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Marriott International Appoints Richard Collins as Area Vice President for Sub Saharan Africa

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Collins has over 30 years of hospitality experience and is a 20-year veteran with Marriott International

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 12, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Marriott International (Marriott.com) has appointed Richard Collins as its Area Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa. In this new role, Collins oversees the company’s managed operations in the region and will be based out of the company’s Cape Town office. He takes on his new position following the announcement of Volker Heiden’s retirement, effective from the end of March 2022.

“Richard is an experienced leader with a proven track record, and we are delighted to have him lead our operations across Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Phil Andreopoulos, Chief Operating Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, Marriott International. “With his leadership and extensive knowledge, Richard will play a pivotal role in building on our successes in the region.”

With his leadership and extensive knowledge, Richard will play a pivotal role in building on our successes in the region

Collins has over 30 years of hospitality experience and is a 20-year veteran with Marriott International. A graduate of the Shannon College of Hotel Management in his native Ireland, Collins started his career with Marriott International in Scotland at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club in Edinburgh in 2001, before leading the Marriott Druids Glen Hotel and Country Club near Dublin. 

Richard moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2013 where he was General Manager of Dubai’s first JW Marriott Hotel.  Following a successful period at the JW Marriott Hotel Dubai, Richard then took the helm at The Ritz Carlton, Dubai where within a three-year period the property saw unprecedented success growing its business, profit, associate engagement, RevPAR index, and guest voice scores. 

In 2018, Collins was appointed his first multi-property role as Area General Manager of Abu Dhabi for Marriott International, during which he also managed the successful transition of all Starwood Legacy properties to the Marriott network.

Commenting on his appointment, Collins said, “I am delighted to take on this new role and be part of this exciting region.  Marriott International has a longstanding presence across Sub-Saharan Africa and this region continues to be an important market for the company’s current operations and future growth opportunities.”

Marriott International’s current portfolio in the Sub-Saharan Africa region features nearly 100 properties (managed and franchised) and over 12,000 rooms across 16 markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Marriott International, Inc..

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Morocco Emerges as New Hub for Global Football as World Football Summit Lands in Rabat

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World Football Summit

Historic gathering of football leaders from 50 countries set to shape the future of the beautiful game

RABAT, Morocco, April 3, 2025/APO Group/ –World Football Summit (WFS) (https://WorldFootballSummit.com), in partnership with UM6P and Evosport, and with OCP Group as the Presenting Partner, will welcome over 1000 leaders from the global football industry to Rabat on April 9-10, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Morocco’s rise as a football powerhouse following their historic World Cup performance and ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

WFS Rabat 2025 represents an unprecedented convergence of African football leadership and global stakeholders, with the strong backing of the Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF). The summit will serve as a landmark gathering for African football development while fostering crucial cross-continental collaborations in football governance, investment, and innovation.

The event will feature 85 distinguished speakers from football’s most influential organizations, including Fouzi Lekjaa (President of the Moroccan Football Federation), Gelson Fernandez, (Deputy Chief Member Associations & FIFA Regional Director Africa – FIFA), Samson Adamu (Director of tournaments and events at CAF), Fréderic Kanouté (Football Legend), Mr. Shehu Dikko (Honourable Minister of Sports – National Sports Commission of Nigeria), or Eniola Aluko (Investor and advisor). Furthermore, prominent figures in global sports leadership from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA, FC Barcelona, or the NBA, will be in attendance as well as government officials from Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya, creating a unique environment for public-private dialogue on sports development.

The summit will address critical topics including football infrastructure development, investment opportunities, governance frameworks, and pathways for African talent.

Africa’s football journey is no longer a parallel story but a central chapter in the global narrative

Jan Alessie, Co-Founder and Managing Director of World Football Summit, commented: “WFS Rabat represents a key moment in football’s evolution. Africa’s football journey is no longer a parallel story but a central chapter in the global narrative. The future of football is collaborative, and that future begins in Rabat.”

The summit is made possible through the invaluable support of key partners including Royal Air Maroc and TAQA, who have demonstrated their commitment to elevating Morocco’s status in international sports, along with other esteemed organizations such as APO Group or Monterrey FWC26 Host City.

Event Details:

  • Date: 9th-10th April 2025
  • City: Rabat, Morocco
  • Expected attendance: 1000 industry professionals from 50 countries

For more information about World Football Summit’s 2025 events and registration details, visit https://NewAfrica.WorldFootballSummit.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Football Summit

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Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Exploration and Production Limited (Explorco) Managing Director (MD) Joins Ghana Investor Briefing to Discuss Exploration Opportunities

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Kinetiko Energy

Michael Aryeetey will engage investors on the exploration opportunities emerging in Ghana’s oil and gas industry during the Invest in African Energies briefing this April

ACCRA, Ghana, April 2, 2025/APO Group/ –Michael Aryeetey, Managing Director of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s (GNPC) upstream-focused subsidiary GNPC Exploration and Production Limited (Explorco), has joined the Invest in African Energies: Accra Investor Briefing on April 14, 2025. Aryeetey will take part in a discussion on Advancing Exploration Opportunities in Ghana, sharing insight into Explorco’s project portfolio and expansion strategy.

With 17 oil and gas projects in the pipeline until 2027, Ghana is pursuing enhanced exploration and production to stabilize the market and unlock greater returns. For its part, the GNPC – through Explorco – has been at the helm of this growth, intensifying its exploration efforts to unlock new hydrocarbon reserves and sustain Ghana’s long-term energy security. In 2025, the company is seeking play-opening discoveries in the onshore Voltaian basin, with an exploration well planned this year. The onshore basin covers an area of 100,000 km² and could be a game-changer for the country. The GNPC has invested $160 million in seismic data acquisition across the basin, aimed at identifying geological structures and supporting future exploration targets.

Ghana offers significant growth opportunities for exploration and production firms, and Explorco is leading the way towards unlocking the country’s petroleum basins

Explorco was established to strengthen GNPC’s interests in exploration and production activities across Ghana. In alignment with the GNPC’s broader industry goals, the company implemented short-term objectives in February 2025 to enhance oil production and attract investment through collaboration, innovation and operational efficiency. Progress has already been seen to achieve these goals, with international oil company partnerships and GNPC-led upstream projects underway. In 2024, the country reported a 10.7% increase in oil production, with operations in the Jubilee South East project – led by Tullow Oil – contributing to a rise in output.

Energy major Eni and the GNPC also committed to strengthening cooperation in March 2025 under efforts to boost exploration and production in Ghana. The companies aim to pursue joint goals, including establishing joint ventures, integrating advanced technologies and investing in local capacity. Eni currently operates the Offshore Cape Three Points integrated project alongside Vitol and GNPC.

Meanwhile, working alongside international partners, the GNPC targets several offshore drilling programs in 2025. Tullow Oil is set to drill one producer and one injector well at the Jubilee field in May 2025. A 4D seismic survey is already underway at Jubilee and its adjacent field TEN, aimed at optimizing the 2025-2026 drilling program being implemented by Tullow Oil.

“Ghana offers significant growth opportunities for exploration and production firms, and Explorco is leading the way towards unlocking the country’s petroleum basins. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to local content development, the GNPC is shaping Ghana’s future as a competitive oil and gas producer,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Taking place at the Kempinsky Hotel in Accra, the Ghana investor briefing serves as a prelude to the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference this September in Cape Town. The event offers a platform for investors and project developers to explore opportunities in Ghana’s upstream market. By facilitating direct engagement between Explorco and potential investors, the event aims to unlock new partnerships that will drive exploration and production activities. Investors will gain firsthand insight into Ghana’s evolving regulatory framework, licensing rounds and infrastructure development, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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Siemens Enters into Historic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Deal with Miko Pharma in Ghana

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pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry is a growing contributor to the Ghanaian economy, accounting for 0.8% of GDP and 21.8% of total healthcare expenditure in 2023

HANNOVER, Germany, April 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

  • Siemens partners with Miko Pharma to develop cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Ghana. 
  • The agreement aims to create 130 jobs and produce affordable, high-quality medications for various ailments. 
  • Ghana’s pharmaceutical sector is set for significant expansion, with sales forecasted to reach GH₵10.7 billion by 2028. 

Siemens (www.Siemens.com), the trusted global technology leader, has signed a landmark agreement with Miko Pharma to develop state-of-the-art facilities for the local production of life-saving generic pharmaceuticals in Ghana. This deal, one of the largest in Ghanaian pharmaceutical history, was finalized at the prestigious Hannover Messe trade show in Germany.

Siemens will be responsible for developing industrial applications, buildings, infrastructure, and utilities for Miko Pharma’s operations in Eastern Ghana, adhering to stringent World Health Organization standards.

“Our goal is to enable the manufacture of safe pharmaceutical drugs in Africa. This partnership with Miko Pharma represents a significant step towards achieving that goal. By leveraging our cutting-edge technology and unparalleled expertise, we aim to create a sustainable and self-sufficient pharmaceutical industry in Ghana. We are honoured to support our partners in this transformative journey,” says Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO, Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our goal is to enable the manufacture of safe pharmaceutical drugs in Africa

“Miko Pharma plans to create 130 jobs in the manufacturing of affordable and effective superior quality medications for the treatment of various ailments, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, HIV, malaria, and pain, in Ghana,” according to Dr Michael Obeng, CEO and founder of Miko Pharma, a Harvard-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. “This initiative will significantly enhance healthcare accessibility in the region.”

“Being in Germany to sign this historic agreement with Siemens was a moment of immense pride for our team at Miko Pharma. This partnership is not just about building facilities—it’s about transforming healthcare in Ghana and setting a new standard for pharmaceutical production in Africa. With Siemens’ expertise, we are confident that these state-of-the-art facilities will deliver affordable, high-quality medications to those who need them most, while also creating meaningful employment opportunities. This is a pivotal step toward our vision of a self-reliant and thriving pharmaceutical sector in Ghana,” says Mr Willard Jackson, Executive Director for Miko Pharma.

This historic agreement between Siemens and Miko Pharma marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry, promising substantial economic growth and improved healthcare accessibility. By leveraging world-class technology and expertise, this partnership aims to empower local production and create a sustainable future for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Ghana.

Overview of the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana 

Currently, 30% of pharmaceutical demand in Ghana is met by locally produced products.

The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority recorded 36 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities with active licenses and over 3500 pharmaceutical shops by 2023.

The pharmaceutical industry is a growing contributor to the Ghanaian economy, accounting for 0.8% of GDP and 21.8% of total healthcare expenditure in 2023. Research by Deloitte Ghana indicates that pharmaceutical sales in Ghana reached GHS6.6bn (US$571mn) in 2023 and are forecasted to grow to GH₵10.7 billion (US$735mn) by 2028, driven by increased consumption within the generic medicines sub-sector. Statista projects that the pharmaceutical market in Ghana will achieve a revenue of US$254.88m in 2025.

The Siemens-Miko Pharma deal has the potential to significantly boost the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, surpassing previous economic forecasts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Siemens AG

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