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Much awaited game changer for the African business community simplifies lengthy procedures, bolsters the economy, and encourages regional integration

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3 years ago

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economy

Enhancing Trade Efficiency with Single Window Solutions

CAIRO, Egypt, November 13, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Overview

Trade in Africa has become a popular talking point; with infrastructural, innovation and technical challenges dogging the process, impacting economic growth, thwarting intra-country business, and slowing the development of regional economic corridors.

It has become clear that a sustainable trade environment is needed to boost trade, which is currently low in comparison to international trade.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) came into force in May 2019 and promises to be transformative for the continent, fostering and supporting intra-continental trade through providing broader and deeper economic integration across the continent and attracting investment, boosting trade, providing better jobs, reducing poverty, and increasing shared prosperity in Africa.

Measures need to be introduced to ease trade facilitation in a harmonious and efficient manner that provides long-term economic growth and positive social welfare.

Demystifying Single Windows – a game changer that will speed up the trade process

Whilst intra-Africa trade has enjoyed the spotlight in the past few years, equally, much has been said about Single Window Solutions as a means of easing the trading process. But what exactly does this mean?

The United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) Recommendation Number 33 addresses it by “recommending to Governments and Traders the establishment of a “Single Window”, whereby trade-related information and/or documents need only be submitted once at a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.” Additionally, it is defined as “a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.” This digital platform is a paperless framework that will enhance business processes that facilitates trade in a sustainable manner. Called a “Single Window” because it centralizes all information and procedures related to import, export, and transit of goods in a country, it has been proven to cut customs clearance times and improve trade and transparency.

It is thus way more than a technical product, rather it is a process that will revolutionize the facilitation, tracking, tracing, and securing of all the trade operations through a declarative framework.

For public authorities and Government agencies, Single Window Solutions are becoming crucial to foster intra-African trade and improve transparency and ethical corporate governance

Leveraging expertise for seamless integration for the business community “on the go”

Single Window will create a New Trade Community around a Unique Pay Slip concept mobilizing and securing public revenues. It is an ease of trade with full integration of trade processes and logistics and thus will support the creation of economic corridors and regional trade integration.

With its global footprint and nearly 200-year legacy of testing, inspection and certification, French giant Bureau Veritas, an expert in Single Windows concessions, has become well versed with the framework, working with Governments to increase efficiency. A business to business to society company, Bureau Veritas supports customers across the continent to comply with international standards and best practice business processes, regulatory compliance measures, Verification of Conformities (VoC), risks assessments and providing trust between Government authorities and partners; whilst operating as a trusted, independent Third Party. A recent project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has made major impact on the trade community, with the World Bank declaring the company’s National Single Window a state-of-the-art illustration of a successful project.

Stéphane Gaudechon, Vice-President Market Leader Government Services for Bureau Veritas commented: “We assist companies to comply with regulatory standards in support of import and export trade within and outside of Africa. Our solid technical infrastructure and professional expertise provides a secure foundation for the Single Window digital platform, which centralizes all information and procedures relating to import, export, and transit of goods in a country, thus facilitating intra Africa trade.”

The Single Windows concept is transferable to various typologies from Maritime Single to Port Community system, Trade Single Window and National Single Window applications. The framework is adaptable to suit the needs of clients and is a groundbreaking process, totally changing the way of facilitating trade for the business community.

According to Stéphane Gaudechon, Single Window is rolled out through an interconnected process, “The system is deployed in a country at the border post depending on the specific area that is covered. Our business processes are relevant for all types of Single Windows – from pre-customs to cargo, dealing with interoperability customs, customs’ post-operations all the way to the final customer. We have robust expertise and experience in all domains – from operations to governance and change management – areas of excellence required to roll out the framework effectively and efficiently. Single Windows requires a regional approach as the framework is geared towards facilitating trade amongst various areas. Since it is a concept, no certification as such is required and does not belong to any TIC body per se.”

Turning challenges into opportunities for growth and development

Whilst countries have different interconnectivity, infrastructural, and technology maturation levels within and with one another, the lack of interconnectivity between the regions, sectors, people, teams, and skills can provide challenges. This, however, poses the opportunity for growth and development of a new business community with many different stakeholders working together, who may not traditionally be accustomed to discussing and aligning on business and trade solutions to create a common good.

It is anticipated that the Single Window Solution will ultimately become a “must have” trade vehicle for countries. Recently, the International Maritime Organization FAL 44th Session of the Facilitation Committee has declared it a mandatory requirement for countries with coastlines who partner with the IMO and are competitive in the international trade arena, to implement a Maritime Single Window solution. “The system, with its Unique Payment digital platform provides a harmonized information integration in a single point of entry to plug and play, simplifying and automating trade processes and thereby creating a New Trade Community within the Maritime sector. It can reduce a 40-day document clearance process to one day maximum,” enthuses Stéphane Gaudechon.

The benefits speak for themselves: for Governments, a more effective and efficient deployment of resources, improved trader compliance, correct revenue yield, enhanced security, increased integrity, and transparency. For traders: cutting costs through reducing delays and faster clearance and release, a predictable application and explanation of rules, a more effective and efficient deployment of resources and increased security and transparency. As a “green process” it is paperless and accelerates operations, yielding improved results and more sustainable parameters in the long term. Stemming from digitalization, it has become known as a “One stop shop” as it secures the entire trade process on a centralized digital platform in a secure manner. Providing clearing permits, being interconnected with customs before and after the transaction, transparent yet providing all the requisite information for trade and Government. This cutting-edge innovation is where Bureau Veritas is a leader in the field.

For public authorities and Government agencies, Single Window Solutions are becoming crucial to foster intra-African trade and improve transparency and ethical corporate governance. Collaborating with the appropriate professional experts to roll out the frameworks will encourage trust, desrisking, upholding of ethics, facilitation of supply chain values and sustainable practices. This in turn will spark much-needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the Continent. Various authoritative bodies, including the United Nations have declared Single Windows an imperative solution to boost and secure intra-African trade. It has become an increasing practice on the continent and is successfully making a difference to more Government bodies, authoritative bodies, and companies. The World Bank has recently endorsed Single Window Solutions managed by Bureau Veritas. The company is in the unique position to deploy all the elements required for the successful implementation of Single Windows Solutions in Africa – professional expertise, innovative technology, sustainable green practices, change management and business process skills, a trusting and ethical framework that will help shape the future of trade on the Continent.

Adopting the Single Window Solution is a journey involving change management and an appetite for “on the go” speedy business processes that save time and money. It needs to be viewed from a long-term perspective with stakeholders committed to working together synergistically in a mutually beneficial manner. It promises to improve regional integration, infrastructural development, and open economic corridors, necessitating smooth co-ordination between countries. Single Window lies at the heart of trade facilitation as it drives Traders to new channels with simplified procedures. On a continent that is ripe for trade and excited to enhance economic prosperity, Single Window provides a new paradigm, reaching beyond processes by streamlining new rules and parameters.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Bureau Veritas.

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Congo Is Turning Reserves into Bankable Projects – and the Investment Window Is Opening

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11 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

By

Etu Energias

Eni-led LNG expansion and ongoing deepwater investment are pushing the Republic of Congo’s energy sector toward more bankable projects ahead of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2027

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –With LNG exports set to triple to 3 mtpa, upstream oil production targeting 500,000 bpd and a renewed push on local content, the Republic of Congo is positioning itself as one of Central Africa’s most investable hydrocarbon markets. Under the leadership of the newly-appointed Minister of Hydrocarbons, Stev Simplice Onanga, the country is prioritizing industry growth by balancing local content with reserve replacement and project advancement.

 

What sets Congo apart is not the scale of its reserves, but the pace at which those reserves are being turned into commercially viable projects. From Eni’s LNG expansion and TotalEnergies’ deepwater developments to brownfield optimization by Trident Energy and output growth at Ammat Global Resources, capital is flowing into projects with clearer monetization pathways and nearer-term returns.

Ahead of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027 – the country’s leading platform for energy investment and partnerships – the story is shifting away from frontier potential toward bankable projects already under development.

Policy Reform Is De-Risking Investment

Congo’s investment case is being reshaped by the alignment of resource base, regulatory reform and project delivery. Established oil production, expanding LNG capacity and fiscal adjustments are gradually reducing above-ground risk.

Recent reforms led by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo have added structure to the sector. The Gas Code, introduced in October 2025, formalizes fiscal terms for gas commercialization, while the Gas Master Plan prioritizes flaring reduction and gas-to-power deployment, targeting 1,500 MW by 2030.

A new upstream licensing round is also under consideration, aimed at attracting fresh capital into both mature and frontier acreage. Together, these measures are improving visibility across upstream, midstream and downstream segments, with recent project activity reinforcing the shift.

The Projects Driving the Next Cycle

Deepwater oil remains central to Congo’s production outlook, with operators progressing both new developments and brownfield optimization. TotalEnergies is advancing work at the Moho licence following the April 2026 Moho G discovery, backed by a $500–$600 million infill drilling program targeting about 40,000 bpd in incremental output.

Local independent Ammat Global Resources is targeting 70% production growth from its Loango and Zatchi fields, where reactivated wells and upgraded platforms have already lifted output by 75%. Perenco continues steady gains, adding roughly 6,000 bpd through its 2025–2026 drilling program.

Trident Energy, after acquiring an 85% working interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II assets in 2025, is focused on extending field life through subsea optimization and redevelopment work.

While oil continues to anchor revenues, gas is rapidly emerging as Congo’s fastest-growing segment. Eni’s Congo LNG project delivered its first cargo from Phase 2 in February 2026, following the startup of the Nguya FLNG unit in December 2025. Together with Tango FLNG, capacity has risen from 0.6 mtpa to 3 mtpa. Trident Energy has also proposed an FLNG project aimed at adding further capacity across the country’s gas market. The project is expected to operate as shared infrastructure, allowing multiple operators to process gas from their respective fields. This creates an outlet for associated gas that might otherwise be stranded, supporting the country’s broader diversification goals.

Local Content Is Reshaping Investment Terms

Beyond upstream policy, Minister Onanga has positioned local content as a central pillar of Congo’s investment framework, and a key determinant of how capital is structured and deployed.

Decrees 2019-342, 343, 344 and 345 set requirements around subcontracting, workforce localization and training commitments, with the effect being a gradual shift in how projects are structured and how partnerships are formed. Operators are increasingly assessed not only on technical delivery but on in-country value creation, including partnerships with local firms and skills development. Logistics, maintenance and other service areas are increasingly channeled through domestic providers.

At CEIF 2027 – taking place June 1–3 in Brazzaville – attention will shift to what is moving forward and to the investors positioned to take part in that pipeline. Congo’s energy sector is no longer defined by potential alone: projects are moving, capital is being committed and policy is starting to catch up with activity on the ground.

As the Republic of Congo moves from reserves to revenue, the signal to investors is clear: this is already unfolding, not a future opportunity.

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

 

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Afreximbank secures double honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards for excellence in strategic communications

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11 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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Afreximbank

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event

CAIRO, Egypt, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious awards programmes for strategic communications.

 

The Bank received an Award of Excellence in Special and Experiential Events category for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria and an Award of Merit in the Social Media category for its Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns, reaffirming Afreximbank’s commitment to delivering impactful communications that advance its mandate of promoting trade, investment and industrialisation across Africa and the Caribbean.

We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communication

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event. IATF2025 brought together governments, businesses, investors, buyers, sellers and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, creating a platform for trade and investment opportunities while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The communications campaign played a pivotal role in driving global awareness, stakeholder participation, media visibility and engagement before, during and after the event, while showcasing the scale, ambition and dynamism of African enterprise and reinforcing a positive narrative about Africa’s capacity to trade, industrialise and compete on the global stage. Over 120,000 delegates attended IATF2025 in person and virtually, with deals worth over US$50 billion recorded.

The Award of Merit for Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns recognises the Bank’s strategic use of digital platforms to engage stakeholders, amplify its developmental impact and elevate conversations around trade, industrialisation, economic integration and investment opportunities across Africa and the Caribbean. Through a combination of compelling storytelling, thought leadership content, executive advocacy, multimedia production and real-time event coverage, Afreximbank’s social media platforms have continued to expand their reach and influence among policymakers, businesses, investors, development partners and the wider public. Among these platforms is the Afreximbank TV, a digital TV channel that is wholly owned and managed by Afreximbank, whose fifth edition was celebrated with dedicated coverage of IATF2025, providing live coverage of the activities to both pan African and global audiences.

Anne Ezeh, Director & Global Head, Communications and Events at Afreximbank commented: “We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communications. As a pan African multilateral financial institution, we see storytelling as a powerful tool for advancing our mission — ensuring our initiatives, events, programmes and key announcements not only inform, but also inspire confidence, deepen engagement and amplify Africa’s transformation. These awards reinforce our resolve to continue delivering world-class communications that elevate African voices and projects a bold and authoritative narrative of the continent.”

Ms. Ezeh added that through innovative storytelling, digital engagement and integrated campaigns, the Bank will continue to amplify the impact of its programmes and partnerships  to project a more authentic narrative of Africa, one defined by opportunity, innovation, resilience and growing influence in the global economy.

For more than five decades, the IABC Gold Quill Awards have recognised excellence in strategic communications globally, celebrating programmes and campaigns that demonstrate measurable impact, innovation, creativity and outstanding execution. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the communications profession, the awards are judged through a rigorous and independent evaluation process conducted by experienced communication leaders from around the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 

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Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Institute Unveils 2025 Annual Report During Group Annual Meetings in Baku

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11 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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IsDBI

In 2025, IsDBI significantly expanded its footprint in Islamic finance transformation, approving 25 new technical assistance projects valued at US$4.14 million and completing 19 projects worth US$3 million

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ —

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) has released its 2025 Annual Report during the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings held in Baku, Azerbaijan, showcasing a year of expanded impact in Islamic finance transformation, innovative solutions, and capacity development.

 

The report highlights how IsDBI strengthened its role as a global knowledge leader by advancing innovative solutions and scaling support to Member Countries through knowledge-based interventions, Islamic finance grants, and strategic partnerships.

In 2025, IsDBI significantly expanded its footprint in Islamic finance transformation, approving 25 new technical assistance projects valued at US$4.14 million and completing 19 projects worth US$3 million, supporting countries in strengthening regulatory frameworks and promoting inclusive financial systems.

Since 2013, the Institute’s interventions in this regard have reached over US$27.57 million across 181 projects benefiting more than 34 countries, underlining its sustained contribution to development outcomes across the Islamic world.

I am pleased to note that the Institute has continued to strengthen its unique role in the global development ecosystem

The Annual Report highlights major progress in IsDBI’s three flagship transformative projects, namely Awqāf Free Zones, Digital Postal Islamic Financial Services, and Smart Countertrade System, which have all advanced to pilot-ready stages. These initiatives aim to address global challenges such as financial inclusion, food and energy security, and trade resilience.

Furthermore, the Institute accelerated its focus on digital innovation in Islamic finance, enhancing its Islamic Finance Artificial Intelligence Assistant (IFAA) and hosting its first AI Hackathon on Islamic Finance, engaging more than 40 teams in developing cutting-edge solutions aligned with industry standards.

Human capital development in Islamic finance also remained a cornerstone of IsDBI’s work in 2025, with the delivery of over 20 training programs reaching around 500 professionals across Member Countries. A key achievement in this area was the Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program, a flagship initiative equipping emerging leaders from 20 countries with innovation-driven and values-based entrepreneurship skills. The program was designed and implemented in collaboration with Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Saudi Arabia.

The Institute also strengthened its thought leadership through flagship publications, global partnerships, and digital engagement, reinforcing its position as a leading voice in Islamic economics and finance.

Commenting on the issuance of the Annual Report, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said: “I am pleased to note that the Institute has continued to strengthen its unique role in the global development ecosystem by bridging knowledge creation, building human capital, and designing innovative solutions to address economic challenges.”

The 2025 Annual Report is accessible on IsDBI website here (https://isdbinstitute.org/product/isdbi-annual-report-2025/).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

 

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