Benguela, October 9, 2024 – Africell Angola and Grupo Cart have unveiled a series of strategic agreements aimed at consolidating a multi-sectoral partnership with the aim of boosting the Lobito Corridor Project and promoting economic growth in key sectors of the Angolan economy, such as agriculture, trade, mobility and financial inclusion.
The news was announced during a press conference held in Benguela province, attended by Marc Janczukowicz, CEO of Cart Comércio, Robert Rollman, Chief Partnerships Officer of the Africell Group, David Maciel, CEO of Cart Agri, and Kátia da Conceição, General Manager of Afrimoney.
The partnership between Africell and Grupo Cart is structured on four main pillars, covering sectors crucial to the country’s economic and social transformation:
1. Agriculture – Collaboration between Cart Agri and Afrimoney to implement mobile money solutions in rural and agricultural regions where access to banking services is limited or non-existent, thus promoting financial education and inclusion of communities.
2. Commerce – Alliance between Grupo Cart and Afrimoney to enable mobile money payments in BB Eskebra stores, increasing accessibility and security in commercial transactions.
3. Distribution – Cooperation between Grupo Cart and Africell, allowing BBEskebra stores to function as distribution points for Africell products, bringing telecommunications services closer to consumers.
4. Connectivity – Partnership between Grupo Cart and Africell to offer connectivity in the regions where Grupo Cart operates, contributing to the development of communication infrastructures.
The partnership arises from the participation of both companies in the Lobito Corridor Project, an innovative multilateral initiative that aims to connect Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to global markets through the modernization of transport and communications infrastructures.
Robert Rollman, Chief Partnerships Officer of the Africell Group, underlined: “Since our first contact with the Cart Group, we have recognized a huge potential for collaboration for the good of the Angolan people. We knew from the beginning that together we could use mobile telecommunications to promote agricultural production, create new sources of income and improve the socio-economic reality of many people.”
David Maciel, CEO of Cart Agri, highlighted the transformative impact of this partnership on Angolan rural communities: “This partnership between Africell and Afrimoney is more than just a commercial agreement; is a commitment to the sustainable and inclusive development of Angola’s rural communities. We know that farmers, especially in the most remote areas, face major challenges in accessing traditional financial services. With the integration of Afrimoney’s mobile money solutions, we are creating new opportunities for these producers to trade more efficiently and strengthen their economic power, while contributing to the country’s food security.”
Kátia da Conceição, Managing Director of Afrimoney, reinforced: “Afrimoney enters this partnership with Grupo Cart not only as a financial platform, but as a catalyst for digital transformation in agribusiness. By empowering farmers through financial literacy and offering instant access to digital wallets, loans, agricultural insurance, and other financial services, we will be promoting the sustainability and growth of this sector.”
In the context of financial inclusion and consumer accessibility to digital services, Marc Janczukowicz, CEO of Cart Commerce, added: “Cart Comércio has always been guided by the commitment to proximity to end consumers, ensuring access to basic food basket goods throughout the national territory. Through this partnership with Africell and Afrimoney, we are taking another decisive step to improve our customers’ experience by offering them secure and affordable digital payment solutions, especially in BB Eskebra stores. This innovation not only facilitates transactions, but also promotes the financial inclusion of thousands of consumers who were previously outside the banking system, directly contributing to the reduction of economic inequalities and allowing more Angolans to actively participate in the digital economy.”
The event was also attended by representatives of the Provincial Government of Benguela, including members of the regional administration, the Regional Director of Africell for Benguela, Mário do Nascimento, as well as local businessmen.
