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On the Occasion of the FrancoTech Exhibition, Bpi France, Sawari Ventures, and Flat6Labs Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

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FrancoTech

The signing of the memorandum between Bpifrance, Sawari Ventures, and Flat6Labs took place within the framework of the FrancoTech exhibition for Francophonie and Innovation at Station F in Paris, alongside the Francophonie Summit

CAIRO, Egypt, October 9, 2024/APO Group/ — 

During the FrancoTech exhibition held on October 3 and 4, 2024, at Station F in Paris, alongside the Francophonie Summit, Bpifrance, Sawari Ventures, and Flat6Labs (www.Flat6Labs.com) announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening ties between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East to better support Francophone and African entrepreneurs in their development across the three continents.

The signing of the memorandum between Bpifrance, Sawari Ventures, and Flat6Labs took place within the framework of the FrancoTech exhibition for Francophonie and Innovation at Station F in Paris, alongside the Francophonie Summit. Innovation is one of Bpifrance’s strategic priorities, from supporting R&D to strengthening the capital of innovative companies. This memorandum highlights the importance of innovation for all parties and the strategic significance of Francophone Africa for Sawari Ventures, which opened a new office in Dakar, Senegal, this year, in addition to its offices in Casablanca and Cairo.

Launched in 2010, Sawari Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in growth-stage African tech companies addressing regional and global challenges. Sawari Ventures has built a strong track record by investing in key industries such as deeptech, edtech, and fintech, and has been a pioneer in developing the local innovation ecosystem.

Our partnership with Bpifrance reflects our shared commitment to strengthening ties between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East

Flat6Labs is the most active seed and early-stage fund manager in the MENA region. Flat6Labs has offices in seven countries, with over 400 investments, nearly half of which are in Africa, and operates around thirty programs that support and create innovative companies. Sawari Ventures and Flat6Labs (the “Group”) are building a platform that spans a broad spectrum of financing, from seed stage to Series B+, helping bridge the gap between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa by supporting the expansion of companies in both regions.

Bpifrance and the Group aim to strengthen links between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East by facilitating market access and the development of innovative companies across the three continents. They also aspire to improve access to financing for innovative companies based in France looking to expand into Africa and for African companies conducting R&D or operations in France. Additionally, they seek to foster commercial and technological partnerships between European businesses and African innovation companies. Lastly, this partnership aims to accelerate co-investment opportunities between European and African venture capital firms.

The partnership’s objective is to identify qualified Francophone entrepreneurs through Bpifrance and qualified African entrepreneurs through the Group who wish to develop in the Europe/Africa/Middle East regions. The goal is to support their financing and the technological and commercial development of their companies, as well as to promote co-investment opportunities between European investors and Sawari Ventures, particularly in deeptech – a key sector where Sawari Ventures has been a pioneer in Egypt and has demonstrated a strong track record. To achieve this, the partners will collaborate with various departments within Bpifrance that support entrepreneurship and innovation financing in the region, as well as with the online platform EuroQuity, created by Bpifrance to facilitate connections between investors, companies, and their ecosystems at the European and international levels.

The EuroQuity digital platform connects growth companies supported by leading partners – such as the European Commission, development and innovation agencies, banks, and major groups – with investors and business partners on a global scale. It also offers complementary services to facilitate and strengthen these connections.

Our partnership with Bpifrance reflects our shared commitment to strengthening ties between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. We see more and more entrepreneurs from these regions, as well as from their diasporas, launching companies with Pan-African and regional ambitions but lacking access to the tools and networks needed to grow effectively. We aim to build a platform that can identify and support them in their expansion by leveraging key partnerships with institutions like Bpifrance,” said Hany Al-Sonbaty, Co-founder of Sawari Ventures and Flat6Labs.

Isabelle Bébéar, Director of International and European Affairs at Bpifrance, added: “It is essential to strengthen ties between European, African, and Middle Eastern ecosystems, particularly in terms of innovation and investment, to identify geographic development opportunities for companies in these regions. This is precisely the goal of the partnership between Bpifrance and Sawari Ventures and Flat6Labs.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Flat6Labs.

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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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