Africa Outlook - Issue 52 by Outlook Publishing

www.africaoutlookmag.com

AFRICA ISSUE 52

Symbion International continues to add value to Africaâ€™s landscape by creating space for lifestyles to thrive

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 24

Gauteng: The Urban Heart of South Africa

HOWDEN AFRICA 50 Providing lifelong, complete engineering solutions

JAGAL ENERGY - NIGERDOCK SUPPORT BASE 94

Achieving world-class performance

AGRICANE 112 Making a sustainable difference in African agriculture

ALSO FEATURING: M I C R O S O F T | E C O B A N K M A L A W I | W O R L D V I S I O N W E S T A F R I C A

Business Travel Guides

A complete guide to the world’s most popular locations

G A U T E N G

A trip to the province of Gauteng will provide you with an unforgettable chance to experience the astonishing rebirth of Johannesburg, exploring every aspect of what this vibrant place has to offer its newcomers Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Ryan Gray

he province of Gauteng is the beating heart of South Africa - as well as the well oiled economic engine of Africa - and with the country’s largest and perhaps most dynamic city, Johannesburg at its centre, it is becoming ever more popular. With the impressive rebirth of Johannesburg, the province is becoming a culturally dynamic epicentre, having once been considered a place to avoid, now it is one of the most inspiring metropolis in the world and the perfect hot-spot for

business travel. It is likely that you will spend a lot of your working hours in Johannesburg, however, there are plenty of spectacular sights to explore in your free time slightly further afield. Pretoria is a short drive out to the north and will provide you with the perfect respite from the busy capital. As South Africa’s administrative capital Pretoria will provide a slightly grander experience, with a plethora of stately buildings and museums to wind away your hours. A business trip is Gauteng is the perfect setting, with the province

Gauteng 24

being South Africa’s centre for both the industrial and commerce sectors, subsequently being very well connected. Gauteng is considered the gateway to Southern Africa, with the majority of destinations easily accessible by either a short flight or drive. Despite the fact that Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa making up only 1.5 percent of the land area - it is one of the most urbanised areas, containing the country’s largest city and therefore an endless array of opportunities for exploration in this rejuvenated area during your travels.

FACTS & FIGURES Capital: Languages: Area: Population (2016): Currency: Time zone: Internet TLD: . Climate:

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24 See page 26

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Writer: Matthew Staff

Bloemfontein T O W N

Johannesburg Zulu, English, Afrikaans, Sotho 18,176 km2 13.5 million rand UTC +2 .za subtropical

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Our Business Travel section not only gives executives the complete guide to the world’s most popular and populous locations, but also gives said locations the perfect opportunity to showcase their own businesses, events, venues and services to a truly international audience and readership of more than 185,000 each month.

acknowledgement hero when it comes to international R. Tolkien, but remains the unsung figures in the country, including J. R. is the birthplace of numerous heroic South Africa’s ‘fountain of flowers’

C A P E

AFRICA

ability to retain a small town or even country, its appeal comes from the As the sixth biggest city in the to champion. J. R. R. Tolkien would have been proud that even one of its most favourite sons, of roses - has become an unsung hero known as the fountain of flowers or city judicial capital of South Africa - also in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the grandeur and scale by its counterparts Somewhat overshadowed in terms of the quiet and confident city. anyone who has been fortunate to visit Africans and indeed consciousness of South way into the positive and assuredly etched its loemfontein has quietly

- that the quaint little capital can offer. and to bask in the humility - and sunshine in the best that African nature can offer, take the city at a leisurely pace, to take The key to enjoying Bloemfontein is to inducing instincts subdued. minds open and their more adrenalineor do, as long as they arrive with their be left with any shortage of things to see business travel experience, they won’t who have been called into the city for a That being said, for those lucky few set-up shop within the area. large domestic enterprises looking to based on smaller international firms or traditionally culminated in a make-up From an economic standpoint this has on a national scale as a legislative hub. village-like feel despite being so key

temperature: Highest recorded Climate: Internet TLD: . Dialling code: Time zone: Currency: Population (2015): Area: Languages: Municipality: Province: Country:

39.3°C

Semi-arid .sa

+27

UTC+2 Rand

256,185

236 square kilometres English, Xhosa Afrikaans, Sotho, Mangaung Free State

South Africa

To share in this unrivalled exposure and to put your own offering on our map, then please contact our Sales Managers, Joe Palliser or Ryan Gray to find out more. U

FACTS & FIGURES

joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com

+44 (0)1603 959 676

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+44 (0)1603 959 672

W E L C O M E

AFRICA

A Space to Thrive AFRICA For more than four years, Africa Outlook has provided the continent’s leading industry lights with an opportunity to tell their fascinating stories so that we - in turn - can tell the world. And in each monthly issue, we have tended to hone in on one hot topic or headline grabbing sector to ensure that every domain gets its chance in the spotlight. In this month’s issue though, we Symbion International continues to add value to Africa’s landscape by creating space for lifestyles to thrive have gone for the jugular. For the first time, all 13 of our focal sectors are represented equally in what is one of our largest publications to date. Agriculture, manufacturing, finance, oil & gas, travel and tourism, retail, energy and utilities, shipping and logistics, food & drink, healthcare, mining and resources, and technology are all accounted for upon a backdrop of significant international events and a holistic, contributed front of book assortment. Leading the way though is our construction portion, and Symbion International; who - in the same way that Africa Outlook gives African enterprise a space to thrive - is creating physical spaces for lifestyles to flourish in East Africa. The multinational architectural firm has successfully spent the past 35 years adding value to Kenya’s, Uganda’s, Tanzania’s and the Seychelles’ landscapes and Executive Director, Oscar Ogunde talks us through the Company’s most “iconic and beautiful” achievements to date. Howden Africa and Nigerdock follow close behind in the industrial melting pot that is Africa Outlook, each of them paving the way for a host of manufacturing, oil & gas and energy heavyweights to share their vision for a more sustainable and economically prosperous continent. Elsewhere, Agricane keeps our recent agricultural momentum going, while our ongoing CSR and healthcare drive takes us to the doorsteps of World Vision West Africa, Tecmed Africa, Microsoft and Myungsung Christian Medical Center. Ecobank Malawi and KHULA Fleet add financial and logistical edges to proceedings, respectively, before we indulge in this month’s business travel guide instalment; this time taking a broader look at one of South Africa’s most significant provinces in the form of Gauteng. www.africaoutlookmag.com

ISSUE 52

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 24

Gauteng: The Urban Heart of South Africa

HOWDEN AFRICA 50 Providing lifelong, complete engineering solutions

JAGAL ENERGY - NIGERDOCK SUPPORT BASE 94

Achieving world-class performance

AGRICANE 112 Making a sustainable difference in African agriculture

ALSO FEATURING: M I C R O S O F T | E C O B A N K M A L A W I | W O R L D V I S I O N W E S T A F R I C A

EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Matthew Staff matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com Deputy Editor: Phoebe Calver phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com

PRODUCTION Production Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com Art Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com Advert Designer: Mandy Farnell mandy.farnell@outlookpublishing.com Images: Thinkstock by Getty Images

BUSINESS Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Heads of Projects: Arron Rampling arron.rampling@outlookpublishing.com Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com Kane Weller kane.weller@outlookpublishing.com Tom Cullum tom.cullum@outlookpublishing.com Training Development Manager: Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com Sales Managers: Joe Palliser joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Ryan Gray ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com Project Managers: Callam Waller callam.waller@outlookpublishing.com Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com Josh Hyland josh.hyland@outlookpublishing.com Richard Thomas richard.thomas@outlookpublishing.com Stuart Parker stuart.parker@outlookpublishing.com

ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Office & Finance Manager: Sophia Curran sophia.curran@outlookpublishing.com WEB DESIGN: Hamit Saka IT: James Le-May

OUTLOOK PUBLISHING Managing Director: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Chairman: Mark Weaver CONTACT Outlook Publishing Ltd Woburn House, 84 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4AB, United Kingdom Sales: +44 (0) 1603 959 652 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1603 959 655 Email: matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

www.africaoutlookmag.com Like us on Facebook - facebook.com/africaoutlook Follow us on Twitter - @Africa_Outlook

Matthew Staff

Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing

Enjoy the issue!

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In this issue...

SHOWCASING LEADING COMPANIES Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world

CONSTRUCTION

SYMBION INTERNATIONAL Iconic and Beautiful

Creating spaces for lifestyles to thrive

FEDHA (MANAGEMENT) LTD Professionalism and Ethics Demonstrating a belief in continuous improvement

MANUFACTURING

HOWDEN AFRICA Revolving Around You

HAVAL MOTORS SOUTH AFRICA Enjoy the Ride

Providing lifelong, complete engineering solutions

NEWS

All the latest stories from across Africa

A T

ENERGY & UTILITIES A Powerful Debate

HEALTHCARE Real Solutions to Real Challenges

South Africa and the wider continent’s energy challenges are back in the spotlight

Improving healthcare for the most vulnerable in Africa

Improving, little by little, everyday

S E C TO R F O C U S

MANUFACTURING Building Africa’s Manufacturing Base

Proving itself as a manufacturing powerhouse

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE

H&R SOUTH AFRICA A Structured Vision

ARCELORMITTAL SOUTH AFRICA Transforming Tomorrow

Unlocking growth opportunities in South Africa and beyond

GAUTENG The Urban Heart of South Africa

Striving to be among one of the lowest-cost steel producers in the world

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JAGAL ENERGY NIGERDOCK SUPPORT BASE Nigerian Content Champions Achieving world-class performance

AFRICA F O O D & D R I N K

104

178

KUKU FOODS EAST AFRICA HOLDINGS (KFEAH) The Best KFC on the Continent

ORYX PROPERTIES

Uplifting Investments Targeting achievable growth, both for the Company and for Namibia

A leader in innovation and brand delivery

A G R I C U L T U R E

112

AGRICANE Unique in its Field

148

Making a sustainable difference in African agriculture

MYUNGSUNG CHRISTIAN MEDICAL CENTER A Helping Hand Bringing life to the souls of Ethiopia

154

LIONS SIGHTFIRST EYE HOSPITAL We Care For You Medical services you can trust

MINING & RESOURCES

186

SHIPPING & LOGISTICS F

122

ECOBANK MALAWI LIMITED Malawi’s Pan African Bank Facilitating the dream of a cashless environment

128

NICO GENERAL INSURANCE The Natural Choice

Delivering world-class general insurance products and services

158

134

WORLD VISION WEST AFRICA Keeping the Faith A 2030 goal to eliminate preventable child mortality

142

TECMED AFRICA Excellence in Medical Technology State-of-the-art medical equipment for the continent

Overcoming cross-border challenges to achieve continued success all over the world

KHULA FLEET Embracing Progression Stepping out of the comfort zone

ENERGY & UTILITIES

164

NEW SOUTHERN ENERGY The Power is Yours

T E C H N O L O G Y

Providing key renewable energies to the continent

170

KENYA ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION CO. LTD Building a World-Class National Grid

Facilitating regional power trade

H E A L T H C A R E

MINOPEX Excellence in Operations and Maintenance

192

ORACLE AFRICA The Power of Cloud Computing

A long-term engagement with Africa’s technological evolution

E V E N T

F O C U S

196

POWER NIGERIA

198

TANZANIA OIL & GAS CONGRESS

200

FUTURE ENERGY CENTRAL AFRICA

202

POWERING AFRICA: NIGERIA

The Nigerian power sector is a market that no rational investor can ignore

Assessing opportunities and priorities for the Tanzanian energy market

A regional platform for power and utility development

Nigeria makes moves to recapitalise the energy sector with the PSRP

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ECONOMY

South Africa Considers Privatisation to Counter Recession

South African Finance Minister, Malusi Gigaba laid out an ambitious 14-point programme to wrench the economy out of recession that included the sale of non-core assets and partial privatisation of stateowned firms. The plans to stimulate growth in the continent’s most industrialised economy appear to represent an ideological shift by the African National Congress (ANC), whose political alliance with the unions has

tended to make privatisation a dirty word. A team commissioned by President, Jacob Zuma to review state firms last year recommended that some should be sold. Now the Government has set a date - March, 2018 - by which to roll out a private sector participation framework. “All of these items that we have announced... they constitute an important intervention to restore confidence and demonstrate action, and outline an action plan that we as

government can be responsible for,” Gigaba said. “I’m not sure how far he is going to be able to get with this because I think ideologically there’s a lot of opposition,” NKC African Economics analyst Gary van Staden said. “The last time I heard the ANC even talk about privatisation or even talk about sale of state-owned assets on any kind of level is when Thabo Mbeki was president. It’s been a long time.” South Africa’s economy entered recession for the first time since 2009 in the first quarter and is also struggling with high unemployment and credit ratings downgrades. The state of the economy is adding to the pressure on Zuma, who is also facing persistent corruption allegations and increasing calls for him to stand down from within the ANC. Parliament will hold a no-confidence vote on Zuma next month. Many of South Africa’s 300-odd state-owned companies are a drain on the government’s purse. Ratings agencies have singled out some as threat to its overall investment grade rating. The firms, known as “parastatals” in South Africa, include companies such as South African Airways, power utility Eskom and logistics group Transnet that are regarded as central to the functioning of the economy. Gigaba did not say what would be going under the hammer first, saying that would be determined by an audit. BNP Paribas South Africa economist Jeff Schultz said investors would want to see more details before endorsing it as a viable turnaround strategy. “It’s very difficult to say at this stage. He was quite cagey on what sales of non-core assets he was referring to,” Schultz said.

GO TO WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM AFRICA

AFRICA TECHNOLOGY

Vodacom Tanzania Extends Deadline for Stock Market Listing Vodacom Tanzania has extended the offer period for its initial public offering for a second time to allow foreign investors to take part, the telecom operator said. The Company, a subsidiary of South Africa’s Vodacom Group, said it had received approval from Tanzania’s capital markets regulator to extend the offer period until 28 July, 2017 after the country changed its laws to allow foreigners to buy telecoms shares. A listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange was tentatively set for 15 August, the Company said. The Government lifted a ban on foreigners participating in telecoms IPOs last month, a move expected to widen the pool of potential FOOD & DRINK

Ghana Seeks Swiss Support to Process More Cocoa Ghana is seeking collaboration with Switzerland to boost its cocoa output and process more of the beans in the face of price volatility, President Nana Akufo-Addo said. Ghana, the world’s second largest producer and top grower, Ivory Coast, together account for more than 60 percent of the world’s cocoa supply, have been hit by a sharp drop in world prices that have seen cocoa futures plummet by around a third. While Ivory Coast responded by slashing its guaranteed farmgate prices, Ghana has maintained the price at which it buys cocoa from farmers

investors for several major companies. Traders said purchase of the shares by local investors was slow even after the offer period was extended twice due to concerns about adequate liquidity in the local market. Telecom operators are required by law to have 25 percent local ownership via IPOs at the local bourse. The Government hopes the listings will bring more transparency and offer the public a share in the industry’s profits.

Two other major telecoms operators, Millicom’s subsidiary Tigo and the local business of India’s Bharti Airtel, have also submitted prospectuses to the regulator and are awaiting approval for their IPOs. The number of mobile phone subscribers in Tanzania rose by 0.9 percent in 2016 to 40.17 million. Mobile phone use has surged over the past decade, helped by the launch of cheaper mobile phones. since the season opened in October. Ghana exports at least 70 percent of its beans mainly to Europe through forward contracts. “Ghana, under my presidency, will no longer become mere producers and exporters of cocoa beans, and will continue the policy of processing more and more of our cocoa,” AkufoAddo told reporters after a meeting with Swiss President, Doris Leuthard in Accra. Both sides agreed to undertake joint projects to add value to Ghana’s beans, Akufo-Addo said without giving details. Ghana, which also exports gold and oil, is under a three-year aid programme with the International Monetary Fund to restore fiscal stability to its economy, dogged by high public debt, deficits and consumer inflation.

GO TO WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM AFRICA

TECHNOLOGY

Huawei Joins WorldRemit in Mobile Money Transfer Deal for Africa Digital money transfer service, WorldRemit has partnered with Chinese smartphone maker, Huawei to enable the international transfer of money across Huawei’s mobile services in Africa. Mobile money services that allow customers to transfer funds using their phones have proved hugely popular in parts of Africa, particularly where people have less access to traditional bank accounts. “International remittance is a very important mobile money service in Africa, and our partnership with WorldRemit will bring international remittances directly to Huawei’s customers across the continent,” David Chen, Vice-President of Huawei Southern Africa, said in a statement. Safaricom’s mobile phone-based financial service M-Pesa in east Africa has already seen success in this market. The partnership will allow Londonbased WorldRemit to connect to over 100 million mobile accounts using Huawei’s platform, which currently delivers basic banking.

ECONOMY

Barclays Africa Challenges Findings on Apartheid-era Bailout Barclays Africa launched a court challenge to the anti-graft watchdog’s findings that the lender’s South African unit unduly benefited from an apartheid-era bailout. Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhebane said last month her investigation had found the apartheid government and central bank breached the constitution by supplying a bank later acquired

R E TA I L

South Africa’s Shoprite says H2 Remains Challenging South African supermarket group Shoprite said that trading conditions in its local market, where the economy is in recession, remained challenging in the second half of its financial year, sending its shares lower. The Company is pursuing a strategy of pushing upmarket as spending

by wealthier households remains undeterred by the downturn. “The challenging trading conditions

by Absa, the retail banking unit of Barclays Africa, with a series of bailouts from 1986 to 1995. The constitutionally mandated anti-corruption agency said Absa must repay 1.1 billion rand ($83 million) to the state. “In reaching her finding that Absa benefited from the South African Reserve Bank financial support, the Public Protector appears to have impermissibly ignored facts and disregarded evidence provided to her,” Absa said. The bank said in court filings it had not benefited from the central bank bailout of Bankorp because the price it paid for it took into account the central bank’s financial assistance. in South Africa continued in the second half of the year and the South African supermarket operation increased sales by 10.1 percent,” the Company said in a trading update. But it said on a “like-for-like basis” - a comparison which usually excludes the affects of expansion or acquisition sales increased by a more moderate 6.9 percent. Elsewhere in Africa, Shoprite said it “recorded sales growth of 13.5 percent, mainly due to the impact of lower commodity prices and the devaluation of certain currencies”.

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AFRICA O I L & G A S

MINING & RESOURCES

South Africa Puts New Mining Charter on Hold South Africa has suspended implementation of a new mining law, pending a court ruling, the Chamber of Mines industry body said. Mining shares fell to more than one-year lows when Mines Minister, Mosebenzi Zwane released the revised mining charter last month, giving resource firms 12 months to meet a new 30 percent minimum for black ownership, up from 26 percent. The Chamber of Mines said the minister had given a written T E C H N O L O G Y

Shell Shuts Trans Niger Pipeline Due to Leak

undertaking that the new code would not be implemented until a court ruled on a case against the move brought by the chamber. It said the court would likely hear the so-called interdict application in September.

of the new name, 9mobile, the Company said, adding that Etisalat Nigeria had started the process of rebranding. “Etisalat Nigeria wishes to inform its over 20 million subscribers, Nigeria’s telecoms regulator has government and regulatory approved Etisalat Nigeria’s name agencies... the telecommunication change after its Middle East parent company has changed its name to pulled out following regulatory 9mobile,” 9mobile said. intervention to save the local The move was to ensure business company from collapse due to debt. continuity of Nigeria’s fourth The Nigerian Communications largest telecom operator, it said in a Commission (NCC) has been notified statement.

Telecoms Regulator Approves Etisalat Nigeria Name Change

Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary has shut its 180,000 barrel-per-day Trans Niger pipeline in Nigeria due to a leak, the Company said in a statement, effectively shutting in exports of Bonny Light crude oil. The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said it shut the pipeline on 21 July, 2017 after a leak at B-Dere, Ogoniland. The Company said it did not yet know the cause of the leak. Shell declared force majeure on Bonny Light exports earlier this month after the closure of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line by operator, Aiteo, the only other export avenue, but until last week loadings continued via the Trans Niger Pipeline. M I N I N G & R E S O U R C E S

Zambia’s Konkola Mine Halts Operations Zambia’s Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) said it was halting operations indefinitely at its Nchanga underground mine (NUG) in Chingola state due to theft of high voltage cables. Konkola, a subsdiary of Londonlisted Vedanta Resources Plc, said it had also evacuated its 991 workers. The Company said the theft occurred after midnight when night shift workers suffered a sudden power outage at the ventilation shaft. It was later discovered that at least nine high-voltage copper cables at the 11 kilovolt substation had been cut off and stolen. In a statement, Konkola said it was the second such incident in a fortnight, following the theft of 200 metres of high-voltage cabling.

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TELL US YOUR STORY

AND WEâ€™LL TELL THE WORLD AFRICA OUTLOOK is a digital and print product aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers across a wide range of industries on the continent. With content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from the length and breadth of Africa. We reach an audience of 185,000 people across the continent, bridging the full range of industrial sectors: mining; oil & gas; logistics; resources; manufacturing; construction; engineering; technology; food & drink; retail; finance; and healthcare. In joining the leading industry heavyweights already enjoying the exposure we can provide, you can benefit from FREE coverage across both digital and print platforms, a FREE marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to grow your business. To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishingâ€™s Managing Director, Ben Weaver, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for free, in one of our upcoming editions.

W W W. A F R I C A O U T LO O K M A G . C O M Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 650 Email: ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

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P O W E R

D E B AT E

A Powerful cross all industry sectors, one of the key formats in facilitating and enforcing sector growth and in converting Africa from an emerging to an emerged entity has been through the portal of events and expos. Each year, hundreds of sector specific, nation specific, or even theme specific events and forums

bring together the most significant instigators to discuss challenges, to problem solve, and to shed light on what’s to come. In no more industry is this more critical - for South Africa in particular - than in the energy domain where ongoing shortages and blackouts have become commonplace in recent years. To this end, two such expos have brought together the best minds

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in energy to discuss the problems at hand and to plot a collaborative route forward. The annual African Energy Forum took place in June and took a broader glance at the continent’s investment opportunities in the area, while the upcoming International Gas Cooperation Summit (IGCS) is set to hone in more specifically on South Africa’s future options.

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Debate Africa Energy Forum

The Africa Energy Forum is the annual meeting point for the continent’s energy sector, for decision makers to explore investment opportunities, to form partnerships and to sign deals. 2017’s instalment saw African Ministries from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Gabon, Madagascar, Morocco, Rwanda and Zimbabwe

attend alongside 2,000 key industry protagonists in Copehnagen, Denmark. For all Ministers in attendance, the objective was to secure positive economic and social outcomes for their respective countries so as to avoid some of the turmoil experienced in Southern Africa - in particular - in recent times. Each Minister presented short, medium and long-term solutions to

Among Africa’s innumerable industry events that take place each year, power generation is one of the most common topics, as epitomised by 2017’s Africa Energy Forum and The International Gas Cooperation Summit Writer: Matthew Staff achieve the country’s electrification aims, discussing proposed tax relief plans for thermal energy suppliers to showcase incentives and support for investors, and to discuss strategies to

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D E B AT E

‘The Africa Energy Forum focuses primarily on large-scale power projects, supporting the public and private sectors to get projects off the ground and connected to the grid’ raise funds to explore their countries’ hydropower potential. “We will aim to raise funds for feasibility studies for more than 500 potential sites throughout the country for hydro and solar power in order to better attract investors,” announced His Excellency Dr Matusila Malungeni, Minister of Energy and Hydraulic Resources, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). To provide a platform to the energy leaders of tomorrow, the EnergyNet (www.EnergyNet.co.uk) Student Engagement Initiative (ESEI) returned to the Africa Energy Forum this year as well, flying a selection of best-in-class African law, finance and engineering

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students to meet sector leaders and explore future employment opportunities. The programme has sponsored 63 African students to date, working closely with universities and partners, Aggreko and Norton Rose Fulbright to provide onsite training workshops and meeting opportunities with African Ministers of Energy. “The Africa Energy Forum focuses primarily on large-scale power projects, supporting the public and private sectors to get projects off the ground and connected to the grid. However, given that 600 million people live without access to basic energy in Africa, increasingly investors

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AFRICA

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International Gas Cooperation Summit

Just four months later, the IGCS is set to take place in Durban from 9-11 October, to explore South Africa’s aspirations to build an energy hub for gas cooperation with international partners along the value chain. Evolving from the ‘South Africa: Gas Options’ meetings held in Cape Town in 2015 and 2016, this meeting will bring together principal Government and public sector personnel, gas developers, institutional investors, and technology providers to explore how natural gas can play a greater role in South Africa’s energy mix, and support the industrial and economic development goals of the country. EnergyNet’s Anna Gorzkowska commented: “When we launched IGCS at the South Africa: Gas Options meeting last year in Cape Town, we knew that the landscape was changing and the discussion going forward would be broader to incorporate the DTI’s gas utilisation programme. We’re therefore delighted to have got the timing of this meeting right. There is so much interest not only in the gas for power programme, but the massive infrastructure and energy projects are looking off grid to the areas not serviced by national grids taken for granted in developing countries,” commented Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet. To address this demand, the Africa Energy Forum 2017 saw the return of the Off the Grid Village area as a destination and networking hub for the Energy Access and Off Grid Community. The area featured exhibition stands for leading off grid companies, dedicated networking functions and an off grid agenda stream hosting panels, workshops demonstrations and seminars to showcase leading off grid solutions, services and expertise.

Focusing on the global gas agenda in Southern Africa

happening as a result of those anchor discussions. “The conversation in October is also not squarely about South Africa, but its relationship with international partners and Southern Africa’s ability to develop gas-based projects to electrify and empower the region. Similarities must be drawn with the UAE 20 years ago and how they leveraged gas as the foundation of their now unimaginably rich economies. We’re looking forward to taking this discussion to the next level with our partners.” IGCS will showcase gas procurement and utilisation projects and strategies, bringing together decision makers who can lay the cornerstone of the region’s success and enable South Africa to become an energy hub to support industrial development across the region. The agenda will focus on the global gas outlook for Southern Africa, case studies on modelling a gas economy, South Africa’s gas market in the context of the SADC region, how to accelerate gas infrastructure, and the cost of diving into downstream. A special conference for the Black Industrialists Programme with its major stakeholders will also take place alongside the broader meeting, drawing on partners from the last two Gas Options meetings to continue to support the crucial objectives for both international and national investors.

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C H A L L E N G E S

Real Solutions to Real Challenges Amr Kamel, Microsoft General Manager for West, East, Central Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, explains how innovative healthcare solutions are impacting the African continent Writer: Amr Kamel evelopments in Africa have had a long history of Western influence, which more often than not does not address African needs. Particularly when it comes to health the communitydeveloped programmes are far more successful. Bearing this in mind, currently there is a boom in local health technologies that are tailored to fit the needs of the communities that they have been developed for. At present there are five clear innovative healthcare technologies

that appear to be addressing Africaâ€™s healthcare challenges. Firstly, reducing mother and baby mortality is prominent on the list; each year there are an estimated three million newborn deaths, two million stillborn babies and 200,000 maternal deaths occurring worldwide. More than 60 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where mothers-to-be will often forego adequate healthcare because it is costly and more often than not, difficult to access. In attempts to fight this high mortality rate, a young group of African developers in Uganda adapted Microsoft technology to create Winsenga - an affordable ultrasound that plugs into a mobile phone and is operated by an app - which is allowing doctors and midwives in low-resource settings to monitor the health of the foetus during pregnancy and labour.

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The impact of this sort of technology is huge; having better equipped medical personnel could increase mother and baby survival by as much as 80 percent.

improving access to healthcare on the continent. SMS-based mobile health projects in Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda are reminding patients to take their medication and also keep their medical appointments. E-health systems The Wireless Reach Initiative in At present Ethiopia is facing many Kenya takes this a step further by challenges, and with a population of equipping anti-retroviral treatment more than 96 million, one of its biggest centres with 3G connectivity, in order challenges is ensuring its citizens have to monitor patients’ drug adherence. access to adequate healthcare. In order to address this, Dr Wuletta Improving the health of the most Lemma, the Director of the Centre vulnerable for Global Health Equity at Tulane Botswana now boasts one of the most University, has worked with Microsoft secure economies on the continent, to create a 100 percent locally run and but deadly diseases are undermining maintained e-health system. that stability. Of course, these diseases Now there are more than 3,000 are easily preventable with the right healthcare institutions spread across skills and resources, however, large Ethiopia that are using the e-health parts of the country’s population is systems, enabling them to digitalise rural and doctors with the ability to health records, streamline the patient diagnose them and provide specialised experience and gather patient data; that the Ministry of Health will then be able to use as key health indicators. ‘With the high levels of Elsewhere in Africa, Rwanda is also mobile penetration being leading the way in e-health, with an seen across Africa, mobile internet-based app called TRACnet, which gathers and presents HIVhealth initiatives are related data around drug supply levels also improving access to and patient load.

Access to quality healthcare

Getting access to quality healthcare is top of the list in emerging markets, and access.mobile is a digital health company that is using mobile and cloud-based technologies to address this issue. One of its solutions amHealth - is an affordable secure and easy-to-use technology, which simplifies practice management and improves patient engagement. The systems are now being used in more than 100 health facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, reaching an estimated two million patients. With the high levels of mobile penetration being seen across Africa, mobile health initiatives are also

healthcare on the continent’

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healthcare are often difficult to access. In order to get around this, Microsoft and the Botswana Innovation Hub have launched Africa’s first telemedicine service, which harnesses the power of TV white spaces - the unused frequencies in the TV spectrum - for broadband connectivity. Health professionals can now conduct consultations to patients in the most remote areas via Skype for Business, while doctors can also access high-resolution pictures on the cloud, meaning they can examine the patient in real time regardless of where the patient is, and make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment straight away. Similarly in Mali, the IKON app allows rural clinics to forward their scans and ex-rays to specialists, receiving advice on diagnosis and treatment options.

Millennial healthcare innovation

When taking into account that millennials are the most adept when it comes to using technology, and will be the ones who need to make use of the healthcare system of the future, it’s unsurprising that they’re coming up with innovative, technology-led healthcare solutions. amHealth - is an affordable secure and easy-to-use technology, which simplifies practice management and improves patient engagement

AFRICA

Health professionals can now conduct consultations in the most remote areas via Skype for Business

‘‘Smart Hand’ ...is a prosthetic hand that uses a Myo Armband and phone app, enabling the user to program the hand using the app and carry out everyday activities’ A prime example would be two of the winning teams for the Imagine Cup 2016 Pan Arab Semi-Finals - hailing from Tunisia that impressed the judges with their healthcare-related entries. ‘Protect me’, created by Team Basilisk is a solution for people with

diabetes, particularly focused on patients that lose sensitivity in their feet and can develop ulcers that can lead to the need for amputation. The solution contained micro-sensors, which measure the pressure on the defective part of the sole of the foot, providing on-demand information wirelessly, in order to avoid the aggravation of ulcers. ‘Smart Hand, which was created by Team Night’s Watch,

is a prosthetic hand that uses a Myo Armband and phone app, enabling the user to programme the hand using the app and carry out everyday activities. With the boom in innovative African healthcare, it is a major trend to watch out for and it couldn’t have come at a better time, with many African countries lacking the clinics and basic equipment needed to serve their citizens. Demands on healthcare systems are also increasing as diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids as well as non-communicable diseases like cancer, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease are on the rise. However, with Africa’s ability to leapfrog legacy technologies from the developed world, it’s possible to overcome these challenges, which is already being seen in action.

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The Manufacturing industry in Africa has huge scope to become a key exporter, and Zandre Campos, Chairman and CEO of ABO Capital Investments discusses what it will take for the continent to establish itself at the top of its game Writer: Zandre Campos frica has the ability to become a key exporter of many goods and services, but the continent has yet to prove itself as a manufacturing powerhouse. There are 54 countries in Africa and each of them has a different economy based on the resources they can provide. In order to reach their potential, Africa’s countries need to diversify and look beyond the most common commodities. Taking advantage of naturally occurring resources such as cotton to create new markets in Africa will influence the continent tenfold.

Natural resources are critical because they provide an outlet for employment opportunities to grow, and according to the World Economic Forum, Africa’s population will double to 2.5 billion people in the next 35 years. Today there are 500 million working-age citizens on the continent, but by 2040 it will exceed one billion. An increase in working class leads to an increase in consumption rates, and African communities will flounder without the local markets to provide these constituents with the goods they need. In addition, a burgeoning population means Africa’s job base needs to grow and outside

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companies should look to eager Africans to provide a manufacturing staff for them. The Economist profiles an affiliate of SRAM, the world’s second-largest cycle-components maker, who is looking to invest in Ethiopia. By manufacturing products that Africa needs, puncture-resistant bicycle tires and frames, SRAM created 100 manufacturing jobs in the country. If more companies look to Africa to provide the work force and space for these jobs just like SRAM has done, benefits will be seen on both sides. Whether this is a manufacturing job or not, there is availability and eagerness to work.

AFRICA

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Let’s look at a specific example: my home country of Angola is mainly based on oil and mining. Natural resources is the key to beginning a booming manufacturing site; but while oil is Angola’s top export, there is more potential in other natural resources in the region. A solid base of the manufacturing issue in Angola starts with the lack of agriculture within the country. The Angolan Civil War demolished agriculture in the country and still impacts the community. There is a low productivity rate in the centre, previously war-ridden section of the country due to unexploded land mines that have yet to be disposed

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‘...it is clear why an uptick in manufacturing and agriculture will create jobs, better local communities and diversify African countries’

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of properly. According to the New Agriculturist, agriculture only makes up 9.2 percent of Angola’s GDP, and despite the numerous agricultural products that flourish in the country only 0.23 percent of the land cultivates permanent crops. The same report also says that 90 percent of farms in Angola are minimal in size and are primarily used for subsistence farming within communities. While small-scale farming helps those who yield the products, cultivating cash crops is the way to a more financially successful future. One of the main reasons agriculture has been less than booming in the

AFRICA Luanda city centre

A booming economy due to oil revenues and stable politics, Angola has seen an increase in its international trading sector.

The Angolan Civil War demolished agriculture in the country and still impacts the community MIEREMET, ROB / ANEFO

recent years is due to the lack of fertiliser use and access to water, as well as land degradation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, land degradation has negative impacts on crop yields and productivity, but with an increased use in soil fertiliser and irrigation, the degradation could be reversed and the land can be improved. Furthermore, creating an array of agriculturally produced items will increase the value in local farms. 88 percent of poultry Angolans consume is imported from the United States; with just one poultry farm in a community, the need for imports could

New Angolan suburb built back in Luanda built in 2010, indicates a rising prosperity

ANGOLA

lessen greatly, not to mention the boost to local economies that may come with this change. By looking at the specific Angolan case, it is clear why an uptick in manufacturing and agriculture will create jobs, better local communities and diversify African countriesâ€™ markets from the rest of the world. With a growing population, workforce and consumption needs, Africa needs to take advantage of all the opportunities provided through natural resources and arable land for a better future.

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G A U T E N G

he province of Gauteng is the beating heart of South Africa - as well as the well oiled economic engine of Africa - and with the countryâ€™s largest and perhaps most dynamic city, Johannesburg at its centre, it is becoming ever more popular. With the impressive rebirth of Johannesburg, the province is becoming a culturally dynamic epicentre. Having once been considered a place to avoid, now it is one of the most inspiring metropolises in the world and the perfect hot-spot

for business travel. It is likely that you will spend a lot of your working hours in Johannesburg, however, there are plenty of spectacular sights to explore in your free time slightly further afield. Pretoria is a short drive out to the north and will provide you with the perfect respite from busy Joberg. As South Africaâ€™s administrative capital Pretoria will provide a slightly grander experience, with a plethora of stately buildings and museums to wind away your hours. A business trip in Gauteng provides the perfect setting, with the province

Gauteng 24

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being South Africaâ€™s centre for both the industrial and commerce sectors, subsequently being very well connected. Gauteng is considered the gateway to Southern Africa, with the majority of destinations easily accessible by either a short flight or drive. Despite the fact that Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa making up only 1.5 percent of the land area - it is one of the most urbanised areas, containing the countryâ€™s largest city and therefore an endless array of opportunities for exploration in this rejuvenated area during your travels.

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FACTS & FIGURES Capital: Languages:

Johannesburg Zulu, English, Afrikaans, Sotho

Area: 18,176 km2 Population (2016): 13.5 million Currency: rand Time zone: UTC +2 Internet TLD: . .za Climate: subtropical

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The Business End GAUTENG IS CONSIDERED by South Africans as the economic hub of the country, massively contributing to many sectors in the industry such as financial, manufacturing, technology, transport, telecommunications as well as a wide variety of others; while also hosting numerous large overseas companies that are in need of a commercial base and a gateway into African business. Not only is Gauteng the economic hub of Africa, it is also home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the largest of its kind in Africa, making the province a particularly attractive area to

large businesses and similarly appealing as a business travel destination. Mining was actually the foundation from which a large amount of economic prowess was formed, however, in recent years the mining sectorâ€™s importance has gradually began to dwindle with other sectors taking the lead to become the most significant to the economy of the province. Johannesburg in particular is a growing hub for the media, housing several media groups that own a number of newspaper and magazine publications, with two of these publications being

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Independent Newspapers and Naspers (Media24). Alongside its bustling business activities, Gauteng is becoming a renowned centre for learning in South Africa, housing many universities as well as a variety of other higher learning institutions. The province is not traditionally known as a tourist favourite - more often than not it acts as a pass through point - which in many ways makes it the perfect destination for business travel. It is well connected and has just enough sights to see to keep you entertained in your free time.

CSIR

AFRICA

International

Convention Centre

naturally hospitable • globally accessible

Pretoria/Tshwane | www.csiricc.co.za

INDABA HOTEL, SPA & CONFERENCE CENTRE CONFERENCE

YOUR AFRICAN DESTINATION IN JOHANNESBURG

EPSOM BISTRO

BANQUETS

Just north of the fast paced business world of Sandton lies the 258 bedroom Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre; a compelling blend of business-like efficiency and relaxed country atmosphere within close proximity of the International Airport making the Indaba perfect for groups and leisure travellers.

CHIEF’S BOMA

LUXURY SUITES

The hotel features 24 multi-purpose conference venues ranging from Executive Boardrooms to large Banquet Venues seating up to 500 people. Boasting 2 world class restaurants and the renowned MOWANA Spa, the Indaba Hotel is sure to meet your business and leisure requirements.

MOWANA SPA

Phone: +27 11 840 6600 | Email: indaba@indabahotel.co.za Website: www.indabahotel.co.za

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Out & About ALONG WITH ITS business prowess in Africa, Gauteng offers an endless array of activities to keep you occupied while working away from home. The province has everything you could possibly need for your business travels when it comes to providing a peaceful base, including the Maslow Hotel, located in Sandton, Johannesburg and widely known as the premier accommodation for business travellers - partly due to its prime location in Sandton’s financial district. Another perk of staying in a hotel located in this area is the proximity to the station, city mall and Nelson Mandela Square, providing the perfect base for

exploration in your free time. In the evenings similar to many cities that open the doors to business travellers, there is a plethora of food & drink choices to play with. If you are up for trying something a little different with your evening then Johannesburg has an array of distilleries to wind down in after a long day of work. Of course, Gauteng is steeped in history around every corner and you won’t have to travel far to discover a monument

PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH

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or museum to amaze you on a free afternoon. Alongside the museums, Johannesburg offers up some incredible art to enjoy, including Wits Art Museum; home to an incredible collection of African art, including contemporary as well as historical art from South Africa. You will also find a plentiful supply of nature to wind away a few hours away from the office, including Pretoria National Botanical Garden, one of South Africa’s nine botanical gardens and a truly special place to escape the bustle of the city.

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Transport Links

The rail network is one of Jo’berg’s most advisable modes of transport

TRAVELLING TO GAUTENG will be a relatively simple process, taking the stress away from the bookends of your trip; with almost all international flights arriving at Johannesburg or Tambo International Airport. The public transport you may have become accustomed to during European business trips will be relatively non-existent, so if your work requires extensive travel or you plan to explore, it is advisable to rent a car. This is easily done with all national car rental agencies being well represented in Gauteng.

Getting around by train is perhaps one of the most advisable modes of transport after renting a car. With the rapid rail link - Gautrain completed that allows travel between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Tambo International Airport. Travelling on the rapid rail system enables you to travel between the major centres, while also having a sizable bus route which supports the stations and covers the majority of suburban and business districts in the province. The service is affordable, particularly if you have to use it on a regular basis, while also

being convenient in both business and tourism hours. If you aren’t confined by a tight schedule at any point, then there is also the option of the slightly less formal minibus taxis - of which there are thousands roaming around Gauteng - which a large proportion of the local population makes use of. However, for those travelling, it is worth noting that these taxis are often unsafe as drivers will ignore the rules of the road; in some cases the vehicles won’t even be road worthy, so use with caution when travelling around.

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Outlook Recommends “If you’re in search of urban vibes, Gauteng will enthrall you. This small province is the throbbing heart of the South African nation and the economic engine of Africa.” - Lonely Planet

NIGHTLIFE

MUSEUMS Hector Pieterson Museum Wits Art Museum Arts on Main

HOSPITALITY

Mad Giant

CSIR International Convention Centre

The Griffin

Indaba Hotel The Maslow Hotel

Time Anchor Distillery NATURE

LEISURE The Joburg Theatre Benoni Country Club Bruma Lake Flea Market

FOOD & DRINK The Grillhouse

Pretoria National Botanical Garden

Kream Restaurant

Cradle of Humankind

Pachas Restaurant

Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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HISTORY

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Apartheid Museum Mandela House Constitution Hill

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Outlook Creative Services

Outlook Publishing’s awardwinning in-house team is now utilising its extensive production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

RETAIL Sandton City Shopping Centre Melrose Arch Braamfontein

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

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C A PU ET ETNOGW N G

Landmark Attractions Freedom Park

“Freedom Park celebrates South Africa’s heritage. It is a centre of knowledge aimed at deepening the understanding of the nation and strives to accommodate all of the country’s experiences and symbols to tell one coherent story.” - freedompark.co.za

Sterkfontein Caves

“An hour’s drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Sterkfontein Caves are world famous for their fossil finds and a well-known visitor destination. After an extensive face-lift in 2005, the Sterkfontein Caves site is home to a top restaurant, conferencing facilities, easy access to the caves themselves, modern walkways and a boardwalk past the excavation site where world-acclaimed fossils have been discovered.” - maropeng.co.za

Apartheid Museum

“The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of segregation and oppression, and is an absolute must-see. It uses film, text, audio and live accounts to provide a chilling insight into the architecture and implementation of the apartheid system, as well as inspiring stories of the struggle towards democracy.” - Lonely Planet

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Constitution Hill

“Inspiring Constitution Hill is one of the city’s most important attractions. It offers travellers interested in the modern South African story an integral understanding of the legal and historical ramifications of the struggle. The development focuses on South Africa’s new Constitutional Court, built within the ramparts of the Old Fort, which dates from 1892 and was once a notorious prison – many of the country’s high-profile political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, were once held there.” - Lonely Planet

Voortrekker Monument

“The majestic Voortrekker Monument is situated in the northern part of South Africa in the Pretoria (Tshwane) region in a nature reserve. It is a unique Monument which commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner and is situated in a beautiful setting.” - vtm.org.za

Rietvlei Nature Reserve

“The reserve comprises endangered Bankenveld grassland and is home to approximately 2 000 animals including cheetah, leopard, buffalo, white rhino and a host of buck, making it one of

the better populated game reserves in Gauteng. The bird watching is remarkable with two dams on the reserve with bird hides which provide open water and wetland habitats.” - Gauteng.net

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AFRICA is a leading business-to-business publication promoting and showcasing the leading companies across an array of sectors on the continent. Appearing in both digital and print, the publication is aimed at boardroom members and hands-on decision makers, reaching more than 185,000 business executives. Each month we feature leading companies and business executives by profiling their operations and success stories. Covering areas of best practice, capital investments, the supply chain, innovation and continuous improvement, we aim to promote all that is good about the industry and the region, with your company taking centre stage throughout it all. Producing business profiles across the full range of sectors and every corner of the continent, Africa Outlook is the platform to promote your business success.

Read on for this monthâ€™s profiles. Phoebe Calver, Deputy Editor phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com

If you want to enjoy the exposure and coverage we can offer, please feel free to contact us to discuss the opportunity further. Tell us your story and weâ€™ll tell the world. Matthew Staff, Editorial Director Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Iconic Beautiful ymbion has built an incredible reputation for itself over the past 37 years, having consistently pushed itself to challenge the industry norms; proudly manifesting a multitude of award winning projects that span across hotel, commercial, medical, institutional and residential style developments to name a few. African architecture has experienced a change in recent years, moving away from its sole purpose of achieving functionality and profitability; instead Symbion focuses on taking the emerging consciousness of the continent and instilling that in its projects. “We provide architectural consultancy services across Africa and further afield,” explains Oscar Ogunde, Executive Director of Symbion Kenya. “All aspects of our work are guided by the principles within our Company

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of integrity, people, innovation, collaboration and excellence. We are an incredibly committed group when it comes to the development of the architecture industry as a whole, while ensuring we always celebrate the true nature of our clients.” The Company was formed in 1980 and after beginning as a partnership, it has since grown exponentially through taking on more directors and spreading its wings to open up working opportunities through operations in the Seychelles, Kampala and a base in Dar Es Salaam.

Relevant in a competitive market

In order to keep up-to-date with advancements in the industry, the Company is very aware of the importance of continuously upgrading its hardware and software, ensuring that it is always at the cutting edge of technology. Due to the continued growth of the Company and the number of branches it is now operating across, the technology used is also increasingly pivotal to ensuring cohesion between all of the practices.

Symbion International continues to add value to Africa’s landscape by creating space for lifestyles to thrive Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Kane Weller

TOYOTA EAST AFRICA SHOWROOM NAIROBI, KENYA

The brief required a stateof-the-art facility that communicates Toyotaâ€™s corporate image as a leading global car manufacturer, on a tight site, and that could be constructed in the shortest time possible.

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We are one of the leading suppliers & manufacturers of finely crafted timber products & customized joinery

Shah Timber was established in 1960, and over the years, it has grown to become one of the leaders in timber products, and customized hardwood furniture in the country. Our team of dedicated staff are highly skilled and well trained. We use precision equipment and selected materials along with a hands-on approach to ensure quality production, reliability and satisfied clients. SHAH TIMBER SUPPORTS THE KENYA FOREST WORKING GROUP (KFWG) IN PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

Shah Timber Mart Ltd Building No. 09, Homabay Road, Off Enterprise Road, Industrial Area

INTRODUCING

• KITCHENS

Composite decking

• DOORS • WINDOWS • WARDROBES • LAMINATED FURNITURE • HARDWOOD FLOORING • COMPOSITE DECKING WE USE SELECTED, HIGH QUALITY TIMBER IN HARDWOOD, SOFTWOOD, LAMINATES, VENEERS AND VARIOUS OTHER PRODUCTS.

Using EVA-TECH’s premium quality Composite Decking, we are able to provide you with an excellent, sustainable alternative to real wood to fulfill your need for premium outdoor living, without worrying about maintenance or durability.

We pride ourselves on the superior quality of work we produce! We’ve been involved with many prestigious projects, some of which are: The Norfolk Hotel, Sarova Hotel Group, Fairview Hotel, Enashipai Resort and Spa, Thika Greens, Standard Chartered Bank HQ, English Point Marina and many more! This has all been made possible by working together with well-established architectural firms and interior designers such as Symbion International.

Elegantly Crafted Joinery and Furniture

P. O Box 18054-00500, Nairobi, Kenya • info@shahtimber.co.ke • +254722664411 • +254733636398 • www.shahtimber.co.ke

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“We are proud to have worked with firms all over the world, including the US - specifically Chicago - and the UK,” continues Ogunde. “Subsequently it has been important to us to improve efficiency through our technology, skills and knowledge, which also keeps us very relevant in the market.” “We have found a particularly helpful way of keeping up to date with industry changes - in both trends and technological advancements - is through attending relevant industry symposia,” adds Ogunde. “We have also been able to use it as a promotional tool, as well as a great way to interact with other industry professionals to observe architectural activities in different parts of the world.”

Young workforce

Symbion has become a true advocate for the employment of new graduates, offering them the opportunity for professional growth in a creative environment. Ogunde affirms: “We strongly believe in providing opportunities for these young people. They have an incredible ability to bring forward fresh ideas, providing a constant flow of creative professionals. “A lot of these young people do choose to join our Company straight from their universities, in part due to our prominent standing in the industry; we have had to make ourselves

Kampala Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda

Inside the beautiful Kampala Serena Hotel

KAMPALA SERENA HOTEL KAMPALA, UGANDA

The harmonious synchronisation of the interior and exterior themes was certainly the most rewarding aspect of the project.

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competitive, as of course we are not the only company operating in the local market. However, it is important to have this level of competition as it is driving on the development of the profession and we are very happy to be a part of that.” As you would expect in a company of Symbion’s stature, there are also a lot of perks to working there which subsequently have a positive effect on staff morale and retention. “We ensure we support the aspirations and values of each member of the team,” describes Ogunde. “In terms of personal growth we guide our staff through projects, while also providing excellent remuneration in terms of pension schemes and personal advancement. Proudly, due to a combination of these factors, our staff turnover is very low.” Of course, with offices spread across the continent it is important to keep cohesion among the staff and the way in which they are trained.

stablished in the 1960s by current Managing Director Chetan Shah’s grandfather, Shah Timber is of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of finely crafted timber products and customised joinery to clients’ across Kenya and the wider African market. The Company installs windows, built-in wardrobes, cabinets, attics and staircases in addition to internal wood flooring and external decking for residential and commercial properties. To complement the external decking services already offered, the Company has recently undertaken a project with the English Point Marina, whereby eco-friendly composite decking was installed, its long lifespan outweighing the associated costs when compared to other materials. The Company’s projects involve architects, project managers, interior designers, contractors and the client and are flexible in dealing with the client or contractor directly. The Company also work with well-known construction companies and architectural firms such as Symbion International and its products and service reliability has been well established in the market and has been the main fortitude for its success, together with trained and qualified personnel both in the workshop and on sites, and modern machinery to cater for new and innovative products. Back in 2015, the Company exhibited at the 6th Ideal Interiors Expo, showcasing their products and services to the wider Kenyan market. After internal consultations, the product the Company decided to showcase was the customised bed made for a local

hotel, blending together modern and African features. Chetan commented: “It was a perfect choice, and all visitors and fellow exhibitors were asking if they could purchase for their own homes! They were also surprised to find that all the materials used to make our products were local to them.” The Company also exhibited outdoor furniture as well, giving a true flavour of the Company’s wide scope of products. To cap off an excellent exhibition, the Company were awarded the People’s Choice award.

T +254 722 664411, +254 733 636398 E info@shahtimber.co.ke www.shahtimber.co.ke

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CHINA JIANGXI INTERNATIONAL KENYA LIMITED

hina Jiangxi International Kenya Limited is a subsidiary of China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic & Technical Cooperation located in People’s Republic of China. Entering the Kenyan market in 2007, and with a mixture of Chinese and local employees, the Company undertake a variety of projects across various sectors, with a total contract value of $820 million. Current projects include a 55MW solar power plant, and investment in real estate development in Mombasa and the purchase of 7.5 acres of land in Nairobi.

Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya, where the Symbion proposal envisaged a new university core, to the North of the existing core surrounded by clusters of schools and students hostels and dining facilities

Therefore the offices are run by working both independently and together by sharing skill-sets and knowledge as a group of construction and architectural professionals. This enables the best possible outcome for clients at all times. “We have been lucky enough over the years to build a portfolio of work with the best consultants across the regions we operate in,” continues Ogunde. “Together we have been able to strive towards excellence and through our creativity and professionalism, always deliver.”

Varying projects

Traditionally Symbion had done the majority of its work in the hospitality industry, however over time it has expanded into commercial, industrial and healthcare projects, as well as a plethora of peripheral opportunities. Ogunde adds: “We have worked on a medical centre of excellence with Politecnica of Italy.”

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We have been lucky enough over the years to build a portfolio of work with the best consultants across the regions we operate in... Together we have been able to strive towards excellence

Construction quality and efficiency has been repeatedly praised by owners and local media.

Another significant string to Symbion’s bow is the Nairobi Toyota showroom project it undertook in 2013. It was able to take a fairly simple building design and use it as an opportunity to employ sustainable building principles, ensuring that there would be a perfect amount of ventilation in the showroom without

One of the largest international engineering contractors in Kenya. We’re involved in the construction of housing, road, bridge, water supply, dam, borehole, solar power plant and real estate development. For 30 years, CJIC has successfully undertaken more than 500 overseas projects and China-aided projects in 50 countries and regions of Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Its total value of implemented contracts has reached more than 7 billion US dollars. China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited Suite 5, 4th Floor, Greenhouse Ngong road, Nairobi, Kenya P.O. Box 21802 00505 Nairobi, Kenya

China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation No 1198 Fenghe Middle Avenue, HongGutan District, Nanchang Jiangxi 330038, P. R. China

T: +254 775 666168 C: +254 701 742618 E: kenyaoffice@cjic.cn

T: +86 791 8637 3644 E: contract@cjic.cn www.cjic.cn

AIRPORT TRADE CENTRE NAIROBI, KENYA

As one of the first buildings seen by visitors entering Kenya through the JKIA, the design intention was to create a powerful architectural presence with a strong visual statement.

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the requirement of air conditioning. “In that respect it was a simple project, but particularly significant in terms of showing the technical aspects that Symbion can bring to projects,” explains Ogunde. “The brief we were set required the creation of a state-ofthe-art building, within the challenge of a tight site while sticking to a short time frame.” Another important project for the Company was the redevelopment of the Kampala Serena Hotel - formerly known as the Nile - which resulted in the successful creation of a new hotel which is a jewel in the crown for Serena Group. With 152 rooms and suites, it was no mean feat for Symbion, having to also ensure that the views of the bustling city and surrounding hilled areas were not interrupted by any new construction. “We decided to work with themes of lakes, rivers, wildlife and landscapes in order to tie together the interior and exterior of the hotel,” describes Ogunde. “Employing the skilled local craftsmen, we were able to bring into play exquisite and individual creations of beaten copper fretwork, mosaic pillars and carved panels to bring to life the communal spaces we were working with.”

Areas of expertise

Over the years Symbion has worked tirelessly to best serve those that have a desire to create spaces that allow a thriving atmosphere. While consciously adding value to the African landscape, the Company has perfected a wide range of services to meet these requirements. The Company firmly stands by the description of architecture as the ‘art of possibilities’, adapting that and using it as a basis of its ideals, using the craft as a way to create environments that will foster human life, needs and civilisation in general. Ogunde continues: “We particularly

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EQUATORIA TOWER

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN The development comprises a 12 storey commercial high rise building that is the first modern high rise building of its kind in Central Equatoria State and South Sudan.

HQ PROJECT

KIGALI, RWANDA The site is located within Gasabo district and comprises a large Conference hall to accommodate 2600 people at full capacity; Secretariat & several support buildings.

Employing the skilled local craftsmen, we were able to bring into play exquisite and individual creations of beaten copper fretwork, mosaic pillars and carved panels

enjoy testing the limits of what we can achieve both technically and economically; over the years we have found that this has attracted developers to Symbion.” With several decades of experience in an incredible array of projects - not to mention its perfectly honed worldclass project management - Symbion is going from strength to strength in the industry. “Due to the successful enterprise we run, the scale and complexity of our projects are increasing,” concludes Ogunde. “This is something that we will strive to continue on with when moving the Company forward. We believe we have the perfect inhouse team to achieve this, having consistently proven their ability to achieve unparalleled success.”

LANDMARK DESIGNS LTD. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS

A Kenyan based Design-build Landscape Architect and Urban Design firm which provides ecological landscape planning and design solutions for a broad range of projects in East Africa. PROUD Master Planning TO BE IN Urban Design ASSOCIATED Bill of Quantities WITH SYMBION KENYA LTD. Planting design & specification • Conceptual design • Design Implementation • Landscape Maintenance

• • • •

P.O. Box 29823-00100 Nairobi, KENYA • www.landmarkdesignsltd.com M: +254725494922 / +254721470871 • E: info@landmarkdesignsltd.com

Outlook Creative Services

A leading global multinational risk management, advisory, broking and solutions company. With over 39,000 employees in more than 120 countries, our unique perspective allows us to see the connections between talent, assets and ideas that can drive performance and growth. Powered by market analytics, behavioral insight and a culture of seamless execution, we work with you to design and implement lasting solutions that turn risk into a path to growth. Nairobi +254 (0) 20 296 7000 Mombasa +254 (0) 725 552 607

www.willistowerswatson.com

In the elevator industry for over 50 years In the Elevator industry for over 50 years In the Elevator industry for over 50 years

CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL

CHRISTOPHEMy KEREBEL Twitter : @chriskere My Twitter : @chriskere

We are proud associated with Symbion International We are proud associated with Symbion International We are proud tototo bebebe associated with Symbion International F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

Head Office P.O. Box 20014-00200, 22 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Nairobi MOBILE: (+254) 738 865 076 EMAIL: info.ke@eaecl.net

Head Office: Head Office: P.O. Box 20014-00200, 22 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Nairobi P.O. Box 20014-00200, 22 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Nairobi WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM MOBILE: (+254) 738 865 076 MOBILE: (+254) 738 865 076

F E D H A

( M A N A G E M E N T )

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Professionalism

AND ETHICS

he Fedha Group has a proud history in Kenya that spans more than 50 years and numerous areas of the construction industry, delivering on developments that speak to both current and future needs of its customers. Over the years it has successfully built a reputation for not only consistently delivering on what is promised, but also exceeding the expectations imposed on the Company by its customers. “We are renowned in the industry for consistently delivering value to our customers, both for the consumer of our developments and the users of our management capabilities,” explains Abraham Munene, Executive Director at Fedha (Management) Ltd. “Our properties have withstood the test of time and we are proud to say that they remain truly iconic structures across the skyline of Nairobi.” Fedha (Management) Ltd, the management arm of the Fedha Group has been in business since 1985; the Company was formed with the intention of managing real estate projects EABS – at that point in time the largest building society in Kenya - which included Fedha Estate, Akiba Estates and Parkview Estates. Over the years the Company has also managed commercial

Fedha (Management) Ltd brings a fresh and innovative approach to its real estate management services, exceeding expectations of every client through its outstanding service offering Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Kane Weller

developments such as Ecobank Towers - formally known as Fedha Towers - Fedha Plaza and Valley Arcade Shopping Centre. “Last year we successfully completed the management of an Executive Residency by Best Western, the first of this brand in the world and the second internationally branded aparthotel in sub-Saharan Africa,” continues Munene. “Our Company has also been involved in the project management of ultra-modern mixeduse residential developments such as Capital M Apartments.”

Meeting industry demands

Capital M building

A combination of numerous successful project completions and quick response to market demands, has led the Company to expand its facilities and contract management. With a fully equipped technical department that that has the ability to handle six commercial buildings, two shopping centres, a hotel and five residential properties, the Company is perfectly equipped for all current industry needs. “Excitingly we also have a property management arm that manages the same portfolio of assets under facility management,” adds Munene. “These assets include the billing, collections and accounting of service charges of all the properties under its management.” Again, moving with the times and changing market demands, Fedha

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( M A N A G E M E N T )

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has ventured into development management, aiming to provide real estate developers with guidance on the post construction process.

Continuous improvement

The Company is a firm believer that professionalism is the most important determinant of success for Fedha, its customers and its partners on the whole. “This forms the basis of our cooperation philosophy that runs through every aspect of business,” affirms Munene. “Our employees are an integral part of the business and with that we devote all of our efforts to continuously improving ourselves and providing them with positive incentives. “An African elder once said ‘I am because we are, and because we are, then I am’, we follow this and many other such principles.” The Company’s entire business model is based upon honesty, a common and undeniable value of its business and the aim that the Fedha Group strives to achieve. Munene adds: “We strive for the highest moral and ethical principles in all undertakings together with honesty, which is underlying in all communications by our employees to customers and partners.” Over the years, Fedha has always remembered that its customers and partners are the principle eyes through which its activities and standards are measured; it is this that makes customer and partner orientation its guiding principle, with all efforts targeted towards not only meeting customer needs but also exceeding expectations and understanding that decisions need to be decisive.

Utilising smart technology

The Company has experienced numerous successes over the years in its projects; a prime example would be Fedha Plaza which is located in

Fedha plaza exterior

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the Westlands area of Nairobi - an upcoming business district - which was completed seven years ago, including a commercial building comprising of ground floor retail space and 10 floors of commercial office space. “We wanted to create a serene and relaxing atmosphere at the Fedha Plaza,” continues Munene. “A particularly successful aspect was the double glazed curtain wall that significantly reduces noise pollution - by 80 percent - which was incredibly important when taking into consideration the busy location of the Plaza. “The curtain walling is multipurpose, keeping the temperature of the building considerably cooler in comparison to the surrounding areas.” The building also utilised smart technology, with customised access control that restricts entry to designated floors of the building. In order for this to work the tenants need

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Nairobi, achieved through the hard work between the consultants and contractors. We hope that our next iconic development will be Capital M and the first residential LEED certified building in Eastern Africa.”

through the use of technology, with all of our internal processes geared towards a first-time strategy.” With exciting advancements in technologies such as these, the development side of the business is progressing rapidly, continuously Solidifying trust seeking partnerships both locally and The Company continuously invests internationally with businesses that in modern technologies that will have capabilities and competencies Plaza reception inevitably enable its customers to that provide a unique value access to the CCTV systems within the engage with Fedha on a real time basis, proposition and delivery of bespoke building and can choose who has the keeping operations incredibly smooth developments to meet current and ability to enter their building. and reducing the lag times between future customer needs. Alongside these slightly more responses. “Looking to the future, we aim to advanced technologies, there is also “We achieve this through web and have redefined the real estate space readily available free Wi-Fi for all mobile based applications, ensuring that in Nairobi with our Capital M project, customers within the building; this facilities are being used to their optimal not only setting the trend, but also ensures that visitors have access to capacity,” explains Munene. “Fedha has continuing to solidify our position as their gadgets at all times, subsequently partnered with various local companies the most trusted real estate partners,” reducing waiting time when they’re in in order to provide us with technologies concludes Munene. “Our aim for the the building. that enable us to monitor, troubleshoot Company as a business operating in the Munene describes: “At the time and respond to problems. country is to continue to endeavour to it was commissioned, Fedha Plaza “We are able to carry out contribute to the building of a better was the only one of its kind in preventative management efficiency and stronger Kenya.”

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Revolving Around You Howden Africa is resolutely focused on Company growth, a strategy that has been in place since 2013, driving it to continued success in the industry Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Arron Rampling

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hen Africa Outlook last spoke to Howden Africa in 2015, the Company was settling into its stride when it came to its focus on branching out of South Africa and into the wider continent; a strategy that had started in earnest in 2013. Since that point the Company objective has remained largely focused on this growth - for a number of reasons - predominantly due to the fact that Africa continues to offer opportunities for sustainable sales growth. “We are aware of several infrastructure development projects that are currently ongoing in many of the markets that we are active in,” explains Kudzai Nyangoni, Managing Director of James Howden Holdings, a Howden Africa business unit with a strong focus on the African continent. “These include mining, mineral processing and industrial refrigeration, among others, which have allowed us to get quite the customer base due to our wide product offering.” In the past, the Company’s focus has been largely confined to South Africa. However, through supporting the expansion efforts of some of its homebase customers, Howden has been able to branch out further into Africa. “We decided to work with these existing customers - predominantly South African mining companies with assets in Southern, East and West Africa - and carry out a much larger marketing push for our products on the whole,” adds Nyangoni. “Our expansion has supported the objective we laid out in 2015 and is still our current focus.” Howden has subsequently experienced impressive sales growth in markets other than South Africa over the past three years, consistently seeing an increase in business operations of approximately 20 percent, an incredibly impressive number considering the volatile market the Company works in.

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AHEAD PROJECTS

head Projects has an established local footprint, with a large, competent and multi-skilled workforce that allows flexibility in the selection of contracts and ability to easily adjust to the changing needs of the markets. The Company’s projects cover a range of sectors from mining and industrial and work covered includes plant maintenance & shutdown services and supply & installation of structural steelwork & plate work. With over 40 years of experience in the construction industry we have expanded our horizons to offer plant equipment hire, offering a prompt, professional and affordable service.

A Howden-supplied main surface fan station at Bulyanhulu Gold Mine in Tanzania. The fans were installed and are maintained by Howden-trained Tanzanian crews, thereby helping local people learn new skills and secure employment going forward

Revenue growth

The Company’s growth of 20 percent year on year has enabled it to invest more time and money into new business and developing its operations in Africa. “Previously we had a traditional approach to market development. However, as the expansion gained momentum we chose a ‘Country Champion’ for each of our target countries,” continues Nyangoni. “These individuals are responsible for checking in on each of the developments we are involved in, while also keeping abreast of new potential opportunities.” This has had a huge impact on the Company’s Africa footprint, particularly in the past couple of years where Howden’s presence in Southern Africa and forays into West Africa have been particularly well received. Nyangoni describes: “We are also scanning opportunities in East Africa.

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Previously we had a traditional approach to market development. However, as the expansion gained momentum we chose a ‘Country Champion’ for each of our target countries

Our fabrication facility is based on the border of Gauteng and Mpumalanga and is run by the best of the best, and with extensive years of experience, you can expect professional, accurate, and on time projects. The workshop specialises in ducting, screw conveyors, silos, crusher repairs, filter housing and all plate & pipe work. We have a team of qualified and experienced boilermakers, welders & painters to fabricate and deliver each job with utmost professionalism and accuracy. This Business unit undertakes a broad range of civil and infrastructure contracts for both public and private clients operating in South Africa. Recent projects undertaken for Howden Mining include RF Filter Installation of offgas ducting from baghouse to stack in shutdown at their Sappi Ngodwana facility and a coke oven battery V8 bypass at their Mittal Vanderbijlpark facility.

T +27 17 688 1922 E admin@aheadpro.co.za

Ahead Projects & Construction Specialists (Pty) Ltd

40 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

HEAD OFFICE

CONTACT

Portion 3 Farm,Bosmanskop Nigel 1490

T: +27 17 688 1922

POSTAL PO Box 10489, Strubenvale 1570

F: +27 17 688 1911 E: admin@aheadpro.co.za office@aheadpro.co.za

> PLANT MAINTENANCE > SHUTDOWN SERVICES > SUPPLY & INSTALLATION OF STRUCTURAL STEELWORK > SECTION ROLLING > FULL FABRICATION WORKSHOP > MACHINE SHOP > LONG TERM CRANE HIRE

TINUS BOTHA, DIRECTOR +27 83 884 4100 | tinus@aheadpro.co.za HANNES GREYLING, DIRECTOR +27 82 896 4104 | hannes@aheadpro.co.za SAMUEL MAKHUBELA, DIRECTOR +27 79 505 7464 | samuel@aheadpro.co.za

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Our approach is to work with agents that can assist us in quantifying the available opportunities, understanding customer requirements and the ways in which we can follow through on those.” It is these activities that have lead Howden to become market leaders in the markets the Company is active in, such as mine ventilation and cooling, pollution control and waste management, and will continue to keep it in the top spot in its selected markets.

Global brand

When it comes to the technology upgrades needed to keep up with the Company’s growth, being part of a global company proves to be particularly helpful. The Company benefits from technology and business processes improvements sourced from the Global Howden Group, providing a platform from which world-class

AFRIFAN (PTY) LTD

Our approach is to work with agents that can assist us in quantifying the available opportunities, understanding customer requirements and the ways in which we can follow through on those

frifan (Pty) Ltd was established in 2014 and provides services to major players in the light and heavy engineering industries. As approved suppliers to Howden for the installation of new ventilation and industrial fans, the Company caters for the relocation of existing fans, as well as the refurbishment of used fans. In addition, the Company undertakes fan services and audits and supply clients with recommendations on the condition of the fans. The Company also have trained SKF technicians who can assist with bearing fault endings, servicing or replacements. Further services offered by the Company in relation to the above include laser alignment, dynamic balancing and monitoring and commissioning to ensure that fans are running within specified temperature and vibration limits. Structural steel manufacturing and installations Specialising in the design, manufacture and erection of small to medium steel structures, our team have the capability to perform works to client requests and specifications. Offering reliable, professional and reputable expertise, service and competitive pricing, the Company is committed to quality and on-time delivery and are happy to guide through your structural requirements from theory to complete fabrication and installation. The Company’s vision is to achieve excellence in execution during all phases when engaging with their clients, and this is reinforced by continuous investment in the Company’s staff, from training to improved health and safety measures.

Technology and business process improvements are sourced from the Global Howden Group

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T +27 73 098 3189, +27 76 565 3544 E info@afrifan.co.za, jurgens@afrifan.co.za

AFRIFAN Tel: +27 73 098 3189 / +27 76 565 3544 Email: Info@afrifan.co.za Jurgens@afrifan.co.za Soutpansberg Street Aerorand, Middelburg, 1050 Suite MW 510 Private bag X 1838 Middelburg 1050

Approved suppliers to Howden fan Equipment for the installation of new ventilation and industrial fans.

Providing services to major players in the light and heavy engineering industry. Our services stretch over most of South Africa and we are not limited to any geographical area. We employee local workers form designated demographic area and is therefore a favoured and prefer service provider.

â–ś Ventilation & industrial fans

â–ś Structural steel manufacturing & installations

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ROLLFAB (PTY) LTD

ollfab is a medium to heavy engineering fabrication company located in Anderbolt Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Specialising in the fabrication of equipment for the coal, gold, platinum, diamond, steel, gas and cement industries for both the local and exports markets, Rollfab is the adaptive, agile, and reliable resource for all your fabrication needs. At Rollfab, we are familiar with the constant evolution of projects and the need for a progressive and innovative service supplier, thus all resources are re-injected into the organisation and the Rollfab team to ensure that the expansion and growth of the company as a whole are sustained and enhanced.

Projects are taken through a value added process using Global Howden knowledge

products, service and support can be offered from an African base. “When it comes to our technological upgrades, we use our African engineering expertise in conjunction with the Global Howden knowledge base to take these projects through a value-added process,” affirms Nyangoni. “A prime example of this would be that we wouldn’t simply supply a fan to a mine, instead we supply a complete ventilation system and therefore we will carry out the engineering, implementation and controls and installation, enabling us to make life incredibly simple for our customer.” Of course an issue that many companies are facing is the fact that customer requirements are evolving all the time and therefore Howden has to evolve with its customers. “In order to aid us in keeping up to date with our customers and their requirements, we often send our engineers overseas, where

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When it comes to our technological upgrades, we use our African engineering expertise in conjunction with the Global Howden knowledge base to take these projects through a valueadded process

With a fully integrated service centre, offering CNC bending, plate rolling and section rolling, Rollfab ensures that we remain the leaders in our industry by growing from strength to strength and shaping the future of fabrication. We export a large amount of our products all over the world for most of the world’s leading OEM’s. Rollfab offers our clients a complete turnkey ability – Allowing our clients to feel completely reassured that the quality of their product is of an international standard. With a wealth of knowledge in the art of plate rolling & bending we offer our clients an unrivalled spectrum of state of the art machinery and personnel. We are also able to give our customers peace of mind that we can help them manufacture their product from start to finish.

T +27 11 626 1914 E rollfab@icon.co.za

www.rollfab.co.za

Proudly

Associated with

In supplying mine ventilation fans, Impellers, Ducting and Bag-house's for Air Pollution

We Specialize in Steel Fabrication, Plate Rolling, CNC Bending & Section Rolling In various grades of Mild Steel & Stainless Steel

Rollfab caters for a large variety of specialized mineral processing equipment for the coal, gold, platinum, diamond, steel, gas and cement industries for both the local and export markets..... No job is too big or small for us.

www.rollfab.co.za | + 27 11 626 1914 | rollfab@icon.co.za

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they can spend time with our sister companies and are subsequently able to understand the best possible processes,” explains Nyangoni. “They are then able to bring this knowledge back in order to implement locally and enhance the way that we carry out our business.” Howden Africa itself has worldleading expertise in the ice plant technology necessary to cool deeplevel mines cost effectively, which affords the Company a competitive advantage as a lot of mining companies both globally and in Africa are investing time and money in deep mines. The Company is focusing on projects in the DRC, Mali, Tanzania and Zambia, all of which are keeping it extremely busy. Nyangoni affirms: “We are incredibly lucky to be working in Africa, a continent that is endowed with exceptional natural resources, a lot of which are located underground. With Howden establishes agents throughout Africa

We are incredibly lucky to be working in Africa, a continent that is endowed with exceptional natural resources, a lot of which are located underground

commodity prices having stabilised, and in some instances showing some buoyancy, we are benefitting from more sustained demand from resources companies.”

Goals for further growth

With such consistent success in the growth of the Company, particularly the use of established agents within its target countries, Howden is going from strength to strength in an industry in which it is a leading player.

“In the past we have only worked directly in countries and engaged with customers in that manner,” adds Nyangoni. “However, we have found that our expansion has encouraged us to be more flexible as a company operating in these markets; we have found that through the appointment of appropriate agents we can access local knowledge and skills which add value to our customers. “This way of thinking is something that many African governments are

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striving for,” continues Nyangoni. “They want their local companies to develop through knowledge transfer from international companies, enabling them to grow their own capabilities and foster employment and skills development within their countries. Howden supports this approach through its appointment of agents, as we are able to underpin African growth and development while also benefitting from the access to local knowledge and experience.” Howden Africa will begin establishing agents in its target countries, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia and Angola, which is its continued plan for the remainder of 2017, while also expanding its product offering. “We are working to expand in other sectors such as industrial refrigeration and process industries,” Nyangoni adds. “We are well established within the mining community, however, in

Outlook Creative Services

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

Developing and transfering knowledge through international afiliations

PROUD SUPPLIER TO HOWDEN AFRICA

Manufacturer of various components for: • air-pollution control • cable management solutions • brackets and press work • metal spinning

26 Fransen Street, Chamdor, 1754, Gauteng, South Africa +27 11 762 5422 • geoff@stoney.co.za • www.stoney.co.za

order to increase our reputation and standing in other industries we have recently been participating in industrial exhibitions in selected countries. These enable us to showcase our capabilities over a complete range and services.” One area which is receiving priority is the oil & gas sector in Nigeria and Angola - where Howden has already started the installation of new equipment. “Although there is growing competition within our industry and in Africa as a whole, we are very excited to be right at the centre of it; with the world seeing Africa as one big market place, we are perfectly placed at this time,” concludes Nyangoni. “Looking forward, we will continue to demonstrate our presence and capabilities in the industry by working very closely with our international partners to provide OEM and aftermarket solutions to our customers.”

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Enjoy

THE RIDE Haval Motors South Africa may have only just begun its journey to market prominence, but early headway compounded by a clear vision indicates a smooth trip ahead Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Josh Hyland

aval Motors South Africa in its current guise may be less than a year old, but with a clear vision in place, and the might of Great Wall Motors (GWM) behind it, the Company has already identified achievable, long-term growth plans. Introduced to the country in early 2017 as a premium sub-brand of GWM, the business has immediately been able to leverage a reputation and presence of the parent company that has been built over the past 10 years on the continent. Initially formed in China in 1984, GWM is largely considered as one of the world’s best bakkie and SUV manufacturers - as well as expanding into the sedan market in 2010 - and despite the renaming of some of its models to ‘Haval’ in previous years, it is only since 2013 that the brand name has taken off independently. “Haval Motors South Africa has entered into the South African market as a subsidiary of Haval China and

within a few months we already have several Haval-approved dealerships, with after-sales and workshop support structures in place,” further elaborates the Managing Director, Charles Zhao. “In saying this, an automotive brand is only as strong as its parts offering, which we supply from our local parts distribution centre in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).” To this end, May, 2017 witnessed the introduction of the Company’s compact SUVs, the Haval H1 and H2. Moving forward this range will expand further through the launch of the Haval H6 C in September and further improvements to the portfolio in early 2018 as well. “Improve little by little everyday! This is our motto and is fused into every strategy, every campaign, and every goal,” Zhao emphasises. “It’s achieved by ongoing investments in research & development internationally and is combined with a real passion for the products that we offer.”

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ONELOGIX CARGO SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD

neLogix Cargo Solutions (Pty) Ltd is proud to be a service provider to Haval Motors SA.

The Company has been associated with Haval for the last two years and work closely with the Haval team in coordinating and managing the customs clearance process and import services in South Africa of their vehicles, spare parts and airfreight. The Company offers various logistical solutions from clearing & forwarding of a large variety of cargo/products, managing customs and port formalities, warehousing and other logistical services. This includes all types of project work into various Southern African countries.

www.onelogix.com With its international scale, the Company has vast experience

At the forefront of continuous innovation

Not only does Haval benefit from the product scope of the wider GWM Group, but also from the aforementioned areas of research & development, and from the sheer level of experience that the organisation has on an international scale. Simultaneous to Haval’s launch in South Africa, the Chinese entity also unveiled its brand in Russia, South America, Australia, the Middle East, and elsewhere in Africa; epitomising the clout that the Haval name now boasts and the international influence that Haval South Africa can pull upon moving forward. “Locally in South Africa, we are working towards building our dealer network with the same corporate image and sales service satisfaction, and have plans in place to open in areas including Eastern, Western, Northern Cape and greater KZN areas,” Zhao explains. “The South

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Quality assurance “Well Haval has taken the specification and price advantage concept and jumped straight in with quality to match all the competitors...freeway cruising is a breeze with the engine ticking over at just 2,000rpm...it starts by offering exceptional value for money, then it adds a top spec and level of luxury and tops it off with quality and a ride I couldn’t fault.” - Wheels 24

Africa market has seen a significant growth in the SUV market and as a result we have invested heavily in the development and enhancement of our SUV model range.” Compounding its strategy, Haval South Africa also opened a one-of-akind R&D centre in Japan in January, 2017 where in-depth research will be conducted into vehicle reliability and fuel economy through the introduction of advanced technologies relating to new materials. “The focus is on developing intelligent, environmentally friendly and safer vehicles,” Zhao continues. “We have also further invested more than R35 billion in the Xushui manufacturing base which sees the production of the Haval H2, H6, H7 and H9 models. Haval also plans to launch its pure electric vehicles in China. “We believe we are at the forefront of continuous innovation and we adhere to strict technical standards, and evaluation criteria with regards to

Contact details: Carol Coetzee Phone: +27 31 206 2299 Fax: 086 743 2534 Mobile: +27 60 579 8982 Email: carol.coetzee@onelogix.com www.onelogix.com

Haval has invested billions into its facilities

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road safety solutions.” Leveraging the best of its China base while balancing it with a responsible localised focus in South Africa will be critical to the business’s long-term, sustainable success - no matter how attractive the product portfolio is - and with this in mind; Haval has ensured a healthy combination of local and Chinese staff in the country to take the Company forward. “Together we share a set of skills from an international and local perspective. As in any industry, we follow the set standards related to hiring, and conduct regular training from brand expectations to product knowledge,” Zhao affirms.

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Blow the competition out of the water

The same strategic balance is applied to Haval’s manufacturing operations too with all vehicles fully assembled before leaving China, before local applications are utilised in regards to accessories and local adaptations; fed through from the Company’s logistics and distribution hub based in KZN. This combination of operational, human resource and supply chain streamlining inevitably stands Haval in good stead for long-term successes in the South African market, and for those still in any doubt, you only need to take a glance at the Group’s recent sales figures.

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Zhao details: “Last year Haval sold more than one million SUVs globally. Pause to digest that figure: it’s close to double - yes, double - the total number of new vehicles sold per annum in South Africa. Clearly the discerning Chinese market is onto a good thing and it’s a very good thing for us indeed. “Haval is the luxury sub-brand of GWM, which is now trading locally as Haval SA and as such, it enjoys the full backing of the giant mother ship in China.” With machines like the newly launched H2, Haval is comprehensively and convincingly redefining not just the SUV market, but also the

Tianjin Plant employs some of the world’s most cutting-edge technologies, consisting of stamping, welding, painting and assembly workshops

The Xushui Plant is conveniently located in north Baoding’s emerging industrial park, just an hour’s car journey from Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang

previous negative preconceptions of China’s prominence as an automotive manufacturing hub. “Its sophistication, build quality and refinement are simply world-class; not just rivalling, but surpassing that of its competitors,” Zhao adds. “More highly enticing Haval products are set for our market, while the H2 - currently grabbing headlines - is available with a sweet-shifting six-speed auto or manual transmission. Power comes courtesy of a punchy 105kW, 202Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine; an engine that’s perfect for everything from intercity travel to urban commuting, to exploring country roads. The Haval H2 also boasts a five-star C NCAP rating.”

Its sophistication, build quality and refinement are simply world-class; not just rivalling, but surpassing that of its competitors

Equally as lavish on the inside as they are appealing from a mechanical perspective, the H2 has received copious international acclaim and with South Africa in mind, prices begin at R244,900 for the five model range. “Expect the additional Haval models to hit the market soon as well, and - without being hyperbolic - to blow the competition out of the water on price, quality, ride, refinement and everything else,” Zhao concludes emphatically. “Our vision is simple: to see Haval as the market leader in the SUV market with a strong dealer network countrywide and an international love for the brand.”

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H & R

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( P T Y )

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A F OCU S S E D &R has continued to utilise and optimise its ‘big 5’ strategic objectives over the past 12 months, allowing the business to grow, while enhancing competitiveness and profitability and increasing its geographical footprint. H&R Africa first developed its “Big 5” strategic objectives in 2014 with the intent to provide clarity on what H&R Africa’s vision and business priorities were to all employees. Five key objectives were identified, having just five has enabled the Company to focus the business and avoid being distracted from our core objectives. “Since 2014 we have reviewed the “big 5”on an annual basis with all our staff, and as a consequence our objectives have evolved,” explains Sales and Marketing Manager, Rudi Van Niekerk. “So far the direction first adopted in 2014 has proved to be still correct and hence we have only had to evolve and not undertake any significant step change.” Operating across areas of personal care, wood board and construction, packaging, rubber and plastics, electrical and communication cables; the business is now focusing on leveraging these recent achievements in order to strengthen its commercial and technological competitive

2017’s company evolution has encompassed both a new Vision 2021 and refined strategy helping to take H&R Africa to new industry heights and geographical footprints that are better aligned to market demands Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Josh Hyland

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H & R

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( P T Y )

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Expanding resources and capacities

advantages and to remain relevant in very dynamic markets. “We supply materials that are used by manufacturers in the industry segments previously mentioned,” adds Van Niekerk. “We consider a key part of our core business is that we understand what is important to manufacturers, and align our business to manufacturer’s requirements.” The Mobeni site was purchased in 2015 expanding on the Company’s production resources locally and demonstrates the H&R Group commitment to its growth in Africa. A five year development plan, once fully implemented, will see the site

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We consider a key part of our core business is that we understand what is important to manufacturers

become the center for the H&R Africa operations. The plans focus on meeting HES standards and installing manufacturing processes for its product ranges produced locally. “Moving into 2017 our plans and mission was entrenched in developing new processes, expanding our manufacturing capacities and being innovative in how we deliver solutions to the South African tyre and rubber industry; especially for the producers requiring label-free process oils,” continues Van Niekerk. “Our recently acquired and commissioned DurbanMobeni plant is now in operation and has increased our label-free process

Delivering innovative solutions

oils manufacturing capacity by 10,000mt. “The 2016 investment in the label-free plasticizer oil production facility was made in the Mobeni plant. It is the first such facility in Africa, and by providing label free oils that are compliant with global legislation for use in automotive tyres is an enabler for the growth in the manufacture and exporting of cars to the rest of the world.” Since being established in South Africa in 2004 the company has grown in terms of head count, with all of its employees locally employed. Skills development and training is important to the Compan, including a trainee

Overall, and as a result of these initiatives, for the same period year-to-year we have seen volume throughout increase by 15 percent

programme where we bring newly qualified graduates who have qualified in various disciplines into the Company of one year development programs. Van Niekerk continues: “Overall, and as a result of these initiatives, for the same period year-to-year we have seen volume throughout increase by 15 percent and, additionally, our staff compliment has increased by 10 percent. The additional staff have enabled H&R Africa to service crossborder markets, whilst maintaining world-class service levels to the domestic markets. “We recognised that we could achieve higher economies of scale

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H & R

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( P T Y )

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by developing partnerships with distributors operating in the Eastern, Western and Southern Africa regions, which has been a focus area in the last 18 months. Alongside also recognising that local business in those regions are best skilled to handle the distribution of our products and hence partner with those local companies. The continued evolution of our organisation allows us to focus on our growing customer base throughout the continent.”

Enhanced service levels

Not one to rest on its laurels or previous successes however, H&R’s most significant development over the past 18 months has been an encompassing corporate evolution of the business; and especially the primary South African strand which focuses on domestic markets. Evolution of the business continues to enable it to best meet the needs of product solutions that complement our current offerings. He continues: “Technically, South Africa is in recession, which has resulted in H&R Africa having excess capacity, which has facilitated our expansion into other African markets.” However as a group it believes the long term prospects for both South Africa and the countries that comprise the African Continent remains positive. H&R’s business principles are about establishing permanent local organisations in countries and regions in which it operates. H&R Africa is making more concerted forays into new territories

our current and future customer base, in South Africa the Company has a local equity partner aligned to South Africa’s B-BBEE objectives. Elsewhere in Africa it is developing plans that hopefully will see H&R companies established in other regions, with evolving organisations allow it to focus on creating a growing customer

base throughout the continent. “There is already a trend towards the contraction of the number of vendors used by our major customers and we see this as an opportunity to offer them an enhanced product range. This has given rise to H&R Africa’s ‘Speciality Chemicals Business Unit’ which aims to offer customers

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Creating opportunities

A signal of intent for H&R Africa’s more concerted foray into new territories, the Company is participating at the African Chemicals Imbizo 2017 event as a member of the Durban Chemicals Cluster; an event alongside the Department of Trade and Industry which brings together the sub-Saharan chemicals industry to discuss key issues

Outlook Creative Services

FREIGHT FORWARDING CUSTOMS CLEARING WAREHOUSING F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

www.als-sa.co.za DURBAN | JOHANNESBURG | CAPE TOWN

The business is expected to create new opportunities for individual growth, maximising strengths and developing innovation

it faces, to gain insights, to network, and to discuss opportunities with stakeholders. The event will take the form of both an exhibition and focused buyer and supplier meetings, where H&R Africa will be able to demonstrate its prowess and intentions across its core enterprise attributes including its hope to launch some more satellite offices across Africa in the future; as

We are a LEVEL 1 BBBEE company.

well as its more humble corporate social responsibility efforts which have recently been epitomised by the completion of an upgrade to St Thomas’ children’s home. And of course, much of the Company’s discussions will revolve around the aforementioned restructuring. However, manifesting simultaneously on a more long-term note is H&R’s 2021 vision which takes

into account the immediate benefits of the restructuring as well as the shorter-term compounding of recent successes. “Our 2021 vision speaks to enhancing our culture and creating opportunities for our staff,” Van Niekerk affirms and concludes. “The future growth of our business is expected to create opportunities for individuals to grow, and to maximise individual strengths, and we are further developing an innovation programme with our staff which incorporates a series of workshops as well as business improvement ideas. “Vision 2021 will ultimately look ahead at the changes that this business will go through in order to grow regionally; the leadership required to focus our efforts on simplified business processes; our receptiveness to new opportunities; and how to expand the size of the business around our most important asset: our staff.”

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Transforming

Tomorrow

ligning with the wider ArcelorMittal Groupâ€™s globally-renowned industry excellence, ArcelorMittal South Africa has adapted to changing local needs by continuously developing higher grades of steel in line with increasing demand across core industry verticals. With shareholdings in the Company changing hands numerous times over the course of its 88-year history, the

ArcelorMittal is showcasing its innovation and creativity in South Africa in order to affirm its market-leading position through tough economic times Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Stuart Parker

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Company has taken up additional business in order to answer the current and future market demand for steel products by increasing its production and output of steel plate; despite facing tough competition from foreign imports and an overall weakening economic climate. As Africaâ€™s largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal South Africa has installed capacity to produce six million tonnes of steel per annum - as of June, 2016 - across its operations in Gauteng,

ALL IMAGES BY JACO BOSHOFF, MARDO FOTO

KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The Vanderbijlpark Works in the former region is one of the worldâ€™s largest inland steel mills and the biggest supplier of flat steel products in subSaharan Africa. Across its four major facilities, ArcelorMittal South Africa has a sizeable local capacity from which to manufacture products for the heavy engineering, construction, mining, automotive, furniture, cabling, fencing and fertiliser industries. This commonly

The Vereeniging Works has two electric arc furnaces

includes slabs, plates, cold and hot rolled coil (HRC), galvanised, tinplate, Corex, Midrex, billet rebar and other bars and rods. Showcasing its depth of technical and managerial expertise across not only its primary business vertical, the Company also has interests in coking coal and is able to process and beneficiate metallurgical and steel products into coal tar pitch. With domestic sales accounting for 90 percent of its revenue, the

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ArcelorMittal and Gijima A services partnership cast in steel since 1998...

industry@gijima.com | www.gijima.com | +27 12 675 5000

Gijima is a truly South African 100% Black Owned company delivering ICT services, solutions and products to leading organisations. Gijima delivers innovative Industry solutions, mobile and digital solutions, systems integration, infrastructure support and cloud solutions. Gijima is your ICT partner of choice!

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Vanderbijlpark North Works

Company proudly contributed R43 billion to South Africaâ€™s economy in 2015, an amount equivalent to 1.1 percent of the countryâ€™s GDP. This is further compounded by a team of 9,315 permanent employees, in addition to supporting more than 90,000 jobs directly and indirectly across South Africa, as well as investing a total of R12.6 million back into local communities in 2015, impacting 18,300 people through a multitude of socioeconomic development initiatives.

Innovative and creative investments

With the recent economic climate presenting difficult trading conditions, ArcelorMittal South Africa has adapted and restructured several internal departments to optimise its operations. Over the past few years,

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We continually monitor the quality of our products and are quick to respond and address any problems by applying the necessary knowledge and technology to find a solution

the Company formed a Business Improvement division to continuously identify and implement measures to improve operational and financial performance in a bid to regain local market share; a feat which has become

Former CEO, Dean Subramanian with Marietjie Lotter, Projects and Continuous Improvement Manager at the CEO Recognition Awards

ijima Holdings (Pty) Ltd is a leading South African ICT service organisation housed within the Guma Group of Companies, owned by internationally recognised entrepreneur, fondly known by Forbes Magazine as the Black Knight of Africa, Mr Robert Gumede. Gijima, Guma and ArcelorMittal have a partnership that is Cast in Steel since 1998. We are involved in projects in the energy, construction and rail sectors, making the Guma Group a significant consumer of ArcelorMittal’s products. As an acknowledged industry leader, Gijima employs more than 1200 highly qualified, dedicated and committed employees. Our clients include Blue-chip companies as well as public sector departments. Gijima’s end-user support service capability has over one million devices under management, serviced from more than 50 Gijima points of presence. Gijima has invested in skills development and an integrated Service Centre as the heart of an innovative mobile workforce management solution that enables real time service delivery management. Gijima has a long history of providing outsource services and has managed many large and complex contracts. Gijima has a team of experts that manages ArcelorMittal’s procurement lifecycle ensuring we procure quality products in a cost effective manner. Our team works closely with suppliers to constantly derive innovative ways to better deliver ArcelorMittal’s procurement requirements timely and ethically. Business models have had to adapt to keep pace with changes in technology. Technology is no longer seen as a mere

enabler, but as a strategic transformer to ensure that companies persist. The evolution of Technology like Internet of Things (IoT) will change how products are invented, manufactured, shipped and sold. Manufacturers are designing, constantly evolving, evergreen products and services which require an innovative approach to design products, factories and systems that support a manufacturing process. Companies could benefit from the implementation of IoT by exposing new opportunities for revenue growth and cost saving. Gijima can assist companies in defining a unique IoT strategy, with identification and implementation of the optimal IoT platform. Zero incidents and safety of workers is paramount. New ideas and systems are formulated to ensure that changes in legislation, audit and incidents can be managed. Gijima is able to identify all administration, processes, risks and costs to maintain a high level of safety compliance. Based on Gijima’s extensive experience, a complete, modular and configurable, Automated SHERQ Admin Management System is in development. Gijima’s commitment to transformation and social development is reflected in our national network of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and our commitment to skills development that has seen the implementation of successful youth development programmes with the graduation of 1381 learners. With referenceable achievements in the metals manufacturing industry, Gijima leads the way in service provision, optimisation and innovation, social upliftment and has the competence to be your partner of choice.

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increasingly challenging as a result of Chinese imports and over-supply in the market. Dean Subramanian, ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2016 explained at the time: “Until last year [2015], South Africa was one of only two steelproducing countries (out of a total of 69) that did not have protection measures in place to counter the impact of foreign imports. Based on the recent approval of import duties by the International Trade and Administration Commission (ITAC), I am confident that stability will be restored in the coming years.”

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TREPPO

... I am confident that stability will be restored in the coming years

stablished in 2006 by Michael and Adriana Oppert, Treppo Group’s operations are underpinned by Michael’s 35 years of international experience across the fields of scrap metal brokerage and transport, recycling equipment, as well as the trade of mineral ores. Since 2012, the Company (as a BEE 5 scorecard holder) has been working in alliance with the South African government, facilitating skills transfer and providing training programmes. The Company is also member of RASA (Recycling Association of South Africa), a SAPS Accredited Association. Metalcorp, a division of the Company established in 2012, offers world-class services in the field of scrap metal trading, processing, recycling, logistics and procurement, handling large volumes of ferrous and non-ferrous metal on a daily basis. Long-standing relationships made via this business ensure that suppliers trust the Company to turn their scrap into an income stream. In 2015, the Company opened a yard in City Deep, Johannesburg to expand their operations, sorting and processing metals into various grades using stateof-the-art scrap metal handling and processing equipment, with the aim of protecting the local steel industry and ensure sustainability by providing the mills with a guaranteed, consistent source of recyclable metal. Looking towards the future, the Company continues to grow its list of suppliers with emphasis on procurement of scrap metal from source. The local motor manufacturing industry and OEM’s are examples of such sources that produce prime scrap metal. Further operational sites are being planned for the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal provinces. T +27 11 325 5604 E info@treppo.co.za

ArcelorMittal’s Vaal operations produced 38 percent of South Africa’s steel in 2015

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Treppo Group is an unbeatable ally for your business. Our scrap trading and recycling equipment business, along with its mineral ore and trade division, has operation spanning across Southern Africa, with logistical networks stretching across India and China.

Combining the use of cutting-edge technology with exceptional logistical, ď€ nancial and trade expertise and clockwork administration, Treppo Group is a dynamic young team of professionals geared to delivering unrivalled service and value for our customers.

METALCORP MACHINERY CHROME ORE Tel: 011 325 5604 | Fax: 011 3254061 | Email: info@treppo.co.za | www.treppo.co.za

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Pretoria Works focuses on production of commercial coke & chemicals

He continued to say: “Our innovative and creative investments in research and development (R&D), as well as the significant spending allocated to environmental and health & safety initiatives, will also serve to counter over-supply and distinguish us from the competition; boosting efficiencies and optimising costs. We continually monitor the quality of our products and are quick to respond and address any problems by applying the necessary knowledge and technology to find a solution.” Benchmarking itself against similar manufacturing plants through the Global Technical Benchmark System used by the Group, ArcelorMittal South Africa also embraces the latest technologies that can enhance and streamline business activity. “We are continuously working to increase the level of automation in

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There has been huge but somewhat erratic growth in the renewable energy sector in recent years...

all our plants and now utilise SAP as standard across our ERP systems. Moreover, on a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) level, we have adopted various bespoke developed systems,” Subramanian detailed during the interview. In spite of the industry slowdown, the Company has experienced growth in the automotive and renewable sectors in particular, due to increased localisation of products and the need to develop higher grades of steel. “There has been huge but somewhat erratic growth in the renewable energy sector in recent years and we have been working hard to extend our product range in relation to steel plate products for wind turbines, which are largely being imported from China,” he added. “Similarly, the rising cost of electricity in South Africa means that

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we are making internal investments in energy efficiency initiatives and exploring viable alternative sources of power generation.”

Future requirements

Working closely with the South African Government to identify and implement various measures to ensure the sustainability of the local steel industry - including the introduction of import tariffs on 10 locally-produced steel products as well as the consideration of anti-dumping measures ArcelorMittal South Africa continues to work with the best interests of the wider economy in mind. “First and foremost, we are a

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DEMAG

...we are making internal investments in energy efficiency initiatives and exploring viable alternative sources of power generation

Demag DMR modular rope hoist for diverse applications The newly-launched Demag DMR modular rope hoist can be adapted precisely to match specific requirements. With one basic technology, Demag is now able to cover an even broader range of applications than rival products on the market. Due to its modular design, the Demag DMR modular rope hoist provides a unique range of possible combinations, enabling the rope hoist to be configured to meet specific needs, thereby providing the perfect ‘one-stop’ solution, comments Richard Roughly, Senior Manager, Sales & Marketing. “For the first time, customers can specify the design of their rope hoist, and still have the choice of all further options with just one system,” Roughly highlights. The Demag DMR modular rope hoist is available in two versions, namely a C-design and a co-axial design. Smart interfaces means that the Demag DMR modular rope hoist can be supplemented with a range of fittings and accessories that are freely selectable. Application types, from footmounted hoists to double-rail crabs, can all be implemented according to specific customer requirements. “With its unmatched level of modularity, Demag has made it that much easier to implement more rope-hoist variants than ever before,” Roughly comments. Five sizes are available, with load capacities up to 50 t. The controls can be ‘smart’, conventional, or provided by the customer, with a stepless or two-stage drive concept. Control can be wire-connected or by radio, depending on requirements. In addition, a range of extra safety and control functions can be opted for.

www.demagcranes.co.za Locally produced steel products

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proudly South African steel-producing Company and this is heavily reflected in our emphasis on local employment, B-BBEE emphasis, and community and Government involvement,” said Subramanian, who has since been replaced by the current Chief Executive Officer, Wim De Klerk. “Our employment strategy is designed to provide local opportunity through apprenticeships, learnerships, bursaries and other skills development initiatives to ensure there is a pool of qualified talent available to meet both current and future requirements. “In partnership with the Department

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GENET MINING

...we are a proudly South African steelproducing Company and this is heavily reflected in our emphasis on local employment...

ounded in 2005, Genet Mining started out as a small civil company based in the Free State. A coal mining opportunity arose in the Mpumalanga Province where the Company was contracted and operations were started as Contract Opencast Mining Services (trading as C.O.M.S. and later Gecko Mining) but in July 2012 a rebranding exercise took place and is now part of the Gecko Group of Companies. At Genet Mining we always endeavour to practice strong, pro-active leadership embodied in a flat organisation structure to enhance the speed and effectiveness of information flow and decision-making. Managers within the company fully co-operate with the client on a team basis within which consultation and participative decision making principles are made possible and being promoted. Genet Mining’s success can be ascribed to: • Successfully execution of projects it contracted for • Delivering of high quality services timeously and within budget • Being flexible, thereby ensuring that its clients’ needs are met or even surpassed • Good working relationship with key personnel within the Company • Good safety record • Extensive know-how and experience, gained through working under all types of conditions • Excellent performance, quality of service and client relations. One of the Company’s current flagship projects is with ArcelorMittal at their Newcastle works, offering material handling services for their range of products. T +27 13 5900 867 C +27 82 3178 002

A proudly South Africa steel-producing Company

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www.genet.za.com

SERVICES: SERVICES: • Opencast mining • Opencast mining • Material handling • Material handling •

• Mine rehabilitation • Exploration drilling • Exploration drilling • Equipment rental • Equipment rental

Mine rehabilitation

For 12 years GENET MINING has been committed towards quality service to our clients. GENET MINING offers innovative earth moving and materials handling solutions as well as related services across a broad spectrum of customer requirements. The company provides specialist contract mining services ranging from exploration drilling through to the rehabilitation of the project area. Its strategic alliance with affiliate companies allows for complimentary services such as product sizing and beneficiation. GENET MINING’s materials handling division offers a complete solution to all your mineral and materials handling, stockpiling and loading requirements. We harness our extensive experience which enable us to design a material handling solution that is purpose fit for your requirements; utilising a comprehensive fleet of front end loaders, articulated dump trucks, graders, dozers, compaction rollers and tailor made equipment. Careful planning and execution ensure an efficient and effective service delivery. CURRENT CLIENT BASE: • United Manganese of Kalahari • Glencore • ArcelorMittal • Kangra Coal

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SHALIN TRADING

stablished in 1993, Shalin Trading are stockists and fabricators of ERW, seamless, small bore, large bore, square and rectangular mild steel pipes, mild steel fittings and flanges as well as stainless steel ERW seamless pipe and fittings. We supply ArcelorMittal and the mining, industrial, structural, petrochemical and general engineering industries and pride ourselves on exceptional quality and service. The Company continually strives for the highest professionalism to their clients, with business built on independent infrastructures and client relationships and sustained by product delivery. The Company is driven by the need to effect change rather than be affected by change. T +27 11 310 9500/1/2/3 E matthew.shalin@telkomsa.net

Robust and ambitious operations

of Science and Technology and the Department of Education, our Science Centres represent our biggest investment in the local communities in which we operate; providing local students with extra tuition in science, technology, English and mathematics (STEM subjects). In 2016, our flagship Science Centre in Sebokeng is celebrating 10 years of existence, and we plan to celebrate this milestone with the former learners who have been part of the initiative.” Policies and procedures at ArcelorMittal South Africa ensure that all employees are afforded with equal opportunities and individual progression. The Company’s Transformation department has also undertaken a robust and ambitious programme to develop local entrepreneurs via a six-month pilot programme in partnership with the Vaal University of Technology aimed at enhancing the skills of local business people. The division also launched an

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THERMAL CERAMICS

...our Science Centres represent our biggest investment in the local communities in which we operate; providing local students with extra tuition...

efractory engineers are under pressure to increase the performance of furnaces, incinerators and reactors. Although there are many materials which can enhance furnace efficiency, a high number lose heat in operation through flue gas, excess moisture in fuel, or opening of the furnace door. This prevents engineers from realising maximum energy efficiencies. Morgan Advanced Materials Thermal Ceramics business is responding to this challenge by producing lightweight, energy saving refractory designs which significantly reduce heat loss in these units; reducing cost for the end user. For more info on increasing the efficiency of your thermal application, please contact us on +27 (0) 11 296 0014 or michelle.botha@morganplc.com.

SHALIN TRADING cc We are stockists and fabricators of: • ERW Small and large bore pipes • Seamless Small and large bore pipes • Stainless Steel Seamless and ERW pipes • Square and Rectangular tubes and pipes • Round tubes and pipes • Galvanised pipes and fittings • Seamless and ERW Fittings • Stainless Steel Fittings • Steam and Mild Steel Fittings • Flanges

Tel: 011 310-9500

www.shalin-trading.co.za

Members: D.N. Edwards, M.L. Edwards, S.B.C. Shiba Reg. No. CK 93/04985/23

THERMAL CERAMICS

Market leading products for high temperature insulating solutions The Thermal Ceramics business of Morgan Advanced Materials makes a range of fibre and refractory high temperature insulation products used to reduce energy consumption in industrial processes. Its products are also used in passive fire protection applications. We have extensive experience working with customers all over the world to engineer, design and install high performance insulation in operating environments from 500°C to 1600°C (932°F to 2912°F). We have a proven track record for helping customers to improve operational efficiency and respond to changing environmental pressures. The Thermal Ceramics business produces a variety of market leading brands including Superwool® low bio-persistent insulating fibre, Pyro-Bloc® modules, Min-K®, WDS® and BTU BLOCK™, microporous and JM™ and TJM™ Insulating Firebricks (IFBs). www.morganthermalceramics.com e: southafrica.tc@morganplc.com t: 011 296 0000 f: 011 613 1010 Morgan Advanced Materials Thermal Ceramics South Africa: 149 South Rand Road • Tulisa Park • Johannesburg 2197 • South Africa

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PPC

leading supplier of cement and related products, PPC is one of the largest producers of metallurgical-grade lime, burnt dolomite and limestone in the southern hemisphere. The Company’s lime business forms part of the company’s materials business, comprising Pronto Readymix (including Ulula Ash) and 3Q Mahuma Concrete, as well as the aggregates business. The Company has 11 cement factories in South Africa, Botswana, DRC, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, bringing its capacity to around 11.5 million tonnes of cement products each year.

www.ppc.co.za An industrial and manufacturing hub in South Africa

industrial and manufacturing hub later in 2016 which provided at least 12 local fabricators with a facility to work from, access to markets and the opportunity to exchange ideas. “We are cognisant of the role that we play in the socio-economic development of local communities and as the country’s and the region’s largest steel producer, we will work with all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the South African steel industry for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Subramanian further detailed in regards to the launch last year.

Important steps

The global steel industry contributes enormously to the growth and development of economies around the world. With the crisis in the steel industry continuing unabated, it is more important than ever before to ensure that ArcelorMittal’s Group-wide stakeholders understand the threat to the industry and the implication for

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SATHALA

We are cognisant of the role that we play in the socio-economic development of local communities and as the country’s and the region’s largest steel producer...

athala would like to thank ArcelorMittal for this opportunity to showcase its organisation and partnership with ArcelorMittal. The predominantly women owned Company’s partnership with ArcelorMittal commenced in July 2009 upon being awarded the contract for road transportation of final products from ArcelorMittal’s SA Newcastle Works to domestic and cross border customers. ArcelorMittal remains a key strategic partner for Sathala. Sathala is a diversified logistics company serving the needs of Industrial Sub-Saharan African markets for over 20 years. We pride ourselves in delivering value and robust supply chain solutions to our valued customers. Sathala is eternally grateful to ArcelorMittal for the opportunities it provides.

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Logistics Div

Proud to be supporting ArcelorMittal South Africa Sathala is a diversified logistics company serving the needs of Industrial Sub-Saharan African markets for over 20 years. We take pride in delivering value and robust supply chain solutions to our valued customers. OPERATIONS: BETHAL, DURBAN, NEWCASTLE, MIDRAND, VANDERBIJLPARK, CAPE TOWN

Sathala Plant Hire CC T/F: +27 32 941 5880 C: +27 84 431 0786 +27 84 5210 786

30 Industrial Avenue, Bethal, Mpumalanga PO Box 1041, La Mercy 4405

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BEIER ENVIROTEC

eier Envirotec (Pty) Ltd, is an energetic, experienced and professional South African filter bag manufacturer. We boast a shareholding team of highly-qualified and driven individuals, of which 51.25 percent are black owners, who have all been key in achieving Beier Group’s consolidated annual turnover of R1.75 billion. We believe that actions speak louder than words. For this reason, we use our in-depth knowledge of filter bag manufacturing to empower our own employees, to incorporate local SMMEs in our value chain, as well as invest in youth education. We deliver on industrialisation, transformation and development. T +27 (031) 7100400 E info@beier.co.za

The Company is proud that it was recognised at the CEO Recognition Awards, 2016

national and local economies. “We are focused on stabilising the business and returning our operations to profitability. Above all, we aspire to be the preferred steel producer on the African continent as we understand what steel products are needed to satisfy the demand,” noted Subramanian in a sentiment no doubt echoed by De Klerk since taking up the post. On a local scale in South Africa, the Company is more than half-way through its 2012-2019 strategy, which will grow ArcelorMittal’s footprint on the continent even more extensively. Subramanian rounded up the remaining goals for 2016 and 2017, onwards: “We hope to double our tin product capabilities for the packaging market, continue modifying our facilities to produce galvanised products for the automotive industry, bolster our construction market offering, and conduct a mini-reline of our blast furnace at Saldanha to

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We hope to double our tin product capabilities for the packaging market, continue modifying our facilities to produce galvanised products for the automotive industry...

www.beier.co.za

TAYLOR-MADE GEARING SOLUTIONS MADE BY KLINGELNBERG

Unrivalled quality and extreme power ratings are the distinguishing features of KLINGELNBERG spiral bevel gears. KLINGELNBERG can produce spiral bevel gears with diameters of up to 3.000 mm, allowing our customers to transmit power in excess of 20.000 kW in a wide range of industrial applications. We are committed to helping our customers to find the very best solution for every application. With a strong team of engineers we continue to drive innovation forward and help our customers grow. KLINGELNBERG GmbH E-mail: drivetechnology@klingelnberg.com www.klingelnberg.com

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S O U T H

The global steel crisis has undoubtedly affected our business and we have had to respond swiftly and decisively to ensure that we survive into the future

extend the life of our operations. “The global steel crisis has undoubtedly affected our business and we have had to respond swiftly and decisively to ensure that we survive into the future. We are confident that with the important steps we have taken - together with the positive interventions agreed by Government - that we will be able to turn the business around in the medium-term. We will continue our engagements with the Government to ensure that the necessary protection measures are fully implemented, including the designation of locally produced steel for use in Government infrastructure projects.” And with the inception of a new Arcelor Centre in Isando; R12.6 million spent on three science centres; a five-year pricing plan in place with the Government to aid the consistent price of steel; the imminent introduction of two internal programmes; and the ongoing raising of funds in order to refurbish and update all of its facilities - the aforementioned important steps are continuing to be taken to compound ArcelorMittal’s stronghold on the industry in South Africa.

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A F R I C A

Long Distance Transport of Steel products and Warehousing across South Africa.

BONDISPEX TRANSPORT Durban 1 Forest Road Pinetown, 3610 Phone: 031 7014276 Cell: 081 737 2809

JHB 21 Hantam Street Vaalpark, Sasolburg Phone: 016 971 1064 Cell: 076 403 9054

VanDerBijl Park Delfos Boulevard VanderBijl Park, 1911 Phone: 016 889 5224 Cell: 076 403 9054

Preferred Haulier for ArcelorMittal South Africa

West Coast Maintenance and Civils was founded by Jackie Louw in 2013 when there was a demand for civil vendors at Arcelor Mittal Saldanha in the Western Cape South Africa, and we hope to expand our reach to other similar companies.

Exceeding our clientsâ€™ expectations. 13 Boswewer, Louwville, Vredenburg 7380 Tel: 022-713 5742 / +27 76 895 7446 Email: jackielouw4@gmail.com

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Nigerian Content

Champions Nigerdock continues to achieve great success in demonstrating industry leadership, diversification, fabrication, logistics and project capabilities amid difficult market conditions Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

hen Africa Outlook last profiled Nigerdock, a member of Jagal Energy, a year ago, the Company was going from strength to strength in the industry. Subsequently, 2016 proved to be operationally and financially successful and enabled it to enhance its record of successful project deliveries. It was a big year for Nigerdock, delivering successfully on OFON EPC project for Total and Egina FPSO, as a sub-contractor for Samsung. It is fair to say that the Company is clearly enhancing its leadership reputation

in Nigeria and further afield. “It is important to note that within this last 12 month period, we have also achieved in excess of 4.2 million manhours without an LTI, and some nine million cumulative man-hours since our last LTI, demonstrating the highest levels of commitment and delivery of a safe workplace,” explains Chris Bennett, Group Managing Director of Jagal Energy. “In terms of the broader Company objectives, we were slightly less successful, specifically in the area of building a new backlog of work. This however was simply due to the lack

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of contracts being awarded in Nigeria over this period of time. Subsequently this lack of contract awards in 2016 has created extreme operating conditions for everyone in 2017. “Fortunately at Nigerdock we have built a diverse business portfolio over the years. Therefore, during these particularly tough periods, where the projects are in short supply, we are able

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to rely upon broader service streams of ship repair, logistics and base services as well as training and a development academy to enable us to stand strong while others were faltering in the industry.” Although the downturn has currently been challenging in terms of creating new revenue, there have been a plethora of opportunities arising in consolidation. These include joint ventures and asset sharing models, which are aiding the industry in evolving to survive in the difficult current times and reducing costs to remain competitive. “We bravely took an opportunity to invest more than 15 million dollars during 2016 and early 2017, further enhancing our supply base services and providing them with new water and diesel storage facilities that are capable

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of stockholding 5,000 m3,” adds Bennett. “We have also created a stateof-the-art dedicated marshalling area and partnered with an International leader in the business, positioning us to be ready for supply base and logistics contracts that we anticipate will be awarded in 2017.”

Setting goals

Nigerdock sets scorecards for the annual definition and measurement of Company objectives and these typically include financial, quality, HSE, commercial, work-to-win and new business, as well as project and business stream delivery metrics. “Of course, due to the difficulties within the country this year, we have had to realign some of those objectives in order to match the prevailing market conditions,” affirms Bennett.

B A S E

ALLISON SHIPPING & FORWARDING AGENCIES LIMITED (ASFA)

llison Shipping & Forwarding Agencies Limited (ASFA) has grown progressively to becoming a major and reliable player with strategic partners in major sea and airports across West Africa. The Company specialises in sea and air freight consolidation, packaging, transport and logistics and warehousing and customs clearance. The Company currently serves clients in Nigeria, offering tailor-made services suitable for individual needs that start from the point of origin through various custom procedures to the client’s doorstep and ensures that clients get personalised attention. With favourable out-sourcing capacities, in addition to competitive pricing, prompt delivery and good customer relations, the Company strives to build a working bond that ensures clients get reliable services thus getting added value for their money. The Company’s team of highly trained professionals also provides quality expert advice and service on all matters relating to import and export needs. The operating philosophy, personnel policies, communication network, facilities on ground, quality assurance procedure, and customer feedback mechanism play a vital role in assuring excellence. With a vision to be an authority and market leader in offering reliable, cost effective and secure worldwide logistics solutions where customers benefit from a personalised relationship, the Company’s ultimate aim is to be the provider of choice for innovative and quality logistical solutions in Nigeria and West Africa.

T +234 818 319 8681 E florence.osunde@lbhex.com The number one in Nigeria

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ASFA carries out the business of ship husbanding, clearing and forwarding of mercantile goods by sea, air and land and other related → → → → → → → business all over Nigeria.

→ SHIP HUSBANDING → PRE-SHIPMENT ADMINISTRATION → DOOR TO DOOR CARGO SERVICES → FREIGHT FORWARDING (SEA AND AIR) → CUSTOMS BROKERAGE → PROJECT LOGISTICS (PROJECT FORWARDING) → INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, STOCK CONTROL → ROAD HAULAGE → EXPORT PROCESSING

QUALITY & RELIABLE SERVICE with over 30 years experience

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20 North Avenue, Apapa, Lagos T: +234 818 3198681 E: florence.osunde@lbhex.com

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HALLELUJAH ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENTATION

allelujah Electrical and Instrumentation Co are experts in water treatment plants, in addition to water and diesel storage and handling. Offering a full range of services, from design and engineering to installation and commissioning, the Company are also agents for VESDA fire systems & Mitsubishi Multi City central air conditioning systems. Engineering & procurement is carried out by our UK partner Electrical & Instrumentation Procurement & Engineering. Contact our Project director, Mike Cameron via email at eandi.pande@yahoo.com and heicwa@gmail.com

Nigerdock is continuously changing and evolving with the market needs

“One of the main objectives for the year was to finalise the on schedule delivery without injury of the 7,500 tonnes of steelwork for Samsung on the Total Egina Project; and we proudly achieved this target in June, 2017. A truly world-class performance.” Nigerdock continues to change with the market needs and the current restructuring should aid the Company in further strengthening the business stream diversification. Bennett continues: “We have it ingrained within every employee that we must remain positive in this market, as there remains huge opportunities, however disheartening the downside of the unprecedented reductions in numbers of professional artisans and management is, as project work reaches completion. “We are resolute in our hope that these markets will see a solid recovery in 2018 and there are many positive signs to corroborate that will be a real possibility.”

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T +234 813 351 3487, +234 814 6231237

ARC TECHNICAL SERVICES

A We are resolute in our hope that these markets will see a solid recovery in 2018 and there are many positive signs to corroborate that will be a real possibility

rc Technical Services Ltd has supported the African oil and gas, marine, construction, manufacturing & process industries for close to three decades with distribution and technical procurement of engineering and industrial products. We are authorised distributors for a number of international brands of welding products, marine engines, process instrumentation and safety equipment. Our qualified engineers provide highly competent & cost effective specification, procurement and logistics services for time critical MRO and CAPEX requisitions. We are proud of our excellent reputation which stems from our long record of service to industry leading clients such as Nigerdock Plc and the entire Jagal Group for over a decade.

www.arcts.uk

Hallelujah Electrical & Instrumentation Co

Electrical & Instrumentation Procurement & Engineering ▶ WATER TREATMENT PLANTS ▶ BOOSTER AND TRANSFER PUMPS ▶ LEVEL SWITCHES ▶ CONTROL PANELS ▶ DIESEL & WATER TANKS ▶ TANK GAUGING ▶ PROCESS CONTROL ▶ PRESSURE TRANSMITTERS ▶ FLOWMETERS ▶ EXPLOSIONPROOF EQUIPMENT [ATEX] Unit KK108 Awodi Ora Complex Cardoso Street, Apapa, Lagos E: heicwa@gmail.com T: +234 813 351 3487, +234 814 6231237

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Strengthening its position for service delivery

Dictating Success

As previously mentioned, Nigerdock made effective investments in 2016 and 2017, those pivotal investments were necessary to diversify deeper into the supply base and logistics business streams. The Company decided to position itself ahead of the competition by starting this investment in early 2016 and was able to successfully commission those systems in July 2017. “We have continued on through the year with investments in systems and technology as a key enabler for efficiency within the Company,” describes Bennett. “We have implemented both new software and marketing tools to strengthen our position for service delivery; furthermore we have steadily increased our joint venture relationships into equipment maintenance, surveys, heavy lifting services and logistics services amongst a number.” The clear challenge for the industry is a continuing pressure on costs and the

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Nigerdock has diversified its supply base and logistics business streams

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Outlook Creative Services

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Another job well done, and within schedule

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Recognised as one of the top 100 employers in Nigeria

consequential drive for efficiency with a resolute focus on ‘Nigerianisation’.

Development programmes

Since 2010, Nigerdock has been working on its leadership team capabilities and the development programmes for those personnel. “I’m a great believer in our Company being an employer of choice and within that, the development of my co-workers and instilling a success-oriented culture enables us to retain great people within the business,” explains Bennett. “The team that we now have working with us have proven capability - without a

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I’m a great believer in our Company being an employer of choice...

shadow of a doubt - when it comes to delivering to the highest international standards.” Impressively, the Company has achieved accreditation by City and Guilds as a perfect example of international competence assessment for its development processes. “This has been very important for my co-workers, as now they can gain an internationally recognised, transportable competence certificate within a transparent and structured development programme,” adds Bennett. “Our development academy remains a source of great pride to us all and to the 6,000 people who have

Nigeria needs Nigerdock and more Companies like it

Delivering the highest international standards

Nigerdock will be fully active in offshore brownfield works by the end of 2017

passed through it.” Due in part to these development programmes, the Company was recently recognised in the top 100 employers in Nigeria - situated amongst many blue chip international companies - vindicating the hard work and showing that Nigerdock is getting a lot of its development and retention planning right.

Moving forward

Despite the difficulties faced this year in the industry, the outlook for the Company is looking particularly positive and the hope for operations to be fully utilised again are well founded.

I hope that we will be able to strengthen our Company further and maintain the positive effect on the lives of the 100,000 people we affect in running our business

“Frankly, I would anticipate seeing a significant increase in the logistics and supply base operations on Snake Island, as well as fabrication works underway again,” affirms Bennett. “In addition to that I would hope that we are fully active in offshore brownfield works by the end of the year.” Bennett concludes: “Moving forward, I hope that we will be able to strengthen our Company further and maintain the positive effect on the lives of the 100,000 people we affect in running our business. Nigeria needs Nigerdock and more Companies like it.”

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THE BEST KFC ON THE

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ONTINENT Kuku Foods East Africa Holdings, the region’s franchisee of world-renowned KFC outlets, targets improved customer satisfaction and market saturation off the back of a rapid four year evolution Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Joshua Mann

antalising taste buds across East Africa for the best part of five years, Kuku Foods East Africa Holdings (KFEAH) has become one of the region’s most sought-after fast food providers, but the success of the Company is attributed every bit as much to the internal culture of the business as it is to the food products themselves. This fact is all the more significant when considering that the food products in question are worldrenowned KFC items, with KFEAH thriving as the brand’s holding company in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya for the duration of its tenure. The privately-owned entity has flourished since inception in 2011 off the back of products including chicken meals, burgers, twisters and Krushers, compounded by a shareholding compliment that includes African business environment experience totalling more than 70 years. “Kuku Foods’ success has been based on its biggest asset which is our people,” affirms the Group’s Managing Director, Derrick Van Houten. “We carefully selected our people, and trained them to be best-in-class. And, together with a robust business plan which the leadership team has diligently executed, Kuku Foods has become a leader in innovation and brand delivery.” Being a multi-territory franchisee inevitably comes with

certain challenges, but by having such entrepreneurial and experienced personnel onboard, the business has been able to problem solve accordingly in order to stake its claim as a leader in numerous markets. “This in turn has created an innovative mindset within our team, and we have nurtured this and it has become a real strength,” Van Houten continues. “I further believe that our team is extremely nimble, and this creates an advantage of beating our competitors and ensures that we remain ahead of the pack.”

Accessible and sustainable

While the first outlet opening occurred in 2013, the initial concept was fostered two years previously in August, 2011, when the restaurant at Junction Mall in Nairobi, Kenya was announced.

Managing Director, Derrick Van Houten

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More than two years of planning, logistical research, supply chain optimisation and YUM audit approvals bridged the two milestones, but were essential in paving the way for the successful evolution that has occurred ever since. “We grew slowly in the beginning ensuring we provided the best customer experience in terms of quality and customer service,” Van Houten recalls. “Subsequently, Uganda and Tanzania’s first restaurants opened in 2013 and 2014 respectively, which laid the foundation for more rapid expansion.” By the end of 2017, KFEAH will boast as many as 32 restaurants across the region with Kenya comprising the largest ratio of the Company’s portfolio. And with each new opening, and as the Company’s speed of development quickens, so too does the level of

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Junction Opening, 1st KFC Store in EA

H O L D I N G S

UNI INDUSTRIES EAST AFRICA LIMITED

eing a member of Africa’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of hospitality equipment, Universal Industries Corporation, Uni Industries East Africa Limited provides a complete system service alongside world renowned brands of foodservice equipment. The Company designs, supplies, installs, commissions as well as provides technical backup for all equipment brands such as Insulated Structures SA, Macadams SA, Virtus Germany, BCE, Coldcab, FoodServ Food Solutions SA, Henny Penny USA, Lincoln Ovens USA, Marzocco Italy, Frima Italy and Turboquip SA. The Company has a great track record having been in the industry for over two decades in East Africa. With their head office at Mandev Complex, Mombasa Road in Nairobi Kenya, the Company has a network of showrooms and offices across East Africa. The Complex also houses a stateof the-art showroom, test kitchen and a large warehouse with a large stock holding of equipment and spare parts. A strong team of well trained technicians provide the backup service and spare parts to hotels and restaurants as well as 24 hour back up services for the Quick Service Restaurants. Uni Industries East Africa Limited is proud to be associated with the successful growth of Kuku Foods East Africa through their KFC global brand which is amongst the top QSR’s in the world. The Company looks forward to continuing to be the reliable partner to Kuku Foods for the East African region.

T +254 738 703 983, +254 20 6551287 E info@uni-eastafrica.com

www.uni-eastafrica.com 1st bucket sold at KFC Junction

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We focus on providing you with complete systems, not just equipment. We will design, supply, install, commission as well as provide back up for your equipment requirements. We also pride ourselves in offering back up spares from our suppliers for up to TEN years.

The universal Industries group supplies equipment mainly to the food retail, wholesale, hospitality, manufacturing and related industries, i.e. supermarkets, bakeries, petrol station convenience stores, fast food outlets, restaurants, hotels, wholesalers, institutional, industrial and government kitchens, bottlers and brewers, refrigeration and catering contractors.

Supplier in the region for 23 years

Leadership. Efficiency. Excellence

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Hotline: +254 (20) 551286 Enquiry: +254 722 711 987 Office line: +254 0727 762 242 / +254 20 551287 info@uni-eastafrica.com www.uni-eastafrica.com

ENJOY REFRESHED FLAVORS

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innovation and entrepreneurship showcased within the outlets. “Our product development team constantly come up with new ideas,” Van Houten says. “We have discovered two critical success routes with new products: firstly do not try and have local dishes on a KFC menu; and secondly, ensure that the approved products used in the recipe are accessible and sustainable for our markets.” The earmarked total of 32 restaurants may seem arbitrary but becomes a whole lot more impressive and pertinent when considering that the 29th instalment is being built at present in July. A further three scheduled for the remaining five months of the year epitomises how quickly and effectively the Company can mobilise and capitalise on new opportunities when such a lucrative possibility presents itself.

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Van Houten explains: “When it comes to identifying new trade zones, the team will take a long-term view, maybe five years, and we carefully map out where our consumer profile can be identified. It must then fit our supply chain expectations as well as our ability to manage the operational skills for that particular area.”

Maximum returns on investment

Complicating the decision-making process further is the need to monitor continuously fluctuating trends and consumer requirements; not only influencing where KFEAH should open an outlet, but what features and functions should be included within each new addition. The most significant trend being adapted and adhered to at present is in the realm of convenience, as Van Houten details.

Capitalising on new opportunities and lucrative possibilities

Striving for 40 outlets by the end of 2018

SHEFFIELD AFRICA

heffield’s and Kuku Foods Limited’s journey started around four years ago when they opened their first KFC outlet in Nairobi. The Company’s partnership with Kuku Foods has grown over the years with many other outlets being opened across East Africa and the Company looks forward to working with them on their future projects as their success is celebrated. As a pan African organisation offering world class solutions tailor-made and customised to suit the conditions of the African market, the Company has worked on over 7,000 kitchen installations since its inception 14 years ago with some as far afield as Nigeria, Zambia and Mozambique. The best kitchens in East Africa are products of Sheffield. The Company is your end to end solution provider, providing solutions for airport and production kitchens, quick service retail outlets, commissaries, mobile kitchens, staff canteens and a wide variety of retail premises. Some of the Company’s customers include world renowned brands like KFC, Dominos and Burger King, but we have also supported many startups that have become powerful and robust regional brands. The Company offers a 360 degree solution, from an initial consultancy stage to supply and installation of all equipment backed up by quality and prompt after sales services wherever clients’ are located in Africa. The Company has over 150 employees with a mix of professionals and its passion is to inspire and support Africans to join the lucrative food and beverage market which is growing rapidly in Africa.

T +254 713 7771 11 E info@sheffieldafrica.com

www.sheffieldafrica.com

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KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Facility Solutions

Sheffield is an African company offering Tailor-made and Customized Solutions. We can design & fabricate food retail solution packaged for panafrica positioning. We congratulate Kuku Foods Kenya Ltd on their successful franchising of the KFC brand in East Africa and we look forward to partnering with them for their future projects.

DESIGN I MANUFACTURE I SUPPLY I INSTALLATION I SPARES I AFTER SALES SERVICES

Food Carts Food Trucks Food Trailer Food Kiosk Containerized QSRs Many More.

“The implementation of our regional delivery service has been an unbelievable success in meeting this need. Kenya alone does around 20,000 deliveries a month,” he notes. “We have shared our overall vision with our board, who support our growth strategy and provide the necessary capital to execute these kinds of plans. “Obviously cash is not a neverending open tap, and we therefore have to carefully select our expansion plans and ensure we receive maximum returns on each investment.” Numerous first-in-class technologies have been introduced across KFEAH’s portfolio as a consequence of this tactic; all with a view of assisting the overall management of the business and in enhancing levels of convenience for the customer. “One example is our internally developed maintenance tracker which tracks and flags outstanding maintenance issues in the

SHEFFIELD STEEL SYSTEMS LTD SALES: +254 713 7771 11 +254 722524655 info@sheffieldafrica.com

www.sheffieldafrica.com

KENYA

UGANDA

RWANDA

Obviously cash is not a neverending open tap, and we therefore have to carefully select our expansion plans and ensure we receive maximum returns on each investment

TANZANIA

We offer 360 Degrees Solutions for Quick Service Retail outlets, food carts, food kiosks and trailers . We are changing the food service industry providing the most Technologically Advanced Solutions that are Cost Effective.

restaurants,” the MD continues. “Meanwhile, YUM continuously looks for more efficient ways of serving our customers, and a good example here is our new velocity fryers which filter the oil a lot more efficiently, discarding any impurities immediately. “Other capital investment strategies incorporate each of our restaurants being upgraded every five years in accordance with our franchise agreement; POS integration within our finance, customer service, and sales forecasting systems; and a general plan to reach 40 outlets by the end of 2018.”

The best KFC on the continent

And across each of these outlets, and in charge of leveraging each new innovation and technology is a host of skilled personnel - from management down to shop floor - who ensure responsible sustainability in a region that depends on it. “We have a rigorous selection

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UNGA LIMITED

nga Limited is one of the largest millers in East Africa with a heritage of over a century in grain milling. The Company strives to provide a variety of superior human nutritional products ranging from Exe Wheat Flour, Hostess & Jogoo Maize Meal, Famila Porridge, Amana Pulses and Amana Rice. With a wide range of food & nutrition products that cut across the socioeconomic range, the Company’s success is driven by its people and their unrelenting focus on delivering results the right way.

T +254 20 393 3000 E information@unga.com

Team Kuku participate in the Colour Run

www.ungagroup.com

process. From then on though, each individual employee has their own personal growth plan which is continuously managed,” Van Houten details. “Our policy is only to promote from within, and we have some amazing stories around this. Our company culture has ensured team members are caught up in the success of our business story which results in very few people leaving our group.” Such an ethos becomes even more commendable when taking into account KFEAH’s localisation focus, with less than one percent of the 900-strong workforce listed as expats. The same philosophy is then applied throughout the Company’s supply chain where localisation is again given paramount importance in order to instil long-term regional sustainability into the fabric of the business. Van Houten continues: “Supply chain in Africa is an exceptional challenge. To localise a product and to ensure that YUM’s audit procedures are complied

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with, it can take years. We therefore focus a lot of our attention on large stock items such as chicken which are local products and make sure they form a large part of our menu requirements. “Ultimately, we manage the complete process from ordering

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the products worldwide, clearing, warehousing and distribution to each restaurant’s front door.” Corporate social responsibility projects such as donations to wildlife funds, social fun runs, school activities and its exciting, upcoming Add Hope programme further embed the business into the local communities; extending the family feel that has been embedded into an organisation which can now look forward to even more concerted growth in the future. Van Houten concludes: “Our team operates like a family. We work at a fast pace, we execute with 100 percent targets in mind and we are constantly thinking of ways to please our customer better. “My dream from here is to grow our people even more, to execute our growth plans for our shareholders, and to be the best KFC on the continent; a mission we have already achieved in 2015 by winning the franchisee of the year award from YUM.”

Touching Lives Through Quality Nutrition We pride ourselves in bringing smiles to millions daily through our products!

Commercial Street, Industrial Area Nairobi, Kenya Email - information@unga.com Phone +254 20 393 3000 | +254 20 653 4126 +254 20 653 4127 | +254 722 205 353

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Unique IN I TS FIEL D Agricane’s two decades of growth has taken its turnkey agricultural engineering proposition to 24 countries in Africa, making the business one of the continent’s foremost contributors to sustainable development Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Joshua Mann

aking a sustainable difference to African agriculture for more than 20 years, Agricane’s agricultural engineering and development operations have led the Company to some of the sector’s most significant projects and almost unrivalled kudos in a sector so intrinsically linked to social responsibility. Initiated in 1996 as the international wing of a fledgling business started in Zimbabwe, these humble beginnings comprised a group of dynamic agricultural engineers and agronomists who saw a market for genuine African experience in irrigated plantation development. “Since then, the Company has expanded its service base every year and now includes a strong land survey element, a remote sensing company, mechanisation expertise as well as personnel covering agricultural economics and bulk water engineering,” Founder Director, Chris Matthews picks up. “Owned and operated by four major shareholder directors that each play an active part in the daily operations of the Company, Agricane is now split between two key businesses; Agricane Commercial Holdings Limited (ACHL), and Agricane Consulting Limited.

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indsay Corporation has been involved in the manufacture and distribution of agricultural equipment for more than 50 years. We have grown our sales and distribution network from a regional company to a major international agribusiness firm with worldwide sales and distribution and annual revenues of more than $500 million in 2016. Lindsay’s primary USA irrigation manufacturing facilities are located in Lindsay, Nebraska; Hartland, Wisconsin; Olathe, Kansas; and Fresno, California. Internationally, the Company has production operations in Brazil, France, China, Turkey, and South Africa, as well as distribution and sales operations in the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. Lindsay manufactures and markets its centre pivot, lateral move irrigation systems, and irrigation controls in the US and internationally under its Zimmatic® brand. The Company also produces or markets chemical injection systems, variable rate irrigation systems, flow meters, weather stations, soil moisture sensors and remote monitoring and control systems which it sells under its GrowSmart® brand. The Company also designs and manufactures water pumping stations and controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape, and municipal markets under its Watertronics® brand and filtration solutions for groundwater, agriculture, industrial, and heat transfer markets, worldwide, under its LAKOS® brand. Furthermore, the Company designs and manufactures innovative M2M communication technology solutions, data acquisition and management systems, and custom electronic equipment for critical applications under its Elecsys™ brand. As mentioned, Lindsay is one of the world’s largest exporters and marketers of centre

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pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Zimmatic by Lindsay Centre Pivot irrigation systems are designed for both small and large fields. Their modular design allows Lindsay to custom configure longer systems to save system cost and special heights for taller crops like sugar cane or tree crops. Each pivot is designed for specific climatic, topographical and cropping conditions. Zimmatic systems operate in deserts, on flood plains, on flat land and rolling hills, and on a variety of crops. The following are just a few examples of pivotirrigated crops: alfalfa, corn, cotton, grapes, onions, peanuts, potatoes, rice, sugar beets, sorghum, soybeans, sugar cane, tomatoes, wheat, fruit trees, olive trees, other grains. Lindsay Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lindsay Corporation, was founded by Lindsay in 2002. Lindsay Africa recently relocated to a new site in Bellville South, Cape Town, South Africa that covers some 17,000 square metres. From here Lindsay Africa is responsible for marketing, distributing and manufacturing Lindsay products in South Africa and subSaharan Africa. Lindsay Africa is the second Lindsay facility established outside the US and consists of a factory, an office block and warehouse. From this facility LA offers turnkey solutions that include design and distribution. Although Lindsay Africa was first established in 2002, Zimmatic by Lindsay products have been in operation in Africa since the early 1970s.

T +27 (0)21 986 8900 www.lindsayafricagb.com

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BARAK

arak has historically focused on short-term alternative financing within the agricultural commodities space in Africa. As the Company has grown, it has realised that the need for financing in the medium and long-term within the continent is crucial for companies to expand operations and business, and hence Barak has sought to be the leading alternative financier across all deal and project tenors in Africa. The Barak Asha African Impact Fund is the Company’s flagship long-term mezzanine Fund that will seek to attract and grow development investments. Agricane, with its vast on-the-ground experience in Africa, provides a logical partnership to manage the Asha Fund’s growing pipeline of impact-focused projects.

www.barakfund.com Bill Mckersie booster pumpstaion - Sierra Leone

“ACHL deals with all the commercial operations and businesses that we have picked up along the way - these generally being small agricultural related schemes that we aim to be centres of excellence for, to launch new technologies and training sites - while Agricane Consulting Limited is the core development and management consulting business and is made up of a number of key divisions and subsidiaries.” These subsidiaries include Agricane General Consulting; Agricane Malawi, a country that has long-term affiliations with the business; Agricana Limitada, its Moçambique arm; Cane-Survey; Agricane Mechanisation; Agricane Training; Agri-Sense, the Group’s remote sensing Company; DataSense; and the Asha Impact Finance Fund, in conjunction with Barak Fund Management. Across these strands, and indeed its primary ACHL activities, Agricane has branched out into 24 countries

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Agricane has continuously engaged and sourced individuals who both have the passion and belief in African agricultural development

throughout Africa, proving itself as a truly continental entity. Eight projects are currently being undertaken in the region across aspects such as feasibility studies, management and design works; while Agri-Sense has broadened even further to Central America. “As Agricane expands further in to all agricultural cropping and sectors, the identification of new customers has been more challenging, but the reputation that precedes Agricane has always been our biggest asset in future work development and we are fortunate to work with some of the African agricultural industry leaders whom have expanded their horizons simultaneously with Agricane,” emphasises Matthews. “Africa is forecast in the next 35 years to double its population and is yet to sustain itself in agricultural production. Agricane has a vision for how this challenge can be met and is strategically positioned to further expand its operations and provide

Africa is the second fastest growing region in the world. We believe that the rate of return on investment is higher than anywhere else in the world. Invest in Africa. Invest with Barak.

T +230 698 0397. contact@barakfund.com www.barakfund.com

Barge operating conditions in Sierra Leone

the skills and experience to meet this challenge head-on.”

Continuous development

This evident rapidity of expansion and diversification has taken Agricane to all corners of the continent too, leveraging the extensive expertise and experience in-house along with a long list of credible associates to apply optimum methods and solutions to every new project.

“Since inception, Agricane has designed more than 100,000 ha and developed more than 40,000 ha of successful irrigated agriculture; of which, more than 8,000 ha has been small-grower farms,” Matthews explains “Agricane has managed these successful projects in Southern Africa, and is currently engaged in irrigation development in eight countries and is involved in various other projects in rainfed agriculture, estate

management and training.” Growing year-on-year since the mid-‘90s as a result of this continuous expansion; Matthews attributes such triumphs to the dynamism within the business, and to the people who both run and work within the framework of the Company. He adds: “Agricane has continuously engaged and sourced individuals who both have the passion and belief in African agricultural development, as well as the expertise within their field. Agricane is possibly unique in Africa in that it combines the complete spectrum of agricultural development solutions while remaining dedicated to this unique field. “Furthermore, African agriculture is an industry that is constantly being left behind in the use of the most up-todate technologies and practices and Agricane is working hard on correcting this by constantly introducing new technologies and methodologies to the industry.”

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As an example, Agri-Sense is constantly developing new approaches, from crop monitoring to farm management and even aerial spraying using UAVs. Similarly, Agricane Consulting ensures the latest innovations and technologies, driven by the research and knowledge attained via its Data-Sense subsidiary. “All of these strategies provide continuous development to remain at the cutting edge of agriculture and enables Agricane to gain the success and reputation that has developed in the past 20 years,” Matthews enthuses. “Other great advances made

With each new project, the expertise of Agricane is broadened

recently to improve our products and services can be seen across remote sensing and the development of an agricultural impact fund. “Agri-Sense and Data-Sense, and in particular the strength of the management tools and data delivery through Agri-Sense MIS, have created a far reaching opportunity to the new generations involved in food production in Africa.”

Targeting development

Each new project and each new presence point helps to broaden the experience of Agricane, and subsequently, its ability to adapt to new situations and to be more innovative in its approach. The

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All of these strategies provide continuous development to remain at the cutting edge of agriculture and enables Agricane to gain the success and reputation that has developed

consolidation of this experience has led to Agricane’s philosophy that the future for food production in Africa lies in combining the commercial with small-grower irrigated farms and then adding value at source as much as possible. This secures knowledge transfer and value chain stability in an organised structure. Agricane is therefore combining the key elements of finance, technical knowhow, social upliftment and the market through added-value. This has been evident in numerous countries over the years and has most recently been epitomised by ongoing operations in Malawi and Mozambique. Regarding the former, “Agricane has just completed the second phase of our highly successful Phata Cooperative Irrigation Scheme in Chikwawa”, Matthews details. “The Phata irrigation schemes came about when a group of local villagers who border one of the ACHL farms approached Agricane and asked how they could own and utilise their land for sugarcane development. “With the assistance of Agricane Malawi a cooperative was formed by the local inhabitants, numbering 350 families, who were subsistence farming with rainfed cash crops like cotton and millet which would

often fail due to poor rains. Once Agricane sourced the finance, we then embarked on undertaking designs and tenders and then managed the implementation.” The 300 ha project was completed in less than a year and the first crop of sugarcane was harvested to the tune of 120 tonnes of cane per hectare; a significant yield that, in the intervening four years since then has led to returns of more than $500,000 per annum for the benefiting farms. A key element in the success is that it involves a guaranteed off-take through the added-value processing plant nearby. In Nigeria, Agricane is working alongside one of the nation’s largest sugar producers on an outgrower feasibility study in order to provide 3,000 ha of irrigated sugarcane in small grower farms, to supply the sugar factory. Matthews notes: “The total area under study consists of approximately 25,000 ha, across which the study will identify the most productive areas to target development. Of such great importance is the desire by the local communities to be involved with the project, Agricane has assisted the client with setting up a visit by 16 local community leaders and headmen from Nigeria to the aforementioned Phata Scheme in Malawi.” In addition to the Company’s international ambitions, its innerdiversifications have been a superb

Agricane focuses on the best ways to utilise the land

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indictment of Agricaneâ€™s overall dedication to the market; epitomised by the success of Agri-Sense and DataSense. The former has so far flown over 300,000 ha in its four years as the demand for high resolution imagery and high accuracy topographical data increases. Now at the forefront of Agricaneâ€™s technological impetus, the ability to deliver data directly to the farmer or estate via its Agri-Sense MIS app is taking continental agriculture to the next level and it has also been noticed on a global scale, with the Company set to embark on its biggest project to date; flying over 90,000 ha in Belize.

At the head of growth

For Data-Sense, Malawi has been a key focus where NGO-operated development schemes have been struggling to accurately capture, store and present information on the people they are working for and with. Tackling

Constant technological advancements in the land surveying division

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this, Data-Sense offers a simple yet powerful tool that can be implemented on projects independently without a third-party provider. Casting the net as vastly as possible across the agriculture domain not only affirms the Company’s reputation as a leading industry player, but also facilitates heightened flexibility as industry trends fluctuate or in the face of unforeseen challenges; such as power generation costs, increased demand for automation, and the general speed of evolution for the agrimarket as a whole. “Our land surveying division, CaneSurvey is a great example of a key area where constant technological advances are important to keep abreast of,” Matthews says. “For land levelling for flood or furrow irrigation schemes and difficult drainage situations, programmes have been developed that assist the survey teams with their cut-fill analysis.

Agricane’s IMPACT solution • Small irrigation schemes - - - -

5-10 times yield multiplier Reduced risk of rainfall failure More crop options Reduced land pressure

• Commercial farm-small grower farm combination - The most effective farming mentors are experience commercial farmers - Benefit of knowledge transfer, plant hire, and bulk input ordering - Combined marketing and logistical support

• Added value processing - Stabilise the farm gate price - Produce self-sustaining power

“With GPS being so prevalent, information from designs and surveys is imported directly to the machines which implement those designs. CaneSurvey and Agricane Mechanisation link to provide a support to this as part of a precision agriculture solution.” Aptly, Agricane defines itself within the sector by concentrating and specialising in one field only - African Agricultural Development - and devoting itself entirely to that. As African specialists who know the conditions resoundingly and intimately, the business offers the ultimate turnkey package across concept, feasibility, funding, development and implementation; uniquely securing the business’s status as one of the most significant contributors to sustainable development in the region. “The focus for Agricane going forward is to constantly improve and expand on what is a huge growth industry,” Matthews concludes. “The next 50 years for African agriculture is set to grow exponentially and Agricane is placed squarely at the head of that growth. As food demand grows the impact that Agricane will have in the development of agriculture will grow unabated. “The Asha Impact Fund, which already has a pipeline of more than 20 projects on its books, will be an important facility in providing much needed capital in the process of developing and managing these sustainable projects. Agri-Sense and Data-Sense, already being at the forefront of their respective fields, are predicted for massive growth also. And Agricane shall also continually develop new divisions to supply expertise to the industry where there are clear gaps. “We predict that the short-term and long-term growth of the Company is vast and with a core group of dedicated and experienced individuals providing the backbone, the future is very bright indeed.”

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MALAWI’S Pan African Bank Ecobank Malawi’s goal to become the leading financial player in the country over the next five years edges closer to reality Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Stuart Parker

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cobank Malawi’s principal objective to support the growth of Malawi is being realised on an increasingly influential scale as the Ecobank Transnational Incorporated subsidiary strives to live the dream of creating a cashless state. Mirroring the wider Group’s aspirations as a ‘typical African bank’ Ecobank Malawi has made strides towards this goal for nearly 10 years in the country, increasing its branch network from just two upon inception, to eight in the present day.

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In the past three years we have actually gone more digital through the roll-out of ATMs, Visa and MasterCard, internet banking and mobile banking platforms

Perhaps more significantly though, has not just been the Company’s physical expansion but its willingness to bring the most advanced technological banking processes to a country largely unexposed to such financial conveniences. “In the past three years we have actually gone more digital through the roll-out of ATMs, Visa and MasterCard, internet banking and mobile banking platforms,” Managing Director, Charles Asiedu affirms. “The Bank has also increased its market share significantly from a loss making position in 2012 to the fourth most profitable bank by the close of 2016. “The balance sheet size has also increased over the same period from the 10th biggest bank among 12 banks to the fourth biggest bank in Malawi.” Ultimately Ecobank Malawi offers universal banking services to corporate and investment banking (CIB) customers; to the commercial banking sector; and of course to the consumer demographic as well. “For both CIB and Commercial Banking segments we offer the traditional current and deposit account services, but we also have a modernised cash management service platform to help handle clients’ liquidity management using perhaps the most robust electronic banking tool in Malawi called Ecobank OMNI,” Asiedu explains. “We also leverage our sister affiliate in Paris to offer foreign currency services to the clients in this sector. “For the consumer segment, we offer current and savings account services just as any other bank. However, over the past years, we have significantly improved our ATM network to bring cash closer to the vicinities of our clients.” As well as the aforementioned valueadd Visa and Mastercard offerings, 2016 also saw the roll-out of Ecobank Mobile to its consumer customers to once again aid accessibility and immediacy.

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AGMA HOLDINGS LIMITED

GMA Holdings Limited is a parent company of AGMA Motors and AMPEX Courier which are entities managing AXA Coach Service and mail, parcels and cargo services in Malawi respectively. AXA Coach Service AXA Coach Service was launched in 2006 to provide and improve the coach service in Malawi following the dwindling standards in passenger services in Malawi. Our operations have since been extremely successful and demand for the service has been overwhelmingly growing overtime.

Ecobank Malawi is driven by customer convenience and cost effectiveness

Asiedu continues: “With Ecobank Mobile, we have supported vendors with Masterpass QR which enables our users to make payments using a QR code configured for the vendors. This is in addition to about 150 POS terminals we now have in retail shops, hotels, restaurants, etc which are all Visa, MasterCard and China Union Pay compliant.”

More convenient and less costly

Driven by customer convenience and cost effectiveness, Ecobank Malawi’s market successes have been compounded over the years by a presence portfolio of 28 ATMs, eight branches spread across all three regions of the country; and a mobile app blessed with zero geographical restrictions. “We know that the world is moving fast on digitisation and Ecobank Malawi has been a pacesetter in the market through products such as Masterpass QR working on our ultra-

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With Ecobank Mobile, we have supported vendors with Masterpass QR which enables our users to make payments using a QR code configured for the vendors

AXA Coach Service continues to live by its promise which is to provide the best and high quality coach service to customers throughout the main roads with an extended footprint throughout Malawi. AXA Coach Service has offices in Blantyre at AXA House right in the city’s business centre; in Lilongwe (Capital City) located at the City Mall Complex and in the commercial city in Mzuzu, located in Sham Tablez Building. Parcels, Mail and Cargo Service Parcels, mail and cargo are operated by AMPEX Courier established and registered in September 2010. AMPEX Courier has a national footprint in Malawi with a service centre network covering 17 major trading districts in Malawi. As a division of AGMA Holdings Limited, the Company enjoys economies of scale from AGMA Motors and AXA Coach Service under the AGMA Holdings Limited umbrella. The Company shares the same office premises with AXA Coach Service in Blantyre. Services offered include removals and transportation, door to door courier, customer self-collection and goods consolidation. T +26 51 820 100 E agma@agmamw.com

www.axacoach.com

BEST AND BIGGEST COACH SERVICE IN MALAWI

AXA COACH DEPARTURES FOR MAJOR ROUTES 7:00am to LL 4:30pm to LL

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modern mobile app,” Asiedu says. “We also pride ourselves as the leading trade finance bank in the country as we believe this firmly supports our customers’ needs and brings them closer to the international market place. “Customers are always looking for more convenient and less costly ways of doing business and that is where our innovation comes into play.” Such innovations aren’t instigated blindly though, and the Bank equally prides itself on the levels of market research and customer collaboration that occurs in order to find the most suitable and flexible solution befitting of Malawian way of life. From a corporate banking perspective, this has manifested through the expansion of strategic partnerships and relationships, which helped transpire the obtainment of

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Customers are always looking for more convenient and less costly ways of doing business and that is where our innovation comes into play

more than US$10 million in funding from the Africa Development Bank in early 2017 to support trade finance objectives. Mutually beneficial and cyclic financial rewards are then reinvested back into the Bank as has been seen through a new head office moved into in April, 2017; a significant amount spent on more advanced technologies both inside the branches and across its digital presence points; and an enhancement across the Bank’s credit process. Asiedu elaborates on the latter: “We have enhanced our credit process to improve asset quality through training and coaching. We have simplified our back office processes through more automation, and since early 2017, most of our back office processes are being handled in Nigeria which is our Regional Processing Centre. This has made us more efficient in serving our customers.”

facilitate this notion, and its triumph is evident through the almost 100 percent indigenous workforce that the Company can boast. A similarly localised emphasis is placed on business partnerships where possible and even into the peripheral communities via an abundance of corporate social responsibility initiatives. “We believe in contributing to the socio-economic development of communities in which we operate and in 2016, having recognised the resource constraints of expectant mothers in The Bank also donated various hospitals across the country, mattresses to various the Bank made a donation of Maternity hospitals in Malawi; while in the education packs to 150 expectant mothers in four sector, every year the health centres across the Country,” Bank supports eight Asiedu offers as an example. “The visually impaired donation also included two water students with bursaries purification tanks for each hospital in order to improve access to safe drinking water in times of water shortages. “The Bank also donated mattresses to various hospitals in Malawi; while in the education sector, every year the Bank supports eight visually impaired students with bursaries, and for two We believe in contributing to the consecutive years, we have financed socio-economic the school fees of all the pupils in one development of of the underprivileged schools in the communities in which we operate Southern Region of Malawi.” Every bit as socially sensitive as it is customer sensitive, Ecobank Malawi’s streamlined and focused adoption of a common ethos has been key to its recent rise to prominence in the country, and with access to a wider Group rich in resources and ideas, the Unparalleled in Malawi Bank can differentiate itself even more “We promote from within as much Personnel enrichment and progression as possible and where not possible concertedly in the future. is generally prevalent throughout “Our digital agenda is unparalleled we look at the market for the best Ecobank, with a stringent drive to candidate,” Asiedu details. “We have in Malawi now, and our objective attract the best talent, a familiar theme a rigorous performance management moving forward is to be a leading across the Group. system in place to help staff improve player in Malawi,” Asiedu concludes. In Malawi though, there is a similar their performance and to gain “We are on course to achieving this, importance placed on training and promotions and rewards.” having grown from the number 10 retaining said talent in order to create An Ecobank Academy in Togo bank four years ago to be fourth now; a sustainable, long-term talent pool in combines with numerous in-house and we firmly believe we will achieve the country; to the benefit of both the training programmes and management this objective a leading player over the Bank and the individual. development programmes to next five years.” We promote from within as much as possible and where not possible we look at the market for the best candidate

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The Natural

CHOICE NICO General Insurance provides a stable and efficient service which has placed it at the top of the industry for many years, setting the benchmark for its competitors and delivering consistent, innovative, original solutions Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Stuart Parker ICO General Insurance has successfully set itself far apart from its competitors, operating on both a strong balance sheet and a credit rating that a vast majority of major clients are in favour of placing their risks upon. In addition, the Company is more efficient at paying out claims than most in the market. By law, insurance companies have to ensure that claims are paid out 14 days after signing the discharge voucher; but NICO has impressively cut that period by 50 percent, committing to release payment within seven days. “We pride ourselves on offering a flexible service - particularly when it comes to border-line claims - and we make that flexibility a promise, with most of our clients and brokers feeling extremely safe when dealing with us,” explains Donbell Mandala, Chief Executive Officer at NICO General Insurance. “Our customers trust that we will not make a drama out of their crisis, instead offering support , peace of mind and efficient service.” The Company was established predominantly as a short-term division of the National Insurance Company

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Ltd in 1970, and the present day NICO Holdings Limited has a 51 percent shareholding, with Sanlam Emerging Markets owning the remaining 49 percent. NICO has established a reputation as the leading short-term insurer in Malawi, possessing an impressive market share of approximately 36 percent, particularly when you take into account that the market it is operating in has eight other key players - the closest of which has 14 percent of the market share.

Tailor-made solutions

The Company offers a wide array of general insurance products to its clients, it will often tailor make them in order to suit the needs of the request. NICO’s operations run on four main departments which include underwriting and marketing - the area responsible for business production claims, finance and IT which of course takes care of and finance and IT issues that are encountered during the claims process. Like any large company, NICO has a human resources department which is responsible for human capital management, including the constant training of staff.

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These aspects of the business have all evolved greatly since the Company was established in 1970, and alongside that NICO has diversified its shareholdings having recently brought in the aforementioned Sanlam Emerging Markets (SEM) - part of the Sanlam Group which is a leading insurer in the South African Market - with SEM widening the footprint in Africa due to its presence in more than 30 countries. Mandala continues: “With thanks to our solid base and established reputation for exceptional services, we have been able to attract partnerships with leading international insurers such as Allianz, AIG, FM Global, Zurich, Chubb, Santam companies and an array of others.” This is all supported by the Company’s impressive growth over the past six years, with a year-in year-out average of 25 percent at a gross premium level, while at net premium it has been sitting at approximately 28 percent. Alongside those impressive numbers, the profitability of the Company has also grown steadily over the years, with the key drivers being the ability to exercise prudent underwriting and strict claims management which has seen the loss

ratio decline to its lowest level of 52 percent in 2016; down from a Company average of 60 percent and a market average value above the same figure.

Equal opportunity employer

It is important to NICO as a fundamental of the Company to hire local and qualified staff as an equal opportunity employer. “At NICO we closely monitor our resources and identify skills gaps within our own personnel,” affirms Mandala. “Subsequently when we do identify these gaps, we will take the time to match up training programmes that will develop the skills ability within the Company.” During the past three years, there have been many examples of this skill development programme where selected middle managers have taken the steps into management and leadership positions under the Sanlam leadership development programme; subsequently this enables the Company to develop the future leaders of its business. “We are particularly mindful of rewarding our staff according to their performance at our market level currently being assessed through the

AFRICAN RE

frican Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) is a leading reinsurance company in the African continent, with Credit Ratings of A – by Standard & Poor’s and A by A.M. Best Company, and has always been a valued business partner to NICO General Insurance, Malawi. The support the Company has been providing for so many years is for both treaty and facultative reinsurance businesses. In addition to the above the Company also provides training and seminars all over the African continent to develop employee skills, and, as the market leader for insurance in Malawi, NICO General Insurance has always been at the forefront by sending employees and also helping to coordinate such events. Our exemplary business relationship, which Africa Re doesn’t take for granted, will definitely continue for many years to come and we would like to thank the Management of NICO General Insurance Malawi for their continued support. T +254 202 97 0000

www.africa-re.com

...we have been able to attract partnerships with leading international insurers such as Allianz, AIG, FM Global, Zurich, Chubb, Santam companies and an array of others MARSH CEO admiring one of the awards which his Company scooped

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We deploy our Strength and leverage our Proximity for countless Possibilities to Protect our Clients

We bring our superior technical expertise and proximity to our customers, and unrivalled financial strength to provide risk and capital management solutions, stability of results and technical knowledge which enable you to navigate business cycle, deliver better products and services to your customers and serve your shareholders a sustainable profit.

FINANC IAL R ATINGS A.M. Best

AStandard & Poorâ€™s

www.africa-re.com www.facebook.com/africanreinsurancecorporation Twitter.com/Africa_re www.instagram.com/africa_re

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NICO General Insurance stakeholders workshop

human resources department - with market research being carried out to ensure that the correct remuneration is marked at market level,” adds Mandala. “The Company also has other performance management initiatives, such as housing schemes, car schemes and a favourable bonus system which ensures the high retention of key staff.”

Major suppliers

One of the major suppliers of NICO’s business are the brokers and agents that provide 70 percent of the opportunities, these brokers consisting of a combination of local brokers such as Rhino, Kingfisher, Eagle and Trinity. The international brokers pack quite the impressive punch, with names like Marsh, AON and Hubertus Clausius included on the list. “We have a wide variety of partnerships within the Company, including major international insurers,” describes Mandala. “These partnerships allow us to underwrite new major global risks with the support of the partners’ capacities and

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subsequent business relationships. I would say the business coming from this initiative is approximately five percent of the gross book.”

Robust and effective systems

At present NICO is able to offer a variety of more than 60 general

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insurance products, ranging from the traditional policies to tailor-made policies which will suit emerging client’s demands. “Over the years the creation of these products has been increasing in order to suit the needs of our 21st century customers,” explains Mandala. “Some of the products have also been adjusted and created specially to evolve and meet the needs of Global clients who will require the synchronisation of their local policies with global covers.” Progressing from these advancements over the following years will be incredibly important to the Company’s retention of its top spot in the industry, particularly if it hopes to attain a market leadership and share of the market above 40 percent. “I hope that we will be able to achieve this market share, while also creating robust and effective IT systems with full and enhancing mobility solutions and online accessibility,” concludes Mandala. “It is our hope that with top-class technology and staff we will continue to set the benchmark as the best insurance company in Southern Africa.”

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World Vision West Africa continues to lead the fight against some of the region’s most critical and life threatening health challenges Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Callam Waller

n the four decades since its inception into West Africa, World Vision has become one of the region’s most significant contributors to improving quality of life for the region’s inhabitants. Back in the 1970s, the Sahel drought killed thousands of people and resultant food and water shortages destroyed millions of livelihoods, especially among those already living in challenging conditions. Though only a decade old, World Vision responded to the immense need it saw in West Africa. “It quickly became apparent to our staff that most rural villages did not even have basic health facilities and governments often lacked the necessary funds, skilled staff, policies and equipment,” recalls the organisation’s Regional Director for West Africa, Esther Lehmann-Sow. “So World Vision not only supported the community’s efforts to access basic health services, but also worked with governments to train staff,

manage community health facilities and strengthen health systems. “As the emergency response transitioned to rehabilitation, World Vision turned its attention to a new area of work: ensuring potable water. We started primarily with small water projects in individual communities and then, in coalition with others in West Africa, expanded our programming over subsequent decades.”

Esther Lehmann-Sow, Regional Director

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nterplast, a limited liability company, was incorporated in Ghana in 1970 in consultation with the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation to provide high quality unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) pipes, High Density Polyethylene pipes (HDPE), HDPE Corrugated pipes and PPR pipes for hot and cold water applications. Our clients include the mining, water, drainage and sewage, manufacturing and construction sectors. Interplast’s staff strength is over 700, and the Interplast factory is equipped with the most technically advanced extrusion machinery available to meet all demands on short term notice from 20mm to 1200mm for HDPE pipes and 20mm to 400mm for uPVC pipes outside diameter. Interplast is certified by Bureau Veritas for the ISO 9001:2008 quality management system.

Esther Lehmann Sow in Selia, Chad

A community-centred approach

World Vision’s holistic approach to relief, development and advocacy in West Africa and beyond has since grown to encompass education, child protection, livelihoods, water provision, improved sanitation and hygiene, emergency response, maternal and child health and more. One of its biggest advantages compared to other non-governmental organisations is this integrated, crosssector programming approach. Another advantage is seeing the local community as vital partners in its poverty-reduction work. “Our most powerful weapon in spreading vital health information has been community health volunteers who bring messages about vaccination, nutrition, prenatal care, assisted births, postnatal care and much more to families,” explains Lehmann-Sow. “Also, World Vision is a faith-based organisation that believes local actors of all faiths play a critical

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We are also a child-focused organisation that believes the voices of children should be amplified to participate in their own agenda setting and outcomes

role in the health outcomes of their communities. We have developed tools to engage with traditional and faith leaders such as rural imams and pastors in spearheading behaviour change including healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies, preventing stigma against those with HIV/Aids, and preventing the spread of Ebola in Sierra Leone. “We are also a child-focused organisation that believes the voices of children should be amplified to participate in their own agenda setting and outcomes. This is why communitybased social accountability groups have also been set up to learn more about government standards concerning healthcare provision - especially the strategies and budgets - and how to hold their health providers to account.”

A leading, innovative partner

As needs and challenges across West Africa become more complex World Vision is partnering with an

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Duraqua Company Limited has undertaken various construction projects with different clients all over the country. The Company’s experience in delivering construction products cuts across various sectors such as healthcare, education, water and sanitation, industrial and commercial. The Company has undertaken project for seasoned clients such as World Vision West Africa, SNV, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Christian Children Fund of Canada (CCFC).

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Esther Lehmann Sow in Diffa, Niger

increasingly wide range of actors to ensure it reaches people in the most fragile contexts. “Today, World Vision is becoming more of a convener, bringing together a variety of stakeholders that can and must make a difference for children: whether that’s religious leaders promoting birth spacing or local mayors being asked by communities to account for the budget allocated for the local health facility,” Lehmann-Sow says. “Though we are less ‘hands-on’ than we once were, our objective remains the same: ensuring that each child, especially the most vulnerable

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...in Sierra Leone we are working with pharmaceutical company Janssen in testing mobile health platforms and biometric technology to improve vaccination campaigns

ones, can live life to its fullest.” Such collaborations include the World Vision-led BabyWASH coalition, comprising 30-plus charity, UN and corporate partners, which is helping to tackle the life-threatening lack of water provision, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities. “And in Sierra Leone we are working with pharmaceutical company Janssen in testing mobile health platforms and biometric technology to improve vaccination campaigns,” adds Lehmann-Sow. “Our collaboration with tech companies and mobile phone companies mean that, in several West

African countries, community health workers - even illiterate ones - use our mobile phone technology to better support pregnant women.” All of this is part of the organisation’s global ‘Our Promise 2030’ strategy which prioritises - among other things - a greater adoption of strategic partnerships and digital technologies in order to ensure World Vision does all it can to contribute to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Learning for technical excellence

We have developed a broad catalogue of online learning opportunities

World Vision strives to be a learning organisation so that it can not only improve its own programming, but also offer its knowledge and experience to others. Technical staff are regularly assessed and offered training to improve the work they undertake. Many of the courses shaped for World Vision staff are inevitably offered to the rest of the humanitarian sector.

Esther Lehmann addresses Ghana citizen during the launch of the campaign to end child marriage

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Esther Lehmann Sow in Selia, Chad working closely and building solid relationships with the local people

“We have developed a broad catalogue of online learning opportunities, both proprietary and public,” Lehmann-Sow says. “Our nutrition e-learning work, for example, has been particularly well received both by internal staff as well as partners including the Ghana Ministry of Health, the UN and other NGOs. “We’re working hard to support the development of nationalised training curricula with partnering ministries of health, and have supported training of hundreds of thousands of community health workers over the years. 220,000 were supported in 2016 alone, globally.” World Vision has also recently restructured to enhance technical support to field programmes, while maintaining national and global policy and advocacy engagements supported by dedicated research and policy

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staff. One completely new division that resulted from this restructure will focus on the development of cash programming methodology.

Expanding future horizons

Grandmothers hosting informative session

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The ultimate measure of success for organisations like World Vision is results. Over the past 35 years maternal and child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa has reduced significantly. Nevertheless, across West

Africa in particular, too many children still die from preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria or pneumonia. Also, universal health coverage is still a far-off dream for the most rural households. “Population growth in sub-Saharan Africa outpaces the investment in public health, meaning that the number of people with unmet health needs increases instead of reduces,” Lehmann-Sow explains. This is one reason why World Vision continues to prioritise maternal and child health. Globally it has committed $5 billion in investment as part of the Every Woman Every Child Initiative; the UN-led global movement around that issue. Going forward, however, the organisation is also looking at the needs of older and the most at-risk children.

World Vision continues to prioritse maternal and child health

A 21st Century NGO

“With the dramatic success over the past few decades in reducing maternal and under-five child mortality, some public health issues are emerging as growing priorities,” Lehmann-Sow continues. “World Vision is very concerned with persistent, severe, moderate and chronic malnutrition for example, and has been increasing its investment in nutrition programming commensurately to combat the issue, as well as supporting global movements to end malnutrition like ‘Scaling Up Nutrition’. “Also in 2016 World Vision developed a new strategy addressing adolescent health issues, including sexual and reproductive health. Also, recognising that child health challenges are most acute in last mile locations and fragile contexts, we are strategically shifting many of its resources towards these contexts.”

More than ever, we believe in serving the most vulnerable people, in the most challenging situations, in the most fragile contexts, and that we bring a unique experience in this pursuit

World Vision is an organisation that reads the signs. It knows when to refine and deepen its technical excellence in traditional areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, and maternal and child health. However, its ability to marshal faith leaders, community health volunteers and a wide variety of partners means that it is well adapted to address the next big thing to threaten the health and livelihoods of West Africans. “More than ever, we believe in serving the most vulnerable people, in the most challenging situations, in the most fragile contexts, and that we bring a unique experience in this pursuit,” says Lehmann-Sow. “In the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals we believe that the elimination of preventable under-five child mortality is possible by 2030. “We intend to lead in that fight, and to join our partners in the celebration when the goal is reached.”

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Excellence in Medical Technology Tecmed Africa is marking its 25th anniversary, celebrating many successful innovations over the years, while looking forward to new ventures in African healthcare Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Callam Waller ecmed Africa is celebrating its 25th year of success and innovation within the Southern African healthcare industry and the Company is showing no signs of slowing down, with many new developments and product expansion planned on the horizon. The Company was established in 1992 by Mr Mike Milford and Mr Werner Begere, who both were very experienced in the Medical field with international experience in Radiology and Oncology. So, in setting up Tecmed they both had the primary vision of introducing an independent diagnostic imaging company into the Southern African market with the intention of supplying state-of-theart medical equipment at affordable prices to both private and government sectors.

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In 1992 there were a number of international corporations represented in this region and many of whom had withdrawn from the country and left customers, hospitals and clinics without services and support. Toshiba’s x-ray imaging business was yet to be represented in Southern Africa and so it happened that the two gentlemen saw the opportunity to form a successful relationship with Toshiba Medical Systems in Japan by becoming their distribution partner for Southern Africa. “The Company soon realised that it could easily expand from being only an x-ray imaging business and they brought Varian Oncology into the region,” explains Dave Saunders, Sales and Marketing Manager at Tecmed Africa. “From that point in time Tecmed developed into not only the leading Oncology division in the region but also grew a well established

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electro-medical business, which combined with our other products and services, enabling us to easily provide all the hospital departments’ needs.” Tecmed has evolved dramatically to the current distributorship of more than 64 leading brands in the region. Additionally, Tecmed has developed a hospital turnkey division, that aids in the conceptualisation, planning, design and building of hospitals from the

ground up. “We have named it Tecmed Turnkey and due to that division, we have exploited the opportunity to expand our operations in Africa. Tecmed migrated to Tecmed Africa in the 2000s and along with our national offices in all major centres, expanded to offices in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and Zambia. “With the business expanding

A truly turnkey healthcare entity

into sub-Saharan Africa, we felt there was a need to expand our operations and develop businesses such as Tecmed Engineering. This enabled us to focus on refurbishing CT scanners and oncology machines that can be sold to regions where cost restrictions remain a barrier to development in the Healthcare sector. “CT scanners and Oncology machines are highly specialised, and

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the establishing of the Engineering division has set Tecmed apart from the rest in the industry. Tecmed Engineering is a registered CE operation, enabling it to refurbish and re-engineer machines and reload x-ray tubes. The re-manufacturing business has since evolved and expanded exponentially, allowing opportunities that have been able to complement our other the business activities considerably”

Core specialities

The Company’s core specialities include radiology, oncology, Medical IT and electro medicine, all of which Tecmed Africa consistently work to improve upon. These improvements include its local manufacturing division, local re-manufacturing and the refurbishment businesses. “When it comes to diversification within the industry, Tecmed pharmaceuticals is a business that we have branched into, with pharmaceuticals proving to be a very large and multifaceted industry,” affirms Saunders. “There is definitely a need to create more readily available medication in Africa, and with the development of generics, and more affordable products are being made available to the market.” It is important to remember that despite these core specialities, Tecmed Africa is not a hospital operator. It specialises in the development of hospitals, equipping of those hospitals, training of the staff both clinically and functionally to use the equipment, and can assist in finding hospital operators interested in running such hospitals.

Local markets

The majority of business for the Company is located in Southern Africa, predominantly operating in local markets and using its footprint there as a launchpad for the rest of its sub-Saharan Africa territories. From this position, Tecmed Africa has been able to make substantial investment in

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...through investment into Tecmed Engineering, we have been able to develop and manufacture new products to market, using new technology and newly developed systems that are the first in the world of their kind

Substantial investments across Southern Africa

many of the neighbouring countries. “Similarly through investment into Tecmed Engineering, we have been able to develop and manufacture new products to market, using new technology and newly developed systems that are the first in the world of their kind,” explains Saunders. “Our plan is to export this technology around the world. We are particularly

A one-of-a-kind offering

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excited about the inclusion of Ecovert, a waste management and disposal system that enables us to turn medical waste into non-hazardous by product.” “From the perspective of South Africa, our country has a well advanced economy and it is similar to working in a westernised market within Africa,” adds Saunders. “We tend to follow the trends within Europe and the US closely, with South African specialists

regularly visiting and working in those economies.” Tecmed has to be particularly careful with the technology and projects that it chooses to work on, with budgets and availability of capital in African countries often being limited, therefore, after the product is established within the local environment and proven to work, it is rolled out for sale in those regions.

Reliability and value for money is key

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Reliability and value for money is key to those economies.

Specialist training

Of course, with equipment of such high importance as the products that Tecmed produces, the correct training is incredibly important to ensure everything runs smoothly within the hospitals that Tecmed Africa is servicing.

Investing with all types of patients in mind

Tecmed prides itself on having highly trained and able staff

“In terms of training, the majority of our staff have been specialists in their respective fields before joining the Company, therefore we are able to perform specific training for the aspect they are working on,” continues Saunders. “We have many different facets to the Company, including amongst others our administration and operations department, sales, application specialists and technical staff.” Personal development is also incredibly important at Tecmed, particularly when it comes to knowing the products. The Company’s technical, application and sales specialists are trained internationally and certified. In-house training, when it relates to internal staff, there is a commitment to up-skilling those staff. The market can be very difficult and Tecmed prides itself on having highly trained and able staff.

...it always remains paramount to us that we do not delay the delivery of our equipment and spare parts to our customers

“Carrying out our business in Africa has its challenges, particularly when it comes to concluding business deals, which is why it is incredibly important to have the right people keeping the Company’s momentum going,” concludes Saunders. “Despite the difficulties we often face when it comes to payment in Africa, it always remains paramount to us that we do not delay the delivery of our equipment and spare parts to our customers. Working in the medical field and often in emergency environments allows us to ensure that the eventual customer, the patients, are not disadvantaged at all. This is a fact will always be at the forefront of our minds in everything that we do. “Our staff are trained to under promise and over achieve. We endeavour to “ Delight” all our customers.”

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HAND MyungSung Christian Medical Center is striving for enrichment over profits as it looks to make a positive long-term impact on Ethiopia’s healthcare infrastructure Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Callam Waller n spite of its legal status as a private hospital and its investor headquarter positioning in South Korea, Myungsung Christian Medical Center (MCM) has never returned a single dollar back to Korea, and has instead reinvested 100 percent of its profits into the medical fabric of Ethiopia. Striving to enhance the overall quality of standards within the East African nation’s healthcare system, the Centre’s modern day successes represent a long journey of evolution since the idea was manifested in 1993 by the country’s Prime Minister, who requested a medical facility to be established. Sam Hwan Kim, the senior pastor of Myungsung Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South, Korea, graciously and generously agreed to fund the construction of the medical center. Myungsung International Development came to fruition three years later, and in 2004, the grand opening of the MCM was conducted. The inauguration of the Myungsung

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Medical College (MMC) in 2012 compounded the Centre’s impact, while 2015 saw the unveiling of the extended Grace Wing to accommodate the increased patient intake and an ever-broadening scope of healthcare facilities. “Our health promotion center provides comprehensive medical check-ups for companies; insurance

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for anyone in need of personal medical check-ups; scheduled routine medical check-ups for companies; cardiac follow-ups for patients; echo, ECG, treadmill, spirometer and other diagnostic tests; and information regarding what patients should do to stay healthy,” explains Medical Director Dr. Chul Soo Kim. “Common clinical procedures then include the

initial assessment and management of trauma and emergency cases; intubation; chest tube insertions and applications; orthopaedic cast applications; suturing of minor wounds; GI procedures; catheter application; and wound care for burn victims.” All told, the Centre boasts a total of 165 beds, catering to ICU, NICU,

The Centre has a capacity of 165 beds

emergency, delivery and dialysis services; which are frequented by an average of 400 new and repeat patients each day. “Overall, for the past 12 years, everything has been going successfully,” Dr. Kim encompasses. “In particular, from 2015-2017, our hospital was selected as the first (green status) by the Government

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MCM covers emergency cardiac services

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Dentistry is available through the Centre

of Ethiopia under consideration that has given witness for our pertained development in various standards and parameters.” Such parameters comprise a continuously changing set of standards and processes that all healthcare institutions have to adhere to, and MCM is assisted in foreseeing these via several partnerships with international organisations; to not only keep ahead of the industry curve, but to ensure long-term improvement of healthcare for the Ethiopian population.

The best medical treatment

“Relations between the countries of

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...MCM General Hospital, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was founded in 2004 by Myungsung Presbyterian Church of South Korea

General surgery facilities

Ethiopia and Korea grew close during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. During this time of intense conflict in Korean history, Ethiopia sent troops under the UN coalition forces to assist Korea. This military support was of utmost importance to Korea. Thereafter, Korea desired to assist and support Ethiopia in its efforts to become a developed country. “Accordingly, MCM General Hospital, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was founded in 2004 by Myungsung Presbyterian Church of South Korea with the goal of providing quality healthcare to Ethiopians and others.”

Committed to patient needs

Achieving goals of providing quality healthcare

Dr. Kim’s poignant reflection embraces the overriding ethos, agenda and culture that exists within a Centre which, in modern times, consists of both Ethiopian and expat medical professionals who are committed to caring for the medical needs of local patients. The Medical Director adds: “Being the first state-of-the-art hospital in Addis Ababa, our hospital offers high quality healthcare services to all. Over the past 12 years, it has evolved through the establishment of the Myungsung Christian Well in 2007 with the aim of improving the living environments of those

High standards are set throughout

Being the first state-of-the-art hospital in Addis Ababa, our hospital offers high quality healthcare services to all

Providing state-of-the-art healthcare

communities that do not have access to fresh and clean water; and in 2012, Myungsung Medical College (MMC) was established to educate healthcare providers in God’s love and empower them to develop the future capacity building of the health sector of Ethiopia as faithful servant leaders. “The three organisations, under the registration of Myungsung International Development, P.L.C., directly or indirectly, have been working to enhance the health sector of Ethiopia.” Subsequently becoming one of the first hospitals in the country to provide special angiography, psychiatry

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and ophthalmology services, the institutions continuous strive for improvement is all the more impressive considering the challenges it faces in a country that faces a general lack of medicinal resources. “With diligent training and cooperation, we believe our hospital’s vision and mission of becoming the best hospital in Ethiopia and showing the love of Jesus Christ through providing the best medical treatment to the Ethiopian people will become a reality in the very near future,” affirms Dr Kim.

Life-changing care

A key initiative in helping to achieve this goal is through the ongoing upliftment and training of the Hospital’s employees; not just from a medical standpoint but primarily from a customer service perspective, with sensitivity surrounding healthcare ‘customers’ of utmost importance.

In addition to our core healthcare operations in the hospital, we have been providing the most valuable services to the bodies and souls of Ethiopian people via... the Mobile Clinic Team

Hospital believes in human development

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Consequently, education, training, learning and development are taken very seriously, with every member of staff afforded the opportunities that they require. Dr. Kim details: “All staff members are encouraged to undertake personal development and to maintain a portfolio to demonstrate this, which can be useful evidence when seeking promotions. “Generally, our Hospital strongly believes in human development and has affiliations with external and local

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academic institutions in Korea and Ethiopia. Many nurses and physicians are sent, mainly to Korea, for longterm further education and short-term training.” Training is made all the more significant considering the ongoing upgrades and improvements that are made to the Hospital; nearly US$3 million having been spent on facility renovations and new equipment alone. More holistically though, such emphasis on individual enrichment harks back to the Centre’s ambitions for social development, rather than business profits, as is also demonstrated through its very localised supply chain management strategy, and indeed its wider corporate social responsibility efforts. “In addition to our core healthcare operations in the hospital, we have been providing the most valuable services to the bodies and souls of Ethiopian people via our mobile evangelistic and healthcare outreaches

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Education, training and development are taken very seriously, affording the best opportunities

of the Mobile Clinic Team to distant and remote villages where there are no suitable healthcare services,” Dr. Kim explains. “Over the past year (2016) the Mobile Clinic team provided

medical services to more than 3,180 patients where the local public health centre could not provide to the residents of the village. “This is not only important for the

patients but also in sharing the burden of the health centres, and also for the students of MMC in participating in the Mobile Clinic with experienced medical professionals.” MCM’s expanding reach and influence is indicative of the philosophies instilled in the Centre since its inception, and even of the Prime Minister’s goal almost 25 years ago. And as the levels of healthcare and service improve simultaneously, so too will the institution’s reputation as a social developer in the country. “Overall, for the past 12 years, everything has been going successfully and we have seen our Hospital become one of the first hospitals in Ethiopia to provide well-rounded healthcare for Ethiopians,” Dr Kim concludes. “Always, we remain proud of the life-changing care that our patients receive through these state-of-the-art healthcare technologies and services.”

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YOU Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital aims to eliminate preventable and treatable blindness through offering equitable, efficient and comprehensive patient care, sight enhancement and rehabilitation services to those most in need Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Callam Waller ions SightFirst Eye Hospital (LSEH) was founded in July, 1997 in order to provide the role of a comprehensive eye care facility located within the main hospital in Loresho Westlands District, Nairobi County. The Hospial has always focused on the economically disadvantaged groups of society in both rural and urban areas, similiarly being able to extend its services further afield through LSEH community outreach programmes. “Our general outpatient service consists of eight consulting rooms which enable us to serve walk-in patients, as well as a large reception and

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waiting shed which can accommodate more than 200 patients when needed,” begins the Company on its website. “Our general clinic is offered to patients at a highly subsidised rate and with that they will be privvy to our two fully equipped main theatres, two minor theatres and a separate male and female general wards which can accommodate 66 patients at a time.” Since inception the hospital has been guided by the philosphy ‘We Serve’ and it is something that is completely engrained in every member of staff, while honesty and integrity are also essential ingredients of a strong and stable organisation, both financially and in terms of general survival

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in the industry. “We are incredibly committed to providing the highest ethical standards in our conduct,” explains the Company. “It is important to us to empathise with and demonstrate sensitivity to patients and their families, always keeping it at the forefront of our minds to help them to the best of our ability. “Our mission for the hospital is widely known and we find that encourages accountability in doing our part to achieve them; through that accountability we have fostered a working environment of collaboration, partnership, trust and mutual respect.”

H O S P I T A L

Treating illness within an environment of collaboration, partnership, trust and mutual respect

Achievements

Since it was established in 1997 the Hospital has reached many successful achievements that stands it apart in the industry, setting the benchmark to be reached by all. “We have served more than two million people, and proudly 70 percent of these services were provided completely

It is important to us to empathise with and demonstrate sensitivity to patients and their families, always keeping it at the forefront of our minds to help them to the best of our ability

free of cost to patients,” adds the Company. “LSEH is incredibly proud of the sheer numbers that we have managed to achieve, including 4,000 eye screening camps, 86,325 free sight restoration cataract surgeries, harvested more than 3,500 donor corneas and transplanted more than 1,500 donor corneas.” Impressively, LSEH started the first ever Eye Bank in East and Central Africa, enabling the processing, storage and analysis of tissues for transplant,

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as well as starting the ultra-modern LASIK Centre to cater for patients with refractive errors. “On a side-note, we have established a state-of-the-art Dental Care clinic which is conveniently located within the Lions Service Centre and enables us to offer a rull range of dental services for both adults and children,” states the Company. “Our newly established ENT and Hearing Centre caters for all patients with hearing problems, while also

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providing top-quality hearing aids to the patients. Through collaborating with Swedish doctors, the clinic is able to perform regular camps twice a year to provide surgery to those with slightly more complex hearing loss.”

Executive and general clinic

The LSEH Executive clinic is manned by its top consultants, who are able to provide detailed eye examinations, spanning from the adnexa (outer eye) to the retina (inside of the eye) and serves its patients that are exhibiting all manner of eye conditions. “In this clinic we are able to provide the patients with an incredibly wide range of treatments and management plans,” the Company states. “We have very specific patient management plans for certain conditions, including Cataract - most commonly due to aging - and Keratoconus, which is a degenerative disorder which affects the cornea.”

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Reaching more and more people in need of improved healthcare each year

The Executive clinic is also able to offer a low cost general eye examination, which serves the general public very well and emergency cases are also in attendance there. The Company continues: “All of our basic diagnosis tests are covered through this department, with a well equipped selection of theatres and state-of-the-art facilities to make use of.”

Community eye care

The Hospital’s programme began in a very modest manner, with two small camps; but over the years it has

been able to expand and reach more and more people in need of better healthcare. In its present day state, LSEH now covers a radius of 250 kilometres and from Nairobi it brings in more than 5,000 patients for free surgery each year. The areas that are now covered by LSEH include Runuenjes, Murang’a, Muriranja, Sultan, Tawa, Kangundo, Kerugoya, Nunguni, Matiri, Mwea, Kandara, Kitui, Matuu, Kiserian, Naivash, Njambini, Marigat and Rumuruti. “We have launched numerous programmes, covering the

aforementioned areas, one of the most prominent being the Sight for Kids Programme launched in August, 2014,” explains the Company. “It targets rural schools around the country that have little or no access to eye healthcare, assisting by training teachers how to look out for eye problems in the children, as well as assisting in basic screening.” Alongside the Sight for Kids Programme, there is also the Community Out-Reach, predominantly targetting the issue of cataract blindness in Kenya. “Despite the magnitude of the issue in Kenya when it comes to cataract blindness, only a small percentage of people actually seek treatment,” concludes the Company. “We are aiming to combat the poverty levels particularly in rural Kenya - and hope that in the following years we will be able to lessen this problem and continue creating a positive impact with our work.”

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Embracing HULA Fleet is a Company built upon passion and taking risks in the pursuit of innovation, with Chief Executive Officer Darren Pillay at the helm, it is going from strength to strength in its fifth year of operation. Having worked in the fleet industry for over 20 years, beginning his journey at Viamax Fleet, which at the time was an in house fleet service provider to Transnet – the state owned entity that manages the entire logistics stream of transport in South Africa.

Darren Pillay, CEO

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Progress “I began my journey in the industry as a Fleet Administrator in 1996 and by the time the business was sold in 2007, I had progressed to Chief Operating Officer,” explains Darren Pillay. “In a very short space of time I had worked my way up and was the only executive that was retained when the sale took place. “I moved around the business into the capacity of Sales and Marketing Director – which I stayed in for about 18 months – before moving back into the role of Operations Director, where I remained until I left the organisation in 2012.” Considering the many years of service with Transnet, Pillay took a huge gamble when deciding to resign from his position as Director of the business, giving up everything he had built there to start completely from scratch in a new company. “Putting my entire life on the line was of course an incredible risk,” continues Pillay. “At that point I had built a life of relative comfort and stability in terms of mine and my family’s future, however, I put that to one side and started KHULA Fleet.” With any start-up company the work is completely from scratch and for Pillay, moving from a business with a vast amount of resources available to becoming employee number one

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requires a huge change in mind-set. “In March 2012 I started KHULA Fleet for Passenger and light commercial vehicles nationally and by April we had tendered an interim contract with Transnet,” affirms Pillay. “The contract was awarded to us in October that year and with that security for the Company, we spent the first six months creating a brand and the supporting legal framework that would enable us to be presented in a professional capacity. “We took the time to develop a solid foundation that would stand us in good stead against our competitors at the time.”

Defining in the industry

One of the biggest challenges facing start-up companies in South Africa is that the fact the industry is dominated by big businesses – who have a vast array of resources and far more experience in terms of the volume of expertise – and smaller companies will initially be on the back foot on that front. However there are ways to differentiate in aspects other than product – which will be exactly the same in this industry no matter what the company – a particularly prominent way to achieve this is

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sion KHULA Fleet has gradually built up its reputation amongst the industry heavyweights, standing on a solid foundation of self-empowerment and a new-age philosophy Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

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KHULA Fleet works hard to provide value added service

Educor vehicle fleet

through the value added service that companies such as KHULA Fleet can provide. “The challenge that we face is getting people to subscribe to this philosophy, as it does not follow the traditional route that companies in our industry conform to,” adds Pillay. “It is human nature to want stability and comfort within an environment that is constant, we have set ourselves apart from this and are constantly evolving within the industry to remain innovative.” In a short space of time, the Company has evolved from a micro

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The challenge that we face is getting people to subscribe to this philosophy

enterprise entity with a turnover of five million rand, to a generic company with a turn over of 50 million rand. Pillay continues: “Our mind-set remains that of an entrepreneurial team, however, we are now a big organisation that is competing with large multinationals and subsequently we have to constantly look to evolve and improve ourselves through services rendered and the technology we use. “With innovation you have to involve technology, that is the key to unlocking value when you need to be as efficient as possible.”

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Head office, Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa

People within the Company

Perhaps the number one challenge for start-up companies is finding the right people to embrace progression, something that is not just a South African phenomenon, but a global issue. “When I first started the Company, I noted in my business plan that the biggest challenge I would face in terms of success would be finding the right people,” describes Pillay. “I knew what I was capable of, the issue would be in getting other people to subscribe to the same levels of standards, work ethic and certain philosophies would

With innovation you have to involve technology, that is the key to unlocking value when you need to be as efficient as possible

never be easy. “The culture that we have tried to embrace and instil within our staff is one of self-empowerment, while also creating a level of succession; I have made known to my people that my intention is to grow the business beyond and vacate my seat in order to put someone else there.” The Company mind set is still very much that of a start-up, in the fact that it is constantly striving for improvement; in order to achieve that and ensure that every member of staff has a broad understanding of the industry and a wider skill set, each

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ith fleet sales in the spotlight, it is with gratitude that Nissan South Africa celebrates our five year relationship with KHULA FLEET Solutions. KHULA FLEET’s key objectives are to ensure cost effective, focused fleet management solutions and services which are strategically suited to their client’s unique operational requirements, and with the best in class cost of ownership product offering from Nissan SA we are able to ensure that KHULA FLEET addresses their and our customers’ unique needs. Nissan SA is proud to be associated with a fleet management company like KHULA FLEET, offering our customers a one stop fleet management solution.

KHULA Fleet Solutions, Durban Branch Entrance

www.nissan.co.za

member of staff is moved around the various departments of the Company. “We like to call it organised chaos and through it we are staying true to what we are trying to achieve,” states Pillay. “However, the difficulty we find within this is getting people to subscribe to this way of thinking and working, as once again, people naturally enjoy being in their comfort zone.”

Scarce commodity of skills

It is a particularly prominent issue in South Africa at present that skills in this industry are a scare commodity; therefore KHULA Fleet has found it important to look at this problem from another perspective.

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it means to work in the industry. “The majority of these graduates haven’t left education before coming to us and subsequently have relatively little working experience,” adds Pillay. “We enable them to walk out of here with that knowledge and the experience needed to gain permanent “We realised that we need to increase the talent pool in this country employment either with us or and the industry,” explains Pillay. “We elsewhere.” It is efforts like these that set realised that the only way to achieve that was through bringing more KHULA Fleet apart from the rest of the people into the industry, subsequently businesses in this industry and will help to drive it towards continued success we started an internship programme. “This year is our third round of in the future. “It is my hope for the future that the internship programme, where we select up to six graduates with the Company will be 100 percent empowered,” concludes Pillay. a minimum of an undergraduate degree and put them through an eight “Statistically we should have failed month programme, positioning them in year two, so I hope that we will continue to successfully survive the in different areas depending on their qualifications.” various hurdles of a start-up Company; we have set ourselves up incredibly Not all of these graduates will become a permanent fixture in the well and the fact that we still trade and Company, however it does provide operate in the sector bodes incredibly them with practical knowledge of what well for the coming years.”

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Nissan South Africa is the operational hub for Regional Business Unit South, serving Nissan’s key South Africa market and 45 other countries in Sub Saharan Africa, including Angola, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria as well as the key Southern African markets of Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.

In South Africa, the company offers a range of 27 vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands, including the popular locally-produced Nissan light commercial vehicles - the NP200 half ton pickup and NP300 one-ton Hardbody - produced at the company’s Rosslyn plant, north west of Pretoria. Nissan made history locally in 2013 with the introduction of Africa’s first electric vehicle, Nissan’s flagship Nissan LEAF. As well as boasting zero emissions leadership, Nissan is also a leader in the crossover segment. Among its product offerings are the all-new Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, as well as Juke.

Nissan is one of the top ten automotive companies in South Africa.

Outlook Creative Services

www.nissan.co.za Facebook: /NissanSouthAfrica Twitter: @Nissanza

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best For the

Fleet deals

National Fleet Sales Contact fleet@bidvestautomotive.co.za F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

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The Power is

YOURS New Southern Energy is South Africaâ€™s leading full-service renewable energy provider, offering individual and impartial energy advice and solutions Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Donovan Smith

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n 2010, New Southern Energy emerged into the Solar PV market, specialising in off-grid / microgrid services, with additional offerings in solar hot water installations and energy management solutions throughout Southern Africa. The Company was founded by the current CEO, David Masureik and CFO, Deepak John, supported by a small but driven team with the ability to see projects through to completion successfully. New Southern Energy has subsequently established a reputation as the leading turnkey renewable energy solutions provider in the sector. Over time, this has enabled the development of a bigger team that can be distributed and spread across the different departments within the

business. Through Masureik and John’s commitment to quality and honesty, a professional and dynamic young team has formed, driven by the core values demonstrated by the Company’s leadership. “Our flagship 2.2MW rooftop project was completed successfully in mid2016, with a number of other projects completed and many in the pipeline for this year,” explains Ramon Tavenor, Chief Operating Officer. “Our business is continuing to grow throughout Africa and we are finding great success in both on and off-grid markets.” In the present day, New Southern Energy is built up of departmental teams that comprise engineers, technicians, sales technicians, actuaries, accountants and project

managers, all of which are led by a strong team of chief officers. “Our strong team include some of the best-in-class when it comes to hot water, especially when it comes to hot water renewable solutions and energy management, which are an integral part of the renewable set of services we offer,” explains Tavenor. “We are also lucky to have a strong backing from European energy investors, all of which gives us the ability to offer financing for our projects. “We pride ourselves on offering what is best for our client at every turn, and subsequently there is a fine balance of optimisation required in order to offer the best systems, while maintaining high energy yield at acceptable prices. It has become

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INNOMATIC-SOLAR

nnomatic-Solar completed its first commercial project with New Southern Energy (NSE) during the winter of 2015. The new Snap inverter range, specifically the ECO 27kW with built in fuses & surge protection devices from Fronius International was used. Sales Director Anesh Lakha said: “It was an absolute pleasure working with Team NSE during the project. We had seamless integration of our inverters including data communication and weather stations. We are thankful that NSE has put their trust in Fronius and we will continue to support them going forward”.

www.innomatic-solar.co.za Working with Innomatic-Solar ensures maximum efficiency for New Southern Energy

more noticeable that once our systems are installed, we drive the importance of obtaining operations and maintenance contracts, maximising systems lifetimes.”

Skills development

A core principle in the Company over the years has been the focus on skills development within the team, promoting and importantly covering the multitude of trainings and professional registrations required to ensure the Company remains an innovative leader within the industry. “The level of training we are able to offer lends itself well to employee empowerment and job satisfaction,” continues Tavenor. “The Company has very clearly outlined values and principles to ensure our employees fit well into the New Southern Energy family.” The human resources team are locally educated, with additional foreign resources available for

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The Company has very clearly outlined values and principles to ensure our employees fit well into the New Southern Energy family

continued strategic expansion into Africa. “South Africa Is the foundation of our Company, however as we grow in stature we want to spread our services across the continent,” describes Tavenor. “At New Southern Energy, we strongly believe that renewable energy is the key resource when it comes to providing power to Africa, particularly when you take into account that only a minimal amount of the population has access to power. “We strongly believe that by using our solutions, New Southern Energy can make a meaningful impact when it comes to improving the lives of millions; it is engrained within us to drive towards achieving that goal.”

Specific areas of focus

New Southern Energy has established itself in the industry as microgrid specialists, with a specific market focus within Africa. “We believe that the energy storage

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sector has a large scope for further development and cost reductions,” adds Tavenor. “Microgrid control systems are particularly complex and key for seamless distribution of isolated energy supplies throughout Africa, which is our strategic area of focus. “Our clients are our primary concern, so we do not take unnecessary risks with unproven technology, however, we are constantly striving to work with new advanced technologies. In a pioneering project, we recently installed the second Tesla Power Pack on the continent specifically for a remote location where fuel is a logistical challenge and costly. Up to 90 percent fuel reduction and 22 hours of silent energy supply was a revolutionary concept for the hospitality company that worked with on the project.” New Southern Energy’s key offerings consist of assessment, design, supply,

New Southern Energy has extensive experience in renewable energy

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“We believe that the energy storage sector has a large scope for further development...”

“...our team works tirelessly to offer the full spectrum of services...” Installation of the Tesla Power Pack

financing, implementation and the ongoing maintenance of renewable projects in both the public and private sector. “Taking into account the extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, our team of specialists has the technical and professional skills that are required to successfully implement projects throughout Africa,” continues Tavenor. “Spanning the entirety of a project, from the original consultation to the financing services, our team works tirelessly to offer the full spectrum of services and skills that are required to implement successful

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energy projects.”

...our team of specialists has the technical and professional skills that are required to successfully implement projects throughout Africa

Grid Systems

The Company offers a wide array of grid-tied solar solutions; these systems are connected to the national grid and reduce the sites’ demand by subsidising with cleaner and cheaper energy produced by solar. “We have found from experience that many commercial sites have high daytime energy demand and subsequently they are looking to supplement the supply through alternative energy - more often than not using solar - which will offset a

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“Our main differentiators are our quality, service and asset management”

large portion of their energy bill,” Tavenor says. For the more remote sites that have limited grid access, off-grid solutions are often applicable; these sites will run off diesel generators at which operational costs can run as high as $0.60/kwh. “The hybrid solutions we offer will convert a site so it is able to run off renewable energy, in turn saving up to 90 percent of its previous diesel consumption,” explains Tavenor. “This is achieved through the combination of an alternative energy supply, utility scale battery bank and smart grid generator management.”

The hybrid solutions on offer from our Company will convert a site so it is able to run off renewable energy

Of course, careful planning and assessment needs to be conducted for projects of that nature and New Southern Energy has vast expertise in that area. “With our focus on balance between quality installations and acceptable cost, we believe our main differentiators are our quality, service and asset management,” concludes Tavenor. “With this orientation of quality and service, we believe New Southern energy will become one of the largest providers of distributed energy and asset management in Africa.”

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WORLD CLASS NATIONAL GRID Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd. aims to provide reliable, efficient and effective electricity transmission throughout all of its projects, promoting power trade for sustainable socio-economic development Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Donovan Smith

enya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd. (KETRACO) has built its success upon the mandate to plan, design, construct, own, operate and maintain high voltage electricity transmission grids, as well as the regional interconnectors that form the backbone of the National Transmission Grid. Through these acts, the Company has become respected when it comes to developing new and robust grid systems that will enable improved quality and reliability of electricity supply throughout the country, while also transmitting electricity to areas that are currently not supplied from the national grid.

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“In projects such as the aforementioned, we pride ourselves on being able to provide a link with the neighbouring countries in order to facilitate power exchanges while developing electricity trades in the region,” explains the Company on its website. “We are also able to reduce transmission losses that presently cost the country heavily, as well as reducing the cost of electricity to the consumer.” The Company was incorporated on the 2 December, 2008 and is a 100 percent government owned State Corporation, regulated under the State Corporations Act, Cap 446. “Initially KETRACO was established to develop a new high voltage electricity transmission infrastructure that would be able to form the backbone of the National Transmission Grid, falling in line with Kenya Vision 2030,” continues the Company. “Our core business is centralised around planning, building and maintaining electricity transmission lines and associated substations, with our voltage rating of the transmission lines including 132kV, 220kV, 400kV and 500kV.”

Transforming power transmission

Facilitating power exchanges and developing electricity trades in the region

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The creation of KETRACO emerged out of necessity, stemming from the desire of the Government to transform power transmission in the country into open access systems to allow large electricity customers to purchase power from generators. The Company adds: “In some of the projects we have been working on - specifically the Electric Grids Interconnection Project (NELSAP) - the Government has viewed open access as having the potential to enhance both market and supply options for both the power generation and larger consumers.” Alongside creating a company that could cope with the demands of projects of this nature, KETRACO was also built upon the aim to shield electricity consumers from the

human kind Creating a world where communities can thrive.

wsp.com

SP, formally known as PB Power Ltd, has a long history of working in Kenyaâ€™s power sector. Over the fifty years weâ€™ve been active in country, WSP has been involved with geothermal and thermal power generation schemes, and have carried out feasibility studies and transmission planning work to aid the electricity infrastructure development of Kenya. Most recently, WSP worked on the 400kV Mombasa Nairobi Transmission Line.

solutions were proposed to maintain and improve the security and reliability of the system.

Below you can find some recent examples of our work:

In the medium and long term, power system analysis was completed to identify transmission reinforcements needed to meet Kenyaâ€™s electricity supply and demand. In addition, WSP reviewed the existing and planned SCADA developments, and made recommendations to improve the transmission planning function, including the process, security and reliability principles, and the tools used.

Kenya Transmission Masterplan WSP studied and planned the electricity transmission system in Kenya to the year 2030. In the short-term, detailed power system analysis was carried out to identify steady state and dynamic problems that were affecting the existing system. Immediate reinforcements and operational control

Feasibility studies for transmission line developments KETRACO identified a number of potential transmission projects aimed at extending the national grid to new areas of the country. WSP took on the feasibility studies and creation of bidding documents for the construction of transmission lines, including:

• From Garsen to Garissa (220 kV, 240 km) with an intermediate substation at Hola • From Garissa to Wajir (220/132 kV, 260 km) with a transmission substation at Wajir • From Galu to Lunga Lunga (132 kV, 60 km) with a transmission substation at Lunga Lunga Assessing the feasibility of the proposed projects included demand forecasting, undertaking least-cost analysis of the project options, power system studies, transmission line and substation design, environmental and social impact assessments, project cost estimates, and line route selection. Mombasa – Nairobi 400kV transmission line project Once complete, the transmission line will connect one million additional customers to the network, and reduce the cost of

electricity to consumers. The project will enable the main load centre around Nairobi to receive power generated in the coastal area, where new thermal generation capacity is planned. WSP was contracted by KETRACO to provide engineering services to the project, which consists of the construction of 275 miles of 400kV double-circuit overhead power transmission line. The line, funded by the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) is the very first of its kind in Kenya. WSP (PB Power) is now part of the leading engineering professional services consulting firm WSP, with 37,000 professional consultants worldwide. WSP provides services to transform the built environment and restore the natural environment, and its expertise range from environmental

remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transport networks, and from developing the energy sources of the future to enabling new ways of extracting essential resources. WSP offers services in the power generation and distribution of energy from water, sun, wind, biomass, soil, compost, waste, and various types of surplus energy. Its dedicated energy specialists can rely on an international network of civil and structural engineers, process engineering specialists, environmental, and climate change consultants. WSP is based in more than 500 offices across 40 countries worldwide.

www.wsp.com

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Aerial board tour of Loyiangalani Suswa

Night photo of the just energised Suswa substation

Energized Kieni Substation which will boost power supply in Embu County and its environs

Ortum substation

emergence of higher tariffs in the future, which would likely arise from construction of the expensive power transmission infrastructure. “We are in the fortunate position that projects undertaken will be fully funded by the Government and subsequently, no capital related expenses will be passed onto the consumer,” affirms the Company. “This enables us to positively contribute to the improvement of power quality, supply and affordability.”

SAP Awards

The Company has been subject to many accolades within the industry

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We will be contributing to the national infrastructure and energy sector support initiatives through the development of new and robust national grid systems

and recently became the winners of the 2016 SAP Quality Awards, which recognises the best customer implementation projects across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “We felt incredible privileged to even be considered for the SAP Quality Awards,” explains the Company. “It honours customers for their exceptionally successful SAP implementation projects, taking into account the delivery of business value and whether the projects were delivered on time and within or even under budget; our success with the winning project came down to precise planning and execution of that plan.”

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Vision 2030

Ongoing stringing works on Suswa Isinya project

The judges decided to give the award to Ketraco’s Kipepeo project gold in the Fast Delivery Category; this was in recognition of the complexity of the project supported by INDRA Ltd. The Company continued: “KETRACO leveraged SAP quality assurance

during the blueprint phase, which perfectly highlighted the issues that couldn’t be solved before the project started and ensured we would successfully implement the SAP ERP in a space of seven months for 250 users.”

The Company is closely standing by the values of Kenya’s Vision 2030, which has identified challenges that majorly need to be addressed in the Energy Sector, while also outlining the National Flagship projects and key support initiatives that need to be addressed. “We will be contributing to the national infrastructure and energy sector support initiatives through the development of new and robust national grid systems,” explains the Company. “This will enable us to improve quality and reliability of electricity supply throughout the country, providing electricity to areas that are currently not receiving supplies from the national grid.” KETRACO will also be providing a link to the neighbouring countries in order to facilitate development of the electricity trade and power exchange in the region. The Company states: “In line with our mandate, we have been able to identify implementation on a priority basis for a total of 1,471km of 132kV lines, 645km of 220KV lines, 608km of 400KV lines and 686km of 500KV HVDC lines, some of which will be implemented over the next three to four years.” There is a lot of exciting work to be done for the Company over the next five years, with plans for KETRACO to construct more than 4,000km of high voltage transmission infrastructure that comprises lines, switch gears and sub-stations across the country. The Company concludes: “Not only will this enable us to open up geographical areas that don’t currently have access to the national grid, it will also enhance our capacity of evacuating power from planned generating plants and build interconnectors, meaning we will be facilitating regional power trade with neighbouring countries; something we hope to continue working on in the near future.”

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AFRICA

UPLIFTING

Investments Oryx Properties is renowned for its consistency in delivering growing and sustainable income for its investors; doing so in a way that enriches not just the business, but the wider communities also Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Richard Thomas isted on the Namibian Stock Exchange in 2002 with an initial asset value around N$300 million, Oryx Properties has grown exponentially over the intervening 15 years to become one of the country’s leading property loan stock entities, now boasting a portfolio worth more than N$2.5 billion as of 2017. Investing extensively in direct real estate in the commercial property sector - the majority of which based in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek - the Company’s growth has not only opened doors from a industry evolution perspective, but from a geographic footprint as well; Oryx subsequently becoming a similarly dominant player in South Africa.

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r Weder, Kauta and Hoveka Inc. was established in 2006 when the partners of Dr Weder, Kruger and Hartmann and the directors of Kauta, Basson and Kamuhanga Inc joined forces and commenced to practice as legal practitioners under the name and style of Dr. Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated. This merger represents the aspiration to create and maintain a truly Namibian entity.

The substantial growth of the Company portfolio is through employing carefully thought out strategies

“Our strategy going forward would be to partner with a local player in any market, as the management of any asset outside of your known jurisdiction can prove to be challenging,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Carel Fourie adds to this end. “[Across our footprint] the best attribute of Oryx during the past few years has been its consistency in delivering growing and sustainable income for its investors. “Through prudent and selective investing, Oryx has been able to grow its portfolio throughout the years and mostly with yield-enhancing investments.” The evident and substantial growth of the Company’s portfolio has not been purely for the sake of growing, but rather in line with a much more concerted and thought-through strategy revolving around only investing in assets with both short and long-term income potential.

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Through prudent and selective investing, Oryx has been able to grow its portfolio throughout the years and mostly with yieldenhancing investments

By combining the unique strengths and rich heritages of these two law firms, Dr. Weder Kauta & Hoveka Inc. has been able to increase its capacity, not only in terms of workforce, but also its various fields of expertise, experience and infrastructure. The result is a large nationwide practice which enables and delivers service excellence to its ever increasing and diverse client base. Dr. Weder Kauta & Hoveka Inc. specialises in litigation, labour-, commercial- and corporate law, estates and conveyancing. The law firm consists of 17 Directors, with nine admitted conveyancers, and has offices in Windhoek, Ongwediva, Grootfontein, and Swakopmund. Not only does the firm believe that employees and clients are their most valuable assets, but in a country where the majority of the citizens face major social and economic challenges, the firm has an active Corporate Social Investment programme, which specialises in tertiary education for law students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The firm further funds various organised institutions as part of their social responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to the Namibian society.

www.wkh-law.com

THE ART OF LAW INDUSTRY FOCUSED, REL ATIONSHIP DRIVEN.

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The Company is passionate about its work

The Company’s focus on tenant relations and being flexible... has served it well in maintaining very low vacancy levels and a high success rate in retention of tenants in prime properties

People are passionate about the Company and its continued success,” he emphasises.

Standing the test of time

Oryx Properties has naturally ingrained itself into the fabric of Namibia’s - and especially Windhoek’s - real estate infrastructure over the years, having been involved and taken the lead in some of the most renowned and recognisable constructs in the country. “The Company’s focus on tenant growth as well as consistent and stable First and foremost was the original relations and being flexible to the returns for the Company’s investors, acquisition and later development needs of our customers has served epitomised by its 14,000 square metre of Maerua Mall, a regional shopping it well in maintaining very low warehouse located in the Northern centre in Windhoek which has served vacancy levels and a high success Industrial area of Windhoek. However, the Namibian community for more rate in retention of tenants in prime it is internal astuteness and agility, than a decade. properties,” Fourie continues rather than project grandeur, which “The Centre has evolved over in regards to Oryx’s overriding Fourie attributes as the business’s various phases into a 55,000 square continuous improvement philosophies. foremost differentiator. metre regional shopping centre with Ultimately, the resultant sizable “Oryx Properties is a Company that all the amenities included, to create portfolio of prime-located industrial operates very much like a family, even a value proposition that has stood properties has shown tremendous including the non-executive directors. the test of time,” Fourie enthuses

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AFRICA

DESIGN SOLUTIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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CONSTRUCTION WITH CARE, BUILT TO LAST

City Fit is a full-service office and retail fit-out construction concern which employs a dedicated and professional group of artisans and tradesmen – all experts in their respective fields. We aim to offer clients both quality workmanship and service – at an affordable rate.

built to last Oryx Properties engrained itself in Namibia’s fabric through projects like Maerua Mall

City Fit Interiors Po Box 97982, Windhoek, Namibia +264 814944747 / +264 815675763 riaan@cityfit.com.na / alexander@cityfit.com.na

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P R O P E R T I E S

bar on their 14th floor; the completion of an upgrade and modernisation to Maerua Mall’s food court and walkways, as well as the first indoor family entertainment centre in Namibia; and the opportunity to invest in offshore property whereby Oryx is in the process of finalising an agreement to enter the Eastern European market along with partners both there and in South Africa. “We have also invested in solar technologies, having erected a 1MWp rooftop solar power plant at Maerua Mall and will likely continue to do so,” Fourie adds. “Furthermore, we are investing in Wi-Fi in our major shopping centres along with consumer tracking technology.”

Achievable growth

Revamps and upgrades have a positive impact on iconic landmarks

“[Another example is] the Gustav Voigts Shopping Centre in the CBD of Windhoek which is an iconic landmark and has been in existence since the early ‘80s. “This Centre is home to the Avani Hotel and Casino, previously known as the Kalahari Sands Hotel and Casino. The CBD of Windhoek is currently in a revival stage and Oryx’s intentions to revamp this Centre fit in perfectly with the needs of the inner city office worker, resident and ever-present tourist.” The revamp will comprise an upgrade of the entire shopping centre including, but not limited to, new tiles, ablutions, shop fronts, walkways and a new roof which will allow more natural light into the complex. Additional works include a the relocation of Avani Hotel’s lobby area as well as the creation of a new sky

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Oryx places emphasis on upliftment

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On the business front, Oryx’s office segment is primarily saturated by the iconic Maerua Office Tower and its dazzling light displays, as well as the Channel Life building also situated in Windhoek’s CBD. Looking forward, the construction of a new Virgin Active gymnasium on top of the fourth level parking structure at Maerua Mall has been the most significant investment in recent times, and across each and every property, the business can rely on a multiskilled workforce ensuring project sustainability and enriched wellbeing. “As certain skills are very limited in the Namibian market, we are very focused on the wellbeing and working environment for our personnel,” Fourie affirms. “We only hire individuals after a detailed interview process and thorough follow up of key references. We remain cognisant and sensitive to the socio economic climate as a result of the history of Namibia, and will always look to place an emphasis on the upliftment of previously disadvantaged individuals, without compromising on talent and potential.” Deeply entrenched within this

The business can rely on a multi-skilled workforce

Oryx is reputable in Namibia

The portfolio is set to double in the future

AFRICA strategy is a favouring towards localisation; once again epitomising the Company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) dedication. Fourie continues: “Employing locally is by far the preferred method, as we believe in the Namibian people and, as mentioned, the upliftment of individuals. Similarly, we aim to procure from Namibian suppliers, and support smaller enterprises where deemed appropriate. There is always a fine line with procuring or creating business partners in an environment where you must be seen as having an inclusive procurement policy. One has to weigh up the advantages of partnering with that of procuring on the open market in terms of quality, price and service delivery.” In a small economy, Fourie elaborates that it isn’t always possible to make decisions purely based on business, and that influences from the community around often dictate commercial opportunities. Oryx certainly doesn’t shy away from this necessity though, and consequently involves itself in numerous initiatives aimed at youth support and development, as well as the environment via ongoing investments into solar power. And with this reputable, positive standing in the Namibian market affirmed, the Company can confidently stride forward in doing what it has always done best on the property investment front. “My aim for the future is to double the size of Oryx’s portfolio from the current N$2.5 billion to N$5 billion in the next three years,” Fourie concludes.” It is a tough ask in the current environment as both investors and funders are hesitant to support an economy that is dipping into recessionary territory. “I however believe the current environment to be conducive to making deals happen that could allow the growth to be achievable.”

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M I N O P E X

Excellence in

OPERATIONS and Maintenance

Minopex provides tailored services to suit each clientâ€™s individual needs, covering all operational requirements and adapting a turnkey service that stands it head and shoulders above the rest Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Arron Rampling

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M I N I N G

AFRICA

R E S O U R C E S

n the two years since Africa Outlook last spoke to Minopex, the Company has continued to experience numerous successes, which have led it to become the operations and maintenance powerhouse that we see today. At the time, the Company had successfully completed the replication of its very well established South Africa branch in Mozambique, a process

that was completed four years ago. Minopex had been moving from strength to strength, predominantly due to the delivery of its operations and maintenance offerings that inevitably save clients on their capital in the long-run. With its ability to work with almost every metal or mineral possible, the Company has given itself quite the name in the industry for its reliability and exceptionally innovative service. Following in the very successful footsteps of Minopex South Africa, the

Mozambique branch has been able to offer a particularly flexible service due to its remote site and available service offering. Moving forward from 2015, it was Minopexâ€™s hope to see the Company consistently remaining focused on its clients, always going the extra mile in order to successfully meet their needs. In the present day these goals have truly been realised, now with a new objective to expand the Company and its various operations dramatically.

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The scope to respond to the ever-changing demands of a volatile mineral sector

“We have been particularly successful in our objectives to date, particularly in regards to our customer relations in our Mozambique branch,” explains Renira Reddy, Business Development Executive at Minopex. “Our current objectives are centralised around continuing with our hard work in Africa as well as the potential of globalising and taking our business out into both Australia and America, while diversifying outside the minerals sector including the water, sugar, power and energy industries.” As a whole, the Company is establishing a definitive mining division, which will alter the way in which it works within the industry, employing a wider scope in the market. Reddy continues: “We are responding to the ever-changing and somewhat volatile mineral sector in Africa - which of course is not aided by currency and commodity fluctuations and we are working hard to counter all of those effects.”

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Our current objectives are centralised around continuing with our hard work in Africa as well as the potential of globalising and taking our business out into both Australia and America

Minopex is still on the rise in the industry

M I N I N G

R E S O U R C E S

AFRICA

conveyor belting

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Organic growth

At present, the biggest investment for Minopex as a whole lies within its mining division due to the fact it is being grown completely from scratch. Minopex has always been particularly logical when it comes to employing for new projects and new departments within the Company, only hiring after it has been successfully awarded projects. “I would say it is a little like the chicken and egg scenario, where you can either employ people in the hopes that you will get the work and carry the overheads,” Reddy adds. “Or you can secure the work and then employ the right people with the required skills to carry it out.” Appointments are made both internally to extend the Minopex culture to new projects as well as externally to target skills available in local communities. “The only change to this way of thinking may come when the potential move into Australian market begins;

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M I N O P E X

SIYANQOBANGAMANDLA

iyanqobaNgamandla is aligned to the various social and economic developments in South Africa. Generating great ROI for its clients, the Company also advances the objectives of women’s development, black economic empowerment (BEE) and environmental sustainability in all work projects. Led by Ms Ngobile Mkhabela, the Company views women in the industry in a different light from the traditional norm, and firmly believe that women - given the right opportunities and support - can make it to the very top.

Operational readiness is a key skill

things will have to be done in a different way to the African business in order for a successful start-up,” Reddy says. “Minopex has appointed a VP - Australia, Mr Greg Paholski who is responsible for expanding our footprint into Australia and who will be able to carry out a large chunk of the preliminary work for the Company to ensure that we are operationally ready to target the market.”

To this end, we strive to create opportunities in the Company and our projects for black women to succeed and to provide them appropriate support in their endeavours.

www.siyanqobangamandla.co.za

Long-term projects

Closer to home with the Company’s main focus, Minopex is on the verge of securing a large and long-term project in Tanzania, while also working on ventures in Zambia and South Africa, centralising its key focus on Southern Africa. “There are a few things that differentiate us and make the Company particularly appealing in the industry and the operator of choice, with 21 years of experience under our belts,” continues Reddy. “In that time we have successfully developed our operational readiness and we have also integrated all our systems to an extent that sets us head and shoulders above the rest of our competition.” Due to the years of experience under the Company’s belt and the lessons it has learned over that time has meant it was able to ramp up projects quickly and maintain the

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We are constantly achieving repeat business which shows that we are definitely doing something right, and I firmly believe that comes down to being KPI driven as a company and pushing operational boundaries to see what we can achieve

standards set according to ISO accreditation, enabling the growth of partnerships with clients. “We have an incredibly good retention rate when it comes to our projects - many of which are longstanding - including one that is in its 19th year,” adds Reddy. “We are constantly achieving repeat business which shows that we are definitely doing something right, and I firmly believe that comes down to being KPI driven as a company and pushing operational boundaries to see what we can achieve.”

High staff retention

Minopex is now in the particularly strong position of having an incredibly good staff retention rate, treating its staff and managers incredibly well and forging longlasting relationships, similar to its relationships with clients. Reddy continues: “I would say that without a shadow of a doubt, we are

M I N I N G

R E S O U R C E S

AFRICA

Siyangobangamandla Trading is a 100% Black Women Owned (B.W.O) company. Ms Nqobile Valentia Mkhabela, emerging from an engineering background to a specialised cleaning service industry, owns the company. Quality work references are available from Minopex, Anglo American (Coal), Sasol and Delmas Keaton Siyanqobangamandla, meaning ‘We strongly conquer’ offer the following services: • Conveyor belt cleaning • Conveyor belt maintenance & Conveyor drives • Belt Splicing and repairs • Steel fabrication & lining • Reclamation of structures • Supply of conveyor components

We offer cutting edge services at all times.

Retaining projects due to a particularly high calibre of staff

SiyanqobaNgamandla, 1260 Mtshweni Street, Phola Location, Ogies-Emalahleni, 2230. Mpumalanga

Phone: +27 13 692 3363 info@siyanqobangamandla.co.za www.siyanqobangamandla.co.za

able to retain our projects due to the particularly high calibre of staff we have and the partnerships we develop with our clients.” The Company has the privilege of establishing and working with some particularly important subsidiary companies within its business, including Quality Laboratory Services (QLS), a division that is wholly-owned by Minopex that renders analytical laboratory services. “Another two important whollyowned subsidiaries are Ensersa our maintenance division and Ensermo which is the workshop that enables us to service mining clients in the Tete region in Mozambique,” concludes Reddy. “We are incredibly proud of these entities and I believe that continuing to evolve and build our Company in areas like this will bring us continued success and in the future, exciting projects all over the world.”

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THE POWER OF

CLOUD

Computing Oracle has been doing business on the African continent for more than two decades, and in recent years has invested significantly to support our existing customers and partners as we enter the phase of cloud hypergrowth,” introduced Janusz Naklicki, Senior Vice President of Oracle Africa in a 2016 interview, reflecting on a Company whose influence on the continent embraces nine countries and who continues to revolutionise the ways in which companies operate in the digital age. The power of cloud technologies and computing in particular is something which Oracle has harnessed and instilled into the continent’s enterprises in recent years, with Naklicki amazed at how quickly the trends continue to evolve in Africa. In relation to the speed of data transmission, marketing requirements and internal technological efficiencies, never before has a Company such as

Information technology’s most powerful force, Oracle is harnessing the power of the cloud to boost African enterprise and lead the way in business agility, innovation and collaboration

region, which included a number of those being recruited into Africa to add to our already strong workforce of nearly 800 individuals.”

The power of cloud computing

The veer away from standard in-house operations to the more contemporary reliance on mobility and remote working is a process built on a bedrock of business agility, innovation and collaboration; Oracle been in as much demand, and – as three facets that epitomise cloud computing and three principles that a consequence – the global business is Oracle has long addressed. dedicating itself to meeting those needs “What’s really forcing companies, on an increasingly large scale. regardless of size [to adopt cloud “We have celebrated the opening of five new offices over the past year which computing] is how efficient it can be in deploying the computing brings us up to nine Oracle offices in infrastructure,” Naklicki emphasised Africa, located in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, in a recent interview. “There are no Ivory Coast, Mauritius, South Africa, barriers of entry, there is flexibility, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria,” he added. and the power of cloud computing “As our cloud leadership continues to supports companies in their market grow on the continent, we have also expansion.” invested in people. In early 2016, Oracle The belief in entrepreneurship announced that it would be recruiting 1,400 cloud sales people across the EMEA on the continent drives Oracle’s

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A F R I C A

“A lot of devices – not only mobile phones and computers – are connected to the internet, communicating constantly and providing information to be analysed and brought to the businesses to make right decisions” African strategy where the Company facilitates such business acumen with the necessary tools to thrive and survive in the modern environment. The flexibility of cloud itself further aids industry-wide development, with its incremental nature benefiting businesses of all sizes. “The beauty of cloud is you don’t have to buy the brewery to have a beer,” Nakilicki said. “We are offering a service – not a product – in an incremental way and everyone can find the chunks of those increments as they grow.” The broadness of Oracle’s cloud services is an additional advantage, bridging areas of customer

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We’re constantly monitoring the opportunity to expand and we want to go further to be a truly African Company

management, marketing, ERP and much more under one seamless opportunity for Oracle’s partners and customers to cherry pick from, in accordance with their own bespoke requirements and the most pressing trends in their fields. Naklicki added: “In relation to cloud, some trends are prevailing in the market: mobility will be stronger and stronger as more and more services are delivered on the mobile devices; social media is also very powerful to help understand the needs of customers and to help shape the services and offerings for their customers; and the third trend is the Internet of Things. “A lot of devices – not only mobile phones and computers – are connected to the internet, communicating constantly and providing information to be analysed and brought to the businesses to make right decisions.”

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Services that provide infinite possibilities.

A truly African Company

For Oracle Africa, the right decision revolves around a continuation of the good works carried out on the continent so far, having expanded exponentially while addressing areas of capacity building and skills development along the way; a philosophy which is set to drive the business forward in the future also. “We’re constantly monitoring the opportunity to expand and we want to go further to be a truly African Company,” Naklicki concluded. “We hire Africans and locals and my responsibility in Africa is to make sure my leaders here are born and educated here. We truly believe in local talent and want to better it. “We also have an intern programme for the youth to be familiarised with and then stay in this environment, so it’s all about longterm engagement.”

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POWER NIGERIA

E V E N T

F O C U S

The Nigerian power sector is a market that no rational investor can ignore

aim to achieve a rise in international solar exhibitors. “Now is the time to invest. The Nigerian power sector is a market that no rational investor can ignore. We must be focused and cautious, as the sector is very sensitive. There is no need for just profiteers and inflammatory talk. The grid is strong and we are looking at expansion in the future,” says H.E. Babatunde Fashola Minister – Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Nigeria.

Exhibitors will have the opportunity to:

AND SOURCE THE LATEST POWER GIES, PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS UND THE WORLD!

• Demonstrate products and services to a high quality audience • Interact with major industry players and engage key decision makers • Launch new products and services to the West African market • Setup distribution channels in Nigeria and the wider region • Increase sales/market share

nufacturers, suppliers and technology ce products and services essential for of Nigeria’s power sector.

END

GIONAL AND NATIONAL COMPANIES

ES NTED

TIAL S

Exhibitor Testimonial

ERENCES

you by

5 – 7 SEPTEMBER 2017 LANDMARK CENTRE, LAGOS, NIGERIA www.power-nigeria.com

EVENT DETAILS

Bronze Sponsor

A BRAND OF

Utility Partners

Organised by

WHEN: 5-7 September WHERE: Landmark Centre, Lagos, Nigeria CONTACT: info@power-nigeria.com WEBSITE: www.power-nigeria.com

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POWER NIGERIA PROVIDES the ideal platform to position your firm as a thought leader in one of the fastest moving African markets: power and electricity. The exhibition has cordially obtained the established reputation and relations with Government, associations and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian power market. The recent edition of Power Nigeria 2016 witnessed an unprecedented growth of 23 percent in participating companies and 39 percent in attending trade visitors. And with a significant and recent upsurge in interest in solar power projects in Nigeria, in 2017 we

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“Skipper has been in Nigeria for the past 17 years. We have the largest transformer repair facility in Africa which is now further augmented to a transformer manufacturing facility. We have a lot of confidence in Power Nigeria. The audience is very specific and tar footfall is almost double compared to last year.” - Jitender Sachdeva, Group President, Skipper T&D

Visitor Testimonial

“I was able to get a lot of the products that I wanted but could not find easily on the market. I look forward to attending the event next year because it is a really great initiative.” – Eng Atinuke Owolabi, MD/CEO, Wurvicat International

DISCOVER AND SOURCE THE LATEST POWER TECHNOLOGIES, PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD! Meet with top manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers to source products and services essential for the development of Nigeria’s power sector. NEW VENUE LANDMARK CENTRE

FREE TO ATTEND REGIONAL AND 100+ KEY INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES

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Brought to you by

5 – 7 SEPTEMBER 2017 LANDMARK CENTRE, LAGOS, NIGERIA www.power-nigeria.com

Main Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

A BRAND OF

Utility Partners

Organised by

TANZANIA OIL & GAS CONGRESS

E V E N T

F O C U S

Assessing opportunities and priorities for the Tanzanian energy market • Hon. Salama Aboud Talib, Minister of Lands, Water, Energy and Environment, Zanzibar • Hon. Irene Muloni, Minister of Energy & Minerals Development, Republic of Uganda • Hon. January Y. Makamba, Minister of State – Vice President’s Office, Union and Environment, United Republic of Tanzania • Omar Mithá, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, ENH Mozambique • Guy Maurice, Senior Vice President, Africa, Total E&P

Tanzania 2017 Advert 180 x 240.pdf

24/07/2017

13:33

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 11-12 September WHERE: Hyatt Regency, The Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania WEBSITE: cwctog.com

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HER EXCELLENCY SAMIA Suluhu Hassan, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania has formally announced her support and participation for the upcoming Tanzania Oil & Gas Congress, taking place 11-12 September, 2017 in Dar es Salaam, organised by the CWC Group. The Congress will gather senior representatives from the Tanzanian oil and gas industry including Governments, international oil companies, indigenous producers, international and national service providers, financiers and consultants. Also joining the senior level speaker line up will be: • Hon. Charles Mwijage, Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, United Republic of Tanzania

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With a variety of issues facing the energy sector in Tanzania, the Tanzania Oil & Gas Congress is well placed to bring together existing industry players and international investors to discuss the following key topics: • Government short and medium-term plans and priorities for the energy sector • Increasing Government and industry collaboration to drive the industry forward • Business opportunities available with the Uganda-Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline • What plans are in place to implement the Gas Masterplan? • Reviewing regional partnerships within Mozambique, Zanzibar, Uganda and Kenya The Congress will also provide the opportunity to discuss - openly and honestly - business opportunities in the Tanzanian energy market, in the form of Round Tables under Chatham House Rule.

FUTURE ENERGY CENTRAL AFRICA

E V E N T

F O C U S

A regional platform for power and utility development

BRAND YOUR BUSINESS IN CENTRAL AFRICA

BE PART OF CENTRAL AFRICA’S

POWER EGROWING VEN T &DENERGY ETAILS SECTOR

Discover regional projects in the pipeline and how you can help solve its challenges. Showcasing: Gabon, Cameroon, The Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic Of The Congo, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).

WHEN: 2-3 October

2 – 3 OCTOBER 2017

WHERE: Hilton Hotel , Yaoundé, Cameroon Hilton Hotel , Yaoundé, Cameroon Previously

With the support of

CONTACT: future-energy@spintelligent.com Also visit www.future-energy-centralafrica.com Phone: +27 21 700 3560 Email: future-energy@spintelligent.com

WEBSITE:

www.future-energy-centralafrica.com

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THE THIRD EDITION of the conference and exhibition, ‘Future Energy Central Africa’ (previously known as iPAD Cameroon) will take place from 2-3 October at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Following industry feedback, this year the strategic conference will grow from a national, to a regional event, connecting six countries in the Central African region. The conference’s main focus will be: ‘The future of energy in Central Africa: Setting the agenda to encourage private & public collaborations’. The goal of Future Energy Central Africa is to become the regional platform for power and utility development, welcoming private

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developers, IPPs, and investors to facilitate the extension of regional grids, pricing and infrastructure development. In 2016, this event brought together 180 high-level representatives from government, utilities, developers, investors, suppliers and finance institutions as well as more than 30 expert speakers. Future Energy Central Africa is supported by the Central African Power Pool. It is the place where all the Regional Power Stakeholders will meet to secure deals, investments and partnerships. It is the place where together we collaborate to increase the energetic capacity and the economic growth of Central Africa.

BRAND YOUR BUSINESS IN CENTRAL AFRICA

BE PART OF CENTRAL AFRICA’S GROWING POWER & ENERGY SECTOR Discover regional projects in the pipeline and how you can help solve its challenges. Showcasing: Gabon, Cameroon, The Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic Of The Congo, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).

2 – 3 OCTOBER 2017 Hilton Hotel , Yaoundé, Cameroon Previously

With the support of

Phone: +27 21 700 3560 Email: future-energy@spintelligent.com

Also visit www.future-energy-centralafrica.com

POWERING AFRICA: NIGERIA

E V E N T

F O C U S

Nigeria makes moves to re-capitalise the energy sector with the PSRP

Africa

The Annual

4-5 October 2017

Hilton on Transcorp, Transc anscorp, ansc or Abuja orp, Sector Recovery Power g Nigeria’s en Pl an: ergy se si n c t or pitali

Rec a

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 4-5 October WHERE: Hilton Transcorp, Abuja, Nigeria 300+ DELEGATES | 50 SPEAKERS | 50% C-SUITE ATTENDEES

From 4-5 October ‘Powering Africa: Nigeria’ will welcome 250 decision-makers including DFIs, banks, developers and EPCs to discuss what is needed to fully support and enable the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity sector in the medium to long term.

CONTACT: PA-N@energynet.co.uk SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Strategic Partners

Sponsor

Sustainability Partner

WEBSITE: www.poweringafrica-nigeria.com Associate Sponsors

Partner

All readers and subscribers of Africa Outlook are entitled to an exclusive 10% off on registration. Email pa-n@energynet.co.uk and quote AO10 for your special discount.

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# PA N IG E R I A

NIGERIA’S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY industry, national and multilateral finance institutions, IPPs and NIPP investors, power developers and service providers are to gather with the Government representatives from Nigeria’s Ministries of Finance and Power from 4-5 October at the 6th annual Powering Africa: Nigeria investors’ summit to release capital into Nigeria’s transforming economic landscape. The previous summit held in 2016 under the Official Patronage of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing welcomed more than 350 delegates in attendance and the participation of longstanding partners: the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing; NBET; NERC; NNPC; NSIA; BPE; NATPIN; TCN; DISCOs and GENCOs; Central Bank of

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Nigeria; World Bank; IFC; OPIC; AfDB; AFC; AFD; FMO; and KfW; among others. This year will address the most recent updates from the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Finance with regards to the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria to boost the required high quality and reliable, stable power for Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth. This years’ meeting will also focus on guiding the investors’ community towards this specific Federal Government objective and will continue to provide the platform for the Nigerian energy industry to meet annually to coordinate actions and discuss the next steps forward. Additionally, the summit will examine how Nigeria’s gas economy and regional infrastructure projects will impact both job creation and social-economic development in the West Africa region, with a programme covering Nigeria’s Gas IPP landscape, the significance of successful project delivery, and the role of international investors in achieving this success. Confirmed speakers include: • Honourable Prof. Bart Nnaji, Founder, Geometric Power (former Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) • Nicolas Pitiot, Investment Director, CDC Group • Tunde Morakinyo, Partner, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) • Marcus Heal, Founder and CEO, Pan Africa Solar • Olusola Lawson, Regional Director, West Africa, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) • Olamide Oladosu, Director, Africa Group, Clifford Chance • Idris Mohammed, Founder, Dell’Amore

Africa

The Annual

4-5 October 2017

Hilton on Transc Transcorp, anscorp, ansc or Abuja orp,

Sector Recovery Power g Nigeria’s en Pl an: ergy se i s i ital n c t or ec ap

300+ DELEGATES | 50 SPEAKERS | 50% C-SUITE ATTENDEES SPONSORS & PARTNERS Strategic Partners

Sponsor

Sustainability Partner

Partner

Associate Sponsors

All readers and subscribers of Africa Outlook are entitled to an exclusive 10% off on registration. Email pa-n@energynet.co.uk and quote AO10 for your special discount.

W W W. P O W E R I N G A F R I C A - N I G E R I A . C O M

# PA N I G E R I A

Presenting

18 - 20 SE P 2017 D U B A I WO R L D T R A D E C E N T R E

D U B A I S E R V E S A WO R L D O F H O S P I TA L I T Y Reflecting the soaring demand for new, adventurous leisure and dining experiences, GulfHost will redefine your performance in the fast-moving hospitality arena. Discover the A - Z of restaurant, bar and cafĂŠ solutions at the global melting point for multicultural cuisine

Get your free ticket at www.gulfhost.ae Organised by

Co-located events

Endorsed by

Africa Outlook - Issue 52

Published on Jul 28, 2017

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