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#IWD2024: Impactful investment: African Development Bank support shapes scholarship graduate career in drone-enabled public health

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African Development Bank

The program aligns with the goal of the Bank’s Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa, which is to increase innovation connected to industrialization and development needs

Também disponível em Portuguêsتتوفر أيضا في العربية

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, March 11, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Japan Africa Dream Scholarship program invests in promising African students from Bank member countries at partner universities in Africa and Japan, financing their tuition, travel, and upkeep for post-graduate studies. The program aligns with the goal of the Bank’s Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa, which is to increase innovation connected to industrialization and development needs.

Scholarship program alumna Mary Yeboah Asantewaa earned her Master of Science degree in Public Health Management from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in May 2023. We asked her about her experience.

Please tell us more about how the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship, financed by the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Finance, prepared you for your current job at SORA Technology, a Japanese firm in Ghana.

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship program was instrumental in shaping my career path, offering me the freedom to pursue internship opportunities that aligned with my aspirations, and providing monthly support to facilitate this. This autonomy was transformative. I found SORA Technology, a company whose mission resonated deeply with my goals to enhance public health surveillance across Africa by adopting innovative technology.

This pivotal choice effectively bridged my academic knowledge and the practical demands of the business world. Now, as the SORA Technology’s Head of Africa Business, I am leveraging the comprehensive educational foundation laid by Japan Africa Dream Scholarship to devise and implement innovative business strategies that advance public health technology throughout the continent. This skill is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the real-world applicability and impact of my Japan Africa Dream Scholarship-sponsored education in addressing public health challenges with cutting-edge technology.

You’d said in the past that your dream is to use drones to save lives in Africa. What does that mean? To what degree has your educational experience accelerated progress toward reaching that goal?

The dream of using drones is not just about saving lives in emergencies but also about fundamentally strengthening public health systems across Africa. Their vulnerability was starkly highlighted during the pandemic when drones emerged as a critical tool for delivering medical supplies. My internship with SORA Technology opened my eyes to the broader applications of drones beyond delivery. They are pivotal in addressing global health challenges ranging from infectious diseases to climate-related issues. The current flagship project at SORA focuses on cost-effective malaria control. It is attracting interest from stakeholders in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and other African nations. My education, supported by the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship, provided a comprehensive foundation in public health management and technology, and set me on a trajectory to explore and implement drone technology in ways that profoundly impact public health infrastructure and disease control in Africa.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Invest in women, accelerate progress.” To what degree does this theme apply to your Japan Africa Dream Scholarship experience?

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Invest in women, accelerate progress,” perfectly encapsulates my journey with the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship. (A paid) internship is a pivotal component of the scholarship program and catalyzed a series of firsts for me at SORA Technology. I became the first African woman to be officially employed and the first African woman to join the management team and advocate for public health innovation. This progression underscores the profound impact of investing in women’s education. It affirms the belief that when women get the right opportunities, particularly in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, they don’t just fill roles; they break barriers and pave new paths. My experience with the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship attests to how targeted educational investments in women can accelerate societal progress and lead to significant contributions in fields where we are underrepresented.

Some youth with similar international experience and graduates in public health management are seeking employment opportunities outside the African continent. You chose to return to Ghana per the scholarship’s conditions. How do you feel about that decision?

My decision to return to Ghana and work with SORA Technologies was driven by a singular vision: to support Africa in developing a robust public health surveillance system. As SORA’s Head of Africa Business, I wanted not only to rejoin my home country but also to pioneer the adoption of innovative solutions that could transform our healthcare infrastructure. At SORA Technology, I got a better understanding of the critical need for digitalization, reliability, effectiveness, and impact in our health structures, starting with Ghana and then expanding to other African nations. This commitment to effecting change is fueled by the knowledge and skills I acquired abroad and that I was determined to use in addressing the pressing needs of our continent. SORA is a beacon of innovation and transformation as it strives to raise Africa’s health surveillance systems to global standards. My choice reflects a deep-seated belief in the power of technology to make our healthcare systems more efficient and impactful and ensure a healthier future for Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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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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Etu Energias

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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Energy

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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