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African Development Bank Vice President witnesses first-hand life-changing impacts of Africa-focused agribusiness giant

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Quaynor

“This glimpse into ETG’s operations was deeply insightful,” says Vice President Quaynor after trip to company’s Southern Africa operations

HARARE, Zimbabwe, August 3, 2023/APO Group/ — 

African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) Vice President Solomon Quaynor has concluded a tour of Export Trade Group (ETG)’s southern Africa operations, signalling the potential for stronger partnership with the agribusiness giant to boost livelihoods on the continent.

Mr Quaynor, responsible for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, and four others from the Bank, visited ETG’s operations in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe last week, where they saw first-hand the impact of the firm’s diverse agribusiness value chains and trade, supported by massive human capital and assets, including large warehouses and industrial machinery.

The Bank’s team included Richard Ofori-Mante, Acting Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development; Damian Ihedioha, Division Manager for Agribusiness; Bleming Nekati, Chief Trade Finance Officer; and Patrick Mabuza, Principal Research Economist. They were joined by ETG’s Joint CEO, Birju Patel and the Group Chief Treasury Officer, Paul Van Spaendonk.

Quaynor described the trip as “a development banker’s dream”. “This has been a deeply insightful trip to Export Trading Group’s integrated agro-industrialization operations in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. With a presence in over 30 countries, this glimpse into ETG’s operations was a development banker’s dream,” he said.

During the four-day trip, the Bank team visited ETG’s fertilizer terminal, an inland container depot, fertilizer processing and blending plants, soya vegetable oil refineries, giant warehouses, some of which were filled with tonnes of grains, collection depots, plastic and candle factories, cashew processing plant and a textile factory.

Quaynor’s team also interacted with farmer groups, including several women, agribusiness cooperatives and employees of ETG. The meetings provided useful insight into the scale and diversity of the company’s activities in Southern Africa. Quaynor also used the opportunity to affirm the African Development Bank’s commitment to help boost food production in Africa and foster inclusive development by investing in proven agri-businesses such as ETG.

He noted that the company’s operations in Africa go beyond economic growth. “They strive to industrialise Africa, develop smallholder farmers, empower women, create jobs, engage with communities, achieve sustainability and develop value chains,” Quaynor said.

The Vice President said he was impressed with the Group’s versatility in managing its diverse portfolio successfully amid persistent local and global headwinds. He noted that they are an innovative agro-industrialist, agro-infrastructure and financially hedged global company with core operations in Africa.

The meetings provided useful insight into the scale and diversity of the company’s activities in Southern Africa

“We believe that ETG is a viable company that is committed to building a brighter future for Africans with gender equality, livelihood opportunities, self-sufficiency, community well-being, environmental stewardship, and collaboration from the pillars of inclusive and sustainable development in Africa. We are proud to be strategic partners with ETG on this remarkable growth story,” Quaynor said.

ETG, a global conglomerate with operations across multiple sectors, is present in 48 countries across five regions, including 30 African countries, where it runs more than 90 industrial plants and around 350 gigantic warehouses. It has a diverse portfolio spanning agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, agro-food processing, energy, minerals and supply chain optimisation.

The company has generated massive employment, including for youth and women. South Africa and Zambia are key countries for both origination and destination, with West Africa forming a key source of cocoa, sesame, and cashew and East Africa a key origin for pulses, sesame, coffee and edible nuts.

ETG CEO Patel underscored the impact of the partnership with the African Development Bank over the last eight years and stressed the Group’s commitment to continue working together to improve livelihoods across Africa, “It is always exciting to cultivate partnerships with like-minded organisations that share our unwavering passion for the continent and its people”.

“Our steadfast dedication to enhancing livelihoods through facilitation of trade and market linkages, infrastructure development, agricultural support encompassing yield-enhancing inputs, agronomy services, and sustainable farming practices training, as well as strategic social investments, remains resolute and unyielding. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the African Development Bank and creating a positive impact for all our stakeholders.”

The Bank and ETG recently signed a $150 million trade and agri-finance package. It comprises a $60 million facility to enhance the company’s export functions, a $60 million agriculture  value-chain programme to boost production by offering top-notch farming tools and expert guidance to farmers in 10 targeted African nations, and a $30 million co-financing from the Africa Growing Together Fund. Disbursement will be concluded before the end of August 2023.

In 2016, the Bank provided a $100 million corporate loan with a seven-year tenor to finance ETG’s capital expenditure investment programme covering fertiliser facilities, processing plants, and multi-commodity warehouses across Africa. This was followed by an additional $100 million Soft Commodity Finance Facility to support the firm’s short-term import and export working capital.

These facilities supported ETG’s operations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, creating over 6,710 jobs (including 1,290 for women) and significantly contributing to tax revenues across the continent. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)

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Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers

MUMBAI, India, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO)a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC

This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, ‘digital-first’ banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets.

Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint.

Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya   commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.”

Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.”

He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aurionpro Solutions Ltd.

 

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Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW) as South Africa Improves Sectorial Investment Climate

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Energy Capital

Minerals Council CEO to share insights on policy, infrastructure and investment trends shaping South Africa’s mining industry

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will feature Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa, as a speaker. Scheduled for October 14 – 16, 2026 in Cape Town, the event will bring together global investors, policymakers and industry leaders, with Mthenjane’s participation highlighting the council’s commitment to engaging international stakeholders and promoting investment across South Africa’s mining sector.

His participation comes at a critical moment as the Minerals Council works closely with government on finalizing the Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025, a policy framework aimed at strengthening the country’s mining investment climate and the sector’s contribution to GDP. According to the council, the revised legislation will support new investment across the value chain as South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

The policy reforms come amid shifting production trends in the sector. In 2025, South Africa recorded declines in gold and platinum group metals output of 1.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The new regulatory framework is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate investment, enabling South Africa to increase production and capitalize on strong global commodity prices. Increased private sector investments is crucial with South Africa seeking targeting to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore potential as well as maintain its position as the world’s leading producer of chrome and manganese.

At AMW 2026, Mthenjane is expected to outline these trends, providing insights into how the council is contributing to addressing challenges disrupting the sector. Infrastructure and energy costs remain key concerns for industry players. To support the energy-intensive sector, South Africa approved a 35% reduction in electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers, helping stabilize an industry that has faced significant cost pressures after electricity prices surged by roughly 900% since 2008.

Logistics constraints are also a priority area for reform. South Africa’s economy is losing an estimated R1 billion per day due to inefficiencies across rail and port infrastructure. As a result, the government is considering measures supported by the Minerals Council to increase private sector participation in logistics. Planned reforms include rail modernization initiatives targeting 250 million tons of freight capacity by 2029, alongside port upgrades and private operator participation aimed at strengthening mineral exports and improving supply chain efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, the Minerals Council is advocating for stronger exploration investment to support long-term industry growth.

At AMW, Mthenjane is expected to highlight these developments and outline the steps required to reinforce South Africa’s position in the global minerals supply chain. His insights will offer investors and stakeholders a timely perspective on opportunities within the country’s mining sector.

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

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Seychelles Targets Energy Investment Push as Minister Jérémie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Speaker

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African Energy Chamber

Seychelles energy minister will speak at AEW 2026, positioning her to highlight reforms, renewable projects and investment opportunities as the island nation advances its transition toward a diversified energy system

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Marie-May Jérémie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources for Seychelles will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. Her participation underscores the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s small-island energy transition agenda.

Minister Jérémie’s presence at AEW 2026 comes at a critical time as Seychelles accelerates efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The event provides a platform to attract investment, strengthen policy alignment and showcase bankable projects, positioning the country as a viable destination for private-sector participation in island energy systems.

Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments

In May last year, international finance institution the World Bank approved the Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at modernizing the grid and increasing renewable energy penetration to 15% by 2030. The program focuses on unlocking private capital while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.

Project development is gaining traction in the country, particularly in innovative technologies suited to Seychelles’ land constraints. The 5.8 MW Seysun Lagoon floating solar PV project, developed by independent renewable power producer Qair, is under construction and expected online in 2026.

Alongside renewables, Seychelles continues to pursue upstream opportunities to diversify its economy. The government approved new exploration entrants in 2025 and extended exiting petroleum agreements, while securing an infrastructure partnership with China. Multilateral estimates suggest over $800 million in investment will be required over the next 25 years.

Regulatory reform is central to this transition, with Seychelles introducing an independent power producer framework to open the market to private developers. Standardized power purchase agreements, grid access reforms and strengthened public-private partnership structures are being implemented to improve transparency, reduce risk and accelerate project bankability across solar, storage and emerging wind opportunities.

“Minister Jérémie’s participation highlights the strategic importance of island nations in Africa’s broader energy transition,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments. Her insights will be critical to advancing dialogue on resilient, low-carbon energy systems across the continent.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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