In Times of Challenge, Opportunities Are Forged… The Economy in Motion
As I See It
Adel El-Baz
1.
The Al-Bereir Deal
The deal between Savola Group and Mamoun Al-Bereir Group has dominated conversations in Khartoum and Cairo, drawing particular attention from business leaders, alongside extensive coverage across media outlets, newspapers, and digital platforms.
When we exclusively broke the news of the deal in Al-Ahdath newspaper, we did not anticipate this level of buzz. Yet it exceeded expectations—far beyond what we had imagined. Why?
1/ Timing of the Deal… Breaking the Barrier of Fear
The deal came at a time when the country is emerging from war, still tending to its wounds. It was widely assumed that the most the industrial private sector could do was to rehabilitate what remained of looted factories.
However, Mamoun Al-Bereir Group leapt straight into the future, acquiring a ready-made factory that had not suffered significant damage, with plans to resume production within just two months.
According to estimates, the factory is capable of covering around 80% of Sudan’s market demand. This means the investment is not merely a gamble, but a high-yield project with the potential to recover its costs within a short timeframe.
This is not just a deal—it is a practical declaration that the economy can begin to recover even before the war has fully ended.
That said, the greatest challenge remains ensuring continuity of production amid ongoing security and logistical constraints. The success of this deal will depend on cooperation between the private sector and government entities to provide a stable operating environment, paving the way for larger investments in other food sectors.
2/ Restoring Confidence… The Message the Market Understood
The deal has prompted hesitant business leaders to reassess their calculations. Many have begun to realize that opportunities arising in moments of major transition do not repeat themselves, and that investing at this stage may be less costly and more rewarding than waiting.
The message received by the market is clear: there are companies injecting hundreds of millions of dollars, building for the future rather than yielding to fear. This alone is sufficient to restore confidence within the economy.
3/ A Message Abroad… Investment Is Not a Gamble
The most important message was not directed inward, but outward—to foreign investors who view Sudan as a promising market but remain cautious due to concerns over stability.
This deal sends a clear signal: investments of this scale are not reckless ventures, but rather smart positioning within an environment that is taking shape and will become more stable over time.
2.
“Meyas Sand”… Sudan Returns to the Mining Map
Another significant deal that captured public attention this week is the sale of the Meyas Sand gold project, reflecting ongoing shifts in the global investment landscape in the mining sector.
On March 16, 2026, Australia’s Perseus Mining Limited announced the signing of an agreement to sell its 70% stake in the project to Hong Kong Matrix Golden Fortune Mining Limited—an affiliate of China’s Matrix Resources (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.—for $260 million in cash. The deal includes an initial payment of $10 million received upon signing, with the remaining $250 million due upon completion, scheduled for April 22, 2026.
This transaction confirms that global companies—particularly Asian firms—are beginning to return to Sudan despite the challenges, and that the mining sector remains one of the economy’s most vital drivers.
Notably, the Ministry of Minerals and the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company have been making visible efforts to streamline procedures and attract investors. One investor noted at an economic conference in London that he was able to complete all formalities within just two weeks, without complications.
What is now required is a shift from opportunity to structured promotion: preparing professional studies for mining blocks and leading targeted investment campaigns toward Asia, where companies—especially Chinese firms—appear more willing to operate in complex environments.
3.
USSD… A Transformation Long Overdue
Last week witnessed a pivotal step with the launch of banking services via USSD technology, coordinated between the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Central Bank of Sudan.
At first glance, this may seem like a technical development, but in reality, it represents a profound economic transformation.
What is USSD?
It is a technology that enables financial transactions via basic mobile phones without the need for internet access, making it highly suitable for a society where smartphone penetration remains limited.
While I welcome this step, I cannot hide a sense of regret. This idea had been on the table for more than a decade and could have transformed Sudan’s economic landscape much earlier, were it not for conflict and bureaucratic obstacles.
Kenya’s M-Pesa experience offers a clear lesson:
- It raised financial inclusion to over 80%
- Contributed nearly 2% to GDP
- Brought millions into the formal banking system
Across Africa, more than 60% of digital transactions are conducted through similar technologies—not via the internet.
In Sudan, where more than 70% of economic activity is estimated to occur outside the formal banking system, this step could trigger a structural transformation: channeling money into the banking sector, reducing the shadow economy, strengthening oversight, and combating money laundering.
Perhaps most importantly, it reflects long-missing institutional coordination between the Central Bank and the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Thanks are due to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation, its diligent minister Ahmed Al-Dardiri Gandour, and to Amna Mirghani, whose efforts made this cooperation and harmony possible.
