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Leading Digital Payment Solutions Provider Network International Reports a Strong Strategic Execution with Q3 Revenue up 28%

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4 years ago

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Network International

Network is a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East & Africa, focused on helping businesses and economies prosper by simplifying commerce and payments

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 19, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The company, which operates across Africa and the Middle East, has seen another quarter of financial and strategic delivery, underpinning full year expectations; Figures include positive licensing updates to access new revenue pools; A record period of new wins with four new financial institution, totaling 13 year-to-date. Also signed first credit processing agreement in South Africa; Direct-to-merchant TPV in Africa (DPO) increased 30% y/y in constant FX.

Network International Holdings Plc, Q3 2022 trading update

Network International has announced a 28% increase in year-on-year revenue for Q3 2022. Network is a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East & Africa, focused on helping businesses and economies prosper by simplifying commerce and payments.

Nandan Mer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We continue to make positive strides in executing against our strategy, delivering yet another high growth quarter with 28% y/y revenue growth. During the period we won record levels of new business in the UAE and continued our market entry in Saudi Arabia. I am also thrilled to see Network leading the industry with positive licensing updates in the UAE, Egypt, Kenya and Saudi Arabia, whilst continuing to strengthen our relationship with major customer Emirates NBD. We face the future with excitement knowing we have several growth levers available, supported by the scale, capabilities, people and trusted brand to fulfill our purpose of helping the economies and customers we serve to grow and prosper.”

Strategic update, twelve months post Capital Markets Day

The largest consumer payments business across the Middle East and Africa

Network is a high growth payments business operating at scale across countries with large consumer spending pools, young populations and an accelerating secular shift from cash to digital payments. It is the largest acquirer delivering payment services directly to over 150,000 merchants in the UAE, Jordan, South Africa and a further 20 markets across Africa. It also manages over 17 million digital payment credentials for over 200 financial institutions in more than 50 countries. Whilst operating at scale, Network remains a local business with on-the-ground presence in over 20 markets.

Successful delivery of strategic priorities

Network’s growth-oriented strategy is focused on scaling existing markets, targeting new markets, expanding capabilities and diversifying revenue streams. Its focus markets in Africa remain Egypt, South Africa and Kenya. At its Capital Markets Day in September 2021, Network set out a new strategy to drive faster growth and has already delivered on a number of key commitments:

  • Financial growth: on track to deliver 2022 financial guidance of 27-29%1 revenue growth and modest underlying EBITDA margin expansion; returning excess cash of up to USD 100m through a buyback.
  • Acquisition of Africa direct-to-merchant business (DPO): has broadly doubled e-commerce revenue, added alternative payment capabilities and accelerated SME signings across the Group.
  • Financial institution processing business: seeing record levels of revenue growth as a result of new customer wins, accelerated transaction growth and the cross-selling of value-added services.
  • Further growth opportunities: launching direct-to-merchant services in Egypt and have successfully started to establish contract wins in the commercial payments processing space.

Several regulatory approvals in African key markets

Network welcomed the increasing regulatory frameworks being introduced across its markets, having recently received approvals to provide direct-to-merchant business in two markets:  

  • Kenya: Network has been authorised by the Central Bank of Kenya to act as a Payment Service Provider and continue providing payment gateway services in Kenya, with direct-to-merchant services by DPO.
  • Egypt: Network has approval to operate as a payment facilitator and a payment service provider working through local Financial Institutions. It intends to launch direct-to-merchant payment services during the fourth quarter. (As a reminder, Network’s existing processing activities on behalf of financial institutions do not require a license).

Issuer Solutions business line review

Revenue driven by new business and digital transaction growth

Solid revenue growth is reflective of the large number of customers signed in the prior year and ongoing strength in the number of transactions, which has continued to grow throughout the year-to-date. Both the Middle East and Africa saw y/y growth in the number of credentials hosted and transactions processed, with performance in Africa being particularly strong.  

Signed four new financial institutions, totaling 13 new wins year-to-date

Network secured four new financial institution customers during the quarter. It also expanded its relationship with Access Bank to support the launch of their credit card services in South Africa.

New capabilities include the launch of commercial payments services

  • New business in commercial payments: Network has started to launch commercial card processing services with a number of wins in the space. The commercial payments landscape represents a potential new revenue pool and a cross-selling opportunity to existing customers.
  • Payment installment by SMS: introduced for two existing financial institution customers.
  • Partnership with Mastercard expands: having collaborated with Brighterion, Mastercard’s artificial intelligence arm, to provide fraud mitigating services which can identify anomalistic transaction behaviours and fraud monitoring.

Merchant Solutions business line review

Merchant Solutions revenue momentum in Africa

Africa (DPO Group): DPO saw TPV up 14% y/y or 30% in constant FX1, whilst revenue grew 16% y/y or 29% in constant FX1.Merchant signings have reached new record levels, supported by SME wins

New signings in Q3 reached record levels, above the rates seen in the first half of the year, with no significant customer losses. The pace of SME signings accelerated through the period, which has been supported through the recent launch of ‘DPO Pay’ services in the UAE and tap-on-phone signings, which allows a merchant to take payments through an app on their own mobile phone.

Enhancing capabilities and value-added-services

  • Roll out of the WooCommerce plugin for SME merchants: creating an online store, shopping cart and checkout in 48 hours.     
  • Introduced online government payments in Namibia: through proprietary N-GeniusTM gateway in partnership with Standard Bank.
  • Continued development of Unified Commerce services: enriching ‘Click & Collect’ services through the option to ‘Buy online and return in store’.
  • Extended longstanding data analysis partnership: with one of the region’s leading retail and shopping facilities operators.

DPO’s new capabilities broadening their merchant reach

Customer wins at DPO remain healthy with the group securing several key merchants in the period, including Radisson Blue, Homemark, KFC Ghana and Zamtel. DPO has integrated payment capabilities with Odoo, a widely used e-commerce software, simplifying the process for retail merchants to choose DPO as their payment provider. DPO has also partnered with IATA Financial Gateway (IFG), IATA’s global distribution system, widening their potential merchant customer base to a further one-hundred airlines including British Airways and Air Canada.

Egypt direct-to-merchant payment services launching before the end of the year

Network will soon be launching direct-to-merchant services in Egypt following approval of the relevant licenses by the Central Bank. As a reminder, Network is already a large-scale provider of processing services to financial institutions in the country. Direct-to-merchant services will be a new revenue opportunity which is expected to be built from 2023 and will be focused on SMEs and expanding existing relationships with large-scale customers in the region.

Growing acquirer processing business via partnerships across Africa

Network has extended its partnership with Tymebank to support the growth of the bank’s payment acceptance capabilities in South Africa through the roll-out of tap-on-phone payments; enabling its SME merchant customers to take payments using an app on their own mobile device. Similarly, Network has also further extended its acquirer processing offer through agreements with I&M Bank in Kenya and Access Bank in Ghana, expanding its acquirer processing services across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

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SLB commissions new fluids systems plant in Pemba to support Mozambique’s offshore energy development

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16 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Mozambique

New facility expands in-country drilling and completion fluids capability, advancing the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique

PEMBA, Mozambique, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –SLB (NYSE: SLB) (www.SLB.com) announced the opening of a new fluids systems plant in Pemba, Mozambique. The new facility strengthens in-country capacity to prepare, store and deliver drilling and completion fluids for offshore operations, reinforcing the infrastructure needed as Mozambique’s offshore activity grows and its role as a strategic energy hub for East Africa continues to expand.

The commissioning of the plant, also known as a liquid mud plant, coincides with SLB marking 70 years of operations in Mozambique. It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in people, infrastructure and capability that support the country’s long-term offshore energy development plans.

 




  

With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the liquid mud plant provides a scalable platform for future growth, supporting multiple customers and rising offshore activity while improving logistics and enhancing operational flexibility.

As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions

“As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions,” said Miguel Baptista, Central, East and Southern Africa, Managing Director, SLB. The new liquid mud plant strengthens local energy infrastructure, expands opportunities for local content development, and enhances our ability to support customers as they deliver some of Africa’s most significant offshore energy resources.”

The liquid mud plant project was delivered with strong local participation and that momentum is expected to continue into operations. During project delivery, more than 100 jobs were created in Pemba with nationals representing 80% of the workforce, reflecting a focus on building local capability.

The project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, operational integrity, and quality, achieving more than 67,000 hours worked without a recordable safety incident.

This key infrastructure strengthens SLB’s ability to support consistent service quality and enhance supply chain readiness for increasing offshore activity across Mozambique, supporting customers execute safely and efficiently while developing local skills and expertise.

Key Points:

  • SLB has commissioned a new fluids system plant in Pemba, expanding in-country drilling and completion fluids capability for offshore operations.
  • With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the facility provides a scalable platform to support growing offshore activity in Mozambique.
  • The investment marks the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique, strengthening local capability and supporting long-term offshore energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB.

 

 




 

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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) welcomes 4,600 MW battery storage prioritisation and calls for integrated energy planning

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16 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) (www.SAESA.org.za) welcomes the prioritisation of 4,600 MW of battery energy storage under the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 Section 34 determination.

 




  

The timing is significant. Recent Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) modelling and assumptions discussions highlighted a fundamental shift that South Africa’s energy planning now needs to capture: we cannot plan the future power system by counting megawatts of generation alone.

We must plan for when energy is available, where it is available, how it moves through a constrained grid and how it is stored and dispatched when the system needs it most.

The announcement reinforces that shift. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply.

For SAESA, the message for the IEP is clear: storage, flexibility and system services must be modelled as integral components of South Africa’s future electricity architecture, with their contribution considered from the outset of generation planning.

“The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited,” says SAESA.

The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited

Partnership with C&I Energy + Storage Summit

SAESA is an association partner of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, financiers, regulators and solution providers to explore practical approaches to energy security, procurement and storage deployment.

For businesses assessing how storage can support their operations, the event offers an opportunity to meet SAESA and engage with the wider energy community on the decisions shaping South Africa’s evolving electricity system.

Commercial and industrial energy decision-makers are invited to apply to attend as hosted buyers. Qualifying buyers receive complimentary summit access and curated opportunities to engage with industry partners.

 

Meet SAESA at C&I Energy + Storage Summit: Join the Hosted Buyer Programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme connects commercial and industrial energy decision-makers with solution providers shaping South Africa’s evolving private energy market.

Qualified energy buyers receive complimentary access to the summit and curated engagement with industry partners exploring energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ehLijJ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Afreximbank welcomes launch of Africa Credit Rating Agency as an important step in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture

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22 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, October 8, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcomes today’s launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture and expanding the continent’s capacity to generate credible, independent analysis of African credit risk.

 




 
 

Credit ratings play an important role in determining access to capital, influencing investor perceptions and shaping the cost at which governments, institutions and businesses can finance development. It is therefore essential that assessments of African credit risk are independent, rigorous and evidence-based, while reflecting a complete understanding of the structures, institutions and economic realities being assessed.

The establishment of AfCRA adds an important African-led source of credit opinion to the market. Its value will not be measured by whether it produces more favourable ratings, but by the credibility of its analysis, the quality of its data and transparency of its methodology, and its ability to deepen understanding of African sovereigns, sub-sovereigns and corporate credit.

This is particularly important given that many African issuers remain unrated, while local-currency and sub-sovereign markets continue to have limited rating coverage. Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets.

AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans

Alongside fellow members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), Afreximbank has consistently maintained that African Multilateral Financial Institutions should be assessed on the basis of their fundamentals, performance, legal frameworks, mandates and operating models. Ensuring that these institutional characteristics are properly understood is essential to achieving informed, balanced and credible assessments of African risk.

Commenting on the uniqueness of the African market, and need for AfCRA’s rating methodology to reflect this, Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, said: “The rating methodology AfCRA develops must recognise the uniqueness of our environment and its institutional structures. The Agency must set its own standards and not follow those set elsewhere — it must build a unique identity that conforms to an ‘African best practice.”

Highlighting the need for the autonomy of the Africa Credit Rating agency as it takes off, Mr Denya added: “Most importantly, AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans. We must all use it, and in return expect a complete assessment of where we (Africa) stand: the strengths the market has ignored, and the weaknesses we still need to fix.”

AfCRA should therefore be seen as complementary to existing international and regional rating agencies, broadening the range of credible analysis available to investors and issuers while strengthening competition, transparency and analytical capacity within Africa’s credit markets.

As Africa seeks to mobilise the scale of capital required for industrialisation, trade, infrastructure and economic transformation, credible African institutions that improve information, strengthen market confidence and deepen the continent’s financial markets will become increasingly important.

Afreximbank congratulates the African Union, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and all those involved in bringing AfCRA from concept to launch, and looks forward to the contribution the Agency will make to deeper, more transparent and more efficient African capital markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

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