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Nigeria’s Smartgenix Crowned Grand Prize Winner of the 15th Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year (COY) Competition in Abuja

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Smartgenix

As the continental champion, Smartgenix will proceed to represent Africa at the global finals of the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, where it will compete against winning teams from other regions for a grand prize of US $15,000

Junior Achievement (JA) Africa (https://JA-Africa.org) successfully concluded the 15th edition of the JA Africa COY Competition, held from December 3–5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together Africa’s brightest young entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business solutions aligned with the theme “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” The continental finals convened student companies from across Africa who had progressed through national JA Company Program competitions to compete across six innovation tracks: Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Media & Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy & Sustainability.

 

Following three days of dynamic pitching, mentorship engagement, exhibitions, and rigorous judging, Nigeria’s Smartgenix was crowned the overall Company of the Year 2025 for demonstrating exceptional innovation, execution strength, and high-impact potential. Mauritius’ Plantura claimed Second Place, while Uganda’s Renewablock secured Third Place, rounding out the podium with solutions focused on sustainability and inclusive development. As the continental champion, Smartgenix will proceed to represent Africa at the global finals of the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, where it will compete against winning teams from other regions for a grand prize of US $15,000.

Additional recognitions were distributed among other deserving teams, thanks to the generous support of various sponsors, including FedEx, PMIEF, FirstBank Nigeria, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Kuda Microfinance Bank, Boeing, and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Summary of Signature Award Winners:

The creativity, courage, and solution-driven mindset we witnessed at COY 2025 remind us why Africa’s youth are our greatest asset

  • FedEx Global Possibilities Award: XeroLabs, Ghana
  • PMIEF Best Application of Project Management Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, Eswatini
  • FirstBank Nigeria CEO Entrepreneurship Award: Plantura, Mauritius

 

Summary of Branded Award Winners:

  • Delta Air Lines Girls LEAD! Award: 16 girls awarded: Matse Takitsi, Fakudze Temantolo Siphesihle, Dlamini Gcinile Lenhle, Dhristi Gooroochurn, Ameydee Shalinee Chocken, Yezhilly Gopaulen, Lashna Gungabissoon, Ihimbazwe Niyikora Kevine, Uwayo Ange Kevine, Abarurema Hirwa Emma Reponse, Kendy Neilla Gisa, Atuhaire Gabriella Kusiima, Comfort Musukuma, Grace Chilinda, Ndanji Nanyangwe, and Wana Sanyikosa
  • Bank of America Best Financial Performance Award: Renewablock, Uganda
  • Kuda Young Entrepreneurs Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, Eswatini
  • Boeing Sustainable Innovation Award: XeroLabs, Ghana
  • Entrepreneurs’ Organizations Rising Leader Award: Ameydee Chocken, CEO of Plantura, Mauritius

 

Reflecting on the success of COY 2025, Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, said, “The creativity, courage, and solution-driven mindset we witnessed at COY 2025 remind us why Africa’s youth are our greatest asset. Through entrepreneurship education, we are not just preparing young people for the future of work; we are empowering them to lead climate action, create jobs, and build resilient communities across the continent.”

The competition concluded with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening held on December 5 in Abuja under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Youth Dividend: Radical Pathways for Inclusive Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Systems.” The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, educators, private sector leaders, philanthropic institutions, and development partners to catalyze strategic collaborations aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education, expanding skills pathways, and scaling youth employment systems across Africa.

COY is anchored in the JA Company Program, which equips young people aged 14–17 with hands-on experience in business creation, financial management, teamwork, leadership, and venture pitching. As youth unemployment continues to pose a major development challenge across the continent, programs such as COY remain essential in bridging education to enterprise creation, equipping young people not only to seek employment but to become job creators and innovators within their communities. Alumni of the program across Africa have gone on to establish registered businesses, secure international scholarships and fellowships, and lead social and technology ventures.

The 15th edition of the JA Africa COY was made possible through the generous support of its partners: Headline Sponsors – FedEx, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), and FirstBank Nigeria; Platinum Sponsors – Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, and Kuda Microfinance Bank; Gold Sponsors – Boeing and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO); and Media Partner – What Media Group

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Junior Achievement (JA) Africa.

Events

2026 Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Partners Conference: Global Gathering to Protect Earth’s Green Lungs

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Rainforest Ecosystem

HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 – From Nov. 18 to 22, 2026, a global gathering dedicated to protecting the Earth’s “green lungs” will take place in Haikou, Hainan Province, China: the 2026 Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Partners Conference.

From the vast Amazon rainforest to the dense forests of the Congo Basin and the diverse landscapes of the Malay Archipelago, representative rainforests from around the world will come together with the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest for dialogue and exchange. Under the theme “Global Treasures · Shared Future,” the conference embodies humanity’s shared commitment to protecting rainforests and pursuing sustainable development.

 




 
 

Tropical rainforests cover less than one-tenth of the Earth’s land area, yet they are home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species. Hainan, China’s only tropical island province, is home to the country’s largest, most concentrated and best-preserved contiguous tropical rainforest on a continental island. Established in 2021, the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest covers more than 4,269 square kilometers and protects over 95 percent of Hainan Island’s primary forests. Its forest coverage rate remains stable at 95.9 percent, while both its water and air quality excellence rates stand at 100 percent.

Over the past five years, this rainforest has continued to witness remarkable ecological achievements. The Hainan gibbon population has grown to 44 individuals across seven groups, making it the only gibbon population in the world to have shown sustained growth.

In addition, 91 previously undocumented wild plant and animal species have been recorded in the park. An integrated space-air-ground ecological monitoring system now provides round-the-clock, comprehensive monitoring and protection of the rainforest ecosystem. The “Bawangling Model” for Hainan gibbon conservation has also been recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a global model for protecting rare species.

The conference will explore how forests can serve as reservoirs of water, sources of food, generators of economic value and carbon sinks. Two keynote forums and four parallel forums will be held, bringing together participants for in-depth discussions on key topics, including water conservation and aquatic ecological security, the sustainable use of forest food resources, ways to unlock the value of ecological products, and carbon management in rainforests. The discussions will foster exchanges of ideas and the sharing of experience.

The conference will also focus on Hainan’s efforts to seek dual World Heritage recognition for its natural and cultural heritage. It will bring together global expertise to support the nomination of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a mixed natural and cultural heritage property. The initiative will explore new approaches to rainforest governance that uphold ecological protection as a firm priority while bringing tangible benefits to local communities.

In addition to the conference sessions, a series of supporting events will be held. “Rainforest Night,” a showcase of Hainan’s intangible cultural heritage, will offer an immersive audiovisual experience showcasing the distinctive traditions of the Li and Miao ethnic groups. The “Hidden Realms · Shared Life” Hainan Tropical Rainforest Photography Exhibition and the “Gifts of Nature” Ecological Products Market will showcase the rainforest’s natural beauty and innovative ways of turning ecological resources into tangible benefits. Field expeditions into the Hainan Tropical Rainforest, media tours, and the public-interest initiative “Breathe Deep in the Rainforest · Protect Our Shared Habitat” will take participants deep into the rainforest to experience the vitality of its ecosystems.

As the Hainan Free Trade Port approaches the first anniversary of the launch of island-wide special customs operations and the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest marks its fifth anniversary, this conference will serve as China’s green calling card to the world and provide a platform for international dialogue and cooperation on rainforest conservation.

  




 

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Events

GBA Science Forum 2026 Held Across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao: Driving Collaborative Innovation to Build a Global Sci-Tech Hub

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Science Forum 2026

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 – Co-hosted across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao from October 31 to November 2, the 2026 Greater Bay Area (GBA) Science Forum took place with a strong focus on future industries and cutting-edge technologies. Jointly guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), this year’s event highlights national strategic leadership to accelerate the implementation of key policies and technological breakthroughs in the region.

 




  

The forum features an opening ceremony, a main forum, 15 specialized sub-forums, and 10 signature events. While the opening ceremony and main forum were held on November 1 in Nansha, Guangzhou, parallel sessions are rolling out across Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan, and Yangjiang, demonstrating a deeply integrated and synergistic approach to the event across multiple cities.

The opening ceremony witnessed the release of new support measures for the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center, jointly introduced by relevant state ministries and central authorities. A key highlight is the commitment to fortifying the region’s original innovation capacity by supporting the development of a world-class cluster of major sci-tech infrastructures in the GBA. Furthermore, two national key R&D projects under the 15th Five-Year Plan, spearheaded by Guangdong Province, were officially launched: the “Advanced Biotherapeutic Technologies Project” and the “GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center Project.”

The ceremony also featured the signing of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Collaborative Innovation Joint Funding Program, as well as major sci-tech cooperation agreements between CAS and Guangdong Province, marking another solid step in translating national strategic visions into concrete actions.

Since its inception in December 2021, the GBA Science Forum has been successfully held for five editions. It has evolved into a premier high-level exchange platform and a vital showcase for the matchmaking and achievements of the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center.

This year’s forum brought together four Nobel laureates, alongside distinguished academicians from home and abroad, young scientists, and leading tech entrepreneurs.

Together, they shared their latest research findings and visionary insights on critical topics, including cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, future technological trends, and the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation.

In recent years, the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center has demonstrated robust innovation momentum and cultivated a thriving developmental environment. This vitality was globally recognized in September 2026, when the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published its Global Innovation Index 2026 Top 100 Science and Technology Clusters, with the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou” cluster securing the number one spot globally once again.

  




 

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Business

5 Investment Opportunities Putting Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027 on the Map for Central Africa

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CEIF 2027 connects investors with Congo’s energy projects and local partners, while providing entry points for commercial opportunities across Central Africa

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, November 2, 2026/APO Group/ –The Republic of Congo’s expanding oil and gas developments are creating new opportunities for investment, engineering contracts and commercial partnerships across the energy value chain. With offshore discoveries, mature-field redevelopment and three million tons per year of LNG capacity, the country is entering a new phase of energy development that requires capital, technology and international partnerships.

 




 
 

The Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027, taking place June 1-3 in Brazzaville, will serve as the official platform connecting Central African energy decision-makers, operators, investors and service companies. Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the forum will bring together public- and private-sector stakeholders to advance investment discussions, facilitate partnerships and connect companies with emerging opportunities across the region.

Connect With Central Africa’s Energy Decision-Makers

CEIF 2027 will provide a platform to engage directly with Congolese authorities, regulators, national energy companies and policymakers shaping the region’s energy investment landscape. Taking place in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the event offers a bridge between the country’s policymakers and public- and private-sector companies. Conversations with decision-makers can help investors understand national development priorities, gain insight into the regulatory environment and identify opportunities for market entry or expansion.

Capitalize on Congo’s Upstream Investment and Production Ambitions

As Congo targets production growth toward 500,000 barrels per day, operators are pursuing new exploration and mature-field redevelopment to increase output. TotalEnergies’ 2026 Moho G discovery could unlock an estimated 100 million barrels of recoverable resources alongside the existing Moho F development, illustrating the potential to connect new discoveries to established offshore infrastructure. Meanwhile, Perenco and Trident Energy are pursuing development and redevelopment opportunities across mature assets, including well reactivation and infrastructure upgrades.

These activities could create opportunities for drilling contractors, engineering firms and production technology providers. CEIF 2027 offers a platform to explore project requirements and investment opportunities across Congo’s upstream sector.

Unlock Opportunities Across LNG, Gas and Power Infrastructure

With LNG exports established and liquefaction capacity reaching three million tons per year in 2026, Congo is looking towards its next phase of gas development. This will depend on sustaining feedgas supplies, connecting additional resources and expanding infrastructure.

Beyond LNG, Congo’s plans to expand electricity generation and improve transmission and distribution infrastructure present opportunities for power developers, equipment suppliers and investors. These priorities create potential opportunities for upstream operators, engineering companies, technology providers and investors interested in gas processing, power generation and distribution. CEIF provides a platform to advance these priorities.

Showcase Solutions and Build Commercial Partnerships at the Exhibition

The CEIF 2027 exhibition will provide a platform for companies to showcase their technologies, equipment and services directly to energy operators, policymakers, investors and potential clients across Central Africa.

Exhibitors will have opportunities to demonstrate solutions, engage with local service providers and identify potential partnerships across drilling, engineering, infrastructure and energy technology. For companies seeking to enter or expand in the region, the exhibition offers a direct route to building commercial relationships, exploring procurement opportunities and positioning their services for upcoming projects.

Access New Projects and Financing Opportunities

Turning project opportunities into investments requires clarity on development priorities, infrastructure requirements and financing structures. CEIF’s discussions will give participants an opportunity to assess the projects shaping Congo’s energy sector and engage with potential commercial and institutional counterparts.

Investors, lenders and project developers can use these exchanges to identify areas where financing, technical expertise or new investment structures may help advance projects across oil and gas, power generation and downstream industries.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, CEIF 2027 will enable candid dialogue, facilitating new investments and deals in the country’s energy sector. For more information, visit www.congoenergyinvestment.com.

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

 




 

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