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African Development Bank Group Board Approves New Strategy to Drive Economic Diversification and Private Sector-led Inclusive Growth in Lesotho

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African Development Bank

The new strategy aims to address these vulnerabilities by unlocking private sector growth, creating sustainable employment, and building stronger institutions

MASERU, Lesotho, September 24, 2025/APO Group/ –The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a new $209 million Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Lesotho, setting out a roadmap to accelerate the country’s transition toward economic diversification, resilience, and inclusive growth over the next five years.

The approval comes at a crucial moment for the landlocked country, which continues to face major development challenges, including the impact of a recent 15 percent U.S. tariff on apparel exports, the loss of Official Development Assistance following the cancellation of the $300 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, and its reliance on regional economic performance. Nearly half of Lesotho’s population lives in poverty, and youth unemployment remains close to 39 percent.  The new strategy aims to address these vulnerabilities by unlocking private sector growth, creating sustainable employment, and building stronger institutions.

“Lesotho stands at a critical juncture,” said Moono Mupotola, the Bank Group’s Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Lesotho. “This comprehensive strategy leverages the country’s abundant water resources, strategic location, and demographic dividend to unlock new pathways for inclusive growth and economic diversification.”

The strategy centers on two main priorities: building sustainable infrastructure to drive industrialization and strengthening institutional and human capacities to enhance competitiveness. Key targets include achieving universal electricity access by 2030 through the Mission 300 program, reducing broadband costs to foster a thriving tech start-up ecosystem, and expanding safe drinking water access to thousands more households.

This comprehensive strategy leverages the country’s abundant water resources, strategic location, and demographic dividend

The Bank will also support water and agricultural infrastructure to boost productivity, while also helping the government modernize tax collection systems and strengthen public sector management capacity with new training programs for civil servants.

Catalyzing Private Sector Growth

The Bank will back policy reforms and infrastructure investments that reduce the cost of doing business, expand funding for digital innovation and promote entrepreneurship. Support will be directed to startups and small businesses, including women- and youth-led enterprises, while skills development programs are expected to equip 20,000 young people– 40 percent of them women– with the digital skills required for the modern economy.

With Lesotho highly vulnerable to climate shocks, the Strategy incorporates measures to scale up climate-smart agriculture, strengthen disaster risk management, and expand investments in renewable energy and water infrastructure. These initiatives are designed not only to safeguard livelihoods but also to tackle pressing social issues, such as reducing child stunting, which affects more than a third of children under five.

 Regional Integration Focus

The Bank will help position Lesotho to benefit from integration with larger markets by supporting cross-border infrastructure links to South Africa, trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),  and participation in the regional value chain, particularly in agro-processing. By improving connectivity and reducing economic isolation, the strategy seeks to expand opportunities for Lesotho’s businesses and workers beyond its borders.

The new Country Strategy Paper builds on the lessons of past Bank operations in Lesotho and emphasizes integrated, multisectoral approaches, stronger implementation capacity, and proactive portfolio management. It aligns with Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (2018-2028), the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033), the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (https://apo-opa.co/46za6PF), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To deliver results, the Bank will draw on multiple financing windows, including its concessional African Development Fund, the Regional Operations Window, and the Climate Action Window, while working in close partnership with other development institutions.

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

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Afreximbank Deepens Commitment to Economic Progress in The Bahamas

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Afreximbank

The roadshow which took place under the theme “Investing in progress through the implementation of the Afreximbank mandate in The Bahamas” built on the current achievements between the Bank and The Bahamas

CAIRO, Egypt, June 1, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) held a high-level roadshow in Nassau, The Bahamas, on 29 May, aimed at deepening engagement with key stakeholders and businesses across the government, the private sector, and financial institutions across the country.

 

Organised as part of the Bank’s broad strategy to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, the roadshow which took place under the theme “Investing in progress through the implementation of the Afreximbank mandate in The Bahamas” built on the current achievements between the Bank and The Bahamas to explore more opportunities for shared prosperity.

The roadshow follows an approval by the Board of Directors of Afreximbank of a financing facility of up to US$ 5-billion for the Caribbean region, including The Bahamas. This approval signals Afreximbank’s commitment to advancing the objectives of the Global Africa agenda by strengthening commercial and financial ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

In less than three years of operations within the CARICOM, Afreximbank has demonstrated a strong commitment to economic development in the region, especially in The Bahamas

The event was officiated by the Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas and well attended by the business community in The Bahamas, provided a platform for Afreximbank to showcase its suite of financing, advisory and trade facilitation solutions available to businesses and institutions in The Bahamas and to foster stronger institutional partnerships.

Speaking at the roadshow, the Prime Minister said: “Economic growth must translate into broader economic participation, ensuring that more Bahamians have the chance to build businesses, create jobs, and share in the country’s progress. We have made some progress in this area, but continuing to strengthen access to capital through institutions such as the Afreximbank is an important part of our ongoing efforts.”

“This roadshow also reminds us of the importance of regional and international cooperation at a time when many economies are navigating uncertainty,” he added.

While making his opening remarks, Mr. Ihejirika said: “In less than three years of operations within the CARICOM, Afreximbank has demonstrated a strong commitment to economic development in the region, especially in The Bahamas by supporting key projects across critical sectors. To date, the Bank has facilitated approximately USD 140 million in infrastructure financing through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, while also extending USD 30 million in support to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. These investments underscore Afreximbank’s mandate to drive sustainable growth, enhance economic resilience, and expand opportunities for businesses and communities throughout The Bahamas.”

Other notable speakers who attended the event include Honourable Michael B. Halkitis, Minister of Finance and Honourable Ginger M. Moxey, Minister of Grand Bahama, Mr. Atario Mitchell, President, Bahamas Stripping Group of Companies and Mr. Kino Simmons, Managing Director CAT Island Development Company.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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African Electric Vehicle (EV) platform Spiro raises $215M in equity to scale electric mobility and energy infrastructure across Africa

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Africa

Following years of optimization across its product portfolio, technology and energy ecosystem, Spiro has moved past the proof-of-concept phase and stands ready to execute its next chapter of pan-African expansion

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 1, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • Leading scale-up Spiro has secured a landmark $215M investment round backed by major institutional investors including Impact Fund Denmark, and Equitane.
  • With Spiro already operating across seven of Africa’s fastest-growing urban markets, this transaction positions Spiro among the continent’s leading clean infrastructure platforms. This investment will accelerate the expansion of Spiro’s battery-swapping network, industrial footprint and next-generation electric vehicles (EV) infrastructure across high-growth African markets.
  • As African economies push to reduce dependence on imported fuel, reinforce energy and industrial sovereignty, and modernize urban transport systems, global investors are increasingly turning to scalable EV infrastructure platforms.​

Scaling Africa’s next-generation mobility and energy ecosystem

 

Spiro (www.Spironet.com) announces a $215M investment round to accelerate the deployment of its electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa. Building on the support of long-standing institutional partners such as FEDA, Spiro’s latest equity round draws global capital from Europe and Africa, confirming growing global confidence in scalable infrastructure-led business models across emerging markets.

 

Following years of optimization across its product portfolio, technology and energy ecosystem, Spiro has moved past the proof-of-concept phase and stands ready to execute its next chapter of pan-African expansion. This investment will support the expansion of Spiro’s battery-swapping network, strengthen its industrial and assembly footprint, accelerate technology development and support the company’s entry into new high-growth African markets.

 

Global investors back Africa’s fast-growing mobility and energy transition

 

As Africa’s urban population and mobility needs continue to surge, electric vehicles and battery-swapping ecosystems are rapidly emerging as one of the continent’s most promising infrastructure and energy investment opportunities.

 

Reducing dependence on imported fuel, strengthening energy and industrial sovereignty and modernizing urban transport systems are becoming strategic priorities across the continent, positioning EV infrastructure as a key pillar of Africa’s economic resilience and industrial development.

 

Spiro has become a major driver of local industrialization, value creation and manufacturing across African markets with 6,000 sustainable direct and indirect jobs

Driven by rising fuel costs, increasing demand for affordable transportation and growing policy support for clean energy solutions, investors are increasingly backing scalable EV platforms capable of supporting Africa’s next phase of urban and industrial growth.

 

For riders, the economic impact is immediate: operating a Spiro electric vehicle can reduce daily mobility costs by up to 40%, generating savings of up to $2 per day compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles.

 

Recent third-party verified lifecycle assessment results conducted on Spiro’s operations in Kenya further highlight the environmental impact potential of EV infrastructure deployment across African cities:

  • Spiro’s electric bikes deliver a 72% reduction in climate impact compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles, equivalent to approximately 19 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided over a vehicle’s lifespan.
  • The study also identified an 80% reduction in ozone depletion potential and a 20% reduction in particulate matter emissions, underscoring the role electric mobility can play in improving urban air quality and reducing public health risks across rapidly growing cities.

 

Powering Africa’s mobility revolution at scale

 

With operations across 7 African markets (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon) and further plans to expand local production and enter new markets such as DRC and Ethiopia, Spiro is building one of Africa’s most advanced EV and battery-swapping ecosystems.

 

Spiro’s industrial footprint includes flagship manufacturing plants in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, alongside a state-of-the-art battery recycling facility in Nigeria. Combining locally adapted vehicle design, affordable battery-swapping infrastructure and integrated maintenance ecosystems, Spiro is making electric mobility commercially viable at scale for African riders.

 

Spiro’s technology platform is supported by its R&D center, 150+ engineers and 30+ proprietary patents. The company is actively expanding beyond urban transport into a distributed clean-energy utility network that supports national renewable energy goals while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Its innovations include IoT-enabled, solar-powered swap stations, alongside secondary-life battery applications designed for stationary renewable energy storage.

 

Investor quotes

“This past year marked a defining strategic milestone for Spiro. Across seven active markets, our deployment of 100,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 smart-swap stations has turned sustainable mobility into an affordable, everyday reality. Spiro has become a major driver of local industrialization, value creation and manufacturing across African markets with 6,000 sustainable direct and indirect jobs. Supported by our global pool of investors, we are entering our next growth chapter to deliver clean, cost-effective energy and transport alternatives to millions of riders across the continent”, stated Gagan Gupta, Founder of Spiro and Chairman of Equitane.

 

“We are investing in Spiro and bringing Danish pension capital into one of Africa’s most promising growth markets because we see potential for significant commercial growth in Spiro and electric mobility across Africa, as well as measurable climate impact. That is exactly the type of investment we want to make,” says Lars Bo Bertram, CEO of Impact Fund Denmark.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Spiro.

 

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Etu Energias Strengthens Angolan Footprint, Returns to Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 as Champion Sponsor

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Etu Energias

The company is advancing redevelopment projects, deepwater acquisitions and long-term production targets, reinforcing its position as one of Angola’s fastest-growing indigenous upstream players

LUANDA, Angola, June 1, 2026/APO Group/ –Angolan oil company Etu Energias is making its return to the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition – taking place September 9-10 with a pre-conference day scheduled for September 8 – as a Champion Sponsor, underscoring its expanding role in the country’s upstream landscape. The sponsorship comes as the company accelerates redevelopment campaigns across mature assets, deepens its offshore portfolio and pursues ambitious long-term growth targets aimed at strengthening Angola’s production outlook.

 

Already holding a prominent position within Angola’s oil sector, Etu Energias has implemented a series of 2030 goals centered around strengthening production at mature assets, restoring production and exports at onshore acreage, participating in ‘golden blocks’ and establishing partnerships with international players. These align closely with its own target of reaching 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2030 while supporting Angola’s goal of sustaining output above one million bpd in the long-term. Recent milestones reflect these ambitions.

In May 2026, the company – alongside partners Poliedro, Kotoil, Falcon Oil and Prodoi – completed drilling and testing operations at the Espadarte 7ST2 well at Block 2/05 in the Lower Congo Basin. Initial tests showed stabilized production at around 2,000 bpd and 2,500 bpd, reinforcing the commercial viability of the Greater Espadarte – the last development area of the block. The partners are planning to drill one more appraisal well before finalizing the development plan.

At the same time, Etu Energias has continued to strengthen its offshore portfolio through strategic acquisitions. In March 2026, the company acquired a 20% and 10% stake in Block 14 and 14K respectively through a $310 million transaction. The deal was financially backed by Chariot and Shell Western Supply and Trading and marks another step in the company’s transformation from a domestic producer into a more diversified upstream player with exposure across multiple basins and production environments.

Beyond upstream projects, Etu Energias continues to expand its downstream portfolio through the development of service stations across the country. In the local content space, the company invests extensively in workforce development, education and skills transfer. This month, Etu Energias announced the first results of its STEM Program – spearheaded by ADPP Angola with the support of Etu Energias, the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency and its Block 2/05 partners. The $412,000 program strengthens technical and scientific education in the country, with more than 8,000 students set to benefit by 2028.

As a Champion Sponsor of AOG 2026, Etu Energias will join government officials, operators, financiers and technology providers in Luanda to discuss the future of Angola’s oil and gas sector. Taking place at a pivotal moment for the country’s upstream industry, the conference serves as a platform for advancing investment, strengthening partnerships and supporting the exploration and redevelopment activities needed to sustain Angola’s long-term production goals.

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

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