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Public Relations: How APO Group Grew Revenue by 88% in the First Half of 2022

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APO Group

APO Group is the largest African-related Primary Information Provider, with the largest media network in the continent

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 29, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder, Chairman and owner of APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service

I recently read this mind-blowing article (https://bbc.in/3CJ0Iff)  on the BBC website.

It describes the story of E Bruce Harrison and his work for the Global Climate Coalition – an international lobbyist group of businesses that opposed action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and publicly challenged the science behind global warming in the 1990s.

Harrison’s plan was as ingenious as it was audacious, and it demonstrates the sheer power of Public Relations.

But it also shows that, when that power is wielded without responsibility, the results can be devastating, and irreversible.

Working with a small team of PR professionals and paid scientists, Harrison’s vision to protect the interests of his shadowy paymasters in the US Oil industry has had dire consequences for the whole existence of mankind. The small seeds of doubt they sowed about the accuracy of climate change data fooled the media, discredited the mainstream scientific community, and ultimately delayed the implementation of policies and legislation that might have saved us from the climate disaster we now face.

Of course, there have been numerous instances in the past where Public Relations professionals have used blatantly unacceptable tactics to push the agenda of their clients, however nefarious they might be.

Working for the wealthy Gupta brothers, British PR firm Bell Pottinger infamously used a network of fake bloggers, commentators and Twitter users (https://nyti.ms/3e4iyyX), in an attempt to influence public opinion, exacerbate racism, and sow racial division in South Africa. Ultimately, they were found out, and the agency was forced to shut down in shame. But the scale of the scandal shows us the fine line some PR professionals walk between the interests of their client and the ‘greater good’ of society. 

APO Group is the largest African-related Primary Information Provider, with the largest media network in the continent. We distribute content to 400,000 journalists, and our newsfeed is published simultaneously on 300+ African-related news websites, as well as Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters Eikon, and many more. We have a HUGE responsibility to ensure that the news we distribute is fair and accurate. Any misstep on our part can mean disinformation is distributed far and wide across Africa, and beyond.

It is why, at APO Group, we have implemented an ethical policy that prohibits organizations from certain industries engaging our services or using our network. For example, no companies involved in the sale of tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or gambling services, can distribute press releases via APO Group.

Our editorial checks are rigorous, and we pride ourselves on spotting content that might mislead or – worse – deceive our media and public audiences. Instead, we focus our attention on positive content that informs and inspires and helps to change the narrative about Africa. The vast majority of people in the African PR community are right alongside us in that mission.  But, despite our strict protocols, some people will always try to slip through the net. 

We focus our attention on positive content that informs and inspires and helps to change the narrative about Africa

According to the World Health Organization, more than 8 million deaths a year are caused by tobacco – with over a million of those being non-smokers killed by passive smoking.

Last year, we were approached by a South African PR agency claiming to represent an anti-tobacco organization. They had a press release to issue, and on the surface, it looked legitimate and worthy. But when our team dug a little deeper, they discovered a more ambiguous message about tobacco. Further investigation revealed that their client was an organization funded by the major multinational tobacco company Philip Morris International.

This not only upset me; it enraged me. That someone could so brazenly attempt to mislead us.

I immediately phoned the CEO of the PR agency to make it clear we would never run content from his agency again.  

Of course, there is a pattern in all these examples of malpractice. These people are clever. They know that extreme rhetoric will never work, but by making their story seem plausible, they can fool the media and spread the deception to an unsuspecting public.

E Bruce Harrison made the world believe that the science of climate change was uncertain and flawed. Thirty years later, as wildfires rage, and the world is gripped by flooding, famine, and drought, we are living out the consequences of his actions.

As for our own brush with PR malpractice, we remain steadfast in our ethical policy. The bottom line is this: we don’t need to work with these industries.

There are plenty of organizations operating in Africa with important stories that deserve to be told. These are the organisations the entire APO Group team is proud to work with, and there are easily enough of them to sustain the growth of the entire African PR industry.

We have the World Health Organization, Greenpeace, and the African Development Bank on our books – to name just a few. By supporting those clients, and hundreds like them, we are participating in a wider movement that is having a lasting positive impact on our continent.

According to the United Nations, Africa will represent 40% of all humanity by 2100. We know, therefore, that Africa is becoming a key target for the tobacco, alcohol, weapons, and gambling industries. But the African PR industry can grow without helping these companies increase their profits at the expense of the African people.

APO Group recorded 88% revenue growth in the first semester of 2022, compared to the first semester of 2021. To me, that is comprehensive proof that no PR agency owner is ‘forced’ to do business with industries that have a negative impact on mankind.

We all have the choice.

For more information about Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, please visit: www.Pompigne-Mognard.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Events

Winners in the 2026 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards Announced

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Seventh Annual Awards Sponsored by RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry Recognize Innovation in 18 MENA Nations

FAIRFAX, United States of America, May 4, 2026/APO Group/ –Winners in the seventh annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards, the only awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace throughout 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa, have been announced. The awards are sponsored by RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The list of Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners is available at https://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

We are delighted to recognize the achievements of such a diverse group of organizations across the MENA region

The 2026 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards have recognized organizations in 15 nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Türkiye and United Arab Emirates. More than 1,400 nominations in Arabic and English were evaluated in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of 155 professionals worldwide (https://apo-opa.co/4cMbWRI), acting as judges on five juries to recognize innovative apps, achievements, entire organizations, public relations, customer service, human resources, individual professionals, live and virtual events, management, sustainability, technology, thought leadership, and more.

Winners of multiple Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie®  Awards include Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, UAE; Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, UAE; ADNEC Services, UAE; ADNOC Drilling, UAE; Al Dhafra Region Municipality, UAE; Byrne Equipment Rental, UAE; Capital 360 Event Experiences, UAE; CarrefourSA, Türkiye; Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, UAE; Dubai Customs, UAE; Eastern Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia; Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), UAE; Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, UAE; FLO Group, Türkiye; GSTC, Saudi Arabia; Hail Region Municipality, Saudi Arabia; Samsung Saudi; Le Chene, UAE; National Partnerships and Capacity Development Agency, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia; NEOVA KATILIM SİGORTA, Türkiye; NMDC Energy, UAE; Ooredoo Kuwait, Kuwait; Qatar Foundation, Qatar; Qatar Vision Production Company, Qatar; QNET, Hong Kong; Quill Communications, UAE; Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), Saudi Arabia; Saudi German Health UAE, UAE; TCS Dubai, UAE; Tosyalı Holding, Türkiye; Türkiye Sigorta, Türkiye; Ülker Bisküvi Sanayi A.Ş., Türkiye; and VakıfBank, Türkiye, among others.

Stevie winners will be presented their awards at a gala banquet at the InterContinental Hotel, Istanbul, Türkiye on Friday, 11 September.  Tickets for the event will be on sale this summer.

“We are delighted to recognize the achievements of such a diverse group of organizations across the MENA region in the 2026 edition of the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards,” said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. “We look forward to celebrating Stevie winners during our gala event on 11 September in Istanbul, Türkiye. The quality of nominations received this year was exceptional. The program has grown considerably every year, showing the vast amount of innovation in the MENA region.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards.

 

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Energy

African Mining Week (AMW) to Spotlight Opportunities in Egypt Amid National Exploration and Beneficiation Drive

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Energy Capital

African Mining Week 2026 will connect global mining stakeholders and investors with emerging prospects within Egypt’s expanding gold, phosphate and critical minerals space as the country seeks to enhance output and local mineral beneficiation

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 4, 2026/APO Group/ –As Egypt increases mining’s contribution to GDP from about 1% today to 6% by 2030, the country is revamping its policies and infrastructure to create attractive opportunities for global partners. In line with this strategy, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference and exhibition – The Most Influential Mining Conference in Africa, scheduled for October 14–16, 2026 in Cape Town – will highlight emerging investment and partnership opportunities across Egypt’s mining value chain.

 

A country spotlight at AMW 2026 will bring together Egyptian regulators, project developers and international investors for discussions on the future of the sector while facilitating deal signings, partnerships and new project development opportunities.

Speaking to the event organizers ahead of the event in February 2026, Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), said Egypt intends to showcase opportunities in legislative reform, investment incentives, government–investor collaboration and mineral beneficiation during the conference.

National Geomapping Anchors Egypt’s Exploration Expansion Strategy

AMW 2026 will showcase investment opportunities within Egypt’s upstream sector as the country focuses on improving its geological insights to unlock untapped mineral resources. In March 2026, the country approved the rollout of a national geomapping initiative in partnership with Xcalibur Smart Mapping, marking the country’s first comprehensive aerial geological survey in more than 40 years.

While Egypt already holds estimated gold reserves exceeding 9 million ounces, along with approximately 660 million tons of iron oxide resources and extensive phosphate deposits, the geomapping exercise is expected to unlock new mineral deposits and position the country as an emerging exploration hotspot in North Africa.

Efforts are underway to unlock Egypt’s new drilling hotspots, with exploration activity – particularly in gold and silver – already accelerating investment flows into Egypt’s upstream mining sector. Companies including Barrick Gold, Shalateen Mineral Resources Company and Lotus Gold Corporation are advancing gold exploration across the Arabian-Nubian Shield, supporting the country’s strategy to expand gold output and capitalize on strong demand and prices in 2026. The government’s approval of 53 exploration and exploitation licenses in late 2025 further highlights its commitment to unlocking new investment opportunities in the exploration segment.

Digital Mining Platform to Accelerate Investment

Another major initiative expected to be showcased at AMW 2026 and aimed at strengthening Egypt’s investment climate is the launch of a digital mining platform and cadastre system, expected in the first half of 2026. The platform will enable investors to access geological data, evaluate exploration prospects and submit permit applications through a streamlined digital process, reducing administrative bottlenecks and accelerating project development timelines.

Building a Downstream Minerals Processing Industry

Beyond exploration and extraction, Egypt is prioritizing the development of downstream mineral processing infrastructure to capture greater value from its resources. Several projects are already underway, including a financing agreement with the African Export-Import Bank to establish an integrated gold value chain that supports domestic gold processing. MRMIA and mining companies Phosphate Misr and WADICO, together with China’s Xingfa Group, are evaluating phosphate ore, quartz and silica sand resources while studying the development of an industrial processing project in the Golden Triangle mining region. These projects and many other emerging opportunities within the downstream sector will be unpacked at AMW 2026.

AMW to Catalyze the Next Phase of Growth

As Egypt positions itself as a regional mining hub through regulatory reform, geological surveys, digital licensing systems and international partnerships, AMW 2026 will play an important role in advancing this progress. The event will connect global investors with Egyptian regulators and project developers, helping unlock new investment flows and partnerships that can drive the next phase of growth for Egypt’s evolving mining sector.

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

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Business

Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)

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Aurionpro

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers

MUMBAI, India, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO)a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC

This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, ‘digital-first’ banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets.

Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint.

Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya   commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.”

Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.”

He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aurionpro Solutions Ltd.

 

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