Tech

SPAR Group announces sale of majority stake in South Africa

Published

8 months ago

April 6, 2024

Global merchandising firm, SPAR Group, has announced selling a majority stake of its interest in South Africa.

In a statement announcing the sale, the provider of merchandising, marketing and distribution services, said it was shedding its majority share in South Africa’s Meridian Group to the minority shareholder, Lindicom, for R181 million and the sale of SGRP Brasil Participações Ltda for 58.9 million BRL to a minority shareholder.

The transactions, according to the statement, have been approved by the SPAR Board of Directors and are expected to close in the second quarter.

“We completed a robust evaluation of the Company’s operations and structure, paying special attention to the quality of earnings for each of our businesses within each segment,” the statement signed by SPAR Group CEO, Mike Matacunas, said.

“Our divestitures of China, Australia, and National Merchandising Services joint ventures, as well as the sales of South Africa and Brazil included as Subsequent Event disclosures in the Form 10-K filed today, reflect the actions and results of our larger plan.

“In working through the strategic alternatives over the last 18 months, it became clear that growing through joint venture partnerships is complex and the process of re-patriating related cash from them is even more complicated.

“To create long-term value for shareholders, we have taken actions to simplify SPAR Group’s operating structure, bring in cash for further growth and use our brand equity and capital on a strategy that maximizes opportunities in the market and return on invested capital.

“We are confident that streamlining the operations and finances at SPAR Group will allow us to accelerate growth and generate better returns for our shareholders.”

The CEO added that as part of the divestiture agreements, Australia and The Meridian Group have also entered into software as a service (SAAS) agreements with SPAR Group to continue the use of SPAR’s technology.

Related Topics:Featured Sale South Africa SPAR Group

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Tech

Fintech startup DigMo launched in Zambia to gamify financial planning

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

DigMo, a gamified fintech startup which helps users to build wealth tools from low to middle-income earners, has been launched in Zambia.

CEO of the DigMo Group, Sylvia Brune, who made the announcement, says the platform which is licensed by the Bank of Zambia to operate a wallet, offers a secure, free digital money account with a special account for users to play a financial planning game which incentivises customers to get started putting money away for the future.

“By giving customers the chance to win big rewards, DigMo is encouraging sustainable habits,” said Brune.

She stated that with an initial rollout in Zambia, DigMo wallet’s first offering, Save to Win, will make putting money away regularly, easy and rewarding with no fixed costs or fees.

“DigMo Save to Win allows users to start with small amounts – from just ZMW10 (US$0.37) – for the chance to win prizes of up to ZMW500,000 (US$19,000).

“We are committed to financial planning innovation for low and middle-income earners across Africa. To achieve this meaningful impact, we approach this like a game studio – where we constantly create and test many new products until we find those with an outsized impact,” Brune said.

“If we just take existing products and make them more affordable or accessible, it is unlikely that we can dramatically change behaviours.

“To succeed, we have engaged directly with users, observing and learning from them to develop DigMo, a solution that will dramatically improve their financial well-being and meet their unique needs,” she added.

Tech

Kenya’s startup BuuPass partners with GiftPesa to launch digital travel vouchers

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing and transportation management solutions startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with fintech company, GiftPesa, to introduce digital travel vouchers ahead of the holiday season.

In a statement by BuuPass cofounder and CEO, Sonia Kabra, the move will offer a more flexible and convenient way for Kenyans to manage and gift travel arrangements during the bustling holiday period.

“We’ve noticed a growing demand for digital solutions in the travel industry, especially during peak periods like the holiday season,” said Kabra.

“This partnership with GiftPesa enhances the travel experience for our customers, offering them a convenient way to send travel tickets as gifts and have a safety net for unconfirmed travel dates.

“Unlike traditional paper vouchers that can expire or get lost, GiftPesa vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be redeemed in parts at over 3,000 outlets across the country.

“This flexibility allows recipients to use the vouchers for multiple trips or select their preferred destination, making travel more accessible,” she added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a leading B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

GiftPesa, on the other hand, is a fintech startup that provides businesses and individuals with a platform for creating digital vouchers.

The partnership between the two companies will introduce digital travel vouchers, helping users manage and gift travel arrangements during the bustling holiday period.