Could you briefly introduce yourself and your firm, the ADS AFRICA Group?
Zalba Djidda, Président Fondateur du Groupe ADS AFRICA, CEO du Cabinet d’Experts en Etude de Projets. Le groupe ADS Africa, une centrale d’achat de premier plan, se spécialise dans la fourniture d’équipements et de solutions destinés aux secteurs stratégiques tels que l’industrie pétrolière, minière et industrielle en général.
You supply industrial equipment for the oil and gas sector. What types of equipment do you offer?
Dans le secteur pétrolier, ADS Africa propose des équipements pour l’exploration et le forage, tels que les sondes de forage, tiges, équipements de levage, pompes à boue et outils de diagraphie. Pour la production et le traitement, il fournit des séparateurs huile/gaz/eau, pompes submersibles, compresseurs, turbines, valves et échangeurs de chaleur.
Dans le secteur minier, les solutions couvrent l’exploration et l’extraction avec des foreuses, excavatrices, chargeuses, camions lourds et équipements de dynamitage. Pour le traitement des minéraux, ADS offre des concasseurs, broyeurs, convoyeurs, classificateurs et séparateurs.
Enfin, pour le raffinage et le transport, l’entreprise fournit des colonnes de distillation, pipelines, pompes, stations de pompage, filtres et systèmes de purification. Cette gamme d’équipements démontre la capacité du Groupe ADS Africa à répondre aux besoins variés et complexes des industries pétrolières et minières.
Qu’est-ce qui vous attire particulièrement dans le secteur du pétrole, du gaz, de l’énergie et des mines en Afrique ?
L’Afrique bénéficie d’une abondance exceptionnelle de ressources naturelles, faisant du continent un acteur stratégique dans les secteurs du pétrole, du gaz et des mines.
Abundance of natural resources
L’Afrique détient certaines des plus grandes réserves mondiales de pétrole, de gaz et de minéraux stratégiques. Par exemple, des pays comme le Nigeria, l’Angola, l’Algérie et le Sénégal disposent de vastes réserves de pétrole brut et de gaz naturel, offrant des opportunités d’investissement significatives. Par ailleurs, le continent est riche en minerais essentiels pour l’industrie mondiale, tels que l’or, le diamant, le cobalt, le lithium et l’uranium.
Opportunities for economic growth
L’industrie pétrolière et gazière constitue un moteur crucial pour le développement économique en Afrique. Elle génère des opportunités d’investissement dans l’exploration, la production et les infrastructures associées. Par ailleurs, l’industrialisation rapide des économies africaines stimule une forte demande en équipements modernes, en technologies avancées et en solutions adaptées aux spécificités locales.
Infrastructure and the need for modernisation
De nombreuses infrastructures dans les secteurs de l’énergie et de l’industrie nécessitent une modernisation ou un remplacement. Cette situation crée un marché attractif pour les entreprises spécialisées. De plus, les projets de construction de raffineries, de pipelines et de centrales électriques représentent des opportunités à long terme pour les investisseurs et les acteurs du secteur.
Government support and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
African governments are putting in place favourable policies to attract foreign investment, notably through tax incentives, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and regulatory reforms. In addition, renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) initiatives are opening up new prospects for sustainable development.
Creating local value and social impact
L’engagement dans ces secteurs permet de créer des emplois, de soutenir les économies locales et de renforcer la chaîne de valeur industrielle. ADS Africa contribue activement à cet impact sociétal en fournissant des équipements de qualité et en collaborant avec des partenaires locaux pour développer les compétences et les capacités sur le continent.
Réseaux et relations d’affaires
Établir des partenariats solides avec les gouvernements et les entreprises locales constitue un avantage stratégique essentiel pour réussir dans ces secteurs. En tant qu’intermédiaire, ADS Africa joue un rôle clé en connectant des investisseurs internationaux et des entreprises aux nombreuses opportunités qu’offre le marché africain. Grâce à ces atouts, l’Afrique se positionne comme une région stratégique pour le développement industriel et économique global.
How is the ADS AFRICA Group contributing to the development of these industries in Africa? ?
ADS Africa plays a key role in the development of the oil, gas and industrial industries in Africa. Through its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, the Group is actively contributing to the economic and industrial transformation of the continent.
En tant que centrale d’achat, ADS Africa fournit des équipements industriels essentiels aux secteurs pétroliers, gaziers et miniers. Ces équipements, conformes aux normes internationales, garantissent une performance optimale et une grande durabilité. Le groupe propose également une large gamme de solutions adaptées aux besoins spécifiques des projets africains, qu’il s’agisse de forage, d’extraction ou de raffinage.
ADS Africa also supports governments and private companies in the development of critical infrastructure, such as pipelines, refineries and energy plants. By offering modern, tailored solutions, the Group is helping to modernise industrial sites and optimise production chains.
Developing local skills and creating jobs are also key priorities for ADS Africa. Through training programmes, the Group transfers its expertise to local teams, encouraging better management of equipment and technologies. It also supports local employment in the projects it accompanies, thereby strengthening the autonomy and capacity of communities.
With a network in more than 18 countries, ADS Africa acts as a strategic intermediary, connecting international investors with promising local projects. It also establishes technical partnerships between African companies or governments and experts, supporting a shared vision of industrial development.
Against a backdrop of energy transition, ADS Africa is committed to more sustainable energy. The Group supports projects based on natural gas, considered to be a clean energy solution, and is developing solutions adapted to renewable energies, such as solar and wind power.
By facilitating the supply of equipment to hard-to-reach areas, ADS Africa is helping to solve logistical challenges. This approach improves the efficiency and reduces the costs of industrial projects, while guaranteeing rapid execution.
Enfin, ADS Africa s’aligne sur les stratégies nationales de développement des pays africains en soutenant les initiatives d’industrialisation et en favorisant l’exportation des ressources locales tout en ajoutant de la valeur sur place.
What are your medium and long-term objectives for the ADS AFRICA Group?
ADS Africa incarne une vision claire et ambitieuse pour le développement industriel en Afrique. Grâce à une stratégie structurée, le groupe s’engage à contribuer significativement à la transformation économique du continent, avec des objectifs définis à moyen et long terme.
In the medium term (3 to 5 years), ADS Africa aims to strengthen its activities in strategic sectors, particularly the oil, gas and mining industries. In these areas, the Group plans to increase the supply of equipment for hydrocarbon exploration, refining and transportation, while developing partnerships to support clean energy projects, such as liquefied natural gas and gas pipelines. It also plans to extend its services to projects involving strategic minerals such as lithium and cobalt.
In addition, ADS Africa aims to expand its geographical presence by consolidating its activities in the 18 countries where it is active and by penetrating new emerging markets, particularly in East and Southern Africa. The group also intends to strengthen its strategic partnerships, working with international investors to attract funds and advanced technologies, and consolidating its relations with African governments to support their visions for industrial development.
Innovation and digitalisation are also among the group's priorities. ADS Africa is striving to integrate advanced technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence, into its services. The digitalisation of supply processes will enable more efficient and transparent management.
In the long term (5 to 10 years), ADS Africa aims to become the benchmark buying group for the oil, mining and industrial industries in Africa, while diversifying its activities into new sectors such as renewable energy, aeronautics and agro-industry.
The Group is also committed to supporting projects in line with sustainable development objectives, promoting green energy, recycling industrial waste and playing an active part in the continent's energy transition.
Training the local workforce is a cornerstone of ADS Africa's strategy. By developing training programmes, the Group is helping to strengthen local skills and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. In addition, ADS Africa is working to promote the local processing of natural resources, thereby reducing dependence on imports and increasing high-value-added exports.
Finally, ADS Africa wants to play a key role in the continent's energy and industrial sovereignty. This means supporting African countries in the construction of refineries, power plants and local infrastructure, while developing resilient and autonomous supply chains.
With a strategy focused on innovation, sustainability and cooperation, ADS Africa is positioning itself as a key player in industrial development in Africa, contributing to the sustainable and structural transformation of the continent's economies.
Question Selon vous, quelles sont les spécificités et les opportunités du secteur Pétrole, Gaz, Énergie et Mines en Afrique aujourd’hui ?
The African continent holds around 7% of the world's proven oil reserves and 7.5% of natural gas reserves, making countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, Mauritania and Senegal key players in the energy industry. In addition, its mining resources, including gold, cobalt, lithium and copper, are essential for modern technologies, particularly in the fields of renewable energies and electric batteries.
Despite this abundance, much of the potential remains untapped, particularly in East Africa (Mozambique, Tanzania) and West Africa (Guinea, Mali). Technological advances now allow access to previously inaccessible resources, paving the way for new exploration and exploitation opportunities.
However, historical dependence on raw exports limits local value creation. Processing resources locally remains a major challenge if the continent is to achieve greater economic autonomy.
With the rise of renewable energies, natural gas is playing a central role as a transitional energy, reducing dependence on coal. Africa is also asserting itself as a major player in solar and wind energy projects, supported by initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance.
Investment in energy and mining infrastructure is on the increase. Ambitious projects such as the Dangote refinery in Nigeria illustrate this dynamic. The expansion of pipelines, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and transport and storage facilities are all opportunities for investors.
African governments are also encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) and putting in place favourable legal frameworks to attract international investment. At the same time, rapid urbanisation and population growth are boosting demand for energy and construction materials, opening up promising prospects for the power and mining sectors.
Local processing of resources, through the development of refineries, smelters and production lines, is a priority for increasing the added value of exports. In addition, the introduction of advanced technologies and the digitalisation of operations are helping to optimise the exploration, production and management of resources, providing opportunities for companies specialising in these areas.
Although rich in opportunities, the sector faces major challenges such as regulatory instability, the infrastructure deficit and the energy transition. The harmonisation of legal frameworks and the development of transport infrastructure, ports and electricity grids are essential to attract more investment and meet growing needs.
The balance between exploiting fossil fuels and developing renewable energies is also crucial to ensuring a successful energy transition while meeting growing demand.
In your opinion, what are the greatest constraints facing companies operating in this sector?
The oil, gas, energy and mining sectors in Africa face a number of challenges that are holding back their development, but these obstacles are also opening up strategic opportunities for companies and investors.
Tax and regulatory frameworks change frequently, creating uncertainty for investors. In some regions, armed conflict and political unrest disrupt industrial activities.
The lack of roads, ports and rail networks hampers the transport of resources and equipment. Paradoxically, some oil and mining sites lack a reliable supply of electricity.
Companies have to meet strict standards to limit their environmental impact. Tensions with local communities, often linked to insufficient compensation or environmental degradation, can slow down projects.
Infrastructure and operations require massive investment, which is sometimes difficult to obtain. Perceptions of high risk in some countries complicate access to international capital.
The technical skills required are sometimes limited, forcing companies to invest in training programmes. These investments represent a significant burden for operators. Fluctuations in raw material prices have a direct impact on the profitability of projects.
Companies need to adopt sustainable practices and adapt to growing demand for renewable energies. Diversification of activities is becoming essential to meet new market expectations.
Faced with these challenges, there are a number of ways to turn constraints into opportunities. These include working with governments, international investors and local organisations to secure funding, technology and operational support; integrating renewable energy and new technologies to adapt to the energy transition; strengthening relationships with local communities and adopting environmentally responsible practices; and investing in advanced technologies to optimise operations and reduce costs.
What efforts are you making to promote local content and encourage African talent in your projects?
Building local capacity is an essential pillar in ensuring that industrial projects in Africa have a lasting and positive impact. It is based on two main pillars: training and skills development, and hiring and promoting local talent.
Tailor-made training programmes are designed to meet the specific needs of projects, particularly in technical areas such as engineering, maintenance and management. These initiatives are complemented by internships and practical apprenticeships on site, enabling young African talent to acquire concrete operational skills.
At the same time, we are forging strategic partnerships with local universities and training centres. The aim of these partnerships is to adapt academic courses to the requirements of industrial sectors, thereby ensuring the best possible match between the training on offer and the needs of businesses.
Priority is given to local employment through quotas aimed at recruiting a majority of African employees, including for skilled and management positions. This approach not only ensures the creation of opportunities for local talent, but also reinforces their integration into key roles within projects.
These actions help to develop local skills, promote community autonomy and maximise the positive impact of industrial activities on the continent.
What types of partnerships are you looking for to develop your activities in the Oil, Gas, Energy and Mining sector?
We seek to work with investment funds, banks and financial institutions to raise the capital needed to carry out major projects such as exploration, production or distribution; identify partners capable of sharing the financial risks for capital-intensive projects, such as the construction of refineries, pipelines or power stations.
We would like to work with specialist companies to integrate advanced solutions into the exploration, exploitation and processing of resources; to collaborate with research institutes to design solutions adapted to local challenges, such as extraction in complex environments or reducing emissions; to integrate digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and predictive maintenance to optimise industrial operations.
We want to set up joint ventures with local or international operators to pool resources, expertise and networks; work with key suppliers to ensure a constant supply of equipment, chemicals and spare parts.
We are ready to contribute to energy and mining infrastructure projects in partnership with governments, as part of their national development strategies; partner with authorities to train the local workforce and support local small and medium-sized enterprises; collaborate with global leaders such as TotalEnergies, Chevron or Rio Tinto to benefit from their expertise and capabilities; establish alliances with well-established African companies to facilitate administrative and operational procedures.
We would also like to work with specialist partners to secure the transport of equipment, fuels and minerals; collaborate with environmental management experts to meet sustainability standards and expectations; sign agreements with local and regional distributors to ensure the efficient distribution of products, particularly gas and refined petroleum products; secure stable outlets by signing long-term contracts with companies or governments.
What advice would you give to investors wishing to enter the African energy market?
Africa's energy needs vary considerably from country to country. Some require basic solutions for rural electrification, while others are looking for advanced technologies such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy. Understanding the energy policies, regulatory frameworks and fiscal incentives specific to each region is crucial to successful investment.
With immense potential in solar, wind and hydroelectric power, Africa plays a key role in global decarbonisation. Investing in these sectors in line with global sustainability objectives is a strategy for the future.
Working with local businesses and government authorities simplifies administrative procedures, improves local integration and increases the impact of projects. In addition, investing in community initiatives, such as access to electricity in rural areas, helps to strengthen the reputation of investors while promoting acceptance of projects.
Africa's renewable energy potential offers a sustainable solution to meeting the continent's growing needs and reducing global emissions. Initiatives such as Easy Solar in Sierra Leone demonstrate the effectiveness of these projects in powering millions of homes.
Adopting emerging technologies and adapting to government policies that favour renewable energies can increase the competitiveness and efficiency of projects while taking advantage of new regulatory opportunities.
What role do you think Africa should play in the world's future energy transition?
With its large reserves of minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, Africa occupies a central position in the global production chain for green technologies. Responsible use of these resources can position the continent as a key player in the global energy industry.
Exceptional natural resources, such as sunshine and constant winds, mean that Africa is well placed to develop large-scale solar and wind energy projects. These initiatives can meet local energy needs while helping to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Africa, with its unique challenges, is fertile ground for testing adapted energy solutions, such as micro-grids and decentralised solar systems, which can serve as models for other regions of the world.
International carbon market mechanisms offer African countries financing opportunities for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These initiatives not only make it possible to finance sustainable projects, but also to generate income for local economies.
To maximise the benefits of the energy transition, Africa must guarantee universal access to energy while creating green jobs. An approach focused on social equity and sustainable development is essential to ensure an inclusive transition.
Africa has a unique opportunity to become a major player in the global energy transition. By harnessing its natural resources, adopting sustainable solutions and integrating into international financing mechanisms, the continent can play a decisive role in building a sustainable energy future.