Abci-Nexus, the technology-enabled holding company, has introduced Asopo Technologies, bringing its proprietary Pulse software to market as a standalone offering

The holding company also includes Bboxx, a retail and consumer credit company focussed on the provision of essential services across Africa.

Building on the legacy of Bboxx built up over 15 years, this latest move by Abci-Nexus marks a major evolution for the group and is designed to accelerate scale, impact, and long-term value creation across its markets.

Under the new company architecture, Bboxx will continue as the group’s retail and consumer credit business, headquartered in Kigali and focussed on serving aspiring urban and underserved rural customers with clean energy, clean cooking, smartphones, e-mobility and selected financial services, using pay-as-you-go and other asset-financing models powered by Pulse.

The new company Asopo Technologies will commercialise and scale Pulse, the group’s fully integrated operating system originally designed to run Bboxx’s distributed operations, into new geographies and across multiple sectors, developing a leading B2B SaaS platform for asset-financed products in growth markets.

Anthony Osijo, group CEO, Abci-Nexus, said, “This marks a new beginning for the company. This structure allows each part of the group to focus on what it does best. Abci-Nexus will concentrate on capital, partnerships and governance; Bboxx on delivering reliable products, great service, and meaningful impact for households, businesses, and communities; and Asopo Technologies on building world-class scalable software. By focussing on our strengths in each vertical, we can improve quality and efficiency, scale faster, and further catalyse our impact.”

Pulse integrates mobile money, device and asset tracking, and credit operations into a single AI powered platform, improving customer quality and operational efficiency for Bboxx and its partners. Asopo Technologies takes its name from the Yoruba word for “connection”, reflecting its role in connecting people, data, and finance.

Christopher Baker-Brian, co-founder and chief technology officer, Bboxx and Managing Director, Asopo Technologies, remarked, “Pulse has always been the digital backbone powering Bboxx’s growth for more than a decade, enabling us to build and scale distributed, asset-financed businesses in some of the world’s most complex markets. By spinning it out under Asopo Technologies, we can offer the same infrastructure to other companies. Our goal is to make building and scaling asset-financed businesses in emerging markets dramatically easier, across Africa and beyond.”

Pulse already processes millions of transactions a month, connects thousands of agents, and supports the delivery of clean, affordable energy and connectivity to more than six million people.

Representatives of Abci-Nexus’s shareholder consortium, who include PIDG (Private Infrastructure Development Group) said, “As long-term investors, we are fully aligned behind this next chapter for Abci-Nexus. Over the past two years we have worked closely with the leadership team to strengthen the group, sharpen its strategic direction, and position it for sustainable growth. The new architecture provides the clarity, focus, and operational discipline needed to unlock the full potential of Bboxx, Asopo Technologies and the wider portfolio. We remain committed to supporting Abci-Nexus as it scales its impact, deepens market penetration, and delivers life-changing products and services to millions more people.”

Abci-Nexus is, through its portfolio companies, already positively impacting the lives of more than six million people in seven operating markets, directly contributing to 12 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is one of the largest retail networks in Africa, with more than 3,000 staff across the continent and support teams in Europe and Asia.

Zahid Group has spearheaded a consortium to complete the strategic management buyout of Barloworld Limited, taking the 123 year old South African industrial group into private ownership

The move underscores strengthening commercial links between Saudi Arabia and South Africa and highlights Zahid Group’s sustained confidence in South Africa as a long term investment market.

The transaction builds on Zahid Group’s existing minority stake in Barloworld and brings together two established Caterpillar dealers with deep regional roots. Zahid Group has more than 75 years of operating history in Saudi Arabia, while Barloworld has served the South African market for over 96 years.

Under the revised ownership structure, Barloworld will continue to operate as an independent South African business, retaining its brand identity and existing executive leadership team.

As part of the new arrangement, Zahid Group will take representation on the Barloworld board, supporting closer strategic alignment and future growth initiatives. These include collaborative programmes focused on skills development and youth upskilling across both countries, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.

The buyout represents a landmark moment in Saudi and South African commercial relations and reinforces Zahid Group’s long term commitment to sustainable growth, industrial capability and international partnership.

Integrated Pump Technology is recording increased demand for its Grindex submersible dewatering pumps across Zambia’s Copperbelt, where the equipment is delivering reliable performance in some of the region’s most challenging mining environments

Designed for harsh underground environments, the pumps combine rugged construction, operational flexibility and strong local technical support to deliver consistent performance.

According to Alfred Kelsey, sales manager at Integrated Pump Technology, Grindex pumps have demonstrated notable success in specialist applications such as the cleaning of underground dams. One recent project, carried out through the company’s Kitwe based distributor IES, involved the deployment of a 14 kW Grindex Bravo 400 to address severe sludge build up that had compromised dam capacity.

“Our customer faced a serious challenge, with sediment accumulation drastically reducing the capacity of their underground dams,” Kelsey explained.

“Conventional dewatering pumps aren’t designed for handling this slurry density, but the submersible Grindex Bravo 400 proved ideal.”

Built with hard iron components for high abrasion resistance and fitted with an integrated agitator, the Bravo 400 is able to re suspend settled material, enabling efficient removal of dense sludge. The pump is also rated to IP68, allowing safe operation at depths of up to 20 metres.

Kelsey notes that interest in Grindex dewatering pumps is increasing rapidly across the Copperbelt as mines look for reliable long term solutions.

“The reliability and quality of Grindex pumps are major drawcards, complemented by the integrated smart systems on the 2.2 kW to 18 kW models, offering genuine plug-and-play functionality,” Kelsey noted.

“This feature allows for fully automatic operation with comprehensive built-in protections.”

For larger duty requirements, Integrated Pump Technology supplies Grindex pumps in the 25 kW to 90 kW range, supported by external control and monitoring panels. The product range can also be tailored to suit different abrasive conditions through material options.

“Customers can specify nitrile rubber or polyurethane linings to handle highly abrasive environments,” he added. “A popular choice is internal polyurethane inserts paired with a lightweight, corrosion-resistant stainless steel casing.”

The stainless steel design significantly reduces pump weight, an important advantage in underground settings where equipment is frequently moved by hand. A split handle configuration further improves ease of transport, allowing two people to carry the unit safely.

“Our rapid response capability sets us apart in the Copperbelt region,” Kelsey emphasised. “Through our close partnership with IES, we ensure technicians remain highly skilled, aligned with OEM standards and equipped with a first-class workshop.”

This local support model enables quick turnaround on repairs, whether for full overhauls, smaller cable fixes or on site technical assistance. Kelsey adds that carefully managed local stock levels ensure critical spare parts are readily available, helping mines minimise downtime and maintain operational continuity.

MSC is drawing attention to the scale and reach of its intermodal logistics solutions across Africa, illustrating how the integration of rail, road and port infrastructure is reshaping inland cargo movement

By extending connectivity well beyond coastal ports, MSC is helping customers access critical hinterland markets with greater reliability, efficiency and control.

Intermodal transport has become a cornerstone of resilient supply chains across the continent. By reducing transit times, improving schedule predictability and strengthening links between landlocked economies and global trade routes, integrated inland solutions are responding to a growing need for dependable connectivity. MSC’s expanded intermodal offering is designed to meet this demand, providing customers with flexible, end-to-end transport options that support long-term planning and operational stability.

Abidjan–Ouagadougou: A strategic rail corridor

The first feature in the series focuses on the rail corridor linking Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, one of West Africa’s most active trade routes. Stretching approximately 1,150–1,260 km between the Port of Abidjan and Ouagadougou, the rail connection offers a reliable inland alternative to road transport, helping to ease congestion and create more consistent cargo flows.

Serving key sectors including agriculture, FMCG, mining and temperature-controlled cargo, the corridor enables customers to move goods inland with greater security and predictability. Through MSC’s intermodal network, shippers benefit from stable inland-to-port connectivity, improved transit time consistency and the confidence to plan operations year-round.

Building value across Africa’s key trade lanes

Beyond the Côte d’Ivoire–Burkina Faso rail link, the series will highlight other corridors where MSC’s intermodal solutions are delivering measurable value for customers.

In Cameroon, the focus turns to cargo flows supported by Kribi Port and improved trucking routes, which are strengthening access to inland markets and streamlining trade connections.

Across South Africa and Namibia, MSC’s trucking network is enabling dependable cross-border transport, with particular emphasis on reefer cargo supported by the Durban reefer warehouse, ensuring temperature integrity throughout the journey.

In Kenya, the spotlight follows agricultural exports from origin to port, offering a full view of how MSC’s integrated inland network supports a seamless land-to-port logistics chain.

Together, these corridors reflect MSC’s commitment to building predictable inland transport solutions that reduce operational complexity, enhance supply chain visibility and connect African markets more efficiently to global trade.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Eaglestone, a financial services platform focused on sub-Saharan Africa, have outlined their role as co-financial advisers on the recent Lobito Atlantic Railway project in Angola

It follows the signing of a US$753mn funding package, consisting of US$553mn from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and US$200mn from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Lobito Atlantic Railway S.A. (LAR) is the borrower and concessionaire in the 1,300 km brownfield railway corridor project.

“The signing of the financing agreements for the Lobito Atlantic Railway demonstrates the strength of AFC’s financial advisory expertise in structuring and advancing complex, cross-border infrastructure transactions of strategic significance,” said Samaila Zubairu, AFC’s president and CEO.

“This initiative aligns with AFC’s broader development efforts to deliver a transformational transport corridor linking Angola, the DRC, and the wider southern Africa region, reinforcing the critical role of integrated rail and port infrastructure in unlocking regional trade, industrial growth and supply-chain resilience.”

The Lobito Corridor is also of special importance for Angola, one of AFC’s member countries and shareholders, he added, “reaffirming our long-standing commitment to supporting the country’s infrastructure development and economic priorities.”

This infrastructure scheme is backed by a variety of international project sponsors including Mota-Engil, the Portuguese-based engineering and construction group which has a strong presence across Africa.

Other sponsors include commodities trader, Trafigura, and Vecturis, an international rail operator with experience in freight rail concessions.

The flagship regional infrastructure project will rehabilitate, upgrade and operate the 1,300-km brownfield rail line connecting the Port of Lobito on Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border.

The financing package is expected to increase Lobito’s transportation capacity ten-fold to approximately 4.6 million metric tonnes per annum and to reduce the cost of transporting critical minerals by an estimated 30%.

“We are delighted to have advised LAR in this landmark transport infrastructure transaction that is a key milestone to unlock regional trade and boost economic activity along the Lobito Corridor,” said Nuno Gil, founding partner of Eaglestone.

“The Eaglestone team can be proud in once again delivering world-class services within the project finance advisory industry in Southern Africa.”

Manuel Mota, Deputy CEO of Mota-Engil, said his company’s participation underscores its commitment to deliver an infrastructure that supports Angola’s national priorities, economic diversification, and regional connectivity.

“This strategic agreement will expand transport capacity, reduce transit costs, and open access to the mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.”

Richard Holtum, CEO of Trafigura, said the railway “will drive economic development and support the movement of critical metals to global markets.”

Read more:

Angola's Lobito Atlantic Railway financial close

South Africa's largest private freight rail investment

South Africa secures World Bank loan for infrastructure revival

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.