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Driving food security with appropriate conformity and compliance standards across Africa and beyond

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food security

Supporting agriculture on the continent using state-of-the-art testing methods and new technologies: enabling drones and satellites to map fertility, increase production and optimize fertilizers and pesticides

At Bureau Veritas we support clients to ensure agricultural productivity, food security and access to markets through a suite of services from farm to fork

CAIRO, Egypt, November 30, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Bureau Veritas (https://apo-opa.co/47xOR07), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services and with a large global and African footprint of some 35 countries, proudly shared expertise in support of agricultural productivity and export trade at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) in Egypt which ran from on 9th to 15th November. Touted to generate $43 billion worth of trade and investment deals according to the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)-organized event drew some 1600 exhibitors from 75 countries, and pointed a sharp needle on exchange of expertise, news on developments in trade and industry on the content and the driving of foreign direct investment. Providing a platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people with a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion created under the recently formulated African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, Bureau Veritas participated in discussions on agriculture, harmonization of standards and compliance and regulation at the event.

Discussing food security through agricultural productivity and intra-African trade, Mr. Bertrand Martin, Senior Vice-President for Bureau Veritas Africa and Chairman of the Testing, Inspections and Certifications (TIC) Council for Africa commented:

“At Bureau Veritas we support clients to ensure agricultural productivity, food security and access to markets through a suite of services from farm to fork.

  • Firstly, on the Upstream, Fertility mapping is fundamental for unexploited areas to determine suitable crops, which is important to determine which types of crops will grow best in the applicable area. This is supported through services such as soil testing.
  • Secondly, it is important to ensure Quality and quantity of production. Bureau Veritas is able to support clients through satellite crop mapping for tracing the productivity in each area. We are able to advise whether more or less water is needed, which is invaluable in the supply chain. We need to link Africa’s agricultural development to sustainable practices to ensure longevity of food security for the people. Soil, water, pesticide and fertilizer requirements and hydrology testing all point to the type of crop that can be cultivated in an area. Climate change has also impacted the fertilizer and irrigation processes. We have all the expertise available to provide support in these areas to ensure a good quality crop is produced.
  • And finally, Soil analysis is decisive in establishing the precise content of elements and nutrients in the soil. By comparing it with the plant’s needs, it is possible to establish an optimum input strategy. It defines the right dose to be applied in the right place at the right time.

Testing to meet global standards

Bureau Veritas has collaborated with Afreximbank to develop the highly esteemed African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in Nigeria, a state-of-the-art testing laboratory, operated by Bureau Veritas, to ensure quality of agricultural products is upheld and standards for made-in-Africa products are aligned to international best practice. As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement becomes a reality, governments and businesses need to be aware of product standards and regulations to protect traders and society, creating a safe environment for the export of goods within countries in Africa and abroad. To be sustainable for the future, it is essential that agricultural products are home grown in Africa, for Africa, and exported abroad to the highest global standards. “We are particularly proud of our collaboration with Afreximbank and together we will work to ensure compliance of food and agricultural products made in Nigeria meet the required global standard,” Martin commented.

Made in Africa and the labeling of products

Panelists were unified in their support of the “Made in Africa” product being as readily respected and recognized internationally as any other brand. Furthermore, there was alignment between speakers on the need for consistency of standards across the board to ensure that consumer trust would be instilled. To this end, Bureau Veritas discussed a need to ensure products are tested to international standards to ensure acceptance in global markets.

Infrastructural development and economic corridors

The vital requirement for infrastructural development and a solid railway transportation system to provide transborder and regional integration as essentials to grow the agricultural sector was postulated, backed by the urgent need for economic corridors and Special Economic Zones to further encourage the entire value chain and supplement the farm to fork process. The necessary foreign direct investment and equity injectors were elaborated on by various speakers during the panel discussions, with a strong focus placed on the commitment to financial support for manufacturing and food sufficiency from banks.

Promoting local development and inspiring the next generation

Bureau Veritas is also a proud sponsor of education and development of talent, creating partnerships with universities and initiating learning programs in many African countries to support engineers, hydrologists,  chemists, and the like, thus ensuring home grown talent and resources to support the TIC sector. An integrated approach to agriculture forms part of our agricultural transformation process and associated value chain. It forms part of our social commitment to provide local people with opportunities that will invest their futures on the continent, providing pride of place. Go local, Think global. We aspire to an international vision for compliance, quality, and harmonization of standards of products. This is how we will cultivate an environment of trust, where citizens can buy local quality food brands that are made in Africa for its people and exported within Africa and globally for international consumption,” Martin concluded. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Bureau Veritas.

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World Football Summit Rabat at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) Concludes with Commitment to African Football Development and Global Collaboration

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Over two days, the summit convened 1077 stakeholders from 70 countries, reinforcing Morocco’s role as a platform for sport-driven innovation and continental collaboration

RABAT, Morocco, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –The inaugural edition of the World Football Summit (WFS) (https://WorldFootballSummit.com) Rabat 2025, held in partnership with Evosport, a subsidiary of UM6P, and in collaboration with the Royal Moroccan Federation of Football concluded after two days of exchanges on the state and the trajectory of football in Africa and its links to global dynamics.

Held on April 9 and 10 at UM6P’s Rabat campus, the summit convened more than 1077 football industry leaders from 70 countries, including decision-makers from 65 clubs, leagues, and federations. Under the theme “Where football innovation meets legacy”, the event provided a platform for reflection on the evolving role of Morocco and Africa in shaping the global football landscape, particularly in light of the continent’s growing visibility ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Morocco alongside Spain and Portugal.

“What we’ve witnessed in Rabat these past two days has been truly historic,” said Jan Alessie, Co-founder and Managing Director of World Football Summit. “The quality of discussion, the level of engagement, and the genuine commitment to collaboration have exceeded our expectations. This summit has not only showcased Morocco’s growing leadership in global football but has created tangible pathways for African football to accelerate its development through meaningful partnerships. The connections formed here between African football leaders and their international counterparts will yield benefits for years to come.”

Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, stated: “WFS Rabat is a natural extension of our commitment to rethinking development models through knowledge, innovation, and continental collaboration. Football—like science, education, and technology—requires institutions that can convene, structure, and elevate ambition. By hosting and contributing to this summit, we are reinforcing Morocco’s and Africa’s capacity to lead with ideas, shape with values, and build ecosystems where excellence is cultivated and shared.”

The quality of discussion, the level of engagement, and the genuine commitment to collaboration have exceeded our expectations

The WFS Honors Ceremony, moderated by Mimi Fawaz (MC – WFS Rabat 2025), highlighted a number of initiatives and individuals whose work reflects a thoughtful approach to football development. The Academie Mohammed VI was recognized for its Local Grassroots Strategy to develop Sport. Frederic Kanoute received the WFS Honor for Exemplary Achievements in Football & Beyond for his contributions both on and off the pitch. OCP Group received the WFS Honor for Social & Community Impact through Sport for their transformative community initiatives. The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was recognized with the WFS Honor for Exceptional Development in Women’s Football for their pioneering efforts in advancing the women’s game in Morocco. Finally, the African Club Association (ACA) was granted the WFS Honor for Uniting African Football. 

Discussions throughout the two days addressed pressing challenges and opportunities in the football ecosystem. Topics ranged from talent retention and financial models to technological integration and regulatory governance. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Football Federation, presented Morocco’s vision for football development ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Shehu Dikko, Honourable Minister of Sports of Nigeria, reflected on how African football can become more sustainable. FIFA’s Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, discussed pathways for strengthening football governance, while CAF’s Director of Tournaments, Samson Adamu, shared innovations in continental competitions formats.

The summit drew participation from organizations such as FIFA CAF, or ECA, government ministers from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, as well as executives from properties such as LALIGA, FC Barcelona, or even the NBA, who engaged in discussions about cross-continental collaboration in sport governance and development.

Moreover, partners including Royal Air Maroc and TAQA played essential roles in the summit’s success, demonstrating the importance of public-private collaboration in advancing sports development.

The WFS global series continues with upcoming events in Monterrey (June 2025), Hong Kong (September 2025), Madrid (October 2025), and Riyadh (December 2025), creating a year-round platform for the football industry to connect and collaborate across continents.

For more information about World Football Summit’s 2025 events and registration details, visit www.WorldFootballSummit.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Football Summit

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Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 to Host Panel on Advancing Africa’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Potential

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Invest in African Energy

A high-level panel at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris, powered by Perenco, will explore how Africa can overcome infrastructure and investment challenges to unlock its LNG potential while advancing energy security and sustainable development

PARIS, France, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –The upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum will feature a high-level panel on Advancing Africa’s LNG Potential: Overcoming Infrastructure and Investment Challenges, sponsored by Perenco. As global demand for natural gas rises, Africa’s abundant reserves and strategic location position the continent as a key supplier – provided infrastructure, regulatory and financing hurdles can be addressed.

Moderated by Jacqueline Chinwe, Global Future Energy Leader, the panel brings together influential voices from the LNG value chain. Confirmed speakers include Julius Rone, Managing Director of UTM Offshore; Mario Bello, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Eni; Dominique Gadelle, Vice President, Upstream & LNG at TechnipEnergies; and Denis Chatelan, Head of Business Development at Perenco. These leaders will share strategies to accelerate LNG development, including de-risking investments, leveraging blended finance models and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure commercial viability.

IAE 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/4lq1VMj) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Africa’s natural gas resources – particularly in countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, Senegal, Mauritania and the Republic of the Congo – are attracting growing international interest. Natural gas is expected to account for 40% of Africa’s oil and gas capital expenditures by the end of the decade, according to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report. In West Africa, major projects such as Phase 2 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim development and the Yakaar-Teranga Gas Project in Senegal are set to significantly boost LNG production and regional gas-to-power capacity, while Eni’s Congo LNG project in the Republic of the Congo is leveraging FLNG technology to fast-track exports and monetize offshore reserves.

With major LNG projects advancing across the continent, investment momentum continues to build. Floating LNG solutions – such as UTM Offshore’s facility in Nigeria and Perenco’s Cap Lopez terminal in Gabon – are offering scalable, capital-efficient models for deployment. In Mozambique, Eni is expanding on the success of its Coral South FLNG by developing a second floating facility, Coral North. Meanwhile, gas-to-power initiatives hold strong potential to address chronic energy shortages, contributing to both energy security and the transition to a more sustainable, lower-carbon energy mix. The panel will explore how to align Africa’s export ambitions with domestic industrialization and energy access goals, driving inclusive economic growth while contributing to global energy security and environmental objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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Aptiway Global Hosts High-Level Delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Advance Digital Transformation Agenda

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The workshop will also examine models for human capital development and institutional readiness that support long-term digital transformation

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –Aptiway Global (https://Aptiway.com) is pleased to announce that it will host a senior delegation from L’Agence pour le Développement du Numérique (ADN) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a high-level strategic workshop in Dubai from April 14 to 18, 2025. The workshop will take place at the Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel and is designed to foster technical collaboration, share experiences, and explore scalable digital solutions tailored to the DRC’s national priorities.

Led by Mr. Dominique MIGISHA, Coordinator of ADN, the delegation will engage in an intensive five-day program covering a wide range of strategic themes, including digital identity platforms, eGovernment systems, cybersecurity, data protection, and infrastructure interoperability. The workshop will also examine models for human capital development and institutional readiness that support long-term digital transformation.

Africa’s digital future depends on bold leadership and practical collaboration

This engagement aims to identify actionable outcomes that can accelerate the implementation of inclusive and secure digital ecosystems in the DRC. These include a roadmap for deploying national digital identity systems, strategic recommendations for eGovernment rollout, and a framework for ongoing technical cooperation between Aptiway and ADN.

Speaking ahead of the workshop, Mr. Shince Thomas, CEO of Aptiway Global, said: “We are honoured to host the ADN leadership. This visit underscores a shared vision for using technology as a catalyst for development, and we look forward to co-creating solutions that deliver real impact.” 

Mr. Dominique MIGISHA, Coordinator of ADN, added: “This collaboration with Aptiway Global is a timely opportunity to deepen our understanding of effective digital infrastructure and services. We are committed to translating this knowledge into tangible progress for the Congolese people.” 

Simplice Anoh, Co-Founder of Aptiway Global, also commented on the significance of the partnership: “Africa’s digital future depends on bold leadership and practical collaboration. This workshop reflects our shared commitment to building resilient, homegrown solutions that respond to local challenges while unlocking global opportunities.” 

The workshop reaffirms the value of cross-border collaboration in achieving sustainable digital transformation and highlights the Democratic Republic of Congo’s growing momentum in building resilient, future-ready digital systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aptiway Global

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