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Azule Energy’s Adriano Mongini to Outline Innovative Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), Exploration Solutions at African Energy Week (AEW) 2024

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Azule Energy’s CEO Adriano Mongini has joined the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy conference as a speaker – taking place November 4-8 in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 26, 2024/APO Group/ — 

International energy company Azule Energy – Angola’s largest independent equity producer of oil and gas – is developing the world’s first FPSO vessel that features carbon capture and storage (CCS) capabilities. The Agogo FPSO falls part of the broader Agogo Integrated West Hub Development in Block 15/06 and is expected to set a benchmark for sustainable oil and gas development across the region. Azule Energy’s CEO Adriano Mongini has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference as a speaker. During the event, Mongini is expected to provide insight into the company’s project pipeline, innovative infrastructure solutions and plans for expanding its presence regionally.

Azule Energy has set a target to increase production to 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) within the 2023-2026 period, leveraging new exploration campaigns as well as the development of large-scale projects to achieve this goal. The company signed Risk Service Contracts in December 2023 for Blocks 46, 47 and 18/15 – situated in the Lower Congo basin -, representing a step towards advancing deepwater oil and gas developments in Angola. Mongini will outline the company’s exploration plans at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, drawing insight into asset acquisition and future investments.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

The development of projects such as the Agogo Integrated West Hub development and the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields will play a central part in increasing production in Angola

With two billion barrels equivalent of net resources, stakes in 20 licenses and participation in the Angola LNG joint venture – operator of the Angola LNG plant – Azule Energy is both a strategic partner and competitive producer in Angola. One of the company’s largest developments is the Agogo Integrated West Hub development in Block 15/06, which is on track for production by 2026. The company aims to create a new production hub at the project, adding the Agogo FPSO vessel – currently under construction – to the block. With a capacity of 120,000 bpd and a gas injection capacity of 230 million cubic feet per day, the Agogo FPSO will join the active Ngoma FPSO to produce hydrocarbons from the Agogo and Ndungu fields. FID for the project was achieved in 2023.

Azule Energy is also the operator of the Cabinda Norte and Cabinda Centro blocks – situated onshore – and offshore Blocks 31, 15/06, 1/14, 18 and 28. Four FPSO vessels are also in operation with a capacity of 1.75 million bpd each. Meanwhile, Azule Energy is taking its expertise to regional markets. The company signed a farm-in agreement in May 2024 with exploration company Rhino Resources Namibia, securing a 42.5% interest in Block 2914A. Situated in PEL 85 in the Orange Basin, the asset is considered strategic given its close proximity to billion-barrel discoveries made in the basin since 2022. The agreement also represents the first international transaction by Azule Energy, reflecting its drive to develop oil and gas across the broader African continent.

On the natural gas side, Azule Energy is driving gas monetization efforts in Angola through its operatorship of the New Gas Consortium (NGC). The NGC is developing the country’s first non-associated gas project – the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields – which will provide feedstock for the Angola LNG facility. Situated in the Northern Gas Complex in Angola, the fields will produce four billion cubic meters of gas per annum using two offshore platforms. The consortium made FID on the fields in 2022, with production expected to begin in 2026. Beyond the fields, Azule Energy is assessing future tie-ins to Blocks 2, 3 and 15/14, thereby ensuring the Angola LNG project has a steady supply of natural gas.

Beyond upstream projects, Azule Energy signed an agreement with Angola’s national oil company Sonangol in July 2024 to enhance decarbonization at the Luanda Refinery – Angola’s sole operating refining faacility. The parties agreed to assess the feasibility of constructing a biorefinery at the plant, with both Azule Energy and Sonangol providing technical and operational support. The refinery underwent an expansion in 2022, with the partners commissioning a new petrol production complex. The addition increased output from 395,000 liters per day to 1.5 million liters per day, aligning with Angola’s goal of becoming a regional hub for petroleum.

“Africa requires innovative, diversified oil and gas solutions in order to achieve energy security and drive industrialization. Companies like Azule Energy are making great strides in area by developing pioneering FPSO infrastructure and prioritizing production growth. The development of projects such as the Agogo Integrated West Hub development and the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields will play a central part in increasing production in Angola,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Afreximbank Posts Robust Q1 2026 Results with 25% Growth in Net Income and Improved Profitability

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May 22, 2026

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Afreximbank

The results demonstrate continued resilience, disciplined balance sheet management and strong deal execution despite a challenging global operating environment

The growth in net interest income and profitability demonstrates the strength of our operating model and the continued relevance of our mandate

CAIRO, Egypt, May 22, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank” or the “Bank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) announced its results for the three months ended 31 March 2026. The results demonstrate continued resilience, disciplined balance sheet management and strong deal execution despite a challenging global operating environment.

 

The Group continued to expand its lending activities in Q1 2026, resulting in total credit exposure growing by 2% to reach a portfolio of US$42 billion, up from US$41 billion as of 31 December 2025. This performance reflects Afreximbank’s leading role as a Development Finance Institution (DFI) in financing trade and trade-enabling infrastructure, and its strategic contribution to economic resilience across Africa and the Caribbean.

Average loans and advances for Q1 2026 stood at US$32 billion, up 8% compared to the same period in the prior year, driving the recorded growth in interest income. The Group’s liquidity position remained strong, with cash and cash equivalents of US$5.6 billion, representing 14% of total assets, consistent with FY2025 and above the Bank’s strategic minimum.

Asset quality also remained strong, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 2.40%, broadly in line with 2.43% at FY2025 and below industry average.

Shareholders’ funds increased to US$8.6 billion at 31 March 2026, up from US$8.4 billion at FY2025, supported by internally generated capital of US$268.9 million and new equity investments received during the quarter, underscoring the Bank’s continued ability to mobilise capital from its shareholders in support of its growth and development mandate.

The Group delivered strong profitability during the quarter.  Notwithstanding declining benchmark rates, total interest income rose by 14% year-on-year to reach US$813.6 million, while net interest income increased by 24% to US$510.0 million, compared with US$411.2 million in the first quarter of 2025. The Group’s cost-to-income ratio remained contained at 19%, well within the Group’s strategic ceiling of 30%. As a result, Profit for the period increased to US$268.9 million, up from US$215.4 million in Q1 2025.

The Group continued to maintain a strong capital position, with a capital adequacy ratio of 23% as at 31 March 2026, in line with the Bank’s long-term capital management targets.

During the quarter, Afreximbank continued to demonstrate its counter-cyclical role in response to external shocks. In March 2026, the Bank launched a US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme to help member countries mitigate adverse spillover effects from the Gulf crisis. The facility is designed to support liquidity, stabilise trade and payments, and address supply-side disruptions, particularly in energy, tourism and aviation, fertilisers, food and other critical imports.

The Bank also continued to deploy targeted financing and advisory support to strengthen trade flows, industrial capacity and economic resilience across Africa and CARICOM. Regional integration received further momentum following South Africa’s ratification of the Bank’s Establishment Agreement in February 2026, bringing one of Africa’s largest and most diversified economies into the Bank’s membership and giving the Bank full continental coverage.

Highlights of the results for Afreximbank Group are shown below:

Financial Performance Metrics

Q1’2026

Q1’2025
Gross Income (US$ million)

874.1

784.9
Net Income (US$ million)

268.9

215.4
Return on average equity (ROAE)

13%

12%
Return on average assets (ROAA)

2.62%

2.38%
Cost-to-income ratio

19%

16%

 

Financial Position Metrics

Q1’2026

FY’2025
Total Assets (US$ billion)

41.7

42.3
Total Liabilities (US$ billion)

33.0

33.9
Shareholders’ Funds (US$ billion)

8.6

8.4
Non-performing loans ratio (NPL)

2.40%

2.43%
Cash/Total assets

14%

14%
Capital Adequacy ratio (Basel II)

23%

          23%

 

Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, commented:

“Against a backdrop of continued global uncertainty, heightened geopolitical risks and tight financial conditions, the Group delivered a resilient first-quarter performance, underpinned by disciplined balance sheet management, sound asset quality and strong capital and liquidity buffers. The growth in net interest income and profitability demonstrates the strength of our operating model and the continued relevance of our mandate. Our swift launch of the US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme further underscores Afreximbank’s counter-cyclical role in supporting member countries during periods of disruption. We remain focused on stabilising trade flows, easing liquidity pressures and advancing the industrial and economic transformation of Africa and the Caribbean.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Via Licensing Alliance Expands Voice Codec Program with New Licensee, New Licensors, Publishes Comprehensive Pool Rate Structure

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May 22, 2026

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Via Licensing Alliance

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2026 – Via Licensing Alliance (Via) today announced continued momentum for its Voice Codec patent pool, including the addition of a new unnamed licensee and new licensors, NovaVoice Limited and Cordial IP, further growing the program’s patent stack and market penetration from its initial five, large global licensors.

The addition of the new licensee, unnamed at this time, reflects growing industry adoption of the collaborative licensing pathway Via’s Voice Codec program creates for accessing IP rights to critical voice technologies. This addition reflects a growing market uptake of advanced voice technologies, including EVS and IVAS, driven by rising demand as 5G and 5G-Advanced technologies are adopted worldwide.

Additionally, Via continues to prioritize transparency and has published its full rate structure for the Voice Codec pool, providing further clarity and predictability for implementers and to the broader market. For implementers, the full rate structure allows for complete visibility as they consider the appropriate royalty structure to choose from to meet their product level costs, evaluate future growth paths for their product lines, or plan their geographical expansion plan needs. This level of disclosure not only reduces uncertainty in licensing decisions but also enables more consistent benchmarking, reinforcing confidence in fair, market-aligned SEP licensing practices. The program’s royalty rates are listed on Via’s website at https://www.via-la.com/licensing-programs/voice-codec/#license-fees.

The addition of the new licensors indicates increased interest from patent holders in licensing their voice technology SEPs through highly efficient, aggregated licensing vehicles such as patent pools. Future growth in both the licensor list and the number of patents consolidated through the pool license will continue to enhance the value of the Voice Codec License for implementers. Via’s Voice Codec program licensors are listed here: https://www.via-la.com/licensing-programs/voice-codec/#licensors.

Via’s Voice Codec pool covers Enhanced Voice Services (EVS), which supports voice communications across more than one billion and growing active devices globally, as well as Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS), which will play a central role in next-generation voice and spatial audio applications.

“We are pleased to welcome these new entrants to our pool, which signal continued growth and momentum our Voice Codec program,” said Kevin Mack, President of Via Licensing Alliance. “This pool license offers strong value relative to other market options and represents the only collaborative licensing solution for EVS and IVAS technologies, making it a smart and efficient pathway for companies seeking to license critical voice capabilities.”

EVS remains a foundational technology for high-quality voice communications in 5G and 5G-Advanced networks, with adoption continuing to expand as 5G, 5G-Advanced and future network iterations reach global scale. As spatial audio and advanced voice technologies expand into 6G and a broader range of non-cellular devices, the importance of IVAS technologies is expected to increase, with Via’s pool offering an early and effective licensing pathway.

For more information about the Voice Codec patent pool, including information for prospective licensees, please visit https://www.via-la.com.

About Via Licensing Alliance:
Via Licensing Alliance is the collaborative licensing leader, dedicated to accelerating global technology adoption, fostering participation, and generating return on innovation with balanced licensing solutions for innovators and manufacturers of all sizes around the globe. Via has operated dozens of licensing programs for a variety of technologies. Via is an independently managed company owned by industry-leading participants with over 25 years of intellectual property licensing leadership. For more information about Via, please visit https://www.via-la.com.

 

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Joint statement welcoming the Republic of Togo’s announcement on Visa facilitation for African nationals

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May 22, 2026

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Togo

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank commend the Government and people of the Republic of Togo for hosting Biashara Afrika 2026 and for their continued commitment to advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda

LOMÉ, Togo, May 21, 2026/APO Group/ –The AfCFTA Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcome the announcement by the Government of the Republic of Togo, under the leadership of H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, regarding measures to facilitate visa-free entry for all nationals of African States holding valid passports, as announced by the Minister of Security on 18 May 2026.

The announcement was made in Lomé on the sidelines of Biashara Afrika 2026, the continent’s premier trade and business platform, which has brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, investors, and stakeholders from across Africa to advance dialogue on intra-African trade, investment, and regional integration.

Throughout the engagements, participants underscored the importance of facilitating the movement of African citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors as an important enabler of intra-African trade and economic cooperation. Against this backdrop, the announcement reflects the growing continental momentum towards strengthening connectivity and deepening African integration.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank, to which Togo is a State Party and a Member State, envision a continent where goods, services, capital, and people move more freely across borders in support of an integrated African market. Measures that facilitate mobility and connectivity continue to contribute towards advancing the broader mandate of both institutions; the attainment of the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank commend the Government and people of the Republic of Togo for hosting Biashara Afrika 2026 and for their continued commitment to advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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