France’s Nexans plans to extend its sub-Saharan manufacturing capacity to make cables for domestic connectivity and supply renewable energy industries, Vijay Mahadevan, executive vice president for Africa, tells The Africa Report.
The company, mainly focused until now on northwest Africa, is evaluating whether to expand in eastern or southern Africa, says Mahadevan in Paris. A decision is likely to be taken in 2021. The countries being considered are “stable” in governance terms, he adds.
Nexans will choose between eastern and southern Africa rather than trying to enter both regions at the same time, Mahadevan says. The expansion, intended to create long-term manufacturing capability rather than to service one-off projects, is likely to create between 100 and 500 jobs. It could be carried out alone or with joint-venture partners, he adds.
