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Power Players – Africa Tech Festival’s 2023 Headliner Line-up

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Africa Tech Festival

Top notch speaker list, including several government ministers, exemplifies importance of tech to drive Africa’s needed economic big boom

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 5, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Africa has abundant economic potential and the enormous uptake of digital technology socially and in the business sector, has positioned the continent for explosive growth, but there are challenges that lie in wait.  Many of these will be spotlighted at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu) in Cape Town 13-16 November, along with innovative solutions all led by a line-up of headline speakers including several African government ministers.

“Businesses across Africa have benefitted enormously from leap-frogging traditional technology to the digital world and wireless connectivity, and this is spurring incredible growth across the continent,” says James Williams, Director, Events | Connecting Africa | Informa Tech. “The incredible advantages of digitalisation are, however, dependent on a plentiful and reliable source of power, and it’s essential that the public sector has strong strategies in place to drive this growth.”

The tech world is driven by entrepreneurial innovators, but it relies heavily on the public sector to provide infrastructure, regulations and often funding to smooth the way for technological advancement, especially in terms of providing access and infrastructure for the public to access to engage with and benefit from the technology.

Among the 200-plus speakers, presenters and panellists will be Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, whose input on how the South African government is tackling the critical issue of loadshedding will no doubt ensured a packed hall of delegates all hopeful of hearing positive news. The dynamic H.E. Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity, will provide backup to the Minister in shining a light on the country’s energy crisis.

Not to be missed, is the panel discussion ‘Universal Power Access: Plotting a Route Through Africa’s Electricity Challenge’, which puts the future of digital transformation squarely on the shoulders of electricity and citizens’ access to energy.

In Africa, energy insecurity has been a chronic inhibitor of economic development for decades, and continues to cripple enterprise growth and innovation, and the panel will unpack why a staggering 30 of Africa’s 54 nations face daily power shortages and supply interruptions, all of which play economic havoc with local business and consumer activity. It’s important to understand how the collaboration of public and private funding is essential for striking the right balance between the two sectors to create the perfect solution to the crisis.

Also addressing delegates will be H.E. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, the Republic of Guinea’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, as well as Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, H.E. Minister Dr Peya Mushelenga, and their Executive Director & Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Audrin Mathe.

Another key area of public sector engagement with the tech sector will be discussed in the keynote panel ‘Unleashing Digital Prosperity: How Progressive Policy is Shaping Africa’s Tech Transformation’. This session will present African Ministers from across the continent with an opportunity to share how they are tailoring policy to their unique national environment and priorities, in addition to the need for a more continental, collaborative approach.

“The process of developing and implementing policy across myriad industries and sectors is, however, an inherently complex and lengthy process and relies heavily on industry consultation, sector-specific legislation and flexibility to evolve with rapidly changing sectors,” says Williams, highlighting the importance of the growing number of Ministerial delegations at Africa Tech Festival year on year. 

Among the high-level speakers sharing with delegates over the three days are:

  • Dion Jerling (Co-Founder, Connect Earth)
  • Richard Cazalet (Exec: Strategy and Transformation, Telkom SA)
  • Robert AOUAD (CEO, ISOCEL Telecom)
  • Russell Southwood (CEO, Balancing Act)
  • Vuyani Tati (Managing Partner, AfriTech Catalytic Growth Fund),
  • Jocelyn Nyaguse (Head of Marketing and Storytelling, Startupbootcamp AfriTech)
  • Calvin Govender (General Manager ICT Fixed Services, MTN)
  • Marjorie Saint-Lot (Country Manager, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, Uber)
  • Evan Jones (CEO, The Collective X)
  • Nfaly Sylla (Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Republic of Guinea)
  • Kellie Murungi (Chief Investments Officer, East African Power)
  • John Davies (TMT Equity Research Analyst, EMEA, TMT, Bloomberg Intelligence) An expanded list of speakers is noted below).

Aside from presenting cutting-edge content and a speaker line-up of note, the Africa Tech Festival is also the meeting place of Africa’s largest community of tech champions and offers this vibrant grouping the ideal space to connect and interact. However, just as these connections are so important for the industry, so is the connecting of 1.2-billion people across Africa’s 54 unique nations, vital for the continent’s growth, with cross-border connectivity a particular concern.

Continental broadband penetration is currently around 45%, but this varies dramatically across regions.  Connectivity is critical to the rapidly expanding SME business community, as well as for wider socioeconomic development needs.  Looking at this the fireside chat, ‘Connectivity Beyond Borders: Unlocking Universal Broadband Access in Africa’, will explore how innovations in strategy and technology are aiming to ensure that no individual, business, or community is left behind in Africa’s pursuit of universal broadband access.

While most of the discussions and presentations relate to most players in the industry, the event has been structured in such a way as to ensure that specialists are also able to sit in on the most relevant content to them, either by staying in one venue for a series of talks, or by exploring the ‘centre stages’ in each of the exhibition halls in which masterclasses and presentations will take place.

Other major topics on offer this year include:

  • Connectivity for All: Addressing the Needs of Underserved Communities
  • Driving Innovation: Unravelling the Business Applications of 5G FWA in Africa
  • The Changing Role of Satellites to Leapfrog Africa Into an Era of Online Connectivity.

This year, the Africa Tech Festival will offer delegates several new features, along with six presentation stages and a staggering amount of content, while hundreds of exhibitors on the show floor will once again engage with the brightest tech gurus from around the continent and globally, who will all descend on the Cape Town International Convention Centre to discover the latest products and services and to connect with other tech professionals.

Williams shares that: “This year we have added a new interactive feature to the festival – a dedicated tech demo area that we are sure will draw crowds throughout the three days. It’s a chance to engage with the cutting-edge innovations that Africa needs to know about… as well as some of the exciting innovations that Africa has to offer the world.”

This year we have added a new interactive feature to the festival – a dedicated tech demo area that we are sure will draw crowds throughout the three days

For more information, please see website here: Africa Tech Festival 2023 – The Home of AfricaCom & AfricaTech (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu)

View all ticket options for Africa Tech Festival, including start-up passes, here (https://apo-opa.info/3Q04o2r).

(Please note that all requests are adjudicated and there may be some delay before you hear back from us).

List of Speakers:

Dion JerlingCo-FounderConnect Earth (https://apo-opa.info/46gFyRs)

Richard CazaletExec: Strategy and TransformationTelkom SA (https://apo-opa.info/3ZFTeTq)

Miriam AltmanDirector: Altman Advisory & Professor of 4IR PracticeUniversity of Johannesburg (https://apo-opa.info/3F2uvzd)

Guy ZibiManaging DirectorXalam Analytics (https://apo-opa.info/46vWqE5)

Robert AOUADCEOISOCEL Telecom (https://apo-opa.info/48DshE8)

Ronan De RenesseSenior Research Director, Service Provider MarketsOmdia (https://apo-opa.info/3ZEV4nH)

Russell SouthwoodCEOBalancing Act (https://apo-opa.info/3Fad7bL)

Matt ReedChief Analyst, Service ProviderOmdia (https://apo-opa.info/3Q0SYLJ)

Vuyani TatiManaging PartnerAfriTech Catalytic Growth Fund (https://apo-opa.info/3Q2cdEx)

Jocelyn NyaguseHead of Marketing and StorytellingStartupbootcamp AfriTech (https://apo-opa.info/3Q38KWg)

Nathan-Ross AdamsData & Tech LawyerMichalsons (https://apo-opa.info/45l5JVP)

Paula GilbertEditorConnecting Africa (https://apo-opa.info/45nYfRL)

Matshepo SehlohoAssociate EditorConnecting Africa (https://apo-opa.info/45jiVKW)

Calvin GovenderGeneral Manager ICT Fixed ServicesMTN (https://apo-opa.info/46yJixt)

Marjorie Saint-LotCountry Manager for Uber Ghana and the Ivory CoastUber (https://apo-opa.info/45minno)

Joseph NdabaCEO of Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub4IR Commissioner: Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Commission (https://apo-opa.info/48IAhUv)

Marion BalandraFounder & CEOMeridian Remote Teams (https://apo-opa.info/3RHf8E3)

Evan JonesCEOThe Collective X (https://apo-opa.info/3RP8Dir)

Badi SudhakaranCo-FounderVALR.com (https://apo-opa.info/45iLiIU)

Nfaly SyllaChief of CabinetMinistry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Republic of Guinea (https://apo-opa.info/46yzZxs)

Mumbi Ndung’uChief Growth and OperationsPower Learn Project (https://apo-opa.info/48QSa3w)

Dr Cherise DunnCo-founder and COOSouth Africa Makes (https://apo-opa.info/46yrSks)

Judith GardinerVice President, Growth and Emerging MarketsEquinix (https://apo-opa.info/46jvC9O)

Robinson Tombari SibeMD/CEODigital Footprints (https://apo-opa.info/3Q3M4oW)

Bernard WanyamaPresident, Kampala ChapterISACA (https://apo-opa.info/3tgQSyh)

Ryan Van den BerghManaging Executive: Group Technology Strategy, Architecture, Spectrum & AssuranceVodacom (https://apo-opa.info/45l7DWt)

Andy HalsallCEOpoa! Internet (https://apo-opa.info/46ArUrZ)

Sabrine ChennaouiCo-FounderMONSAPO (https://apo-opa.info/3tjBYHA)

Pablo MlikotaSenior Vice President – International Mobility Servicese& GROUP (https://apo-opa.info/3ZEWvT7)

John DaviesTMT Equity Research Analyst, EMEA, TMTBloomberg Intelligence (https://apo-opa.info/3Q4dAmn)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

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Namibia’s Orange Basin Moves Toward First Oil at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

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African Energy Chamber

The “Invest in Namibia: Transforming Discoveries into Production” session will examine how Namibia can turn its offshore oil boom into a broader industrial opportunity through local suppliers, skills development, technology transfer and domestic investment

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 27, 2026/APO Group/ –After a series of major offshore discoveries transformed Namibia into one of the world’s most closely watched exploration frontiers, attention is shifting from proving resources to building the infrastructure, partnerships and industrial capabilities needed to bring them into production. At African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, the session “Invest in Namibia: Transforming Discoveries into Production. Orange Basin’s Path to First Oil” will examine how the country can capture value beyond the development of individual oil fields and use the emerging petroleum sector as a catalyst for wider economic growth.





 

TotalEnergies’ Venus discovery is technically ready to move toward a Final Investment Decision, with negotiations on fiscal terms still underway. The project’s development concept targets around 150,000 barrels per day at peak production, with first oil potentially around 2030. FEED has been completed and major contractors selected, bringing Namibia’s first potential deepwater oil development closer to execution.

The real measure of Namibia’s oil opportunity will not simply be how many barrels it produces, but how much economic value those barrels create at home

Meanwhile, the Orange Basin continues to attract major international players. TotalEnergies and Galp strengthened their positions across the Venus and Mopane discoveries in 2025, with TotalEnergies becoming operator of Mopane and Galp taking a participating interest in Venus. In August 2026, Equinor agreed to acquire a 17.4% stake in Chevron’s PEL 90, marking its first upstream entry into a new country since 2017. The block is expected to see another exploration well before the end of the year.

The scale of investment now being contemplated makes the question of local economic participation increasingly urgent. Namibia’s draft Local Content Policy identifies the development of national capabilities, employment, local procurement and stronger domestic value chains as central to ensuring that petroleum resources generate benefits beyond government revenues. The government has also highlighted technical training and partnerships with universities and industry as priorities for preparing Namibians for the emerging oil and gas sector.

For Namibia, this means moving beyond an export-led model in which capital, equipment and specialist expertise flow in and crude flows out. Developing local suppliers, financing Namibian businesses, building research and training hubs and creating opportunities for joint ventures could help establish capabilities that extend well beyond the life of individual oil projects. The opportunity spans engineering and fabrication, logistics, marine services, environmental management, digital technologies and other areas of the petroleum supply chain.

“The real measure of Namibia’s oil opportunity will not simply be how many barrels it produces, but how much economic value those barrels create at home,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Namibia has a chance to build a competitive African energy industry around its discoveries – one that creates jobs, develops local companies, transfers technology and gives Namibians a meaningful stake in the country’s energy future.”

The session will look beyond first oil itself to the ecosystem required to sustain production and translate upstream investment into long-term industrial development. With Venus, Mopane and further Orange Basin exploration moving toward development, Namibia has an opportunity to establish the commercial partnerships, financing structures and technical capabilities needed to ensure its petroleum boom becomes an economy-wide growth story.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.




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BUTEC, secures major Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for Casablanca Waste-to-Energy Project

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BUTEC

Serving a population of more than 4.2 million people across Greater Casablanca, this project represents a significant step in the region’s transition towards a more sustainable and circular approach to waste management

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 28, 2026/APO Group/ –The consortium comprising Nareva, Kanadevia Inova and Itochu Corporation, through its 33.5-year concession agreement with the Municipality of Casablanca, has entrusted BUTEC (www.BUTEC.com) with a major Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for Casablanca’s landmark Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project, leveraging BUTEC’s multidisciplinary engineering and contracting capabilities for one of Morocco’s most significant waste management and energy recovery developments.

 

For the delivery of this landmark project, BUTEC has joined forces with the Switzerland-based Kanadevia Inova, a global leader in Waste-to-Energy and renewable gas solutions.

Located northwest of the Mediouna landfill in the Casablanca-Settat region of the Kingdom of Morocco, this ultra-large waste incineration facility will process approximately 1.5 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually, significantly reducing reliance on landfill.

By diverting the waste from landfill and converting it into energy, this plant is expected to prevent up to 1.0 tonne of CO₂-equivalent emissions per tonne of waste while generating 126 MWe of baseload electricity.

BUTEC is establishing itself as the generalist EPC contractor of choice in this strategic sector

Serving a population of more than 4.2 million people across Greater Casablanca, this project represents a significant step in the region’s transition towards a more sustainable and circular approach to waste management, while supporting Morocco’s broader energy transition and long-term decarbonization ambitions.

BUTEC’s Scope of Work:

While Kanadevia Inova is responsible for the technology and the process part of the EPC works, as well as operations support, long-term maintenance, and financing of the facility, BUTEC will be responsible for civil works for the whole facility and for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of Non-Process buildings, facilities, and associated works, including all civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works, as well as the external infrastructure works required for the Project.

Commenting on the significance of the award, Raymond Daou (SVP Strategy & Business Development) stated:

“Building on our affiliates’ long-standing presence in Morocco, where BUTEC has established itself as one of the country’s leading players in Electromechanical Solutions, the Group is reinforcing, through this landmark contract, its contribution to the Kingdom’s sustainable development ambitions.

Furthermore, with three consecutive large-scale Waste-to-Energy projects across the geographies in which it operates, BUTEC is establishing itself as the generalist EPC contractor of choice in this strategic sector. This latest award confirms once again our ability to combine multidisciplinary engineering expertise, strong local execution capabilities and close cooperation with world-leading process technology partners to deliver complex energy and environmental facilities.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BUTEC Group.

 

 




 

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Asantehene opens Africa Business Investment Summit in Washington, DC with a $500m Investment Target in Africa

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Asantehene

The opening ceremony, themed “The Asante Crown Meets the Diaspora,” convened more than 400 registered delegates, including senior government officials, C-suite executives, and US-based institutional investors

 




 

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, August 28, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • Asantehene presented a royal vision for Africa’s economic renaissance
  • Day 1 proceeded under the theme – The Vision Day: Unlocking Africa’s Century, A Diaspora Mandate”
  • Fireside chat with Boris Kodjoe on The Diaspora Return

The Africa Business Investment Summit 2026 opened this morning at the MGM National Harbor, in Washington D.C. Metro, with a royal keynote by the Summit’s Patron, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, as the Millennium Excellence Week hosts its first event outside of Ghana.

The opening ceremony, themed “The Asante Crown Meets the Diaspora,” convened more than 400 registered delegates, including senior government officials, C-suite executives, and US-based institutional investors. They were drawn together under a single mandate: to facilitate $500 million in structured capital commitments between African deal originators and US institutional capital during the two-day summit.

Delivering his keynote address, His Majesty articulated a vision of African economic sovereignty where the diaspora serves as architects of continental development. Speaking with characteristic authority, His Majesty called on African governments, diaspora communities, and international institutional partners to align capital, policy frameworks, and political will behind a shared agenda for the continent’s economic future.

In his address, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene said: “For too long, Africa has been described mainly in terms of its deficiencies. We have heard of the roads not built, the electricity not generated, the jobs not created, the capital not available, and the institutions not strong enough,”

For too long, Africa has been described mainly in terms of its deficiencies

Speaking further he noted that “Africa must no longer be regarded merely as a continent of future potential. Africa is already becoming a central part of the future global economy, and those who understand this early will position themselves advantageously.”

Honorable Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, who represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, detailed macroeconomic indicators signalling domestic economic recovery and industrial policy priorities: “ Our ambition is transformation. We want an economy that moves beyond exporting raw materials to manufacturing finished products, creating value, jobs, and shared prosperity. We want capital that drives productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This is the philosophy behind the twenty-four-hour economy program, which is a commitment stimulating round-the-clock production, improving productivity, and developing a competitive and export-oriented economy.”

The first day of the summit concluded under the theme “The Vision Day: Unlocking Africa’s Century, A Diaspora Mandate”, exploring through a series of plenary sessions the most pressing deal themes in US–Africa investment today.

Programme spotlights included: The Diaspora Return, a fireside chat with Boris Kodjoe, Beyond Remittances: Building Africa’s Sixth Region, diaspora capital beyond transfers, The New Gold Rush: Africa’s Seat at America’s Critical Minerals Table,  Ghana’s Gold Moment: From the Gold Coast to Global Market Power, The Diaspora Dollar: Fintech and the Next Remittance Corridor and Powering the Continent: Energy, Infrastructure and the US–Africa Partnership

The second and final day of the event will continue to explore investment opportunities across the continent through sector spotlights on the Creative Economy, Health & Pharma, Technology, and Digital Financial Services.

Following these plenaries, the event will conclude with bilateral investment meetings that will translate the vision outlined in the plenary hall into concrete investment decisions.

Review Day 1 Plenary Sessions: https://apo-opa.co/4cPkRRP

Watch Day 2 Live Stream: https://apo-opa.co/4gYIxFP

  • Day 2 to explore investment opportunities and conclude with bilateral investment meetings

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Millennium Excellence Foundation.

 

 




 

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