Already holding a prominent position within Angola’s oil sector, Etu Energias has implemented a series of 2030 goals centered around strengthening production at mature assets, restoring production and exports at onshore acreage, participating in ‘golden blocks’ and establishing partnerships with international players. These align closely with its own target of reaching 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2030 while supporting Angola’s goal of sustaining output above one million bpd in the long-term. Recent milestones reflect these ambitions.

In May 2026, the company – alongside partners Poliedro, Kotoil, Falcon Oil and Prodoi – completed drilling and testing operations at the Espadarte 7ST2 well at Block 2/05 in the Lower Congo Basin. Initial tests showed stabilized production at around 2,000 bpd and 2,500 bpd, reinforcing the commercial viability of the Greater Espadarte – the last development area of the block. The partners are planning to drill one more appraisal well before finalizing the development plan.

At the same time, Etu Energias has continued to strengthen its offshore portfolio through strategic acquisitions. In March 2026, the company acquired a 20% and 10% stake in Block 14 and 14K respectively through a $310 million transaction. The deal was financially backed by Chariot and Shell Western Supply and Trading and marks another step in the company’s transformation from a domestic producer into a more diversified upstream player with exposure across multiple basins and production environments.

Beyond upstream projects, Etu Energias continues to expand its downstream portfolio through the development of service stations across the country. In the local content space, the company invests extensively in workforce development, education and skills transfer. This month, Etu Energias announced the first results of its STEM Program – spearheaded by ADPP Angola with the support of Etu Energias, the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency and its Block 2/05 partners. The $412,000 program strengthens technical and scientific education in the country, with more than 8,000 students set to benefit by 2028.

As a Champion Sponsor of AOG 2026, Etu Energias will join government officials, operators, financiers and technology providers in Luanda to discuss the future of Angola’s oil and gas sector. Taking place at a pivotal moment for the country’s upstream industry, the conference serves as a platform for advancing investment, strengthening partnerships and supporting the exploration and redevelopment activities needed to sustain Angola’s long-term production goals.

Reflecting on this year’s achievements, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, Chairman of the Pitcher Festival, said:

“The 2026 Pitcher Awards showcase the extraordinary evolution of African creativity. This year’s winners demonstrate a boldness, cultural depth, and technical mastery that continue to elevate our region on the global stage. Welcoming new countries into the competition—and seeing them excel—reinforces our belief that creativity truly has no borders. We celebrate every winner and look forward to an unforgettable 10th edition in 2027.”

Gold and Grand Prix winners were unveiled during the official streaming premiere, while all Shortlist, Bronze, and Silver recognitions are available on the festival website.

2026 Grand Prix & Gold Winners

Grand Prix

• Culture – Corporate Image & Reputation Management — NoVita by The Bar Africa for NuVita Biscuits, Kenya
• Heritage – Outdoor Ambient & Installations — MozaMbique Has 2M by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique

Gold

• Care – Public Health & Safety — La caravane d’excision – The FGM Caravan by L’Agence X for Mouvement femmes et paroles, Côte d’Ivoire
• Channel – Use of Media — MozaMbique Has 2M by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique
• Culture – Corporate Image & Reputation Management — Portrait of a Nation by Create Mozambique for Millennium Bim, Mozambique
• Culture – Use of Cultural Insights — Maggi Tales of Ramadan by All Seasons Zenith for Maggi, Nestlé Nigeria
• Culture – Use of Cultural Insights — NoVita by The Bar Africa for NuVita Biscuits, Kenya
• Culture – Use of Cultural Insights — MozaMbique Has 2M by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique
• Entertainment – Entertainment Film — First Beach by Dentsu Creative for Corona Africa, South Africa
• Effectiveness – Business Impact — 2M SAMMA FRESH by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique
• Heritage – Film — The Origin of Wonder by Dentsu Creative Kenya for Magical Kenya, Kenya Tourism Board
• Heritage – Outdoor Activations — BUSiness UNUSUAL by The Quollective for Kiira Motors Corporation, Uganda
• Heritage – Outdoor Ambient & Installations — Martell on the Move by PHD Nigeria for Pernod Ricard, Nigeria
• Heritage – Print — The Sun‑Powered Print Ad by Dentsu Creative South Africa for Corona Africa

Special Awards — 2026

• Digital Agency of the Year: digitXplus, Nigeria
• Media Agency of the Year: PHD Nigeria
• Advertising Agency of the Year: Create Mozambique
• Media Network of the Year: OMD
• Advertising Agency Network of the Year: Dentsu Africa
• Independent Network of the Year: The Quollective Africa
• Regional Holding Company of the Year: Omnicom Media Group
• Brand of the Year (National): 2M Beer Mozambique
• Brand of the Year (Multinational): Martell
• Marketing Company of the Year (National): Kiira Motors Corporation, Uganda
• Marketing Company of the Year (Multinational): AB InBev

Appreciation for the International Jury

The Pitcher Festival extends its deep appreciation to the international jury, composed of industry leaders from across Africa and beyond, who meticulously judged, curated, and benchmarked the 2026 entries. Their expertise and dedication ensured that this year’s awards upheld the highest standards of creative excellence.

The category juries were led by the following Jury Presidents:

• Care — Kerstin Trikalitis, CEO & Co‑Founder, Out There Media
• Channel — Dozie Okafor, MD/CEO, PHD Nigeria & President, MIPAN
• Craft — Yash Deb, Co‑Founder & Creative Partner, The Bar Africa, Kenya
• Culture — Anand Badami, SVP & Growth Lead, Emerging Markets & Innovation, Publicis West Africa
• Digital — Karim Yermeche, CEO, Lotus Conseil, Algeria
• Good & Effectiveness — Dawn Rowlands, CEO, Dentsu Africa
• Entertainment — Steve Babaeko, CEO/CCO, X3M Ideas & Vice President, Area Director for Africa, IAA
• Heritage — Maxwell Ngari, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative East Africa

A Celebration of African Creativity

The 2026 edition once again highlighted the imagination, discipline, and creative excellence shaping the future of African storytelling. Winning entries will be featured globally as part of the Pitcher Showcase, the festival’s traveling pop‑up exhibition.

As the Pitcher Awards prepares to celebrate its 10th edition in 2027, the festival looks ahead to an even grander celebration of a decade of creative excellence.

Explore all winners and recognized work at www.PitcherFestival.com or continue with more festival updates.

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the Mayor of London and FirstBank UK are pleased to announce a joint Closing Reception marking the conclusion of The Africa Debate 2026, taking place on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at The Crypt, Guildhall, London, from 18:00.

The reception will bring together delegates from The Africa Debate 2026 – the UK’s foremost platform for high-level dialogue on Africa’s economic future – and participants from the London-Africa Business Forum, ahead of the Mayor of London’s inaugural London-Africa Business Summit. The event will offer leaders from across government, finance, and industry a unique opportunity to reflect on the day’s discussions, deepen connections, and look ahead to the conversations continuing in the days that follow.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that the first London-Africa Business Summit will be hosted in London, with the aim of tapping into the economic opportunities that a strong, mutual relationship with the continent can bring. The Summit builds on Sadiq’s trade mission to Africa in July 2025, visiting Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to champion London as a place to invest in.

The event will convene entrepreneurs and investors, government officials and trade groups from across Africa’s 54 nations, with the goal of attracting foreign direct investment to the capital and boosting trade links. Africa currently accounts for 1.25% of foreign direct investment into London, and the Mayor has identified expanding ties with Africa as key to delivering London’s international trade ambitions and creating thousands of jobs in the years ahead.

The Closing Reception marks a natural bridge between The Africa Debate and the Mayor’s broader Africa engagement agenda. Remarks will be delivered by Olukorede K.O. Adenowo, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank UK, and Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth and Chair of London & Partners, who will attend on behalf of the Mayor of London.

The Africa Debate 2026 convenes over 800 senior leaders under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, examining how African economies and their international partners can accelerate investment, unlock growth, and strengthen development outcomes in a rapidly changing global order. The event features H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as Guest of Honour, alongside ministerial keynotes, high-level plenaries, and sessions on trade, finance, energy, critical minerals, and digital transformation.

Chantelé Carrington

Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa, commented:

“The Africa Debate has always been about more than dialogue – it is about building the relationships that drive real investment and lasting impact. This Closing Reception, hosted alongside the Mayor of London and FirstBank UK, is a fitting culmination to a day of ambitious conversation. By bringing together delegates from The Africa Debate and the London-Africa Business Forum, we create a moment of genuine connection – where the leaders shaping Africa’s economic future can engage, exchange and continue building the partnerships that matter.”

Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, said: “London is a global gateway for African businesses and investors, which is why Sadiq Khan last year led a successful trade mission to the continent – the first by any Mayor of London.

Following the Mayor’s historic visit, we are hosting the first ever London-Africa Business Summit – underscoring just how central Africa is to London’s international trade and investment strategy. By bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at the summit and The Africa Debate, we are creating connections that turn ambition into action, as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

Olukorede K.O. Adenowo, Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank UK, added:

“FirstBank UK is proud to co-host this Closing Reception in partnership with Invest Africa and the Mayor of London. As a financial institution with deep roots across the Africa–UK corridor, we remain firmly committed to connecting the continent with global capital markets. Moments such as these, which bring together senior leaders from government, business and finance, play an important role in fostering the partnerships needed to drive meaningful progress. We look forward to welcoming delegates and to continuing the important conversations that will help shape the future of Africa–UK economic relations.”

The Closing Reception is by invitation only and open to delegates of The Africa Debate 2026 and the London-Africa Business Forum.