CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria’s efforts to reposition its energy sector and attract a new wave of investment will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, confirmed to participate in the event.

Her participation comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration continues to implement an ambitious energy reform agenda aimed at reversing years of underinvestment, improving project economics and restoring Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading destinations for oil, gas and infrastructure capital.

Since taking office in 2023, the administration has prioritized measures to improve investor confidence, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, reforms to strengthen regulatory efficiency and a series of executive actions designed to accelerate investment across the upstream sector. The government has also focused on improving the commercial performance of NNPC, transitioning the national oil company toward a more investment-oriented operating model and expanding partnerships with international operators.

These reforms are supporting renewed momentum across Nigeria’s upstream sector in 2026, with major international operators advancing new investments across deepwater oil and gas developments. ExxonMobil and its partners are moving forward with a $1 billion investment in the Usan Infill Project, expected to add approximately 40,000 barrels per day of production, while Shell continues to expand its deepwater and integrated gas portfolio through projects including Bonga North and the HI gas development. Bonga North is expected to deliver up to 110,000 barrels per day at peak production, while the HI project is designed to supply 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria LNG. These investments reflect growing confidence in Nigeria’s resource base and highlight opportunities for further capital deployment across offshore development, gas infrastructure and energy services.

With approximately 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, Nigeria is seeking to accelerate gas commercialization through LNG expansion, industrial projects, gas processing and gas-to-power initiatives. Projects including the Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion, alongside broader efforts to strengthen domestic gas supply infrastructure, are expected to play a key role in improving energy security, supporting industrial growth and expanding Nigeria’s position in global gas markets. Recent developments are also highlighting growing momentum around indigenous-led gas projects, including UTM Offshore’s 15-year gas supply agreement with a joint venture between NNPC and Seplat Energy to supply 200 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from the Yoho field for Nigeria’s first indigenous floating LNG project.

Nigeria’s downstream sector is also entering a new phase following the ramp-up of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day and is expected to reduce reliance on imported refined products while creating new opportunities across logistics, trading and energy infrastructure.

“Nigeria has the resources, market scale and entrepreneurial strength to lead Africa’s next era of energy investment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The reforms underway under President Tinubu’s administration are focused on making the sector more competitive, improving investor confidence and ensuring that Nigeria captures greater value from its oil, gas and power resources. AEW 2026 provides a critical platform to connect these reforms with the investors, companies and partners needed to deliver growth.”

As Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Verheijen has been closely involved in advancing Nigeria’s energy priorities, including investment promotion, sector coordination and policy implementation. Her participation at AEW 2026 will provide stakeholders with insight into Nigeria’s strategy for unlocking capital and accelerating development across the energy value chain.

WILMINGTON, United States of America, August 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Afriex (https://www.Afriex.com/), the cross-border payments infrastructure company processing more than $600 million in annual payment volume, today announced a new sponsor and settlement banking partnership with Global Innovations Bank (GIB). The relationship strengthens the banking infrastructure behind Afriex’s B2B PaymentsAPI, enabling faster settlement, expanded regulatory support, and Global USD Account access for businesses moving money across more than 35 countries.

Originally founded as a consumer remittance company, Afriex has evolved into a global payments infrastructure platform powering cross-border payouts for remittance providers, payroll companies, ecommerce platforms, fintechs, banks, and other financial institutions. The company’s API combines licensed local payment rails with global banking connectivity, enabling businesses to launch and scale international payment products without building local infrastructure themselves.

The GIB relationship is the latest milestone in Afriex’s strategy of building a global banking network that combines local market expertise with international settlement capabilities. Together with banking partners including Choice Bank in Kenya and United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Nigeria, Afriex is creating the regulated financial infrastructure that enables businesses to move money seamlessly across emerging markets.

As demand for reliable cross-border payment infrastructure continues to grow, resilient banking relationships have become essential for delivering faster, compliant, and scalable money movement. Through its expanding network of banking partners, Afriex continues to strengthen the foundation behind its licensed payment operations while increasing the capabilities available to customers building on its platform.

“Building global payment infrastructure isn’t just about adding more corridors—it’s about building the banking foundation that makes every transaction faster, more reliable, and easier for our customers to scale,” said Tope Alabi, Founder and CEO of Afriex. “Global Innovations Bank understands the complexity of cross-border payments because their team has lived it firsthand. Their experience and long-term approach make them an ideal partner as we continue building the infrastructure powering the next generation of global fintech.”

Under the agreement, Global Innovations Bank will provide sponsor and settlement banking services supporting Afriex’s growing payments infrastructure, delivering:

• Faster settlement across supported payment corridors
• Global USD Account access
• Expanded banking and regulatory coverage supporting licensed money movement
• Greater operational resilience as transaction volumes continue to grow

The partnership also lays the groundwork for additional treasury, foreign exchange (FX), and global account capabilities that Afriex plans to introduce over the coming year.

“Our team has spent years solving the challenges of cross-border money movement,” said Alex Goody, Chief Product Officer at Global Innovations Bank. “That experience gives us a deep appreciation for what Afriex has built. Their disciplined compliance program, strong technical infrastructure, and focus on emerging markets make them exactly the kind of fintech we want to help scale.”

The partnership became effective in Q2 2026 and represents another step in Afriex’s strategy of becoming the financial infrastructure layer for companies building cross-border products worldwide. With banking partnerships now spanning the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and other strategic markets, Afriex continues to expand the regulated banking network supporting its global payment platform.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 17, 2026/APO Group/ –The second annual Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) will take place in Guyana from July 13–15, 2027, convening regional governments, international energy companies and investors as the Caribbean accelerates efforts to unlock its oil, gas and power potential. Held under the patronage of Guyana’s President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and with the endorsement of The Honorable Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, the event will spotlight Guyana’s growing role in shaping the region’s energy future.

 

Under the theme, Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub, CEW 2027 will focus on strengthening regional energy integration, accelerating infrastructure development and mobilizing investment across the energy value chain. The event will connect established and emerging producers with global investors to advance projects that can strengthen energy security, industrialization and economic growth.

Guyana is at the center of this transformation. The country is expanding oil production beyond the ExxonMobil-led Stabroek Block while accelerating gas monetization and power infrastructure. In August, ExxonMobil launched new drilling activities in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Whiptail development well and Rockhead-1 exploration well, supporting national production targets of 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027 and 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.

ExxonMobil is also advancing major developments including Uaru and Hammerhead, while Siemens Energy is supporting the rollout of the 300 MW Gas-to-Energy project. The initiative forms part of Guyana’s strategy to monetize natural gas, strengthen domestic power supply and support broader industrial development.

Across the region, Trinidad and Tobago is also expanding its gas value chain and creating new opportunities for investors. bp’s Ginger and Mento developments, alongside Shell’s Manatee and Aphrodite fields, are expected to support growth in upstream gas production from 2027. Ongoing exploration could unlock nearly 60 trillion cubic feet of additional natural gas resources.

The country’s gas potential is further underscored by bp’s agreement to acquire Woodside Energy’s 70% interest in the Calypso gas project, strengthening its position in Trinidad and Tobago’s upstream sector and highlighting continued investor interest in the country’s gas resources.

In Suriname, upstream momentum is also accelerating. In June 2026, PETRONAS announced a new gas discovery at Block 52 offshore Suriname, reinforcing the country’s potential for further large-scale hydrocarbon discoveries. TotalEnergies is also planning a four-well exploration campaign in Block 58 in 2027, expanding activity beyond its $10.5 billion GranMorgu development and targeting additional commercial resources.

Outside the upstream segment, investment opportunities are also expanding with several mega-projects underway, including Shell’s new LNG regasification terminal in The Bahamas which launched in July 2026.

These developments and many more highlight the Caribbean’s growing oil and gas potential and the investment opportunities emerging across the wider energy value chain.

“The Caribbean is at a pivotal turning point in its energy transition, fueled by rapid upstream oil and gas expansion alongside substantial investments in midstream infrastructure, power, and workforce development,” said Sandra Jacque, Vice President at Energy Capital & Power. “CEW 2027 will bridge regional markets with global capital, technology, and expertise to fast-track infrastructure and forge a unified Caribbean energy corridor.”

Building on the inaugural CEW 2026, the 2027 edition will expand its focus on investment, project development and regional cooperation. As Caribbean energy markets seek to maximize their hydrocarbon resources, strengthen power infrastructure and expand regional connectivity, CEW 2027 will provide a platform to advance projects, partnerships and investments shaping the region’s emergence as a global energy hub.