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Ecobank Group champions intra-African trade growth at Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2023

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IATF

The event will provide a springboard platform for businesses to grow their intra-African trade and investments across the continent’s single market of 1.4 billion people created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

CAIRO, Egypt, November 9, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com), the leading pan-African banking Group, sponsors the Intra-African Trade Fair 2023 (IATF 2023), the continent’s premier trade and investment event, which is taking place from 9-15 November 2023, in Cairo, Egypt. Theme this year is “Connecting African Markets”.

The event will provide a springboard platform for businesses to grow their intra-African trade and investments across the continent’s single market of 1.4 billion people created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). IATF 2023 is expected to attract over 1,600 exhibitors showcasing their goods and services, over 35,000 attendees, to result in US$43 billion of trade and investment deals being agreed, and to accelerate Africa’s commercial and economic growth and development, which is aligned to Ecobank’s core mission.

Eric Odhiambo, Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking, Ecobank Group, said: “IATF provides Africa’s businesses with unrivalled opportunities to network, connect and sign contracts with buyers and sellers from across the continent. With our comprehensive suite of banking products, services, solutions and our established digital platform, which facilitates seamless payments and collections across our 35 countries of presence in Africa, Ecobank is positioned as the ‘go to’ bank for payments and trade. To further support businesses to grow and succeed we have also put in place a range of initiatives which include the game changing Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, which connects importers and exporters across Africa.”

The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub is a cutting-edge digital platform, which serves as an exchange and information repository, designed to respond to the evolving trading needs of SMEs and corporates within Africa’s single market. The Trade Hub reduces the asymmetry in trade information and leverages Ecobank’s wide client base, through its network advantage given its presence in 35 African markets.  With already more than 2,000 customers onboarded on the platform, the Trade Hub offers the following essential features and services:

  • MyTradeHub: An online match-making platform, enabling importers and exporters to create their company profiles, exhibit their goods and services, and connect with buyers and suppliers throughout Africa.
  • AfCFTA expertise: A valuable repository of knowledge and information on the African Continental Free Trade Area, to help SMEs and corporates to familiarise themselves with the single market and ways to expand their trade into new African markets.
  • Trade and Payment Solutions: A gateway to Ecobank’s full range of products and digital solutions, including trade finance and services, cash management solutions, domestic and cross-border payments and collections, investment banking, Capex financing, and more.

Ecobank’s additional solutions to facilitate intra-African trade include RapidCollect, which enables businesses to collect payments instantly and at low cost from their customers in 33 countries, whilst only needing one single account in their home country; and assisting businesses to gain an online presence and develop a free website through Google My Business Platform. In addition, Ecobank will be acting as an inter-bank settlement agent for Central Banks in our countries of operation that have not yet signed up to Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

IATF 2023 promises to play a key role in raising awareness and helping Africa’s businesses to grasp the opportunities and benefits of the AfCFTA and create new markets across Africa, while fostering investments and boosting value chains. The Ecobank Group is determined to continue to play a significant role in helping to achieve the objectives of the AfCFTA and is delighted to be a sponsor of the IATF2023. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.

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African Mining Week (AMW) to Showcase Angola’s Critical Mineral Prospects

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African Mining Week

Angola has identified 34 of the 54 critical minerals recognized by the European Union across its mineral-rich basins and is ramping up exploration, production and downstream projects to unlock its industry potential

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 10, 2025/APO Group/ –Angola has set a target to become a key exporter of value-added critical minerals in the next 10 to 15 years. As the country pursues this goal, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s premier mining event – will spotlight Angola’s growing potential as global critical minerals exporter.

Angola has identified 34 of the 54 critical minerals recognized by the European Union across its mineral-rich basins and is ramping up exploration, production and downstream projects to unlock its industry potential. The government is promoting investment across the critical mineral value chain as a strategy to advance economic diversification while unlocking greater revenue generation from the mining industry.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2025 conference from October 1 -3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting  sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Across the country, various mining developments are taking off. In January 2025, UK-based Pensana secured funding from South Africa’s Absa Bank to accelerate the development of the Longonjo Rare Earth Project. The $325 million project is expected to supply 5% of the world’s high-grade rare earth carbonate, generate $6 billion in export revenue and contribute $1 billion in tax revenue to regional treasuries, helping Angola diversify its revenue generation.

Meanwhile, Chinese mining firm Shining Star is set to commence production this year at the 40-million-ton Mavoio-Tetelo copper project in northern Angola. The project is expected to produce 300,000 tons of copper per annum, significantly boosting Angola’s mining revenue. Australian firm Tyranna Resources – in partnership with China’s Sinomine – is advancing multiple lithium projects in Angola, with ongoing drilling activities identifying additional reserves and expediting mine development. These projects include the Namibe and Muvero lithium mines. Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines has also initiated a series of copper exploration projects in Angola’s Moxico and Cuando Cubango provinces, contributing to efforts to diversify the nation’s mining sector and revenue streams.

To increase value addition across the manganese sector, Angola is developing a $250 million manganese-to-silica processing facility in partnership with Chinese firm ST New Materials. The project is expected to be operational in 2025. The country is also spearheading projects to produce steel from iron mined in the Kasinga region.

As Angola seeks to attract new investors across the critical mineral value chain, AMW 2025 will bring together Angolan stakeholders and global investors to discuss partnerships and industry growth opportunities. AMW will host panel discussions, project showcases and exclusive networking opportunities, connecting international investors with Angola’s rapidly expanding critical minerals market.

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

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Congo Energy & Investment Forum to Feature Deal Room, Hosted by Premier Invest

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The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum – set for 24-26 March in Brazzaville – will feature a specialized Deal Room Session, offering opportunities within the Congolese energy sector

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, March 10, 2025/APO Group/ –Premier Invest – a global investment conglomerate – will host a deal room at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), taking place from 24-26 March in Brazzaville.

The Deal Room is a platform for project sponsors, developers and promoters to showcase six significant upstream oil and gas transactions in Africa to potential investors and lenders. Rene Awambeng, Founder and Managing Partner of Premier Invest, will initiate the agenda and each presentation will be followed by a networking session, allowing delegates to engage in one-on-one discussions and explore potential partnerships.

By showcasing key upstream oil and gas projects, the aim is to foster collaboration, share knowledge and highlight the immense potential for investment across Africa

With aims to highlight opportunities in the upstream oil and gas sector in Africa, the session will facilitate knowledge sharing and market insights within the continent’s energy industry while promoting collaboration and partnerships. Major players in the industry will provide case studies of potential projects in Africa as policymakers and government officials showcase regulatory frameworks that support increased investment.

Legal and financial advisors are set to present financing options and strategies for energy projects in Congo and across Africa, offering delegates high-quality insights into market trends, fiscal developments and investment risks. Furthermore, the session stands to showcase a strong slate of successful projects and best practices in upstream oil and gas transactions throughout the continent.

The Deal Room Session at CEIF 2025 is a pivotal opportunity to connect investors, developers and policymakers, driving meaningful discussions and partnerships within the African energy sector. By showcasing key upstream oil and gas projects, the aim is to foster collaboration, share knowledge and highlight the immense potential for investment across Africa. This session underscores a commitment to accelerating energy infrastructure development and creating lasting, impactful relationships in the industry,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.

With an intensified focus on deal-making, CEIF 2025 seeks to connect capital to projects, drive collaboration and catalyze a new era of industry expansion in Africa. Furthermore, the session is set to capitalize on the upcoming launch of Congo’s 2025 oil and gas licensing round, the launch of the country’s Gas Master Plan and new Gas Code, as well as a strategy to double oil production to 500,000 barrels per day by 2027.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country. 

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

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OPPO Awards Media OutReach Newswire “Partner of the Year 2024” for Excellence in Global Press Release Distribution Services

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OPPO

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2025 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s first global newswire, has been honoured with OPPO’s prestigious ‘Partner of the Year’ award for the second time, following its exemplary performance in OPPO’s rigorous annual vendor evaluation system. Media OutReach Newswire achieved an exceptional rating exceeding 90% in OPPO’s evaluation matrix—an A-tier classification that OPPO’s Global Procurement team characterises as ‘extremely difficult to achieve.’ This distinguished OPPO award further solidifies Media OutReach Newswire’s position as a trusted global press release distribution partner. In their formal commendation accompanying the award, OPPO acknowledged the partnership’s strategic value, stating: “You have demonstrated a deep understanding of client requirements and consistently delivered outstanding results.”

Since 2019, Media OutReach Newswire has been a trusted newswire partner of OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand known for combining aesthetic excellence with innovative technology. Media OutReach Newswire has supported OPPO by distributing the company’s press releases across Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, the USA & Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Europe & the UK, and Latin America.

“Being recognised as the ‘OPPO Partner of the Year’ for the second time is a proud moment for Media OutReach Newswire and a testament to the excellence of our distribution network and customer services,” said Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire. “This award reflects our deep understanding of clients’ needs and our commitment to delivering results that exceed expectations globally. It highlights our expertise in connecting OPPO’s press releases with journalists, securing guaranteed news postings on high-quality media outlets globally, and providing post-release reports with data insights and PR Campaign Intelligence. Our continuous investment in press release distribution network ensures OPPO’s PR and marketing teams achieve impactful results in their global communications campaigns. Media OutReach Newswire is the trusted partner for corporations and governments looking to elevate their global brand trust and recognition.”

Through its comprehensive database of more than 200,000 journalists and editors over 500 trade categories, Media OutReach Newswire ensured OPPO’s press releases reached both general news (newspapers) and targeted trade media such as telecommunications & mobile, general technology, business, finance, ESG, retail and lifestyle which are key to OPPO’s business communications. By delivering OPPO’s press release directly to the inbox of targeted journalists and editors, Media OutReach Newswire’s press release distribution service has generated write-ups from trade media such as Gadgets 360, GMSArena, Phone Arena, Hardware Zone, Tech Edition as well as from tier one media outlets like CNBC, Forbes and South China Morning Post.

Media OutReach Newswire offers a Total Communications Solution that addresses the full requirements of PR and IR professionals, which includes a comprehensive global network of editors and journalists, guaranteed online news postings on quality and real media, and multiformat ready to use post release report with data insights and pioneering PR Campaign Intelligence to facilitate C-Suite’s reporting.

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