Connect with us
Anglostratits

Events

Mauritian Startup Black Swan Wins the MEST Africa Challenge 2025

Published

on

MEST

Black Swan, a Mauritius-based FinTech startup, has been named the winner of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025 (https://Meltwater.org), following a high-energy Grand Finale at Innovation City, Cape Town on November 26, 2025.

Led by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) and powered by Absa Group, the MEST Africa Challenge is one of the continent’s leading Pan-African pitch competitions, providing a platform for early-stage startups to secure funding, mentorship, and global visibility.

The 2025 edition turned its focus to FinTech; spotlighting startups and embedded financial solutions driving inclusion, smarter payments, and digital transformation across Africa’s economies.

Co-founded by Derick Kazimoto, Black Swan is on a mission to “Make Africa Bankable.” Across Africa, millions of consumers and MSMEs remain invisible to formal lenders because their data is fragmented, informal, and difficult to verify; a gap that locks out capable borrowers and limits credit growth. Black Swan tackles this challenge by turning fragmented data into instant credit intelligence that enables precise affordability assessments and inclusive lending at scale. Its platform helps financial institutions see real risk, unlocking new pathways for growth and economic mobility across the continent.

“Africa’s financial system cannot see the true creditworthiness of millions of consumers and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) because their data is fragmented, informal, and invisible to traditional lenders,” said Derick Kazimoto, Co-founder and CEO of Black Swan. “This invisibility locks out capable borrowers, limits credit growth, and slows economic mobility. Our mission is to make Africa bankable.” Kazimoto added, “We believe Africa is shifting from informal, collateral-heavy lending to data-driven credit. A transformation that’s changing how banks and FinTechs trust, lend, and grow.”

MAC 2025 attracted hundreds of applications from eight of Absa priority markets, including Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Mauritius. After a rigorous selection process, ten startups advanced to the Cape Town finale, where they pitched to a panel of judges comprising investors, Absa executives, and industry leaders.

Black Swan secured the winning position because their solution meets a clear need and shows potential to complement the services we provide across our markets

The Grand Finale was a celebration of Africa’s ingenuity;  where founders showcased real, scalable solutions tackling challenges across payments, credit, insurance, and trade finance.

“Congratulations to Black Swan and all ten finalists of this year’s MEST Africa Challenge,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa. “This year showed a clear shift toward building for scale; founders are prioritizing compliance, interoperability, and cross-border readiness from day one. FinTech is now powering real sectors like agriculture, energy, and trade, and that’s where lasting impact will come from. At MEST, we’re inspired to see entrepreneurs building solutions that are deeply local yet globally adaptable. It reflects a new maturity in African innovation; grounded in customer realities, and ambitious enough to scale across borders.”

As the 2025 winner, Black Swan will receive US $50,000 in equity investment, entry into the MEST Portfolio, and the opportunity to pilot commercial solutions with Absa business units across Africa; support that will help the company scale its technology and expand its impact across the continent.

“This year’s Challenge brought forward solutions that reflect how people and businesses want to manage their financial lives in a simpler, more accessible, and more integrated way. Black Swan secured the winning position because their solution meets a clear need and shows potential to complement the services we provide across our markets. The Challenge has revealed just how much opportunity exists to enhance customer experiences through thoughtful innovation,” says Tawanda Chatikobo, Head of Digital for Absa Regional Operations (ARO), Retail and Business Banking.

Now in its seventh year, the MEST Africa Challenge has become a launchpad for early-stage founders across the continent; offering visibility, mentorship, and access to partners who can help them grow. The Challenge continues to serve as a bridge between emerging startups and established industry players, uniting the agility of innovation with the scale of corporate collaboration.

“Congratulations to Blackswan on reaching this milestone. What resonated with us was the technical discipline behind their approach: the architecture, the clarity of the build, and the way they’re thinking about scaling responsibly. For us, the Challenge is about expanding Absa’s view of the technology landscape and identifying where new capabilities or partnerships might emerge.” Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy and Transformation for Technology at Absa Regional Operations (ARO).

Since 2008, MEST Africa has trained and supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs and invested in over 90 startups. The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) is its flagship pan-African pitch competition designed to identify and support high-potential technology ventures.

Visit: https://apo-opa.co/48Rjvn5

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa).

Business

Plast Eurasia invites Middle East buyers for its 35th edition

Published

on

Plast Eurasia

Tüyap will stage the 35th edition of Plast Eurasia in Istanbul on December 2–5, bringing plastics machinery, raw materials and chemicals together as organisers target 80,000 visitors, including business audiences from the Middle East and North Africa

ISTANBUL, Türkiye, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ –Plast Eurasia (www.PlastEurasia.com), the 35th International Istanbul Plastics Industry Fair, will take place at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from December 2–5, 2026, bringing manufacturers, technology providers, raw material suppliers, distributors, buyers and other industry professionals together around cross-border trade and new production technologies.

“Plast Eurasia is designated among the prestigious trade fairs by the Ministry of Trade. For 35 years, it has supported the sector’s development and growth by helping companies build commercial connections,” said İlhan Ersözlü, General Manager at Tüyap Fairs Production Inc. “We are carrying that experience into this edition with a focus on trade, technology and the continued development of the industry.”

 




  

MENA buyers among international visitor targets

 

Interest in the 2026 fair is already reflected in stand sales. Around 3 months before the opening, 90% of exhibition space had been sold, while organizers expect 80,000 domestic and international visitors.

 

Visitor outreach is focused on Germany, Belgium, Greece, Romania, France, Italy and Poland, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The four MENA markets are part of the fair’s wider effort to attract professional buyers from different regions to Istanbul. The country mix gives the event a regional dimension spanning Europe and MENA.

 

For exhibitors, the international visitor mix is intended to support new commercial contacts and the development of existing trading relationships. For buyers, the fair brings machinery suppliers, materials companies and other plastics industry participants together in one location.

 

Machinery and materials share the trade agenda

 

Plast Eurasia will bring together two core parts of the plastics industry, plastic production machinery and raw materials and chemicals. The exhibition will also cover next-generation production technologies, machinery solutions and developments around efficiency, innovation and value-added production.

 

We are carrying that experience into this edition with a focus on trade, technology and the continued development of the industry

This structure allows industry professionals to review equipment, materials and production approaches during the same visit. New products and technologies will sit alongside meetings aimed at helping companies assess business opportunities across international markets.

 

35th-year program looks back and ahead

 

The anniversary program will include a Milestones Map tracing key stages in the fair’s 35-year history and changes in the plastics industry. A chronological presentation will show how the fair and the sector have developed over that period.

 

An exhibition of historic plastics production machinery will show how production technologies have changed over time. Companies that have contributed to Plast Eurasia’s development during its 35-year history will also be recognized with plaques at the opening ceremony.

 

The Stage is Yours! program will give exhibitors 30-minute presentation slots in the foyer to share value-added products, technologies, success stories and industry solutions with visitors.

 

“Hosted Buyer Guided Tour” focuses on relevant meetings

 

Guided tours will be organized for international purchasing delegations. The program will include guided routes, visits to demo and event areas, access to the Hosted Buyer Lounge and dedicated support services.

 

It is designed to help buyers reach relevant product groups and exhibitors more efficiently, while giving participating companies more focused contact with international purchasing teams.

 

Plast Eurasia is organized by Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. in cooperation with PAGEV (Turkish Plastics Industry Research, Development and Education Foundation) and with the support of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade. Visitor hours are 10.00–18.00 on December 2–4 and 10.00–17.00 on December 5.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TÜYAP.

 

 




 

Continue Reading

Energy

Deals, Drilling and New Entrants Define Angola Oil & Gas 2026

Published

on

AOG

Eleven agreements, new exploration commitments and billions of dollars in planned investment highlight Angola’s push to convert upstream reform into projects, production and broader energy-sector growth

LUANDA, Angola, September 18, 2026/APO Group/ –The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference and Exhibition – organized by Energy Capital & Power (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com) – concluded in Luanda with a clear emphasis on accelerating exploration and production. Across three days, 11 deals were signed, new entrants outlined plans to establish positions in the country and existing operators committed billions of dollars to further exploration and development. The outcomes of the event reaffirm AOG as the official investment platform for the country’s oil and gas sector.

 




  

Eleven Deals Advance Angola’s Investment Pipeline

Eleven agreements were formalized during AOG 2026, spanning new acreage, mature-field investment, financing, gas-based industry and emissions reduction. Angola’s National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) signed agreements with international oil companies covering deepwater Blocks 19, 34 and 35; Blocks 8 and 22; Block 33/24; Blocks 17/25 and 32/21; and further investment in Block 32. Agreements also supported incremental production at Blocks 15 and 31, financing for Etu Energias’ expansion at Block 14 and the social responsibility component of Amufert’s planned $2 billion Soyo fertilizer complex.

Exploration Moves to the Forefront

The ANPG set a target of at least 10 wells annually as Angola seeks to rebuild its exploration pipeline and offset mature-field decline. Shell pledged to pursue exploration aggressively following three agreements signed at AOG. Corcel is also considering a mid-2027 exploration well at KON-16 in the onshore Kwanza Basin following completion of a 326-line-km 2D seismic campaign.

TotalEnergies, Chevron Double Down

Existing operators used AOG to reaffirm long-term investment. TotalEnergies announced plans to invest $10 billion alongside project partners across its Angolan portfolio over the next five years, while further investment at Dalia could unlock up to 400 million barrels under Angola’s incremental-production framework. Chevron plans additional investment in Block 0 following the concession’s extension to 2050.

Pertamina, Panoro Eye Angola Entry

AOG also brought indications of new international participation. Indonesia’s Pertamina announced plans to pursue an upstream operator role in Angola. Panoro Energy, meanwhile, is assessing opportunities across Angola’s onshore, offshore, frontier and brownfield segments. Senior Advisor Tim O’Hanlon said that “it won’t be long before we are in Angola,” highlighting favorable fiscal terms and increasing competition.

It won’t be long before we are in Angola

Pre-Conference Sets Investment Agenda

AOG 2026 began with a dedicated pre-conference program focused on Angola’s next phase of oil and gas development. Workshops and technical discussions examined gas infrastructure, downstream markets, exploration technology and investment opportunities, setting the stage for the commitments announced during the main conference.

Gas and Refining Shift Toward Domestic Value Creation

Angola’s Gas Master Plan emerged as a major industrialization platform, targeting approximately $13 billion in midstream and downstream investment across five hubs. Downstream expansion is advancing in parallel. Angola is targeting 425,000 barrels per day of refining capacity across Luanda, Cabinda, Lobito and Soyo as it seeks to reduce a refined-product import bill that reached approximately $1.96 billion in the first half of 2026.

AOG Recognizes Industry and Emerging Talent

The AOG Awards recognized achievements across the value chain, with Azule Energy named Game Changer of the Year, Sonangol Explorer of the Year, Etu Energias Local Company of the Year and the Cabinda Refinery Downstream Player of the Year. Aníbal Octávio Teixeira da Silva received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Four female students – Abigail Francisco Boa, Chana Lisboa, Genilda Ricardo and Madalena Yanesa Ramos Neto – also received the Albina Faria de Assis Pereira Africano Scholarship, which provides financial support to leading female entrants to Angola’s National Petroleum Institute.

ANPG Expands Investor Access

The ANPG took another step toward improving the investment environment, launching an upgraded website featuring AI-powered search and a dedicated investor space. The platform provides greater access to industry data, investment opportunities and ANPG teams, supporting faster communication between the regulator and prospective investors.

Exhibition Connects Industry Players

Alongside the conference, the AOG 2026 exhibition brought together operators, service companies, technology providers and government institutions, providing a platform to showcase projects, capabilities and investment opportunities across Angola’s oil and gas value chain.

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

 




 

Continue Reading

Events

Huawei Cloud Rolls Out Enterprise AI Products Across the Board, Building an Open Agentic Cloud

Published

on

Huawei

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2026 – On September 18, Dr. Peter Zhou, Director of the Board at Huawei and CEO of Huawei Cloud, delivered a keynote titled “The Agentic Cloud for the Agentic World: Build Together, Grow Together” at HUAWEI CONNECT 2026. He shared Huawei Cloud’s latest progress. He announced the global launch of the latest AI Cluster Service (AICS), a key step in Huawei Cloud’s strategy to strengthen the silicon bedrock on the cloud and reinforce the foundation for agentic AI. The keynote also highlighted the Agentic Model as a Service (MaaS) platform, which brings together diverse models to accelerate model capabilities as services at scale. The AgentArts enterprise-grade agent platform already serves over 100 enterprises. The Industry AI Foundry has accumulated more than 1,000 industry assets, with over 1,000 projects deployed. The Industry AI Foundry now includes two new zones, Smart Government Zone and AI Hardware Zone, to drive agents toward large-scale adoption. These efforts, taken together, are building a thriving AI ecosystem on the cloud.
 




 

Building Agentic Infra for agents
Dr. Peter Zhou also highlighted that in the agentic era, infrastructure no longer simply exists to provide compute. Instead, its purpose has expanded to making every token more efficient, coordinating general and AI compute, enabling models to keep learning, and, more importantly, running agents securely and reliably within real production environments. Huawei Cloud has defined Agentic Infra, a new paradigm around efficient tokens, enhanced memory, unified general & AI scheduling, and secure autonomy. To date, Agentic Infra has served over 3,500 customers.

The latest AICS is built on a five-level fast recovery mechanism with full-chain observability. It supports over 40 days of stable training on cloud and is capable of fault recovery within 10 minutes. Furthermore, supported by coordinated optimization across scheduling, cache, and algorithms, it delivers 20% higher token throughput than the previous generation of compute service. The latest AICS will be commercially available in China on September 30 and in markets outside China on November 30.
The Context Memory Storage (CMS) solution addresses the needs of long-horizon agent tasks for memory capacity and access efficiency. It provides a petabyte-scale memory space, twice the storage capacity of comparable industry products, and supports high-speed terabyte-scale memory reads with 50% higher performance than industry peers.
Agentic MaaS brings together diverse models, enabling developers to invoke state-of-the-art (SOTA) models from leading providers with just one click and no deployment required. At the event, MiniMax demonstrated its advanced multimodal model, which, combined with Huawei Cloud, delivers open, cutting-edge multimodal capabilities.

Building an enterprise-grade agent platform to help enterprises develop and use agents effectively
Huawei Cloud is advancing its enterprise-grade agent platform through a dual approach: commercial and open source. Built on AgentArts and its open-source edition openJiuwen, the platform opens up more than 5,000 general Model Context Protocol (MCP) assets and over 1,000 industry-specific MCP assets, making it easier for enterprises to develop, use, and manage agents. To date, the platform has served more than 100 customers, including the Shenzhen Longgang District Government, China Southern Power Grid, Guangzhou Laboratory, the University of Science and Technology of China, Kingsoft Office, Sichuan Yingu Carbon Sink Renewable Resources Co., Ltd., Changsha Thunder Cloud Network Technology Co., Ltd., and KingMed Diagnostics. At the event, Kingsoft Office shared its implementation practices based on Huawei Cloud’s agent platform. By deeply integrating the agent platform with the WPS 365 Document Center and WPS Comate, Kingsoft Office has built vertical office agents that are now deployed across multiple industries, including finance and government.

Huawei Cloud has announced that AgentArts will be commercially available in markets outside China on December 30. To date, the openJiuwen open-source community has surpassed 50,000 stars and 3.29 million downloads. Together with Chinasoft International, iSoftStone Group, and Beiming Software, Huawei Cloud has launched partner commercial editions and shared a broad market space, helping partners thrive on Huawei Cloud’s silicon bedrock.

Advancing the Industry AI Foundry to accelerate AI adoption at scale across industries
Through the Industry AI Foundry, Huawei Cloud brings together assets such as industry scenarios, models, data, knowledge, and agents, turning industry know-how from isolated project experience into reusable industry capabilities. It has built five industry-specific zones — Smart Healthcare Zone, Embodied AI Zone, AI for Science (AI4S) Zone, Smart Manufacturing Zone, and Smart Finance Zone — with over 1,000 industry-specific assets and more than 1,000 deployed projects.

Two new zones have been launched within the Industry AI Foundry: Smart Government Zone and AI Hardware Zone. The Smart Government Zone has already brought together 24 founding partners, covering a range of scenarios such as government office operations, public services, urban governance, and industry development. The AI Hardware Zone has onboarded 15 core partners, covering more than 20 device types, including AI glasses, AI toys, and AI recording cards, along with over 10 scenario templates and more than 110 scenario skills.

From infrastructure and enterprise-grade agent platforms to industry ecosystems, Huawei Cloud is committed to building an open agentic cloud, with open infrastructure to power AI, an open platform to support enterprises in effectively developing and using agents, and an open industry ecosystem to accelerate AI adoption at scale. Ultimately, Huawei Cloud looks to move forward with customers and partners to build and grow together in the agentic era.

Themed Advancing the Agentic World, HUAWEI CONNECT 2026 will delve into AI across three dimensions: strategy, technology, and ecosystems. You can expect an in-depth look at our latest strategic initiatives, and we’ll also be unveiling our all-new digital and intelligent infrastructure products, scenario-specific solutions for industries, and development tools. The event will run from September 17 to 19 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center and Shanghai Expo Center. For more information, please visit HUAWEI CONNECT 2026 online at www.huawei.com/en/events/huaweiconnect
 




 

Continue Reading

Trending