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Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) ends on high note with record $48.3 billion in deals signed by participants

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IATF2025

There were also enriching discussions by political, business and other leaders on key Intra-African trade issues during the conference segment of the trade fair, with some of the most sough-after African and international speakers participating

ALGIERS, Algeria, September 11, 2025/APO Group/ –The fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), hosted in Algiers, Algeria, ended on September 10, 2025 in a resounding success with US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed during the weeklong continental exposition event that begun on September 4 and attended by over 112,000 visitors (physical and virtual), from 132 countries. A total of 958 buyers also participated in the event.

The opening ceremony, addressed by Algerian President, H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune among other dignitaries, featured a lively summit style discussion that saw the participation of fourteen (14) Heads of State and government, 6 representatives of government as well as 41 ministers and deputy ministers. Held biennially, IATF provides a platform for businesses in Africa and the rest of the world to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exchanging information and exploring opportunities. The weeklong Fair held from 4-5 September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria was organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

According to the IATF2025 Report Card, the event welcomed 2,148 exhibitors and featured major activities, including a trade exhibition by countries and businesses, a four-day trade and investment forum graced by leading African and international speakers, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with its own dedicated exhibition covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature and gastronomy, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.

The robust and enriching programme also included nine Special Days hosted by countries and organisations to showcase their trade and investment opportunities, including an IATF2025 Global Africa Day that highlighted commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, the Arise IIP Industrial Day and the Dangote Day as well as Country Days by Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire.

B2B and B2G matchmaking programmes were held to facilitate strategic partnerships and government collaborations to unlock new opportunities while the AU Youth Start-Up Programme showcased innovative ideas and prototypes, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeted the academia and national researchers. The activities were preceded by the IATF Virtual Platform which had already been live throughout the year, connecting exhibitors and visitors.

Addressing the closing ceremony, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF2025, said that the trade fair had surpassed all expectations and targets set by the organisers and expressed “a sense of accomplishment and feeling of satisfaction” at the outcome.

Chief Obasanjo attributed the successful outcome to the vibrant exchanges and dynamic partnerships that pervaded the trade fair and said that, more than being just a trade fair, IATF2025 was a testament to a more integrated and prosperous Africa.

He added: “Through vibrant exchanges and partnerships, IATF2025 has exceeded our expectations and now stands as the biggest ever. It has sown the seed of future prosperity for our shared vision of an economically integrated Africa. We need to continue building on these established connections in exploring new opportunities, working together to realise the full benefits of AfCFTA.”

We need to continue building on these established connections in exploring new opportunities, working together to realise the full benefits of AfCFTA

There were also enriching discussions by political, business and other leaders on key Intra-African trade issues during the conference segment of the trade fair, with some of the most sough-after African and international speakers participating.

Other key outcomes emanating from the event include:

  • Institutionalisation of the Intra-African Trade Fair as a stand-alone treaty-based entity called IATFCO with headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe;
  • Announcement of Lagos, Nigeria, as venue of the next IATF in 2027 and presentation of the Hosting Flag to the Nigerian Minister of Trade, Dr. Jumoke  Oduwole; and

Award of the hosting rights for the Sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference in 2026 to Cross River State of Nigeria, with Calabar as the designated venue. The Hosting Agreement was signed by Governor Bassey Edet Otu on behalf of Cross River State, and Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development on behalf of Afreximbank.

Algeria, which had emerged a natural choice for IATF2025 because of its established industrial value chains, diversified economy and strategic location, ended up accounting for $11.4 billion of the $48.3-billion contracts signed at the trade fair, representing 23.6 per cent of the total deals that were closed at the fair. Additional export opportunities/commitments for Algerian companies from the Fair, amounting to $11.6 billion, are still scheduled to be signed.

Algerian businesses also took advantage of IATF2025 to showcase their products, attract investment and connect with new partners, enabling them to establish long-term business relationships and connections with counterparts in other African countries in support of AfCFTA implementation.

In addition, the impressive turnout of participants attracted heightened media visibility to Algeria, raising the Maghreb country’s profile and significantly boosting its trade prospects while the tourism and hospitality sectors benefitted from a boom in patronage of hotels, transport and logistics companies, tour operators and other businesses in the value chain.

The closing ceremony also featured an awards segment with winners in the following categories:

  • Best Stand Design (Entity) – Mota Engil
  • Best Stand Design (Pavilion) – Country/Organisation) – Zambia
  • Best Stand – Nigerian
  • Best Stand Feature – Zimbabwe
  • Most Sustainable/Going Green – Ogun State, Nigeria
  • Most Innovative Stand – Arise IIP
  • CANEX Award – Ministry of Arts and Culture, Algeria
  • African Automotive Show Award – Fiat Stellantis

Awards were also presented in the AU Youth Startup, Healthcare Technology Innovation Hackaton and SME Pitch categories.

Thousands of African businesses, including SMEs, have connected with new partners and entered new markets through the IATF platform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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