Cosira's successful pan-African strategy
The Cosira Group, well known as one of South Africa's largest privately-owned structural steel companies, continues to expand on its already well-established pan-African footprint.
“Over 10 years ago we undertook a ‘supply only’ contract, with construction supervision, in Angola,” said Cosira's CEO John da Silva. “Today we now have upwards of 20 projects in progress across Africa at any one time. We recently completed the roofing construction for swimming pool facility in Algiers and have projects active in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Tanzania, and most of our neighbouring countries,” he continued.
In foreign countries the company has the resources and expertise to handle all aspects of its own business- and project management, as well as all transport and logistical elements. Before bidding on a project in Africa a complete risk assessment is undertaken to determine every aspect of viability. Where necessary Cosira aligns with companies having specific areas of expertise in specialised fields such as legal, financial and labour and will also seek advice from companies entrenched in those countries.
“The last 5 years in particular have been particularly exciting for us in Africa, specifically in Mozambique and Namibia where we are now in the initial stages of establishing a permanent presence. Similarly, in the years ahead, the sustainable pipeline of projects will determine the escalation of our presence and resources in other African countries.
“An important aspect of operations in other countries is the high focus we maintain on skills transfer to the local work force. Upskilling of artisans in the fields of welding, boilermaking and other construction disciplines is part and parcel of our presence in Africa. It is imperative that we as a responsible operator on the continent empower the local labour force and operators in their various fields of expertise – it is in the interests of the industry in which we are active, the pride and capability of the individual, and ultimately the continued growth of the relative communities and countries in which we find ourselves.”
Amongst the current projects the Cosira Group has in progress in Africa are:
Namibia
- The Ariva uranium plant, supply and construction of the backend maxi plant, 2 300 tons of steel. 14 km of piping.
Mozambique
- Benga Riversdale, Tette region, supply only, 1 500 tons of steel.
- Moatize, platework, finishing stages, Tette region, supply of 900 tons of platework.
- Kenmare Resources, an Irish based mining house, in collaboration with the Aveng Group, Mocambique: Phase II, 2 700 tons of steel, 27 km of in plant piping.
Past projects (3-4 years) include:
- Zimbabwe
- Unki mine, Anglo Platinum
- Ngezi mine, Zim Plats
- Zambia
- Monali – Albedon Zambia nickel GRD
- Supplied Vindetta Group, Zambian copper fields
“Each country has its own socio-political scenarios which have to be managed,” said da Silva in conclusion. “South Africa is the gateway into Africa. In order to operate effectively in other African countries we need to properly understand the relevant logistics processes, project execution parameters, legal compliance and local labour skills.
“Currently our activities in other African countries represent 30% of our turnover. We aim to steadily increase this figure.
“We are an African company – and Africa is our market.”
The Cosira Group employs a skilled workforce of more than 2 000 staff members, supplemented by long-term and approved sub-contractors in specialist fields for turnkey projects.