6 reasons to invest in Africa – World Economic Forum

Construction sites are seen below the skyline of Johannesburg's upmarket Sandton suburb, February 5, 2016.

Image: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

The conversation about Africa is shifting from one of “deficits” and “gaps” to one about opportunities, prospects, ventures and creativity. That’s not news to companies that have paid close attention to the continent and invested there. The fast growing youth population, the urbanization expected to drive over 50% of Africans to cities by 2050, and Africa’s formalizing economy are all well known. These trends and other developments have driven a half century or more of growth in Africa, and will continue to do so. read more

Guul Group : Young entrepreneur abandons life in the West to spearhead investments in Somaliland



What is it that is driving the prosperity in this island in a region torn apart by decades of political and social upheavals?
No single factor is responsible, but peace, stability, a patriotic citizenry, and functioning civil service have all contributed. But arguably the most important development has been the return of hundreds of Diaspora ‘Somalilanders’ who have abandoned life in the West to set up business in the country.
Mr Mahamed-Guled, is one such returnee. After several years living in the West , Guled decided to follow his dream of playing a part in the economic development of his ancestral land. In Somaliland  he and a small team of young people floated the Guul Group, a commercial conglomerate that runs a range of services – from agro-processing to transport and logistics, construction, fisheries, import/export, and business consultancy. read more

The rise of Africans Investing in Africa (AIA)

AIA-VC4A

This article previously appeared on Huffington Post and is published with permission.

“Africans Investing in Africa is the best way forward for Africans to have ownership of their development process” write Ibrahim Sagna &Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa. “With a market place of over one billion people and all associated opportunities, there is little excuse not to invest!”

Foreign firms are not the only ones heavily investing in Africa’s numerous opportunities, shows the “Africa attractiveness survey 2013, getting down to business” published by Ernst & Young (E&Y). Increasingly, Africans, who were previously Missing In Action (MIA), are becoming Africans investing in Africa (AIA). Investments range from individuals in Africa, the diaspora, the private sector, governments, multilaterals and even social enterprises. read more

Untapped Investment Opportunities in Africa

The raggedy cargo truck drives onto the ferry which immediately sinks deeply into the water, only seemingly buoyed by the grace of mother nature. The truck appears misplaced on the ferry, but locals assure me that this is the cheapest and quickest route to the final destination. “This is Africa” is often an overused phrase, but this truck is a microcosm of the continent’s transport and logistical challenges (and subsequent investment opportunities).

It is an often overlooked fact, but only about 30% of African roads are paved, and 50% remain in “poor condition,” according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. It is this reality that makes shipping cement from Shanghai to the shores of Djibouti about 60% cheaper than shipping from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to neighboring Djibouti by road. This statistic does not indicate better things for ports. The same UN report estimates that Africa’s ports productivity is mere 30% of the international norm. This is logistics in Africa. But why? read more

Why Invest in Somaliland?

Dr M A Omar Trade & Foreign investment Minister Dr M A Omar Trade & Foreign investment Minister

“Because Somaliland is open for business as well as its well-established peace and stability as well as its economic potentials that remain untapped thence very lucrative for investment both foreign and local” Trade and foreign investment minister

By: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Somaliland is signaling to all potential investors that it is “open for business,” having progressed from a post-conflict situation to a state of political stability and sustainable economic development. Underpinned by this transformation, Somaliland is now firmly in a period where it is able to encourage foreign investment. read more

Shirkadda Tamarta Sterling oo ku soo Biirtay Baadhista Shidaalka ee Blooga Oodweyne

Sterling EnergyGuul Group aad iyo aad aya usoo dhawaynaysaa heshiiskan oo larajaynayo in Somaliland faaido badan kusoo kordhinkarta. PetroSoma iyo Sterling Energy waanu ku faraxsanahay, waanu la shaqaynaynaa, waanu la dadaalaynaa.

London() War maanta laga soo saaray suuqa ganacsiga saamiyada ee London ayaa shaaca ka qaaday in shirkada tamarta Sterling ay heshiis la gashay shirkadda Petrosoma,heshiiskaas oo shirkadda Sterling u ogolaanaya inay hesho 10% wada shaqaynta iskaashiga shirkadaha Genel,Jacka, Petrosoma ee Balooga Oodweyne. read more

Guul Group to Handle Pontus Marine Fisheries Investment Portfolio

By: Abdirahman YonisAhmed Abdulqadir Ahmed Abdulqadir

Somalilandsun – Due to The Development of the country, Pontus Marine Limited which is Somaliland’s First global Fishing Company with its aim of focusing on supplying quality fishery to domestic and overseas market Welcomes Local Investment Participation to Somaliland.

Speaking to Somalilandsun Mr. Ahmed Abdulqadir Ahmed Public and Communication Manager to Pontus Marine said that Their Company is launching a Development Program to the Country towards Fishing Opportunities read more

Somaliland: Pontus Marine Ltd Launches in Hargeisa September 1st 2013

By: Yusuf M Hasan

Somalilandsun – Pontus Marine Ltd- Hargeisa Launch organized by Guul Group will be 8:30am on Sunday 1st of September at Ambassador Hotel.

Pontus Marine which was founded in 2013 with an aim of providing quality fishery to both

domestic and overseas markets through harnessing the country’s fishing sector shall be issuing company shares worth $5m to the public during the Hargeisa launch at Ambassador Hotel on 1st September 2013.

The Pontius Marine Fishery sector development program shall be based in Mayd and Berbera, Somaliland, which is one of the most productive phytoplankton and zooplankton areas in the world, sustaining rich feeding and nursery grounds for more than 600 fish species, including high value species like tuna, lobster, cuttlefish, shrimps, shark and many more. read more

Somaliland: Pontus Marine Investment Targets the over 600 Species of Fishes in national Waters

ublic share issue in Berbera takes place after technical differences between organizers and Sahil regional administration are solved amicably then not amicably

By: Yusuf M HasanPontus Marine MD Abokor poses an investors querry in BerberaPontus Marine MD Abokor poses an investors querry in Berbera

BERBERA (Somalilandsun) – Residents of Sahil region finally received briefing on the fisheries sector development program fronted by the Pontus Marine Ltd that is issuing shares of the company worth $5m

Despite the failure to undertake the function a day earlier caused by the police which ordered organizers to stop activities then in motion at the Barwago Hotel in Berbera following orders of the regional governor the program went on the following day (28th) as planned. read more

Somaliland: Toghdeer Region Responds Positively to Pontius Marine Shares Issue

By: Yusuf M HasanMr Abokor presents Pontus marine to Toghdeer residents in BuraoMr Abokor presents Pontus marine to Toghdeer residents in Burao

BURAO (Somalilandsun) – The public issue of Pontus marine company shares worth $5m expects to garner over $600,000 in Toghdeer region following the launch of the first ever issue of such shares in the country in Burao town.

At a function organized by the Guul Group consultancy company 79 resident5s of the sprawling region in the east and home to the biggest livestock market in Somaliland registered for purchase of a diversified number of the Pontus marine ltd shares each worth $500.

The prospective shareholders of Pontus marine an international company owned by somalilanders mostly in the Diaspora is to be partners in a fisheries sector development that will see the country attempt for the first to have its marine resources fully benefitting residents.

During a presentation at the Burao function held at the cities Barwago hotel –Omaar building a company director Mr. Ahmed Abokor who made a presentation on the fisheries program of his company and later fielded questions to the assembled prospective investors informed that the main objective is not only to develop the sector which is currently of benefit to foreigners both legal and illegal but to have active participation of citizens as well.

The Managing director who gave various aspects of the fisheries sector development plan of the company further urged citizens to take part in the innovative fisheries strategies designed by Pontus marine by acquiring shares in the company thence became part of an innovative plan.

According to Mr. Abokor hundreds of somalilanders in the Diaspora have already acquired Pontus marine ltd fisheries development shares thence the opportunity for local based ones to do likewise through the $5m worth of shares on offer.

A section of participants at the Burao Share issue A section of participants at the Burao Share issue”The company is focusing on supplying fully processed quality fishery to both domestic and overseas markets through the acquisition of state of the art technology and the establishment of canning factories in a number of port cities” said Mr. Abokor

In conclusion of his presentation the Pontus marine director further revealed that “Not only shall the successful implementation of this program greatly facilitate locals benefit from their marine resources but create over 400 new jobs in the fishery and other related sectors like services, transport and hospitality etc”

Having successfully completed its first foray of organizing and conducting the Pontus marine shares issue in Burao Guul Group is in Sahil Region where residents of the country’s major fishing industry shall be availed a similar opportunity at the Barwago hotel in Berbera town on 27th August 2013 at 6pm followed by Marodhi-jeeh region a few days later.

Be there to be part of this great innovative project designed to stimulate the country’s fishing industry thus provide sustainable livelihoods, employment opportunities and economic development.

For details on how to participate in this venture for citizens outside the country or in other parts of the country kindly Contact the Guul Group Managing Director Mr. Guleid Telephone 00252 24735293 and emailgrowth@guulgroup.com

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Somaliland: Pontus Marine Share Issue Targets 400 New Employment Opportunities