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Gabon’s Downstream Industry Sees String of New Investments

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2 years ago

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Gabon

With several of its large fields in decline, Gabon is prioritizing the establishment of a diversified energy sector that increases domestic refining capacity, reduces importation levels and achieves self-sufficiency in petroleum products

LIBREVILLE, Gabon, May 2, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Since the birth of Gabon’s petroleum sector, the country’s downstream industries have languished in the shadow of its more prolific upstream operations. Yet a slew of recent investments in refining, gas-to-power and associated infrastructure means that Gabon’s downstream industries are finally coming of age, with profound implications for the country’s export revenues, access to petroleum products, and current and future energy matrices.

Crude oil from a few large but maturing fields has traditionally accounted for the majority of Gabon’s government revenues, little of which has been reinvested in refining and downstream infrastructure. Despite its hydrocarbon wealth, Gabon imports roughly 45% of its refined petroleum products (primarily from Europe), driving up state expenditures and the cost of living for its citizens. After a failed attempt to merge upstream and downstream capabilities within national oil company Gabon Oil Company (GOC) in 2019, several state-run downstream companies were left to operate independently from 2020. These include the Gabonese Company for the Storage of Petroleum Products (SGEPP) and Gabon Oil Downstream, which is responsible for retail. But the cornerstone of Gabon’s downstream ecosystem is the Gabonese Refining Company (SOGARA), which was taken over by the government in 1973, having previously served as a refining hub for the entire West African region.

SOGARA runs the country’s only refinery located in the oil and gas hub of Port Gentil. This is connected via an 18-km pipeline to the Cap Lopez Oil Terminal, which accumulates production from nearby producing fields run by Perenco, BW Offshore, VAALCO Energy, TotalEnergies and Assala Energy. Current refining capacity stands at 1.2 million tons of crude oil per year, which produces around 55% of the country’s refined petroleum products consumption in the form of diesel, kerosene, butane and unleaded gasoline. Yet output remains limited relative to the size of Gabon’s oil industry, with the refinery operating at a loss and subsidized by the government.

Crude oil from a few large but maturing fields has traditionally accounted for the majority of Gabon’s government revenues

As a result, SOGARA plans to expand its processing capacity to 1.5 million tons per year with the addition of a hydrocracking unit, which is expected to increase domestic production of diesel and butane, eliminate the need for subsidies and allow the company to turn a profit for the first time. This expansion coincides with projected increases in output of Gabon’s famously light, sweet Rabi crude variety for which the refinery is designed, while heavier varieties, like Mandji, will be exported as crude.

Bolstering Gabon’s downstream future is the newfound potential for gas production and associated industries. Anglo-Swiss company Perenco has been leading the country’s major gas infrastructure projects to date, reaching a final investment decision last February on its one-billion-dollar Cap de Lopez LNG facility, which will produce up to 700,000 tons of LNG and 20,000 tons of butane when it comes online in 2026. This will complement the 15,000 tons of butane set to be produced from the company’s LPG plant in Batanga, which is currently under construction and expected to achieve first gas later this year. Last April, Perenco also signed an MOU with Gabon Power Company for the construction of a gas-fired power plant in Mayumba, which will recover associated gas from offshore fields through a 35-km gas line. The plant will initially provide 21 MW (to be increased to 50 MW in its second phase) to electrify several of Gabon’s remote southern provinces. Harnessing the power of Gabon’s natural gas reserves will have wide-ranging economic implications, as energy-intensive industries like mining, manufacturing, steel and petrochemicals become feasible even in underdeveloped parts of the country. An increase in ammonia and urea fertilizer production – manufactured directly from natural gas – would also be a boon to local farming and help offset Gabon’s costly food imports.

Finally, Gabon’s mid- and downstream ambitions are extending beyond its borders with the development of the Central African Pipeline System (CAPS), for which a coalition of Central African nations signed an MOU last September. Connecting Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), CAPS represents a 6,500-km oil and gas pipeline network with connections to LNG terminals, storage depots, power plants, and refineries to meet regional demand for electricity and refined petroleum products. If current feasibility studies are favorable, the project could connect up to 125 billion barrels of crude oil and 1.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves with the global economy by 2030, positioning Gabon at the center of a major regional downstream hub.

All this and more will be further unpacked in Energy Capital & Power’s (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) upcoming market report, Energy Invest Gabon. Keep following for more information about this exciting report!

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

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Launch of World Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics Expo & Summit 2025 to Advance the Country’s Shift Towards Next-Generation Industries

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4 hours ago

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November 26, 2024

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Logistics Expo

WAM Morocco is organised by KAOUN International, the force behind GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest and most influential tech and AI show

CASABLANCA, Morocco, November 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

KAOUN International (www.KAOUN-int.com/), Organizer of GITEX, Launches WAM Morocco 2025 with Commitment and Unified Support from Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, CGEM, and AMDIE; WAM Morocco 2025 Will Spotlight Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainable Practices, Next-Gen Logistics, and AI Innovation to Accelerate Industrial Growth.

The World Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics Expo & Summit (WAM Morocco) will debut in Casablanca, with unified support to catalyse Morocco’s thriving manufacturing economy towards next-generation industries. Endorsed by the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade and in partnership with key partners, namely the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE), WAM Morocco aims to expand the nation’s industrial base, foster new sectors, and drive capacity building for sustainable growth.

Taking place from 28–30 October 2025 at the Foire Internationale de Casablanca (FIC), WAM Morocco is organised by KAOUN International, the force behind GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest and most influential tech and AI show, and GITEX Africa in Morocco – the continent’s largest tech and start-up event.

Morocco’s robust manufacturing and logistics base in the automotive and aerospace sectors, boosted by initiatives such as the Fez Smart Factory and $600 million National Port Strategy 2030 (http://apo-opa.co/4eQs4iG), has drawn substantial international investment.

Morocco has become the largest non-European automotive exporter to Europe. In addition, it has a significant presence in the aerospace sector, with exports totalling $2.2 billion and serving major clients such as Boeing and Airbus. Recent advancements in manufacturing and logistics have strengthened Morocco’s foundation, positioning the nation in the global spotlight as it prepares to host WAM Morocco successfully.

WAM Morocco is set to ignite Africa’s next wave of industrial revolution, paving the way for African nations to lead high-speed growth on the global stage

H.E. Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, expressed his support, stating: “WAM Morocco represents a significant milestone in Morocco’s journey to becoming one of the foremost hubs for advanced manufacturing in Africa and the world. Being part of this event highlights our nation’s commitment to innovation, economic resilience, and industrial leadership. By bringing together global and local expertise, we are creating an environment where high-tech innovation and sustainable practices can thrive, propelling our country and the continent towards a prosperous, technology-driven future.”

The organiser of WAM Morocco and GITEX Africa, Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, added: “WAM Morocco is a strategic and powerful manoeuvre for Morocco, accelerating the country’s, and the continent’s, prominence in high-tech industries and unlocking unparalleled access to global technological capabilities. This event will create powerful competitive advantages for the Moroccan and African ecosystems. By bringing together the best in innovation, investment, and collaboration, WAM Morocco is set to ignite Africa’s next wave of industrial revolution, paving the way for African nations to lead high-speed growth on the global stage.”

Event Highlights and Strategic Objectives

WAM Morocco is set to advance and support Morocco’s vision of becoming a sustainable, globally competitive manufacturing hub by showcasing cutting-edge manufacturing and next-generation technologies in AI, quantum computing, 3D printing, blockchain, and mixed reality. WAM Morocco shall feature a range of specialised events, including WAP (World Advanced Packing, Printing, and Plastic Technologies), WARM (World Advanced Rubber & Metal Industrial Technologies), and WASIM (World Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing), each dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in their respective fields.

Built on Morocco’s industrial success, WAM Morocco aims to accelerate its position as a leader in advanced manufacturing by leveraging AI, deep tech, and sustainable practices. The event will foster public-private partnerships, attract foreign investment, and support local capacity-building, creating a lasting economic impact and strengthening Morocco’s role as a high-tech, sustainable manufacturing powerhouse in Africa.

Chakib Alj, President of the Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), voiced support for the momentum driving Morocco’s industrial transformation, emphasising the importance of public-private collaboration: “This gathering is more than an event—it’s a vital platform for Moroccan businesses, particularly SMEs, to engage on the world stage, connect with leading international innovators, and form partnerships that will accelerate our industrial progress. By uniting our start-ups and industry leaders with global pioneers, we’re laying the groundwork for sustained growth, competitiveness, and economic resilience. We support this significant initiative and look forward to the long-term economic impact it will bring to Morocco and Africa as a whole.”

For more information, please visit WAM Morocco’s official website.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KAOUN International.

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GoDaddy’s Airo solution is helping African entrepreneurs save time

Published

4 hours ago

on

November 26, 2024

By

GoDaddy

AI-powered solution that saves small business owners precious time in establishing their online presence and attract new customers

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

For small businesses, every second saved and money spent can be the difference between surviving and thriving. GoDaddy (www.GoDaddy.com) recently found that 92% of small business owners surveyed globally view implementing AI in their businesses would yield in a positive impact to their bottom line.  

However, they have challenges when it comes to getting started. The top reasons reported globally for not implementing AI are a lack of awareness of available solutions (49%), potential costs (48%), lack of understanding of the benefits (43%), and lack of time to implement these tools (29%). To make using generative AI fast and easy, GoDaddy launched GoDaddy Airo™ (https://apo-opa.co/3Z7GKnK), an AI-powered experience designed to save small business owners precious time in establishing their online presence and attract new customers.  

The Right Solution for Any Small Business 

GoDaddy Airo™, available in English language, makes leveraging the power of AI easy for anyone wanting to start a business or take their existing one to the next level.  

GoDaddy Airo™, as an AI powered experience, continuously evolves and improves ensuring that small businesses stay at the forefront of the latest technology

GoDaddy Airo™, using GoDaddy’s AI Domain Search tool, can recommend catchy domain names with just a description of their business. Within minutes of purchasing a domain from GoDaddy, GoDaddy Airo™ can instantly generate content for the business, including: 

  • Unique, eye-catching logo designs that can be easily customized to fit the business. 
  • A fully built website, using GoDaddy’s Websites + Marketing, with a paid subscription, including imagery and content designed to help the business engage and attract customers. 
  • A professional email account, with a paid subscription, that strengthens the credibility and prestige of the business. 
  • By simply uploading a product photo, an auto-generated custom product description is created for an online store. 
  • Social media calendar with recommendations of when to ideally post. 

GoDaddy Airo™ Is Always Evolving 

GoDaddy Airo™ is live now for small businesses to take advantage of, and even more capabilities are coming. 

“GoDaddy Airo™, as an AI powered experience, continuously evolves and improves ensuring that small businesses stay at the forefront of the latest technology,” said Selina Bieber, Vice President for International Markets at GoDaddy. ”GoDaddy empowers entrepreneurs with online tools and solutions that combines the latest AI technology with the ease of use we’re known for, helping small businesses drive growth and stay connected with their customers.” 

For more information on how GoDaddy Airo can help your business visit (https://apo-opa.co/3Z7GKnK). 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GoDaddy.

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Infobip recognized as Rich Communication Services (RCS) Business Messaging Leader by Juniper Research

Published

4 hours ago

on

November 26, 2024

By

Infobip

Infobip is the first communications platform in America to have an active RCS platform connected with telecom providers

CASABLANCA, Morocco, November 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Global cloud communications platform Infobip (www.Infobip.com) has been named number one among Established Leaders in RCS Business Messaging by analyst firm Juniper Research. In Juniper Research’s RCS Business Messaging Competitor Leaderboard 2024, Infobip has been recognized for its superior product and positioning, and enhanced capacity and capability.

Juniper Research scores vendors on a range of factors including but not limited to their geographical reach, depth of partnerships, RCS value-added services, notable RCS deployments and innovation. The analyst ranked Infobip as the number one provider from 17 vendors because of its strong presence in the global messaging sector and its RCS deployments in regions where the analyst believes growth will occur. 

We lead the market with innovative solutions, as our ranking in Juniper’s RCS Business Messaging Leaderboard demonstrates

Infobip is the first communications platform in America to have an active RCS platform connected with telecom providers. It connects to telco Verizon and will soon add further carriers.

Juniper Research notes Infobip offers value-added services that support its messaging portfolio, including its conversational AI, People CDP, and CPaaS X solutions. “Its RCS MaaP layer for telecoms is particularly strong, and alongside its wide-spread relationships with mobile operators globally, this will support the growth of RCS business messaging on a large scale,” notes Juniper Research.

Silvio Kutić, CEO at Infobip, said: “RCS is the next SMS and provides a rich experience natively available on consumers’ phones. With Apple now supporting RCS, it has universal availability. As a result, RCS Business Messaging users and traffic will grow over the next five years. As pioneers in global omnichannel communications, we lead the market with innovative solutions, as our ranking in Juniper’s RCS Business Messaging Leaderboard demonstrates.”

Infobip introduced its RCS Business Messaging Solution to enable Mobile Network Operators and enterprises to create memorable customer experiences with rich conversational messages. It has also integrated AI capabilities, including Google Vertex AI, to enable businesses and brands to access conversational AI and AI-enabled chatbots on RCS Business Messaging.

Access the report at: https://apo-opa.co/3Z20rgJ

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Infobip.

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