The campaign recognises Africa’s rising global stature in both fintech and sport
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 14, 2022/APO Group/ —
Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com), a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa, launched a new campaign following the announcement of a series of sponsorships, including English Premier League side Crystal Palace and Springbok legend Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira.
The ad campaign features Crystal Palace forwards Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew, alongside versatile midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp, as well as Mtawarira, Mukuru’s 2022 brand ambassador, and it aims to highlight the fintech’s evolution from a remittances-based business to a broader financial services provider for emerging African consumers.
“Mukuru has provided innovative digital solutions to our customers on their journey toward financial inclusion for since 2004,” says Bronwyn Pretorius, Executive Head of Marketing at Mukuru. “We continue expanding our tech, products and services, and communications to customers globally. The new ad campaign highlights our commitment to unleashing possibilities through a broad range of relevant financial services for Africans worldwide.”
The fintech business prides itself in walking with its customers and meeting people where they are on their journey of digitisation to unlock financial value for previously underserved communities. Mukuru has enabled financial inclusion through robust digital platforms and uses the latest mobile technologies in a way that is accessible to people in urban and remote rural areas.
“The campaign captures the passion the continent has for sports and culture, but also the tenacity of our customers, people that rise each day, regardless of their circumstances, to earn a living and provide for the needs of their families. We want to reassure you that whether sending money across Africa, paying for DStv, buying electricity, airtime and groceries, or saving money, there’s Mukuru for that!
“Mukuru is a business for Africans, by Africans, and the representation of iconic African talent, as showcased in the new campaign, was key to illustrating the opportunities and possibilities for our customers. The new ad highlights the different ways the brand aims to take Africans forward – which is why we used top African forwards playing for Crystal Palace in the upcoming 2022/23 EPL season,” says Pretorius.
The new ad encapsulates our brand purpose of unleashing possibility by placing iconic African people at the centre, as we do daily with our customers
The ad opens with Wilfried Zaha holding the new Mukuru Card with a wallet feature for digital payments and purchases. Zaha was born in the Ivory Coast and moved to the UK with his family, where he was snapped up by the Eagles’ Academy as an 8-year-old and eventually became one of the club’s top-performing football talents, representing Ivory Coast in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. His story is accentuated by the advert’s recurring motif of a boy travelling around with an orange soccer ball.
The ad also features Palace striker Jordan Ayew, a Ghanaian who enjoyed a landmark season in 2019/20, finishing as the Eagles’ top scorer as well as Jeffrey Schlupp, who represented Ghana in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, recognised as one of the most reliable and versatile players in recent Palace history.
The campaign recognises Africa’s rising global stature in both fintech and sport, and the star player in the ad is rugby legend Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira. The Beast is a Zimbabwean-born South African professional rugby union player who represented the South African national team and the Sharks in Super Rugby. Mtawarira went on to become a highly respected global star and Roc Nation Sports International client. With 117 caps, he is the most capped prop in South African history and the third most-capped Springbok of all time. He is also a 2019 Rugby World Cup Winner.
“Mukuru started in my homeland in Zimbabwe and what this brand does is amazing in the way it connects Africans all around the globe, giving them the ability to provide for their families back home. I remember a certain time when I was trying to provide for my mom and family back home in Zim and Mukuru is that solution, making it easy to send money back home. This brand is truly something special,” says Beast.
“We are honoured to have worked with top African agencies to bring this campaign to life,” says Pretorius. Joe Public United, the largest independent, black-owned brand and communications agency group in South Africa, was the lead agency responsible for the concept and Mukuru’s rebrand, whilst content production house Indie Village filmed and produced the TV ad.
“The new ad encapsulates our brand purpose of unleashing possibility by placing iconic African people at the centre, as we do daily with our customers. Our mission is understanding their pain points, working together as a partner and not just a service provider, to tap into opportunities through financial solutions that address the limitations and challenges they face each new day,” concludes Pretorius.
Akinwole Omoboriowo II will discuss Genesis Energy’s plan to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, highlighting how Nigeria’s power sector experience can inform the development of the Republic of Congo’s domestic energy grid and gas export potential
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ —
Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO of Genesis Energy, will speak at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March, where he will discuss the company’s plans to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, with a focus on energy initiatives that align with the Republic of Congo’s energy development goals.
Genesis Energy is driving transformational power projects, including providing 334MW to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria and plans to produce 1 GW within the WAEMU region. In October 2024, Genesis and BPA Komani announced their strategic partnership to mobilize capital and facilitate critical infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa. Additionally, Genesis’ recent MOU with the U.S. Agency for International Development will mobilize $10 billion for green energy and renewable projects, supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable energy future.
The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.
During CEIF 2025, Omoboriowo will explore how Genesis’ successful energy infrastructure development projects in Africa, combined with private sector innovation, can guide the Republic of Congo in strengthening its energy security and achieving its decarbonization goals. By leveraging its expertise in clean energy and strategic partnerships, Genesis Energy is poised to play a key role in helping the Republic of Congo harness its energy potential and expand its regional energy influence.
The Republic of Congo’s renewable energy sector is in a phase of growth, with increasing interest in solar, hydro and wind energy projects. Battery energy storage capacities are also gaining traction as a vital component of the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand. The government is focusing on diversifying its energy mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability. Looking ahead, the Congo aims to expand its renewable energy capacity and integrate storage solutions to meet growing domestic and regional energy needs while supporting environmental sustainability.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Eni is launching three exploration plays, TotalEnergies is expecting promising results from its recent onshore exploration project, and other developments were shared during an upstream IOC-led panel at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit
TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ —
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on January 18.
Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.
“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields. “We expect results next week,” he added.
Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated. He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.
Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.
We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore
“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”
“Innovation is key to maximizing production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.
Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalization.”
“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximizing production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister outlined plans to boost production to 1.6 million bpd in 2025 and 2 million bpd long-term, with brownfield development and local investment at the core, during the Libya Energy & Economic Summit
TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ —
Libya is setting its sights on boosting oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years, with brownfield development and local investment identified as critical drivers of this growth. Speaking at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) in Tripoli on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek outlined the country’s strategy to reach 1.6 million bpd by year-end and laid the groundwork for longer-term growth.
“There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks,” stated Minister Abdulsadek during the Ministerial Panel, Global Energy Alliance – Uniting for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. “We want to make sure local oil companies take part. We also want to leverage the upcoming licensing round to support our planned growth in the oil sector.”
The minister’s remarks were complemented by a strong call for international participation in Libya’s upcoming licensing round, signaling the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and maximizing the potential of its energy sector.
Highlighting Libya’s vast natural gas potential – with reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic meters – Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressed the need for enhanced investment in gas projects. He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the $600 million El Sharara refinery as opportunities to stimulate economic diversification.
There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks
“Natural gas is available,” Hamel stated, adding, “It is the greenest of hydrocarbons and we see natural gas continuing to grow until 2050.”
The panel also tackled the global energy transition, emphasizing Africa’s unique challenges and the need for the continent to harness its resources to achieve energy security. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), underscored the critical need for finance, technology and reliable markets to drive progress.
“At APPO, we have noted three specific challenges for the African continent. Finance, technology and reliable markets,” he stated, questioning whether Africa can continue to depend on external forces to develop its resources.
As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Libya holds an estimated 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The country’s efforts to expand production, attract investment and drive innovation are central to the discussions at LEES 2025. Endorsed by the Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Oil Corporation, the summit has established itself as the leading platform for driving Libya’s energy transformation and exploring its impact on global markets.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
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