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Africa’s $29.5T Mineral Wealth Poised to Boost Mining Sector Jobs

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Energy Capital

Africa’s untapped $8.6 trillion mineral worth has the potential to help African nations realize their employment creation agenda

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s mining sector maintains its role as a key contributor of employment creation, fuelled by rising global demand for critical minerals. According to the Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals 2026, released last week by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent holds an estimated $29.5 trillion in mineral wealth – about 20% of global reserves – with $8.6 trillion still untapped. The study highlights a clear opportunity for the continent to accelerate industrialization and job creation by focusing on value addition across downstream industries, including aluminium, fertilizers, battery materials and alloys.

Expanding Production, Expanding Jobs

As African countries advance greenfield developments and expand or restart brownfield operations, mining’s contribution to employment is expected to strengthen.

In Namibia, the resumption of uranium production in 2025 and 2026 is supporting renewed sector growth. Speaking in Cape Town, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Krohne reported that the country’s mining industry directly employed 20,843 people at the end of 2024. With diversification underway into rare earths, copper, lithium and other critical minerals – alongside the finalization of a new minerals bill – Namibia is positioning itself to attract fresh capital and expand workforce participation.

“Namibia is committed to supporting small-scale miners and improving livelihoods. We are focusing on finance support schemes and training support programs to equip our workforce with emerging skills,” stated Krohne.

In South Africa, the government has outlined plans to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to strengthen its critical minerals value chain. The strategy spans exploration, project development, manufacturing and skills training, reinforcing the sector’s role in employment and export growth.

Namibia is committed to supporting small-scale miners and improving livelihoods

The announcement follows stable mining employment levels in 2025, with approximately 468,000 formal workers recorded mid-year.

In Zambia, mining continues to be a key employment driver, supporting over 73,000 jobs in 2025. Planned expansion through greenfield and brownfield copper projects is set to further boost the sector’s contribution to national employment. For instance, US-startup KoBold Metals’ $300 million development of the Mingomba Mine is expected to create more than 700 jobs. Vedanta Resources is also investing $1.5 billion at Konkola Copper Mines while First Quantum Minerals announced a $1.25 billion investment at Kansanshi S3 Expansion project, generating significant new employment opportunities.

Translating Capital into Jobs

The link between capital investment and job creation is clearly demonstrated by the AFC. At African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, Molebogeng Mazibuko, AFC’s Associate Vice President of Investment, highlighted the importance of deepening partnerships between African investors and global financiers to unlock new funding and accelerate employment growth. To date, AFC’s $700 million in mining investments has generated over 15,000 jobs, with up to 70% of funding directed toward critical minerals.

Global Critical Minerals Demand and Employment Prospects

The global scramble by the U.S., Europe, and China to secure African minerals presents significant employment opportunities across the continent. A December 2025 agreement between the U.S. and the DRC on mineral extraction, value addition, and trade is expected to boost job creation in the country’s mining sector. Already a major employer, the DRC’s mining industry supports over 100,000 jobs, according to Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba at AMW 2025. With just 10% of the nation’s estimated $24 trillion in mineral reserves currently exploited, and strengthened partnerships with the U.S. and China, the potential for mining-led employment growth remains substantial

Addressing Investment Gaps

Despite mining’s growing role in job creation, access to capital remains a constraint, particularly for local operators and small-scale miners seeking to scale projects. Limited financing slows development timelines and restricts employment expansion.

Against this backdrop, AMW 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town, aims to connect global investors with bankable opportunities across the continent. By catalyzing partnerships and facilitating deal-making, the event seeks to translate capital inflows into project execution, industrial growth and sustained employment creation across Africa’s mining sector.

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

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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IsDBI

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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