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Rogers Group targets East and Southern Africa for exponential growth

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Rogers Group

Rogers is actively pursuing its gradual internationalisation strategy in promising markets abroad, with a particular focus on Africa

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, March 1, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, India… Rogers Group (https://www.Rogers.mu) has, over the years, expanded its reach beyond Mauritius, into the region and internationally. For the Mauritian-born Group, with offices in 14 countries, growth opportunities often go hand in hand with strengthening its existing operations in countries with high growth potential and exploring new territories to expand its presence in strategic markets. The most recent endeavour was carried out by Velogic, one of Rogers’ subsidiaries in the logistics segment, through the acquisition of Rongai Workshop & Transport Ltd, a road transport company in Kenya. With the upcoming opening of a branch of Rogers Capital – Technology (the Finance & Technology segment) in Rwanda, as well as the representation of two new airlines (TAAG Angolan Airlines in South Africa and Vistara in Mauritius) by Rogers Aviation (the Travel segment), Rogers is actively pursuing its gradual internationalisation strategy in promising markets abroad, with a particular focus on Africa.

For companies like Rogers, which are listed on the Official Market of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM), the pursuit of international growth opportunities is a key lever for increasing their presence in markets with high potential. In this context, the Group’s international development strategy is particularly relevant, with the recent acquisition of Rongai Workshop & Transport Ltd in Kenya, a promising market for the logistics sector. This acquisition will enable Velogic, Rogers’ logistics arm, to expand its geographical footprint on the African continent, benefiting from the growth prospects that this promising market offers.

In addition, the imminent opening of a branch of Rogers Capital – Technology (the Finance & Technology segment) in Rwanda demonstrates Rogers’ commitment to positioning itself in emerging markets in Africa, where economic growth is strong. This strategic location will allow Rogers to strengthen its regional presence by offering innovative solutions adapted to local needs. At the same time, the representation of two new airlines, TAAG from Angola and Vistara from India, allows Rogers Aviation (the Travel segment) to broaden its reach in booming international markets, and in Mauritius.

With a presence in 14 countries, our strategy is to identify growth opportunities to strengthen our activities in those countries,” says Philippe Espitalier-Noël, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rogers Group. “The acquisition of Rongai Workshop & Transport Ltd in Kenya, the representation of Vistara, and the upcoming opening of a branch of Rogers Capital Technology in Rwanda are concrete examples of our commitment to positioning ourselves in these emerging high-growth markets by offering cutting-edge solutions meeting local and international needs,” adds the CEO.

Velogic strengthens its presence in Kenya

Operating in Kenya since 2016, Velogic, an integrated international logistics operator, encompassing all logistics activities of the Rogers Group for nearly 60 years, has recently completed the acquisition of Rongai Workshop & Transport Ltd, a renowned transport and logistics company in Kenya. The objective is to strengthen its footprint in a country that is currently one of the high-growth markets.

As the second-largest road transport company in the country in terms of territorial reach, Rongai Workshop & Transport Ltd is also highly regarded. It has built a material and reputational capital in the Kenyan economic landscape, partly thanks to its expertise in tea transport. With 75 years of presence in Kenya, 270 employees, and a hundred vehicles, the company posted a turnover of Rs 80 million for the quarter ending December 31, 2022.

The imminent opening of a branch of Rogers Capital – Technology in Rwanda demonstrates Rogers’ commitment to positioning itself in emerging markets in Africa

The synergies with Rongai will enable Velogic, which now boasts a fleet of 160 vehicles in Kenya, to offer a broader range of logistics services, and to expand its customer base and transport network in this region of the African continent.

Vistara and Taag, a pool of travellers for Rogers Aviation

Headquartered in Mauritius, Rogers Aviation has been active for more than seven decades in the travel and aviation industry. The company is pursuing its local and international development, having secured the representation of Vistara. This Indian airline will serve Mauritius from March 26 onwards, five times a week. This representation also extends to Vistara’s domestic Indian market via Mumbai, with increased connectivity to international destinations such as the Maldives, Thailand, Singapore, and Colombo.

Leveraging Rogers Aviation’s expertise, this collaboration with Vistara expands the portfolio of international and Mauritius-based airline representation (General Sales Agent) of this subsidiary of Rogers’ Hospitality & Travel segment.

Last September, after opening new offices in Bedfordview, South Africa – where the company has a significant foothold, particularly in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban – Rogers Aviation obtained the representation of TAAG Angolan Airlines, a company it has been representing in Mozambique since 2017. This representation also reinforced Rogers Aviation’s portfolio of airlines in South Africa, which already includes four airlines in the country – Air Seychelles, LATAM (a South American company), Air Austral, and Air Mauritius (Cargo).

Rogers Capital Technology expands to Rwanda

The “Finance & Technology” segment of Rogers Group operates under the brand name of Rogers Capital. It positions itself as a provider of structured solutions for its international and domestic clients.

In recent years, the Rogers Group has implemented an internationalization strategy that focuses on several growth drivers, including establishing its presence in growing countries, exporting its expertise and know-how, developing its network, and promoting synergies. Additionally, Rogers Capital has successfully pursued various avenues of growth in the region and on the African continent, which has allowed it to develop a solid expertise in the African market. Present through Rogers Capital – Fiduciary in Seychelles since 2017, and in Côte d’Ivoire since 2020, Rogers Capital’s African journey continues in a few weeks with the opening of a branch in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, by Rogers Capital – Technology.

Rogers Capital – Technology has chosen Rwanda due to its political and economic stability and its position as a hub of Central and Eastern Africa. The authorities’ vision to attract investments and new technologies is also a powerful argument for Rogers’ subsidiary, which is looking for promising markets to export its technological know-how. The ambition of Rogers Capital – Technology is to promote exchanges and partnerships with various public and private institutions in the country to ultimately offer its full range of high-value-added services there.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rogers & Company Limited.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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PAPSS

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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