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Unlocking full human potential (By Catia Teixeira)

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MultiChoice

A twice-yearly organisational talent review should identify where every employee is performing, and where they have potential for growth

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 7, 2025/APO Group/ — 

By Catia Teixeira, MultiChoice Africa Holdings Group Executive Head of Human Capital (www.MultiChoice.com).

An organisation is only as good as its people. Ensuring those people perform to their best is the role of human capital. Today, the field has a range of tools to ensure real-time engagement and agile interventions for optimal job satisfaction and performance, writes Catia Teixeira, MultiChoice Africa Holdings Group Executive Head of Human Capital.

Each of us, in our professional and personal lives, strives for growth and development. Opportunities to grow are rewarding on a deeper level, supporting the kind self-actualisation that makes life most worthwhile.

In the human-capital context, employee engagement is a measure of how actualised we are. The more engaged we are, the more likely we are to perform in our daily duties. Staff engagement is fundamental to workplace morale.

But ultimately, we engage when we feel enriched; and our relationship to our work helps us grow. Growth and development are a personal need for most individuals. But it can also be highly rewarding for a business to identify a talented individual for development programmes and to then see them bloom.

Identifying growth opportunities

Some employees make an impact from day one. Others are dedicated, but a bit shy. Talent management processes must work for both. A twice-yearly organisational talent review should identify where every employee is performing, and where they have potential for growth.

Interaction within an organisation is also important. It helps to identify cross-departmental opportunities for individuals, and to create relevant developmental plans for every staff member.

Those plans should be systematic. An in-house training academy is an invaluable platform for staff development. Our online MultiChoice Academy has more than 4000 courses available – in finance, HR, management, marketing, or whatever capabilities are relevant to our people’s roles.  

Face-to-face training remains relevant, but whichever form the training takes, it should be tailored and customised to meet employee needs identified in their periodic assessments. The idea is to create a development path for every team member – but one that aligns with the goals of the business.

This speaks to the design of training programmes. They must always balance a staff member’s need for self-actualisation, with the business need to sustainability serve its customers.

Induction can be a critical part of that, ensuring employees are aligned with the company purpose and vision from their first day on the job. 

This most rewarding aspect of the human capital journey is seeing it work as it was meant to; to see the success stories. In a sense, I am proof of that. But as a pan-African organisation, we have many staff who have moved between countries to new roles – in finance, in marketing, in sales, in customer value management. Every organisation will have unique characteristics that it can leverage to improve staff opportunities.

Face-to-face training remains relevant, but whichever form the training takes, it should be tailored and customised to meet employee needs identified in their periodic assessments

One area where the value of talent development becomes clear is when one compares growing talent from within, to hiring from outside. The years of intellectual and institutional capital invested in long-term employees make them a far more attractive proposition than hiring from outside. New staff will require years more training and experience before they reach similar levels of experience.

That training enhances the value of staff – as individuals, and as assets to the company. At MultiChoice Africa, we constantly train young leaders, woman leaders and heads of department, to ease their development to their next level of expertise.

What diversity means

Diversity and inclusion are important considerations in the modern workplace, as such policies help to ensure that every individual achieves their full potential and contributes to their fullest extent.

As a pan-African business with an overwhelmingly black staff complement across 50 continental markets, the MultiChoice approach to DEI is less about race, and more about equitable gender representation.

Across Africa, we have so far achieved 46% female representation, including 46% of leadership roles being held by women. We are currently on an intentional push to reach 50% through our promotions policy.

Achieving gender parity has a cultural component, with women in many societies confined to roles as homemakers and caregivers. However, the MultiChoice culture is one of absolute gender equity, and when we enter a market, we are at pains to apply that culture and to empower women to achieve and enter leadership positions.

Data drives change

There is more to achieving this social progress than just sentiment. It must be driven by data. To be an effective force for progress in a territory, an organisation must have measurable data, so as to be able to measure improvement towards goals.

Data is the raw material that drives performance management systems, for instance. One can review progress, generate bell curves at will and make informed strategic decisions.

Data can also be used to measure engagement, how an employee feels about their line manager, about their work environment; their work-life balance, etc. To generate such data insights, weekly surveys are conducted through our Office Vibe platform. The main metrics are around overall engagement, participation and staff net promoter scores.

At MultiChoice, we also conduct staff polls randomly, which provides fresh data to support quick, relevant interventions, and agile decision-making.

This data sets, along with regular focus groups, help us to understand what our people require to be engaged with their work, to feel adequately supported and remunerated. With those elements in place, staff are equipped to achieve their personal goals, and those of the business.

Ultimately, workers want to feel that they are part of a purpose bigger than themselves. HR processes can be geared to helping all workers achieve that purpose together. There may be targets along the way, but the ultimate goal should be achievement for people, by people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

Business

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

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Aurionpro

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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Energy

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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