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APO Group Vice-President Lynne Krawchuk, and Acting Head of Content Bonnie Robinson, selected as Judges for the Africa’s Business Heroes

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APO Group

The ABH prize competition aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are significantly impacting their communities and the African continent

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 18, 2023/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, announces the selection of VP of Digital, PR and Media Relations, Lynne Krawchuk, and Acting Head of Content, Bonnie Robinson, as judges for the prestigious Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to support entrepreneurs.

The ABH prize competition aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are significantly impacting their communities and the African continent. The Jack Ma Foundation is committed to fostering African entrepreneurship and has brought in some of the continent’s most esteemed businesspeople and leaders to help search for Africa’s Business Heroes.

Serving as a round two judge for the ABH prize competition, Krawchuk brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the evaluation process. With her extensive experience in PR and digital marketing spanning over 20 years, Krawchuk has established herself as a seasoned professional in the PR and communications industry. At APO Group, she plays a vital role in shaping and implementing effective media relations strategies. Her selection as a judge for the ABH prize competition demonstrates her deep understanding of the African entrepreneurial landscape and her commitment to supporting and recognising outstanding African entrepreneurs.

As a round one judge, Robinson offers strong entrepreneurial experience. She is highly respected and celebrated for her knowledge and insights as a PR professional with more than two decades of experience in the PR and communications industry. With her sound background in integrated strategic communications, brand reputation, and crisis management, Robinson consistently navigates complex challenges and delivers exceptional content, strategies, and results. As a judge for the ABH prize competition, Robinson’s experience contributes to the comprehensive evaluation, mentorship, and recognition of the most deserving entrepreneurs in Africa.

Additionally, both Krawchuk and Robinson have served on numerous adjudication panels in the PR and business industries. Their involvement in evaluating and assessing a variety of award-winning initiatives and campaigns reflects their deep understanding of industry standards and best practices. Through their participation in these judging panels, they have developed a keen eye for identifying excellence and innovation in various sectors.

Commenting on her selection as a judge, Krawchuk says, “It is an honour to be selected as a judge for the ABH prize. This competition represents a powerful platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and receive support to drive their businesses forward. I am inspired by the passion and resilience of African entrepreneurs, and I look forward to contributing to their growth and success.”

Robinson echoes Krawchuk’s sentiments and adds, “It is a privilege to recognise, support, and mentor innovative African entrepreneurs from all walks of life who drive positive change in their communities. The prize competition is highly inclusive in that it provides equal opportunity for business owners across all 54 African countries who have been operating for three years, a chance to evidence their business strategies, achievements, lessons, and most of all, their distinctive human stories that drove them to become an entrepreneur.”

I am inspired by the passion and resilience of African entrepreneurs, and I look forward to contributing to their growth and success

“I take great pleasure in walking alongside these outstanding business founders who are making a significant impact on Africa, getting to know them, and providing them with guidance to help them thrive,” says Robinson.

The selection of judges for the ABH prize competition is based on rigorous criteria, including business experience, industry knowledge, and commitment to fostering African entrepreneurship. Judges play an instrumental role in mentoring the finalists, providing valuable feedback, guidance, and support. Their involvement in the growth and success of the entrepreneurs makes the ABH judging process unique and ensures a fair and thorough evaluation process.

The ABH finalists are selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.  

Effective communication skills are also crucial as finalists are required to present and articulate their business plans to the judges while responding to thought-provoking questions within a specified number of minutes. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points is essential to impressing the judges and securing their support.

The ABH competition not only empowers entrepreneurs but also captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across the continent.

Many of the business plans submitted demonstrate the remarkable depth of talent and the transformative ideas that are emerging from Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As part of the initiative, the ABH competition offers an impressive prize fund of US$1.5 million, with each of the top three winners receiving a share. However, the value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. It represents an extraordinary platform where all participants, including the winners and the finalists, benefit from the expertise and insights garnered by the ABH community of business leaders.

The ABH competition has become a significant platform for African entrepreneurs, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and exposure needed to thrive in the business landscape.

APO Group reaffirms its commitment to supporting and promoting African entrepreneurship while showcasing the immense potential and talent that exists on the continent to the rest of the world. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Business

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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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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Etu Energias

As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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Energy

The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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