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Direct Carrier Billing gains a strong foothold, boosting the region’s official rating

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Direct Carrier Billing

Direct Carrier Billing is a payment technology that allows mobile users to pay for any service by charging the purchase to their carrier bill

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 13, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Moving from 2.8 to 2.9, the market exhibits innovation advancements while harboring opportunities for further development in anti-fraud technology; ​​The entry of the Saudi market into the rating boosts the region’s average score; Data shows promising DCB potential for Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt, the top countries in this year’s ranking; Ivory Coast registers the highest growth in the Index, from 2.4 to 3.1.

Evina (www.Evina.com), a cybersecurity for Carrier Billing company and Telecoming (www.Telecoming.com), a tech firm developing DCB experiences, released the 2023 edition of the DCB Index today. The DCB Index 2023 offers a detailed analysis of the Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) market’s progression and potential in the Middle East and Africa. This year’s edition continues to rank countries on a 5-point scale, incorporating new insights into fraud prevention, innovation, local market penetration, and DCB’s growth potential. The DCB Index provides insights into the Direct Carrier Billing market of countries in the Middle East and Africa region (MEA), ranking them according to their current DCB status and potential to develop this growth-boosting mobile payment method further.

For the first time, the 2023 edition of the DCB Index includes three new countries with positive ratings: Algeria at 2.9, Botswana at 2.3, and Saudi Arabia leading with a score of 3.4.

Direct Carrier Billing is a payment technology that allows mobile users to pay for any service by charging the purchase to their carrier bill.

Download the complete DCB Index here (https://apo-opa.co/3GEvDtF)

As per the latest DCB INDEX analysis, mobile penetration in Africa and the Middle East is on track to surpass 90% by 2023

The Evina & Telecoming DCB Index results reveal that Morocco is the leading country in the ranking, with the highest score (3.6 out of 5). Almost all mobile players are deploying DCB, and the industry invests significantly in its security, making the Morocco’s DCB market a reliable and consistent sector. The market’s resilience and steady progress point to a solid foundation for future DCB development. South Africa is second this year with 3.5 out of 5. Mobile users in ZA have quickly adopted alternative payment methods, such as mobile money, reaching 8 million users in South Africa this year. When combined with effective cybersecurity, this trend will enable DCB to boost revenues for mobile players significantly. 

At the same stage, Iraq (3.5 out of 5) and Egypt (3.5 out of 5) differentiated by opening more opportunities for DCB deployment and increasing their protection against fraud attempts on Direct Carrier Billing. Saudi Arabia (3.4 out of 5) is one of the new countries in the ranking and follows close behind. Also, in the Middle East and North Africa, UAE (3.3 out of 5) and Kuwait (3.0 out of 5) stole the show, surpassing last year’s leaders, Qatar down to 2.9 this year from 3.3 in 2022 and Tunisia that goes down to 2.9 from 3.3 in 2023. Algeria is also new onboard and has the same level as Tunisia, with 2.9 points out of 5 on the list.

As per the latest DCB INDEX analysis, mobile penetration in Africa and the Middle East is on track to surpass 90% by 2023. This significant growth reflects the expanding accessibility of mobile services across these regions. Notably, our findings show an impressive rise in innovation, with the indicator climbing an average of 3.4 points out of 5 this year alone. This trend is joined by the substantial growth of the most innovative new mobile payment solutions. These advancements are vital in driving the mobile economy, where DBC has already established a prominent presence. Telecoming is witnessing the region’s dynamism and the exciting developments currently shaping the market.” said Roberto Monge, COO of Telecoming.

“This year’s ranking shows a modest increase in the overall level of security among DCB players operating in the MEA region. This positive trend is welcome, but should not mask the growing disparity in security levels between players. Some players are investing in their development and security on the DCB and reaping significant benefits in terms of growth and profitability, while others are caught in a downward spiral where they find themselves unprotected and under attack by fraudsters who target the least protected regions of the world and avoid defended players.” said David Lotfi, CEO of Evina.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Telecoming.

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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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Etu Energias

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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Energy

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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