Orion Minerals CEO Errol Smart will participate at the upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit, taking place on November 6-7 in Cape Town. Smart is expected to speak on the Australian mining firm’s role in advancing the energy transition minerals industry in South Africa, as well as identify strategic areas for further investment.

In South Africa, Orion Minerals is undertaking a series of exploration and infrastructure development initiatives to achieve its target of first copper sales by 2025. Earlier this month, the company discovered high-grade copper deposits at the Flat Mines area of the Okiep Copper Project in Northern Cape Province. Orion Minerals is conducting a feasibility study to secure the funding required to initiate mine development. With up to 9.4 million tons at 1.3% copper reserves estimated at the Flat Mines, the project will consolidate South Africa’s position as a leading supplier of the essential mineral.

CMA 2024 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference (https://AECWeek.com) on November 4 – 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Last month, Orion Minerals secured R43.7 million (US$2.4 million) from South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation to acquire a controlling stake in the Okiep Copper Project, supporting ongoing exploration and accelerating mine development towards the 2025 production goal. The company has also begun trial mining at its Prieska Copper Zinc Mine project in the Northern Cape, as part of efforts to fast-track the rollout of the 2.4 million metric tons per annum project.

Orion Minerals has shown a strong commitment to enhancing South Africa’s critical mineral value chain and increasing value-added activities. The company is conducting feasibility studies for the Jacomynspan Battery Metals Project, which aims to supply high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE-gold to the Stratega Metals Vapour Refining Project. The latter project is set to be South Africa’s first refinery facility for battery materials. At CMA 2024, Smart will participate in high-level panel discussions that highlight the company’s project portfolio, investment strategy and partnership opportunities going forward.

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

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have underscored the critical need for blended and innovative finance mechanisms to back Africa’s efforts to tackle climate change. In a meeting held in Tokyo on 20 June 2024, both sides agreed that providing more productive concessional lending to African governments is only part of the solution and stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilisation and building institutional debt management capacity as well.

The talks, part of an African Development Bank delegation’s engagements, brought together top executives from both institutions to review their joint Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) initiative (http://apo-opa.co/4clRMvf). It also provided an opportunity for the two institutions to prepare for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) Summit in Yokohama in August 2025.

JICA (http://apo-opa.co/4eD2m2i) is an incorporated administrative agency in charge of administering Japan’s overseas development assistance  (ODA) focused on providing bilateral aid to developing countries through grants, loans and technical assistance.

The Bank Group delegation, led by Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate&Green Growth Kevin Kariuki, included Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure&Industrialisation, Solomon Quaynor, and Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance&Knowledge Management, Kevin Urama. At the meeting were JICA executives, including Senior Vice Presidents Naoki Ando, Sachiko Imoto, Masao Yahara, Kenichi Kawamura and Shohei Hara; Director General of the Africa Department Naoki Yanase; Director General for Middle East and Europe Kei Toyama, Director General of Credit Risk Analysis and Environmental Review Department Suguru Miyazaki; Deputy Director General of the Africa Department Kumiko Uchida, and Masahiro Juraku, Director for Private Sector Investment Finance Division 2.

A key focus of the discussions was the progress towards the EPSA 5 target of mobilising $5 billion between 2023-2025, with priority investments in electricity, health, connectivity, and agriculture. They also reviewed the progress on co-financed projects including in Nigeria, Mauritania, and Morocco, recognizing the importance of innovative financing mechanisms in addressing environmental challenges.

Kariuki highlighted the Bank’s Climate Action Window (http://apo-opa.co/4cnHlr0) as a potential co-financing opportunity for JICA.

Addressing Africa’s debt management concerns, JICA Senior Vice President Naoki Ando emphasized the need for a broader range of public  finance management capacity building, and more productive concessional finance for African governments. Urama highlighted the Bank’s efforts to build debt management capacity in countries like Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, including its Public Financial Management Academy program.

The African Development Bank showcased its focus areas in private sector development: industrialisation, enterprise development for SMEs, and youth-focused entrepreneurship, including its Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks initiative, launched to finance youth-led African businesses. JICA expressed interest in cooperation opportunities, particularly in Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Transport corridor development was another critical area, with discussions focusing on projects like the Lobito Corridor connecting Angola, DRC, and Zambia, and the Abidjan-Lagos Highway Corridor for which the Bank Group is supporting climate risk assessments to integrate adaptation measures such as sea walls. In response to a t Bank Group presentation of  its “smart corridor” concept, which leverages data and technology for efficient operations and urban planning,  JICA representatives  stressed that corridor development and urban development are closely linked.  JICA proposed to explore further collaboration on food security and industrial development to increase economic impacts of transport corridor development.

In the area of supply chain resilience and diversification, Bank leaders proposed synergies between the Bank Group’s country and regional integration strategy papers, and the Co-Creation for Common Agenda (http://apo-opa.co/4eKNuPu) Initiative of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Looking ahead to TICAD9, JICA has established 15 working teams to explore strategic topics for consideration at the Summit, a proactive approach that underscores the importance of the event to both partners, and Africa’s economic development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Olufemi Terry,
African Development Bank Group,
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group: 
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org  

Sahl, Egypt’s premier mobile bill payment app, recently attended Gitex Africa 2024 (www.GITEXAfrica.com), Africa’s largest and most renowned technology event. This milestone underscores Sahl’s commitment to showcasing its innovative solutions on a global stage and its role in transforming the financial landscape in Egypt and beyond.

At Gitex Africa 2024, Sahl connected with potential partners, investors, and customers, demonstrating its comprehensive range of services and cutting-edge technology. Sahl offers users unparalleled convenience, allowing them to pay bills for over 50 services, including electricity, gas, water, and mobile, through a single, easy-to-use platform. The app uses NFC technology, enabling users to recharge prepaid cards anytime and anywhere. Additionally, Sahl has introduced B2B product offerings to support utility services and payment acceptance for other companies, expanding its audience and impact.

Sahl is one of the few companies in Egypt directly integrated with several governmental entities, providing users seamless access to services from Egyptian Electricity Holding Co (EEHC), New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) for water services, telecom operators (Vodafone, WE, Orange, and Etisalat), Petrotrade for gas services, Cable Network Egypt, and others. Furthermore, Sahl is the exclusive provider of NFC prepaid electricity meters in Egypt, serving 15 million households with prepaid electricity meters. Through the app, users can charge their meters and pay online, saving around 30 minutes per transaction by eliminating the need to visit a charging station.

In another significant development, Sahl has been selected to join the prestigious Visa Accelerator program. This program is designed to help innovative fintech startups scale their operations and enhance their technological capabilities. Through the Visa Accelerator program, Sahl will gain access to Visa’s vast network, resources, and expertise, accelerating its growth and expanding its service offerings.

Sahl has also successfully raised $6 million in Series A and seed funding, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for household bills in collaboration with government entities. The funding round was led by Ayady for Investment and Development, a prominent Egyptian investment firm known for supporting innovative startups. Joining Ayady in this investment are existing investors Egypt Pay, Delta Electronics, and E-Finance Investment Group, all of whom bring significant expertise and resources to the table.

“We are thrilled to have the support of esteemed investors as we continue our journey to revolutionize bill payments in Egypt,” said Abdullah Assal, Sahl CEO. “These developments will enable us to enhance our technology, expand our services, and reach more users, ultimately contributing to financial inclusion and digital transformation in the region.”

Sahl’s dynamic team of founders brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the company. CEO Abdullah Assal, with an MBA from Stanford and a background in leading Globaltronics, drives the company’s vision. CPO Ahmed Othman, known as Kika, leverages his product management and finance experience at CI Capital, to foster innovation. CTO Ibrahim Assal, with a rich background in software engineering from companies like Palantir, Careem, and Microsoft, ensures robust technological development.

Sahl is dedicated to digitizing utility payments in Egypt, driving the adoption of digital channels over traditional cash transactions. With a vision to build a comprehensive Super-app for financial management, Sahl is committed to delivering world-class financial services to its customers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Dalberg (www.Dalberg.com) is a strategic advisory firm that combines the best of private sector strategy skills and rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. All projects include an option to integrate strategy design with implementation. With staff on the ground in more than 50 countries, speaking over 90 languages, and understanding diverse sectoral priorities and nuances, Dalberg is able to bring a local team to execute solutions tailored for the local market—while simultaneously drawing on global topical expertise and insight. Dalberg also offers the advantage of continuity. “The trusting relationships we build during the strategy phase carry through the inevitable pitfalls of execution,” points out Shruti Goyal, an Associate Partner with Dalberg. “We maintain senior project leadership from strategy through to execution and learning. This provides smooth transitions between phases of the project. Our ability to support clients in shaping their strategy is enhanced by bringing in the learning from implementation, particularly in addressing shifting client priorities, external disruptions, and opportunities.”

Since 2020, Dalberg has collaborated with governments, philanthropies, multilaterals, NGOs, and corporates to seamlessly integrate strategy and execution support for over 55 projects—including, recently:

Establishing the Malaria Vaccine Technical Assistance Program—in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—to tackle head-on the challenges in vaccine deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Designing, testing, and scaling financial and non-financial solutions tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of rural women in Kenya.
Designing India’s first Skill Impact Bond (SIB)—an innovative approach to financing skilling and employment endeavors—and serving as performance manager to ensure the achievement of long-term career outcomes for young women.[SG1] [VK2] 

Dalberg’s local presence also allows it to partner with grassroots organizations to drive implementation at the community level. “Our goal is systemic change,” says Goyal. “We hope to continue our deep partnerships from the start of the strategy journey through to execution to maximize the impact from our work.”

Below are two examples of how we have helped deliver complex assignments across multiple topics and geographies in Africa.

The Malaria Vaccine Technical Assistance Program – Lillian Kidane

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over 90% of malaria cases and related deaths globally and faces a host of challenges in vaccine deployment—from accessibility to integration with existing health systems. Earlier this year, Dalberg established the Malaria Vaccine Technical Assistance Program in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The initiative constitutes a comprehensive strategy to integrate the vaccine into national health systems, ensuring that the vaccine reaches the most vulnerable populations. Dalberg is working with multiple countries over the next three years to create tailored approaches to rolling out the new malaria vaccine. “We’re already seeing results,” says Lillian Kidane, Partner and Dalberg’s Regional Director for Africa. In Cameroon, for example, the successful launch of the malaria vaccine in 42 health districts has laid the groundwork for scaling up to the remaining 74 health districts. “The work also strengthens the case for promoting comprehensive healthcare delivery at the community level,” Kidane adds. Valuable insights from the program will facilitate the introduction of future vaccines, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Rural Women’s Agricultural Aspirations – Naoko Koyama

Dalberg is working with the World Bank, Amtech, and CGAP to design, test, and scale financial and non-financial solutions to meet the unique needs and aspirations of rural women in Kenya. Through the program, Dalberg aims to increase rural women’s use of financial and non-financial services, taking advantage of the national network of digitized and sustainable savings and credit cooperative organizations (SACCOs) as trusted community financial institutions, and strengthening access to markets through digitized farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and climate-smart agtechs and agribusinesses. The aim is to integrate services that include access to inputs, information, extension and capacity strengthening, and digital technology to enhance agricultural production. “Ultimately, we want to build more resilient agricultural livelihoods with increased access to financial services and markets, particularly for women,” says Naoko Koyama, a Dalberg Partner based in South Africa.

Looking forward

Dalberg sees a range of ways in which governments, philanthropies, multilaterals, NGOs, and private sector companies can accelerate their impact with implementation support, especially when they are taking on complex issues at the systems level. To learn more about our implementation work, please contact Shruti Goyal.

Contact: shruti.goyal@dalberg.com

ROUND 1

LinkedIn

Great strategies are only the first step. Turning them into real-world change requires specialized skills and resources.

This strategy-to-action gap is where we come in. Dalberg combines global best practices with deep local understanding, thanks to our team in over 50 countries. This allows us to tailor solutions that consider sectoral priorities and nuances.

[Link]

Learn more by contacting Shruti Goyal at shruti.goyal@dalberg.com.

#StrategyExecution #ImpactAtScale #LocalSolutions #SystemicChange #EmergingMarkets #GlobalExpertise #DevelopmentConsulting #DalbergImplement #SustainableDevelopment

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Turning strategies into real-world change requires specialized skills and resources. Dalberg bridges this gap with global best practices and deep local understanding. Boost your impact now: [Link] #StrategyExecution #ImpactAtScale #SystemicChange #DalbergImplement

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ROUND 2

LinkedIn

Great ideas are the fuel for progress. With Dalberg’s implementation support, they can translate to great impact.

[Link]

Contact Shruti Goyal (shruti.goyal@dalberg.com) to learn more.

#StrategyExecution #ImpactAtScale #LocalSolutions #SystemicChange #EmergingMarkets #GlobalExpertise #DevelopmentConsulting #DalbergImplement #SustainableDevelopment

Visual (infographic: https://apo-opa.co/45NduFS)

Why Dalberg Implement?

Continuity: From strategy to execution to learning, led by the same leadership

Adaptability: To shifting priorities, external disruptions, and new opportunities

Credibility: Over 55 projects since 2020, across diverse sectors and geographies

Capacity: Teams in more than 50 countries, speaking over 90 languages

Tweet

Great ideas can translate to great impact with Dalberg’s implementation support. Bring strategy to life with seamless execution: [Link] #LocalSolutions #SystemicChange #GlobalExpertise #DevelopmentConsulting #DalbergImplement

ROUND 3

LinkedIn

We believe our implementation support can significantly boost your impact on complex, systems-level issues.

Turn your ideas into lasting impact now: [Link]

 #StrategyExecution #ImpactAtScale #LocalSolutions #SystemicChange #EmergingMarkets #GlobalExpertise #DevelopmentConsulting #DalbergImplement #SustainableDevelopment

Quote card (https://apo-opa.co/3zpQH70)

“We maintain senior project leadership from strategy through to execution and learning. This provides smooth transitions between phases of the project. Our ability to support clients in shaping their strategy is enhanced by bringing in the learning from implementation, particularly in addressing shifting client priorities, external disruptions, and opportunities.”

Shruti Goyal, Associate Partner at Dalberg

Tweet

Dalberg’s implementation support can significantly boost your impact on complex, systems-level issues. Turn your ideas into lasting impact now: [Link] #LocalSolutions #SystemicChange #GlobalExpertise #DevelopmentConsulting #DalbergImplement

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Dalberg Advisors.