Connect with us

Business

African Guarantee Fund and Vista Group Holding Partner to Boost Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) and Women-led Businesses Financing in West Africa

Published

on

African Guarantee Fund

The partnership leverages the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Guarantee for Growth program that aims to unlock up to USD 3 billion in financing for Women SMEs in Africa

Egalement disponible en Français

LOME, Togo, January 16, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) (www.AGF.africa) has signed a landmark partnership agreement with Vista Group Holding to accelerate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) including women-led businesses in four West African countries: Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

This collaboration will see AGF provide a loan portfolio guarantee of USD 50 million to support Vista Group Holding’s lending activities to SMEs across its network in the four target countries. The partnership aims to unlock growth opportunities for West Africa’s SMEs by scaling up SME financing and contributing to economic development in the region.

By focusing on underserved markets, the partnership will promote financial inclusion by increasing access to finance for entrepreneurs, including women-owned SMEs, green businesses, and youth entrepreneurs. The AGF’s risk-sharing guarantee will mitigate potential risks associated with SME lending, bolstering the financial stability of Vista Group and its subsidiaries.

“We are excited to partner with Vista Group, one of the largest leading players in the West African banking landscape,” said Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer, AGF. “This collaboration will leverage our combined expertise and resources to unlock the immense potential of SMEs in the region, drive inclusive economic growth through increased access to financing.”

As a catalyst for regional collaboration, the partnership aligns with both AGF’s mission to promote economic development and reduce poverty in Africa, and Vista Bank Group’s ambition to become a leading pan-African financial institution focused on economic and financial inclusion.

This aligns with our goal to expand our footprint beyond the Guinean Market to ECOWAS and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CAEMAC)

Yao Kouassi, Managing Director of Vista Group Holding, added, “Partnering with AGF is a significant step in our mission to empower SMEs and contribute to financial inclusion across West Africa. This facility will enable us to expand our reach and provide crucial financial support to businesses that are driving economic development in these countries. This aligns with our goal to expand our footprint beyond the Guinean Market to ECOWAS and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CAEMAC).”

Additionally, the partnership leverages the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Guarantee for Growth program that aims to unlock up to USD 3 billion in financing for Women SMEs in Africa through financial institutions.

“This partnership reflects the commitment of the African Development Bank, especially through the AFAWA initiative, to empower women entrepreneurs while promoting economic growth in the West African region,” said African Development Bank’s Togo Office Country Manager, Wilfrid Abiola, after the ceremony.  

“With 20% of this transaction allocated to women-led small and medium-sized enterprises, along with tailored technical assistance support provided by AFAWA, Vista Group Holding is taking the commitment to de-risk women-led businesses in their portfolio and making great strides in transforming access to finance for women-led small and medium enterprises in low-income countries and fragile states,” Abiola added. 

AGF will also avail a capacity development program tailored to each subsidiary based on their needs to further enhance the impact of the guarantee.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in AGF’s and Vista Bank Group’s commitment to supporting SMEs and driving inclusive economic growth in West Africa. By working together, the two organizations will empower entrepreneurs, create jobs, and contribute to a more prosperous future for the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Guarantee Fund.

Business

APO Group joins forces with AFRICA24 Group, Africa’s leading TV and digital media company

Published

on

All text, images, video and audio content distributed by APO Group will be published on AFRICA24 Group’s website in English and French

PARIS, France, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ –APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, today announced a content agreement with Africa’s leading TV and digital media company (www.Africa24TV.com). The partnership means that all text, images, video and audio content distributed by APO Group will be published on AFRICA24’s website in English and French.

Watch the video: https://apo-opa.co/42w8uFD

Launched in 2009 by its founder Constant Nemale, a reference in the media and communications industry, the AFRICA24 Group is the world leader in news and television on Africa, with a global daily audience of more than 80 million households on the continent and in the global African diaspora.

The AFRICA24 Group is the only media conglomerate focused on Africa, with 4 high-audience television & digital channels available on leading operators:

– AFRICA24 TV: (French), world leader in Francophone African news

– AFRICA24 English: the reference for news in English

– AFRICA24 Sport: leader in African sports news and competitions

– AFRICA24 infinity: leader in creative industries, culture, music and art

The AFRICA24 Group is regularly ranked in the Top 5 of television channels most watched by African policy makers, business executives and leaders – providing leadership alongside channels such as CNN, BBC World News and Al Jazeera.

Available worldwide on all the major operators: Canal+, Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Bell, etc. AFRICA24 has been the most watched French-speaking African channel for over 15 years without interruption.

The AFRICA24 Group has innovated on the digital front with the launch of the myafrica24 application, the first and only HD streaming platform on Africa available on all digital media (smartphone, tablet, computer, SmartTV).

A leader in digital, the AFRICA24 Group has a substantial online audience with 1 million subscribers on Facebook, 1 million subscribers on X (Twitter), and 802,000 on YouTube. The AFRICA24 Group has the largest online catalogue on Africa with its replay offer accessible on the www.Africa24TV.com website, which has become a key vector, accounting for hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors.

APO Group is the undisputed leader in high-quality news and certified content from organisations operating in Africa

For several years now, Africa’s leading institutions have chosen the AFRICA24 Group as their partner of reference:

  • African Union: In 2019, the continent’s leading institution signs an MOU that will make AFRICA24 Group the one and only official media partner of the prestigious African Union. The two organisations have joined forces to produce and broadcast content aimed at promoting Africa’s image and its development narrative. The AFRICA24 group launched in 2022, with huge success the weekly magazine ‘African Union Journal’ the first and only exclusive weekly television programme providing news, features, interviews and analysis and on the activities of the African Union organisation and its member states.
  • AfCFTA: In 2024, the AFRICA24 Group was chosen by AfCFTA, the African Union body responsible for promoting the Free Trade Area, to promote African economic integration through high-impact initiatives. The AFRICA24 Group thus becomes the one and only flagship media chosen to promote a single common market of 1.5 million inhabitants and Africa’s economic prosperity.

The AFRICA24 Group is also the official media partner of many leading institutions and companies such as Afreximbank, UBA, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations for Africa (UNECA), the World Bank, the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation mondiale de la Francophonie (OIF), the Attijariwafa Bank Group, the OCP Group, etc.

The partnership with APO Group gives AFRICA24 Group access to authoritative content from all over Africa, from more than 300 multinational companies operating in Africa, as well as major international institutions, sports organisations and African governments, which will be published on www.Africa24TV.com.

APO Group is thus completing a cycle of partnerships with leading African and international media that enable it to constantly improve the reach of its press release distribution service.

These partnerships are mutually beneficial. Through a significant increase in the impact and visibility of content for APO Group’s clients, but also through access for media such as those of AFRICA24 Group to a qualitative flow of information from the largest organisations operating in Africa.

Content distributed by APO Group is automatically published on more than 320 African news sites and on international platforms such as Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters Eikon, Lexis Nexis and Factiva.

AFRICA24 Group and APO Group share a common vision of Africa.

APO Group worked closely with the African Union, providing pro bono support to the African Union Commission through a full range of strategic communications services for the duration of the Dubai World Expo.

“APO Group is the undisputed leader in high-quality news and certified content from organisations operating in Africa,’ said Constant Nemale, founder and chairman of AFRICA24 Group. ‘We are delighted to be able to strengthen our online presence by publishing some of the most important and relevant information about Africa.”

“APO Group is always committed to offering its customers direct access to the heart of Africa and beyond,’ said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), founder and chairman of APO Group. ‘The AFRICA24 Group has the most dominant African television channels in their segment. The AFRICA24 Group enjoys the confidence of Africa’s political decision-makers and business leaders, as well as Africa’s international partners. We share the same vision of changing the narrative about Africa and bringing positive African news to new audiences around the world.”

This is a joint press release by APO Group and AFRICA24 media group.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group

Continue Reading

Business

Salesforce Ignites the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Revolution at GITEX Africa 2025 with Game-Changing Agentforce

Published

on

The event marks a pivotal moment for businesses across the continent to experience firsthand how AI agents are transforming operations, customer engagement, and competitive advantage

CASABLANCA, Morocco, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ –Salesforce (www.Salesforce.com), a global leader in AI-powered CRM solutions, participates at GITEX Africa 2025 to demonstrate how its groundbreaking Agentforce platform is empowering African enterprises to harness the full potential of autonomous AI. The event marks a pivotal moment for businesses across the continent to experience firsthand how AI agents are transforming operations, customer engagement, and competitive advantage.

Since its September 2024 debut, Agentforce has achieved remarkable adoption as Salesforce’s fastest-growing solution, with more than 5,000 organizations worldwide already deploying autonomous AI agents. This rapid uptake reflects the platform’s ability to move beyond traditional automation to what industry experts recognize as the third wave of AI – intelligent agents that don’t just assist but actually execute complete business processes with human-like reasoning.

“At Salesforce, we believe that enhancing the customer experience is an essential driver of success. With Agentforce, we are transforming how African businesses interact with their customers, utilizing intelligent agents that understand and anticipate customer needs, leading to deeper connections and trust”, said Omar Oualif, Regional Vice President at Salesforce.

Visitors to the Salesforce booth will witness live demonstrations of Agentforce 2dx, the platform’s latest evolution that introduces proactive AI capabilities. These next-generation agents can anticipate business needs, trigger actions based on real-time data changes, and operate autonomously across any business process. The showcase will also feature the newly launched AgentExchange marketplace, where attendees can explore hundreds of prebuilt agent templates and industry-specific solutions designed to accelerate deployment.

The timing of this demonstration couldn’t be more significant for African businesses. With a report from Futurum Research showing Agentforce delivers ROI five times faster than DIY AI implementations while reducing costs by 20%, the platform provides a compelling solution for organizations looking to capitalize on the $6 trillion digital labor opportunity.

A thriving ecosystem in Africa

At Salesforce, we believe that enhancing the customer experience is an essential driver of success

The GITEX Africa Salesforce showcase will also feature local partners who are leading the charge in this exciting new landscape and play a significant role in the development of a thriving ecosystem that will extend Salesforce solutions to African customers. Partners participating in the Salesforce booth are:

BaybridgeDigital, a leading Agentic AI powerhouse, emphasizes their commitment to driving growth through Salesforce’s innovative platform. ” With more than 300 projects experience, we connect brands, technology, data, and people to empower African enterprises to scale faster and innovate like never before,” said a representative from BaybridgeDigital.

NBS Consulting, a Salesforce Partner, is showcasing how AI and data can revolutionize customer experiences. “We are excited to share inspiring success stories and demonstrate immersive technologies that personalize and optimize customer interactions,” noted a spokesperson from NBS Consulting.

Gear9, returning for its third consecutive GITEX, highlights its commitment to showcasing Moroccan technological excellence. “Our real-world implementations on the Salesforce platform underscore the transformative power of AI, data, and CRM solutions. This year, we aim to further strengthen our vision of innovation,” stated Mounir Bouchiha, CEO of Gear9.

ASSA Associates, specializing in CRM solutions for Telecom, Banking/Insurance and Distribution, is ready to demonstrate the efficacy of Salesforce Industries Solutions at GITEX Africa 2025. “We are eager to show how our expertise can support businesses in navigating digital transformation challenges,” said the company representative.

D&A Technologies adds to the excitement by participating in GITEX alongside Salesforce. “We are proud to showcase African excellence in AI, CRM integration, and digital innovation. This is a great opportunity to strengthen our strategic partnership with Salesforce and highlight our expertise in leading ambitious transformation projects across the continent,” said a spokesperson from D&A Technologies.

Salesforce’s participation at GITEX Africa underscores its commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation. The company will offer hands-on sessions with its low-code development tools, and present real-world case studies from African enterprises that have successfully deployed autonomous AI agents. Developers can also sign up for a free Salesforce Developer Edition to get started with the Platform. These activities align with Salesforce’s broader vision to empower what it calls “Agentblazers” – the next generation of professionals who will shape how businesses operate in the era of autonomous AI.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Salesforce.

Continue Reading

Business

2.5 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) in Gas Output Feasible for Namibia, Says the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR)

Published

on

NAMCOR projects over 2.5 million tons in annual gas production as Namibia accelerates its gas monetization strategy, infrastructure development and regional energy leadership

WINDHOEK, Namibia, April 26, 2025/APO Group/ –The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) has revealed that the country could produce more than 2.5 million tons of natural gas per year, based on early-stage assessments of recent discoveries made since 2022.

Speaking during a panel discussion on gas monetization strategies at the Namibia International Energy Conference on April 24, Mtundeni Ndafyaalako, Executive of Upstream Development & Production at national oil company NAMCOR, outlined a dual-pronged approach adopted by the corporation.

The first pillar focuses on leveraging legislative frameworks to enable coordinated infrastructure development, fostering collaboration among operators. The second emphasizes expanding exploration activities to unlock further resources.

“We have launched a gas monetization strategy project to support both government and industry on how best to commercialize gas. From our appraisals, we now have a clearer picture of production potential and various applications,” said Ndafyaalako, noting that the strategy is designed to attract new players and investment by clarifying monetization pathways.

Manfriedt Muundjua, Deputy General Manager at BW Kudu, reinforced the importance of integrating four pillars of local content – training, skills transfer, local procurement and local ownership – into the broader gas development framework.

We have launched a gas monetization strategy project to support both government and industry on how best to commercialize gas

Muundjua shared that BW Kudu is placing Namibian interns in every technical role currently held by international staff, supporting long-term local capacity building. He also emphasized the urgent need for downstream investment and infrastructure development.

“We already have a downstream investment partner lined up to join us once production at Kudu begins,” he said.He added that drilling of additional wells is scheduled to begin in October, supporting NAMCOR’s emphasis on continued exploration to identify new reserves.

Paul Eardley-Taylor, Head of Oil & Gas Coverage for Southern Africa at Standard Bank, highlighted the need for a “shadow infrastructure” – potentially led by public-private partnerships – in southern Namibia to address energy shortages through gas utilization. He suggested that oil revenues should be strategically directed toward financing gas infrastructure and fostering local energy markets.

Eardley-Taylor also pointed to the broader regional opportunity, suggesting that Namibia could assume a role once held by South Africa as the region’s primary energy supplier, particularly as critical mineral projects are willing to pay a premium for stable power supply.

Meanwhile, Ian Thom, Research Director for Upstream at Wood Mackenzie, expressed confidence that Namibia could implement a comprehensive Gas Master Plan within the next nine months. With only 59% of the population currently connected to the electricity grid, Thom underscored the potential of gas to dramatically increase energy access across residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

“Namibia could generate more value by exporting electricity rather than raw gas, given the limited infrastructure for gas exports and the high costs associated with building it,” Thom said.

Looking ahead, the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – set to take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town – will spotlight Namibia’s gas developments and broader African opportunities The event will feature panel discussions, project showcases, deal signings and high-level networking sessions that connect African energy projects with global investors.

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

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version