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Africa Takes Centre Stage as the Gender Hub for Mainstreaming Success

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Gender Mainstreaming Awards

The Gender Mainstreaming Awards, held annually, honour those who have made tangible contributions to gender mainstreaming

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Gender Mainstreaming Awards, a powerful indicator of progress towards gender mainstreaming in the corporate world, proudly returns for its 12th event across Africa. Developed by Business Engage (www.BusinessEngage.africa), these awards inspire private corporates to champion gender mainstreaming as a strategic imperative. The Awards also recognise individuals who are contributing to this success.

This year, in collaboration with Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), RCL FOODS, AECI, Assupol and Rand Merchant Bank, the 2024 Gender Mainstreaming Awards are set to elevate Africa as the focal point of gender mainstreaming success.

The Gender Mainstreaming Awards, held annually, honour those who have made tangible contributions to gender mainstreaming. The winners and finalists have consistently demonstrated their unwavering commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the African business arena.

The JSE, RCL Foods, AECI, Assupol and Rand Merchant Bank in partnership with Business Engage invite you to participate in the celebration of gender mainstreaming by nominating outstanding individuals and corporates for the 12th Gender Mainstreaming Awards, scheduled for 31 October 2024. Entries are open to corporates and individuals across various categories, reflecting the diversity of your company’s commitment to gender mainstreaming. For more information, visit www.GenderAwards.com.

Vuyo Lee, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE, stresses, “As a key contributor to the functioning of the South African economy, at the JSE, we believe that promoting gender equality is not only a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity.  By recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievements of companies that prioritise gender equality, the Gender Mainstreaming Awards promote principles of inclusivity, diversity, and representation, ultimately fostering sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity”.

Tasmin Coleman, HR Director: Diversity and Inclusion, Growth and Groceries & Spreads commented. “We are proud to be a sponsor of this year’s 12th Africa Gender Mainstreaming Awards, celebrating individuals and corporates who have made a tangible impact on achieving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Aligned with our purpose of “Growing what Matters,” RCL FOODS is committed to advancing gender empowerment through various initiatives within our organization. Our commitment extends to improving gender representation at leadership levels and fostering a culture that is both diverse and inclusive for all”.

By recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievements of companies that prioritise gender equality, the Gender Mainstreaming Awards promote principles of inclusivity

The Gender Mainstreaming Awards extend their reach across East, West, and Southern Africa, crowning an overall Africa Champion. In 2023, simultaneous in-person events across different African regions showcased the Awards’ growing influence, with thousands of attendees celebrating gender mainstreaming success. This continental approach aims to position Africa as the gender hub for exporting stories of gender mainstreaming to the world.

AECI’s Group Chief People Officer, Khabonina Ramoupi, added “As part of our ongoing commitment to gender equality and inclusion, AECI is proud to announce our partnership with Business Engage. This sponsorship reflects our dedication to advancing gender mainstreaming in our organization, our industry and beyond.  Gender mainstreaming is a key focus for our Sustainability journey and enables us to build a more diverse, robust workforce for a more peaceful, prosperous sustainable future.  We are excited to be part of the annual Gender Mainstreaming Awards and look forward to the positive impact it will have on advancing gender equality”.

The Gender Mainstreaming Awards comprise 9 private sector categories for corporates, highlighting achievements in areas like board representation, workplace empowerment, disability, entrepreneurship, disability, and community engagement.  There are also three individual categories, the Inclusive Leader Award, Positive Role Model and RMB’s Africa’s Fearless Thinker Awards.

“Diversity has become a critical differentiator and an essential part of providing excellent service, not matter what sector you operate in. Cultivating an environment in which gender inclusivity is intrinsic in everything we do is key, and it is important to acknowledge the role that all genders play in successful business,” says Nana Phiri, Head: Corporate Client Group at RMB.

Bridget Mokwena-Halala, CEO of Assupol, highlights the importance of gender equality in all spheres of corporate. “Assupol is a big supporter of gender equality and actively promotes diversity in the workplace. We believe that everyone should have equal opportunities and be treated fairly, regardless of their gender or background. This is why we are proud to be involved in the 2024 Gender Mainstreaming Awards which recognise organisations that prioritise inclusivity and gender equality in their operations.”

As we continue the journey of gender mainstreaming, Colleen Larsen of Business Engage asserts, “We believe the best way to influence change is to strengthen and grow the current conversation, then couple that with deliberate actions.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Business Engage.

Energy

Guinea-Conakry Energy Minister to Bring Frontier Oil & Power Opportunities to Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026

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Energy

Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Health, Sanitation, Energy, Hydraulics and Hydrocarbons of Guinea-Conakry, will deliver a keynote at next month’s Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris

PARIS, France, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –As exploration momentum builds across West Africa’s (Mauritania-Senegal-Gambia-Bissau-Conakry) MSGBC basin, Guinea-Conakry is seeking to position itself as the region’s next frontier for oil and gas development while accelerating investment in large-scale power infrastructure. At the upcoming Invest in African Energy Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Health, Sanitation, Energy, Hydraulics and Hydrocarbons of Guinea-Conakry, will outline the country’s strategy to unlock upstream potential and expand electricity generation to support industrial growth.

 

Guinea’s hydrocarbon sector remains largely underexplored compared to its regional neighbors. To stimulate exploration activity, the government has been preparing a licensing round covering 22 onshore and offshore blocks designed to attract international operators. As of late 2025, authorities were finalizing the technical framework and fiscal terms while expanding access to geological data through a National Seismic Data Visualization Center, developed in partnership with SLB and TGS. The data platform is expected to provide prospective investors with improved visibility into Guinea’s offshore basins ahead of the planned bid round.

 

While Guinea has historically seen limited drilling activity, interest in the country’s offshore margin has grown in recent years as major discoveries in neighboring Senegal and Mauritania have reshaped perceptions of the MSGBC basin’s resource potential.

 

Alongside upstream ambitions, Guinea is advancing a series of large-scale power projects aimed at addressing electricity shortages and supporting its expanding mining sector. Hydropower remains the backbone of the country’s electricity system, with major projects developed along the Konkouré River significantly increasing generation capacity in recent years.

 

The 450 MW Souapiti Hydropower Plant and the earlier 240 MW Kaleta facility have significantly expanded national generation capacity in recent years, strengthening grid reliability while providing power to mining operations and urban centers. Additional large-scale projects are progressing across the pipeline, including the 300 MW Amaria hydropower project and the 294 MW Koukoutamba hydropower plant, which is being developed under the Senegal River Basin Development Authority to supply electricity across several West African countries.

 

Beyond hydropower, authorities are exploring opportunities to diversify the country’s energy mix through gas and renewable energy investments. One proposal involves the development of an LNG terminal at the Port of Kamsar to support both import and export operations while supplying a planned gas-fired power facility capable of generating up to 1,900 MW of electricity.

 

Solar energy is also gaining momentum as part of Guinea’s long-term strategy to strengthen grid reliability and reduce seasonal dependence on hydropower. Government plans call for the addition of up to 500 MW of solar generation capacity in the coming years, opening new opportunities for independent power producers and infrastructure investors.

 

At the same time, regional transmission initiatives are expanding Guinea’s integration within the West African Power Pool. Financing approved in 2025 for the Guinea–Mali electricity interconnection project aims to improve electricity supply in eastern Guinea while enabling cross-border power trade and strengthening regional grid stability.

 

The IAE 2026 Forum offers Guinea-Conakry an opportunity to present its evolving energy strategy to international investors. By highlighting frontier exploration acreage alongside major power infrastructure developments, the government aims to attract the partnerships needed to accelerate the next phase of the country’s energy sector development.

 

IAE 2026 (http://apo-opa.co/4urkt3f) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

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

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BROXO Introduces Brand Update Across Water Treatment Markets

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BROXO

BROXO, one of Europe’s leading brands in high-quality water treatment salt, announces a comprehensive brand refresh, reaffirming its position as a trusted partner in water softening applications for nearly a century

AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –BROXO (www.BROXOSalt.com/) is part of Hengelo Salt Specialties and Mariager Salt Specialties, companies incorporated under Groupe Salins, headquartered in Clichy, France. With over 100 years of expertise, BROXO has built a strong reputation for delivering premium vacuum salt used in professional water treatment systems across Europe.

 

BROXO salt is produced from high-purity vacuum salt extracted from underground salt caverns in the Netherlands and Denmark. In the Netherlands, the salt is compacted into briquettes and tablets, as well as specialized grades for water softening applications. With a sodium chloride purity of 99.9% and extremely low calcium and magnesium content, BROXO is among the highest quality salts available on the market.

This refresh is about returning to our core strengths: quality, reliability, and consistency while modernizing how we present ourselves to the market

The salt plays a critical role in regenerating ion exchange resins in water softening systems, effectively removing calcium and magnesium from water. By preventing limescale formation, BROXO helps protect pipes, heating systems, dishwashers, and industrial installations. In industrial environments, effective water softening reduces energy consumption, minimizes maintenance requirements, and safeguards operational efficiency.

The brand refresh focuses on strengthening BROXO’s core identity, reinforcing the recognizable brand assets, colors, and visual language that customers have trusted for decades. The updated look reflects both BROXO’s heritage and its forward-looking approach to the global market.

“BROXO has been a leader in its segment for over 100 years. This refresh is about returning to our core strengths: quality, reliability, and consistency while modernizing how we present ourselves to the market,” says Nico Basson, Segment Marketing Manager Water & Retail Products. “We are building on a strong foundation and preparing the brand for continued growth.”

Today, BROXO continues to serve a wide range of customers, including restaurants, hotels, commercial facilities, and industrial operators that rely on high-performance water softening systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BROXO.

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Chevron Taps Emmanuelle Garinet to Lead Exploration Across Sub-Saharan Africa and the America

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African Energy Chamber

Chevron appoints exploration veteran Emmanuelle Garinet to lead discovery strategy across sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas, a move welcomed by the African Energy Chamber as positive for exploration investment

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –Energy supermajor Chevron has appointed Emmanuelle Garinet as Director of Exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing one of the upstream industry’s most experience exploration geophysicists into a strategic leadership role overseeing discovery efforts across two of the world’s most important hydrocarbon regions.

 

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – as the voice of the African energy industry – welcomes the appointment, with Garinet’s move to Chevron serving as a positive signal for Africa’s exploration sector. For the Chamber, placing an executive with decades of African exploration experience at the helm of a major international oil company’s discovery strategy could help unlock new investment across frontier basins, accelerate geological understanding and strengthen collaboration between operators and host governments.

 

Expanding Exploration Across Sub-Saharan Africa

Chevron’s African portfolio is entering a new phase of exploration-led growth as international energy companies continue to pursue new discoveries across frontier basins and established producing hubs.

 

Namibia has emerged as one of the most closely watched exploration regions in the world following a series of major deepwater discoveries in the Orange Basin. Chevron is currently evaluating prospects in the Walvis Basin, where the company plans to drill a new exploration well in PEL 82 between 2026 and 2027. The campaign follows earlier drilling in the Orange Basin, reflecting the company’s continued interest in Namibia’s rapidly evolving offshore petroleum system.

 

In West Africa, Chevron is expanding its deepwater presence in Nigeria after acquiring a 40% stake from TotalEnergies in offshore licenses PPL 2000 and PPL 2001. The company is expected to deploy a drilling rig in late 2026 targeting resources near the Agbami field as part of a broader deepwater growth strategy.

 

Angola remains a cornerstone of Chevron’s African portfolio where, in December 2025, the company achieved first oil at the South N’dola platform in Block 0, producing approximately 25,000 barrels of oil per day using existing infrastructure. Associated gas from the project is routed to the Angola LNG plant, supporting the country’s gas monetization strategy while reducing flaring.

 

For the AEC, these developments highlight the continued importance of exploration in unlocking new energy resources across the continent while supporting regional economic growth and energy security.

 

Americas Portfolio Provides Additional Growth

Emmanuelle Garinet brings decades of geological insight and international exploration leadership

Beyond Africa, Chevron maintains a large upstream portfolio across the Americas.

 

In the U.S. the company continues expanding production in the Permian Basin, where output is projected to reach around one million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026. Deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico also remains a key component of Chevron’s portfolio, contributing to long-term production growth.

 

In South America, Chevron’s position in Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block – obtained through the company’s acquisition of Hess Corporation – places it within one of the world’s fastest-growing offshore petroleum provinces. Meanwhile, unconventional development in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation continues to support production growth in the region.

 

A Career Built on Global Exploration

Garinet’s career reflects more than three decades of experience in exploration geology, subsurface interpretation and international upstream leadership.

 

She began her career as a geophysicist, working on seismic analysis and subsurface evaluation before moving into management roles overseeing large exploration portfolios. Over time, she held senior leadership positions across multiple continents, including roles managing exploration programs in Nigeria, Gabon and South America.

 

Her tenure at TotalEnergies also spanned the transformation of the company from Elf Aquitaine to ToalFinaElf and ultimately TotalEnergies.

 

One of her most notable achievements was leading the exploration team behind the Venus discovery offshore Namibia – one of the largest deepwater oil finds in recent years and a project expected to move toward a final investment decision in 2026.

 

“Exploration leadership with deep technical expertise and real experience in Africa’s basins is critical as the continent seeks to unlock new resources and attract global investment,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “Emmanuelle Garinet brings decades of geological insight and international exploration leadership. Her appointment at Chevron sends a strong signal about the continued importance of African energy development.”

 

Garinet has also been a prominent advocate for African energy development and has frequently spoken at the annual African Energy Week conference in Cape Town, where she has highlighted the role of advanced seismic data, frontier exploration and efficient permitting systems in unlocking new opportunities across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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