VIENNA, Austria, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) (www.theACG.org), one of the world’s largest partnerships of development finance institutions, convened its 21^st Meeting of Heads of Institutions today at the headquarters of the OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna, Austria. The meeting was hosted during the OPEC Fund’s 50^th anniversary year, marking five decades of support for sustainable development and international cooperation.

 

The meeting brought together the leaders of ACG member institutions to reaffirm the Group’s longstanding spirit of partnership, strengthen cooperation among its members, and reinforce its shared commitment to advancing sustainable development across the world.

The gathering serves as an important platform for ACG leadership to exchange perspectives, strengthen institutional relationships, and ensure continued alignment in support of the Group’s collective development mission. The meeting reflects the enduring values that have guided the ACG for more than five decades: solidarity, mutual trust, collaboration, and a shared dedication to improving lives and promoting prosperity in developing countries.

In 2025, ACG member institutions collectively extended US$25.7 billion to finance nearly 735 operations in more than 97 countries. Over the past five decades, the Group has provided more than US$331.5 billion in development financing across more than 13,000 projects in over 160 countries, supporting economic growth, infrastructure development, social progress, and sustainable development worldwide.

The Heads of Institutions reviewed the Group’s progress over the past year and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation among member institutions. Discussions focused on sustaining the strong partnerships that underpin the Group’s success and enhancing the effectiveness of its collective efforts to address evolving development needs around the world.

On the margins of the meeting, ACG leaders engaged in roundtable meetings hosted by the OPEC  Fund, with the Government of Barbados, the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and its V20 Finance Ministers (CVF-V20), African Development Bank and Inter-American Development Bank and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting the Group’s continued commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening collaboration across the global development community.

In their concluding remarks, the Heads of Institutions reaffirmed the Arab Coordination Group’s enduring commitment to cooperation, partnership, and shared purpose. They emphasized that the Group’s success over the past five decades has been built on strong institutional relationships, mutual respect, and a common dedication to advancing development outcomes for countries and communities around the world.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com), the continent’s longest running and most influential technology gathering, will return to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16 to 19 November 2026, bringing together key stakeholders driving the next phase of Africa’s digital growth.

Now in its 29^th edition, Africa Tech Festival, originally launched as AfricaCom, has evolved alongside the continent’s digital transformation, expanding its focus to encompass the full spectrum of technology, investment opportunities and policies that drive economic growth.

At a time when investment in connectivity, subsea cables, fibre networks, data centres and cloud infrastructure is reshaping Africa’s digital landscape, Africa Tech Festival serves as a catalyst for the conversations and partnerships driving that progress. South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is a Strategic Partner of the event, with Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, confirmed to deliver the opening address.

“Africa Tech Festival is a strategic platform shaping Africa’s digital future, bringing together leaders from across the continent in government and industry to drive collaboration, investment, and innovation. As host country, South Africa is proud to champion an event that not only strengthens partnerships, but advances a shared vision of an inclusive, connected and globally competitive African digital economy,” said Minister Malatsi.

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect the technologies and priorities driving Africa’s digital economy: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation.

Together, these pillars provide a framework for addressing some of the continent’s most pressing priorities, including digital infrastructure expansion, greater connectivity and digital inclusion, responsible AI adoption, stronger data sovereignty and digital trust, and the partnerships and investments needed to unlock Africa’s next wave of innovation and economic growth.

The event will feature dedicated content programmes, executive forums, exhibitions, networking opportunities and investment-focused discussions designed to connect decision-makers from across Africa and around the world.

“It is now clear that this is a defining moment for the ICT sector in Africa. AI adoption is transforming business processes, but it also raises questions around inclusion, data sovereignty and the capacity of digital infrastructure. Africa Tech Festival is the only forum where leaders from across the tech ecosystem – telecoms operators, hyperscalers and corporate end-users – can come together to find the answers,” said David Monaghan, VP, Africa Tech Festival.

As Africa’s digital economy continues to attract global investment and attention, Africa Tech Festival showcases the continent’s capabilities and leadership while connecting African stakeholders with international investors, technology companies and policymakers. Beyond the annual event, it continues to serve as a year-round forum for thought leadership, industry engagement and ecosystem development, helping shape the policies, investments and innovations that are accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.

Register to attend Africa Tech Festival 2026

General registration: https://apo-opa.co/3Sq6goC

For more information, as well as exhibitor and sponsor applications, visit https://AfricaTechFestival.com

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) ( has signed a US$500 million term loan facility with the Central Bank of Tunisia on behalf of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tunisia, to support the country in the execution of its key socio-economic priorities.

 

The facility was signed at Afreximbank’s Headquarters during a meeting attended by Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, and Dr.  Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, together with senior delegations from both institutions.

 

The facility, which adds to the US$1.2 billion previously disbursed to the central bank, will help the government to meet maturing trade debt obligations, finance the import of essential goods, including fuel, fertilizers, and food items, and boost access to foreign-currency liquidity. The transaction also reinforces Afreximbank’s countercyclical role and commitment to advancing the economic and structural transformation of the continent.

 

Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said: “This facility reaffirms Afreximbank’s strong commitment to supporting Tunisia and the continent’s sustainable socio-economic development. We thank the Government of Tunisia, through the Central Bank of Tunisia, and the Ministry of Finance for the growing collaboration, especially at a most critical time when international development finance institutions continue to deprioritise Africa. For us, the message is unequivocal: African institutions must lead Africa’s development.”

 

Dr Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, said: “We welcome the continued partnership with Afreximbank, which provides important support to Tunisia at a time when access to trade finance and foreign currency liquidity remains critical to sustaining essential imports. This facility demonstrates the value of African financial institutions working together to address shared economic priorities and support national resilience.”

 

Through its trade finance, project finance and liquidity support instruments, Afreximbank continues to help African economies to strengthen trade resilience, support essential imports, and expand their participation in intra-African and global trade.