EXECUTIVE INTERVIEWS > PUBLIC SECTOR
RIDA GROUP IS IN THE MIDST OF A GOLDEN AGE UNDER
A graduate of Omdurman Alahlia University, Faculty of Arts, Mr. Mohamed Omer Abdelsalam specializes in English Language. He then went on to earn an MBA from the University of Science and Technology in Sudan. He worked at “Tajooj Soap Factory” from 1996 to 2004 as a first step toward his career. The next venture he undertook was to establish RSR, an importer of printing materials for magazines, books, and newspapers. RIDA Group hired him in 2012, and he currently serves as its CEO. Today, he is trailblazing a transformation of this family-led business to establish a corporate structure that facilitates its growth into Africa’s leading mining company.
Originally operating in the chrome mining sector, RIDA Company for Engineering and Construction Ltd. was founded in 1993. A mining license was obtained by RIDA in 2000, which marked the beginning of the company’s journey. As a family business, RIDA is unique in that all members are also family members. Our motto is “ONE RIDA, ONE FAMILY”. We have two core values that guide our commitment to playing a major role in the mining and renewable energy industries, one of which is “Human first.” This value, along with our commitment to sustainability, led us to develop a new concept known as “Green Mining”, whereby we intend to rely solely on renewable energy by 2025, so long as that is feasible.
In the year 2021, we had two operating companies and four production plants operating with full production capacity in the River Nile area in Sudan. As part of its strategy to become a leader in mining in Africa, RIDA established a production company and factory in Guinea at the beginning of 2022.
A key element of RIDA’s vision to become one of the top five mining companies in Africa is to work across the continent in all directions. As of today, the company is actively conducting business in Eritrea, Guinea, and Morocco, as well as exploring opportunities across the continent. Gold mining and extraction of other minerals were RIDA’s initial objectives when it began expanding into these locations, and it includes some that are still in the exploration stage, such as Morocco, and some that are already producing gold, such as Guinea. We rely on RIDA’s staff who represent a diverse range of nationalities to lead our operations and our company at all locations. A global workforce of individuals hailing from different countries work in harmony to contribute to the company’s growth.
As Sudan’s first private mining company operating in the gold mining sector, RIDA has played a critical role in its economy over the years. Moreover, the company was the first to process artisanal gold tailings in Sudan. There is a boom in mining worldwide, and Sudan has untapped resources such as precious metals and base metals that will attract international investors. In the mining industry, investors have a number of opportunities. These include the mining itself and the whole value chain of the mining industry, as well as the services that support it. Therefore, it’s time for investors to enter the Sudanese market. With extensive experience across most of the value chain, RIDA Group is ideally suited to play a significant role as a partner of choice. A lack of statistics and information, insufficient power availability at mining locations that are off the grid, and inadequate logistical support pose pertinent challenges for some investors interested in Sudan’s mining industry.
RIDA is developing the first solar farm of such a significant scale and technology in Sudan’s industrial sector on our Sudan Mining site. The project will be developed in collaboration with a leading technology company in the near future.
With our history of progress, and our continuous exploration of innovative solutions to enhance the sustainability of our business, RIDA has demonstrated a great commitment to the ECO systems. By developing solutions that minimize our impact on the environment and help make it a safer place for everyone, we strive to minimize any potential risks. Health, safety, and environmental precautions are at the forefront of our practices as we adhere to the emerging trends in environmental practices.
Several mining companies have been established by former and current RIDA mining professionals, resulting in the development of the mining sector in Sudan. Dedicated, motivated individuals can take advantage of a range of opportunities at RIDA Group. In order to drive growth, we value diversity and support people from all walks of life who can add value to our organization. In order to drive growth, experts from the sector work with a network of business experts and in a dynamic work environment from multiple perspectives. Three specialized training programs in several fields are offered by the group as part of its efforts to develop individuals. A key goal of these programs is to develop and train young talent for a leading role in the future. The first program is the “RGYTP” program tailored for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Administrative Sciences or a bachelor’s degree (mining engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, geology). The “RGTAP” has been created to train diploma holders in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or mining engineer technician, and finally, the “RGTGP” program is for bachelor’s degree holders specializing in mechanical engineering, mining engineering, chemical engineering, and electrical engineering.
As part of its new strategy, RIDA plans to launch new products and services in three new sectors, including Energy, Agribusiness, and Technology. Our business partners will also benefit from new services we will launch within the mining sector.
Sudan Business Magazine
