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Cameroon’s Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale (CNPS) and SBM in Mauritius invest in Africa Finance Corporation‘s impact infrastructure mission

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SBM joins a long list of investment-grade rated shareholders of AFC and is the second investor from Mauritius, following a subscription from the National Pensions Fund and Savings Fund in 2022

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 20, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Africa Finance Corporation (www.AfricaFC.org), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, has received new equity investments from Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale (CNPS), Cameroon’s public pension fund, and SBM Capital Market Securities Ltd., one of the leading investment-grade financial services providers in Mauritius, further expanding its shareholder base.

The investments mark a trend of African institutional investors—including pension funds, insurance companies and financial institutions—diversifying their portfolios from traditional asset classes such as bonds and listed equities to work with AFC on closing the continent’s infrastructure gap and unleash prosperity.

CNPS is the biggest pension fund in Cameroon, tripling its profits over the last five years; while SBM Capital Market Securities is a subsidiary of SBM Holdings Ltd., one of the largest and most diversified financial services providers in Mauritius, with nearly US$8.3 billion in assets under management. SBM joins a long list of investment-grade rated shareholders of AFC and is the second investor from Mauritius, following a subscription from the National Pensions Fund and Savings Fund in 2022.

Institutional investors in AFC include Public Investment Corporation (PIC) of South Africa, the Seychelles Pension Fund and the National Pension Fund (NPF) and National Savings Fund (NSF) of Mauritius. AFC offers shareholders risk-adjusted exposure to African infrastructure, with strong returns, low correlation to traditional asset classes, long-term stable and predictable cash flows, inflation hedging properties, and low default rates. The Corporation recorded an outstanding performance in its latest financial year, growing total assets by 23% to US$10.5 billion and increasing profit by 36% to US$285.9 million.

Our investment will contribute to AFC’s efforts in fostering more robust pan-African collaboration to accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent

Diversifying the shareholder base with institutional investors like CNPS and SBM provides a significant boost to AFC’s capital profile, enhancing the Corporation’s capacity to deliver de-risked, transformational infrastructure projects. Recent projects include a joint development agreement with Trans Connexion Congo (TCC) to build mass transit in Kinshasa to improve mobility across the DRC, and the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with ARISE IIP and the government of Sierra Leone to maximize value capture and import substitution across core sectors.

In Cameroon, AFC has invested over US$300 million to date in infrastructure projects including the Nachtigal Hydro Power Company, a 420MW power station that will boost Cameroon’s installed capacity by 30% and slash the cost of power generation, and the modernization and expansion of Cameroon’s national refinery, Société Nationale de Raffinage (Sonara). Along with the equity investment, CNPS has signed an MOU with AFC to collaborate on identifying, developing and financing infrastructure and industrial projects in Cameroon.

The investment from SBM builds on existing ties between AFC and Mauritius, the domicile for subsidiaries AFC Equity Investment Limited and AFC Capital Partners. As of 2022, AFC Equity Investment Limited held more than US$1 billion of the Corporation’s equity investments, while AFC Capital Partners is the Corporation’s asset management company, focused on infrastructure and climate-resilient investments with an initial US$500 million target fund size.

The Director General of the CNPS, Noël Alain Olivier Mekulu Mvondo Akame, commented: “CNPS’s investment in AFC is in line with continued efforts to diversify our investment portfolio. We are proud to partner with a multilateral financial institution like AFC with an excellent track record of delivering transformational infrastructure projects with sustainable impact in Africa, whilst maintaining a prudent risk profile.”

Shailen Sreekeessoon, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBM (NBFC) Holdings Ltd., said: “We are delighted to partner with AFC, which has a proven history of leading innovative solutions for infrastructure and industrial development whilst creating strong values for its shareholders. Our investment will contribute to AFC’s efforts in fostering more robust pan-African collaboration to accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent. We are confident that this investment will help reinforce the partnership between our two institutions and look forward to a fruitful partnership ahead.”

Samaila Zubairu President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation said: “African institutional investors play a critical role in mobilising the capital urgently needed for the continent’s development, so we warmly welcome CNPS and SBM Capital Market Securities as equity investors in AFC. This milestone is proof of AFC’s role as the partner of choice for infrastructure investment on the continent to deepen economic integration, enable import substitution, and develop Africa’s manufacturing and industrial capacity.”

AFC has been profitable every year since inception, growing from the initial seed capital of US$1.1 billion to a balance sheet size of about US$10.5 billion today. The Corporation’s A3 investment-grade rating from Moody’s has been reaffirmed nine years in a row, making AFC one of the highest-rated financial institutions in Africa. The Corporation has 40 member countries and has disbursed US$11.5 billion in critical infrastructure projects across Africa over the last 16 years of operation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

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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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