Tech

Adenia Partners acquires Air Liquide’s operations in 12 African countries

Published

4 months ago

July 25, 2024

Adenia Partners, a leading private equity firm, has completed the acquisition of Air Liquide’s operations in 12 African countries, adopting the name Erium, which will make it a pan-African leader in industrial and medical gases.

The acquisition which was first announced in March, was formally closed on Monday July 22, marking the latest in a series of controlling-stake deals and acquisitions by Adenia which has focused on growth opportunities in Africa for over 20 years.

Effective immediately, Erium will replace the Air Liquide brand in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Togo.

Christophe Scalbert, a Senior Partner at Adenia, in a statement on Wednesday, said the launch of the new Erium brand signifies the beginning of a new era for its assets.

“The birth of Erium is remarkable in more ways than one. It is the culmination of an acquisition project by an African entity from an international actor; a large-scale project covering a vast geographical area and involving activities essential to the development of the continent,” said Scalbert.

“Above all, though, it is the beginning of an exciting future due to the growth prospects it offers; growth that we are committed to fully supporting for the benefit of employees, customers, and the local economic fabric.”

He stated that Erium leadership, supported by Adenia, aims to deliver value for the full spectrum of stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, and local communities.

“The [R] sound evokes “air,” highlighting the essential natural resource integral to many gas solutions.

“Meanwhile, the [IUM] lettering suggests the scientific foundation of gases and materials, as well as premium quality and optimal solutions.

“Erium’s international name is both serious and robust, yet simple and accessible, embodying historical expertise and new agility,” he added.

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.