HiPipo Money

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Hisham El-Khazindar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Citadel Capital, discusses Egypt’s transitional period and the challenges that the country faces as it attempts to address structural problems and move forward with its political road map

Citadel Capital Co-Founder and Managing Director, Hisham El-Khazindar took center stage at the Euromoney Egypt Conference to discuss some of Egypt’s most pressing economic issues as well as Citadel Capital’s transformation into an investment holding company and the role that the firm hopes to play in growing Egypt’s economy.

“Egypt has been stuck in a period of transition even before the January 25th revolution,” said El-Khazindar. “Long before the revolution, we were facing complex structural issues such as the energy subsidy system and the system of taxation and how it relates to social justice.”

When asked what had changed in Egypt post-revolution, El-Khazindar acknowledged that there are some positive steps that have been taken.

“The first positive is that the present government is the most competent cabinet that we have seen in the past 3 years. From a funding point of view we are also in a much stronger position. The funding that we have gotten from the Gulf States has allowed the current government to achieve a temporary state of normality that we didn’t have a few months ago. Extreme fuel shortages and mass blackouts have abated for the time being,” said El-Khazindar.

“The negative side of this return to normalcy is that it’s superficial. The fundamental problems that we had 6 years ago have not yet been tackled. We do not yet have a proper welfare structure in place, energy subsidies have not been dismantled and the importation of energy has not been opened up. The energy problems are crucial because without access to sufficient sources of energy new companies cannot be established which places a constraint on future economic growth.”

“Despite the fact that we have a competent government that is fully aware of what we are dealing with, the tough measures that are necessary to solve our current problems have not yet been taken,” he added.

Commenting on the issue of energy subsidies in particular El-Khazindar pointed out that as long as the subsidy debate is positioned as removal vs. status quo, nothing will change.

“The solution to the subsidy conundrum is to present the issue as a provision of a new social security package for citizens in need rather than a subsidy removal. Cash subsidies, which have been successful in countries such as Brazil and Iran, will have a much stronger social impact than the present system,” said El-Khazindar.

Irrespective of the current challenges, Citadel Capital the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East with US$ 9.5 billion in investments under control has been actively pursuing its business goals. The firm is now completing a c. USD 520 million share issuance that will fuel its transformation from a hybrid private equity firm into an investment holding company with majority ownership of most of its platform companies in five core industries: energy, transportation, agrifoods, mining and cement.

“We have never been a traditional private equity firm. We are long-term investors who invest to build businesses rather than buy and sell businesses. The transformation into an investment holding company is simply an adaptation of our structure to reflect our strategy,” said El-Khazindar.

The new structure will also allow Citadel Capital to focus on the industries that it knows best and where it can have the greatest impact. Post revolution, the firm completed one of the largest-ever project finance transactions in Africa (the US$ 3.7 billion Egyptian Refining company). The project, which will reduce Egypt’s present-day diesel imports by more than half, is a key component of Egypt’s energy security.

“With projects like ERC we hope to provide solutions to some of Egypt’s most pressing economic problems,” said El-Khazindar.

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As Africans celebrated a decade of Pan African Content at the Discop conference recently held in Sandton Johannesburg, calls were made for a stronger focus on the further development of the local content industry.                                                                                                                             

At the conference that gathered content producers across the continent, pay-television operator Multichoice Africa, a key partner of the conference with a presence in over 50 countries in the continent and its adjacent islands, applauded content producers for their contribution and commitment to producing quality local content in the continent. Through its AfricaMagic channels, MultiChoice Africa believes that telling authentic African stories should be a key driver to Africa’s growth story. 

“As MultiChoice Africa we believe that Africans deserve only the best television viewing experience. With digital migration on the horizon, we are fully geared up to ensure everyone from all walks of life has access to digital television. Our GOtv offering available now in 8 countries features great family entertainment at a price that everyone can afford with a selection of local channels made in Africa for Africa,” says Nico Meyer, CEO of Multichoice Africa.

 “As the industry grows and as new platforms open up, we expect to see content evolving – finding innovative ways to appeal to viewers anywhere anytime. In this way there will be increased capacity to flight more local content thereby creating more opportunities for local producers,” he said.

At the conference, producers called for more filming opportunities, budgets and most importantly, greater investment in the development of local talent through skills transfer, training and innovative technologies. A strong emphasis was put on reflecting African values in particular amongst children and educational programming with one delegate stating, “we need to create cartoons for the African child, reflecting African values”. The conference affirmed that this is Africa’s time with panelist revealing the continent’s vast appetite for Ghanaian, Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan content throughout Africa.

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The long awaited Bell Fiesta in MUK that was held in co junction with the annual Lumbox carnival started out as a cold and frosty one ended in pomp and excitement as students of Makerere University warmed up to the extravaganza that has excited revelers across the country.

Held on Saturday at the Makerere University Sports Grounds, thousands of students from the university turned up in a bid to celebrate the long tradition of Lumbox, the name given to the solidarity between Mary Stuart and Lumumba Halls of residence that unites students from the two halls in a number of events.

With events including the culture week, porridge night and a reunion dinner with former residents that was very exciting this year, the Lumbox Carnival turned out to be a thrilling affair as the Bell Fiesta took its great combination of music and soccer to East Africa’s oldest University giving an unforgettable experience to the students’ community.

From soccer activities like Timed Dribbling, Computer Football Gaming, Inflatable Goal Penalty Shootouts and Foosball, the party went on well into the night as teams competed against each other in an evening that can only be described as chilly but entertaining. Sumbiz, PDA, Super Strikas and Hanks were the teams that were formed to battle it out in the ultimate thriller the Human Table Foosball which is a life-size simulation of the table-top foosball version.

Team PDA emerged the winners of the night against Team Sumbiz with a score of 2-1.The winner of the night walked away with 400,000 UGX and prizes like t-shirts and flash disks.

Speaking at the event Robert Nsibirwa Bell Lager Brand Manager said “We are more than delighted to be part of the Lumbox carnival, one of the oldest events in the history of  Makerere University as Bell lager we continue to deliver the Bell Fiesta as  it is great games, great fun and it is 100% Bell Lager.”

There was a wide variety of musical talent with performances from upcoming musicians, campus artistes and influencers, the young and hip bell buzz dancers and the renowned Cindy, Irene Ntale, Mun G, Big Trill from Baboon Forest.

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Shareholder approval on the capital increase is a key step in a process that will see Citadel Capital transform into an investment company;

The capital increase will in part result in the firm acquiring majority control of most of its platform companies in five core industries: energy, transport, agrifoods, mining and cement

Shareholders of Citadel Capital (CCAP.CA on the Egyptian Exchange), the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East with US$ 9.5 billion in investments under control, approved on 20 October 2013 the launch of an EGP 3.64 billion capital increase at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held yesterday in Cairo.

The share issuance will be at par value (EGP 5) and would see the firm’s paid-in capital rise to EGP 8.0 billion from EGP 4.36 billion.

The share issuance is part of the firm’s transformation from the largest private equity firm in Africa into the leading investment company in the region. Citadel Capital will use the share issuance to reach majority ownership in most of its platform companies, in particular the firm’s subsidiaries in its five core industries: energy, transportation, agrifoods, mining and cement.

The firm plans to exit non-core investments over the coming few years as it transforms its business model to become an investment company.

“Approval to launch the capital increase signals clear shareholder confidence in our transformation into an investment company,” said Citadel Capital Chairman and Founder Ahmed Heikal. “The long-term holding periods permitted by the new model will allow Citadel Capital to maximize value creation through a balanced portfolio that includes a healthy mix of both assets that provide stable dividend streams and that are cash generative, and others that are in high-growth phases.”                                                                                                                                           

Yesterday’s EGM called on shareholders to subscribe to 728,375,000 newly issued shares, of which 182,093,750 are preferred shares and 546,281,250 common shares.

Shareholders will participate in the share issuance on a pro-rata basis.

The EGM also authorized Heikal, in his capacity as chairman, to announce the subscription period and to call for a subsequent subscription round in the event that the share issuance is not fully subscribed in the first instance, all according to the relevant rules and regulations of the General Authority for Investment (GAFI) and the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority (EFSA).

The EGM has also mandated that the Board of Directors amend articles 6 and 7 of the company’s articles of incorporation, while taking all necessary measures to ensure the firm’s compliance with Article 27 and Executive Regulation Number 122 of the Capital Markets Law, to which the firm is subject as a company involved in establishing and raising capital for other legal entities.

Attendees at the Extraordinary General Meeting were informed of all resolutions concluded during a previous ordinary general meeting (OGM) held on 2 June 2013, which ratified valuation reports on the fair value of platform companies that have been completed by HC Securities (an independent financial consultant certified by EFSA), and ratified by shareholders along with the relevant auditor’s report. At the OGM, shareholders also voted to allow Citadel Capital’s Board of Directors to execute the acquisition of the additional stakes in the company’s subsidiaries. These purchases will be settled through the proposed issuance of shares to which participating LPs have undertaken to subscribe.

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1. How was your experience on Tusker Project Fame show?

The experience was priceless and so beautiful we had a lot of fun with other contestants from all East Africa and we made lots of friends. Generally it was a once in a lifetime experience

1. What have been your most memorable moments in the Tusker Project Fame show so far?

All moments were memorable but the tour to the media center was massive because we enjoyed every bit of it from the limo to the fans screaming out names.

2. What challenges did you face in the house?

At times when the other contestants spoke Swahili we felt left out and also the song choices were also a major challenge we faced.

3. Any friendships you made whilst you were in the academy?

Apart from the Ugandans, we got close to Jennifer, Bior, Patrick, Mishel, Hope, Fess, Hisia, Amosho, Angela, Nyambura, Phionah…actually almost everyone!

4. What do you have planned next now that you are out of the academy?

We are going to push our music to the extremes now that we’ve gotten exposure, we can’t wait to get into the studio and start recording.

5. What words of wisdom do you have for contestants who are still in the Tusker Project Fame academy or those who want to audition next year?

To all the contestants and those who would like to audition is that dreams come true if they keep fighting for the dreams they have. It is never easy but it’s worth the fight.

6. Any predictions on who may win this year?

Kojjo or Daisy might win but only if Ugandans are willing to support them.

7. How can your fans get to hear more from you?

Let them follow us on Facebook, the fan page is “Undercover Brothers UG”

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Marketers in Uganda have today unanimously pledged to scale the industry higher in 2014 and move their portfolios from Good to Great during the 3^rd and final Marketers Night for 2013 held at the Kampala Serena.

With a key note speech from Founding Director of The Motivator Africa, Mr. Pepe Minambo on “New Frontier Thinking: How Mavericks Move Businesses from Good to Great”, the huge get-together of marketing professionals noted that the industry has his year performed well but observed that more can be done as regards world class standard marketing.

The glamorous event afforded guests the chance to network and interact with their peers from various corporate companies, government agencies and business leaders who all echoed the message from echoed Mr. Pepe Minambo.

Marketers Night Out has throughout the year attracted some well-known industry players and speakers to dialogue and share their expertise. Mr. Pepe Minambo, a Congolese national began his motivational forums back in 2002 and has been inspiring audiences since with talks about self-awareness, self-actualization and community aspiration, the three pillars of his motivational talks. His Keynote was “New Frontier thinking: How mavericks move business from Good to Great” inspired a great number of professionals.

The Tusker Malt Lager sponsored gala dinner is a culmination of a program of events, exclusive to TML 100 Club members. Considered a key business and networking event in Uganda, the Marketers night puts the gift of talking and making new connections at the core of what it means to be a great business.  The exclusive evening provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and business managers to interact and exchange ideas.

Speaking at the event, Uganda Breweries Limited, Marketing Director Mrs. Grace Nshemeire Gwaku said: “Through your presence here, you have not only successfully introduced your company and brand  to another person or business market but you have also been able to see  the enormous talent and creativity that is now so much a part of Uganda’s marketing and business industry. I hope that all of your diners have enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with peers and new acquaintances and forge new working relationships and friendships. I really look forward to seeing the results of these collaborations in future.”

Along with helpful information to help elevate businesses and marketing strategies the night’s entertainment also included a full quiz session at the forum where dinner guests competed for a grand prize of UGX 2,000,000 in categories of Anthems, Brands, Music, Movies, Places, and Faces.

Team “Synergies” emerged the winners of the quiz and walked away with 2,000,000 Ugx in cash at the end of the night. Tusker Malt Lager will continue to bring the Kampala Marketers Night as their commitment to growing the marketing industry of Uganda.