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ITFC and the ICD of the Private Sector sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kingdom of Morocco

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ITFC

ITFC intends to provide financing of up to $100 million to support the import of strategic goods and enhance the efforts of Moroccan companies in the export sector

MARRAKECH, Morocco, October 12, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The memorandum aims to provide a general framework that facilitates cooperation between the parties and enhances economic and social development capabilities; ITFC intends to provide financing of up to $100 million to support the import of strategic goods and enhance the efforts of Moroccan companies in the export sector; A $100 million investment will also be made by ICD (http://www.ICD-ps.org) to fund local and cross-border projects, enhancing infrastructure development, manufacturing, financial inclusion, and financial services.

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), members of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), and the Kingdom of Morocco signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement was signed by H.E Ms. Nadia Fattah Al Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Morocco, and H.E Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation and Acting CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector. This signing took place during a meeting held between the two parties on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund held in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco.

The MoU aims to facilitate cooperation between all parties in several fields, as it focuses on the importance of the energy sector as a driver of economic and social development

The MoU aims to facilitate cooperation between all parties in several fields, as it focuses on the importance of the energy sector as a driver of economic and social development in the attractive Kingdom. The two institutions intend to support the energy sector by financing state-owned companies and private companies. It also seeks to enhance financing for small and medium-sized companies and transfer expertise on agriculture from Morocco to the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

In addition, the two institutions focus on supporting public-private partnership projects, in addition to providing financing in diverse sectors such as manufacturing, services, mining, and infrastructure. This cooperation also seeks to achieve food security and enhance knowledge and financial exchange between the Kingdom of Morocco and the African and Arab member states.

Both institutions also announced the Country Working Program for cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco, where the country work program of ITFC for the period 2024-2026 covers new financing of up to US$100 million to support imports of strategic goods and enhance the export efforts of Moroccan companies. This includes strengthening relations with strategic partners in Morocco and encouraging Moroccan institutions to participate in ITFC’s projects to promote Moroccan exports in key sectors such as energy and agriculture. The program also includes providing trade financing facilities to state-owned entities, financial institutions and Moroccan companies, in addition to developing trade in cooperation with the Kingdom and supporting the establishment of Moroccan logistics platforms in selected African countries. This comes within the framework of cooperation to transfer Moroccan expertise and knowledge to other countries to enhance human and economic development.

In terms of the Country Working Program of ICD, the institution aims to enhance cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco in the period from 2024 to 2026. It is worth noting that the institution has made a strategic investment in the shares of the Al Akhdar Bank, in partnership with the Agricultural Credit of Morocco, where the institution owns 49% of Bank shares. ICD also announced that within the new country program it will approve new financing and investments worth US$100 million for the benefit of Moroccan entities in order to implement local and cross-border projects. In addition, the ICD remains ready to assist Morocco in developing its sovereign sukuk programme. The Institution also seeks to enhance financial inclusion, financing small and medium enterprises, and participatory financing in the Kingdom of Morocco. This cooperation will enhance economic development and sustainability in the Kingdom of Morocco and will deepen relations between the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector and the Kingdom. 

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

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

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