Case Study: How African Industries Transformed Operations with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, efficiency and scalability are critical drivers of success. For African Industries, Nigeria’s largest steel manufacturing company and a key player in renewable energy, these challenges became more pressing as the business expanded across multiple sectors. With operations spanning steel, chemicals, power, and logistics, the company needed a unified system to manage growth, reduce inefficiencies, and make better business decisions.

About African Industries

Founded in 1971, African Industries has grown into a leading industrial giant in West Africa. Not only is it the region’s largest steel manufacturer, but it has also diversified into chemicals, power, logistics, and renewable energy. Its global reputation as a reliable exporter underscores its commitment to industrial excellence and sustainable growth.

However, as the company continued to grow, its legacy systems and manual processes began to limit efficiency and scalability.

Key Challenges Faced

African Industries was encountering several critical challenges that impacted daily operations and long-term growth:

• Disconnected Systems: Legacy software across departments created silos, preventing seamless communication and data sharing.
• Manual & Time-Consuming Processes: Functions like inventory management, procurement, and financial reporting were highly manual, leading to delays and errors.
• Limited Real-Time Data: Decision-making was constrained due to the lack of accessible, real-time insights.
• Scalability Constraints: As the business expanded, older systems could not handle increasing complexity or growth.

These issues made it clear that a modern, integrated ERP solution was essential.

The Solution: Microsoft Dynamics Business Central

Trident implemented Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (BC), a robust ERP platform designed to unify operations and enable data-driven decision-making. The solution delivered:

• Unified ERP Platform: Finance, procurement, inventory, and manufacturing functions integrated into one system.
• Automation of Key Processes: Streamlined manual tasks such as inventory and financial reporting for improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Real-Time Data Access: Dashboards and BI tools provided leadership with instant insights.
• Scalability: Business Central’s flexible architecture supported expansion and operational complexities with ease.

Business Benefits Achieved

The impact of the Business Central implementation was transformative for African Industries:

• Operational Efficiency: Automation reduced manual errors and improved productivity.
• Faster Decision-Making: Real-time data enabled quicker, more informed decisions.
• Increased Scalability: Supported business growth across diverse sectors with minimal disruption.
• Cost Savings: Optimised resource management and automation led to significant cost reductions.
• Improved Reporting & Compliance: Timely, accurate reporting simplified governance and compliance requirements.

Customer Testimonial

Trident’s Business Central implementation has been a transformative experience for African Industries. The seamless integration and automation have not only improved efficiency but also allowed us to make data-driven decisions that fuel our continued growth. The support and expertise provided by Trident have been invaluable in helping us navigate this change.”
— Head of IT, African Industries

Conclusion

The case of African Industries highlights the importance of modern ERP solutions in driving industrial growth. By adopting Microsoft Dynamics Business Central with Trident’s expertise, the company overcame operational bottlenecks, automated processes, and gained real-time visibility into its operations.

As industries continue to expand and diversify, having an integrated ERP platform is no longer optional — it is essential for efficiency, scalability, and long-term success. For organisations looking to streamline operations and prepare for future growth, the African Industries story serves as a powerful example of what’s possible with the right technology and the right partner.