PROFILE
Tel | +27 11 037 7600 Email | [email protected] | semona.co.za
2nd Floor, The Place, 1 Sandton Drive, Sandton, South Africa
PROFILE
WHO WE ARE
SEMONA International – one of the four main pillars of the SEMONA
Group of companies - is an intercontinental energy company with a
strong focus on providing energy solutions to the African continent.
In the framework of SEMONA Group’s operations – Semona
International is the vehicle with which the group transacts outside
of the borders of South Africa. As such, this positions the company
as a key player in the African electricity generation segment, while
offering its clients and partners effective and efficient energy market
solutions, technologies and strategies.
A
S
dditional to its operations in Johannesburg - South Africa and Dubai,
SEMONA International is also registered in Mauritius and Geneva ,
and is able to maintain close ties with investors , while remaining
connected to ongoing electricit y and energy projects in African countries.
EMONA International has a respected team of professional managers
and staf f, and is headed by Oil, Gas and Energy sector Entrepreneur
– Lorraine Masipa . A strong adherence to a high standard of ethics
and corporate governance ensures that the company is run in a successful
and sustainable way – which in turn delivers both financial success and
value for its shareholders, clients and par tners.
2
PROFILE
AN AFRICAN FOCUSED
INVESTMENT
There is a critical need for energy efficiency and the supply of electricity
to existing and new markets in Africa, and to developing countries
elsewhere. Research shows that around eighty percent of the African
population do not have access to electricity, which has enormous
social and economic implications as part of an existing and progressive
energy crisis.
I
nvesting
in
energy
solutions
for
developing countries goes to the root of
this development challenge, and provides
A
s African governments struggle to
expand their energy infrastructures
and build up the foundations for business and
exceptional opportunities for investors
industrial manufacturing, there is a critical
in the international energy industry.
window of opportunity for private sector
Energy solutions can promote long-term
investors in the electricity generation and
economic growth and increase capacity
energy industry. Semona International
for self-reliance, so reducing the need for
strives to be the premier independent
development aid. Without international
energy solution provider of choice in
focus and financing, the move towards an
Africa , by providing cost- ef ficient and
energy based economy in Africa will not be
cost- ef fective solutions. The company
realised.
aims to be an exceptional development
par tner for the energy industr y.
3
PROFILE
This will be done by|
• Focusing on the under-serviced energy industry market in Africa
• Investing in African economies that have a good supply of energy resources
• Investing in capital projects that will be favourable to our shareholders in terms of
pricing and return on investment (ROI)
• Investing in markets with favourable independent power producer legislation
OUR TARGET
AFRICA
4
PROFILE
COMPANY APPROACH
SEMONA International strives to|
• Drive economic development and sustainability through growth
• Encourage innovation
• Global-thinking
• Ensure that there is high return on investment for clients and partners
• Adhere to the best international norms governing the electricity generation and energy
industry
• Adopt and adhere to health and safety standards that protect life and promote
wellbeing
• Ensure honesty and integrity in all business dealings
• Exceed the expectations of both investors and clients in the energy industry
OUR VISION
S
EMONA International’s vision is Africa-focused, and we look to have operations
in countries where there is legislation that allows and supports practice by IPPs
(Independent Power Producers). SEMONA International also has resources that
are able to fund projects that are financially viable, locally and internationally. We investigate
opportunities where we can provide pre-funding to viable ideas and projects.
5
PROFILE
SEMONA INTERNATIONAL
TEAM
LORRAINE MASIPA
SEMONA Group CEO
Leader – Innovator |
A woman in the pursuit of breaking new ground in the IT, Mining, Oil and Energy Field.
When the words Information Technology; Mining, Oil and Energy are mentioned, hardly ever
do young black women’s names pop up. Historically, these sectors have been regarded as
a “boys club” - careers and fields that have been largely left exclusively open to a select few
that typically consisted of wealthy, politically and traditionally-connected males to conquer.
I
n South Africa , the name Lorraine
modernisat ion – a nd it is on t hese
Masipa is poised to be an exception.
t wo values that this young BCom and
I n a c c o rd a n c e w i t h t h e g r a d u a l l y
IT Diploma Graduate, is continuously
changing face of industr y, here’s an
building and harnessing her career.
entrepreneur with a strong resolve to
Fo r M a s i p a , t h e l a s t d e c a d e h a s
make huge strides in ground - breaking
la rgely been a bout sha ping herself
innovation within the mining, oil and
as a strategic and tact ful thinker, one
energy sectors.
who thrives on coming up with ideas,
T
products and initiatives that aim to be
he driving force behind Lorraine
Masipa’s career has always been
a st rong des ire for innovat ion a nd
6
dynamic, pioneering and Eco -friendly.
PROFILE
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
T
of
hrough
a
ke e n
interest
and
fascination into the inner workings
computers
and
CURRENT
DIRECTORSHIPS
&
POSITIONS
information
technology, Masipa studied towards
a nd completed a Nat iona l D iploma
in IT from CTI in the year 2000. She
t hen expa nded t his into a BCom in
I nfo rm a t i c s f ro m t he U n i ve r s i t y of
South Africa , which she completed in
2004.
C
u r r e n t l y,
Masipa
holds
the
p o s i t i o n s of C h i e f E xe c u t i ve
O f f i c er a t S E M O N A G rou p a nd i t s
subsidiaries. Through these positions,
Masipa focuses her leadership a nd
energy on the strategic implementation
of energy solut ions in Africa , while
creating oppor tunities in mining and
energy, through the various skills she’s
PRE VIOUS POSITIONS
garnered through her vast experience.
Masipa is also the main patron of the
SEMONA Foundation – which focuses
F
ollowing t he complet ion of her
studies, Masipa then star ted her
career in the IT sector, but it would
not be long before Masipa organically
progressed into business operations,
through
positions
that
include:
Business Development Director : I - Kno
Knowledge Solutions (an enterprise
C M S) ,
and
Par tner
in
Rightclick
Training, an ICT training initiative.
7
on making oppor tunities available in
the energy sector, for those who are
previously disadvantaged.
PROFILE
SEAN GASKELL
BBusSci (HON) major| Finance & Accounting
A
f ter the completion of his studies,
Sean Gaskell worked in London
for Lloyd’s Bank in their international
S
ean also has extensive experience
in D ebt C a pi t a l M a rket s in t he
context of “securitisation” and securit y
f ina nc e di v is ion . U pon returning to
st ructures s ince 20 05, a nd t hrough
South Africa , Gaskell set- up a company
GMG Trust (SA) Pty Ltd, he has held over
called Sentinel International Advisor y
40 directorship positions on various
Ser vices. This division of the Sentinel
RMBS, CMBS and ABS programs. This
G roup prov ided s pecia list f iducia r y
di v is ion wa s res pons ible for boa rd
and ta x ser vices to institutional/high -
a ppoint ment s a nd/or administ rat ion
net- wor th individua l investors in the
ma ndates of over R10 0 bn in As set
context of transactions in Africa . Sean
B ac ked S ec u ri t i es i n S ou t h Af ri c a .
held the posit ion of C hief E xecut ive
S e a n wa s a l s o a d i re c to r o n t h e
Officer
International
A lexa nder Forbes listed preference
Advisor y Ser vices (P t y) Ltd and was
sha re before res igning to focus his
a ppointed to t he boa rd of Sent inel
ef for ts on building the groups African
Corporate Fiduciar y Ser vices (Pt y) Ltd,
operations and deal flow. He is also
a sister company in 2007.
currently spending a large propor tion
S
of
Sentinel
of his time originating private equit y
ean sold out of the Sentinel Group
transactions for the GMG Group and
in 20 0 8 a nd joined t he G eneva
suppor ts the group in raising funding
Management Group on the main board
for projects. The Geneva Management
and as a partner in order to assist with
Group sold its interest in GMG Trust
growing the African corporate advisory
Company (SA) (P t y) Ltd in 2014.
business in the context of cross border
transactions and international inbound
investment into Africa , where he has
over 15 years’ experience.
8
PROFILE
ROBERT ASHDOWN
BSc (HONS) | CAIA level II Candidate
A top achiever in the areas of; Opportunity Management, Deal Making and Transaction
Structuring in sectors including; Finance, Private Equity, Business Development and Strategy.
Business Executive – Opportunities
Manager
A
shdown also has strong skills in
Sustainable, Cleaner Energy deals –
e.g. onshore wind, solar PV and natural gas.
And has been described as “excelling” in
R
obert Ashdown presents international
experience in the areas of Opportunity
opportunity identification and initiating new
business.
Management, Investment Analysis, Deal
Making and Transaction Structuring in South
INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Africa and Australia , utilising extensive
experience across the Energy, Oil & Gas and
the “Green” Energy sectors to find, structure
and conclude profitable, sustainable deals
and ventures.
R
E
nergy Assets, Renewable Energy
(Wind, PV, CSP), Natural Gas, Hydro &
Coal Energy, Carbon Pricing (CDM & Carbon
Tax), Opportunity Management, Mergers &
obert Ashdown holds a BSc Hons
Acquisitions, Transaction Structuring, Due
degree; is a Chartered Alternative
Diligence, Deal Execution, Project Finance,
Investment Analyst (CAIA) Level II Candidate,
Deal Risk Management , Negotiation &
and has over 10 years’ experience - starting
Mediation, Capital Syndication (Debt &
at PwC. He currently holds the position of
Equity), Project Management and Business
Opportunities Manager at Cennergi
Development.
9
PROFILE
ABOUT SEMONA GROUP
SEMONA GROUP is a 100% black & female-owned conglomerate that focuses on dynamic,
innovative and effective solutions to the oil, gas and petro-chemical needs of those who
operate in the mining and energy industries across Continental Africa and beyond.
S E M O N A G R O U P c o r e d i v i s i o n s i n c l u d e|
10