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AliExpress Launches 11.11 and Black Friday Sale to Deliver Unmatched Deals, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Empowerment, and Localized Solutions

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AliExpress

AliExpress (www.AliExpress.com), the global online retail marketplace, has kicked off its highly anticipated 11.11 and Black Friday Sale, combining the platform’s biggest online shopping event with tools that empower consumers and small businesses alike across the African continent.

 

Running from November 11 to December 3, this year’s 11.11 and Black Friday campaign introduces new wholesale tools alongside incredible discounts, up to 80% off on a wide range of products across AliExpress. Enhanced local payments in nine countries and faster shipping create the ultimate shopping experience, while SME-specific features make it much easier for African entrepreneurs to succeed in cross-border commerce.

Africa is home to one of the most exciting e-commerce growth stories, with rapidly rising consumer demand and entrepreneurial energy,” said Bonnie Zhao, General Manager at AliExpress Africa. “What makes this 11.11 and Black Friday Sale unique is our ability to cater to every segment of this market—whether they are families shopping for affordable products or small businesses sourcing globally to serve their local communities. Our upgrades in secure payments and sourcing tools ensure the customer experience is seamless.” AliExpress will support African shoppers and wholesalers with tailored features, bridging the gap between global supply chains and one of the world’s most dynamic regional markets.

For Consumers: Affordable Shopping with Local Convenience

The 11.11 and Black Friday Sale brings consumers access to steep discounts across popular categories like consumer electronics, smartphones, home decor, beauty and fashion. With its Bundle Deals and Bulk Saver Hub, AliExpress caters to Africa’s family-oriented, price-conscious shoppers by offering significant cashback rewards and discounts for bulk purchases.

AliExpress solves traditional e-commerce payment challenges through integration with trusted local e-payment platforms, enabling smooth local currency transactions for shoppers in nine African markets, including Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana. These solutions eliminate currency conversion complexities, ensuring an easy and inclusive shopping experience for banked and unbanked populations.

Africa is home to one of the most exciting e-commerce growth stories, with rapidly rising consumer demand and entrepreneurial energy

Delivery speed has also been optimized in the past year. Consumers in countries like Algeria, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya can expect orders to be delivered in as little as 10 days on select items, while AliExpress’s Choice service guarantees door-to-door fulfilment within 20 days. To make the sales even more attractive, first-time shoppers can take advantage of free shipping and welcome discounts on participating products, lowering the barrier to experiencing global e-commerce.

For Small Businesses: Empowering Africa’s Entrepreneurs

AliExpress understands that over 50 million SMEs power Africa’s economy, and the 11.11 and Black Friday Sale provides unparalleled support for these businesses. The AliExpress Business platform eliminates minimum order quantities (MOQs), allowing entrepreneurs to experiment with small batches of trending products like electronics, textiles, and automotive accessories, helping to control costs and reduce inventory risks. Additionally, the inclusion of AI tools provides critical data, such as market demand trends, product forecasts, and localized marketing materials, enabling SMEs to grow by customizing inventory and promotions.

With social commerce booming in Africa, the One-Shop interface empowers entrepreneurs by enabling easy sharing of curated product catalogs on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, helping them to reach local customers through community-driven sales channels.

Entrepreneurs on this continent are not just buying—they are building strong businesses, communities, and futures,” said Zhao. “The tools introduced by AliExpress are designed to help SMEs overcome challenges like fragmented logistics or payment systems while tapping into global opportunities. AliExpress makes global commerce a possibility for even the smallest enterprises.”

AliExpress’s Vision for Africa

AliExpress has taken strategic steps to unlock e-commerce growth opportunities across Africa. Recent government, payment and logistic partnerships reflect AliExpress’s long-term commitment to supporting frameworks for digital trade while investing in infrastructure optimization. As a pioneer in localized e-commerce solutions, the platform continues to innovate with service upgrades and logistics partnerships that streamline services for consumers and businesses alike.

Unlock Unbeatable Deals Starting November 11

Consumers and entrepreneurs can begin shopping the 11.11 and Black Friday Sale from November 11 through the AliExpress app or website (www.AliExpress.com). SMEs can access AliExpress Business features at https://InBusiness.AliExpress.com, including bulk pricing, AI-driven insights, and reseller tools to make this shopping season their most successful yet.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AliExpress.

Business

Novum Studio Secures New Funding to Launch Ahoy Project, an AI-Native Enterprise Transformation Platform, Building on Its 20-Million-User Gen Z App Frog

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Novum Studio
  • Novum Studio has raised a new round of funding to launch Ahoy Project, its enterprise AI solution, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.
  • Ahoy Project is positioned as the infrastructure for AI-native enterprise transformation – an AI-native communication platform serving as the underlying system, delivered as an end-to-end tailored solution.
  • The launch expands the company beyond Frog, its Gen Z consumer social app that has reached 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe.
  • Novum Studio said it is applying lessons from operating high-frequency social platforms at scale to workplace communication and knowledge systems.

NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – Novum Studio, the company behind Frog – a Gen Z social app often described as a “new-generation Snapchat” – said it has raised a new round of funding and will use the proceeds to launch Ahoy Project, an AI-native enterprise communication and collaboration platform, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.

The Novum Studio team at London Tech Week 2025.

Unlike conventional workplace software, Ahoy Project will not be sold as a standalone software subscription, the company said. Novum Studio provides the infrastructure and a full tailored solution for enterprises undergoing AI-native transformation, with the communication platform serving as the underlying system on which that transformation is built.

Founded as a consumer social company, Novum Studio has reached more than 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe. Frog gained traction among younger users through spontaneous, real-time sharing designed around authenticity and low-pressure interaction. The company said its experience building large-scale social “spaces” – where millions of people communicate, form groups and coordinate in real time — directly informs its approach to enterprise collaboration.

The new funding will support the launch and international expansion of the enterprise business as artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations communicate, collaborate and operate, the company said.

Novum Studio was founded by Anna Danyi, who graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2018 and began her career in consulting and technology. Before founding Novum Studio, she built multiple consumer applications and exited through an acquisition. In 2025, Forbes China recognized her among the Top 100 most influential global Chinese figures in AI digital products area.

“We spent years understanding how millions of users communicate online,” Anna Danyi said. “In the AI era, communication itself is becoming intelligent. We believe the next generation of platforms will not only connect people — they will understand workflows, collaboration and organizational behavior.”

From Consumer Social to Enterprise AI

Modern organizations face growing challenges as critical knowledge, decisions and workflows become fragmented across chats, meetings and disconnected tools, the company said. Ahoy Project addresses this as a conversation-driven, AI-native collaboration layer: it captures context from day-to-day communication to build a searchable enterprise knowledge base and support workflow coordination.

Core capabilities include conversation-based knowledge organization, AI-assisted collaboration and workflow support integrated directly into team communication. Because the platform sits at the layer where work is discussed and decided, it can serve as the foundation for a broader AI-native operating model – with Novum Studio designing and delivering the surrounding transformation solution for each enterprise client.

Ahoy (Popeye AI) turns everyday team conversations into a searchable enterprise knowledge base.

A New Direction for Social Technology

Novum Studio said its expansion reflects a broader shift across the technology industry. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram defined how content was distributed and consumed in the mobile social era; as AI becomes embedded in digital products, the company believes the next stage will center less on feeds and more on intelligent systems that understand communication and coordination.

“We are no longer just building products where people post content,” Anna Danyi said. “We are building systems that understand how humans communicate and operate together.”
 

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Energy

Venezuela Energy Week to Host Houston Industry Showcase, Unlocking United States (U.S.) Commercial Engagement Ahead of October Summit

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African Energy Chamber

Ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2026, U.S. exploration companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers and investors are invited to explore commercial opportunities across Venezuela’s upstream sector at the Houston Industry Showcase next month

HOUSTON, United States of America, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Venezuela Energy Week will host an Industry Showcase in Houston on August 18, 2026: a targeted industry roadshow designed to engage U.S. energy stakeholders ahead of the October summit. Held at The Post Oak Hotel, the showcase will convene senior representatives from across the U.S. upstream ecosystem – including exploration and production companies, Texas-based independents, oilfield service companies, engineering and technology firms, commercial banks, private equity firms and family offices – to assess commercial pathways for participation in Venezuela’s energy sector.

 

As Venezuela looks to expand production, U.S. companies remain well positioned to contribute technical expertise, capital and operational capabilities across the upstream value chain. Chevron’s longstanding presence in the country highlights the continued importance of U.S. industry participation, while the scale of Venezuela’s resource base continues to attract interest from major international energy companies, including ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Opportunities extend across exploration, field development, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and digital modernization as Venezuela seeks to strengthen its energy sector.

 

Demand is also expected to grow for oilfield service companies, engineering firms, technology providers and financial institutions that can support upstream investment and project execution. Companies including SLB, Halliburton and Baker Hughes have been identified as potential partners in advancing production optimization and infrastructure rehabilitation, while commercial banks, private equity firms and family offices will play an important role in financing future investment opportunities.

 

Against this backdrop, the Houston Industry Showcase will provide a structured engagement platform at a time when select international operators continue to operate under U.S. Treasury-authorized frameworks, and where policy considerations in the U.S. continue to shape engagement parameters in Venezuela’s energy sector.

 

The event will enable U.S. exploration companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers and investors to assess technical and commercial pathways across exploration, field services, project delivery and broader supply chain opportunities, while supporting early-stage dialogue between international investors and Venezuela-focused stakeholders in a structured commercial environment ahead of the October summit.

 

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 18, visit www.venezuelaenergyweek.com/rsvp-houston. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2026 in Caracas this October, 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/4fM0rLr).

 

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

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Business

Africa Trade Gateway Delivers US$5.3-Million Cross-Border Transaction in First Energy Sector Trade in Southern Africa

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Afreximbank

The transaction represents an important milestone for both the participating institu-tions and the ATG ecosystem as it marked Innbucks Microbank’s first completed transaction through the platform and the ATG’s first recorded energy-sector transac-tion in Southern Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –A US$5.3-million cross-border fuel (gasoil) trade transaction has been successfully completed with support of the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank’s) (www.Afreximbank.com) flagship digital trade ecosystem, demonstrating the value and efficacy of the Gateway in powering African trade.

The transaction, which saw Zimbabwean fuel importer Witeva Trading source a gasoil shipment from a leading commodity trader and supplier in Switzerland, with Innbucks Microbank Ltd. participating as the local issuing financial institution and Afreximbank providing confirmation support under agreed trade finance structure, demonstrates how African businesses can leverage one connected ecosystem to identify opportunities, access finance and complete international trade more efficiently.

The ATG made it possible for the commercial opportunity to be connected to the right ecosystem participants, bringing together the buyer, supplier and participating financial institutions to support a successful execution of the transaction.

The transaction represents an important milestone for both the participating institutions and the ATG ecosystem as it marked Innbucks Microbank’s first completed transaction through the platform and the ATG’s first recorded energy-sector transaction in Southern Africa.

This transaction demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through one connected trade ecosystem

It also demonstrates how African Businesses can use a single digital ecosystem to identify commercial opportunities, connect with verified counterparties, access trade-finance support and execute cross-border transactions more efficiently.

Peter Olowononi, Director, Regional Operations, Southern Africa, at Afreximbank, said:

“This transaction demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through one connected trade ecosystem. By creating a digital ecosystem to expand access to trade finance, Afreximbank is enabling more businesses to participate easily in regional and international trade.”

Emeka Onyia, Director, Digital Business, at Afreximbank, added:

“The Africa Trade Gateway is more than a mere digital platform; it is the ecosystem that helps trade happen. We help businesses discover opportunities, connect with trusted buyers, suppliers and financial institutions, and facilitate the journey from commercial opportunity to completed transactions. Every successful deal strengthens the network, attracts new participants and creates more opportunities for African trade.”

“As more businesses, banks and trade partners join the ecosystem, every successful transaction expands the marketplace, strengthens trust across the network and increases opportunities for future trade,” Mr. Onyia added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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