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Africa becoming the gender hub for gender mainstreaming success

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gender mainstreaming

Business Engage developed the Gender Mainstreaming Awards to encourage and motivate private corporates to buy into achieving more meaningful representation of women in the mainstream of business

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 11, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Over the years, the Gender Mainstreaming Awards have proven to be a powerful indicator of the strides made to create more gender-balanced corporate entities. Business Engage (www.BusinessEngage.Africa) developed the Gender Mainstreaming Awards to encourage and motivate private corporates to buy into achieving more meaningful representation of women in the mainstream of business as a strategic imperative. Individuals are also recognised for their role in the gender mainstreaming journey.

The awards are hosted annually to reward corporates and individuals for the change they ensure on the ground in terms of gender mainstreaming. The winners and finalists have continued to show remarkable commitments to gender parity. However, more must be done to ensure that issues around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging do not become a tick-box requirement but are inculcated into the culture of African public and private spaces.

“To drive change, organisations need to refocus their environments to support the development of women alongside their male counterparts – as equals. Both women and men must become agents of gender equality within their workplaces and spheres of influence. Each business leader must become a champion for change, supporting women’s advancement into leadership positions by recognising and promoting capable women where it is due.”

“We are proud to be the naming sponsor of the Accenture 2023 GMA Awards as these awards celebrate the fundamental principle of gender equality that Accenture regards as our normal way of doing business.” – Khethiwe Nkuna, CSI and Responsible Business lead for Accenture in Africa.                          

Welcome to the 2023 Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards, an initiative of Business Engage, a platform that publicly recognises good practices and excellence in diversity with its emphasis on Gender Mainstreaming.

“Transformation is always at the helm of our agenda; hence we are deliberate in our efforts to appoint women in strategic positions and contribute to a society that supports and embraces the empowerment of its women.”

Assupol is proud to be involved in the 2023 Gender Mainstreaming Awards. As leaders in our industry, we take the responsibility to lead by example very seriously. – Bridget Mokwena-Halala, Assupol CEO.

Business Engage, and all of the sponsors invite you to celebrate gender mainstreaming by nominating individuals and corporates to celebrate our 11th Gender Mainstreaming Awards on 5 October 2023. Entries are open for nominations from corporates and individuals for the various categories to fit the level of diversity that your company is currently at. For more information on the Gender Mainstreaming Awards, visit www.GenderAwards.com

“Our partnership with the Gender Mainstreaming Awards aligns closely with our continuous drive for gender diversity, gender equality and women empowerment in the workplace – ensuring that as a business and individuals, we hold ourselves accountable to being the change we want to see. We have a long-standing history with Business Engage and have felt the significant impact that these Awards bring to businesses and people. We look forward to this year’s entries and the continued commitment by corporate South Africa to driving and supporting women empowerment.” – Esha Mansingh, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations at Imperial, a DP World Company.

“As the JSE, we recognise and understand that gender equality is both a moral imperative and important driver of financial inclusion in South Africa. It is for this reason that we support the Gender Mainstreaming Awards, as they are a vehicle for recognising organisations that are making meaningful contribution to the progression of women in their businesses and communities. In our organisation, 64% of our board of directors and 80% of our executive members are women.” – Vuyo Lee, Director: Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE.

“We are proud of this achievement and our participation in the awards, and hope this serves as a catalyst for more companies to focus on gender mainstreaming in our economy.”

The Awards have been expanded into Africa for individuals and corporates in East and West Africa. The 10th Gender Mainstreaming Awards in 2022 comprised very successful simultaneous in-person events with 500 attendees in Gauteng, South Africa, 300 in Nairobi, Kenya and 100 in Accra, Ghana. The event was also streamed online, hosting 6800 attendees from across Africa. Including the entire Africa in the Gender Mainstreaming Awards intends to make Africa the gender hub from which we export stories of success to the rest of the world rather than constantly importing reports of gender equality.

“Our longstanding relationship with the Business Engage and the Gender Mainstreaming awards is an attestation to our commitment to a more gender equal future. We continuously work towards creating an environment where women feel they are empowered to achieve their individual career goals and are committed to growing the number of women in leadership in financial services.” – Dharshni Padayachee, RMB.

Currently, there are twelve private sector categories for corporates and individuals to enter:

Corporates Awards

To drive change, organisations need to refocus their environments to support the development of women alongside their male counterparts – as equals

Women on boards

Women on Executive Committees in Multinationals

Women’s Empowerment in the Workplace

Mainstreaming Gender and Disability Awards

Economic Empowerment Award

Equal Representation and Participation Awards

Investing in Young Women

Empowerment of Women in the Community

Gender Reporting of JSE-Listed companies (nomination category – no entries accepted)

“As AECI, our commitment to gender equality remains a key ESG imperative and is embedded in our ‘One AECI for a better world purpose’. “A better world is inclusive for everybody, and this includes the communities around our operations”. Gender Mainstreaming Champion, Southern Africa 2022. AECI Group Manager: Diversity and Inclusion, Nina Ngidi.

Individual Awards

Positive Role Model

Inclusive Leader Award

RMB African’s Fearless Thinker Award

“Our longstanding relationship with the Business Engage and the Gender Mainstreaming awards is an attestation to our commitment to a more gender equal future. We continuously work towards creating an environment where women feel they are empowered to achieve their individual career goals and are committed to growing the number of women in leadership in financial services.” – Dharshni Padayachee, RMB.

Corporates and individuals should note that all entries are submitted online with supporting documentation under the Enrolment Form tab on https://Gender-Mainstreaming.Awardsplatform.com. We have entries for East Africa, West Africa and Southern Africa. It is a condition of entry that finalists attend the Gender Mainstreaming Awards.

The deadline for Entries is 31 May 2023. The semi-final event for individual categories in Southern Africa will follow on 28 July 2023. The judges will interview all shortlisted companies and individuals from 4 July 2023 – 28 July 2023, and finalists will be announced by 2 August 2023.

“We believe the best way to influence change is to strengthen and grow the current conversation, then couple that with deliberate actions.” – Colleen Larsen, Business Engage.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Business Engage

Business

Telecoming Strengthens Its Presence in Africa with the Launch of DCB Software South Africa

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The company advances its regional strategy with a model built on AI, monetisation and direct connectivity with local operators

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 11, 2026/APO Group/ –Telecoming (www.Telecoming.com), a global technology company specialising in the monetisation of digital services, announces the launch of DCB Software South Africa (www.DCBSoftwareZA.com), its new local subsidiary. The move reinforces the company’s growth strategy in Africa, one of the most promising markets in the mobile economy.

The new entity will be led by Javier de Corral, who will lead business development, establish partnerships with telecom operators and build a local team based in Johannesburg.

The South African launch builds on Telecoming’s existing footprint in the continent, where it already operates through its Algerian subsidiary, DCB Software Dzayer, further strengthening its regional position.

We are very excited about the opportunities in South Africa and committed to investing in its digital future

DCB Software South Africa will operate as a local hub focused on AI-driven digital services, supported by a team entirely based in the country. Its scope includes the development of digital products, mobile and web services, as well as solutions in digital entertainment and marketplaces, all built on scalable, multi-device platforms designed to ensure a seamless user experience.

The subsidiary combines in-depth knowledge of the South African and Sub-Saharan markets with direct access to telecom operators, digital platforms and local payment solutions. It will deploy multiple monetisation models, including Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), to optimise conversion rates and overall performance.

The launch of DCB Software South Africa marks a key milestone in our global expansion strategy”, said Cyrille Thivat, CEO of Telecoming. “We are very excited about the opportunities in South Africa and committed to investing in its digital future. With Javier de Corral at the helm, we are confident that this new subsidiary will not only drive our local growth but also contribute to the broader digital and AI ecosystem.”

Telecoming develops technology designed to enhance user acquisition, streamline payment processes and improve the performance of digital services. Its platforms integrate monetisation, advertising and user experience, leveraging artificial intelligence to deliver secure, scalable and efficient solutions.

This expansion reinforces Telecoming’s commitment to delivering innovative digital and AI services and strengthens its position as a key player in the African market. With this launch, the company takes another step in its international expansion, enhancing its ability to support the development of Africa’s digital ecosystem through advanced technology, local expertise and strategic partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Telecoming.

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Enlit Africa 2026 makes 20 May the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) delivery day across power, water and clean energy hubs

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Enlit Africa 2026

Taking place 19–21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group, convenes utilities, municipalities, large energy users, financiers, developers and technology providers to focus on what shifts outcomes in African infrastructure

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 11, 2026/APO Group/ –Enlit Africa 2026 will put commercial and industrial delivery front and center on Wednesday 20 May with a dedicated line-up across the Power HubWater Hub and Renewable Energy & Storage Hub. The day is built for decision-makers who must keep operations running, secure reliable supply, manage risk and move projects from concept to implementation.

 

Taking place 19–21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group, convenes utilities, municipalities, large energy users, financiers, developers and technology providers to focus on what shifts outcomes in African infrastructure.

On 20 May, the programme is anchored by the keynote, “How a coordinated energy/water plan could change African resilience” (09:30–11:45), positioning water and energy as interlinked operational risks that can no longer be managed in silos. From there, the day breaks into practical tracks tailored for large users and the solution partners that support them.

In the Renewable Energy & Storage Hub, sessions focus on the realities of C&I adoption and delivery at scale, including “Project implementation for multi-megawatt C&I projects” (11:45–13:00) and “Clean energy adoption in the C&I market” (14:30–15:45), before turning to fleet electrification and operations with “Mobility: Management of electric vehicle fleets for C&I” (16:00–17:30).

In the Water Hub, the agenda targets the technologies and operating models that matter most to industrial continuity and compliance. Sessions include “Next-generation water treatment technologies” (11:45–13:00), “Advanced water treatment & smart water systems” (14:30–15:45) and “Accelerating water technology deployment for C&I operations” (16:30–17:30).

Together, the three stages create a single day of high-signal, implementation-led content for C&I leaders, utilities, municipalities and suppliers focused on operational performance, investment readiness and delivery discipline.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Nigeria’s Upstream Reform Program Captures 40% of Africa’s Final Investment Decision (FID) Activity After a Decade on the Margins

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African Energy Chamber

A government three-year review documents how executive action under President Tinubu reversed a decade of upstream decline

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 8, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria has gone from capturing 4% of Africa’s upstream final investment decisions (FIDs) to commanding 40% in two years, according to Nigeria’s Energy Sector Reforms 2023-2026: A Three-Year Review, published by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and spearheaded by Special Adviser Olu Verheijen. The $50 billion project pipeline now in development beyond 2026 points to sustained capital commitment at a scale not seen in the Nigerian upstream for at least a decade.

 

Between 2014 and 2023, Nigeria was among the continent’s weakest performers for upstream FIDs despite holding 37.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the second-largest endowment in Africa. Algeria captured 44% of African upstream FIDs during that period, Angola held 26%, while Nigeria trailed Mozambique, Ghana, Senegal and Namibia. In the third quarter of 2022, crude production briefly dropped below one million barrels per day, as years of underinvestment, pipeline vandalism and regulatory ambiguity compounded each other. However, reforms instituted by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu have dramatically turned this trend around. Through deliberate and coordinated steps, the government has reset the trajectory.

Addressing Fiscal Terms, Regulatory Scope and Contracting Speed

President Bola Tinubu’s administration moved simultaneously on fiscal terms and regulatory architecture. Policy directives in 2023 clarified the boundary of jurisdiction between the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), resolving an ambiguity that had complicated project sanctioning. Presidential Directive 40 introduced targeted tax incentives, and a separate Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Production in 2024 was designed to draw international oil companies (IOCs) back into capital-intensive, long-cycle deepwater projects. The VAT Modification Order 2024 and Upstream Cost Efficiency Order 2025 addressed the cost structures that had rendered marginal projects uneconomic. NNPCL contracting timelines were compressed from 36 months to a maximum of six months.

Four Divestments Transferred Onshore Control to Indigenous Operators

In parallel, the administration deployed targeted security directives and accelerated ministerial consents for four IOC asset transfers. Renaissance acquired Shell’s onshore portfolio. Seplat Energy completed its acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Nigerian upstream interests. Oando took over from Agip, and Chappal acquired Equinor’s local assets. The four transactions totaled approximately $4 billion. The transfer of onshore and shallow-water blocks to indigenous operators contributed directly to production recovery. Output rose by approximately 400,000 barrels per day between 2023 and 2025 to reach 1.6 million barrels per day, the highest onshore production level in 20 years.

When a government rebuilds fiscal competitiveness and regulatory predictability at the same time, capital responds

Signed Projects Total $10 Billion, With a $50 Billion Pipeline Beyond

The reforms produced a concrete FID response from Shell and TotalEnergies. Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) sanctioned the $5 billion Bonga North deepwater development in December 2024 and committed a further $2 billion to the HI Non-Associated Gas (NAG) project. TotalEnergies and NNPCL took a joint FID on the $550 million Ubeta gas field development in June 2024.

Together those three commitments account for more than $10 billion in signed investment after a decade of near-zero sanctioning activity. The pipeline beyond 2026 spans a further $50 billion across 11 projects including Bonga South West, Owowo, Usan and Erha. Nigeria approved 28 field development plans valued at $18.2 billion in 2025 alone, targeting an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of reserves.

“When a government rebuilds fiscal competitiveness and regulatory predictability at the same time, capital responds,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Nigeria has done both, and the FID numbers are concrete proof.”

The Counterfactual Illustrates How Much Was at Stake

The presentation includes a no-reform projection that puts the gains in context. Without intervention, total crude and condensate production was on track to fall from 1.371 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2022 to 579,000 by 2030. Under the reform trajectory, output reached 1.77 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026, with a stated government target of 3 million barrels per day. Export gas utilization rose 39% over the same period, while domestic utilization grew by 7%.

The durability of these gains will be tested by two factors: whether the institutional architecture put in place under the Tinubu administration holds over the long term, and whether the deepwater commitments signed in 2024 and 2025 advance to execution on schedule. The project pipeline is large enough that partial delivery would still represent a generational shift in Nigeria’s upstream output profile.

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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