Africa

South Africa’s Steinhoff International is to swap several of its industrial assets for a bigger stake in manufacturer KAP International in a deal worth R8.9 billion.

Steinhoff will exchange PG Bison and Unitrans, along with its raw materials assets, for an increase in its shareholding in KAP from 34 per cent to 88 per cent, giving it control of the manufacturer.

There is huge potential for the spread of mobile and internet-based telecommunications services in Africa. Regional market leader Uganda Telecom Ltd is required to invest heavily in management, infrastructure and technology improvements to increase its share of the market.

The growth potential of Sub-Saharan Africa may be enormous, but unlocking it requires a sound grasp of a very different set of business drivers and challenges. Johan Van Zyl, manufacturing director of Kraft Foods Sub-Saharan Africa, talks to Jane Alverca.

While the West remains mired in gloom and recession, Africa’s economic star is rising. The World Bank and the IMF concur that the continent will play host to some of the world’s fastest growing economies over the next decade, driven by Africa’s immense mineral and natural resource wealth.

Sam Howard speaks to Willie Wood, senior sustainable horticulture manager at CFL to find out how partnerships with producers and growers worldwide are impacting the products found on UK supermarket shelves.

Part of the AG Thames group of companies, Chingford Fruit Limited (CFL) was founded in 1966. Over the last forty four years AG Thames has continued to grow through the acquisition of companies within key areas of its business. The group now employs 480 people with offices in South Africa, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and Chile.

Ghandour Cosmetics is bringing glamour to Ghana and beyond. Founder Tanal Ghandour, who acts as managing director, talks to Jayne Alverca about the impact the company is making on African markets.

For the past 30 years, South African snack food manufacturer Frimax Foods has been using its local knowledge to provide innovative products to consumers across the country and beyond. Jane McCallion finds out the key to success for this family-run business.

Exxaro Resources is South Africa’s largest listed empowerment enterprise by a long way, a position it has consolidated in just five years of operations; and its mid to long term strategy is nothing short of visionary.

Alpine Lounge, South Africa’s premium furniture manufacturer, has survived four decades of dramatic changes. Now, its flexible and innovative strategies are taking it through a whole new set of challenges.

Dubai-based Dragon Oil has announced the signing of a deal through which it will earn a 55 per cent interest in the Bargou Exploration Permit offshore Tunisia.

The farm-in agreement, which has been signed with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Perth, Australia-based Cooper Energy, will also give Dragon Oil operatorship of the permit in any development phase.

The Bargou Exploration Permit is located in the Gulf of Hammamet in the Mediterranean Sea, covering an area of 4,616 square kilometres with predominantly offshore exploration prospects.

Neil Robinson, managing director of WearCheck, talks to Jayne Alverca about the value the company can add to a myriad of operations that rely on oil-lubricated plant and equipment.