April 2018
What do you see as the key challenges facing the industry in the region over the coming 5-10 years and how is DSA Investments positioned to overcome these challenges?
There are two key challenges:
– Lack of infrastructure spend in midstream and downstream – creaking pipelines need to be replaced;
– Understanding how to embrace AI to add efficiencies in upstream, midstream and downstream which will yield to significant savings and shorten downtimes in large EPC projects
We are able to overcome these challenges by investing and working closely with Beyond Limits, a pioneering artificial intelligence company providing advanced cognitive solutions to the energy, and logistics sectors. Embracing AI will lead to field opex efficiency, well optimization and robotics will allow drilling to be undertaken in the most undesirable locations and very difficult for human access. www.beyond.ai.
How important is the Africa Assembly as a meeting platform for the industry and what are you most looking forward to at the Assembly?
The Africa Assembly is a wonderful venue to reconnect with all the African players and to grow in the understanding of how they survived the last four years.
One of the questions on your session is “Identifying what is needed in order to bring investors back into Africa; what makes a project attractive to Private Equity investors in Africa?”. What direction do you expect this discussion to go in at the Assembly?
The investor profile is not limited to PE, family offices, industrial groups and the large trading houses are all active. What is clear is that no one is willing to be a silent partner. The aspiration is to ensure that the portfolio companies implement international HSE and corporate governance standards and operate with a high degree of operational excellence and most importantly provide a return to their shareholders. Face time is very important in ensuring success.
What are some of the factors for potential investors to consider when looking at the African continent?
– Choose the right local partner
– fiscal regimes
– law of the land
– Can you obtain Access to qualified technical people?
Can you tell us a little bit about DSA Investment’s history on the African Continent?
My background in African E&P originated whilst I was at Kulczyk Investments, an international investment company founded by the late Dr. Jan Kulczyk – we invested in Africa via Neconde Energy in Nigeria and Ophir Energy – we played a very active role especially in Neconde which translated to our Group’s African success.
We currently have an interest in upstream assets in Ethiopia.
If you were to nominate an award winner for an industry success story from the last year, what would the award be and who/ which company would you award it too?
Africa Oil – great move to be acquired by Maersk Oil.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Never eat alone, the most successful partnerships work when everyone is aligned on all levels – sharing is caring – give back to society via education.
About Manoj Narender Madnani
Manoj is a well rounded alternative asset manager with a proven combination of business development, deal creation/ deal origination, human resource optimization, marketing, operations, due diligence, legal, P&L management, conflict resolution and public speaking domain expertise. Able to operate in multi-cultural environments, and has strategic skills both on an origination level and a portfolio level which ensure efficient management of the portfolio monitoring team. Significant M&A experience with income, market and asset approaches and has experience integrating companies globally. Successful business development track record and has built strong relationships in global growth markets. Successfully been involved directly in transactions totalling US$ 5.0 billion. In addition, capital markets experience in Canada, Poland, UK and the USA. Well versed in external affairs and maintaining commercial joint-venture and government relationships. In country efforts have always been focused on adding value back to the society through sustainable philanthropy.
Manoj has a strong background in origination, corporate finance, international transactions and corporate strategy. Has led global transactions from origination to exit with a stellar record covering the automotive, energy, FMCG, infrastructure, logistics, mining and technology sectors. Prior to founding The DSA Group, he was the Managing Director for 8 years with the Kulczyk family (2007 to 2015) focusing on developing their international footprint. As a Board Member of Kulczyk Investments SA (Luxembourg) directly responsible for their investment portfolio in global growth markets which resulted in significant gains for the family globally with significant increase in the portfolio NAV during his tenure.
Manoj Narender Madnani will be joining the Oil & Gas Council as a speaker at the 2018 Africa Assembly, taking place on the 5th and 6th of June in Paris. For more information about the Assembly, click here.
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