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ExxonMobil’s Project Portfolio, Commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to Bolster Growth in Angola

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2 years ago

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ExxonMobil

Through a strong pipeline of oil and gas projects and various community development initiatives, ExxonMobil continues to support long-term growth in Angola

LUANDA, Angola, June 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

ExxonMobil could inject as much as $15 billion into the development of Angola’s hydrocarbon reserves by 2030, following the success of commercial oil discoveries in the southern African country. The energy major is developing a series of large-scale projects and is committed to supporting community development through capacity building and outreach programs aimed at improving STEM-related opportunities. These endeavors are poised to strengthen the Angolan oil and gas industry while bolstering industrialization and broader economic growth.

This week, the African Energy Chamber – led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk – met with company leaders from ExxonMobil as part of a working visit to the country. During the meeting, the parties discussed the government’s efforts in opening up the sector and how fiscal policies have made doing business in Angola that much more competitive. ExxonMobil – celebrating 30 years of operations in Angola – has been at the forefront of many large-scale developments in the country, and the major’s renewed focus on infrastructure-led exploration; local content development; and investments in STEM will unlock new opportunities for the country. 

ExxonMobil’s rich production history in Angola underscores both the country’s oil and gas potential and the company’s commitment to spurring development in Africa. Considered a golden block, the company’s deepwater Block 15 in Angola represents one of the most successful offshore concessions in the region, with 18 commercial discoveries made. Producing for 20 years, the block hit a milestone of 2.5 billion barrels of cumulative oil production in 2023. This year, ExxonMobil made an oil discovery at the Likember-01 research well in the block. The operation, which took place in the Kizomba B development area, revealed the existence of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sand packages. The find follows a discovery made in 2022 at the Bavuca South-1 exploration well in Block 15, which formed part of a redevelopment plan to deliver 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) of new oil production.  

The development area is operated by ExxonMobil and developed in partnership with Angola’s state-owned Sonangol and international energy companies Equinor and Azule Energy. The Likembe-01 well is the first to be drilled as part of a broader incremental production initiative, which is spearheaded by Angola’s national concessionaire, the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency and aims to increase output at already-producing concessions in the country. ExxonMobil also has an 20% participating interest in Block 17, a 15% participating interest in Block 32 and continues to operate Blocks 30, 44 and 45 in the Namib Basin, offshore Angola, with a 60% participating interest in the three blocks. This month, ExxonMobil surpassed a production level of 200,000 bpd. This represents significant materiality, a key condition for establishing Angola as a competitive oil province as well as positioning the country as a top performer in the company’s global portfolio.

The AEC commends the progress ExxonMobil continues to make in promoting women in energy, STEM-related education and economic growth in Angola

Going forward, the company is committed to drilling in the Namibe basin, with plans to invest $200 million to drill an offshore frontier exploration well by the end of 2024 in partnership with Sonangol. The campaign aims to uncover new oil and gas reserves in Angola’s underexplored acreage and, if successful, the supermajor could inject as much as $15 billion into the development of the basin by 2030. The development of a large commercial discovery is poised to result in revenue of between $20 billion and $40 billion for the country, which will serve to promote socioeconomic development, economic diversification and local content and community advancement.

“ExxonMobil’s investment in Angola continues to grow because of the enabling environment that the government continues to create for the industry. The government is making sure that the country remains competitive – especially in terms of fiscals – and is significantly improving market attractiveness for companies. This enables world-class project developments and the AEC commends the government for laying this strong foundation,” stated Ayuk.

Apart from oil and gas development, ExxonMobil is a strong advocate for STEM-related education in Angola. The company is committed to advancing opportunities for Angolan people in this area and strives to address challenges related to STEM education in the country. Specifically, the company aims to create opportunities for girls and women in STEM. During the AEC-ExxonMobil meeting, the parties discussed the critical role investments in STEM play in the country and how the company is spearheading efforts to promote education. Additionally, the parties outlined the vital role of women in the energy sector. For its part, ExxonMobil has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality in the industry. Industry leaders such as Melissa Bond, former Country Manager for Angola at ExxonMobil, and Katrina Fisher, Lead Country Manager/Managing Director for Angola at ExxonMobil, have championed these endeavors. During the upcoming AEW: Invest in African Energy conference this November (4-8), the AEC aims to bring women in energy and STEM discussions to the main stage, highlighting the importance of these topics.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil has been outspoken in its philanthropic efforts in Angola. In May, ExxonMobil and the National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa announced the launch of a new Jr. NBA League in Luanda. The new league will feature 40 boys’ and girls’ teams for youths in the country aged 16 and under. The league is set to reach as many as 10,000 youth participants in 2024. The league will culminate with the playoffs and finals in September this year and will feature all-girls basketball clinics as part of the NBA’s Her Time to Play initiative – providing opportunities for girls to play the game and pursue careers in coaching and athletic leadership.

“The AEC commends the progress ExxonMobil continues to make in promoting women in energy, STEM-related education and economic growth in Angola. The company has been a champion of these critical issues and the AEC looks forward to working closely with the company to support the next generation of oil, gas and science in Africa,” concluded Ayuk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Energy

Building a Knowledge Hub for China-ASEAN Energy Cooperation

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26 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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ASEAN

NANNING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – During the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, China Southern Power Grid showcased a range of innovations designed to support energy cooperation between China and ASEAN. These included the DaWatt – Lao Language Large Language Model (LLM) for the Energy and Power Sector V2.0 and the Flexible Grayscale Intelligent Monitoring & Analysis Platform for power system cybersecurity, highlighting expanding opportunities for cooperation in digitalization, intelligent technologies and green energy.

The Lao-language LLM has been deployed at Electricité du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDL-T), where it can automatically analyze thousands of inspection images within a short period of time. After its algorithms were optimized for Laos’ mountainous and rainforest terrain, the model completed intelligent inspection analysis for four transmission lines, processing 26,000 drone inspection images and identifying more than 3,600 equipment defects.

 




 
 

Liu Ying, general manager of the Digitalization Department at Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd., said the company has been building multilingual professional corpora for the power sector, covering ASEAN countries including Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia. Drawing on the capabilities of the DaWatt foundation model, the company is developing energy and power models tailored to ASEAN languages and real-world power industry applications.

Talent development is another focus of the cooperation. The China-ASEAN Institute of Energy, jointly established by Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. and Guangxi University, is exploring an industry-university training model with a strong emphasis on practical experience. So far, two cohorts totaling 53 students from ASEAN countries have enrolled.

Cooperation is also evolving from one-way training toward joint innovation. Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. and the Royal Academy of Cambodia have jointly established a laboratory for artificial intelligence and safety equipment, while the company has also launched peer-to-peer exchanges with Electricité du Laos on improving power supply reliability.

To address language barriers in cross-border technical exchanges, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. has developed an AI-powered translation platform backed by a specialized database containing terminology for more than 1,800 types of power equipment. The platform supports accurate translation between Chinese and English, Chinese and Lao, and Chinese and Vietnamese.

At a recent training program for Chinese and overseas engineers, the system supported one-click generation of bilingual course materials and real-time speech translation, helping participants navigate highly specialized power-sector terminology.

To support regular international exchanges, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. has also established an international talent pool covering management, technical and skilled personnel. It has developed 24 hours of courses on international affairs as well as 20 short-form video courses.

“This year, we will also explore joint postgraduate programs with universities in ASEAN countries,” said Sun Xiaohua, deputy director of the Human Resources Department at Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd.

Looking ahead, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. plans to further advance a development model featuring “R&D in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, integration in Guangxi, and application in ASEAN.” The company will continue expanding its multilingual power-sector corpora and explore a “Token Goes Global” model for power-sector AI, with computing resources and models based in Guangxi while knowledge services are delivered overseas. The effort is aimed at creating new forms of China-ASEAN energy cooperation and supporting the green development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0.
 




 

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Events

24th Sichuan Guangwu Mountain International Red Leaf Festival to Showcase Asia’s Spectacular Autumn Colors

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44 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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Red Leaf Festival

BAZHONG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – The 24th Sichuan Guangwu Mountain International Red Leaf Festival will run from October 1 to November 18 at the Guangwu Mountain Tourism Area in Bazhong, Sichuan Province, China.

Located in southwest China, Guangwu Mountain boasts a forest coverage rate of 97%, earning its reputation as a “natural oxygen bar.” Each autumn, 680 square kilometers of mountain forests burst into a dazzling palette. Over 40 tree species, including Fagus pashanica, maples and lindens, weave the mountains into a stunning autumn landscape.

Known as “Asia’s longest natural red carpet,” the Mountain has become a top autumn destination for backpackers, photographers and travelers seeking immersive cultural and nature experiences, and is widely recognized as one of western China’s signature autumn attractions.

 




 
 

The tourism area caters to international visitors who prefer slower-paced, in-depth, off-the-beaten-path travel. The new Yanziling Loop Boardwalk, launched in May 2026, winds along mountain cliffs, with a sea of clouds rolling beneath visitors’ feet and brilliant foliage unfolding alongside the trail, creating the feeling of “stepping into a painting.”

Guangwu Mountain offers a wealth of outdoor attractions. Highlights include the 1,888-meter Red Leaf Coaster and a glass water slide certified by Guinness World Record, combining thrilling experiences with stunning natural scenery.

The large-scale immersive production “New Dream of Guangwu Mountain” integrates cutting-edge light and visual technology with Bashan folklore and traditions, transforming the forest into an atmospheric nighttime experience. Visitors can also enjoy welcome performances and interactive robot activities, which offer more ways to discover the mountain’s late-autumn charm.

A major highlight of this year’s festival is the newly completed Micang Avenue. Stretching 85 kilometers, the route connects seven core scenic spots, including Guangwu Mountain, Micang Mountain, and Nuoshui River, reducing a four-hour drive to just one hour. Lined with continuous stretches of colorful forest and layered peaks, the avenue brings brand-new travel experiences for autumn foliage enthusiasts.

The festival will also feature cultural, sports and international exchange activities, including the third season of the “Sending You a Red Leaf” campaign, the China Micang Avenue International Road Cycling Race, and the “World Red Leaf Landmark” global collection campaign.

In addition, 31 scenic attractions and 18 museums and cultural venues across Bazhong will provide special ticket offers and visitor benefits during the festival.

Across mountains and seas, Guangwu Mountain invites visitors from around the world to witness one of China’s most vibrant red-and-gold autumn displays.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
 
 




 

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Business

DHL Invests in Greater Middle East-Africa Connectivity with New Aviation Lane

Published

49 minutes ago

on

September 22, 2026

By

DHL Express

The investment also reflects shifting global supply chains, as companies diversify sourcing, manufacturing and customer markets beyond traditional corridors

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • New weekly B767/F Bahrain-Johannesburg service strengthens Sub-Saharan Africa connectivity and supports growing trade flows between Africa, the Gulf and global markets

DHL Express (www.DHL.com) has marked an important milestone in its regional aviation network with the successful operation of the first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa.

The inaugural flight arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, opening a new weekly aviation lane operated by a DHL Express B767/F freighter. The route reinforces DHL’s continued investment in strengthening Sub-Saharan Africa network connectivity, expanding heavier-weight capability, improving flexibility and supporting growing trade flows between the Middle East and Africa.

 




  

As trade between Africa and the Middle East develops, businesses need resilient, well-connected logistics networks. The new service provides greater inbound and outbound capacity for South Africa and neighbouring countries through the DHL Johannesburg Hub, one of the company’s key gateways on the continent.

 

The investment also reflects shifting global supply chains, as companies diversify sourcing, manufacturing and customer markets beyond traditional corridors. Bahrain’s position as a gateway between Africa, the Gulf and Asia make it an important link for businesses seeking faster access to international markets.

 

Every new connection we introduce is designed with our customers in mind

“Every new connection we introduce is designed with our customers in mind. As global trade routes diversify and economic ties between Africa and the Middle East continue to strengthen, we are seeing powerful geographical tailwinds creating new opportunities for businesses. Demand is growing across sectors such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, all of which rely on fast, reliable international logistics,” said Anthony Beckley, Vice President of Operations and Aviation for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

“While this first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa is a significant network milestone, its real value lies in the opportunities it creates for customers.”

 

 

South Africa is one of DHL’s Geographic Tailwinds markets, reflecting its growing role in global trade flows and its potential to drive future trade growth. And Johannesburg remains a critical gateway in DHL’s SSA network, linking South Africa and neighbouring markets to global opportunities through Bahrain and the wider DHL aviation network. Through continued investment in routes, aircraft capacity and hub connectivity, DHL is supporting customers across this dynamic lane.

 

“DHL Express is the only logistics provider operating a dedicated intra-regional air fleet across the Middle East, connecting customers through Bahrain with major global gateways including Hong Kong, Leipzig and Cincinnati,” said Richard Gale, Vice President of Aviation, DHL Express MENA.

 

“Bahrain’s position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East makes it an ideal hub for customers seeking faster, more reliable access across these growing trade corridors. We are pleased to add this direct Johannesburg connection as economic ties between Africa and the Gulf deepen.”

 

DHL remains committed to helping customers seize opportunities created by changing trade patterns and expanding economic relationships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL Express.

 

 




 

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