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#BlackExcellence: Strategies for Capital Access in the Global Economy

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GBIS 2024 will unite Black businesses and global investors, and showcase investment opportunities and potential returns across various business cases within the global Black Community

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, January 29, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The global economy is expanding, providing an opportunity for Black-owned businesses to succeed. Various mechanisms have been adopted to facilitate access to the necessary capital required by these businesses to align with the dynamic growth of various economic sectors.

Global Black Impact Summit

The Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) 2024 – scheduled for February 27 in Dubai – plays a pivotal role in assisting Black-owned businesses to secure capital. Organized by the Black Impact Foundation, a Dutch-based global organization empowering the Black Community and advocating for inclusivity on the global stage, GBIS 2024 will take place under the theme “Black Excellence: Unleashing the Unexplored Potential for Global Unity.” The movement serves as a premier platform for Black-owned businesses, startups, and projects to engage with potential global investors, fostering discussions and facilitating the signing of investment deals. Through a series of panel discussions, investment-focused exclusive networking sessions, and project exhibitions, GBIS 2024 will shed light on best practices and showcase diverse financial platforms dedicated to empowering Black-owned businesses.

Online Crowdfunding Platforms

Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe have become instrumental for Black-owned projects to showcase their innovative business ideas and garner support from a diverse audience. Beyond serving as a funding source, these platforms act as a means to validate market interest in the products or services offered by Black entrepreneurs. Research conducted by the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership reveals a significant evolution in funding dynamics for Black-owned businesses on Kickstarter. Businesses leveraging online crowdfunding platforms are now nearly four times more successful in securing funding.

GBIS 2024 will shed light on best practices and showcase diverse financial platforms dedicated to empowering Black-owned businesses

Venture Capital Firms

Driven by a push to ensure inclusivity and gender diversity across the globe, venture capital firms have increased focus on funding Black-owned businesses. In the U.S. alone, venture capital directed to Black businesses reached record high in 2020 and continues to increase with firms such as Balmer Group – owned by Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO – releasing $400 million in investment to support Black entrepreneurs in 2022. Across Europe, platforms like the UK’s Black Seed Ventures are reshaping capital access for Black-owned businesses. Since its inception in 2021, the seed fund has secured over £5 million in funding to support 30 Black-led startups within the healthcare, deeptech, and artificial intelligence sectors by 2026. Google’s Startups Black Founders Fund allocated $100 million in 2022 to support the Black startup community across Africa, Europe, Brazil, and the U.S., building on the $30 million already directed towards this community since 2020.

Minority-Owned Business Grants

Grants offered by government agencies, non-profit organizations and various corporations to empower minority entrepreneurs have evolved into not only a crucial source of financial assistance for Black-owned businesses but also a significant financial catalyst, propelling the expansion of economies. South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) in collaboration with other government agencies such as the Industrial Development Corporation and the National Empowerment Fund, allocated R32 billion in grants to nearly 800 Black industrialists between 2016 and 2020. These investments have fostered socioeconomic development and shaped job creation with up to 120,000 jobs created and preserved. As the DTIC amplifies investments in Black-owned businesses to reduce reliance on imports by 2026, government grants emerge as a significant opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to access capital.

Banks

Banks play a pivotal role in empowering Black-owned businesses by facilitating access to capital. In the UK, Lloyds Bank has collaborated with the Black Business Network and FounderVine to offer financial support in the form of loans and grants to Black entrepreneurs. Additionally, in the U.S., online banking platform Guava is providing specialized services to enable Black-owned businesses to secure essential capital.

Register here (www.GlobalBlackImpact.com) for GBIS 2024 and gain first-hand insight into the various strategies to secure capital for your business.

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

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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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Debate

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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