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2024 Broadband Development Congress whitepaper launch highlights Artificial intelligence’s (AI) role in sustainable fixed networks

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Broadband Development Congress

This informative document explores how AI-enabled solutions improve operational efficiencies, reduce energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 29, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The 2024 Broadband Development Congress: Cape Town, hosted by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) (www.WorldBroadbandAssociation.com) during Africa Tech Festival 2024, brought together global industry leaders and stakeholders from the operator, technology, ministerial, and banking sectors to address the critical challenges and opportunities in expanding broadband access across Africa.

In addition to showcasing broadband adoption success stories, a highlight was the launch of a whitepaper, The Role of AI in Fixed Networks Sustainability. This informative document explores how AI-enabled solutions improve operational efficiencies, reduce energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions while supporting sustainable and resilient fixed broadband infrastructure.

With broadband subscriptions up by 22% in the past year, and broadband service revenues forecast to grow 45% to $6.7 billion in 2029, the conference emphasised the importance of partnerships and innovation.

Collaborative solutions to Africa’s broadband challenges

With over 130 global members and a growing African membership, the WBBA is a multilateral, industry-led association providing leadership for digital broadband innovation. The organisation’s objective is to overcome industry challenges and support the drive toward the provision of broadband networks and services for all. The 2024 Broadband Development Congress: Cape Town provided the perfect platform to achieve these goals.

Key discussions and expert insights

Delivering the event’s opening address, Dr. Li Zhengmao, Chairman of the World Broadband Association, discussed broadband’s transformative role in Africa’s digital landscape, highlighting the continent’s rich resources and bright digital future. Nfaly Sylla, Chief of Staff at Guinea’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, reinforced this message, showcasing initiatives like the National Data Centre and its role in digital growth.

Ke Ruiwen, Executive Director, Chairman, and CEO of China Telecom, outlined the evolution of telecom companies into ‘techcos’ and Africa-focused investment strategies. Reflecting on the whitepaper theme, Norbert Prihoda, Deputy CEO of Tunisie Telecom, emphasised AI’s impact on broadband deployment.

Dr. Sunil Piyarlall, Network Architecture and Modelling Executive at Openserve, called for equitable digital infrastructure access, and Pieter Viljoen, CEO of Yangtze Optics Africa Cable, explored scalable fibre production models for Africa.

A dynamic panel addressed critical themes like investments, regulatory frameworks, and financing models, with experts from Omdia, Gambia Telecom, Africa Cyber Defense Forum, MTN, Standard Bank, and ZTE Corporation discussing practical steps to accelerate broadband deployment.

Tebogo Moloi, Head of Cloud Engineering at Standard Bank Group, highlighted the role of digital infrastructure in supporting banking services and enhancing customer experiences across Africa. Kim Jin, Vice President and CMO of Huawei’s Optical Business Product Line, presented on the company’s initiatives to support broadband expansion in Africa, suggesting African carriers consider monetisation models to drive digital economy and revenue growth.

In the closing address, WBBA Director General Martin Creaner discussed the concept of smart sustainability and how AI is transforming broadband through smarter network planning, optimisation, and management. He elaborated on the key themes of The Role of AI in Fixed Networks Sustainability whitepaper, reiterating that the biggest challenge identified – ensuring data availability and quality – is a call to action for operators aiming to maximise AI’s benefits.

Get the whitepaper

The whitepaper, The Role of AI in Fixed Networks Sustainability, is now available for download (https://apo-opa.co/4icS8r4) on the WBBA website. It provides essential guidance for industry leaders navigating the path toward a sustainable, digitally connected Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Broadband Association (WBBA).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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