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 American Tower Corporation (ATC) Africa Decreases Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Per Tower by 21%

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American Tower Corporation

American Tower has invested more than $350 million in energy reduction initiatives in Africa since 2018

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 10, 2023/APO Group/ — 

American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) (www.AmericanTower.com) released its 2022 sustainability report, which outlines the Company’s sustainability strategy and provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made across the three pillars of its program—Environment, Social and Governance. 

In 2022, American Tower demonstrated its commitment and progress by decreasing direct emissions by 11.0%. In Africa, the GHG emissions intensity per tower decreased by 21% against our 2019 baseline, in large part due to our increased deployment of on-site solar power. Renewable energy source hours, or the number of hours the site energy load utilized on-site solar, have nearly doubled since 2019. Consequently, the hour run time for power sourced by diesel generators has been reduced by approximately half.

Through an approximately $300 million investment in GHG emissions and energy reduction initiatives in Africa since 2018, we estimate that on-site diesel consumption has decreased by nearly 43.5 million liters annually when compared to business-as-usual operations, which equates to roughly 117,000 MTCO2e (Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) avoided.

Marek Busfy, American Tower Africa CEO pointed out that “As a global leader in digital infrastructure, we are very much commited to reducing the GHG emissions associated with our business.  Our efforts as geared to make an impact in our continent and allow us to demonstrate our reduction progress, regardless of our significant organic growth, particularly here, where connectivity is increasingly vital but power availability and reliability are recurrently uncertain”.

To drive strategy and facilitate measurable progress, American Tower adopted science based GHG emissions reduction goals, approved by the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative), and with this effort, the company seeks to reduce its absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 40% by 2035 against a 2019 baseline.

Decarbonizing Telecommunications in Africa Through Green Sites in 2022,

American Tower announced a transformational partnership with Airtel in Africa, which will allow both companies to advance mutual GHG emissions reduction commitments through the establishment of the Green Sites program.

Per this agreement, all newly developed sites for Airtel will meet American Tower’s Green Site specifications, which require the site to generate less than four MTCO2e per year. This will equate to an approximate 95% reduction in emissions relative to an off-grid site with a similar energy load.

To achieve this reduction, sites in the Green Sites program have a much higher solar panel count coupled with LIBs. The partnership also includes a commitment to collaborate and convert existing communications sites to meet American Tower’s Green Site specifications over time.

“As we expand digital reach on the African continent, we remain committed to reducing GHG emissions in tandem with our growth. Over the past several years, American Tower has made forward-thinking investments to ensure we achieve tangible reductions in our on-site fossil fuel consumption in Africa.” – Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, American Tower Chief Technology Officer in Africa.

Africa pilots a global energy efficiency program

In 2021, 80 sites in Africa piloted a cloud based Energy Management Systems (EMS) program. Given the success of that program, in 2022, other markets began using the software.

American Tower Africa CEO, Marek Busfy stated that “Improving energy efficiency at our sites is part of what we want to accomplish in Africa and it is critical to achieving our Science Based Targets”.

American Tower, use EMSs to better monitor and manage its energy consumption, facilitating improvements in energy efficiency. These systems consist of computer-aided tools, such as remote monitoring, and allow the company to regularly review energy consumption, identify inefficiencies and quickly remediate issues as they arise.

American Tower strategically implement and operate EMSs in several markets with the highest energy use—U.S., Spain, India and across Africa—which represent approximately 99% of its total operational energy usage.

Improvement in energy management can be seen through the pilot program in Africa, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI). The cloud-based EMS uses predictive analytics and AI to identify abnormal events, such as solar degradation due to dirty solar modules, and optimizes solar panel angles to improve energy generation. At one site, after the implementation of the cloud-based EMS, the diesel generator run time was reduced by nearly 40%.

Every company manager must understand that ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss are two of the most critical challenges facing the world today

Africa biodiesel plans for 2023

American Tower Africa plans to substitute 30% of its diesel fuel with biodiesel in 2023. In 2022, the company´s energy team completed a successful proof of concept, which delivered an approximately 16% reduction in GHG emissions when compared to traditional diesel.

Using biodiesel, instead of traditional diesel fuel, can reduce our GHG emissions in the short term, while the company continues to invest in ways to implement renewable energy solutions at sites that depend on reliable backup power.

Busfy affirmed that “American Tower recognizes the importance of managing natural resources efficiently. Every company manager must understand that ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss are two of the most critical challenges facing the world today. We have to make a positive impact in the communities where we operate”.

As of 2022, over 45% of sites in American Tower portfolio— more than 100,000 sites—have achieved ISO 14001 certification, and the company is working to increase this, with additional markets in Africa and Latin America pursuing certification by 2025.

Waste Management

American Tower also focuses on limiting waste generation and diverting unavoidable waste from landfills throughout each phase of its communications sites’ lifecycle.

ATC Nigeria has implemented a comprehensive spill prevention and response procedure that requires spill response kits to be available in all diesel supply trucks. The team’s compliance policy also requires that, within 24 hours of an incident, the cause of the spill is evaluated and corrective actions to prevent future incidents are identified.

There is a similar process in the U.S. and other markets, which involves annual training for field personnel to ensure incidents are properly remedied and reported. In ATC Kenya, relevant employees completed a robust training program on hazardous materials classifications, associated health hazards, and proper handling and control of hazardous materials and wastes.

Digital Communities

In 2022, the Company’s disbursements and support totaled more than $3.5 million through the American Tower Foundation, our workplace giving and matching program, regional philanthropic programs, disaster-relief donations and other financial contributions.

American Tower Digital Communities (DCs) program, implemented through the Foundation, runs more than 120 DCs in Africa, helping bridge the gap to more than 500.000 beneficiaries around the globe.

In rural communities in Africa, which typically lack the infrastructure needed to support connectivity, our employees in partnership with our customers developed telecommunications networks that have achieved a nearly carbon-neutral operational footprint. These networks are designed to withstand challenging rural environments and provide consistent coverage to their communities.

Other key highlights from the 2022 report include: 

  • Achieved a 9.5% reduction in combined scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions compared to a 2019 baseline 
  • Grew on-site renewable energy capacity to over 85 megawatts at nearly 15,000 sites 
  • Opened 124 new Digital Communities which provide access to technology and digital connectivity in underserved communities, bringing the global total to 445 across 15 countries 
  • Distributed more than $3.5 million through workplace giving and matching programs, volunteer events, disaster-relief donations and financial contributions from the American Tower Foundation 
  • Joined the UNGC and adopted the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles  
  • Continued to invest in its diversity, equity and inclusion programs  

For more information on American Tower’s sustainability program and to view the Company’s 2022 Sustainability Report, please visit the “Sustainability” section of the Company’s website at https://apo-opa.info/3ZQvyMm.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of American Tower Corporation.

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Hong Kong sets out strategies to enhance the appeal and add value to the city’s tourism industry

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September 21, 2026

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – Enhancing the city’s appeal as a destination for tourism and major sports and cultural events was a strong focus of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, announced by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee last week (September 16).

Mr Lee unveiled measures to support the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism which will help develop Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange. These included enriching the supply of high-quality tourism products, while bolstering infrastructure and ancillary facilities as well as deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and around the world.

 




 
 

“Hong Kong is blessed with a unique cultural vision, shaped by both Chinese and foreign influences,” Mr Lee said. “We will continue to engage and collaborate with Mainland and overseas culture, arts and creative sectors to consolidate Hong Kong’s role as a hub for the exchange, collaboration and promotion of culture, arts and creativity. We will also host international cultural and arts exhibitions and performances to attract visitors to Hong Kong.”

 

To support Hong Kong’s film industry and promote “Film + Tourism”, the Support Unit for Non‑local Film Productions will be set up to provide one‑stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong, attracting the production of more quality films to promote Hong Kong.

Mr Lee noted that the Kai Tak Sports Park has substantially expanded Hong Kong’s capacity to host international mega events, with more than 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment mega events having been held there so far, attracting over 2.6 million spectators.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government will explore the redevelopment of Victoria Park Centre Court and other ancillary facilities into an iconic all‑weather, multi‑purpose venue for holding larger‑scale and higher‑level sports events, as well as performance activities.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, highlighted the growing trend of multi-destination tourism. Ms Law said that Hong Kong welcomed around 36.67 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of about 11 per cent.

“The proportion of overseas visitors travelling onwards to the Chinese Mainland via Hong Kong has continued to rise, exceeding 20% in the first half of 2026,” Ms Law said.

The HKSAR Government will continue to capitalise on measures introduced by the Central Government to facilitate visits by foreign travellers to the Chinese Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces and municipalities, and explore with the country additional immigration facilitation arrangements for international visitors. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi destination travel itineraries to overseas visitors, partner with airlines to roll out relevant tourism products and promotional offers, and intensify publicity overseas.

It will take forward “+ Tourism” joint initiatives, integrating various events with tourism to raise their appeal, aiming to extend visitor stays in Hong Kong and generate value‑adding momentum. Such joint initiatives would integrate tourism with mega events, ecology, heritage, finance and industrial brands.

On developing the yacht economy, Mr Lee said that a variety of new yacht berth projects are now moving ahead, including the tender for the composite development project in Aberdeen comprising a marina, recreational facilities and residential development scheduled for the first half of 2027, and the yacht bay project under the Airport City “SKYTOPIA”.

“In addition, starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities, with the requirement for guarantee exempted and under temporary ship nationality registration,” Mr Lee said. “The first northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong set sail in June. The Marine Department will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for the implementation of southbound travel for yachts from Guangdong, adding impetus to cross‑boundary leisure consumption.”

To further enhance the city’s appeal as a Muslim‑friendly destination, the HKTB will extend the Hong Kong Restaurants Halal Certification Funding Scheme to the end of 2027, encouraging the industry to provide more Muslim‑friendly food options.
 




 

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Former DAMAC Senior Vice President Paulo J. Cruz Appointed Founding CEO of African Collaboration Group (ACG) to Spearhead Sports and Entertainment District Development Across Africa

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September 21, 2026

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Paulo J. Cruz will lead the development and expansion of a pan-African platform for the origination and structuring of large-scale sports and entertainment district ecosystems

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ –African Collaborations Group (ACG) (www.ACGafrica.com), the leading strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa through bankable district ecosystems, today announced the appointment of Paulo J. Cruz as its Founding Chief Executive Officer.

 




  

Mr Cruz joins ACG from DAMAC Group, one of the largest privately held real estate developers in the Middle East, where he served as Senior Vice President from 2022 to 2026. In 2025, the Group reported close to USD 10 billion in property sales. His tenure at DAMAC further deepened an already distinguished career spanning infrastructure origination, urbanisation strategy, and large-scale real estate development across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Over the course of his 28-year career, Mr Cruz has originated or structured projects ranging from USD 50 million to in excess of USD 5 billion, stewarding initiatives from early-stage concept through feasibility analysis, financial structuring, and investor alignment to bankable delivery stages. His professional footprint encompasses senior roles at BP, one of the world’s foremost energy companies; BlackIvy Group, a US-backed infrastructure investment platform; Movares, a leading European engineering consultancy; and Cushman & Wakefield, a globally recognised real estate advisory firm.

Prior to DAMAC, Mr Cruz served as Group Chief Executive Officer of LandAfrique, a pan-African development platform focused on industrial parks, infrastructure, housing and power projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, further solidifying his reputation as one of the continent’s most experienced development executives.

Infrastructure is the prerequisite for the industrialisation of sport in Africa

As Founding CEO of ACG, Mr Cruz will lead the development and expansion of a pan-African origination platform, working in close partnership with sovereign governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), private investors, sport and entertainment principals, and leading academic institutions to structure district-level projects that are both investable and deliverable at scale.

ACG operates as a specialised origination and collaboration platform engineered to transform concepts into credible, bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems — architectures capable of attracting institutional capital and generating long-term, multi-dimensional economic impact at a national and continental scale.

ACG’s flagship initiative, Victory District™, provides a proprietary district development framework designed to originate integrated, mixed-use sport and entertainment destinations that transcend conventional single-venue models. The framework prioritises asset utilisation optimisation, long-term sustainability, expanded revenue diversification beyond matchday economics, structured employment and youth opportunity creation, talent development pathways, and institutional-grade operations and maintenance standards.

Mr Cruz’s appointment follows the establishment of ACG’s Advisory Board, comprising internationally recognised leaders from global sport governance, finance, infrastructure and development institutions — including Fatma Samoura, Former Secretary General of FIFA; Kenny Jean-Marie, Former Chief Member Associations Officer of FIFA; Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa and Executive Board Member of World Rugby; and Jan Alessie, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the World Football Summit — as well as a Research & Impact Advisory Panel of leading scholars focused on the economics, governance and societal impact of sport. The full list of Advisory Board and Research & Impact Advisory Panel members can be consulted here:  https://apo-opa.co/4xMb5ry.

“Paulo brings an exceptional combination of origination expertise, institutional credibility, and continental experience that is virtually unparalleled in this space. His demonstrated ability to transform ambitious development concepts into financially structured, bankable projects positions him as the ideal leader to guide ACG as we build a platform capable of catalysing transformative investment and accelerating the realisation of financially sustainable sport and entertainment districts across Africa,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder and Executive Chairman of ACG.

A prominent thought leader and keynote speaker at leading international platforms — including the Africa Property Investment Summit (API Summit), the Africa Real Estate Conference & Expo (ARCE), the African Union for Housing Finance Annual Conference, and the West Africa Property Investment Summit — Mr Cruz was honoured as “Person of the Month” by Sustainable Investments and Alliances for Africa (SIA).

“Infrastructure is the prerequisite for the industrialisation of sport in Africa — without it, the entire value chain remains theoretical. Athletes need places to train, compete and develop. Sport governing bodies need venues that meet international standards. Broadcasters, sponsors and event organisers need facilities capable of generating commercial value. Every revenue stream in the sport economy ultimately depends on infrastructure existing and its respective operation. But how that infrastructure is originated determines whether it becomes an economic engine or a fiscal burden. Across Africa, too many sport facilities have been built in isolation — a stadium delivered for a single event, then left to deteriorate at a fraction of its capacity, draining public finances rather than generating returns. ACG exists to change that equation,” said Paulo J. Cruz, Founding Chief Executive Officer of African Collaborations Group.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Collaborations Group (ACG).

 

 




 

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Africa Makes its Case for a Bigger Role on the Global Stage

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September 21, 2026

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GABI’s Unstoppable Africa 2026 brings global leaders together on Africa’s push to capture more value from its resources, accelerate investment and strengthen its influence in global trade and decision-making

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa is pushing for a bigger role in shaping the global economy, as business leaders, heads of state, investors, policymakers, and global partners converged in New York yesterday to articulate the continent’s ambition in global trade, investment, and value creation. Held alongside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Unstoppable Africa 2026 put Africa’s business agenda at the center of the global conversation.

 




  

The fifth edition of the Global Africa Business Initiative’s (GABI) flagship convening drew senior leaders from across business, government, and global institutions to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, including UN Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres; H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on Arab and African Affairs.

The UN Secretary-General called for action to give Africa a greater role on the global stage, including a permanent presence on the United Nations Security Council: “Africa needs a permanent presence on the United Nations Security Council, where it can contribute to dialogue and action for the whole globe.” He stressed that Africa’s growing influence in global markets must translate into a stronger voice in international affairs. Guterres also urged reforms to better reflect the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa, and for the continent’s natural resources, including critical minerals, to generate more local value and decent jobs rather than simply being exported.

With critical minerals, trade, energy, and investment dominating the first day, Unstoppable Africa reflected a wider shift in Africa’s economic story: from supplying the global economy to building more of the businesses, industries, and value chains that can capture the opportunity.

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said Africa’s 1.5 billion people and growing market create a significant opportunity, but the continent must accelerate the development of African value chains and remove barriers to trade to drive industrial transformation. He identified affordable energy, better infrastructure, access to finance, skills, technology, and clear standards as critical requirements for Africa to turn its market potential into faster economic growth.

Africa needs a permanent presence on the United Nations Security Council, where it can contribute to dialogue and action for the whole globe

The private sector took center stage, as African and global business leaders articulated what it will take to turn Africa’s resources, markets, and talent into productive economic capacity. The Leaders Panel brought together Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation; Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chairman of the Dangote Group; Mandy DeFilippo, CEO of Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Standard Chartered; Nonkululeko Nyembezi, Chairperson of Standard Bank Group; Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson of Anglo American South Africa; and Tidjane Thiam, General Partner at Allied Critical Minerals Fund.

Leaders stressed the need to move beyond exporting raw materials, including critical minerals and crude oil, by developing local processing, manufacturing, and value chains that create jobs and retain more economic value on the continent.

One of the highlights announced yesterday was that the US$300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Fund has reached its first close, securing its initial capital commitments and moving into operation. Co-managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Africa50, the fund will provide equity financing to local clean-energy developers, supporting decentralized solutions including solar mini-grids, solar home systems, commercial and industrial power solutions, and energy storage. Aligned with Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, the fund is designed to mobilize private investment and expand reliable energy access for Nigerian homes and businesses.

Energy was another major focus. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, and Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, joined discussions on how innovative finance could unlock investment in Africa’s power infrastructure and accelerate access to reliable energy.

Healthcare also featured within the wider economic conversation. Roche reaffirmed its commitment to advancing breast cancer care through its Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), which aims to help 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Africa survive for at least five years by 2030.

Unstoppable Africa 2026 continues today, September 21st, with further sessions focused on digital transformation, investment, creative industries, sport, and Africa’s role in the global economy.

Everyone is invited to watch the event live on Unstoppable Africa YouTube channel at https://apo-opa.co/4xoGXlz

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.

 

 




 

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