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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) partners with Msafiri Limited to open Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels

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IHG

Across each property, IHG Hotels & Resorts and the new owners will elevate the guest experience by completing renovations and enhancements

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 3, 2022/APO Group/ — 

IHG® Hotels & Resorts (http://bit.ly/3WkvQJ8) has signed franchise agreements to rebrand three properties in Tanzania and Kenya to join the IHG portfolio of brands. The move sees IHG Hotels & Resorts swiftly expand its presence across Africa, as the continent’s profile continues to grow.

Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers Mall (http://bit.ly/3T3ADf4and The Fairview Nairobi (http://bit.ly/3NucZHIin Kenya and Crowne Plaza Dar es Salaam (http://bit.ly/3NwlbXO) in Tanzania are now open and are welcoming guests. Across each property, IHG Hotels & Resorts and the new owners will elevate the guest experience by completing renovations and enhancements, incorporating brand hallmarks and standards that IHG guests recognize and love worldwide.

“Africa’s hospitality and tourism industry has weathered the disruption of the past two years, with a rising number of inbound travellers, highlighting how much potential the region has,” commented Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa at IHG. “Our expansion across Kenya and Tanzania is testament to how IHG Hotels & Resorts is encouraging this potential and meeting the returning demand quickly. We are delighted to have these properties join the IHG family and are excited to offer our guest the exceptional hospitality that we are known for.”

He further added: “Ownership that includes Actis and Westmont Hospitality is an important partnership to IHG We are pleased to grow together in the region and to bring exceptional properties and hospitality to guests visiting these two important gateway cities.”

A representative on behalf of the ownership said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with IHG and expand our portfolio together into new markets and different brands.  Africa has tremendous MICE, business and leisure growth potential. Franchising with IHG at a time when travelers are increasingly purchasing branded offers on the continent also makes sense. These three hotels that are joining the IHG platform are very well located and will offer guests a great place to stay. We expect all three properties to benefit from the strength and scale of IHG’s global systems, technology and strong loyalty programme”

Funke Okubadejo, Director Real Estate, Actis, commented: “We are excited to establish a relationship with IHG, through our joint venture with Westmont Hospitality and this continues our track record of investing in exciting Real Estate opportunities across key locations in Africa.”

Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers Mall

The hotel is located in the vibrant Gigiri/Runda district, in northern Nairobi. Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers is within the 100-acre Two Rivers Mall & Entertainment complex; offering guests unrivalled access to over 200 shops, the City’s theme park and an array of family fun activities, such as go-karting and the skate park.

Our expansion across Kenya and Tanzania is testament to how IHG Hotels & Resorts is encouraging this potential and meeting the returning demand quickly

This new Holiday Inn Nairobi with 171 rooms, will be a popular choice amongst families, groups and those visiting the United Nations, NGOs, embassies and the many companies moving to this growing part of the city.  Along with excellent rooms, the hotel offers modern facilities, meeting rooms, a gym, a swimming pool and an all-day dining terrace.

Fairview, Nairobi, Kenya

The Fairview Hotel, located in Upper Hill Nairobi, is one of the City’s landmark addresses. The Fairview was converted from a 1920s manor house in 1932 and has been an established destination amongst discerning travelers, domestic and international, for decades. The property will be undergoing a sensitive refurbishment before operating under one of IHG’s boutique brands. In addition to offering an upscale hospitality experience, the Fairview’s reputation for its restaurant and bars will be further enhanced during the refurbishment.

The new ownership’s investment at Fairview is anticipated to have a positive social, environmental and economic impact. The Fairview team is already engaging in new skills training; and a greater social awareness has been incorporated into how the hotel operates within its local environment. Following the refurbishment, the team also hopes to achieve a material reduction in the property’s energy consumption.

Crowne Plaza, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Located within the central business district of Dar es Salaam, Crowne Plaza Dar es Salaam is anticipated to receive high demand from business travelers visiting Tanzania’s commercial center and leisure guests who decide to stop-off in Dar es Salaam in the hope of enjoying some Taarab music before travelling to Tanzania’s world-renowned Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Crowne Plaza Dar es Salaam offers 148 bedrooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, meeting rooms, a modern gym and a swimming pool.  Additionally, the property is conveniently located just one km from the city center and 11km from Julius Nyerere International Airport, making it an attractive option for international and regional travelers.

IHG currently operates 28 hotels across 5 brands in Africa, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and voco, with a further 22 hotels in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years. 

**Numbers as of June 30th, 2022

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Energy

High-Level Minister Roundup to Headline African Energy Week 2026

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African Energy Chamber

African Energy Week 2026 will convene ministers from Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia and Niger to spotlight oil, gas expansion, reforms and investment opportunities continentwide

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –A high-level ministerial roundup will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from 12–16 October –, convening some of the continent’s most influential energy leaders at a defining moment for Africa’s oil, gas and power sectors. As hydrocarbon expansion converges with accelerating energy transition strategies, the gathering is set to spotlight real-time project execution, regulatory reform and cross-border infrastructure that are actively reshaping Africa’s energy future.

 

Confirmed ministers to date include Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop, Zambia’s Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote and Niger’s Minster of Petroleum Hamadou Tinni.

 

Fresh from a March OPEC+ decision to lift output to 977,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Algeria enters AEW 2026 amid a $60 billion sector transformation. The country is also advancing a 500-well exploration drive and accelerating its 1.48 GW “Project of the Century” solar rollout. Gas exports to Europe remains central to the country, supported by hydrogen corridor planning and refinery expansion aimed at boosting capacity to 50 million tons by 2029.

 

Following license extension for Jubilee and TEN to 2040 and the late-2025 restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana is pushing a $3.5 billion upstream reinvestment plan while settling $500 million in gas arrears. A 1,200 MW state thermal plant and expanded gas processing at Atuabo anchor its gas-to-power shift, alongside a renewed upstream push in the Voltaian Basin.

The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital

 

Senegal’s delegation comes on the back of strong production momentum, with the Sangomar oil field delivering 36.1 million barrels in 2025, outperforming forecasts, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development ramped up to 2.9 million tons per annum following first gas. Dakar is now prioritizing domestic gas through refinery upgrades at the SAR refinery and preparations for Sangomar Phase 2 to push output beyond 100,000 bpd.

 

Zambia is redefining its power mix after drought-induced hydro shortfalls. New solar capacity – including the 200 MW Chisamba expansion and 136 MW Itimpi Phase 2 – is part of a broader 2,500 MW diversification drive. Cabinet has approved major regional fuel pipelines, while the Energy Single Licensing System fast-tracks approvals. Lusaka targets 10 GW generation by 2030, with solar and wind rising to one-third of supply.

Niger’s presence reflects its emergence as a serious oil exporter, with the fully operational 1,950-km Niger-Benin pipeline now moving up to 90,000 bpd to international markets. Alongside uranium expansion and renewed cooperation with Algeria on upstream assets, Niamey is advancing digital oversight reforms and reinforcing energy sovereignty amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

 

“The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Their leadership reflects a continent moving decisively from strategy to execution, creating a platform where investors can engage directly with the policymakers shaping Africa’s next wave of oil, gas and energy growth.”

 

At AEW 2026, this ministerial cohort will be well-positioned to offer investors direct insight into Africa’s most dynamic energy markets – where new barrels, new pipelines and new megawatts are reshaping regional growth trajectories in real time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Enlit Africa 2026 Programme: 280+ speakers, African nuclear 2.0, Bruce Whitfield Business Breakfast

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Enlit Africa

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Enlit Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g) has released its full 2026 conference programme, featuring 280+ speakers across 8 specialised tracks including a new African Nuclear 2.0 session covering Koeberg’s 20-year life extension and Ghana’s nuclear vendor selection process.

 

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals.

Award-winning business journalist and best-selling author Bruce Whitfield will deliver the opening address at the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast on 19 May, kicking off three days of strategic sessions, deal-making platforms, and technical masterclasses.

New programme content includes:

African Nuclear 2.0 – A dedicated session examining the transition from planning to execution, featuring:

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s successful 20-year life extension (Units 1 and 2 now licensed until 2044/2045)

Ghana’s progression to Phase 3 of its nuclear programme, evaluating US, Chinese, and Russian technology bids

West African Power Pool‘s 10 GW regional nuclear capacity target

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment readiness across African grids

Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) – A new session exploring how private investment is unlocking Africa’s transmission bottleneck, featuring global case studies from India’s PowerGrid and lessons for scaling grid capacity across the continent.

Generation Masterclasses – Five interactive roundtables on gas-to-power, nuclear, hydro power, clean coal, and hydrogen.

AI in Africa’s Power Grid – Examining practical deployment realities, real-time analytics, and predictive maintenance applications already in operation across African utilities.

Conference sessions and technical hub sessions on the expo floor are CPD-accredited by the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).

Co-located platforms:

Water Security Africa features country playbooks from Namibia (55-year potable reuse programme), Uganda (NRW reduction from 42% to 32%), Cape Town (Day Zero recovery strategies), and sector-specific stewardship sessions with Harmony Gold, Heineken, Mediclinic, and Growthpoint Properties.

Project & Investment Network (P&IN), part of the new Level 2 Executive Experience, connects project developers, investors, African utility CEOs, and DFIs through structured matchmaking, ministerial dialogues, and project briefings. Over the past two years, P&IN has facilitated $3 billion in project pitches.

Utility CEO Forum brings together 35+ confirmed utility CEOs under Chatham House Rule for candid, off-the-record strategic discussions on unbundling, prosumer management, and financial sustainability.

Municipal Forum addresses South African municipalities’ distribution, metering, and revenue challenges, including sessions on NRW management, tariff reform, Cost of Supply studies, and electrifying informal settlements.

Technical Hub sessions on the exhibition floor offer free, CPD-accredited training across Power, Renewable Energy & Storage, and Water tracks, with confirmed speakers from Eskom, ENGIE SA, ACTOM, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), RenEnergy, and Matla Energy.

Site visits on 22 May include Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and the V&A Waterfront desalination plant.

Pass options:
Free expo pass registration: https://apo-opa.co/4bl2bYu

Free expo passes provide access to 250+ exhibitors and CPD-accredited Technical Hub sessions.

Delegate Pass:
Early bird registration closes 3 April 2026. Delegate passes start at R15,100 (Silver), with P&IN Executive passes at R32,000 including access to the Bruce Whitfield breakfast, Level 2 executive lounge, and investor matchmaking.

Download the full programme: https://apo-opa.co/3NwCble

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Binance Secures Second Major Legal Victory in U.S. Court Under Anti-Terrorism Act in Two Weeks

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Binance

US Federal Court in Alabama Dismisses All Claims Against Binance in Latest Lawsuit Victory

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced today that a U.S. federal court in Alabama has dismissed all claims against the company in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). This marks Binance’s second major legal victory in an  ATA matter within one week, following their victory in the Southern District of New York.

A Full and Complete Legal Victory

In a detailed 19-page ruling, the Court found the plaintiffs’ complaint to be legally and factually deficient. The court’s decision to dismiss every claim across the board represents a decisive legal victory for Binance.

Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process

The judge described the filing as a “shotgun pleading.” The complaint failed to clearly specify the claims and improperly grouped all defendants together without distinguishing individual conduct or liability. The ruling also emphasized that the plaintiffs did not meet the basic pleading standard to provide a “short and plain statement” of their claims.

Following the ruling, the court granted the plaintiffs until April 10, 2026, to file an amended complaint addressing the deficiencies identified. However, the judge warned that failure to adequately address these issues would result in dismissal of the entire case.

Building on Momentum and Upholding Legal Integrity

“This decision reinforces our unwavering commitment to protecting Binance and our community from unsubstantiated and bad-faith lawsuits,” shared Eleanor Hughes, General Counsel at Binance. “Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process. Courts have now examined these claims on two separate occasions and found them to be without merit. These outcomes speak for themselves. We will not tolerate attempts to misuse the legal system to target our industry, and we remain as committed as ever to transparency, security, and lawful conduct in everything we do”.

This latest decision follows closely on the heels of Binance’s comprehensive victory in New York (https://apo-opa.co/46Xg0ev), where the Court similarly rejected allegations that the company assisted, participated in, or conspired with terrorists. Together, these rulings reflect Binance’s strong resolve to protect its platform and community.

Binance has consistently invested in industry-leading compliance infrastructure, regulatory engagement, and legal governance. The company will continue to vigorously defend itself against any attempts to bring unfounded claims or misrepresent its operations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

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