Africa Outlook - Issue 57

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AFRICA ISSUE 57

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE

Ethiopia: Ruralisation Funds Urbanisation

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ELECTRO INDUCTIVE INDUSTRIES 58

Creating top quality transformers

KENYA HORTICULTURAL EXPORTERS (1977) LTD 78

SEAFLOWER GROUP 86 Sharing marine wealth in Namibia

Creating sustainable and innovative crop exports

ALSO FEATURING: T R A N S S I O N | E A P I | I N V E S T I N G I N A F R I C A N M I N I N G I N D A B A

Business Travel Guides

A complete guide to Africa’s leading business travel destinations

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ETHIOPIA Ethiopia has leveraged its age-old traditions and charm to generate modern-day economic prosperity

he ability to remain current and relevant in an ever-changing world is a challenge that all companies, countries, and even individuals, struggle to achieve. But as one of the oldest hosts of human life on the planet, Ethiopia

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thrives as a visitor destination as a result of its historical aesthetics and charm.

Located in the so-called Horn of Africa to the east, it is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second most populated country on the continent; situated in a -

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literally - scorching cauldron of culture, tradition, religion and - progressively - business.

The mountainous terrain and vast landscapes aren’t what you’d ordinarily associate with the notion of urban infrastructure; each of its cities - including the capital, Addis

African Union Headquarters

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Ababa - sprawled across undulating, picturesque backdrops. However, as an age-old inhabited land trying to turn its hand to modern infrastructural evolution, the overall balance serves up a treat for fortunate travellers.

On the tourism side, the appeal comes from the former untouched, natural elements that best typify the country. However, for the growing business travel segment, the organic aesthetics are increasingly becoming an added bonus to the economic opportunities that await.

And it’s certainly not as if the country is abandoning its roots in order to promote urbanisation.

Rather, Ethiopia is optimising its reputation for agricultural prevalence to bridge the gap between the country and the rest of the world.

FACTS & FIGURES

Languages: Amharic Area: 1.1 million square kilometres Population (2016): 102.4 million GDP (2017): $195.8 billion Currency: Birr (ETB) Time zone: UTC+3 Dialling code: +251 Internet TLD: .et Climate: Tropical monsoon

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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.

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.

joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com

+44 (0)1603 959 676

ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com

+44 (0)1603 959 672

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AFRICA

2017’s Journey Comes to an End AFRICA While the sun sets in the west, Africa Outlook’s 2017 journey comes to an end in the east courtesy of a leading global brand and a vast, prosperous nation looking to enhance its business travel attractiveness.

This latter geographic giant refers to Ethiopia, home to one of the oldest civilisations yet looking to leverage its traditional charm to entice modern, urban affluence. Age-old sectors across agriculture and horticulture continue to lay the groundwork for its cities’ infrastructures to expand and diversify; paving the way for a host of upmarket hotel chains and continentleading tour operators to capitalise on the resultant influx of international business visitors. Our final Business Travel Guide of the year delves further into this notion to explore the most niche cultural appeals, and most significant economic exponents of Ethiopia’s finely poised balance.

Headlining the December edition though is a Company who has managed to hone its global offering in line with local nuances and regulations across not only Ethiopia but the entirety of East Africa.

Swedish transport manufacturer, Scania is a name renowned and reputed across the world of industry, but to endear itself locally across more challenging environments, the business continues to push its localisation ethos to the fore.

Chief Executive Officer, Per Holmstrom explains how the Company’s ‘customer first’ philosophy is helping to drive world-class processes in an indigenouslysensitive way.

The year’s profile showcase is brought to a close via a familiarly diverse range of industry leaders; featuring Electro Inductive Industries and East African Packaging Industries on team manufacturing, Kenya Horticultural Exporters (1977) Ltd from the agricultural sector, and Seaflower Group representing food & drink.

And finally, once the present is tied up, we take a chance to address the past and future. The former is catered for by Phoebe Calver’s countdown of Africa Outlook’s Top 5 Success Stories from 2017, while the latter incorporates an enticing preview of the upcoming Investing in African Mining Indaba event which we are not only partnered with once again, but will be exploring in extensive depth as we enter the new year. www.africaoutlookmag.com

ISSUE 57

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE

Ethiopia: Ruralisation Funds Urbanisation

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ELECTRO INDUCTIVE

INDUSTRIES 00 Creating top quality transformers

KENYA HORTICULTURAL

EXPORTERS (1977) LTD 00 Creating sustainable and innovative crop exports

SEAFLOWER GROUP 00 Sharing marine wealth in Namibia

ALSO FEATURING: T R A N S S I O N | E A P I | I N V E S T I N G I N A F R I C A N M I N I N G I N D A B 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: Devon Collins devon.collins@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: 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: Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com Josh Hyland josh.hyland@outlookpublishing.com Stuart Parker stuart.parker@outlookpublishing.com Vivek Valmiki vivek.valmiki@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 and see you in 2018!

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In this issue...

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NEWS

All the latest stories from across Africa

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BUSINESS 2017 Success Stories

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TECHNOLOGY Together We Can!

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Celebrating this year’s top five company profiles

Building economies and societies on the continent

S E C TO R F O C U S

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FINANCE Top 5 Business Risks for West Africa in 2018 Control Risks pinpoints economic recovery as Nigeria exits recession

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE

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ETHIOPIA Ruralisation Funds Urbanisation

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

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INVESTING IN AFRICAN MINING INDABA

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THE 2ND WEST AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE 2018

T R A N S P O R T

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SCANIA EAST AFRICA LIMITED Partners to the Future

Encouraging a more sustainable transport sector

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KENYA HORTICULTURAL EXPORTERS (1977) LTD Live Greener, Live Fresher, Live Safer

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SEAFLOWER GROUP Where Freshness Lives

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ELECTRO INDUCTIVE INDUSTRIES Balanced and Sustainable Growth

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Passion for supporting customers

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POWERING AFRICA: SUMMIT

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AFRICA HEALTHCARE WEEK 2018 AND AFRICA DENTAL SUMMIT 2018

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POWER & ELECTRICITY WORLD AFRICA 2018

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2ND MINING INVESTMENT BOTSWANA 2018

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BURUNDI BACKBONE SYSTEMS A National Network

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LABH SINGH HARNAM SINGH (LSHS) In the Driving Seat

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GLORY OIL

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PUMA ENERGY GHANA Fuelling Ghana

Our Business, Our Pride Improving fuel economy

Thriving in one of Africa’s leading oil & gas producing nations

Africa’s largest and longest running power and electricity show turns 21 years old

The foremost Southern African forum for the global mining community

Committed to the economic development and attractiveness of Burundi

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Showcasing project opportunities across the African continent

Africa’s largest healthcare and only dental events in Europe

Creating top quality transformers

EAST AFRICAN PACKAGING INDUSTRIES (EAPI) Better By Design

NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM SUMMIT

Nigeria positions itself to be the foremost oil & gas investment destination

Sharing marine wealth in Namibia

MANUFACTURING

A focus on deal-making, sustainable development and mining of the future

WAIPEC returns to the heart of Africa’s petroleum economy

Creating sustainable and innovative crop exports

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F O C U S

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MINING INVESTMENT NIGERIA 2018

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EAST AFRICA OIL & GAS SUMMIT (EAOGS)

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THE BIG 5 CONSTRUCT EGYPT

The foremost Nigerian forum for the global mining community

The 5th anniversary of East Africa’s most prestigious oil & gas summit

Egypt’s largest meeting place for the construction industry

Striking a balance of affordability, durability, quality and comfort

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Outlook Creative Services Complementing the production of Africa Outlook, Asia Outlook and Europe & Middle East Outlook magazines, Outlook Publishing’s award-winning in-house team is now utilising these same specialist production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

For more information on how we can work with you in providing a plethora of completely flexible and customisable production services, please visit www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

CONTACT DESIGN: Stephen Giles +44 (0) 1603 959 656 steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

E D I TO R I A L : Matthew Staff +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

Devon Collins +44 (0) 1603 959 661 devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

Phoebe Calver +44 (0) 1603 959 660 phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com

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possible breach of two of its debt covenants in October, due to a three-week strike at its South African operations and a confiscated consignment of diamonds in Tanzania.

“It’s a measure that only takes place at the end of March, based on the December numbers,” Dippenaar said, adding that getting the diamonds released for sale was vital to the company meeting its covenants.

Petra’s net debt increased 11 percent to $614 million in the three months ending in September versus the prior three months, mainly due to a lack of sales from its Williamson mine in Tanzania.

As part of a wider crackdown in its mining industry, Tanzania blocked the export consignment after accusing the company of under-declaring the value of the stones by about half.

Tanzania hopes to boost government revenues and stamp out alleged corruption through sweeping new laws introduced in July, 2018.

“You can’t blame governments for making sure that the country gets its MINING & RESOURCES fair share and that values are properly recorded within the country and so forth,” Dippenaar said, adding he hoped “cooler heads” would prevail.

In South Africa, members of the National Union of Mineworkers downed tools for about three weeks demanding higher wages. Although the dispute was resolved, analysts warned at the time that the strike could lead to a covenant breach in A possible breach of its banking December.

Dippenaar, of the possible breach of agreements does not pose a big In a presentation to shareholders, loan terms, adding the mining firm was risk to Petra Diamonds because its in talks with its banks on a monthly Petra said it had reached peak capital finances will improve following the basis. expenditure this year and reiterated it end of a labour dispute in South “Should we not make it, we know expected to return to generating cash Africa and the lifting of an export we will have a sensible discussion with in the first half of next year. ban in Tanzania, its Chief Executive Petra shares are down nearly 60 the bankers,” he said. “As we turn cash said. flow positive between January and percent this year compared with a “We don’t regard it as a high June then that pressure comes off.” near 18 percent increase in the wider risk to the business,” said Johan London-listed Petra flagged a sector in London.

Petra Diamonds Sees Brighter 2018 after Warning of Debt Breach

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AFRICA TRAVEL

them,” Lieutenant General Majak Akech Malok, director general of Nationality, Passport and Immigration, told a news conference recently.

The national passports and immigration office said in late November, 2017 that it had stopped

giving out passports due to technical problems.

Then-Deputy Finance Minister Mou Ambrose Thiik, told Reuters that the passport and national identification server had been blocked by its host, German company Muhlbauer, after the Government failed to pay an annual software licence fee of around $500,000.

Akech made no mention of the government owing Muhlbauer any money and just said the stoppage was due to a “technical error”.

South Sudan’s main income is from oil but fighting has cut production to less than a third of pre-war levels.

Public funds are scarce and civil servants and soldiers go unpaid for months, while hyperinflation has rendered its currency almost worthless. Thiik was relieved of his job by President Salva Kiir in early December.

platinum producer on completion of the deal, fell five percent in Johannesburg.

Global platinum prices are trading around their lowest levels since early

2016, under pressure from bloated supply and declining demand from the automotive industry.

“The flexibility inherent in the larger regional PGM footprint will create a more robust business, better able to withstand volatile PGM prices and exchange rates,” Sibanye, Chief Executive Officer Neal Froneman said in a statement.

Under the offer, Lonmin shareholders would receive 0.967 new Sibanye-Stillwater shares for each Lonmin share, the firms said.

Following completion of the deal Lonmin shareholders would hold about 11.3 percent of the enlarged group.

Under Sibanye’s plans, Lonmin would put all of its older mines on care and maintenance, which means operations stop but they are kept in a condition to resume in future. The plan involves cutting 12,600 jobs in the next three years with a further 890 jobs at risk, a Sibanye presentation showed.

South Sudan Resumes Issuing Passports after Month-long Stoppage South Sudan has resumed issuing passports after its German technology provider shut down the system for a month because the country failed to pay its bills, a senior immigration official said in a recent statement.

South Sudan’s economy has been battered by a civil war, which is currently in its fourth year.

“We have resumed our operation and whoever is in need and wants to apply for national certificates and passports, we are ready to serve

MINING & RESOURCES

South Africa’s Sibanye-Stillwater Buys Troubled Platinum Miner South Africa’s Sibanye-Stillwater has agreed to buy Lonmin for approximately £285 million ($382 million) in an all-share deal that drove shares in the troubled London-listed platinum miner up by more than a fifth.

Lonmin, the world’s third biggest platinum producer, has been battling weak global platinum prices and soaring operating costs in South Africa, shrinking the Company’s market value by 98 percent in the past five years.

After the announcement, Lonmin’s shares jumped 23 percent, while shares in Sibanye-Stillwater, which will become the world’s second largest

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ECONOMY

Zimbabwe’s Former Finance Minister Faces New Corruption Charges Former Zimbabwe Finance Minister, Ignatius Chombo, faced new corruption charges recently in the clearest example yet of a crackdown on graft by President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, since he took office last month.

Mnangagwa has said one of his priorities is to fight corruption as he seeks to shore up an economy battered under former leader Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule.

The graft watchdog accused Chombo of criminal abuse of office and said he illegally resettled people affected by a government clean-up operation on privately-owned land in Harare and then demanded a bribe from the owner to remove the people, his lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, said.

Chombo is facing separate charges of corruption including defrauding the central bank dating back two decades.

Madhuku said Chombo had been questioned by officials from the independent Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) and released after making a statement.

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POLITICS

South Africa’s Zuma Appeals Court Ruling on State Prosecutor’s Appointment South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, has filed an appeal against a court ruling that his appointment of a state prosecutor to decide

whether to reinstate corruption charges against him was not valid, local media reported recently.

The High Court ruled that Zuma’s appointment of head prosecutor Shaun Abrahams, should be set aside immediately and that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, should appoint a new public prosecutor within 60 days.

The ruling was among a series of judicial blows to his administration, which has been hit by a series of scandals.

In October the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision by a lower court that the nearly 800 corruption charges filed against Zuma before he became president be reinstated.

It then fell to Abrahams, appointed

by Zuma, to decide whether or not the NPA would pursue a case against him.

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Tanzania Restores Power after Nationwide Outage Tanzania’s power utility said recently it had started to restore electricity to parts of the country after the East African nation was hit by a countrywide blackout.

“Efforts are ongoing to make sure that power supply is restored to all parts of the country,” the state-run Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) said in a statement.

TANESCO apologised for the power outage, but did not explain what caused a “technical glitch” in the national power grid that left the region’s number three economy in a blackout that lasted more than 12 hours.

Partial blackouts occur regularly in Tanzania, which relies on hydro, natural gas and heavy fuel oil to generate electricity. Many businesses use power generators as backups, pushing up their operating costs.

Tanzania’s energy infrastructure has suffered from decades of underinvestment, neglect and corruption allegations, and investors have long complained the lack of reliable power hurts business there.

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AFRICA MINING & RESOURCES

Congo Mines say Revised Code Threatens Industry’s Future Mining companies in Democratic Republic of Congo said that proposed changes to the mining code adopted by the lower house of parliament last week would do lasting damage to investment in Africa’s top copper producer.

The process of revising the 2002 mining code in Congo has dragged on for more than five years, but the National Assembly recently approved

TECHNOLOGY

Three Firms Bid to set up Fourth Mobile Phone Company in Zambia One British and two African companies are bidding to establish a fourth mobile phone voice service provider in Zambia in a tender closing I January, communications minister, a bill that would increase taxes and Brian Mushimba said. royalties and sent it to the upper house Zambia approved a law in June Senate for a second vote. allowing more mobile phone voice The measure would also increase service providers to boost competition. the state’s minimum unpaid share of The tender was supposed to close new mining projects and require that last week but was extended to allow the Congolese investors hold at least 10 bidders more time, Mushimba said. percent of shares in large-scale mines.

“Some of the interested parties came on board very late and for them to give a comprehensive report, they need to get on the ground and travel across the country,” Mushimba said.

Mushimba said the communications regulator was expected to select the winner by June, 2018.

TRAVEL

Kenya Airways Fires 140 Engineers and Technicians over Strike

ECONOMY

Namibia’s Economic Recession Deepens in Third Quarter Namibia’s economy plunged deeper into recession in the third quarter of 2017 as declines in the construction and trade sectors eclipsed growth in manufacturing and mining, the statistics agency said recently.

The economy shrank by 1.9 percent in the third quarter after a revised contraction of 0.7 percent in the second quarter, the agency said.

“This is the third consecutive quarter of contraction in 2017.

The poor performance is mainly attributed to construction, wholesale and retail trade, utility (water and electricity) and fishing sectors that recorded a contraction in real value added,” the agency said in a statement.

Kenya Airways recently fired approximately 140 engineers and technicians over what it called an “illegal strike”, an internal memo from the CEO to all staff showed. “(The) management will not entertain actions that impede the recovery process of the company,” CEO Sebastian Mikosz, wrote in the memo.

He wrote the striking workers had ignored three written requests from the company to resume work since the strike started.

The technical assistants were demanding a 70 percent increase in basic pay while control and production engineers wanted a 250 percent pay hike, the airline said in a statement.

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TELL US YOUR STORY

AND WE’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 Publishing’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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2017 SUCCESS STORIES In our final edition of the year we take a look back over some of 2017’s biggest and most successful company profiles Writer: Phoebe Calver t Africa Outlook we take pride in celebrating ingenuity within companies and this year has been no different, providing us with a plethora of exceptional teams - across a wide range of industries - to showcase to our readers.

This year’s top profiles have reached out to every industrial corner, including construction, food & drink, agriculture and energy & utilities, with each company demonstrating unbending dedication to their industry.

In the last edition of 2017, we celebrate some of the best and brightest companies that we have had the pleasure of working with, including Kenya Electricity Generating Company, Mombasa Cement, PW Ghana, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company Ghana and Flamingo Horticulture.

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is leading the power

generator sector in Kenya, boasting an immense market share of 70 percent of the electricity capacity installed in the country.

“Our business is to deliver both affordable and clean energy, while making the investments needed to ensure a sustainable future in the market,” explains Albert Mugo, Managing Director at KenGen. “Over the years our Company has made massive investments and grown its renewable energy portfolio to 88 percent - further reducing Kenya’s carbon footprint which enabled the country to attain a clean energy generation.”

As part of the Company’s renewable strategy, its next pipeline project is 100 percent renewable, with the target aspiration of 2,500MW by 2025; comprised of 1,400MW from the current pipeline projects and 1,100 from new projects.

The Company’s 10-year transformation strategy of evolving from good to great through purely sustainable usage will remain KenGen’s guiding philosophy. With the goal to stabilise

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and create sustainable power supply for Kenya, this will constantly be monitored and revamped as the Company grows and projects open up.

Mombasa Cement

Headquartered in Mombasa, Kenya, the Company’s almost unrivalled acumen in manufacturing and marketing quality cement at affordable prices has taken the business to the very top of its field over the past 10 years, but while its products’ quality speaks for itself, it is actually the internal principles of the business that continue to set MCL apart.

Bound by principles, bound by technology, bound by innovation, bound by brand identity, and bound by excellence; the business can celebrate a decade of development as one of East Africa’s top cement manufacturers.

Recent strives for innovation have included the testing and development of 52.5MPa grade cement, also known as KP Platinum.

Not only does this represent the latest in a long line of continuous improvement strategies for MCL’s product range, but it also serves as the latest significant milestone in the overall rise to prominence over a relatively short space of time.

PW Ghana

Like many companies in the industry, PW Ghana’s first foray into openpit mining remains a cherished memory having driven the Company’s expansion in contract mining at Obotan Gold Mine for Resolute Mining.

As a testament to its longevity and reputation in the market, the Company secured the contract mining work on the same mine when it was reopened almost two decades later.

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PW Ghana is one of a selection of companies operating within the PW Mining brand, a Company that started out as a privately owned entity originally incorporated in 1948. Less than 20 years later the PW brand had expanded massively, allowing for the development of new branches that would eventually lead to the creation of PW Ghana in 1995.

Over the years PW Ghana has been able to achieve maintainable and steady growth, a factor that it attributes to continuous investments in new equipment, modern techniques and the engagement and training of quality personnel.

It is incredibly important to the Company both for its values and to its success that it delivers top-class value and service to clients, providing them with value for money, quality workmanship which is safely executed and the completion of contracts in good time.

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Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company Ghana

As a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, the world’s largest beverage company which owns some of the world’s most famous brands, including 20 brands in the billion dollar league, it should come as no surprise that Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) continues to thrive across North and West Africa; more so, given its devotion to wider social enrichment that is now catching the eye of the continent.

The business has flourished over the years through the production, sale and distribution of some of Coca-Cola’s world favourite non-alcoholic beverage brands. This penetration into African communities, however, has been far more than thirst-based on a local level; as is epitomised by The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited.

Continuously monitoring industry, consumer and social trends has been a trademark for ECCBC as changing preferences and emerging competition has been responded to in order to keep ahead of the curve across all product categories. Its presence in the still beverage market is a great example of this as the company looks to remain competitive and relevant to consumers while protecting its own market share through a diversification of its portfolio.

Flamingo Horticulture

Starting in 1982 in Nairobi, Kenya as Homegrown - a horticultural business that was set up to exploit the benefits of the country’s equatorial position - Flamingo Horticulture Ltd has flourished over the past 25 years to become a world-class vertically integrated entity.

Also leveraging Kenya’s strong heritage in the sector as well as its populous make-up, the business began back then in the vegetable and fruit production domain across Homegrown’s own farms, as well as

‘This year’s top profiles have reached out to every industrial corner, including construction, food & drink, agriculture and energy & utilities, with each company demonstrating unbending dedication to their industry’

with small-scale Kenyan farmers. In 1989, Homegrown also ventured into the production of flowers, setting the tone for the multi-faceted portfolio that today’s Flamingo Horticulture is reputed for.

With a present day reputation as a leader across process innovation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and farm practice parameters, Flamingo’s success is owed to a culture of continuous improvement, drive and ambition [with the latter] being not just a key customer requirement, but also crucial to the development of the Company in-house.

Flamingo Horticulture’s overall farming footprint at present naturally lends itself to geographical footprint growth and sustainable progression into the future which, in turn, lends itself to an ever-broadening customer base as well.

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Together

WE CAN! By better connecting people together, TRANSSION is looking to improve lifestyles across Africa Writer: Matthew Staff

RANSSION - originally TECNO TELECOM LIMITED - was founded

by CEO, Mr George Zhu in 2006 having travelled more than 90 counties to explore business opportunities; in the firm belief that he could form a successful business through bespoke tech products for the African continent.

Taking off in earnest in 2008, TRANSSION has grown substantially over the past decade to become a market leader; increasing the number of people who have been able to own their first device thanks to its plethora of brands.

As one of the first companies to enter the African mobile market, TRANSSION later launched a dedicated smartphone plant in Ethiopia in 2011.

The move was testament to both the firm’s confidence in the market and a desire to demonstrate full commitment to the African market, with a dedicated African production facility.

“This has allowed us to increase our distribution capabilities and improve lead times, enabling us to deliver the best service possible for our customers in the region and in turn invest in the local community,

creating jobs and improving the region’s infrastructure,” adds Group Vice President, Arif Chowdhury.

From these beginnings, TRANSSION has successfully entered a wide range of markets including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh but will continue to place Africa at the forefront of its attentions, as Chowdhury emphasises in his exclusive interview with Africa Outlook.

Arif Chowdhury (AC): We have a range of different brands with devices that are targeted at different consumer segments, to address their varied needs and preferences.

Arif Chowdhury, Group Vice President, TRANSSION

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Infinix brand image store in Nairobi

TECNO, itel and Infinix are all high quality mobile handsets designed specifically with consumers in mind.

Each have unique design components and are competitively priced, meaning TRANSSION is perfectly placed to meet the needs of a wide range of consumer segments. itel Mobile provides innovation for the masses, with a focus on an assessable yet advanced user experience, aimed at a target consumer group between 21-42

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years. On the other hand, TECNO is for a younger community in the 16-35 age group.

The Camon CX by TECNO has been designed specifically for young, independent African people. It is one of the latest handset in our range and we have designed it with the selfie in mind. We have listened to customer feedback in Kenya and across Africa, and the overwhelming response has been that our consumers want phones

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that take high quality pictures in a device that is accessible and easy to use. We believe the Camon CX will be the “selfie camera” for this market’s generation.

Infinix, a young brand sold across Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, aimed at a target consumer group between 18-35 years; and our Spice Brand targeted at a consumer group aged 18-35 was launched in India in July.

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Africa Outlook (AfO): What specific continuous improvement strategies are there in place to ensure you maintain your market leading position across the brand portfolio?

AC: Understanding local consumers is central to our growth strategy. We will continue to listen to consumers across the regions in which we operate and use micro-innovation to develop products which solve the daily problems faced by consumers.

In addition to TRANSSION’s commitment to consumer-centric products, we also continue to focus on providing our customers with extensive after-sales support. TRANSSION’s ‘Together, We Can!’ mantra is embodied by its 10,000-plus employees worldwide who each day work to drive the company forward, providing more innovative products to new and exciting markets. This is also reflected in the Company’s willingness to partner with firms of all sizes. We will continue to work together with key partners to solve consumer problems and improve as many lives as possible worldwide.

AfO: What major capital investments have been made in the past couple of years and what major additions are planned for the coming 12 months or so?

AC: Currently, we are focused on the development of our industrial park in Ethiopia, but we are constantly reviewing the infrastructure

“We will continue to advance our products, while ensuring we are able to offer them at a competitive price point. That is what our customers value.”

TECNO Phantom 8’s launch in Dubai

requirements of our business and the need for any future facilities in the region will be based on the commercial needs of the TRANSSION group.

We will continue to advance our products, while ensuring we are able to offer them at a competitive price point. That is what our customers value. Examples of how we have advanced our products most recently include launching dual-SIM smartphones and applying an antisweat as well as anti-slip design to our products.

AfO: What other value-add services have the company added to its offering to maintain its position ahead of the industry curve? And how are these value-add services being improved year-on-year?

AC: TRANSSION prides itself on its extensive after-sales support network - the largest in Africa in the mobile phone industry - which means consumers can purchase with confidence, knowing that any issues that may arise will be fixed quickly.

Established in 2009, Carlcare is TRANSSION’s dedicated after-sales

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service brand. It provides high quality customer services in mobiles, tablets, home appliances, lighting and is expanding to further categories.

We are committed to providing a customised service for a global market and now have more than 1,000 service centres (including third party service centres) in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, South Asia.

We view this as one important component, combined with our wide-ranging service network, that will enable us to fulfil our ambition of becoming a favoured provider of mobile communication devices and services in emerging markets.

AfO: Corporate social responsibility is now a core aspect of many companies’ missions, so how does this transcend into your HR strategy, and to what extent does TRANSSION take part in charitable and community initiatives outside of core business activities?

Shenzhen factory

“We believe that Africa has the potential for continuous growth and we are proud to provide mobile technology to the region, to help the continent’s development” AC: TRANSSION has grown to more than 10,000 employees globally.

Our employees are an invaluable component to driving the firm’s efficiency and growth and we are committed to providing the best working environment we can.

TRANSSION’s employees know they can have a long-term career with

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the Company. They can develop their expertise here, and we can benefit from the knowledge they acquire.

[On the CSR side], we have developed products and services that improve the day-to-day lives of users in low mobile penetration markets, boosting the development of mobile-related industries and

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creating numerous job and commercial opportunities in the process.

We have also launched a range of CSR projects in Africa to help improve the lives of locals. For example, TECNO has worked with pupils from a school in Lagos to offer N100,000 scholarships, and providing educational documents

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AfO: Looking forward, what are TRANSSION’s plans for the future and, if we were to speak again in three-five years’ time, what would you hope and expect to be able to report back in terms of Company growth in Africa?

AC: TRANSSION brands are very well established, having been available in the market for more than 10 years. Our ambition is to become an influential and favoured provider of mobile devices and services in emerging markets.

We have already entered several markets in Africa in a relatively short period and our short-term goal is to ensure we continue to grow in each market, catering for the wide-ranging consumer requirements.

and stationery to some local primary schools.

Another great example of the opportunities we offer is the partnership between TECNO Mobile and Manchester City Football Club.

We recently developed an experiential initiative called Blue Squad which we co-launched with the club, which saw youngsters from across Africa spend a week enjoying the very best coaching with the team.

For around a decade, TRANSSION has been committed to Africa, and we are always looking for new ways to cater for our loyal customer base on the continent.

AfO: On a more general note, what would you say is TRANSSION’s main differentiator in Africa?

AC: Our priority is to ensure we provide our customers with the best possible value. That means we develop

The Camon CX by TECNO has been designed specifically for young, independent African people

phones that are of high quality and are competitively priced with microinnovations to meet the needs of consumers. That has been a key factor in the growth of TRANSSION to date and remains a central pillar to our business model.

We believe that Africa has the potential for continuous growth and we are proud to provide mobile technology to the region, to help the continent’s development. By better connecting people together, TRANSSION can improve lifestyles and contribute to building economies and societies across Africa.

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Business Risks for West Africa in 2018 Politics, regulations, and even terrorism are included among Control Risks’ countdown of the region’s most pressing economic challenges moving into 2018 Writer: Matthew Staff

s Nigeria exits the recession of 2017, investor sentiment across West Africa is likely to experience uplift in 2018 according to specialist global risk consultancy, Control Risks.

Still, political uncertainty ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 presidential elections and ongoing security concerns are among the key risks for businesses operating in the region, the consultancy adds in its annual political and security risk forecast RiskMap. “2017 has been a tough and turbulent year for businesses in the region, however with Nigeria exiting recession, and foreign exchange shortages easing, we see a strong improvement in investor sentiment emerging,” comments Control Risks’ Senior Partner for West Africa, Tom

Griffin. “Another major engine of growth will be Cote d’Ivoire, where economic expansion is projected at around seven percent next year. There will be only a handful of elections in the region in 2018, meaning continuity will largely prevail with policy decisions having the biggest impact on the business environment.

“In Nigeria however, although presidential elections are next slated for 2019, campaigning has already started. The uncertainty that generates, as well as the need for cash that an election brings, means that political instability and regulators whose actions will be difficult to predict remain among our top risks for businesses in the year ahead.”

Control Risks and has identified the following as the key risks facing businesses in West Africa in 2018.

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Terrorism and militancy

Business assets and personnel in West Africa will remain vulnerable to attacks by transnational or domestic militant groups. In particular, al-Qaeda and its affiliates will continue to pose a threat to operators in the Sahel, while the oil & gas industry in Nigeria’s Niger Delta will remain exposed to attacks by domestic militant groups. Failure to resolve the underlying political and socio-economic grievances at the root of these movements will see the threat persist in 2018.

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Irregular regulators

As countries in the region, notably commodity-dependent economies, face growing fiscal pressures, operators are likely to see regulatory bodies increasingly act as revenuegenerating bodies, strengthening local content provisions, introducing stricter fiscal terms, reviewing contracts or erratically imposing fines in companies in the hope of boosting state finances.

This will periodically give rise to commercial disputes, legal challenges, and the need for businesses to engage with government stakeholders.

Political instability

Protracted political and socio-economic grievances will continue to fuel popular discontent and a desire for regime change in parts of the region.

Cameroonian President, Paul Biya’s re-election bid amid a continued crisis in the Anglophone regions will exacerbate tensions, while Togolese citizens will continue to protest for the end of the 50-year GnassingbÊ dynasty. Protests will pose security threats to businesses, while regime changes would prompt major institutional changes and complicate engagements for operators.

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Ongoing operational risks

Many of the major risks and challenges businesses face in West Africa are the ongoing practical impediments to day-to-day operations. Shortages of or difficulties in sourcing fuel, foreign currency, equipment and skilled labour; the infrastructure deficits that persist in the vast majority of the region, such as in electricity and transport, will continue to mean higher costs, higher demands on management resources, a tougher capital-raising environment, and greater uncertainty for businesses than in other regions.

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New sectors, new risks

From Senegal’s offshore potential to Nigeria’s embryonic mining sector, some countries in West Africa will be making forays into previouslyundeveloped sectors in 2018.

Prospective investors need to monitor closely how the Government’s ability to oversee these sectors evolves and what the associated risks around these projects become.

Many countries such as Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon, face the prospect of what could become a sovereign debt crisis, a decade after they followed Ghana’s lead in entering the international bond market. The problem is driven by high levels of external debt, persistent uncertainty over the recovery of commodity prices to fund repayments, and borrowing to fund recurrent expenditure. Countries dependent on oil revenues are particularly vulnerable to ballooning debt in 2018.

In Nigeria and Ghana, plans to borrow heavily to finance longterm infrastructure projects will

not generate sufficient revenues in the coming year to finance debt repayments. Amid rising inflation and muted oil prices, Nigeria’s debt servicing payments - which in 2016 doubled to 66 percent of total revenues - are likely to rise further, placing extreme strain on an already stretched budget. With the government of President Muhammadu Buhari well over halfway through its term, yet to fulfil many of the promises that brought it to power and already entering campaign mode, businesses in Nigeria will remain acutely sensitive to political and operational instability in 2018.

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E T H I O P I A

ETHIOPIA Ethiopia has leveraged its age-old traditions and charm to generate modern-day economic prosperity

he ability to remain current and relevant in an ever-changing world is a challenge that all companies, countries, and even individuals, struggle to achieve. But as one of the oldest hosts of human life on the planet, Ethiopia

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thrives as a visitor destination as a result of its historical aesthetics and charm.

Located in the so-called Horn of Africa to the east, it is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second most populated country on the continent; situated in a -

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literally - scorching cauldron of culture, tradition, religion and - progressively - business.

The mountainous terrain and vast landscapes aren’t what you’d ordinarily associate with the notion of urban infrastructure; each of its cities - including the capital, Addis

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Ababa - sprawled across undulating, picturesque backdrops. However, as an age-old inhabited land trying to turn its hand to modern infrastructural evolution, the overall balance serves up a treat for fortunate travellers.

On the tourism side, the appeal comes from the former untouched, natural elements that best typify the country. However, for the growing business travel segment, the organic aesthetics are increasingly becoming an added bonus to the economic opportunities that await.

And it’s certainly not as if the country is abandoning its roots in order to promote urbanisation.

Rather, Ethiopia is optimising its reputation for agricultural prevalence to bridge the gap between the country and the rest of the world.

FACTS & FIGURES

Languages: Amharic Area: 1.1 million square kilometres Population (2016): 102.4 million GDP (2017): $195.8 billion Currency: Birr (ETB) Time zone: UTC+3 Dialling code: +251 Internet TLD: .et Climate: Tropical monsoon

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The Business End CHIEF AMONG ITS exports remains the produce that Ethiopia is most famous for. As the birthplace of the coffee bean, the country still produces more coffee than any other nation on the continent; a continent that is renowned for its prowess in the sector.

Broadening the analysis further, agriculture actually accounts for as much as 85 percent of the entire labour force, and while - inevitably - much of these operations are conducted by SMEs and small-scale farmers, there is a greater economic significance that derives from its success.

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Purely by having such an influential international export, the country’s GDP achieves sustainability which, in turn, has a positive knock-on effect on the wider economy and the overall development of infrastructure outside of the agricultural domain.

Especially in more urbanised areas, and Addis Ababa above all, the urban districts that now exist are comparable to any cities you would find in the west or in South Africa, facilitating an ever-expanding swathe of visitors entering the country for business purposes.

Natural agriculture and energy

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resources have driven the country’s international appeal so much, in fact, that Ethiopia has had to introduce one of the continent’s most expansive and recognised airlines in order to cement this connection with the rest of the world.

Ethiopian Airlines is a familiar presence in London, New York, Paris and any other major economic heavyweight you’d care to think of and, complemented by its equally extensive domestic network, it is the perfect indictment of how far Ethiopia has come on the global stage.

HOTEL APARTMENT

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E T H I O P I A

Out & About WHEN LOOKING AT the country from a business travel perspective, Ethiopian Airlines’ significance shines through even more prominently.

While the country does inevitably have appeal as a tourist destination, the majority of visitors entering the country each year do so with tourist landmarks as a bonus in mind, rather than as the primary objective.

Instead, business is often the reason for travel in the first place, and the major cities have responded in kind by creating a concerted - albeit authentic - offering across areas of hospitality, cuisine, leisure and transport.

For those with plenty of time on their hands, the natural aspects are still the most spectacular feature of Ethiopia however. Its mountains, jungles, rivers, caves and UNESCO World Heritage Sites may be a far cry from the boardroom but are not as far geographically as you might think.

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Addis Ababa itself is situated on the cusp of such natural settings while urbanisation to the north and south are similarly engulfed by pursuits that can quickly take you off the beaten track.

In the north, Axum, Lalibela, Bahir Da and Gondar edge you closer to the stunning Simien Mountains, while in the South, Shashemane, Wondo Genet, Awasa, Araba Minch and Jinka are just a stone’s throw from indigenous Ethiopian tribal villages.

Once again capitalising on its own make-up, some of Ethiopia’s leading businesses to keep in mind prior to your visit, include tour operators. Air Tour Kenya, FKLM Tours, Habesha Tours & Travel, Grand East Africa Eco Tour, Travel Ethiopia and Elmi Tours are just a select few - and the cream of the crop - on hand to guide you off the streets, and into the wilderness.

If a restaurant, bar and five-star accommodation are preferable to a

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barbecue, campfire and tent, then not to worry, there are plenty of those too.

Predominantly staying true to its local traditions once again, cuisine embraces a mixture of meat, vegetables and spices and the national dish, Injera, is a must try!

Peak city life is saved for the country’s urban accommodation though. As the aforementioned deluge of international visitors continue to grace the country’s shores, a host of market-leading hotel chains are responding with an offering up there with the best in Africa.

The Ramada Hotel, Luxury Collection Addis, Reliance Apartment, Zeist Lodge, Abay Minch Lodge and Sidama Lodge give just the briefest glimpse of the diversity that now exists from a hospitality point of view in the country; ensuring that luxury, comfort, leisure, pleasure and business are all embraced within a locally-sensitive setting.

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Outlook Recommends “Ethiopia’s excellent network of national parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other tourist attractions can be explored [and] a varied selection of exciting destinations awaits the visitor to Ethiopia.” - Ethiopia Tourism Board actually and consequently does is connect you to Africa; and with its remit of services expanding on a yearly basis, the Company continues to affirm its position as one of the most recognisable and sought-after air charter and helicopter companies in Africa.

TOURS

FKLM Tours Ethiopia

Tropic Air Kenya The sky truly is the limit for one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prestigious, successful and luxurious tour operators. Forget the traditional notion of strolling into a jungle or hiking up a mountain; Tropic Air Kenya’s 25 years of private flight and helicopter journeys have facilitated some of the most breathtaking, unique views seen the world over, to a segment of the global population who could have only previously dreamed of such wonder.

The Company’s high performance aircraft don’t just enable a view, but an experience. Largely bespoke to each customer’s wishes, and with a presence throughout the region, obscured landmarks such as those that exist in Ethiopia have never been more accessible. Officially ‘connecting Africa’, what Tropic Air

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Promoted as a ‘friend to the environment’ and covering Djibouti, Kenya, Seychelles, Somaliland, Tanzania and Zanzibar - as well as Ethiopia - FKLM tours has evolved into one of the most reputable tour operators on the continent. Catering for city tours, Halal tours, luxury tours, short, long, inbound, outbound and specialised tours; the business’s variety is its key differentiator, offering flights, transfers, transport, travel planning and even hot air balloon rides as part of its wide portfolio.

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Habesha Tours & Travel A wholly-Ethiopian entity, Habesha Tours & Travel optimises its local knowledge of some of the country’s most hidden and picturesque spots, and takes you directly to them. From the Danakil Depressions - the hottest spot in the world - to the Blue Nile River, to Lalibela, Gondar, Harar and the Simien Mountains; Habesha is a turnkey checklist of the nation’s must sees.

Grand East Africa Eco Tour & Car Rent Travel Ethiopia Elmi Tour Ethiopia

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“Great Location”

Life is full of surprises, and we’re one of the happy ones. Because no matter why you’ve come to stay with us, we’re here to help you enjoy every minute. There are lots of hotels to choose from, but only Ramada puts our hearts into your stay.

ramadaaddis.com | +251 116 393 939 YOU DO YOUR THING. LEAVE THE REST TO US.® ©2017 Ramada Worldwide, Inc. This property is independently owned by ADM Business Plc. and operated under a management agreement by Wyndham Hotel Group (UK) Limited or one of its Affiliates.

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Outlook Recommends HOSPITALITY Ramada Addis A name synonymous with luxury around the world, Ramada is one of the leading global hotel chains to capitalise on the rise of Ethiopia and its capital city. “Combining contemporary elegance with modern comfort” the hotel is inevitably suitable for leisure, but is absolutely perfect for business.

Its outstanding business centre, highspeed Wi-Fi and central location befits the brand name it comes with, and the clientele it continues to attract.

Sheraton Addis Hotel: The Luxury Collection Equally prominent, recognisable and business-conducive is Addis Ababa’s Luxury Collection Sheraton Hotel.

Situated within walking distance of the National Museum, UN Conference Centre, the UNECA HQ - and only 15 minutes from Bole International Airport - Sheraton’s offering once again blends comfort with elegance to culminate in a business traveller’s ultimate base-camp.

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Reliance Apartment Hotel Completing the line-up of leading brand names in the hospitality division is Reliance Hotel Apartment; once again situated in the capital, Addis Ababa. Treating each customer as “more than just a guest”, the Hotel’s sophisticated facilities, functional boardroom, business desk and fitness centre gears it up perfectly for the business travel clientele and once again offers close proximity to the rest of the city’s defining features.

Zeist Lodge Abay Minch Lodge Hotel Sidama Lodge

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TRANSPORT

Ethiopian Airlines Now one of the world’s most recognisable and familiar airline brands, Ethiopian Airlines has separated itself from much of the African pack when it comes to international air travel and global networking. Complemented by an equally thorough and extensive domestic route network, the airline is a Star Alliance Member and symbolises much more than just a mode of transport. Realising its motto, ‘the new spirit of Africa’, Ethiopian Airlines remains a primary enabler of the country’s escalating economic influence on the global stage.

PROUD TO BE A AIRLINE

www.ethiopianairlines.com

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Transport Links

AS OF 2016, Ethiopia boasted more than 60 airports around the country, largely thanks to the growth of Ethiopian Airlines. Chief among them though, and highly likely to be your target destination when arriving in the country, is Bole International Airport.

Both the airline and the airport are initiatives driven by the Ethiopian Government and as such have proved integral to the overall growth of the country’s tourism and business travel segments; and by proxy, its economy.

Bole International Airport then offers connections to each of the 60 regional hubs, as well as to the rest of the world. Specifically in Africa, it is

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continentally significant in connecting to the majority of all capital cities.

So much is this the case in fact, that passengers on their way to other East African nations can enjoy a week stopover in Ethiopia at no additional cost; epitomising the centricity and influence of the country and its foremost transport asset.

Once in the country, moving from place to place can become a little more complicated, but the country is once again replying accordingly via extensive improvements to its rail and road networks.

The likelihood is that the majority of your work will remain in Addis Ababa

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Bole International Airport

anyway, in which case your feet or the intra-bus services will suit just fine.

But if your stay truly is a nationwide one, then the country’s railways and aforementioned flight connections are more than apt.

Back in Addis Ababa though, should your stay be medium-long-term, then the car may be the best way to go.

Buses are comprehensive and cheap but are also slow and often wait until they are full, rather than adhering rigidly to timetables.

And with a car, you can always go that extra mile to explore the less urbanised areas too!

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Where you feel you are really at home Abay Minch Lodge ADDIS ABABA T: +251 11 5521575 | +251 11 5531879 F: +251 11 5508913

Bahir Dar T: +251 582 181039 | +251 582 180114 F: +251 582 180811 Mobile :+251 918 353457

reservaaon@abayminchlodge.com

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ZEIST LODGE is the first urban lodge in Addis Ababa CITY! Created by Dr. Emebet Demissew an Ethio-Dutch Citizen

T: +251 913 644 316 | +251 941 699 861 | +251 915 536 730 +251 939 509 105 | +251 116 262 639/42 E: belaynehzerihun1@gmail.com | info@zeistlodge.com

www.zeistlodge.com

“A LITTLE PARADISE IN A BIG CITY” comments from the guest’s side.

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E T H I O P I A

Landmark Attractions

Lalibela

“I have always questioned God’s existence, but in the northern Ethiopian town of Lalibela, I was presented with fairly substantial evidence. Officially Christian since 330AD, Ethiopia claims to be the oldest Christian country in the world. And despite being ravaged by poverty, faith has remained strong over the centuries; Lalibela’s medieval rock-hewn churches are clear proof of that.” - BBC

Simien Mountains

“The Simien Mountains National Park in Northern Ethiopia is an exotic setting with unique wildlife and breath-taking views on a landscape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture. The natural beauties of this region have always filled visitors from Ethiopia and abroad with awe. The traditional lifestyle of the rural population and their survival in a rather harsh climate... makes for the most striking impressions a visitor will have when trekking in the Park and its surrounding rural area.” - Simien Mountains National Park

Harar

“With 368 alleys squeezed into just one sq km, the old walled city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia is a colourful maze that begs exploration. Its thick, five-metrehigh walls were erected in the 16th century as a defensive response to the neighbouring Christian Ethiopian Empire, but today Muslims and Christians share the city in peace.”

- Al Jazeera

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GRAND EAST AFRICA ECO TOURS is a tour organiser originated in Ethiopia. Our core business is incoming tours (groups, individuals and resorts throughout sightseeing tours, organisation of conferences, workshops) also we want to develop the entire area in Ethiopia and our motivation to cooperate with you.

We would like to give you a very memorable and unforgettable Tour of Ethiopia with an affordable Tour package etc.

We are the pioneers of customised holidays. We tailor-made your holiday the way you want, when you want, for the price you want!!!!

We are the trend setters of Web based travelers!!!!

• Flight booking • Organising tours • Car rental • Safari and sightseeing • Bird watching • Hotel reservations • Visa processing • Event planning • Logistics service Grand East Africa Eco Tour & Car Rent LG Bldg (2nd floor), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T: +251 116 667 118, +251 911 54 59 97 E: info@eastafricaecotour.com

www.eastafricaecotour.com

Hotel Lobelia is a family owned bouuque hotel located 3 minutes from Bole Internaaonal Airport and was built combining its staff 40 years plus experience in the customer service industry.

Our hotel services and ameniies include: • Complimentary full breakfast • Free guestroom Hi-speed Internet • Free Wi-Fi hotspots • Free shuule service to and from the Airport • Free steam & gym services

• 24hr room service • Laundry service • Meeeng halls • Baby cot and rollover bed on request • Parking

Hotel Lobelia Off Cameroon St., Behind (Former) Yugo City Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P.O.Box 120672

T: +251 1667 3850/51/53 C: +251 911 18 24 63, +251 929 92 29 39 E: manager@hotellobeliaaddis.com F: www.facebook.com/hotellobelia

www.hotellobeliaaddis.com

T: +251 11 661 7777, +251 11 661 8888 F: +251 11 661 3333 E: info@sidrahotel.com

www.sidrahotel.com

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Landmark Attractions

Gondar

“From kings and churches to emperors and castles: another not-to-be-missed stop on Ethiopia’s Historic Route is what has been called the ‘Camelot’ of Africa: Gondar. Nestled in the foothills of the Simien Mountains in north¬western Ethiopia, Gondar... rose to prominence after Ethiopia went through a long period without a fixed capital, [and] emerged in the seventeenth century as the country’s largest settlement.” - EthioVisit.com

ELMI Ethiopia Tours is one of the leading tour companies, with full understanding of the demands of the Asian, European and American tourists for long-haul destinations across Ethiopia.

OUR SERVICES · Bird watching · Business trips · Cultural and nature tours · Educational tours

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Hotel bookings Historical and festival tours Mountain and desert trekking Vehicle rental plus many more....

PO Box 1628 Addis Ababa 1110 Ethiopia T: +251 911 512439 | +251 11 5 547191 E: info@elmitourethiopia.com

www.elmitourethiopia.com

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AFRICA Rock-Hewn Churches of Tigray

“While the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are the most dramatic buildings, the cliff churches of Tigray show the most dramatic landscapes and the longest Christian tradition. Unknown to the world outside, these churches were first described by the British explorer Ivy Pearce as ‘the greatest of the historical-cultural heritages of the Ethiopian people’.”

- National Parks Safaris Ethiopia

Danakil Depression

“Bubbling volcanoes light up the night sky, sulphurous mounds of yellow contort into other-worldly shapes, and mirages of camels cross lakes of salt.

Lying 100m and more below sea level, the Danakil Depression is about the hottest and most inhospitable place on earth. In fact it’s so surreal that it doesn’t feel like part of earth at all.” - Lonely Planet

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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 month’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 we’ll tell the world.

Matthew Staff, Editorial Director Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

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PARTNERS to the Future Scania’s ‘customer first’ philosophy in East Africa is facilitating a seamless expansion across the region as it looks to replicate its global reputation for quality transport manufacturing Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

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renowned global manufacturer of transport vehicles throughout the decades, Scania’s international reputation is topped only by its local dedication, as it is evidencing across its East African operations.

Serving Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ethiopia as well as its core Kenyan and Tanzanian operations, the Company’s significance in the region has been driven by both industry innovation and social enrichment; and the ultimate culmination makes Scania one of the pioneering operators across the manufacturing/transport/supply chain intersection.

“Today, Scania’s business includes selling trucks - both new and used - as well as buses and gensets. We also have an extensive network of service centres to support our customers throughout the region,” introduces Chief Executive Officer,

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Per Holmstrom. “Additionally, we also offer service contracts for servicing and maintenance of vehicles, an in-house fleet management service, driver services including coaching and driver training, and 24-seven roadside assistance.”

The former fleet management facet is especially indicative of the differentiation and value-add approach that Scania has established in East Africa; allowing owners of vehicles to track the usage and performance of their vehicles while on the road, in real time.

“To complement the high quality products that we sell, we also have a network of workshops across Kenya and Tanzania where customers can bring in their vehicles for servicing, repair and maintenance,” Holmstrom continues. “Our after- sales support then ensures our customers have maximum uptime while optimising the use of their vehicles.”

ANDREWS APARTMENTS

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ndrews Apartments offer serviced apartments, luxury suites, and meeting room facilities in Westlands, Nairobi for business and personal travellers.

The apartments for rent are conveniently located, well decorated, and offer many amenities to provide a home away from home during your stay.

All the apartments and suites feature a living room, dining areas, bathroom, balcony area, and fully equipped kitchen for a comfortable and convenient place to relax and entertain.

T +254 20 4252000, +254 714 425200, +254 727 878783 E reservations@andrews.co.ke

www.andrews.co.ke

PINNACLE SYSTEMS LTD

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innacle Systems specialises in the sale and service of fleet management and road safety equipment and has been among the industry leaders in all types of control equipment.

The Company’s mission is to develop and deploy innovative solutions to assist fleet-dependent companies to reduce their fleet operating costs and equipment downtime by maintaining a highly trained, motivated and competent technical team, as well as stocking adequate spares for after-sales service.

The Company has a flexible and highly trained team of technicians who are readily available to carry out installation, service and repairs at premises, providing first-class customer support through every step.

Office Lines: +254 723 880 757, +254 20 201 0432, +254 20 2020963 E info@pinnaclesystemskenya.net

Decades of evolution

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WHO WE ARE Pinnacle Systems Ltd is a customer-centric leader in providing sales, installations and services in the Control Equipment industry with more than a decade of experience in delivering working and enviable solutions to clients.

We are an agile business partner in the industry steadfast in Developing and Deploying innovative solutions which guarantee Fleet-dependent companies reduce fleet Operating costs and Equipment downtime.

Lunga Lunga Road - Industrial Area (Next to House of Manji) P.O Box 9596-00100 Nairobi,Kenya E: info@pinnaclesystemskenya.net Office Line: +254 723 880 757 T: +254 20 201 0432, +254 20 2020963 www.pinnaclesystemskenya.net

GPS TRACKING/FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM We supply and install approved industry leading GPS fleet management devices geared to increase efficiency & safety while decreasing fuel costs.

Our state of the art fleet management devices are designed to offer integrated solutions which guarantee our client the following outcome: • Ease & Convenience of fleet management • Control & Flexibility • Operational efficiency • Security & peace of mind

AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS AUTOGRADE ONLINE DIGITAL SPEED LIMITERS Whether you are seeking to have you vehicles fitted with speed limiters to conform to standard regulations or save on fuel cost, you can be assured we can deliver the solution to satisfaction. We supply and fit majorly the two classifications of the Auto-grade Speed Limiters.

AUTOGRADE DASS - 86 For all vehicles equipped with mechanical accelerator pedal.

AUTOGRADE SAFE DRIVE For all vehicles equipped with electronic a ccelerator pedal.

SECURON SEAT BELTS We are the authorised agents and resellers of Securon ECE Regulation 16 compliant seatbelts in the East African Region.

Features • ALR’s (Automatic Locking Retractors) • ELR’s (Emergency Locking Retractors)

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While certain regulatory or consumer nuances inevitably exist in each portion of Scania’s East Africa portfolio, the primary goal is to make its services as standardised and streamlined as possible in order to retain the identifiable quality and consistency expected of the business.

Thus encouraging customer confidence and repeat business, it also facilitates more seamless transitions into new countries as is currently being seen in its newer markets of Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

No matter where Scania’s journey takes the business though, the ethos remains the same.

Sales Director, Tom Leakey states: “We have continuously kept our focus on after-market support by bringing our services closer to the customer in our service network expansion.

“Our commitment to the ‘customer first’ philosophy has given reassurance to our customers that we are partners to the future.”

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Win-win solution

Scania’s evolution in East Africa can be traced back to 1973 in affirming its long-term presence in the region; initiating when Scania CV AB delivered 200 tipper trucks to the Chinese authorities to enable the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia railway line, as well as a further 100 trucks to the Tanzania Cotton Authority.

More branches, fleet increases, service diversification and international expansion then occurred over the following decades until 2013 when Scania CV AB incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary to serve the burgeoning Eastern African region.

“This brought together the Kenyan and Tanzanian operations forming what is now Scania East Africa Limited,” Holmstrom recalls. “Since then and over the years the technology we have has evolved and become more intelligent, and this in turn has offered our customers a better insight into how their vehicles are operating

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Providing a harmonious and enabling environment for all staff members

over time.

“In particular, this is the case for our fleet management service which now collects even more data for customers and helps them make more informed decisions on how to operate their vehicles.”

The overall focus in more recent times has subsequently blossomed into establishing a supporting framework for customers - as part of its customer first ethos - and running long-term contracts with key multinationals to compound these capabilities.

Leakey adds: “There is also extended collaboration with our customers’ customers and the buyers of transport solutions where we establish a win-win solution where the transporter and the buyer of the transport solution both benefit from reduced operating costs.”

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7E fE PR D TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH 3CANIA %AST !~ICA

倀⸀伀 䈀漀砀 㜀㘀㔀㄀㄀ⴀ 㔀 㠀Ⰰ 䴀愀椀渀 䴀漀洀戀愀猀愀 刀漀愀搀ⴀ 䴀愀瘀漀欀漀Ⰰ 一愀椀爀漀戀椀 吀䔀䰀㨀 ㈀ ⴀ ㈀㄀ 㜀㈀㘀㘀⼀㌀㔀 Ⰰ 䜀匀䴀㨀 ⬀㈀㔀㐀 㜀㌀㐀 㔀㄀㈀ 㘀㄀㘀 ⼀ ⬀㈀㔀㐀 㜀㈀ 㔀㄀㈀ 㘀㄀㘀Ⰰ 䔀䴀䄀䤀䰀㨀 戀愀渀戀爀漀猀䀀戀愀渀戀爀漀猀⸀挀漀⸀欀攀 圀圀圀⸀䈀䄀一䈀刀伀匀⸀䌀伀⸀䬀䔀

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Omnitrac MSD II Omnitrac MSS II

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Fully equipped

Scania’s aforementioned fleet management system epitomises the growth that the Company has enjoyed in recent years; highlighting an adherence to the most modern of customer requirements, and a willingness to get ahead of the industry curve from a technological and capital investment perspective.

Having won an award in Germany for its best-in-class tachograph system, this commitment to fleet management has been acknowledged as simple and advanced in equal measure and sets the tone aptly for the business’ general approach to service improvement and overall growth.

“As of this year we opened up a workshop in Nakuru and Eldoret which are two major towns that sit along

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Just like in every sector, transportation of goods and services should be conducted with a focus on reducing harm to the environment

the northern corridor. The northern corridor is a trade route that links the landlocked countries of Eastern Africa to the port of Mombasa which is a major port of entry into the region. The workshops are very strategic for us as they are along the long haul route that serves Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia where our clients operate,” Holmstrom explains. “The workshops are fully equipped with trained staff so customers are assured of the same good quality of service that they would get from any of our other branches.

We are also planning to open a new workshop in Mombasa and a new headquarters and high-tech workshop in Nairobi.”

Logistics enterprises generally have to operate on slim margins, making investments into technologies

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and heightened efficiencies both challenging and vital. As showcased by the fleet management side though, Scania has more than risen to the challenge and has introduced a plethora of functions that address vehicle position, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, speed control, braking behaviour and a host of additional parameters through its system.

Shared principles

Such innovations are synonymous with the Scania brand on a global scale, but where the Company goes on to differentiate itself further is through its localisation strategies; ingratiating itself into each respective region according to the values and trends seen there.

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this has made Scania an employer of choice; and an “equal opportunity employer” at that.

“We constantly strive to ensure we are wholly inclusive and our longterm goal is to provide a harmonious and enabling environment for all of our staff,” Leakey affirms. “For the most part, our staff are local and with our roots seated in research & development - it is part of our global culture to constantly develop individuals through training.

“We have in-house and external training which we encourage all staff to take based on their individual needs and goals. Employees are thus nurtured and coached to realise their full potential and are encouraged to bring out innovative ideas.”

Leakey goes on to emphasise the role that wider enrichment and sustainability plays within the overall Scania proposition; the Company proactively ensuring an improved landscape for future generations.

He continues: “Just like in every sector, transportation of goods and services should be conducted with a focus on reducing harm to the environment. This is where Scania provides the solutions by producing low emission engines, optimising on fuel consumption and extending service intervals to reduce the amount of waste oil disposal.

“This to us is key and we are looking at working closely with partners who share the same principles.”

A more sustainable way

The global shift towards sustainability - both inside and outside of the factory - requires equally global players such as Scania to be a pioneer and to set an example.

“This not only touches on production and our supply chain but also our staff as they are the driving force of the company,” Holmstrom says. “We ensure continuous development to our staff through

training and coaching to keep our standards high and ahead of the pack.”

The recent launch of a gas-powered engine is a prevalent example and step in the right direction for transport solutions; while locally, processes like oil drainage in workshops have been adopted to avoid seepage into the ground which would harm soil quality.

“We also separate our rubbish so we do our bit in making sure the right waste is disposed of correctly,” the CEO adds. “In the coming year, we plan on initiating more initiatives towards sustainability and to be an industry leader in this area.”

Despite being a leader, this isn’t to say that improvement is a solo pursuit. In fact, Scania makes a point of engaging concertedly with clients and clients’ clients in order to hone and perfect each service and each process enhancement.

This constant collaboration before, during and after sale consequently remains a foremost differentiator for the business across its flagship remit.

Holmstrom concludes: “We work hand-in-hand with clients to help them reduce their cost of operations. We have service contracts and with our fleet management system, we are also able to have discussions with our customers on how best to improve vehicle performance, and to maximise uptime. To complement all this, we also offer driver training and coaching for all our customers, where drivers are trained on how to be safe drivers, how to pick up on warning systems, and how to optimise a vehicle’s performance on the road.”

Leakey adds: “In the future, we certainly hope that we will have achieved our main objective which will include but is not limited to having Scania products as a household name in the East African Region.

We also hope to have an impact on encouraging a more sustainable way of doing business in the transport sector.”

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Balanced and Sustainable

GROWTH Electro Inductive Industries has demonstrated a commitment to supplying its customers with quality products, while striving to continuously improve its processes thanks to a wealth of experience in the industry Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki

lectro Inductive Industries (EII) is a company built upon principle, focusing mainly on providing the market with a quality product, priced competitively and delivered on time to the customer.

Over time the Company has kept its focus on these principles, basing its continuous improvement strategies around meeting these objectives and this has inevitably contributed towards the overall success at EII over the years.

“Initially Electro Inductive Industries was established on the proviso of working as a transformer repair and refurbishment business,” begins Syndney Mabalayo, Chief Executive Officer at EII. “The Company was established in 1999 when we predominantly refurbished transformers for Eskom as a starting point, before evolving into a full-scale transformer manufacturer for polemounted transformers, distribution transformers and miniature substations.”

The Company is part of a joint ownership with Eisomark Pty (Ltd) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and has strived to establish itself in the industry through providing an instrumental service to the local market; setting itself apart as the only majority black owned and managed company in South Africa’s transformer manufacturing sector.

Anticipating customer requirements

Over the years the majority of product improvements for the Company have involved being completely on top of the anticipated customer requirements, then setting out steps to meet those requirements.

“We have found that in this regard a major requirement of our customers is the need to reduce electrical losses that are attributed to transformers,” explains Mabalayo. “We quickly discovered that this was representing a significant revenue leak for our customers, and this has led us to become one of the leading manufacturers of low-loss transformers.”

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TOPSTEEL

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s a long time leader in Southern Africa’s steel and sheet-metal industry Topsteel has become a name synonymous with quality, innovation and cost-effectiveness; subsequently partnering with a host of similarly industry-leading operators in the region.

Once such partner is Electro Inductive Industries with whom Topsteel has been a proud associate for a number of years courtesy of both companies’ commitment to technology and innovation.

To EII and indeed all other partners and clients, Topsteel offers a differentiating one-stop shop experience.

With services that include laser cutting, CNC punching, welding, deburring and grinding, cold saw cutting, drilling and rolling; being able to cater for all client needs has made the business a go-to operator.

Second to creating these low-loss transformers, perhaps the most significant industry trend that the Company is monitoring is the move away from mineral oil insulated transformers to a natural vegetable oil.

Mabalayo adds: “To that end, we have invested significant sums of research & development funding in order to discover the options available for our customers; helping us to stay completely abreast of the industry developments.”

In-house training

At present the Company’s operations are predominantly based throughout South Africa, still supplying electrical utilities to its original customer Eskom.

This is as well as supplying various municipalities, private sectors and contractors in the country.

“With thanks to our account management, we are working to identify and target new potential customers both within and beyond our borders,”

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Efficiency and cost-effectiveness are two of the primary benefits that derive from Topsteel’s turnkey status, while the business has also become renowned for a series of industry and regional firsts.

...we have invested significant sums of research and development funding in order to discover the options available for our customers; helping us to stay completely abreast of the industry developments

As such the Company is the proud owner of the first fully-automated fibre laser in the Western Cape.

The Topsteel proposition inevitably encourages and facilitates long-term collaboration and partnerships such as the one enjoyed with EII; a relationship that, in this case,xxxxxxxxxxx was actually borne at Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx inception.

“We are proud to be associated with the success and technological innovation of Electro Inductive Industries,” Topsteel Director, Edgar Kock affirms.

“We remain committed to this sound business relationship and to being a valued contributor to the EII value chain.

“With our enhanced and modern steel processing machine technology we will continue to add value to the EII bottom line in the future.”

www.topsteel.co.za

Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

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TA METAL FABRICATION

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nspired by his vision to create jobs for others and being his own boss, Tony Arendse set out to fulfil his lifelong dream and started his own company in 2013.

Through sheer determination and hard work, assisted by friends and family, he made Ta Metal Fabrication what it is today: A successful company, proud to be partnering a “giant” such as Electro Inductive Industries.

By supplying the two “giants” of the transformer industry with oil cooled radiators, Tony and his dedicated team are moving forward towards new, bigger projects.

Office +27 21 905 9699 Cell (Tony) +27 82 897 0022 E tonyarendse.tametal@telkomsa.net

continues Mabalayo. “Perhaps from a more geographical point of view, our strategy has been geared towards achieving new growth outside of South African borders and to this end we have been able to identify potential partners with a better understanding of their markets.”

When it comes to tackling new markets, the customer strategy for the Company is to create an intimacy that means it is close enough to provide them with exceptional service.

Therefore the aforementioned account management is geared towards that process, ensuring that even in places that the Company doesn’t have a physical presence, it can still perfectly understand the environment.

When it comes to identifying the right people to lead the Company onwards, its approach to hiring identifies those that will make it a world-class transformer manufacturer with specifically outstanding customer service.

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WILEC

... our strategy has been geared towards achieving new growth outside of South African borders and to this end we have been able to identify potential partners with a better understanding of their markets

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ilec, a division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd, established in 1953, is Africa’s largest manufacturer and supplier of input materials and technical solutions to the electric rotating machine, transformer and general industries.

Wilec serves predominantly the motor, generator and transformer industries with conductor, insulating materials and complementary products providing solutions in reverse engineering, component manufacturing and insulation kitting.

Some of the brands exclusively represented include Isovolta (insulation materials), Elantas (resins such as Epoxylite®, Dobeckan®, Elmotherm®, ELAN-Protect®), Pucaro/Figeholm (transformer insulation materials) and Comem (transformer auxiliaries), Envirotemp™ (Ester Dielectric Fluid for Transformer application). Wilec also distributes NSK and FAG bearings.

T: +27 11 629 9300 (Head office)

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“We have worked hard to ensure a productive work environment that promotes innovation, further training and an excellent working environment,” affirms Mabalayo.

“We provide our people with an environment that will allow them to both grow and prosper.”

In order to achieve this environment the Company is providing exceptional in-house training for the young engineers, with structured training programmes and a mentor assigned to each of them.

Mabalayo continues: “We recognise the importance of developing our own talent pool and through this programme we are able to identify potential new recruits that we can further develop and turn into worldclass engineers.”

A productive work environment breeds innovation

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Investment opportunities

We have worked hard to ensure a productive work environment that promotes innovation, further training and an excellent working environment

In order to become the world-class transformer manufacturing company that it is recognised as today, EII has worked on significant research & development projects with thanks to global partners that have a cemented leading position in the field of transformer design and manufacture.

“To that end we have been lucky enough to partner with Siemens in order to set up a new factory that we now jointly operate with the company,” continues Mabalayo.

“With thanks to our partnership with Siemens, we are now making significant improvements with the latest equipment in order to successfully equip our new factory with state-of-the-art technology to make us even more competitive.”

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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.

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

The aforementioned new factory will enable the Company to manufacture and power transformers, while also investing heavily in modernising the technology within its current facilities to ensure that EII stays ahead of the industry curve.

“Alongside the investment in new equipment and facilities, we are also making efforts to strengthen our administrative processes,” explains Mabalayo. “In doing that we are better able to serve our customers, enabling us to successfully achieve our customer focused strategy.”

Differentiating focus

Stemming from its customer-centric approach to operations within the industry, EII has undertaken many projects to involve itself heavily in corporate social responsibility. A great recent example is its involvement in assisting schools in the Western Cape with much-needed resources, such as school furniture, computers and other

Moving forward our long-term vision is to become the leading transformer manufacturer on the continent

various learning materials.

“As well as our work with schools, we have also created a supplier development programme which targets small and micro-enterprises,” states Mabalayo.

“We are able to assist them with grants, equipment and most importantly business expertise.”

The care that it puts into projects and achieving the best for customers is a huge differentiating factor for EII, placing a lot of focus on understanding the value that customers seek and ensuring that it is unwaveringly geared towards meeting and exceeding expectations.

“Moving forward our long-term vision is to become the leading transformer manufacturer on the continent and we hope that in the next five years, we will see great benefits from our recent investment in facility upgrades,” concludes Mabalayo. “Maintaining our focus on hiring the right people and training them to a high level of skill will continue to make us a leader in the field for many years to come.”

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Better by

Design East African Packaging Industries is providing premiere packaging solutions across the region, keeping up to-date with the ever-changing market both locally and globally Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki ast African Packaging Industries (EAPI) has proudly moulded itself into a bespoke export packaging company, working predominantly as a provider to the local floriculture industry.

The automated creation of its packaging is the first of its kind in the industry; however there are still exciting improvements to be made for the Company moving forward.

“Currently we are faced with a major focus within the industry on providing lightweight packaging, but also initiatives that enable us to improve both quality and efficiency that is spread throughout the supply chain,” adds Maarten Piet, General Manager, Marketing. “We have embarked on high-tech graphic printing facilities as a point-of-sale packaging facility; increasing the flexibility of our service.”

The Company was established in 1959, initially making multiwall sacks for the tea and cement industry in Mombasa and going on to purchase a boxing company for the production of corrugated card products for use in tobacco and local industries.

Proudly located in the heart of both the Mombasa and Nairobi industrial hotspots, the Company’s Mombasa plant focuses on the production and manufacture of paper stacks, while the Nairobi carton making facility is renowned as the best in East Africa.

EAPI retained almost complete control of a market leading position until the early 90s when the region received an influx of competitors, leading to its current position with a market share of approximately 25 percent.

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ABACA SYSTEMS

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baca Systems have been supplying business management software to run packaging businesses since the early 90s. Based in the UK EAPI was their first African customer and the partnership is as strong today as ever. EAPI depend on Abaca’s software to run all aspects of the business in one fully integrated system and all software upgrades for the past 20 years have come free of charge to EAPI as with Abaca’s other customers.

We look forward to the next 20 years in partnership together.

E info@abaca.co.uk

www.abaca.co.uk “Although a sizable chunk of our portfolio has changed over the years, we still make our tea stack, however, the largest portion is in the creation of export boxes specifically for horticultural, floricultural and tobacco exports,” explains Piet. “At present looking forward we are looking to move our business into the packaging and production of FMCG boxes and high graphics printing, all as a result of recent investments in the Company.”

Improving quality

Over the years EAPI has been resolute in maintaining and improving the quality of its business systems, while taking the lead in the industry when it comes to product development.

These factors are affirmed through the Company’s slogan, ‘better by design’, with its workforce providing the instrumental cog in this machine.

“We are particularly lucky in our Company to be blessed with a dedicated array of long-serving employees that are

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completely in-tune with both our strategy and core values,” adds Piet. “Our people take pride in the investment in developing and maintaining fruitful relationships with customers, while providing our business with a solid base to work from.”

Through capital investments into people, equipment and ERP systems, EAPI is developing its strategy to fit in with the ever-changing future of the Industry.

Piet continues: “We were proudly one of the first companies located in Kenya to have an ERP system, alongside ABACA, which we have had in-house for more than 19 years.

“We have been lucky to have major investments made into the business, which have brought our standards up to meet the demands of printing for the future. At EAPI we have also recently been able to upgrade our plant equipment with energy saving investments in mind, making our Company significantly more efficient moving forward.”

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Helping your plant to run like clockwork Abaca Systems - leaders in the supply of software to the corrugated packaging industry Contact us on +44 1695 555 285 Abaca Systems Packaging 3000 The complete solution!

Packaging 3000 is a totally integrated software solution developed specifically for the corrugated packaging industry, integrating seamlessly with a full accounting system. It incorporates a unique document handling system, Document 3000, making tnhis user friendly system capable of managing every business function from estimating right throught to full management accounts.

Abaca Systems Ltd, 6 Hattersley Court, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 2AY. UK

Packaging 3000

Document 3000

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Estimating Sales order processing Purchase order processing Works order processing Production scheduling Stock control Shop floor data collection

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No need to store paper copies

Debtors ledger Creditors ledger Cash manager Asset register General register Financial statements Payroll

E-mail: info@abaca.co.uk

web: www.abaca.co.uk

“We have strong and sustainable values that have supported every aspect of our business and will continue to do so going forward”

“At present looking forward we are looking to move our business into the packaging and production of FMCG boxes and high graphics printing, all as a result of recent investments in the Company.”

“We have been lucky to have major investments made into the business, which have brought our standards up to meet the demands of printing for the future.”

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Promoting empowerment

It is incredibly important to the Company and its identity that it remains 100 percent Kenyan, with only two expatriates comprising a workforce of 300.

“Our people are important to us, and I believe this is demonstrated by the sheer number of employees that will stay with us for the duration,” states Piet. “We promote and bring people up through the ranks, while also having a gender equal employment policy.

“We also provide training and aid our employees with educational scholarships to improve their skills, while promoting empowerment within our workforce.”

Over its many years in the industry, the Company has prided itself on the core value system that has been firmly in place since inception in 1959.

“We have strong and sustainable values that have supported every aspect of our business and will continue to do so going forward,” explains Piet. “We ensure that each of our employees is open and honest in all of their activities, focused on key business priorities for the good of the business and supporting of not only customers but each other.”

Market expansion

Similar to its desire to provide a wholly

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Kenyan-owned Company, EAPI will always look to source its supplies locally first before resorting to imports.

At present imports are standing at approximately 75 percent, with 25 percent locally discovered.

“We would prefer to see these figures inclined towards local, however, at present both capacity and quality are proving to be the restricting factors we are faced with,” explains Piet. “Our other supplies are bought through local businesses in order

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to support industry, and we aim to maintain long-lasting relationships with our suppliers.

“We are looking to expand, with the opening of new facilities in Ethiopia which will enable us to diversify into different packaging sectors. This is all while we consolidate and increase our existing market share in the corrugated industry through various acquisitions.”

As previously mentioned, the entirety of the Company’s facilities

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are continuously upgraded in order to keep up with the latest state-of-the-art production techniques. This ensures that both quality and turnaround times are always improved and no order is too large or too small for the EAPI’s capabilities.

“As experts in just-in-time delivery programmes, we are on-hand to help minimise inventory and warehouse space investments with customised inventory programmes,” concludes Piet. “The experience that we have

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accumulated as a Company during the past 57 years has created a team that are adept in meeting customers’ needs.

“We pride ourselves on the close monitoring of quality at all stages of our manufacturing process, while also guaranteeing that our customers’ products are of quality that can be used globally. It is this commitment to our offering that continues to drive our success in the market and a factor which I hope will enable our continued growth in the years to come.”

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DRIVING SEAT Labh Singh Harnam Singh Ltd aims to be the first choice for buses and coaches in Africa thanks to a three-pronged dedication to safety, quality and innovation Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki

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elebrating almost 70 years in East and Central Africa, Labh Singh Harnam Singh Ltd (LSHS) has hit top gear in a competitive industry, as one of the foremost bus and coach manufacturers in the region.

Established in 1950 its longevity and sustained success speaks volumes in a bus body building industry that continuously calls for modernisation, regulatory adherences and innovation.

“LSHS has steadily grown to command the largest market share in the region while concurrently expanding its production capability from 20 units in 1997 to the current 80 units a month,” the business explains on its website as an indictment of its efforts over the years, and especially over the past two decades. “LSHS’s leadership position in the industry has been achieved through a long-term commitment to investment programmes in design

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and development, the acquisition and application of efficient and effective production technologies, and direct marketing efforts within the region.”

The Company’s range of clientele serves as further evidence of its modern-day prominence in the market.

Leading assembly plants such as General Motors EA Ltd (GMEA), Kenya Grange Vehicle Industries Ltd, Cooper Motors Company (CMC) and Simba Colt have all enjoyed the LSHS service over the years.

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“We also build buses for fleet owners, schools, colleges, universities, PSV owners and SACCOs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” the Company adds on its website.

As a result, LSHS was finally awarded the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 award for bus, coach and commercial vehicle building in 2012; which has - in turn facilitated even more business in the years following.

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tononoka.com

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Tononoka Group

#Chuma

Your Home of Quality Steel

Hollow Sections

Round Hollow Sections

I-Beams

Call Chuma today on our hotlines for all your steel requirements

Chequered Plates

0721 470 960 • 0721 470 852

It adds: “We also received an award of excellence for Best Institutional and Small Bus Builder of the year 2012 by the National Road Safety Agency during their 13th Annual Road Safety Agency Awards.”

Offering luxury

LSHS’s overall aim has always been to be the first choice for buses and coaches in Africa by striking a balance of affordability, durability, quality and comfort.

And to tick off such a multitude of parameters, the products on offer have naturally diversified and expanded over the years to meet all criteria and customer requirements.

The LSHS range can be divided into four segments comprising full luxury, semi luxury, phase two, and custom.

While the latter two account for aforementioned notions of flexibility and agility, it is the former from which its reputation and core offering has blossomed.

The quality of LSHS bus bodies remain one of the highest in the region as is evidenced in the number of LSHS buses that are still roadworthy after years on the road

Both its full luxury and semi luxury buses and coaches comprise mini, midi and large sub-segments; ensuring across the entire assortment that no stone has been left unturned.

For the mini aspect (20, 24 or 28 seaters for full luxury; or 26, 29, 33 or 37 for semi luxury) the range is ideal for small schools or business travellers and consist of weight reduction materials, wide and stylish doors, fancy design, dynamic lighting, and secure storage.

The midi segment across both luxury and semi luxury elements are perfect for intercity, intracity or long distance commuters and are once again offered in a range of seat number options.

Finally, the large sub-sector can provide as many as 45 or 49, or even 62 and 67 seaters depending on the luxury/semi luxury criteria and once again lend themselves to longer distance and more urbanised areas of intercity routes.

And critically, each product has been

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flexibly and carefully priced in order to ensure the most economically viable option for clients.

Safety, quality and innovation

The final, and most important, market differentiators that flow through all of LSHS’s products revolve around a three-pillared approach to safety, quality and innovation.

Regarding the former, the Company details: “At LSHS the safety of our buses is our number one concern.

In addition to building strong robust buses we also have safety features to protect the driver and passengers of the bus bodies we build.

“Our safety features include: antiroll bars to prevent the collapsing-in of the roof in case of accidental rollovers; robust frame construction with proper usage of hollow sections and angle lines at the direct impact places; individual seat lap belts; antiskid flooring; and grab handles and handrails.”

Meanwhile, its latter devotion to innovation is evidenced through the business’s continuous improvement landmarks throughout the years.

Using reinforced fibreglass on the front, rear and roofs of each bus in addition to an ABS interior has aided the overall weight of the buses as a standout highlight, which in turn has also reduced fuel consumption and tyre degradation as further innovative unveilings.

And when combining such safety and innovation, LSHS reaches its third, overarching, goal of quality.

The Company concludes: “The quality of LSHS bus bodies remain one of the highest in the region as is evidenced in the number of LSHS buses that are still roadworthy after years on the road.

Beginning with the procurement of quality material to proper treatment of materials we ensure that LSHS buses will provide our clients with a good return on their investment.”

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ononoka Hardware Ltd was started in 1985 as a small hardware based in Nairobi along Lusaka Road which was then shut down to give birth to a tube and pipe manufacturing facility along Old Airport North Road by the name of Tononoka Steels Ltd incorporated in 1991.

Today, Tononoka Group is currently the most sought after steel brand within the region and across East Africa, having worked with big brands including Labh Singh Harnam Singh whom we are proud to be associated with.

We provide steel and steel related services to the water industry, construction industry, hardwares and fabricators. Our market share is not quantifiable on a specific percentage, but the Tononoka brand is well known and trusted both locally and across the East and Central African Region. Our brand relates well with most steel consumers and stands for quality that you can trust.

Our core business in steel manufacturing touches on the manufacturing of; rectangular and square hollow sections, black round pipes, galvanised steel pipes, TMT bars, zed purlins, guardrails and much more. We also trade in beams, MS plates, MS chequered plates, angles, MS flat bars and seamless pipes.

CORPORATE VISION To be the largest steel manufacturer in the region.

CORPORATE MISSION • To manufacture construction steel products meeting world-class standards by investing in environmentally friendly technology and quality manpower.

• To import directly quality structural steel products from reputable manufacturers and support projects across Africa.

• To supply both manufactured and imported products through an established distribution network, at affordable prices to boost the growth of the construction industry in Kenya and East Africa at large.

Tononoka Group’s head office and operations are not based in Mombasa, but they are located along Old Airport North Road in Embakasi, Nairobi Kenya.

Some of the prestigious projects that Tononoka Group is proud to be associated with are: Standard Gauge Railway, Thika Super highway, Two Rivers Mall, Expansion of Outering Road, KCAA Building, KENYA National Assembly tower, KENHA Headquarters and Garden City Mall.

At Tononoka Group, we pride ourselves on our business values quality, reliability and efficiency at the core of every construction”

T 0721 470 960 • 0721 470 852 www.tononoka.com

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Live Greener, Live Fresher, Live Safer

Kenya Horticultural Exporters (1977) Ltd has experienced tremendous growth within the industry and is now a market leader in exports to the UK and further afield Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

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enya Horticultural Exporters (1977) Ltd (KHE) is a company borne out of humble beginnings, starting its time in the industry as a small-time greengrocer. However, with thanks to an innovative spirit and a drive for progression in 1965, the Company has become one of the most established exporters within the industry today.

At that point in time the Company was exporting between 50 and 100 kilos per week of Asian Veg to the UK market. it has now progressed to producing over 150 tonnes per week that are ready for export.

“We have proudly grown from a little greengrocer, to a large-scale exporter and the development we have experienced in the past 50 years has been thanks to the tireless efforts of both the Patel and Dhanani families,” begins Snehal Patel, Executive Director at Kenya Horticultural Exporters (1977) Ltd. “At KHE we ensure that we achieve strong leadership in all aspects of good agricultural practice, while also caring for the environment.”

The Dhanani and Patel families have worked together to achieve the success that we see today, including

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setting up of Wealmoor in the UK

by Rati Dhanani, when he decided to emigrate to the UK. Wealmoor is now responsible for controlling and marketing the entirety of KHE’s exports into the United Kingdom.

With thanks to its strategic partnership with Wealmoor, KHE now supplies to some of the most recognisable supermarket chains, which include some household names like Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, ASDA and Co-op.

“As far as our work in the UK is concerned, we allow Wealmoor almost complete control of our exports to the country,” explains Patel. “At present 90 percent of our export products go to the UK, and having found such success there we have begun to explore opportunities further afield.”

Due to the fact that the Company has such a long and established relationship with Wealmoor, it doesn’t need to explore other options within the UK and at present KHE is looking closely at avenues within Europe and the Middle East, looking into strategic marketing for each potential area and in line with this we have entered into key partnerships to further both our product and market profiles. The most significant being a partnership

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ince opening its doors in 2007 Cyber Trace has had one priority: keeping you, your vehicle and your business safe on the roads of East Africa. The Company’s advanced and easy-to-use technological solutions allow monitoring of assets and people ensuring their safety and security while in transit.

To add to its product portfolio, the Company is focusing on fuel monitoring and has embarked on various IOT programs that are related to smart farming, which involves crop and livestock monitoring, workplace monitoring, greenhouse monitoring and farm data analysis.

T +254 725 311 033, +254 733 570 050 E info@cybertrace.co.ke

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Thika Wax Works Ltd is a manufacturing and trading company based in Nairobi, Kenya and serving the East African region.

The founders of the Company have been actively involved in the chemicals and allied products industry since the 1950s’; having a vast experience of over 60 years!

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PACKAGING SOLUTION USING HOTMELT GLUE GUN AND GLUESTICK AN EASY, FAST AND ECONOMIC SOLUTION FOR STITCHING BOXES FROM PACKHOUSE TO MARKET FOR HORTRICULTURE AND FLORICULTURE INDUSTRIES. FOR BOTH MANUAL AND AUTOMATED APPLICATION • COST OF EQUIPMENT FROM LESS THEN US$ 100.00 (US$ ONE HUNDRED) • HOTMELT USE IS CHEAPER TO OTHER ALTERNATIVES LIKE STAPLE PINS AND CELLOTAPE • HOTMELT GIVES A CLEAN AND STRONGER BOND FOR CARTON ERACTION. • CARTONS LOOK CLEAN AND NO RISK OF CONTAMINATION FROM PIN RUSTING • CAN TOLERATE A WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURE -4C TO + 50C AND IS NOT AFFECTED BY COLD STORE MOISTURE • NON-TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS TO HUMANS. • NO PLASTIC POLLUTION. • CONFIRMS TO ALL INTERNATIONAL FOOD ORGANIZING BODIES FOR USE IN FOOD INDUSTRY • MANY FARMS HAVE CONVERTED FROM USE OF ALTERNATIVES TO USE OF HOTMELT GLUE

Location THIKA WAX WORKS LTD NUMBER 10, HOMABAY ROAD INDUSTRIAL AREA

Mailing Address P.O.BOX 30185 – 00100 NAIROBI, KENYA info@thikawaxworks.com

Call Us On LANDLINE: 020-2418600 MOBILE: +254-771-206901/2, +254-722-206902, +254-774-206900, +254-733-336902

www.thikawaxworks.com

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE:

AGRICULTURE – BRUSH – CONSTRUCTION – GENERAL

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stablished in 2013, Innovative Apps has developed a reputation as a leading global provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), financial management solutions (FMS) and technology solutions The Company’s size and influence has grown significantly during this time, developing strong relationships with major software authors EPICOR, which has helped it to be established as the global number one partner for EPICOR. Forging alliances with a number of other reputable software vendors and strengthening its development team ensures the Company has the necessary flexibility and customisation its clients require.

The Company aims to create smart solutions to answer all business needs, striving for professional consulting to compliment business strategy and overall management.

with Surexport, a Spanish company to grow raspberries on their behalf and also a tie up with XPOL to market our product profile into the rest of Europe.

Currently KHE is operated and run by the Patel Family however, its partnership with Wealmoor is still stronger than ever.

Key changes and investments

As with all the companies operating within the export industry, KHE has had to ensure that it remains adaptable and consistently ahead of the industry curve.

“As much as possible we try and pack and label at the source, rather than bringing the produce to our HQ facility in Nairobi,” explains Patel. “We have set up fully fledged packing and labelling facilities at or very close to our farming operations. This means that as soon as the product is harvested, it is within very close reach to a packing facility where it can be pre-cooled quickly, packed and labelled if required.

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“The earlier the product gets into your cold chain, the fresher and longer it will last. This also enables us to ensure that product once harvested is on the retailers’ shelves within 36 hours.”

KHE is the only Exporter within the East African region to invest heavily to produce its own modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), which extends the shelf life of products by three to four days. Unlike most food products, fresh fruits and vegetables continue to breathe and respire after being harvested.

This action of breathing consumes oxygen, produces carbon dioxide, water vapour and heat. The key to extending the shelf life of the product is to reduce the rate of respiration without affecting the freshness, this is done by both maintaining the cold chain and using “customised MAP Packaging”.

“In our MAP Production Facility, we have state of the art equipment which

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The Company’s business model centres around consulting, technology, training and dedicated support, and as a professional consultancy firm, the Company adds value to any business by firstly listening, secondly giving sound advice and thereafter creating a solution that’ll empower its clients.

Innovative Apps strategic combination of technology, business applications and highly experienced and insightful consultants can help you successfully achieve your business goals.

The Company’s professional and experienced team work with clients to rapidly implement the right solution, identify improvement opportunities, analyse business problems, capture business requirements, add value to existing systems as well as manage change.

T: +254 20 214 3254, +254 20 257 3710 E: info@theinnovativeapps.com

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“In recent times especially, we have been working on our packaging facilities in order to keep up-to-date with the demanding market we are operating in and in response have brought our facilities closer to the source.”

“Each of our product varieties are continuously monitored, with new vegetable varieties being tested to taste and resistance to diseases”

“We have worked tirelessly to develop an ambient packaging which allows the retailer or customer to retail the product at ambient temperatures for longer periods of time than other exporters can achieve...”

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is used to measure the respirations rates of our products at different temperatures,” adds Patel. “Retailers have display and storage shelves operating at different temperatures and this enables us to create packaging to work at these temperatures including ambient.

“We have the ability to change the design of a bag with the click of a finger depending on the respiration rate, the growing region or the moisture content of the product to maximise on shelf life.”

Production monitoring

KHE is gradually developing an impressive array of technologies to

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increase the success and shelf life of the products that it’s exporting; not only is its packaging regularly tested but also all stages of the growing process. This also helps us self asses our environmental impact in all our productions areas with a goal of reducing our carbon footprint every year.

“Each of our product varieties are continuously monitored, with new vegetable varieties being tested to taste and resistance to diseases,” explains Patel. “We also ensure that our farms are working to the TNC and LEAF standards of soil management, use of compost and reduction of pesticides.”

Quality improvement programmes enhance crop quality

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The Company also has to take into account aspects such as sustainable crop rotation and the use of biological controls for varietal development, alongside efficient water management.

The latter is becoming increasingly important in particular, not only when it comes to creating the right atmosphere for product growth but also when it comes to cost efficiency.

Patel states: “Our quality improvement programmes are dramatically improving the quality of our crops, post-harvest controls environment, and varietal selection susceptibility moving forward which amongst other benefits leady to a reduction in food waste and give the

“Our model of working is most definitely different to that of other exporters, alongside our technological expertise.”

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“Each of our product varieties are continuously monitored, with new vegetable varieties being tested to taste and resistance to diseases.”

consumers of our products additional time to use them.”

Upward growth trajectory

The Company has not forgotten to give back to the community and have invested in various projects via the Waitrose Foundation - with its office is located within KHE’s HQ. Key projects have included two maternity wards, a School, a dispensary, a girls dormitory, housing girls from all over the country and a recreational facility for our employees that houses a computer room, library, clinic, prayer room and a canteen. These projects are chosen by committee made up of the labour force themselves based on the surrounding communities’ needs.

“Our model of working is most definitely different to that of other exporters and this is what sets us apart,” explains Patel. “Although the Company has experienced immense growth and success over the years, there is still a long way for the

dedicated team to go.”

Despite the success the Company has achieved so far and would like to achieve in the future, none of it would have been possible without its key partners and suppliers to which the Company personally thanks all of them for the support giving so far and hope for their continued support in the future.

“We have set objectives for the

future in order to continue on with our upward growth trajectory,” concludes Patel. “We have already started on the automation of our growing techniques in order to maximise our yield over the course of the year. This is alongside the management of our packaging processes which I hope will continue to aid us in becoming the most popular company in the industry and increase our global footprint.”

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FRESHNESS LIVES he Seaflower Group is experiencing a surge in demand for its products, currently selling nationally in Namibia, as well as to its neighbouring South Africa.

The Group was established in the latter part of 1991, providing a brand name for the companies operating under the holding company named the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia Limited (FISHCOR).

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The Seaflower Group has taken its proud history and developed an innovative approach for a new wave of fishing

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Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Joshua Mann

At present its goal is to move forward through an increase in production targets and push in sales volumes that should allow for the identification of new target markets, for example Spain and the Netherlands, where a large proportion of the Company’s products are already being consumed. “Perhaps one of the most significant hindrances to achieving an increase in production volume is the constraints of annual Total Allowable Catch across

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our various fish species,” explains Mike Nghipunya, Group Chief Executive Officer at Seaflower Group. “Luckily products and innovation are part of our strategic pillars and with that we have developed new products that are not based entirely on the need to catch wild fish.

“Instead we breed fish, having established that we already have a market for customers that will purchase these newly created products.”

Social benefits

One of the most significant developments in recent times for the Company is the construction of a factory in Walvis Bay; spending approximately $500 million on the joint venture named Seaflower Pelagic Processing (Pty) Ltd. “This job is expected to reach completion by the third quarter of 2018,” continues Nghipunya. “It is our hope that it will provide exceptional social benefits and job creation within Namibia.”

Alongside its large-scale work, the Company has also been working on gradual improvements to its existing product range. Recently it has introduced a small selection of new products, however, in this industry demand has always surpassed supply capabilities and as a result the Company has to take that into consideration.

“Some of our improvements have included small changes to the grading sizes of the hake products we supply, in

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COMPLETE ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS

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omplete Enterprise Solutions provides information technology solutions, with a specialised focus on infrastructure, communications and security technologies.

Through a powerful network of partners and alliances with the core objective of helping our customers become highperformance businesses while getting the most value out of technology investments, we allow our clients to concentrate on their core business operations and not on IT. We partner with our customers such as Seaflower to enable them through their journey on IT, workforce and security transformation.

T +264 61 303999 E info@na.ces-africa.com

Constantly updating products

www.ces-africa.com

order to satisfy the existing customer demands,” affirms Nghipunya. “We realised that the smaller the portions the higher margins we had to work with.”

Vessel upkeep

Alongside the constant upkeep needed for the Company’s products, its vessels are assets that need work on a 24-seven basis. The vessels need to repay the extensive investment cost back into the Company, therefore the turnaround times for each need to be extremely fast and are a key component in the business.

“We take a lot of time to consider the investments we are making for the Company,” adds Nghipunya. “In the past we didn’t have the capacity available to produce enough crystal ice, and subsequently the dependency was placed on other companies to supply us with ice.

“In response we have constructed our own ice plant in order to eliminate the dependency we had on third party

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Mike Nghipunya, Group Chief Executive Officer

companies.”

This investment has also aided the Seaflower Group in improving the turnaround times of its vessels, while also providing it with the option to supply ice to third party companies.

“Moving forward we hope to make significant changes to the automation of certain processes, both on our vessels and in the factory,” adds Nghipunya. “This will work as a huge advantage to the Company in the long-run by improving quality and output, reducing production costs and increasing the bottom line profits for the Company.”

Seaflower Group has developed a strategic plan for development that is already well underway, basing its current growth and development on five pillars. These aforementioned pillars include production and innovation, infrastructure, machinery and fleet, business excellence, HR development and investment and finance.

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“Moving forward we hope to make significant changes to the automation of certain processes, both on our vessels and in the factory.”

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“Our overall strategy at present is to deliver products with an abundance of value and unmatchable quality,” Nghipunya describes. “This is all achieved with thanks to the innovative in-house team, leading customer service and sustainable profit margin we have developed.”

Excellent working environment

In order to achieve its extensive developments, the Company requires an exceptional team behind it and

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endeavours to recruit without regards to race, religion or disability.

“Training and development are vital activities when it comes to enhancing the competitive advantage of our staff in each of their respective jobs,” continues Nghipunya. “All employees are encouraged to attend the training we have on offer, as well as seminars and course studies which will aid them in the development of their knowledge.”

When it comes to staff retention

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“We have differentiated ourselves within the market as a result of due diligence and care in all aspects of business...”

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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.

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at Seaflower the Company has never had a problem, especially when it comes to key personnel. In fact, recent statistics have shown that a large number of personnel have worked for the group for over a decade; a key factor in this being the excellent working environment that the staff are surrounded by.

“Due to our placement in Luderitz - a relatively isolated town - we have taken it upon ourselves to award bursaries, where the local community is considered first,” adds Nghipunya.

“This is providing that they meet the requirements of our Company after completion of studies, and it is working well when you take into account that we currently have approximately 10 non-local employees out of a workforce of 651.”

As previously mentioned the Company is almost entirely local and strives to create a service that benefits Namibians. This is achieved through

MARSH AFRICA Africa’s pre-eminent Insurance Broker and Risk Advisor www.africa.marsh.com | Tel: +264 61 270 4000

Africa Outlook_041217 04 December 2017 12:56:39 PM

ensuring that the revenue remains in the country and isn’t exported outwards.

“The quality service and produce that we have set our sights on providing since fruition has set us apart within the market we operate

in,” concludes Nghipunya. “We have differentiated ourselves within the market as a result of due diligence and care in all aspects of business, and this is something that we hope will continue as we grow and evolve for many years to come.”

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A National

Network Burundi Backbone Systems is applying its technological capabilities to enrich all walks of Burundian life Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Kane Weller

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s an infrastructure operator specialising in the design, construction, technical operation and marketing of high speed networks, Burundi Backbone Systems (BBS) continues to enrich its country on a much more all-encompassing level.

While offering state-of-theart technologies and innovative infrastructure as an initial service, the overall ramifications become a whole lot more significant when analysing the economic and facilitative repercussions of BBS’s operations.

As a partner to government institutions through the framework of the Government Communication network (COMGOV) the Company’s impetus truly emanates from the top down, and goes on to infiltrate areas of university education, banking, public services, enterprises of all kinds, and even individuals.

The Company explains on its website: “BBS is committed to the economic development and attractiveness of the territories by deploying optical fibre, particularly in the heart of business areas.

Specific offers are dedicated to operators so that they can benefit local businesses with their best services.”

BBS further compounds its national influence via its role within the wider consortium of Burundian telecommunications operators that joined forces to build a national fibre network with assistance from the World Bank. Joining the enriching association shortly after its launch in 2013, the national broadband connectivity enabler can now claim to have contributed to the country’s largest fibre-optic network.

Expanding the network

The COMGOV project (Government Communication) was formally initiated seven months after BBS’s initiation under the financing of the Government of Burundi and with the aforementioned, pivotal support of the World Bank.

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NEW FACE. REVITALISED OUTLOOK. At PTA Bank (Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank), we have been facilitaang trade, socio-economic development and regional economic integraaon across our 21 Member States since 1985. We also offer membership to insstuuonal shareholders. Our services include Trade Finance, Project and Infrastructure Finance, Short – Term Lending and Special Purpose Funds Management.

In order to clearly outline our role as we move forward, we have taken on a new face and name. PTA Bank will now be known as TDB (Trade and Development Bank). Under TDB, we will connnue what was started over 30 years ago with renewed enthusiasm and commitment, under the same guiding principles and mandate.

TDB Financial Highlights • Bank Net Loan Porrolio: 3.24 Billion USD (31st December 2016) • Trade Finance Loans Porrolio (Net): 2.39 Billion USD (31st December 2016) • Diversity of Bank Porrolio by sector on – net basis (31st December 2016): Agribusiness 21%, Banking and Finance 15%, Manufacturing and Heavy Industries 13%, Petrochemicals 14% • Bank Shareholding (December 2016): Regional member 69.21%, Non-regional member 9.77%, Insstuuonal Shareholding (including class B shares) 21.02%

Integraang and Advancing the region.

Burundi Backbone Systems (“BBS”) was created as a Special Purpose Vehicle to implement Burundi’s Naaonal Fibre Backbone project.The BBS cable is a fully integrated mull-technology network cable that will link Burundi to region and the rest of the world.

In line with its mand mandate of integraang and advancing the region, TDB has been supporrng financially this project since 2013.

N The Naaonal Fibre Backbone project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Burundi.

The concept involves the installaaon of a fibre oppc cable to connect all the 17 provinces of Burundi and 6 border points. The cable will measure approximately 1,250 km, have 20 points of presence, 5 microwave links, ne network operaaons centres, a separate mirror site at Bujumbura and a metropolitan network for Bujumbura. Internaaonal conneccons will be done at the borders with Rwanda, Tanzania and DR Congo.

On compleeon, BBS will provide access to worldwide dessnaaons through interconneccvity with the already installed fibre oppc cables in Rwanda and Tanzania.

By creaang direct communicaaons channels between Burundi and the rest of the World, the project will help minimize costly and inefficient dependence on satellite transmission.

Mauriius Principal Office 2nd Floor, Blue Tower, Rue de L’Insstute, Ebene, P.O. Box 43, Reduit, Mauriius Mobile Phone: +230 4967204 Switchboard: +230 4967204 Nairobi Regional Office Pla Lenana road, 197 Lenana Plaza, P.O. Box 48596, 00100,Nairobi, Kenya.

Switchboard: +254 732192000 Fax: +254 (20) 2711510 Bujumbura Principal Office 224625 ChaussОe du Prince Louis Rwagasore, P. O. Box 1750 Esatkena, Bujumbura, Burundi.

Switchboard : +257 22224625 / 22220313 Fax: +257 22224966 Harare Regional Office 70 Enterprise Road, NewlandsHarare, Zimbabwe Switchboard: +256 4788330-3/788336-9 Fax: +256 4788345

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”In its desire to contribute to the education and professional training of young Burundians, BBS is expanding this network by connecting all the universities of Burundi, both private and public,” the business adds.

High speed guaranteed

Later placed under the tutelage of SETIC it has gone on to be a flagship involvement for the Company and a landmark stage of the country’s wider infrastructural evolution.

“The project executed by BBS consisted of connecting 46 public institutions to BBS fibre optics and providing 100Mbps of internet capacity and 440Mbps of national capacity,” the Company notes.

There are now around 70 connected institutions, and this has gone on to pave the way for the Company’s further involvement in a series of significant projects.

The BERNET project (Burundi Education and Research Network) soon followed, comprising 14 universities that were connected with an MPLS network and to the internet.

As a fully protected network with around 10 aggregation sites, the implementation has not only sped up the educative network, but it has also facilitated advanced learning facilities through the form of e-learning.

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In its desire to contribute to the education and professional training of young Burundians, BBS is expanding this network by connecting all the universities of Burundi, both private and public

As the partner of choice across a number of public and private domains and having worked on numerous nationally important projects over the years, inevitably BBS’s product range and service assortment has diversified extensively.

“Wherever you are, whoever you are, we have a solution to help you grow your business,” the Company affirms to this end.

On the IP transit side, BBS continues: “Our IP Transit network was built from scratch and is designed for the lowest latencies, the smallest number of jumps, reliability and stable roundtrip times. IP Transit Networks offer a multi-destination IP transit service that offers the best route selection for your destination to the internet with built-in redundancy and fault tolerance; delivering superior service to carriers, ISPs and application service providers (ASPs), content players, and other users who demand high quality performance and connectivity in the internet backbone and major eye networks.”

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he Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank - trading under Trade and Development Bank (TDB) - was established in 1985 as a regional development financial institution.

The Bank is a supra-national legal entity established by Charter, which is legally binding for all members and sets out key objectives, membership, capital structure and organisation of the Bank and identifies the transactions that the Bank may engage in over time. The Bank has two main policy organs, namely the Board of Governors and the Board of Directors.

TDB was established to foster trade, socio-economic development and regional economic integration for its Member States.

The Bank’s membership is composed of and open to Member States (or their Designated Institutions), African Institutions, other African and non-African States (or their Designated Institutions) and any African or non-African Public or Private Institution or corporate bodies.

The Bank covers three main areas of financial operations, namely trade finance, project and infrastructure finance and funds management.

Within its trade finance offering the Bank’s products include import and export financing, structured commodity finance, guarantees and bonds, pre and post shipment finance, issuance of letters and credit, receivable backed and asset financing.

In project and infrastructure finance its financing solutions include project finance, corporate finance, leasing and guarantees among many others.

Key purpose and objectives One of the Bank’s main aims is to advance regional economic integration and growth through trade and investment, while also promoting the development of infrastructure, exports and enterprises in Member States.

TDB also provides debt, quasi-equity and equity financing, as well as non-financial products and services to eligible entities and projects in the Member States. It is also important to the Bank to foster development and deepening of financial and capital markets and Member States.

Unique expertise As a leading financier of exports and imports within the Tripartite region, the Bank has a particularly unique range of expertise and a strong regional presence. As TDB operates within fast growing African economies where the demand for financing is especially robust, there are many opportunities for growth.

TDB’s net profit has demonstrated accelerated growth due to a successful strategy implementation which is focused on solid risk management practices, performance and development impact.

In order to achieve this accelerated growth, TDB has had to regularly improve margins and profits through sector diversification and the increased quality of the portfolio. The Bank has an excellent range of products available for its clients and partners and is the reason it is as successful as it is today.

T +257 222 24625, +257 222 20313 E info@tdbgroup.org

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Built around reliability, flexibility and efficiency, the resultant IP fibre network is ready to meet the complete range of capacity needs in order to grow clients’ businesses.

Internet traffic for each beneficiary becomes more concerted and more reliable, and is backed up by BBS’s equally prevalent transmission services.

The business continues: “Today, BBS operates and markets from its points of presence - across the entire territory of Burundi - a last-generation transmission service that addresses all telecom players seeking a very high speed guaranteed.”

Development of the nation

Transparency and security are two

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The Burundi Backbone System Company is aware of the role of new information technologies and the importance of educating youth for the development of the nation

final facets brought to the table as a consequence of the Company’s innovative and groundbreaking unveilings; epitomised by its NOC (Network Operations Centre).

Designed and organised to meet the characteristics of the open network operated by BBS, the NOC allows for the same maintenance, reactivity and capacity evolution synonymous with Burundi Backbone Systems.

“The NOC provides supervision and maintenance of all services offered by BBS and a dedicated hotline is available 24-seven,” the Company details.”The NOC enables BBS to provide quality assurance to its customers and ensures continuous process monitoring and improvement.”

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While seemingly an internal development, the link between BBS’s success and the success of Burundi overall has become naturally intertwined.

The more advanced and successful BBS’s products and services become, the faster Burundi’s fibre evolution will occur. And it’s not simply a case of unveiling an improvement and letting the country run with it either.

The Company goes on to play an active role in a number of sectors, seeking more bespoke and befitting solutions for the betterment of an industry or an economic driver within the country.

With tourism for instance, BBS’s optical fibre has not only brought better internet quality but has improved the overall customer or visitor experience through enhanced flexibility.

“Today, the internet has become an ideal means of communication; whether on a national or international level, with the family or for business.

Thanks to fibre optics, BBS offers its customers a broadband connection, stable and at an affordable price,” the Company explained in a recent press release.

“Wherever you are, whoever you are, we have a solution to help you grow your business.”

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From a security perspective, the impact is equally prominent, aiding against the growing threat of cyber crimes by formulating an offering able to combat such challenges.

And finally, as the ultimate epitome of BBS’s influence in the years to come; education is paramount.

“The Burundi Backbone System Company is aware of the role of new information technologies and the importance of educating youth for the development of the nation,” the Company aptly concludes.

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OUR PRIDE Glory Oil is recognisable within Ghana for the care that it places in improving its customers’ lives, working to create innovative solutions to cement its marketleading position Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Josh Hyland lory Oil has made a name for itself through consistently striving to become the leading oil marketing company operating in Ghana, building a good reputation for marketing high quality petroleum and similarly related products.

In November, 2001, the Company began its operations having obtained the required permits and licences that the Ghanaian regulatory agencies demand. Since that point in time, the Company has been able to build and operate a successful and thriving distribution network through its filling stations in Ghana.

“Due to the fact that we are a growing business, we ensure that as a Company we remain focused on our main objectives without compromising our values or opportunities,” begins the Company on its website. “We feel that a true measure of success is if we are able to give back to society through our social responsibility commitments; better serving the local community through our work and projects.”

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t First Atlantic Bank, we provide bespoke banking solutions for the entire petroleum and energy sectors.

Our mantra is speed, execution, service delivery with cutting edge professional understanding of the sector, with an attitude of partnership in all our banking relationship with our clients.

With our years of avid experience, our aim is to become the bank of choice to the upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.

T +233 30 268 0825/6 Toll free numbers: 0800 11011 (Vodafone) 18228 (MTN)

www.firstatlanticbank.com.gh

Excellence in convenience

The Company has made phenomenal inroads in the local market in a relatively short space of time, particularly in the past five years with the end of December, 2012 announcing Glory Oil as the fifth largest oil marketing company in Ghana.

“We have also received the silver award for Business Excellence at the 9th Ashanti Business Excellence Awards in the category for Oil Marketing Company of the year,” continues the Company.

“The Association of Oil Marketing Companies of Ghana (AOMCs) also recognised us with the coveted founders appreciation award.”

Glory Oil has been recognised time and time again for its excellence and as a part of its drive to deliver convenience to its valued customers, the Company has stepped-up to the mark again by deploying e-payment systems at selected service stations across the country.

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The Company adds: “This service is proving to be particularly successful and is enabling our customers to make payments via MTM Mobile Money, Airtel Mobile Money, Tigo Cash or Vodafone Cash, while also working on deploying point of sale systems which should enable customers to make payments with their visa cards.”

Fluctuating prices

Due to a recent adjustment in prices for petroleum products, the Company has been extremely receptive in cutting its prices. Now Glory Oil is successfully providing the lowest prices at the pump, selling a litre of petrol at approximately 3.45 cedis and diesel at 3.06 cedis a litre.

“This fluctuation in petroleum prices has been anticipated for a long time, almost directly after the NPA embarked on its attempts to deregulate the petroleum sector,” the Company describes. “Some of the previous governments we have

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worked under as well as this one have played with the price of commodity, however, this year the Government has decided to bite the bullet and take a step back from the pricing of the aforementioned products.”

It is arguable that by allowing the local market forces to determine petroleum prices could be in the best interest of consumers, with competition forcing down prices and current price fluctuations proving to validate this argument.

“We have witnessed fuel prices dropping at the pump at around 15 percent, this is following on from the significant strength of the Ghana cedi

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against the dollar,” adds the Company.

“At present Ghana is operating under an enhanced price deregulation policy, which appears to be having a very positive effect on petroleum pricing in the country and for companies such as ours.”

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corporate fleet supplies.”

Across this wide range of services the Company is catering to key clients that range from private car users, commercial vehicle operators and corporate bodies.

“We feel incredibly privileged to work with these clients, while Extensive offering also being lucky enough to work Over the years the Company has with corporate bodies that include established a portfolio that enables those in the mining sector, beverage it to customise services, achieved industries, telecommunications through providing its customers with sector, fishing sector, service sector a tailor-made solution to meet their and civil and construction sector,” needs. affirms the Company. “With thanks The Company continues: “In recent to our extensive experience working times some of the aforementioned with such a range of clients, we services have included filtration have developed extensive product systems, fuel depot installation knowledge over the years.” and management, fuel delivery Glory Oil has used its experience and monitoring systems, technical to improve its extensive power fuels support and maintenance services, offering, and now works with a decommissioning and the relocation product that dramatically increases of storage facilities, advice on customer engines’ fuel economy. compliance, health & safety, regulatory “Through our extensive research obligations, fuel card systems and and development work, we have

created a product that enables clients to travel further on the same amount of fuel offered by competitors,” explains the Company. “With thanks to research carried out recently, with our fuel you will be able to save between four and eight percent on your travel costs.”

Alongside greatly decreased travel costs over time, the Company has been testing the addition of specially formulated additives within its fuels.

“Through our work with the aforementioned additives, we have been able to eliminate water within the engines,” concludes the Company.

“This has ensured that the engines within our customers’ vehicles have an extended service life, while also reducing maintenance costs.

“In the future, these sorts of enhancements to our product offering are what we hope to continue working on and will improve our longevity within the industry for many years to come.”

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Fuelling

Ghana Despite being part of an extensive global entity, Puma Energy is looking to enable Ghanaians with a fuel service that is locally focused, high quality, low cost, and impeccably delivered Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Josh Hyland

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s a global, integrated, midstream and downstream energy giant, Puma Energy unsurprisingly boasts a turnkey service remit comprising the most advanced technologies; but has established a key differentiator in being able to apply these best-in-class solutions to local markets.

Of the 48 global presence points, one such local market is Ghana which the Group entered into in 2006. Capitalising on the country’s status as one of the continent’s leading oil & gas producers and a key midstream location, Puma Energy has subsequently built a repertoire of four terminals, more than 80 retail sites, and almost than 170,000 cubic metres of storage capacity.

Managing Director (MD), Myles

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Bouvier-Baird introduces: “We first invested in Ghana in 2006 through CBM/SPM (that is, Conventional Buoy Mooring/Single Point Mooring systems) in a build-operate-transfer agreement. Control of this system, which imports more than 80 percent of the nation’s refined petroleum product, was officially handed over to Government in mid-2016.

“Although we’ve been in Ghana for more than 11 years, it’s only in the past couple of years that we’ve become visibly present, following the rebranding of UBI Petroleum to Puma Energy. Since then, we have expanded rapidly to become the fourth largest oil marketing company in the country.”

The Company’s core functions in the present day focus on its distribution capabilities, emphasising downstream operations including retail, B2B,

aviation, bunkering, LPG and lubricants. And through its UBI Group affiliation and subsequent link to Blue Ocean Investments - the second largest bulk distribution company in Ghana - midstream operations are also accounted for virtue of the aforementioned, vast storage and terminal assets.

Bouvier-Baird continues: “When we first invested in Ghana, our focus was on offshore mooring systems, enabling the country to import more than 80 percent of its fuel.

Also, since rebranding from UBI Petroleum to Puma Energy less than two years ago, we have grown our retail service station network from 16 filling stations to almost 90 so we can provide Ghanaians with access to top quality fuels at an extremely competitive price.”

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FIRST ATLANTIC BANK

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t First Atlantic Bank, we provide bespoke banking solutions for the entire petroleum and energy

Our mantra is speed, execution, service delivery with cutting-edge professional understanding of the sector, with an attitude of partnership in all our banking relationship with our clients.

With our years of avid experience, our aim is to become the bank of choice to the upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.

T +233 30 268 0825/6 Toll free numbers: 0800 11011 (Vodafone) 18228 (MTN)

www.firstatlanticbank.com.gh

Meet local demand with global supply

we form a passionate, pioneering and performance-driven Puma Energy that Through Blue Ocean investments, rewards the performance of our agile, Puma Energy has also invested heavily efficient, youthful and driven team. in jet fuel infrastructure, which has “We never settle and always want seen the Company’s airport market to find ways to do more and do better. share grow from zero to more than And most of all, we have fun: work 60 percent in three years. A bulk LPG hard; play hard!” storage facility and automated LPG This ethos inevitably has a positive bottling carousel has also been added personable influence on project to the portfolio to affirm this element; tender processes, in forming mutually and to cement the Group’s current beneficial partnerships with clients and status as a turnkey provider. contractors alike.

In Ghana alone, Puma Energy now In 2017 alone, the Company supplies products to nine out of 10 resultantly completed the rebranding regions domestically, while also being of almost 40 retail service stations, present throughout West Africa and leveraging its broad supplier network even further afield in the Subcontinent. to provide a one-stop shop approach “Locally, Puma Energy Distribution to each project.

Ghana Limited is 100 percent owned “As far as new projects go, Puma by the UBI group.UBI Group is made of Energy looks for opportunities where up two different entities: Blue Ocean there is growing demand for petroleum Investments which is a bulk distribution products but supply is somehow limited company, and Puma Energy Distribution or restricted,” Bouvier-Baird adds. “Our Ghana, an oil marketing company,” strategy is to meet local demand with Bouvier-Baird explains. “Together, global supply through investments

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in infrastructure. We already have the supply, so we simply invest in the infrastructure needed to link demand with that supply in countries whose demand is highest.

“We are always looking to grow our various business lines, and 2018 will see us focus particularly on the introduction of LPG through bottle recirculation, along with an aggressive expansion of our lubricants offering in this highly competitive market.”

Investment in infrastructure

Puma Energy Ghana also intends to continue investing in its retail offering via the launch of an exciting convenience partnership and the introduction of a Puma Energy fuel card in partnership with a major bank.

And the investments don’t just revolve around the service offering either, but equally throughout the Company’s internal processes, structure and technologies in order to facilitate its own rapid growth.

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“We never settle and always want to find ways to do more and do better. And most of all, we have fun: work hard; play hard.”

“Investment in infrastructure is central to Puma Energy’s business model worldwide.”

“We are always looking to grow our various business lines, and 2018 will see us focus particularly on the introduction of LPG through bottle recirculation, along with an aggressive expansion of our lubricants offering in this highly competitive market.”

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“Investment in infrastructure is central to Puma Energy’s business model worldwide. In Ghana, however, Blue Ocean Investments has made significant investments in infrastructure to benefit the industry; especially in the area of product storage,” Bouvier-Baird details. “As the number one customer of Blue Ocean, Puma Energy benefits from the security of supply that Blue Ocean’s 170,000m3 of storage across four depots has; consisting of gasoline, gasoil, JET A1 (aviation fuel) and even LPG. This will help us ensure the safe, swift and reliable supply of petroleum products to our customers at very competitive prices.

“Moreover, Puma Energy has invested millions of dollars into improving the standards of retail filling stations. In Ghana, Puma Energy has taken over, renovated and rebranded more than 30 retail filling stations in

2017 alone, giving Ghanaians improved access to top quality fuel at very low prices. Consumers in Ghana can now use less cash for better quality fuel.”

Blue Ocean Investments has similarly invested in Kotoka International Airport’s fuel storage infrastructure, increasing Ghana’s premier airport’s storage capacity from 1.5 million litres to more than 10 million litres.

Meanwhile, even more internally, on the tech front, Puma Energy has partnered with Ebits, a global refuelling solutions provider, to adopt its online platform, Av.R. across its aviation operations; a solution that will provide the Company with a real-time overview of all transactions to speed up decision-making, processing times and problem solving efficiencies.

“We also now have a terminal management system that is tied in to our order-to-cash process that ensures that every litre lifted from

our depots is accounted for and released to the right customer,” the MD adds in reference to administrative improvements. “This enables us to be sure of the specific driver and truck that lifted the product and thus ensures accuracy of invoicing.”

Competitive environment

To effectively harness and implement all ongoing investments and projects, Puma Energy has in place a comprehensive human resource strategy which not only emphasises the best person for the job but, where possible, the most socially responsible and localised hiring decision in each case.

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“We place a heavy local emphasis on our employment strategy and in Ghana, we have more than 98 percent Ghanaian nationals as staff,” BouvierBaird says. “Although we bring global expertise to aid our operations, these are significantly enhanced when combined with brilliant local minds who understand the terrain. The result is highly effective execution. It’s a great synergy of local know-how and global experience that brings about otherwise unreachable results.”

The same philosophy is applied to the Company’s supply chain management strategy, and as Bouvier-Baird notes, by surrounding itself with locally experienced and knowledgeable personnel, Puma Energy is better equipped to foresee and overcome various industry challenges; such as that seen by the downstream market’s recent deregulation in 2015.

He recalls: “It created an increasingly competitive environment which we believe is healthy for both the industry and the consumer; forcing all oil marketing companies to be more efficient with operating costs and to

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look for ways to integrate themselves to improve product costs.

“Luckily we are ahead of the curve here due to our partnership with Blue Ocean Investments.”

The integrated supply chain achieved through the Blue Ocean Investments partnership ultimately assures not just top quality provision of products - which should be expected of Puma Energy regardless - but at the lowest possible prices.

Bouvier-Baird concludes: “In the future, we would like Puma Energy to be recognised as one of the top oil marketing companies in Ghana, respected by both the consumer and the business customer. We should have an even wider retail network with impressive standards and a growing non-fuel offer; while we also hope to be one of the top suppliers in mining and bunkering.

“We are here to fuel Ghanaian journeys; this is very important to us. Although we’re global, we are dedicated to understanding the Ghanaian market as well as possible, and providing what consumers truly want: high quality fuel at a competitively low cost, and with an impeccable service.”

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INVESTING IN AFRICAN MINING INDABA

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A focus on deal-making, sustainable development and mining of the future RETURNING TO CAPE Town from Cape Town, South Africa 5-8 February, Mining Indaba 5-8 February 2018has a fresh new look and focus to ensure AFRICAN 2018 attendees get the most out of the MINING biggest mining investment event in the INDABA world.

For the first time ever there will be EVENT DETAILS a deal-making area hosting 60 junior mining companies in the heart of the WHEN: event; the Junior Mining Showcase.

5-8 February, 2018 Here the more than 350 qualified, buy-side investors who attend Mining WHERE: Indaba will be able to meet the hottest Cape Town, South Africa “As the mining industry has had to look harder for new discoveries, emerging projects from across Africa. deal with declining grades, digger deeper, handle tougher environmental WEBSITE: Sustainable development will and social requirements it has had to increasingly innovate. Mining 2050 www.miningindaba.com provides the chance to take this conversation 2018 and support sitforward front inand centre at the event the foundations of innovation in mining in Africa.” in 2018, providing a platform for Daniel Major, CEO, Goviex mining companies, governments and INVESTING IN

5-8 Feb 2018 | Cape Town, South Africa

STAY AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION WITH NEW TRACKS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Speakers for 2018 include:

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community groups to come together and define a sustainable vision for the future of the sector.

As the African mining sector continues to develop, the new Intergovernmental Summit will see panels of Ministers from Africa and beyond debate and discuss learnings that Africa can take from other mining jurisdictions.

Modernisation and digitisation are currently being discussed by many a mining company, so the new Mining 2050 Innovation Track will host the COOs, Project Directors and more as they hear successful case studies, and discover the latest technologies to invest in.

The Investment Battlefield is back and bigger than ever. Watch 24 junior mining companies pitch to leading investors in commodity focused heats, while the final will take place on the Main Stage.

All of this will be accompanied by presentations and exciting debates on the main stage, numerous networking opportunities and the chance to meet 160-plus junior mining companies, 220plus mining companies in total, and more than 25 government ministers and all the other key stakeholders in the sector.

Mining Indaba 2018 is set to be the most exciting edition yet, so register online now at www.miningindaba.com to ensure you don’t miss out!

Cape Town, South Africa

INVESTING IN

5-8 February 2018

AFRICAN MINING INDABA

5-8 Feb 2018 | Cape Town, South Africa

STAY AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION WITH NEW TRACKS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES “As the mining industry has had to look harder for new discoveries, deal with declining grades, digger deeper, handle tougher environmental and social requirements it has had to increasingly innovate. Mining 2050 provides the chance to take this conversation forward in 2018 and support the foundations of innovation in mining in Africa.”

Daniel Major, CEO, Goviex

Speakers for 2018 include:

Hon. Pr. Aissatou Sophie Gladima Siby Minister of Mines and Geology Central African Republic

Charl Malan Senior Analyst and Portfolio Manager Van Eck

Dan Betts CEO Hummingbird

Norman Macdonald Portfolio Manager Invesco

Contact Fred Noce now on fred.noce@miningindaba.com to enquire about sponsorship and ensure maximum exposure for your organisation in 2018

Roy Harvey CEO Alcoa

T H E 2 N D W E S T A F R I C A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L P E T R O L E U M E X H I B I T I O N A N D C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 1 8

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WAIPEC returns to the heart of Africa’s petroleum economy

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 7-8 February, 2018 WHERE: Lagos, Nigeria WEBSITE: www.waipec.com

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FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of 2017, Nigeria welcomes the return of the West African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (WAIPEC) to Lagos; the city at the heart of Africa’s petroleum economy.

WAIPEC 2017 was the largest event of its kind in the region, welcoming more than 350 delegates and more than 200 participating companies, including regional NOCs and global IOCs. Building on this success, the programme for WAIPEC 2018 will again be driven by an esteemed steering committee, representing a crosssection of key stakeholders from the Nigerian oil & gas industry, ensuring that it delivers to all participants.

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Through topical debates and speaker sessions, WAIPEC 2018 will offer direct access to the primary stakeholders and key players in Nigerian and West African supply and value chains; give exclusive insight in to how to unlock strategic value from untapped oil & gas opportunities; reveal how to leverage innovation, best practice and technology to grow the industry; and highlight how to remain competitive in a tough global market.

WAIPEC remains the only oil & gas event held in partnership with Nigeria’s petroleum sector, working directly with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN); leaders in the promotion of innovative engineering and creative solutions, helping to advance the petroleum industry both nationally and regionally.

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February 2018 Lagos, Nigeria www.waipec.com

NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM SUMMIT

E V E N T

F O C U S

Nigeria positions itself to be the foremost oil & gas investment destination

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 19-23 February, 2018 WHERE: International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, Nigeria WEBSITE: www.nigeriapetroleumsummit.com

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NIGERIA’S PETROLEUM INDUSTRY is the largest in Africa with proven oil & gas reserves of 37 billion barrels (bbl) and 192 trillion cubic feet respectively. The sector contributes about 10 percent to the country’s GDP and accounts for 95 percent of all exports.

Given that Nigeria’s gas reserves have remained largely untapped, the country is expected to make a shift towards becoming a major producer and exporter of gas.

With ongoing reforms in the sector and improved engagement with host communities, Nigeria is positioning herself to be the foremost oil & gas investment destination.

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The official Nigeria International Petroleum Summit will therefore create the perfect platform for the world to meet Nigeria’s oil & gas industry players, and will be: • A meeting between key Nigerian political decision-makers, government officials as well as directors and specialists from the Ministry, NNPC and other relevant governmental bodies on the one part and Directors of National & International companies, multinational and multilateral organisations, the academia and other relevant stakeholders, etc on the other • An international exhibition of economic operators, national and international companies and potential investors coming together to present new technologies and knowhow in the petroleum sector

POWERING AFRICA: SUMMIT

E V E N T

F O C U S

Showcasing project opportunities across the African continent

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 28 February-2 March, 2018 WHERE: Washington D.C., US WEBSITE: www.poweringafrica-summit.com

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THE 4TH POWERING Africa: Summit is a platform to showcase power, trade and infrastructure investment opportunities across the African continent. The meeting engages decision makers from the American and African public and private sectors to explore how project bankability can be increased.

In 2017 the Powering Africa: Summit welcomed 500 investors to Washington DC from across North America, Africa and Europe to present energy projects, discuss investment opportunities and build relationships within the international power community.

This year’s Summit will showcase

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project opportunities across the African continent, presented by some of the sector’s most respected decision-makers. Visit www. poweringafrica-summit.com or email PA-S@energynet.co.uk

Africa

STRONGER TOGETHER SPONSOR PARTNER

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

ASSOCIATE SPONSOR

All subscribers of africa outlook are entitled to an exclusive 10% off on registration.

Email PA-S@energynet.co.uk quoting the code: PAS1 to claim your discount.

www.poweringafrica-summit.com

5th Annual

AFRICA HEALTHCARE WEEK 2018 March 6th & 7th

Olympia, London (Main Conference & Exhibition)

Africa’s Largest Healthcare Event in Europe www.africahealthcareweek.com The 5th annual Africa Healthcare Week is the

Africa Healthcare Week allows African

largest European based event of its kind to

healthcare leaders the opportunity to meet

assess investment opportunities, new

with international healthcare manufactures

developments and technology in African health.

and technology leaders. The event will

Co-Hosted with Africa Dental Summit, Africa’s

include presentations on public and private

only dental business event in Europe.

partnerships, financing healthcare and case study insights from governments across the

Join hundreds of senior level delegates

continent.

including Ministers of Health, NGO’s, hospital CEO’s and distributors examining the latest healthcare developments, and discussing the 2020 investment boom in African healthcare.

100+ Top Level Speakers | Speaking organisations include: Ministry of Health: Mozambique, Ministry of Health: Cameroon, Ministry of Health: Tunisia, Ministry of Health: Zambia, Egyptian Society of Oral Implantology, Helen Joseph Hospital, National Council of the Order of Doctors Dentists of Morocco, AMREF, Lagoon hospitals, Elaraby Hospital, AIDE Africa, AAR Healthcare, St Nicholas Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital Nairobi, The Platinum and Dentistry and Orthodontic Centre, Nader Dental Hospital, Medanta Africare, The Ruma Fertility Clinic, and The Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital, Likotsi, Mabote and Qoaling clinics.

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors Exhibitors include

Silver Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

75%

2nd Annual

AFRICA DENTAL SUMMIT 2018

March 6th & 7th

Olympia, London (Main Conference & Exhibition)

of Africa already covered by attending distributors

Africa’s Only Dental Event in Europe www.africandentalweek.com The African Dental market is one of the most

Join executive level discussions examining the

rapidly growing and exciting healthcare

need for investment in cosmetic dentistry and

markets in Africa. Join us at The Olympia for

the use of high quality products; As well as

the 5th Annual Africa Healthcare Week co-

examining what new equipment is required

hosted with The Africa Dental Summit. Meet

from global healthcare markets and innovators.

with dental Ministers, dental hospital owners and dental clinic CEO’s to hear about the rapidly expanding African dental market.

WHO SHOULD EXHIBIT:

WHO WILL BE VISITING:

•

•

Medical Equipment and Device Manufacturers

• • •

Ministers of Health and Policy Makers

Laboratory and Clinical Equipment

•

Procurement Managers

Manufacturers

•

Hospital leaders and CEO's

Dental Equipment and Device

•

Hospital group CEO's

Manufacturers

•

Dental practice owners

Medical and Dental Consumables

•

Dental practice CEO's

Manufacturers

•

Visitors from leading

•

Visitors from Industry and

•

Hospital fit out Specialists

•

Diagnostic equipment Manufacturers

international NGO's Commerce •

Leading Distributors and Importers of Medical and Dental Products

DELEGATE TICKETS ON SALE NOW For tickets contact:

victoria.fields@oliverkinross.com (+44) (0) 203 058 2381

EXHIBITION BOOTH SPACE (MORE THAN 70% ALREADY RESERVED!) For booth space contact

info@oliverkinross.com (+44) (0) 203 058 2350

Featuring

AFRICA HEALTHCARE

POWER & ELECTRICITY WORLD AFRICA 2018

E V E N T

F O C U S

Africa (Pty) Ltd; ABB; GE; Barloworld Power; Siemens; MTU; Voith; IBM; Mott Macdonald; Solar World Africa; Yingli Solar; Vestas; SMA; Arup… just to name a few, have all leveraged Power & Electricity World Africa as their once-a-year opportunity to meet and do business with new and existing customers.

Our mission is to maintain this forum as the industry meeting place where industry professionals come and learn how to develop sustainable, clean and bankable world-class energy generation projects throughout the African continent.

Year-on-year, the event provides our partners with access to more than 800 African energy utility and IPP decision makers, who traditionally are difficult to reach. And most importantly, the show allows them to meet real buyers.

We are proud to have hosted utilities such as Eskom, STEG, Nampower, Zesco, KenGen, Tanesco, EDM, GridCo, Electricity Company of Ghana, TCN, VRA, ENE Ethiopian Electric Power, CEET, SNEL, Senelec, Sonabel, Nigelec, GRIDco and many others over the years. And we are proud to have welcomed back more POWER & ELECTRICITY World than 40 African countries for the 2017 edition of the event.

Africa 2018 celebrates its 21st It is for good reason that Power Anniversary. The show welcomes more & Electricity World Africa has been than 8,000 attendees and hosts a mecca of solution providers spanning endorsed by Eskom for the past seven four halls and thousands of square years.

It’s been 21 exciting business-filled metres. years! Power & Electricity World Power & Electricity World Africa is Africa continues to provide the Africa’s largest and longest running power and electricity show. For 21 meeting place for buyers, sellers years we have helped shape the and their partners to do the deals that drive Africa’s energy sector. regional energy market through This is THE place where buyers find sharing knowledge, educating the solutions to their challenges. TENS market and facilitating influential meetings. Billions of dollars of business OF THOUSANDS of executives and have either been initiated, influenced business leaders from across Africa have attended the show over the past or concluded at this show.

21 years.

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems

Africa’s largest and longest running power and electricity show turns 21 years old

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 27-28 March, 2018 WHERE: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa WEBSITE: www.terrapinn.com/powerafrica

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2ND MINING INVESTMENT BOTSWANA 2018

E V E N T

F O C U S

The foremost Southern African forum for the global mining community

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 10-11 April, 2018 WHERE: Gaborone, Botswana WEBSITE:

www.mininginvestmentbotswana.com

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MINING INVESTMENT BOTSWANA is a strategic mining conference and exhibition for the leaders of the mining, quarrying and construction materials industries, bringing together 400 attendees from 15 countries.

For this second edition, ministers, mining companies, investors and service providers travel from all over Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and Middle East for two days of partnering, networking and business matching.

Our speakers are industry leaders and provide new perspectives on key issues disrupting and innovating the mining sector, sharing cutting-edge content

WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM

and insights on the mining landscape. Our exhibition demonstrates the very latest in technology and solution innovations to mining industry buyers.

Highlights:

• Mining Investment Go – Opening interview with mining’s leading investor for exclusive market insights • Mining Investment Rush – Learn from leading miners to discover new opportunities and sources of wealth • Keynotes • Panel discussions • Roundtables • One-to-one meetings • Networking drinks reception • Exhibition

MININGINVESTMENT 2ND ANNUAL

10 - 11 APRIL 2018

BOTSWANA

Gaborone, Botswana

Where Miners, Investors and Service Providers Converge

Take Advantage of our Special Offer to Attend and Exhibit Today!

Contact Michael at +65 6717 6017 or michael.lim@spire-events.com Exhibitor

Incorporating

Follow us on social media @MiningInvmt

Mining Investment Events

Mining Investment

Mining Investment Conferences

Organised by

mininginvestmentbotswana.com

MINING INVESTMENT NIGERIA 2018

E V E N T

F O C U S

The foremost Nigerian forum for the global mining community

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 16-18 April, 2018 WHERE: Lagos, Nigeria WEBSITE: www.mininginvestmentnigeria.com

124

MINING INVESTMENT NIGERIA is a strategic mining conference and exhibition for the leaders of the mining, quarrying and construction materials industries, bringing together 300 attendees from 20 countries.

Ministers, mining companies, investors and service providers travel from all over Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and Middle East for two days of partnering, networking and business matching.

Our speakers are industry leaders and provide new perspectives on key issues disrupting and innovating the mining sector, sharing cuttingedge content and insights on the mining landscape. Our exhibition

WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM

demonstrates the very latest in technology and solution innovations to mining industry buyers.

Highlights:

• Mining Investment Go – Opening interview with mining’s leading investor for exclusive market insights • Mining Investment Rush – Learn from leading miners to discover new opportunities and sources of wealth • Keynotes • Panel discussions • Roundtables • One-to-one meetings • Networking drinks reception • Exhibition

MININGINVESTMENT 3RD ANNUAL

NIGERIA

16 - 18 APRIL 2018 Lagos, Nigeria

Where Miners, Investors and Service Providers Converge

Take Advantage of our Special Offer to Attend and Exhibit Today!

Contact Mahesh at +65 6717 8500 or mahesh.babu@spire-events.com Incoporating

Follow us on social media @MiningInvmt

Mining Investment Events

Mining Investment

Mining Investment Conferences

Organised by

mininginvestmentnigeria.com

EAST AFRICA OIL & GAS SUMMIT (EAOGS)

E V E N T

F O C U S

The 5th anniversary of East Africa’s most prestigious oil & gas summit

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 14-15 June, 2018 WHERE: The Intercontinental, Nairobi, Kenya WEBSITE: www.eaogs.com

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2018 WILL SEE the East Africa Oil & Gas Summit celebrate its fifth anniversary as the most prestigious oil & gas summit in the region.

Significant onshore oil discoveries in Uganda and Kenya and offshore gas discoveries in Tanzania and Mozambique have made East Africa a subject of intense interest among the global energy industry.

The speed at which governments in East Africa are developing hydrocarbon reserves is a clear indication of their will to cement the region’s reputation as the new hotspot in hydrocarbon exploration and production.

Recently, Tanzanian President, John

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Magufuli ordered that exploitation of natural gas begin as a matter of urgency, while Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the Government has brought forward the country’s oil production deadline by two years and “set a path” that will enable the country to become a major producer and exporter by 2019.

The Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS) Agreement between the joint venture partners and the Government of Kenya was signed on 14 March, 2017, allowing all EOPS upstream contracts to be awarded. The EOPS production of 2,000 barrels per day is expected to commence around the end of the year.

1415 JUNE 2018

THE INTERCONTINENTAL NAIROBI, KENYA www.eaogs.com

THE BIG 5 CONSTRUCT EGYPT

E V E N T

F O C U S

Egypt’s largest meeting place for the construction industry

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 18-21 September, 2018 WHERE: Egypt International Exhibition Center WEBSITE: www.thebig5constructegypt.com

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THE BIG 5 Construct Egypt launches on 18-21 September, 2018, and the leading international construction event will bring together influential decision-makers, innovators and suppliers from the region and beyond for three days of business and networking opportunities. The country’s booming construction market has placed itself as the leading contributor to GDP growth in the region with $473 billion worth of active projects in the region; the majority of them in Egypt.

This leading construction event will cover five different product sectors, enabling local and international exhibitors to meet dedicated buyers

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from across the region. The event offers the opportunity to network, learn and position your brand in front of Egypt’s largest meeting place for the construction industry.

Outlook Creative Services

Complementing the production of Africa Outlook, Asia Outlook and Europe & Middle East Outlook magazines, Outlook Publishing’s award-winning in-house team is now utilising these same specialist production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

For more information on how we can work with you in providing a plethora of completely flexible and customisable production services, please visit www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

DESIGN:

E D I TO R I A L :

Stephen Giles +44 (0) 1603 959 656 steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

Matthew Staff +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

Devon Collins +44 (0) 1603 959 661 devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

Phoebe Calver +44 (0) 1603 959 660 phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com