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DRC Mining Week wins “Event of the Year” at the Katanga Awards

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Powerful endorsement of DRC’s premier platform for mining investment and development

DRC Mining Week, organised annually by VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com/) in Lubumbashi, has been awarded “Event of the Year” at the Katanga Awards, reaffirming its status as the leading platform for mining investment, project development, and economic transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to VUKA Group, the recognition comes at a particularly meaningful moment, as DRC Mining Week celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. This milestone reflects two decades of partnership, dialogue, and sector advancement in the DRC’s mining heartland.

For over a decade, DRC Mining Week has been the country’s most influential meeting point for investment mobilisationinfrastructure development, and public-private collaboration. Each edition brings together:

  • international and local investors
  • mining operators and juniors
  • project developers
  • financial institutions
  • OEMs and EPCs
  • government ministries and regulators
  • and longstanding institutional partners, including the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) and the Chamber of Mines of the DRC

 

all aligned around unlocking the full potential of the DRC’s world-class mineral wealth.

2025: Record achievement
This year’s 20th anniversary edition marked a historic milestone with:

  • 16,500+ total attendees
  • 1,115 delegates, including
    • 129 VIPs
    • 88 speakers
  • 300+ sponsors and exhibitors
  • Participation from 50+ countries

DRC Mining Week also featured 25+ high-level conference sessions focused on industrialisation, energy security, infrastructure expansion, beneficiation, and sustainable development—reinforcing its position as the DRC’s most influential platform for mining investment and sector growth.

Our purpose has always been clear—to create a trusted platform where capital, expertise, and opportunity converge to support the DRC’s long-term economic development

Honouring national leadership and strategic partners

VUKA Group recognises and appreciates the continued support of the DRC Government and its key institutions. Their collaboration plays a pivotal role in shaping the vision, stability, and long-term impact of DRC Mining Week.

During her keynote address in Lubumbashi in June this year, DRC’s Prime Minister, H.E. Mrs Judith Suminwa Tuluka described the 20th edition of DRC Mining Week as “a moment to celebrate the remarkable progress our mining sector has achieved.”

DRC’s new Mining Minister, H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, an industry pioneer and himself a veteran attendee of DRC Mining Week over the years, is known for calling the event “the place to be to do business in the DRC,” and he regularly invites industry stakeholders to DRC Mining Week when addressing global mining gatherings.

VUKA Group also recognises the invaluable partnership of the FEC and the Chamber of Mines, whose collaboration and guidance have strengthened the platform over many years.

Shared achievement for the mining community

“This award belongs to the mining and investment community we serve,” says Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director for DRC Mining Week. “Our purpose has always been clear—to create a trusted platform where capital, expertise, and opportunity converge to support the DRC’s long-term economic development. Celebrating our 20th anniversary with record growth and now this award is a testament to the strength, unity, and ambition of our community.”

Recognising sponsors and supporters

Madlabane adds:

“We extend our sincere appreciation to our Sponsors, Exhibitors, Media Partners, and Supporting Associations. Your continued commitment has become a cornerstone of DRC Mining Week.

“These partnerships are more than visibility—they actively shape the event into a platform for progress, opportunity, and impactful dialogue.

“To all our sponsors and exhibitors: Your contributions are the engine of DRC Mining Week’s success. This milestone year would not have been possible without your dedication, innovation, and steadfast support.”

Looking ahead to 2026

Madlabane continues: “With preparations underway for the 21st edition of DRC Mining Week (17–19 June 2026 at the Pullman Lubumbashi Grand Karavia Hotel), VUKA Group remains committed to elevating the platform’s role in connecting stakeholdersdriving investment, and supporting sustainable industrial development in the DRC.

About VUKA Group’s commitment

Through DRC Mining Week and the DRC–Africa Battery Metals Forum, VUKA Group continues to invest in platforms that unlock:

  • long-term investment opportunities
  • local market development
  • project growth
  • infrastructure expansion
  • industrial value creation across the Congolese economy

Furthermore, VUKA remains dedicated to supporting the DRC’s transformation into a globally competitive mining and industrial powerhouse.

DRC Mining Week dates and venue 2026:

  • Expo and conference: 17–19 June 2026
  • Location: The Pullman Grand Karavia Hotel, Lubumbashi, DRC

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Egypt’s Mineral Resources Authority Chair Joins African Mining Week (AMW) Advisory Board

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Eng. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority has joined the 2026 edition of African Mining Week – scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town – as an advisory board member

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Eng. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA) has been appointed as an Advisory Board Member of African Mining Week (AMW) – The Most Influential Mining Conference in Africa – reinforcing the event’s engagement with key regulatory institutions shaping the continent’s mining sector.

 

In his role, Ramadan will provide strategic guidance on core themes and agenda priorities for AMW, ensuring alignment with Egypt’s mining sector vision, including regulatory reform, investment facilitation and value-added mineral development.

His appointment strengthens AMW’s position as a direct engagement platform for global investors seeking exposure to Egypt’s mining industry. It also supports Egypt’s broader national agenda to attract foreign direct investment into key mineral segments including phosphate, gold, copper and industrial minerals, which are central to the country’s industrialization and resource monetization strategy.

Under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value Chain, AMW 2026 will convene African regulators, including EMRA, alongside global investors and project developers for partnerships formation aimed at unlocking investment flows across the continent’s mining sector.

AMW 2026 comes at a time when Egypt is accelerating reforms and strategic initiatives across its mining sector. These include enhanced collaboration on mineral value chains, such as the Afreximbank-Central Bank of Egypt initiative to establish the African Gold Bank, aimed at financing gold mining and beneficiation projects. Additionally, Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone-based Futurefert project recently secured $20 million in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to develop fertilizer production facilities, further supporting the country’s phosphate beneficiation ambitions and regional food security objectives.

Meanwhile, regulatory reforms are also underway, including the development of a modern mining cadastre system designed to streamline licensing processes and improve transparency for investors, led by EMRA.

Through his role on the AMW Advisory Board, Ramadan will position Egypt as a key mining investment destination within Africa’s evolving resource landscape.

https://apo-opa.co/4ai4FYa

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

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Africa’s Data-First Energy Workforce is the Key to Unlocking Future Exploration

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Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a massive digital transformation, leveraging AI and analytics to enhance transparency and production while prioritizing essential workforce development and innovation

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s energy future will be shaped not only by the resources beneath the ground, but by the ability of its workforce to interpret, manage and act on increasingly complex datasets. As exploration targets become more technically challenging and investors demand greater certainty, energy companies across the continent are turning to artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and digital platforms to improve decision-making. Building a data-first workforce capable of leveraging these technologies is emerging as a strategic priority, enabling operators to reduce exploration risk, optimize production and accelerate project development.

 

As digital innovation becomes increasingly critical to streamlining operations across exploration and production, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16 – is set to highlight how these shifts impact regional competitiveness. These industry-wide advancements are set to take center stage during Renegade Intel, the event’s premier track dedicated to AI and data centers.

For Africa’s exploration sector, digitalization is becoming a prerequisite for success. As operators pursue frontier acreage, deeper reservoirs and more complex geological plays, the ability to process and interpret large volumes of seismic, subsurface and operational data is critical. However, technology alone is not enough. Scaling exploration activity will require a workforce equipped with advanced digital skills, capable of applying AI-driven insights to geological modeling, prospect evaluation and resource development.

In the exploration sector, the BHP Xplore Bootcamp – designed to fast-track early-stage mineral exploration – launched in South Africa on February 3. The intensive program provides junior explorers with $500,000 grants and access to proprietary data analytics, specifically targeting deeper copper and zinc systems in the Northern Cape province through advance mineral modeling.

Harnessing digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure Africa remains globally competitive

Further boosting upstream efficiency, global technology company SLB inaugurated its Africa Performance Center in Luanda, Angola in late 2025. The facility provides regional operators with high-fidelity digital twins and AI-driven workflows for enhanced oil recovery. These tools allow companies to analyze massive datasets, extending the life of mature fields in Angola and Algeria.

AI is increasingly being adopted across Africa’s energy management systems. Leading the charge in modern grid management, South Africa’s state utility Eskom announced on March 3 that it is leveraging AI to build a self-healing power grid. This ambitious project aims to utilize predictive analytics to minimize outages and optimize integration of renewable energy sources across its national transmission network. This was followed by the signing of an agreement between Eskom, the University of Pretoria and the South African National Energy Development Institute, aimed at harnessing the power of AI to address critical energy challenges across the country.

Similar moves are taking place in Nigeria. In a landmark move for regulatory transparency, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) launched a 60-day digitalization program in early 2026. NUPRC Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan announced the initiative following a visit from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s Executive Secretary Musa Sarkin Adar, pledging to eliminate paper trails to enhance speed and royalty enforcement.

Sustaining this momentum requires robust talent pipelines and university partnerships. Workforce reform is essential to bridge the technical gap, as African institutions must evolve into dynamic innovation hubs. Investing in local skills development ensures that the digital transition remains Africa-led, creating high-value jobs for the continent’s growing youth population.

“Transforming Africa’s economic potential into reality requires that we empower those who make growth possible – our SMEs, our women entrepreneurs and our youth,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Harnessing digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure Africa remains globally competitive.”

Ultimately, digitalization and skills development are the dual engines driving Africa toward an era of energy abundance. By fostering a tech-savvy workforce and adopting cutting-edge analytics, the continent can de-risk projects and attract long-term capital. These critical advancements are set to form the cornerstone of discussions at the Renegade Intel track at AEW 2026 this October.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Cabship Expands Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Driven Logistics, Workforce Development Strategy Ahead of Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Sponsorship

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As Angola’s oil and gas sector evolves, Cabship is expanding its service offering through digital innovation, workforce development and integrated logistics solutions designed to support the next phase of industry growth

LUANDA, Angola, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Angolan logistics and maritime services provider Cabship is strengthening its service portfolio to better support the country’s evolving oil and gas sector, while leveraging digital technologies, workforce development and local partnerships to meet growing industry demand. Reflecting its expanding role across Angola’s oil and gas value chain, the company has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 conference and exhibition as an Elite Sponsor.

 

Over the years, Cabship has developed into a strategic integrated logistics and support service providers for Angola’s oil and gas industry. The company offers a broad range of solutions spanning shipping, customs clearance, procurement, warehousing, material management, pipe yard operations, freight forwarding, transportation and offshore support services. Building on this foundation, Cabship continues to diversify its capabilities to support increasingly complex upstream and offshore developments across Angola.

The company’s growth strategy has been underpinned by continuous investment in technology and operational efficiency. As Angola’s oil and gas industry embraces digital transformation, Cabship has integrated artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools into its logistics and supply chain operations. These technologies are helping optimize cargo tracking, improve operational planning and enhance the efficiency of project execution, enabling operators and service providers to reduce costs while maintaining reliability across the supply chain.

Alongside technology adoption, Cabship has placed local content development at the center of its long-term strategy. The company signed a partnership agreement with Angola’s National Petroleum Institute (INP), aimed at strengthening training initiatives to prepare young Angolan professionals for careers in the energy sector. The partnership initially benefits 15 individuals from the provinces of Cabinda, Zaire, Bengo and Luanda, with recipients undergoing specialized training in industrial electricity in renewable energies and international welding.

The company has also continued to expand its offshore and marine support capabilities through strategic partnerships, strengthening its ability to provide integrated services for both shallow-water and deepwater operations. These efforts align with Angola’s broader objectives of increasing local participation across the oil and gas value chain while supporting new exploration, development and production projects.

As an Elite Sponsor of AOG 2026 – taking place September 9-10 in Luanda, with a pre-conference day on September 8 – Cabship will join industry leaders, policymakers and investors to discuss the future of Angola’s oil and gas sector. The company’s participation highlights the increasingly important role that logistics, digital innovation and workforce development play in supporting Angola’s next phase of oil and gas growth.

 

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

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