Acquisition

LonZim PLC 16 April 2008 16 April 2008 LonZim Plc ('LonZim' or the 'Company') Acquires option to control communication technology company FMN Africa LonZim Plc (AIM: LZM), which was established for the principal purpose of making investments in Zimbabwe and the Beira corridor in Mozambique, is pleased to announce that it has signed an Option Agreement to acquire a 51 per cent. controlling shareholding in ForgetMeNot Africa Limited ('FMN Africa'). FMN Africa, a subsidiary of ForgetMeNot Software Limited Hong Kong ('FMN'), is a newly incorporated communications technology company established to specialise in 2-way global messaging across Africa. FMN is one of the market leaders in global messaging solutions. Its Message Optimiser (MO) software enables seamless messaging between SMS capable mobile telephones, email addresses and instant messaging (IM) destinations. The Acquisition The immediate consideration of US$150,000, paid to FMN for the option, will be used by FMN to introduce the MO software into two large corporate customers in Zimbabwe. Upon FMN Africa demonstrating the successful implementation of the MO solution with two significant customers, LonZim has the option to acquire a 51 per cent. stake in FMN Africa from FMN for a further US$400,000. If LonZim exercises the option, a further US$1,000,000 will then become payable by LonZim to FMN on 30 December 2008 in return for FMN granting FMN Africa an exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free licence to use, distribute and sub-licence FMN's Message Optimiser technology across Africa. Message Optimiser Message Optimiser (MO) uniquely provides global 2-way unified messaging capability, including 2-way email, 2-way instant messaging (IM) and SMS messaging to and from any mobile device and personal computer, irrespective of device type, sophistication, carrier network, IM client or language. MO instantly provides any mobile device with some of the features of high end smartphones and devices without the need for any software download or change in user behaviour. End users (both those who pre pay and those on a contract) can become up and running within seconds, using just their mobile phone and without any need for PC or Internet access. Importantly, MO forms the core of FMN's secure micro banking and micro credit services, opening up huge opportunities in mobile banking and credit provision to the massive 'unbanked' sector of Africa. MO allows real time, remote account set-up for a variety of financial transactions including debit, credit, bill payment, top-ups and money transfers using just the mobile phone with comprehensive automatic audit and tracking of all transactions and communications. Deal Rationale LonZim and FMN Africa intend to develop the MO technology across the business and private sectors in Zimbabwe and other countries in southern Africa. This acquisition and the licence agreement with FMN are intended to accelerate the development and distribution of the technology throughout the African continent and FMN Africa will appoint Zimbabwe based IT and telecoms company, Celsys Limited (an existing LonZim subsidiary), as its regional partner. Celsys has the capability to deliver competent technical support and high level contacts in the telecommunications and financial sectors in the region, and will be responsible for beginning the roll out of the technology in Africa from Zimbabwe. The intended clients for FMN Africa are primarily carriers and financial service providers who wish to provide high value sophisticated unified messaging and banking facilities to all of their customers without the need to expend on upgrading devices or infrastructure or increasing overheads. David Lenigas, Executive Chairman of LonZim commented: 'Message Optimisation is an innovative, market driven solution that will be beneficial to many phone users throughout Africa. The system permits a normal, low cost GSM handset to be able to send and receive emails, transfer funds and carry out services otherwise only available at the most affluent end of the market. 'FMN Africa strategically complements LonZim's previous investment in Celsys and financial services technology company, Paynet. These businesses are already successful in the current economic environment, demonstrating their strength and potential, and are well positioned to rapidly benefit from an economic upturn in Zimbabwe. With relatively low overheads in Zimbabwe LonZim plans to launch a pan-African technology company that will accelerate communications and commerce across Africa.' Paul Roberts, co-founder and Director of FMN commented: 'We are very pleased to be working with LonZim in distributing our patent pending Message Optimiser mobile technology in Africa and, coupled with LonZim's excellent distribution and reach, FMN Africa has the capacity to provide a massive leap forward in bringing highly advanced digital communications and access to comprehensive financial services to the entire African continent. This agreement with LonZim is consistent with our market entry strategy of working with companies who have in depth local knowledge in the territories in which we operate.' ENQUIRIES LonZim Plc +44 (0)20 7016 5105 David Lenigas, Executive Chairman +44 (0)7881 825 378 Geoffrey White, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)7717 307 308 Emma Priestley, Executive Director +44 (0)7867 785 177 Pelham Public Relations Charles Vivian +44 (0) 20 7743 6672 +44 (0) 7977 297903 James MacFarlane +44 (0) 20 7743 6375 +44 (0) 7841 672831 Collins Stewart Europe: NOMAD Helen Goldsmith +44 (0) 20 7523 8350 NOTES TO EDITORS About LONZIM: LonZim Plc ('LonZim') is a company focused on developing and acquiring business opportunities primarily in Zimbabwe and the region of Mozambique known as the Beira Corridor, which links Zimbabwe to the coast. LonZim was listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange on 11th December 2007 after raising £29.16 million. LonZim is 20 per cent. owned and managed by Lonrho Plc (AIM: LONR) a company strategically focused on the development of business opportunities in infrastructure, transportation, support services and natural resources throughout Africa. Since listing in December 2007, LonZim has invested in or acquired control of: Celsys Limited www.celsys.co.zw Gardoserve (Private) Ltd t/a Millpal Chemicals Aldeamento Turistico de Macuti, SARL., a company owning land in central Beira on the Mozambique coast Paynet Limited About FMN: ForgetMeNot Software is a privately held company headquartered in Hong Kong with representation in USA and Asia and plans for setting up in Europe in the near future. The company provides a range of scalable Unified Messaging services and technologies to Carriers, Enterprises and Financial Institutions worldwide who wish to capitalise on the ubiquity of the mobile phone and its capacity to enhance and empower individuals and institutions. Its patent pending software allows truly seamless Unified Messaging and transaction capability using industry standard protocols. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings