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Abu Cassim of Jozi Angels joins VC4A as Acceleration Team Lead

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VC4A

One of his core responsibilities will be to lead VC4A’s flagship program, the Venture Showcase

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, March 7, 2023/APO Group/ — 

VC4A (https://VC4A.com/) is excited to announce that Abu Bakr Cassim has joined the organization as Acceleration Team Lead. A highly regarded thought-leader in the South African startup ecosystem, it is without doubt that Abu’s experience and reputation for excellence will contribute to the continued growth of the company.

As Acceleration Team Lead, Abu will oversee all acceleration support services within VC4A, in which we provide in-depth technical assistance and hands-on support to selected startups and scaleups in emerging markets. One of his core responsibilities will be to lead VC4A’s flagship program, the Venture Showcase.

Abu is widely recognized as a leading authority in the African startup ecosystem, having gained numerous notable accomplishments throughout his 20+ year professional career. Prior to joining VC4A, Abu has achieved significant success through his work as founder of Additiv Capital and Jozi Angels which is now one of the most active early-stage investor networks on the African continent. Abu is also a board member of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN). He was recently voted as one of Africa’s 500 most influential people by Tropics lifestyle magazine.

I am honored to be a part of this dynamic organization that is making a real difference in the world

“We are very grateful to welcome Abu to our team,” said Vincent Hoogduijn, CEO of VC4A. “His reputation precedes him, and his leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. There’s a lot we can learn from Abu, where he’ll be adding a lot of complementary skills and knowledge to the team”.

A long-term friend of the organization, Abu is no stranger to the work VC4A does. He is excited to join the team, working alongside colleagues to advance the company’s mission.

“I am thrilled to be joining the incredible team at VC4A! Over the years, VC4A has built a fantastic foundation for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa and beyond. I am honored to be a part of this dynamic organization that is making a real difference in the world. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.” – Abu Cassim.

Please join us in welcoming Abu to VC4A.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VC4A

Business

Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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Energy

The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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Guyana’s Next Wave of Offshore Projects Sets the Stage for Caribbean Energy Week Launch

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Etu Energias

The Caribbean Energy Week 2027 launch in Georgetown on September 1 will highlight the multi-billion-dollar developments driving Guyana toward 1.7 million bpd and creating new opportunities across the energy value chain

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s rapidly expanding offshore development pipeline will take center stage when government officials, operators, investors and service providers gather in Georgetown on September 1 for the official launch of Caribbean Energy Week 2027. As the country advances a series of multi-billion-dollar developments across the Stabroek Block, the launch event will provide an early look at the projects, partnerships and investment opportunities expected to define Guyana’s next phase of growth.

 

With more than 30 discoveries made to date and multiple projects under construction or progressing through development, Guyana is targeting oil production of 1.3 million bpd by the end of 2027 and 1.7 million bpd by 2030, up from approximately 900,000-910,000 bpd today. As exploration success transitions into long-term production growth, opportunities are expanding across upstream development, offshore infrastructure, engineering, logistics and oilfield services.

Among the most significant near-term milestones is the Uaru development, ExxonMobil’s fifth sanctioned project offshore Guyana, which is expected to achieve first oil in 2026. The $12.7 billion development will produce up to 250,000 bpd from approximately 800 million barrels of recoverable resources across the Uaru, Mako and Snoek fields, utilizing up to 76 development wells and an FPSO with storage capacity of two million barrels.

Production capacity will expand further through the Whiptail development, ExxonMobil’s sixth sanctioned project in Guyana. Targeting first oil in late 2027 or early 2028, the $12.7 billion project will unlock approximately 850 million barrels across the Whiptail, Pinktail and Tilapia fields through up to 72 development wells. Designed to produce 250,000 bpd, the development will utilize the Jaguar FPSO currently under construction by SBM Offshore.

Looking beyond the current construction pipeline, Guyana is already advancing the projects expected to sustain production growth toward its 2030 target. The Hammerhead development, approved in 2025, is expected to commence production in 2029 with capacity of 150,000 bpd, while the proposed Longtail development would combine the Longtail, Tripletail and Turbot discoveries into one of the country’s largest integrated offshore developments, with planned production of 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 290,000 bpd of condensate.

These projects illustrate the scale of Guyana’s long-term development pipeline and the breadth of opportunities emerging across the energy value chain. Beyond offshore production, continued investment will be required across subsea systems, floating production infrastructure, drilling, marine logistics, engineering services, gas infrastructure and local content development as successive projects move toward execution.

Caribbean Energy Week 2027 will host its in-country launch at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on September 1, 2026, bringing together government officials, investors, operators and industry stakeholders for an early look at the opportunities, priorities and partnerships that will shape the region’s energy future. To register, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4cql5i3

 

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

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Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Campaigns Against Perenco Threaten Energy Development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

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African Energy Chamber

Africa needs responsible energy investors that create jobs, support communities and expand energy access – not narratives that undermine the companies driving the continent’s development

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 31, 2026/APO Group/ –Fresh criticism of Perenco’s operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has once again brought one of Africa’s biggest energy development challenges the fore: NGO-led smear campaigns.

While framed as a challenge to one company’s environmental performance, the campaign reflects a broader pattern of NGO-led attacks on African oil development. As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) strongly condemns the attack, recognizing it as a direct attempt to stop Perenco’s activities, limit DRC oil exploration and prevent any meaningful development across the country’s economy.

 

The scrutiny follows allegations published by Human Rights Watch regarding environmental impacts linked to Perenco’s operations in Muanda, as well as a government-commissioned environmental review that identified areas requiring further attention. Perenco has disputed aspects of the findings, maintaining that it operates in accordance with applicable regulations and has implemented environmental management measures across its operations.

 

For the AEC, this latest report demonstrates a tactic whereby NGOs rely on sensationalized rhetoric rather than facts and technical evaluations to promote a false narrative about energy companies’ operations. This approach has been seen across other smear campaigns, and the AEC strongly urges the Government of the DRC to be careful not to fall into this trap.

 

Perenco has spent more than two decades operating in the DRC, creating jobs, supporting communities, investing in infrastructure and helping deliver energy where it is needed most

Perenco has operated in the DRC for more than two decades, establishing itself as the country’s only producing oil operator through its onshore subsidiary Perenco Rep and offshore subsidiary Muanda International Oil Company. The company’s operations support average combined production of approximately 19,500 barrels of oil per day and employ around 1,500 DRC nationals, contributing to local economic activity and the country’s energy sector.

 

Beyond production, Perenco has invested in infrastructure and community development initiatives in Muanda. Through its 20 MW gas-fired power plant, the company supplies electricity to local installations, including those of the Société Nationale d’Électricité, while also providing power to the city of Muanda and surrounding villages.

The company has also supported community programs focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, water access, electricity, employment, culture, sport and environmental initiatives. Across its global operations, Perenco has highlighted efforts to improve environmental management, reduce emissions and strengthen operational efficiency.

“Africa cannot afford to drive away the companies that are investing in our future,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “Perenco has spent more than two decades operating in the DRC, creating jobs, supporting communities, investing in infrastructure and helping deliver energy where it is needed most. Companies operating in Africa must be held accountable, but accountability cannot become a pretext for undermining responsible investors who are helping African countries develop their resources and fight energy poverty.”

The AEC believes responsible resource development requires both strong environmental oversight and recognition of the companies working to create economic opportunity across the continent. Africa cannot achieve industrialization, strengthen energy security or expand access to reliable power without investment from experienced operators with the technical expertise and capital required to develop its resources.

The DRC, like many African countries, faces the challenge of balancing environmental protection with the need to leverage its natural resources for economic transformation. Achieving this balance requires strong regulatory institutions, transparent processes and partnerships between governments, companies and communities.

As global competition for energy investment intensifies, Africa must ensure that legitimate environmental discussions do not become a broader deterrent to responsible development. The continent’s future depends on attracting companies committed to long-term partnerships, responsible operations and delivering shared value.

The AEC will continue advocating for an energy sector that supports both environmental responsibility and economic progress, recognizing that Africa’s development goals require investment, expertise and partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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