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ITFC Delivers Impactful Trade Solutions in 2023 Amid a Changing and Challenging Global Environment

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ITFC

The Annual Report Showcases ITFC Navigating Change and Driving Impact to Deliver Major Milestones and Significant Achievements

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), proudly announces the release of its 2023 Annual Report, on the them “Navigating Change, Driving Impact.” This report demonstrates ITFC’s resilience and adaptability in supporting its member countries through strategic trade financing and development initiatives amidst increased global economic uncertainties.

In a year characterized by persistent global challenges including economic disruptions and supply chain vulnerabilities, ITFC has successfully bolstered its efforts to support economic recovery and sustainable growth among its member countries. Through innovative trade solutions and dedicated sector support, ITFC played a critical role in fostering regional economic integration and enhancing the trade capabilities of OIC member countries, thereby contributing significantly to their socioeconomic stability.

Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of ITFC, remarked on ITFC’s results: “Despite 2023 being a challenging year, ITFC delivered admirable results. Our focus was on minimizing the impact of global disruptions on trade and development in our member countries. The ITFC Annual Report reflects our achievements, the strength of our strategic approach, and our unwavering commitment to economic development and regional integration across the OIC member countries.

Highlights of the 2023 Annual Report

Our focus was on minimizing the impact of global disruptions on trade and development in our member countries

  • Trade Financing. ITFC approved US$6.9 billion in trade finance, focusing on diversification beyond traditional sectors including agriculture and SMEs, highlighting a commitment to sustainable economic support;
  • Support for SMEs and Private Sector Entities. ITFC intensified its support for the private sector with substantial finance approvals amounting to US$905 million, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and job creation across the member states;
  • Food Security. ITFC contributed significantly to food security by disbursing around US$2 billion to import 3.8 million metric tons of food commodities, benefiting over 22 million households in member countries. This effort aligns very well with the UN SDG 2: Zero Hunger;
  • Agricultural Development. ITFC’s financing in agriculture supported the purchase of agricultural produce from farmers, providing US$254 million in pre-export finance to agricultural companies. This enabled timely payments to more than 600,000 farmers in Africa, fostering substantial agricultural exports worth US$528.8 million;
  • Portfolio Diversification. In 2023, ITFC diversified its trade finance portfolio by extending significant support across various sectors, including a substantial US$4.2 billion towards the energy sector and strategic interventions in SME development, particularly enhancing women’s participation in trade through capacity-building programs;
  • Trade Development Programs. The corporation advanced trade development by increasing intra-OIC trade, with ITFC mobilizing US$4.5 billion of trade finance from syndicate partners and facilitating a 17% increase in intra-OIC trade compared to the previous year. This effort supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals;

The report also details ITFC’s proactive engagement in high-level dialogues and strategic partnerships, pivotal in advancing trade finance and development goals. It showcases the impact of flagship programs like the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program and various SME development programs, which have been instrumental in boosting intra-OIC trade and strengthening economic resilience.

Other Key Achievements in 2023

  • Economic Impact. Through strategic initiatives and programs, ITFC has bolstered intra-OIC trade and significantly contributed to the economic empowerment of communities and sectors across the Corporation’s member countries;
  • Capacity Building. Numerous training programs and workshops were conducted to enhance institutions’ trade professionals and their skills and capabilities, further enriching the trade ecosystem across member countries;
  • Geographical Outreach. The financing covered operations in 22 countries, emphasizing ITFC’s widespread impact across all OIC regions;
  • Sustainable Development Initiatives. ITFC participated in significant environmental actions, including the world’s largest-ever voluntary carbon credit auction, reflecting its commitment to sustainability;
  • Intra-OIC Trade Finance. ITFC approved US$4.59 billion for intra-OIC trade finance, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing economic integration and cooperation among member countries;
  • Strengthened Governance Engagement. ITFC continued its engagement with Governors to fortify support mechanisms, ensuring tailored financial solutions that address specific regional and national economic challenges;
  • Focus on Least Developed Member Countries (LDMC). The LDMC’s share of the trade finance portfolio reached 44%, reflecting ITFC’s strategic emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable economies within its membership.

ITFC is committed to boosting economic prosperity across OIC member countries and will continue to enhance the Corporation’s trade finance and development initiatives to meet their evolving needs, as showcased in the 2023 ITFC Annual Report.

Download the full English version here (https://apo-opa.co/49WoUHW)

Download the full Arabic version here (https://apo-opa.co/4aTvsZb)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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

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October 4, 2024

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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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October 4, 2024

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PAPSS

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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October 4, 2024

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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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