Connectivity and digital inclusion to take centre stage at the 2022 Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit, to be held on 25-26 October in Kigali, Rwanda
DURBAN, South Africa, July 5, 2022/APO Group/ —
Connectivity is an essential part of doing business in the twenty-first century. It touches every aspect of life – and yet, in 2022, approximately only 40% of the African population has access to the internet (Statista). If business in Africa is to compete with the rest of the world, it must urgently address this gap – the continent’s economic growth depends on it.
Africa can leapfrog into the digital future and accelerate economic growth by intentionally and consciously providing access for all. Furthermore, Shared Value thinking can drive business solutions to address Africa’s challenges through technology. Done right, digital transformation can create vast opportunities to grow industries and trade, enhance financial inclusion, and ultimately create sustainable economies. It is therefore in the best interest of business – not only governments – to intentionally collaborate and invest in the ecosystems it needs not only to survive but to grow.
Ian Williamson, Speaker at Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit
This landscape has motivated the sixth annual Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit programme to focus on the role of connectivity and digital inclusion in Africa’s economic growth and ultimate success.
With this in mind, the organisers of the Summit, the Shared Value Africa Initiative and Shift Impact Africa, have partnered with the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSMA) to bring their two flagship events together. In a first for Africa and the global Shared Value community, the 2022 Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit will take place alongside the Mobile World Congress Africa (MWC Africa).
The GSMA is a global institution that represents the telco and digital services sectors, and their MWC events bring together key players in these industries, with a primary focus on the mobile communications industry. This alignment will assemble multisectoral players to discuss innovation, technology, inclusion, opportunities and solutions for Africa’s digital and connectivity challenges. It broadens opportunities for connection and networking to explore collaborations, partnerships, and engagement beyond the scope of either event.
The Summit’s programme will highlight how Shared Value thinking, technology and digital inclusion can combine to drive Africa’s economic growth, equality, inclusion and sustainability.
Monica Sanders, Speaker at Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit
Says Tiekie Barnard, Founder and CEO of Shift Impact Africa and Shared Value Africa Initiative, “As we count down to the Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit in October, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be our biggest to date. Creating Shared Value and access for all through technology and connectivity is the solution to a sustainable future for Africa. As business, it is our responsibility to deliver this to our people.”
Digital technology must act as a catalyst for creating jobs and improving business productivity to the benefit of all of Africa’s citizens. It is key for education, healthcare, financial services and human empowerment.
Creating Shared Value and access for all through technology and connectivity is the solution to a sustainable future for Africa
Digital inclusion not only improves individual outcomes, it also promotes productivity and growth. From digital marketing to ecommerce, even the smallest business can leverage connectivity to expand their footprint and reach new markets.
From the beginning, the Summit has demonstrated its commitment to and support of inter-industry collaboration to create ecosystems of impact that stretch further than any entity could reach alone. The partnership with the MWC Africa amplifies the Summit’s position as a platform to discuss and co-create Shared Value business solutions that drive inclusion and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals while also fostering economic growth and development. It underlines the importance of cross-sector innovation and collaboration in solving continental issues sustainably.
Sanda Ojiambo, Speaker at Africa Shared Value Leadership Summit
The two events will take place concurrently, with interlocking programmes that demonstrate both the future of connectivity and how combining it with the Shared Value mind-set can enable economic growth and people-centric sustainability.
So far, the Summit is honoured to welcome back returning sponsors Abbott and Old Mutual Ltd for the 2022 Summit, as well as new sponsor Visa.
For those who will gather at the Kigali Convention Centre in October, their ticket will grant them access to both the Summit programme and that of MWC Africa for the duration of the Summit. There is also an option to attend the Summit virtually, via livestream, which includes access to the combined keynote addresses by some of the continent’s business luminaries.
Registrations have already opened, and there is no cost to attend. Visit the Summit website, www.AfricaSharedValueSummit.com, to learn more and secure your place.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Shared Value Summit.
The event marks a pivotal moment for businesses across the continent to experience firsthand how AI agents are transforming operations, customer engagement, and competitive advantage
CASABLANCA, Morocco, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ –Salesforce (www.Salesforce.com), a global leader in AI-powered CRM solutions, participates at GITEX Africa 2025 to demonstrate how its groundbreaking Agentforce platform is empowering African enterprises to harness the full potential of autonomous AI. The event marks a pivotal moment for businesses across the continent to experience firsthand how AI agents are transforming operations, customer engagement, and competitive advantage.
Since its September 2024 debut, Agentforce has achieved remarkable adoption as Salesforce’s fastest-growing solution, with more than 5,000 organizations worldwide already deploying autonomous AI agents. This rapid uptake reflects the platform’s ability to move beyond traditional automation to what industry experts recognize as the third wave of AI – intelligent agents that don’t just assist but actually execute complete business processes with human-like reasoning.
“At Salesforce, we believe that enhancing the customer experience is an essential driver of success. With Agentforce, we are transforming how African businesses interact with their customers, utilizing intelligent agents that understand and anticipate customer needs, leading to deeper connections and trust”, said Omar Oualif, Regional Vice President at Salesforce.
Visitors to the Salesforce booth will witness live demonstrations of Agentforce 2dx, the platform’s latest evolution that introduces proactive AI capabilities. These next-generation agents can anticipate business needs, trigger actions based on real-time data changes, and operate autonomously across any business process. The showcase will also feature the newly launched AgentExchange marketplace, where attendees can explore hundreds of prebuilt agent templates and industry-specific solutions designed to accelerate deployment.
The timing of this demonstration couldn’t be more significant for African businesses. With a report from Futurum Research showing Agentforce delivers ROI five times faster than DIY AI implementations while reducing costs by 20%, the platform provides a compelling solution for organizations looking to capitalize on the $6 trillion digital labor opportunity.
A thriving ecosystem in Africa
At Salesforce, we believe that enhancing the customer experience is an essential driver of success
The GITEX Africa Salesforce showcase will also feature local partners who are leading the charge in this exciting new landscape and play a significant role in the development of a thriving ecosystem that will extend Salesforce solutions to African customers. Partners participating in the Salesforce booth are:
BaybridgeDigital, a leading Agentic AI powerhouse, emphasizes their commitment to driving growth through Salesforce’s innovative platform. ” With more than 300 projects experience, we connect brands, technology, data, and people to empower African enterprises to scale faster and innovate like never before,” said a representative from BaybridgeDigital.
NBS Consulting, a Salesforce Partner, is showcasing how AI and data can revolutionize customer experiences. “We are excited to share inspiring success stories and demonstrate immersive technologies that personalize and optimize customer interactions,” noted a spokesperson from NBS Consulting.
Gear9, returning for its third consecutive GITEX, highlights its commitment to showcasing Moroccan technological excellence. “Our real-world implementations on the Salesforce platform underscore the transformative power of AI, data, and CRM solutions. This year, we aim to further strengthen our vision of innovation,” stated Mounir Bouchiha, CEO of Gear9.
ASSA Associates, specializing in CRM solutions for Telecom, Banking/Insurance and Distribution, is ready to demonstrate the efficacy of Salesforce Industries Solutions at GITEX Africa 2025. “We are eager to show how our expertise can support businesses in navigating digital transformation challenges,” said the company representative.
D&A Technologies adds to the excitement by participating in GITEX alongside Salesforce. “We are proud to showcase African excellence in AI, CRM integration, and digital innovation. This is a great opportunity to strengthen our strategic partnership with Salesforce and highlight our expertise in leading ambitious transformation projects across the continent,” said a spokesperson from D&A Technologies.
Salesforce’s participation at GITEX Africa underscores its commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation. The company will offer hands-on sessions with its low-code development tools, and present real-world case studies from African enterprises that have successfully deployed autonomous AI agents. Developers can also sign up for a free Salesforce Developer Edition to get started with the Platform. These activities align with Salesforce’s broader vision to empower what it calls “Agentblazers” – the next generation of professionals who will shape how businesses operate in the era of autonomous AI.
NAMCOR projects over 2.5 million tons in annual gas production as Namibia accelerates its gas monetization strategy, infrastructure development and regional energy leadership
WINDHOEK, Namibia, April 26, 2025/APO Group/ –The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) has revealed that the country could produce more than 2.5 million tons of natural gas per year, based on early-stage assessments of recent discoveries made since 2022.
Speaking during a panel discussion on gas monetization strategies at the Namibia International Energy Conference on April 24, Mtundeni Ndafyaalako, Executive of Upstream Development & Production at national oil company NAMCOR, outlined a dual-pronged approach adopted by the corporation.
The first pillar focuses on leveraging legislative frameworks to enable coordinated infrastructure development, fostering collaboration among operators. The second emphasizes expanding exploration activities to unlock further resources.
“We have launched a gas monetization strategy project to support both government and industry on how best to commercialize gas. From our appraisals, we now have a clearer picture of production potential and various applications,” said Ndafyaalako, noting that the strategy is designed to attract new players and investment by clarifying monetization pathways.
Manfriedt Muundjua, Deputy General Manager at BW Kudu, reinforced the importance of integrating four pillars of local content – training, skills transfer, local procurement and local ownership – into the broader gas development framework.
We have launched a gas monetization strategy project to support both government and industry on how best to commercialize gas
Muundjua shared that BW Kudu is placing Namibian interns in every technical role currently held by international staff, supporting long-term local capacity building. He also emphasized the urgent need for downstream investment and infrastructure development.
“We already have a downstream investment partner lined up to join us once production at Kudu begins,” he said.He added that drilling of additional wells is scheduled to begin in October, supporting NAMCOR’s emphasis on continued exploration to identify new reserves.
Paul Eardley-Taylor, Head of Oil & Gas Coverage for Southern Africa at Standard Bank, highlighted the need for a “shadow infrastructure” – potentially led by public-private partnerships – in southern Namibia to address energy shortages through gas utilization. He suggested that oil revenues should be strategically directed toward financing gas infrastructure and fostering local energy markets.
Eardley-Taylor also pointed to the broader regional opportunity, suggesting that Namibia could assume a role once held by South Africa as the region’s primary energy supplier, particularly as critical mineral projects are willing to pay a premium for stable power supply.
Meanwhile, Ian Thom, Research Director for Upstream at Wood Mackenzie, expressed confidence that Namibia could implement a comprehensive Gas Master Plan within the next nine months. With only 59% of the population currently connected to the electricity grid, Thom underscored the potential of gas to dramatically increase energy access across residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
“Namibia could generate more value by exporting electricity rather than raw gas, given the limited infrastructure for gas exports and the high costs associated with building it,” Thom said.
Looking ahead, the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – set to take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town – will spotlight Namibia’s gas developments and broader African opportunities The event will feature panel discussions, project showcases, deal signings and high-level networking sessions that connect African energy projects with global investors.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visitwww.AECWeek.comfor more information about this exciting event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber
At the Namibia International Energy Conference, industry leaders emphasized M&As as key drivers of upstream growth and investment in Namibia’s oil and gas sector
WINDHOEK, Namibia, April 26, 2025/APO Group/ –Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity continues to emerge as a critical engine for growth in Namibia’s upstream oil and gas sector, as emphasized during a high-level panel discussion at the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) on Thursday. Industry leaders outlined how strategic M&A deals are not only reshaping the country’s energy landscape, but also playing a key role in unlocking capital and accelerating exploration.
Gil Holzman, CEO of Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas, highlighted how acquisitions have underpinned his company’s expansion in Namibia since its entry into the market in 2009, stating: “Most of our best blocks are the result of M&As. Our most recent acquisition was in 2021 when we bought Azinam, which gave us promising blocks in the Orange Basin.”
According to Holzman, these acquisitions have fortified Eco Atlantic’s asset portfolio while positioning Namibia as an increasingly attractive frontier for global exploration. He pointed to M&A transactions involving supermajors such as ExxonMobil, QatarEnergy, Chevron and TotalEnergies as instrumental in bringing in not just capital, but also the technical capabilities needed to advance exploration in Namibia’s offshore and onshore basins.
Discussing the company’s operational strategy, Holzman emphasized a phased approach anchored in collaboration: “We aim to secure promising prospects, de-risk them internally and then attract partners with the technical know-how and capital required to unlock new frontiers.”
We aim to secure promising prospects, de-risk them internally and then attract partners with the technical know-how and capital required to unlock new frontiers
Echoing this sentiment, Adam Rubin, General Counsel at ReconAfrica, emphasized that M&As remain a strategic avenue to catalyze value creation, drive innovation and meet the substantial capital demands of upstream development. “We have not yet produced onshore, but the oil is there. Be patient – we will find it and produce,” he said, reaffirming the company’s commitment to moving from exploration toward full-scale production in the Kavango Basin.
Robert Bose, CEO of Sintana Energy, added that M&A activity has played a central role in enabling Sintana to broaden its asset base and build relationships with complementary partners. “M&As have helped us connect with the right partners and diversify our portfolio,” he said. “Cost-effective investment remains a key motivator, and we are focused on disciplined growth.”
From a financial perspective, Liz Williamson, Head of Energy at Rand Merchant Bank, outlined the opportunities that arise when IOCs divest from mature or late-life assets. She noted that such moves often create openings for mid-cap firms with fresh capital and a focused approach to step in. “This trend is beneficial for African governments, as middle-tier companies are often better suited to fully commit to and invest in these projects,” she explained.
Williamson also underscored the importance of establishing clear, investor-friendly deal frameworks and local content policies that build investor confidence. “Not many African countries are currently securing significant foreign direct investment, and Namibia must maintain its appeal by offering clarity on local content laws,” she said.
As Namibia emerges as a key exploration hotspot on the continent, discussions around capital flows, deal-making and upstream expansion are set to continue at African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies, taking place from September 29-October 3, 2025 in Cape Town. The event will unite industry leaders, investors and government representatives to advance dialogue, showcase project opportunities and drive strategic partnerships across Africa’s energy landscape. Namibia’s rising profile and recent exploration success will be a focal point, drawing increased attention from global stakeholders seeking entry into one of the continent’s most dynamic markets.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visitwww.AECWeek.comfor more information about this exciting event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber
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