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Kaspersky opens its first Transparency Center in the African region

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Kaspersky

The new Transparency Center in Kigali is available for Kaspersky’s partners, customers, and regulators responsible for cybersecurity

KIGALI, Rwanda, November 15, 2023/APO Group/ — 

As part of the Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF), Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) has today announced the opening of its first Transparency Center in the African region. The new center, located in Kigali, Rwanda, is opening as part of Kaspersky’s Global Transparency Initiative, established to highlight the reliability of the company’s solutions and advocate for greater transparency throughout the cybersecurity industry. The new center offers its visitors a comprehensive overview of Kaspersky’s engineering and data processing practices, and a live demonstration of the source code for its products and services.

Internet penetration in the African region has been steadily increasing over the years: according to the World Bank (https://apo-opa.co/3QYBJuX), broadband Internet access in Africa grew from 26% in 2019 to 36% in 2022. As outlined in the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (https://apo-opa.co/3ucquWR), all  people in Africa should be digitally empowered by 2030, which means that digitalisation will be enhancing, bringing both opportunities and challenges.

The new Transparency Center in Kigali is available for Kaspersky’s partners, customers, and regulators responsible for cybersecurity. It is designed to serve the “blue piste” review option, which has gained significant popularity among Transparency Centers’ visitors since the opening of the first facility in 2018. It offers a general overview of Kaspersky’s engineering and data processing practices: throughout their visit, partners and customers are welcome to ask Kaspersky experts any questions related to the company’s data processing procedures and the functioning of its solutions. Additionally, as part of the “blue piste,” they can improve or acquire skills to assess the security of ICT products that their organisations use, learning the highlights of Kaspersky’s Cyber Capacity Building Program (https://apo-opa.co/3SKSOd5) for government organisations, academia and companies.

Underscoring the strong nexus between transparency and the fight against cybercrime, and Kaspersky’s commitment to both causes, the new Transparency Center opening was welcomed by the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL):  

“The African region is currently undergoing rapid digital transformation, with Internet penetration continually growing year on year. To counter potential security risks stemming from the use of technology, it is imperative to understand what forms an effective framework to mitigate risks. Today, as Kaspersky announces the opening of its first Transparency Center in the African region, we appreciate the company’s openness and welcome its Global Transparency Initiative, which is exemplary for organisations in the region in terms of building digital trust. Kaspersky has a proven track record of collaborating with local, regional and international law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime, sharing its technical expertise, in the spirit of transparency,” AFRIPOL’s Acting Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, commented.

A growing emphasis on cybersecurity within the pan-regional African agenda is piquing the interest of national authorities

With the opening of the facility in the region, Kaspersky will expand its network to encompass a total of 11 Transparency Centers located across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North and Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

Introducing another milestone in the Global Transparency Initiative, Genie Sugene Gan, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East, Turkey and Africa regions at Kaspersky, during her keynote speech at the ACDF, noted:

“A growing emphasis on cybersecurity within the pan-regional African agenda is piquing the interest of national authorities. However, there remains a significant gap in cyber-capacity building. By opening the Transparency Center, Kaspersky aims to address the local market needs, offering education in such critical areas as evaluating product security and establishing secure development processes. The Transparency Center opening marks a pivotal advancement and a significant milestone for both our organisation and the region, as we bring essential capacity-building capabilities and best cybersecurity practices to the region.”

Being a dedicated advocate for enhancing transparency in the cybersecurity industry, Kaspersky launched its Global Transparency Initiative in 2017, becoming a pioneer in advancing digital trust. The initiative reaffirms the company’s readiness to disclose how Kaspersky works, what standards it implements, how its solutions perform and why they are trustworthy. Kaspersky actively involves the broader community in validating and verifying the reliability of its products, internal processes, and overall business operations. As a significant aspect of the Global Transparency Initiative, the company leads as the first cybersecurity vendor to disclose its source code for external review.

To learn more on the Global Transparency Initiative or request a visit to a Transparency Center, please check the website (https://apo-opa.co/3MIAoG8).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

Energy

Cornerstone Valve Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 as Associate Sponsor Amid Angola’s Upstream Expansion

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Cornerstone Valve

As Angola accelerates upstream, LNG and refining projects, demand is rising for critical flow control solutions that improve reliability, safety and operational efficiency across the energy value chain

LUANDA, Angola, July 1, 2026/APO Group/ –As Angola advances a new phase of oil and gas growth, demand is increasing for the infrastructure and equipment that keep large-scale hydrocarbon projects operating safely and efficiently. From upstream production and gas processing to refining and storage, flow control systems play a central role in maintaining operational integrity, minimizing downtime and supporting long-term asset performance. In this environment, specialized engineering companies such as Cornerstone Valve are becoming increasingly important partners in Angola’s expanding oil and gas market.

Cornerstone Valve has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference & Exhibition 2026 as an Associate Sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Angola’s fast-growing oil and gas sector. The event takes place on September 9–10 in Luanda, with a pre-conference day scheduled for September 8, bringing together regulators, operators, service providers and investors to drive partnerships and investment across the industry.

Cornerstone Valve specializes in valve automation, actuation and flow control solutions, providing products and services that support complex industrial operations across the oil and gas value chain. The company’s portfolio includes automated valve packages, control systems and engineered solutions designed to enhance safety, improve system efficiency and optimize asset reliability in demanding operating environments.

The company’s participation at AOG 2026 comes at a pivotal time for Angola’s oil and gas sector. The country is pursuing an ambitious strategy to sustain crude production above one million barrels per day while expanding natural gas monetization and downstream capacity. Major upstream developments, including deepwater projects, brownfield optimization campaigns and frontier exploration, are creating new opportunities for technology providers capable of supporting high-performance operations.

As Angola’s premier oil and gas event, AOG 2026 serves as a strategic platform for companies to engage with decision-makers, showcase solutions and strengthen commercial partnerships. Cornerstone Valve’s sponsorship underscores the growing role of engineering and technology providers in supporting Angola’s next phase of oil and gas development.

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

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Business

ICIEC Highlights De-Risking as a Driver of Regional Trade and Investment at Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Private Sector Forum 2026

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ICIEC

Held at the Baku Convention Center, the session brought together senior representatives from Azerbaijani public and private sector stakeholders, export credit agencies, multilateral development banks, commercial banks, insurers, investors, government entities, State-Owned Enterprises, and business leaders

The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (www.ICIEC.IsDB.org), a Shariah-based multilateral credit and political risk insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, convened a high-level panel discussion titled “De-Risking Trade & Investment for Regional Prosperity” on the sidelines of the IsDB Group Private Sector Forum 2026 in Baku.

 

Held at the Baku Convention Center, the session brought together senior representatives from Azerbaijani public and private sector stakeholders, export credit agencies, multilateral development banks, commercial banks, insurers, investors, government entities, State-Owned Enterprises, and business leaders.

ICIEC’s Shariah-compliant solutions help governments, financial institutions, and investors move from ambition to implementation and execution

The discussion focused on how risk mitigation can unlock private capital, strengthen investor confidence, and support regional integration across Azerbaijan, ICIEC Member States, and the broader OIC region, in alignment with the Annual Meetings theme, “Regional Integration for Sustainable Prosperity”. Convened in Baku, the session explored how political risk insurance, trade credit insurance, and credit enhancement solutions can help transform opportunities in infrastructure, energy, logistics, ICT, manufacturing, and trade into bankable projects, while supporting Azerbaijan’s expanding role as a regional gateway for investment, connectivity, export-oriented growth, and wider OIC market integration.

The event featured keynote remarks by Mr. Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO), who highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing role as a regional hub for trade, investment, and connectivity.

The panel featured Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Chief Executive Officer of ICIEC; Mr. Yuichiro Akita, President of the Berne Union; Mr. Sujithav Sarangi, Executive Director, Development and Agency Finance Team, Standard Chartered; and Mr. John Lentaigne, Global Head of Structured Credit and Political Risks, Specialist Risk Group. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Elnur Aliyev, Advisor to the Chairman, KOBIA Azerbaijan.

Speaking during the session, Dr. Khalid Khalafalla said: “Regional prosperity can only deliver its full development impact when trade and investment opportunities are supported by confidence, bankability, and effective risk mitigants. ICIEC’s Shariah-compliant solutions help governments, financial institutions, and investors move from ambition to implementation and execution. Through strong partnerships with public and private sector institutions, ICIEC is helping mobilise capital for strategic sectors, reduce perceived and actual risks, and support sustainable growth across Member States and beyond.”

The discussion underscored that Regional Prosperity requires more than connectivity and project pipelines. It requires a coordinated ecosystem in which governments, financial institutions, insurers, investors, and development partners work together to manage risk, mobilise finance, and deliver tangible development outcomes. The session reinforced ICIEC’s role as a catalyst for trade, investment, and sustainable development through Shariah-compliant risk mitigation solutions, partnership-building, and support for investment-ready projects across Member States.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

 

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Events

The 6th Cross-Strait Sun Yat-sen Forum Successfully Held in Zhongshan, Guangdong

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Sun Yat-sen Forum

ZHONGSHAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 July 2026 – As 2026 marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the 6th Cross-Strait Sun Yat-sen Forum was held in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province—the hometown of the great pioneer—from June 27 to 29 under the theme “Carrying Forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Spirit of Endeavor and Working Together for the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation”. This year’s forum was the largest in its history, attracting the broadest participation from Taiwan compatriots and the highest proportion of young participants to date. Around 2,000 representatives from across the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao attended the event. Centered on cultural heritage and driven by economic and trade cooperation, the forum established a multi-level platform for cross-strait exchanges and collaboration while fostering broader consensus on integrated cross-strait development.

Distinguished guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait attended the opening ceremony and noted in their remarks that Dr. Sun Yat-sen is a revered national pioneer shared by compatriots on both sides of the Strait. His vision of rejuvenating China remains a common spiritual legacy, and people across the Strait should carry forward his ideals and work hand in hand toward national rejuvenation. During the opening ceremony, Zhongshan Municipal People’s Government and the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland signed the Strategic Framework Agreement on Deepening Zhongshan-Taiwan Economic and Trade Cooperation to Promote Integrated Development, laying a solid institutional foundation for long-term industrial cooperation across the Strait.

A series of cultural exchange activities also took place throughout the forum. Participants enjoyed an evening tour of the century-old Sunwen West Road Arcade Pedestrian Street, immersing themselves in Zhongshan’s rich historical heritage and the vibrant cultural and tourism scene of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. They also visited the Museum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, where they studied revolutionary historical archives, bowed before Dr. Sun’s bronze statue to pay homage, and gained a deeper appreciation of his enduring ideals of “All Under Heaven Belong to the People” and “Revitalize China”. Many participants remarked that these activities provided an excellent platform for sustained exchanges among young people across the Strait and that their shared cultural roots and common heritage form a solid foundation for advancing cross-strait spiritual integration.

To further strengthen cross-strait economic cooperation and advance industrial integration between Shenzhen and Zhongshan, the forum also featured the “Taiwan Businesses Gather in Zhongshan, Industries Glow in the Greater Bay Area” 2026 Guangdong-Taiwan Economic and Trade Exchange Conference and Investment Promotion Event Celebrating the Second Anniversary of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. A total of 19 industrial projects were signed during the event. The first group comprised seven Taiwan-invested projects spanning semiconductor supporting industries, electronic components, smart home products, high-end fitness equipment, and medical devices. The second and third groups included 12 Shenzhen-Zhongshan collaborative projects covering new energy vehicle components, industrial robotics, memory chip packaging, advanced specialty materials, and integrated cultural, tourism, and commercial developments.

During the investment promotion event, Taiwan business representatives spoke highly of Zhongshan’s business environment. Zhang Congyuan, Chairman of Huali Industrial Group, which has operated in Zhongshan for more than two decades, praised the city’s enterprise service philosophy of “staying out of businesses’ way when everything runs smoothly while providing prompt support whenever needed”. He noted that this business-friendly environment has helped the company grow into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of athletic footwear.

Guo Wenhai, secretary of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee, extended a sincere invitation to Taiwan businesses and entrepreneurs to invest and establish operations in Zhongshan. He emphasized that the city offers not only strong industrial infrastructure but also high-quality government services. Zhongshan will continue to provide proactive, efficient, and dedicated support for businesses while continuously improving both its hard and soft investment environment. Leveraging the opportunities created by the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, the city aims to create broader prospects for cooperation and shared growth for enterprises from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Participants and Taiwan business representatives agreed that, taking the 160th anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s birth as an important milestone, this year’s forum created new channels for both cultural exchanges and industrial cooperation across the Strait. Looking ahead, Zhongshan will continue to organize regular initiatives, including entrepreneurship support programs for young people from Taiwan, youth exchange activities, and Guangdong-Taiwan industrial matchmaking events. By carrying forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s spirit, embracing the opportunities of the Greater Bay Area, and strengthening both economic cooperation and people-to-people ties, the city will continue to contribute to a new chapter of integrated cross-strait development.

 

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