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Honoris United Universities transforms the lives of 770,000+ people across Africa

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Honoris United Universities releases its inaugural impact report

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 24, 2022/ — Honoris (Honoris.net)equips >61,000 students with future-proof skills to build rewarding careers solving Africa’s most pressing challenges; Honoris is championing digital skills with 10,000 new students enrolled onto its 21st Century Skills Certificate; additional 100,000 students projected to enrol in the next 5 years; 80% of Honoris graduates gain access to the job market within 6 months of graduating, an industry-leading benchmark; Actis-backed pan-African education platform secures one of the highest impact scores across Actis’ portfolio.

Honoris United Universities (Honoris.net), the first and largest pan-African network of private higher education institutions in Africa, releases its inaugural impact report. The report highlights Honoris’ commitment to Education for Impact for students, their families and communities across Africa and assesses that Honoris has so far transformed over 770,000 lives across Africa by preparing its students to pursue rewarding regional and international careers.

Formed in 2017, the Honoris network constitutes 15 institutions spread across 10 countries in North, West, Central and Southern Africa, doubling in recent years to accommodate over 61,000 students. Honoris’ approach to education through collaborative intelligence serves as a strong platform to unite markets across borders, aligned to the principles underpinning the AfCFTA and the AU Agenda 2063, whilst equipping tomorrow’s workforce with the requisite skills to thrive in industries undergoing radical transformation and disruption amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).  

Africa is a continent of tremendous untapped potential, with more than 420 million youth aged 15 to 35. The increase in human-machine interaction shaping the 4IR is creating new types of jobs and demanding a unique combination of digital and human skills in the modern workplace. More than 130 million new jobs will likely emerge across the globe before 2030 as a result of the 4IR, which will require a set of soft and technical skills which are currently unmet by the traditional education models in place.

PwC recently surveyed global CEO’s from over 90 territories to assess the availability of 4IR skills and in Africa, 87% expressed concerns about the availability of key skills compared to 79% of other correspondents. Honoris is addressing this by reimagining education for the 4IR with its Education for Impact mission, widening access to quality education and preparing future leaders to address the continent’s most pressing development issues and contribute to Africa’s transformation.

Honoris Group CEO, Dr Jonathan Louw, commented:“By living our core values of collaborative intelligence, cultural agility, and mobile mindsets, Honoris has become today what was envisioned five years ago – transformational pan-African social infrastructure to educate tomorrow’s workforce and harness Africa’s demographic dividend. Whilst we continue to adapt to a post-pandemic environment and leverage technologies to increase access to quality education, we take a moment to celebrate this achievement, whilst using it to power and ignite the journey ahead. A journey that the People of Honoris will continue to forge with the same authenticity and passion as was held five years ago, to better serve our students across Africa.”     

Shami Nissan, Partner Sustainability at Actis, added:“Education for Impact means being intentional about the way we educate the next generation of leaders. It is important for an organization to know what their goals are and to set out a plan to achieve them. Honoris has set its vision and has proceeded with intention in providing students across Africa with high quality education that is accessible and affordable. Furthermore, in sewing an internal spirit of fairness and responsibility, and striving to provide services that are sustainable and purpose-driven, Honoris will reap the kind of students that will emulate these core values in the way they go on to make their impact in the world.”

The report reflects and examines the extent to which Honoris has transformed the lives of learners throughout the continent, up to December 2021, across six core pillars of operation, which include: quality of learning; employability, innovation; communities; sustainability and network, framed around the organisation’s contribution to 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Some of the highlights featured in the report include:

  • Employability: 80% of Honoris graduates gain access to the job market within 6 months of graduating. Honoris has developed 400+ partnerships to help prepare students for the transition from academia to the workplace, with 22 Career Centres used by more than 21,000+ students.
  • Innovation: 38 new programs, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Fintech, and Cyber Security, have been added to Honoris courses in 2021 to address growing tech demands. To further integrate coding as the new second language throughout the network, Honoris launched the Honoris 21st Century Skills Certificate, the network’s first transversal program embedding the key digital and soft skills required for the new world of work. In 2021, 10,000+ students enrolled onto the certificate with an additional 100,000+ students projected in the next 5 years.
  • Communities: Now recognized as a leader in STEM education, Honoris’ leading engineering schools grew from 5,200 total enrolments in 2018 to 20,400 in 2021. In South Africa, a focus on the education vertical saw nearly 500 educational professionals undergo training to narrow the gap of skilled teachers across the continent. In 2021, Honoris awarded 1,000+ scholarships and bursaries to students across Africa.

Formed in 2017 by leading global investment firm Actis, Honoris is committed to transforming the lives of Africa’s future workforce by providing relevant education for lifetime success. Championing new methods of delivery and technologies, the network has developed unique academic models designed to address Africa’s key educational challenges to improve the employability and life skills of graduates.

Honoris worked closely with Actis, in light of its award-winning focus on impact investment, to calculate a precise impact score using a proprietary framework measuring the positive social and environmental impacts of Actis investments and enabling comparison across sectors and geographies. This score, generated for the first time in 2022, demonstrates that Honoris delivered transformational progress specifically in the areas of Quality Education; Employment Access; Gender Equality; and STEM Education. A detailed breakdown of these impact multiples is available within the report.  

Access the full report at: https://bit.ly/3sSGE4m

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Honoris United Universities.

Energy

History Will Be Signed in Abuja This Tuesday

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Nigeria Mining Week

Nigeria Mining Week set to host a landmark mining deal announcement and signing, described by organisers as the most significant since Segilola came online

ABUJA, Nigeria, October 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria’s mining sector is preparing for a defining investment moment. On Tuesday, 13 October, Nigeria Mining Week 2026 (https://NigeriaMiningWeek.com) is expected to host the announcement and signing of a major mining transaction before government leaders, mining executives, investors, financiers, chambers of mines, international institutions and technical partners.

 




  

Described by event organisers as the biggest mining deal announcement in Nigeria since Segilola came online, the moment is expected to signal a new phase in the country’s journey from mineral potential to bankable projects, operating mines, domestic processing and industrial value creation.

For years, the industry has spoken about Nigeria’s potential. On Tuesday, the conversation shifts from potential to execution.

A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR NIGERIAN MINING

Nigeria is endowed with more than 44 commercially viable minerals across over 500 locations. Yet solid minerals still represent a comparatively small share of national economic output and exports, underlining the scale of the opportunity available through exploration, project development, beneficiation, responsible mining and stronger connections to capital.

Nigeria Mining Week 2026 is designed around that conversion challenge. Under the theme ‘Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships’, the 11th edition connects policy, projects, finance, technology and markets, with investment readiness and bankable mining opportunities at the centre of the programme.

THE INDUSTRY’S MOST IMPORTANT ROOM THIS WEEK

Current event indicators point to a highly international and senior audience: 3,900 registrants, representation from 40 countries, 41% of registrants at director level or above, and 45% international exhibitor passes. These are registration and programme indicators rather than verified final attendance totals.

Across the conference, exhibition, CEO Roundtable, Critical Minerals Forum, Deal Room, Gold Forum, Steel Forum and Women in Extractive Industries Forum, participants will engage on geological data, project finance, licensing confidence, governance, ESG, power, logistics, beneficiation, local value addition and the infrastructure required to move projects into production.

WHO WILL BE IN THE ROOM?

The audience brings together institutions and companies spanning the full mining value chain. Confirmed programme, sponsor, exhibitor and registration records referenced by the organisers include:

Investors, financiers and development institutions

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM); Development Bank of Namibia; Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC); Mercuria Energy Trading NG; Critical Minerals Financing Corporation; Zigma Ltd.

Mining operators, developers and mineral-sector companies

Segilola Resources Operating Limited; DFR Gold; Promethean Resources; RapidLink Resources Ltd.; Titan Minerals; National Iron Ore Mining Company; Syils Group Nigeria Limited; Africa Gold Council; Jemaa Resource Project; mining and exploration businesses active across gold, lithium, iron ore, gemstones and industrial minerals.

Global industrial, equipment and technology companies

Mitsubishi Corporation; Marubeni; Sojitz; African Industries Group; LiuGong; XCMG; Sany; Sinotruk; SAIC Hongyan; Lonking; Shandong Xinhai; Mikano Motors; Solar Nigachem; Bristol Scientific; Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

Chambers of mines, associations and international bodies

Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN); Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa (MIASA); Ghana Chamber of Mines; Botswana Chamber of Mines; Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers; Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN); Women in Mining Nigeria; International Lithium Association (ILiA); African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC); United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); Zambia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (ZEITI); Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE); Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce; China Mining Association of Nigeria (CMAN); ECOWAS-linked institutions and regional mining stakeholders.

VOICES SHAPING THE CONVERSATION

The programme features senior policymakers, operators, investors and technical experts, including Amb. Anna Westerholm of the Embassy of Sweden; Astrid Karamira of the International Lithium Association; Austin Menegbo of Segilola Resources; Dr Cameron Perks of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence; Dr Israel Ovirih of Critical Minerals Financing Corporation; Engr. Abdullahi Also of African Industries Group; Engr. Janet Adeyemi of Women in Mining Nigeria; Geert Klok of MIASA; Harikrishnan Tulsidas of UNECE; Jude Uzonwanne of the Africa Gold Council; and representatives of NEXIM, PwC Nigeria and Nigeria’s mining institutions.

WHY THIS MOMENT MATTERS

Tuesday’s expected announcement is intended to reinforce confidence that the next generation of Nigerian mining projects can attract serious capital, credible operating partners and long-term market interest.

A major transaction does more than fund one project. It can strengthen investor confidence, accelerate exploration, open supply chains, create demand for services and equipment, support jobs and show international capital that Nigeria’s mining opportunities are moving towards execution.

For investors, operators and suppliers, the commercial advantage is access: access to the principals behind the deal, to project owners seeking capital, to financiers and off-takers, to government decision-makers, and to the regional mining networks represented by MIASA and leading chambers of mines.

DON’T HEAR ABOUT IT ON WEDNESDAY

The handshake happens on Tuesday. The market hears about it afterwards.

Those inside Nigeria Mining Week will witness the moment, hear directly from the people shaping the transaction and take part in the conversations that follow. Those outside the room will be reading the headlines after the opportunity has already moved.

WILL YOU BE IN THE ROOM WHEN NIGERIA’S NEXT MINING MILESTONE IS SIGNED?

Secure your delegate pass today at https://NigeriaMiningWeek.com

EVENT DETAILS

  • Pre-conference: 12 October 2026
  • Main conference and exhibition: 13-14 October 2026
  • Venue: Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja
  • Theme: Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Mining Week.

 

 




 

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Islamic Development Bank Institute and Universal Postal Union Launch ‘Prosper MSMEs’ to Expand Islamic Digital Financial Services through Postal Networks

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IsDBI

The project will identify opportunities for postal operators to support MSMEs in selling online, enabling cross-border trade, and accessing Sharia-compliant payment and financing solutions

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have signed an agreement to launch a new project titled ‘Prosper MSMEs’. The project will explore how national postal networks in IsDB member countries can widen access to e-commerce and deliver Islamic finance-aligned digital financial services to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and underserved communities.

 




  

The agreement was signed on 21 September 2026 by Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, and Mr. Masahiko Metoki, Director General of the UPU International Bureau.

Postal networks often serve communities that commercial banks and private logistics providers do not reach. Through Prosper MSMEs, IsDBI and the UPU aim to leverage this extensive infrastructure to help small businesses participate more effectively in the digital economy.

The project will identify opportunities for postal operators to support MSMEs in selling online, enabling cross-border trade, and accessing Sharia-compliant payment and financing solutions.

The project will be implemented in two phases across eight selected IsDB member countries:

  • Phase 1: Regulatory assessment. This phase will examine the regulatory frameworks governing e-commerce, postal services, digital payments, and Islamic finance in participating countries.
  • Phase 2: Market analysis. This phase will assess the barriers to e-commerce adoption among MSMEs, identify gaps in financial services, evaluate demand for Islamic financial products, and analyze the capabilities of the existing postal networks in the eight selected countries.

IsDBI is financing the project, and the UPU is contributing its expertise, data resources, and engagement with its global postal network.

Prosper MSMEs seeks to achieve three main objectives:

  1. Conduct regulatory and market assessments that can guide practical, country-specific technical assistance for postal-led e-commerce and digital financial services.
  2. In the eight selected countries, develop proposals for innovative postal-based e-commerce and financing solutions tailored to the needs of MSMEs, women and youth.
  3. Present the findings and proposals to cooperation partners, including IsDBI, in order to mobilize resources for implementation.

 

The project will culminate in a consolidated master report which brings together findings from the participating countries and outlines a roadmap for implementation. The resulting evidence-based project pipeline will support governments, postal operators, and development partners in expanding digital market access and promoting ethical, inclusive finance for small businesses and underserved communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

 




 

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Energy

Africa’s Dealmakers Convene as 10,000 Attendees Kick Off African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town

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African Energy Chamber

AEW 2026 is officially underway, bringing 10,000 registered delegates together for a week of investment, dealmaking and strategic dialogue across Africa’s energy sector

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 11, 2026/APO Group/ –African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 has officially kicked off with over 10,000 attendees convening in Cape Town for Africa’s biggest energy gathering of the year. Dubbed Africa’s premier dealmaking platform, the event has transitioned from a conference into a movement capable of reshaping the continent’s energy future. From government leaders and global energy majors to investors, financiers, national oil companies and technology providers, the industry has arrived in Cape Town to chart a new course for Africa’s energy development.

 




  

Technical Workshops Kick Off AEW Discussions

The AEW program has officially begun with the start of this year’s technical workshops. The 8th Meeting of the APPO NOCs CEOs’ Forum will bring African national oil companies together, while the Deal Room will give project sponsors and developers an opportunity to present active oil, gas, energy and infrastructure opportunities directly to investors and lenders.

The African Farmout Forum will showcase available acreage and farmout opportunities, while dedicated workshops and masterclasses will provide targeted engagement on markets, project finance and industry capacity. The Global Energy Leaders Forum will also put energy security, geopolitical realignment and investment at the center of discussions, examining how Africa can convert changing global energy flows into long-term contracts, final investment decisions and greater energy security.

Looking Ahead at AEW 2026

Over the coming days, AEW 2026 will explore opportunities emerging across the entire energy value chain in Africa. The AEW Townhall will bring governments and industry together around the strategic issues defining the continent’s energy future, while the Upstream E&P Forum will tackle licensing, exploration, drilling, M&A and production growth. The Energy Finance Forum, meanwhile, will put capital at the center of the conversation. The Energy Additions Forum will examine the infrastructure and resources required to expand reliable energy supply and support industrialization, while the Downstream & Petchem Forum will explore refining, fuels, petrochemicals and opportunities to capture more value from African resources.

Ten thousand delegates have come to Cape Town because Africa is ready to move projects forward

A Global Conversation in Cape Town

Alongside its commercial program, AEW 2026 will convene some of the most consequential global energy discussions taking place this year. Targeted sessions include the OPEC-Africa Roundtable; the Russia-Africa Energy Investment Forum; and the Global Energy Leaders Forum. A series of roundtables will drill further into issues affecting project development. These include the Local Content Roundtable as well as ministerial and country-focused discussions that bring governments directly into conversations with investors and operators.

AEW will also expand beyond traditional energy discussions through two dedicated conferences. Renegade Intel will explore the convergence of energy, artificial intelligence, data centers and digital infrastructure, while Power Africa Today will tackle power-sector investment, transmission, storage, grid modernization and the reliable electricity supply required to support African industrialization.

Celebrating Music and Energy Progress

AEW 2026 goes beyond conference dialogue. The first day of the event will close with the Just Energy Transition Concert, the event’s official pre-conference networking icebreaker and cultural showcase. The African Energy Awards & Gala Dinner returns on Tuesday to celebrate the companies, projects and individuals helping drive the continent’s energy industry forward.

Technology and Innovation Take the Exhibition Floor

Running alongside the main conference, dedicated technical stages – The Drill Room and The Innovation Hub – will host specialized presentations on exploration, subsurface technologies, LNG, infrastructure, asset integrity and other operational challenges. The exhibition will serve as another commercial hub throughout the week, connecting operators, service companies, technology providers, governments and prospective partners.

“Ten thousand delegates have come to Cape Town because Africa is ready to move projects forward. AEW is Africa’s energy movement – where governments, investors and industry come together to turn resources into projects, projects into deals and deals into development. This week is about action, investment and building Africa’s energy future on African soil,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

 




 

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