Africa and the United Kingdom: challenges and opportunities to expand UK investments

Research reports and studies

January 2020 Maximiliano Mendez-Parra, Sherillyn Raga and Lily Somme

This report highlights the opportunities and challenges facing UK firms when investing or conducting business in Africa, with a particular emphasis on the non-extractive sector. It highlights the mutual benefits for Africa, in terms of economic transformation and growth, and for the UK, in diversifying investments in rapidly expanding markets. The study draws from data on UK investments in Africa, and information provided by more than 75 UK companies operating in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. read more

Horn of Africa: Guul Group to assist with Asoko Insight digital DealRoom

Asoko Insight Investment platform

Somalilandsun:”Asoko Insight is facilitating a deal room for the Department of International Trade (DIT) of the UK government to put African companies in touch with British investors.

The digital DealRoom will take advantage of Asoko’s unique data acquisition model and unrivalled corporate database of over 100,000 private African companies to support the UK’s partnership with Africa to build a secure and prosperous future for all our citizens.

This digital deal room launched at the UK-Africa Investment Summit. You may read more about Asoko’s partnership with DIT here: https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/asoko-launches-department-for-international-trade-dit-dealroom-at-the-forthcoming-ukafrica-investment-summit?lang=en read more

Somaliland: Ethiopia Acquires 19% Stake in DP World Berbera Port

Somalilandsun-DP World, the United Arab Emirates-based maritime conglomerate, has announced that Ethiopia will become a shareholder of the Port of Berbera in Somaliland, a crucial site for Middle Eastern trade, strategically located along the oil route.

This announcement follows an agreement that was signed by DP World and the Somaliland Port Authority in Dubai on March 1, 2018.

DP World will hold a 51% stake in the project, Somaliland 30% and Ethiopia the remaining 19%.

The government of Ethiopia will also invest in infrastructure to develop the Berbera Corridor as a trade gateway for the inland country of Somaliland, which is one of the fastest growing nations in the world. 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

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 Share Issue Targets 400 New Employment Opportunities

By: Yusuf M HasanGuul Group and Pontus marine ltd officials at the progream Launch in HargeisaGuul Group and Pontus marine ltd officials at the progream Launch in Hargeisa

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Pontus Marine Ltd Somaliland’s first global fishing company focusing on supplying quality fishery to both domestic and overseas markets has launched its local operations with the issue of $5m worth of shares of the company to the public.

At a function organized by Guul Group Consultancy at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa the Managing Director of Pontus Marine Ltd Mr. Ahmed Abokor revealed that over 400 new employment opportunities are targeted following the share issue to the public.

“So far hundreds of somalilanders in the Diaspora have already acquired Pontus marine ltd fisheries development shares” said Mr. Abokor as he informed that $5m worth of shares are on offer for citizens.

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.

The Pontus marine fishery program shall provided canned marine products packed in establishments to be established in Hiis and Mayd ports in Sanaag region.

The company’s public share issue shall initially be held in three cities is spearheaded by Guul Group which is organizing the launch of this much needed investment and subsequent operations startup.

Following the press conference that launched the program Guul Group has organized the following itinerary for the Pontus marine bosses to officiated at the share issues

1. Toghdeer region at Barwago Hotel Burao on 26th August 2013 at 6pm

2. Sahil Region at Barwago Hotel Berbera on 27th August 2013 at 6pm

3. Marodhi-jeeh region at Ambassador Hotel Hargeisa on 28th August 2013 at 6pm

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.

The two companies of Guul Group -organizing and Pontus Marine Ltd-implementing are owned by somalilanders in the Diaspora with broad international and local consultancy and investment experience.

Related

Public Announcement: Business opportunities at Petrosoma and Pontus Marine Limited

Guul Group Investment Consultancy Partner in Somaliland

Somaliland: Pontus Marine to Issue Fisheries Development Shares

Somaliland: Guul Group to Spearheads Pontus Marine Fishery Development Shares Issue

Somalilandsun – Guul Group is organizing a launch for Pontus Marine Ltd Somaliland’s first global fishing company focusing on supplying quality fishery to both domestic and overseas markets.

The launch is for selling $5m worth of shares for the company. This much needed investment for Somaliland.

The two companies are owned by somalilanders in the Diaspora with local operations in the country where Pontus Marine Ltd www.pontusmarine.com;  is in the process of initiating a broad share issues in the company as pertains to fishery sector development while Guul Group www.guulgroup.com  specializes on investment and economic development consultancy in which it has distinguished itself so far.

Guul Group under contract from Pontus Marine Ltd is cordially inviting those citizens interested in acquiring shares in fishery development to a launch of shares issues worth $5m at the following dates and venues where your presence would very much be appreciated:

9am – 11am Sunday 25th Aug in Ambassador Hotel Hargeisa

9am – 11am Monday 26th Aug in Maansor Hotel Berbera

9am – 11am Tuesday 27th Aug at the University of Burao

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.

Related

Public Announcement: Business opportunities at Petrosoma and Pontus Marine Limited

Guul Group Investment Consultancy Partner in Somaliland

Somaliland: Pontus Marine to Issue Fisheries Development Shares