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Afreximbank Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 as Diamond Sponsor Amid Efforts to Bolster Sustainable Investment

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The African Export-Import Bank’s diamond sponsorship speaks to the caliber of the event as the premier platform for Africa’s energy sector

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 28, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Under efforts to stimulate the growth of the African economy, governments continent-wide are pursuing the rapid development of the energy sector, recognizing the critical role natural resources play in alleviating energy poverty, spurring industrialization while advancing job creation and economic opportunities. In this scenario, advancing intra-African trade has emerged as a strategic approach to economic growth, with institutions such as the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) serving as key drivers.  

The Afreximbank has a long-history of driving sustainable investments, facilitating trade and commerce while supporting the development of Africa’s energy sector. With a mission to become the trade finance bank for Africa, the institution will return to the continent’s biggest energy event, African Energy Week (AEW) – taking place from October 16-20 this year – as a diamond sponsor, a testament to its commitment to investing in the sustainable development of the continent.

With lack of investment representing one of the biggest challenges to development in Africa, the Afreximbank stepped in to play a central role in financing projects and facilitating trade. As a pan-African financial services provider, the institution has not only provided the capital African countries need to develop projects but has made considerable efforts to advance local content and sustainable development practices.

The institution has demonstrated, time and time again, its unwavering commitment to Africa’s future, and will remain an instrumental part of Africa’s development for the long-term

The bank actively engages in and drives capacity-building initiatives to enhance trade and energy-related skills, and regularly invests in African companies and entrepreneurs. Between 2016 and 2020 alone, the institution invested more than $42 billion in support of African businesses. Other investments include $900 million mobilized for the expansion and development of special economic zones in Africa; a $1.5 billion financing facility to boost local content promotion in Botswana; and a grant given to the Grand Africa Initiative to train 200 young African entrepreneurs in business and trade. Additionally, during last year’s edition of AEW, the institution inked a memorandum of understanding with AEW-organizer the African Energy Chamber (AEC), kickstarting collaboration in capacity building and energy. These initiatives have proven instrumental to driving sustainable development across the continent on the back of local content.

On the investment side, Afreximbank represents a strong and reliable financial partner for African energy projects. The institution provides various financial services and products aimed at advancing energy developments across the entire value chain, and is active in every segment of Africa’s energy sector. Recently the bank mobilized $155 million for the development of oil infrastructure in Djibouti; $355 million for the completion of Angola’s 60,000 barrel-per-day Cabinda oil refinery; and $500 million for the expansion of South Sudan’s power sector. The bank also has plans to double its investments in Africa to over $60 billion within the next six years. This will largely be achieved through the African Energy Transition Bank, an institution established by Afreximbank alongside the African Petroleum Producers Organization to accelerate the development of African energy in the energy transition era.

Meanwhile, under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the bank facilitates trade and supports intra-African commerce. The institution was also responsible for the launch of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, a service adopted by the African Union that underpins the implementation of the AfCFTA. As such, the bank actively supports the growth of Africa’s exports, helping countries expand their market reach and increase their competitiveness in the global markets, as well as imports, ensuring countries have access to essential goods and services.  

“The Afreximbank has positioned itself as one of the most reliable partners for Africa’s energy sector. The institution has demonstrated, time and time again, its unwavering commitment to Africa’s future, and will remain an instrumental part of Africa’s development for the long-term. From investing in impactful projects to spearheading sustainable initiatives to facilitating trade and business in and across the continent, Afreximbank plays a crucial role in making energy poverty history,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.  

Afreximbank’s diamond sponsorship speaks to the caliber of the event as the premier deal-signing platform for Africa’s energy sector. The sponsorship will help strengthen dialogue around investing in Africa while supporting deals and engagement between African and global stakeholders.  

AEW is the AEC’s annual energy event uniting African governments and policymakers with global investors and project developers. Under the theme, ‘The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization and Free Markets,’ AEW 2023 represents the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. For more information about sponsorship, attendance and partnership opportunities, visit www.AECWeek.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

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