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Shaping tomorrow’s investments: A triumph of collaboration at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023

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investment

The two-day summit serves as the pivotal platform for robust discussions, networking and collaboration, propelling the African early-stage investment landscape forward

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, December 19, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023, concluded with resounding success, bringing together 350+ investors, founders, and industry leaders from across the continent. The two-day summit, organized jointly by VC4A (VC4A.com) & African Business Angel Network (ABAN), serves as the pivotal platform for robust discussions, networking and collaboration, propelling the African early-stage investment landscape forward.

“AESIS connects the early stage (angel) investor networks with VCs, mapping a path for founders’ fundraising journeys. The exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two is invaluable to the startup ecosystem, directly supporting founders in their entrepreneurial adventures.” – Vincent Hoogdyn, CEO of VC4A.

Key highlights

1. Insightful Opening Townhall & State of Industry Overview: The event kicked off with a thought-provoking Opening Townhall, moderated by the host Hope Ditlhakanyane, featuring AESIS advisor Eghosa Omoigui, and AESIS partner representatives Eleni Gabre-Madhin, Laurien Field, and Jean-Marie Kananura, who reflected on the theme of 10x-ing early-stage investing in Africa, and set the scene for the impactful conversations that followed.

Maxime Bayen of Africa:The Big Deal (TheBigDeal.substack.com) expanded this sentiment in his address sharing that the number of active investors in startups in Africa have doubled from 242 in 2019 to 529 in 2023, additionally funding raised by startups in Africa has grown 119 times in 10 years from $27M in 2014 to $3.2B in 2023 (YTD). The primary emphasis of the overall message underscored the importance of deriving lessons from failures we’ve seen, gaining a more realistic perspective on exits through data, and strategically incorporating this information into the efforts to strengthen our collaborative ecosystem.

“AESIS plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing between angel investors and VCs, and investment activities within the African startup ecosystem, contributing to the overall growth and development of entrepreneurship on the continent” – Fadilah Tchoumba, CEO of African Business Angel Network (ABAN).

2. Masterclasses and Breakaway Sessions: Attendees immersed themselves in an array of masterclasses and breakaway sessions, covering pivotal topics such as The winning recipe for Deal Collaboration and The Anatomy of Effective Corporate VC, as well as AESIS partner series covering Impact in collaboration with UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, and Gender Lens Investing in collaboration with IFC’s She Wins Africa initiative.

Notably, we had the Angel Investing Roundtable which was the launch of the ABAN 2023 Angel Investment Survey Report (ABANAngels.org/insights) –  Research into ABAN’s network of angels indicates that 2058 angel investors invested more than $22.5M across 408 deals, out of 5,743 applications received, at an average ticket size of $55.2K in the first and second quarter of 2023.

A special recognition goes to our investor meetup hosts who worked very hard and brought incredible energy into making our new record of 36 meetups happen for 2023

3. Deal Morning: In partnership with VC4A, SU Launch Lab, Next176, JICA, GIZ SAIS, MADICA, and Founders Factory Africa – 28 founders had been given the stage to showcase their business together with their attending investors. This setup facilitated meaningful connections not only between entrepreneurs and investors, but also between investors unlocking potential co-investments.

4. Ecosystem Side Event: The 2nd official Ecosystem Side Event took place on Saturday the 2nd of December, hosted at the WomHub coworking space, spotlighting the symbiotic relationship between Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) and investors. Panels, case studies, and presentations such as The ESO as an early stage investor, by Cindy AI of Dream VC highlighted the collaborative efforts driving entrepreneurship development and active opportunities for co-creation and progressive innovation efforts.

The summit concluded on a high note with a Closing Cocktail, with the first AESIS awards handed out in the following categories:

  • AESIS Most Valuable Players Award – to attending members that have attended more than 6+ annual Summits;
  • #AESIS2023 Outstanding Investor Meetup Award –  Serengeti Angels and Ennovate Ventures as the hosts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;
  • #AESIS2023 Outstanding Angel Network Award – RisingTide Africa;
  • #AESIS2023 Outstanding VC Company Award – Founders Factory Africa.

Throughout the year we have had a series of numerous events in the lead up to these amazing two days in Cape Town; including Investor meetups which took place across Africa and the globe in September and October. A special recognition goes to our investor meetup hosts who worked very hard and brought incredible energy into making our new record of 36 meetups happen for 2023.

#AESIS2023 is honored to have partnered with many influential entities to make this 10 year milestone a resounding success including Investec, Next176, UNDP, Timbuktoo, JICA, GIZ SAIS, GIZ MAKE IT, Madica, Womhub, OceanHub Africa, Founders Factory Africa, Untapped Global, US Consulate, Double Feathers Partners, SU LaunchLab, SA SME Fund, Value for Women, International Finance Corporation, Kigali International Financial Center, Dutch Good Growth Fund, and South Africa National Conventions Bureau.

Looking ahead

The success of the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023 underscores the growing momentum of collaborative efforts in driving synergy and investment across the continent. The insights shared, connections forged, and collaborations initiated during the summit are expected to contribute significantly to 10x-ing early stage investing in Africa.

“Only ecosystems that have knowledge exchanges survive — that’s the power that we have here!” – Tomi Davies, President of African Business Angel Network (ABAN).

Photos of the events that took place during #AESIS2023 can be found here (apo-opa.co/3v6lGmj)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VC4A.

Energy

Guinea-Conakry Energy Minister to Bring Frontier Oil & Power Opportunities to Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026

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Energy

Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Health, Sanitation, Energy, Hydraulics and Hydrocarbons of Guinea-Conakry, will deliver a keynote at next month’s Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris

PARIS, France, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –As exploration momentum builds across West Africa’s (Mauritania-Senegal-Gambia-Bissau-Conakry) MSGBC basin, Guinea-Conakry is seeking to position itself as the region’s next frontier for oil and gas development while accelerating investment in large-scale power infrastructure. At the upcoming Invest in African Energy Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Health, Sanitation, Energy, Hydraulics and Hydrocarbons of Guinea-Conakry, will outline the country’s strategy to unlock upstream potential and expand electricity generation to support industrial growth.

 

Guinea’s hydrocarbon sector remains largely underexplored compared to its regional neighbors. To stimulate exploration activity, the government has been preparing a licensing round covering 22 onshore and offshore blocks designed to attract international operators. As of late 2025, authorities were finalizing the technical framework and fiscal terms while expanding access to geological data through a National Seismic Data Visualization Center, developed in partnership with SLB and TGS. The data platform is expected to provide prospective investors with improved visibility into Guinea’s offshore basins ahead of the planned bid round.

 

While Guinea has historically seen limited drilling activity, interest in the country’s offshore margin has grown in recent years as major discoveries in neighboring Senegal and Mauritania have reshaped perceptions of the MSGBC basin’s resource potential.

 

Alongside upstream ambitions, Guinea is advancing a series of large-scale power projects aimed at addressing electricity shortages and supporting its expanding mining sector. Hydropower remains the backbone of the country’s electricity system, with major projects developed along the Konkouré River significantly increasing generation capacity in recent years.

 

The 450 MW Souapiti Hydropower Plant and the earlier 240 MW Kaleta facility have significantly expanded national generation capacity in recent years, strengthening grid reliability while providing power to mining operations and urban centers. Additional large-scale projects are progressing across the pipeline, including the 300 MW Amaria hydropower project and the 294 MW Koukoutamba hydropower plant, which is being developed under the Senegal River Basin Development Authority to supply electricity across several West African countries.

 

Beyond hydropower, authorities are exploring opportunities to diversify the country’s energy mix through gas and renewable energy investments. One proposal involves the development of an LNG terminal at the Port of Kamsar to support both import and export operations while supplying a planned gas-fired power facility capable of generating up to 1,900 MW of electricity.

 

Solar energy is also gaining momentum as part of Guinea’s long-term strategy to strengthen grid reliability and reduce seasonal dependence on hydropower. Government plans call for the addition of up to 500 MW of solar generation capacity in the coming years, opening new opportunities for independent power producers and infrastructure investors.

 

At the same time, regional transmission initiatives are expanding Guinea’s integration within the West African Power Pool. Financing approved in 2025 for the Guinea–Mali electricity interconnection project aims to improve electricity supply in eastern Guinea while enabling cross-border power trade and strengthening regional grid stability.

 

The IAE 2026 Forum offers Guinea-Conakry an opportunity to present its evolving energy strategy to international investors. By highlighting frontier exploration acreage alongside major power infrastructure developments, the government aims to attract the partnerships needed to accelerate the next phase of the country’s energy sector development.

 

IAE 2026 (http://apo-opa.co/4urkt3f) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

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

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Business

BROXO Introduces Brand Update Across Water Treatment Markets

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BROXO

BROXO, one of Europe’s leading brands in high-quality water treatment salt, announces a comprehensive brand refresh, reaffirming its position as a trusted partner in water softening applications for nearly a century

AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –BROXO (www.BROXOSalt.com/) is part of Hengelo Salt Specialties and Mariager Salt Specialties, companies incorporated under Groupe Salins, headquartered in Clichy, France. With over 100 years of expertise, BROXO has built a strong reputation for delivering premium vacuum salt used in professional water treatment systems across Europe.

 

BROXO salt is produced from high-purity vacuum salt extracted from underground salt caverns in the Netherlands and Denmark. In the Netherlands, the salt is compacted into briquettes and tablets, as well as specialized grades for water softening applications. With a sodium chloride purity of 99.9% and extremely low calcium and magnesium content, BROXO is among the highest quality salts available on the market.

This refresh is about returning to our core strengths: quality, reliability, and consistency while modernizing how we present ourselves to the market

The salt plays a critical role in regenerating ion exchange resins in water softening systems, effectively removing calcium and magnesium from water. By preventing limescale formation, BROXO helps protect pipes, heating systems, dishwashers, and industrial installations. In industrial environments, effective water softening reduces energy consumption, minimizes maintenance requirements, and safeguards operational efficiency.

The brand refresh focuses on strengthening BROXO’s core identity, reinforcing the recognizable brand assets, colors, and visual language that customers have trusted for decades. The updated look reflects both BROXO’s heritage and its forward-looking approach to the global market.

“BROXO has been a leader in its segment for over 100 years. This refresh is about returning to our core strengths: quality, reliability, and consistency while modernizing how we present ourselves to the market,” says Nico Basson, Segment Marketing Manager Water & Retail Products. “We are building on a strong foundation and preparing the brand for continued growth.”

Today, BROXO continues to serve a wide range of customers, including restaurants, hotels, commercial facilities, and industrial operators that rely on high-performance water softening systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BROXO.

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Chevron Taps Emmanuelle Garinet to Lead Exploration Across Sub-Saharan Africa and the America

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African Energy Chamber

Chevron appoints exploration veteran Emmanuelle Garinet to lead discovery strategy across sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas, a move welcomed by the African Energy Chamber as positive for exploration investment

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –Energy supermajor Chevron has appointed Emmanuelle Garinet as Director of Exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing one of the upstream industry’s most experience exploration geophysicists into a strategic leadership role overseeing discovery efforts across two of the world’s most important hydrocarbon regions.

 

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – as the voice of the African energy industry – welcomes the appointment, with Garinet’s move to Chevron serving as a positive signal for Africa’s exploration sector. For the Chamber, placing an executive with decades of African exploration experience at the helm of a major international oil company’s discovery strategy could help unlock new investment across frontier basins, accelerate geological understanding and strengthen collaboration between operators and host governments.

 

Expanding Exploration Across Sub-Saharan Africa

Chevron’s African portfolio is entering a new phase of exploration-led growth as international energy companies continue to pursue new discoveries across frontier basins and established producing hubs.

 

Namibia has emerged as one of the most closely watched exploration regions in the world following a series of major deepwater discoveries in the Orange Basin. Chevron is currently evaluating prospects in the Walvis Basin, where the company plans to drill a new exploration well in PEL 82 between 2026 and 2027. The campaign follows earlier drilling in the Orange Basin, reflecting the company’s continued interest in Namibia’s rapidly evolving offshore petroleum system.

 

In West Africa, Chevron is expanding its deepwater presence in Nigeria after acquiring a 40% stake from TotalEnergies in offshore licenses PPL 2000 and PPL 2001. The company is expected to deploy a drilling rig in late 2026 targeting resources near the Agbami field as part of a broader deepwater growth strategy.

 

Angola remains a cornerstone of Chevron’s African portfolio where, in December 2025, the company achieved first oil at the South N’dola platform in Block 0, producing approximately 25,000 barrels of oil per day using existing infrastructure. Associated gas from the project is routed to the Angola LNG plant, supporting the country’s gas monetization strategy while reducing flaring.

 

For the AEC, these developments highlight the continued importance of exploration in unlocking new energy resources across the continent while supporting regional economic growth and energy security.

 

Americas Portfolio Provides Additional Growth

Emmanuelle Garinet brings decades of geological insight and international exploration leadership

Beyond Africa, Chevron maintains a large upstream portfolio across the Americas.

 

In the U.S. the company continues expanding production in the Permian Basin, where output is projected to reach around one million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026. Deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico also remains a key component of Chevron’s portfolio, contributing to long-term production growth.

 

In South America, Chevron’s position in Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block – obtained through the company’s acquisition of Hess Corporation – places it within one of the world’s fastest-growing offshore petroleum provinces. Meanwhile, unconventional development in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation continues to support production growth in the region.

 

A Career Built on Global Exploration

Garinet’s career reflects more than three decades of experience in exploration geology, subsurface interpretation and international upstream leadership.

 

She began her career as a geophysicist, working on seismic analysis and subsurface evaluation before moving into management roles overseeing large exploration portfolios. Over time, she held senior leadership positions across multiple continents, including roles managing exploration programs in Nigeria, Gabon and South America.

 

Her tenure at TotalEnergies also spanned the transformation of the company from Elf Aquitaine to ToalFinaElf and ultimately TotalEnergies.

 

One of her most notable achievements was leading the exploration team behind the Venus discovery offshore Namibia – one of the largest deepwater oil finds in recent years and a project expected to move toward a final investment decision in 2026.

 

“Exploration leadership with deep technical expertise and real experience in Africa’s basins is critical as the continent seeks to unlock new resources and attract global investment,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “Emmanuelle Garinet brings decades of geological insight and international exploration leadership. Her appointment at Chevron sends a strong signal about the continued importance of African energy development.”

 

Garinet has also been a prominent advocate for African energy development and has frequently spoken at the annual African Energy Week conference in Cape Town, where she has highlighted the role of advanced seismic data, frontier exploration and efficient permitting systems in unlocking new opportunities across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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