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Former Ethiopia Prime Minister H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe to Chair TradeMark Africa’s Board

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TradeMark Africa

H.E. Desalegn’s expertise and experience will be central to guiding TMA through its new seven-year strategy

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 6, 2024/APO Group/ — 

TradeMark Africa (TMA) (www.TradeMarkAfrica.com) announces the appointment of H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, as its new Board Chair. H.E. Desalegn is succeeding Ambassador Erastus Mwencha, who has concluded his eight-year term, and joins TMA at a time when the organisation has set its sights on ambitious goals including boosting African exports, supporting implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and expanding its operational reach from Eastern to West and Southern Africa, working closely with Regional Economic Communities, national institutions, the private sector and international partners.

As a senior political leader with experience on both national and continental stages, H.E. Desalegn’s expertise and experience will be central to guiding TMA through its new seven-year strategy. The 2023-2030 strategy focuses on continuing to reduce the time and cost of transporting goods across borders and improving market access for SMEs by improving the value and quality of traded goods, while addressing the trade-related challenges of the future for the continent. This includes positioning Africa as a global pioneer in green trade, leveraging commercial capital for greater multiples of investment in trade infrastructure, and ensuring that trade benefits accrue to the poorest, in particular women and youth.

H.E Desalegn’s tenure as Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 2012 to 2018 was marked by a visionary approach to economic and diplomatic engagements, under which Ethiopia saw sustained double-digit economic growth.  His experience in fostering trade agreements and promoting economic integration during his tenure as Chair of Africa Union from 2013 to 2014, is particularly relevant as TMA intensifies its efforts to support African governments in defining and negotiating their trade policy.

H.E. Desalegn’s extensive experience and understanding of both the challenges and opportunities in intra-African trade make him an invaluable leader for TMA’s next phase

Reflecting on his new role, H.E Desalegn remarked, “It is a privilege to join an organisation that is at the forefront of transforming trade across Africa. I am thrilled at the opportunity to steer TMA towards impactful milestones and contribute to Africa’s trade success story. Following in the footsteps of Amb. Mwencha, I inherit a dynamic organisation with a solid foundation, and I am eager to build on this legacy to realise our continent’s vast trade potential.”

TMA Chief Executive Officer Mr David Beer noted, “H.E. Desalegn’s extensive experience and understanding of both the challenges and opportunities in intra-African trade make him an invaluable leader for TMA’s next phase. His appointment is testament to our commitment to driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the continent.”

TMA Council Chair Mr Leo Svahnback said “We are excited to welcome H.E. Desalegn as our new Board Chair. His leadership comes at a crucial time as we expand our reach through the new regional hubs’ strategy. H.E. Desalegn’s experience will be invaluable as we build on the strong foundation our previous chairs have established, ensuring our programs create even more opportunities across Africa.”

H.E Desalegn will lead a Board comprised of global leaders who are dedicated to driving sustainable and inclusive prosperity in Africa. His first major engagement will be spearheading the upcoming Trade Development Forum (TMA-TDF) in Kigali Rwanda, scheduled for December 2-3, 2024. Hosted jointly by TMA and the Government of Rwanda, this forum will be a focal point for TMA’s agenda of Digital Trade in Africa under his leadership.

H.E Desalegn holds a master’s degree in water and environmental engineering from Tampere University of Technology in Finland and a second Master’s in Organisational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University in California, USA.  He previously held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Social Affairs and Government Chief-Whip Minister. He also served as Governor of the Southern Regional State of Ethiopia for six years. He serves on several Boards of international organisations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TradeMark Africa (TMA).

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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) Joins Suriname Awareness Symposium 2025, Delivers Just Energy Transition Call

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African Energy Chamber

The African Energy Chamber is participating at the Suriname Awareness Symposium 2025 as a strategic partner

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ — 

A delegation from the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/), the voice of Africa’s energy sector, led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, participated in the Suriname Awareness Symposium 2025 today. Hosted by Colibri Business Development, Sheriff Consultancy and Alite D’Fam Consultancy under the patronage of Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, the event brought together Surinamese stakeholders and global partners to explore opportunities within the country’s energy value chain.

During the opening remarks, H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, emphasized the symposium’s role as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

“We must ensure what is discussed turns to real life solutions on how can we ensure transparency, accountability and management of energy resources, how oil and gas revenue is invested in education, and how we can balance economic growth with environmental sustainability,” stated H.E Santokhi.

He highlighted the government’s development strategy, centered on four pillars: collaboration, economic diversification, a transformative mindset and dialogue.

Regarding energy diversification, President Santokhi outlined Suriname’s efforts to balance oil, gas and renewable energy sources while integrating investments from the private and public sectors and international partners.

H.E. Albert R. Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that energy affordability directly impacts national prosperity. He highlighted the importance of diversifying the energy mix to ensure cost-effective energy solutions and drive industrialization.

“Out of the energy transition lies the empowerment of the Suriname people. Sustainability must be anchor in our development strategy,” he remarked.

With oil and gas, Suriname will be able to power its fire plants and industrialize with fertilizers when the sun is not shining or wind not blowing

Ayuk addressed the critical role of Suriname’s oil and gas potential in fostering sustainable development.

“Climate change and energy poverty are interconnected issues. Energy poverty is a human rights challenge, and achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is impossible without addressing it,” Ayuk said.

He urged Suriname to harness its oil and gas resources while diversifying with renewables to achieve industrialization and energy security. Ayuk cautioned against repeating Africa’s mistakes, where abundant resources coexist with widespread energy poverty.

“With oil and gas, Suriname will be able to power its fire plants and industrialize with fertilizers when the sun is not shining or wind not blowing and avoid reliance on foreign aid.”

Ayuk emphasized that Suriname has every right to develop its oil resources to improve the lives of its people. He highlighted Suriname’s unique position as a carbon sink, with extensive aerial forestry, and commended the President for incentivizing TotalEnergies’ production of 230,000 barrels of oil. According to Ayuk, this decision is a crucial step toward resource development, and enables the country to generate revenue to fund future exploration efforts.

He criticized the notion of larger oil-producing nations, which extract millions of barrels daily, discouraging Suriname from utilizing its modest production capacity of 230,000 barrels in the name of climate change. Ayuk stated that both Suriname and Africa must maximize their hydrocarbon resources to support development and economic growth.

He encouraged TotalEnergies, which has already committed $1.5 billion to local content development, to increase its investments further. Ayuk also expressed gratitude to the President of Suriname for fostering a conducive environment that has attracted significant oil and gas investments. Additionally, he called for greater female participation in the energy sector, emphasizing the need for a fair and inclusive energy transition.

Taking place from January 27 – 28 under the theme “The Dawn of a New Era” the symposium aims to attract investments across Suriname’s energy value chain. The country boasts an estimated 2.4 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 12.5 trillion cubic feet of proven gas. Recent policy reforms, including 10-year tax incentives for development partners, and significant oil and gas discoveries between 2019 and 2022, have drawn major global interest.

Energy giant TotalEnergies announced a $10.5 billion Final Investment Decision for the GranMorgu project in Block 58 in October 2024. ExxonMobil and Malaysia’s Petronas signed a letter of agreement with the government for Block 52, while QatarEnergy partnered with Chevron to acquire a stake in Block 5 and maintains interests in Blocks 64 and 65.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Energy Week Drives Positive Impact in Cape Town: Employing 70 Local Vendors, with 99% of Event Work Delivered by South African Companies

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The African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference continues to be a key driver of economic growth and local empowerment in Cape Town, creating jobs, supporting businesses and positioning the city as a global energy hub

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ — 

The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference continues to leave an indelible mark on the city of Cape Town, reinforcing its status as a leading platform for investment, collaboration and innovation in Africa’s energy sector. Beyond advancing the continent’s energy agenda, AEW delivers significant economic and social benefits to the local community, creating jobs, supporting businesses and empowering young professionals.

In 2024, AEW proudly delivered economic benefits that directly impacted the local community. By engaging exclusively with 70 South African vendors and ensuring 99% of event work was conducted by South African companies, the event solidified its commitment to wealth creation and keeping economic gains within the country. These efforts underscore AEW’s dedication to local empowerment, with every aspect of logistics and services sourced locally to maximize community benefit.

Additionally, AEW significantly boosted the hospitality sector, with 80% of accommodation in Cape Town directly booked because of the conference, driving notable revenue growth for local hotels. The event also ensures its economic contributions are fully realized by paying local taxes, further bolstering Cape Town’s GDP and creating a significant distinction from some international companies that do not adhere to the same standard.

AEW goes beyond driving Africa’s energy ambitions – it creates meaningful, lasting benefits for the host city, strengthening its economy and fostering sustainable growth

AEW’s impact extended to education and skills development, with complimentary access provided to 102 students. This initiative reflects the event’s focus on nurturing the next generation of energy leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in the evolving energy landscape.

The success of AEW also highlights Cape Town’s growing reputation as a global energy hub. By hosting a world-class event that attracts leaders and investors from across the globe, the city has positioned itself as a strategic destination for energy-related discussions and partnerships. This visibility has not only elevated Cape Town on the global stage, but also fostered an environment conducive to long-term investment and innovation within the local energy ecosystem.

Looking ahead, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 3, is set to build on this legacy. The upcoming edition will once again position Cape Town as a hub for deal-making, collaboration and innovation, bringing together energy leaders, policymakers, investors and innovators from across the globe. With a strong focus on investment in transformative energy projects, capacity building and enabling environments, AEW 2025 aims to unlock new opportunities for Africa’s energy sector while expanding its positive impact on the host city.

“AEW’s impact on Cape Town is a testament to the power of collaboration and local empowerment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “By placing local businesses and people at the heart of its initiatives, AEW goes beyond driving Africa’s energy ambitions – it creates meaningful, lasting benefits for the host city, strengthening its economy and fostering sustainable growth. This is more than just an event; it’s a catalyst for transformative change.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Infobip recognized as Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT) Fraud Prevention Leader by Juniper Research

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Juniper Research scores vendors across 11 criteria, including but not limited to their size of operations in the AIT prevention market, the extent and breadth of relevant partnerships, market coverage, and product strength

CASABLANCA, Morocco, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Global cloud communications platform Infobip (www.Infobip.com) has been recognized as the number one provider among Established Leaders in the Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT) Fraud Prevention market by Juniper Research. The analyst firm has ranked Infobip first of 18 vendors in its Competitor Leaderboard for AIT Fraud Detection Solution Vendors 2024.  

Juniper Research scores vendors across 11 criteria, including but not limited to their size of operations in the AIT prevention market, the extent and breadth of relevant partnerships, market coverage, and product strength. Infobip scored highly across each of these and three further categories.  

We will continue to innovate and invest in preventing AIT fraud and protecting our customers and the wider messaging ecosystem

Overall, Infobip was ranked as the Leading firm because it offers a comprehensive solution to AIT fraud detection and prevention strategies, including its ‘Infobip Signals’ solution, which detects AIT by monitoring phone number behavior, ranges, and types. 

Helping set Infobip aside from others in the market is its use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to detect and block OTP traffic, ensuring automated protection for enterprises.  

Georgia Allen, Research Analyst at Juniper Research, said: “Infobip has a comprehensive solution to combat AIT fraud, with a significant messaging client base to inform future AIT detection and prevention strategies. Infobip’s growth into markets in North America and Western Europe is critical when considering the high levels of AIT fraud in these regions, therefore making them key regions for AIT prevention solutions. Infobip offers several AIT prevention solutions, with Juniper Research highlighting the ‘Infobip Signals’ solution as a crucial tool in blocking AIT fraud, with differing levels of aggression depending on the enterprise’s needs.” 

Goran Juršić, VP of Business Intelligence at Infobip, said: “Juniper Research has recognized Infobip as the leading provider of AIT Fraud Prevention solutions globally for our exceptional capabilities and products. With the support of our customers who partnered with us, we brought Signals – our risk detection solution – to life. Leveraging the newest technologies, Signals has already demonstrated its impact, exposing AIT fraud hotspots worldwide and saving our customers millions of dollars. We will continue to innovate and invest in preventing AIT fraud and protecting our customers and the wider messaging ecosystem.” 

Access the report: https://apo-opa.co/42ro9GJ

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Infobip.

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