CCC

Fadilah Bello's discussion sheds light on the importance of corporate governance and the POEM framework for sustainable startup growth in Africa. ABAN, the African Business Angel Network, is a platform that connects angel investors and supports startups across the continent. The organization is involved in shaping institutional policies and developing legal frameworks for angel investment on the continent. This is crucial for the success and growth of startups in Africa. ABAN is also committed to supporting women-led startups and fostering gender diversity within the startup ecosystem. The diaspora network and Bridging Angel Network, based in France and the UK, are two examples of the organization's efforts to connect investors and create a pipeline of viable startups. The network provides opportunities for mentorship-driven capital, which helps de-risk investments and facilitates access to existing investors with experience and expertise. The digital sector is of particular interest to angel investors, with fintech leading in capital attracted. However, other sectors such as clean technology, agritech, and digital trade are also emerging and attracting significant capital. ABAN is committed to supporting startups in these sectors and ensuring they have the necessary support to grow and succeed. ABAN also partners with Zeitec to manage portfolio companies for exit strategies. This is a vital step for angel investors who invest in startups and need to exit. The partnership provides startups with the necessary tools and training for corporate governance and reporting standards, preparing them for an eventual exit. For investors, the partnership offers access to a portfolio management company that can facilitate mergers, acquisitions, or full exits. ABAN welcomes investors outside of Africa to join their network and benefit from mentorship-driven capital and access to viable startups. The organization provides support for those interested in establishing their own network and offers training to help investors understand the unique challenges and opportunities of angel investment on the continent. In conclusion, ABAN is a driving force behind the growth and success of startups in Africa. The organization's commitment to supporting women-led startups, shaping institutional policies, and fostering mentorship-driven capital is crucial for the sustainable growth of the startup ecosystem. Investors looking to invest in Africa can benefit from ABAN's network and expertise, and startups can leverage the organization's support to succeed and thrive. #InvestmentStrategies #AfricaStartup #agritech Timecodes: 00:00 Julia Charlton’s welcome speech 03:00 Fadilah Tchoumba about ABAN African business angel network 25:55 Fadilah Tchoumba about her experience 27:37 Fadilah Tchoumba about entrepreneurship ecosystem 31:00 Fadilah Tchoumba about African startup ecosystem 33:55 Fadilah Tchoumba about startups with their corporate governance structures 36:38 Fadilah Tchoumba about crowdfunding 39:35 Fadilah Tchoumba about digital components 42:27 Fadilah Tchoumba about female entrepreneurship 52:57 Fadilah Tchoumba about IPO plan 54:44 Fadilah Tchoumba about benefit for investors outside of Africa 58:38 Julia Charlton’s closing speech Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealt... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Commonwealth... LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/comm... Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

In this webinar, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce sits in conversation with the Hon. Abdoulie Njai, the youngest Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia. Njai discusses the expanse of his personal and professional journey that led him to the position, which he won as an Independent Candidate focussing on achieving promoting religious tolerance, gender parity, anti-corruption and regulation as well as great representation for youth in the domestic and international political decision making processes. The conversation revolves largely on the role of MSMEs (micro, small and medium sized enterprises) in the development of the country’s economy, accounting for 95% of businesses and employ over 60% the population and contributing about 20% to the country's GDP, and how the government is committed to better equipping them via initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and job creation, such as the National Employment Policy and the Gambian Agency for the Promotion and Protection of Investment. The conversation also revolves around the importance of technological innovation and internet accessibility to effectively and sustainably develop the agriculture, fishing and industrial sectors. Owing to the youthful population, Njai strongly expresses his belief that the incoming generations will become transform the future economy by harnessing Fintech and digital innovation. The Hon. Njai highlights the importance of the Commonwealth as a partner to The Gambia, with a call for increased technical and monetary assistance to strengthen bilateral ties and support the country's development, particularly in promoting MSMEs and addressing challenges like internet accessibility. #MSME #GambiaDevelopment #GambiaBusiness Timecodes: 00:00 Julia Charlton's welcome speech 04:14 Abdoulie Njai about his work in Parliament in the Gambia National Assembly 08:00 Abdoulie Njai about his family, childhood and education 16:22 Abdoulie Njai about working in government 17:17 Abdoulie Njai about political system and political parties in Gambia 20:14 Abdoulie Njai about elections to the parliament 22:51 Abdoulie Njai about his four points program 39:14 Abdoulie Njai about help to Gambia from Commonwealth countries and China 45:33 Abdoulie Njai about age discrimination in parliament 50:06 Abdoulie Njai about banking sector in Gambia 52:38 Abdoulie Njai about price of the Internet and online learning courses 56:18 Abdoulie Njai about night life and tourism in Gambia 1:03:56 Julia Charlton's closing speech Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealt... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Commonwealth... LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/comm... Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

In this webinar, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce invited two special guests from the Council of Global Startups for a discussion on the development of the Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem in the past five years. Our two speakers for this special event were Mahmud Hasan, Asia Pacific Director of the Council of Global Startups and CEO and Founder of the digital agency, Zovoteam; and, Yasserr Arafat, member of the Mentorship Panel of the Council of Global Startups and CEO and Founder of the Bangladeshi e-commerce platform Buy-now.biz. The discussion with Mahmud and Yasser provided valuable insights into how Bangladesh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is rapidly growing with the support of the government and private sector investing in providing grants and venture capital funding for scalable startups. Mahmud and Yasser emphasised not only the importance of creating a friendly and flexible environment for startups to thrive in, is a core focus of the government's initiatives, but also the critical need for mentorship for budding startups. Citing issues ranging from misinformation, lack of documentation to lack of clarity in long term business plans and business scale-ups, our speakers deem this the biggest knowledge gap in the South Asian country’s ecosystem. Cross-border e-commerce is an area that faces challenges due to logistics and payment issues, but there are initiatives underway to address these obstacles. Mahmud and Yasser both emphasised the need for a global smart logistics system to improve the cost-effectiveness of cross-border e-commerce. They also acknowledge the importance of digital literacy in enabling entrepreneurs to leverage technology for cross-border e-commerce. In five years, the startup ecosystem in Bangladesh is expected to be a global model, with more unicorns and startups solving problems internationally. Mahmud and Yasser both hope to see their startups become unicorns and create a real impact in people's lives. They highlighted the importance of creating startups that not only generate value but also create a positive impact on society. Timecodes: 00:00 Julia Charlton's welcome speech 03:56 Mahmud about Bangladesh Startup Ecosystem 31:15 Mahmud and Yasser about creation of the Council of Global Startups 40:07 Mahmud and Yasser about what kind of documentation do startups in Bangladesh usually use 43:55 Mahmud and Yasser about government support of startups 50:05 Yasser about e-commerce platform 53:02 Mahmud and Yasser about how to improve logistics system for e-commerce and reduce delivery price 59:33 Mahmud and Yasser about future of Bangladesh startups 1:08:00 Julia Charlton's closing speech #Bangladeshstartups #ecommerce #Bangladeshmarketing Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Ankita Yadav of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce attended the Inclusive Fintech Forum 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda this June! It was a wonderful 3-day event featuring spectacular fintech firms from Africa and all around the world with over 100 speakers and +2000 attendees. Impeccable talent gathered to align on policy implementations and develop partnerships to accelerate global cooperation on greater financial inclusion. The event featured many distinguished personalities inluding H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia. #fintech #Rwanda #fintechAfrica Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

In this webinar, the Commonwealth Chamber’s conversation centres on the topic of international education and financial planning. Our special guest for the session, Lawsons Wealth Consultant Paul Jeffreys, shares success stories and challenges faced by families who are trying to save for their children's education abroad. Paul highlights the importance of starting as early as possible for any financial endeavour, especially education considering the rising levels of competition and tuition fees for universities across the Commonwealth and the globe. When discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, he shares his experience on the surprising benefits of online communication that allowed his clients, from all parts of the globe and from every age demographic, to be able to reach him more effectively leading to a greater number of consultations. Paul also highlights the impact of the pandemic on families who have already made the commitment to send their children overseas and were not deterred by the pandemic. However, those who were still in the midst of conversations about studying abroad may have decided to wait until they had more clarity about their financial situation. Throughout the conversation, Paul provides valuable insights into the world of international education and financial planning. One of the key takeaways is the importance of coaching and mentoring in helping families stay on track with their savings goals. With the right guidance, families can develop a clear plan for saving and investing, and avoid common pitfalls that can derail their efforts. Overall, the conversation offers a wealth of information and insights for anyone interested in international education and financial planning. From success stories to practical strategies for saving and investing, Paul provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities involved in this complex and important field. #internationaleducation #educationopportunities #financialplanning Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Celebrating fruitful collaborations and empowering global partnerships at the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership! In June 2023, the team of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce had the privilege of attending this remarkable event, where leaders from India and Africa came together to forge transformative alliances. From impactful discussions to innovative ideas, this conclave showcased the immense potential for collaboration between these two dynamic regions. Watch this video to catch a glimpse of our team at the heart of this inspiring gathering, embracing the spirit of cooperation and creating a brighter future for both India and Africa. 🎥🌍

We had the honour of capturing the joyful moments from the spectacular official birthday celebrations of #KingCharlesIII at the British High Commissioner's residence on June 22. 🎈 Did you know? In the United Kingdom, the reigning monarch traditionally celebrates an "official birthday" in addition to their actual date of birth. The official birthday is a ceremonial event held on a different date during the summer months, and is typically marked by public celebrations, parades, and military displays. This tradition originated from the unpredictable weather in the UK, as it was believed that a monarch's birthday celebration would be more enjoyable in fair weather. Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Neurotechnology is a fast growing field of technological innovation focusing on interfacing human nervous systems with electronic instruments to monitor, enhance and modulate our neural activity. Neurotechnology can be utilized for purely research and experimental purposes to improve our understanding of the human brain, our most complex organ, as well as for practical purposes including therapeutic/rehabilitative procedures on our central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. The market for neurotechnology is growing at a staggering compound annual growth rate of 12% and is expected to be a US$21 billion industry by 2026. During this session, we sit in conversation with Francois Gand, Founder and CEO of NURO CORP, a leading biotechnology research company based in Canada paving the way in ground-breaking neurotechnological research. The conversation focusses on the two main products offered by NURO; the NUOS Platform is a zero surgery multimodal neural operating system that helps incapacitated individuals communicate with loved ones and caregivers via neurological signals, thoughts and simple-to-use tools, while The Pad is a wireless helmet form factor designed for the detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s and other neurological states in order to help in early detection of neurodegenerative diseases and complications. As a result of an aging human population, Alzheimer’s and similar diseases and disorders could potentially become a new pandemic, and now more than ever it is absolutely crucial to take extra care to ensure healthy brain development and maintenance. Hailing from France but now working in Canada, Francois shares his tragic but inspiring story behind his motivation to start NURO CORP for those suffering such challenges and vows to produce cutting-edge but affordable products to ensure everyone has a fair chance and getting the support they need. #Neurotechnology #Commonwealth #NuroCorp Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Are you looking to grow your business and expand your network? Look no further than the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. At the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, we understand the importance of connections and building relationships in today's business world. Our members have access to a vast network of like-minded professionals, who are ready to collaborate and help each other succeed. With our extensive range of events and programs, you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people, learn new skills, and take your business to the next level. Don't miss out on this chance to join the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and be part of a thriving community of business professionals. Visit our website today to learn more and become a member. The Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce - where business gets done. #CommonwealthChamberofCommerce #relationships #business Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

It has been little over a year and a half since the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce came into existence. The Chamber was set up because right now we are at an immensely important juncture in modern history; now more than ever is the moment for Commonwealth business to realise the benefits of being part of the global network of the Commonwealth family. The Commonwealth Chamber has strived to empower Commonwealth business people to view the business landscape and the opportunities on offer through the eyes of Commonwealth business. From the ground up representing Commonwealth business people, the Commonwealth Chamber is a platform and network to facilitate the conversation, reflecting growing Commonwealth business and trade. Providing a forum to shift the debate about how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged among us and how Commonwealth business can build and rethink how things are done. Watch our video as we reflect on how far we have come and how many brilliant people we have met and collaborated with to spread brilliant Commonwealth ideas, share inspiration and connect the Commonwealth businesses with each other. Here’s to many more milestones to come. Let’s thrive in our diversity together, join our vibrant Commonwealth community via this link here: https://commonwealthchamber.com/join-us/

It has been little over a year and a half since the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce came into existence. The Chamber was set up because right now we are at an immensely important juncture in modern history; now more than ever is the moment for Commonwealth business to realise the benefits of being part of the global network of the Commonwealth family. The Commonwealth Chamber has strived to empower Commonwealth business people to view the business landscape and the opportunities on offer through the eyes of Commonwealth business. From the ground up representing Commonwealth business people, the Commonwealth Chamber is a platform and network to facilitate the conversation, reflecting growing Commonwealth business and trade. Providing a forum to shift the debate about how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged among us and how Commonwealth business can build and rethink how things are done. Watch our video as we reflect on how far we have come and how many brilliant people we have met and collaborated with to spread brilliant Commonwealth ideas, share inspiration and connect the Commonwealth businesses with each other. Here’s to many more milestones to come. Let’s thrive in our diversity together, join our vibrant Commonwealth community via this link here: https://commonwealthchamber.com/join-us/

It has been little over a year and a half since the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce came into existence. The Chamber was set up because right now we are at an immensely important juncture in modern history; now more than ever is the moment for Commonwealth business to realise the benefits of being part of the global network of the Commonwealth family. The Commonwealth Chamber has strived to empower Commonwealth business people to view the business landscape and the opportunities on offer through the eyes of Commonwealth business. From the ground up representing Commonwealth business people, the Commonwealth Chamber is a platform and network to facilitate the conversation, reflecting growing Commonwealth business and trade. Providing a forum to shift the debate about how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged among us and how Commonwealth business can build and rethink how things are done. Watch our video as we reflect on how far we have come and how many brilliant people we have met and collaborated with to spread brilliant Commonwealth ideas, share inspiration and connect the Commonwealth businesses with each other. Here’s to many more milestones to come. Let’s thrive in our diversity together, join our vibrant Commonwealth community via this link here: https://commonwealthchamber.com/join-us/.

Located in the Irish Sea right in between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown Dependency with over 50 years of experience as a leading financial jurisdiction. The Isle of Man has become a popular destination for the operations of over 400 reputable financial services companies, several of which are headquartered on the island. Currently the jurisdiction manages over £18.2 billion worth of funds, with specialisation in the wealth management of high net worth individuals and private and family offices, owing largely to its robust and expansive network of top-tier fiduciary, funds and wealth management experts that provide the most supportive environment to service private capital and wealth. The Isle of Man is recognised and endorsed as a Financial Centre of Excellence by several international institutions and regulatory bodies, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) and Moody’s which gave the territory a credit rating of Aa3 with stable outlook. Over the last five years, the Isle of Man has been named the “Best International Finance Centre” four times, most recently winning the award at the 18th International Investment Fund and Product Awards. Residents looking for employment opportunities may greatly benefit from relocating to the Isle of Man as well; 86% of residents report excellent work-life balance and quality of life and surveys show that the employees on the island enjoy an average annual salary that is 14% higher compared to the UK salary average. Beginning with a keynote address by the Treasury Minister of the Isle of Man, the Hon. Dr Alexander Allinson, this webinar comprises a distinguished panel of the jurisdiction’s prominent and leading professionals, David Bushe Dip IoD, Chartered FCSI, Investment Director of FIM Capital Limited; Andy Morgan, CEO of the Affinity Group; Laurence Keenan of Laurence Keenan Advocates & Solicitors; Martin Hall of the Atla Group; and, Yash Naidoo International Business Development Manager at NED Bank. Our notable speakers provide a compendium of information on the structure of the territory’s legal system, its financial services and the multifaceted process for relocation. They also discuss the factors and governance frameworks that have led to the success of the leading financial jurisdiction as well as the many incentives that make the Isle of Man such a prime destination for relocation, particularly for internationally mobile families. #isleofman #FinancialJurisdictions #CommonwealthConnect Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

The Africa Healthcare Network has established the first and largest dialysis chain across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing high-quality, life-saving dialysis and world-class technical expertise combined with developing world practical operating experience to a region in dire need of quality dialysis treatment. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The few hospitals that provide treatment operate centers that are slowly deteriorating while charging prohibitive prices. Nik established the Africa Healthcare Network in 2015 with the goal of increasing access to care by increasing awareness and reducing the cost of care in the sub-Saharan region while adhering to global standards of quality. In less than eight years, he has built the organisation into the largest pure-play dialysis provider in East Africa with over 30 facilities across the region and expected 35 facilities by 2022 and over 100 facilities by 2025. As of yet, AHN has 23 centres across Sub-Saharan Africa with most in the Commonwealth nations of Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya; new centres are expected to become operational in Ghana by the end of 2022. In this webinar, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and Nik discuss in detail the philosophy that made AHN become a reality and the business model that has helped it become the successful and swiftly expanding dialysis chain it is today. Nik reflects on the distinct advantage and ease of business Commonwealth nations provide due to the commonalities in culture, language and legal systems and shares how the Commonwealth nations of Africa and its people, despite having still a way to go in terms of effective policy framework building, have all the qualities and capabilities needed to become the economic powerhouses of the future. #CommonwealthAfrica #AfricaHealthcareNetwork #Rwanda Timecodes: 00:00 Julia Charlton's welcome speech 04:52 Nikhil Pereira-Kamath about Africa Healthcare Network 16:39 Nik Pereira-Kamath about his family and parents 20:16 Nik Pereira-Kamath about language 22:00 Nik Pereira-Kamath about entrepreneurial journey 26:21 Nik Pereira-Kamath about corporate governance 27:53 Nik Pereira-Kamath about staff structure work 35:10 Nik Pereira-Kamath about procurement 36:31 Nik Pereira-Kamath about public-private partnership 44:21 Nik Pereira-Kamath about ambitious plan to triple the number of AHN treatment centers by 2030 51:44 Nik Pereira-Kamath about where he sees AHN in ten years' time 52:43 Julia Charlton's closing speech Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Lady Dentaa’s life project, called the Grow, Unite and Build Africa (GUBA) Enterprise, comprises several branches of not-for-profit and pan-African initiatives including but not limited to the GUBA Awards, GUBA Foundation and the GUBA Trade Expo. Her mission is to contribute to the development of her country as well as the African continent by acknowledging and highlighting the contributions of Ghanaian talent worldwide, supporting and uniting African communities and, as a British Ghanaian herself, empowering the African Diasporan community. This year, the GUBA Awards are being held in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme “Ndabaga- Drumbeat of Dreamers and Legends” to commemorate the historical heroes of the Rwandan and African communities and to convey the power of determination and focus. In this livestream, Ankita Yadav from the Commonwealth Chamber’s Digital and Social Media team joins us from Kigali, Rwanda as she attends GUBA 2022 and shares her experience and takeaways from the exciting event. #Rwanda #Kigali #GUBAAwards Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Meet Nafia Haque! She is our Correspondent based in Bangladesh. Nafia is a passionate and ambitious student who loves to share her thoughts and opinions on events and trends relevant to her and the Commonwealth. Join Nafia and our community of Commonwealth Correspondents to take charge of global discussions and make your voice heard! Join the community now through our website on this link - https://commonwealthchamber.com/we-are-looking-for-correspondents-to-write-for-the-commonwealth-chamber/

It is a little known fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has been an incubator for more than one kind of deadly virus. The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2022 labels cybersecurity amongst the top and most rapidly growing global risks for the coming ten years for both industry stakeholders and non-industry stakeholders. In 2020, malware and ransom attacks grew by a staggering 358% and 435% respectively making cybersecurity one of the top risks amplified by the COVID-19. The Commonwealth of Nations has been taking proactive steps in tackling this global crisis. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2018, the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration was officially ratified as the organisation’s blueprint to build a cyberspace to protect the rights of individuals online and drafting a collective of common understanding of good practices to lay the foundation for an effective and co-ordinated network amongst member nations for immediate cybersecurity responses. With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry and serving on both corporate and non-profit boards, Jay Shaw is a member of the UK’s Institute of Directors and the Financial Times Non-Executive Director Programme to coach board directors on cybersecurity awareness and corporate responsibility. He founded Praxonomy in 2017, a UK-based technology company which aims to help and empower boards by enabling them to become more efficient, effective, and compliant with a powerful, accessible, and innovative software solution that is easy to use and highly intuitive. Their SaaS (software as a service) product, BoardLogic, provides a centralised, highly-secure platform for board of director’s to meet, engage, and lead in the era of modern digital corporate governance. During this webinar, Jay provides a detailed and eye-opening analysis of the major shifts in the landscape of cyber-risk management in the post-COVID era and outlines the intricate nature of cyberattacks and their common attack vectors including cyber espionage, hacktivism and state- sponsored cyberattacks. He explains how and why companies’ and individuals’ data is targeted and goes on to comprehensively describe the implications of such attacks and the extent of damage they can inflict on the businesses’ performance and reputation, notably also the penalties and court cases that such attacks can result in just through the click of one legitimate-looking (but definitely not) link in an innocuous-looking email. While the first part of the webinar invokes many understandable anxieties about the complicated and obscure realm of cyberattacks, Jay generously shares of valuable insights on cybersecurity which he has accumulated throughout his years of expertise in the field, providing useful resources to evaluate both personal and corporate cybersecurity as well as tools to be used to prepare for the inevitable increase in both volume and level of danger of cyberattacks in the coming decade. In addition, Jay also shares thought-provoking information on the dearth of corporate responsibility in regards to cybersecurity, urging board members across the Commonwealth to arrange frequent audits and test runs to evaluate their security systems and to use separate databases and information sharing platforms amongst different departments of companies in an effort to mitigate damage in the event of cyberattacks. #Cybersecurity #CommonwealthCyberDeclaration #Praxonomy Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Regina- Tela Aurea. The Cloth of Gold. In celebration of the life of HM Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) during the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce’s online event with Simon haw MBE, Composer in Residence of the Commonwealth Orchestras and Choirs. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s beautiful coronation gown was featured in one of the brilliant movements in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee musical tributes, “Regina”, composed by Simon Haw MBE, the Composer in Residence of the Commonwealth Orchestras and Choirs. The music, like the dress itself, consisted of brilliant and bright notes in remembrance of Her Majesty’s grace and poise. Experience the moment captured beautifully in this snippet. To watch more moments in remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, click her to watch the full recording of the event.

On 6 September 2022, by coincidence on HM The Queen’s final working day, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and Simon Haw MBE, the Composer in Residence of the Commonwealth Choirs and Orchestras, hosted an online event relating to the Commonwealth and HM Queen Elizabeth II’s leadership and service to the Commonwealth. Watch this snippet of the event where we discussed a piece especially dedicated to HM The Queen, called “Regina-Tela Aurea”. For the recording of the whole event, please click here.

Music has such an important role in all our lives, even in the world of business it is one of the most dynamic and growing industries worldwide. In 2021, the international recorded music market grew by 18.5%, with revenues of US$25.9 billion and it is expected that the industry will continue to grow at a compounded annual rate of 8.5% with revenues reaching over US$53.2 billion by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an accelerating factor in the increase in online music sales via streaming which now comprises 65% of the total music industry revenues, catalyzed by the uptrends in online content creation. During this spectacular event, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce was joined by the immensely talented Composer in Residence of the Commonwealth Orchestras and Choirs, Simon Haw MBE. Simon shared with us 11 inspirational and beautiful piece he composed and arranged for the Commonwealth musical organisations, excerpts of which were played during the online event. In between the musical segments, Simon recounted his introduction to the Commonwealth back in 2016 when he won first prize in the Commonwealth Music Competition for his composition called “A Song for the Commonwealth” which marked the beginning of his long term association with the bloc’s musical organisations. He also discussed in detail with us his thought process behind each composition and arrangement as well as his general methodology and creative sources from which he draws inspiration for his works. The event also included an interactive Q&A session with the audience that lead to some surprising discoveries, including a potential career for Simon in video game music composition! #commonwealthmusic #CommonwealthYouthOrchestraandChoir #nationalanthems Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Join us live on the 6th of September 2022 at 10 AM BST/ 5 PM HKT for a vibrant and exciting online event on the astounding Power of Music as a Commonwealth Language! To register for this amazing event click here: https://commonwealthchamber.com/connecting-and-inspiring-people-and-business-through-the-power-of-music/ Music is a universal language that brings the Commonwealth nations closer together, evoking emotions that even spoken language may not be able to elucidate. The Commonwealth Chamber is delighted to be joined by the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir’s Composer in Residence, Simon Haw MBE to reflect upon his journey in composing iconic piece for the Commonwealth, including masterpieces like “Believe”, “to Be A Friend” and “Green Canopy”. The discussion will touch on topics such as the complexity of the art and engineering behind the music as well as how the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir is working on heralding a new digital future for the organization. Aside from the riveting conversation, we are also thrilled to feature real life experiences of musical composition for your enjoyment during the event to also showcase just how significant music can be in bringing the nations together to celebrate their diversity, in unison. #Commonwealth #CommonwealthMusic #CommonwealthSymphonies #CommonwealthYouthOrchestraandChoir #Youth #GlobalMusic #SimonHaw #CommonwealthChamber #CommonwealthConnect

The Southeast Asian nation is home to 4,000 startups, over 220 venture capital firms and more than 200 incubators. From 2019-2021, Singapore’s tech startup ecosystem accumulated US$89 billion in funding, well above the world average of US$28.6 billion, and 52% of the total equity funding generated in Southeast by the end of 2021 went to the city state. According to the latest estimates from Tech in Asia, Southeast Asian region has minted 49 unicorns overall, of which 28 were founded in Singapore; in 2021 alone, the region saw 25 new unicorns emerge of which 11 came from the Commonwealth nation. Startup Genome, the internationally leading research organisation for startup ecosystems, ranked Singapore as the 5th best ecosystem in Asia and 18th worldwide in its Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2022, claiming the nation to be the ideal base to penetrate Southeast Asia’s trillion dollar digital commerce and ICT climate. What makes the Lion City so attractive a destination that Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners even have offices there? Geographically, Singapore is the entry point into the Asia-Pacific region and it has established itself well as a trade and logistics hub which is attractive for startups looking to make a name as well as multinational corporations and VC firms looking for aspiring startups to make a thriving business out of. The clean and efficient city has limited resources and as such it has dedicated substantial funding into its world-class research and training institutions, producing a rich and diverse pool of talent that has created a rising middle-class in a very pro-business environment which is also very technically savvy and well-versed in deep-tech. In this webinar, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce was joined by Crane HR, a dual-sided marketplace platform headquartered in Singapore that facilitates companies to hire more efficiently through their online work portfolios and on the other hand helps the workers bypass expensive and inefficient recruitment platforms. The company was represented by Crane HR’s CEO and COO, Sazzad Hossain and Nazmus Sakib Khan, respectively, who shared extensively their motivations behind starting the company and how the Commonwealth nation’s robust ecosystem equipped them to make an exceptional business model to make their heartwarming dream of helping inspirational and hardworking immigrants come true. #CommonwealthConnect #techstartups #CraneHR Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Singapore has been dubbed the “natural home” of cryptocurrency in Asia, being amongst the first countries in Southeast Asia, along with fellow Commonwealth member state Malaysia, to adopt the digital currency. By mid-2021, Singaporean citizens had the sixth-highest rate of cryptocurrency adoption according to statistics by Finder.com with 15.6% of the surveyed adults owning cryptocurrencies. Whilst the top choice was BitCoin owned by 66.7% of the sample (3rd highest globally), 52.4 also said they owned Ethereum which translated to roughly 8.2% of the Singaporean adult population, the highest percentage globally. (Nearing the end of 2021 during the time when both BitCoin and Ethereum saw immense growth, 100% and 300% respectively, Singapore was named the most crypto-friendly country in the world by the international crypto rating company- Coincub- due to its “robust economy, positive legislative environment, and high rate of cryptocurrency adoption”. Singapore remains the most popular jurisdiction for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Singapore’s rising image as the crypto hub has been marred with doubt, however, at the start of the year 2022 with the release of the MAS’ “Guidelines on the Provision of Digital Payment Tokens”. Under these new guidelines, retail activity in cryptocurrency is being heavily curtailed and regulated; cryptocurrency service providers are being restricted from marketing their services to the general public and the regulatory authorities are now very selective in their approach to regulating cryptocurrency opting to make crypto products and services accessible to financial institutions before retail investors and are far more lenient in terms of license issuance to the former rather than the latter. Consequently, many assume that Singapore is redacting its objective of becoming a global crypto while say that the development is actually in line with Singapore’s cautious but progressive approach to the crypto space, arguing that Singapore is taking its time to implement well thought out and protective policies that ensure that the citizens do not invest in high-risk endeavors. In this webinar, the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce is joined by Chris Holland, Partner of the Singapore-based full-service compliance consultancy firm, Holland & Marie, to discuss in detail the historical context and rationale behind Singapore’s policy frameworks towards navigating the regulation and gradual adoption of cryptocurrency as well as the future trajectory of Singapore as the leading Commonwealth nation in the field of decentralized digital currency. #CommonwealthChamber #CommonwealthConnect #Cryptocurrency #DigitalTokens #Singapore #ICOs #NFTs #MonetaryAuthoritySingapore #PaymentServicesAct #CommonwealthCrypto #HollandMarie #ChrisHolland #Ethereum #BitCoin Timecodes: 00:00 Julia Charlton's welcome speech 03:04 Chris Holland about Singapore as a leading Commonwealth Crypto Finance Hub 28:06 Chris Holland about Green Shoots seminar 29:40 Chris Holland about difficulty to get bank accounts Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

Digital lending, or alternative lending, has become a prominent driver of growth of African citizen banking and is also revolutionising the continent’s overall consumer credit market. Surveys have found that 40% of Africans prefer online payment and financial platforms which can help contextualise the 102% increase in online alternative financing from US$104 million in 2017 to US$563.8 million in 2022 at an annual growth rate of 5.7% predicted till the year 2026. Such alternative lending platforms that use different measurements for assessing an individual’s credit score, have become critical for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that represent approximately 80% of all African businesses yet face a gap of US$3.4 trillion in funding due to their failure to meet the demands of traditional credit scoring and bank requirements. By allowing the growth drivers of the African economy to attain capital from online platforms, African businesses and rising middle class will be given the opportunity to expand and create better domestic opportunities for employment and capital raising. In this webinar, Michael Bowren, CEO of Finch Technologies, provides a comprehensive analysis of the digital consumer and business lending ecosystem in Sub Saharan Africa and describes the friction points of traditional lending that results in high costs and application drop off rates as the problem he and his team at Finch Technologies hope to tackle through their modular technology startup that provides digitized lending services from the beginning of the application process all the way to the final step of the disbursement of funds. He explains the many benefits of digital lending in improving process efficiency, time management and consumer experience which results in increased revenues per loan for the lender and an overall improved and accessible experience for the borrower. Finch Technologies is a FinTech startup based in South Africa that powers financial access across Africa. It was founded in 2016 with the creation of ‘Fincheck’, South Africa’s first independent financial services marketplace. The company’s marketplace expanded significantly in 2020 when it took over FundingHub, South Africa’s biggest business finance marketplace, through a management buyout. In the subsequent year Finch Technologies also created its own digital onboarding tool, ‘Gathr’, to streamline the technical processes for their partners and clients. Timecodes: 00:00 Julia Charlton's welcome speech 03:05 Mateena Hammad about Global and Commonwealth Digital Lending Markets 11:32 Michael Bowren about digital consumer and business lending ecosystem in Sub Saharan Africa 28:28 Michael Bowren about himself 30:04 Michael Bowren about access to the platform 34:12 Michael Bowren about AI 38:09 Michael Bowren about growing the business 49:14 Michael Bowren about differences in the approach between the consumer marketplace and the finance market 50:46 Michael Bowren about competitive landscape 54:00 Michael Bowren about funding environment in South Africa 57:54 Q&A session 1:01:40 Julia Charlton's closing remarks #CommonwealthChamber #CommonwealthConnect #CommonwealthAfrica #FinchTechnologies #SouthAfrica #Digitalisation #LendingMarketPlaces #ConsumerLending #BusinessLending #DigitalLending #LendingPlatforms #PostPandemicGrowth #BuildBackBetter #SMEs #FundingGaps #FinanceInnovation Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber

During this webinar, Co-Founder and CEO of Riivo.io, Nicholas Bowman, provides a comprehensive conceptualisation of “Low-Code”, how he came across the area of expertise whilst working in the insurance space and how he and his team members foresaw the immense potential of the technological innovation which lead to the creation of their startup, Riivo.io. He shares his journey starting Riivo.io in 2017 and collaborating with Microsoft’s own low code initiative, the Microsoft Power Platform. He delves into the specifics of Low-code and provides a helpful explanation of the differences between no-code, low-code and pro-code whilst highlighting the factors that make low-code advantageous for businesses looking for digital solutions to upscale their business in a cost-effective manner. The discussion section of the webinar focusses on more nuanced areas including the questions regarding security risks and ownership of applications developed through low-code service providers as well as the prospects of low code becoming immensely important for a future where mandatory low-code training in academic institutions and schools could change the way we integrate technology into our lifestyles. Nicholas Bowman began his career in the Investment Banking space working in both the Mergers and Acquisitions, and Equity Capital Markets Team at Absa Capital. From there he joined the family business, Icon, which focused on the insurance space. With an innovative mission to bring tech in to an underserved space in the market, Icon began building out its solution in 2017, and it is there that his passion for low-code development began. After a few years within Icon, a decision was taken to split the insurance and software development components, and from there riivo was born. Nicholas currently heads up riivo, and is deeply involved in the development and solution design components of all active projects. Whilst still in its ‘start-up’ phase, he is extremely excited about the impact that riivo can have, leveraging low-code platforms to make technology accessible to businesses of all sizes. #CommonwealthConnect #SouthAfrica #LowCode #MicrosoftPowerPlatform #NoCode #Digitalisation #DigitalConnectivity #UpscalingBusinesses #SMEs #DigitalInnovations #FutureofCoding Visit for more: https://commonwealthchamber.com/ CCC Social Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commonwealthchamber/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthChamberInt/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealthchamber/ Telegram https://t.me/commonwealth_chamber