IBC Consultancy Connects International Firms with Namibian Projects

For more than a decade, IBC Consultancy – based in the UK and UAE – has been advising clients worldwide, working with hedge funds and private equity firms to facilitate investment and advance project development within Africa’s extractive sectors. In Namibia, the firm successfully enabled a local company to acquire an exploration block, where it is continuing to finance operations, along with an upcoming project in Walvis Bay. Energy Capital & Power spoke with Managing Director Haddison Etchou about the company’s strategy on the continent.

What is the scope of IBC Consultancy’s activities in Namibia and Africa at-large?

We are a project management firm working with numerous hedge funds and private equity firms based in Asia and Europe. Our goal is to leverage the African market and explore opportunities to bring them to Africa. We were established in 2012, with our main office located in Manchester and a branch in Dubai. We have been operating in Africa for the past five years, during which we entered the market with various projects across the continent. We are actively present in Namibia, which is one of the new kids on the block.

To be efficient and generate value, corporate processes must frequently be evaluated. With our operations services, we analyze critical processes in a company and help transform a high-level strategy into actionable steps. We offer tailored services for a variety of businesses and company situations. We advise on both organizational and structural changes within a business, as well as specialist subject areas within the fields of finance and risk management. We also support companies in handling project financing and managing all the requirements to receive foreign direct investment.

We are also working on a funding plan for projects across the country. We have ongoing operations across Namibia, where we provide financing for the mining sector. While we are still relatively new in Africa, we are optimistic about our prospects in this promising market. Our primary focus is on hydrocarbons, along with mining operations. Apart from this, we enable investment in the agriculture sector throughout Africa. In Namibia, we have investors that are interested in agriculture and fishing industries, which are the largest industries in the country. Furthermore, we have projects in bunkering and waste management, which encompasses logistics, downstream, midstream and upstream activities.

How can investors work with your firm to enter the market?

We mostly focus on conducting due diligence before the financing is secured and the project commences. We act as a bridge between the investors and the project. We investigate to ensure that the funds are being utilized for their intended purpose that the project was designed to support. We work with numerous private equity and hedge funds, actively sourcing viable and sustainable projects in the field. Once we identify long-term projects, we try to channel them to our platforms. Currently, we have projects in Namibia, South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria. Interested parties approach us to assess the project’s value and determine their level of interest. We then facilitate contact between our investors and the project owners.

Could you give an example of a viable project that IBC Consultancy has advanced in Namibia? 

The reason why we chose Namibia as one of our first branches in Africa is due to our success in the Orange Basin. During an investment forum organized by the African Energy Chamber in London last January, we had a thorough discussion with a client who expressed interest in our work and how we could assist. Following thorough due diligence, we successfully facilitated the client’s project, leading to the client’s ownership of two lucrative blocks in the Orange Basin. All licenses have been obtained and the project is progressing well. We also have another successful project underway in Walvis Bay. We have achieved notable success stories in Namibia and are also involved in various projects across Africa, including the mining sector in Congo, Cameroon and Gabon, where we provide financing.

Energy Capital & Power is a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) – taking place in Windhoek on April 23-25, 2024. The 6th annual conference unites industry leaders, business executives and policymakers to engage in dialogue, exchange ideas, create new partnerships and identify strategies to foster a prosperous energy industry in Namibia and beyond. For more information, please visit https://www.nieconference.com/