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MultiChoice Group maintains strategic momentum despite macroeconomic challenges

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MultiChoice

Despite external pressures, MultiChoice’s strategy leverages a solid financial foundation, targeted investments, and disciplined cost management to drive future growth and deliver the best video entertainment to customers

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 12, 2024/APO Group/ —

  • Unprecedented foreign exchange pressures and economic challenges in key African markets impacted earnings and dampens subscriber growth
  • On track to right-size cost base and grow new revenue streams to drive future growth as streaming gains traction at the expense of traditional pay-tv
  • Cost-cutting measures delivered R1.3bn in permanent savings, on track to reach increased full-year target of R2.5 billion
  • Showmax customer base grew 50% YoY as a leading streaming service in sub-Saharan Africa
  • Strong revenue growth in new products: DStv Steam +71%, DStv Internet +85%, DStv Insurance +31%, KingMakers +53%
  • Strong liquidity of R10 billion provides solid financial base to support growth
  • Negative equity position on track to be resolved in November 2024.

MultiChoice Group (MCG or The Group) (www.MultiChoice.com) continued to deliver exceptional video entertainment and execute on core strategic initiatives during the first six months ended 30 September 2024 (1H FY25). However, unprecedented foreign exchange volatility severely impacted the Group’s interim financial results, while ongoing macroeconomic challenges weighed on customer growth and moderated overall performance.

Facing the most challenging operating conditions in almost 40 years and to generate desired returns, the Group has been proactive in its focus to ”right-size” the business for the current economic realities and industry changes. Although operating across Africa typically subjects the group to currency moves, abnormal currency weakness over the past 18 months have reduced the group’s profits by close to R7 billion. Combined with the impact of a weak macro environment on consumers’ disposable income and therefore on subscriber growth, it required the Group to fundamentally adjust its cost base – which is exactly what has been done. The normal cost savings program was accelerated, resulting in permanent savings of R1.3bn in over the past six months and an increased target of ZAR2.5bn for the full year.

“We are making good progress in addressing the technical insolvency that resulted from non-cash accounting entries at the end of the last financial year. We expect to return to a positive net equity position by the end of November this year, supported by a number of developments and initiatives. The Group’s liquidity position remains strong, with over ZAR10bn in total available funds,” says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO.

The Group is also adjusting to global pay-TV challenges as streaming services, the rise of social media and changing consumer preference impact the traditional broadcast business. Showmax, which reported 50% growth YoY in its paying customer base, strategically positions the business to actively participate in the streaming revolution as it gains momentum across Africa. To create sufficient capacity and drive growth, the group stepped-up its investment in this business by an incremental ZAR1.6 billion during the interim period.

“We have successfully been implementing our strategy over the past few years, achieving key milestones such as our investment in KingMakers, returning the Rest of Africa business to profitability in FY23 and FY24, concluding the Showmax partnership with Comcast and investing in Moment. While we’ve made huge inroads to reduce our cost base, there’s still more work to be done”.

“However, our focus extends beyond cost efficiency—we are equally committed to grow the business. We remain committed to driving new revenue streams and see significant medium to long-term opportunities in video entertainment, particularly in streaming, and in our adjacent new businesses,” says Mawela

The Group reported strong momentum in its new products and services, which all delivered robust   YoY revenue growth, i.e. DStv Stream +71%, DStv Internet +85% and DStv Insurance + 31%. KingMakers reported a healthy 27% increase in its online monthly active users in Nigeria and grew its revenue in Naira by 53%, while newly-launched SuperSportBet is showing good early traction in South Africa.

Financial Results Overview

Subscriber base: The pressure on the linear pay-TV subscriber base was lower than the previous six-months, reflecting a 5% decline (0.8m) compared to 6% reported (1.0m) in 2H FY24. This reflects an improving sequential trend. On a YoY basis, the linear subscriber base declined by 11% or 1.8m subscribers to 14.9m active subscribers, impacted by the challenging macroeconomic conditions that negatively impacted discretionary consumer spend.

Group revenues: Revenues increased by 4% YoY to ZAR25.4bn on an organic basis, due to disciplined inflationary pricing and revenue growth of new products. On a reported basis, revenues declined by 10%, impacted by foreign exchange pressures on the Rest of Africa business and a stronger Rand against the US Dollar.

Group trading profit: The Group’s ongoing cost optimisation drive delivered ZAR1.3bn in savings, and together with other improvements in the business, it resulted in a 33% increase in trading profit before incorporating the Showmax costs. A ZAR1.6bn step-up in the investment behind Showmax to create capacity for growth, trimmed the organic trading profit to ZAR5.0, a decline of only 1% YoY. Foreign exchange losses in the Rest of Africa business amounting to ZAR2.3bn reduced reported trading profit to ZAR2.7bn.

Adjusted core headline earnings, the board’s measure of the underlying performance of the business, amounted to ZAR7m, impacted by foreign exchange losses and the investment in Showmax.

Cash flow and liquidity: The Group free cash flow remained positive at ZAR0.6bn, with ZAR5.7bn retained in cash and cash equivalents. Despite the increase in net interest costs and a higher average debt balance, the Group remains well-positioned to navigate current challenges with access to ZAR4.4bn in undrawn facilities.

We are making good progress in addressing the technical insolvency that resulted from non-cash accounting entries at the end of the last financial year

Operational update

General entertainment and sport

Delivering content that customers love remains the Group’s core focus— whether it is the best of local or international general entertainment or the most exciting sport events.

In the past six months, the Group produced 2,763 hours of local content, bringing its local content library to 86,215 hours.

SuperSport reinforced its reputation as a global leader in sport broadcasting with extensive coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, EURO 2024, and the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup. Over the past six months, SuperSport has broadcast 10,240 live events and provided a total of 21,540 hours of live coverage, a 22% increase YoY. 

SuperSport Schools doubled its user base and crossed a milestone of one million registered users on its app, delivering over 35,000 hours of content over the past six months.

Business segments

As a mature business, MultiChoice South Africa is focused on subscriber retention and reconnections, identifying remaining growth opportunities, as well as optimising processes and systems to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

In the Rest of Africa business, the Group is implementing several initiatives to support improved financials, including price adjustments to counter the impact of inflation, renegotiating content deals where feasible, restructuring select packages to enhance ARPU, optimising the DTT network, and intensifying anti-piracy initiatives.

In FY25, Showmax is focussed on enhancing its content line-up, bedding down distribution partnerships, expanding payment channel integrations and refining its go-to-market strategy.

Irdeto delivered encouraging revenue growth, after securing a major customer in Asian and expanding managed services with a key customer in Australasia.

KingMakers continued to gain strong momentum in Nigeria, where BetKing Nigeria has secured the second position in the online betting market. SuperSportBet, the South African business launched late last year, is showing early signs of success and reported a remarkable tenfold increase in net gaming revenue over the past nine months.

Moment, now live in 40 African countries, has shown rapid growth since its launch last year, with total payment volumes (TPV) growing to USD242m. It is already processing almost 30% of the Group’s payments.

Looking Ahead

The Group continues to invest in its long-term future, focusing on the following strategic priorities:

  • Improving profitability and cash generation in the South African business.
  • Streamlining the cost base in the Rest of Africa to return this business to profitability.
  • Investing in Showmax to establish it as the leading streaming platform on the continent.
  • Supporting KingMakers, Moment and DStv Insurance to drive scale.

By executing well on these objectives, the Group will be well positioned to deliver future growth and create value as Africa’s leading video entertainment platform and most-loved storyteller.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

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Republic of Congo Eyes Accelerated Oil, Gas, Sustainable Projects

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The country’s Hydrocarbon Minister Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua shared insight into the government’s ongoing efforts to attract new investments in the upstream, downstream and forestry sectors

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), November 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Republic of Congo (RoC) is preparing to launch a Gas Master Plan and new Gas Code, all while enticing investment in crude exploration and production. Speaking during a press conference at African Energy Week 2024, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, the country’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, outlined how these policies will drive oil and gas projects forward, all while spearheading sustainable growth.

Towards Increased Oil Production

Leveraging policy and reform to attract new investments in exploration and production, the RoC expects to launch a new licensing round by Q1, 2025. According to Minister Itoua, “the round will put the RoC on the market.” He noted that significant work has already been done by various companies in the region, setting the stage for a successful bid round.

“We have an attractive legal framework…” Itoua added, underscoring the country’s intent to enhance investor confidence. Currently, the RoC produces an average of 274,000 barrels per day (bpd). The Minister revealed ambitious plans to increase this output to 500,000 bpd within the next three to five years, driven by tangible projects and enhanced industry collaboration. “Our target is clear: we want to significantly ramp up production based on concrete, actionable projects,” he said.

New and existing oil and gas producers in the RoC have committed to supporting this goal and are ramping up investments to boost output. On November 7, energy players Unite Oil & Gas and ARIES Energy formed Bomoko Energy to acquire and develop local hydrocarbon assets. In October 2024, Perenco achieved 80,000 bpd following a $300 million investment, aiming for 100,000 bpd by 2025 with new field developments. Meanwhile, Cogo, the Congolese subsidiary of China Oil Natural Gas Overseas, announced in October 2024 a $150 million investment to enhance production in the Conkouati-Koui and Nanga III fields.

Focus on Downstream Development

In the downstream sector, the RoC aims to boost domestic access. As new developments come online, Minister Itoua emphasized that “first, we give priority to our citizens, then to our companies. Too many people still lack access to reliable energy.” He acknowledged the complications posed by outdated refining infrastructure and emphasized the government’s strategy to upgrade existing facilities.

Seventy percent of the equipment is already produced and we expect the refinery to be operational by next year

Currently, the RoC has one oil refinery in the coastal city of Pointe-Noire, which has a capacity of 1 million tons per year. However, it only processes 600,000 tons annually while the country’s needs are estimated at 1.2 million tons.

To address supply shortfall, the RoC is in the process of commissioning a new refinery. The $600 Atlantic Petrochemical Refinery, to be developed by China’s Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment, will produce a range of refined petroleum products including automotive and aviation gasoline, LPG, diesel, lubricants, bitumen and kerosene.

“Seventy percent of the equipment is already produced and we expect the refinery to be operational by next year,” Minister Itoua shared. This private project will grant investors the flexibility to decide on the type of crude processed, including the option to import crude oil. “The new refinery will help meet domestic needs first, and only then will we consider export opportunities,” Itoua remarked.

Promoting Environmental Sustainability

Minister Itoua also highlighted the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly through carbon capture initiatives. The RoC’s focus on sustainable industrial growth is rooted in its history with the timber industry, and the country aims to balance this legacy with modern environmental practices. “We started our development journey through forestry, and now we are working to preserve these forests for future generations,” the Minister said.

Covering 23 million hectares – two-thirds of the country’s territory – the country’s forest acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing about 130 million tons of carbon annually. Minister Itoua explained that, “We have the largest potential for carbon capture in the Congo Forest. It’s our responsibility to protect this resource while continuing to develop our industries.”

In 2024, the RoC received its first $8 million payment in carbon offsets as part of a World Bank agreement, highlighting projects like TotalEnergies’ Bacasi initiative, which aims to conserve and reforest 93,000 hectares.

With a clear roadmap for increasing production, upgrading infrastructure and committing to environmental protection, the RoC will host the first edition of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum from March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville. Organized by Energy Capital and Power – in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and with the support of the African Energy Chamber – the event will gather international investors and Congolese stakeholders, setting the tone for the country’s future in the global energy market.

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

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Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) commits EUR 40 million to Kokshetau Hospital Project in Kazakhstan

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The new hospital will seek to receive a “Silver” rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building certification programme

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2024/APO Group/ —

  • ICD is investing EUR 40 million for the construction and operation of a 630-bed multidisciplinary hospital in the city of Kokshetau, Kazakhstan.
  • The total financing package is Euro 365 mln which is co-financed by the EBRD, AIIB, DEG, Proparco and DBK.
  • The Project will be developed by a Rönesans Holding subsidiary.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-ps.org) has signed a EUR 40 million a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement to co-finance Kokshetau Hospital Project in Kazakhstan. This Project will be ICD’s first financing under PPP scheme in Kazakstan. The project will be also first PPP in the healthcare sector of Kazakhstan and Central Asia with a greenfield development of a 110,000 m2 facility, which will provide services to more than 730,000 people living in the city of Kokshetau and the wider region of Akmola. Under the PPP agreement, the private partner will maintain the facility and operate a 24-hour hospital information management system (HIMS), setting a digital benchmark for Kazakhstan’s healthcare sector. Medical services will be provided by Turar Healthcare, a state-owned, non-profit operator.

The project will be co-financed for the total amount of up to €365 million provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (www.AIIB.org), the German Investment Corporation (DEG) (https://apo-opa.co/3O6hLfG), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-ps.org/), Proparco (www.Proparco.fr/en), a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) (www.KDB.kz/en).

The new hospital will seek to receive a “Silver” rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building certification programme, which recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. It will also aim to obtain an EDGE (https://apo-opa.co/3O73Tlh) certification for water and energy savings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

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Invest Africa and Premier Invest Announce Strategic Partnership to Catalyse Investment in Africa

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This partnership will leverage key events for the global Africa-focused investment community, bringing together investors and corporates who are committed to the continent’s progress

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the leading pan-African business platform, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Premier Invest, a global investment conglomerate, aimed at driving transformative investment into Africa. This collaboration is set to identify and unlock new avenues for growth, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent through a series of targeted engagements, including The Africa Debate in London and the UAE, as well as Invest Africa’s Mining Series, held alongside the annual Mining Indaba conference.

This partnership with Invest Africa marks a significant milestone for Premier Invest as we seek to deepen our engagement in Africa and other emerging markets

As Africa stands on the brink of a new era of economic transformation, this partnership will leverage key events for the global Africa-focused investment community, bringing together investors and corporates who are committed to the continent’s progress and prosperity.

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, commented on the partnership: ”Africa is entering a pivotal phase of economic transformation, and ensuring that the right investment and expertise are directed to the continent is crucial. Our partnership with Premier Invest is a great step towards this objective. By tapping into our expansive network, strategic communications, and robust events programme, we look forward to working alongside Premier Invest to channel the much-needed investment flows that will drive Africa’s growth.”

Rene Awambeng, Managing Partner of Premier Invest, added: “This partnership with Invest Africa marks a significant milestone for Premier Invest as we seek to deepen our engagement in Africa and other emerging markets. Invest Africa’s unrivalled network and market insights will be invaluable as we work together not only to identify and capture high-growth opportunities but also to contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the regions we serve, particularly across Africa.”

This partnership exemplifies the shared commitment of Invest Africa and Premier Invest to harness the full potential of capital in Africa and beyond. By uniting our strengths, we are laying the groundwork for transformative investments that will fuel economic growth and development for years to come.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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