Kulani Energy has acquired key assets from Optipower, which historically operated as a division of Murray & Roberts Limited, one of South Africa’s best-known construction groups

The acquisition was concluded through Kulani Energy’s subsidiary, OptiProjects, which focuses on power transmission, distribution and renewable energy infrastructure.

Kulani Energy is a wholly black women-owned engineering and energy infrastructure firm.

The acquisition expands its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capacity to support South Africa’s grid expansion, according to Thinga Nethanani, the company’s chief operating officer.

“South Africa’s grid expansion depends not only on capital investment, but on retaining experienced delivery teams with the ability to execute complex transmission projects,” said Nethanani.

“This acquisition augments important execution capability in a constrained market, and highlights the role that Kulani Energy can play in stabilising and scaling critical national infrastructure capacity.”

Concluded at the end of January 2026, the transaction was executed while Murray & Roberts Limited was in business rescue, preserving critical EPC capability that may otherwise have exited the market.

OptiProjects will deliver high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and renewable energy projects, including solar and wind.

Prior to business rescue, Optipower was one of the EPC contractors approved on Eskom’s Panel A, supporting the utility’s planned 14,000-kilometre transmission rollout to 2030.

Kulani Energy has re-employed specialist technical resources, including project managers, construction managers and technical planners, safeguarding scarce skills in a sector that has experienced sustained contraction.

The acquisition was funded with support from Differential Capital, which recognised the strategic value Kulani Energy brings as an operator and integrator of complex infrastructure assets.

The partnership addressed a structural financing gap in the construction sector, where limited access to funding often prevents local players from competing with multinationals and undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects.

“Our confidence was driven by the experience, track record and disciplined execution of the Kulani Energy team,” said Vincent Anthonyrajah, CEO of Differential Capital.

“Importantly, they identified and secured the key individuals required to stabilise and rebuild Optipower, positioning the business for sustainable delivery.”

Anthonyrajah said Kulani Energy had also presented a credible long-term business plan capable of generating attractive shareholder returns while strengthening an EPC sector that has historically delivered low returns on capital.

“Kulani Energy was an ideal partner to rebuild Optipower, while building stronger, more competitive local infrastructure capability,” he said.

With the addition of OptiProjects’ EPC capability, Kulani Energy has since been contracted to participate in a 100MW solar photovoltaic project in Guinea, valued at approximately US$180mn, signalling growing regional demand for its delivery platform.

“OptiProjects will operate as part of Kulani Energy’s broader platform strategy spanning professional services, EPC delivery, operations and maintenance, and investments,” said Nethanani.

Read more:

Motheo copper mine on-site power project

Jubail Bros Nigeria's on-site power milestone

Uganda signs Amari transmission deal with Gridworks

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 3300 mm 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.

Sandvik Rock Processing has finalised a comprehensive OEM-level refurbishment of a Sandvik BR3288i hydraulic breaker and a Sandvik BB8094R breaker boom for a leading gold mining operation in Ghana

The project restored a key component of the site’s primary crushing circuit, with the rebuild, reinstallation and commissioning delivering measurable gains in equipment availability and output. Ongoing quarterly inspections and technical support from the company’s Kumasi-based team continue to reinforce performance.

The refurbishment was carried out at Sandvik Rock Processing’s fully equipped workshop in Kumasi. The breaker and boom assembly are installed at the mine’s run-of-mine grizzly, where oversized rocks generated during blasting are reduced to prevent blockages and maintain smooth material flow into the crusher.

“This project restored a vital asset that plays a central role in the mine’s primary crushing circuit,” commented Amos Fordjour, senior service technician at Sandvik Rock Processing. “Our extensive rebuild has returned the machine to OEM performance standards, significantly improving the mine’s reliability and production continuity.”

After more than five years in operation, the equipment was scheduled for refurbishment. Work commenced on site, where the 11 tonne boom assembly was dismantled using the mine’s crane infrastructure before being transported over a three-hour journey to the Kumasi workshop.

“Once in the workshop, our technicians stripped the units completely - checking for critical components such as pins, bushings, cylinder seals and mounting brackets that required replacement,” remarked Fordjour. “The boom was sandblasted and inspected for cracks, the hydraulic cylinders were rebuilt and pressure-tested and the hammer was fully refurbished.”

Haqq Abdul Rahman, graduate technician at Sandvik Rock Processing, highlighted the importance of parts availability in reducing turnaround times. He explained that mines frequently face challenges with oversized rocks at the run-of-mine grizzly, and temporary mobile breakers often require considerably more time to handle the material.

“It was important that we controlled the turnaround time on this project so the mine could put the equipment back to work as soon as possible,” said Rahman. “This particular unit breaks oversized rocks much faster than the smaller mobile units that the mine had to rely on while this one was being refurbished.”

The Sandvik BB8094R breaker boom, rated at 55 kW input power, provides a maximum reach of 12.7 m, with nominal horizontal and vertical reaches of 9.8 m and 9 m respectively, and a full 360° swing capability. The 2.3 tonne Sandvik BR3288i hydraulic breaker incorporates an operating principle that optimises stroke length, blow energy and includes an idle blow protector, enabling adaptability across applications while enhancing hydraulic efficiency and operational safety.

Fordjour underscored the role of strict quality control procedures throughout the refurbishment.

“We follow strict operating procedures and standards in everything we do,” continued Rahman. “This includes using only genuine Sandvik parts which allows us to guarantee the quality of both the components and the workmanship.”

Following workshop completion, Sandvik Rock Processing teams returned to site for installation and commissioning. The three-week process required detailed coordination around crane usage, electrical integration, positioning and safety compliance.

“We work very closely with customers during removal, installation and commissioning,” Fordjour noted. “In this case, the mine provided the cranes and support equipment and we handled all the technical work; that collaboration is critical.”

Rahman explained that the restored boom and breaker now offer enhanced structural integrity, precise OEM clearances and improved swing performance, supporting efficient energy transfer and high twist resistance under demanding impact conditions.

“For the mine, the biggest impact is uptime and production,” said Rahman. “Without this breaker, their crushing circuit slows down considerably; now that it is back to full performance and production is consistent again.”

Post-commissioning support remains ongoing, with Sandvik Rock Processing conducting quarterly inspections to assess pins, seals and overall structural condition, while maintaining readiness for service interventions whenever required.

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.”

Read more:

MSC expands intermodal logistics across Africa

South Africa's largest private freight rail investment

Ascon launch to boost Africa's supply chain

The countries of sub-Saharan Africa are set to become more important as the global economy realigns in the face of wider geopolitical shifts, a new report suggests

South Africa, as one of the so-called BRICS nations, also stands to prosper.

The report, by Boston Consulting Group, suggests that global trade will show some resilience, and could grow 2.5% annually through to 2034 despite rising fragmentation.

According to the report, nations in the so-called ‘Rest of the world’ category — which includes all of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of South Africa — look set to gain overall on the back of strategic neutrality.

“These free agents, however, will become increasingly important in the future, both as markets and suppliers of goods and services,” the report notes.

While there are a wide range of trade scenarios, reflecting current volatility, small non-aligned countries appear to be relatively isolated from any potential negative fallout.

The BRICS+ nations — including South Africa, and countries that joined later, such as Egypt and Ethiopia — will also seek to expand relationships within the Global South.

“BRICS+ countries have been taking steps to collaborate with each other on trade, which they see as a driver of growth,” the report notes. But their approach to trade differs, with some negotiating deals with other groupings and some not.”

BRICS+ nations (excluding China) could see 3% growth with the rest of the world over the period as well as trade growth among themselves, it adds.

“Global trade isn’t retreating, it’s reorganising,” said Marc Gilbert, managing director and senior partner, Global Leader of the Center for Geopolitics, and a co-author of the report.

“Leaders who embed geopolitics in capital and strategic decision-making will be best positioned to navigate the next decade of change to secure resilience as well as growth.”

Read more:

AFC, Eaglestone share the Lobito limelight

Afreximbank backs Heirs Energies expansion

Dangote secures landmark US$4bn refinancing deal

SANY Group has officially begun operations at its first global engineering machinery remanufacturing hub, the SANY Hunan-Hainan Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park

The launch marks a major step in SANY’s globalisation and sustainability strategy, with the company securing CNY100 million (US$14.27mn) in orders from clients in Southeast Asia and Africa on the opening day.

The Park represents China’s first industrial facility co-developed by a pilot free trade zone (FTZ) and a pilot free trade port, advancing cross-regional collaboration between Hunan and Hainan provinces. By leveraging both provinces’ industrial strengths and policy incentives, the Park is designed to support Chinese enterprises in expanding their international footprint.

Construction of the Park began in August 2023, covering approximately 10 hectares (150 mu). With a total investment of CNY600 million (US$85.62mn), it is expected to reach an annual output value of CNY750 million (US$107.02mn) when operating at full capacity.

Positioned as a regional remanufacturing hub and resource distribution platform, the Park focuses on the maintenance and remanufacturing of core engineering machinery components as well as second-hand equipment from domestic and international markets. The facility promotes the circular reuse of industrial resources, aligning with SANY’s commitment to sustainability.

Operating under the Hainan FTZ framework, eligible value-added processing activities enjoy tariff preferences, while remanufacturing operations under bonded supervision may qualify for corporate and personal income‑tax incentives. The Park benefits from the “Dual 15%” tax-incentive policy, receiving approval for outsourced processes to enjoy a 15% corporate income-tax reduction.

“The project represents a key strategic initiative for SANY to deepen its globalisation, digitalisation, and low-carbon transformation. Moving forward, SANY will continue to actively explore new models for remanufacturing, promote the circular reuse of industrial resources, and jointly advance the global engineering machinery industry's transition toward a greener, low-carbon future,” said Tang Xiuguo, chairman of SANY.