Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Open Bank Sign Expression of Intent for a Potential USD 10 Million Line of Financing in Uzbekistan

Published

on

Islamic Corporation

The EoI sets out the intent to establish a Shariah-compliant LoF facility of up to USD 10 million from ICD to Open Bank to be deployed for the onward financing of eligible private sector projects, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates operating in the Republic of Uzbekistan

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, November 1, 2026/APO Group/ –

  • ICD and JSC Open Bank (Uzbekistan) have signed an Expression of Intent for a potential Shariah-compliant Line of Financing facility of up to USD 10 million
  • The facility aims to channel funds to eligible private sector projects, including SMEs and corporates across Uzbekistan
  • The potential Line of Financing facility intends to support job creation and SME growth, contributing to broader economic development in Uzbekistan
  • Open Bank, a privately owned digital bank licensed by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, will serve as the intermediary institution to channel the funds to private enterprises

 




 
 

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-PS.org), the private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, and Joint Stock Company “Open Bank” (Open Bank) from Uzbekistan have signed an Expression of Intent (EoI) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 26 October 2026, for a potential Shariah-compliant Line of Financing (LoF) facility of up to USD 10 million, aimed at supporting eligible private sector projects in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The EoI sets out the intent to establish a Shariah-compliant LoF facility of up to USD 10 million from ICD to Open Bank to be deployed for the onward financing of eligible private sector projects, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates operating in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The facility is designed to ensure that financing reaches productive segments of the economy in a manner consistent with Shariah principles and in line with the development objectives of ICD and Uzbekistan.

The intended facility reflects ICD’s commitment to expanding access to Shariah-compliant financial services in Central Asia. By working through Open Bank, a digitally oriented institution with a focus on retail and SME customers, the proposed LoF aims to direct resources toward businesses that can generate meaningful employment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Uzbekistan. SME support of this nature plays an important role in strengthening the private sector and broadening economic participation across the country.

ICD’s development mandate centers on advancing private sector growth and improving livelihoods in its member countries through Shariah-compliant financing solutions. The intended LoF with Open Bank aims to contribute to job creation and SME support in Uzbekistan, outcomes that align with ICD’s broader objective of fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development across the IsDB Group’s member countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

 




 

Business

Joint Statement: Afreximbank and African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) formally establish Africa Energy Bank

Published

on

Afreximbank

The creation of the Africa Energy Bank reaffirms African governments’ determination to secure their own energy future

ABUJA, Nigeria, October 31, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) have formally announced the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB). The announcement was made during the AEB’s inaugural general meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 31 October 2026.
 




 

The creation of the Africa Energy Bank reaffirms African governments’ determination to secure their own energy future. This move is in recognition that significant investments in energy generation and transmission was required to accelerating industrial growth and to leveraging the tremendous opportunities from the emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).

The Bank is being established at a time when the continent’s energy investment needs are estimated at US$200 billion. Traditional providers of short- and long-term financing to Africa’s energy sector are withdrawing funding from fossil fuels, even as oil and gas remain vital to the continent’s energy systems. The Africa Energy Bank aims to bridge this financing gap while supporting a just energy transition for African countries.

With an authorised capital of US$5 billion, the AEB will support projects across the energy value chain, including exploration and production, transportation, processing, refining, and distribution. These investments are intended to strengthen productive capacity, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and promote intra-African trade in energy goods. The Bank’s mandate also includes promoting robust African participation in the continent’s energy sector to ensure that Africa’s energy future is shaped by Africans.

The AEB will operate as an independent, supranational pan-African financial institution. It will seek to attract investments from governments, national oil companies, financial institutions, and private investors to support energy development across the continent.

Resolutions passed at the first general assembly included the appointment of the Bank’s inaugural President, Mr Helmy Ghazi, and the formation of its first Board of Directors, comprising members from the public and private sectors as well as leading policy institutions from across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

Continue Reading

Business

5 Investment Opportunities Putting Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027 on the Map for Central Africa

Published

on

CEIF 2027 connects investors with Congo’s energy projects and local partners, while providing entry points for commercial opportunities across Central Africa

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, November 2, 2026/APO Group/ –The Republic of Congo’s expanding oil and gas developments are creating new opportunities for investment, engineering contracts and commercial partnerships across the energy value chain. With offshore discoveries, mature-field redevelopment and three million tons per year of LNG capacity, the country is entering a new phase of energy development that requires capital, technology and international partnerships.

 




 
 

The Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027, taking place June 1-3 in Brazzaville, will serve as the official platform connecting Central African energy decision-makers, operators, investors and service companies. Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the forum will bring together public- and private-sector stakeholders to advance investment discussions, facilitate partnerships and connect companies with emerging opportunities across the region.

Connect With Central Africa’s Energy Decision-Makers

CEIF 2027 will provide a platform to engage directly with Congolese authorities, regulators, national energy companies and policymakers shaping the region’s energy investment landscape. Taking place in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the event offers a bridge between the country’s policymakers and public- and private-sector companies. Conversations with decision-makers can help investors understand national development priorities, gain insight into the regulatory environment and identify opportunities for market entry or expansion.

Capitalize on Congo’s Upstream Investment and Production Ambitions

As Congo targets production growth toward 500,000 barrels per day, operators are pursuing new exploration and mature-field redevelopment to increase output. TotalEnergies’ 2026 Moho G discovery could unlock an estimated 100 million barrels of recoverable resources alongside the existing Moho F development, illustrating the potential to connect new discoveries to established offshore infrastructure. Meanwhile, Perenco and Trident Energy are pursuing development and redevelopment opportunities across mature assets, including well reactivation and infrastructure upgrades.

These activities could create opportunities for drilling contractors, engineering firms and production technology providers. CEIF 2027 offers a platform to explore project requirements and investment opportunities across Congo’s upstream sector.

Unlock Opportunities Across LNG, Gas and Power Infrastructure

With LNG exports established and liquefaction capacity reaching three million tons per year in 2026, Congo is looking towards its next phase of gas development. This will depend on sustaining feedgas supplies, connecting additional resources and expanding infrastructure.

Beyond LNG, Congo’s plans to expand electricity generation and improve transmission and distribution infrastructure present opportunities for power developers, equipment suppliers and investors. These priorities create potential opportunities for upstream operators, engineering companies, technology providers and investors interested in gas processing, power generation and distribution. CEIF provides a platform to advance these priorities.

Showcase Solutions and Build Commercial Partnerships at the Exhibition

The CEIF 2027 exhibition will provide a platform for companies to showcase their technologies, equipment and services directly to energy operators, policymakers, investors and potential clients across Central Africa.

Exhibitors will have opportunities to demonstrate solutions, engage with local service providers and identify potential partnerships across drilling, engineering, infrastructure and energy technology. For companies seeking to enter or expand in the region, the exhibition offers a direct route to building commercial relationships, exploring procurement opportunities and positioning their services for upcoming projects.

Access New Projects and Financing Opportunities

Turning project opportunities into investments requires clarity on development priorities, infrastructure requirements and financing structures. CEIF’s discussions will give participants an opportunity to assess the projects shaping Congo’s energy sector and engage with potential commercial and institutional counterparts.

Investors, lenders and project developers can use these exchanges to identify areas where financing, technical expertise or new investment structures may help advance projects across oil and gas, power generation and downstream industries.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, CEIF 2027 will enable candid dialogue, facilitating new investments and deals in the country’s energy sector. For more information, visit www.congoenergyinvestment.com.

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

 




 

Continue Reading

Business

Afreximbank supports Veenocks’ US$145 million project for industrial expansion and regional growth

Published

on

Afreximbank

PPF-funded studies enabled Veenocks to broaden its medium-term regional growth plans, while a US$81.9 million senior loan supports an expansion expected to triple annual production capacity

CAIRO, Egypt, November 2, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has supported the development and expansion of Veenocks Limited’s porcelain tile manufacturing plant in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, through its Project Preparation Facility (PPF) and a US$81.9 million senior term loan. The project has a total estimated cost of US$145 million.
 




 

Afreximbank and Veenocks signed a US$2 million project preparation facility agreement in August 2024 to finance technical, commercial, financial, legal, environmental and social studies needed to establish the project’s bankability.

The studies financed through the PPF, complemented by Afreximbank’s pan-African experience, enabled Veenocks to broaden its growth ambitions beyond its primary focus on the Nigerian market. This support informed the company’s plans to pursue regional opportunities over the medium term, with target markets including Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Ghana, Mauritania and Senegal.

The Bank’s US$81.9 million senior term loan supports implementation of the plant’s expansion, providing financing for investment in additional manufacturing capacity. The expansion is expected to increase the plant’s total annual production capacity from 3.3 million to 9.9 million square metres, creating a stronger production base to meet domestic demand and pursue regional opportunities.

Veenocks demonstrates how project preparation, commercial expertise and senior debt financing can support African industrial investment

The existing plant employs more than 200 people directly. The expansion is expected to create an additional 300 direct jobs, alongside indirect employment across raw material supply, logistics and distribution.

The preparation financing has been fully repaid from senior debt, completing the PPF’s funding cycle for Veenocks and replenishing capital to support further projects.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said:

“Veenocks demonstrates how project preparation, commercial expertise and senior debt financing can support African industrial investment. The studies financed through Afreximbank’s Project Preparation Facility have helped strengthen the project’s bankability and broaden the company’s regional growth ambitions. Our senior debt financing supports the plant expansion needed to convert those ambitions into increased productive capacity, and stronger foundations for intra-African trade.”

Mrs. Awani added: “Full repayment of the preparation financing ensures capital is available to support more indigenous African investors and projects. This is the PPF’s revolving model in practice: the funds that have been repaid are used to support initiatives that add value to local resources and expand manufacturing.”

Mr. Adebisi Abidemi Adebutu, Group President of R28 Holdings, the parent company of Veenocks Limited, said:

“This investment represents an important step towards our ambition of building a globally competitive manufacturing business in Nigeria, producing world-class tiles to European quality standards and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported tiles. The PPF was instrumental in broadening our growth plans and positioning us to penetrate regional markets over the medium term. With Afreximbank’s financing, we can now deliver the expansion phase of this project. The facility will allow us to add value to Nigeria’s raw materials, create quality jobs and increase the supply of our porcelain tiles, manufactured here in Nigeria, to customers at home and across the region. Our vision is to set the global benchmark for quality in tile manufacturing and to become Africa’s first choice for porcelain tiles.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

Continue Reading

Trending