INTERVIEW
OIA HAS A GREAT PASSION FOR AFRICA
Ambuj Chaturvedi, Executive Director, Overseas Infrastructure Alliance( OIA), speaks to Kanchi Batra, Business Editor, The Diplomatist, about OIA’ s presence in Africa and its future plans.
You have been at the helm of Overseas Infrastructure Alliance( OIA) for more than a decade now. How do you feel being part of a leading EPC company?
We have been working with Africa for the past ten years; each day has been a rewarding and learning experience. I feel lucky to have been given this chance. Africa is unique in every sense; it ' s a continent however it ' s still regarded as a country. Everyone has their own definition of Africa and what to expect of it. It cannot be boxed into one thing. For us, Africa symbolises growth and hope. There are so many technologies which will take shape in Africa that will be beneficial to the world; I ' m confident of that. The African private sector is writing its own story which is a positive sign.
A lot of people still think of Africa as a risky and uncertain continent, but then, of course, companies like OIA are setting an example and are determined to transform the image of the continent. How do you see OIA as a proactive and innovative contributor to the development of Africa?
We have faced numerous challenges across the different countries where we have been working. Yet, we do not fall back; we get up and go another round with a new project. There are various similarities between the opportunities which we are developing in Africa and which can be implemented in India and vice versa.
With a great legacy of working in Africa, OIA’ s brand continues to evolve. It has achieved a high level of excellence in delivering successful projects in Africa. Shed some light on the rural electrification projects executed by OIA in Rwanda and its positive impact.
OIA ' s journey in Rwanda started in 2012 with a small RE project of $ 1.43 mn in Gikomero Sector. This project was not only completed on time by OIA, but a certificate of appreciation by the local mayor was also issued to the company for excellent groundwork. It is only because of our dedication, hard work on the ground and better understanding on the clients in Rwanda that OIA has secured 6 back to back projects in the country, funded by World Bank & African Development Bank. Out of these six projects, three have already been handed over to the client and one is on the verge of being handed over. Two recently awarded projects are in the early stage of surveying. From $ 1.43 mn to winning bigger projects of $ 10 mn, it was indeed a tough journey for OIA while working in hilly terrain, but the hard work was satisfying as this has brought happiness on faces of thousands in the region. That’ s the real reward and satisfaction for us. With projects executed by OIA, over 12,000 new consumers now have access to energy, and by end of 2019, this number will double to more than 27,000 consumers. Providing access to energy to masses is our contribution and it’ s the major step towards the growth of Rwanda!
Under President Paul Kagame, Rwanda has become a bulwark of good governance. How do you see Rwanda growing under his leadership?
Rwanda, in President Kagame ' s regime, has seen a tremendous growth. Being a landlocked country and with limited natural resources, it was not easy to build the country after the unfortunate Genocide. But the kind of atmosphere President Kagame has provided in doing business with ease in Rwanda is praiseworthy. Today Rwanda ranks at the 41st place( as per World Bank) in ease of doing business in the world. This conducive business environment has become possible because of the security situation, law and order in the country, political stability, low corruption and a positive attitude of President towards growth and development. The initiatives taken by the current government are really appreciable. Be it the umuganda day( for community work) or car-free day( to fight against pollution and for better fitness of the nationals) or getting a company registered in Rwanda( within 8 hours) or liberalising country entry by visa on arrival, with each step President Paul Kagame is taking the country forward on the path of growth.
What is OIA’ s aspiration for expansion in Africa?
Agriculture, technology, education, financial inclusion and, the most important, infrastructure are areas where any company of India can enter and create a business for at least another 20 years without having to worry about intense competition. OIA has a great passion for Africa; in last one decade we have delivered prestigious projects and made our presence felt in various countries across the continent. Going forward, OIA would continue its endeavour of deeper penetration in the existing markets and at the same time explore newer markets and sectors in Africa. At the end of the day, we at OIA always aspire to contribute projects that can be instrumental for the multifaceted growth of the African nations and bring smiles on faces of masses. •
2018 • RWANDA • 17