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Equatorial Guinea to Showcase 2026 Licensing Round to Global Investors at Invest in African Energy (IAE)

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Energy Capital

Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons Antonio Oburu Ondo will deliver a keynote at the Invest in African Energy Forum, unveiling strategic licensing opportunities tied to EG Ronda 2026

PARIS, France, March 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Reflecting a renewed drive for growth and upstream revitalization, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Antonio Oburu Ondo, will deliver a keynote address at the Invest in African Energy Forum, scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris. Designed to connect African energy opportunities with institutional and private capital, the forum provides a strategic platform for governments to present bankable projects directly to global investors.

 

At the center of Equatorial Guinea’s investor outreach is EG Ronda 2026, an upcoming licensing round expected to offer 24 upstream blocks across offshore and onshore basins. First announced at African Energy Week, the round will run through late 2026 and features updated fiscal terms and a competitive open-door framework aimed at attracting both majors and independents. In preparation, the Ministry has advanced seismic data acquisition and reprocessing programs, strengthening the technical dataset available to bidders and materially reducing exploration risk.

 

Equatorial Guinea’s strategy extends beyond licensing. In early 2026, the government signed a reconnaissance license agreement with Eni to support renewed upstream evaluation and field revitalization efforts. At the same time, cross-border collaboration on the Yoyo-Yolanda gas fields continues to advance, with a recent unitization agreement between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon paving the way for joint development. The move reinforces the country’s ambition to deepen regional integration, optimize shared resources and accelerate monetization through coordinated infrastructure planning.

 

Project-level momentum further supports this positioning. The Aseng Gas Project, backed by Chevron, represents an estimated $690 million investment aligned with Equatorial Guinea’s flagship Gas Mega Hub initiative – a multi-phase strategy to strengthen domestic processing capacity and position the country as a regional gas hub. National oil company GEPetrol recently increased its stake in Aseng to more than 32%, signaling deeper national participation alongside international operators and a clearer pathway to execution.

 

For capital providers focused on the Gulf of Guinea and broader African energy markets, Minister Ondo’s address in Paris will provide direct insight into fiscal reforms, licensing mechanics, partnership models and infrastructure expansion plans through 2026 and beyond. As global capital becomes more selective, IAE 2026 offers a critical space for engagement, due diligence and deal origination – helping convert announced opportunities into executed transactions.

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

 

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ICIEC and the National Bank of Bahrain Sign Trade Finance Insurance Policies to Support Trade Across Member States

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ICIEC

The partnership underscores ICIEC and NBB’s shared commitment to expanding trade finance, strengthening cross-border trade flows, and deepening economic cooperation among Member States

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org), a Shariah-based multilateral credit and political risk insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, has signed a Bank Master Policy (BMP) and Documentary Credit Insurance Policy (DCIP) with the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) on the sidelines of the IsDB Group 2026 Annual Meetings, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 16 to 19 June 2026.

 

Under these insurance policies, ICIEC will provide insurance cover for eligible trade finance transactions extended by NBB to entities located in ICIEC Member States and support the confirmation of letters of credit issued by banks in ICIEC Member States, helping facilitate cross-border trade while mitigating payment risks.

Resilient trade ecosystems require strong financial institutions, trusted partnerships, and effective risk mitigation

 

The partnership underscores ICIEC and NBB’s shared commitment to expanding trade finance, strengthening cross-border trade flows, and deepening economic cooperation among Member States. Through the provision of risk mitigation solutions, the agreement enhances confidence in international trade transactions, supports increased private sector engagement, and facilitates the efficient movement of essential goods and services across strategic markets.

 

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Chief Executive Officer of ICIEC, said: “Resilient trade ecosystems require strong financial institutions, trusted partnerships, and effective risk mitigation. These insurance policies with the National Bank of Bahrain bring these elements together, enabling greater confidence in cross-border transactions and expanding trade opportunities across ICIEC Member States. We are pleased to join forces with NBB in supporting businesses and facilitating the flow of trade that contributes to sustainable economic development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

 

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2025 Annual Report: ITFC oversaw US$9.35 billion in trade finance approvals and US$7.53 billion in disbursements

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ITFC

In 2025, ITFC ranked Global #1 Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger in the Bloomberg and LSEG Islamic Syndications League Tables

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (http://www.ITFC-idb.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group has published its 2025 Annual Report, revealing US$9.35 billion in trade finance approvals, US$7.79 billion in intra-OIC trade financing and US$6.35 billion mobilised from partner institutions in 2025, underscoring its role in financing trade, energy and food security across across 144 operations in 25 member countries.

 

These figures brought cumulative approvals since ITFC commenced operations in 2008 to US$92.10 billion, with disbursements reaching US$77.70 billion. This showcases ITFC’s role in financing trade flows in member countries facing liquidity constraints, trade finance gaps and continued pressure on food and energy supply chains.

ITFC’s 2025 portfolio remained focused on sectors linked to trade continuity and economic activity:

  • Energy approvals reached US$6.47 billion, with financing directed towards fuel, electricity and energy sector needs in member countries
  • Food and agriculture approvals reached US$1.57 billion, assisting strategic commodity imports and food security requirements
  • Financial sector approvals reached US$1.20 billion, including lines of financing through financial institutions
  • Private sector trade finance approvals reached US$1.35 billion, bringing cumulative private sector financing since inception to US$19.60 billion

The report also records ITFC’s partner capital mobilisation during the year. ITFC mobilised US$6.35 billion from public and private sector partners, representing 68 per cent of total approvals. In 2025, ITFC ranked Global #1 Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger in the Bloomberg and LSEG Islamic Syndications League Tables.

Trade development activity also formed part of ITFC’s 2025 delivery. The report outlines trade related technical assistance and integrated solutions initiative in member countries, in addition to programs including the Arab Africa Trade Bridges Programme, the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States 2.0, Trade Connect Central Asia Plus and the SMEs Program. These initiatives focus on export capacity, trade facilitation, regional economic cooperation and private sector readiness.

The report also confirms Moody’s reaffirmation of ITFC’s A1 long term foreign currency issuer rating and Prime 1 short term foreign currency issuer rating, with a stable outlook.

The 2025 Annual Report is available here (https://apo-opa.co/3QqV9v7).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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ICIEC and Arab Trade Financing Program (ATFP) Deepen Strategic Partnership through Comprehensive Islamic Finance Insurance Framework

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ICIEC

Signed on the sidelines of the IsDB Group 2026 Annual Meetings in Baku, the Bank Master Policy establishes a Shariah-compliant risk-sharing framework to support financing operations arranged by ATFP in the United Arab Emirates

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org), a Shariah-based multilateral credit and political risk insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and the Arab Trade Financing Program (ATFP) have signed a Bank Master Policy under a Comprehensive Islamic Finance framework, further strengthening their longstanding partnership to facilitate trade, enhance access to finance, and support sustainable economic growth across member countries.

 

Signed on the sidelines of the IsDB Group 2026 Annual Meetings in Baku, the Bank Master Policy establishes a Shariah-compliant risk-sharing framework to support financing operations arranged by ATFP in the United Arab Emirates. Under the arrangement, ICIEC will provide insurance coverage for eligible transactions, protecting the policyholder against specified commercial risks, including non-payment, while enhancing transaction security and confidence among participating financial institutions.

 

This Bank Master Policy marks an important step in expanding Shariah-compliant trade finance solutions across our Member States

The signing marks an important step in advancing Islamic trade finance solutions and reflects both institutions’ shared commitment to strengthening economic connectivity, facilitating cross-border commerce, and supporting private sector development.

 

Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Chief Executive Officer of ICIEC, said: “This Bank Master Policy marks an important step in expanding Shariah-compliant trade finance solutions across our Member States. Through this partnership with ATFP, ICIEC is helping strengthen confidence in trade transactions, mitigate non-payment risks, and enable financial institutions to extend financing with greater certainty. This reflects our continued commitment to supporting sustainable economic growth through practical and impactful risk mitigation solutions.”

 

As a leading provider of Shariah-compliant credit and political risk insurance, ICIEC continues to facilitate cross-border trade and investment by mitigating risks and mobilising private capital. Through this partnership, ICIEC and ATFP are contributing to a more integrated, resilient, and sustainable trade ecosystem across their member countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

 

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