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Reassuring Investor Confidence in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) Region

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CEMAC

CEMAC member countries offer a wealth of natural and mineral resource opportunities for global investors, and addressing regional trade and forex challenges will bolster private sector-led growth

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 5, 2024/APO Group/ — 

In a bid to safeguard foreign exchange reserves in the region, the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) imposed stricter rules on currency transfers and payments in January 2022 – a move it has been unwilling to reverse despite opposition by energy stakeholders and leaders. Recent regulation significantly impacts dollar-dominated industries – such as the oil and gas sector -, and reform is imperative to regain foreign investor confidence in West African oil and gas.

The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – will delve into the West African region’s vulnerability caused by foreign exchange regulations. Centered around facilitating investment in African oil and gas, the event unites regional energy leaders, financial institutions and foreign investors to discuss strategies for improving business environments; facilitating cross-border deals; and reassuring investor confidence.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event.

E&P Remains Top of the Agenda

Member countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) – namely, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic (CAR), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo – have all implemented targets to increase hydrocarbon exploration and production through regional collaboration. Gabon aims to produce 220,000 barrel per day (bpd) in the short-term while Congo plans to increase oil production to 500,000 bpd within a year and double gas production within two-three years. Equatorial Guinea also plans to increase regional gas monetization, with agreements with Cameroon to develop the Etinde gas field already in place.

Recent E&P developments are critical for achieving these goals. In Gabon, independent oil and gas company Perenco has spud an appraisal well to assess the quantity of resources at the Hylia South West field. The asset is currently producing 6,000 bpd and the new appraisal well aims to determine its full potential. Independent oil and gas company Vaalco Energy extended the life of the Etame field in Gabon with the replacement of an aging FPSO with an FSO alongside platform upgrades. Now, the project will produce beyond 2030. Energy major TotalEnergies has extended its presence in Gabon by another 25 years, while signing a new contract for the Baudroie-Mérou Marine G5-143 permit, effective until 2047.

Forex has to be something that we are serious about and that is why the African Energy Chamber (AEC) is convening the Africa Energy Finance Summit at AEW

In Cameroon, Perenco has kicked-off a five-well drilling campaign at the Kita Eden field, located in the northern Rio del Rey basin. Discovered 40 years ago, the field has been equipped with a specially-designed shallow water barge. Energy major Chevron is developing the YoYo Block in Cameroon’s Douala Basin, with a bilateral treaty signed between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in 2023 paving the way for the field’s joint development with the neighboring Yolanda field. The fields development aligns with Equatorial Guinea’s Gas Mega Hub (GMH) project – aimed at monetizing stranded gas resources across West Africa. Chevron signed a Heads of Agreement in 2023 to progress with the next phase of the GMH.

Meanwhile, Vaalco Energy is nearing FID for the 20 million-barrel Venus development in Equatorial Guinea’s Block P. Following the completion of the joint operating agreement, the company expects to progress with the FEED study, aiming for FID in Q3 or Q4 this year. In Congo, energy major Eni began feeding gas into the Tango LNG facility in December 2023, representing a milestone for the project. Tango LNG is expected to start production in 2024, only 12 months after reaching FID. Perenco also expanded its presence in the country in 2023, acquiring Eni’s participating interests in several permits.

Investment Hinges on Policy Reform

All of these developments demonstrate the potential of West African oil and gas. However, to ensure these finds translate into tangible project developments, CEMAC countries need to prioritize an enabling environment and attracting foreign investment through pro-business policies. CEMAC member countries hold some of the lowest positions in the World Bank’s latest Ease of Doing Business index (2020). Out of 190 countries, Cameroon is 167; Gabon is 168; Equatorial Guinea is 178; Congo is 180; Chad is 182 and CAR is 184. Ineffective fiscal policies are largely to blame as they make it difficult to invest, featuring high tax rates, weak Production Sharing Contracts, and delayed project approval timelines. Additionally, BEAC’s foreign exchange regulation makes it challenging for foreign currency accounts to be domiciled in the region, further impacting FDI.

“Forex has to be something that we are serious about and that is why the African Energy Chamber (AEC) is convening the Africa Energy Finance Summit at AEW, where we will unite governments from across the region to discuss issues relating to enabling environments. We have got to incentivize growth,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

As foreign investment becomes more competitive than ever with FDI shifting towards fewer, capital-intensive projects, incentivizing investment becomes imperative. The judiciary has a role to play in this area, as it provides comfort and long-term security for operators in the region. The judiciary, through reviewing how systems approach labor, arbitration, disputes and how companies are treated, will essentially make it easy to invest. Meanwhile, a shift from resource nationalism to independent systems is expected to further reinstate investor confidence in CEMAC oil and gas, with transparency allowing countries to attract a broad investor base and lessen the volatility of international capital flows. Addressing these challenges, providing fiscal incentives for foreign companies and cutting red tape will not only facilitate cross-border deals but enable member countries to meet their E&P targets.

In addition to foreign exchange policies, local content laws have become restricted with the BEAC regulation, failing to incentivize growth and opportunity for local players. CEMAC countries have the chance to leverage local content to stimulate the development of new fields, attract new investments while making the market increasingly competitive. Policy reform will, therefore, not only attract foreign capital to the region but enabling the growth of domestic markets,

Conversations around improving the investment environment across the CEMAC region will be a key topic during this year’s AEW: Invest in African Energy conference in Cape Town. Under the theme, Energy Growth through an Enabling Environment, the event integrates the entire African energy value chain with the objective to increase investment and make energy poverty history by 2030. Join the conference today and be part of the conversation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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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Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW) as South Africa Improves Sectorial Investment Climate

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Energy Capital

Minerals Council CEO to share insights on policy, infrastructure and investment trends shaping South Africa’s mining industry

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will feature Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa, as a speaker. Scheduled for October 14 – 16, 2026 in Cape Town, the event will bring together global investors, policymakers and industry leaders, with Mthenjane’s participation highlighting the council’s commitment to engaging international stakeholders and promoting investment across South Africa’s mining sector.

His participation comes at a critical moment as the Minerals Council works closely with government on finalizing the Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025, a policy framework aimed at strengthening the country’s mining investment climate and the sector’s contribution to GDP. According to the council, the revised legislation will support new investment across the value chain as South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

The policy reforms come amid shifting production trends in the sector. In 2025, South Africa recorded declines in gold and platinum group metals output of 1.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The new regulatory framework is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate investment, enabling South Africa to increase production and capitalize on strong global commodity prices. Increased private sector investments is crucial with South Africa seeking targeting to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore potential as well as maintain its position as the world’s leading producer of chrome and manganese.

At AMW 2026, Mthenjane is expected to outline these trends, providing insights into how the council is contributing to addressing challenges disrupting the sector. Infrastructure and energy costs remain key concerns for industry players. To support the energy-intensive sector, South Africa approved a 35% reduction in electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers, helping stabilize an industry that has faced significant cost pressures after electricity prices surged by roughly 900% since 2008.

Logistics constraints are also a priority area for reform. South Africa’s economy is losing an estimated R1 billion per day due to inefficiencies across rail and port infrastructure. As a result, the government is considering measures supported by the Minerals Council to increase private sector participation in logistics. Planned reforms include rail modernization initiatives targeting 250 million tons of freight capacity by 2029, alongside port upgrades and private operator participation aimed at strengthening mineral exports and improving supply chain efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, the Minerals Council is advocating for stronger exploration investment to support long-term industry growth.

At AMW, Mthenjane is expected to highlight these developments and outline the steps required to reinforce South Africa’s position in the global minerals supply chain. His insights will offer investors and stakeholders a timely perspective on opportunities within the country’s mining sector.

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

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Seychelles Targets Energy Investment Push as Minister Jérémie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Speaker

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African Energy Chamber

Seychelles energy minister will speak at AEW 2026, positioning her to highlight reforms, renewable projects and investment opportunities as the island nation advances its transition toward a diversified energy system

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Marie-May Jérémie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources for Seychelles will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. Her participation underscores the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s small-island energy transition agenda.

Minister Jérémie’s presence at AEW 2026 comes at a critical time as Seychelles accelerates efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The event provides a platform to attract investment, strengthen policy alignment and showcase bankable projects, positioning the country as a viable destination for private-sector participation in island energy systems.

Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments

In May last year, international finance institution the World Bank approved the Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at modernizing the grid and increasing renewable energy penetration to 15% by 2030. The program focuses on unlocking private capital while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.

Project development is gaining traction in the country, particularly in innovative technologies suited to Seychelles’ land constraints. The 5.8 MW Seysun Lagoon floating solar PV project, developed by independent renewable power producer Qair, is under construction and expected online in 2026.

Alongside renewables, Seychelles continues to pursue upstream opportunities to diversify its economy. The government approved new exploration entrants in 2025 and extended exiting petroleum agreements, while securing an infrastructure partnership with China. Multilateral estimates suggest over $800 million in investment will be required over the next 25 years.

Regulatory reform is central to this transition, with Seychelles introducing an independent power producer framework to open the market to private developers. Standardized power purchase agreements, grid access reforms and strengthened public-private partnership structures are being implemented to improve transparency, reduce risk and accelerate project bankability across solar, storage and emerging wind opportunities.

“Minister Jérémie’s participation highlights the strategic importance of island nations in Africa’s broader energy transition,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments. Her insights will be critical to advancing dialogue on resilient, low-carbon energy systems across the continent.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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