July 2023 - africon GmbH

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. What opportunities exist in the edible oil industry in Kenya?

29. July 2023/in africon, Consumer Goods, FMCG & Packaging, Slide of the month/by Jean Wandimi

How many bottles of edible oils does Kenya produce annually? This is one of the key questions raised by our client in the FMCG sector. They were interested in learning about the edible oil industry in Kenya.

Our findings revealed that Kenya produces a variety of edible oils for domestic consumption and export. Kenya’s most consumed ones include vegetable, palm, and coconut oil. Others include olive, avocado, and sesame oils, often imported and more expensive than locally produced oils.

Regarding production, some of the major players in the Kenyan edible oil industry include Bidco Africa, the largest manufacturer in the country, with a market share of 42%. The company produces a wide range of cooking oils under the brands Elianto, Kimbo and Golden Fry. Kapa Oils is the second-largest manufacturer of edible oils in Kenya, with a market share of 21%, producing cooking oil under the KAPA brand. Third is Menengai Oil Refineries, with a market share of 15%. The company produces a range of cooking oils, including vegetable oils, sunflower oil and palm oils under the Sunpure and Zesta brands. Pwani Oils is a smaller player in the Kenyan edible oils industry, with a market share of 11%. The company is famous for brands such as Sawa and Fresh Fry.

Other smaller Kenyan edible oil industry players include United Millers Limited, Mount Meru Group, and African Industries Group. They constitute the remaining market share.

Generally, the consumption of edible oils in Kenya is on the rise due to increased population, urbanization, and changing dietary habits. The demand for healthier oils, such as olive and avocado, is also increasing as people become more health conscious.

We consolidated all these findings into a comprehensive report and offered tactical recommendations to the client.

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Europe holds a significant market share of spark plug imports to the top African countries

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. The size of Africa’s travel retail market

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. More than 37bn € investment in upcoming rail infrastructure projects poised to transform Africa’s transportation network

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. 77% of German chemical companies see a big potential in Africa.

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Green Hydrogen Opportunity in Africa

Maharit Woldeghiorghis joins africon as Head of Business Development

11. July 2023/in africon, News/by Jean Wandimi

We are excited to announce that Maharit Woldeghiorghis has joined africon GmbH as Head of Business Development. Maharit brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of fintech and economic development within African countries, making her a valuable addition to our dynamic team.

Maharit is an accomplished professional with a bachelor’s degree in Economy and Marketing from the University of Bologna. Additionally, she holds two master’s degrees in Communication and Growth Management. Currently based in Italy, Maharit has gained extensive experience working with both national and international companies.

Her expertise lies within the fintech and mobility ecosystems, where she has successfully contributed to significant and sustainable growth throughout various business cycles. Maharit’s professional journey has included working closely with companies in Ethiopia and Tanzania, further enhancing her understanding of these markets and their unique dynamics.

“After my impactful experience in Africa, specifically focused on remittances, I have developed a strong knowledge of fintech and economic development within African countries. Joining the vibrant team at africon GmbH fills me with joy and motivation, as it allows me to expand my knowledge further and acquire new skills. I am eager to contribute to the dynamic work environment and make a meaningful impact.” Maharit says.

At africon, Maharit assumes the role of Head of Business Development, and she will be responsible for driving strategic initiatives, fostering client relationships, and identifying new business opportunities.
We warmly welcome Maharit to the africon team and look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to our work. Her deep expertise in fintech and passion for economic development in African countries will undoubtedly bolster our commitment to driving sustainable growth and creating lasting impact across the continent.

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Europe holds a significant market share of spark plug imports to the top African countries

11. July 2023/in africon, Automotive & Mobility, Slide of the month/by Jean Wandimi

Africa’s booming population creates vast opportunities, including significant demand for automotive parts. With Africa’s vehicle fleet predicted to grow substantially over the next decades, the automotive aftermarket presents vast prospects for international firms.

Over the last couple of years, africon has implemented more than 35 projects in the automotive sector. One of the key questions from our clients is whether there is a market for European vehicle parts. With a recent client, we investigated the European spark plug imports of the top African economies (by GDP). We also examined the total value of the imports per country.

We found that Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa are the top importers of vehicle parts in Africa. The countries with significant market shares for European automotive parts are Morocco at 66%, South Africa at 54%, and Egypt at 26%.

africon provided the client with a comprehensive overview of the market and clear recommendations on potential focus markets. We also advised on finding the right partners locally in the selected markets.

What is the potential for you in Africa? If you have any questions, contact us at info@africon.de.