still remains globally vulnerable as a net importer dependent on the global value chains. Upwards of $50-billion is spent every year on food imports, while 300-million people lack safe water access and millions live within the boundaries of undernourishment, yet the continent has 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land that could be used for food production. "There is quite a lot of focus from a policy perspective where governments are now pushing in terms of trying to create and support local value chains," he noted, pointing out that this could be through policy implementation and investments into local production chains that could support farmer supply in the regions. Strong policy frameworks would mobilise investment and strengthen food security financing, Koke said, highlighting the need to create an enabling policy environment that attracted investment and reduced financial risks; allocate adequate public resources to agriculture, nutrition, rural infrastructure and extension services; address structural inequalities; and coordinate climate adaptation, social protection and conflict-sensitive interventions to build resilient food systems. Further actions include implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme, or CAADP, and national food system strategies with measurable targets and accountability; supporting access to finance through guarantees, insurance schemes and public-private partnerships; and strengthening land, trade and regulatory frameworks to improve agricultural productivity and market efficiency. During his presentation, Koke noted that increasing policies that support facilitation and incentives had led to direct increases in regional foreign direct investment (FDI), with Africa recording a 75% rise in FDI between 2023 and 2024 driven by a mega infrastructure project in Egypt. Excluding that, flows still grew 12% supported by investment reforms and improved facilitation across the continent. Africa, boasting 18 of the worlds 30 fastest-growing economies, a $2.8-trillion regional GDP and 3.9% GDP growth rate in 2025, presents an ideal market for growth, with natural, human, financial and business capital driving regional market growth. Africa is home to 30% of global mineral reserves and could capture over 10% of the $16-trillion in revenue from key green minerals by 2030, while the continent's median age of 19 represents a demographic dividend that could add $47-billion to Africa's GDP through improved workforce participation. Pension fund assets have grown to $1.1-trillion and formal remittances could reach $500-billion by 2035 if transfer costs are reduced, while the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement could increase exports by $560-billion and boost continental income by $450-billion by 2035. In addition, Africa's population has grown more than sixfold since 1950, an increase of 1.3-billion people, and, with a continuing population expansion, will add nearly one-billion total residents, rising to 2.5-billion, by 2050. Africa's working age population will increase from 660-million in 2024 to 1.25-billion in 2050. The continent is also the fastest-urbanising region globally, with urban populations growing at an average annual rate of 3.5%, with the expectation that this will increase from a 43% urbanisation rate to a 60% urbanisation rate. Urbanisation consistently correlates with higher regional productivity, job creation and better socioeconomic outcomes compared with rural averages. While these trends present significant opportunities, it also brings many challenges, including infrastructure pressures, as unprecedented spatial expansion will push total urban footprints to 175 000 km[2] by 2050, straining housing, transport and basic municipal services, and the development of informal settlements, with projections indicating high vulnerability to resource strain, with proactive long-term investments needed in climate-resilient and inclusive planning. Edited by Creamer Media Reporter Article Enquiry Email Article Save Article To advertise email [email protected] or click here

Talent in Focus: SMM 2026 showcases the attractiveness of maritime careers. Start News Sea SMM 2026: Technologies Driving the Maritime Transformation SMM 2026: Technologies Driving the Maritime Transformation. Hamburg Messe und Congress 19. August 2026 The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation. At SMM 2026, companies from around the world will showcase technologies that are already changing shipbuilding and ship operations today. These include numerous world and European premieres. One thing is clear: no single technology will define the future of shipping. What matters is how different approaches work together. Many are no longer visions of the future but are already moving towards practical application. Reducing emissions remains one of the key challenges facing the shipping industry. Accordingly, the sector is working intensively to use energy more efficiently on board and bring new propulsion concepts into practical application. Among the developments on display is the solid-state marine battery from EPTechnologies (Denmark), which is set to establish new benchmarks as the first DNV-approved solid-state battery for marine use. Also making their world premieres at SMM are the swappable battery containers from AYK Energy (Andorra) and the modular battery systems from SCIO Energy (Germany). Modular and swappable battery systems open up new opportunities for electrification, particularly in short-sea shipping, inland navigation and hybrid applications. The NavHyS hydrogen project is developing methods for storing and using liquid hydrogen in shipping. Gas and Heat (Italy) is showcasing an innovative LH2 tank system for maritime applications. Hybrid propulsion systems are also becoming increasingly important. Rolls-Royce Power Systems (Germany) will present its mtu Series 2000 variable-speed gensets at SMM for the first time. They are designed particularly for battery-assisted applications and use as range extenders. According to the company, they can reduce fuel consumption and CO[2] emissions by up to 15 per cent. The ZF 9200 A/V PTI from ZF Friedrichshafen (Germany) is designed for hybrid and electric propulsion concepts. Other approaches focus on alternative fuels and more efficient energy use on board. One example is BioHFO from TecnoVeritas (Portugal), which is designed to enable the use of biofuels and conventional fuels in variable blending ratios, providing an option for reducing emissions from existing fleets. Alfa Laval (Sweden/Finland) is presenting the Hukka-5, a new generation of wasteheat recovery systems for cruise and passenger ships. By recovering waste heat from exhaust gases, the system is designed to reduce fuel consumption and further improve energy efficiency on board. Damen (Netherlands) demonstrates how energy efficiency and fuel flexibility can be combined in a ship concept with its Container Feeder 1100, which will make its world premiere at SMM. Developed for short-sea container shipping, the concept combines an energy-efficient hull and propulsion system with the option of using alternative fuels such as methanol and biofuels. SMM: Wind makes a comeback at sea. Wind-assisted ship propulsion is a particularly dynamic field of innovation. At SMM, international exhibitors will showcase a variety of technological approaches. Beyond the Sea (France) is presenting SeaKite, an automated kite propulsion system designed for both newbuilds and existing vessels. Other exhibitors are focusing on sail and wing systems: Michelin WISAMO (France) will showcase its automated sail system, North Windships (United Kingdom) its DynaRig technology and Oceanbird (Sweden) its Wing560. Stirling Design International (France), meanwhile, will demonstrate with a wind-assisted Kamsarmax bulk carrier how such technologies can already be integrated into concrete ship concepts. Which system is most suitable depends, among other factors, on the vessel type, trading area and operating profile. Beyond wind propulsion, structural solutions can also help reduce energy demand. Hull Vane (Netherlands) is presenting a hydrodynamic efficiency technology designed to reduce fuel consumption through optimised hull hydrodynamics. Alongside efficiency, underwater radiated noise is receiving increasing attention. MMG Mecklenburger Metallguss (Germany) has developed ESPROsilent, a propeller whose optimisation focuses not only on efficiency but also on reducing noise emissions. It is based on simulation methods developed by MMG in several collaborative research projects and validated through measurements on different vessel types and under varying operating conditions. With the IMO working on guidelines to limit underwater radiated noise, the issue is becoming increasingly relevant. AI becomes a tool for everyday maritime operations. Alongside decarbonisation, digitalisation continues to gain importance. Artificial intelligence is increasingly evolving from an experimental technology into a practical tool. The key factor is the tangible benefit it can provide to shipyards, shipping companies and crews. The RuleAgent from DNV (Norway) is designed to simplify working with complex classification rules and support design and approval processes. The AILA.ai engineering platform (Finland) uses AI in technical workflows. Tototheo Global (Cyprus) is showcasing Echoverse, a digital twin that can be used for condition monitoring, maintenance and optimising ship operations. Astrolabe from Intellar (Cyprus), meanwhile, supports crew management. Admiralty Virtual Ports from the UK Hydrographic Office (United Kingdom) promises a direct benefit for crews. The digital port familiarisation solution will make its world premiere at SMM. The immersive 3D application is designed to allow seafarers to familiarise themselves with the specific characteristics of an unfamiliar or navigationally challenging port before calling there. Strix Maritime Intelligence from Spanish company Golden Owl combines maritime, also an exhibitor at SMM, geopolitical, logistics, weather and market data and is designed to support decision-making in shipping. Another area of application is intelligent situational awareness. SEA.AI (Austria), BOTIX (China) and STARLIGHT Italia (Italy) use sensors and digital technologies to identify objects and potential hazards at sea at an early stage. Such assistance systems not only enhance safety but also create the foundations for partially automated and, in the longer term, autonomous ship operations. Anschütz (Germany) is also showcasing a new navigation assistance system with AUTONOMICS CGA. It combines sensor data, COLREG-based assessment of traffic situations and manoeuvring recommendations to provide navigators with additional guidance in complex traffic situations. Autonomy moves beyond the experimental stage. The increasing automation of maritime processes is another important field for the future. Robots and drones open up new possibilities for inspection, maintenance and safety. Particularly where work is dangerous, difficult to access or labour-intensive, autonomous and remotely operated systems can take over tasks and reduce the burden on crews. One example is the Hullius underwater robotic system from Kongsberg Ferrotech (Norway), which is designed to carry out inspection and repair work on ship hulls. Flyability (Switzerland) uses drones to inspect difficult-to-access areas. Regulatory procedures for such Remote Inspection Technologies are also being further developed. Rescue operations are another potential area of application: German start-up SALVOR is presenting ASSIST, an autonomous rescue drone making its world premiere at SMM. It combines autonomous flight functions, AI-supported search patterns and the deployment of rescue equipment. AutoHook from Vestdavit (Norway) demonstrates how automated systems can take over individual tasks on board that have previously been carried out manually. Greater safety through intelligent technologies. New technologies are designed to detect hazards earlier and provide better protection for people in emergency situations with examples being shown at SMM. In fire detection, Arges Marine (South Korea) is presenting intelligent flame and fire detection systems that will make their world premiere at SMM. LISTEC (Germany) is also working on early fire detection. The "Kanguro" lifejacket from Veleria San Giorgio (Italy) is designed to protect mothers and newborn babies in emergency situations. Intelligent technology is also being applied to man-overboard incidents. ZOE from Zelim (United Kingdom), presented by Uni-Safe Rettungsgeräte (Germany), automatically detects people who have fallen overboard and alerts the crew in real time. According to the company, it is the first man-overboard detection system of its kind to be certified to ISO 21195. Innovations from around the world. SMM once again underlines its role as an international innovation platform for the maritime industry. The developments on display come from numerous countries - and different technologies are increasingly converging. "At SMM, we can see just how many different solutions the industry is currently developing. Many of these technologies are no longer visions of the future but are already finding their way into real-world applications. We are proud to showcase this diversity here in Hamburg," says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress. Which technologies ultimately prevail will vary depending on vessel type and area of application.

Alfa Laval AB Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ALFVY) short interest update. August 15, 2026 Key points. * Short interest fell 53.3% to 1,171 shares as of July 31, representing 0.0% of shares outstanding and just 0.1 days to cover. * Analyst sentiment remains mixed: Citigroup maintained a neutral rating, while Deutsche Bank, RBC, and Pareto Securities supported buy or outperform ratings. The overall consensus rating is Hold. * Alfa Laval reported quarterly EPS of $0.52, missing the $0.62 consensus estimate, while revenue of $1.87 billion matched expectations. Shares opened at $58.54, within their 52-week range of $43.92 to $62.95. * MarketBeat previews the top five stocks to own by September 1st. Alfa Laval AB Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ALFVY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,171 shares, a drop of 53.3% from the July 15th total of 2,506 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 21,960 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Analysts set new price targets. A number of equities research analysts have commented on ALFVY shares. Citigroup reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Alfa Laval in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Alfa Laval in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Alfa Laval in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Pareto Securities raised Alfa Laval from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold". Alfa Laval stock performance. Shares of ALFVY opened at $58.54 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $24.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.12. Alfa Laval has a 52-week low of $43.92 and a 52-week high of $62.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $58.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.74. Alfa Laval (OTCMKTS:ALFVY - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.62 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.87 billion. Alfa Laval had a net margin of 11.63% and a return on equity of 18.41%. Research analysts predict that Alfa Laval will post 2.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Alfa Laval company profile. Alfa Laval is an industrial engineering company specializing in heat transfer, separation and fluid handling technologies. Its product portfolio includes plate and tubular heat exchangers, separators and decanter centrifuges, pumps, valves and complete process systems designed to control temperature, separate liquids and solids, and move fluids reliably through industrial processes. The company supplies both standardized components and engineered systems for integration into customer plants and vessels. Discover more Stock market holidays The company serves a broad set of end markets including energy and power, marine and offshore, food and beverage processing, water and wastewater treatment, chemical and pharmaceutical production, and pulp and paper. Further reading. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. Continue following MarketBeat Before you consider Alfa Laval, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Alfa Laval wasn't on the list. While Alfa Laval currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys. Tesla, Nvidia, and Google helped shape the last era of market growth, but the next wave could come from a new group of companies. Inside this report, you'll find 7 stocks that could play a major role in the next tech-driven market boom.