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Countdown to Africa Investment Forum Market Days 2023

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The Africa Investment Forum is pivotal for attracting domestic and foreign direct investment to Africa

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, October 24, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The Africa Investment Forum (AIF) 2023 Market Days is less than three weeks away. 

From 8-10 November, serious investors will gather at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco to participate in Africa’s premier investment marketplace. The focus this year will be on “Unlocking Africa’s Value Chains.”

The Africa Investment Forum is pivotal for attracting domestic and foreign direct investment to Africa. This multi-stakeholder, multidisciplinary platform advances projects to bankable stages, raises capital and accelerates the financial closure of investment transactions.

President Emeritus and Group Managing Director of the Trade and Development Bank Admassu Tadesse describes the Africa Investment Forum Market Days as an action-oriented gathering that focuses on getting things done.

At the 2022 event in Abidjan, Tadesse said that before AIF’s inception in 2018, “we were almost at a level of paralysis by analysis” in terms of talk about Africa’s investment needs and challenges.” He added: “But when Dr Adesina [the African Development Bank president] talked about the Africa Investment Forum focusing on business networking, deal processing, and transactions, I said, finally, we have a conference that is less talk and more action with ground-breaking transactional projects; more prospecting to get things to move on the ground.”

“I found the scale and the depth of the participation much, much larger than I expected,” said Ken Shibusawa, CEO of Shibusawa and Co, during the 2022 Market Days (https://apo-opa.info/3ol3sdy). Mr. Shibusawa described his trip to the Africa Investment Forum as well worth the long journey and a good match in terms of interests. “Our mission is to provide impact investment in Africa…we are building on this cooperation,” he said.

He expressed hope the 2023 edition would provide more opportunities for interaction with younger entrepreneurs, “with Africa, with Japan and other countries.”

Mr. Shibusawa, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the Africa Project Team at Keizai Doyukai, announced earlier this year (https://apo-opa.info/46HGC0Y) that a new company, &Capital Inc., was formed in January 2023 to promote Japanese investments in Africa. Keizai Doyukai is a private, non-profit and nonpartisan organization that brings together nearly 1,400 top executives of some 1,000 Japanese corporations.

This year’s event will build on earlier successes to foster productive engagements between the public and private sectors

“I’m here just searching for new investors for our business because we want to develop into Africa and we think that this is the best place to do that, for networking, for new ideas,” said Jacqueline Furtado Carvalho, manager of Cabo Verdean company M&J Tech, who also attended Market Days 2022.

This year’s event will build on earlier successes to foster productive engagements between the public and private sectors.

In addition to prioritising three key focus sectors—renewable energy, agribusiness, and manufacturing—the Africa Investment Forum Market Days boardrooms will feature deals from other sectors, including “disrupters” such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things, women as investment champions; and the creative and sports industries. 

Masai Ujiri, president of the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise team Toronto Raptors, has made several appearances at the Africa Investment Forum and has urged African governments to invest in sports. At Market Days 2022, he spoke passionately about the success and growth of sports on the African continent. “We should be supporting teams here in Africa. That should be our vision. Sports is the next big thing in Africa,” Ujiri told investors. 

The continent has many characteristics of a powerhouse sports market. Its athletes are world famous across football, basketball, and track-and-field competition. And a growing and increasingly middle-class population offers a potential untapped audience for domestic sport leagues. The Africa Investment Forum’s Sports as a Business Catalyst initiative is working to make this a reality.

During the Market Days in 2022, one of the projects that attracted strong investor interest was the Abidjan-Lagos Highway project. The planned 1081-km long corridor—projected to cost $15.6 billion—will link the two cities via Accra, Lomé and Cotonou, spanning an area that generates 75% of commercial activity in the West Africa region.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is leading the project. To accelerate the mobilisation of financing and other support for the Abidjan-Lagos highway, the ECOWAS Commission held a roundtable (https://apo-opa.info/46HRL1M) with international development finance institutions on 26 September 2023, at the African Development Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan.

The Africa Investment Forum’s founding partners are standing in solidarity with the government and the people of Morocco following the devastating earthquake in early September. The partners are the African Development Bank, Africa50, the Africa Finance Corporation, the Africa Export-Import Bank, the Development Bank for Southern Africa, The European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Trade and Development Bank.

Previous editions of the Africa Investment Forum Market Days have secured cumulative investment interest of $142.6 billion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Genesis Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Discuss Energy Expansion at Congo Energy & Investment Forum

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Genesis Energy

Akinwole Omoboriowo II will discuss Genesis Energy’s plan to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, highlighting how Nigeria’s power sector experience can inform the development of the Republic of Congo’s domestic energy grid and gas export potential

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO of Genesis Energy, will speak at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March, where he will discuss the company’s plans to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, with a focus on energy initiatives that align with the Republic of Congo’s energy development goals.

Genesis Energy is driving transformational power projects, including providing 334MW to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria and plans to produce 1 GW within the WAEMU region. In October 2024, Genesis and BPA Komani announced their strategic partnership to mobilize capital and facilitate critical infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa. Additionally, Genesis’ recent MOU with the U.S. Agency for International Development will mobilize $10 billion for green energy and renewable projects, supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

During CEIF 2025, Omoboriowo will explore how Genesis’ successful energy infrastructure development projects in Africa, combined with private sector innovation, can guide the Republic of Congo in strengthening its energy security and achieving its decarbonization goals. By leveraging its expertise in clean energy and strategic partnerships, Genesis Energy is poised to play a key role in helping the Republic of Congo harness its energy potential and expand its regional energy influence.

The Republic of Congo’s renewable energy sector is in a phase of growth, with increasing interest in solar, hydro and wind energy projects. Battery energy storage capacities are also gaining traction as a vital component of the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand. The government is focusing on diversifying its energy mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability. Looking ahead, the Congo aims to expand its renewable energy capacity and integrate storage solutions to meet growing domestic and regional energy needs while supporting environmental sustainability.

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

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Eni, TotalEnergies Announce New Exploration Projects in Libya

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National Oil Corporation

Eni is launching three exploration plays, TotalEnergies is expecting promising results from its recent onshore exploration project, and other developments were shared during an upstream IOC-led panel at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on January 18.

Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.

“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields. “We expect results next week,” he added.

Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated. He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.

Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.

We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore

“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”

“Innovation is key to maximizing production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.

Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalization.”

“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximizing production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”

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

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Libya’s Oil Minister: Brownfields, Local Investment Key to 2M Barrels Per Day (BPD) Production

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Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister outlined plans to boost production to 1.6 million bpd in 2025 and 2 million bpd long-term, with brownfield development and local investment at the core, during the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya is setting its sights on boosting oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years, with brownfield development and local investment identified as critical drivers of this growth. Speaking at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) in Tripoli on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek outlined the country’s strategy to reach 1.6 million bpd by year-end and laid the groundwork for longer-term growth.

“There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks,” stated Minister Abdulsadek during the Ministerial Panel, Global Energy Alliance – Uniting for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. “We want to make sure local oil companies take part. We also want to leverage the upcoming licensing round to support our planned growth in the oil sector.”

The minister’s remarks were complemented by a strong call for international participation in Libya’s upcoming licensing round, signaling the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and maximizing the potential of its energy sector.

Highlighting Libya’s vast natural gas potential – with reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic meters – Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressed the need for enhanced investment in gas projects. He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the $600 million El Sharara refinery as opportunities to stimulate economic diversification.

There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks

“Natural gas is available,” Hamel stated, adding, “It is the greenest of hydrocarbons and we see natural gas continuing to grow until 2050.”

The panel also tackled the global energy transition, emphasizing Africa’s unique challenges and the need for the continent to harness its resources to achieve energy security. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), underscored the critical need for finance, technology and reliable markets to drive progress.

“At APPO, we have noted three specific challenges for the African continent. Finance, technology and reliable markets,” he stated, questioning whether Africa can continue to depend on external forces to develop its resources.

As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Libya holds an estimated 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The country’s efforts to expand production, attract investment and drive innovation are central to the discussions at LEES 2025. Endorsed by the Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Oil Corporation, the summit has established itself as the leading platform for driving Libya’s energy transformation and exploring its impact on global markets.

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

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