All photos Supplied © Eamonn Ryan – RACA Journal

Ziad Al Bawaliz , the Regional President for Turkey , Middle East and Africa ( TMA ), highlighted the importance of engineering in driving society forward and addressing key global challenges such as urbanisation , climate change , food and water supply , digitisation and electrification .

Ziad Al Bawaliz , the regional president for Turkey , Middle East and Africa .

With South Africa as a strategic hub , Danfoss is looking to expand its operations throughout Africa and continue its commitment to engineering a greener tomorrow .

“ After closing our operations in Russia , all central Asia countries in the region became part of our territory , resulting in an umbrella of over 75 countries . Our focus now lies in Africa , as it holds significant importance in our growth plans . We embarked on this journey 30 years ago in South Africa and have since expanded our activities to the northern parts of Africa . However , our current objective is to develop other African countries , particularly in East and West Africa . As we move forward , we are actively hiring new talent and increasing our engagement in these areas ,” says Al Bawaliz .

“ Undoubtedly , South Africa holds great significance in our operations . It serves as a crucial starting point for our expansion . With a larger team and stronger partnerships established here , South Africa will continue to be a pivotal country for us . We have extensive plans to enhance our presence , improve our business operations , strengthen our marketing strategies , and foster partnerships in South Africa . Additionally , we aim to contribute to the development of the local workforce through initiatives such as training centres and collaborations with major universities .

We envision a mission where students can join us for a temporary period of six months to one year , gaining valuable experience and knowledge . These students might have the opportunity to continue with us or explore other career paths , creating a talent pipeline aligned with our long-term goals ,” says Al Bawaliz .

He provided a brief overview of Danfoss Middle East and Africa : “ As a global company , we have a presence in more than 100 countries , employing over 42 000 professionals worldwide . With a rich history dating back to 1933 , we are thrilled to celebrate our 90th anniversary this year . Our operations encompass 97 factories spread across 20 countries , and our core focus lies in engineering solutions . We are committed to assisting our clients and customers in decarbonising through energy efficiency , electrification , and various other applications that foster growth . Recognising the global megatrends , such as smart cities , climate change , sustainable food supply , water scarcity , digitalisation , and electrification , we prioritise these critical aspects in both our personal and professional lives .

“ Our commitment to these megatrends extends to South Africa and the African continent . We aim to provide assistance to people as urban migration increases and new cities emerge . For instance , Egypt alone is constructing 17 new cities , with some expected to accommodate populations ranging from five to seven million . This trend is not limited to Egypt but extends across the continent . Taking the example of Ivory Coast to Nigeria , five countries alone , nine cities are projected to house 500 million people within the next 75 years . This population growth and rapid urbanisation pose significant challenges , which we are determined to address . We possess a wide range of solutions designed to tackle these issues , such as cold chain optimisation to combat food waste , energy-efficient solutions for heavy industries like mining , water desalination and wastewater treatment for water scarcity , and high-efficiency refrigeration systems to decarbonise the cold chain ,” says Al Bawaliz . “ Africa ' s significance extends beyond our company ; it is crucial for all businesses and industries due to its vast land area and immense potential for agriculture . By 2050 , the continent ' s GDP is projected to reach approximately USD29 trillion , manufacturing is estimated to contribute USD1 trillion , and it is expected to create 14 million jobs primarily in the food and beverage , tourism , and construction sectors . The population of Africa is anticipated to surpass 2.5 billion by 2050 , surpassing even China in terms of size . The digital economy is also set to flourish , reaching an estimated value of

The Danfoss team mingling with guests .

USD180 billion by 2025 . By 2050 , Africa is expected to have 17 cities with populations exceeding five million . These statistics demonstrate the vast opportunities and immense potential for growth in various sectors across the continent ,” he added .

Following the anniversary event , Cold Link Africa did a Q & A with Al Bawaliz on opportunities in the TMA region :

Q : Last year was commonly regarded as a tough , inflationary year . Could you describe how it was for the construction sector and allied industries such as HVAC & R and cold chain in Danfoss ’ TMA region ?

A : In the construction sector and allied industries such as air conditioning ( A / C ) and cooling , the year was challenging due to the overall economic environment marked by inflationary pressures . However , within Danfoss ' TMA ( Turkey , Middle East , and Africa ) region , the impact was somewhat mitigated by several factors . The presence of ongoing megaprojects in Saudi Arabia and Egypt contributed to sustained construction activity , providing a stable market for the construction sector and associated industries .

Furthermore , the GCC ( Gulf Cooperation Council ) countries , which form part of the TMA region , also exhibited resilience and continued to demonstrate strong growth in construction and related sectors . These countries , including the United Arab Emirates , Qatar , Oman , Bahrain and Kuwait , have a history of robust infrastructure development and investment , which helped cushion the effects of the challenging economic conditions .

Also , the construction sector ' s performance in the TMA region was supported by government initiatives and investments in infrastructure development , including transportation , energy , and real

estate projects . These ongoing projects provided a steady demand for construction materials , equipment and services , including A / C and cooling systems . As a result , Danfoss , as one of the leading providers of energy-efficient solutions in the A / C and cooling sectors , was able to maintain a relatively stable market presence within the TMA region .

Q : What are the key macro-economic challenges that you see in 2023 and the years ahead ?

A : Looking ahead to 2023 and beyond , several macro-economic challenges are expected to impact the global and regional economies . Inflation is anticipated to remain a pressing concern , particularly in certain markets in the region . Inflation erodes purchasing power , increases production costs , and can dampen consumer demand , thereby

In 1950 , Danfoss began its representation in South Africa through a partner named J . L . Clark & Co , who initially supplied air conditioning units to gold mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe using Danfoss components .