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African Energy Week (AEW) 2024 to Examine Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Clean Cooking as a Catalyst for Making Energy Poverty History by 2030

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African Energy Week

African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy will host a session on LPG value chains, focusing on expanding access and promoting sustainable cooking solutions across Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

In a recent development for Africa’s clean cooking landscape, the Global LPG Partnership (GLPGP) and the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) announced a $1.5 billion fund dedicated to supporting clean cooking initiatives across the continent. The fund aims to accelerate the adoption of LPG as a primary cooking fuel, addressing the urgent need to reduce the reliance on biomass, which remains prevalent across Africa. The GLPGP-ARDA fund will provide financing for infrastructure development, distribution networks and consumer education programs, facilitating broader access to LPG and promoting sustainable cooking practices.

This development comes at a time as African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – prepares to host a session titled, Towards the Elimination of Energy Poverty: LPG Value Chains for the African Clean Cooking Crusade. With approximately 900 million people in Africa still lacking access to clean cooking technologies, the session will explore how investments in LPG and distribution can catalyze energy security in Africa. The session will also provide an overview of innovative financing tools applicable to LPG markets, with insights from industry experts including Spark+ Africa Fund’s Partner and Investment Director Peter George; LPG Association of South Africa’s (LPGSA) Managing Director Gadibolae Dihlabi; and Oryx Energies’ Managing Director Pam Indurjeeth.

AEW: Invest in African Energy 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.

LPG serves as a vital solution for improving access to clean, affordable and reliable energy in Africa, and recent advancements across the continent aim to bolster the penetration of LPG in domestic markets. The International Energy Agency – which declared 2024 as the year for achieving universal access to clean cooking – mobilized $2.2 billion in public and private sector funding during a summit in Paris this year. The financing supports the adoption of clean cooking solutions such as LPG and accounts for half of the continent’s financial needs to achieve universal access.

LPG stands to transform Africa’s energy sector, bringing cost-effective and reliable energy to millions of people

In Gabon, independent oil and gas company Perenco launched its Batanga LPG plant in December 2023, representing the second phase of its $50-million gas development project – set to produce 15,000 tons of LPG. Similarly, Kenya has positioned itself as a regional LPG hub with the inauguration of a new facility in Mombasa. Notably, LNG distributor Taifa Gas began constructing a $130-million, 30,000-metric-ton LPG storage facility in the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone in Mombasa last December. This facility is set to reduce East Africa’s dependency on imported LPG, ensuring a more reliable and affordable supply for households.

In North Africa, Algeria – the continent’s largest LPG producer –  has advanced its LPG capabilities through a $740-million contract between national oil company Sonatrach and multinational TotalEnergies for extraction operations at the Tin Fouye-Tabankort fields. Similarly, Egypt, Africa’s third-largest LPG producer, is enhancing its infrastructure with the development of the $732-million Western Gas Complex. Scheduled to become operational later this year, this facility will significantly increase Egypt’s LPG production capacity to address the country’s growing energy needs.

In addition to energy access, progress is being made to boost capacity building across the LPG industry. Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have partnered to enhance LPG accessibility through the National Human Capacity Training Program for the Adoption of LPG. This initiative, led by Saudi Arabia’s Oil and Sustainability Program in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources, focuses on developing micro-distribution points in Nigeria’s Edo State and establishing training facilities for local communities. The program aims to increase LPG availability while reducing health risks associated with burning wood or coal for cooking. This partnership is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on biomass and promote cleaner cooking solutions.

Meanwhile, financial institutions are also advancing LPG activities in Africa. Notably, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) partnered with Cameroonian energy retailer BOCOM Petroleum to enhance LPG access in rural areas, aiming to replace traditional biomass with cleaner energy alternatives and improve public health. The IFC is supporting this initiative with a €50 million financing package, which will fund the expansion of BOCOM’s main LPG storage facility and the construction of new regional distribution hubs across Cameroon. Additionally, the African Development Bank (AfDB) pledged $2 billion over the next decade to promote the adoption of clean cooking solutions. This commitment, which equates to an annual investment of $200 million, aims to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030. The funding will support various solutions, including LPG, gas-to-power and biogas.

“LPG stands to transform Africa’s energy sector, bringing cost-effective and reliable energy to millions of people. The continent’s reliance on biomass has not only imposed risks associated with security of energy supply but has resulted in a continent-wide health crisis. As a clean cooking fuel, LPG provides a tangible solution to mitigating these risks,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

During AEW: Invest in African Energy, the LPG session will explore the contributions of large consumers and regional markets, highlighting how LPG facilities are crucial for achieving economies of scale within the industry. Additionally, the potential of carbon credits and climate finance to drive growth in Africa’s LPG sector will be evaluated, with government policies analyzed for their role in accelerating the development of sustainable LPG ecosystems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Hainan economic, trade delegation visits Hong Kong for investment promotion, 2 cooperation memoranda signed

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 October 2026 – From October 19 to 20, an economic and trade delegation from Hainan Province paid a visit to Hong Kong. The delegation signed memoranda of cooperation respectively withThe Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA)and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) to advance pragmatic cross-border collaboration between Hainan and Hong Kong in trade and investment, manufacturing industrial chains and professional services.

 




 
 

During its stay in Hong Kong, the delegation visited the CCPIT Representative Office in Hong Kong. It held discussions with CMA and co-hosted the Hainan Free Trade Port (Hong Kong) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Meeting with FHKI. The event showcased the policies, key industrial layout and investment opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), and arranged one-on-one business matchmaking between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises.

Wang Yuyuan, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Sub-council (CCPIT Hainan) and China Chamber of International Commerce Hainan Chamber of Commerce, noted that since the official launch of island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan FTP on December 18, 2025, 174,000 new enterprises have been registered, representing a year-on-year surge of 95.9 percent. Newly established foreign-invested enterprises rose by 35.8 percent year on year. In the first half of this year, inbound and outbound tourist arrivals exceeded 70 million, up 28 percent year on year, with the number of visa-free entry countries expanding to 88. From January to August, the province’s total goods import and export volume hit 250 billion yuan, growing by 61.5 percent year on year. Hainan is rapidly emerging as a critical gateway connecting China with the rest of the world and a prime channel for two-way investment.

According to CCPIT Hainan, Hong Kong ranks as a major source of foreign investment for Hainan. In the first half of this year, Hainan registered 1,303 new foreign-invested enterprises, an increase of 38.62 percent year on year, with Hong Kong-funded enterprises accounting for the lion’s share. Hainan has issued offshore RMB local government bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative issuance volume reaching 18 billion yuan.

CMA is one of Hong Kong’s most representative non-profit industrial and commercial bodies, with around 3,000 member enterprises. It has long provided members with business services including exhibitions, brand promotion, testing and certification. FHKI, one of Hong Kong’s four major chambers of commerce, has approximately 2,000 corporate members. It focuses on boosting the sustained development of Hong Kong industry and manufacturing through policy advocacy, business matchmaking, certification services and youth talent cultivation.

The two memoranda explicitly stipulate that the two sides will establish a regular liaison mechanism, build a long-term cooperation platform covering information sharing, business matchmaking, exhibition collaboration and professional services, and provide solid support for pragmatic business cooperation between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises.

Source: China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Provincial Committee (CCPIT Hainan)

 
 




 

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Africa gains governance momentum in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index, but sustaining progress is the real test

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Africa

Across Africa, average scores improved in six of the seven CGGI pillars over the past year, with the strongest gains in Helping People Rise and Financial Stewardship

This signals that stronger government capabilities are beginning to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives

KIGALI, Rwanda, October 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa was the second best-performing region for governance progress in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), with 71% of the African countries assessed in both 2025 and 2026 achieving higher overall scores. However, the continent remains the lowest-scoring region overall, highlighting the challenge of translating improvement in government capabilities into better outcomes for citizens.

 




 
 

These findings were highlighted by the Chandler Governance Group (CGG) at a joint session with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to launch the 13th edition of the Rwanda Governance Scorecard at the Kigali Serena Hotel on Thursday, 22 October 2026.

“This year, Africa’s strongest gains came in Financial Stewardship, followed by Helping People Rise, the CGGI’s outcomes pillar. This signals that stronger government capabilities are beginning to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives, from access to quality education and healthcare to the public finances that fund them. The task now is to sustain that progress over the coming years,” says Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at CGG.

Now in its sixth edition, the CGGI assesses government capabilities and effectiveness across 133 countries representing 94% of the world’s population, up from 120 countries in 2025. It measures 35 equally weighted indicators across seven pillars, providing governments with a framework to benchmark performance, identify gaps and learn from the experience of other countries.

Globally, the findings point to improving governance performance. Of the 120 countries assessed in both 2025 and 2026, 61% recorded higher scores, representing the highest annual share of countries improving since the Index launched in 2021. However, longer-term progress has been less consistent, with only 43% of the 104 countries tracked since 2021 recording an overall improvement.

Africa’s leading governments

Mauritius remains Africa’s highest-ranked country, placing 55th globally, followed by Rwanda (62nd), Botswana (70th), Morocco (79th) and Tanzania (80th). South Africa ranks sixth on the continent, in 85th place globally.

Rwanda features prominently in the discussion, ranking 11th globally for Leadership & Foresight and emerging as the highest-ranked low-income country in the Index. It ranks 61 places above where its income alone would predict. Across the Index, government capabilities track citizen outcomes more closely than national wealth does, suggesting that strengthening government capabilities matter in delivering better outcomes for citizens.

The joint session brings together the CGGI’s international benchmarks and the Rwanda Governance Scorecard’s assessment of governance in the Rwandan context, creating an opportunity to consider both global perspectives and country-specific priorities.

Progress across key governance pillars

Across Africa, average scores improved in six of the seven CGGI pillars over the past year, with the strongest gains in Helping People Rise and Financial Stewardship. These improvements point to progress in areas associated with public services, including healthcare and education, as well as the management of public finances.

Longer-term trends also highlight areas of progress. Between 2021 and 2026, nearly every African country assessed across the period improved its Data Capability score, with Morocco recording the largest gains. Ghana’s overall score improved in 2026, supported by stronger Financial Stewardship, while South Africa continues to show relative strength in Robust Laws & Policies, ranking 44th globally, and Attractive Marketplace, ranking 48th.

Despite these gains, the scale of the challenge remains clear. Africa’s regional average is still below its 2021 level, 23 of the 35 African countries in the 2026 Index rank outside the global top 100, and none is in the top 50. Seven African countries joined the Index this year: Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia and Togo.

“Rankings provide a useful starting point, but the broader value of the CGGI lies in helping governments understand where they are making progress and where further work is needed. Sustained improvements depend on the ability to strengthen institutions, manage resources responsibly and turn policy into meaningful outcomes for citizens,” says Naidu.

A tool for learning and improvement

The CGGI is designed as a practical diagnostic tool, helping governments identify gaps, track progress over time, and learn from peers facing similar constraints. The collaboration with the RGB brings international benchmarking together with locally grounded assessment.

“Every country faces its own governance challenges and is driven by varying priorities. Governments that are willing to take stock of the evidence and learn from peers to strengthen their institutions are well placed to achieve real improvements,” concludes Naidu.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Chandler Governance Group.

 

 




 

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Spiro brings electric motorcycles and battery-swapping technology to Ghana, expanding its pan-African footprint

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Spiro

The integrated offering aims to reduce daily operating costs and minimise downtime, with battery swaps completed in just two minutes and potential savings of up to USD 2 per day compared with petrol-powered motorcycles

ACCRA, Ghana, October 29, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • Spiro’s entry into Ghana introduces the Ekon 450 M1 V3 electric motorcycle and its battery-swapping solution, bringing a new mobility option to commercial riders and delivery fleets.
  • The integrated offering aims to reduce daily operating costs and minimise downtime, with battery swaps completed in just two minutes and potential savings of up to USD 2 per day compared with petrol-powered motorcycles.
  • Test rides and product demonstrations across Greater Accra will support the rollout and help riders experience the benefits of electric mobility.

 




 
 

Spiro (www.Spironet.com), Africa’s largest electric mobility company, is expanding its footprint in Ghana with the introduction of the Ekon 450 M1 V3 electric motorcycle and its battery-swapping solution. Combining electric two-wheelers with access to charged batteries, Spiro aims to make everyday transport more affordable and practical for riders while supporting Ghana’s transition towards sustainable mobility.

For commercial riders and delivery fleets, fuel expenses and time spent off the road directly affect daily earnings. Spiro’s integrated offering addresses both challenges: riders can exchange a depleted battery for a charged one at a Spiro battery-swapping station in just two minutes, while potentially saving up to USD 2 per day in operating costs compared with conventional petrol-powered motorcycles.

Ghana represents a major opportunity for electric mobility, with a rapidly growing two-wheeler market and increasing demand from commercial riders and delivery fleets

Designed to meet the everyday mobility needs of African riders, the Ekon 450 M1 V3 offers an alternative to petrol-powered motorcycles. Supported by Spiro’s battery-swapping technology, it allows riders to get back on the road without waiting for their motorcycle to recharge.

Auroasish Choudhuri Managing Director Central and West Africa, commented: “Our entry into Ghana is an important step in strengthening Spiro’s presence in West Africa. Our focus is on building a local ecosystem that riders can rely on, combining electric motorcycles with convenient access to battery swapping. By working closely with local partners and listening to riders’ needs, we aim to support the long-term adoption of electric mobility in Ghana.”

Kaushik Burman, CEO Mobility of Spiro said: “Ghana represents a major opportunity for electric mobility, with a rapidly growing two-wheeler market and increasing demand from commercial riders and delivery fleets. By bringing the Ekon 450 M1 V3 together with our battery-swapping solution, we are addressing two key barriers to adoption: operating costs and access to charging infrastructure. Our ambition is to build a strong foundation for electric mobility to scale across Ghana.”

To support its rollout, Spiro is engaging with prospective customers through test rides, product demonstrations and live demonstrations of its battery-swapping technology across Greater Accra. These activities give riders the opportunity to experience the Ekon 450 M1 V3 and understand how battery swapping can fit into their daily routines.

Mr Maxwell Dodd, Managing Director of Spiro Ghana, said: “For riders in Ghana, the value of electric mobility lies in what it can deliver every day: lower operating costs, less downtime and more time on the road. Through the Ekon 450 M1 V3 and our battery-swapping solution, we want to make those benefits accessible and support riders as they make the transition to electric motorcycles.”

Ghana forms part of Spiro’s wider expansion across Africa. Building on its recent USD 270 million equity funding round and an additional USD 18 million in debt financing from the Africa Go Green Fund, the company is scaling its electric mobility ecosystem with the ambition of establishing a presence in 20 African markets. Spiro is also preparing to enter new countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Spiro.

 

 




 

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