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Multichoice and Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky Partner to Create Leading Streaming Service in Africa

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MultiChoice to relaunch Showmax offering audiences the best experience with local and global entertainment, as well as live matches of the English Premier League (EPL) football

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 2, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Partnership offers growth opportunity in Africa, building on MultiChoice’s footprint across 50 markets, its excellent execution track record on the continent and the successful Showmax brand. MultiChoice (https://www.Multichoice.com) to relaunch Showmax, powered by NBCUniversal’s Peacock technology platform, along with world-class content from NBCUniversal and Sky, offering audiences the best experience with local and global entertainment, as well as live matches of the English Premier League (EPL) football.

MultiChoice Group (MultiChoice) (JSE: MCG) and Comcast’s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) NBCUniversal and Sky today announced a new partnership that will bring some of the world’s best content and technology to streaming customers across MultiChoice’s 50-market footprint in sub-Saharan Africa, at a time when Africa is approaching an inflection point in terms of broadband connectivity and affordability. The new Showmax group will be 70% owned by MultiChoice and 30% by NBCUniversal. (*See Note). It will build on Showmax’s success to date and aim to create the leading streaming service in Africa.

Powered by Peacock’s leading, globally-scaled technology, Showmax subscribers will have access to an extensive premium content portfolio, bringing African audiences the best of local and international programming. The service will combine MultiChoice’s accelerating investment in local content with a unique pipeline of award-winning and critically acclaimed international content licensed from NBCUniversal and Sky, third party content from HBO, Warner Brothers International, Sony and others, as well as live English Premier League (EPL) football. The partnership will also provide access to all the best African content such as Showmax Originals and local content from MultiChoice’s proprietary channels including Mzansi Magic, Africa Magic and Maisha Magic. 

Using a significant portfolio of global media assets and Peacock’s streaming platform, which finished 2022 with over 20 million paid subscribers in the US, NBCUniversal and Sky will provide ongoing support through the licensing of both technology and content.

This partnership is an incredible opportunity to further scale the global presence of Peacock’s world-class streaming technology, as well as to introduce millions of new customers

“We launched Showmax as the first African streaming service in 2015 and are extremely proud of its success to date. This agreement represents a great opportunity for our Showmax team to scale even greater heights by working with a leading global player in Comcast and its subsidiaries,” said Calvo Mawela, Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice.

“The new business venture deepens an already strong relationship and builds on the Sky Glass technology partnership that we announced in September last year. We believe we are extremely well positioned to create a winning platform going forward.”

Dana Strong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Sky, commented, “This new collaboration in streaming and content with MultiChoice, NBCUniversal, and Sky takes our partnership to the next level in one of the world’s most vibrant, fastest growing markets. Last year, we announced MultiChoice as a customer of the Sky Glass platform and now we are excited to help innovate its Showmax streaming service.”

Matt Strauss, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International, NBCUniversal, added, “This partnership is an incredible opportunity to further scale the global presence of Peacock’s world-class streaming technology, as well as to introduce millions of new customers to extensive premium content from NBCUniversal and Sky’s stellar entertainment brands.”

Further details about the new Showmax service, including launch date, content and pricing will be announced at a later date.

[*NBIn Nigeria, NBCUniversal will hold an indirect 23.7% stake in the local subsidiary]

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

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Golar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Joins Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Speaker Lineup

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Liquefied Natural Gas

Federico Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer of Golar LNG, will share his expertise on the future of LNG in Africa and the role of floating LNG solutions in driving the continent’s energy transformation at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris next month

PARIS, France, April 25, 2025/APO Group/ –Federico Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Golar LNG, will join the upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum in Paris to discuss scaling LNG in Africa, overcoming infrastructure challenges and attracting investment. With Africa rapidly expanding its gas infrastructure, Petersen’s insights are expected to showcase how innovative LNG solutions can support sustainable energy growth across the continent.

As a global leader in floating LNG (FLNG) solutions, Golar LNG is advancing gas monetization across Africa. The company is actively involved in several key projects, including the Hilli Episeyo FLNG facility off the coast of Cameroon, operational since 2018, which plays a crucial role in unlocking regional gas resources with cost-effective, scalable LNG production. Golar LNG is also a key player in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project offshore Senegal and Mauritania, where it owns and operates the Gimi FLNG, which received its first feed gas in January 2025, marking a major milestone in LNG export operations.

IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3ECl25bis an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Additionally, Golar LNG is exploring further opportunities across the continent, including ventures in the Republic of Congo and Nigeria. In June 2024, the company signed an agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to deploy an FLNG vessel in the Niger Delta, utilizing 500 million cubic feet of gas per day to generate LNG, propane and condensate, with a final investment decision expected later this year.

The growth of LNG in Africa is set to accelerate in the coming years as key markets seek to tap into their vast natural gas reserves. As such, Petersen’s participation at IAE 2025 is poised to showcase the pivotal role of FLNG in enhancing energy security, driving economic growth and fostering regional cooperation.

As the global energy landscape shifts toward cleaner, more sustainable sources, LNG will remain crucial in powering Africa’s future, offering a reliable transition fuel to support the continent’s ambitious energy goals. With IAE 2025 as a platform for high-level dialogue and partnerships, the forum will provide an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to explore the latest LNG developments, deepen collaboration and drive investments that will shape the future of African energy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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VFD Group Plc Reports Remarkable Growth in Audited Financial Statement for 2024 Financial Year

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Net investment income surged by 95% to N59.0 billion, despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023

LAGOS, Nigeria, April 25, 2025/APO Group/ –In a stunning turnaround, VFD Group Plc (https://VFDGroup.com), a proprietary Investment firm, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, showcasing exceptional growth. The journey to this milestone was paved with strategic initiatives and a relentless pursuit of innovation.

Just a year ago, businesses globally struggled with macroeconomic headwinds, and VFD Group, not an exception, reported a pre-tax loss of N1 billion in 2023. However, the team’s dedication and forward-thinking approach yielded impressive results. The Group reported a pre-tax profit of N11.2 billion, representing a 1202% year-on-year growth.

Net investment income surged by 95% to N59.0 billion, despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023. Net revenue increased by 90% to N71.0 billion, while operating profit grew by an impressive 104% to N48.8 billion.

The company’s financial performance was nothing short of remarkable, with notable achievements including:

– Investment and similar income: N74.6 billion, up 98% YoY

– Net investment income: N59.0 billion, up 95% YoY

– Net revenue: N71.0 billion, up 90% YoY

– Operating profit: N48.8 billion, up 104% YoY

– Pre-tax profit: N11.2 billion, a significant turnaround from a N1 billion loss in 2023

As of April 22, 2025, VFD Group’s market capitalisation surged by 116% to hit N121.6 billion from N56.2 billion year to date.

These outstanding results reflect the success of our team’s efforts. As VFD Group looks to the future, it remains committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers and stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFD Group Plc.

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Champions Smart Policy, Strategic Partnerships to Advance Namibia’s Oil & Gas Discoveries

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The African Energy Chamber is a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference, which kicked off today in Windhoek

WINDHOEK, Namibia, April 24, 2025/APO Group/ –As a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC), the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) is calling for a deliberate and accelerated approach to moving Namibia’s recent oil and gas discoveries into production – emphasizing the importance of speed, investor confidence and strategic collaboration.

Speaking during a high-level panel at NIEC 2025, AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk urged Namibia to seize the momentum of its frontier discoveries, while avoiding the pitfalls that have stalled progress in other hydrocarbon-rich African nations. He emphasized that Namibia’s path to becoming a regional energy hub hinges on its ability to learn from international case studies and execute deals that ensure long-term national benefit.

“Namibia needs to move fast, produce quickly and negotiate the best deals with its partners to ensure the rapid development of its oil discoveries,” Ayuk stated. He pointed to Guyana as a prime example, noting how the South American country developed a robust strategy focused on national benefit and successfully attracted billions in investments to fast-track its energy projects.

Namibia needs to move fast, produce quickly and negotiate the best deals with its partners to ensure the rapid development of its oil discoveries

In contrast, Ayuk cautioned against the delays experienced by countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa, where production was significantly postponed, leading to rising project costs and lost opportunities. “There is a growing movement trying to discourage Africa – and Namibia – from producing its oil and gas. We must resist that,” he added.

Reinforcing the need for investor-friendly terms, Justin Cochrane, Africa Upstream Regional Research Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights, highlighted the necessity of contract stability, transparent data-sharing and a balanced approach to fiscal negotiations. “It’s natural that Namibia wants to maximize its benefits, but pushing too hard on IOCs can result in getting 100% of nothing… The first milestone must be achieving first oil,” said Cochrane.

Representing Namibia’s national oil company, Victoria Sibeya, Interim Managing Director of NAMCOR, stressed that the company is actively engaged in every phase of the industry, from data acquisition and exploration to shaping the downstream and midstream vision. “We are not just bystanders,” said Sibeya. “NAMCOR is deeply involved in data acquisition, exploration and the exchange of knowledge and technology with our partners. We are also preparing to invest in downstream and midstream sectors to ensure that we can add value once production begins.”

Echoing the call for local development, Adriano Bastos, Head of Upstream at Galp, underscored the need for early and continuous skills development – proposing that Namibians be trained abroad in specialized areas like FPSO operations to ensure they are prepared to lead once production begins at home. “Namibia has capabilities that are rare in the region, but more collaboration with international partners is essential to build the local skills base,” he said.

Bastos noted that Namibians make up 25% of Galp’s workforce in the country, including its first female offshore base manager. “We are proud of the strides we have made. Our nationalization plans are aggressive, and we work closely with [the Namibian Ports Authority] and other local entities to implement meaningful capacity-building projects.”

As Namibia stands on the cusp of transforming exploration success into production, the message from industry leaders is clear: time, trust and talent will determine the country’s trajectory. Through cross-border collaboration, pragmatic deal-making and a strong national vision, Namibia can emerge not just as an oil producer – but as a continental model for inclusive, forward-thinking energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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