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European Union (EU)-funded Project EU4PSL for Private Sector Development in Libya Presents Results

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An online portal to simplify the establishment of businesses, step-by-step guides for new entrepreneurs, business acceleration programmes and start-up grants for 90 young Libyan entrepreneurs, and a new link between the private sector and Libyan universities are among EU4PSL’s most important achievements since 2019. “E-NABLE”, a €5 million EU-funded follow-up programme, will continue to support private sector diversification, digitalization and financial solutions for businesses in Libya

TRIPOLI, Libya, December 8, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The European Union’s (bit.ly/3uCHRgC) EU4PSL project in support of private sector development in Libya presented its results in Tripoli. Over the past three years, the project contributed to a better business environment, and new job opportunities across Libya, in particular for the youth and women. In a closing ceremony in Tripoli, the EU and its EU4PSL implementing partner Expertise France (ExpertiseFrance.fr), presented key results to key stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Today, we celebrate the conclusion of the European program to support the private sector in Libya, and we all know that Libya has progressed towards economic development through its private sector. I thank the European Union Delegation, Expertise France and the Libyan experts in all sectors for their contribution to reaching the program’s goals. I stress the keenness and desire of the Ministry of Economy and Trade to continue working together for economic recovery, diversification and the development of Libyan competencies,” said Mohammed Al-Huweij, Minister of Economy and Trade in Libya.

The private sector is a crucial driver for innovation, new jobs and economic growth in Libya. This is why it is important to create an enabling business environment, encourage entrepreneurship and ensure favourable conditions for innovation, investment and trade. In Libya, the private sector needs new skills, instruments and opportunities to turn ideas into successful business ventures. With EU4PSL we were able to create new platforms to simplify access to economic institutions and to boost start-ups and young entrepreneurs,” said Francesca Cuccia, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Libya. “The EU will continue its support to Libya’s private sector also in the future.

“EU4PSL, is for us a flagship project that shows the relevance of supporting the development of the private sector in Libya. All the great achievements underline the full engagement of all the implicated Libyan stakeholders participating to a more efficient and supportive business environment, key for the private sector harmonious development” said Julien Schmitt, Country representative and programs director at Expertise France in Libya. “On behalf of Expertise France, we are very honoured for the trust of our national and international partners and we want to reaffirm once again our commitment to continue to support the economic development of Libya.”

Better institutional services and easy access to support for businesses

EU4PSL worked with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, chambers of commerce and other economic institutions to help create a supportive business environment in Libya.

A new online portal called eJraat (ejraat.gov.ly) simplifies business creation procedures and provides a step-by-step guide to administrative procedures and was launched in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (UNCTAD.org). The involved stakeholders are now taking it a step further by working with the General Commercial Registry on creating a single online window for business registration and other business services.

In partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), (InTraCen.org) Libya was integrated in the Euromed Trade Help Desk (bit.ly/3iPCc4d) portal for facilitating trade and investment in the EU and the Mediterranean region.

EU4PSL worked with the Chambers of Commerce and General Union of Chambers of Commerce to develop their advisory and advocacy functions. A large national survey (bit.ly/3FziC4S) identified the profiles and needs of Libyan enterprises in terms of business knowledge and support services, along with operational recommendations to help the government and international donors better shape their economic support to Libya.

The first Chambers of Commerce White Book lists the top common reform priorities identified by Libyan enterprises owners and managers with concrete proposals for improvement.

With EU4PSL we were able to create new platforms to simplify access to economic institutions and to boost start-ups and young entrepreneurs

Economic empowerment of women and youth

In partnership with local CSOs, EU4PSL held three national women entrepreneurs contests in which €120,000 of grants were disbursed to 36 winners; more than 90 jobs were created as a result of the development of the winning businesses.

The involved CSOs have also teamed up with universities to organise entrepreneurship training boot camps that were delivered to 360 of their students. Top innovative ideas were then selected to participate in 3 national student contests receiving significant financial awards from local sponsors.

A 6-month business acceleration program called Boost it mentored 19 emerging start-ups from 6 different Libyan cities. The participating start-ups received €153,000 in financial support. 84.6 % of them reported an increase in their revenue.

Improved access to finance for MSMEs and start-ups

EU4PSL worked with the Central Bank of Libya and several other financial institutions to support Libyan MSMEs to access finance.

With the support of the leading financial institution Adie France (Adie.org), two microfinance circulars were published by the Central Bank of Libya demanding banks to dedicate 10% of their portfolio to SMEs and adapt their services to meet the needs of micro and small enterprises, thus creating new fund-raising vehicles for business owners.

Six units dedicated to SMEs support were established within Libyan banks and Tadawul Group (bit.ly/3W1CoeR) supported to establish a Venture Capital fund to provide means of financing and investment for the start-up eco-system in Libya.

Entrepreneurship streamlined within education curricula

EU4PSL, together with Lyon 3 university (bit.ly/3Y4Dmc2), developed an accredited entrepreneurship module that is now being taught at 9 Libyan universities. The delivery of this module was made possible by training and coaching 44 professors across the country with the support of the South Mediterranean University (SMU) (SMU.tn) in Tunis.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation units were also created within 11 universities. The staff of these units were coached on how to run practical incubation programmes to support undergraduate students to upgrade their skills and begin their careers.
Eight Junior initiatives (Juniorenterprises.org) were created inside partner universities promoting entrepreneurial skills among students and closing the gap between their academic studies and the labour market.

EU4PSL has also initiated work with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on a national roadmap for supporting entrepreneurship within higher educational institutions and bridging the gap between graduates and the labour market in collaboration with the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) (UNI-MED.net).

After the successful completion of the EU4PSL (2019-2022) and its preceding project, SLEISDE (2016 -2020), the European Union will continue to support private sector and economic development in Libya through the E-NABLE (E-NABLE.ly) project (2022-2025), implemented by Expertise France. E-NABLE will focus on economic diversity, sustainability, and digital governance in Libya.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Expertise France.

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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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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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