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Braintree partners with Old Mutual Africa towards a new era of financial management and operational efficiency

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2 years ago

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Braintree

This collaborative approach was instrumental in achieving a smooth transition and in harnessing the full potential of the new system

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 23, 2024/APO Group/ — 

There is no doubt that the goal of a company’s Chief Financial Officer is to have clean and accurate audits across the business – a single source of truth with a strong focus on compliance. As a diversified financial services company operating in 12 countries across the continent, Old Mutual Africa embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its finance and operations (F&O) across these territories, integrate their operations, introduce efficiency savings, and ensure the reliability and integrity of financial reporting.

Central to this journey was a partnership with Braintree, tasked with implementing a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Enterprise Resource Planning solution—a crucial component of the broader transformation strategy.

The Role of Braintree in the Transformation Journey

Donald Van der Merwe, Programme Executive at Old Mutual Africa who led the broader financial transformation programme, says that this journey was not just about technological implementation, but a strategic endeavour to consolidate over a hundred product systems across life assurance, asset management, unit trusts, property, insurance, and banking into a single platform.

As a leading IT solutions provider of Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions, Braintree was selected for its deep expertise and understanding of the challenges at hand. Their role in this partnership was pivotal, focusing on the seamless implementation of the Microsoft D365 F&O system. This collaboration was characterised by a shared ethos and vision, with both parties bringing a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the financial services landscape. What resulted was the consolidation of all finance systems within 11 countries by April 2024.

The strategy and objective

Helping finance to become a strategic partner within the organisation was a key objective from the outset. This was achieved by restructuring the business and delivering a unified platform with an end-to-end view of all relevant financial and non-financial data, enabling real-time insight and decision-making while still delivering core finance capabilities.

Standardisation was key to the strategy of this transformation project, with chart of accounts, processes and internal controls all needing to work on the same system and a seamless flow of data into the company’s general ledger.

Automating these processes also meant the introduction of easier and more accurate workflows. For example, with D365’s powerful automation capabilities, 99% of all Old Mutual Africa’s bank reconciliation has now become automated.

Collaboration and buy-in

The success of this project was a testament to the vision and dedication of both teams

A key factor in the success of this initiative was the emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Rather than adopting a top-down approach, the programme fostered a sense of ownership and involvement among all stakeholders, ensuring that the transformation was embraced at every level of the organisation. This collaborative approach was instrumental in achieving a smooth transition and in harnessing the full potential of the new system.

Buy-in from the organisation itself also translates as an investment of their time, both in the design phase as well as the implementation. This cannot be done in isolation, with the finance teams and other stakeholders needing to participate from the very beginning of the process.

With a project of this magnitude comes certain inevitable challenges, from data migration and cultural integration across different territories to different operational standards and regulatory requirements. However, these challenges were met with a spirit of collaboration and transparency. The expertise of Braintree, coupled with the leadership and strategic vision of the Old Mutual finance transformation team, ensured that each obstacle was met with clear communication and transparency and viewed as an opportunity for learning and growth.

A long-term investment in efficiency

This journey towards an integrated financial system was driven by the need to reduce manual input, improve reporting timelines, and ensure compliance with new international reporting standards, such as IFRS 17. These challenges were not merely technical hurdles but opportunities to redefine the way this multi-tiered organisation approached its financial operations.

Any company making the decision to implement technology such as this needs to view what this investment means in the long run, the value that this flexible and scalable operating system brings to the business and the costs that the business will incur when their financial and reporting systems do not align.

“This financial transformation has positioned Old Mutual Africa for sustainable growth and agility to future challenges. The scalable nature of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations system means that this business is equipped with a robust platform that can evolve as the business grows, ensuring long-term resilience and efficiency,” Van der Merwe says. He adds that the overall project architect, Braintree’s Craig Fidler, was instrumental in the success of the implementation based on his extensive expertise and experience as a former Chief Financial Officer.

“This collaboration was not just about implementing a system; it was about incorporating innovation and strategic foresight into the very fabric of their operations. Seeing the substantial benefits of our work, from enhanced efficiency to strategic decision-making, reinforces our belief in the power of partnership and technology to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape. The success of this project was a testament to the vision and dedication of both teams,” says Fidler.

The power of partnerships

“This implementation stands as a testament to the power of partnerships and has spearheaded a future where Old Mutual Africa can leverage real-time insights, streamline operations, and meet the dynamic needs of the market with agility and precision,” says Van der Merwe.

This is one example of how a multi-tiered enterprise can incorporate world-class technology to improve efficiency and accuracy, streamline operations, minimise risk and enhance financial management.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Braintree.

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Business

Novum Studio Secures New Funding to Launch Ahoy Project, an AI-Native Enterprise Transformation Platform, Building on Its 20-Million-User Gen Z App Frog

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2026

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Novum Studio
  • Novum Studio has raised a new round of funding to launch Ahoy Project, its enterprise AI solution, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.
  • Ahoy Project is positioned as the infrastructure for AI-native enterprise transformation – an AI-native communication platform serving as the underlying system, delivered as an end-to-end tailored solution.
  • The launch expands the company beyond Frog, its Gen Z consumer social app that has reached 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe.
  • Novum Studio said it is applying lessons from operating high-frequency social platforms at scale to workplace communication and knowledge systems.

NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – Novum Studio, the company behind Frog – a Gen Z social app often described as a “new-generation Snapchat” – said it has raised a new round of funding and will use the proceeds to launch Ahoy Project, an AI-native enterprise communication and collaboration platform, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.

The Novum Studio team at London Tech Week 2025.

Unlike conventional workplace software, Ahoy Project will not be sold as a standalone software subscription, the company said. Novum Studio provides the infrastructure and a full tailored solution for enterprises undergoing AI-native transformation, with the communication platform serving as the underlying system on which that transformation is built.

Founded as a consumer social company, Novum Studio has reached more than 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe. Frog gained traction among younger users through spontaneous, real-time sharing designed around authenticity and low-pressure interaction. The company said its experience building large-scale social “spaces” – where millions of people communicate, form groups and coordinate in real time — directly informs its approach to enterprise collaboration.

The new funding will support the launch and international expansion of the enterprise business as artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations communicate, collaborate and operate, the company said.

Novum Studio was founded by Anna Danyi, who graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2018 and began her career in consulting and technology. Before founding Novum Studio, she built multiple consumer applications and exited through an acquisition. In 2025, Forbes China recognized her among the Top 100 most influential global Chinese figures in AI digital products area.

“We spent years understanding how millions of users communicate online,” Anna Danyi said. “In the AI era, communication itself is becoming intelligent. We believe the next generation of platforms will not only connect people — they will understand workflows, collaboration and organizational behavior.”

From Consumer Social to Enterprise AI

Modern organizations face growing challenges as critical knowledge, decisions and workflows become fragmented across chats, meetings and disconnected tools, the company said. Ahoy Project addresses this as a conversation-driven, AI-native collaboration layer: it captures context from day-to-day communication to build a searchable enterprise knowledge base and support workflow coordination.

Core capabilities include conversation-based knowledge organization, AI-assisted collaboration and workflow support integrated directly into team communication. Because the platform sits at the layer where work is discussed and decided, it can serve as the foundation for a broader AI-native operating model – with Novum Studio designing and delivering the surrounding transformation solution for each enterprise client.

Ahoy (Popeye AI) turns everyday team conversations into a searchable enterprise knowledge base.

A New Direction for Social Technology

Novum Studio said its expansion reflects a broader shift across the technology industry. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram defined how content was distributed and consumed in the mobile social era; as AI becomes embedded in digital products, the company believes the next stage will center less on feeds and more on intelligent systems that understand communication and coordination.

“We are no longer just building products where people post content,” Anna Danyi said. “We are building systems that understand how humans communicate and operate together.”
 

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Energy

Venezuela Energy Week to Host Houston Industry Showcase, Unlocking United States (U.S.) Commercial Engagement Ahead of October Summit

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2026

By

African Energy Chamber

Ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2026, U.S. exploration companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers and investors are invited to explore commercial opportunities across Venezuela’s upstream sector at the Houston Industry Showcase next month

HOUSTON, United States of America, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Venezuela Energy Week will host an Industry Showcase in Houston on August 18, 2026: a targeted industry roadshow designed to engage U.S. energy stakeholders ahead of the October summit. Held at The Post Oak Hotel, the showcase will convene senior representatives from across the U.S. upstream ecosystem – including exploration and production companies, Texas-based independents, oilfield service companies, engineering and technology firms, commercial banks, private equity firms and family offices – to assess commercial pathways for participation in Venezuela’s energy sector.

 

As Venezuela looks to expand production, U.S. companies remain well positioned to contribute technical expertise, capital and operational capabilities across the upstream value chain. Chevron’s longstanding presence in the country highlights the continued importance of U.S. industry participation, while the scale of Venezuela’s resource base continues to attract interest from major international energy companies, including ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Opportunities extend across exploration, field development, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and digital modernization as Venezuela seeks to strengthen its energy sector.

 

Demand is also expected to grow for oilfield service companies, engineering firms, technology providers and financial institutions that can support upstream investment and project execution. Companies including SLB, Halliburton and Baker Hughes have been identified as potential partners in advancing production optimization and infrastructure rehabilitation, while commercial banks, private equity firms and family offices will play an important role in financing future investment opportunities.

 

Against this backdrop, the Houston Industry Showcase will provide a structured engagement platform at a time when select international operators continue to operate under U.S. Treasury-authorized frameworks, and where policy considerations in the U.S. continue to shape engagement parameters in Venezuela’s energy sector.

 

The event will enable U.S. exploration companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers and investors to assess technical and commercial pathways across exploration, field services, project delivery and broader supply chain opportunities, while supporting early-stage dialogue between international investors and Venezuela-focused stakeholders in a structured commercial environment ahead of the October summit.

 

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 18, visit www.venezuelaenergyweek.com/rsvp-houston. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2026 in Caracas this October, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

 

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery

 

Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

 

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4fM0rLr).

 

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

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Business

Africa Trade Gateway Delivers US$5.3-Million Cross-Border Transaction in First Energy Sector Trade in Southern Africa

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2026

By

Afreximbank

The transaction represents an important milestone for both the participating institu-tions and the ATG ecosystem as it marked Innbucks Microbank’s first completed transaction through the platform and the ATG’s first recorded energy-sector transac-tion in Southern Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –A US$5.3-million cross-border fuel (gasoil) trade transaction has been successfully completed with support of the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank’s) (www.Afreximbank.com) flagship digital trade ecosystem, demonstrating the value and efficacy of the Gateway in powering African trade.

The transaction, which saw Zimbabwean fuel importer Witeva Trading source a gasoil shipment from a leading commodity trader and supplier in Switzerland, with Innbucks Microbank Ltd. participating as the local issuing financial institution and Afreximbank providing confirmation support under agreed trade finance structure, demonstrates how African businesses can leverage one connected ecosystem to identify opportunities, access finance and complete international trade more efficiently.

The ATG made it possible for the commercial opportunity to be connected to the right ecosystem participants, bringing together the buyer, supplier and participating financial institutions to support a successful execution of the transaction.

The transaction represents an important milestone for both the participating institutions and the ATG ecosystem as it marked Innbucks Microbank’s first completed transaction through the platform and the ATG’s first recorded energy-sector transaction in Southern Africa.

This transaction demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through one connected trade ecosystem

It also demonstrates how African Businesses can use a single digital ecosystem to identify commercial opportunities, connect with verified counterparties, access trade-finance support and execute cross-border transactions more efficiently.

Peter Olowononi, Director, Regional Operations, Southern Africa, at Afreximbank, said:

“This transaction demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through one connected trade ecosystem. By creating a digital ecosystem to expand access to trade finance, Afreximbank is enabling more businesses to participate easily in regional and international trade.”

Emeka Onyia, Director, Digital Business, at Afreximbank, added:

“The Africa Trade Gateway is more than a mere digital platform; it is the ecosystem that helps trade happen. We help businesses discover opportunities, connect with trusted buyers, suppliers and financial institutions, and facilitate the journey from commercial opportunity to completed transactions. Every successful deal strengthens the network, attracts new participants and creates more opportunities for African trade.”

“As more businesses, banks and trade partners join the ecosystem, every successful transaction expands the marketplace, strengthens trust across the network and increases opportunities for future trade,” Mr. Onyia added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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