Our Team
Nicholas Esterhuizen, CAIA®
Managing Director
Nicholas is an accomplished trade and investment professional with extensive experience in South African and international banking, trade, and finance. He spent significant time at one of South Africa’s top four banks, gaining deep industry insights. As a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®), Nicholas holds qualifications from prestigious institutions, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Business (Finance) from Melbourne, Australia, and advanced training from the International Compliance Association (ICA) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Academy in Singapore. His diverse expertise provides a robust understanding of the global financial landscape, enabling him to deliver strategic, informed solutions to complex business challenges.
As Managing Director of IEG Africa DMCC, Nicholas has spearheaded numerous initiatives across Africa and internationally, conducting comprehensive Research & Development and engaging with key stakeholders in the Precious Metals and Mining industry. Tasked with developing and implementing the company’s overall business strategy, he leverages his extensive knowledge and expertise to drive IEG Africa DMCC’s growth and success in this dynamic sector. With a strong emphasis on strategic planning and execution, Nicholas is dedicated to positioning IEG Africa DMCC as a leading player in the industry, delivering exceptional value to suppliers, clients, and stakeholders.
Ric Meulemans
Executive Chairman
Ric’s career trajectory showcases his diverse range of expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. After achieving success in the United Kingdom by establishing a prominent retail chain, Ric transitioned into the aviation industry as a commercial pilot in the United States. During the early 2000s, he recognized the immense potential of the internet and set his sights on leveraging this emerging technology. Driven by his vision and passion, Ric went on to establish some of South Africa’s largest online companies, becoming a prestigious figure in the country’s digital landscape. His ability to construct business frameworks in nascent and evolving markets has been instrumental in keeping these ventures at the forefront of the latest market trends.
In addition to his accomplishments in the digital sphere, Ric has developed extensive mining-related experience. His father, holding senior positions in prominent mining companies in South Africa when it was the world’s largest gold producer, instilled in Ric a deep understanding of the mining industry. Spending considerable time on mining sites, Ric gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of mining operations and built a wealth of knowledge in this field. Furthermore, his exposure to gold mining and trading through his late father has contributed to his expertise in this area.
Oliver Bryant
Board Member
After obtaining his Honours Degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Cape Town, Oliver founded a number of renowned tech businesses, two of which were sold to publicly listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Oliver is what you’d call a serial entrepreneur. Highly skilled and ambitious, Oliver’s value can be seen in every one of the projects and companies he touches. Olly has been instrumental in the creation of highly advanced proprietary software and continues to innovate, create and test boundaries. Olly serves as a trusted investor and advisor to IEG Africa DMCC.
Matthew Tagg
Board Member
With a passion for technology, Matt has since held senior positions and served as a board member for numerous tech-based companies across South Africa and the United States. Matt co-founded Web Africa and Teraco Data Environments—a cloud- and vendor-neutral data center provider that currently serves more than 600 organizations around the world and has a valuation of $3.5 billion. It’s safe to say Matt is a global titan in the tech space and serves as a trusted investor and advisor to IEG Africa DMCC.