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Macky Sall Has Excelled as an African Voice Speaking up for African Priorities (By NJ Ayuk)

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Sall has been particularly outspoken about Africa’s energy needs and the rights of African countries to continue extracting and capitalizing upon their oil and gas resources

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 7, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By NJ Ayuk, Chairman, African Energy Chamber (http://www.EnergyChamber.org)

When African Union Chairman Macky Sall addressed the United Nations General Assembly last September, he wasn’t shy about speaking up for his continent. The gist of his message? There is absolutely no excuse for failing to ensure consistent African representation in the world’s key decision-making bodies.

“It is time to overcome the reticence and deconstruct the narratives that persist in confining Africa to the margins of decision-making circles,” said Sall, who also is the president of Senegal.

Sall’s speech was about the need to give Africa permanent seats at the UN Security Council so, as he put it, “Africa can finally be represented where decisions that affect 1.4 billion Africans are being taken.”

But that was far from the first time he has called upon the global community to seek and consider African perspectives. From the beginning of his one-year term as the African Union’s chairman last February, Sall said he wanted to see fair, equitable international partnerships that welcomed African contributions instead of dismissing African priorities.

“Our continent cannot be a field which is the feast of others,” Sall said during his inaugural speech.

He also has spoken up for greater African representation in the G20, which as of yet only has one African member (South Africa). Multilateralism must “serve the interests of all,” Sall argued in October, or it will suffer “loss of legitimacy and authority.”

I commend Chairman Sall for his tireless work, not only to insist that the global community listens to and respects African issues, but also to build awareness of just what those issues are.

He has put African needs and priorities — including infrastructure development, greater access to COVID-19 vaccinations, food security, and an end to energy poverty — in front of world leaders ranging from Chinese President Xi Jinping to U.S. President Joe Biden. He has done the same at global events, including the 2022 G20 summit and the COP27 climate conference.

Sall has been particularly outspoken about Africa’s energy needs and the rights of African countries to continue extracting and capitalizing upon their oil and gas resources, even in the face of tremendous global pressure for Africa to make a rapid switch to renewable energy sources. Sall has firmly stated that, when it comes to the global march toward net zero emissions, Africa will not be in lockstep with the rest of the world at the expense of our countries’ well-being.

We are in an era when Africa needs fierce advocates. Nations and international partnerships are fighting for their respective priorities, and unless African leaders are willing to stand up for what our continent needs, our objectives will be pushed aside. Sall has, indeed, taken a stand.

We will not accept that polluting countries, responsible for the situation of the planet, tell us that we are no longer going to finance fossil fuels

An Unwavering Voice for a Just Energy Transition

African energy was not Sall’s only priority as chairman of the African Union, but he did, rightfully, use his platform to expand global awareness of Africa’s unique energy needs in 2022. He pointed out the hypocrisy of wealthy countries that harnessed fossil fuels to industrialize and grow their economies telling developing African countries that the world’s zero-emission goals trumped their right to do the same.

“We will not accept that polluting countries, responsible for the situation of the planet, tell us that we are no longer going to finance fossil fuels,” Sall said in September.

He made similar remarks when he opened the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 conference and exhibition, held Sept. 1-2 this year in Dakar. The MSGBC region comprises Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry.

“In this new configuration of the world, energy resources are major assets for Africa. Therefore, we must not accept that our continent is an object of world geopolitics, but an actor, aware of its natural wealth of interests, which acts on the competition instead of suffering it,” Sall said, adding that made no sense for African countries to stop exploiting their oil and gas resources while more than 600 million Africans lacked electricity. “While remaining committed to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must continue to defend the interests of our countries in the run-up to COP27 next November in Egypt.”

And that’s exactly what happened. Sall and other African leaders fiercely defended Africa’s energy interests before and during COP27. The result? As multiple news outlets reported, African natural gas took center stage at the conference.

A Strong Collaborator

As I tweeted in November, Africa was fortunate to have Sall at COP27. He understands both sides of the African energy transition debate: the need for Africa to set the timing for its shift to renewables and the world’s need to address climate change. Sall advocated for ongoing natural gas production in Africa, which allows us to minimize carbon dioxide emissions while providing much-needed gas to generate electricity domestically, build our economies, and move toward industrialization. Sall also has pushed for the international community to help fund the renewable energy infrastructure Africa needs for a just transition and to provide financial support for African climate adaptation.

Climate adaptation measures have particularly been a priority for Sall. In his capacity as president of Senegal, he and the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), Patrick Verkooijen, partnered in 2022 to unlock $1 billion in climate finance for Senegal under the Africa Adaptation Accelerator Program (AAAP). The AAAP, Africa-led and Africa-owned, is working to bolster adaptation in agriculture, digital services, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and jobs for young people. It was developed by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration with the African Union.

Sall was among the trailblazers to convene the Africa Adaptation Leaders’ Event during COP27. He also co-wrote, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, an opinion piece for the Guardian about the AAAP. It emphasized the critical importance of increased funding from developed countries for climate adaptation initiatives in developing countries, particularly those in Africa.

What we’ve seen is a pragmatic approach from Sall, one that recognizes the need for Africa to continue harnessing its oil and gas reserves while working diligently to move toward the transition to renewables — and to build climate resiliency into Africa’s economy.

When Sall’s one-year term at the helm of the African Union concludes February 5, the many challenges facing Africa will hardly be behind us. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that Sall has been making a vital difference in his role. Sall has said, loudly and clearly, that African voices will not be silenced. Thanks to Sall, it appears that the global community is starting to hear that message. That is a step in the right direction.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Congo Is Turning Reserves into Bankable Projects – and the Investment Window Is Opening

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June 24, 2026

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Etu Energias

Eni-led LNG expansion and ongoing deepwater investment are pushing the Republic of Congo’s energy sector toward more bankable projects ahead of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2027

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –With LNG exports set to triple to 3 mtpa, upstream oil production targeting 500,000 bpd and a renewed push on local content, the Republic of Congo is positioning itself as one of Central Africa’s most investable hydrocarbon markets. Under the leadership of the newly-appointed Minister of Hydrocarbons, Stev Simplice Onanga, the country is prioritizing industry growth by balancing local content with reserve replacement and project advancement.

 

What sets Congo apart is not the scale of its reserves, but the pace at which those reserves are being turned into commercially viable projects. From Eni’s LNG expansion and TotalEnergies’ deepwater developments to brownfield optimization by Trident Energy and output growth at Ammat Global Resources, capital is flowing into projects with clearer monetization pathways and nearer-term returns.

Ahead of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027 – the country’s leading platform for energy investment and partnerships – the story is shifting away from frontier potential toward bankable projects already under development.

Policy Reform Is De-Risking Investment

Congo’s investment case is being reshaped by the alignment of resource base, regulatory reform and project delivery. Established oil production, expanding LNG capacity and fiscal adjustments are gradually reducing above-ground risk.

Recent reforms led by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo have added structure to the sector. The Gas Code, introduced in October 2025, formalizes fiscal terms for gas commercialization, while the Gas Master Plan prioritizes flaring reduction and gas-to-power deployment, targeting 1,500 MW by 2030.

A new upstream licensing round is also under consideration, aimed at attracting fresh capital into both mature and frontier acreage. Together, these measures are improving visibility across upstream, midstream and downstream segments, with recent project activity reinforcing the shift.

The Projects Driving the Next Cycle

Deepwater oil remains central to Congo’s production outlook, with operators progressing both new developments and brownfield optimization. TotalEnergies is advancing work at the Moho licence following the April 2026 Moho G discovery, backed by a $500–$600 million infill drilling program targeting about 40,000 bpd in incremental output.

Local independent Ammat Global Resources is targeting 70% production growth from its Loango and Zatchi fields, where reactivated wells and upgraded platforms have already lifted output by 75%. Perenco continues steady gains, adding roughly 6,000 bpd through its 2025–2026 drilling program.

Trident Energy, after acquiring an 85% working interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II assets in 2025, is focused on extending field life through subsea optimization and redevelopment work.

While oil continues to anchor revenues, gas is rapidly emerging as Congo’s fastest-growing segment. Eni’s Congo LNG project delivered its first cargo from Phase 2 in February 2026, following the startup of the Nguya FLNG unit in December 2025. Together with Tango FLNG, capacity has risen from 0.6 mtpa to 3 mtpa. Trident Energy has also proposed an FLNG project aimed at adding further capacity across the country’s gas market. The project is expected to operate as shared infrastructure, allowing multiple operators to process gas from their respective fields. This creates an outlet for associated gas that might otherwise be stranded, supporting the country’s broader diversification goals.

Local Content Is Reshaping Investment Terms

Beyond upstream policy, Minister Onanga has positioned local content as a central pillar of Congo’s investment framework, and a key determinant of how capital is structured and deployed.

Decrees 2019-342, 343, 344 and 345 set requirements around subcontracting, workforce localization and training commitments, with the effect being a gradual shift in how projects are structured and how partnerships are formed. Operators are increasingly assessed not only on technical delivery but on in-country value creation, including partnerships with local firms and skills development. Logistics, maintenance and other service areas are increasingly channeled through domestic providers.

At CEIF 2027 – taking place June 1–3 in Brazzaville – attention will shift to what is moving forward and to the investors positioned to take part in that pipeline. Congo’s energy sector is no longer defined by potential alone: projects are moving, capital is being committed and policy is starting to catch up with activity on the ground.

As the Republic of Congo moves from reserves to revenue, the signal to investors is clear: this is already unfolding, not a future opportunity.

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

 

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Afreximbank secures double honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards for excellence in strategic communications

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June 24, 2026

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Afreximbank

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event

CAIRO, Egypt, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious awards programmes for strategic communications.

 

The Bank received an Award of Excellence in Special and Experiential Events category for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria and an Award of Merit in the Social Media category for its Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns, reaffirming Afreximbank’s commitment to delivering impactful communications that advance its mandate of promoting trade, investment and industrialisation across Africa and the Caribbean.

We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communication

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event. IATF2025 brought together governments, businesses, investors, buyers, sellers and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, creating a platform for trade and investment opportunities while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The communications campaign played a pivotal role in driving global awareness, stakeholder participation, media visibility and engagement before, during and after the event, while showcasing the scale, ambition and dynamism of African enterprise and reinforcing a positive narrative about Africa’s capacity to trade, industrialise and compete on the global stage. Over 120,000 delegates attended IATF2025 in person and virtually, with deals worth over US$50 billion recorded.

The Award of Merit for Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns recognises the Bank’s strategic use of digital platforms to engage stakeholders, amplify its developmental impact and elevate conversations around trade, industrialisation, economic integration and investment opportunities across Africa and the Caribbean. Through a combination of compelling storytelling, thought leadership content, executive advocacy, multimedia production and real-time event coverage, Afreximbank’s social media platforms have continued to expand their reach and influence among policymakers, businesses, investors, development partners and the wider public. Among these platforms is the Afreximbank TV, a digital TV channel that is wholly owned and managed by Afreximbank, whose fifth edition was celebrated with dedicated coverage of IATF2025, providing live coverage of the activities to both pan African and global audiences.

Anne Ezeh, Director & Global Head, Communications and Events at Afreximbank commented: “We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communications. As a pan African multilateral financial institution, we see storytelling as a powerful tool for advancing our mission — ensuring our initiatives, events, programmes and key announcements not only inform, but also inspire confidence, deepen engagement and amplify Africa’s transformation. These awards reinforce our resolve to continue delivering world-class communications that elevate African voices and projects a bold and authoritative narrative of the continent.”

Ms. Ezeh added that through innovative storytelling, digital engagement and integrated campaigns, the Bank will continue to amplify the impact of its programmes and partnerships  to project a more authentic narrative of Africa, one defined by opportunity, innovation, resilience and growing influence in the global economy.

For more than five decades, the IABC Gold Quill Awards have recognised excellence in strategic communications globally, celebrating programmes and campaigns that demonstrate measurable impact, innovation, creativity and outstanding execution. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the communications profession, the awards are judged through a rigorous and independent evaluation process conducted by experienced communication leaders from around the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 

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Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Institute Unveils 2025 Annual Report During Group Annual Meetings in Baku

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6 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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IsDBI

In 2025, IsDBI significantly expanded its footprint in Islamic finance transformation, approving 25 new technical assistance projects valued at US$4.14 million and completing 19 projects worth US$3 million

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ —

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) has released its 2025 Annual Report during the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings held in Baku, Azerbaijan, showcasing a year of expanded impact in Islamic finance transformation, innovative solutions, and capacity development.

 

The report highlights how IsDBI strengthened its role as a global knowledge leader by advancing innovative solutions and scaling support to Member Countries through knowledge-based interventions, Islamic finance grants, and strategic partnerships.

In 2025, IsDBI significantly expanded its footprint in Islamic finance transformation, approving 25 new technical assistance projects valued at US$4.14 million and completing 19 projects worth US$3 million, supporting countries in strengthening regulatory frameworks and promoting inclusive financial systems.

Since 2013, the Institute’s interventions in this regard have reached over US$27.57 million across 181 projects benefiting more than 34 countries, underlining its sustained contribution to development outcomes across the Islamic world.

I am pleased to note that the Institute has continued to strengthen its unique role in the global development ecosystem

The Annual Report highlights major progress in IsDBI’s three flagship transformative projects, namely Awqāf Free Zones, Digital Postal Islamic Financial Services, and Smart Countertrade System, which have all advanced to pilot-ready stages. These initiatives aim to address global challenges such as financial inclusion, food and energy security, and trade resilience.

Furthermore, the Institute accelerated its focus on digital innovation in Islamic finance, enhancing its Islamic Finance Artificial Intelligence Assistant (IFAA) and hosting its first AI Hackathon on Islamic Finance, engaging more than 40 teams in developing cutting-edge solutions aligned with industry standards.

Human capital development in Islamic finance also remained a cornerstone of IsDBI’s work in 2025, with the delivery of over 20 training programs reaching around 500 professionals across Member Countries. A key achievement in this area was the Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program, a flagship initiative equipping emerging leaders from 20 countries with innovation-driven and values-based entrepreneurship skills. The program was designed and implemented in collaboration with Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Saudi Arabia.

The Institute also strengthened its thought leadership through flagship publications, global partnerships, and digital engagement, reinforcing its position as a leading voice in Islamic economics and finance.

Commenting on the issuance of the Annual Report, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said: “I am pleased to note that the Institute has continued to strengthen its unique role in the global development ecosystem by bridging knowledge creation, building human capital, and designing innovative solutions to address economic challenges.”

The 2025 Annual Report is accessible on IsDBI website here (https://isdbinstitute.org/product/isdbi-annual-report-2025/).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

 

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