Sourcemind Academy’s Remarkable Journey – 1,082 Applicants, 108 Students and 58 Graduates

CONAKRY, Guinea, June 28, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Webb Fontaine (www.WebbFontaine.com), a leading provider of solutions for trade facilitation, is pleased to announce the launch of Sourcemind Academy in Guinea. This innovative educational venture, backed by Webb Fontaine, is set to transform the tech education landscape by offering high-level training, cutting-edge pedagogical design and experienced professional trainers to future software engineers and technology enthusiasts.

The launch of Sourcemind Academy in Guinea marks a significant milestone in Webb Fontaine’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility, and to promoting educational development in emerging markets. This project comes against the backdrop of the end of Webb Fontaine’s concession with the Guinean state, requiring a crucial transfer of skills and technologies to ensure the continuity and development of the Single Window of Foreign Trade of Guinea, launched in September 2019.

Ara Shamirzayan, CTO of Webb Fontaine Group said, “We are thrilled to bring Sourcemind Academy to Guinea. We believe in nurturing the next generation of software engineers by providing them with access to quality education and training. We also believe that education is the key to unlocking potential and driving economic growth and development, and we are committed to making this a reality in Guinea.”

Mamoudou DIANÉ, Managing Director of Webb Fontaine Guinea, added, “We are extremely proud to collaborate with Sourcemind Academy to train the next generation of software engineers in Guinea. This initiative is crucial for ensuring the continuity and efficiency of The Single Window of Foreign Trade of Guinea after the end of our concession. By investing in the development of local skills, we are not only contributing to the modernization of foreign trade in Guinea but also creating economic opportunities for the young talents in our country.”

Sourcemind Academy has made significant strides in promoting tech talent through five successful pathway programs across Armenia and Benin. Building on this success, the academy is expanding its reach to Guinea, aiming to empower local students, young graduates with the expertise and capabilities necessary for a thriving career in the technology sector.

Building on this success, the academy is expanding its scope to Guinea, aiming to equip local students and professionals with the skills and capabilities needed for a thriving career in the technology sector. To date, the Sourcemind Academy’s impact includes 1,082 applicants, 108 students, 58 alumni and 11 people hired by Webb Fontaine. The academy’s curriculum is designed to cover a wide range of topics, including software development, data structures and algorithms, front-end development and more. By equipping students with these in-demand skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of the local tech ecosystem and create job opportunities for the youth in Guinea.

During the first four months of the pathway program, students will learn the foundations of software engineering and gain practical experience through a hands-on and highly interactive instructive-led curriculum. Upon completion of the foundation stage, participants can broaden their knowledge by specializing in java back-end engineering.  Students will also be exposed to agile software development and essential soft skills, both of which are crucial for success in the IT industry.

This pathway program is accessible to anyone curious about how things work. Ideal students include university graduates who wish to follow a career in the IT industry, open-minded enthusiasts with the determination to succeed, and those looking to make a career change to software engineering.

About Webb Fontaine Guinea

Webb Fontaine Guinea is a company dedicated to facilitating trade transactions and simplifying import and export procedures for declarants and economic operators playing a central role in the economic development of the Republic of Guinea, thanks to our cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.

The Single Window of Foreign Trade of Guinea

Launched in September 2019, The Single Window of Foreign Trade of Guinea is an integrated platform set up by the Guinean state for a 5-year concession granted to the Webb Fontaine Group. This platform enables all players involved in foreign trade in Guinea to carry out their transactions anywhere in the world, offering a single gateway to international trade. GUCEG is an interactive portal designed to facilitate import and export operations in the Republic of Guinea.

Electronic tracking of goods in transit

Last July, Webb Fontaine signed a contract with the Guinean Customs to implement an electronic tracking system for goods in transit. This new project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the transparency and efficiency of customs operations in Guinea. The electronic tracking system enables goods in transit to be monitored in real time, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring more secure and efficient management of trade flows.

We believe in nurturing the next generation of software engineers by providing them with access to quality education and training

What we do (Our Services)

Facilitate, simplify and dematerialize import and export operations:

The GUCEG platform covers a wide range of services, from pre-clearance to customs clearance, and soon logistics for port, airport, air and rail traffic.

Public access services:

– Access to legal texts and regulations relating to import and export transactions.

– Customs duties and taxes simulator.

– List of manifests and other services for complete visibility of the import and export process.

Private access services :

– Import and export declaration of intent management.

– On-line payment of DDI/DDE and customs duties and taxes.

– Pharmaceutical license management.

Electronic tracking of goods in transit:

The new electronic goods tracking system enables you to:

– Track goods in transit in real time.

– Reduce the risk of fraud and tax evasion.

– Guarantee more secure and transparent management of trade flows.

At Webb Fontaine Guinea, we are committed to modernizing and optimizing foreign trade in the Republic of Guinea, leveraging our expertise and advanced technologies to deliver reliable and efficient solutions to our users. Our mission is to facilitate trade and support the country’s economic development through continuous innovation and high-quality services.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Webb Fontaine.

South Africa’s Central Energy Fund will participate at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 as a key sponsor and exhibitor, affirming its commitment to driving energy security across the SADC region

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 28, 2024/APO Group/ — 

South Africa’s diversified energy company Central Energy Fund (CEF) will join the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for 4-8 November in Cape Town – as a Platinum Sponsor and Gold Exhibitor, marking its third consecutive year sponsoring Africa’s premier energy event. CEF’s participation underscores its commitment to driving energy security and sustainable development across southern Africa, with the merger of three CEF subsidiaries set to streamline operations and improve efficiency within the sector.

This year marks a pivotal turning point for South Africa’s petroleum industry, as CEF subsidiaries – national oil company PetroSA, iGas and the Strategic Fuel Fund – merge to form the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC). SANPC will initially be incorporated as a subsidiary of the CEF Group until the National Petroleum Bill is promulgated into law​. The national petroleum company will focus on oil and gas exploration, production, midstream and downstream operations and infrastructure development, with a broad mandate to acquire, generate, manufacture, market and distribute various forms of energy, including renewables.

CEF plays a pivotal role in South Africa’s energy landscape and the SADC region, continuously driving innovation and sustainability

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.

To date, CEF has played a key role in addressing South Africa’s energy needs and driving regional energy development. With activities spanning oil, gas, coal, renewables and alternative energies, the company is committed to ensuring South Africa’s energy security and that of the broader Southern African Development Community. Through its proactive engagement and strategic investments across diverse energy sub-sectors, CEF not only serves to bolster the stability of energy South Africa’s supplies, but also pioneer sustainable practices that harmonize economic growth with environmental stewardship.

CEF is currently in the process of acquiring South Africa’s largest oil refinery, the 180,000-barrel per day Sapref plant. The acquisition is seen as a crucial step toward expanding the country’s refining capacity and supporting CEF’s growth strategy. By acquiring Sapref – a joint venture between Shell and bp – CEF aims to stabilize the country’s fuel supply chain, mitigate risks associated with fuel imports and create job opportunities. Moreover, with over 50 million barrels of fuel storage capacity, CEF stands poised to address growing domestic and regional demand for refined petroleum products, ensuring sustained energy provision across Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.

In addition to its operations in South Africa, CEF’s influence extends across the continent through strategic partnerships and investments. CEF recently concluded its acquisition of a 30% stake in the Republic of Mozambique Pipeline Company (Rompco), alongside Companhia Moçambicana de Gasoduto. The move solidifies CEF’s role in the ownership structure of Rompco, a critical infrastructure asset operating the 865-km gas transmission pipeline from Mozambique to South Africa. Additionally, CEF is at the forefront of developing and commercializing alternative energy resources and innovative technologies, with its portfolio including a 15% stake in the 100 MW Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant and Molten Salt Energy Storage System.

“CEF plays a pivotal role in South Africa’s energy landscape and the SADC region, continuously driving innovation and sustainability. The merger of CEF subsidiaries to form the newly anointed SANPC marks a pivotal step forward in streamlining operations, enhancing efficiency and driving new energy exploration and production,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “With its Platinum Sponsorship, CEF will play a central role in fostering collaboration and showcasing its capabilities at AEW 2024: Invest in African Energy.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Nigerian entrepreneurs accessed investment opportunities in Africa’s leading energy markets at the Invest in African Energies roadshow in Lagos on Tuesday

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 27, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Invest in African Energies roadshow in Lagos – organized by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (http://www.EnergyChamber.org) on June 25 – united more than 250 Nigerian entrepreneurs and investors interested in accessing opportunities in Africa’s oil and gas and energy sector.

Nigeria is home to the largest number of indigenous service companies, which meet over 75% of service demand from Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and are set to drive Nigeria’s upstream resurgence, as well as provide technical expertise to other African oil and gas markets. The Invest in African Energies roadshow – preceding the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference in Cape Town this November – served as a strategic platform for Nigerian companies to engage with stakeholders from other countries and explore regional and pan-African expansion opportunities.

“Nigerian companies have the financial strength and expertise to take advantage of opportunities across the energy sector in Africa. We at the African Energy Chamber encourage this and see it as a win for all involved,” said AEC Senior Vice President, Verner Ayukegba.

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.

Seeing different players in the oil and gas industry in the room only confirms the value of the AEC to the sector, while building the ecosystem to support the sector

Namibia is a key potential recipient of Nigerian oil and gas expertise, following a series of high-profile offshore discoveries made by Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp in its offshore Orange Basin totaling more than 11 billion barrels of oil. Participating in the roadshow was Africa Global Logistics – a major logistics and port operation player recently awarded the contract to oversee operations at Namibia’s Port of Walvis Bay, which supports oil and gas activities like rig maintenance and repair work. Namibia is currently planning a $2.1-billion port expansion project to enable oil and gas development, creating further opportunities for Nigerian and global investors. 

Within West Africa, Ivory Coast is also seeking upstream investment and technical expertise from established producers like Nigeria. The country made headlines earlier this year with Eni’s discovery of light oil and gas at the Murene-1X exploration well, estimated to hold potential resources of 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Eni’s previous discovery – the Baleine field – was fast-tracked into production last August and is set to reach 200,000 barrels per day by 2027, as well as represent the first net-zero emissions project in Africa. 

“Today, the biggest investor in oil and gas in the African subcontinent is Eni. They are pumping about $6 billion into Ivory Coast, and they made a discovery,” stated Nosa Omorodion, SLB Executive Director, Nigeria and West Africa, at the roadshow.

Senegal and Mozambique also hold significant demand for Nigerian oil and gas services, as two of Africa’s fastest-growing LNG markets. In Nigeria, indigenous company BUA Group is spearheading the development of a 700-ton-per-day mini-LNG project, as it seeks to expand its portfolio into the energy sector and leverage its position as one of Africa’s largest food, mining, manufacturing and industrial conglomerates. Meanwhile, Shoreline Energy International leads a diversified asset portfolio in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Uganda and Angola, focusing on EPC services for the oil and gas industry, power generation solutions, construction and ICT infrastructure. The company’s tailored power solutions could be leveraged in new markets seeking energy security and sustainable energy development.

“Seeing different players in the oil and gas industry in the room only confirms the value of the AEC to the sector, while building the ecosystem to support the sector,” said Kola Karim, CEO of Shoreline Energy International.

Nigerian full-stream energy exploration and production company Adelaar Energy also participated in the roadshow, advocating for enhanced gender inclusivity and advancement of women within Africa’s energy industry. Operating in engineering, procurement, consultancy and services, the female-led company is seeking to empower female energy professionals in both mature and emerging markets through training and education, mentorship programs and coaching and sponsorship opportunities, among other gender equality initiatives.

“Seeing more women collaborating in the energy sector and not being afraid to join forces with the male-dominated industry, sharing their unique perspectives and expertise to drive innovation and progress. Together, they’re breaking down barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and creating a more inclusive and sustainable energy future for all,” said Grace Orife, Adelaar Energy CEO and AEC Board Member.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.