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Young fishers in Senegal increase their incomes threefold and turn their backs on illegal immigration

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African Development Bank

The Project to Support and Enhance the Entrepreneurial Initiatives of Women and Young People focuses on training, support for formalising businesses, funding and post-funding follow-up with the beneficiaries to ensure that interventions are sustainable

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, August 30, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Launched in 2020, the Project to Support and Enhance the Entrepreneurial Initiatives of Women and Young People (PAVIE) (https://apo-opa.info/44tUHxa) implemented in Senegal, is producing significant socioeconomic transformations that are benefiting young people and women. The project has been extended by a year to complete its implementation under optimal conditions, according to the African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) implementation progress and results report, which was published on 14 August 2023. Anouar Ouédraogo, the African Development Bank’s project manager, provides more details about the project, which is well underway to achieving its development objectives.

Three years after the start of the Project to Support and Enhance the Entrepreneurial Initiatives of Women and Young People (https://apo-opa.info/44tUHxa), what are its main achievements?

“The Project to Support and Enhance the Entrepreneurial Initiatives of Women and Young People (https://apo-opa.info/44tUHxa) focuses on training, support for formalising businesses, funding and post-funding follow-up with the beneficiaries to ensure that interventions are sustainable. After three years’ implementation, over 3,200 young people and women have been trained in specific trades and business management, 3,176 businesses that were operating in the informal sector have been formalised and 6,441 businesses have received funding worth a total of 38 billion CFA francs. The main areas of activity involved are agriculture, fishing, fish farming and artisanal activities.

How does technical and financial support relate to the entrepreneurial initiatives of young people and women?

“The project has signed partnership agreements with organisations that have expertise at the national level in various areas of activity and in business management, in order to offer the project beneficiaries, the specific technical support they need. Its main partners are the Small and Medium-Sized Business Development and Supervision Agency (ADEPME), the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA), the Food Technology Institute (ITA), the Centre for Horticultural Development (CDH) and the Upgrading Office (BMN). In addition to the public bodies listed above, the project recruits consultants to provide post-funding support to beneficiaries.

The project has helped to change the lives of millions of young people and women in all regions of Senegal

Three funding mechanisms are used to provide financial support, namely:

  • Direct funding or providing finance to counteract the lack of enthusiasm among financial intermediaries for granting loans to a certain category of businesses, which are deemed too high risk. PAVIE identifies and selects relevant projects, based on criteria approved by the Bank. The lists of selected projects are sent to partner financial institutions. Projects are then distributed based on their monitoring capacity and presence on the ground. Funding is provided using PAVIE resources, at a maximum interest rate of 5 percent.
  • Joint funding, which aims to encourage financial institutions to fund structural projects with strong growth potential and create a leverage effect for greater impact.
  • Provision of a guarantee, which covers the risk of entrepreneurs defaulting, by positioning them in financial institutions for small and medium-sized businesses.”

Are plans to create jobs for young people and women, promote entrepreneurship and densify the economic landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises meeting expectations?

“It was already apparent, during the project’s mid-term review in May 2022, that the various initiatives formalised and/or funded had helped to generate and/or consolidate 37,286 direct and 30,870 indirect jobs. The project has been successful in structuring sectors such as fishing, for example, by replacing traditional canoes with fibreglass ones. This has enabled young fishers to increase their income threefold and at the same time, combat young people’s temptation to engage in illegal immigration. Female fish wholesalers have also received funding to create an ice-production unit for fish storage and trade. The entire fishing value chain has been given support to improve its organisation. In terms of agriculture, the project has helped strengthen several value chains, such as cashew nuts and rice. An example of the support given to the cashew nut sector can be found in this blog: https://apo-opa.info/3qOZDin. I can confirm that the project is genuinely meeting the population’s expectations in terms of job creation and densifying the economic landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises.

What is the initial feedback you are getting on the project’s impact on its beneficiaries?

“The project has helped to change the lives of millions of young people and women in all regions of Senegal. The testimonials we receive every time we carry out a monitoring exercise reassure us of the relevance of the support provided by the Bank. Moreover, another of the project’s significant impacts is that it has aroused interest among financial institutions in small and medium-sized enterprises run by young people, which they had considered too risky in the past. These institutions are no longer reluctant to grant loans to young entrepreneurs.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Energy

High-Level Minister Roundup to Headline African Energy Week 2026

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African Energy Chamber

African Energy Week 2026 will convene ministers from Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia and Niger to spotlight oil, gas expansion, reforms and investment opportunities continentwide

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –A high-level ministerial roundup will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from 12–16 October –, convening some of the continent’s most influential energy leaders at a defining moment for Africa’s oil, gas and power sectors. As hydrocarbon expansion converges with accelerating energy transition strategies, the gathering is set to spotlight real-time project execution, regulatory reform and cross-border infrastructure that are actively reshaping Africa’s energy future.

 

Confirmed ministers to date include Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop, Zambia’s Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote and Niger’s Minster of Petroleum Hamadou Tinni.

 

Fresh from a March OPEC+ decision to lift output to 977,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Algeria enters AEW 2026 amid a $60 billion sector transformation. The country is also advancing a 500-well exploration drive and accelerating its 1.48 GW “Project of the Century” solar rollout. Gas exports to Europe remains central to the country, supported by hydrogen corridor planning and refinery expansion aimed at boosting capacity to 50 million tons by 2029.

 

Following license extension for Jubilee and TEN to 2040 and the late-2025 restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana is pushing a $3.5 billion upstream reinvestment plan while settling $500 million in gas arrears. A 1,200 MW state thermal plant and expanded gas processing at Atuabo anchor its gas-to-power shift, alongside a renewed upstream push in the Voltaian Basin.

The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital

 

Senegal’s delegation comes on the back of strong production momentum, with the Sangomar oil field delivering 36.1 million barrels in 2025, outperforming forecasts, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development ramped up to 2.9 million tons per annum following first gas. Dakar is now prioritizing domestic gas through refinery upgrades at the SAR refinery and preparations for Sangomar Phase 2 to push output beyond 100,000 bpd.

 

Zambia is redefining its power mix after drought-induced hydro shortfalls. New solar capacity – including the 200 MW Chisamba expansion and 136 MW Itimpi Phase 2 – is part of a broader 2,500 MW diversification drive. Cabinet has approved major regional fuel pipelines, while the Energy Single Licensing System fast-tracks approvals. Lusaka targets 10 GW generation by 2030, with solar and wind rising to one-third of supply.

Niger’s presence reflects its emergence as a serious oil exporter, with the fully operational 1,950-km Niger-Benin pipeline now moving up to 90,000 bpd to international markets. Alongside uranium expansion and renewed cooperation with Algeria on upstream assets, Niamey is advancing digital oversight reforms and reinforcing energy sovereignty amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

 

“The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Their leadership reflects a continent moving decisively from strategy to execution, creating a platform where investors can engage directly with the policymakers shaping Africa’s next wave of oil, gas and energy growth.”

 

At AEW 2026, this ministerial cohort will be well-positioned to offer investors direct insight into Africa’s most dynamic energy markets – where new barrels, new pipelines and new megawatts are reshaping regional growth trajectories in real time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Enlit Africa 2026 Programme: 280+ speakers, African nuclear 2.0, Bruce Whitfield Business Breakfast

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Enlit Africa

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Enlit Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g) has released its full 2026 conference programme, featuring 280+ speakers across 8 specialised tracks including a new African Nuclear 2.0 session covering Koeberg’s 20-year life extension and Ghana’s nuclear vendor selection process.

 

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals.

Award-winning business journalist and best-selling author Bruce Whitfield will deliver the opening address at the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast on 19 May, kicking off three days of strategic sessions, deal-making platforms, and technical masterclasses.

New programme content includes:

African Nuclear 2.0 – A dedicated session examining the transition from planning to execution, featuring:

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s successful 20-year life extension (Units 1 and 2 now licensed until 2044/2045)

Ghana’s progression to Phase 3 of its nuclear programme, evaluating US, Chinese, and Russian technology bids

West African Power Pool‘s 10 GW regional nuclear capacity target

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment readiness across African grids

Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) – A new session exploring how private investment is unlocking Africa’s transmission bottleneck, featuring global case studies from India’s PowerGrid and lessons for scaling grid capacity across the continent.

Generation Masterclasses – Five interactive roundtables on gas-to-power, nuclear, hydro power, clean coal, and hydrogen.

AI in Africa’s Power Grid – Examining practical deployment realities, real-time analytics, and predictive maintenance applications already in operation across African utilities.

Conference sessions and technical hub sessions on the expo floor are CPD-accredited by the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).

Co-located platforms:

Water Security Africa features country playbooks from Namibia (55-year potable reuse programme), Uganda (NRW reduction from 42% to 32%), Cape Town (Day Zero recovery strategies), and sector-specific stewardship sessions with Harmony Gold, Heineken, Mediclinic, and Growthpoint Properties.

Project & Investment Network (P&IN), part of the new Level 2 Executive Experience, connects project developers, investors, African utility CEOs, and DFIs through structured matchmaking, ministerial dialogues, and project briefings. Over the past two years, P&IN has facilitated $3 billion in project pitches.

Utility CEO Forum brings together 35+ confirmed utility CEOs under Chatham House Rule for candid, off-the-record strategic discussions on unbundling, prosumer management, and financial sustainability.

Municipal Forum addresses South African municipalities’ distribution, metering, and revenue challenges, including sessions on NRW management, tariff reform, Cost of Supply studies, and electrifying informal settlements.

Technical Hub sessions on the exhibition floor offer free, CPD-accredited training across Power, Renewable Energy & Storage, and Water tracks, with confirmed speakers from Eskom, ENGIE SA, ACTOM, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), RenEnergy, and Matla Energy.

Site visits on 22 May include Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and the V&A Waterfront desalination plant.

Pass options:
Free expo pass registration: https://apo-opa.co/4bl2bYu

Free expo passes provide access to 250+ exhibitors and CPD-accredited Technical Hub sessions.

Delegate Pass:
Early bird registration closes 3 April 2026. Delegate passes start at R15,100 (Silver), with P&IN Executive passes at R32,000 including access to the Bruce Whitfield breakfast, Level 2 executive lounge, and investor matchmaking.

Download the full programme: https://apo-opa.co/3NwCble

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Binance Secures Second Major Legal Victory in U.S. Court Under Anti-Terrorism Act in Two Weeks

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Binance

US Federal Court in Alabama Dismisses All Claims Against Binance in Latest Lawsuit Victory

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced today that a U.S. federal court in Alabama has dismissed all claims against the company in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). This marks Binance’s second major legal victory in an  ATA matter within one week, following their victory in the Southern District of New York.

A Full and Complete Legal Victory

In a detailed 19-page ruling, the Court found the plaintiffs’ complaint to be legally and factually deficient. The court’s decision to dismiss every claim across the board represents a decisive legal victory for Binance.

Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process

The judge described the filing as a “shotgun pleading.” The complaint failed to clearly specify the claims and improperly grouped all defendants together without distinguishing individual conduct or liability. The ruling also emphasized that the plaintiffs did not meet the basic pleading standard to provide a “short and plain statement” of their claims.

Following the ruling, the court granted the plaintiffs until April 10, 2026, to file an amended complaint addressing the deficiencies identified. However, the judge warned that failure to adequately address these issues would result in dismissal of the entire case.

Building on Momentum and Upholding Legal Integrity

“This decision reinforces our unwavering commitment to protecting Binance and our community from unsubstantiated and bad-faith lawsuits,” shared Eleanor Hughes, General Counsel at Binance. “Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process. Courts have now examined these claims on two separate occasions and found them to be without merit. These outcomes speak for themselves. We will not tolerate attempts to misuse the legal system to target our industry, and we remain as committed as ever to transparency, security, and lawful conduct in everything we do”.

This latest decision follows closely on the heels of Binance’s comprehensive victory in New York (https://apo-opa.co/46Xg0ev), where the Court similarly rejected allegations that the company assisted, participated in, or conspired with terrorists. Together, these rulings reflect Binance’s strong resolve to protect its platform and community.

Binance has consistently invested in industry-leading compliance infrastructure, regulatory engagement, and legal governance. The company will continue to vigorously defend itself against any attempts to bring unfounded claims or misrepresent its operations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

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