New projet in Africa

It is a design not meeting the SOR.

And the problem is basically that Issa refuses to give us any further details about his SOR (other than the 40 pax at 38 knots), or what has been hammered out (apparently) during the past three years of planning / discussions re these water taxis / ferries, and refuses to answer any questions that are designed to try to help him.
When one is investing $15 million of one's onw money in a new project, you want it to be the best that it can possibly be.
 
I do wonder how our friend Issa is doing with his 15 million dollars...
 
Issa certainly is a busy man, it's coming up on a month since his last visit to the Forum.
Anyone heard from him?
 
I have not heard a peep out of @Issa either - I had a PM exchange going on with him for a bit, but that fizzled out.
Issa, please do give us an update sometime on your progress.

Edit - and the last time that @Issa logged in to the Forum was at the end of March, a month ago now, so it would appear that he has lost interest in this thread.
 
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The Forum is still saying that the last time it saw @Issa on here was at the end of March, so it does appear that he has lost interest in this thread sadly.
Which is a shame, as I am sure that we could have helped him a lot, if this project really is genuine.
 
I've just heard from Issa.

(S)he assures me progress is robust and updates are to follow.

I look forward to the updates on this exciting project.
 
It was bought by Uber.
 
Dear Esteemed Members,


Allow me first to extend my warm greetings to all members of this distinguished forum, and to offer my sincere apologies for my prolonged (indeed very prolonged) absence.


Before re-engaging with the forum, I took the time to carefully revisit the various contributions and exchanges related to the topic “New Project in Africa”, which I initiated approximately three years ago on this platform. These three years have been marked by intense and demanding work, interspersed with both significant challenges and notable achievements. Above all, however, they have constituted an invaluable learning journey, enriched by meaningful encounters and profound professional experiences.


From an experiential standpoint, I can confidently state that the positive outcomes have far outweighed the negative ones. The successes reinforced my convictions, while the setbacks enabled me to deepen my understanding, refine my approach, and grow substantially through this ambitious endeavor.


The project I am leading is inherently ambitious, structurally transformative, and designed for long-term sustainability. It combines strong social impact with exceptionally high economic returns. Among the major obstacles encountered was the loss of my principal financial partner, effectively the financial backbone of the project. This partner was the second-highest-ranking official in the government of my country of origin, who subsequently faced political difficulties with the Head of State over issues that cannot be appropriately detailed in a forum of this nature. What matters most, however, is that nothing has been irreversibly lost. On the contrary, this episode has significantly strengthened my experience and strategic maturity.


I am now returning to this forum with a renewed objective: to identify a new financial partner among its distinguished members to support and co-develop this project. Since my last participation here, my professional trajectory has evolved considerably. Comprehensive feasibility studies have been conducted and successfully concluded by an internationally renowned consulting firm. Furthermore, the relevant governments have granted their approval in principle, along with formal commitments to accompany and support the project.


In short, all technical, institutional, and regulatory prerequisites are in place, and the project is ready for immediate launch. The only remaining element is the engagement of a reliable financial partner, one who stands to generate substantial returns. When I say substantial, I mean exceptionally high, while operating within a framework of controlled and limited risk.


Given that not all aspects of the project can be disclosed publicly, I propose organizing a Zoom conference during which I would present a comprehensive pitch and transparently outline all dimensions, mechanisms, and projections of the project.


I look forward to your feedback and potential expressions of interest.


Thank you for your attention, and my apologies once again for the length of this message.


Kind regards,

Issa.
 
Welcome back Issa! We have been worried about you.

You are now desperately looking for substantial financial backing - I do not think that this Forum is a good place for this. We are all engineers, boatbuilders, mariners et al, who are keen to help with the design and operational aspects of your ferries, however I very much doubt that anybody on this Forum has any spare cash to invest in a project like this.

Comprehensive feasibility studies have been conducted and successfully concluded by an internationally renowned consulting firm.

Surely this consulting firm should be able to provide you with some leads for obtaining financial backing?

Have you applied to your Government for any grants that might be made available for establishing a ferry service?

Does the European Union have a presence (or an office) in your country?
They have provided various grants in the past to my home country (Barbados) for improving maritime infrastructure here.
 
Well said BajanSailor.

Issa, I will back your venture dollar for dollar.
Just send me what you've raised ( I need to see the cash of course ) and I'll match it.
But I expect a 133% return on my dollar once you're up and running.

Please make a better deal if you can find it.

Welcome back.
 
Welcome back Issa! We have been worried about you.

You are now desperately looking for substantial financial backing - I do not think that this Forum is a good place for this. We are all engineers, boatbuilders, mariners et al, who are keen to help with the design and operational aspects of your ferries, however I very much doubt that anybody on this Forum has any spare cash to invest in a project like this.



Surely this consulting firm should be able to provide you with some leads for obtaining financial backing?

Have you applied to your Government for any grants that might be made available for establishing a ferry service?

Does the European Union have a presence (or an office) in your country?
They have provided various grants in the past to my home country (Barbados) for improving maritime infrastructure here.


Good evening Bajansailor,


Thank you for your prompt response and for the candor that clearly underpins your message, which I sincerely appreciate.


The project under discussion is of a highly structuring nature and carries significant strategic relevance at a regional level within West Africa. To provide greater precision, this initiative represents a total investment volume of approximately EUR 63 million.


As you are undoubtedly aware, stakeholders familiar with banking procedures and financial structuring constraints recognize that no financial institution is willing to underwrite or finance a project in the absence of any equity contribution from the project sponsor. Addressing this very constraint constitutes the core objective of my current search and efforts.


Even the European Union requires evidence of an initial phase of project implementation before considering formal engagement alongside us. This prerequisite is not unique; it reflects a standard approach adopted by all major international financial institutions, which consistently demand tangible proof of project maturity, initial capitalization, and execution readiness prior to committing resources.


I trust that these clarifications help shed further light on the matter and adequately address the questions you raised.


Yours sincerely,
 
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