Africa Outlook - Issue 67 by Outlook Publishing

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AFRICA

ISSUE 67

An African

Answer

How Mota-Engil Africa has been delivering crucial infrastructure projects since it began operations in Angola more than 70 years ago

ENGIE AFRICA 10 How to solve Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy deficit

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 18 Seychelles: The luxury outpost of Africa

LIMPOPO ECO-INDUSTRIAL PARK

Changing the face of industrial sustainability

SCANIA EAST AFRICA 108 Transforming the transport industry

ALSO FEATURING: E C O N O M I S T I N T E L L I G E N C E U N I T | A N G O L A C A B L E S | L O N A G R O U P

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDES

S E Y C H E L L E S

A complete guide to Africa’s leading business travel destinations

AFRICA

SEYCHELLES Made up of dozens of islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles experience is summed up by beautiful beaches, amazing aquatic life and luxurious living Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Jordan Levey

THE SEYCHELLES – 115 tropical landmasses that to its visitors are the embodiment of paradise. Lying 1,600 kilometres east of Kenya and 1,100 kilometres northeast of Madagascar, the Indian Ocean island republic is one of the world’s smallest countries, with fewer than 100,000 residents. However, it is fair to say Seychelles occupies a much larger presence on the global tourism scene, revered around the world as the home of golden beaches, healthy coral reefs and luxury resorts. The country is split into two major island groups: the Mahé group of around 40 largely mountainous islands and home to capital city Victoria, and an outer group of more than 70 flatter islands. Discovery of Seychelles can be attributed to the great Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, who in 1502 made a sighting on his voyage

from India to Africa. The first settlers Today the country serves as did not arrive until 1770, the French a stunning backdrop for visiting colonising the islands before the businesspeople and leisure British seized control in 1811 following a travellers alike, one of relatively few period of brief post-French Revolution undisturbed tropical wildernesses independence. that is drawing in increasing numbers of tourists every year.

FACTS & FIGURES Capital city: Languages: Area: Population (2017): GDP (2015): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD: Climate:

Victoria Creole, English, and French 455km² (Approx. 115 islands) 95,900 US$1.486 billion Seychelles rupee GMT+4 +248 .sc Tropical

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18 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, Ryan Gray or Jordan Levey to find out more. joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com

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W E L C O M E Bridging the gap

AFRICA

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AFRICA

Africa’s infrastructure deficit is a topic of much deliberation and debate as to its size. There are varying estimates. Agence Française de Développement and the World Bank cite $93 billion a year while the African Development Bank states anywhere between $130 and $170 billion. An African What is for certain is that Africa must industrialise rapidly in order to prepare adequately for its growing population, set to hit 2.5 billion by 2050. The likes of Mota-Engil Africa will be vital in bridging the continent’s infrastructure gap. A true native in Angola and beyond for the past seven decades, the multi-disciplined engineering specialist has been tirelessly developing crucial roads, mines, railways, hospitals, ports and more across much of Sub-Saharan Africa. CEO Manuel António Mota is an optimist for the region, and forms the focus for this month’s cover story. “For many Africa is the continent of the future, but it has been our present for 72 years,” he tells us. “We are strong believers in the region and in its continuous development, and we are very confident about some of the recent steps taken in many African countries which will contribute to wider economic development.” Another continental stalwart, also with routes in Europe, is ENGIE Africa. The French multinational has built up energy infrastructure amounting to 3.15 GW over 50 years of operation on the continent – CEO Yoven Moorooven outlines some problems and solutions facing the industry today. In South Africa, the Limpopo Eco Industrial Park represents an important piece of modern infrastructure that is set to offer a sustainable economic boost to the area of Musina. We caught up with two key leaders of the project to find out about the plans in more detail. Connectivity developments are also vital to bridging the gap. Moving our focus back to Angola, we explore the newlyinstalled 6,500-kilometre South Atlantic Cable System running all the way to Fortaleza in Brazil, a system set to provide a much-needed high-speed link between Africa and the Americas. Other exclusive insights in this issue come from truck specialist Scania East Africa, South African fruit exporter Lona Group and air services provider Starlite Aviation Group, while our business travel section arrows in on Uganda’s Kampala and Seychelles. Tom Wadlow ISSUE 67

Answer

How Mota-Engil Africa has been delivering crucial infrastructure projects since it began operations in Angola more than 70 years ago

ENGIE AFRICA 00 How to solve Africa’s energy deficit

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 00 Seychelles: The luxury outpost of Africa

LIMPOPO ECO-INDUSTRIAL PARK

Changing the face of industrial sustainability

SCANIA EAST AFRICA 00 Transforming the transport industry

ALSO FEATURING: E C O N O M I S T I N T E L L I G E N C E U N I T | A N G O L A C A B L E S | L O N A G R O U P

Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing

EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Tom Wadlow tom.wadlow@outlookpublishing.com Deputy Editor: Jonathan Dyble jonathan.dyble@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

BUSINESS Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com PROJECT DIRECTORS Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com Tom Cullum tom.cullum@outlookpublishing.com HEAD OF PROJECTS Joe Palliser (Business Travel) joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Kane Weller kane.weller@outlookpublishing.com TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com SALES MANAGERS Jordan Levey (Business Travel) jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com Ryan Gray (Business Travel) ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com PROJECT MANAGERS Callam Waller callam.waller@outlookpublishing.com Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com Josh Hyland josh.hyland@outlookpublishing.com Lewis Bush lewis.bush@outlookpublishing.com Matt Cole-Wilkin matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com Vivek Valmiki vivek.valmiki@outlookpublishing.com

ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Administrative Assistant: Sophia Curran sophia.curran@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Karla Doyle karla.doyle@outlookpublishing.com Digital & IT: Hamit Saka Helpdesk: James Le-May

OUTLOOK PUBLISHING Managing Director: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com CONTACT Africa Outlook 69-75 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1UA, United Kingdom. Sales: +44 (0) 1603 959 652 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 959 657 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 657 Email: tom.wadlow@outlookpublishing.com

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Enjoy the issue!

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In this issue...

6 8

NEWS

Around Africa in seven stories

EXPERT EYE

The risks and opportunities of the China-US trade war

S E C T O R F O C U S

10 F

ENERGY & UTILITIES Powering a Continent

ENGIE on Africa’s energy deficit

A T

TECHNOLOGY Angola’s Atlantic Highway

Inside the 6,500-kilometre South Atlantic Cable System

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDES

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18 34

SEYCHELLES

NAMIBIA

The luxury outpost of Africa

KAMPALA

A safe haven for business and leisure travellers The land of the endless horizons

AFRICA 60

T E C H N O L O G Y

SHOWCASING LEADING COMPANIES

134

Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world

CONSTRUCTION

SOLITON TELMEC A One-Stop Shop for Telecommunications Engineering Empowering Africa’s technological development

MOTA-ENGIL AFRICA The African Answer to African Challenges

A continental stalwart of 70-plus years

114

STARLITE AVIATION GROUP A Global Aerial Aid

Providing turnkey solutions to high pressure challenges

F O O D & D R I N K

LIMPOPO ECOINDUSTRIAL PARK Industry Nurturing Nature

124

138

LONA GROUP The Citrus Champion

IPX EG EG’s Communication Cornerstone

Reconstructing industry with transformative solutions

Combining business sustainability and socioeconomic development

Changing the face of industrial sustainability

E V E N T

130 TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

108

SCANIA EAST AFRICA Sensitising Sustainability Transforming the transport industry

STAR SOUTH Bearing Fruit

SA’s leading wholesaler and distributor hits global heights

F O C U S

142

MAURITANIDES

144

MINING INDABA

146

MIDDLE EAST ELECTRICITY

Connecting investors with mining and energy opportunities Africa’s premier mining industry showcase

The ideal exhibition for energy networking

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Around Africa in seven stories…

OIL & GAS

TECHNOLOGY

Alibaba unveils Africa’s first electronic trade platform

Total, Angola launch $16 billion oil project Angola and French oil giant Total announced the launch of a new landmark offshore oil project on November 10, a project that is expected to substantially bolster the country’s economy. Named Project Kaombo, the venture is Angola’s most significant offshore venture to date, costing $16 billion. Located 250 kilometres off the shores of the country’s capital

CONSTRUCTION

Congo nations to build $550 million KinashaBrazzaville bridge

Luanda, the project includes a 300-kilometre-long network of pipes that have been laid up to two kilometres deep under the ocean. Once up and running at full capacity, it is expected that the offshore source will produce approximately 230,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Led by Total, other shareholders in the project include Sonangol, Sinopec, Esso and Galp.

In the aim of promoting cross-border trade, the Rwandan government has partnered up with Alibaba, becoming the first African nation to join the global ecommerce firm’s Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP). The agreements were confirmed in a memorandum of understanding, signed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Jack Ma, Founder and Chairman of the Alibaba Group. The eWTP will provide SMEs across Rwanda with advanced business infrastructure, from cloud computing to skills training. In essence, this will enable local companies to more readily participate in international trade, raising the opportunities for domestic businesses on wider stage. “I am delighted that Rwanda is the first eWTP partner in Africa, and I look forward to the development of an innovative digital economy here,” said Ma.

Officials from both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo have signed an agreement to build a bridge across the river between Kinshasa and Brazzaville, linking the two capital cities. The project, set to cost $550 million, will include a toll bridge, railway track, road and sidewalk, stretching just short of one mile. The transport link will be fundamental in helping to develop special economic zones on either side of the bridge. Currently, water and air travel are the only possible methods of travel between the two cities.

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

OIL & GAS

ENERGY

Equatorial Guinea to receive $2.4 billion in oil & gas investment

EDF to develop $1.36 billion hydropower plant in Cameroon

Equatorial Guinea is reportedly expecting $2.4 billion of investment into its oil & gas industry before the end of 2019. According to a government official, the wave of foreign direct investment will be spread amongst 11 new wells across the country. This will mark a significant rise on the figures recorded in 2017, with $304 million having been invested through the 12-month period, according to data from the United Nations.

Global electricity company EDF Energy, in partnership with the Republic of Cameroon and the International Finance Corporation, is set to construct a 420-megawatt hydropower facility on the Sanaga River. The project will be located approximately 65 kilometres northeast of the national capital and cost roughly $1.36 billion to complete. Once complete, the project is expected to meet 30 percent of Cameroon’s total electricity demand, amounting to an annual output of close to three terawatt hours.

The forecasts have come after Equatorial Guinea joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries last year, more readily offering permits to foreign oil & gas firms. It is thought that the country is in talks with both Exxon Mobil Corp. and Kosmos Energy Ltd. to this end.

TECHNOLOGY

Amazon Web Services to open new infrastructure region in Cape Town

FINANCE

Nedbank Group expands wealth management business into West Africa Sandton-based Nedbank has announced ambitions to expand its wealth management business into West Africa in a regional push with Ecobank Transnational. As the majority holder in Ecobank

with a 21 percent stake, Nedbank has reportedly begun leveraging the partnership between the two firms to roll out such services in the Ivory Coast. Further, the South African firm is reportedly eyeing similar expansions in Senegal, Benin and Burkina Faso, according to Bloomberg. As a result, Nedbank will substantially expand its presence across the continent, adding a number of new revenue streams. Currently, there are efforts in place for the Company to add customers in over 30 countries.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), a major subsidiary of ecommerce giant Amazon, has revealed that it will be introducing a new infrastructure region in Cape Town, South Africa, in H1 2020. The new region will add three availability zones to the firm’s existing portfolio of 55 availability zones and 19 infrastructure regions worldwide. It is also the latest in a number of AWS investments across South Africa, from its development centre, opened in Cape Town in 2004, to the launch of its Johannesburg office in 2015. “Technology has the opportunity to transform lives and economies across Africa and we’re excited about AWS and the Cloud being a meaningful part of that transformation,” said Andy Jassy, CEO of AWS.

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

A CONTINENT IN THE CROSSFIRE Will Africa take collateral damage from the brewing China-US trade war, or will it be able to capitalise on any paradigm shift? Adeline Van Houtte of the Economist Intelligence Unit discusses Written by: Adeline Van Houtte

ABOUT THE EXPERT Adeline Van Houtte joined The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2016 as an Analyst in the Middle East and Africa team, with particular expertise in West and Central Africa. In this role, she leads the EIU’s analysis of a number of countries, assessing macroeconomic indicators, political stability, security risks and the investment climate. Van Houtte holds an MSc in International Security from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals, an MSc in Economics from the Solvay Business School of Economics and Management, Brussels and a BA in Economics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

he sense that the US is ‘losing’ under existing international trade arrangements is one of a number of ideological positions held by the US president, Donald Trump. His administration has decided to introduce tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports, in response to which China is planning to levy tariffs on $60 billion of US imports. Additional retaliatory tariffs from the US, covering most of its imports from China are now likely, and the resultant impact on economic growth for both the US and China will undoubtedly be negative. For China, it comes at a challenging time for its economy. Concerns over the strength of domestic demand have returned, as momentum in both private consumption and investment has weakened. The trade war will also

leave a mark on the US. Although it continues to receive support from the Trump administration’s fiscal policies, as well as the ongoing strength in the labour market, the escalating trade dispute with China will start to weigh on export growth for the next couple of years.

Expect collateral damage

The bilateral trade war is unlikely to directly impact African economies, as they are not especially integrated in global value chains and mostly export raw, unfinished goods. However, indirect effect from slowing growth in the two superpowers’ economies will create unwelcome challenges for Africa in terms of currencies, slower trade and dampened investor sentiment. The most imminent impact is

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likely to be on emerging markets via financial markets. Increased anxiety surrounding the US-China trade war could trigger large capital flights to safety and a sell-off in emerging markets’ riskier assets – as was witnessed for example in South Africa, where the rand went from an average of R12.5 against the dollar in May to R14.8 in September. In turn, the negative impact on currencies and bond markets would lead to spikes in the already high debt servicing costs, potentially unleashing a vicious cycle in these economies. Another risk to the African continent comes from its particularly close economic relationship with China (Africa’s largest trading partner and a major investor), making it vulnerable to potential weaknesses in the Chinese economy. Slower growth in China could therefore depress investment flows from there. At the same time, any slowdown in China-centred trade would negatively affect demand for raw materials such as iron ore, coal, and platinum, which could seriously distress African economies that depend on exporting these commodities and threaten to create another price bust, like the one experienced in 2015-16. Fiscal and external liquidity buffers are both too depleted to manage another export slump. Finally, another undesirable impact could derive from the protectionist views of Mr Trump in general.

Currently 40 Sub-Saharan African countries have duty-free access to the US market for a wide range of products under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). If the US decides to take a more aggressive global position on trade protectionism, the AGOA could come under new scrutiny and potentially even be scrapped. However, this is unlikely. Africa remains low on Mr Trump’s foreign policy agenda and the US has a favourable trade balance with most African countries, which means that, in Mr Trump’s zero-sum vision of the world, the US remains the ‘winner’ in its relationship with Africa.

(Not) a piece of cake

Despite the negative effect on global trade, some exporters in Africa could take the opportunity and benefit as supply chains adjust to the new environment. The imposition of tariffs on certain goods could provide a competitive advantage for some exporters, allowing them to command a greater market share in segments

such as agricultural products, like soybeans or animal feed that were previously imported from the US to China and now targeted by tariffs, for example. This could in turn translate in increased Chinese investment in these African exporters’ agricultural sectors. Another small window of opportunity comes from the oil market. West Africa produces similar quality crude as the

Any slowdown in China-centred trade would negatively affect demand for raw materials such as iron ore, coal, and platinum’

US, and China could replace US crude imports with West Africa’s. However, the opportunity for most African countries to quickly fill in the voids left by the US or China in their respective economies and capitalise on the US-China trade war are thin. Productivity on the continent is extremely low, the ease of doing business is poor and integration, both at local and international level, is shallow. Rapidly improving their business environment would therefore be necessary for these countries to be able to substitute production from either the US or China. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time, something China and the US cannot afford, and other producers (notably those elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia) are better positioned to capitalise. African countries should therefore focus on managing any negative fallout from the trade war by diversifying their economic structure, trade partners and investments sources. Indeed, the continent has more to lose than gain from this trade war.

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E N G I E

A F R I C A

POWERING a Continent Yoven Moorooven, CEO of ENGIE Africa, lays out the problem of and solutions to tackling Africa’s energy deficit Writer: Jonathan Dyble

espite being home to 15 percent of the world’s population, Africa only accounts for one 20th of global energy use. In this sense, energy consumption per capita across the continent is three times lower than the global average. This can be attributed to a number of factors – the African industry largely lagging behind the likes of Asia, Europe or North America, for example. However, aside from these, ultimately

substantial proportions of the region simply do not have reliable access to grid power. According to global energy and utility firm ENGIE, currently only 37 percent of Africans have access to electricity, while rural access rates are approximately only 30 percent as good as those in urban areas. Further, while such statistics highlight the instability of the continent’s energy networks, the rise in demand that is expected to occur in the coming decades poses an

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even greater problem for the region – an issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later in the eyes of ENGIE’s Africa CEO, Yoven Moorooven. “Energy demand is growing fast in Africa because of the rate of population growth, expected to almost double by 2050,” he states. “This will represent a challenge for the private and public sector and they must demonstrate a capacity to rightly address the energy supply shortage.” Purely from a number’s perspective,

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Africa’s global development for years to come,” Moorooven explains. “I am excited to be involved in shaping the continent’s future energy supply, making decisions around investments that will deliver sustainable solutions and provide millions of people and businesses with electricity.”

Confronting the obstacles

Moulding this future, however, is easier said than done. The outlook as it stands today is filled with a range of issues and monumental challenges, reflected by Moorooven himself in an analysis of the impending growth of urbanisation across the continent. “According to the Brookings Institution, there will be nearly 350 million new African city dwellers by 2030. A billion more people are expected to be living in African cities by 2063. This rapid urbanisation, combined with the continental infrastructure deficit, will make life

in African cities expensive and slow down economic growth,” he explains. “Equally, there’s a real risk that climate change will put a massive extra strain on these cities. For example, the rise in temperatures will see the need for air conditioning go up and in turn demand better electricity infrastructure.” Even the most developed cities in other parts of the world are having to ready themselves for similar socioeconomic and environmental shifts. However, with Africa’s energy infrastructure significantly lagging behind the global average, and with the region expected to witness a much greater influx of new inhabitants, the situation is much more problematic. “Another issue is connectivity,” Moorooven continues. “Outside Northern Africa and South Africa, transportation and distribution networks remain the weakest link in Africa’s energy industry.

YOVEN MOOROOVEN Yoven Moorooven became CEO of ENGIE Africa in April this year, promoted from being responsible for the International Division of ENGIE’s Global Energy Management Business Unit. The Mauritian national has led an illustrious career to date, having spent more than 15 years in investment banking, energy trading and the utilities sector. ENGIE is well placed to play a crucial role in attempting to tackle these challenges head on. Having operated in the region for 50 years, the Company currently owns approximately 3.15 GW of energy infrastructure either in operation or under construction, whilst it turns over more than $460 million of regional revenue on a yearly basis. “In my opinion, the African continent and its countries are unique, and its energy industry will be a key driver of

Before joining ENGIE, Moorooven worked at both Macquarie Bank in London and Deutsche Bank where he managed gas, power and coal origination and trading activities in Europe. “ENGIE as a company provides what I search for in my professional career. It is a large, international company, but at the same time, it is visionary, flexible, and it has it’s fingers on the pulse of current trends. “With our business, we touch the essentials of life. Energy triggers economic growth and without power there can be no development.”

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A F R I C A

“The development of large centralised power plants and increased penetration of renewable energy will create new opportunities in transmission and distribution. However, since a large portion of Africa’s population lives in remote and rural areas, receiving power from the grid could still be decades away.”

ENGIE has developed numerous solutions to help bring power generation closer to communities

Energy 4.0

Despite this, there has been notable progression in the way of tackling these problems, evident in the development and implementation of off-grid solutions in remote areas. “In the years to come we foresee off-grid and dispatchable renewables playing a major role in helping to cater to the energy requirements of all Africans,” Moorooven reveals. Moreover, as alternative sources of energy are increasingly explored, more storage capacity will be required

and, ultimately, the importance of technologies will become ever pressing. With this in mind, innovation is currently thriving across the continent, with multiple players, including ENGIE, looking to leverage industry 4.0 solutions to better address

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and expand capacity. Such has led to the introduction of innovation hubs, greater levels of investment, and the growth of public-private partnerships, and high-level academic institutions have been working to ensure that the next

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U T I L I T I E S

Just as mobile phones have transformed the continent, Africa is now on the brink of a technological leap in its mode of energy supply”

generation is well versed in not only understanding the rising problems, but able to help stunt and reverse any unsustainable trends. “Just as mobile phones have transformed the continent, Africa is now on the brink of a technological leap in its mode of energy supply,” says Moorooven. “Digitalisation in the energy sector allows utilities to maintain grid stability and reliability,

monitor the grid and more effectively identify failures, reducing operations and maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of crucial assets.” ENGIE’s own strategy has largely been coordinated in line with this forward-thinking approach. Moorooven explains: “In aiming to adhere to this, we have incorporated centralised and decentralised power production, as well as energy services

and decentralised solutions for off-grid customers. “Through our off-grid energy solutions, we want to promote energy access – and beyond energy, many more necessities: water, mobility and education in rural Africa. There will also be a real necessity for larger African cities to tackle sustainable growth challenges, and we will offer our expertise in this area.”

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Working alongside African stakeholders, authorities, regulatory authorities and industrial partners, ENGIE hopes that Africa’s problems be solved by African people in the long term, a prospect that would bolster socioeconomic development on multiple fronts.

From Morocco to South Africa

This ethos continues to manifest itself in the countless energy-generation and transmission projects that the Company undertakes in Africa on a yearly basis. During the last 12 months, for example, the firm has placed particular emphasis on extending its position in Morocco and South Africa; has grown its Access to Energy activities; has established more substantial power generation networks; and has made a number of acquisitions to strengthen its provision of services businesses. “Our ambition is to become a leader of energy services in Africa and this year we made some significant acquisitions, acquiring local leaders AfricPower/Tieri in Côte d’Ivoire, Spie and Finatech in Morocco and Thermaire/Ampair in South Africa,” adds Moorooven. Equally, the firm will soon be completing the construction of a 100 MW concentrated solar power plant in South Africa, named Kathu, that is in its final development stages, has begun building a wind park in Egypt and a solar PV installation in Senegal,

and reached more than one million customers in the off-grid business This milestone has largely been hit through its domestic solar installations, made possible by its work with Fenix International and its local mini-grid projects, undertaken in partnership with PowerCorner.

Advocating investment

All of the aforementioned activities are crucial stepping stones on the path to tackling Africa’s energy infrastructure deficit, and ENGIE is expected to continue to be the driving force of development as more countries become increasingly open to external investment and tenders. In the eyes of Moorooven, those who advocate foreign investment will be the true beneficiaries, profiting

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from accelerated development and greater opportunities. He explains: “To attract more private investment, an efficient and effective framework will be necessary. Many African governments have taken the initiative to implement legal and institutional policies to strengthen their national energy sector, but if these aren’t fully operational in the near future, countries will miss out. “Projects will need to be more bankable in the sense that more risk is taken by one side and more commitment by the other; the public and private sector will need to work closely together.” The majority of investments from all parties are expected to come in the form of renewable energy projects, owing to both the high potential

‘In this sense, renewables combined with other low-emission resources such as gas-fired power are expected to provide a cost-efficient, environmentally friendly and reliable energy supply moving forward’

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for such in the region and the stress that is being placed on ensuring the continent’s carbon’s neutrality is significantly improved. Africa is a continent seen to be particularly vulnerable to climate change, largely due to the increasing prospects of drought. A two percent rise in temperatures could lead to a 10 percent drop in crop yields, according to the Brookings Institution – a statistic that could have drastic consequences for the African population. In this sense, renewables combined with other low-emission resources such as gas-fired power are expected to provide a cost-efficient, environmentally friendly and reliable energy supply moving forward. “Compared to current sources which still include coal, heavy fuel oil and

diesel-fired plants, this combination offers a cheaper and greener alternative,” adds the ENGIE Africa CEO. Looking ahead, Moorooven is hopeful that the Company will play a major part in enabling both this alternative power transition and expansion as the continent moves into a new energy era. He concludes: “It is my ambition that ENGIE will be the natural partner of choice, be it for energy services, centralised or decentralised generation, engineering or infrastructure. I’d like us to be here in Africa for centuries to come.

“To be more precise about the short term, in the next years, I hope ENGIE Africa will introduce solar home system and mini-grid activities in multiple new countries, develop new energy services hubs in two or three countries and of course develop and build more renewable power plants across Africa, with the grid-scale storage and grid-scale support to match.”

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A N G O L A’ S

A T L A N T I C

H I G H W A Y

ANGOLA’S

Atlantic Highway The 6,500-kilometre South Atlantic Cable System is open for business and promises to better connect Africa and the Americas Written by: Tom Wadlow

frica’s telecoms market may be in its infancy when compared to other regions in the world, but it is catching up fast. The continent’s internet bandwidth is expanding more rapidly than any other part of the world, averaging growth of 45 percent a year between 2014 and 2018. This is faster than Asia and the Middle East, regions which saw annual growth of 41 percent for the same period. Demand for connectivity, from smartphones and tablets to analytics and cloud services, is placing greater emphasis on the need to carry more data at higher speeds. At present, 17 of Africa’s 54 nations have rolled out LTE networks, with many countries facing barriers to entry such as a lack of computer literacy, poor telecoms infrastructure and unreliable power supplies.

However, some states are making headway despite these challenges. Angola, for example, is emerging as a regional data hub thanks to the successful switching on of its South Atlantic Cable System (SACS), a 6,500-kilometre subsea solution installed, owned and operated by Angola Cables. “The new digital information highway is the first and fastest link between Africa and the Americas with the lowest latency, and will provide a more direct routing for internet traffic in the Southern Hemisphere,” explains CEO António Nunes. “In order to meet the growing demand from broadband, mobile, broadcasting and enterprise traffic crossing the South Atlantic, SACS has been designed with 100 Gbps coherent WDM technology on an end-to-end

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solution. With four fibre pairs, it offers a total design capacity of 40 Tbit/s.” The cable system connects two data centres – Angonap Fortaleza Tier III in Fortaleza (Brazil) and Angonap in Luanda (Angola). Taking 27 months to complete with construction beginning in June 2016, the project involved close collaboration with Japan’s NEC Corporation, which has laid more than 250,000 kilometres of subsea cable globally. “The installation phase of the cable on the Angolan shore was one of the most important aspects of the project as several levels of interaction and activity are required with several entities simultaneously, and therefore constitutes a critical and high-risk moment,” Nunes says. “The protection of both the cable and the teams involved was one of the aspects that had to be carefully analysed and the work carried out in a rigorous and well-planned process.”

Need for speed

Nunes’s main objective is to improve the quality of communications between Africa and the Americas. The new SACS routing will increase data transfer speeds by a factor of five, reducing latency between the two data centres from 350 milliseconds to 63 milliseconds and placing Angola as a key strategic gateway for transatlantic connectivity. “Given the onward connections to the recently completed trans-American Monet Cable and the West Africa Cable System (WACS), SACS will also offer reduced latency between Miami (USA) and Cape Town (South Africa) from 338 milliseconds to 163 milliseconds,” Nunes adds. Asides speed, the system will also contribute to reductions in data traffic costs which can be passed onto both commercial users and consumers. “With SACS now being open to commercial customers it will significantly upscale the digital economies of various African and South American countries and improve global communication efficiencies for enterprise customers in Africa, Latin America and the USA,” Nunes continues. “This greatly improved connectivity will enhance trade opportunities as a result of cultural similarities between the two Portuguese-speaking nations of Angola and Brazil.”

ANGOLA CABLES – CONNECTING AFRICA Angola Cables specialises in the wholesale provision of international transmission capacity through submarine fibre optic cables and IP transit. SACS, Monet and WACS are the three submarine cable systems operated by Angola Cables which connect four regions (South America, North America, Africa and Europe). In addition to this, the Company manages Angonix, an internet exchange point located in Luanda and the third largest in Africa. Angola Cables also operates two data centres: Angonap in Fortaleza which is connected to SACS and Monet, and another in Luanda, connected to SACS, WACS and additional systems for redundancy purposes. Nunes says: “Investments being made by Angola Cables and its partners in underwater cable systems such Monet, which connects North and South America, and WACS, combined with other investments in terrestrial infrastructure such as data centres, is opening up global communications networks. “It is also reorienting worldwide internet traffic and is effectively positioning Angola as a telecommunications hub in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

A fibre-rich future

Asked if he is optimistic for the future of the continent’s communications development, Nunes responds with a resounding yes. Angola Cables’ three subsea systems will only serve to provide a more direct and efficient route for data transfers between North, Central and South America onto Africa, Europe and Asia. Indeed, by building systems that enable IP traffic to be exchanged locally and regionally, overall network efficiency across the Southern Hemisphere can be greatly enhanced.

The South Atlantic Cable System is the latest chapter in this development, one which Nunes believes will go down as a gamechanger. He concludes: “The cable will allow African internet service providers and users a more direct, secure path to the Americas – without having to pass through Europe. “Content service providers in Latin America will also stand to benefit from the option of using the SACS route to

reach markets in Africa and Europe without utilising the traditional, high volume Northern Hemisphere internet traffic routings. “The commissioning of the SACS cable is a gigantic leap forward in trans-Atlantic connectivity and will have a profound impact on global digital connectivity. It is expected to fast-track commercial activity in the ICT sectors and stimulate emerging economies in Latin America and Africa.”

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S E Y C H E L L E S

from India to Africa. The first settlers did not arrive until 1770, the French colonising the islands before the British seized control in 1811 following a period of brief post-French Revolution independence.

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FACTS & FIGURES Capital city: Languages: Area: Population (2017): GDP (2015): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD: Climate:

Victoria Creole, English, and French 455 km² (Approx. 115 islands) 95,900 US$1.486 billion Seychelles rupee GMT+4 +248 .sc Tropical

Today the country serves as a stunning backdrop for visiting businesspeople and leisure travellers alike, one of relatively few undisturbed tropical wildernesses that is drawing in increasing numbers of tourists every year.

AFRICA

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Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa

Hilton Labriz Resort & Spa

Glacis, Victoria - Mahe, Seychelles +248-429-9000 reservations.seychelles@hilton.com

La Passe, Silhouette Island, Seychelles +248-429-3949 sezlb.reservations@hilton.com

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa @hiltonnortholme HiltonNortholme HiltonNortholme • 5 stars luxury boutique resort • 56 private villas in total all facing the ocean • 15 villas with infinity pools, offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean • Adults only resort (children welcome above the age of 13+ years) • Ocean Front Spa and Fitness • 3 Ocean view dining outlets including 1 bar • Beach and watersport activities • Eco friendly resort supporting the Coral Reef Restoration

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa @hiltonseychelleslabriz HiltonLabriz HiltonLabriz • 5 Stars Eco-Friendly hotel surrounded by a National Park • Located on the private island of Silhouette • Only accessible by boat (30 mns journey) • 111 villas in total • 72 villas located directly on the beach • 17 villas with private infinity pool PADI certified Diving Center • 5 Nature trails, watersports, island tours, spa

DoubleTree by Hilton Allamanda Resort & Spa Anse Forbans Mahe, Victoria, Seychelles +248-438-8800 sezdt.info@hilton.com DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort & Spa @doubletree_allamanda DoubletreeAllam DoubletreeAllam • High end 4 stars contemporary resort • 30 Ocean View with Terrace rooms in total - “Private” beach and watersports activities • Eco friendly resort supporting the Coral Reef Restoration

S E Y C H E L L E S

Seychelles Tourism Board RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING this enviable destination is the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). Headed up by Chief Executive Officer Sherin Francis and Chairperson Kathleen Mason, the organisation has a network of offices spread in different parts of the world which are helping place the island republic on the map. The STB’s locations include France, the UK, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Abu Dhabi, China, Hong Kong and Spain, as well as representations in the Middle East, India, Brazil, South Korea and Russia. We asked Francis about the Board’s work and vision. Africa Outlook (AfO): Can you firstly talk me through the origins of the Seychelles Tourism Board, how it came about, and its initial vision? Sherin Francis (SF): The Seychelles Tourism Board evolved from the earlier Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority as the organisation mandated to promote Seychelles

also as a result of gaining invaluable experience in reading market trends, managing those same markets and deploying new technologies such as the internet and social media platforms to carry its messages to a wider audience. AfO: How has the Seychelles has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the tourism across all markets and to act as key reasons behind its growing appeal? a focal point to concentrate Seychelles’ SF: As a business travel hub, efforts in this direction. Its initial vision Seychelles offers the best of both was to establish Seychelles as the worlds in terms of providing a premier island holiday destination for backdrop of unparalleled natural the discerning traveller. beauty but also the infrastructure necessary for the business traveller. AfO: Since inception, how has the These, combined with a new Seychelles Tourism Board generation of hotels with excellent developed and progressed in terms of business facilities, have helped to its key objectives and the messages it underline Seychelles’ pedigree as a tries to get across? business hub. SF: The Seychelles Tourism Board has come a long way since those early AfO: Why, in your opinion, should days, both in terms of becoming a someone visit the Seychelles? more streamlined organisation, and SF: Because it is one of the planet’s

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AFRICA

lightweight campaigns with which to convince markets of Seychelles’ value as a holiday destination while creating a tourism-friendly environment on the ground, in keeping with our carrying capacity.

very last sanctuaries for amazing flora and fauna and the home of authenticity, harmony and perpetual summer. AfO: Taking a more general industry stance, how would you evaluate the tourism sector now compared to its condition when the Tourism Board began? SF: Seychelles tourism figures show that there has been a year on year rise in visitors for much of the last 12 years and the sector continues to show growth across the various niche markets. These include diving and snorkelling, sailing and cruising, island hopping, spa and wellness, fishing, walks and trails, and golf.

“Seychelles is very sensitive to the sustainability of its operations in all fields...”

AfO: What are the core industry trends dictating the Tourism Board’s investments and initiatives at present? SF: Seychelles is very sensitive to the sustainability of its operations in all fields, especially tourism, because we are one of the destinations most reliant on tourism. This underpins almost everything we do and many government agencies and NGOs drive the sustainability initiative. Finding alternative sources of power is also a concern in parallel to sustainability.

AfO: Finally, looking forward, if we were to speak again in three-five years’ time, what progress and development would you hope and expect to report back? SF: I would hope to be able to confirm that Seychelles has remained faithful to its strong conservation credentials and continues to operate an authentic tourism offering, reflective of the Creole soul and balancing the sometimes-opposing considerations of development and sustainability.

AfO: What is in store for The Seychelles over the course the next year in terms of tourism development? SF: To continue operating tactical,

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S E Y C H E L L E S

The Business End

NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE economy of Seychelles is dependant upon services, especially tourism. The country has enjoyed fairly steady economic growth, its GDP reaching more than $1.48 billion in 2017 and GDP per capita markedly higher than its continental neighbours. Almost 80 percent of this income is generated through the services sector, which in turn provides around three quarters of all jobs. The opening of an international airport on MahĂŠ island in 1971 proved to be an important turning point, with the tourism industry growing rapidly since then. While the prevailing trade winds

were part of the reason colonial traders were initially reluctant to establish a permanent presence, they provide ideal conditions for sailing, a major attraction for visitors. Other sectors do contribute significantly to this economic landscape. For instance, production of food, drink, animal feed and paints has propelled the manufacturing industry to a point where it now contributes one sixth of national income. Agriculture contributes a small proportion of GDP and employs only a fraction of the Seychelles workforce, but manages to export the likes of cinnamon bark, vanilla, tea, lime and tuna products.

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While at Raffles, why not visit Seychelles? Legendary service since 1887 Our reputation travels

SEYCHELLES SINGAPORE PARIS DUBAI ISTANBUL HAINAN JAKARTA PHNOM PENH & SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA MAKATI, PHILLIPINES MAKKAH

raffles.com - Reservations: (Direct) + 249 429 6781 (International) + 800 1 RAFFLES or +1 506 870 6794

S E Y C H E L L E S

Out & About

UNRIVALLED PROVISION OF scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing is what draws thousands of visitors to the Seychelles every year. The waters are warm, clear and full of wildlife, from sea turtles to whale sharks. Divers of all experience levels

flock to take in this breath-taking display, with qualified instructors able to speak multiple languages running expeditions from stateof-the-art diving centres. Ecotourism and wildlife spotting are not limited to the ocean, however. Many inland opportunities to explore also exist, including watching sea turtles nest on Bird Island, which also houses some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best bird sanctuaries. There is an enormous array of day trips and island-hopping tours to choose from, while others prefer to simply relax on the pristine beaches and take in the view of the surrounding Indian Ocean. Away from wildlife and nature you

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will find a mixture of art galleries and museums spread across the country showcasing a mixture of colonial influences, while the food and drink scene offers some stunning seafood in equally inspiring settings.

S E Y C H E L L E S

Outlook Recommends “Beaches lapped by topaz waters, lush hills, a sublime laid-back tempo; these dreams of a tropical paradise become reality in the Seychelles” – Lonely Planet

HOTELS & RESORTS

RESTAURANTS ON MAHÉ

Hilton Seychelles

La Grande Maison

World-renowned hotel brand Hilton has three properties in the Seychelles. The Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa is based on the east coast of Silhouette and comprises 11 private luxury villas with eight on-site restaurants and bars. It is situated in a marine national park, a perfect base from which to explore the island’s flora and fauna. Another option is the DoubleTree Resort & Spa, located on the south side of Mahé. This is a four-star property and only 20 minutes from the airport. Hilton’s third Seychelles venue is the Northolme Resort & Spa, a luxury retreat also located on Mahé. Guests can choose to stay in one of 56 villas perched high amongst the tropical forest, the presidential suite offering 350 square metres of luxury space.

Raffles Seychelles Sitting on the north-eastern tip of Praslin, the second largest granite island, Raffles Seychelles offers 86 luxury villas of varying sizes. The resort is on the doorstep of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai, Curieuse Marine National Park, and Anse Lazio, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Eden Seyshima

RESTAURANTS ON LA DIGUE

Le Relax Hotels Le Relax operates six sites in Seychelles: one in Mahé, two in Praslin and three in La Digue. One of the key services, and a crucial part of the Company’s philosophy, is to offer all-encompassing islandhopping packages with unparalleled personalised guest services. Those wishing to experience all three islands through the Le Relax brand are able to take advantage of numerous promotional offers.

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Chez Jules Le repaire Lanbousier

AFRICA

Discover Seychelles

ACTIVITIES Blue Safari Seychelles - Alphonse Island Blue Safari operates luxury lodge accommodation and several experiences on the stunning island of Alphonse. Located 400 kilometres southwest of MahĂŠ, it is one of the Outer Islands and home to spectacular sandy beaches and wildlife, including 60-plus Aldabra tortoises. Alphonse may be just a square kilometre in size but provides plenty of activities for visitors. Among those offered by Blue Safari include snorkelling with manta rays, turtle spotting, bird watching, reef exploration, fishing and scuba diving. On the accommodation side, Blue Safari manages 22 beach bungalows and five beach suites with direct access to the beach.

VallĂŠe de Mai Ziblo Boat Charter

+248 252 5866 +248 257 3668 booking@lecharmecarhire.com www.lecharmecarhire.com

Cote Dor, Praslin, Seychelles - Tel: +248 4237766 info@piroguelodge.com - www.piroguelodge.com

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S E Y C H E L L E S

Transport Links

the UK and Ireland (6.2 percent) and South Africa (four percent). The airport also serves a domestic route to Praslin, chiefly through carrier Air Seychelles, while a number of private charter flights are available for those looking to arrive, depart or navigate the country by plane. In terms of other modes of transport, ferry services operate between the islands, which in the main

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PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH

THE COMPLETION OF its international airport in 1971 opened Seychelles up to the world. In 2016, around 302,000 passengers arrived in the country by air, representing an increase of 10 percent on the previous year and almost a 50 percent jump on the 206,600 arriving in 2012. France and Germany accounted for more than 27 percent of air arrivals in 2016, followed by Italy (7.5 percent),

are covered by a paved road network. On the main islands of Mahé and Praslin, an extensive bus service will provide most of your travel needs, although those looking for a faster way around will often opt for car rental. A typical car rental will cost anywhere between €40 and €60, although apartment and guesthouse owners may have negotiated discounts with vehicle hire companies.

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Landmark Attractions Victoria Market

“No trip to Victoria would be complete without a wander through the covered market. It’s small by African standards, but it’s a bustling, colourful place nonetheless” – Lonely Planet

Baie Ternay Marine National Park

“A paradise for snorkellers and divers, the Baie Ternay marine park is treasured for its astounding vistas, with pristine seashore fringed by calm turquoise shallows and abundant marine life” – Seychelles National Parks Authority

BY DAVID STANLEY FROM NANAIMO, CANADA - HINDU TEMPLE, CC BY 2.0

Tempio Hindu

“The temple was created almost 240 years after the first Hindus arrived in Seychelles, so it was a special occasion for today’s Hindu community when the Kumbabishekam - the reconsecration - of the temple took place on Sunday 20th January 2008” – Savoy Seychelles

Aldabra

“Located in the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra Atoll is an outstanding example of a raised coral atoll. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, the atoll has remained largely untouched by humans for the majority of its existence” – UNESCO

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K A M P A L A

KAMPALA Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital is the economic, cultural and logistical epicentre of the country, a city growing in stature as more and more tourists touch down each year Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

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LYING IN THE hills just north of Lake Victoria, Kampala is both Uganda’s capital and largest city. As with many African capitals, its roots lie in a colonial past, on this occasion with the British Empire and Captain Frederick Lugard, who in 1890 set up a fort headquarters for the British East Africa Company. This sat just north of Mengo, the capital of the Kingdom of Buganda in the 19th century. Lugard’s base remained the administrative HQ until 1905 when the decision was made to relocate to Entebbe. However, following full independence in 1962, Kampala became the capital once more. Today the city is considered among the safest in East Africa and an ideal location for businesses to base regional operations.

AFRICA

FACTS & FIGURES Country: Area: Population (2018): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD: Climate:

Uganda 189 km2 1.35 million Ugandan shilling East Africa Time (GMT+3) +256 41 .ug Tropical rainforest

For the both the business and leisure traveller, the city is also upping its game when it comes to modernisation of tourist offerings, not least through its provision of some stunning five-star hotels. The city, and Uganda more widely,

is starting to see more big-name accommodation brands arrive, proof that international investors are showing confidence. Combine this with the rising number of visitors, and the future for Kampala’s travel sector looks bright.

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The Business End

KAMPALA IS LO CATED in Uganda’s most productive agricultural region, reflected by the fact that the city exports significant volumes of coffee, cotton, tea, sugar, and tobacco. In terms of industry, the city is home to food processing plants, metal production facilities, furniture factories and even a tractor assembly site, and is also home to many of the country’s largest firms’ headquarters. However, Kampala is not the major industrial city in Uganda – this is Jinja, around 65 kilometres to the east. The World Bank identifies Kampala as central to the prospects of wider Ugandan economic growth, calling for investment in the Greater Kampala

region as a means to benefit the whole country. Christina Malmberg Calvo, World Bank Country Manager in Uganda, commenting on the publication of a recent report, said: “Over two-thirds of Greater Kampala’s businesses are informal. Local governments need to enable small and micro-entrepreneurs to access affordable, well-located land and premises, and provide public transport to link people with jobs and enterprises with customers.” While Greater Kampala accounts for only about 10 percent of Uganda’s population, it generates a third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 46 percent of its formal workers.

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Out & About FROM CHAOTIC SHOPPING streets to a garden city vibe as you venture up Nakasero Hill, Kampala is a hotbed of culture that offers something for everyone. Although it does not possess a museum dedicated to arts, the city does house several galleries which offer a broad contemporary art scene through monthly shows and permanent exhibitions. Kampala is also home to Uganda’s national theatre and many live music venues. In terms of wining and dining, there are a deluge of quality restaurants covering a huge variety of cuisines thanks to the international makeup of the population.

Street food can also be found in abundance, while coffee houses are also in good supply. Further afield, numerous companies offer a diverse range of activities to enjoy, from multi-day trips to Murchison Falls National Park and source of the Nile tours to gorilla trekking and guided walks through Kampala itself. There are also many sites of religious and cultural significance scattered through the city, including the Baha’i Temple, Gaddafi National Mosque and Uganda Martyrs Shrine.

Murchison Falls

Gaddafi National Mosque

Baha’i Temple

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Source of the Nile Hotel

Welcome to the Source of the Nile Hotel... Situated only 5 minutes from the source of the great river Nile, our range of luxurious rooms offer our guests a delightful choice of garden, terrace or Nile views. Our excellent restaurant caters for all tastes with its a la carte, table dâ€™hote and buffet menus. Or, if you prefer al fresco dining, light snacks and drinks can be enjoyed in our extensive manicured gardens.

Accommodation Our twin rooms are spacious with two large beds and fully equipped with all the essentials that luxury-seeking individuals could need.

Plot 31-37 Bridge Street, Jinja

+256 434 123 034 / 790 911 318

Restaurant & Bar

Ronference Rooms

Our first-class restaurant draws a wide range of visitors, as it features both local and exotic cuisines that are second to none, with à la carte, table d’hôte, and buffet options. If you prefer al fresco dining, light snacks and drinks can be enjoyed in our expansive riverfront gardens.

With four conference rooms ranging in capacity from 10 to 300 people and two outdoor garden options for 500 or 2,000 people, the Source of the Nile Hotel can cater to all of your event needs. From conferences and weddings to dinners and meetings, our capable staff will handle all of the details so you can focus on hosting your event with confidence and class.

info@sourceofthenilehotel.ug

www.sourceofthenilehotel.com

T A N K M ZP A AN L AI A

Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association FOUNDED IN 2000, the Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association (UHOA) formed with a purpose of uniting hotel owners to work towards common goals and have their voices heard at the wider tourism industry level. The organisation has more than 500 members on its books and is represented on the Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Jean Byamugisha is the Association’s Executive Director and, having spoken to us earlier in 2018, gives us an update on how the sector is progressing.

breakfast meeting here in Kampala. Besides this, Kampala is also one The hotel sector in Uganda is growing of the safest cities on the African at a very fast pace. We are honoured continent. Not to mention the friendly and proud to be a part of this progress. people, amazing weather and great cuisine that’s on offer for all our guests. AfO: What key projects have you Uganda is a country truly gifted by been working on recently? nature; the equator passes through JB: We have been trying to think Uganda, the snow at the top of Mount outside the box. You gain more when Rwenzori as well as the amazing flora you speak with people in much more and fauna. Kampala is a city that’s developed markets that your own. becoming more modern everyday with In May 2018, we led a delegation of beautiful five-star hotels open to the 20 hotel owners to Chicago to meet public. Uganda has something to offer with fellow hoteliers, service providers every guest, from the budget tourist to as well as hotel experts. This was an the luxury tourist. Africa Outlook (AfO): How has eye-opening trip for the Uganda hotel Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association owners who got to see first-hand the AfO: What more needs to be done developed and progressed since we last changing trends of the hospitality to improve Kampala and featured you? sector on an international scale. Uganda’s tourism industry? Jean Byamugisha (JB): UHOA has In October, we also met hoteliers JB: We need to have more grown leaps and bounds in the last at the African Hotel Investment marketing to improve the tourism year since you featured us. We have Forum that was held in Nairobi. We industry. Most of the world still registered more members, grown got to make business linkages as well knows Uganda as the country of Iddi our secretariat to include two new as develop partnerships with hotel Amin. We are much more than that. staff, attended more international investors looking to set up new hotels We need to sound our own trumpet meetings that have opened up in Uganda. We were proud to note to the rest of the world. Uganda is business opportunities, and have that Uganda is increasingly becoming without a doubt one of the world’s addressed hoteliers at the Africa Hotel a destination of choice for both most beautiful and safest countries, Investment Forum. travellers as well as investors. and publications like this will help us We also worked together with the showcase that. Uganda Tourism Board to host the AfO: Taking a more general Founder of the Ritz Carlton Hotel industry stance, how would you AfO: Finally, looking forward, if Company, Mr Horst Schultze, at a evaluate the tourism sector in Uganda? we were to speak again in a year’s JB: On a general note, the tourism time, what progress and development industry in Uganda has been growing would you hope and expect to be able steadily for the last two years. The to report back? international arrivals are a testament JB: We hope to have registered to this. Tourist numbers grew from 1.4 more members and become a more million in 2016 to 1.5 million in 2017. This powerful and robust private sector is no easy feat. body. As a country, we hope to record more international arrivals AfO: Why, in your opinion, should for the year 2018. We also hope to someone visit Uganda? have more international hotels in JB: Uganda is the new frontier when operation employing more young it comes to Tourism in Africa. We see people and increasing the tax base a few more big brand hotels opening of our economy. In a year, Uganda up shop in Uganda, a sign of investor should be ready to host a few major confidence in the economy. international conferences in Kampala.

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Silver Springs Hotel is our premier choice of accommodation for a family, leisure or business trip. Experience first-class service in our standard rooms, executive deluxe rooms and executive suites. We have ultra-modern facilities that leave our customers smiling with full satisfaction, including: â&#x20AC;˘ 11 different air-conditioned halls, dinners and cocktail parties, fine dining of local and international cuisines in the restaurant and our corporate bars. â&#x20AC;˘ State-of-the-art gym, sauna, steam bath, salt room and an Olympic size swimming pool. We endeavour to go the extra mile to make sure that all our customer needs are met.

Reservations +256 758 508 421 Tel +256 755 553 062 silverspringshotel@yahoo.com reservations@silverspringshotelug.com

www.silverspringshotelug.com

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K A M P A L A

Outlook Recommends â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the heartland of the Buganda kingdom, Kampala has a rich and colourful history, visible in several fascinating palaces and compoundsâ&#x20AC;? - Lonely Planet

HOSPITALITY

FOOD & DRINK

ACTIVITIES

La Cabana Restaurant

Parliament House Uganda National Museum Kampala City Tours

Source of the Nile Hotel Lying just a few minutes from the source of the River Nile, this hotel offers a choice of 45 luxury rooms with garden, terrace and river views. The Source of the Nile Hotel also caters to a range of events and hosting needs thanks to its versatile function space.

NATURE The Copper Chimney Budongo Forest Reserve tour

Holiday Express Hotel Kampala Serena Hotel

Lake Mburo National Park

Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

The Lawns

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AFRICA

Transport Links KAMPALA, AS WELL as sitting in the agricultural and economic heart of Uganda, also represents the major hub for transport. It is the focal point of the country’s road network and sits on the key rail link from Kasese in the west to Mombasa, the capital of Kenya. Port Bell, located 10 kilometres east on Lake Victoria, also serves routes to nearby Tanzania and Kenya. Most international visitors to Kampala will arrive via Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s major international transport centre which lies around 45 kilometres southwest of the capital. In 2017 the airport reach a significant milestone, serving over 1.5 million passengers for the first time, recording a strong eight percent growth on

2016’s figure. Some 99 percent of all travellers passing through either arrived or departed on an international flight, with Ethiopian Airlines the most used carrier. In February 2017, the airport welcomed the arrival of Kenyan budget airline Jambojet’s inaugural service from Nairobi, which runs twice daily between the two cities.

With Kampala’s population growing at a rate of around four percent a year, it is vital that Entebbe and other transport routes are able to accommodate what will continue to be a growing demand for travel services.

Crystal Suites is a top class urban resort and self contained destination in the City. Crystal Suites is a cool haven of relaxation in the middle of one of the Africa’s most vibrant cities. With it’s beautiful Atrium, sparkling Crystal self contained guest rooms and bathrooms. It’s location is off the main road provides it’s customers an environment free from the urban pollution.

• Furnished apartments • Catering services • Hotel Facilities • Airport transfer • Internet (Wireless) • Conference Facilities • Guest laundry • Shoe shinning • Secure parking

+256 (0)41 4259087 | www.crystalsuitesug.com

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K A M P A L A

Landmark Attractions Kasubi Tombs

“The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi constitute a site embracing almost 30 hectares of hillside within Kampala district. Most of the site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods. At its core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884” – UNESCO

Baha’i Temple

“Visit the mother Temple of the Bahai faith in Africa. And just like the faith it represents, the Bahai temple is no ordinary house of worship. Sitting on 52 acres of land, the temple is a unique architectural masterpiece…This park-like environment attracts many people who sit on the grass and have a peaceful moment” – Visit Kampala

Mengo Palace

“Built in 1922, this small palace is the former home of the king of Buganda, though it has remained empty since 1966 when Prime Minister Milton Obote ordered a dramatic attack to oust Kabaka Mutesa II, then president of Uganda… The building’s interior cannot be visited, but the notorious underground prison here is open to tours” – Lonely Planet

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U G A N D A Mpanga Central Forest Reserve

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Mpanga Central Forest Reserve

“Mpanga Central Forest Reserve is a natural forest with unique tree species and other flora. The forest also boasts of a number of primates, especially the red-tailed monkeys, an array of birdlife including grey parrots, owls, hornbills and cuckoos, butterflies and moths” – National Forest Authority

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N A M I B I A

NAMIBIA The land of the endless horizons NAMIBIA FEATURES ONE of the most spectacular landscapes that Africa has to offer, home to expansive deserts, towering mountains, rocky valleys and savannas that are littered with some of the rarest wildlife in the world. While the vastness of the country may be hard to comprehend, Namibia is the perfect escape from a busy life in the western world. In fact, the country has one of the lowest population densities on earth with just 2.9 people per square kilometre. Despite this, Namibia surprisingly features some of the most vibrant cities on the continent that readily showcase the country’s exciting economic prospects alongside a deep cultural history that together bring unique experiences to travellers. Tourists who do visit the country are well placed to see all of these sites, owed to the nation’s economic

Combining one of Africa’s most progressive economies with expansive deserts, deep canyons and rich wildlife reserves, Namibia truly has something for everyone Writer: Jonathan Dyble Project Manager: Joe Palliser

and democratic stability and secure infrastructure networks. There is a range of alternative ways to explore its extensive plains, and whilst the country continues to offer the continent’s deepest canyon, the world’s oldest desert and the tallest sand dunes on the planet, Namibia will remain ripe for such adventure.

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FACTS & FIGURES

Capital: Windhoek Languages: German, English Area: 825,615 km² Population (2016): 2.48 million GDP (2016): US $10.27 billion Currency: Namibian Dollar (N$) Time zone: GMT+2 Dialling code: +264 Internet TLD: .na Climate: Arid Highest recorded temperature: 37°C

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N A M I B I A

The Business End

HOME TO RICH mineral deposits, Namibia has come to be considered by the World Bank as a uppermiddle-income country, upheld by political stability and sound economic management. The national government is attempting to lead by example in the way of economic progression across Africa by placing significant emphasis on incorporating the principles and practices of commercial development in the aim promoting job creation across the country. This particular emphasis has resulted in tourism becoming a key contributor to Namibia’s growth projections, adding approximately NAD$23.7 billion last year, accounting for 13.8 percent of total national GDP. Playing a key role in facilitating the rapid rise of this sector is Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) – an organisation encompassing more than 400 members across the full spectrum of the national hospitality industry. “The country’s vibrant tourism sector holds great potential for job creation and skills development, not only in urban areas, but most

REGIONAL MAP 1. Skelton Coast National Park 2. National West Coast Tourist Recreation Centre 3. Etosha National Park 4. Waterberg Plateau Park 5. Kaudom Game Reserve 6. Caprivi Game Reserve 7. Mudumo National Park 8. Mamili National Park 9. Namib-Naukluft National Park 10. Hardcap Game Park 11. Fish River Canyon Park A. Hartmann Valley B. Cape Cross Seal Reserve C. Spitzekoppe D. Sossusvlei E. Kolmanskop

importantly also at regional and rural level,” says Gitta Paetzold, CEO of HAN. “With tourism quite literally being everyone’s business, issues addressed by the association very often exceed the narrow tourism promotion sphere to include health, infrastructure, crime, issues on regulation and policy issues affecting tourism and the like.

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“Ultimately, the association aims to ensure that the tourism industry in Namibia remains relevant, grows and develops into a key economic pillar, is recognised for the immense value it holds in terms of job creation and economic contribution, all the while making Namibia a destination of choice for both regional and international travellers.”

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Hospitality Association of Namibia FOUNDED IN 1987 by an initial 16 members, HAN has been crucial in bolstering the country’s tourism industry for more than 30 years. Representing all industry bodies, from hotels, to guest houses, guest farms, lodges, rest camps, restaurants, conference centres and catering services, HAN readily engages with all hospitality members, helping to tackle issues and further national economic agenda. With aim of promoting the common interests of its members and enhancing the local hospitality industry, with coverage from the Kunene and Kavango rivers in the north right down to the Oranje in the south, HAN continues to champion this flourishing industry. Speaking to Africa Outlook, Paetzold reveals what’s in store for both the organisation and Namibia as a whole in the coming months. Africa Outlook (AfO): How would you say Hospitality Association of Namibia continues to help develop the country’s national tourism industry? Gitta Paetzold (GP): Throughout each year, the association communicates with its members via

email to ensure that the industry is kept abreast of developments and trends both locally and abroad. Members are also provided with an open channel to express their views and concerns and request HAN’s assistance to take these to authorities, where necessary. HAN represents the sector on platforms provided by relevant government authorities including the Tourism Ministry’s Tourism Competitive Advisory Board. Further, we provide regular submissions on

“The potential of the tourism sector is immense for Namibia, and the industry is recognised as one of the four key economic pillars of our economy”

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tourism occupancy statistics to the Bank of Namibia, Statistics Agency and other interested stakeholders, and once a year, aside from our AGM, we also host a National Tourism Congress on topics relevant to the industry. Furthermore, HAN hosts an annual tourism awards gala, during which outstanding performance and personalities in tourism are recognised for their commitment to growing the industry. AfO: How would you evaluate the tourism sector in Namibia now compared to its condition when the Namibia Tourism Board began? GP: HAN was instrumental, together with other tourism associations, in formulating the regulations for the Namibia Tourism Board which was established by an Act of Parliament in 2000, 10 years after the country gained independence. In the years since, the tourism sector and HAN have been in open dialogue that has included consultation, advice and promotion of the tourism sector, both in terms of marketing as a destination in general, and in influencing the development of tourism activities in rural areas.

Further, as a member of the Namibia Employers’ Federation, we have ensured that all occupational health and safety issues, labour matters and other social responsibility concerns are addressed, and that staff are trained, developed and encouraged to make a career in tourism whilst maintaining high standards. Equally, through strategic partnerships with the Eco Awards Alliance, the Namibian Association of Community Based Tourism Organisations, the Namibian Chamber for the Environment, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the NTB, HAN is a key driver for the promotion of sustainable practices in tourism.

AFRICA

Week in October in the coastal town of Luederitz, and the annual Namib Desert Race in December, one of the harshest 24-hour cycle races across Namibia’s gruelling terrain. Winter sees the Race for Rhino in Damaraland, combining fun and sports with a good cause, namely the preservation and conservation of Namibia’s fauna and flora, and especially our precious rhinos. In line with the huge growth in tourism across the country, a number of major brands including Hilton Hotels, the Manor Group and Zanier Hotel group have set up shop in Namibia, each launching a number of new prestigious hotels. These, coupled with existing establishments such as the Hoanbib Valley Camp that AfO: What is in store for Namibia most recently hosted Prince William, over the rest of 2018 and beyond are just a few examples of Namibia’s to continue the good work already potential to provide unique, exquisite commenced and to enhance its and exclusive experiences to world reputation as a tourism and business travellers. travel hub further in the future? Meanwhile, gemstone tourism is GP: Apart from the annual HAN also on the up as Namibia’s geography Tourism Congress and Gala, the biggest and geology is probably one of the media house, Namibia Media Holdings, most intriguing at global level, with hosts the annual Namibia Tourism countless experts and scientists Expo in May/June every year - a fouralready frequenting this country for day event showcasing the diversity of research. We believe that, if developed the sector. correctly, gemstone tourism can Within specific regions, a number become a new niche market for our of events are held annually, such as the International Kite Surfing Speed

tourism industry, and one that will offer added benefits to the local community and small miners. AfO: Finally, looking forward, what progress and development are you expecting to see in the coming years, both in regard to HAN as an entity, and the business travel industry in Namibia as a whole? GP: The potential of the tourism sector is immense for Namibia, and the industry is recognised as one of the four key economic pillars of our economy. It could be a gold mine, but only if it is developed correctly and in consideration of the environmental sustainability principles to which we strongly subscribe. Growth needs to go hand in hand with distinct destination management and aim for a shift from the bottleneck areas of the national parks and Deadvlei to creating a more diverse tourism package that offers one key multi-faceted tourism product: Namibia – a place that has it all. From wide open spaces, unspoilt beauty and rich fauna and flora to intriguing history and cultural diversity, coupled with some of the most amazing culinary offerings that include world-renowned beers, wines, gins, and local delicacies, Namibia really does have a lot to offer.

Zanier Hotels Omaanda Lodge

Shamvetu Lodge, Popa Falls

Zanier Hotels Omaanda Lodge

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N A M I B I A

Out & About IN THE WAY of culture, Namibia is completely unique, taking influences from both its colonial history and the 11 different tribes and ethnic groups that occupy the country. The result of this is a truly broad and diverse society, with a range of different art, music, religions found throughout each region. This culture of acceptance makes the country one of the most touristfriendly nations across Africa and visiting remote communities such as the semi-nomadic Himba can be a humbling experience for any traveller. Home to a quarter of the world’s cheetahs and the last of the world’s completely wild black rhino, Namibia also showcases an expansive range of wildlife reserves, parks and lodges that, coupled with its beautiful landscapes, readily draw visitors from all over the world.

Heading into the country’s more populated areas, Swakopmund is a great base from which to explore the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast, whilst offering unique colonial architecture that in itself is worth seeing. Meanwhile Windhoek offers a more westernised feel, standing as a modern and well-structured city that can provide those who visit with some respite from the country’s expansive deserts.

Ballooning over the Sossusvlei Desert

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Colourful colonial houses in Swakopmund

Meat me there! Inspired by the fascinating character of Namibia and its people, Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is where a love for adventure, stories and living to the fullest, comes to vibrant life. Through our unique combination of delicious and authentic food, heartfelt hospitality, and our one-of-its-kind atmosphere, we feed the mouth and soul, celebrate old memories; and build new ones with you. So much more than just another restaurant. For people who still dream of truly great escape. THAT PLACE IS JOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S.

Bookings can be directly made on the website

+264 61 232 457 | www.joesbeerhouse.com | 160 Nelson Mandela Avenue | Windhoek | Namibia

N A M I B I A

Outlook Recommends “Namibia is a country of epic landscapes, bountiful wildlife and few people” – World Travel Guide

HOSPITALITY

TOUR PROVIDERS

John and Penny Group John and Penny Group is wholly owned by previously disadvantaged Namibians. The company owns two foreign subsidiaries, Societe John and Penny Group Congo in Congo Brazaville and John and Penny Group South Africa Pty Limited. Over the years it has grown into a diversiﬁed business with a presence in hotels and lodges, tours, food and catering services. Among its accommodation offerings is the Ekamuti Town Lodge Ondangwa, situated in the northern part of Ovamboland.

Journeys Namibia Journeys Namibia is one of the most established lodge management companies across the country, helping to take the strain off lodge owners by taking care of the day to day management. With a vision of promoting a sustainable tourism industry through the development of sound partnerships, Journey’s Namibia wants to truly make a difference to every visitor’s Namibia experience.

RESTAURANTS Joe’s Beer House Encompassing the soul and character of Namibia and its people, Joe’s Beer House offers one of a kind experiences to any of its customers that come from far and wide. Joe’s combines delicious and authentic foods with heart-warming hospitality to leave its customers with the best of memories, feeding the mouth and soul.

Blue Crane Safaris Katu Tours Du Preez Wild MUSEUMS

The Raft Restaurant Xwama Cultural Village & Restaurant

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Damara Living Museum Swakopmund Museum Trans-Namib Railway Museum

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• SAFE (ICAO Standard) • FAST • RELIABLE

See more of Namibia from above Your first choice for: • Luxury Air Charter • Helicopter charter • Scenic flights • Aerial photo safaris

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Welcome to Namibia’s unique waterfront “Lake Oanob Resort”, where you can experience the savanna, its wild- and birdlife, breathtaking sunsets and a touch of Swiss-Namibian hospitality; still, you are linked to the outside world (internet-WiFi). We offer luxury accommodation in self-catering chalets, ensuite rooms and camping/caravan sites. The à la carte restaurant and bar is where you chill out after your water sport activities, a nature drive, or a sundowner boat cruise. Our Resort is also offering different venues for workshops, conferencing, weddings, birthday parties and more – all next to the waterfront.

T: +264 64 205 631 | gm@flamingovillana.com | manager@flamingovillana.com Flamingo Villas Boutique Hotel | Flamingo Villas Bar | Flamingo Bay Restaurant www.flamingovillana.com

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N A M I B I A

Transport Links

Flamingos at Walvis Bay

WITH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT having been pledged towards upgrading infrastructure within Namibia’s populated areas in recent years, inner city travel is relatively easy, owed to the abundance of both rail and bus transport options available. However, for those looking to discover the tourism riches that are on offer in all corners of the country, booked tours and buses are one of the most viable options. A number of private bus companies run scheduled long-distance services, such as Intercape Mainliner, whilst Townhoppers and Welwitschia Shuttle offer a similar transport solution in the form of shuttle buses. Internal flights are also available, largely used by the country’s business travellers. Whilst Namibia’s international airports

can be found at Walvis Bay on the west coast and Windhoek, smaller airports are located broadly across the country at Katima Mulilo, Ondangwa, Rundu, Oranjemund and Lüderitz.

The Intercape Mainliner

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Despite this, car hire is widely considered to be the best method of travel for those looking to see it all. It is recommended that vehicles capable of navigating off road are sought out, as some of the country’s more remote roads are a far cry from tarmacked highways. Equally, for those seeking to really get off the beaten track, it would be wise to travel in a convoy of at least two well equipped vehicles.

AFRICA

Landmark Attractions

Kolmanskop

Epacha Game Lodge is located on top of the hills of the 13,000 ha Epacha Game Reserve near Etosha National Park. The Lodge offers 18 luxury chalets and a private Villa spread over the hills overlooking the private reserve. Activities include game drives on the reserve and to Etosha, a visit to a local Himba village and spa treatments.

“Here amongst the windswept houses of Kolmanskop lies the key to a past long gone, the remains of an era where diamonds sparkled and sustained life along the coast of Namibia” – Kolmanskuppe.com

Tel: +264 61 375300 reservations@epacha.com

www.epacha.com

Skeleton Coast

“Namibia has several thousand shipwrecked vessels strewn across its vast coastline. The Skeleton Coast’s rough seas, roaring winds and strong ocean currents are primarily responsible for many of these beached ships’ fate” – Namibia Tourism

River Canyon

“The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is (allegedly) the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. The immensity of this magnificent landscape is truly breath-taking” – Namibian.org

Sossusvlei

“The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, reaching almost 400 meters, and provide photographic enthusiasts with wonderful images in the beautiful morning and evening light” – Sossusvlei.org

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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: agriculture, construction, energy & utilities, finance, food & drink, healthcare, manufacturing, mining & resources, oil & gas, retail, shipping & logistics, technology and travel & tourism. 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. www.africaout

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eti

Opportu ng nity

ISSUE 67

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The African Answer to African Challenges

rican

An Af Answer

Mota-Engil Africa has been delivering crucial infrastructure and services across a range of sectors since it began operations in Angola more than 70 years ago Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Donovan Smith

crucial infrastructure has been delivering ago more than 70 years How Mota-Engil Africa operations in Angola projects since it began

00 ENGIE AFRICA Africa’s energy deficit

How to solve

ALSO FEATURI

NG:

GUIDE 00 BUSINESS TRAVEL luxury outpost of Africa Seychelles: The

TRIAL PARK 00 LIMPOPO ECO-INDUS face of industrial sustainability Changing the

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great deal of hope for Africa’s sustainable future hangs on the acceleration of infrastructure development. Every year around 12 million young people join the continent’s labour force, a figure which is only expected to rise as populations continue to grow. Indeed, if the latest United Nations medium scenario projections are proven correct, by 2050 the current populace will have doubled to 2.5 billion. If these millions of new workingage citizens are to be employed, Africa must industrialise. History has proven that a healthy stock of high-quality infrastructure in power, water, and transport is a key facilitating factor of industrialisation, creating an environment that enables organisations to thrive in their respective industries. The positive impact of infrastructure on economic growth and inclusive social development has been well documented by numerous social science disciplines and bodies like the African Development Bank (AfDB). High-quality infrastructure is essential for Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, Agenda 2063 of the African Union, and AfDB’s own High Five Goals. The latter estimates that the region’s infrastructure needs amount to somewhere in the region of $130-170 billion a year, markedly higher than the annual $93 billion published by Agence Française de Développement and the World Bank. However, this challenge also presents enormous opportunity, and there is optimism in the air from companies operating on the frontline of infrastructure development across the continent. “For many Africa is the continent of the future, but it has been our present for 72 years,” says Manuel António Mota, CEO of Mota-Engil Africa.

M OTA - E N G I L A F R I C A

A continental stalwart of 70-plus years

AFRICA SCANIA EAST the transport industry Transforming

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| LONA GROUP LA CABLES UNIT | ANGO

+44 (0) 1603 959 650 ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

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The African Answer to African Challenges Mota-Engil Africa has been delivering crucial infrastructure and services across a range of sectors since it began operations in Angola more than 70 years ago Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Donovan Smith

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M I N I N G

R E S O U R C E S

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“We are strong believers in the region and in its continuous development, and we are very confident about some of the recent steps taken in many African countries which will contribute to wider economic development.” This sentiment is backed up by the AfDB, which points to examples from Ethiopia, Mauritius and Rwanda as models that other African nations can follow. In its 2018 African Economic Outlook report it says: “By attracting foreign investment and firms, even the poorest African countries can improve their trade logistics, increase the knowledge and skills of local entrepreneurs, gain the confidence of international buyers, and gradually make local firms competitive.”

For many Africa is the continent of the future, but it has been our present for 72 years” Serving Sub-Saharan industry

Mota-Engil Africa is one of the largest native-born enterprises that works at the forefront of infrastructure development in the Sub-Sahara region. It has presence or interest in 16 different countries and is served by a 12,600-strong, with expertise spanning engineering and construction, waste management, mining, water and energy specialisms, among others. Mota elaborates: “We operate in

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engineering and construction across the entire spectrum of activities, with a big focus on all kinds of public and private infrastructure and buildings. “We are also very active as a mining contractor, and in construction works for mining companies. We have a strong presence across the continent on waste collection and treatment, where we operate in five countries already, with a big focus in Angola, Ivory Coast and Mozambique.”

Mining side by side with Mota-Engil Africa Epiroc, through delivering on four core principles of reliability, proximity, sustainability and expertise, continues to be a partner of choice for miners

Epiroc – a combination of Greek and Latin meaning ‘at rock’. Now a separate entity from Atlas Copco, Epiroc’s name reflects the Company in action – a firm focused on mining, rock excavation and natural resources with proximity to customers, and one built on strong partnerships.

These partnerships are developed with customers in more than 150 countries around the world, served by 12,000 employees and 23 production facilities which combine to generate approximately SEK 30 billion ($3.31 billion) in annual revenue. From civil engineering, urban development and quarrying work to well drilling, deconstruction and recycling, Epiroc’s expertise are wide-reaching and backed up by an extensive service offering to ensure maximum uptime. In Africa, mining very much represents the Company’s staple industry. In the underground sphere, Epiroc can cater to a full suite of requirements, from mechanical rock excavation, loading and haulage, and ventilation systems to drill rigs, hydraulic drum cutter machinery and ground support equipment. On the surface, the Company provisions equipment and applications covering blasthole drill rigs and rock drilling, amongst others, while exploration machinery includes surface core drill rigs, reverse circulation drill rigs and rock drilling tools.

FOUR PRINCIPLES = FIRST CHOICE By basing its offering on four central pillars, Epiroc aims to be and remain the first-choice partner for its customers. These pillars are: •

Reliability – sticking to promises

•

Proximity – access to parts, services and support

•

Sustainability – environmentally, socially and ethically responsible practices

•

Expertise – backed by more than 145 years of history

A partner of choice Such expertise has led Epiroc to execute many significant and successful partnerships with mining clients, including Mota-Engil Africa. Among the work and services provided for the firm are supply of surface drill rigs, spare parts

Commenting on the partnership with Epiroc, he said: “More than a supplier of equipment and services, Epiroc has been a technological partner of Mota-Engil when studying the best equipment solutions for each operation and region of Africa, proposing the one that best suits the work to be done. “The relationship of trust that has established itself over several decades is increasingly strengthened and each new mining or infrastructure challenge for Mota-Engil Africa is also a challenge for Epiroc.

and consumables. Epiroc is also in the process of providing a basic level of automation for drilling machines alongside a surface manager data reporting tool. Fernando Pedrinho Martins, Regional Business Manager Drilling Solutions (Europe, Middle East and Africa), provides some further insight on the collaboration and why it has been so successful to date. “The partnership has developed over a very long time on different sectors, such as quarrying, civil construction, road construction, geotechnical, maritime works, tunnelling and others. “On mining, in particular, the relationship started with Mota-Engil África, first with exploration and lately moving into contracting. Epiroc supplied the drills being used in different projects like Moatize coal mine in Mozambique, and Siguiri gold mine in Guinea. “The proximity of the relationship allows us to listen to the customer and search for the best solutions. Our site presence and being a one-stop shop covering machines, drilling consumables, parts and service on a global scale, do also give a reassuring support to Mota-Engil Africa.” These reflections are backed up António Vieira, Mota-Engil Africa’s Head of Mining Services.

“We operate in remote environments and with logistical difficulties. Finding mobilisation solutions that do not compromise the performance of the contract, establishing training plans and monitoring the evolution of the work, allowing for anticipation of problems, has been an added value for the strengthening of this partnership work.” Forward-thinking Moving forwards, as Martins eluded to, Epiroc will look to implement further cutting-edge solutions into Mota-Engil Africa’s mining operations. “I want to put in place the first steps on aspects like fleet management and mine digitalisation, which we can do thanks to our recent acquisition of ASI Mining,” he comments. Acquiring expertise such as this will allow the Company to move hand in hand with Mota-Engil Africa and its projected expansion over the coming years, summarised by its key motto. It reads: “United. Inspired. Performance united us, innovation inspires us, and commitment drives us to keep moving forward. Count on Epiroc to deliver the solutions you need to succeed today and the technology to lead tomorrow.”

Call +49 201 21770 socialmedia@epiroc.com

www.epiroc.com

WE ARE CONNECTED...

... Supporting our PARTNERS ... Contributing to DEVELOPMENT

... Developing Worldclass ENERGY SOLUTIONS

... Supporting

YOUR MARINE FLEET

... Monitoring and Protecting YOUR EQUIPMENT

... Connect with us stet.pt

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This presence culminates in a company which last year turned over $970 million and is currently sat on an order book worth $2.94 billion. MotaEngil Africa is growing steadily, shown by the fact that 2017’s revenue was 21 percent (or $171.54 million) higher than 2016’s. “We are very active on concessions, and other investments, that can or will generate construction where we invest our own equity, including airports, roads, ports, energy, real estate developments, and more,” adds Mota. “We currently have some publicprivate partnership concessions under construction, while one is already under exploration.” In terms of geographical footprint, Mota-Engil Africa is spread over 16 countries from east to south to west in the Sub-Sahara region. “We have had a solid presence in Angola since the beginning, and here we have a strong logistical base where we are able to provide support to our African operations,” Mota explains.

We have had a solid presence in Angola since the beginning, and here we have a strong logistical base where we are able to provide support to our African operations” “We are also well-established across Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, with further operations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. “On the West African side, an area where we began operating more recently, we have a presence in the Ivory Coast, Guine Conacry, Cameroon, and most recently we have opened up an office in Nigeria. For the future, we are also tendering in Senegal and Ghana, and seek to potentially establish permanent bases, though if

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it is the right project we will act across the whole continent.” Mota’s personal involvement stretches back a long way. Being a member of the founding family, he has been close to the organisation from a young age, formally joining in 2009 after completing his studies. He started working in Angola in 2009, and in 2012 was appointed as a board member of Mota-Engil Angola. Mota then became CEO of Mota-Engil Central Europe in June 2013 before moving to his current role in February 2016.

TET is the Caterpillar Dealer for both Portugal and Cabo Verde, and has represented Caterpillar in these regions for more than 57 years.

STET forms part of the Italian based Tesa Group of Companies, a large corporation that was established over 85 years ago. The Tesa Group employs more than 2,800 employees in Europe, operating as Caterpillar dealers and also running a number of complementary businesses across multiple territories, providing equipment management, rental and integrated solutions development to our customers who operate around the globe. For the past 500 years Portugal as a country has walked together with all Portuguese speaking territories across the world. Portuguese see it as their legacy and their responsibility to continue working together with these Portuguese speaking territories, maintaining the connection and contributing to the building of a better future for all Portuguese speaking people around the globe. Further, STET, as a traditional Portuguese company, has a rich history of supporting its customers in developing their businesses in Africa, something it has been doing by serving their needs for more than 40 years. We are thankful to Africa – it is in our blood, and is part of our heritage as it has helped us learn and grow as individuals and as a group.

and our customers – an opportunity which will further the development of the African continent by ensuring that Africa grows its connectivity with the rest of the world. We can leverage the expertise we have accumulated over our years of supporting our customers in Africa, mixed with the expertise we have from representing the Caterpillar brand for so many years. We can pass on this capability, knowledge and experience to those who need it. Africa is a continent which has a number of specific needs. We can support these needs, delivering solutions and operational excellence through our people. Our people are connected people, people with technical expertise, people who understand the difficulties and concerns faced by our customers and the African people. STET has already developed the capability and remains ready and able to provide the support needed. If we leverage the lessons we have learned, we can add value. Our history has always been closely connected with Africa and we see ourselves as part of the development of Africa…

We are connected… Connect with us…

Our participation in this magazine is our renewed commitment to continuing to play a part in the development of Africa by building on and sharing what we’ve learned throughout these 40 years of collaboration. The world is more connected and more global than ever and this brings a unique opportunity for collaboration between STET

T +351 931105920 E apoioaclientes@stet.pt

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A F R I C A

STEERING MOTA-ENGIL AFRICA IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Manuel Mota is joined by a group of highly experience executives and industry experts who form the Company’s leadership. Board of Directors • Gonçalo Moura Martins, Chairman. With Mota-Engil since 1990. • Manuel António Mota, Chief Executive Officer. • José Carlos Nogueira, Chief Financial Officer. • David Hobley, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director. Chartered accountant, previously MD at SG Warburg and Deutsche Bank. • Francisco Seixas da Costa, Independent Non-Executive Director. Former Portuguese diplomat and politician. Executive Directors (in addition to Manuel Mota) • José Carlos Nogueira, Chief Financial Officer. • Francisco Franca, Executive Director. Joined in 1998, CEO of Angola operations. • Anibal Leite, Executive Director. Joined in 1983. Civil engineer of more than 20 years. • Carlos Pascoal, Executive Director. Civil engineer of more than 20 years. • Santos Pato, Executive Director. Civil engineer of more than 20 years.

ITM

TM is a renowned global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of undercarriage components and solutions. Comprising a global workforce of 1,300 employees spanning branches all the over the world, ITM’s adept team are able to offer end-to-end assistance to ITM’s customers whenever it is requested. Through many years of expansive R&D and collaboration with leading OEMs, ITM has played a crucial role in facilitating progression and innovation within the industry, offering solutions that maximise productive potential. In Africa, ITM leverages its partnerships with major local distributors, but in today’s challenging markets, ITM also recognises that close collaboration with key customers must be a primary consideration that, in turn, enables business growth within the African market. One such key customer is Mota-Engil – a firm that ITM has recently supplied with completely new undercarriage solutions for two of its key mining excavators operating in Mozambique.

Luanda International Airport, Mota-Engil Africa’s first ever project

An Angolan stalwart

Angola is where the entire Mota-Engil Group’s roots can be traced back to. In 1946, Mota & Cia as it was then known was founded by Manuel António da Mota in Portugal, with operations exclusively in Angola until 1975 when the firm expanded into Namibia and South Africa. During this early period the Company worked on a number of important projects, most notably the completion of Luanda International Airport which was handed over in 1952. Through the 1980s and 90s Mota & Cia opened up branches in Gabon, Swaziland (renamed Eswatini in 2018),

Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Tunisia. “In the 90’s we also started our expansion into other business areas such as mining, road and bridge concessions, waste management, water management, port concessions, and energy,” Mota adds. The turn of the millennium marked a vital point in the organisation’s development, the Mota family deciding to merge Mota & Cia with Engil, creating the Group that exists today. This prompted further expansion across the African continent, with the markets of Benin, Chad and São Tomé and Príncipe having been entered by 2006.

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“I spend a lot of time travelling to visit our dealers and key end users to find out more about the challenges facing their operations. The insights that I gain from these visits ensures that we at ITM are constantly redefining our services and products to make them the best they can be,” says Erik Stols, Sales Director, African Mining at ITM. “At ITM, we would like our key end users to see us as a one stop solution for all their undercarriage needs.”

www.group-itm.com

VISIBLY POWERFUL. Expertise, know-how, innovation capacity. In one word: ITM We proudly stand behind our products. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the difference! Our dedicated team of Product Support Specialists can recommend the best undercarriage solution for a particular application in order to enhance and optimize the performance of the product you chose. Furthermore, it will check the product is being used correctly and give advice to ensure maximum productivity, longer life and lower maintenance costs.

GROUP-ITM.COM

ENGINEERED FOR SUCCESS

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LOMBARD INSURANCE

ombard Insurance Company Limited (Lombard), has been a proud partner to Mota-Engil Africa (MEA) over the past five years, by providing construction and related guarantees to their employers throughout the African continent. By virtue of our extensive experience and vast African partner network, we have issued guarantees, on behalf of, MEA in 11 African countries, including difficult to access markets such as Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon. Lombard has been the leading provider of construction and related guarantees in Sub-Saharan Africa over the last 30 years. From our base in South Africa we are able to leverage our network of partner-insurers thereby providing our clients with workable solutions on the continent. Our flexible approach to guarantee wordings, strong client relationships, cost-effective guarantee solutions and exceptional turnaround times and service make us the preferred provider to contractors and employers alike.

Mota-Engil Africa formally emerged from a restructuring in 2012 which saw the Group organise itself into geographic business units. Further expansion came shortly with the entry into Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda being quickly followed by Rwanda in 2015. Current CEO Mota joined a year later, and today the entire Mota-Engil Group employs more than 30,000 people across 30-plus countries.

Our product offering includes construction-related guarantees such as Advance Payment, Performance and Retention Guarantees issued to employers as well as temporary import guarantees (customs bonds). Our product offering and cost structure enable our clients to reduce guarantee costs and free up cash flow, allowing them better opportunities to accelerate their business growth. Our reinsurance capacity and execution skills provide us with the ability to support our clients, from small construction to mega-build projects.

Mining for Africa

Of these newer business areas Mota eludes to, mining has become something of a company staple. Asked to cite a project that instils a particular sense of pride, he points towards the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ongoing involvement with Brazilian mining giant Vale in Mozambique. ` The work involves the execution of mining services that include drilling,

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For more information contact:

Manuel Mota, CEO, Mota-Engil Africa

Eben van der Walt T +27 11 551 0637 F +27 86 5015119 C +27 83 300-2246 E ebenvdw@lombardins.com

www.lombardins.com

PROVIDING CONSTRUCTION GUARANTEES TO OUR INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS THROUGHOUT AFRICA

Through our extensive Insurer Partner Network, we can provide Construction Guarantees in more than 20 SubSaharan African countries. Construction Guarantee Products Include: • • • • • • •

Performance Guarantees Bid Bonds/Tender Bonds Advance Payment Guarantees Retention Guarantees Materials On-/Off Site Guarantees Energy Guarantees Temporary Import/Export Permits (Customs Bonds)

Benefits of a Lombard Facility: • • • • • •

Flexible Approach to Guarantee Wordings Strong Client Relationships Direct Access to Decision Makers Solutions Driven Approach to Client Issues Exceptional Turnaround Times on Issue of Bonds Large Insurance Partner Network throughout Africa

For more information please contact: Eben van der Walt Tel +27 11 551 0637 • Cell +27 83 300 2246 Email ebenvdw@lombardins.com

www.lombardins.com Lombard Insurance Company Limited is a licensed Insurer & Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 1596)

Lombard Partnership Network

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A F R I C A

MOTORCARE NISSAN MOTORCARE Nissan Mozambique Lda Fleet managers face a number of inescapable challenges that have a huge impact on the bottom line and businesses require robust vehicles with proven reliability, along with progressive support and servicing to remain efficient. Understanding the unique fleet requirements for the local climate and road infrastructure, MOTORCARE Mozambique Lda has been offering automotive B2B services in Mozambique since 1996 and our national footprint extends to Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Pemba and Moatize. As an authorised premium brand distributer, we provide the best automotive solutions, parts and accessories, as well as access to onestop maintenance and repair services, combined with a full spectrum of fleet management solutions.

Nacala Rail Corridor

provision of explosives, and load and transport of sterile and coal at Moatize, in the west of the country. The mine is Vale’s single-largest investment in coal, the success of which also being dependent on two railroads that connects Moatize to the sea. Mota-Engil Africa played an integral part in the development of the Nacala Corridor between 2012 and 2014, working on two geographically demanding sections of the 900-kilometre line in Malawi. One section involved the construction and renovation of an existing 100-kilometre stretch of railroad, while the second project entailed the building of a new 145-kilometre line between Kachaso on the Malawi-Mozambique border and Nkaya Junction in the district of Balaka, Malawi. Mota-Engil Africa also completed rehabilitation and expansion work

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Our workshops carry the international quality recognition status of fully integrated ISO certification ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001. This cements our commitment to meet customers’ highest service expectations, with consciousness of operational impact on the environment, as well as health and safety practices. MOTORCARE Nissan’s comprehensive range of commercial LCV vehicles is fit for purpose and can rise to meet any challenge. As a key business partner to Mota-Engil Africa, MOTORCARE supports its operations by supplementing and servicing its fleet – most notably with the Nissan NP300 HARDBODY, a true thoroughbred workhorse, and the durable Nissan CIVILIAN bus. If your business needs to perform in all conditions, MOTORCARE Nissan Mozambique has got you covered on the road. Rua Kanwalanga no 141, Moçambique, Maputo T +258 21350800 E info@mz.motorcare.com

www.motorcare.co.mz

NISSAN

NP300 HARDBODY THE SMARTEST INVESTMENT YOU WILL EVER MAKE!

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

3 YEAR OR 100 000KM WARRANTY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

WORLD-CLASS SERVICE

We promise to make your Nissan experience one to cherish, from your delivery day and everyday after, our commitment is to deliver a service experience you can trust – and believe in.

Our brand ethos is communicated through the service we deliver. Through out our branches we ensure we offer quality customer engagement everytime a customer enters our ISO certified facilities.

CUSTOMER ASSURANCE

MOTORCARE Nissan remains committed to providing an extensive and world-class automotive experience to customers in Mozambique with on-going focus on Sales and Aftersales service. Every customer is assured of consistent and innovative sales and service solutions. Facilities are state of the art and we operate with the latest technology combined with quality workmanship.

MOTORCARE NISSAN MAPUTO

Rua Kanwalanga nº 141 +258 21 35 08 00

BEIRA

Av. Samora Machel nº 3024 +258 23 32 65 03

info@mz.motorcare.com

MOATIZE

As long as your car is under our warranty, we’ll always have you covered if anything goes wrong. For the first 3 years or 100 000km, whichever comes first. Our workshops carry the international quality recognition status of fully integrated ISO certification ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001. This cements our commitment to meet customers’ highest service expectations, with consciousness of operational impact on the environment, as well as health and safety practices.

GENUINE NISSAN PARTS

We deliver the highest care for your Nissan by fitting only Nissan Genuine Parts.

www.nissan.co.mz

E.N.7 Unidade 25 de Setembro, Chithatha Moatize, Tete +258 25 24 22 20

nissanmocambique

NAMPULA

Rua da Franca, Parcela 3, Bairro da Carrupeia +258 26 21 72 51 5

connect on

PEMBA

E.N.106 Bairro do Alto Giongone +258 27 22 07 71

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TRANSITEX

ransitex is the logistics operator of the Yilport Group, with a worldwide network of offices across Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. We are experts in the transport of perishables, such as general foodstuffs, and also handle other types of commodities like stone, wines, spirits and construction materials. Around the world, and particularly in Africa, we execute all kinds of logistical operations regarding project cargoes and machinery, having worked on some of the biggest engineering projects across the continent. In the last four years, our business volume in Africa has increased 97.03 percent, transporting more than 60,000 TEUs annually just by sea freight. We connect Southern African countries with our own fleet of trucks and warehouses located throughout the region’s main inland corridors, connecting the main maritime ports to the interior of the continent.

on the Sena Railroad in 2016. Now in operation, this 575-kilometre trainline connects Moatize to the Port of Beira in the south of Mozambique and is able to transport six million tonnes of coal a year. “Our involvement on the Nacala Corridor and on the coal mines with Vale makes us all at Mota-Engil very proud,” Mota reveals. “We started on the project from a very early stage and were able to showcase our capacities to be a key partner on the mining side and on the infrastructure side, both in terms of construction and maintenance. “Naturally this is a project that keeps us all proud, as we have been able to integrate a lot of our areas of expertise, including the maintenance of infrastructure, which is a segment we also hold and carry large experience in.

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Our involvement on the Nacala Corridor and on the coal mines with Vale makes us all at Mota-Engil very proud”

Transitex has in Mota-Engil one of its clients of reference for the African market. More than a supplier, Transitex has been a logistics partner for more than a decade, working closely with the Group, anticipating and providing all kinds of solutions that allow the realisation of the most diverse projects that Mota-Engil has on the African continent. “Today we are already in the future, betting on IT and increasingly innovative solutions that allow us to say that the logistics services that Transitex provides to Mota-Engil will never be a limitation to its development in this continent.” – Fernando Lima, CEO, Transitex. Transitex Mozambique (Maputo) T +258 83 9000853 /+258 83 9000852 E mocambique@transitex.co.mz Transitex South Africa (Johannesburg) T + 27 113878880 E Southafrica@transitex.co.za

www.transitex.com

The World Closer.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE: • • • • • • • •

Maritime transport Air and road transport Multimodal transport (e.g.: rail + truck) Cargo consolidation/stuffing Pre-inspection Customs clearance Distribution Cargo insurance…

Transitex Mozambique (Maputo) Rua Joe Slovo nº22 – Condomínio Prédio Saratoga Sala 1 & 2 2284 Maputo Tel: +258 83 9000853 /+258 83 9000852 E-mail: mocambique@transitex.co.mz Transitex South Africa (Johannesburg) Transitex Global Logistics Operations, Pty, Ltd Tunney Ridge Business Park Corner of Sam Green and Pinnacle Road – Block D 1429 – Elandsfontein / Johannesburg, South Africa Tel: + 27 113878880 E-mail: Southafrica@transitex.co.za

www.transitex.com

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NILETRAC LIMITED

ileTrac Limited is the authorised distributor in East Africa for Hyundai, XCMG, Visa and Foton covering Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and supports a full range of construction and lifting equipment including; tracked excavators, wheel loaders, vibratory rollers, bulldozers, graders, forklifts, concrete equipment, drilling rigs, pickups and trucks, all terrain truck cranes and diesel power generating sets. We pride ourselves in our skilled human resources of sales, engineers and logistical support staff at our regional offices who are dedicated to supporting our customer enquiries and meeting their needs.

“The project as a whole has been key to our success in recent years and transformative for the Group and our relationship with mining clients.” Indeed, the work with Vale is just one of many examples showcasing MotaEngil Africa’s expertise in the mining sector. The firm is also a contractor on the Moatize-Macuse Railway Logistics Corridor in Mozambique, a 639-kilometre railway that will transport coal from the mines of Moatize and Chitima in Tete to a new floating coal terminal off the coast at Macuse. Mota also highlights the Company’s work with Société AngloGold Ashanti as another important project, an ongoing contract involving the provision of equipment and installations at its Siguiri gold mine in Guinea Conkary. Based 850 kilometres northeast of Conkary, the country’s capital, the mine is a vital asset and processes around 30,000 tonnes a day.

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NileTrac Limited’s fully-fledged workshops are equipped with up to date electronic tools and workshop equipment for fault diagnosis, machine repairs, engine overhauls, a mobile workshop team for field maintenance and recovery. The Company also offers a range of product support services through contracts and customer support agreements. The Company boasts of well stocked warehouses with an updated stock management system to identify the correct parts, make parts orders, and track orders and deliveries, making our lead times very short to the satisfaction of our clients and ensuring your equipment is up and running in the shortest possible time. With our wide range of solutions for sales, financing facilities, hire/lease of our equipment, NileTrac Limited is confident and committed to ensuring that visions and strategies of Mota-Engil Africa are achieved. NileTrac Limited and Mota-Engil Africa seek to strengthen their partnership for the execution of projects in the area of infrastructure in the different regions.

E sales@niletrac.com

www.niletrac.com

Moving you further

NILETRAC UGANDA LIMITED Henley Business Park Plot M 424 Ntinda Industrial Area P.O Box 7734 Kampala,Uganda T: +256 414 505777, +256 414 342777 E: sales@niletrac.com NILETRAC RWANDA LIMITED KG 7th Ave #35- Kacyiru Blue Star House 1st Floor, Wing B P.O Box 6571 Kigali, Rwanda T: +256 7888 751 512 E: sales@niletrac.com

NILETRAC KENYA LIMITED Nairobi Head Office Bellway Business Park Mombasa Road P.O Box 421-00502 Nairobi Kenya T: +254 701 444842 E: sales@niletrac.com MOMBASA OFFICE Makupa Causeway Changamwe area Mombasa, Kenya T: +254 701000833 E: sales@niletrac.com

www.niletrac.com

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ASCENDUM

he ASCENDUM Group is a Portuguese international group and one of the world’s largest distributors of Volvo construction equipment, present in Portugal, Spain, USA, Turkey, Mexico, Africa and in nine countries across Central and Eastern Europe. Ascendum sells and rents equipment and provides services for the construction, manufacturing and extractive, mines, forests and recycling industries.

T +351 21 994 65 00 E lisboa@ascendummaquinas.pt

www.ascendummaquinas.pt

“The Siguiri and Moatize developments are projects where we have invested over $170 million in equipment and facilities, and in which we are very active,” Mota continues. “We have worked across several projects on the continent, with specific focus in Angola, Mozambique and Malawi. Today we also have a presence in the sector across Zimbabwe.” This includes a five-year mining contract for the Hwange Colliery Mine, operated by Hwange Colliery Company, involving drilling works, detonation, and load and transport of coal. Situated in the remote western tip of Zimbabwe, the mine is back up and running following a two-year hiatus and is set to produce 200,000 tonnes a month. The country has an ambitious target of producing 10 million tonnes of output over the next two years, a figure which would enable it to begin exporting.

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AST

The Siguiri and Moatize developments are projects where we have invested over $170 million in equipment and facilities”

ST is an environmental consulting and construction firm that designs and implements sustainable environmental solutions. The Company is a full-service provider studying challenges and designing solutions – it builds, operates and maintains environmental systems. AST was founded in 2008 in Portugal and its technical team has more than 20 years of experience. Landfill leachate treatment (using reverse osmosis), water and wastewater services form the firm’s core of expertise, which is delivered on a turnkey or rental basis for clients.

For more information, be sure to visit: www.ast-ambiente.com T +351 220 163 277 E office@ast-ambiente.com

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R E S O U R C E S

AST is an environmental consulting and construction firm that designs and implements sustainable environmental solutions. SERVICES • Consultancy • Design • Construction • Operation and maintenance • Technical support • Rental

ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES

PRODUCTS • Landfill leachate treatment systems • Water and wastewater treatment systems by membrane technology • Supply of equipments, parts and consumables

+351 220 163 277 | office@ast-ambiente.com www.ast-ambiente.com

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Diversified

More than 70 years of continuous presence in Africa has allowed MotaEngil Africa to diversify into many other fields of expertise. Mining projects amount to around 20 percent of the Company’s current backlog of contracts, a stream of work which amounts to more than $3 billion. Around 60 percent falls into the broad construction and engineering category, with the remaining 20 percent covering waste management and collection. “In the pipeline we have several more projects under discussion, some awaiting finance from the client or organised by us, and some which are public,” Mota says. “However, we do not disclose our pipeline, as to not induce our investors into the wrong perception, as this can be very variable across the continent and sectors. As you can imagine, though, the combined value is considerably higher than what we

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EXPORLUX GROUP

xporlux Group is one of the leading Portuguese manufacturers in the indoor, outdoor and street lighting sector. Always seeking innovation and excellence on product functioning and performance, its philosophy is based on the development of systems that minimise energy consumption while making a rational and responsible use of resources within a consistent recycling policy and a continuous process of investment in R&D. At the Company’s core, Exporlux has an advanced centre for research and development in the fields of optics, electronics and light sources. This centre designs and carries out all the necessary studies for product development and industrialisation, thus ensuring the best results. T +351 234 639 230 E exporlux@exporlux.pt

www.exporlux.pt

M I N I N G

R E S O U R C E S

EXPORLUX COMPANY PORTRAIT Exporlux Group is one of the leading portuguese manufacturers in the indoor, outdoor and street lighting sector. Always seeking innovation and excellence on product functioning and performance, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophy is based on the development of systems that minimize energy consumption while making a rational and responsible use of resources within a consistent recycling policy and a continuous process of investment in R & D. At the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core, Exporlux has an advanced centre for research and development in the fields of optics, electronics and light sources. This center designs and carries out all the necessary studies for product development and industrialization, thus ensuring the best results.

www.exporlux.pt

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FULCRUM CONSULT LIMITED

ulcrum Consult Limited is a construction and hire rental company that specialises in a wide range of earthmoving and road construction equipment. The Company hires out a wide range of top earthmoving and road construction equipment including track excavators, mobile excavators, bulldozers, graders, compactors, backhoes, wheel loaders and cranes. Its product line of more than 100 machines reflects the Company’s increased focus on customer success, with the aim of remaining a market leader by continuing to help its customers meet their needs with durable and reliable equipment.

T +256 752 700305 E info@fulcrum.ug

Cabinda’s General Hospital

actually have in backlog.” Among its projects underway in Angola is a $165 million construction and resourcing of the first stage of Cabinda’s General Hospital, a development which began in 2017 and slated for completion in July 2019. Last year the Company completed construction of a pier, seawall and wharf to the city’s port. In Malawi, Mota-Engil Africa is delivering several road infrastructure projects, including an 82-kilometre road linking Thyolo and Thekerani and 95-kilometre highway out of Lilongwe. This adds to recently completed works covering hydropower stations and rail upgrades. Further west, the firm is engaged in a seven-year contract for urban cleaning, collection and transport of solid municipal waste in Abidjan, the capital of the Ivory Coast. These operations will involve around 280 vehicles and 2,000 employees who will serve 4.6 million citizens and collect

www.fulcrum.ug

NORS GROUP A long partnership with Africa The Nors Group is a Portuguese Group whose vision is to be a world leader in transport solutions, construction equipment and agriculture equipment. With 25 years of experience in Africa, Nors currently works in Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique, operating with Auto Sueco and AutoMaquinaria on the sale and aftersale of trucks, construction equipment, cars, marine and industrial engines, generators and original components. It represents a number of leading brands, including Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, UD Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment, SDLG, Volvo Cars, Volvo Penta and KHOLER-SDMO. T +351 226 150 320 E info@nors.com Construction of waste disposal site at Abidjan

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www.nors.com

M I N I N G

Plot 1094, 1095 Salaama Road

R E S O U R C E S

+2567 77005519 | +2567 57623029

www.fulcrum.ug

Fulcrum consult limited

@consult_fulcrum

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MAC EAST AFRICA

s a valued business partner, we want to congratulate Mota Engil on the successful completion of projects that are necessary for Uganda’s development. As the sole distributor of Isuzu in Uganda and a subsidiary company of the ALMANSOUR Group, our brand is with you for the long run. We oblige to continue offering you the best aftersales customer care, including quality service using genuine Isuzu spare parts, backed up by a well-trained after sales team for all your needs. Mac East Africa is committed to providing the highest quality products backed by the best in class customer service. Mohamed Khadr, Country General Manager, Mac EA LTD. T +256 414 252810/1/2/3 T +256 706 605 550 E info@macuganda.com

more than eight million tonnes of waste. In order to cater to clients across this diverse portfolio, Mota-Engil Africa draws on a significant pool of locallybased resources. At any one time it has around 4,500 items of heavy equipment on site, with key materials stored at a warehouse in Viana, situated in Angola’s Luanda province. In addition to this, the firm holds complimentary warehouses in South Africa and across other countries in the region. Comprising 18,200 square metres of storage, the site ensures optimal levels of supplies are maintained according to operational needs. Precast factories and project camps help to enable self-reliance in remote and challenging areas, bringing prefabrication capability and project management closer to the client. Such camps also house the workforces responsible for delivering these developments. A network of quarries and

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SIDERÚRGICA REQUENA S.A.

IDERÚRGICA REQUENA, S.A. is a company located in Madrid, Spain, dedicated to maintenance, repair, transformation and supply of railway equipment since 1931. Since the 1990s Siderúrgica Requena S.A. has been a partner of the Mota-Engil Group and is the company which maintains and supplies it with railway vehicles in relation to activities in Portugal and Africa. The key products for supply are: hopper wagons, flats wagons, track cars, wagons to transport carril as well as smaller wagons made at our plant, which are shown in the advert opposite.

T + 34 91 702 72 52 E comercial@siderurgicarequena.com E central@siderurgicarequena.com

M I N I N G

SIDERĂ&#x161;RGICA REQUENA, S.A. offers maintenance, repair, transformation and supply of wagons and other associated railway equipment.

R E S O U R C E S

Calle de Eduardo Barreiros, 116 28041 Madrid, Spain T: + 34 91 702 72 52 E: comercial@siderurgicarequena.com E: central@siderurgicarequena.com

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aggregate batching plants supply vital construction materials to the frontline. This is made up of 19 plants in Angola, nine in other Southern African Development Community countries and three in East Africa, combining to offer an installed capacity of 2,940 tonnes per hour. “Our logistical and mobilisation capacity is what stands us apart in Africa,” Mota states. “Add this to the fact we are vertically integrated, and we are a unique player on the continent. We have a strong HR and asset base, and that allows us to operate independently across the different countries, with the capability to provide all construction works with in-house capacity.”

Staying ahead

Mota recognises that continual investment and a flexible approach to company development is crucial if it is

to build on this formidable foundation. “Naturally we need to keep investing on our asset base and logistical areas to be able to stay ahead of the competition,” he says. “This is crucial, as new technologies are developing quickly, and not so many of them are seen on the continent at the moment. We will try to develop them and bring them into our projects in Africa at the same time as we implement them in other regions.” Mining is a sector Mota identifies as especially ripe for technological advancement in the region. His confidence is backed by a study from Grand View Research which estimates the global mining automation market will be worth $6.2 billion by 2025, growing at an average annual rate of 7.3 percent. The need for optimising production costs, reducing human intervention,

SOLARGUS

ince 1974, the Group´s activities have included built steel structures, renewable energy solutions, and the manufacturing and installation of thermal systems. Today, Solargus continues to operate in an increasingly demanding market, supplying quality products with expert technicians and support staff on hand to ensure the Company keeps its marketleading position.

T +351 235 712 180 E geral@sangobiar.net E solargus@sapo.pt

www.solargus.pt

and changing the mining landscape are key growth-driving factors for mining automation. Increasing investment in digital technologies, including analytics and human-machine interactions, is also expected to be one of the key factors driving this trend. Specifically, automated drone systems are expected to become an essential technology in future mining automation and digitisation activities, with several mining giants already adopting this to enable rapid data collection. Driverless vehicles form another lively subcategory and are already impacting African mining operations. Mali is set to become home to the world’s first fully autonomous underground mine by the end of 2018, the work of Australian gold miner Resolute Mining, which has spent $223 million rolling out automated trucks, loaders and drills at its Syama site. “Definitely on the mining side,

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R E S O U R C E S

CIMAR, SA is a company dedicated to the national and international market, with the main mission of manufacturing and supplying equipment with technology for the heavy-duty vehicles sector. Its main framework is the transportation and construction industry.

T: +351 252660130 | F: +351 252660139 | www.cimar.pt

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automation of equipment is something that will occur, and which is not yet widely seen in the continent,” says Mota. “This is something we are keen to invest in, to make our operations more efficient.” Technology aside, Mota also predicts that the way in which projects are planned and executed will change over time. “The way clients approach projects will change,” he continues. “Over previous years, many projects in mining have gone over budget, so we are continuously looking for more collaborative approaches where we can become partners and not simply service providers. “This will, for sure, involve us integrating more of our range of services into proactive approaches to contracts. This will result in a reduction in capex for clients by transforming them into opex.”

Into Nigeria

Embracing the new also means expansion into previously unexplored markets. Earlier this year Mota-Engil Africa signed an agreement with independent oil producer Shoreline Group to create a new joint venture, Mota-Engil Nigeria. Not only has the creation of this division opened up access to Africa’s largest economy, but also the continent’s most prolific producer of oil. “Nigeria is a huge opportunity that we have not embraced before,” says Mota. “Before establishing the partnership, we held regular discussions with Shoreline Group to understand how we could better pursue these opportunities and enter into the market.” In Shoreline Group the Company has found a formidable partner. Founded in 1997, with its head office in Lagos and an additional office in London, the firm has operations across Sub-Saharan Africa. Its portfolio of 16 operating companies, with more than 3,000 employees, includes

Costain West Africa, Shoreline Power, GASLAND and TAFL, as well as others in the oil & gas sector. “At the moment we are in the process of tendering and identifying further opportunities, with the aim of establishing our first project in the market,” Mota adds. “People are on the ground, and we hope to materialise the first project sooner rather than later. Both Mota-

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Engil and Shoreline believe there is space to develop a key player in the market, a player which is highly qualified and can make the difference.” Mota is right to point to the size of the opportunity in Nigeria. According to the AfDB, the country’s infrastructure deficit constitutes around $3 trillion over the next 26 years, equivalent to about $100 billion annually.

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FNC Engineering are registered with the National Construction Industry Council within the Building Category: 1 billion Kwacha and the Civil Category: 500 million Kwacha.

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This presents Mota-Engil Nigeria with a potentially enormous market in which to thrive, not only as a business but also as a key contributor to the Nigerian economy. Indeed, at the time of the joint venture announcement, Mota revealed that the value of the projects on the table could be worth as much as $1.8 billion.

Global reach

This new unit will sit under the wider Mota-Engil Africa business, which now constitutes one of three corporate divisions that are housed in the holding company Mota-Engil SGPS. Having started out exclusively in Africa in its first 30 years of existence, the organisation has since morphed into a global giant that operates far beyond the African continent. This no better reflected than by the fact that its three divisions – Africa, Europe and Latin America – operate 285 companies between them.

We are currently working on some partnerships to establish procurement bases out of China and Dubai to strengthen our integration and supplier base” Mota-Engil Latin America comprises 87 companies that generate more than $1 billion across eight countries, much of this coming from roads and highways projects in Mexico, Aruba, Colombia and Brazil. This has been a strong growth region for the Group, 2017’s revenue representing a 50 jump on the previous year. The European business is the largest in terms of number of companies managed, with 154 separate businesses operating across six countries.

Highway developments and waste management form a key part of the division’s annual turnover of $941 million, which largely derives from its historical home in Portugal and also from Poland, where it ranks in the country’s top 10 construction companies. In Africa, Mota is looking to reflect the wider company’s global reach in the way it approaches its own supply chain operations. Although much of the emphasis is on maximising local supplier networks, looking further

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afield is certainly an option being explored with increasing interest. “We have an integrated approach to the supply chain, with bases run out of Portugal, Angola and South Africa,” Mota explains. “All procurement requests follow through not only locally, but also worldwide. We are currently working on some partnerships to establish procurement bases out of China and Dubai to strengthen our integration and supplier base.”

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PROUDLY SHAPPING AFRICA’S INFRASTRUCTURES Presence in

Khwiki Construction Founded in 2004, KHWIKI Construction has evolved to become a construction contract specialist, offering end-to-end solutions. Our objective is to offer an assured experience when we are chosen to execute projects, emphasising clear communication to ensure our client’s objectives are the top priority. Working with Mota Engil has broadened our perspective and we are proud to serve its contractual needs.

SOUTH AFRICA . MOZAMBIQUE MALAWI . ANGOLA . TANZANIA KENIA . IVORY COAST . GHANA ALGERIA . LYBIA

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PO Box 40575, Kanengo, Malawi Mines Ngoma: minessn@yahoo.com | +265 99 9954416

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Investing in people

If Mota-Engil Africa is looking internationally to optimise its procurement operation, employment strategy very much centres around providing opportunities for local people. Of the 12,600-plus employees currently on the Company’s books, some 91 percent are locals, a figure which rises to 94 percent in Malawi, 95 percent in Tanzania, 97 in Zimbabwe and 98 percent in South Africa. “This is a key factor for us,” says Mota. “We try to keep our expat base to the bare minimum, and to develop local resources. In some countries we have been more successful than others, and each time we see more local people taking more responsibility within our organisation. “Every year we run a trainee programme within the Group that integrates young people from across all our businesses and countries into one unique platform, allowing them to have visibility and integration with our workforce across all countries and regions where we are present.”

it is important for us to expand in the countries where we are into diversified business areas, such as mining, waste management and treatment, and concessions” As well as developing and upskilling its own employees, MotaEngil Africa also heavily involves itself in benefitting the lives of citizens in surrounding communities. This partly derives from the spirit of philanthropy and solidarity instilled by the Group’s founder Manuel António da Mota, who championed positive and active participation in society. In December 2009, a foundation was set up in the founder’s name and forms a crucial part of Mota-Engil’s corporate social responsibility activities. The primary aim of the Manuel António da Mota Foundation is to

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promote, develop and support social initiatives, charities and cultural programmes covering education, health, environment and the arts. Although the foundation is based in Porto, the mottos it promotes can be found across all three corporate divisions, including in Africa. “We are very active in this area,” adds Mota. “Originally, we had an individual approach, but during 2018 launched the ME African Initiatives in partnership with the Manuel António da Mota Foundation, where the programmes in Africa are fully funded by Mota-Engil Africa.

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TOP RANGE CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS

TRCEC executes various civil engineering works, which includes: • Surfacing: Construction or rehabilitation of existing paved roads, patching, over laying, chip sealing, slurry sealing, paving, car parks, driveways etc. • Asphalt production (Premix) • Bush clearing, ripping, harrowing, ridging • General civil engineering works: grading, compaction, excavation, bridges, dams, drifts, box culverts, concrete pavements, road construction and rehabilitation and masonry and irrigation works. • Hiring of Heavy Duty Earth Moving Equipment, Lifting/ Hoistimg (Mobile Cranes &Forklifts), Transportation (Haulage, Lowbed & Water Bowsers)

T: +265 211 960 007 / +265 888 900 786 | M: +265 888 821 135, +265 888 202 578 E: jsattar@africa-online.net / taufeeq@africa-online.net

“The primary focus is on education and health, and in time we will work on the basis of having one contract, one social action and/or programme, and we will dimension ourselves to achieve that objective through the course of the next period of years.”

Building a bright future

And it is over the next three to five years that Mota aims to solidify the Company’s leading status across the continent, building on the foundations built over the previous seven decades, both in terms of business and community relations. Mota-Engil Africa can also impact the bigger picture. According to AfDB’s 2018 African Economic Outlook, the continent has a compelling case for accelerating its infrastructure development. First, it is a continent of small and open economies that will rely on trade as their major source of growth, and

such international trade is no longer about manufacturing in one place and selling in another, the report says. Rather, “it is about cooperating across boundaries and time zones to minimise production costs and maximise market coverage”. Infrastructure is thus vital to the smooth running of these value chains. Second, given Africa is a relative latecomer in its economic development, the benefits to be reaped from improved infrastructure are higher than other parts of the world. Companies like Mota-Engil Africa, therefore, have the power to push forwards economic progress, especially given the wide reach the firm already has across the SubSaharan region. Outlining his key priorities looking ahead, Mota concludes: “We aim to establish ourselves as a leader in the continent in our areas of action. We

have achieved that in many of the countries we are in, but intend to achieve this in all countries where we are present. “If, in three years’ time, we have doubled the number of countries where we are market leaders, that will be a big achievement. For that to happen, it is important to perform and make a difference in the countries we have more recently moved in to, and this is something we are doing step by step. “On another note, it is important for us to expand in the countries where we are into diversified business areas, such as mining, waste management and treatment, and concessions. We aim to have a solidified presence across all sectors in all of the countries we are in.” Mota-Engil Africa Tel: -8.833092, 13.230582 info@ mota-engil.cv www.mota-engil.cv

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Industry

Nurturing Nature

co-industrial development has become a hot topic in the past decade. Encompassing a broad range of environmentally sustainable solutions, addressing anything from water pollution to energy management to air quality, the term has been pushed to the top of the agenda for the private and public sector alike. However, whilst a number of regions have been heralded for their innovative eco-friendly concepts, such as Singapore with its buildings

Utilising the latest technologies and solutions, Eco-Industrial Solutions and the Limpopo Eco Industrial Park are set to raise the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainability benchmark Writer: Jonathan Dyble Project Manager: Josh Mann

that blend with nature, the African continent continues to lag behind the rest of the world on this front. South Africa alone emits millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, largely down to its continued reliance on coal-fired power plants. In response, the national government has revealed that it is looking to reduce harmful emissions by 34 percent by 2020, an initiative that will require coordinated action from all influential parties.

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Eco-Industrial Solutions (Pty) Ltd (EIS), in particular, is one company that is likely to play a crucial role in facilitating these changes. “EIS’s slogan is ‘industry nurturing nature’, a motto that outlines its vision of finding techno-economically viable solutions to the challenges facing humanity today, and of promoting industrialisation in a way that is beneficial to local communities as well as the environment,” says Deshika Kathawaroo, CEO of EIS. In pursuit of this inspiration, the firm is working to develop the first zero solid-waste eco-industrial park in Africa, known as the Limpopo EcoIndustrial Park (LEIP).

Empowering industry

“The LEIP is a direct response to reclaiming Africa’s rightful place in the global industrial village by establishing Africa’s and the world’s first zero solid-waste eco-industrial and integrated nature park,” states Webster Mfebe, the Chairman and Director of both EIS and LEIP.

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“This project will underscore the indispensable symbiotic relationship between people, planet and profit by demonstrating their mutually beneficial co-existence, thereby preserving mother earth for future generations.” Located in Musina on over 6,400 hectares of land, the park that currently remains in the planning phase is designed as a sustainable industrial development with 80 chalets in an integrated nature reserve with 2,286 hectares of environmentally sensitive tourism area; two residential eco-estates in Musina Eco-Housing Estate and Singelele Equestrian Estate, comprising a total of 3,797 and 903 units, respectively; gasification plants; syngas production and clean-up; a blended mix of PV solar, syngas and steam combined-cycle; and base load power for industries from Eskom. Solar PV panels for 35 MW power will be installed for agro-processing, buildings and water heating.

LEPELLE NORTHERN WATER

epelle Northern Water (LNW) is a schedule 3B public entity that has for nearly six decades been providing treated and semi-treated bulk water services to the municipalities and industries within Limpopo province respectively. It was established from three different organisations – the Phalaborwa Water Board, Northern Transvaal Water Board, and the Bosveld Water Board that were set up in 1960, 1990 and 1993 respectively. Today LNW operates 20 different types waterworks and four wastewater treatment schemes, the biggest single water scheme having a capacity of 175 megalitres a day. The entity supplies water to Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and portion of Waterberg district municipalities. The entity further operates some borehole and wastewater schemes on behalf of Sekhukhune district. Limpopo’s development depends on a reliable water supply. It is one of the economically poorest regions of South Africa but among the fastest-growing, and water infrastructure is vital in supporting these ambitions. The entity is looking at boosting capacity across its portfolio, having completed the feasibility studies, concept designs and the implementation readiness study for Olifantspoort and Ebenezer schemes. It has SANAS Accredited Water Services Laboratory, situated in Ebenezer that caters for all the schemes operated by the entity as well as its clients who regularly drop water and wastewater samples for analysis. The entity is 14001 certified for all its 25 operational sites, which complement the zero solid waste eco- industrial park’s requirements amongst others.

T +27 15 295 1800/1900 F +27 15 295 1931 E information@lepelle.co.za

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Lepelle Northern Water is a waterboard established in terms of Chapter Six (6) of the Water Services Act, No 108 of 1997. Lepelle Northern Water currently operates 20 water treatment schemes spread across Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Vhembe district municipalities. It also operates 4 wastewater schemes on behalf of Sekhukhune district municipality.

Postal Address Private Bag X9522 Polokwane, 0700 South Africa

Physical Address: 1 Landdros Mare, Polokwane, 0700 South Africa

T: +27 15 295 1800/1900 F: +27 15 295 1931 E: information@lepelle.co.za

Providing Complete Peace of Mind A MEMBER OF THE

www.pentgon.co.za

GROUP

Pentagon and Elvey deliver best practice security, connectivity and communication to the LEIP The Limpopo Eco-Industrial Park (LEIP), located in the border town of Musina, will be Africa’s first economically viable, zero-solid waste eco-industrial park. During the design phase of the project in 2017, Gary Lowe (CE of Elvey) was approached by the project lead Pieter du Toit to demonstrate its niche set of comprehensive skills around technology provision to safe cities. The subsequent partnership of Hudaco companies Pentagon, Elvey and MiRO is geared up to provide a solution that comprises the selection and deployment of security, communication and connectivity technology.

for the most secure and connected industrial premises on the African continent.

After a detailed briefing from the client and collaboration with the large number of professionals appointed to the project, the Elvey/Pentagon partnership was given carte blanche to design the most sophisticated and client-centric solution

Elvey/Pentagon will deploy an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Commissioning) approach, using the vast array of skills sets from its in-house LEIP consortium, together with best of breed products and technologies that will be

All aspects of physical security industry management and open access connectivity need to be provided ASAS (as-a-service) to ensure LEIP meets all the credentials of a ‘Safe Connected City’. “We are responsible for delivering an ecosystem of technology and manpower to ensure that the LEIP as a facilities management company not only provides a superior experience for industry, eco tourists and residents, but that it also delivers a model that generates maximised return on investment for the LEIP and its investors,” says Pentagon MD Brendon Hall.

installed by its experienced installer base to ensure that it takes ownership of this prestige project. The client has specified the deployment of a carrier-neutral communications network that can be internationally benchmarked as world-class and which is also designed as future-proofed. This will ensure that the LEIP project will remain aligned with international communication provision best practices. The network will facilitate the following elements: • A fully resilient, fibre-optic based communications network that features ring and co-location redundancy; • Backhaul redundancy through terrestrial and air-transmitted mediums such as microwave and satellite; • Internet, voice and data services that cover all the various communication needs of first tier carriers and internet service providers. Services will be

Contact Brendon Hall (Pentagon), +27 (0) 11 401 6700, +27 (0) 82 572 4756; info@pentgon.co.za

www.pentgon.co.za

Providing Complete Peace of Mind A MEMBER OF THE

GROUP

delivered via a combination of dark fibre, dedicated point to point and time-basedmultiplexed methods; • It will carry all satellite, terrestrial and IP streamed television and media services, distributed from diverse landing stations located in or near the LEIP precinct; • It will provide dedicated backhaul connectivity to strategically placed mobile cellular towers, which will be erected on a co-located and neutral basis, for superior throughput speeds. Cellular coverage will include a design that covers macro (on rooftops or stand-alone), micro (at street level) and in-building distributed antennae systems; • All electronic security and building automation signals will be transported over the communications network to prevent the replication of duplicated networks for various security systems requiring communication facilitation for the purposes of centralised storage and review.

However, and arguably most importantly, plasma waste gasifiers will be introduced here – a well proven commercially available technology that Katharawoo believes will be fundamental to the future of ecoindustrial development. While many companies have utilised the technology in turning waste to energy, EIS will look to take this a step further and apply it to close the region’s industrial loops, eliminating the environmental and social problems that arise through the disposal of waste. “The LEIP’s zero-solid waste and near-zero gas emission goals aim to reduce, eliminate, or prevent pollution at its source, where possible,” she states. “Our primary tool to achieve this strategy is integrating plasma gasification into a major industrial system. “People and governments will quickly realise that such is entirely possible through plasma gasification,

Pentagon will provide the critical ICT infrastructure comprising optical fibre networks, including redundant networks; site data centres; wired and wireless communication, including redundant communication; network switches and servers, including redundant systems; internet links including, redundant links.

The project emphasises the importance of security in South Africa to ensure reliable and productive facilities with a number of elements that are deemed as critical to the project. Physical security will consist of fences, walls, gates, turnstiles and booms. Other elements include specially trained and PSiRA-registered security officers; access control through identification (card) and verification

(biometrics) of persons entering the park, as well as vehicle identification (number plate or tag); alarm systems to detect unauthorised intrusion and surveillance to verify alarm causes; optical fibre networks, computers, telephones, PA systems, radios, intercoms, Wi-Fi and 4G/5G. Control rooms will be implemented for alarm and surveillance monitoring and forensic investigation of events. Central monitoring of support systems and the facilities management function will be handled by BMS (building management systems) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. High-level maintenance of the systems has been planned into the design and will continue for at least five years after completion and handover of the project to the LEIP. As per the directive from the LEIP, Elvey/Pentagon will procure from and up-skill the local community allowing them to take ownership of the long-term maintenance.

Xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xxx

and this realisation will no doubt lead to closer inspections and understanding, and in turn increase the application of plasma solid waste gasification technology in various industries throughout the world,” explains Dr Pieter du Toit, Founding

member of EIS and Executive Project Director for the LEIP. Leveraging this, LEIP’s heavy industries will be based on a fossil fuel-free feedstock, ensuring a closed loop system is maintained throughout the park.

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A collaborative approach

This innovative approach is expected to effectively address a broad range of Musina’s development constraints, creating approximately 35,000 new jobs and directly contributing an estimated R6.6 billion to GDP within the first three years of its operation. “The LEIP will contribute towards local community development through socioeconomic and enterprise development, local ownership and local job creation,” says Kathawaroo. Having worked closely with municipal, local and national government, various inputs were integrated into the design, allowing the project to become a collaborative

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effort that will effectively help to address a number of initiatives, including the National Development Plan, the Green Economy Plan, and the country’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Musina Local Municipality itself, for example, is a development partner in the project, holding a 10 percent stake, whilst the Lepelle Northern Water Utility has signed an agreement to become the park’s water service provider. Equally, Transnet intends to operate the intermodal terminal facility within the confines of the LEIP as a dry port extension of a sea port, expected to have an initial storage capacity

ARCHON

s strategic utility management partners to LEIP, we have focused on the delivery of effective, future-facing solutions that speak to the specific needs of this exciting project. Utility infrastructure needs to be planned for, designed, managed and maintained to ensure solid compliance, stability and reliability throughout: from how houses are wired and metered in the residential estates through to water and sanitation utility management across the entire park. As leaders in this space, we’re well placed to add strategic value to the LEIP. – Greg Matthews, Managing Director of Archon

PLASMA GASIFICATION EXPLAINED Plasma gasification is a thermal process that uses plasma to convert organic matter into a synthetic gas, primarily constituting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Used as a waste treatment method, this process can be used for the gasification of municipal solid waste, biomass, industrial waste, hazardous waste and solid hydrocarbons, amongst other things. The LEIP project will extensively employ plasma gasification, producing inert solids and energy gas. All solid waste is sorted for recycling by SMMEs and the remainder is gasified at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees celsius.

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T +27 11 425 3620 E info@archon.co.za

www.archon.co.za of 50,000 units that may eventually expand to eight times this number, and adding a train ferry that will be able to carry roughly 1,000 vehicles per day across the Beitbridge-Zimbabwe border. “We have come to realise that, with the economic recession that our country is going through, it is only through collaboration and strategic partnerships that a ground-breaking megaproject such as the LEIP can be realised,” adds Kathawaroo. “The LEIP will set new standards for sustainable development which shows that, through the effective management of engineering and technology, industrial systems can be designed as virtually closed loop systems.” The project is also expected to become a benchmark for the South African government in helping to further a policy of regional economic integration. Off the back of the LEIP’s success, Mfebe believes that similar practices and implementations can be

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SOME OF THE LEIP’S DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION PARAMETERS: • Protect and integrate sensitive areas throughout the LEIP. • Employ water and energy conservation technologies and practices. • Modify industrial production processes to produce less waste. • Investigate and ensure the reuse of materials or alternatively the plasma gasification of that waste, as the LEIP will not allow any disposing of waste, whether inside or outside the premises. • Capture industrial process heat and gas emissions to supplement the generation of electricity and fuels. • Employ a combination of solar PV, gas turbines and Eskom power, whereby excess electricity during daytime is returned to the Eskom grid, while additional electrical power may be drawn from Eskom during the night hours. • Reduce the use of water and chemicals in agri-processing. • Use non-toxic or less toxic chemicals as cleaners, degreasers and other maintenance chemicals in all buildings and facilities.

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replicated in strategic economic centres across the entire African continent. “The innovative and technologically driven eco-industrial park bears testimony to the practical realisation of the fourth industrial revolution in Africa, showcasing industrial solutions conceptualised by South Africans for Africans, thereby leap frogging processes for the inclusive and sustainable development of Africa’s people,” he says. “South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s vision of a ‘New Dawn’, predicated on the twin cardinal pillars of ‘Renewal and Rebuilding’ and driven by his Thuma Mina/Send Me Campaign, finds resonance with what

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the LEIP project is all about. We, like the majority of South Africans, remain spellbound by his incisive and inspiring leadership.”

Enabling development

This emphasis on local development is an ethos that EIS will ensure is maintained throughout the LEIP, evident in a broad range of initiatives that are focused on aiding the local population. Alongside the creation of 35,000 new direct jobs, EIS is looking to ensure that a number of other social benefits are achieved, from the inclusion of all demographics to the enhancement of personal development.

community empowerment and academic citizenship.”

“The innovative and technologically driven eco-industrial park bears testimony to the practical realisation of the fourth industrial revolution in Africa”

From concept to reality

“We aim to create value for all investors and local communities in which the project is situated”

“The LEIP will be designed to ensure that local women, youth and disabled people benefit from the project, whilst it will also feature a SMME incubation centre to encourage local entrepreneurs, by providing support services and facilities at subsidised costs to startup businesses,” explains Kathawaroo. “Further, the housing developments will be integrated with the natural environment and include four schools, a children’s hospital as well as local shopping, community centres and places of worship.” Education will also be heavily promoted within the park in the aim of encouraging continual sustainable

development amongst future generations. As part of this, the LEIP will be introducing an industrial ecology facility in collaboration with local universities, helping to keep industrial developments headed in the right direction. “The LEIP is honoured to forge strategic partnerships with local universities, helping to power innovation, research and development, community engagement and literacy and numeracy, amongst other things,” adds Kathawaroo. “Such collaborations will allow us to strengthen the LEIP’s research capacity to facilitate and establish best practice in industrial ecology,

Currently in Phase One, with the final bankable feasibility study being conducted by EIS, LEIP and the project’s associated partners, the majority of plans for the project are readily in place. “Subject to obtaining funding to complete this study, we are confident that we can achieve financial close within six months following this,” reveals du Toit. “Currently, we anticipate that construction on both the LEIP’s basic infrastructure and housing will begin next year, to be completed within three years.” Situated at the northern tip of the Limpopo province, an area commonly referred to as the gateway into Africa, the LEIP stands to be crucial in Musina’s vision of becoming a vibrant, viable and sustainable continental hub. “The Limpopo Province is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, accessible labour and existing infrastructure, and the LEIP is in an ideal location to utilise these to promote inter-regional trade, something that we are hoping to see much more of in years to come,” du Toit adds. Moving forward, there is feeling of confidence surrounding the project, and an expectancy that its success will bring prosperity to not only South Africa, but the wider region. Mfebe concludes: “We aim to create value for all investors and local communities in which the project is situated for the advancement of not only the town of Musina, but for the rest of South Africa and Africa.

Limpopo Eco-Industrial Park Tel: +27 87 702 6065 info@eco-industrialsolutions.org www.limpopoecoindustrialpark.com

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Sensitising Sustainability Having maintained its commitment to driving change, Scania East Africa continues to enable transport transformation across the region Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

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T R A N S P O R T

L O G I S T I C S

round the world, the concept of sustainable transport has evolved to take a variety of forms, encompassing anything from the transformation of fuel technology to increasing efforts to carpool. However, whatever form it comes in, the term is not often associated with the African continent. Often suffering from high rates of congestion and a lack of energy efficient vehicles, combined with outdated road safety practices that generally lag behind other parts of the world, addressing these problems is proving to be an increasingly large headache across the continent. Earlier this year, United Nations Environment hosted the Africa Clean Mobility Week that saw representatives from 42 African countries converge in Nairobi to further these discussions. However, whilst national governments and leading international bodies are expected to play their part in tackling the problem, African businesses must equally take greater responsibility. “In Kenya and East Africa, sustainable transport is still in its infancy,” says Tamara Nerima, Marketing Communications Director of Scania East Africa – one company that is taking this responsibility in its stride. A truck specialist that provides fleet management and maintenance and repair contracts, the firm has continued to grow over the years, now operating branches across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with its market share standing at roughly 25 percent. Having previously spoken to Africa Outlook in December 2017, the past year has seen the Company placing significant emphasis on furthering the discussion of sustainable transport. “A big part of our agenda has been to introduce the concept of sustainable transport to our industry,” states Nerima. “In the aim of raising the bar, we

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have been working tirelessly to raise awareness and broaden the concept of exactly what sustainable transport is in the hope that we will see greater levels of engagement. This has encompassed providing sustainable transport solutions as well as encouraging sustainable business practices.” In line with this, the firm is an active member of the UN Global Compact having pledged to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies throughout its entire portfolio.

and utilise solar panels as our main power source, operate a custom-built oil disposal system and implement other ergonomics in and around the facility.” Fully on track with its sustainability goals, Scania is equally looking to collaborate with the Kenyan government in the aim of providing

Changing the face of transport

These attitudes have manifested themselves in all parts of the Company’s operations, something that is evident in its recent investment strategies. “We have recently commissioned the building of a new facility on the outskirts of Nairobi that will be created in line with our commitment to sustainability,” says Nerima. “For example, we will install

Scania East Africa operates workshops across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

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sustainable solutions for the planned launch of the new national bus rapid transit system (BRT). This is a proven area of success for the Company, having rolled out a BRT system in Accra, Ghana, with 245 connected buses operating in their own dedicated lanes.

SCANIA EAST AFRICA Scania East Africa is the regional distributor of Scania products and services, serving Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC. The firm is a subsidiary of Scania CV Sweden, renowned for its in premium buses, coaches and trucks of all applications and industrial engines. It has more than 200 employees in East Africa working in a number of different departments, from its sales divisions to its workshops. The Company’s key goal is to drive a shift towards a creating sustainable transportation systems throughout the region, building a world of mobility that is better for business, society and the continental environment. The firm’s core values include: Customer first, respect for the individual, elimination of waste, determination, team spirit and integrity.

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L O G I S T I C S

Excellence in performance and efficiency.

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www.spedaginterfreight.com

2017/12/08 9:07:16 AM

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We are different because of an offering that we call our total operating economy...” – Tamara Nerima, Marketing Communications Director of Scania East Africa

In the case of the Accra BRT, the public transport network was able to effectively diminish pollution throughout the city, simultaneously reducing the number of vehicles travelling on the roads and implementing more efficient buses. “We have years of experience in planning BRT systems as well as providing buses for such systems, and it is our hope that we can work collaboratively with the government on this,” states Nerima. Equally, driven by its intensive research and development programmes, Scania continues to

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develop new technologies in order to address the rising global demands for more effective solutions. Such is evident in the Company’s fleet management system, used by its customers to analyse anything from general driver behaviour to the troubleshooting of faults in vehicles, pre-emptively preventing minor issues from developing into major problems. “We place a lot of emphasis on our technologies like the fleet management system,” Nerima says. “We pride ourselves on this technology because it is more than just a location tool. By providing an overview, we

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make sure our customers have more uptime on the road and lose less hours fixing faults.”

Powering progression

As an innovator of the automotive solutions industry, transformation is a major part of Scania’s operations, materialising in a number of different ways. In 2011, for example, the firm made it standard practice to equip all vehicles with its on-board communications computer. Using real time data, Scania leveraged this to develop Scania Maintenance – a flexible service that

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has helped lower fuel consumption and maximise vehicle uptime. On November 1, the firm also launched its new truck generation in Kenya and introduced the Euro 5 engine into the local market. For a market that is accustomed to Euro 0 to Euro 3 engines, the introduction of the Euro 5 engine by Scania shows its commitment in ensuring the reduction of emission levels in the country. The launch also provided an opportunity for various industry stakeholders to engage in a panel discussion around sustainable transport in the region and how to best push forward this agenda. Our customers’ total operating economy is improved by a fuel consumption that is on average up to five percent lower than before, due to improved powertrains and better aerodynamics,” explains Nerima. “For the new truck range Scania also developed application-focused products that are more efficient and thus perform better with lower environmental impact.” What’s more, the Company takes this a step further by offering driver training and coaching to drivers. As a result, customers have been able to see tangible results in improved driver habits, a noted increase in fuel efficiency, less accidents on the road and an improvement in uptime. “We are different because of an offering that we call our total operating economy,” Nerima continues. “Our service does not end at the point of sale. We provide continuous service to our customers, ensuring that we are always in touch and have open lines of communication.” Scania’s transformative approach is additionally reflected in the firm’s electrification roadmap, a strategy that has led to dedicated research across a number of segments, from the development of bio-fuelled hybrid vehicles to hydrogen fuel cells to electric vehicles.

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‘As an innovator of the automotive solutions industry, transformation is a major part of Scania’s operations’

Leveraging its industry leading innovation and can-do approach in tackling some of the major challenges facing East Africa’s transportation sector, Scania East Africa will continue to maintain a similar ethos moving forward. Nerima concludes: “We will continue focusing on sustainability. Not just sustainability in the traditional sense of cleaning up the environment and planting trees, but more in the sense of our business practices from our staff to sourcing of raw materials to waste management and right up to research

and development. “Our goals remain much the same. Sustainability is not an area that many businesses in the region are conversant with. As such we want to further open up that discussion, we want to sensitise the industry on what sustainable transport is and its importance.”

Scania East Africa Tel: +254 722 20 38 13 www.scania.com

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AV I AT I O N

A Global

Aerial Aid

From its extensive humanitarian work to operating in high pressure environments, Starlite Aviation is helping to enable development across Africa and beyond with its airborne expertise Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki

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he turn of the millennium was met with optimism around the world, offering the prospect of a new era that would see global efforts to tackle global issues. However, in Mozambique, such optimism was sadly stunted just two months into the year. As the entire African continent began to witness torrential rainfall beginning February 8, Mozambique was hit particularly hard, resulting in widespread floods across the country that led to more than $500 million worth of damage. Maputo, the capital, was quickly waterlogged, and by February 11 the banks of the Limpopo River burst, causing serve damage to the surrounding region. Added to this, the country was then hit by a tropical cyclone along its coast on February 22, while flash floods began to overwhelm low farmlands around Chokwe and Xai-Xai five days later. By all accounts, the unrelenting 2000 floods were some of the worst on record in Mozambique. Many were made homeless, 1,400 square kilometres of arable land was affected, and 20,000 herds of cattle were lost to the destruction. There was, however, a silver lining to the black cloud. The humanitarian efforts were admirable – efforts that South African aerospace specialist Starlite Aviation played a crucial role in furthering. “The Company was awarded its first contract in 2000, providing helicopter emergency medical evacuation and transportation of food and medical supplies to remote areas, in support of the Mozambique floods that devastated the country,” states Lynne Ross, the firm’s Communication Executive. “It was to be the first of many contracts and the benchmark for the delivery of a superior service on a global scale,” adds Starlite Aviation’s Director of Operations, Fiona McCarthy.

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The tsunami which hit Indonesia in 2004 saw Starlite being awarded a contract for the aftermath ‘clean up’ operation, and transportation of medical and food supplies to survivors displaced by the devastating natural disaster. This was another milestone for the Company and the beginning of many global rescue, relief, transportation and medevac contracts. The subsequent two decades that have followed have seen the firm become renowned for its first-class abilities in providing unrivalled call to action services, facilitated by the rapid mobilisation of its aircraft in remote and hostile areas globally.

pressure environments where lives are often at risk. Such is evident where the Company provides dedicated medical emergency services with two heavy lift helicopters and one twin turbine aeroplane in Mali. This contract started in 2013 and has continued to grow each year. “Operating out of Bamako, Mali in harsh conditions has brought with it many challenges,” explains McCarthy. “Starlite’s abilities have been put to the test and we have successfully set up a fully functional operational base providing 24-seven medical coverage, including a maintenance facility which provides all inspections and checks on aircraft as well as deep level Rising to the pressure maintenance capabilities if required.” In working to help tackle leading global “Here, the contract is 24-seven issues with its expansive capacity, from and aircraft fitted with Night Vision anti-poaching to humanitarian relief to Systems require just 30 minutes medical emergency services providing notice to move for any emergency, intensive care treatment, Starlite has something Starlite has successfully become adept at operating in high achieved since 2013.”

STARLITE AVIATION Remaining committed to its ethos (Committed. Experienced. Passionate.), Starlite Aviation has become a leading global provider of helicopter and fixed wing services. 19 years after its formation, the Company has rapidly expanded, now with offices in Ireland, Germany, France, Mauritius and South Africa. The firm is also home to a fleet of more than 40 aircraft that allow it to meet a diverse range of individual contractual requirements. In total, Starlite Aviation has operated in 25 countries across five continents in many of the world’s harshest environments. According to McCarthy: “Starlite provides integrated, cost-effective, turnkey solutions for any call to action, in the most remote and austere environments globally. We are experts at deploying a full complement of mission-specific configured aircraft, ground and air personnel, maintenance support teams and in the case of medevac, a full complement of doctors and paramedics. “We are, in fact, on call 24-seven for any emergency anywhere in the world. Starlite’s expertise lie in taking on complex assignments, setting up in remote locations and focusing on fast deployment.”

HAYWARD AVIATION

ayward Aviation are proven experts in arranging insurance for helicopters and general aviation operations for commercial, business or private uses. In the past 25+ years we have arranged insurance for a huge range of flying activities including the many, uniquely complex, risks that helicopter operators undertake. Our team relishes dealing with clients who demand unbiased advice, solutions and service at competitive costs. We understand the pressures our clients face – we work with many leading-edge industry experts like Starlite Aviation Group, supporting its complex, high quality multi-faceted aviation business. As global market leaders we understand every aspect of the insurance process – from market brokers negotiating insurance costs on your behalf to claims managers 100 percent focussed on supporting you to return to full operational capacity as soon as possible after any loss. Safety is paramount throughout the aviation industry – Haywards supports industry associations and clients, promoting a safety culture. Understanding risk is a key building block for safe operations. We work with top tier operations to develop robust and flexible insurance programmes to deal with today’s risks and emerging threats. Our clients are our harshest critics and our best advertisement – we work for our clients, delivering what we promise, supporting and protecting their businesses. Hayward Aviation is a trading name of JLT Specialty Limited, part of the JLT Group, one of the world’s leading insurance broking, risk management and employee benefits advisors, with clients in almost every sector of commerce. T +44 207 902 7800 E info@haywards.net

www.haywards.net

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AVIATION INSURANCE BROKERS

Providing insurance solutions for comPlex aviation risks

Hayward Aviation is a trading name of JLT Specialty Ltd. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Jardine Lloyds Thompson Group. Registered office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London EC3 7AW. Registered in England No. 01536540. VAT no 244 2321 96. November 2018 Visit our website for further details: www.haywards.net

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Equally, alongside its extensive work during the Mozambique floods, 2014 saw Starlite mobilise one of its Bell 412 aircraft for the United Nations World Food Programme during the height of the Ebola crisis. “Stationed in Monrovia, Liberia, the aircraft flew over 220 hours and was equipped with an IsoArk kit to transport patients, and procedures were implemented with the assistance of Starlite’s medical staff to ensure that the safety of the crew was maintained with the risks associated with this type of operation,” reveals McCarthy. The Company’s areas of expertise extend to oil & gas support, providing a perfect record for transportation and medevac standby, complex marine salvage operations, surveillance and powerline inspection and effective results in the fight against poaching. For example, Starlite has recently

signed a joint venture agreement with GEPetrol in Equatorial Guinea, providing helicopter services in its coastal waters and supplying HEMS and search and rescue services. Additionally, this will see Starlite training local crews in such operations, from example, pilots engineers and other staff that are required in the oil & gas industry. Working to suit the requirements of any clientele, Starlite has successfully been able to penetrate a variety of new markets, driven by its stellar reputation, competitive strategies and the monitoring of key trends. As analysts predict that the global social, economic and political climates will become increasingly turbulent in the coming years, Starlite works to ensure that it is ready to deal effectively with any challenging developments through its adaptable, resourceful and flexible culture.

GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY

obinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, whose vision was to produce the world’s highest quality, most reliable helicopters in the most efficient, cost effective way possible. The Company introduced its first helicopter, the R22, in 1979. However, as costs became less of a barrier, more people learned to fly and the demand for small, affordable helicopters increased. In 1992, Robinson’s 4-place R44 was FAA certified. Following the same design philosophy as the R22 but with Lycoming’s larger O-540 engine, the R44 offered more utility, power and capacity. A decade later Robinson introduced the R44 Raven II, the same R44 but equipped with Lycoming’s IO-540 fuel-injected engine and a 28-volt electrical system. The Raven II appealed to a broader market and by 2003 R44 sales doubled the R22’s. During that same time, Robinson began developing ideas for a turbine powered helicopter. In 2005, an agreement was reached with Rolls-Royce to make the RR300 engine, a derivative of the RR250 series. With Rolls-Royce onboard, the 5-place R66 Turbine project was born. The R66 was FAA certified in 2010 to the current amendment of the federal regulations, including the latest crashworthiness standards. Robinson puts great emphasis on research and development, continually making improvements and offering new technology. Among its latest developments are glass avionics and an autopilot designed specifically for helicopters. Today, Robinson Helicopter Company occupies a 617,000 square-foot facility at in Torrance, California, employs 1,200 people and has produced more than 12,000 helicopters.

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Vertical Magazine 2018 Airframe Survey

www.robinsonheli.com

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Personal enablement

Equally, as a company operating in highly specialised environments, Starlite continuously bolsters its employee base through several different initiatives. In maintaining its high self-imposed standards, the firm has established a number of key industry-leading partnerships with aircraft providers, reinforcing its status and ensuring that it has the best personnel for the job. “We view our staff as our most important asset,” says McCarthy. “Each and every person, from our office staff to our frontline personal, is an important part of our delivery chain.” To this end, Starlite runs its own Aviation Training Academy, offering

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government contract and civilian helicopter and aeroplane pilot training programmes for various aircraft, including those of Robinson, Guimbal Cabri G2, Bell and Airbus. “The training academy offers superior ground school and flight training technology transfer of the highest standard,” explains Ross. “Student pilots enjoy a holistic approach where each individual is viewed as being unique and graduate with a career path set for success.” Upcoming developments will see its Mossel Bay academy set to be upgraded in 2019, with the new build including a student campus that houses up to 200 student pilots. The new state-of-the-art facilities will include lecture theatres, a medical centre, sporting venues and

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“The training academy offers superior ground school and flight training technology transfer of the highest standard”

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accommodation, whilst the building itself will be run entirely off the grid using solar energy and other renewables. Looking at the bigger picture, the success of Starlite’s academy and the business’s wider employment practices are showcased by the firm’s high talent retention percentages. Today, many of the firm’s key performers are working on global contracts or hold key management positions, testament to the strength of both Starlite’s training agenda and its best-in-class employee base. Offering ample opportunity for substantial personal development and career progression, Starlite is proud to say that many of its staff have been with the Company on a long-term basis.

Reaching for the sky

Although its employees are central to the good work that Starlite offers, the Aviation Training Academy is only one

segment of its investment plan. Catering to the demanding sectors that it serves within, the firm readily aligns many of its extensive and sound investments to better its existing services. One such example is a recent project completed with Spectrum Aeromed that has seen the development of a helicopter and fixed wing ICU platform, capable of dealing with two patients, fitted with emergency medical monitoring equipment such as a ventilator, syringe divers and a defibrillator. “This has been extremely beneficial where time is crucial to a positive outcome in the case of an emergency rescue, particularly when it has been required to be carried out at night at added risk,” says Ross. “Starlite’s sophisticated Night Vision Systems, which have been in use for the last eight years, allows for safer night

“Starlite also contributes to local charities as and when the need arises, providing food parcels, water and blankets to stricken areas or monetary donations”

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flying when clear visibility for medevac operations is required.” Further, similar emphasis is placed on its own safety systems, alongside improving its health and safety offerings for its own clients. “Our safety systems are constantly reviewed,” Ross continues. “Starlite has introduced streamlined quality and safety systems and more recently introduced Air Maestro, a sophisticated and efficient aviation software that integrates operational and safety features. Starlite’s Maintenance division uses Traxxall, a cloud-based aircraft maintenance tracking system, developed to save both Starlite and its customers time and money.” The Company also introduced the supply and assembly of mobile aircraft hangars, allowing the firm to undertake quality compliant maintenance in remote locations.

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SGS AVIATION CUSTOMISED SERVICES SGS is a world leader in managing aviation risk through auditing, consulting, training, and advising on the application of proven safety principles. Our team of experts has extensive auditing and advisory experience in a wide variety of aviation operations.

AUDIT, INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SERVICES Operational, regulatory and technical audits of aviation operators In-field and on-site independent, third party audits Customized internal audit solutions Contract compliance audits Pre-qualification, aviation studies and risk assessments Aviation management gap analysis Technical inspections of aircraft and airfields Helideck inspections and friction testing Proposal management and evaluations CONTACTS bridgette.tucker@sgs.com RPAS Audits aviation.safety@sgs.com BARS Audits +27 11 800 1000

WHEN YOU NEED TO BE SURE

360-degree service

The same approach is taken in regard to Starlite’s leading corporate social responsibility practices that integrate with the firm’s training policy. “Internships are granted by the Company to upskill disadvantaged and handicapped locals to ensure their marketability in the workplace,” says McCarthy. However, Starlite’s CSR is not limited to upskilling, and takes a number of different forms. “As part of our commitment to social economic development, the Company supports the ‘Seed of Hope’ in KwaDukuza, South Africa,” McCarthy reveals. “We have a long-standing relationship with the organisation and the community, and in an effort to reduce poverty and unemployment, our donations have assisted the community with education, feeding schemes and establishing sustainable vegetable gardens.

“Starlite also contributes to local charities as and when the need arises, providing food parcels, water and blankets to stricken areas or monetary donations, as was recently the case in South Africa when a local children’s home was damaged by fire.” Working to serve a number of humanitarian-centric industries, it is clear Starlite recognises the potential benefits that it can bring to local communities and populations in carrying out such work. “There is much work to do on the African continent, the Middle East and in fact globally, with regard to rescue and relief, air ambulance, and passenger and cargo transportation,” says McCarthy. “Starlite’s 19 years’ experience in these regions and extensive global footprint and wide-spread presence on the African continent provides the assurance that the Company is poised and ready to fulfil any contract, regardless of the complexity or challenging environment worldwide.”

SGS

Looking ahead, despite having already established itself as a reputable humanitarian provider and a supplier of aviation services, Starlite hopes to further bolster its presence through expanded operations and training. Ross concludes: “We hope to increase our reach even further into Africa, providing medevac standby and passenger and cargo transportation to the most remote, inaccessible and hostile areas. Ultimately, our goal is to become the service providers of choice to governments and corporate clients, and provide support in unstable and unpredictable environments globally.”

Starlite Aviation Tel: +27 (31) 571 6600 Emergency contact: +27 (82) 552 3813 www.starliteaviation.com

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The Citrus

Champion Approaching agriculture in an innovative way, Lona Group is providing a platform for progression across South Africa Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Lewis Bush

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ruit is king when it comes to South Africa’s agricultural economy. Each year, approximately 4.7 million tonnes of it are produced across the country according to statistics from Fruit South Africa, contributing around R98 billion to national GDP and directly sustaining the jobs of 180,000 people. Within this, citrus has become the most substantial subsector. In the half decade since 1965, output has risen from 10 million to 177 million 15-kilogram equivalent cartons, and today well over half of the total produced in South Africa can be categorised as citrus, contributing roughly 30 percent of the total value of the entire national fruit industry. Lona Group is one company that has not only continued to capitalise on this but has equally helped drive the industry’s growth trajectory upwards. Founded in 1996 in the wake of the deregulation of South Africa’s agricultural sector, the Group has since established itself as a leading national fruit exportation firm. “We are one of the top 10 citrus grower/exporters operating within South Africa,” says Derek Sutton, Managing Director of the Group’s export business. “This year we’re expected to produce four and a half million cartons of exported citrus, alongside the products that we sell to the local market.”

An innovative approach

Becoming number one, however, is not top of Lona Group’s agenda. Instead, the Group places significant strategic emphasis on furthering the impact of its unique business model – a business model that has been key in helping to tackle social problems across South Africa. “Transformation in the South African agricultural landscape is a

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given,” Sutton explains. “However, in ensuring that this is sustainable we put a lot of effort into assisting emerging farmers, often providing them with an initial platform, helping them to work more productively and making sure they are part of a non-exploitative value chain.” This philosophy has lasted through the Company’s entire history, having been inspired by the ethos of the previous owners of Lona Group’s primary farm. Sutton continues: “When we bought Riverside, our first farm, in the Eastern Cape, we understood that the farmers that we bought it from already had a passion for helping the community. We learnt that he had been lending his own tractors and equipment to the subsistence farmers around him, and we made sure we continued this. “We lent our own cash to these farmers, helping them to gain the

capital they needed to plant crops, with a back-to-back agreement that we would take a percentage from the sales. This is really from where our structure originates.” Having expanded on this concept, Lona Group’s business model is not only sustainable but also enables socio economic development through wealth creation for disadvantaged farmers. Working against the grain when compared to other commercial businesses in the industry, such methods currently account for approximately 40 percent of the firm’s entire export base.

Development-first

Having become renowned for such methods, Lona Group is consequently well regarded by a number of leading national bodies. This has seen government entities including the

ONE GROUP, FOUR COMPANIES Riverside Holdings Riverside Holdings is a shareholder in a number of South Africa’s farming businesses, spanning 11 farming operations and 12 packing houses. These are located in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Western Cape, predominantly producing citrus fruit alongside grapes, plums, pears, sugar cane, mangos, olives and other products. Lona Citrus Lona Citrus is renowned as one of South Africa’s top citrus exporters. The business serves a diversified customer base across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. Grassroots Capital Grassroots Capital provides its customers with financing for seasonal or expansion loans. The business has a R500 million of facilities to be used for both group requirements and for loans to other growers. R200 million of this has been ringfenced for lending to black growers. African Port Logistics & Infrastructure (APLI) Lona is the majority shareholder in a large cold store facility on the Durban quay where the Company ensures that it maintains leading quality control whilst maintaining low costs. APLI also provides additional logistics services such as container management services and the general transport of fruit.

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PLUSNET

lusNet is a South African shade cloth manufacturing company which specialises in a wide range of decorative and functional shade cloth products, for all applications in farming and business across South Africa. Manufacturing specialised agricultural netting from a factory in Gauteng, PlusNet is an ISO registered and BBE certified company with extensive experience in agricultural project development, helping to protect highyield, high-value fruit and vegetables. PlusNet offers a comprehensive range of shade netting between 20-90 percent shade. Our range is tailored to improve spectral transmittance and provide the optimal lighting and protection for any crop. Whether you require shade cloth for vegetable tunnels, shade houses, carports or creative ‘green’ initiatives, our wide range of netting offers you great opportunities at the best possible price. Working with our clients, PlusNet helps to identify and develop the optimum shade cloth infrastructure to ensure successful agricultural businesses are maintained. Advising on the best application of shade net structures and shade net tunnels, the PlusNet team of netting, infrastructure and design specialists can equally assist clients in planning their structures and netting, providing end to end solutions. After hand-over the team remains available for follow up maintenance and further development when requested. PlusNet is more than just a shade cloth manufacturing company. We offer a wide range of tailored functional netting products to protect what is important to you. T +27 11 412 3954 E nets@plusnet.co.za

www.shade-cloth.co.za

/ Providing flawless & cost effective netting solutions / Ensuring optimal crop yields / Innovation & product development / Professional back-up and support

13 Bussing Road, Aureus, Randfontein, Gauteng T 011 412 3954 | 011 412 1004 E nets@plusnet.co.za www.shade-cloth.co.za

Retailers in other countries know that they’re dealing with ethical produce when they buy from us. They acknowledge we’re trying to provide a solution to social problems” Government Employees Pension Fund, via the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), and the Land Bank investing in the Group, assisting with the acceleration of its continual growth process. “When the PIC invested in our business, they weren’t just looking for a dividend stream,” Sutton reveals. “They were looking for a way of boosting employment in rural farming communities – something that we have been able to provide.

“Often the people we’re employing have no jobs or prospects of getting one, but agriculture has allowed us to employ a lot of these people and help tackle the unsustainable figures surrounding unemployment in rural areas.” This work has earned the Company level 2 B-BBEE certification, recognition that few agricultural businesses across the country can claim to have achieved, and an identity that has

helped to enable the betterment of the business. Sutton continues: “Retailers in other countries know that they’re dealing with ethical produce when they buy from us. They acknowledge we’re trying to provide a solution to social problems.” Moreover, Lona Group has become readily involved in various community social investment projects in less privileged, remote areas.

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Asked whether such initiatives are important, Sutton replied: “Yes. We look at what we can do to improve things like health, housing and education, and generally try and make life easier and more enjoyable for the people in these farming communities.”

Taking the initiative

Having firmly established itself as both a successful and admirable business in the domestic market, many of Lona Group’s major challenges come on the international stage.

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South Africa typically exports to the northern hemisphere due to its natural position as a counter-seasonal country. As such, it’s expected to export up to 2.4 billion tonnes of fruit in the next three to five years to the likes of

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Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and other regions. “This is a considerable amount of fruit,” Sutton adds In the face of such a competitive climate, Lona Group attempts to

Lona Group has farms and processing units spread throughout much of South Africa

retain an edge by identifying as many new markets as possible, tailoring its approaches within these and constantly seeking to improve the quality of its product. “We have to identify what is demanded in different regions to ensure that the potential of each market is maximised,” says Sutton. “For example, in Russia they prefer to have larger oranges and grapefruits as opposed to the smaller fruits you might find in somewhere like the UK or Middle East. “Similarly, in general Russia and the Middle East are less concerned about the outward appearance of the fruit compared to the US. If we have had a harsh winter that has led to more of

our fruit becoming scarred, we would be marketing the majority of our products in line with this.” With farms spread throughout South Africa, from Limpopo to the Western Cape, Lona Group has the advantage of being able to cater to a broad range of differing demands through its expansive product portfolio. He concludes: “Moving forward, we’re on the drive to embrace the technologies that are out there and available to us to ensure we are better able to manage our product.” Lona Group Tel: +27 214 81 82 00 info@lona.co.za www.lona.co.za

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BEARING

FRUIT Star South has been wholesaling fruit in South Africa since 2003, growing into a multinational distributor and on the road to developing an optimised global supply chain Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Lewis Bush

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n April 17, 1662 South Africa’s first apple, a Wijnappel, was picked in Cape Town. That year also marked the arrival of European settlers, the colonisers widely acknowledged as kickstarting the country’s fruit and wine industry. Fast-forward through the centuries, and South Africa is the continent’s most prolific producer of apples, growing more than 900,000 tonnes in 2016. This production is concentrated in Ceres and Grabouw in the Western Cape and in the Langkloof in the Southern Cape thanks to near perfect growing conditions, conditions which enable high quality fruit with a solid shelf life. One company that has established itself in the wholesaling and worldwide distribution of apples and many other fresh fruits is Star South, formed in 2003 and headquartered in Wellington.

Pomegranates to pears

Indeed, apples represent just one of Star South’s extensive product portfolios. South Africa is one of the leading producers of eating grapes in the whole of the southern hemisphere, with more than 18,000 hectares under cultivation producing world-class grapes for export during the period November to May. Star South sells and distributes dozens of varieties of white, red and black seeded and seedless grapes. The Company also provisions a strong selection of citrus fruit, South Africa being renowned for growing bountiful amounts of oranges, lemons and grapefruit. The country is further reputed for producing quality pomegranates, especially the fully red varieties. Star South’s flagship pomegranate, named Wonderful, is sourced and packed alongside four other red breeds and Acco, a pink variety.

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Pears are another important segment of business, the firm supplying four different varieties to domestic, regional and international customers. In South Africa, two types (Packham’s Triumph and Bon Chretien) account for more than half of the entire cultivation of pears. The final subcategory of fruit making up Star South’s portfolio is stone fruit, chiefly peaches and nectarines. The Company is one of the country’s major suppliers with availability running from November through to April.

A global operation

Having set up as wholesaler in its native market 15 years ago, Star South has since morphed into a global distributor with a network of international clients and suppliers. It sells tailored shipments to retail, wholesale and processing clients both in terms of quality and quantity, striking up long term relationships with customers.

This is no better demonstrated than by its approach to business on its home continent. Covering East to West Africa, Star South prides itself on its ability to provide a stable trading environment in a high-risk market by managing financial transactions, monitoring quality and optimising the supply chain. In Europe, the Company commands a strong presence with strategic partners operating across northern, southern and eastern parts of the continent, the UK being a particular stronghold with partners in England, Wales and Scotland. Russia, Ukraine and the Baltic states are supplied via shipments into St Petersburg, Odessa and Vladivostok. Further east, Star South provides high quality fruit to a long list of clients in Asia, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Middle East represents another lucrative area for the firm. Star South

INTASURE

ntasure has earned its excellent reputation through efficient, high quality insurance products, backed by over 45 years of experience. We provide traditional insurance products and advice for commercial, domestic and marine (including hull, cargo and stock throughput) risks, providing innovative, niche products and bespoke solutions where required. Our clients benefit from our solid associations with industry leaders such as Santam, OMI and Hollard & Bryte, as well as the fact that we are cover holders at Lloyd’s. Intasure is proud to be Star South’s chosen insurance brokerage.

T +27 21 712 6686 E mailin@intasure.co.za

www.intasure.co.za

Star South sells tailored shipments to retail, wholesale and processing clients both in terms of quality and quantity

Russia, Ukraine and the Baltic states are supplied via shipments into St Petersburg, Odessa and Vladivostok

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T + 27 (0)21 712 6686 F + 27 (0)21 712 6866 E mailin@intasure.co.za www.intasure.co.za

has emerged as a leading supplier in the region thanks to its ability to provide fruit all year round from both South Africa and partners in South America, namely in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. This produce is distributed across the Middle East in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq and Oman.

Sowing seeds

Asides its core business of marketing produce for native farmers, Star South is actively engaged in community projects across its home country. It is a benefactor and supporter of the Stars in their Eyes Foundation, a Dutch organisation dedicated to championing local development based on coaching football and life skills. So far the project has reached hundreds of communities and trained more than 750 coaches.

Star South is also a keen supporter of South African schools, donating items such as rain jackets to pupils at Soetendal Primary School in the Western Cape. At Huguenote Primary and High schools, both in Wellington and close to company HQ, the firm again provides material backing. It has helped the former in its environmentally friendly initiative to save money, paper and labour by donating three television screens to advertise their learnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; achievements electronically. At Huguenote High School, Star South sponsors academic achievements in the form of cash prizes. By continuing to hone its global supply chain and build up its network of suppliers and partners, Star South will be able to both thrive as a business and act as a responsible corporate citizen to the betterment of communities in South Africa.

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A One-Stop Shop for Telecommunications Engineering

elecommunications infrastructure across the African continent has vastly improved in recent years. According to the World Bank, the number of fixed mobile lines in use on the continent per 1,000 people increased from just three to 736 between 1990 and 2014, while the number of internet users per 100 people similarly rose from 1.3 in 2005 to 16.7 in 2015. However, despite the surge in progress, Africa is still lagging behind

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Group CTO of Soliton Telmec, Ali Maawiy, explains how the Company is successfully tackling the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure deficit with its innovative approach and diversified solutions

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Writer: Jonathan Dyble Project Manager: Kane Weller

almost every other region globally, highlighting the need for further development. Introducing Soliton Telmec. Having already played a role in the deployment and support of 6,200 kilometres of long-haul and metro networks, connecting over 5,000 enterprise and government sites in the process, the Company is continuing to play a crucial role in furthering the continental infrastructure agenda. Established in 2005, evolving from Soliton Systems, Soliton Telmec

has risen to become a leading telecommunication engineering company, building and supporting some of the most technologically complex infrastructure across Kenya and Uganda. “Starting off as a small fibre deployment company, we have since evolved in a number of ways, now helping our customers in planning and surveying, building and maintaining their networks, whilst also offering quality and service assurance solutions and systems,” says Ali Maawiy, Group Chief Technical Officer of the Company. “We have become known for our extensive capabilities that allow us to oversee the entire lifecycle of network solutions, thus ensuring that our customers optimise their assets.”

Tailormade solutions

Diversification is a term that has become synonymous throughout Soliton Telmec’s Structure. “It is what I believe embodies the value of our

services,” says Maawiy. The firm has explored a number of new avenues in the aim of satisfying the demands of its customers on a broad scale, evident through its recent interest in adding power solutions to its service portfolio. “Africa has a lot of issues when it comes to reliable grid power,” Maawiy adds. “With this in mind, we have been looking to provide some off-grid solutions in remote areas. Where we deploy tower solutions, for example, it is clear that there is an opportunity to provide reliable power to remote communities.” Equally, the business has developed extensive managed services capabilities, not only helping its clients to construct and maintain infrastructure networks, but also allowing them to maximise the potential of each project by securing new business opportunities. A defining feature of these managed services can be found in Soliton’s

recent emphasis on implementing the latest technologies, helping to impart greater oversight and control of networks to client bodies. “Having gained a strong understanding of the challenges facing the telecommunications industry, we are looking to digitise and automate the management of our customers’ assets where possible,” says Maawiy. “One of the biggest problems that service providers are experiencing, particularly on the fibre side, is that they don’t store data in the correct formats in order to fully understand and capitalise on their inventory. This is an issue that we have sought to solve.” Leveraging its expertise, Soliton was recruited by the Ugandan government, tasked with commercialising the country’s national fibre networks. “The Ugandan government has built around 2,450 kilometres of fibre networks, and having partnered with them, we were able to take over the management of this infrastructure,”

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SOLITON TELMEC’S FIRSTS Epitomising innovation and industry disruption, Soliton Telmec has registered a number of industry firsts across the region: • First to apply non-intrusive micro-tunnelling method in fibre network construction. • First to implement full ITU fibre characterisation standard testing. • First to implement an eighthour service level agreement (SLA) in fibre maintenance (2006). • First to implement a six-hour SLA (2010). • First to implement automated fibre monitoring solutions (2010). • First to implement four-hour SLA using automated testing and monitoring solutions (2011). • First to implement enterprise dark fibre solution for fibre channel SANs. • First to introduce and implement standardsbased ‘open access’ shared infrastructure.

Maawiy continues. “In doing so, we successfully commercialised these networks, helping the government to generate additional revenue. In addition, we have reduced the government’s cost of communication over the last five years. “By monetising these assets and reducing the costs, the government has a new source of finance that, in turn, can be used to help accelerate economic development and improve the lives of its people.”

Providing a platform

Such comments give a sense of Maawiy’s commitment to ensuring Soliton remains a good corporate citizen – an attitude that it is readily reflected in the Company’s employment strategies. In a bid to support remote communities, the firm offers a platform to select students from marginalised backgrounds, aiding their university tuition and later absorbing them as employees. Through this, Soliton ensures that disadvantaged individuals are able to succeed either at Soliton or elsewhere within the regional telecommunications industry, providing them with the training that they need. “Additionally, we have partnered with certain universities, taking a certain number of top performing students on apprenticeship programmes,” adds Maawiy.

Network measurement and testing tools

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The Company rigorously trains its staff in using new technologies

With a corporate identity that has largely been shaped by its innovative methods, Soliton has continued to be successful in attracting top talent, owed to its willingness to adopt bestin-class technologies. “Our R&D team ensure we continue to identify new industry solutions, market changes and embrace any shifts, and in turn we rigorously train our staff in using new technologies, positioning us at the forefront of the curve,” Maawiy continues. “We are very proud of the fact that most of our trainees originally chose Soliton as their primary place of work, something that is testament to the high-quality training that we offer.” Having built an esteemed reputation across Eastern Africa in less than two

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decades, the business is now looking to broaden its reach into new markets across Sub Saharan Africa. Asked about the Company’s prospects moving forward, Maawiy is quick to emphasise that Soliton’s strategies will continue to embody diversification and innovation, no matter where they operate. He concludes: “I am proud to be able to go to our customers and say we can offer you data solutions, quality and service assurances, monitoring and management support and a host of other things. “We want to retain this, and ultimately our key goal is to become a one-stop-shop, providing high quality enterprise, wholesale, engineering and telecommunication solutions across Africa.” Soliton Telmec Tel: +25 67 00 77700 info@soliton.co.ug www.soliton.co.ke

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I P X

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EG’s

Communication Cornerstone Continually positioning itself to capitalise on technology-driven opportunities, IPX EG has emerged as a pioneer of progression within Equatorial Guinea Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Kane Weller

quatorial Guinea is a nation filled with opportunity. According to the African Development Bank, the country has become the benefactor of substantially modernised infrastructure in recent years, largely facilitated by the expectations outlined in its National Economic and Social Development Plan. From health to education to human development, Equatorial Guinea has continued to make strides across the board, with economic diversification having been pursued on a number of different fronts. Such is evident in the fact that Equatorial Guinea currently has the highest GDP per capita across Africa with $34,865. And while improvement has been witnessed across a number of traditional trades, equally the fastgrowing technology market has been a major facilitator of national progress. Ken Research reveals that the country witnessed $84 million in telecommunications service revenue in 2016, a record at the time. Further, in the same report, the firm

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predicts that this market is expected to grow at around 9.5 percent each year until 2021, attributable to the growth in mobile data and fibre broadband, technologies that in turn are enabling the possibility of domestic and external investment. Operating as one of the nation’s leading communication and technology solutions providers, IPX EG is readily positioned to capitalise on this transformational period.

Enabling Advancement

Founded in 2011, IPX EG has been crucial in furthering Equatorial Guinea’s digital journey, providing critical telecommunication solutions to a variety of vendors throughout the country. Based in Malabo, the national capital situated along the northern coast of the Bioko Island, the Company stands as the primary communications backbone for large enterprises across a diverse range of industries. “IPX Communications EG is a customer-centric IT services, communications and security company,” the Company states.

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As suggested by its name, the firm largely caters to the internet package exchange segment, helping to provide voice, messaging and data interoperability solutions. In achieving this, it offers a number of products and services, namely its MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 services, dedicated internet services, residential/

home internet solutions, network management services, VoIP and call management systems, IT support/ onsite managed services, facility security solutions, firewall services, structured cabling and many more solutions. Priding itself on excellence in these areas, IPX EG recognises its role in not only catering to the expectations of

its customers, but also in raising the bar, helping to pioneer technological innovation. “IPX realises that service is key – through teamwork and training our employees to deliver professional services, reliable support and transparent communication to our customers,” the firm adds.

Expanded capabilities

IPX Secure, a division affiliated with IPX EG, is a prime example of the firm’s expansive expertise, standing as a business unit that readily exports to a number of global markets from its base in Malabo. Producing a range of technologicallyinspired products, IPX Secure is

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TOTAL SECURE AUTOMATION

ith over 20 years’ experience manufacturing and exporting physical security products worldwide, Total Secure Automation is in the perfect position to provide a definitive service, from handling your initial sales enquiry to manufacturing the products to your exact enquiry and ensuring they are exported as efficiently as possible, making sure all trade requirements and standards are met. • Automatic barriers • Road blockers and bollards • Automatic gates • Under vehicle inspection system • Turnstiles • Anti-terrorist crash-tested product range Please do not hesitate to contact us. T +44 161 408 3232 E sales@totalsecureautomation.com

www.totalsecureautomation.com facilitating security innovation around the world, offering anything from automatic anti-terrorism bollards to modernised turnstiles known as speedstiles. “With many years’ experience manufacturing and exporting physical security products worldwide we feel we are in the perfect position to provide a definitive service, from handling your initial sales enquiry, to manufacturing the products to your exact enquiry and finally ensuring they are delivered to your door as efficiently as possibly ensuring all trade requirements and standards are met,” IPX Secure states on its website. Alongside IPX Secure, IPX EG is also affiliated with IPX Residential and IPX Enterprise, demonstrating the broad range of markets that the Company is readily able to cater to.

Capitalising on the opportunity

Having established an esteemed reputation through these methods

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in the seven years since its inception, IPX EG has risen rapidly to embody progression and diversification across Equatorial Guinea. Much of its success to date can be attributed to its sound business model, having recognised the opportunities

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that submarine communications would bring to the country following the turn of the decade. In December 2012, Equatorial Guinea was connected to the ACE (African Coast to Europe) submarine communications cable, a system

At Total Secure Automation Ltd we are very confident that we will become your preferred choice for automatic physical security products no matter where you are based in the world.

T: +44 161 408 3232 | E: sales@totalsecureautomation.com | www.totalsecureautomation.com running along the West Coast of Africa, stretching between France and South Africa. 17,000 kilometres long, the fibre optic cable became the first international submarine cable to land in Equatorial Guinea, transforming the telecommunications industry with its potential capacity of 5.12 TBit/s. Providing alternative methods of communication to satellite, ACE effectively dropped the price of bandwidth by approximately 400 percent across the country, sparking a new era of telecommunications in Equatorial Guinea that IPX EG was readily positioned to capitalise on. These forward-thinking ambitions have been retained throughout the Company’s history, evident within its current mission statement. “Our mission is to be the advanced communication and security solutions provider through

innovative research and design works for the next generation broadband wireless communications and security solutions tailored towards individual customers’ needs and enhancing people’s lifestyle and quality in Equatorial Guinea,” IPX EG states.

Looking ahead, with the country having been connected to two additional cables since ACE, and with preparations for a fourth project having been announced just last month, the future looks bright for both the country and IPX EG.

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M A U R I T A N I D E S

E V E N T

F O C U S

Connecting investors with mining and energy opportunities

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 11-13 December WHERE: Nouakchott, Mauritania WEBSITE: www.mauritanidesmr.com

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MAURITANIDES IS a strategic mining and energy conference and exhibition for companies seeking to invest in the mining and oil & gas industries in Mauritania and the region. This is a well-established biennial event held since 2010 and is fully supported by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy & Mines and Government of Mauritania. The country is a leading producer of iron ore, copper, gold, silver, oil and gas and was one of the world’s top 15 iron-ore-exporting countries and Africa’s third-ranked producer and exporter of iron ore after South Africa and Sierra Leone. Mauritania also has significant oil and gas discoveries off the coast which has attracted

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foreign investments. Major projects in the country include the Tasiast Gold Mine and Tortue Natural Gas offshore project. Given the country’s immense minerals and oil & gas potential, Mauritanides is thus the perfect event platform for companies looking to enter the Mauritanian market. Over the years, this event has transformed into a global event with a strong Mauritanian core and attracted local, regional and international attendees to Nouakcott, Mauritania. The fifth edition in 2018 is no exception and is expected to bring together 1,500 attendees, 100 exhibitors and 70 speakers. Current platinum sponsors, as of September 2018, include BP and Kinross. Mauritanides is organised by Spire Events (Singapore) which was appointed by the Government of Mauritania. Spire Events is an up and coming events company which has organised numerous global mining investment conferences in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Spire Events also organises mining tech conferences which focus on the role of technology in mining. Full calendar of the latest Spire Events conferences can be found at www.spire-events.com.

@Mauritanides1 Mauritanides Mauritanides

ITAN R U 2018

ES ID

Mauritanides

MAURITANIDES 2018

5TH MAURITANIAN MINING, OIL & GAS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

11 - 13 December 2018

Al Mourabitoune Conference Centre Nouakchott, Mauritania www.mauritanidesmr.com Lead (Mining) Sponsor

Platinum (Mining) Sponsor

Lead (Energy) Sponsor

Platinum (Energy) & Lanyard Sponsor

Organised by

Co-Organizer

SPIRE EVENTS Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines

M I N I N G

I N D A B A

E V E N T

F O C U S

Africa’s premier mining industry showcase

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 4-7 February 2019 WHERE: Cape Town, South Africa REGISTER: http://bit.ly/2w8l3HI WEBSITE: www.miningindaba.com

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INVESTING IN African Mining Indaba will be celebrating its 25th anniversary from 4-7 February 2019 in Cape Town. The event will look back at the best moments in African mining over the past 25 years, and ahead to new innovations taking place in the industry.  Since 1994 Mining Indaba has connected African mining companies with investors from around the world and has been the platform for important industry discussions, facilitating the sustainable growth and long-term development of the industry. In 2018 the event saw a 15 percent overall increase in attendance, with

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34 government ministers, 308 mining companies and 474 investors attending from 95 different countries. In 2019 we will be expecting even more. Be a part of the world’s largest mining investment event and help us celebrate 25 years of progress for African mining. Register now and save 10 percent with our partner discount code: OUTLOOK10.

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PROGRESS IN AFRICAN MINING

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The only place in Cape Town to meet 500+ investors and 900+ mining company executives under one roof

Hear from mining COOs and learn about the latest disruptive tech changing the industry at the Mining 2050 track

Network with every part of the mining value chain and meet your next business client

Want to increase your brand exposure? Get in touch with Fred Noce today: fred.noce@miningindaba.com

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M I D D L E

E A S T

E L E C T R I C I T Y

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The ideal exhibition for energy networking

EVENT DETAILS WHEN: 5-7 March 2019 WHERE: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE WEBSITE: www.middleeastelectricity.com

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HOSTED BY the UAE Ministry of Energy and based in Dubai, Middle East Electricity provides the opportunity to conduct face-to-face meetings, essential for building and sustaining business relationships in the Middle East. Leveraging Dubai’s position as the regional re-export hub, the exhibition facilitates access to challenging and hard-to-reach markets through partnerships with distributors and agents. As an annual gathering place for over 1,500 participating companies, MEE provides our exhibitors the chance to judge market demand, gain valuable industry knowledge and develop new areas of business.

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The event is split into five key product sectors – power generation, transmission and distribution, lighting, solar and energy storage and management solutions. Power Generation at MEE is the region’s leading, largest and longest running trade exhibition for both conventional and stand-by power related product manufacturers and distributors – and the ideal place to meet buyers looking to source products from either sector. MEE’s longest running and most successful sector, transmission and distribution spans more than eight halls, from the industry’s bellwether international companies to the 23 individual country pavilions, the entire value chain of products is represented here. One of the exhibition’s fastest growing sectors, the Lighting Hall provides a dedicated space for international manufacturers and distributors to display their products to the MEA market. Alongside energy storage and management solutions, solar offers three entire halls of renewables, energy management and innovative storage solutions from brands across the world. In its second year, energy storage and management at MEE is the region’s most comprehensive event for the sector, with international manufacturers showcasing the latest technologies to the region’s leading buyers.

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDES A complete guide to Africa’s leading business travel destinations

N A M I B I A

AFRICA

NAMIBIA

The land of the endless horizons NAMIBIA FEATURES ONE of the most spectacular landscapes that Africa has to offer, home to expansive deserts, towering mountains, rocky valleys and savannas that are littered with some of the rarest wildlife in the world. While the vastness of the country may be hard to comprehend, Namibia is the perfect escape from a busy life in the western world. In fact, the country has one of the lowest population densities on earth with just 2.9 people per square kilometre. Despite this, Namibia surprisingly features some of the most vibrant cities on the continent that readily showcase the country’s exciting economic prospects alongside a deep cultural history that together bring unique experiences to travellers. Tourists who do visit the country are well placed to see all of these sites, owed to the nation’s economic

FACTS & FIGURES

Capital: Windhoek Languages: German, English Area: 825,615km² Population (2016): 2.48 million GDP (2016): US $10.27 billion Currency: Namibian Dollar (N$) Time zone: GMT+2 Dialling code: +264 Internet TLD: .na Climate: Arid Highest recorded temperature: 37°C

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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, Ryan Gray or Jordan Levey to find out more. joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com

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jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com

+44 (0)1603 959 668