With specialized services ranging from market research and strategic planning to business development and M&A assistance, Venia International is the global consulting and investment firm founded by Sebastien Clamorgan. The firm's investment activities concern many industry sectors, including port management and maritime trade, with a particular focus on opening the gateways to Africa and the Middle East.

Maritime trade, a vital mode of transport: the projects of Venia International, the firm led by Sebastien Clamorgan

Transport by sea is a key mode of shipping as it enables ships to carry large shipments conveniently. It is particularly important for landlocked countries, which face specific constraints imposed by geography. This is the case of the African continent, where about one-third of countries are landlocked and do not have navigable routes to the sea. As a consequence, African countries rely heavily on sea shipping. According to maritime trade data estimated by the UNCTAD - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in 2019 African ports loaded about 7% of world maritime trade and unloaded 4.6% of this trade. In particular, two of the most important African ports are in West Africa, namely the port of Tema and the port of Lomé. West Africa is also the geographical area chosen for the Badagry MegaPort and Free Trade Zone, a project including Sebastien Clamorgan's global firm Venia International as deal maker, broker and representative of a stakeholder' interests. The aim of this project is to develop a new, ultra-modern port and free zone for continued development in West Africa. This region still has a huge potential to grow Africa's footprint in the global maritime transport industry, and can play an even more important role with collaborative, multi-stakeholder projects including states, the private sector, and civil-society organizations. Venia International, for its part, can contribute with resources and expertise in areas including market research and insights, regional business setup, business development, and M&A assistance, among others. Headed by Sebastien Clamorgan, the global firm has carried out a considerable number of successful projects, with investment activities and projects concerning shipping, port management, logistics, and food & beverage. This list of sectors can be extended according to the specific projects' requirements.

The Venia Difference: Sebastien Clamorgan's global firm Venia International

After a long career in import/export and finance, at the end of the Nineties Sebastien Clamorgan founded its own global firm Venia International. Specialized in global consulting and investments, the firm is particularly focused on opening the gateways to Africa and the Middle East, two areas where it has built many successful partnerships for more than 25 years of business activity. As part of its services, it provides specialized solutions including: market research, insights and data to help companies to identify and develop new business opportunities; growth roadmaps and strategic planning for profitable projects; business intelligence services to assist Venia International's equity partners who wish to penetrate new markets; business development services to identify underserved and valuable segments companies can focus on. In addition to this, Sebastien Clamorgan's firm provides specialized assistance in effectively negotiating M&A operations. With an extensive regional know-how on the MENA area, today Venia International is considered a reference point for companies desirous of establishing themselves in this area.