Hitech Construction Africa Limited, part of the Chagoury Group, has confirmed a strategic equity investment in Aqua Africa, representing a major step in its long-term mission to promote sustainability and inclusive growth across the continent

The collaboration is designed to deliver reliable and climate-resilient clean water access to more than ten million people over the next five years. This will be achieved through off-grid, solar-powered water systems that can effectively serve rural and peri-urban communities that are often underserved.

The investment also supports Hitech’s ambition to broaden its footprint, beginning with West Africa and steadily progressing across the continent. This expansion strengthens the company’s role as a key infrastructure developer committed to improving living standards and advancing sustainable economic progress.

Philip Foster, CEO of Aqua Africa, stated, “Partnering with Hitech brings the scale, expertise, and shared purpose needed to deliver transformational change. Together, we can bring sustainable water solutions to the communities that need them most.”

The partnership builds on Aqua Africa’s existing €76 million framework agreement with the National Water Points Development Service (SNAPE) in Guinea, backed by UK Export Finance. This initiative aims to provide clean, climate-resilient water infrastructure to 1.2 million people.

Hitech’s commitment to sustainability and CSR

Hitech’s approach is rooted in the belief that infrastructure is essential to social and economic development. Its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy is centred around three pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. The company works to embed sustainability into each phase of project development, from planning to completion.

Key CSR focus areas include:

• Expanding community access to vital services such as energy, mobility, and clean water
• Safeguarding the environment through climate-conscious technologies and responsible resource use
• Supporting local economies by creating employment, training opportunities, and skill-building initiatives

The partnership with Aqua Africa fully aligns with these principles. Both organisations are committed to advancing inclusive, technology-led solutions that respond to pressing social challenges while supporting national development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 6 and SDG 13.

Through this alliance, Hitech reinforces its identity as a responsible infrastructure leader dedicated to building not only physical assets such as roads and ports, but also the foundations of a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for Africa.

Metso has signed a new distribution agreement with Rock Plant Ltd, a respected and long-standing dealer of major construction and quarrying machinery brands in East Africa

The partnership marks a strategic move aimed at expanding Metso’s footprint and accelerating its growth across the region.

Under the agreement, Rock Plant will distribute Metso’s crushing and screening equipment, along with related parts and services, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

According to Ignacio Garcia, distribution manager, EMEA North at Metso, “East Africa represents one of the fastest-growing markets in Africa for aggregates and mining. To fully capture this potential, we wanted a partner with a strong local footprint, technical know-how, and a proven service capability. Rock Plant has a long track record in heavy equipment distribution, a solid presence across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and an experienced team deeply connected with the industry. This partnership allows Metso to strengthen its coverage, improve responsiveness, and ensure consistent customer support across the region.”

In these markets, customers are increasingly looking for dependable, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-maintain machinery capable of operating in remote and challenging environments. Mobile and modular units are especially important due to the scattered nature of quarries and project locations.

Pritpal Roopra, managing director of Rock Plant, noted, “Partnering with Metso enables us to expand our portfolio with a world-class crushing and screening brand. This cooperation gives our customers access to industry-leading technology, backed by our local service and support network.”

Adam Benn, director of capital sales, EMEA North at Metso, added, “The cooperation combines Metso’s global technology leadership with Rock Plant’s local presence and service capability. Customers will benefit from faster response times, local spare parts availability, and professional support throughout the equipment lifecycle, from selection and commissioning to maintenance and upgrades. This means improved uptime, lower operating costs, and access to proven, sustainable solutions built for local conditions.”

Hitachi Construction Machinery and Hitachi Industrial Products have announced plans for a hybrid dump truck demonstration test project at a South African mining site, as part of an initiative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

The project was selected on 2nd November for inclusion in UNIDO’s industrial cooperation in the Global South through technology transfer from Japan programme.

Hitachi cites reductions in fuel costs and CO2 emissions that together will contribute to the development of the countries of the Global South through Japanese technology.

The hybrid dump truck will be working at an undisclosed mine site in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.

UNIDO is conducting the programme to promote technological innovation, strengthen supply chains and establish industrial infrastructure in Global South countries by supporting Japanese firms in conducting large-scale demonstrations, funded by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

“Numerous pieces of mining machinery operate at mining sites, and most are powered by diesel engines,” the Hitachi companies said in a media statement.

“Diesel fuel is the primary cost factor in mine operations, and reducing fuel consumption has been a challenge for many years.”

In addition, it added, the CO2 emissions generated by dump trucks account for more than 50% of the total emissions from mining machinery in operation at mines in many cases, which makes reducing environmental impact an “urgent issue”.

To address these challenges, the project will manufacture a hybrid dump truck for demonstration testing based on an electrically driven EH4000AC-3 rigid dump truck that uses a diesel engine as its power source.

The demonstration truck will be equipped with an AC drive system manufactured by Hitachi Industrial Products, which operates using electricity generated by a diesel engine and electricity recovered through regenerative braking and stored in onboard batteries.

As part of the implementation, Hitachi Construction Machinery will provide training on the repair and maintenance of hybrid dump trucks to service personnel in South Africa, as well as locally transfer knowledge and conduct human resource development.

“Compared to the existing EH4000AC-3, the demonstration test dump truck reduces both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 10% or more, which helps reduce lifecycle costs and the environmental impact in mining operations,” the Hitachi statement added.

“In addition, the use of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) may theoretically reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%, which has the technical potential to accelerate decarbonisation efforts.”

Furthermore, it added, the ability to retrofit existing dump trucks into hybrid dump trucks will enable mining companies to effectively utilise the assets that they own and support the realisation of sustainable operations.

Hitachi Construction Machinery has also promoted the joint development and demonstration testing of full battery dump trucks to realise net zero emissions at mining sites.

“Hitachi Industrial Products will contribute to improving environmental performance — such as better vehicle fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions — by adding service offerings that utilise battery power for AC drive systems in the existing installed base,” the company added.

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The African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON) has officially launched, marking a new chapter for Africa’s role in global trade and logistics integration

Founded in Accra, Ghana, on August 22, 2025, the confederation aims to unite professional standards and networks across the continent to strengthen competitiveness and collaboration.

Africa’s supply chains have long lagged behind more developed regions and today are under pressure to adapt to global disruptions and seize opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

ASCON provides a unified framework to professionalise the sector, ensuring Africa is not just a participant but a strategic player in global value chains, according to Ronald Mlalazi, the group’s president.

“Elevating the role of supply chain management in Africa is critical for economic development,” he said.

“ASCON will ensure Africa becomes a strategic player in global value chains.”

Its mission is to foster a cohesive African supply chain ecosystem grounded both in professionalism and collaboration, he added.

Key pillars include: establishing ethical codes and accreditation frameworks; advancing standardised qualifications and continuous professional development; fostering cross-border partnerships and professional alliances; and promoting research, publications and knowledge exchange.

As part of this, ASCON offers: a unified framework for professional mobility and recognition; support for resource mobilisation and membership growth; platforms for networking and partnership; and advocacy to shape policy and promote best practices.

Elevating competencies and ethical standards is expected to enable greater mobility and quality of work for professionals across Africa, a collective effort that will help to build overall resilience and growth across the sector.

ASCON is committed to positioning the continent as a leader in global supply chain development, according to professor Douglas Boateng, goodwill ambassador and Africa’s first Professor Extraordinaire in supply and value chain management.

He outlined the importance of professionalising supply chains to unlock industrialisation, reduce waste, and strengthen competitiveness under AfCFTA.

“The Africa we desire is in our hands,”said Boateng. “By integrating supply chains, we can deliver generational impact.”

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Paycorp, a global payments group with strong South African roots, has made a strategic investment in Currency Stream, a UK-based fintech that specialises in real-time foreign exchange and multi-currency payment solutions

This partnership is set to accelerate Currency Stream’s growth in Europe and open up new expansion opportunities across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Paycorp will contribute capital, international reach, and over 20 years of payments expertise to help drive Currency Stream’s global ambitions.

The investment builds on a successful working relationship that spans over seven years. Since 2017, Paycorp has implemented Currency Stream’s Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) technology across Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Africa.

“This partnership is a natural evolution of our long-standing relationship with Currency Stream,” said Steven Kark, CEO and co-founder of Paycorp, who will be joining the Currency Stream International board. “They’ve consistently delivered results with robust tech, transparency, and smart thinking. As they expand globally, it makes perfect sense for Paycorp to back that growth and take this offering deeper into markets like Africa, Asia and the US.”

Currency Stream’s proprietary technology supports real-time DCC and Multi-Currency Pricing (MCP) in over 160 currencies. Already trusted by top acquirers, gateways, and e-commerce platforms worldwide, the company’s solutions will now be brought to new sectors and high-growth regions. The focus will be on retail, travel, and online commerce — markets where FX transparency and multi-currency functionality are increasingly vital.

“This investment cements a powerful partnership built on innovation and trust,” said Noel Goddard, founder and CEO of Currency Stream. “Paycorp understands the complexities of cross-border payments and has the scale, experience and strategic focus to help us serve more partners faster, particularly across Africa and other emerging markets.”

This move aligns with Paycorp’s wider strategy of expanding its portfolio of value-added payment solutions. With operations in Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, and the UK, Paycorp is already recognised for its services in ATM and cash operations, transaction processing, embedded business funding, and alternative payments.

FLS has completed a significant upgrade to its polyurethane manufacturing facility in Delmas, Mpumalanga, positioning the site as a key global hub for the production of its advanced NexGen wear-resistant material

This development forms part of a wider modernisation programme by FLS, aimed at strengthening supply chains, increasing manufacturing efficiency and enhancing
sustainability across its global footprint.

Brad Shepherd, director service line - screen and feeder consumables at FLS, said the investment at Delmas aligns with the company’s global strategy to standardise and optimise production processes.

“This is a milestone for us,” commented Shepherd. “We are integrating cutting edge technology and modern manufacturing methodologies across all our polyurethane plants, and Delmas is leading the way. The upgrade enables us to respond more quickly and reliably to customer needs across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.”

The centrepiece of the upgrade is the introduction of purpose-built infrastructure to produce NexGen screen media - a polyurethane material developed by FLS to deliver extended wear life, reduced maintenance and improved operational efficiency. In on-site trials, screen panels made from NexGen have demonstrated up to three times the wear life of conventional rubber and polyurethane products, making it a gamechanger for industries that rely on high performance screening solutions.

Warren Walker, head of global manufacturing - polyurethane operations at FLS, explained that Delmas is the first of the company’s five global polyurethane plants to complete this transition. “We have installed new, latest generation polyurethane machines, precision tooling and dedicated preheating ovens for inserts,” he said. “This allows us to significantly increase our output while ensuring consistent quality.”

The facility now includes two trommel screen media stations and three screen media stations, each tailored to produce NexGen products. One of the standout technologies introduced is a programmable auto- calibrating polyurethane machine capable of adjusting material hardness to suit
specific applications.

“The flexibility to produce varying hardness levels is critical,” Walker noted. “It means we can tailor our screen media precisely to the customer’s application, ensuring optimum performance and longevity.”

To complement this, a high capacity polyurethane machine capable of pouring up to 42 kg per minute is in operation at the facility. This system is particularly suited to applications requiring large volume pours, such as flotation spare parts and vertical mill components.

The Delmas facility already benefited from a significant upgrade in 2019, when a state-of-the-art six-axis machining centre was introduced for tooling precision, along with robotic welding systems for manufacturing screen media panel inserts and a CNC controlled spiral welding machine to produce wedge wire products. The latest round of investments builds on this foundation and brings the facility to the forefront of global polyurethane production capability.

Energy efficiency was a key consideration in the new layout and equipment design. “We have incorporated smart energy saving features like individual temperature control on each casting table station,” Walker remarked. “This avoids the need to heat large surface areas unnecessarily and contributes to our carbon reduction goals.”

Further supporting these goals is the installation of 300 kW of solar generation capacity at the Delmas site, completed in 2024. Plans are already in place to expand this by another 500 kW in 2026, along with the integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS), enabling greater energy independence and resilience.

FLS’s offering from Delmas extends beyond screen media manufacturing. The facility is equipped to handle the complete fabrication of vibrating screens, from raw material processing and in-house machining to assembly and factory acceptance testing. This vertical integration allows the company to deliver customised solutions with tighter control over quality and lead times.

Shepherd emphasises that FLS operates both as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a screen media specialist, supplying screen panels for all types and brands of vibrating screens, feeders and trommel screens.

“We don’t just supply products,” he said. “We work closely with our customers through our network of on-the-ground specialists to assess site conditions and select the best screening media for their specific needs.”

He notes that many older processing plants are treating materials that differ from their original design specifications. In these cases, screen efficiency can often only be improved by optimising the screen media. “This is where NexGen makes a real difference,” Shepherd commented. “Combined with the correct aperture design, it allows customers to get more life and better performance from their screens.”

Unlike injection-moulded polyurethane, which can compromise the structural integrity of screen panels, FLS’s proprietary process retains superior mechanical properties, resulting in a tougher more durable product. “We have never used injection moulding because it reduces the quality of the end product,” Shepherd explained. “Our process delivers a product that stands up to the toughest operating conditions and offers lasting value.”

Walker adds that the expansion at Delmas not only supports FLS’s global operations but also contributes meaningfully to the South African economy. “Our commitment to local manufacturing is evident in the scale of our investment and the jobs we have created,” he said. “We have expanded our workforce, prioritised local recruitment and significantly grown our apprenticeship programme.”

A strong focus has also been placed on developing female artisans. In 2024, six women from the local community were recruited into a three year trade apprenticeship programme, receiving training in welding, fitting and boilermaking.

“Our investment during a period of economic uncertainty underlines FLS’s long term commitment to South Africa and to our customers in the broader EMEA region,” said Walker. “We are not just building products – we are building skills, opportunities and partnerships that will power sustainable growth for years to come.”