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Africa Data Centres, The U.S. DFC sign statement reaffirming ongoing partnership for Ghana facility investment of $300 million

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Africa Data Centres

This partnership between Africa Data Centres and DFC highlights the key role that technology will play in ensuring that Ghana continues its upward trajectory of becoming a digital economy

ACCRA, Ghana, October 13, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The DFC and Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com) have signed a statement reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthen ICT infrastructure in Africa and Africa Data Centres’ intent to mobilise part of its existing DFC-financing commitment of $300 million to construct a first-of-its-kind data centre in Ghana; The investment is part of the organisation’s plan to strengthen ICT infrastructure in Africa; Opening doors to the new data centre facility reiterates the Ghanaian government’s intention to cultivate the potential of the country’s technology industry.

Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies group, is pleased to announce that it has signed a statement reaffirming its ongoing partnership to strengthen ICT infrastructure in Africa with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The statement marks DFC’s continued interest in supporting Africa Data Centres’ expansion in countries eligible for DFC financing, including Ghana, where Africa Data Centres intends to mobilise funds from its existing DFC financing commitment of $300 million to develop a first-of-its-kind data centre that will provide up to 30MW of IT load.

According to Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cassava Technologies, “Over the past decade, Ghana has embarked on a transformative journey, and one area that is seeing significant focus is its burgeoning technology sector. With a youthful and dynamic population, a government that provides support, and a thriving startup ecosystem, Ghana is well-positioned to emerge as a prominent technology hub within the next five years.”

Ghana will benefit enormously from the new data centre, as it will allow for locally generated data not to leave the country’s borders

DFC CEO Scott Nathan said, “DFC’s support for Africa Data Centres is a demonstration of our commitment to 21st century infrastructure, and the United States’ commitment to supporting safe, secure, and trusted ICT infrastructure that connects communities to the opportunities of the global marketplace.  Markets with trusted technology and dependable data storage can become magnets for businesses that create jobs and opportunities in high-growth sectors.  As this planned facility becomes operational, it will help to enable development and economic growth for communities across Ghana.” 

Ghana must continue attracting investment in infrastructure to secure its position as an up-and-coming technology hub in the coming five years. This statement is a step towards achieving this objective. Leaders from the DFC, Africa Data Centres, and the government celebrated their ongoing commitment to strengthen ICT infrastructure in Ghana.

With this statement, Africa Data Centres has reiterated its ethos of leaving no African behind. Ghana will benefit enormously from the new data centre, as it will allow for locally generated data not to leave the country’s borders. Additionally, the presence of local data centres will attract even more investment from international digital entities to help the country achieve its digital ambitions.

Public Private Partnerships are integral to all economies’ overall development and expansion. This partnership between Africa Data Centres and DFC highlights the key role that technology will play in ensuring that Ghana continues its upward trajectory of becoming a digital economy. “The Ghanaian government has astutely recognised the potential of the technology industry and has taken proactive measures to ensure its growth,” concluded Pemhiwa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Data Centres.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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PAPSS

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

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