Bigen's transformation journey continues in earnest

The Bigen Group (which consists of Bigen Africa Group Holdings based in South Africa and Bigen Global Limited based in Mauritius) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Snowy Khoza as Group CEO effective 16 July 2019 to 31 September 2021 when a new CEO will be appointed. Dr Khoza, the former CEO of Bigen Africa Group Holdings (BAGH) became Executive Chairperson of the Group when Bigen shareholders expanded their African footprint and established Bigen Global in Mauritius in 2016.

Dr McLean Sibanda patent attorney and engineer by qualification, also an internationally respected innovation promoter and former CEO of the Innovation Hub, is now regional MD of Bigen Global. Bigen Global subsidiaries are in East Africa with Kenya as a port of entry, in West African with Ghana as port of entry, and with other offices in Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.

In addition to this Africa expansion, Bigen has established a Development Advisory and Impact Division with Dr Mthandazo Ngwenya as its Managing Director. Dr Ngwenya, a public international lawyer, a financial management expert and former MD at Intellecap based in Kenya, oversees Bigen's international development Programme across the continent.

The Bigen Africa Group Holdings shareholders have also approved the appointment of Mr Kelepile Dintwe, a mining and electrical engineer with broad experience in the energy sector, as an independent non-executive chairman of its board supported by additional independent non-executive directors. These are Prof Francis Peterson, a qualified metallurgical and chemical engineer who is the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, chairs the Board's Human Capital and Remuneration Committee. Ms Lulama Tlakula, an astute business woman and investment banker experienced in corporate and project finance, chairs the Audit, Risk and IT Committee. Also on the BAGH board is an accomplished businessman, Mr Martin Kuscus, former CEO of SABS with a broad knowledge in board governance, having chaired a number of international boards such as the Council for International Standards Organisation (ISO) in Geneve. He chairs the Social and Ethics Committee of the BAGH board.

The shareholders of Bigen Global Limited have appointed Mr Richard Arlove, CEO of Ocarion Services Africa and Asia based in Mauritius, chairman of the Bigen Global Limited Board which consists of independent non-executive directors, Mr. Asnath Sultunti and Mr. Gaetan Michel Siew Hew Sam, based in Mauritius.

The joint Boards of Bigen remain resolute in maintaining their transformation, indigenization and inclusivity agenda within the Group with purpose, probity and partnership values. The journey continues for Bigen's greater role in infrastructure development on the African continent. Bigen's strategic focus in water and sanitation, health, transportation and logistics, energy, agriculture and real estate made it to be recognized as one of the most resilient, respected and responsible infrastructure development organizations on the continent. Bigen's sectors were specifically chosen to contribute with the rest of its partners to improve the quality of life in Africa. Its technical, socio-economic, environmental, institutional and financial service skills have differentiated Bigen to be one of the leading infrastructure development organizations on the continent mainly because of its commitment to supporting countries to deliver their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in these sectors.

"Our doing good while doing business approach lives in us as we create jobs, reduce poverty, empower women and youth, build entrepreneurs and educate communities. Our numerous industry recognitions received over the past 9 nine years speak better of who we are. We are also excited about the greater funded infrastructure development and maintenance opportunities that are coming on the continent. Indeed, as a Group we will continue to transform ourselves to be one of the major contributors in the infrastructure development space on the continent for many years to come" Dr Khoza explained.