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African Development Bank, Production Partner on New Podcast Presented by the World Trade Center in Washington, DC

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Carol Pineau, award-winning filmmaker and journalist to host 10-week series on Bi-Lateral Issues

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, February 7, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Africa-USA Now (https://AfricaUSANow.com), a new weekly video podcast spotlights current events at the intersection of Africa and the United States. The 10-week series launches at a pivotal time following the historic US-Africa Summit and the renewed commitment to partnership between Africa and the US. 

The current events talk show features African and American policymakers and experts examining issues around burgeoning trade and investment opportunities. The program is presented by the World Trade Center, Washington, DC (WTCDC) (https://bit.ly/3RHjmto), and is launched in partnership with the African Development Bank (https://www.AfDB.org), Africa Investment Forum (www.AfricaInvestmentForum.com) and AfricaGlobal Schaffer (https://www.AfricaGlobal.com).

“This is an important program that will address roadblocks to engagement, highlight significant trade and investment opportunities, and hopefully change the narrative on Africa and the dynamic changes taking place on the continent,” said Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, which is sponsoring the program.

“This is a must-watch series for international trade professionals and industry experts,” says Allyson McKithen, Executive Director of the World Trade Center in Washington, DC, which will distribute the program to the 320 World Trade Centers around the world, reaching over 715,000 businesses worldwide. “We are proud to be a partner on this initiative, particularly as the World Trade Center Association looks towards our annual meeting this spring that will be held in Ghana, themed “Towards African Economic Integration and Enhanced Global Presence.”

We are proud to be a partner on this initiative, particularly as the World Trade Center Association looks towards our annual meeting this spring that will be held in Ghana

The show covers an evolving continent that is clearly on the move, from the new African Continental Free Trade Agreement to increased investment from China and other major economic powers, infrastructure enabling free movement of goods and people, tech hubs leapfrogging forward, and a strong COVID response that has made Africans feel increasingly empowered. However, it also notes that despite the opportunities, the United States – the largest economy in the world – lags behind in investment and often overlooks Africa.

“This show fills a missing gap,” says Carol Pineau (https://bit.ly/3ldpfCf), host and producer of the program. “Every day, events happen in Washington and the US that deeply affect Africa, but the media is often not connecting these actions to Africa. At the same time, Africa is rapidly evolving, and it’s in our strategic interest to understand these changes, especially with so much global competition out there,” adds Pineau.

Pineau is an award-winning filmmaker and journalist specializing in Africa for over 20 years. Her first documentary, Africa Open for Business, won the BBC Documentary of the Year and was part of changing the narrative on Africa in Western media. Her other films include Africa Investment Horizons, which launched at the New York Stock Exchange and was broadcasted throughout the world. Pineau has reported internationally and in the US for major media, including a posting in Africa with VOA and another with CNN.

Africa-USA Now launches Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Each episode of the inaugural 10-week season will focus on a singular topic and will feature a roundtable discussion with African and American government officials, investors, business leaders, journalists, academics, and other policy shapers.

“The U.S. needs to put more focus on engaging with Africa because it is in our interest to do so. We need to reset in addressing current realities so that we don’t end up locked out of critical resources, and growing opportunities and partnerships,” says Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman of AfricaGlobal Schaffer, a production partner of the program, who has invested throughout Africa for more than 40 years and sits on the African Advisory Committee of the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

Africa-USA Now (https://bit.ly/40yiIlT) is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and www.AfricaUSAnow.com. Viewers can subscribe, follow and comment on the show across all platforms.

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

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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