Issue 36
STANLIB Fahari I-Reit
A Proud Heritage of Real Estate InnovationWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Stuart Parker STANLIB Kenya is a leading fund manager in the East African region with a strong track record which has been established over many years of managing assets for a wide array of clients including pensions, endowments, parastatals, corporates, governments, NGOs, churches, savings and credit co-operatives, and charitable organisations.Reflecting a proud heritage of real estate innovation, STANLIB was an active participant in the engagements between real estate professionals and the Kenyan regulatory authorities which gave rise to legislation enabling the creation of Income (and Development) Real Estate Investment Trusts (“I-REITs” and “D-REITs” respectively).Once the enabling legislation was in place, STANLIB Kenya implemented a project to build the framework of Kenya’s first I-REIT. This was followed by the November, 2015 Initial Public Offer (IPO) which culminated in the listing of the STANLIB Fahari I-REIT. In addition to raising equity capital, this listing introduced the REIT sector to the Nairobi Securities Exchange.Africa Outlook caught up with the REIT’s Chief Executive Officer, Anton Borkum about STANLIB’s past, present and future; as well as its forecasts for the industry at large.Africa Outlook (AfO): Could you firstly talk me through the wider Group structure of the business; its current geographic footprint, its portfolio size, and the current range of services and solutions offered by STANLIB in Kenya?Anton Borkum (AB): STANLIB is a leading asset manager with on-the-ground operations in 10 African countries. It is among the largest unit trust companies by market share in South Africa. STANLIB manages and administers more than R560…
Maersk Line Mozambique
Reducing the Barriers to TradeWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Tom Cullum For almost three decades, Maersk Line has been a crucial enabler in the development of Mozambique’s maritime industry, serving to grow this emerging nation’s reputation as a key East African logistics hub. Boasting a 2,500 kilometre coastline, the country’s waterways are considered the gateway to Zimbabwe and Malawi; with the Nacala corridor at the centre of Mozambique’s industrial and agricultural exports, the Beira corridor providing a safe passage to Zimbabwe in the west, and the Maputo corridor providing connections with the south.Spurred on by the economic benefits of the country’s location, with excellent transport links to both intercontinental locations, such as the Middle East and Asia, as well as many in Africa, Maersk Line Mozambique has deployed its latest technological advancement, Maersk’s case management system, to further streamline its activities and optimise cargo efficiencies. As innovation now plays a vital role in ensuring the sustainable growth of the billion-dollar Maersk Group, the Company has to continue to focus on ways to remain ahead of the toughening competition by placing emphasis on creating long-term local trade partners.Gateway to the Nacala corridorWith many indigenous businesses now dependent on Mozambique’s maritime industry to reach important export markets, there have been several strategic investments to increase trade opportunities with the Middle East and Asia in recent years.One such investment was announced last year by the Japanese Government, to the tune of US$280 million, designed to fund the second phase of the Nacala Port Development Project and boost the region’s already booming banana trade…
GHC Africa Project Management
A Construction Philosophy without BordersWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Stuart Parker GHC Africa Project Management has built a prominent and reputable portfolio that spans the continent, representative of its competitive positioning in the industry for the past quarter of a century. Cementing ties with strategic business partners along the way, the Company has grown in tandem with regional industry trends and answered the exacting demands of clients with a proposition that focuses on areas of construction management, commercial management, development management and tenant coordination.With initial business on the continent commencing in 1993 under Neil Graham & Associates, the Company’s rapid expansion dictated the need to expand its service offering and create new ways to add value for a growing number of customers. GHC Africa was borne out of a rebrand and desire to develop a full-service project management company.“Since the rebrand in 1998, we have been able to push the boundaries of project management and challenge the norm, simultaneously expanding our own knowledge of operating in African markets and passing the benefit of our broad experience onto our clients,” says Nick Brown, Director, GHC Africa.This ethos towards doing business in Africa runs in tandem with the Company’s ability to adapt to the ever-changing construction landscape, demonstrating GHC’s flexibility when working with crucial variables such as space requirements, competitive pricing and ensuring a consistent high quality finish each time.“We believe we have found a better way to manage construction projects,” Brown says. “We do this by better understanding our clients’ needs and interpreting them into deliverables. We bring together the necessary…
Ministry of Health Swaziland
Striving for Universal Health CoverageWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Eddie Clinton For nearly 50 years, the Ministry of Health (MOH) Swaziland has been striving to improve the health status of the country’s population by providing preventative, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services for the betterment of a nation very much in societal transition.Not only introducing such services, but doing so to the highest quality, with honed relevance and as accessibly and affordably as possible has been a challenge for the Ministry, but one that has been met over the decades, and the organisation remains as committed as ever today to keep moving with the times and improving the country’s healthcare provision even further.“The aim is to provide equitable and socially acceptable health services to the highest possible standards comparable to the first world, and to have every citizen being able to access quality healthcare regardless of where one is in the country,” says Vusi Magagula, Director of Health Services. “The core functions of the Ministry of Health include health promotive and preventative services; curative and clinical healthcare services; medical, nursing and allied health regulation; and medical referral services.”An additional host of clinical support services are also incorporated within the areas of focus across Swaziland and comprise pharmaceutical services, medical imaging services, medical laboratory services, rehabilitation, palliative services and nutritional services; all compounded by an ongoing dedication to investing in the very latest methodologies and technologies in order to best implement such treatment types.Advanced hospital equipment including a modernisation and expansion of its renal services, as well as the opening of…
Agro-Marketing & Trade Agency (AMTA)
Improving Access to HorticultureWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Sammy Wilkinson Aligning with the Namibian Government’s Vision 2030 economic goals to showcase its long-term commitment to facilitating the country’s agri-trade, AMTA strives to ensure food security at both a national and household level through the development of the most relevant value-add horticultural investments.Proud to have launched its first shipment of grapes to the Netherlands in December, 2015, AMTA is coordinating closely with the Government and its programmes aimed at contributing to production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh produce, to further enhance trade and encourage export opportunities for local businesses.One of the ways the not-for profit organisation is facilitating this is through the construction of a 10,000 square metre fresh produce business hub in the country’s capital city, Windhoek, with direct links to the Port of Walvis Bay; in addition to two further 5,000 square metre hubs in Rundu and Ongwediva.“The development of FPBHs has its roots firmly in line with Vision 2030, as well as in line with the Green Scheme Policy from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF),” says the organisation.Fresh Produce Business HubsThe Hubs are in direct response to the MAWF and Namibian Government’s rationale to improve rendering services to crop procedures in order to increase food production, thereby contributing to food security and nutrition through investment in bulk cold storage, marketing and providing access to the logistics and shipping facilities required for small-scale farmers to export produce.“The facilities are very important in that they will represent a platform for farmers to market their produce as…
Victoria Commercial Bank
A Credit to Kenyan BankingWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Callum Philp Victoria Commercial Bank (VCB) has built upon a successful 2014 with an even more prosperous 2015 as it continues to capitalise on the positive reputation constructed within Kenya’s finance industry.Consistently ranked within the top three institutions in the sector and country among its peer group over the past half a decade, expansion and continuous improvement are two philosophies deeply ingrained into the fabric of the Company, and have been ever since the organisation’s inception in 1987.A consistent leadership and management model has further aided the smooth organic evolution ever since, and Chief Executive Officer, Yogesh Pattni has been there to witness it all.“Following the start of our operations, we converted to being a fully-fledged commercial bank in 1992, offering all the banking services that come with being a commercial bank, and we have grown over the past 29 years to now have three branches, with an intention to open a fourth branch next year, and a workforce close to 60 people,” he noted back at the start of 2015.“Out of the 43 operational licensed banks in the country, we may only be around the 25th biggest but we have been ranked as the leading bank for several years in our peer group.”Regarding the past 12 months of progression, he enthused: “The year 2015 has been largely successful with most objectives being realised and being met in spite of the difficult environment and the banking difficulties experienced in the last quarter of the year.“We launched the VCB Master Card credit…
Nando’s South Africa
Born in South Africa, Universal in AppealWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: James Mitchell The Nando’s story is one full of flavour and culture, but despite the brand’s ever-growing presence and global influence over the years, the much-celebrated chicken restaurateur has never forgotten its South African roots, and still places the country at the forefront of its continuous evolution.Harking back hundreds of years to the first Portuguese explorers who set sail for the east in search for a legendary spice route, the subsequent discovery of PERi-PERi laid the foundations for the dining experience everyone knows and loves now, and Nando’s remains as committed as ever to maintaining the legacy of its birthplace.“Nando’s began life decades ago as a small chicken outlet in a decidedly unfashionable Johannesburg suburb,” recalls the Company’s Head of Design, Michael Spinks. “The dream was fired by the ambition of a pair of ‘Jo’burg boytjies’ and the most delicious, PERi-PERi marinated chicken on earth.”Business Development Director Trudi van Niekerk continues: “It was an all-consuming love at first bite and the beginning of a passionate, fiery journey that changed the way people saw - and ate - chicken in South Africa. It’s a journey that continues in every Nando’s restaurant across the planet.“From those humble beginnings, Nando’s has gone on to become a much-loved South African brand, as renowned for its compassionate business values and cheeky marketing as it is for its delicious taste.”Spinks picks up: “Nando’s has grown into a global brand, but we remain completely true to our roots. We’re a brand that was born in South…
Alesco Risk Management Services
A Truly Personal ServiceWriter: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Tom Cullum In just eight years, Alesco Risk Management Services has diversified its portfolio at a rapid and extensive rate, leading the Company to award-winning notoriety and instilling its reputation in the industry as a fully-integrated, reliable and turnkey partner of choice.Founded in 2008 by a team of experienced professionals specialising in the provision of risk management and insurance solutions for the global energy industry, the UK-based entity’s fresh business model facilitated unprecedented growth under the ownership of Arthur J. Gallagher; demonstrating an entrepreneurial flair and internal flexibility that could only derive from an in-house, personable ethos.“Alesco is one of the few brokers that does not outsource any part of the claims service. Our rationale is that to service a client properly there has to be an integrated and cohesive approach so that the whole placement and service plan wraps around the client,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Simon Matson affirms. “This ensures that every team member is fully cognisant of what the other elements are doing, to maximise the knowledge and partnership with each client.“We believe a client gains more from speaking to the actual people who will have a hands-on, personal involvement on the account and actually deliver the service. This means clients benefit from a truly personal service, while being able to call on a wealth of sector experience right across Alesco’s specialisms to ensure their programme covers all their exposures and addresses every objective.”And the service becomes even more attractive and widespread as more…
Lidwala Insurance Company
Swazi’s First Choice Provider of Short-Term InsuranceWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Callum Philp With the Swazi insurance industry still very much in the developmental stage, locally-owned short-term insurer, Lidwala Insurance Company has taken an opportunistic approach to securing future growth in the sector and the financial products required that offer affordable and innovative risk transfer solutions to the Swazi economy.By addressing the shortfalls in the short-term insurance industry, Lidwala has been able to introduce a significant number of new insurance products to the local market – namely in the personal, agricultural, travel, motor and alternative risk transfer (ART) segments - while also making improvements to its conventional product offering in a bid to stand out from the increasing competition.Since opening its doors in 2009, backed by strong capital and technical backgrounds, Lidwala’s deep-rooted philosophy to seek out the best short-term insurance solutions for customers has boosted the Company’s reputation in recent years; becoming the first-choice provider for alternative risk transfer solutions in the country.“We pride ourselves on our flexibility, efficiency, reliability and uphold strong business ties with all our stakeholders. Driven by a team of innovative, young, agile and technically-sound staff, we adopt a customer-centric approach and offer a tailored product solution for our clients and brokers,” notes Alfred Madondo, General Manager of Lidwala Insurance Company.A recent report found that Swaziland’s short-term insurance industry is worth approximately E550 million. In line with these findings, Lidwala has been keen to capitalise on the growing popularity of micro-insurance among the low-income public; broadening its clientele and strengthening growth in lower-valued assets. However,…
Jurgens Ci (PTY) Ltd
Enhancing Sales through Strategic InvestmentWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Arron RamplingSince entering the trailer market and finding its feet in Australia, South Africa’s largest caravan manufacturer and wholesaler, Jurgens Ci, has been able to significantly expand its customer base and achieve sustainable growth levels. This is all while remaining focused on delivering a quality end product in line with the changing needs of its customers.Formed more than 60 years ago by the Jurgens family, who immigrated to South Africa from the Netherlands, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Imperial Holdings has benefitted from diversifying its revenue streams, resulting in enhanced sales of camping accessories and equipment along with rapid sales growth in the trailer segment; in addition to its existing caravan business comprised of high quality, well-known brands including Jurgens, Sprite, Gypsey, Wilk and WJ Motorhomes.“In 2008, after the Imperial Holdings acquisition the previous year, we began to make inroads into the trailer segment, identifying the luggage, off-road and camping trailer sectors as key new revenue stream areas. Jurgens Ci has rapidly gained market share and commands a 15 percent share in the former. It is now the leading brand in the latter two, commanding more than 35 percent market share,” recalls Bradley Salters, Managing Director of Jurgens Ci.Local dealer networkOffering the most diverse range of caravan and camping products in South Africa today, through a franchised dealer network comprised of close-to 40 Campworld stores, Jurgens Ci’s position in the market is made all the more impressive by the Company’s adherence to European manufacturing standards, along with the relevant health and…
H&R South Africa (PTY) Ltd
A Customer-Centric Approach to ManufacturingWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Nick Norris Mirroring the wider Group’s ability to overcome country and regional challenges, H&R South Africa is continuing its cross-border expansion plans to spread the availability, market knowledge and reach of its products across the personal care, woodboard and construction, packaging, rubber and plastics, electrical and communication cable industries.The continent’s economic development has been the catalyst for H&R South Africa’s growth in the past decade; leveraging the wider German roots of the H&R Group and its ‘doing things right first time’ ethos to manufacture the right products at the right quality in response to changing customer needs.Formerly established in 2004 as a result of a strategic acquisition that marked a major milestone in H&R’s international business prospects, H&R South Africa has fostered organic Company growth by matching its own expertise with the best opportunities the continent has to offer.Recognising that Africa presents its fair set of challenges, Regional General Manager, Clive Wood says that differentiation and being attentive towards the value-add are two ways in which the Company can become further ingrained in, and contribute to, the local economy.“Investing in local people and strengthening our local partnerships by forming relationships on the ground are two key focus areas that have driven H&R South Africa to a new level in its development. We are firmly focused on ways to expand the business the H&R way, by complementing our internal continuous improvements with a broader range of products at the right price point and quality to match our full service offering,” he affirms.Tailored…
Airtel Nigeria
The Smart ChoiceWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Donovan Smith When matching the leading economy on the continent with the leading telecoms brand on the continent, the inevitable pressure on producing a unique and standout offering is palpable, but certainly something that Airtel Nigeria has managed to achieve.Evolving, diversifying and expanding to become the second most prominent player in the Nigerian market, boasting more than 30 million subscribers, it is the services offered to this ever-growing population which make it the number one in most analysts’ eyes; also compounded by the Company’s constant strive to be the first to the punch in such a competitive domain.“Part of the Bharti Airtel Group - which has 17 operations across Africa - Airtel Nigeria was the first in the country to launch GSM services and are normally the first to bring any product or new service to market in Nigeria; making history several times along the way,” the Company proudly states.A vast subscribership to the tune of a 20 percent market share has been the result, fulfilling wider Bharti Airtel expectations which derive from a comprehensive intercontinental presence and a largely unrivalled reputation across 2G, 3G, 4G, fixed-line, high speed broadband, enterprise offerings and its renowned host of value-add services capitalising on global mobilisation.Value for moneyTo ensure that the country has an infrastructure capable of facilitating such grand ideas for future technological growth, much of Airtel’s expenditures in recent years have been in that area, amounting to more than $3.5 billion in total; more than $500 million of which coming over the past two…
Emtel
Today’s Convenience Through Tomorrow’s TechnologyWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Donovan Smith For more than a quarter of a century, Emtel has established itself as a leading light in modern and futuristic provision of telecoms services, and continues to thrive within this image to this day with a current drive towards 4G technologies and innovative value-add services.Established in 1989 as the first telecoms operator in the southern hemisphere, the Currimjee Jeewanjee Group-owned Company has made a name for itself for being the first to the punch; an accolade evident across the then-groundbreaking launch of 2G, 3G and, more recently, 4G networks.Putting Mauritius on the map from a technological perspective, the Company has since evolved into a one-stop shop for ICT solutions offering a wide range of products and services across individual, enterprise and residential domains.“Emtel’s innovations include the first 3G network in Africa in 2004,” the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Teddy Bhullar affirms. “Today, with 4G and FTTA (fibre-through-the-air) services it is one of the most technologically advanced operators in Africa. Emtel also offers international connectivity solutions via undersea optical fibre and state-of-the-art Tier 3 data centre services.“We also offer a complete range of enterprise services and high speed internet access through fibre-through-the-air technology that allows users to access internet at speeds of up to 30 Mbps.”The ongoing evolution continues via a comprehensive series of investments into the Company’s network infrastructure, as well as its logistics, warehousing and data centre hubs; all to facilitate such diversification of services to the end consumers.“Last year, Emtel entered in a strategic partnership with…
MTN Congo : Reflecting Hope for a Brighter Future
Reflecting Hope for a Brighter FutureWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Donovan Smith For 16 years, one of Africa’s leading telecoms operators has been revolutionising advanced technologies and infrastructure development in The Republic of Congo, with social enrichment and evolution underpinning all continuous improvements.MTN has long been renowned - continent-wide - for its ability to evolve a nation into a technically functioning telecoms hub, and while this has certainly been one of the Company’s key missions in Congo-Brazzaville, all decisions have been made with the population’s wider wellbeing in mind.“Our policy is to offer through our values: ‘can do, leadership, innovation, integrity and relationships’,” the Company’s Head of Corporate Services, Cyriaque Okoumou Ombolla says. “Day after day, the quality guides the Company’s commitments and the technical services are supervising the facilities 24-seven in order to promptly respond to any inconvenience; ensuring a network responding to qualitative requirements in terms of services.“The achievements of MTN Congo through its social arm - the Foundation - also respond to normative values through the Company’s social programmes conducted for the good of Congolese communities in various fields such as health, social and community development, strengthening school infrastructures, eradicating poverty, child welfare, sport as well as fighting against AIDS in an innovative and sustainable way.”A consequential, all-encompassing slogan of ‘everywhere you go, wherever you go’ reflects the ultimate progressive will that derives from such a commitment to nationwide development and is further entrenched in its business colours of yellow, blue and red, the colours of Congo and of Africa; “reflecting hope for a brighter future”.Ombolla recalls…
ARINT South Africa
Consolidating in a a Toughening EconomyWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Arron Rampling Capitalising on market gaps and competitor shortfalls in the early 2000s to build an international reputation in the professional engineering services industry, the ARINT Group of Companies has since expanded in tandem with its growing customer base; with the main objective to provide customers with a solution-driven service.Building on the Group’s desire to become a global player in consulting engineering, project management, nuclear engineering, asset management and risk engineering sub-sectors, ARINT entered South Africa in 2004 based on the movement of its customers. This strategic move has resulted in ARINT South Africa becoming the largest player in the Group today.“Our main Group objective is to provide our customers with a tailored, solutions-driven service offering to distinguish ourselves from the competition. On a case-by-case basis, we listen attentively to client issues, needs and risks, and formulate a satisfactory solution that delivers on all fronts,” explains Francois Mellet, Managing Director of ARINT South Africa.The global commodity crisis has presented its fair share of challenges across African industry, with the mining sector in particular proving a volatile market in recent years. In order to mitigate these challenges, ARINT South Africa is toughening its operations with a keen focus on reducing overheads, while improving its range of value-add offerings to build stronger relationships with those in the industry who are equally feeling the strain.“This year, we have decided to consolidate all our efforts in finding new ways to make our business more sustainable, with a renewed energy and vitality. By being loyal…
Mbuyelo Group
Combining Entrepreneurial Flair with Corporate StabilityWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Arron Rampling By working on a plan for consolidation and acquisition of further assets to solidify its position as a notable player in South Africa’s coal mining industry, Mbuyelo Group is to overcome the current commodity slump and retain market stability through targeted investments that increase production capacity in preparation for when the market inevitably turns.Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mbuyelo Group, Rirhandzu Owner Siweya, says that the Company’s two latest mining assets - combined with a broadening of the Group’s property and farming concepts, among its other subsidiary offerings – will act as the springboards to expand Mbuyelo beyond the traditional coal mining sphere.“We are very excited to have achieved so much in the past year, including the more unintended successes such as the acquisition of the remaining 50 percent of the Ntshovelo Mining operation at Vlakvarkfontein, in addition to achieving all of our production goals with distinction. The intention is to use this momentum as an opportunity to consolidate what we have to build a sustainable business in preparation for market recovery,” he highlights.Currently, the Group is working hard to prepare the Mbuyelo Coal (Pty) Ltd subsidiary for listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in a bid to boost the overall business reputation and market presence.Siweya adds: “It is only natural for this Group-wide consolidation strategy to involve looking for further investors and partners who share a likeminded outlook of the mining industry and willingness to embrace the possibility of new business relationships. This has proved a…
SENET
A Model of ExcellenceWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Arron Rampling SENET is offsetting industry-wide struggles to ensure the ongoing and consistent provision of cost-efficient solutions in 2016, staying true to a client-focused commitment to quality that has thrived on the continent for more than 25 years.The Company would have been forgiven for dampening its quarter-century celebrations a year previously as the prolonged slowdown across its core copper and gold mining markets inevitably took their toll, but the reliance on internal flexibilities and diversities has had the desired effect for SENET as it continues to not only consolidate, but improve its offering within the sector.“It is no secret that the mining industry is facing some challenging times at the moment, as it battles through a lower commodity cycle. SENET however, continues to provide cost economic solutions to mining clients, which during 2015 enabled us to weather the storm and secure future work,” affirms the Company’s New Business Development Director, Darren Naylor.The continuation of numerous processing plant developments across West and Central Africa cemented such evolutions towards the end of 2015 and the goal for the new year will now comprise a healthy balance between further internal refinement and methodical service development; as always, with its clients’ best interests in mind.“The primary focus for 2016 is on doing the same thing, but better. And better than our competitors,” Naylor continues. “The focus is currently on efficiencies and engineering excellence. A greater sales emphasis is also being placed on our bulk materials handling expertise, which is an area of business that SENET was…
Azmet Technology and Projects (PTY) Ltd
Valuable Solutions for a Volatile MarketWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Arron Rampling Entering a volatile and slow-moving mining, resources and engineering market over the past few years would have been no mean feat for any prospective start-up, but for AZMET Technology, its vast and rapid success has derived from entering the industry with specific solutions to said challenges as its actual business model.A professional engineering and project management Company, AZMET Technology and Projects (Pty) Ltd has only been in operation since March, 2014 but has thrived as a consequence of its pinpoint strategy to counter what has become a prolonged and increasingly problematic industry slowdown in Africa.“Founded in March, 2014 and introduced into a market that is facing an economic crisis; future growth could only be obtained to strive for excellence through dedication, motivation and technology innovation,” enforces the Company’s Marketing Director, Ruan Kukard.“AZMET’s vision is to add value to its clients during this current global recession of budget cuts and long-term stoppages on capital projects. This outlook has led to the development of numerous innovative and cost-effective products and processes that have positively impacted on operating expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) for Greenfield and Brownfield projects, converting uneconomical projects into viable projects.”Managed by four directors with more than 60 years’ collective experience, bringing to the table more than 18 execution projects and 38 project studies - across 14 countries - the subsequent scope and flexibility of services and products that the Company can deliver the grateful metallurgical and mining sectors are comprehensive to say the least.“Being flexible and…
Murray & Dickson Construction (PTY) Ltd
For more than 30 years, Murray & Dickson Construction (M&D) has been expanding and diversifying its offering across an ever-widening geographic footprint.