African is Cool News powered by SmartWire

Communicating brand is part of investor relations

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:00:00 PDT

Olivine Industries Private Limited launched its new website: www.olivine.co.zw today and I was thinking how important it is for investors to know how strong a company's brands are. In Zimbabwe, Olivine has been through the worst of the hyperinflation and judging from the AICO analyst presentation podcast, is about to emerge strongly as a strong FMCG player in Zimbabwe. Whether or not this happens is an interesting conundrum for investors in the AICO Group, but the message from AICO is...

Olivine Industries (Private) Limited launches new website

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:00:00 PDT

Big Law Management Consultants (“Big Law“), whose services in Zimbabwe are supported by African Information Solutions for Companies Online BVI Limited ("African Is Cool") is pleased to announce the online communications outreach initiative of Olivine Industries (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the AICO Africa Limited Group. Showcasing brands that Zimbabweans of all ages have come to know and adore, Olivine Industries’ new website provides full information, corporate,...

AICO Africa Limited podcasts analyst presentation, launches website & online investor relations initiative

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:00:00 PDT

African Information Solutions ("AIC") is pleased to announce the online investor relations initiative of initiative of AICO Africa Limited. AICO Africa Limited is our 22nd listed company client and the 5th in the agricultural sector. AICO is Zimbabwe's leading diversified agro-industrial conglomerate (with a market capitalization of approximately US$96m) and owns dominant brands in the seed, cotton, FMCG industries in Zimbabwe and surrounding regions, and is the holding company of Seed...

Seedco announces online investor relations initiative and podcasts full analyst presentation

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:00:00 PDT

African Information Solutions ("AIC") is pleased to announce the online investor relations initiative of Seed Co Limited. Seed Co Limited is AIC's 23rd launched listed company client and the 6th in the agricultural sector, which clients have an aggregate market capitalization of US$2.1bn. Seed Co is the leading producer and marketer of certified crop seeds in Southern Africa and is a subsidiary of the AICO Africa Limited Group. Seed Co Limited, listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange...

ONLINE investor relations newsletter: Issue 2/2011

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:00:00 PDT

Welcome to our second online investor relations newsletter for 2011. Edgars announce their earnings tomorrow, we have added Delta Corporation to our africansmallcaps.com portal and provided a single area where our clients are able to access all of our clients' charts, quotes and presentations. We continue to track the proposed changes to Kenyan companies and reporting legislation. More importantly there's Dilbert:- DILBERT In this issue:- Launch of Edgars online investor...

Edgars Stores Limited launches online investor relations

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:00:00 PDT

African Information Solutions for Companies Online BVI Limited ("African Is Cool") is pleased to announce the online stakeholder outreach initiative of Edgars Stores Limited. Edgars Stores Limited, listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, is a leading Zimbabwean retailer offering middle and upper customers high quality and competitively priced clothing merchandise through 33 countrywide stores in Zimbabwe, and is African Is Cool's 23rd launched online investor relations client. African Is...

Zimplow Limited launches online investor relations

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:00:00 PST

African Information Solutions for Companies Online BVI Limited ("African Is Cool") is pleased to announce the online stakeholder outreach initiative of Zimplow Limited. Zimplow Limited is the largest distributor of agricultural farming implements in Southern Africa, and is African Is Cool's 22nd launched online investor relations client. African Is Cool now has 26 listed company clients (whose aggregate shareholder base exceeds 165,000 shareholders) in four African stock exchanges with a...

Turnall Holdings launches online investor relations

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 04:00:00 PST

African Information Solutions for Companies Online BVI Limited ("African Is Cool") is pleased to announce the online stakeholder outreach initiative of Turnall Holdings Limited. For over 60 years Turnall has been the market leader in the manufacture and supply of asbestos-cement roofing, water and sewerage conveyance products in Southern Africa, and is African Is Cool's 21st launched online investor relations client. African Is Cool now has 24 listed company clients (whose aggregate...

Online investor relations newsletter: Issue 1/2011

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:00:00 PST

Welcome to our 5th online investor relations newsletter and the first for 2011, where we highlight online IR issues and companies using the web to communicate responsibly with their investment communities. Cresta Marakanelo Botswana has joined our online investment community and is our 20th launched client in total and our 3rd client in Botswana. African Is Cool now manages the online investor relations of 20 clients in 4 countries. Cresta Marakanelo (approximate market capitalisation US$38m)...

Cresta Marakanelo launches online IR initiative

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:00:00 PST

African Information Solutions for Companies Online BVI Limited ("African Is Cool") is pleased to announce the launch of the online investor relations initiative of Cresta Marakanelo Limited ("Cresta Marakanelo"), a Botswana-listed hospitality group with a total 724 available rooms across the main towns in Botswana and whose current market capitalisation is BWP 275m (approximately US$39m). Listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange on 28 June 2010, Cresta Marakanelo has a strong brand offering and...

Online investor relations newsletter: Issue 4/2010

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 04:00:00 PST

Welcome to our 4th online investor relations newsletter where we highlight online IR issues and companies using the web to communicate responsibly with their investment communities. Our next newsletter will provide access to 4 new African is Cool clients. Zambeef Plc invites you to listen live to its December 2010 Investor Conference Call to be held on Wednesday 22 December 2010 at 1630 hours Zambian time. Visit the website. Not happy with your corporate website? Call us. We are replicating...

African Agriculture Fund first closes on US$ 135 million

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 04:00:00 PST

The African Agriculture Fund (AAF), a private equity fund designed to respond to the food crisis that severely impacted the continent in 2008 in the wake of escalating food prices, reached its first closing at US$ 135 million in November 2010. AAF investment thesis primarily lies in food production, processing and distribution in cereals, livestock farming, dairy, fruit and vegetables, crop protection, logistics, fertilizers, seeds, edible oils, smallholders and agri services. To achieve...

ONLINE investor relations newsletter: Issue 3/2010

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:00:00 PDT

We African Is Cool, are pleased to announce that our latest AfricanSmallCaps portal client is Dairibord Holdings Limited in Zimbabwe. Not happy with your corporate website? Call us. We are replicating our managed interactive IR solution for corporate websites. Read the pamphlet online here. Read my blog on this here. Some interesting online investor relations material below, starting with Dilbert. DILBERT In this issue:- A review of Safaricom's online IR page + a few tips ...

ONLINE investor relations newsletter: Issue 3/2010

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:00:00 PDT

We African Is Cool, are pleased to announce that our latest AfricanSmallCaps portal client is Dairibord Holdings Limited in Zimbabwe.Not happy with your corporate website? Call us. We are replicating our managed interactive IR solution for corporate websites. Read the pamphlet online here. Read my blog on this here.Some interesting online investor relations material below, starting with Dilbert.DILBERTIn this issue:- A review of Safaricom's online IR page + a few tips Dairibord...

Dairibord announces its online IR initiative

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:00:00 PDT

African Is Cool is pleased to launch the online stakeholder initiative of Dairibord Holdings on its Africansmallcaps.com platform. Dairibord Holdings incorporated in 1994 is a leading producer and marketer of dairy, food and beverage products in Zimbabwe. In 1997, Dairibord became the first state-owned company in Zimbabwe to privatise. The company was listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange the same year. Dairiboard currently has a market capitalisation of US$37.5m and is listed under the Food...

BancABC launches its interactive investor relations website

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:00:00 PDT

African is Cool is pleased to announce the launch of BancABC's interactive investor relations website on BancABC.com, an online disclosure platform designed to encourage and promote direct two-way online communication with its broad base of investors and stakeholders on a real time basis. Designed to complement their traditional dissemination channels their online investor relations initiative is founded on the recognition that efficient dissemination of investment and operating information...

DAWN Properties launches its investor relations website and invites you to register

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:00:00 PDT

We are pleased to announce the launch of Dawn Properties Limited's investor relations website on www.dawnproperties.co.zw Dawn Properties Limited, formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of African Sun Limited, was incorporated in Zimbabwe as a variable rate loan stock company by converting its ordinary shares into linked units. African Sun now owns 17.72% of the company enabling it to have an independent mission. Investors and stakeholders are invited to register in InvestorPass�...

African online investor relations newsletter: Issue 2/2010

Sun, 16 May 2010 17:00:00 PDT

Welcome to our second online IR newsletter. Thanks to everyone for their messages of support after our first one. Five new clients have joined us OK Zimbabwe and Zanaco on their stand-alone platforms; while Truworths Limited, Phoenix Consolidated and Powerspeed Electrical join our online investment community, AfricanSmallCaps.com. We welcome your feedback. To receive my blog on your email, register here. DILBERT In this issue:- Launch of first pan-African IR portal:...

African online investor relations newsletter: Issue 2/2010

Sun, 16 May 2010 17:00:00 PDT

Africanfinancials.com tops 10,000 visits a month

Fri, 07 May 2010 17:00:00 PDT

The largest portal of online annual reports in Africa, www.Africanfinancials.com, recently topped over 10,000 visits a month from over 7,500 investors from 97 countries. Top of the pack was Nigerian visitors. The poor state of IR in Nigeria means that information is just not available - read my blog on this here where we benchmark Nigerian online practices to 10 other African states. Africanfinancials.com will shortly be opening itself up to advertisers wishing to target visitors to the...

African investor relations blogs summary: April 2010

Tue, 04 May 2010 17:00:00 PDT

Dear Subscriber, Herewith a summary of my blog postings for the month of April 2010: AIC NEWS A leading retail store chain in Zimbabwe takes IR online OK Zimbabwe, one of Zimbabwe's largest retail store groups, has taken its investor relations initiative online following a rights offer capital raising from which it raised US$15m from shareholders and the Investec Group. Why should investors consider investing in OK? OK is one of Zimbabwe's largest, well known retail store chains...

OKZIM: Notice of launch of OK Zimbabwe investor relations website and invitation to register

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:00:00 PDT

The Board and Management of OK Zimbabwe Limited (OK Zim) are pleased to announce the launch of the OK Zim investor relations website on OKZiminvestor.com. The website is content-rich, interactive and encourages feedback from you at every opportunity. The management would like to hear from you, and invites you to register on this new interactive website to keep up to date with all developments in OK Zim and access all the information you need to monitor management's efforts to create...

ZANACO: Notice of launch of IR website and invitation to register

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:00:00 PDT

The Board and Management of Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc (Zanaco) are pleased to announce the launch of the Zanaco investor relations website on Zanacoinvestor.com. The website is content-rich, interactive and encourages feedback from you at every opportunity. The Zanaco management would like to hear from you, and invites you to register on this new interactive website to keep up to date with all developments in Zanaco and access all the information you need to monitor management's...

What do you know about online investor communications?

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:00:00 PST

Welcome to the first edition of our African Investor Relations Newsletter, dedicated to increasing awareness of online investor relations practices in Africa. It targets regulators, investors and executives. It's about the long-term. If it's interesting please feel free to let me know your ideas or feedback. If it's not, then unsubscribe. DILBERT In this issue:- Profile of 427 sub-Saharan corporate websites 9 tips to increase your IR awareness "Online" vs....

What do you know about online investor communications?

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:00:00 PST

Quoted companies are not transparent enough

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:00:00 PST

Since August 14, quoted companies at the Nigerian Stock Exchange have been battling with cleaning up the books of some of their infractions, which got some of their banking colleagues into troubles. The Chief executives of some of these banks, about nine of them, are still paying for their sins one way or another. The great discovery made with the audit of the banks' accounts is one the full stories may never be heard, but the little that was heard were enough to make the financial service...

Is AIC about retail shareholder strategy?

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

Information is the life blood of markets: Managements speak directly to institutional investors, portals distribute company data, equities research is pushed directly to professional investors and stock exchanges disseminate corporate announcements. From an IR perspective is this all that is required? Not in Africa. Prima facie it looks like the above is sufficient. At least from a disclosure and regulatory perspective but consider this:- the majority of stock exchanges in Africa...

Investor Education is Half of the Secret to a Successful Retail Shareholder Strategy

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

On 5 October 2099, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Lori Schock has been named Director of the agency's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA). You thought all American investors were educated? "As more than half of American households are invested in the markets for their retirement, children's education, health care or other goals, it's imperative that the SEC have a world class program to provide investor education and promote financial...

Where is the African Stock Exchanges Strategic Plan?

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

This week, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published its draft strategic plan outlining its strategic goals for fiscal years 2010 to 2015. The draft plan surveys the forces shaping the SEC's environment and outlines over 70 initiatives designed to support its primary strategic goals. The SEC's draft plan also invites the public to comment on the document for the next 40 days. The draft strategic plan is available here. Africa has been touted as the last emerging market...

Nigeria's financial markets remain shallow, says IMF

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

Nigeria's money and capital markets still lack the depth of lift the economy out of the doldrums, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. Also in the league of markets with shallow profile, according to IMF, are most of the other sub-Saharan African countries, despite reports of reforms in the respective economies. IMF, in a recently released report, noted that the domestic money and capital markets in Nigeria and most sub-Saharan African countries remain underdeveloped and...

Africa sees massive growth in mobile web usage

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

Having swept America and conquered Europe, social networking site Facebook is now spreading rapidly through Africa. From the deserts of Libya to the plains of Tanzania, Facebook is fast becoming the continent's most visited mobile site as Africans use their phones to access the internet, according to a new report. Even micro-blogging phenomenon Twitter is making an impact, appearing as the ninth most visited mobile internet site in South Africa and Kenya, according to a study by Oslo-based...

Annual investor relations feedback review 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

We offer an interactive online investor relations service for listed companies in Africa. How interactive is interactive? The pie chart below is the annual summary of the categories of feedback we have received through our clients' investor relations website. It's notable that the investor relations function encompasses all aspects of business. I reiterate the definition of investor relations below:- "Investor relations is a strategic management responsibility that integrates finance,...

Zambeef plc investor relations website launch

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

Zambeef is pleased to announce the launch of its investor relations website on www.zambeefplc.com "As a high growth group focused on continued investment in Zambia we recognise our stakeholders' requirement for regular and timely information and our state-of-the-art communication tools on our new website's investor relations section will increasingly be used to provide this information", said MD Mr Carl Irwin. Zambeef Plc will be holding a live webcast of its conference call...

Zambeef Products PLC 2009 financials and results presentation

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:00:00 PST

This is a follow-up to the invitation to listen to and access information related to Zambeef plc's December 2009 Investor Conference Call. You are reminded that the Conference Call commences today at 17-00 hours Zambian time. The Conference Call will be broadcast live online through this link: Zambeefplc.com. In addition to an online PowerPoint presentation (currently accessible), Zambeef's 2009 annual report will be released soon after the conference call, and a recording of the...

How the decision is made to take investor relations online

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

The presentations made around Africa this year to listed companies highlighted an excellent look into the future by IR Web Report which provided a "past, present and future" overview of the web in investor relations. Web 1.0 involved the publication of data on the web through intermediaries, Web 2.0 through people and Web 3.0, predicted by Dominic Jones IR Web's leading IR strategist, through machines or databases. Web 3.0 means that peoples' role in the distribution of data will be seriously...

SEC Charges Madoff Computer Programmers

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged two computer programmers for their role in helping convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard L. Madoff cover up the fraud at Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BMIS) for more than 15 years. The SEC alleges that Jerome O'Hara of Malverne, N.Y., and George Perez of East Brunswick, N.J., provided the technical support necessary to produce false documents and trading records, and took hush money to help keep the scheme going. "Without the...

Launch of ZIMLEF new website

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

Zimbabwe Leadership Forum (ZIMLEF)'s new website launch is imminent. I have just been informed by Cynthia at ZIMLEF of imminent launch of their new corporate governance interactive website to be used for the solicitation of views from stakeholders on the new Zimbabwe corporate governance code. The website will come online around 24 November 2009. We will provide more details when the site is launched and what listed companies should do thereafter. African Is Cool feels that unless listed...

Botswana IR Presentation Increases Awareness

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

Nine Botswana companies attended our investor relations presentation on "How to integrate investor relations into corporate strategy profitably". Three other professionals kindly presented their perspectives on investor relations:- Hiran Mendis, CEO of the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) Alun Thomas, CEO of Imara Africa Securities Steve Pezarro, founder of Corpserve Botswana Click on the names above to access the presentations given where applicable. My presentation...

Invitation to a CSD Conference by the SEC, Zimbabwe

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

Zim companies MUST attend the Securities Commission meeting on the new CDS

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

My recent blog posting shows how the MIT CDS system has added cost and inconvenienced investors and listed companies in other regional markets in sub-Saharan Africa. We do not want the same situation in Zimbabwe. We cannot afford it at this stage. The attached advertisement appeared in the press yesterday. Using my blog as a guideline I urge your company secretary or FD (or CEO, but no junior staff) to attend the meeting advertised and ask the questions I raise in my blog in addition to any...

Invitation to a CSD Conference by the SEC, Zimbabwe

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

New CDS for Zimbabwe: Has the ZSE Done its Homework?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

I am a father of three, with my eldest 15 years old, and so the battlecry of "do your homework!!" is often heard throughout our house and echoing through our neighbourhood and beyond. I felt inclined to shout the same command today after reading the news that the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) has entered into a deal worth about US$1,2 million with a Sri Lankan information technology firm, Millennium IT Software Ltd (MIT), to establish a central securities depository (CDS) in Zimbabwe. Has the...

Online IR's opportunity in turbo African internet growth

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:00 PST

Despite internet growth that is three times that of the rest of the world, Africa's regulators and listed company executives are not adopting online strategies quickly enough. Yes, there are barriers to using the internet, but these are falling fast. The frequent complaint that rural shareholders are cut off from online communications is missing the point: Many can receive data on their mobile phone, in all likelihood there is an internet caf� around the corner, and in any case, if someone can...

Why AIC is Different

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

What makes investor relations management so difficult is that it spans many corporate disciplines and affects many aspects of business and governance. We have gone one step further and taken this challenging task online. Successfully. We specialise in building online communities African Information Solutions for Companies Online Limited ("African Is Cool") specialises in online stakeholder communications and investor relations. Based on best IR practices, we use the internet to create and...

ZSE seals US$1,2m deal with Sri Lankan IT firm

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange has entered into a deal worth about US$1,2 million with a Sri Lankan Information Technology firm, Millennium IT Software Ltd to establish a Central Securities Depository. ZSE chief executive Mr Emmanuel Munyukwi confirmed last week that the system would ensure a simultaneous transfer of shares from the seller to the buyer and transfer of money from the buyer to the seller. Mr Munyukwi described the system as a facility for holding securities, which enables...

African Stock Exchanges Association is a failure

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

Read ASEA's annual report for 2008 and a total of USD10,000 was received from its 20 member exchanges � a total of USD500 each. What is this if not an indication of the confidence that Africa's stock exchanges have in the association and the resources available to it? Yes, the member exchanges have utlilised their own resources to assist in managing ASEA, but I think that ASEA is just a white elephant. Here is why: A review of the stated objectives of ASEA versus outcomes shows that very...

African Stock Exchanges Association is a failure

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

Global mobile subscriptions to reach 4.6bn

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

ITU, the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, on Tuesday, 6 October 2009, pointed to continued mobile growth, with global mobile subscriptions expected to reach 4.6 billion by the end of the year. The agency's latest statistics, published in The World in 2009: ICT facts and figures, reveal rapid ICT growth in many world regions in everything from mobile cellular subscriptions to fixed and mobile broadband, and from TV to computer penetration - with...

Bill to regulate Rwanda's capital market

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

A bill to regulate the capital markets and collective investment schemes was tabled in the Rwandan Parliament last week. According to New Times newspaper, Trade and Commerce Minister Monique Nsanzabaganwa introduced the bill on 7 October. She said a law is necessary before local companies begin full scale trading on the Rwanda securities exchange. Only companies that have embraced minimum corporate governance standards shall be allowed to be listed for trading and the law would create more...

TEAMS Fibreoptic Cable Ready for Commercial Service

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:00:00 PDT

The East African Marine Systems (TEAMS) undersea is now ready for commercial service. This announcement was made following a meeting of the UAE-Kenya Cable System Management Committee held today. The Management Committee or " MC" brings together TEAMS Limited and Etisalat, the UAE-based company that holds a 15% stake in the venture. "The MC accepted the recommendation from their sub-committees that after extensive testing, he UAE � Kenya cable is now ready for commercial service. All the TEAMS...