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APO Group Vice President: Public Relations (PR) & Strategic Communications, Rania El-Rafie, wins Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2025 Award in Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards

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Rania El-Rafie

Rania, who has been with APO Group since 2020, leads a high-performing team of PR and strategic communications experts

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 21, 2025/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce that Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communications has been awarded a Bronze Stevie® Award in the ‘Most Innovative Woman of the Year’ category of the sixth annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards, sponsored by the RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one of the oldest chambers in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Established to promote trade and investment, the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays a key role in supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth, serving as a vital hub for regional commercial development. 

Hailing from Egypt, in January 2024, Rania became the first person to be promoted to VP of Public Relations and Strategic Communications from within APO Group and the youngest person to hold this key strategic role. Rania, who has been with APO Group since 2020, leads a high-performing team of PR and strategic communications experts. Under her leadership, her team represents some of Africa’s most influential brands. Their portfolio includes high-profile clients such as Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, the Jack Ma Foundation, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Marriott, Afreximbank, GITEX, MSD, and Western Union, amongst others. 

This recognition is a testament to the power of creativity and resilience of excellence in public relations and strategic communications

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards are the only business awards programme to recognise innovation in the workplace in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The Stevie® Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programmes such as The International Business Awards® for 23 years. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for “crowned,” the awards will be presented to winners during a gala event on 22 February at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. 

As a winner in the ‘Most Innovative Woman of the Year’ category, Rania joins several prominent figures shaping the business landscape in Africa and the Middle East, including Dr. Rasha Abousamra, Doctor of Business and Researcher at Higher Colleges of Technology Sharjah, and Latifa Saleh AlShehhi, Director of Investment Data Department at the UAE Ministry of Investment.  

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Bronze Stevie® Award as one of the most innovative women of the year in the Middle East and North Africa. This recognition is a testament to the power of creativity and resilience of excellence in public relations and strategic communications. At APO Group, we are driven by the belief that innovation is the key to unlocking potential and making a lasting impact. This award is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of the incredible team and partners who inspire and support our vision every day. Together, we will continue to break new ground and shape the future of communications in the region.” 

Celebrating the win, APO Group Founder and Chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard added: “Our purpose at APO Group is to champion Africa’s narratives, amplify Africa’s voices, and bridge Africa and the world. We do this by crafting narratives aimed at transforming how the world sees Africa, showcasing its cultural diversity, empowering its people, and celebrating its collective and individual achievements. APO Group is a strong proponent of innovation, as well as gender empowerment, and we are so proud to see the Stevie® Awards recognise Rania’s professional achievements as she continues to make an incredible mark on the industry.”  

This year, over 1,100 nominations from organisations across the Middle East and North Africa were considered in various categories. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners were determined by the average scores of 118 executives around the world acting as judges on five juries. 

Read more about the Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards at http://MENA.Stevieawards.com.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Events

As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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Debate

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Business

Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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Business

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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