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Afreximbank, in partnership with Arise IIP and the Republic of Malawi, initiates construction of the “Magwero Industrial Park” in Lilongwe

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Afreximbank

Afreximbank, the leading financial partner of ARISE IIP, will finance the project to a tune of USD 300 million

We are immensely proud of this new partnership with the Government of Malawi

LILONGWE, Malawi, June 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

His Excellency, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, President and Chairman Board of Directors of Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah and the President-Founder of ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), a pan-African developer and operator of world-class industrial ecosystems, Mr. Gagan Gupta, have unveiled the Malawi “Magwero Industrial Park” an integrated industrial park located 10 km from the capital, Lilongwe. This high-level ceremony was attended by over 5,000 guests, including numerous international and national project partners as well as local communities.

The ceremony follows the framework contract signed on June 19, 2023, between the Republic of Malawi, represented by the Malawi Export Development Fund, and ARISE IIP for the development of an integrated industrial park around Lilongwe under a public-private partnership. Afreximbank, the leading financial partner of ARISE IIP, will finance the project to a tune of USD 300 million.

Designed to expedite Malawi’s industrialization process through two pillars, diversification of its economy and valorization of its natural resources, the industrial park is set to host industrial units from various sectors, including:

  • Local processing of agricultural products such as soybeans, cotton, tomatoes, maize, peanuts, and retail food products.
  • Manufacturing industry, featuring production units for glass, construction materials, lighting products such as LED accessories, plywood, and paper production.

Spanning 417 hectares, the industrial park enjoys a strategic location,  about 10 km from Kamuzu International Airport and Malawi’s capital, as well as being in close proximity to the Malawian railway network.

It will comprise an industrial zone, logistics warehouses, a residential area, an Internal Container Depot Terminal (ICDT), and “Plug and Play” infrastructure, offering ready-to-use hangars for small and medium-sized enterprises.

His Excellency, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy ChakweraPresident of the Republic of Malawi, commented: “In fostering economic development through industrialisation, we have officially commenced construction of the first special economic zone in Malawi with assistance from Afreximbank and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms”. He added that Magwero Industrial Park Project will have state-of-art infrastructure to host and support a wide range of functions across multi-industry value chains in manufacturing, packaging, research and innovation, logistics and storage, and dry port services before the commodities are exported.

Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President and Chairman of Board of Directors, Afreximbank, emphasized the project’s significant potential to contribute to the development and diversification of Malawi’s economy: “We expect the Magwero Industrial Park to generate at least 15,000 jobs for Malawians, US$600 million in annual export revenues, and about US$600 million in foreign direct investment flows. This will significantly boost the economy of Malawi and improve the quality of life of its citizens while also positioning the country as an active and dominant player in the emerging single Continental market.” He added that ‘strong Political Will and Leadership backed by African capital and innovation represent a powerful force that will drive positive economic transformation.’

Mr. Gagan GuptaPresident-Founder of ARISE IIP, expressed: “We are immensely proud of this new partnership with the Government of Malawi. The Magwero Industrial Park is more than just an economic zone, it is a particularly impactful project for Malawi and aims to catalyze investments and local job creation. This enduring partnership taking shape today with the Republic of Malawi aims to catalyze industrialization in the country by creating industrial value chains supported by international investors.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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OPPO Launches Find X8 Series Globally, Marking Steady Progress in Globalization

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  • OPPO Find X8 and Find X8 Pro launched in global markets
  • Overseas markets have become the growth engine for OPPO, contributing approximately 60% of its total shipments
  • OPPO’s globalization is rooted in localization and driven by its focus on premiumization

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2024 -OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, today announced the global availability of its Find X8 and Find X8 Pro flagship smartphones. Each delivers ultra-grade experiences across camera, performance, and battery life and debuts ColorOS 15 with its suite of advanced OPPO AI solutions.
The global release of the OPPO Find X8 series underscores OPPO’s commitment to globalization and its dedication to delivering top-quality products and services to users worldwide.
 
“Our progress in globalization stems from OPPO’s commitment to understanding local communities and delivering exceptional products and services.” said Billy Zhang, President of Overseas Marketing, Sales and Services at OPPO. “As we expand in overseas market, we remain committed to creating diverse and innovative solutions that enhance the users experience.”

Overseas markets as OPPO’s growth engine

Overseas markets have become the growth engine for OPPO. Currently, the company operates in over 70 countries and regions, with more than 300,000 retail spaces worldwide. OPPO now ranks No. 4 globally in smartphone shipments, and overseas shipments account for approximately 60% of its total volume.

Southeast Asia remains a core market for OPPO, where the brand holds the top position. Newly established markets in 2024, such as Brazil and Argentina, underscore OPPO’s commitment to expanding in Latin America. Now OPPO ranks NO.5 with a 62% year-on-year growth in Latin America.[1]

OPPO’s ambitions of globalization extend beyond smartphones as it evolves into a comprehensive global technology company. With a diverse product portfolio that includes internet services—engaging 700 million ColorOS users worldwide[2]—and a growing lineup of IoT products, OPPO is dedicated to expanding its presence in global markets.

Strengthening local connections through retail, manufacturing, and cultural engagement

A significant part of OPPO’s globalization success comes from its commitment to connect with local communities.

With the goal of resonating with people and understanding their unique cultures, OPPO partners with Discovery Channel this year to launch the “Culture in a Shot” initiatives, celebrating cultural diversity through OPPO imaging technology. To date, over 330 million people worldwide have been inspired by these cultural images and stories.

OPPO’s understanding of local culture is also evident in its retail strategy. As part of its retail 3.0 Pro upgrading plan with a $60 million investment, OPPO integrates the local culture into its retail space to create a welcoming and familiar environment for customers. In Indonesia, for example, OPPO stores feature coffee corners with locally sourced coffee.

To ensure reliable quality for local consumers, OPPO is not just sold globally but also made globally. With manufacturing centers in 8 countries, OPPO’s local production capabilities enable it to efficiently meet regional market demands while strengthening connections with local communities and economies.

Driving premiumization through joint innovation with global tech giants

As OPPO expands globally, it is also focusing on premiumization. By collaborating with leading tech companies such as Google, MediaTek, Ericsson, and Hasselblad, OPPO continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI, imaging, and connectivity. For example, featuring AI Telescope Zoom and Lightning Snap, OPPO Find X8 Series is the perfect Matchday Phone for fans, under the collaboration between UEFA and OPPO.

These partnerships empower OPPO to deliver exceptional, premium experiences that cater to discerning consumers worldwide, and strengthening its influence in premium markets.

With a focus on global expansion, local engagement, and premium experiences, OPPO is committed to bringing innovative, high-quality solutions to users worldwide. The OPPO Find X8 series global launch exemplifies this commitment, and it is backed by OPPO’s dedicated global service network in over 62 countries and regions. As it moves towards globalization and localization, OPPO remains dedicated to delivering technology that empowers and connects communities around the world.
 



 

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OPPO Elevates ColorOS 15 with Microsoft’s Advanced AI Productivity Features

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SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2024 -OPPO has strengthened its cooperation with Microsoft to deliver advanced AI productivity features to ColorOS 15, OPPO’s next-generation smart device experience.a

“To deliver advanced AI experiences, we are incredibly proud to partner with Microsoft, a pioneer in the field. At the cutting edge of global AI development, Microsoft lays a strong foundation for ColorOS 15’s language features. These save OPPO users time and headspace, ensuring meaningful, advanced AI productivity tools are always just a tap away”.—Nicole Zhang, General Manager of AI Product at OPPO
 
ColorOS 15’s AI Speak uses Microsoft’s advanced AI productivity features, reading web pages aloud so users can consume content hands-free while reducing their screen time. These ultra-intelligent models also power OPPO Documents’ translation features and the Voice Translate application, breaking down language barriers in seconds.

Microsoft’s AI capabilities enhance ColorOS 15 with practical, time-saving features, including accurate audio transcription within the new Recorder and Notes apps, boosting organisation and delivering time-saving benefits.

ColorOS 15, featuring Microsoft’s advanced AI capabilities, will debut at the global launch of OPPO’s upcoming Find X8 Series.
 



 

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Yellow Card Secures Crypto Asset Service Provider Licence in South Africa

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Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Yellow Card (www.YellowCard.io), Africa’s leading stablecoin-based infrastructure provider, has been issued a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.  

Commenting on the FSCA’s decision to issue the licence to Yellow Card Financial South Africa, Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, said, “The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent.This achievement reflects our dedication to providing secure, compliant and transformative solutions for our customers both in South Africa and across Africa.  

The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent

Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%. In South Africa alone, where the number of total users of crypto assets is estimated to amount to 5.8 million people, stablecoins have experienced growth of 50% month over month since October 2023, displacing bitcoin as the country’s most popular cryptocurrency.  Yellow Card is excited to play a pivotal role in this financial revolution in South Africa. 

Yellow Card, which launched in South Africa in 2020, has facilitated over US$3 billion in transactions in the last several years and now operates in 20 countries across the continent. The company recently completed a US$33 million Series C financing, led by Blockchain Capital and existing investors, including Polychain Capital, Valar Ventures, Third Prime Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Block, Inc. (Square/Cash App), reflecting strong investor confidence in its mission.   

As the stablecoin landscape continues to evolve, Yellow Card is committed to leading the charge in making digital assets accessible and secure for businesses across Africa. With the recent licensing and funding, the company plans to expand its B2B offerings by enhancing its stablecoin rails, upgrading infrastructure, and advancing its B2B API and Widget. These efforts will empower businesses with seamless solutions for liquidity management and their general operations. 

To learn more about Yellow Card, visit: https://YellowCard.io/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Yellow Card Financial.

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