
P
ygma Group (PG) is a Pan-African holding company with activities and shares in incredibly diverse strategic sectors such as communications, real estate, consulting, or financial products. More recently, the group has acquired significant shares in the telecom and logistics sector.
Founded in 2002 by Mandla Msimang, Alain Yav, Jean-Pierre Gatarahiya, Willy Yav, and Paul Kasseyet, the group is active in nearly fifteen African countries, with offices in Kinshasa, Johannesburg, and Washington. Their mission: unlocking Africa’s potential, one sector at a time.
Pygma Communications is led by Alain Yav, group CEO, and has transformed from a small neighborhood shop into a consortium of advertising and public relations agencies, audiovisual production companies, and media and event management organizations. Pygma counts major clients such as Vodacom, Heineken, and Unilever.
Pygma Consulting
Led by Mandla Msimang, this division has allowed Pygma to enter the world of Information Technologies and Communications. They advise both private and public sectors across various African countries, competing with the likes of the Big Five. Clients include the World Bank, ITU, ICASA, and Nedbank.
PYGMA COMMUNICATION
Alain Yav, group CEO – a former member of Procter and Gamble and probably one of the most highly regarded marketers in the region – has managed within half a decade to transform what started as a ‘ligablo’ – a small neighborhood shop – into a cleverly built consortium of advertising and public relations agencies, audio and visual production companies, and media and event management organizations. International awards were quick to follow clients’ expressions of satisfaction, including Vodacom, Heineken, Unilever etc.
The plan and the tone are set, it’s Africa after Congo; “he who can do more can do less” says Mr Yav…
Oxyprop & Sesam Architect
These companies focus on addressing the housing needs of Africa’s growing middle class, with projects like ‘Kisima Appartements’ in Rwanda, aiming to provide 5000 new apartments and plans to expand to six other African countries.
Pygma Investments
This division plans and realizes Pygma’s investments, focusing on financial services, communication, and real estate development. With the ‘Silver Finance’ subsidiary, they’ve introduced innovative financial services, including microfinance and consumer loans, to the Congolese market.
Pygma is also heavily invested in corporate social responsibility, contributing to healthcare, culture, and arts, promoting Congolese artists, and donating $4 million worth of medical equipment.
For Pygma, Africa is not the future—it’s the present.