Malta Today – Alkagesta Featured for Strategic Expansion into Metals Trading through Navex Partnership
Malta Today has highlighted Alkagesta’s expansion into the metals trading sector through the establishment of Alkanavex, a Malta-based joint venture created in partnership with Navex SAS, a well-established French steel trading company.
The feature outlines Alkagesta’s formal entry into the global metals market and its long-term strategy to broaden its commodity portfolio and strengthen its role within the industrial materials supply chain.
As global markets evolve to support industrialisation, electrification, and large-scale infrastructure development, metals have emerged as a natural extension of Alkagesta’s activities. With an initial focus on steel — a core material for construction and manufacturing — Alkanavex aims to build an integrated, well-governed, and resilient platform for the sourcing, trading, and distribution of metals.
Over the past two years, Alkagesta and Navex have aligned operational practices, governance frameworks, and commercial models. With Alkagesta holding a majority stake, the framework for Alkanavex has been finalised, with legal formalisation and operational integration now underway.
Navex brings deep sectoral expertise, with a leadership team holding more than 25 years of individual experience in steel trading, sourcing, and global operations.
Jean-Pierre Artigala, Chief Executive Officer of Navex, has over five decades of industry experience, having held senior roles in leading European and international steel groups including Usinor/Sacilor (now ArcelorMittal), Fercometal, and Descours & Cabaud.
The company sources primarily from China — the world’s largest steel exporter — and serves long-standing customers across West and East Africa, regions undergoing rapid industrial and infrastructure expansion.
Leadership Statements
Pierre Gay, Member of the Board of Alkagesta, said:
“This partnership is built on mutual respect and strategic alignment. Alkanavex is more than a combination of two teams — it represents a shared vision for building a high-performing, well-governed, and globally competitive steel trading platform.”
Jean-Pierre Artigala, CEO of Navex, commented:
“This partnership gives Navex access to the financial strength, governance framework, and global footprint of Alkagesta while preserving our operational heritage. We are excited to deepen our presence in Africa and to explore sourcing synergies and new product corridors with Alkagesta.”
Orkhan Rustamov, CEO of Alkagesta, added:
“We’ve long believed that steel and metals trading is a natural next step for Alkagesta. With the right partners, the right governance, and a prudent commercial model, we see this as a powerful growth engine. Navex stood out for its professionalism, integrity, and long-term track record.”
🔗 Read the full feature on: Malta Today
About Alkagesta
Alkagesta is a global commodity trading house specializing in petroleum and steel products, fertilizers, and biofuels. Established in Malta in 2018, the company operates as a multinational enterprise with 17 offices and representations worldwide. Alkagesta maintains partnerships with 28 international banks and conducts trading activities across 48 countries, facilitating approximately 9 million metric tons of commodity flows annually. Its extensive logistics network includes access to more than 700,000 cubic meters of storage capacity across Europe and Asia, supporting efficient and resilient global supply chains.
The company offers fully integrated trading capabilities — from sourcing and storage to delivery — underpinned by robust risk management, compliance, and governance frameworks.
Alkagesta was founded in 2018 by its management team and remains privately held and governed by senior leadership. Senior leadership, including the founding team, holds a significant equity stake in the company, which continues to grow in alignment with performance and strategic contribution. Today, the Group employs over 165 professionals and is built on tested systems, experienced governance, and a culture of continuous development.
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