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Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) launches Call for Applications for its Growth Accelerator programme

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The tri-party collaboration between AWIEF, AGF, and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited was created with the aim to increase access to finance for WSMEs who are driving solutions in different catalytic sectors in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 3, 2025/APO Group/ –The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org/home-awief/) has partnered with African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited to implement its flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator programme in Nigeria and is excited to announce the call for applications.

Background

Limited access to finance remains a significant barrier for women entrepreneurs in Africa, with a staggering financing gap estimated at USD 49 billion. To address this challenge, the Growth Accelerator Programme leverages the African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, which aims to unlock up to USD 3 billion in financing for women-owned/led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (WSMEs) across the continent.

AGF, a leading non-bank financial institution whose objective is to promote economic development, increase employment and reduce poverty in Africa, serves as the implementing partner for AFAWA. AGF’s commitment extends into providing technical assistance to partner financial institutions, enhancing their capacity to serve women-owned businesses effectively. By addressing both supply and demand-side constraints, AGF and AFAWA work in tandem to create a more equitable landscape for women entrepreneurs in Africa.

FSDH Merchant Bank Limited partnership with AGF is backed by AFAWA to enable the Partner Financial Institution (PFI) provide loans to WSMEs in NigeriaFSDH Merchant Bank Limited is dedicated to empowering women in business across Nigeria and drives its gender strategy through its Women in Business Initiative (WIBI).

The tri-party collaboration between AWIEF, AGF, and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited was created with the aim to increase access to finance for WSMEs who are driving solutions in different catalytic sectors in Nigeria. This will be achieved by making the WSMEs credit and investment-ready and eligible to access business loans and financing from FSDH Merchant Bank Limited. The programme will provide a stream of businesses that are adequately prepared to meet the FSDH Merchant Bank’s credit requirements.

Call for Applications

Applications are open to qualifying businesses. The programme will attract and select a cohort of 100 beneficiaries, comprising women entrepreneurs and founders with businesses registered and operating in Nigeria who will participate in the 12-month Growth Accelerator and will benefit from a wide range of tailored and refined business development mentorship, training, and advisory services.

Eligibility Criteria

Businesses must meet ONE of the following criteria:

Entrepreneurship & Ownership:

51% share of women ownership OR Business founded by a woman.

OR

Leadership:

At least 20% share of women in senior management or 10% share of women on the Board.

OR

Products & Services:

Product(s) or service(s) enhance(s) well-being of women/girls and/or drive(s) gender equity.

Additionally, businesses must be:

  • Based and operating in Nigeria.
  • In post-revenue stage.
  • Highly innovative and scalable ventures.
  • In operation for not less than three years.
  • Owned and/or led by ambitious and committed entrepreneurs.
  • Seeking for investment, credit or financing to scale and expand.

What Are the Benefits for Participants?

    • Access to high-level training, mentorship, and business advisory.
    • Improved technical, managerial, leadership, and interpersonal skills aligned with the priority needs of their businesses.
    • Increased creditworthiness and capacity to meet the AGF PFI’s financing requirements.
    • Post-capacity building and loan application support.
    • Enhanced access to other financing opportunities.
    • Effective integration of the WSMEs into the financial ecosystem.
    • Expanded peer networks in Nigeria and across the African continent.

Applications Open Now!

Applications are officially open for qualifying candidates for the AWIEF Growth Accelerator, in partnership with AGF and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited.

To submit your application and for more programme details, please follow this link: https://apo-opa.co/3DgIuo0

The deadline for submission is Monday, 31 March 2025 at 11:59pm West Africa Time (WAT).

For more information, please email: info@awieforum.org

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

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JETA Holding Expands its Vision for FinTech in Africa Following the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025

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JETA Holding

JETA is actively seeking partnerships with investors, FinTech startups, and financial institutions to drive innovation and scale financial solutions across key African markets

LUANDA, Angola, March 5, 2025/APO Group/ –During the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025JETA Holding (www.JETAHolding.com) reinforced its commitment to FinTech and trade expansion in Africa, leveraging its expertise in other industries, including healthcare and technology-driven solutions to position itself as a key player in the region’s digital transformation.

At the event, JETA engaged with leading industry stakeholdersestablished connections with potential partners, and explored investment opportunities to accelerate FinTech adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.

Haim Taib, Founder & President of Mitrelli Group and JETA Holding, emphasized on stage:
“FinTech is not just about technology—it’s about unlocking opportunity, fostering inclusion, and driving economic transformation. Across Africa, a new generation of creative entrepreneurs is emerging, bringing bold ideas and innovations that have the potential to redefine industries. However, true progress requires more than innovation; it demands the collective commitment of governments, private capital, and human talent working together to turn potential into impact. This is why JETA is making strategic investments in FinTech—not just to connect people, businesses, and communities with financial tools, but to lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.”

With a strong foundation in healthcarecybersecurity, and ICT, JETA is expanding into FinTech and trade, leveraging its experience in complex regulatory environments and established relationships with governments, banks, and regulators.

JETA operates through three core subsidiaries:

At JETA, we don’t just invest in technology—we invest in building strong ecosystems

  • Luanda Medical Center (LMC) – A leading hospital and clinic in Luanda, Angola, delivering high-quality healthcare services.
  • Yapama – A medical equipment and consumables distribution company with operations in Angola, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire.
  • New Cognito – A cybersecurity and ICT services company, well established in Angola. 

As JETA enters FinTech and trade, the company is looking to bridge financial technology with real-sector applications, including digital payments, lending, trade finance, and financial inclusion solutions.

JETA is actively seeking partnerships with investors, FinTech startups, and financial institutions to drive innovation and scale financial solutions across key African markets.

Doron Ben Sira, CEO of JETA Holding, added:
“FinTech is one of the most dynamic and transformative sectors in Africa, with enormous potential to accelerate financial inclusion and unlock new trade opportunities. At JETA, we don’t just invest in technology—we invest in building strong ecosystems. We connect capital, expertise, and markets to ensure that financial innovation doesn’t just grow but establishes itself as a sustainable engine for development. We are actively seeking the best companies and partnerships to build a more integrated and accessible digital future in Africa.”

Expanding Across Africa

JETA is more than an investor—it is a business accelerator and growth enabler. Through its subsidiaries and strategic investments, JETA is building an ecosystem that connects technology, capital, and local expertise.

As part of its FinTech and trade expansion, JETA is focusing on high-growth markets, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, Mauritius, and Uganda.

With a proven track record in market expansion, JETA is committed to leveraging its regional presence and deep industry networks to build scalable and impactful financial solutions across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of JETA Africa Holding.

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World Football Summit Lands in Rabat to Unlock Africa’s Football Potential

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World Football Summit

Harnessing Football’s Potential to Drive Cultural, Economic, and Social Progress in Africa

RABAT, Morocco, March 5, 2025/APO Group/ –World Football Summit (WFS) (https://WorldFootballSummit.com), a leading platform in the global football industry, has announced the organization of WFS Rabat 2025 in partnership with EVOSPORT, a subsidiary of University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), and in collaboration with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

Scheduled for April 9-10, 2025, on the UM6P campus in Rabat, this landmark event will bring together key players from the global football ecosystem to explore the levers for football’s development in Africa.

WFS Rabat 2025 stands out for its integrated approach, combining academic insight with concrete action. Under the theme “Cultivating Africa’s Future Football Legacy Beyond the World Cup,” the summit will highlight football’s role in mobilizing Moroccan and African talent, including those from the diaspora, to accelerate the sport’s growth on the continent and beyond.

Morocco has invested heavily in world-class infrastructure and talent development strategies, positioning itself as a powerhouse in African and global football. This momentum aligns with a broader vision that sees sports as a catalyst for economic and social development, both nationally and continentally.

WFS Rabat 2025 will provide a unique platform where international investors and industry leaders can connect with local stakeholders to explore these opportunities

Morocco’s selection as the host country reflects its growing prominence on the global football stage, underscored by key achievements such as its historic performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup.

UM6P, committed to transforming sports in Africa, brings a scientific and technological dimension to WFS Rabat 2025. Through its subsidiary EVOSPORT, UM6P is fostering a structured, dynamic, and sustainable sports ecosystem aligned with the challenges and opportunities of Morocco and Africa.

Jan Alessie, Co-founder and Managing Director of  World Football Summit, emphasized, “Africa is one of the most promising frontiers in global football, with vast untapped potential, particularly in media rights, infrastructure, and talent development. WFS Rabat 2025 will provide a unique platform where international investors and industry leaders can connect with local stakeholders to explore these opportunities.”

Ismail Lyoubi, Managing Director of EVOSPORT, stated, “Co-organizing World Football Summit and hosting it at UM6P is a major opportunity for us to contribute to the development of the emerging football industry at both national and continental levels. This event will bring together key football stakeholders at UM6P, fostering knowledge exchange and building bridges between research, education, and the sports industry through the university’s ecosystem.”

Over two days, WFS Rabat 2025 will welcome representatives from FIFA, CAF, national football associations, professional clubs, leagues, and leading industry experts and decision-makers.

Discussions will focus on critical topics such as infrastructure and stadium development, sports tourism as an economic driver, youth talent training and performance, sports diplomacy and soft power, governance and business models, the rise of women’s football, and the impact of technology and data in transforming African football.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Football Summit.

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United Kingdom (UK) Looks to Deepen Energy Trade, Investment Ties with Africa

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Through new trade agreements, energy investments and development initiatives, the UK’s role in shaping the continent’s energy future will be a key focus at African Energy Week 2025 and within the G20 agenda

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 5, 2025/APO Group/ –Trade relations between the UK and Africa are gaining momentum. Last month, UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander visited South Africa and Botswana to strengthen trade ties and create opportunities for businesses on both sides. The UK aims to expand trade and investment across the continent, fostering mutually beneficial growth by addressing trade barriers, facilitating exports and supporting trade-focused development programs. With South Africa as the UK’s largest trading partner in Africa and set to assume the G20 Presidency, this marks an important moment for deepening economic collaboration.

This builds on the UK’s 2019 Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Southern African Customs Union member states – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa – and Mozambique. This agreement eliminates tariffs and quotas on all goods imported from these countries into the UK, facilitating smoother trade relations and economic cooperation. The EPA aims to bolster economic ties and create a conducive environment for investments, including in the energy sector.

The UK is expanding its engagement across Africa, including in West and North Africa. In February 2024, it signed the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) with Nigeria – the first such agreement with an African nation – marking a significant milestone. The partnership builds on a trade relationship valued at £7 billion in the year leading up to September 2023. The ETIP focuses on key sectors such as financial and legal services, fostering economic growth and attracting investment across industries, including energy.

Globeleq, a UK government-backed independent power producer, has been instrumental in advancing gas-powered energy projects across Africa. Alongside its 153 MW Red Sands project in South Africa – set to become the continent’s largest standalone battery energy storage system – the company recently acquired a stake in a solar plant at Egypt’s Benban Solar Complex and secured $99 million in debt financing for Mozambique’s first wind project. Supported by shareholders such as British International Investment and Norfund, Globeleq continues to invest in upgrading existing assets and developing new utility-scale power projects, strengthening Africa’s energy infrastructure.

These initiatives not only strengthen the UK’s economic ties with Africa, but also support the continent’s transition to cleaner, more reliable energy

In the oil and gas sector, bp achieved first gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project offshore Senegal and Mauritania at the start of this year, marking a major step in boosting regional energy production and supply. Shell is advancing its $5 billion Bonga North deepwater project in Nigeria and, alongside bp, has agreed to cover operational costs for the buyer of South Africa’s Sapref refinery – a move that could revitalize the country’s largest refinery and secure oil supply. Meanwhile, Harbour Energy, one of the UK’s largest independent oil and gas companies, is looking to expand into African markets following its acquisition of concessions in Egypt’s Nile Delta and the Mediterranean Sea.

The UK is also a major investor in Africa’s clean energy sector and a key partner in the Mission 300 initiative to expand electricity access to 300 million people by 2030. Last month, British International Investment (BII) committed £5.3 million to UK cleantech firm MOPO to scale battery rental operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where over 80% of the population lacks electricity. In December 2024, BII and GuarantCo announced a $500 million renewable power deal with South Africa’s Etana Energy, providing $100 million in guarantees to support the country’s largest energy wheeling framework and unlock new projects. Beyond direct investments, the UK government continues to provide funding and technical assistance for energy infrastructure projects across Africa, aiming to improve energy reliability and efficiency, drive economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for local communities.

As a G20 member, the UK plays a pivotal role in shaping global energy investment strategies, with Africa positioned as a key partner in its trade and energy agenda. The UK’s investments in oil and gas, renewables and energy infrastructure align with broader G20 goals of energy security, sustainability and economic growth.

“These initiatives not only strengthen the UK’s economic ties with Africa, but also support the continent’s transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. With African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 set to convene global stakeholders, the UK’s role in advancing energy partnerships will be in focus, offering a platform to drive further investment, policy collaboration, and infrastructure development across Africa’s energy landscape,” says Johnson Kayode Obembe, Director of Sales and Partnerships, African Energy Week.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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