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Susan Moloisane is Empowering SMEs for Inclusive Growth

Susan Moloisane is Empowering SMEs for Inclusive Growth

Susan Moloisane is an influential South African business executive and strategist dedicated to driving growth and transformation in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

With over 13 years of experience in executive leadership, her career has spanned key roles across data analytics, consulting, and SME development, cementing her as a leader committed to economic empowerment and the sustainable growth of black-owned businesses in South Africa.

Currently, Susan serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Edge Growth Solutions, a division of Edge Growth, which specializes in Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD).

Edge Growth’s mission is to help companies build sustainable value chains by investing in SMEs that are vital to economic and social development.

Since her appointment as CEO in September 2023, she has focused on developing tailored programs that empower SMEs, particularly those that are black-owned, which face unique challenges in accessing funding, scaling operations, and achieving longevity.

Her strategic vision aims to tackle the systemic barriers limiting SME growth, from limited access to capital to market entry challenges, helping these businesses contribute meaningfully to the South African economy.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from Wits Business School, where her research focused on identifying success factors for black-owned SMEs in South Africa.

This academic foundation in systems, business strategy, and enterprise development has been instrumental in shaping her approach to SME growth and economic inclusion.

Her deep knowledge of data and analytics, honed during her time as Executive Head of Data and Analytics at Standard Bank, gives her a unique perspective on harnessing insights to drive measurable impact in the SME sector.

Before joining Edge Growth, Susan was the Managing Director at Oyana Consulting, where she championed grassroots SME acceleration.

Under her leadership, Oyana Consulting achieved remarkable growth for clients by focusing on community-based enterprises and providing these businesses with the tools and resources needed to thrive in competitive markets.

Her work at Oyana underscored her belief in the transformative power of SMEs and the importance of nurturing these enterprises to build a resilient economy.

Susan’s journey has been marked by achievements and accolades that underscore her commitment to economic development.

She has been recognized for her thought leadership on platforms like the SuperLead Podcast, where she has shared insights on entrepreneurship, leadership development, and the keys to succeeding as an entrepreneur.

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IFC and MIGA Back Morocco’s Tanger Med Port Expansion with $433 Million Sustainability-Linked Financing

New Investments

IFC and MIGA Back Morocco's Tanger Med Port Expansion with $433 Million Sustainability-Linked Financing

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), both part of the World Bank Group, have joined forces with Morocco’s Tanger Med Port Complex in a significant expansion project for its truck and passenger terminal.

This ambitious €400 million financing package, which includes a €197 million sustainability-linked loan from IFC and €203 million from a consortium of international banks led by JP Morgan, aims to solidify Morocco’s standing as a key player in regional and global trade.

The project is set to substantially boost Tanger Med’s capacity, with a goal to handle over 1 million trucks annually, a nearly twofold increase from the 477,000 trucks processed in 2023.

This financing arrangement represents Morocco’s inaugural sustainability-linked loan and is one of the pioneering deals in port infrastructure across emerging markets.

Among its sustainability objectives, the expansion focuses on increasing gender diversity and incorporating renewable energy into its operations.

Loubna Ghaleb, Board Member and Director of Strategy at Tanger Med Group emphasized the port’s vital role in Morocco’s trade dynamics, stating that the expansion will facilitate higher truck capacity, support export growth in agribusiness and industrial sectors, and strengthen Morocco’s trade connections with Europe.

MIGA’s involvement includes a non-honoring guarantee on the commercial loan, which provides up to 15 years of protection for lenders if the state-owned enterprise fails to meet its financial obligations. This ensures investor confidence and promotes further investment.

David Tinel, IFC’s Regional Manager for the Maghreb, highlighted the port’s strategic significance, noting that the project positions Morocco as a global logistics hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

He also mentioned that the expansion would attract additional investment in Morocco’s infrastructure, particularly as the country prepares for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2030 FIFA World Cup.

As Africa’s leading container port with links to 180 ports across 70 countries, Tanger Med is committed to advancing sustainability and gender equity.

Plans include increasing green energy use from solar and wind sources and enhancing climate resilience by elevating breakwaters and extending quays to support larger, eco-friendly vessels.

A focus on gender diversity is also integral to the expansion, with efforts to boost female representation in management positions.

Tanger Med’s extensive logistics zones host over 1,300 companies across sectors such as aeronautics, textiles, automotive, and agribusiness.

In 2023, these zones will generate a business volume of over USD 15 billion and support approximately 120,000 jobs.

The expansion is expected to foster job creation, boost economic development, and enhance Morocco’s trade networks.

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Ghana’s Wahu Mobility and Letshego Partner to Make EV Ownership More Accessible in Africa

Key Developments

Ghana's Wahu Mobility and Letshego Partner to Make EV Ownership More Accessible in Africa

Ghanaian electric vehicle (EV) startup Wahu Mobility and financial service provider Letshego have partnered to make EV ownership more affordable and accessible in Africa.

This collaboration seeks to empower communities by offering eco-friendly transportation options, taking a significant step towards sustainable mobility in Africa.

Speaking on the partnership, Valerie Labi, Co-Founder of Wahu Mobility Ltd., expressed excitement about the initiative.

“Collaborating with Letshego is a pivotal step forward in our mission to deliver sustainable and accessible EV options to the African market,” she said.

Letshego echoed this sentiment, stating that the partnership aligns with their dedication to fostering inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the region.

The initiative introduces a financing program aimed at “Wahu Heroes,” individuals committed to embracing sustainable transportation.

Through Letshego’s financial expertise and Wahu Mobility’s EV knowledge, these users will benefit from affordable financing options, making it easier to transition to environmentally friendly vehicles.

The two companies plan a phased rollout of financing products, initially focusing on urban centers with an eventual expansion to underserved regions.

This venture also supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 by promoting sustainable development and climate resilience across the continent.

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