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LemFi, the trusted financial services platform designed for immigrants, has secured $53M in Series B funding led by Highland Europe

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LemFi

The new round brings LemFi’s total capital raised to $85 million to date

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

  • LemFi is transforming how immigrant communities access financial services, starting with international remittance and payments to ease financial hurdles
  • The platform enables diaspora communities in Europe and North America to move money reliably and affordably to emerging markets, including China, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan
  • Since its launch in 2021, LemFi has grown to over one million customers and recently crossed $1 billion in monthly transaction volume

LemFi (www.LemFi.com), the platform transforming how immigrant communities access financial services, has raised $53 million in Series B funding led by Highland Europe with participation from previous investors Left Lane Capital, Palm Drive Capital, Endeavor Catalyst and Y-Combinator. The new round brings LemFi’s total capital raised to $85 million to date.

Founded in 2021, LemFi is building the trusted financial services platform for immigrant communities worldwide. Starting with payments and remittances, LemFi enables users to open multi-currency accounts and send and receive money globally, reliably and at a low cost. With over one million users across Europe and North America sending money to emerging markets, including India, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan, LemFi recently crossed $1 billion in monthly transactions. This is set to increase further, with LemFi adding Asia, including China, to its platform, growing 30% month-on-month.

More than remittance

Every year, millions of people relocate abroad to start new lives, and money transfers remain an important financial support mechanism to their home countries. For emerging markets, remittances are an important source of foreign exchange and can exceed foreign direct investment in some cases. In 2023, India alone received $120 billion in remittances (https://apo-opa.co/4af22F6), and the African remittance market is on track to reach $500 billion by 2035 (https://apo-opa.co/4agEXSt). Yet incumbent banks and private agents, which charge high commission rates and take days for transactions to complete, still corner about 60% of the market (https://apo-opa.co/4ajxqlP).

By targeting the communities most in need, we’ve built LemFi into the go-to remittance service for one million people, supporting them in building wealth across 20 countries

LemFi has become the trusted financial partner for diaspora communities in Canada, the UK and the USA, who send money home to 20 countries. After spending four years building trust among its user base, LemFi is now in the perfect position to provide further services and features to build a full-stack financial services hub for immigrants globally.

From payments to transforming financial services

LemFi’s founders Ridwan Olalere (CEO) (https://apo-opa.co/4aegH3B) and Rian Cochran (CFO) (https://apo-opa.co/40uNjCT) met whilst working at fintech unicorn OPay, incubated by Norwegian browser provider Opera. Olalere had previously worked in software development before becoming OPay’s product lead, where he met Cochran, the company’s finance director. After Olalere left for a stint as an Uber Country Manager, the duo combined their experiences across fintech and payments to build LemFi. They now oversee a 300+ strong multicultural team across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, drawing on their own experiences to make financial services universally accessible.

Using the new funding, LemFi will focus on growing the company in three core areas: building out the platform to extend its financial services offering, scaling its payment network licenses and partnerships to provide hyper-localised service, and hiring talent globally to support its next growth stage.

Ridwan Olalere, co-founder and CEO of LemFi, said: “When we started building LemFi, we were told remittance had already been solved. But for too many people, it is still too slow, cumbersome and expensive with customers telling us that in some instances it was cheaper to send money from the US via Canada than directly to their families back home. By targeting the communities most in need, we’ve built LemFi into the go-to remittance service for one million people, supporting them in building wealth across 20 countries. We’re not stopping there: this new funding will support us in our mission to build the financial services hub for immigrants globally from adding new features to expanding to new countries. We’re delighted to be partnering with Highland to help us scale LemFi into a fintech giant.” 

Sam Brooks, Partner at Highland Europe, said: “LemFi’s mission to provide trusted, reliable access to financial services for immigrant communities has inspired an incredibly loyal customer base and has generated impressive growth over the past several years. In addition to the success in initial geographies, we are excited by LemFi’s continuing international expansion given the extent of the global problem they are solving. Ridwan and Rian are fantastic leaders, and we are thrilled to partner with them and the LemFi team to help them scale and continue their growth into new markets.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LemFi.

Energy

Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Pre-Conference to Set the Stage for $70B Investment Drive

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The AOG 2026 pre-conference in Luanda will advance investment, licensing, subsurface innovation, fiscal reform and local content strategies, setting the stage for Angola’s $70 billion upstream growth agenda

LUANDA, Angola, May 12, 2026/APO Group/ –The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 conference and exhibition will once again host a dedicated pre-conference on September 8 in Luanda, ahead of the main event taking place from September 9–10. This strategic platform sets the technical and regulatory foundation for high-level discussions shaping Angola’s upstream and midstream investment landscape.

 

Featuring a series of in-depth presentations and workshops, the pre-conference runs from 09:00 to 18:00 and is designed to deliver targeted knowledge exchange through technical sessions and networking engagements. The program aligns closely with Angola’s objective of attracting approximately $70 billion in oil and gas investment over the next five years, setting the stage for conversation and deals-signings during the main conference agenda.

 

The pre-conference program emphasizes subsurface imaging and structural analysis across Angola’s most prospective basins, including the Lower Congo, Kwanza, Benguela and Namibe. Discussions will focus on unlocking pre-salt reservoirs, improving seismic clarity beneath complex salt formations and advancing exploration strategies in frontier and mature acreage.

 

In parallel, the pre-conference will address licensing opportunities and regulatory frameworks under Angola’s multi-year strategy lead by the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency. Insights into the 2025/2026 licensing rounds will highlight offshore and onshore block availability, marginal field opportunities and progress under the Permanent Offer Program.

 

Fiscal competitiveness will form a central theme, with sessions benchmarking Angola’s evolving terms against global standards. Recent reforms – including reduced petroleum income tax rates, lower royalties for mature assets and increased cost recovery ceilings – have repositioned Angola as a more attractive destination for capital-intensive deepwater and gas projects.

 

The pre-conference also places strong emphasis on local content development and procurement optimization. With local participation reaching approximately 12% in 2025 and a national target of 20% by 2027, discussions will explore strategies to expand domestic capacity, strengthen supply chains and increase value retention within Angola’s energy economy.

 

Digital transformation is another core pillar of the program, reflecting the sector’s shit toward data-driven operations. Topics include the integration of AI-enabled systems, real-time monitoring of offshore assets, centralized data infrastructure and the modernization of regulatory oversight through digital platforms to enhance transparency and efficiency.

 

The structure of the day combines invitation-only networking sessions, in-depth technical workshops and targeted discussions on institutional strengthening. It concludes with a networking cocktail designed to facilitate deal-making and partnership building ahead of the main conference and exhibition.

 

The value of the pre-conference is underscored by outcomes of the 2025 edition, which delivered early insights into licensing rounds, supported multiple deal signings during the main event and introduced new engagement formats connecting local entrepreneurs with international investors and operators.

 

With participation expected from regulators, investors and technical experts across the energy value chain, the AOG 2026 pre-conference offers a focused environment to assess opportunities, understand regulatory direction and position for upcoming projects. Attendance is limited and demand is high. With slots filling up quickly, stakeholders are encouraged to secure their place at the AOG 2026 pre-conference to access critical insights and engage with key decision-makers shaping Angola’s next phase of energy growth.

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

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DHL Express expands global portfolio with new Heavy Weight Express Service for shipments up to 3,000 kg

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Heavy Weight Express is designed to meet the needs of industries where shipment reliability and timing are critical business drivers

  • Heavy Weight Express enables global heavyweight express shipping up to 1,000 kg per piece / 3,000 kg per shipment
  • Proactive shipment control through dedicated Heavy Weight Priority Desks ensures high reliability and customer service support
  • DHL Express expands in the heavyweight segment, responding to growing demand

 

DHL Express (www.DHL.com) announced the worldwide expansion of its Time Definite International portfolio with the introduction of Heavy Weight Express (HWX), an express air solution for shipments up to 1,000 kilograms per piece and 3,000 kilograms per shipment. With this launch, DHL Express strengthens its role as a leading global integrator capable of moving heavyweight cargo with express speed and reliability across more than 220 countries and territories, supported by a dedicated aviation and ground network that ensures stable uplift, predictable transit times, and globally consistent handling standards.

Heavy Weight Express is designed to meet the needs of industries where shipment reliability and timing are critical business drivers. The service integrates fast, time‑definite delivery with full end‑to‑end control, proactive monitoring, and transparent all‑in pricing that eliminates the rate volatility and cost uncertainties associated with other areas of freight. Customers benefit from guaranteed express transit times, comprehensive shipment visibility at every stage, and DHL’s uncompromising operational standards, including stringent handling procedures for shock‑sensitive, high‑value, or regulated goods.

Heavy Weight Express represents a strategically important step for our business, expanding the value that DHL Express brings to global supply chains

DHL Express CEO John Pearson said “Heavy Weight Express represents a strategically important step for our business, expanding the value that DHL Express brings to global supply chains. As industries face rising volatility, increasingly complex production cycles, and significant financial exposure from delays and supply chain disruption, DHL’s ability to offer express‑level speed, access to capacity and higher reliability for shipments up to 3,000 kilograms fundamentally changes the service levels that customers can expect from their logistics provider.”

 

“Across Sub‑Saharan Africa, we are seeing customers move larger, more critical shipments at faster speeds as industries scale, modernise and integrate into global value chains. Heavy Weight Express responds directly to that need—combining DHL Express’ unmatched time‑definite reliability with the capability to move complex, heavyweight shipments without compromise. This service gives businesses certainty, visibility and control at a time when supply‑chain performance is a key competitive advantage,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO DHL Express SSA.

The introduction of HWX is supported by the introduction of dedicated Heavy Weight Priority Desks around the world. These specialized teams are responsible for proactive tracking, early exception detection, real‑time intervention, and direct communication with customers to ensure uninterrupted shipment flow. Each heavyweight shipment receives dedicated case ownership, giving customers predictability and personal attention often associated with smaller or specialist logistics providers, but with the additional advantage of DHL’s global integrator infrastructure, standardized processes, and 24/7 operational control.

The solution directly addresses six critical heavyweight use cases observed across global industries: avoiding production downtime, managing program and product launches with immovable timelines, optimizing working capital by reducing inventory buffers, supporting procurement‑driven large‑scale shipping environments, complying with stringent special handling requirements, and stabilizing complex multi‑site supply chains. These use cases are especially prominent in the technology sector, automotive manufacturing, engineering and machinery, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and the oil and gas and energy sectors—industries where even small delays can result in severe financial impacts.

Reducing shippers’ dependence on fluctuating airline capacity and removing the cost variability of add‑on fees and handling surcharges, HWX offers customers the stability of a single carrier from pickup to delivery. DHL Express manages its own aircraft fleet, hubs, gateways, customs operations, and last‑mile delivery—providing customers with predictability even during periods of global disruption or limited air capacity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL Express.

 

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strengthens Angolan Oilfield Operations as Easy People Backs Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 as Sponsor

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Easy People’s Silver Sponsorship reflects its ambition to position digital infrastructure and IT solutions at the forefront of Angola’s upstream market

LUANDA, Angola, May 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Angola’s oil and gas sector is entering a new phase of digital acceleration, where artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and enterprise IT systems are becoming integral to operational performance. Within this transition, IT services and consulting company Easy People is positioning itself as a partner of choice for operators seeking to scale efficiency through digital solutions.

 

Easy People has been confirmed as a Silver Sponsor of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition, taking place September 9–10, with a pre-conference day on September 8. The sponsorship reflects its commitment to placing digital infrastructure at the forefront of Angola’s hydrocarbon development. Its participation comes amid a broader AI-driven evolution in the country, where digital tools are increasingly being deployed to address operational challenges across the oil and gas value chain.

With a target of sustaining crude production above one million barrels per day, Angolan operators are under pressure to reduce costs while improving efficiency. To balance these priorities, many are moving beyond traditional workflows toward integrated digital environments that optimize exploration, production and asset management. AI-enabled analytics, predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring are beginning to reshape asset performance, particularly in complex offshore operations where inefficiencies can quickly translate into cost overruns.

One of the clearest examples of this shift is Angola’s national oil company, Sonangol. The company inaugurated a new corporate data center in 2026, consolidating previously fragmented systems into a single, high-security hub. Designed to centralize operational control, the facility supports Angola’s broader digital and energy transition agenda. By enabling faster processing of seismic and production data, it is helping move decision-making toward real-time, AI-enabled workflows and away from siloed legacy systems.

Angola’s Block 15 partners are also advancing AI-driven applications across operations. ExxonMobil is deploying autonomous drones for visual and acoustic inspections, reducing inspection times by around 60%. At Blocks 17 and 32, TotalEnergies is using Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications drone technology to measure methane emissions, while service providers such as Cabship are leveraging AI-powered software to improve operational visibility and accelerate decision-making.

Within this evolving ecosystem, Easy People plays a supporting but increasingly strategic role. By delivering scalable IT solutions tailored to operator needs, the company enables both major producers and independent players to integrate digital tools into core workflows. This is particularly relevant as independent operators expand their footprint in Angola and require flexible, cost-effective systems to remain competitive alongside larger incumbents.

AOG 2026 provides a platform to align these technology capabilities with industry demand. As Angola works to sustain production, address infrastructure constraints and improve project economics, digital transformation is emerging as a parallel priority alongside upstream investment. The participation of companies like Easy People reflects a broader recalibration in the sector: the next phase of Angola’s oil and gas growth will increasingly be shaped by data integration, systems intelligence and the operational application of AI.

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

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