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Access Bank Paris Launch to Strengthen Trade and Investment Links Between Africa and Europe

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Access Bank

This move will enable Access Bank to expand its operations in Europe, strengthen its international presence, and deepen its relationships with global clients

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 17, 2023/APO Group/ — 

As part of its strategic moves to boost trade and investment between Africa and Europe, Access Bank Plc (www.AccessBankPLC.com), one of Nigeria’s biggest financial services institutions, has established a new subsidiary in Paris, France.

With this bold move, the leading Nigerian financial institution has reinforced its commitment to strengthening cross-border trade and investment between Africa and the world, connecting businesses to opportunities within the continent as Africa’s gateway to the world.

Pan-African and Global Expansion

The launch of Access Bank’s Paris subsidiary marks a significant milestone in the bank’s global expansion strategy. This move will enable Access Bank to expand its operations in Europe, strengthen its international presence, and deepen its relationships with global clients while serving as a hub for supporting the bank’s growing trade finance business in Africa. It will also enable Access Bank to provide seamless banking services to its clients doing business in France and Europe.

With a population of over 67 million people and a GDP of €2.4 trillion, France is a key player in the global economy. Access Bank’s new subsidiary will enable the bank to tap into the country’s vast business opportunities, particularly in the area of cross-border trade finance.

The subsidiary’s location in Paris is strategic, as it is the commercial and financial center of France with a vibrant ecosystem of businesses and institutions. This positioning will allow Access Bank to leverage its local expertise and extensive network to provide tailored solutions to its clients.

In his remarks at the launch event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, noted that “the establishment of Access Bank Paris is in line with the bank’s long-term strategy of becoming Africa’s gateway to the world. He also expressed confidence that the new subsidiary will play a key role in driving trade and investment flows between Africa and France”.

Wigwe, while speaking on the purpose of the bank’s strategic expansion efforts, said, “Access Bank Plc, today, has a very strong presence in the United Kingdom, but coming on the heels of Brexit, there was a need for us to establish a presence in another country in Europe, and France provides a very strong platform for us to do so.

“Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly—in terms of trade—on France, so Access Bank in Paris will work to support trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.

“Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk. “Furthermore, we are confident that the Bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.

The subsidiary’s location in Paris is strategic, as it is the commercial and financial center of France with a vibrant ecosystem of businesses and institutions

He also acknowledged the role of the bank’s various stakeholders in making the expansion drive successful, Wigwe stressed the value of its customers, shareholders, regulators, and the communities it operates.

“Our successes over the years would be footnotes but for the relationships we have fostered with these critical contributors. In recognition of this, we are committed to building long-term partnerships with all our stakeholders in France – based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.

It must be noted that Access Holdings, the parent company of Access Bank Plc, has recently announced earnings of N1.38 trillion in the 2022 financial year, making the financial behemoth the first banking institution in Nigeria to hit and cross the N1 trillion mark in gross earnings.

This demonstrates the Bank’s robust risk management, strong credit rating, and high growth potential, as well as the confidence in the bank by its various stakeholders.

With its innovative banking solutions driven by best-in-class technology, customer-centric operations, and its people, Access Bank is on course to achieve its 5-year plan of processing one in every two transactions in Africa and being present in major commercial hubs in the world.

“Access Bank’s presence in France represents an important step towards achieving its goal of bridging worlds and connecting opportunities for African businesses. The bank’s latest stride also lays a marker for realising its recently unveiled 5-year strategic growth plan.

Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, said at the event, “Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the bank’s presence across Africa and beyond.”.

“Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses. Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.”

“We remain committed to building a bank that is truly global in scope, yet locally relevant in its approach, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and expand our footprint in new markets,” Ogbonna added.

Access Bank UK, led by Jamie Simmonds, would oversee the operations of the Paris subsidiary and would effectively become the umbrella company for other representative offices in the country.

Access Bank Paris has already received regulatory approval from the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) and is now fully operational. The subsidiary is staffed with a team of seasoned professionals with deep expertise in the African market and is well-equipped to deliver world-class financial solutions to its clients.

In conclusion, the launch of Access Bank’s Paris subsidiary represents a significant milestone in the bank’s expansion strategy, enabling it to provide seamless banking services to its clients in France and Europe while also promoting cross-border trade finance between Africa and the rest of the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Access Bank PLC.

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Premier Invest Highlights Milestone Oil & Gas Financing Partnership with Shell at Invest in African Energy Reception in London

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African Energy Reception

As an African-owned investment banking and advisory firm, Premier Invest is aiming to bridge Africa’s oil and gas financing gap through strategic partnerships in the sector

LONDON, The United Kingdom, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Rene Awambeng, Managing Partner at investment banking and advisory firm Premier Invest, outlined Africa’s current oil and gas financing gap and strategies for unlocking global capital at the Invest in African Energy reception -organized by the African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) – in London on Thursday. Last month, Premier Invest signed a milestone agreement with Shell to enable access to financing for oil and gas projects across the continent.

The agreement to co-finance and originate oil and gas agreements in Africa aims to drive growth in the oil and gas sector across the continent

Under the strategic partnership, the two companies will collaborate to identify and co-finance oil and gas transactions in Africa that have the potential to generate significant returns, while creating value for local communities and economies.

“The agreement to co-finance and originate oil and gas agreements in Africa aims to drive growth in the oil and gas sector across the continent. We will work together to identify and evaluate potential opportunities in the oil and gas market and leverage our respective expertise to fund projects that have the potential for significant returns. This is a significant step forward in our commitment to support the growth of the sector,” said Awambeng.

The partnership serves to address the persistent lack of FDI on the continent – in which Africa receives only five percent of global investment – placing African countries at a disadvantage when it comes to establishing requisite infrastructure to produce refined petroleum products and increase power generation and distribution capacities. According to Awambeng, 50% of oil product consumption in Africa is met through imports, despite Africa being a net crude oil producer.

“To address these finance challenges, we have put together an African-owned and managed investment banking firm to offer a range of financial advisory services supporting clients across industry to invest in small, medium and large-sized projects… The continent lacks funds to finance its oil and gas projects, as well as needs technology to manage its oil and gas industry,” said Awambeng.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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Top 5 Reasons to Attend Angola Oil & Gas 2024

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AOG 2024 serves as Angola’s premier energy event, providing unparalleled opportunities for international investors and stakeholders to gain access to the oil and gas market

LUANDA, Angola, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s oil and gas industry is growing rapidly, with a $60 billion investment pipeline planned for the next five years, a 2025 limited tender on the cards and industry reforms offering improved fiscal and contractual terms. The county’s premier industry event Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) connects international stakeholders to the market, serving as a bridge between foreign players and Angolan projects.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Strong International Focus

In recent months, Angola has been strengthening cooperation with various global partners to support oil and gas development. Recent deals include with Italy, the UAE, South Korea, Ivory Coast and many more. These deals and future collaborations are expected to drive project development and innovation in Angola while supporting global demand through Angolan exports.

The 2024 edition of the conference builds on this to bring new players to the market while promoting projects, partnerships and potential investment opportunities. In addition to local and regional delegates, AOG 2024 will feature the participation of delegations from China, the UK, the UAE, Germany, Portugal, Brazil and many more. International companies are invited to participate in the event and seize new opportunities in Angolan oil and gas.

Access Upcoming Projects

Last month, Angola’s national concessionaire for the oil and gas industry the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) announced a series of measures that aim to support crude oil production in Angola. This comes as the country recently awarded oil and gas companies Etu Energias, Effimax Energy and Grupo Simples Oil a new concession for Block CON 8, stipulating an exploration phase lasting five years from the signing of the contract.

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Angola is enhancing cooperation with global players, including IOCs such as Chevron, TotalEnergies, Azule Energy and ExxonMobil, to bring new projects online and maintain hydrocarbon production above 1.1 million barrels per day through 2027. A key component of AOG 2024 is unparalleled access to upcoming projects. Attendees will be given exclusive access to the latest requests for proposals, tenders, market trends, policies and regulations shaping the sector.

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Drive Real Investment

Each year, AOG cements itself as the platform of choice for partnerships, collaborations and multi-billion-dollar deal signings. In 2023, seven industry-advancing deals were signed, laying the foundation for collaboration, market growth and future prosperity. In 2024, this trend is expected to continue as foreign companies travel to Luanda to engage with Angolan companies. The conference’s multi-track program covers the entire oil and gas value chain, providing insight into investment opportunities and strategic projects.

Participate in Exclusive Networking

The AOG 2024 conference serves as an opportunity for local, regional and international delegates to collaborate and discover new avenues for investment. Delegates can connect with top energy investors and executives – from operators, IOCs, NOCs and independents – as well as government officials, industry innovators and financiers to expand their professional network.

The event offers extensive opportunities to network and build meaningful business relationships, including exclusive networking breaks and lunches, the closing Networking Cocktail as well as the Gala Dinner and Awards which recognizes the companies pioneering the oil and gas industry in Angola.

Help Fuel Development

With the recent commencement of construction at Angola’s first integrated economic zone as well as its first aluminum industrial park, the country is on track to accelerate economic diversification and sustainable development. Apart from oil and gas, AOG 2024 is poised to set the benchmark for development in Angola while facilitating a strategic investment hub for various sectors in the country’s public and private sectors.

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Angola continues to provide great opportunities for international investors to develop energy projects that serve local and international energy demand. AOG 2024 targets key initiatives in the country including a heightened exploration drive, gas monetization, local content development and renewable energy and will clearly show Angola’s ambition and future plans for development.

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

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Liberia Showcases Upstream Investment Opportunities at Invest in African Energy Reception in London

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African Energy Reception

Ahead of a new licensing round, Liberia is offering incentives for early investors, coupled with extensive 2D and 3D seismic data in its Liberia and Harper basins and a working petroleum system previously established by global majors

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Kicking off the Invest in African Energy (IAE) reception in London on Thursday, Marilyn Logan, Director General of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), showcased Liberia’s available oil and gas blocks and upstream investment opportunities. The reception served to connect major technical and financial partners to Africa’s energy sector ahead of the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy conference in Cape Town this November, organized by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org).  

Global investors have been clamoring to Africa’s frontier markets in recent months, with countries like Namibia, Mauritania and Mozambique attracting sizable oil and gas CapEx spending, coupled with a renewed exploration focus in West Africa. Liberia represents a proven petroleum system supported by extensive reprocessed 2D and 3D multi-client seismic data in its Liberia and Harper basins.

“Liberia stands out as a new and exciting destination for oil and gas exploration. Positioned strategically on the West Africa Transform Margin, Liberia shares geological similarities with the Jubilee field in Ghana and [discoveries] in Guyana. We are on the verge of a new decade realizing untapped potential in West Africa, and Liberia is ready to play a pivotal role.” 

Our round is expected to attract serious investors, with Liberia offering incentives for early investment and ensuring the yield of substantial returns

“Many years ago, many thought Namibia was an oil man’s graveyard…Today, there are even more prospects in countries like Liberia. The belief coming out of [London] drove exploration in places like Namibia – Liberia could be a replica of that,” added NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Logan highlighted the role of majors ExxonMobil and Chevron in confirming the presence of a working hydrocarbon system, which has been supported by recent seismic surveys and data reprocessing that show promise of significant reserves. In 2021, the country opened a direct negotiation process for 33 offshore blocks in the Harper and Liberia basins, with plans to launch a new round later this year. 

“Liberia’s upcoming 2024 licensing round provides the opportunity to secure prime exploration blocks. Our round is expected to attract serious investors, with Liberia offering incentives for early investment and ensuring the yield of substantial returns,” said Logan.

In addition to its prospective hydrocarbon resources, Liberia offers a competitive fiscal regime, stable governance and a conducive operating environment. According to Logan, the country has established a fee structure that incentivizes and rewards oil and gas investors with appropriate returns, while still ensuring Liberia retains social and economic benefits from oil and gas extraction activities.  

“On the policy side, the Liberian government has implemented a robust oil and gas program to ensure a conducive environment for oil and gas investments, including a streamlined regulatory process and stable and democratic political environment,” she said. 

“We have to keep an enabling environment – when we enable you to put in money and finance projects, then we both win. The idea of resource nationalism has to go, and also the demonization of the energy industry,” stated Ayuk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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