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olam food ingredients (ofi) marks dairy milestone adding manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of customers

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olam

Through commissioning a new milk powder dryer and gravity flow production system, ofi remains laser focused on servicing customers across the Middle East and Africa

SINGAPORE, Singapore, October 16, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Expands plant facility & strengthens capabilities of Ingredient Excellence Center in Malaysia; New category labs with state-of-the-art R&D equipment enabling production teams to refine and develop customizable food and beverage solutions tailored to local requirements; ofi (www.ofi.comto showcase new products and innovation offering at Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai, anchored by Malaysia expansion and new dairy production plant in New Zealand.

ofi, a global leader in naturally good food and beverage ingredients, has increased its ingredient manufacturing footprint by adding significant capacity to its dairy production facility in Johor, Malaysia. Through commissioning a new milk powder dryer and gravity flow production system, ofi remains laser focused on servicing customers across the Middle East and Africa.  

Sandeep Jain, Managing Director and CEO, Dairy, at ofi commented: “The demand for nutrition-rich functional dairy ingredients continues to grow at pace across the Middle East & Africa and these new capabilities enable us to co-create products that are focused on health, taste and convenience. With food safety and operational excellence at the core of the plant design, we’re ensuring consistent product quality and stability. We’re excited to now offer customers in the region even more exciting innovation-led opportunities.”

The enhancements to the Johor processing facility’s capabilities will strengthen the production volume of functional dairy ingredients and fat filled milk powder made per year, in turn enabling ofi’s customers to formulate innovative applications at scale. In addition, the expanded integrated dairy Ingredient Excellence Center (“IEC”) has new laboratory spaces with state-of-the-art research and development equipment dedicated to supporting customers seeking a customizable, tailored and cost-efficient approach to application solutions in beverages, bakery and frozen dairy desserts.

Local customers across the region will also benefit from ofi’s deep working knowledge of nuanced consumer trends. An example from Senegal where local ofi teams worked in close collaboration with yogurt producers, building their understanding around the differing priorities from yield to viscosity and color, highlights the differentiated offering that ofi delivers for its customers. These insights were then shared with research and development teams at the Malaysia plant to refine and develop customizable food and beverage solutions tailored to local market requirements. Added to this are the technological developments resulting from the installation of a new gravity flow production system at the plant. The new system allows for less powder particle breakage and leads to improved wettability and solubility of the end product.

With food safety and operational excellence at the core of the plant design, we’re ensuring consistent product quality and stability

ofi will be presenting at Gulfood Manufacturing – Dubai, between 7th to 9th November, engaging regional customers about the enhanced dairy production capabilities from the Malaysia plant along with the upcoming opening of the new dairy processing plant in the heart of New Zealand’s dairy region, producing whole milk powder and other high-value dairy ingredients. It will also be a chance to spotlight innovative beverage and bakery product applications along with a range of milk applications made from ofi’s fat filled milk powder.

Shashi Sharma, Regional Sales Manager for Africa, Dairy, at ofi commented: “The expanded capabilities and enhanced facilities at our Malaysia dairy plant speaks directly to our aim of becoming a more customer-centric organization, providing a customizable approach across each of the markets in which we operate across Africa. Our signature Lactorich range of dairy solutions continue to transform the way consumers experience this healthy and nutritious product. In East Africa, we’re providing customers with a milk powder called Vers that is robust and both coffee and tea-stable, offering optimized performance in functionality, value and taste, helping our customers create better dairy products with no added flavors. We’re also delighted to be showcasing yogurts made from our Lactorich Pluz powder at Gulfood Manufacturing next month, a cost-effective and high yield product that has been developed to suit the requirements of customers, particularly across West African markets.”

Zakariae Bensouda, Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East, Dairy, at ofi commented: “The new facilities both complement ofi’s existing global footprint and also strengthen our co-creation capabilities across the region, with the plant strategically located to continue to serve Middle East based customers in creating their next delicious and nutritious product for consumers. Lactorich Prime is a versatile milk powder that can replace whole milk powder across a variety of applications, serving customers across a range of Middle Eastern markets. It is a premium, clean label product, developed using natural ingredients that has been tailored to meet taste and texture needs of consumers across UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.”

Sustainability is also a central component of the plant design. It uses solar power, rainwater harvesting and operates at a high efficacy rate with strong energy and water consumption practices, with close to zero raw material wastage.

Gulfood Manufacturing

  • ofi Dairy Stand No. B8-38 (Hall 8, Dubai WTC)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ofi.

Events

As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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Debate

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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