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Former International Criminal Court (ICC) Spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah Joins APO Group to Lead Africa’s Most Advanced Strategic Reputation and Crisis Communications Division

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APO Group

Fadi El Abdallah, 15-Year ICC Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs, Appointed Chief Strategic Advisor, Reputation and Crisis Communications at APO Group

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the communications consultancy built for performance across Africa, today announced the appointment of former International Criminal Court Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Fadi El Abdallah as Chief Strategic Advisor, Reputation and Crisis Communications, and the launch of APO Group’s new Strategic Reputation & Crisis Communications division. It helps multinational corporations, financial institutions, African governments and sovereign entities, pan-African corporates, and organisations across the continent’s fastest-growing sectors prepare for, manage, and recover from high-stakes reputational crises. Its services span crisis rapid response, executive counsel, crisis readiness, reputation recovery, and continuous crisis intelligence.

 




  

Copyright-free video B-roll, images and soundbites are available for the media to download and use freely without requiring authorisation: https://apo-opa.co/4z2jngk

 

For additional insights, watch the full interview with Fadi El Abdallah here: https://apo-opa.co/4zjYXQ9

 

As the official Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for 15 years, El Abdallah, PhD, operated at the centre of some of the most complex and high-profile institutional crises of the past two decades, managing media pressure, countering coordinated disinformation campaigns, advising senior leadership under extreme public scrutiny, and coordinating crisis response across multiple stakeholders and jurisdictions.

On the appointment, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder and Chairman of APO Group, said: “Reputation and crisis communications are among the most under-served disciplines in Africa, yet also among the most critical. For 15 years, Fadi managed institutional reputation during coordinated disinformation campaigns, sanctions crises, and war crimes trials, before a global audience and under permanent legal constraint. There is no comparable practitioner on the continent, and we are proud to welcome him to APO Group to lead this division.”

Reputation and crisis communications are among the most under-served disciplines in Africa, yet also among the most critical

Bas Wijne, CEO of APO Group, added: “What makes this division different is that we do not only advise, we execute. A strategy that sits on paper is worthless when a narrative is moving across 12 markets in three languages overnight. Fadi brings the strategic framework, and APO Group brings the infrastructure to deploy it across all 54 African markets in real time. That combination does not exist anywhere else in Africa.”

On his appointment as Chief Strategic Advisor, Reputation and Crisis Communications, Fadi El Abdallah said: “Reputation and crisis communications in Africa are at an inflection point. Governments and organisations are facing reputational threats that are faster, more complex and more consequential than ever before, driven by digital media, political pressure and an increasingly discerning global audience. What has been missing is a firm with both the strategic depth to advise at the highest level on reputation and crisis, and the infrastructure to deliver at scale. That is exactly what APO Group offers, and it is why I am here.”

APO Group operates two integrated business units that together make it unique on the African continent, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2027 and trusted by 300+ organisations including Emirates, Canon, Nestlé, the NFL, DHL, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and Afreximbank.

The first is Africa’s largest press release and content distribution service, the Africa Newsroom newswire, reaching 450,000+ journalists and news organisations across all 54 African markets in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. Through partnerships with Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters Eikon, LexisNexis, and Dow Jones Factiva, APO Group’s distribution extends directly into the international financial and investor community, guaranteeing visibility with the analysts, fund managers, and financial decision-makers who shape investment flows into Africa.

The second is a full-service strategic communications consultancy managing complete communications strategy and delivery for some of the leading organisations active in Africa: building strategies from the ground up; creating all content formats through a dedicated in-house content department (press releases, opinion pieces, digital assets for social media, white papers, research reports, executive speeches, and multimedia content); organising press conferences, interviews, and international online press conferences; managing influencer programmes; and securing editorial coverage across the continent and in leading international media including the Financial Times, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, TV5 Monde, Bloomberg, Reuters, and AFP. APO Group has communications professionals on the ground across Africa, a pan-African workforce that no global advisory firm can match in breadth, depth, or local knowledge.

When an organisation needs to move a narrative at speed, APO Group mobilises both business units simultaneously. No other advisory firm on the continent can make this claim.

To explore how APO Group’s Strategic Reputation and Crisis Communications division can support your organisation, contact enquiry@apo-opa.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

 




 

Energy

South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) Confirmed as South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) 2026 Platinum Sponsor as Upstream Footprint Expands

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Etu Energias

The South African National Petroleum Company is participating in the seventh edition of South Sudan Oil & Power as a platinum sponsor

JUBA, South Sudan, November 11, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) has been confirmed as a Platinum Sponsor of the upcoming South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) 2026 conference, taking place November 24–25 in Juba.

 




 
 

SANPC’s sponsorship underscores the event’s position as the country’s official platform for dealmaking and project development, connecting domestic opportunities with regional and international partners.

Returning for its seventh edition, SSOP 2026 will feature high-level panel discussions, project showcases and exclusive networking sessions aimed at aligning technical and financial capabilities with South Sudan’s energy renaissance. SANPC CEO Godfrey Moagi will lead the company’s delegation, participating in key discussions and outlining the company’s expanding exploration and investment footprint in the country.

Moagi will participate in the Regional National Oil Companies (NOC) panel, titled Resource Renaissance: Energy-Fueled Growth for a New Generation. The session will focus on cross-border cooperation to reinforce regional energy security and unlock the economic potential of South Sudan’s estimated 3.5 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves.

The dialogue comes as South Sudan targets an output expansion from approximately 174,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 230,000 bpd in the near term, with a long-term goal of 450,000 bpd. With roughly 90% of South Sudan’s reserves undeveloped, SANPC is positioning itself as a strategic, long-term technical and commercial partner to accelerate greenfield monetization and asset optimization.

With only 30% of South Sudan’s territory systematically explored, SANPC’s technical investments are delivering critical basin knowledge to underpin future exploration rounds. These technical contributions are anchored by ongoing work in Block B2, situated in Greater Jonglei State. In 2024, SANPC completed an extensive aerial geophysical survey covering approximately 47,000 km² – one of the largest airborne mapping initiatives executed in the country. The company has since progressed toward field-level preparations, advancing terrain reconnaissance to support a planned 2D seismic campaign aimed at defining drillable prospects in partnership with Nilepet.

As South Sudan pursues new partners to advance exploration, SSOP 2026 offers a platform for SANPC to provide strategic updates on its local operations, connect with local players and explore joint ventures with regional NOCs and international service providers.

To register for South Sudan Oil & Power 2026 in Juba on November 24–25, visit: https://SouthSudanOilPower.com/.

 

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

 




 

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RS South Africa Appoints Khuphukile Ndebele as Finance Director

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Experienced financial executive brings extensive expertise in financial management, business strategy and operational transformation to the role

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 11, 2026/APO Group/ –RS South Africa (www.Africa.RSDelivers.com) has appointed Khuphukile Ndebele as its new Finance Director, effective 26 October 2026. Ndebele brings extensive experience in financial leadership, strategic planning and operational management across multiple industries, including electrical wholesale, telecommunications, construction and manufacturing.

 




 
 

A qualified chartered accountant and Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Ndebele has built a career spanning more than two decades, combining financial expertise with a strong understanding of business operations, governance, operational efficiency, organisational resilience and sustainable growth.

Most recently, he held senior financial leadership responsibilities at Bidvest Electrical and Voltex, where his role encompassed financial planning and reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, risk management and corporate governance. He also contributed to business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, operational restructuring ,  stakeholder engagement and the implementation of technology-driven initiatives to improve efficiency and customer experience.

His previous experience includes senior finance roles at SEACOM, where he supported financial strategy, business planning, acquisitions and the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and business intelligence reporting tools. Earlier in his career, he held financial management positions in the construction and engineering sectors, including at Stefanutti Stocks, as well as international experience in the British Virgin Islands.

Khuphukile’s appointment represents an important step in strengthening RS South Africa’s financial leadership and supporting the business’s long-term objectives

Ndebele holds a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences from the University of South Africa and is a Fellow of ACCA. He also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice through Henley Business School in 2025, further strengthening his capabilities in systems thinking, innovation and value creation.

In his new role, Ndebele will serve as a strategic partner to the Managing Director and a member of the Executive Management Team, contributing to the development and execution of the company’s strategic plans. His responsibilities will include overseeing financial performance across profit and loss, the balance sheet and cash flow, as well as leading budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and working capital optimisation to support sustainable, profitable growth.

He will also oversee governance, risk management and regulatory compliance, while providing strategic leadership to Corporate Services and alignment with the IT function. This will include strengthening internal controls, enhancing business intelligence and data-driven decision-making, and supporting the digital transformation of finance and reporting processes.

Through these responsibilities, he will work with local, regional and global stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, support informed business decisions and maintain strong financial governance.

“Khuphukile’s appointment represents an important step in strengthening RS South Africa’s financial leadership and supporting the business’s long-term objectives. His combination of financial expertise, strategic insight and operational experience will be valuable as we continue to focus on business performance, sound financial management and sustainable growth,” comments Brian Andrew, Managing Director, RS South Africa.

Ndebele’s appointment comes at a time when effective financial management, informed decision-making and operational agility remain important to business resilience and competitiveness. His experience across complex, multi-entity organisations positions him to support RS South Africa’s financial management processes while working with the wider leadership team to advance the company’s strategic priorities.

Beyond his technical expertise, Ndebele places importance on transformational leadership, mentorship and developing people. His approach reflects a belief that effective leadership extends beyond financial performance to include building capable teams, strengthening collaboration and creating lasting value.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.

 

 




 

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Emirates SkyCargo introduces new freighter service connecting Milan with New York

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Emirates

The service provides direct trade connectivity for exporters from Italy, particularly the Lombardy region, to the United States, one of the country’s most important trading partners

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 10, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • Carrier supports 13% year-on-year growth in exports from Milan, 23% from Greater New York region between FY24/25 and FY25/26
  • Freighter to support exports of pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, industrial components from Milan to the US
  • Service to enhance connectivity for cargo to Middle East and Asia from New York via Dubai for pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce and machinery

 




 
 

Emirates SkyCargo has announced the launch of a new weekly freighter service connecting Milan (MXP) with New York (JFK) from 5th December 2026.

 

The service provides direct trade connectivity for exporters from Italy, particularly the Lombardy region, to the United States, one of the country’s most important trading partners. Additionally, on the return leg, the freighter also provides businesses in the US, particularly in the greater New York region more export connectivity to markets in the Middle East and Asia via Dubai.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Milan is a key air cargo gateway for Italy and Europe where Emirates SkyCargo currently offers over 500 tonnes of weekly export capacity to global markets, including over 100 tonnes weekly bellyhold capacity on our passenger flights to New York. The new freighter service adds important maindeck capacity on a vital trade corridor offering exporters greater access, flexibility and reliability when serving customers in the United States.

 

“Exports from the Greater New York region have seen strong growth, reflecting robust demand for reliable access to international markets. By combining enhanced freighter capacity with our extensive network of freighter and passenger services through Dubai, we are enhancing connectivity for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, perishables and machinery from the US, while creating faster links to destinations across the Middle East, Asia and beyond.”

 

Powering exports from Italy to the US

 

The new freighter flight, operated by Emirates SkyCargo’s Boeing 777-F aircraft and offering around 100 tonnes of capacity per flight, has been launched to serve the growing demand for export capacity from Northern Italy and the Lombardy region to partner markets. Exports from Milan carried by Emirates SkyCargo grew 13% in FY 2025/26 compared to the previous year. By providing direct freighter connectivity from Milan to New York, the largest air cargo export destination for Italian goods, Emirates SkyCargo is creating faster and more efficient pathways for Italian exporters to reach customers across North America.

Exports from the Greater New York region have seen strong growth, reflecting robust demand for reliable access to international markets

Emirates SkyCargo also operates a once weekly freighter flight between Milan and Dubai (DWC). Key export commodities that move by air from Milan include pharmaceuticals, vaccines and clinical trial medication, luxury goods and fashion items, industrial equipment and machine parts, high-end automotives, fresh produce and specialty food products. Major export markets include the Middle East, United States, Australia and South Africa.

 

Emirates SkyCargo has facilitated increasing volumes of export between Italy and its trading partners with exports from the country growing at over 12% between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26. Every week, Emirates SkyCargo offers over 1,000 tonnes of export cargo capacity from its four Italian gateways– Bologna, Milan, Rome and Venice. The carrier also operates a strong road feeder service, connecting Italian businesses located beyond online gateways to Emirates SkyCargo’s network. The new freighter service demonstrates Emirates SkyCargo’s commitment to the whole Italian market and is a testament to potential opportunities across Italy.

 

Stronger footprint and increased exports in North America

 

From New York, the freighter service will provide more options for connecting cargo for businesses in Greater New York and Northeast USA. Emirates SkyCargo has been supporting a significant increase in exports from the region, with an increase of 23% in the volume of exports from JFK and EWR airports between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/ 26. The freighter service unlocks seamless connections to high-growth markets across the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.

 

Key export commodities moving from New York include pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, perishables, e-commerce shipments, machinery and industrial components. By combining dedicated freighter capacity with Emirates SkyCargo’s extensive freighter and passenger network, the service offers customers greater flexibility, faster transit times and access to one of the world’s most extensive cargo networks.

 

In addition to the new freighter service to New York (JFK), Emirates SkyCargo has also launched freighter flights in 2026 to Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas (DFW) while increasing frequencies to Miami (MIA), enhancing the overall connectivity between North America and its global network.

 

Emirates SkyCargo has embarked on an ambitious year of growth for its freighter fleet and network. The cargo carrier took delivery of eight new freighter aircraft, including seven Boeing 777-F production freighters and one Boeing 777-300ER special freighter. This expansion helped power the growth of Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter network from over 40 destinations in March 2026 to over 60 destinations by July 2026. In addition to dedicated freighter flights, the carrier also offers high frequency bellyhold cargo capacity on Emirates’ fleet of passenger aircraft operating to destinations across six continents.

 

Interested customers can contact their local Emirates SkyCargo office or visit www.SkyCargo.com for more information on flights and services available to them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

 




 

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