Navigating the African oil & gas industry – country entry exploration
INDUSTRY: OIL AND GAS
SERVICES: Market Navigator – Market Entry & Expansion
Client need
A US-based oil and gas company with international operations sought to explore opportunities in a targeted African country.
The company was influenced by a local business player who promised a secure and successful country entry and business development plan.
To validate the feasibility of this opportunity, the client engaged Interdiligence to conduct a thorough assessment of the local social, business, and political environment, as well as the legal framework, tax system, and cultural and business influences within the community.
The objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the seemingly attractive but complex opportunity.
One page solution:
Our innovative approach concludes complex reports and detailed analysis, into a concise one-page diagram that provides a full overview.
The solution
APPROACH
Interdiligence utilized a combination of advanced technology, field research, and multidisciplinary expertise to provide the client with actionable insights:
- Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): A multilingual team of OSINT specialists employed advanced data acquisition software to scrape and analyze information from media outlets, social media platforms, public records, and paid data services. They utilized languages such as Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, German, French, Farsi, and English to access a broad spectrum of information sources.
- On-the-Ground Assessments: Interdiligence deployed agents in the region of interest, collaborating with trusted local partners in the target country and its neighboring regions. This ensured a nuanced understanding of the local dynamics and stakeholder interests.
- Centralized Analysis: Data gathered from field research and OSINT operations was centralized at Interdiligence’s headquarters, where economists, intelligence analysts, and data scientists processed and transformed the information into actionable insights. These experts synthesized complex datasets into clear, structured reports, revealing critical details about the local landscape.
Deliverables
1. Comprehensive Report: The findings were consolidated into a detailed report that highlighted:
- Local political stakeholders and their influence on the business environment.
- Regulatory constraints previously leveraged against foreign investors, leading to unfavorable outcomes.
- Connections between tribal leaders and controversial military figures.
- Presence of competing international investors with conflicting interests.
2. Pitch Deck: A high-clarity pitch deck was created to summarize the key insights, ensuring that the client could quickly grasp the risks and opportunities associated with the venture.
3. One-Page Solution: The essence of the findings was distilled into a color-coded One-Pager Solution, which illustrated the complex relational system of political and business influences. This document highlighted key risks and underscored the challenges of entering the market without significant exposure to potential pitfalls.
The Impact
Interdiligence’s analysis provided the client with clarity and foresight, enabling a swift and well-informed decision. Key outcomes included:
1. Risk Mitigation: The One-Pager Solution and accompanying insights revealed significant risks, including political instability, regulatory manipulation, and contentious relationships between local leaders and military figures.
2. Strategic Decision-Making: Armed with a detailed understanding of the local environment, the client decided to cancel their country entry plan, avoiding potential financial losses and reputational damage.