habariinspiration 50 msafiri A roof over our heads msafiri is delighted to recognise good business in Africa, starting with the Safal group at Fairview's Country Lodge E stablished in 2003, the Safal Group ( www. safalgroup. com) is the leading manufacturer of flat and long steel products in Africa. Headquartered in Mauritius, Safal comprises 13 companies spread across Kenya and nine other African countries, with products being exported worldwide. The group is associated with metal roofing products, and their colourful steel roofs can be seen across the continent, adorning everything from bus shelters to factories, houses and malls. Kenya's Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd ( MRM) founded in 1961, is the flagship company of the Safal Group. In September 2008 MRM announced an important initiative to help tackle the current housing shortage in Kenya, launching its " Ultra- span light- gauge steel structural solution", seen as a way of achieving the government's stated aim of providing 40,000 houses for internally displaced families affected by the post- election violence. Made from light- gauge steel, the roof-carrying structure is cost- effective, quick to install, fire- resistant and long- lasting. By providing an alternative to timber supports, it eases commercial pressures on the country's forests – the planned 40,000 houses would otherwise require a staggering 2.4 million metres of wood – testament to the company's aim of making the benefits of technology accrue to people at a local level in an affordable and sustainable manner. BARCLAY'S UNVEILS PREMIER CENTRE Well, probably not, if you're reading this… However, one in eight of us have known the inconvenience, distress and often considerable expense of missing a flight at some time in our lives. Cue www. missedaflight. com a recently launched website designed to help passengers who have missed a flight in the UK, operated by Teleticket, who have over a decade of experience in last- minute seat sales on scheduled, low- cost and charter airlines. Submit your details and contact mobile number, and a dedicated missedaflight consultant will call to talk through the options and book your travel, getting you back on track. Or, call + 0871 6666 737 to speak to a missedaflight consultant. african business awards The CBC- African Business Awards took place in July 2008 at a glittering ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Sixteen awards were presented to outstanding business leaders and companies from across Africa. The three most coveted awards were won by Mo Ibrahim ( Lifetime Achievement Award), Arnold Ekpe, CEO of Ecobank ( Business Leader of the Year), and Ndi Okereke- Onyiuke, Director General of the Nigeria Stock ( African Businesswoman of the Year). For the first time in East and Central Africa, ATM technology is being used to raise funds for a social cause, thanks to Imperial Bank's landmark campaign dubbed, ' Key in your donation and help save a child's life!' Funds will be raised through the PesaPoint ATM network and will go towards ' Child Alive!', a UNICEF initiative to raise funds for a Government- led initiative that aims to sensitise the public to child mortality in Kenya by teaching inexpensive ways of promoting child survival. B arclays Bank recently unveiled a state- of- the- art banking centre for Premier customers at Nairobi's Westgate Mall. The Barclays Premier Centre is designed to offer customers a unique blend of luxurious facilities and world- class services. The new centre is the first of its kind in sub- Saharan Africa, and only the third in the world. Apart from the banking hub, the centre boasts hi- tech conference rooms for the exclusive use of Barclays Premier customers, along with state- of- the- art interactive play areas to keep kids entertained. As well as the use of the new centre, Premier customers enjoy many other financial and lifestyle benefits, including an Alliance Partner Program with exclusive offers from top brands including Serena Hotels, Kitengela Glass and Onyx Jewellers. Fundraising at the ATM MISSED YOUR PLANE?