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Global Logistics Execs see coming Surge of African Investment

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Industry planning for expansion despite concerns about emerging markets risks

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, February 6, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Nearly 62% of global logistics professionals say their companies are planning additional or first-time investments in Africa, according to a closely watched yearly industry survey.

The survey of 830 logistics executives is part of the 15th annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index (https://apo-opa.co/4bD4lSW), a snapshot of industry sentiment and ranking of the world’s 50 leading emerging markets.

The Index ranks countries for overall competitiveness based on their logistics strengths, business climates and digital readiness — factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, distributors and investors. In the 2024 Index, the rankings of most African economies changed little from a year earlier, but businesses indicate they are looking ahead at massive population growth and trade expansion spurred by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).   

“This is the most optimism we’ve seen about Africa in the 15 years of the Index,” says Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan. “Africa’s population will double by 2050, when one in four people on the planet will be African. International businesses realize that the time is now for Africa — they need to invest, establish their brands, and develop the next generation of African talent if they’re going to ride the coming wave of growth.”

China and India were 1 and 2 in the 50-country Index rankings. In Africa, Egypt (20), Morocco (22), South Africa (24) and Kenya (25) were the top performers, followed by Ghana (31), Nigeria (36), Tunisia (37), Tanzania (41), Algeria (42), Uganda (43), Ethiopia (45), Mozambique (46), Angola (47), Libya (50).

Egypt has Africa’s highest-ranked domestic logistics opportunities — 13th in that category; South Africa (15) was tops in Africa for international logistics; Morocco (12) has Africa’s best business fundamentals; Kenya (9) is Africa’s most digitally ready – and the continent’s highest-ranked country in any category.

More than 63% of survey respondents say their companies continue overhauling supply chains by spreading production to multiple locations or relocating it to home markets and nearby countries. China, the world’s leading producer, stands to be most affected: 37.4% of industry professionals say they plan move production/sourcing out of China or reduce investment there.

This is the most optimism we’ve seen about Africa in the 15 years of the Index

Shipping and logistics costs that soared during the COVID pandemic and its aftermath are still climbing but at a slower rate, the survey found. One way shippers expect to cope is by increasing use of digital freight forwarding from 37.8% today to 52% in five years.

2024 Index Highlights

SURVEY

  • Supply chain restructuring – India, Europe and North America rank ahead of China as destinations executives expect to move production to in 2024 and onwards.
  • China – 40% expect their businesses to be less reliant on China in five years. Leading factors in decisions to de-risk in China: difficulty of doing business; U.S.-China trade friction; a slowing economy; the harshness of China’s COVID restrictions.
  • Climate change – 66% say climate change is something they’re planning for or already affecting their businesses.
  • Emerging markets – the largest percentage sees increased risk/decreased rewards in emerging markets.
  • India – many see India growing in importance as a producer and market, but cite inadequate infrastructure and corruption as the biggest obstacles there.

COUNTRY RANKINGS

  • In the Middle East and North Africa, overall rankings were: UAE (3); Saudi Arabia (6); Qatar (7); Turkey (11); Oman (15); Bahrain (16); Jordan (17); Egypt (20); Kuwait (21); Morocco (22); Tunisia (37); Lebanon (38); Iran (40); Algeria (42); Libya (50).
  • Rankings in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa (24); Kenya (25); Ghana (31); Nigeria (36); Tanzania (41); Uganda (43); Ethiopia (45); Mozambique (46); Angola (47).
  • Index rankings in Asia: China (1); India (2); Malaysia (4); Indonesia (5); Vietnam (8); Thailand (10); Philippines (18); Kazakhstan (23); Sri Lanka (26); Pakistan (29); Cambodia (32); Bangladesh (33); Myanmar (49).
  • Rankings for Latin America: Mexico (9); Chile (12); Brazil (14); Uruguay (19); Peru (28); Colombia (27); Argentina (30); Ecuador (35); Paraguay (39); Bolivia (44); Venezuela (48).
  • In Europe: Russia (13); Ukraine (34).

Transport Intelligence (https://apo-opa.co/4bp0Ijf) (Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, has compiled the Index since it was launched in 2009.

John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive of Ti, said: “Supply chain managers are still coming to terms with the political and economic instability characterising the post-COVID global economy. Geopolitical relationships are changing rapidly, and this is having a major impact on international trade and risk profiles. Businesses need to be alive to the opportunities and threats that exist in emerging markets and use data, such as that the Agility Emerging Market Logistics Index, to inform agile decision-making.”

2024 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index: https://apo-opa.co/3SlOmzK

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Agility.

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Project & Investment Network and African Infrastructure Elites: A stronger platform for African project visibility

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Project

The Project & Investment Network is a dedicated meeting ground for project developers, financiers, investors, utilities, municipalities, commercial and industrial energy users and strategic partners active in Africa’s power, energy and water sectors

 




 

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 2, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s power, energy and water sectors need more than good ideas. They need visibility, credibility, structured engagement and the right capital connections.

The Project & Investment Network (https://apo-opa.co/4qPyeal) (P&IN), created by VUKA Group, supports this by creating a curated environment where project owners can present opportunities and investors can identify high-potential developments aligned with their mandates. With African Infrastructure Elites (https://apo-opa.co/4h4j2mu) as Host Media Partner, these opportunities gain additional reach through one of Africa’s trusted power, energy, water and utility media platforms.

This partnership helps bridge a persistent gap in the market: strong projects need access to capital and investors need credible, well-positioned opportunities.

The Project & Investment Network is a dedicated meeting ground for project developers, financiers, investors, utilities, municipalities, commercial and industrial energy users and strategic partners active in Africa’s power, energy and water sectors.

Through this collaboration, African Infrastructure Elites will support The Project & Investment Network by amplifying the projects, people and investment conversations shaping Africa’s infrastructure future.

Upcoming opportunities to participate

P&IN will create opportunities for project owners and investors to engage across VUKA Group’s upcoming power, energy and water events:

Project & Investment Network Open: 23 October 2026, Serengeti Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa: Register your interest (https://apo-opa.co/4ygw8D6) in participating in the Open.

C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg: 28 – 29 October 2026, The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa: A targeted platform for South Africa’s commercial and industrial sector, co-located with a C&I-focused Water Security Africa programme and the EIUG Conference. Find out more (https://apo-opa.co/4qTkLyv).

Enlit Africa: 11 – 13 May 2027, CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa: Africa’s leading power, energy and water conference and exhibition, hosted annually at the CTICC in Cape Town and attended by thousands of sector stakeholders from across the continent and beyond. Find out more (https://apo-opa.co/4yal5v6).

Water Security Africa: 11 – 13 May 2027, CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa: Co-located with Enlit Africa, this platform explores the water-energy-food nexus and the solutions needed to strengthen water resilience across Africa. Find out more (https://apo-opa.co/4zOtF4e).

Submit your project

Do you have a power, energy, water or infrastructure project seeking visibility, finance or strategic partners? Submit your project (https://apo-opa.co/4qPyeal) to the Project & Investment Network.

Apply as an investor

 

Are you looking for credible project opportunities across Africa’s power, energy and water sectors? Apply to participate as an investor (https://apo-opa.co/4qPyeal) in the Project & Investment Network.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact Marcel du Toit: marel.dutoit@wearevuka.com

Why Africa Infrastructure Elites matters

The African Infrastructure Elites (https://apo-opa.co/4h4j2mu) is an annual initiative by ESI Africa that recognises the projects, leaders and innovations shaping Africa’s power, energy, water and transport markets. The platform profiles the people and projects driving measurable impact across the continent, from generation, transmission and distribution to water, storage, clean energy, infrastructure, mobility and sector-coupling solutions.

For project owners, being associated with Elites creates long-term visibility among decision-makers, policy influencers, technical specialists and investment stakeholders. For investors, it provides a trusted lens into the projects, companies and leaders advancing Africa’s energy, water and transport priorities.

Nominations for the 11th African Infrastructure Elites: Projects and People Magazine are open (https://apo-opa.co/3UQS6xY) until the 2nd of October 2026.

The theme for the 2026/27 edition, Access and Affordability Empowers Security for All, speaks directly to one of Africa’s most pressing development imperatives. Reliable and affordable access to electricity, clean water, sanitation and sustainable transport remains fundamental to economic growth, social wellbeing and long-term resilience.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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KKR-Singtel Consortium Completes Acquisition of STTGDC; Company Launches Refreshed Global Brand for Next Phase of Growth

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Completion strengthens STTGDC’s ability to scale AI-ready digital infrastructure, building on strong operating momentum while maintaining continuity of strategy, leadership and customer commitment
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2026 – STTGDC today announced the completion of its acquisition by a KKR-led consortium comprising funds managed by global investment firm KKR and Singtel, and unveiled a refreshed global brand, marking the beginning of the company’s next chapter as a global digital infrastructure platform.

The transaction strengthens STTGDC’s ability to execute a strategy already in motion, with long-term capital, increased financial flexibility and the consortium’s global infrastructure experience providing continued growth and momentum. Customers will continue to be served by the same leadership team, operating discipline and long-term commitment that have underpinned the company’s growth for more than a decade.
 




 

Retaining the STTGDC name, the refreshed brand reflects the scale, capabilities and global platform the company has built over more than a decade. It is anchored in Built Ready, expressing STTGDC’s focus on delivering the reliable, resilient and AI-ready infrastructure required by customers across Asia, the United Kingdom and Europe.

“Today marks the most important turning point in STTGDC’s evolution since we founded the company more than 12 years ago,” said Bruno Lopez, President and Group CEO of STTGDC. “The completion of this transaction signals the beginning of a new chapter for our company. We have spent over a decade building a global platform with the scale, capabilities and operating discipline needed to support the next generation of cloud and AI growth. With the KKR-Singtel consortium’s investment, we have greater capacity to grow and execute at scale while remaining true to the values and customer commitment that have defined STTGDC from its inception. Our refreshed brand reflects both the company we have become and the responsibility we carry as digital infrastructure becomes increasingly critical to economies, businesses and communities. Built Ready is our commitment to delivering the critical infrastructure our customers need to grow with confidence, while building responsibly and sustaining the trust of governments, customers and communities.”

STTGDC enters this phase with strong operating momentum and a substantial development pipeline. Since the end of 2025, operational capacity has increased by 25% to 780MW. In addition, contracted capacity has grown by 50% and annualised earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) has risen by 30%[1], reflecting continued demand from hyperscalers, cloud service providers, AI customers and enterprises across its markets.

As AI changes the scale, density and complexity of data centre development, the industry’s defining challenge is increasingly the ability to convert demand into delivered capacity. This requires more than capital or land. It depends on coordinated planning across power, cooling, design, supply chains, financing and local market conditions, together with the discipline to deliver and operate mission-critical infrastructure reliably.

STTGDC’s growth strategy remains focused on markets where customer requirements, power availability, infrastructure readiness, policy alignment and long-term fundamentals support responsible development. With close to 2GW of powered land secured for assets under construction and pipeline development, the company is well positioned to convert customer demand into delivered capacity. Its global platform capabilities and local execution experience enable it to navigate the distinct operating conditions in each market.

This approach guides STTGDC’s growth and investment across its global portfolio.

In India, STTGDC has 34 data centres across 10 cities and more than 613MW of IT capacity. The company is strategically scaling its IT load capacity to support the country’s expanding digital economy.

In Indonesia, STTGDC has been expanding its Jakarta campus, advancing a development pipeline of more than 360MW of AI-ready IT capacity backed by secured power. Recent development milestones continue to strengthen the company’s ability to support Indonesia’s growing cloud, AI and digital infrastructure requirements.

Singapore remains strategically important. The selection of STTGDC to develop 50MW of sustainable, AI-ready data centre capacity will support Singapore’s continued development as a trusted and resilient hub for AI, digital infrastructure and international connectivity, contributing to the country’s strategic, economic and sustainability priorities.

Responsible growth will remain integral to STTGDC’s business and operations. With 83.2% of electricity consumption across its operations sourced from renewable energy, STTGDC surpassed its 2028 carbon intensity reduction target three years ahead of schedule. Alongside its environmental commitments, the company works closely with governments, customers and communities to address local priorities and earn the trust that underpins its social licence to operate.

 




 

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InnoHK R&D Centres Establish Base at Science Park to Drive Emerging Industries and Pioneer Future Innovation

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 September 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission, successfully hosted the launch ceremony for the third InnoHK research cluster (SEAM@InnoHK) at Hong Kong Science Park today. Focusing on emerging domains such as sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, SEAM@InnoHK is jointly led by top local and international academic and research institutions. The platform demonstrates Hong Kong’s robust R&D capabilities and global collaboration networks while promising tangible societal benefits, further solidifying Hong Kong’s role as an international I&T hub.

 




  

Officiating guests at the Launch Ceremony included Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (front row, centre); Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP (front row, 4th from right); Mr Kelvin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (front row, 4th from left); Mr Lyu Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (front row, 3th from right); Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (front row, 3th from left); and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP (front row, 1st from right).

The launch ceremony was officiated by key guests including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP; Mr Kelvin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr Lyu Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP. They were joined by representatives and scholars from local and overseas universities, international research organizations, R&D centres, and industry partners to witness the launch of SEAM@InnoHK and explore its R&D roadmap and industrial application prospects.

Building a Flourishing Ecosystem to Empower R&D Commercialisation

As the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP provides comprehensive professional support and resources to the R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK. This encompasses world-class R&D infrastructure, seamless connections with academic institutions, talent pools, and investor networks, as well as matchmaking with funding and industry partners—empowering teams to transform breakthrough research into scalable, high-impact commercial solutions.

Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, said: “InnoHK has been with the Science Park for 5 years and this is the start of the second 5-year period. What we can see is that InnoHK has demonstrated the power of collaboration amongst world eminent scholars, researchers, and global partners. The first two clusters, Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK have delivered world-class achievements. We commit to provide all the support we can to the InnoHK teams, as your success will add to the heartbeat of the ecosystem—not only for HKSTP, but for Hong Kong’s entire innovation landscape.”

Gathering Global Scientific Excellence to Drive Breakthroughs

The eight R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK have brought together over 30 top global universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Nagoya University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University.

Notably, three R&D centres feature collaborations with Nobel Laureates: Professor Ben L. Feringa from the University of Groningen (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry), who participates in the research at the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov, renowned as the “Father of Graphene” from the National University of Singapore (2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics), who serves as principle investigator for the Inno Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); and Professor Hiroshi Amano from Nagoya University (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics), who participates in research at InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This stellar international scientific lineup highlights Hong Kong’s unique advantages in assembling world-class research talent, fostering cross-border collaboration, and driving technological innovation, further consolidating its status as a global hub for research cooperation.

InnoHK is a flagship I&T initiative of the HKSAR Government aimed at developing Hong Kong into a global hub for scientific research cooperation. It encourages world-leading universities and research institutes to conduct collaborative research with local institutions by establishing R&D centres in Hong Kong. Together with “Health@InnoHK”, focusing on healthcare technologies and “AIR@InnoHK”, focusing on AI and robotics technologies, the three InnoHK research clusters will further enrich Hong Kong’s world-class scientific landscape, accelerating technology transfer, startup incubation, and the growth of the I&T industry.

Introduction to the Eight SEAM@InnoHK R&D Centres (For details, please refer to the Appendix):
InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM): Lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0 by fusing AI, advanced materials, additive manufacturing and digital twins to create smart, sustainable, and human-centered solutions.
InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES): Advance breakthrough discoveries in functional materials to address bottleneck challenges related to energy and sustainability.
InnoHK Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP): Advance next-generation electronics through innovations in semiconductor equipment and material processing, with a focus on advancing heterogeneous integration technologies.
InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT): Establish a world-class hub for international research collaboration in space manufacturing, integrating cutting-edge R&D in advanced materials and additive processes with demonstration and applied innovation in Hong Kong.
InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES): Develop and integrate high-performance perovskite photovoltaics, green hydrogen systems, and next-generation batteries via an end-to-end innovation framework in Hong Kong.
InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC): Develop advanced power semiconductors, intelligent chips and system technologies for more efficient, compact and reliable power conversion.
InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET): Develop intelligent, green and transformative grid and energy technologies for resilient, efficient and carbon-neutral cities.
InnoHK Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies (SMART Centre): Leverage artificial intelligence and smart automation technologies to accelerate materials discovery for circular waste upcycling, repurposing, and next-generation clean energy technologies.

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 and has built a proven foundation as Hong Kong’s leading innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. Established for 25 years, HKSTP is supporting 14 unicorns, has nurtured more than 17,000 research professionals and built a community of over 2,400 technology companies from 26 countries and regions across four strategic technology clusters: Life and Health Technology, AI and Data Science, Micro-electronics, and New Energy and Green Technology.

As an ecosystem orchestrator, HKSTP provides end-to-end support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate commercialisation and help technology ventures scale. Its innovation infrastructure spans over 240 hectares covering Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long, advancing Hong Kong’s vision for new industrialisation and smart manufacturing.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen, strengthens cross-border collaboration by connecting Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and global innovation networks and propels Chinese innovators onto the world stage, while also delivering comprehensive GBA landing support to accelerate cross-border success for local and international ventures.

As HKSTP enters its next chapter with strong foundations, it continues to deepen impact, elevate quality and create value for innovators. As an ecosystem built to lead change, HKSTP is empowering Hong Kong to define what comes next in innovation, growth and opportunity.
 




 

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