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Proving the viability of Madagascar’s mini-grids. (Image source: CrossBoundary Access)

Energy

Madagascar mini-grids acquisition

CrossBoundary Access and ANKA have completed the acquisition of an asset company owning four operational mini-grid projects developed, built, and operated by ANKA in Madagascar

ANKA is a mini-grid developer, while CrossBoundary Access describes itself as Africa’s first blended finance platform for mini-grids.

The Madagascar portfolio comprises 1.7MW of solar PV and 5.6MWh of battery storage, serving thousands of customers across the Atsimo-Andrefana region.

“This acquisition demonstrates our confidence in Madagascar’s mini-grid market and ANKA's proven track record,” said Gabriel Davies, managing director, CrossBoundary Access.

“It shows that best-in-class mini-grids developers, working with supportive government policies and donor support, can deliver both impact and commercial returns.”

The acquisition is the first phase of a US$20mn partnership announced by Access and ANKA in June 2025.

Together, the two sides will finance, build and operate mini-grids to provide power to over 62,000 people across Madagascar, aligned with national energy priorities and the Mission 300 Initiative.

CrossBoundary Access becomes new majority shareholder alongside ANKA which remains a shareholder of the asset company.

The two companies aim to demonstrate that decentralised infrastructure can reach scale, liquidity, and profitability — all while delivering universal energy access and complying to the highest technical standards.

In a statement, CrossBoundary Access noted that Madagascar presents a “compelling investment opportunity for mini-grid infrastructures.”

It added: “With a national electrification rate of 36%, and a rural electrification rate of 15%, and clear regulatory framework, the Malagasy market has established the foundations for private sector energy access solutions.”

It noted that the transaction paves the way for more developers and investors to structure similar microgrid partnerships, with a “replicable example” of how to align early-stage venture capital, concessional funding, project cashflows, and local developer capacity.

Camille André-Bataille, founder and CEO of ANKA, called it a signal to the market.

“It supports the business model of developers, and shows that when execution meets ambition, the developer itself becomes investable. This is what the sector needs to grow: unlocking corporate finance for developers who can replicate these successes across multiple geographies.”

Read more:

Sierra Leone solar mini-grid project

Solar mini-grids could power 8.5 million Zambians by 2030

https://africanreview.com/energy/grant-funding-approved-for-12mw-eritrea-mini-grid-project

XCMG loaders drive urban construction across Africa. (Image source: XCMG)

Construction

XCMG ZL50GN wheel loaders power African construction projects

Across construction sites in Africa, XCMG ZL50GN wheel loaders are playing a key role in shaping new urban developments

Constantly on the move, the machines are used for land levelling, site preparation, and the removal of excess soil and construction waste, directly supporting local infrastructure growth.

“XCMG is a household name here. It’s powerful, durable, and offers excellent value for money; everyone in the industry likes it.” This strong reputation is reinforced by the ZL50GN’s robust performance. Equipped with a powerful engine and designed for efficient operation, the loader enables contractors to maintain construction schedules and meet demanding project timelines.

Many African urban construction projects begin at the fringes of cities, often close to jungle terrain. These sites present challenging and unpredictable conditions, including large stones, dense tree roots, thick vegetation, and mixed urban debris. Such environments place high demands on equipment versatility and reliability. The ZL50GN is engineered to perform effectively under these conditions, offering both flexibility and strength.

With a 3300mm wheelbase, the machine strikes a balance between manoeuvrability and operational stability. Its 162kW power output generates a maximum digging force of 175kN and a maximum traction force of 160kN, allowing it to manage a wide range of materials with ease. “XCMG makes material handling easy and fast, significantly improving our work efficiency,” a driver at the project site gave sincere feedback.

“The operation is very simple, easy to learn and quick to master, allowing team members without XCMG driving experience to quickly adapt and get to work.”

Operator comfort and safety are also central to the ZL50GN’s design. The cab features an adjustable steering wheel, seat, and pilot handle, enabling operators to tailor the working environment to their personal preferences. The pilot control system offers smooth, accurate handling, while the wide field of vision enhances safety during operations.

Once site clearing is complete, the construction phase progresses efficiently. The ZL50GN handles the transport and placement of standard building materials with consistent reliability. Its heavy-duty structural components and high-torque, high-efficiency transmission system ensure stable output, even during intensive operations such as the transfer of high-density sand and gravel.

As part of its ongoing internationalisation strategy, XCMG remains focused on delivering engineering equipment that is practical, durable, and easy to use. By supporting customers with reliable machinery tailored to real-world working conditions, the company continues to partner with contractors across Africa in driving sustainable construction progress and shared success.

UK heavy-duty trailers set for Ivory Coast

Logistics

Rainbo Supplies to send heavy-duty trailers to Ivory Coast

UK procurement company Rainbo Supplies is to provide 20 heavy-duty trailers to Ivory Coast after securing financial support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the British government’s export credit agency

The contract is worth £4mn (US$5.5mn) with the trailers to be provided by an undisclosed UK manufacturer and utilised for the construction, mining and agricultural sectors.

Ivorian company EKDMC is purchasing the goods and services from Rainbo, facilitated by a loan guarantee issued by UKEF to London Forfaiting Company (LFC), creating an opportunity for UK suppliers in one of Africa’s largest economies.

The new contract marks Rainbo’s second partnership with UKEF and LFC in less than six months, following a successful deal with a Ugandan construction firm.

“Securing yet another UKEF-backed deal in less than a year is a tremendous achievement for our team and a testament to the strong, long-term relationships we have built with our clients, suppliers, and partners,” said Steve Quigley, managing director at Rainbo.

“Through close collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence, we continue to deliver best-in-class support and services across Africa,” he added.

“This contract with EKDMC opens up exciting new opportunities in the region and reinforces our confidence in continued sustainable growth.”

Its earlier Ugandan contract involved the supply of machinery, vehicles and equipment for the mining, transport and processing sectors on behalf of local construction and consultancy firm IBBI, which is setting up a granite quarry and an asphalt production plant.

Paul Wright, head of UK marketing at LFC, said the latest Ivorian deal supports both the UK exporter as well as the overseas buyer in a developing market.

“This deal is a further demonstration of the value of LFC’s ongoing partnership with UKEF, enabling buyers to access the flexible finance they need to purchase UK goods and services.”

South Africa's largest private freight rail investment

Ascon launch to boost Africa's supply chain

Comviva’s vision for a digitally connected future – Rajesh Chandiramani, CEO
New generation lithium silicate technology for supreme protection

In the final webinar of its African Review-hosted 2023 campaign, Convergent Group explored its modern, eco-friendly concrete solutions for African projects

Such solutions – delivered to cut maintenance costs by eliminating hazardous silicate products – were showcased by company experts in the form of Jean-Claude Biard, SEO of Convergent Group SA; Mputu Schmidt, former CEO of Convergent Group SA and founder of Bondeko MB (exclusive distributor of Convergent Group in Africa); Carlos Garcia, technical and sales for ADI Group (Spanish distributor for Convergent Group); and Amritpal Singh Sura, external consultant for flooring treatments, former distributor of Convergent products in the Middle East.

“A number of projects we were doing in the Middle East required protection,” remarked Sura. “Longevity of protection requires a system which basically impregnates and becomes a densified surface as opposed to something which is topical and lifts off due to moisture migration. I found that being exposed to Convergent, it was important to stay focused on those systems in the Middle East. Jean-Claude, Mputu and I met several times in Dubai and there was emphasis on providing systems which were affordable and still ending up having a robust, lasting longevity of product. So you are not spending money all the time in order to maintain the finishes which you have already paid for.”

Over the course of the session, the participants guided the audience through the potential of cutting-edge lithium silicate technology for enhancing the protection of concrete surfaces, maximising cost-effectiveness and meeting sustainability targets.
Achieving optimum concrete protection

In a comprehensive webinar hosted by African Review, a panel of professionals associated with Convergent Group explored new generation lithium silicate technology and why it is emerging as the optimum solution for concrete floor protection.

Robert Daniels, editor of African Review, was joined by Jean-Claude Biard, CEO of Convergent Group; Mputu Schmidt, former CEO of Convergent and founder of Bondeko MB, an exclusive distributor of Convergent; Hicham Sofyani, president of Texol; Carlos Garcia, technical and sales for ADI Group; and Marc Puig, commercial manager of Comace Import.

Each providing a unique angle, the panellists combined to provide a masterclass around concrete treatments and the increasing challenges around them, explaining to attendees how to choose the right formula for their requirements and touching on issues such as why lithium densifiers are better than sodium and potassium densifiers.

Throughout the session, those watching were treated to informative case studies showcasing how Convergent eco-friendly products are increasing abrasion resistance, raising ease of maintenance, and ensuring the highest quality gloss retention.

By the end of the webinar, a majority of attendees (many of which had not had much experience with Convergent) expressed their interest in using the company’s new generation lithium silicate technology with the rest indicating their desire to learn more about Convergent and its products. Watch the webinar, in full, to discover why viewers were convinced and learn more about advanced floor care solutions for your operations.
Shaping the future of sustainable mining

Presenting on an African Review-hosted webinar, Martin Provencher, global industry principal for mining, metals and materials at AVEVA, explored the digital transformation of mining operations and its impact on sustainability.

“Sustainability is becoming a key aspect for mining operations,” remarked Provencher. “If we look at the latest EY research on the top ten business risks and opportunities for mining and metals globally in 2023, ESG remains at the top. Of course, most companies have environmental goals or are expected to reach a net zero emission by 2050, which is a pretty aggressive target. Many of them are targeting 30% reduction by 2030; seven years from now. So there is a lot of action that needs to take place quickly to get there. It is possible to get there, but we need to make sure we are doing this correctly.”

Fast becoming a huge part of ESG initiatives is fleet electrification where particular progress is being made in underground mines. While some countries are certainly more advanced than others here, Provencher noted that 40% of total emissions from the mining industry come from diesel trucks, making EVs a very attractive low-hanging fruit for companies to pursue.

There are, however, a number of challenges associated with bringing in electric vehicles which remains a barrier for introduction. One of the predominant reasons, is the limited range of EVs against diesel counterparts. To mitigate this, Provencher continued, data management is key and ensuring a strong grasp of real-time information coming in will show operators when machinery needs to be charged, allowing them to plan effectively for maximum efficiency on site.

Indeed, this is but a small advantage that digitalisation can bring to the mining industry as it grapples to meet ESG goals while achieving production targets. By getting a better grip of their data and using it to empower tools such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and machine learning, companies can achieve tangible benefits such as reduce downtime, enhance worker safety, cut operating costs and, of course, ensure compliance with environmental regulations and targets.

Through the course of the webinar, Provencher outlined this in more detail and explored AVEVA’s suite of cutting-edge software solutions, specifically designed to help mining companies make progress on their digitalisation journey and empower their operations.

Watch the full webinar, completed with detailed case studies and an insightful Q&A session.
Dolika Banda, Chairperson of ZCCM-IH
MTN Business #BusinessDoneBetter
Are lithium-based sealers useful for protecting concrete floors?

Convergent, in association with African Review, has held a detailed webinar exploring the usage and effectiveness of lithium silicates and densifiers over traditional methods of concrete surface management which often struggle to meet the increasing challenges posed by concrete surface management.

Convergent experts including Mputu Schmidt, CEO of Convergent; Carlos Garcia, product manager end-user solutions, construction chemicals, Spain and Portugal for the RD Group; Matteo Mozzarelli, CEO of concrete Solutions Italia; and Jean-Claude Biard, global senior executive for the Convergent Group, presented across the session.

Together, they delved into the latest cost-effective application methods for long lasting finishing of concrete that can help reduce maintenance costs and avoid unexpected repair action. In addition, they examined the advancements in technologies that can sustain increased abrasion resistant stains and ensure gloss retention to the highest quality.

As part of the webinar, the representatives explored case studies including a case in DRC where a medical centre had been constructed with a low-quality concrete floor. The customer was considering completely replacing the floor but instead, Convergent put forward a special treatment with its 244+ Pentra-Sil lithium hardener, densifier and sealer. With this solution, Convergent can increase the hardness of a surface by up to 40% and therefore saved the customer significant recuperation costs over a complete replacement. Convergent were happy to report that the solution was perfect for the facility and the customer was pleased to avoid the extra construction work that would have been required for a complete replacement.

Watch the full webinar, including more information about Convergent’s innovative solutions.

Energy

Proving the viability of Madagascar’s mini-grids. (Image source: CrossBoundary Access)