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African Development Bank Group approves €139 million loan to boost youth employment in Côte d’Ivoire

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African Development Bank

The initiative targets training more than 8,700 young people, with 50 percent being women, in five strategic sectors – renewable energy, digital economy, agribusiness, blue economy, and the textile and clothing industry

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, December 18, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved loans totaling €139.68 million to support youth employment and entrepreneurship in Côte d’Ivoire, targeting key sectors with high job creation potential.

The loan comprised of €126.32 million from the Bank Group’s commercial African Development Bank window and €13.36 million from its concessional lending arm, the African Development Fund, will help bolster the socio-professional integration of young Ivorians by developing their skills and supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

A key component of the project is establishing the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) in Côte d’Ivoire to boost financial access for young entrepreneurs, provide technical assistance services, offer equity and quasi-equity financing, and create loan guarantees to encourage local bank lending to young entrepreneurs.

The African Development Bank Group funding will help Côte d’Ivoire to address the challenges of youth employment by equipping young people with skills

The initiative targets training more than 8,700 young people, with 50 percent being women, in five strategic sectors – renewable energy, digital economy, agribusiness, blue economy, and the textile and clothing industry. It is expected to generate 43,216 direct jobs and 153,094 indirect jobs by 2030, 50 percent of which will be filled by women. It will also finance training at least 214 teacher-trainers and provide multi-faceted assistance to a dozen entrepreneurship support organizations.

Joseph Ribeiro, the Bank’s Deputy Director General for West Africa, underscored the project’s significance. “The African Development Bank Group funding will help Côte d’Ivoire to address the challenges of youth employment by equipping young people with skills needed for the productive private sector,” he stated.

The initiative will partner with trade confederations, private sector companies, incubators, service providers, and agri-industrial clusters to align training with market needs.

In the agribusiness sector, in particular, the project will draw on lessons and good practices from similar initiatives launched by the Bank to scale up its Enable Youth (https://apo-opa.co/3BC1iwW) program. As part of the project, the national training center for harbor master’s officers in Abidjan will be renovated and equipped with advanced technical facilities, including a port manoeuvres simulator, to bring it up to international standards as a regional center.

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

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Four Points by Sheraton Makes its Debut in Senegal with the Opening of Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio

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Located in the new Sports City complex and just 20 minutes from Blaise Diagne International Airport

DIAMNIADIO, Senegal, April 3, 2025/APO Group/ –Four Points by Sheraton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s (www.Marriott.com) global portfolio of over 30 brands, today announced the opening Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio, marking the brand’s debut in Senegal. Whether travellers are visiting Dakar’s ‘smart city’ district of Diamniado for work or fun, the hotel caters to their needs with its approachable design, stylish comfort and all the brand’s popular extras.

Located in the new Sports City complex and just 20 minutes from Blaise Diagne International Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio provides easy access to major local landmarks, including the CICAD (Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre), the Ministerial Sphere Ousmane Tanor Dieng, the United Nations Headquarters for West Africa, and the future Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, set to host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.

“The launch of Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio marks an important milestone for Marriott International,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President, Premium, Select & Midscale Brands, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Marriott International. “Senegal’s rich heritage and Diamniadio’s economic importance make it a perfect fit for our Four Points by Sheraton brand. This new hotel will provide travellers with modern details and local experiences, while supporting the region’s growth in business, sports, and tourism.”

The launch of Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio marks an important milestone for Marriott International

The hotel features 173 stylish rooms with views of Sports City and its urban surroundings. Reflecting the brand’s signature style, Four Points by Sheraton Diamniadio offers everything that matters for today’s independent travellers, including the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed, fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and an energising breakfast with fresh coffee on tap.

For a social eating experience, guests can enjoy fresh, and delicious food throughout the day at FP Social, while Chic’ Afrique offers local and international bites in a vibrant, African-inspired setting. For a laid-back end to the day, FP Social Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere where guests can unwind and explore the Four Points’ signature Best Brews™ programme—a curated selection of local craft beers.

Other facilities include an outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. With 139 square metres of flexible meeting space across four rooms, the hotel is an ideal venue for intimate meetings and social gatherings.

“We have wholeheartedly embraced the spirit of Teranga – the essence of Senegalese hospitality -and the innovative Sports City concept in every detail of our hotel’s development. From thoughtful design and carefully chosen materials to exceptional service, we are dedicated to creating an experience where international excellence meets the warmth, generosity, and well-being that make Senegal so special,” said Mustapha Fodil, General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio.

As the only hotel in the Diamniadio Sports City, Four Points by Sheraton guests have access to world-class sports facilities, including a FIFA-approved football pitch, basketball and tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a range of gyms, and a wellness centre. For families, a children’s playground complete with a climbing wall adds an extra layer of fun. Guests also benefit from the hotel’s proximity to key government and business institutions, while Dakar’s iconic attractions—such as the African Renaissance Monument, Gorée Island, and bustling local markets—are easily accessible by highway or rail.

For more information about Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio, please visit www.Marriott.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Marriott International, Inc

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Morocco Emerges as New Hub for Global Football as World Football Summit Lands in Rabat

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World Football Summit

Historic gathering of football leaders from 50 countries set to shape the future of the beautiful game

RABAT, Morocco, April 3, 2025/APO Group/ –World Football Summit (WFS) (https://WorldFootballSummit.com), in partnership with UM6P and Evosport, and with OCP Group as the Presenting Partner, will welcome over 1000 leaders from the global football industry to Rabat on April 9-10, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Morocco’s rise as a football powerhouse following their historic World Cup performance and ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

WFS Rabat 2025 represents an unprecedented convergence of African football leadership and global stakeholders, with the strong backing of the Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF). The summit will serve as a landmark gathering for African football development while fostering crucial cross-continental collaborations in football governance, investment, and innovation.

The event will feature 85 distinguished speakers from football’s most influential organizations, including Fouzi Lekjaa (President of the Moroccan Football Federation), Gelson Fernandez, (Deputy Chief Member Associations & FIFA Regional Director Africa – FIFA), Samson Adamu (Director of tournaments and events at CAF), Fréderic Kanouté (Football Legend), Mr. Shehu Dikko (Honourable Minister of Sports – National Sports Commission of Nigeria), or Eniola Aluko (Investor and advisor). Furthermore, prominent figures in global sports leadership from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA, FC Barcelona, or the NBA, will be in attendance as well as government officials from Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya, creating a unique environment for public-private dialogue on sports development.

The summit will address critical topics including football infrastructure development, investment opportunities, governance frameworks, and pathways for African talent.

Africa’s football journey is no longer a parallel story but a central chapter in the global narrative

Jan Alessie, Co-Founder and Managing Director of World Football Summit, commented: “WFS Rabat represents a key moment in football’s evolution. Africa’s football journey is no longer a parallel story but a central chapter in the global narrative. The future of football is collaborative, and that future begins in Rabat.”

The summit is made possible through the invaluable support of key partners including Royal Air Maroc and TAQA, who have demonstrated their commitment to elevating Morocco’s status in international sports, along with other esteemed organizations such as APO Group or Monterrey FWC26 Host City.

Event Details:

  • Date: 9th-10th April 2025
  • City: Rabat, Morocco
  • Expected attendance: 1000 industry professionals from 50 countries

For more information about World Football Summit’s 2025 events and registration details, visit https://NewAfrica.WorldFootballSummit.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Football Summit

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Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Exploration and Production Limited (Explorco) Managing Director (MD) Joins Ghana Investor Briefing to Discuss Exploration Opportunities

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Kinetiko Energy

Michael Aryeetey will engage investors on the exploration opportunities emerging in Ghana’s oil and gas industry during the Invest in African Energies briefing this April

ACCRA, Ghana, April 2, 2025/APO Group/ –Michael Aryeetey, Managing Director of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s (GNPC) upstream-focused subsidiary GNPC Exploration and Production Limited (Explorco), has joined the Invest in African Energies: Accra Investor Briefing on April 14, 2025. Aryeetey will take part in a discussion on Advancing Exploration Opportunities in Ghana, sharing insight into Explorco’s project portfolio and expansion strategy.

With 17 oil and gas projects in the pipeline until 2027, Ghana is pursuing enhanced exploration and production to stabilize the market and unlock greater returns. For its part, the GNPC – through Explorco – has been at the helm of this growth, intensifying its exploration efforts to unlock new hydrocarbon reserves and sustain Ghana’s long-term energy security. In 2025, the company is seeking play-opening discoveries in the onshore Voltaian basin, with an exploration well planned this year. The onshore basin covers an area of 100,000 km² and could be a game-changer for the country. The GNPC has invested $160 million in seismic data acquisition across the basin, aimed at identifying geological structures and supporting future exploration targets.

Ghana offers significant growth opportunities for exploration and production firms, and Explorco is leading the way towards unlocking the country’s petroleum basins

Explorco was established to strengthen GNPC’s interests in exploration and production activities across Ghana. In alignment with the GNPC’s broader industry goals, the company implemented short-term objectives in February 2025 to enhance oil production and attract investment through collaboration, innovation and operational efficiency. Progress has already been seen to achieve these goals, with international oil company partnerships and GNPC-led upstream projects underway. In 2024, the country reported a 10.7% increase in oil production, with operations in the Jubilee South East project – led by Tullow Oil – contributing to a rise in output.

Energy major Eni and the GNPC also committed to strengthening cooperation in March 2025 under efforts to boost exploration and production in Ghana. The companies aim to pursue joint goals, including establishing joint ventures, integrating advanced technologies and investing in local capacity. Eni currently operates the Offshore Cape Three Points integrated project alongside Vitol and GNPC.

Meanwhile, working alongside international partners, the GNPC targets several offshore drilling programs in 2025. Tullow Oil is set to drill one producer and one injector well at the Jubilee field in May 2025. A 4D seismic survey is already underway at Jubilee and its adjacent field TEN, aimed at optimizing the 2025-2026 drilling program being implemented by Tullow Oil.

“Ghana offers significant growth opportunities for exploration and production firms, and Explorco is leading the way towards unlocking the country’s petroleum basins. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to local content development, the GNPC is shaping Ghana’s future as a competitive oil and gas producer,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Taking place at the Kempinsky Hotel in Accra, the Ghana investor briefing serves as a prelude to the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference this September in Cape Town. The event offers a platform for investors and project developers to explore opportunities in Ghana’s upstream market. By facilitating direct engagement between Explorco and potential investors, the event aims to unlock new partnerships that will drive exploration and production activities. Investors will gain firsthand insight into Ghana’s evolving regulatory framework, licensing rounds and infrastructure development, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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