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Africa Health Excon: Positioning Africa as the continental hub for health innovation and trade

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Merck

Merck is actively bringing technical and process expertise with various key African countries and customers to build local manufacturing capabilities

CAIRO, Egypt, June 6, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The Merck (MerckGroup.com) Africa Bureau aims to accelerate the business transformation of the company operations in Africa to ensure sustainable business and create long-term value. Merck has unveiled plans to expand its footprint in Africa through a four-tiered program of awareness, diagnosis, training of healthcare professionals, and treatment access. Merck announced the brand-new Thyroid awareness program: ThyroAfrica to spread disease awareness. Africa Cancer Care program will be launched to enhance colorectal cancer diagnosis across Africa. Merck continues its work in the fight against Malaria and the neglected tropical disease (NTD) schistosomiasis. Merck is actively bringing technical and process expertise with various key African countries and customers to build local manufacturing capabilities.

Merck, a leading science and technology company, announced today its further commitment to Africa, by strategically expanding its access and awareness programs and strengthening the health systems and patients in low- and middle-income countries across the continent. The announcement came today during the Africa Health ExCon from 5th to 7th of June 2022 in Cairo, Egypt.

In this three-day event, stakeholders across Africa are meeting to learn from the worldwide leaders and experts in healthcare, as well as to share and exchange knowledge and experiences with more than 20,000 participants from more than 55 countries. The key objectives of Africa Health ExCon are refocusing on Africa’s investment potential, ensuring equitable access of health technology, the thriving of the health and pharma businesses, and incubating health innovation and trade in Africa.

”Our aspiration is to be one of the leading healthcare partners in sub-Saharan Africa and to work with NGOs and governments to build and strengthen sustainable health systems within it,” said Dr. Karim Bendhaou, Head of Merck Africa Bureau. “The Merck Africa Bureau aims to accelerate the business transformation of our operations in Africa to ensure sustainable business and create long-term value while seeking to balance environmental, social, and governance aspects. Through the four pillars of Private Public Partnership model, we work hand in hand with our stakeholders through various programs to fight counterfeit medicines, to invest in the technology transfer, to support supply chain sustainability and localization, and to decrease fragmentation of the market.’’

During the ExCon, Merck has unveiled plans to expand its footprint in Africa through a four-tiered program of awareness, diagnosis, training of healthcare professionals and treatment access. The company announced their brand-new Thyroid awareness program and upcoming launch of the Africa Cancer Care program in addition to enhancing ongoing initiatives.

Thyroid disease awareness is relatively very low in Africa. The ThyroAfrica program’s objective is to establish a collaborative partnership with the endocrinology & thyroid disease societies in Africa. This aims to increase disease awareness via communication channels for mass reach of around 7 million people and to offer the proper link for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test.

Merck has unveiled plans to expand its footprint in Africa through a four-tiered program of awareness, diagnosis, training of healthcare professionals, and treatment access

Africa Cancer Care program will be launched by the end of June to enhance colorectal cancer diagnosis across Africa by creating hubs of RAS testing in African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria. The RAS (RAT Sarcoma) test is a gene mutation analysis in colorectal cancer. As a predictive biomarker for the disease, it helps to guide treatment and determine outcomes. This would help to counteract the rising demand for specialist care especially with the existing healthcare facilities that require the scaling of resources. This has led to the rise in medical tourism across the continent, as individuals seek specialised care elsewhere. This is in addition to enhancing access to medication and providing HCP capacity-building programs through high quality trainings to oncologists, pathologists, nurses to support diagnosis and treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in Africa.

“We will remain fully committed to increase access to innovative medicines across Africa and on ground awareness campaigns in a favour of underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries in Africa through our investments and our innovations in science & technology, together with our external partners,” said Ramsey Morad, Regional Vice-President, Head Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Russia/CIS at Merck Healthcare. “Beyond developing novel treatments, we must address the gaps in awareness, accessibility, affordability and availability of treatment.’’

After having signed a Memorandum of Understanding, Merck and the African Federation for Fertility Societies (AFFS) have been jointly working on an agenda to further develop educational training programs for healthcare professionals, aimed at improving access to high-quality infertility care for patients in Africa. By combining their forces, AFFS has sought support from Merck in order to develop a regional patient awareness campaign to be launched later this year. Additionally, they are hosting a multi-national advisory board to gain insights on educational gaps for healthcare professionals in AFFS member societies in African countries.

Professor Gamal Serour, President of African Federation of Fertility Societies stated that “AFFS welcomes and appreciates collaboration with Merck for the implementation of high-quality care across Africa”.

Merck also continues its work in the fight towards the elimination of the neglected tropical disease (NTD) schistosomiasis towards its elimination as a public health burden. In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), we provide up to 250 million tablets of praziquantel per year to treat mainly school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).  Since 2007, Merck has donated over 1.5 billion tablets and enabled the treatment of more than 600 million school-aged children in 47 countries in SSA. To support the elimination of schistosomiasis, Merck have adopted an integrated approach which, beyond medicines, includes health education as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. We also conduct research for new drugs and diagnostics and develop, together with a consortium of partners, a potential new paediatric treatment option for children as of 6 years of age and below.

Since 2015, Merck has also been very active in the fight against malaria through a holistic approach to prevent, control, and eliminate the disease. Examples include our M5717 drug development program as well as the creation of the Pan African Vivax and Ovale Network (PAVON) in over 10 countries, which has led to important policy changes regarding malaria in Botswana.

During the ExCon, Merck aims to strengthen our existing cooperation with the Pharma industry and Medicine & Quality Regulators across the continent in addition to highlighting strategic projects in Africa carried out by Merck’s Life Science business sector. These efforts bring our expertise in touch with various key African countries and research institutes to enable distributed manufacturing of much-needed vaccines, biological drugs, and therapies in African countries. “Our goal at Merck is to support capacity-building of biologics manufacturing and development in Africa,” said Youssef Gaabouri, Head of Sales Middle East & Africa at Merck Life Science BioProcessing. Furthermore, Merck provides expertise to Regulatory Agencies and shares knowledge regarding the use of quality products for audit purposes. In line with the Merck’s commitment to sustainable access to health solutions in low- and middle-income countries, we implement and enhance health access programs through our shared value initiatives, global health partnerships, and access to medicine strategy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck.

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Golar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Joins Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Speaker Lineup

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April 25, 2025

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Liquefied Natural Gas

Federico Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer of Golar LNG, will share his expertise on the future of LNG in Africa and the role of floating LNG solutions in driving the continent’s energy transformation at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris next month

PARIS, France, April 25, 2025/APO Group/ –Federico Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Golar LNG, will join the upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum in Paris to discuss scaling LNG in Africa, overcoming infrastructure challenges and attracting investment. With Africa rapidly expanding its gas infrastructure, Petersen’s insights are expected to showcase how innovative LNG solutions can support sustainable energy growth across the continent.

As a global leader in floating LNG (FLNG) solutions, Golar LNG is advancing gas monetization across Africa. The company is actively involved in several key projects, including the Hilli Episeyo FLNG facility off the coast of Cameroon, operational since 2018, which plays a crucial role in unlocking regional gas resources with cost-effective, scalable LNG production. Golar LNG is also a key player in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project offshore Senegal and Mauritania, where it owns and operates the Gimi FLNG, which received its first feed gas in January 2025, marking a major milestone in LNG export operations.

IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3ECl25b) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Additionally, Golar LNG is exploring further opportunities across the continent, including ventures in the Republic of Congo and Nigeria. In June 2024, the company signed an agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to deploy an FLNG vessel in the Niger Delta, utilizing 500 million cubic feet of gas per day to generate LNG, propane and condensate, with a final investment decision expected later this year.

The growth of LNG in Africa is set to accelerate in the coming years as key markets seek to tap into their vast natural gas reserves. As such, Petersen’s participation at IAE 2025 is poised to showcase the pivotal role of FLNG in enhancing energy security, driving economic growth and fostering regional cooperation.

As the global energy landscape shifts toward cleaner, more sustainable sources, LNG will remain crucial in powering Africa’s future, offering a reliable transition fuel to support the continent’s ambitious energy goals. With IAE 2025 as a platform for high-level dialogue and partnerships, the forum will provide an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to explore the latest LNG developments, deepen collaboration and drive investments that will shape the future of African energy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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VFD Group Plc Reports Remarkable Growth in Audited Financial Statement for 2024 Financial Year

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April 25, 2025

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Net investment income surged by 95% to N59.0 billion, despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023

LAGOS, Nigeria, April 25, 2025/APO Group/ –In a stunning turnaround, VFD Group Plc (https://VFDGroup.com), a proprietary Investment firm, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, showcasing exceptional growth. The journey to this milestone was paved with strategic initiatives and a relentless pursuit of innovation.

Just a year ago, businesses globally struggled with macroeconomic headwinds, and VFD Group, not an exception, reported a pre-tax loss of N1 billion in 2023. However, the team’s dedication and forward-thinking approach yielded impressive results. The Group reported a pre-tax profit of N11.2 billion, representing a 1202% year-on-year growth.

Net investment income surged by 95% to N59.0 billion, despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023. Net revenue increased by 90% to N71.0 billion, while operating profit grew by an impressive 104% to N48.8 billion.

The company’s financial performance was nothing short of remarkable, with notable achievements including:

– Investment and similar income: N74.6 billion, up 98% YoY

– Net investment income: N59.0 billion, up 95% YoY

– Net revenue: N71.0 billion, up 90% YoY

– Operating profit: N48.8 billion, up 104% YoY

– Pre-tax profit: N11.2 billion, a significant turnaround from a N1 billion loss in 2023

As of April 22, 2025, VFD Group’s market capitalisation surged by 116% to hit N121.6 billion from N56.2 billion year to date.

These outstanding results reflect the success of our team’s efforts. As VFD Group looks to the future, it remains committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers and stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFD Group Plc.

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Champions Smart Policy, Strategic Partnerships to Advance Namibia’s Oil & Gas Discoveries

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April 25, 2025

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The African Energy Chamber is a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference, which kicked off today in Windhoek

WINDHOEK, Namibia, April 24, 2025/APO Group/ –As a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC), the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) is calling for a deliberate and accelerated approach to moving Namibia’s recent oil and gas discoveries into production – emphasizing the importance of speed, investor confidence and strategic collaboration.

Speaking during a high-level panel at NIEC 2025, AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk urged Namibia to seize the momentum of its frontier discoveries, while avoiding the pitfalls that have stalled progress in other hydrocarbon-rich African nations. He emphasized that Namibia’s path to becoming a regional energy hub hinges on its ability to learn from international case studies and execute deals that ensure long-term national benefit.

“Namibia needs to move fast, produce quickly and negotiate the best deals with its partners to ensure the rapid development of its oil discoveries,” Ayuk stated. He pointed to Guyana as a prime example, noting how the South American country developed a robust strategy focused on national benefit and successfully attracted billions in investments to fast-track its energy projects.

Namibia needs to move fast, produce quickly and negotiate the best deals with its partners to ensure the rapid development of its oil discoveries

In contrast, Ayuk cautioned against the delays experienced by countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa, where production was significantly postponed, leading to rising project costs and lost opportunities. “There is a growing movement trying to discourage Africa – and Namibia – from producing its oil and gas. We must resist that,” he added.

Reinforcing the need for investor-friendly terms, Justin Cochrane, Africa Upstream Regional Research Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights, highlighted the necessity of contract stability, transparent data-sharing and a balanced approach to fiscal negotiations. “It’s natural that Namibia wants to maximize its benefits, but pushing too hard on IOCs can result in getting 100% of nothing… The first milestone must be achieving first oil,” said Cochrane.

Representing Namibia’s national oil company, Victoria Sibeya, Interim Managing Director of NAMCOR, stressed that the company is actively engaged in every phase of the industry, from data acquisition and exploration to shaping the downstream and midstream vision. “We are not just bystanders,” said Sibeya. “NAMCOR is deeply involved in data acquisition, exploration and the exchange of knowledge and technology with our partners. We are also preparing to invest in downstream and midstream sectors to ensure that we can add value once production begins.”

Echoing the call for local development, Adriano Bastos, Head of Upstream at Galp, underscored the need for early and continuous skills development – proposing that Namibians be trained abroad in specialized areas like FPSO operations to ensure they are prepared to lead once production begins at home. “Namibia has capabilities that are rare in the region, but more collaboration with international partners is essential to build the local skills base,” he said.

Bastos noted that Namibians make up 25% of Galp’s workforce in the country, including its first female offshore base manager. “We are proud of the strides we have made. Our nationalization plans are aggressive, and we work closely with [the Namibian Ports Authority] and other local entities to implement meaningful capacity-building projects.”

As Namibia stands on the cusp of transforming exploration success into production, the message from industry leaders is clear: time, trust and talent will determine the country’s trajectory. Through cross-border collaboration, pragmatic deal-making and a strong national vision, Namibia can emerge not just as an oil producer – but as a continental model for inclusive, forward-thinking energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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