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Sycamore Secures License from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Appoints Capital Markets Veteran to Lead Asset Management Arm

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Sycamore

Oluwagbenga Magbagbeola joins Sycamore with 17 years of capital markets experience, spanning roles at ARM Securities, FBNQuest Securities, and Profund Securities

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 17, 2025/APO Group/ –Sycamore (www.Sycamore.ng), a Nigerian fintech with over N10 billion in assets under management, today announced two strategic developments that position it for its next growth phase.

The company has secured a license from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate as a fund/portfolio manager and has appointed former ARM Securities Managing Director Oluwagbenga Magbagbeola to lead its asset management arm. This SEC license places Sycamore among a select group of regulated investment firms in Nigeria’s competitive financial sector.

Sycamore Group CEO Babatunde Akin-Moses said, “Securing our SEC license represents the culmination of years of building institutional-grade compliance systems that protect investor interests. With this regulatory foundation and Oluwagbenga’s proven investment expertise, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver performance and security to investors navigating Africa’s complex market conditions.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Co-founder and CCO Onyinye Okonji noted, “This milestone reflects our commitment to operating at the highest standards of financial governance. Our team underwent a rigorous evaluation process, during which regulators examined our governance structures, risk management frameworks, and client protection mechanisms.”

Joining Sycamore allows me to bridge traditional capital markets expertise with fintech innovation at precisely the right time

Oluwagbenga Magbagbeola joins Sycamore with 17 years of capital markets experience, spanning roles at ARM Securities, FBNQuest Securities, and Profund Securities. At ARM Securities, Magbagbeola led the development of investment strategies that consistently performed against market benchmarks during challenging economic cycles, including Nigeria’s recent periods of currency volatility and inflation.

“Joining Sycamore allows me to bridge traditional capital markets expertise with fintech innovation at precisely the right time,” said Magbagbeola. “The SEC license creates a regulatory framework for what many Nigerians are already seeking – protected pathways for investment diversification during economic uncertainty.”

Empowering its institutional approach is Sycamore’s cutting-edge technology infrastructure. Mayowa Adeosun, co-founder and COO, explained, “Our proprietary investment platform represents years of innovation in applying financial technology to local market conditions.”

“We’ve leveraged artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse market trends and optimise portfolio allocations across multiple asset classes, resulting in more responsive investment strategies tailored to Nigeria’s dynamic market conditions,” Adeosun added.

The company’s recently upgraded mobile app transforms how clients manage their investments. Through an intuitive dashboard, investors can now access institutional-grade portfolio analytics that provide clear visibility into performance, risk exposure, and growth opportunities.

A standout feature is the new Multi-Currency Wallet, which directly addresses clients’ needs for currency diversification by allowing users to hold and invest funds across USD, EUR, GBP, and NGN. This capability, backed by Sycamore’s SEC-licensed status, provides investors with a regulated channel for managing currency exposure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Sycamore Investment and Asset Management Ltd.

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Equatorial Guinea Relaunches Open-Door Licensing Process in Houston, Texas, Paving the Way for Major 2025/2026 Licensing Round

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Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea’s new fiscal reforms, exploration initiatives and data-sharing strategies – along with 24 available exploration blocks and two blocks for appraisal and development – will be highlighted at African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 17, 2025/APO Group/ –Equatorial Guinea has officially relaunched its open-door licensing process for 2025, setting the stage for a major licensing round at the end of 2025 or early 2026. This move marks a strategic shift toward prioritizing licensing and exploration, with a strong focus on regulatory competitiveness, tax incentives and data transparency. These developments will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, taking place in Cape Town on September 29-October 3, where the “Invest in African Energies: Equatorial Guinea” session will provide a platform for global investors to engage with the country’s evolving energy strategy.

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Antonio Oburu Ondo, outlined the country’s comprehensive exploration strategy at CERAWeek in Houston last week, aimed at boosting hydrocarbon production, attracting investment, addressing declining output and enhancing competitiveness. Fiscal reforms include reducing corporate tax from 35% to 25%, dividends tax from 25% to 10%, and withholding tax from 6.25% to 3% for residents (or from 15% to 10% for non-residents). The country’s open-door policy enables international oil and gas companies to apply for licenses through a streamlined process involving direct negotiation with the state.

The government’s aggressive promotion policy has already yielded results, with seven new production-sharing contracts awarded in record time. These include blocks EG-31 and EG-18 to Africa Oil Corp, blocks EG-11 and EG-06 to Chevron, blocks EG-23 and EG-01 to Panoro Energy and Block EG-08 to Antler Global. The next licensing round will be underpinned by a new competitive tax law, a strengthened hydrocarbons law and the launch of a multi-client 3D seismic acquisition initiative – all aimed at boosting investor confidence and accelerating exploration.

The new multi-client 3D seismic acquisition and reprocessing of legacy data is set to launch by year-end, ensuring that investors have access to high-quality geological insights. This initiative will be highlighted at AEW 2025, where industry leaders will explore how enhanced data-sharing and transparency can drive exploration success across Africa. These efforts directly support an intensified focus on drilling, with all the country’s operators having either executed in-field or exploration drilling campaigns in 2024 or planning to do so between 2025 and 2027, according to Minister Oburu Ondo.

Equatorial Guinea’s Gas Mega Hub initiative remains a key pillar of its energy strategy, with ongoing collaborations with Cameroon on the Yoyo-Yolanda fields and Nigeria on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project to monetize and process gas at the onshore Punta Europa facilities. The country is advancing multi-phase initiatives including the Alen Gas Monetization Project (580 BCF), Alba Tail Gas Monetization Project (825 BCF) and Aseng Gas Monetization Project (~1 TCF) to strengthen its position as a regional gas powerhouse. The government is also making strides in climate initiatives, working to reposition Equatorial Guinea as a leader in gas and transitional energy while establishing carbon credit ventures through international collaborations.

As Africa works to attract investment to transform its energy sector, Equatorial Guinea’s strategic reforms provide a model for other nations, demonstrating how regulatory competitiveness, investor-friendly policies and a robust licensing framework can drive long-term success.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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One Week to Go to the Inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum

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The Congo Energy & Investment Forum will take place from March 24-26 in Brazzaville

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 17, 2025/APO Group/ –The highly anticipated Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 is just one week away. Taking place in Brazzaville from March 24-26, the forum will be held under the theme, Securing Growth and Investment in a New Era. With a comprehensive agenda and an impressive roster of high-level speakers, CEIF 2025 brings together top energy executives, investors and policymakers for three days of robust discussions, deal-signings and exhibitions.

Under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and the Republic of Congo’s national oil company Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), CEIF 2025 highlights the country’s expanding influence in Africa’s energy landscape. The forum will bring together a diverse range of participants, including SNPC subsidiaries, international oil companies, Congolese and foreign banks, energy organizations and technology providers.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, 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.

The conference will kick off with technical sessions, focused on Congo’s oil and gas market, highlighting the latest advancements in the country’s efforts to expand production, revitalize mature fields and capitalize on its immense reserves. The technical sessions will cover monetizing stranded gas, infrastructure development and opportunities to position Congo as a regional hub.

As the inaugural edition, this premier event is sure to provide attendees with invaluable knowledge and insights into the region’s robust and burgeoning industry

The CEIF 2025 program will feature a variety of dedicated panel sessions, technical workshops and presentations designed to provide deep insights into the latest developments and opportunities across the entire energy value chain. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge about ongoing and upcoming projects that contribute to Congo’s energy goals, as well as broader trends affecting the sector.

One of the highlights of CEIF 2025 will be the official unveiling of Congo’s new Gas Master Plan, which aims to consolidate the country’s existing gas assets while attracting new investments into the sector. Furthermore, a new Gas Code will be unveiled at CEIF 2025 to establish a supportive legal and regulatory framework for gas exploration and production investments.

As part of an ambition to double oil production to 500,000 barrels per day by 2027, CEIF 2025 will feature the launch of the country’s new oil and gas licensing round. The licensing round will offer onshore, offshore and marginal acreage to potential investors and developers. As such, CEIF 2025 offers a platform for delegates to connect with leading figures in Congo’s energy space. Deal signings will be a focal point of the forum, providing an environment where key decision-makers can engage to forge new business relationships.

High-level speakers at this monumental forum include Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons; Maixent Raoul Ominga, Director General of the SNPC; Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization; and Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC, among many others. As the premier gathering for energy players in Africa, CEIF 2025 represents the ideal platform to discuss, showcase and maximize growth and partnership investment opportunities across Congo and Central Africa.

“With one week out, we are positive that CEIF 2025 will cement its position as a pivotal platform for fostering investment, exploring energy opportunities and driving growth in Congo’s dynamic energy sector. As the inaugural edition, this premier event is sure to provide attendees with invaluable knowledge and insights into the region’s robust and burgeoning industry,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.

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

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Youth Charter Chair, Geoff Thompson Calls for International Olympic Committee (IOC) President to Prioritise Sport for Development in Olympism…

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Geoff Thompson

Thompson highlighted that sport is not just a competition; it is a powerful tool for social change, community building, and personal development

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 17, 2025/APO Group/ –On Thursday, 13th March 2025 at the opening keynote of the annual “Youth in the Perspective of the Olympic Movement” conference, Chair Geoff Thompson emphasised the critical role of sport for development in shaping the future of Olympism. Addressing a diverse audience of young leaders, athletes, and stakeholders, Thompson urged the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to place this essential aspect at the heart and soul of the Olympic movement.

In his inspiring address, Thompson highlighted that sport is not just a competition; it is a powerful tool for social change, community building, and personal development. “As we stand on the brink of a new era in the Olympic movement, we must ensure that every young person has access to the transformative power of sport,” he stated. “The next IOC president must champion sport for development, recognising its potential to unite communities and inspire future generations.”

As we stand on the brink of a new era in the Olympic movement, we must ensure that every young person has access to the transformative power of sport

The conference, which brings together youth representatives from across the globe, aims to foster dialogue on the intersection of sport, education, and social responsibility. Thompson’s call to action resonates with the conference’s theme, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts in promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and empowerment through sport.

Thompson continued, “The Olympics have always been about more than medals. They embody the spirit of hope, resilience, and unity. It is our responsibility to harness that spirit and ensure it reaches every corner of the world, especially the youth who are our future leaders.”

On the second day of the conference, participants engaged in workshops and discussions aimed at developing actionable strategies to integrate sport for development into local and global initiatives. The outcomes will be presented to the IOC, as part of a collective vision for the future of the Olympic movement.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter.

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