We believe the private sector is the engine of any economy. Behind this growth is a list of companies that are having a disproportionate impact. In each country, 100 top companies are carefully identified based on current performance and future potential. This forward looking list includes large multinationals but also captures local mid-market family businesses and innovative high growth start-ups. All are set to play an influential role in the future growth of their economy.
Below are just some of the companies that are represented:
ZAMBIA SUGAR
Zambia Sugar posted record production of 424,024 tonnes during the milling season ending December 2014. ‘This is the highest tonnage produced by a single sugar factory on the African continent in any given season.’
REBECCA KATOWA, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Zambia Sugar Plc is the country’s largest sugar producer following a major agricultural and factory expansion project completed in 2009 which more than doubled total sugar production capacity to 450 000 tons.
As one of the largest employers in the agricultural sector in the country, Zambia Sugar cultivates sugar cane and manufactures Vitamin A-enriched raw and refined sugar under the Whitespoon brand. This is sold to local consumer markets, industrial customers, and is also increasingly exported regionally into neighbouring Africa countries and beyond to the EU.
LAFARGE
‘Lafarge Zambia’s priority is to invest not just in equipment and production capacities but also in people.’
EMMANUEL RIGAUX, CEO
Lafarge Zambia is the leading supplier of cement and construction solutions in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and a subsidiary of Lafarge – the world leader in building materials.
As the biggest company listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange, Lafarge Zambia operates a nationwide network of facilities which includes two integrated cement plants in Chilanga and Ndola. Their new plant “Big Chilanga” will be the largest cement plant in the entire Southern Africa region.
OFF GRID ELECTRIC
‘We have pioneered a business model that allows consumers with no formal credit to use their existing energy budget to finance solar.’
XAVIER HELGESEN, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO
Off Grid Electric have created a distributed solar model, known locally as M-POWER. For the same amount that customers already spend on kerosene or candles, they provide clean energy with 25 times more light and power for additional energy appliances like TVs and radios.
The company’s big idea is applying the mobile phone industry’s business model to the provision of electric power allowing customers to pre-pay for electrical services (e.g, light, TV, mobile phone charging) weekly via mobile money.
Off Grid Electric currently operate in Tanzania and Rwanda, including a partnership with the President of Tanzania to reach one million homes and create 15,000 jobs locally.
UMEME
‘As we invest, we are reducing energy losses, connecting more customers and expanding the network.’
SELESTINO BABUNGI, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Umeme is the largest electricity distribution company in Uganda, with a concession to manage the nation’s power distribution network until 2025.
A flagship distribution company in Africa, Umeme operate, maintain, upgrade and expand the distribution network of retail electricity to customers while improving efficiency across the network. Its customer base is broad including domestic, commercial, medium industrial, large industrial and street lighting. All are served by a growing distribution network of over 26,000 kilometres of medium and low voltage lines covering all hubs in the country.
