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SLB Opens New Regional Office in Lagos

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2 years ago

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SLB

The new West Africa office reflects this new identity and will optimize employee experience and create a sustainable business environment for all stakeholders

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 20, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Global technology company, SLB (formerly known as Schlumberger) (www.SLB.com), officially opened its new West Africa regional office in Lagos, Nigeria. In October 2022, the company launched a new identity focusing on energy innovation and decarbonization to address the world’s energy needs today and to forge the road ahead for the energy transition. The new West Africa office reflects this new identity and will optimize employee experience and create a sustainable business environment for all stakeholders.

Its modern design embodies the company’s bold sustainability roadmap through daylight harvesting, interactive and collaborative hotspots for employees, disability access and other exciting features that bring forward the company’s evolved identity and culture.

Delivering his speech at the office opening in Lagos, Sopiribo Ideriah, managing director for SLB in West Africa countries, said,” As a technology leader, our unmatched market breadth, differentiated performance, and unique portfolio of products and service, has always positioned us for growth and advancement in the energy industry. All of this is owed to our people, who are the backbone of our organization. I would like to thank all SLB staff – past and present – for their commitment and passion in delivering high quality services to our customers.”

The ceremony coincided with the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of SLB’s presence in Nigeria

The ceremony coincided with the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of SLB’s presence in Nigeria. “For seven decades, SLB has worked in Nigeria as a local company.  In 1952, SLB logged Nigeria’s first commercial oil well in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, and has since logged several other historic wells in the country.  Our ability to continuously drive technology innovation has led to the development of new oilfield technologies that enhance our customers’ operational performance, while maintaining the highest standards in HSE, ultimately delivering value to all our stakeholders. Investing in local socio-economic projects and developing local talent through our borderless career culture, we have significantly contributed to the capacity development of Nigeria and are confident that we will continue to do business in ways that benefit our people, society, and the country.” Ideriah added.

Also speaking at the event, Wallace Pescarini, president of the Offshore Atlantic Basin at SLB, said “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our various stakeholders for their support over the years, including our clients, suppliers, contractors, and other business partners. We are thrilled to live our purpose of creating amazing technology to unlock access to energy for the benefit of all and could not have achieved this without your trust. As we look to the future and its evolving energy landscape, we remain committed to creating value for our customers and key stakeholders in Nigeria.”

Following the opening of its regional head office, SLB hosted key stakeholders at a dinner ceremony where the company’s historic past and innovative present were recognized and celebrated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB

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OPPO Awards Media OutReach Newswire “Partner of the Year 2024” for Excellence in Global Press Release Distribution Services

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March 10, 2025

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OPPO

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2025 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s first global newswire, has been honoured with OPPO’s prestigious ‘Partner of the Year’ award for the second time, following its exemplary performance in OPPO’s rigorous annual vendor evaluation system. Media OutReach Newswire achieved an exceptional rating exceeding 90% in OPPO’s evaluation matrix—an A-tier classification that OPPO’s Global Procurement team characterises as ‘extremely difficult to achieve.’ This distinguished OPPO award further solidifies Media OutReach Newswire’s position as a trusted global press release distribution partner. In their formal commendation accompanying the award, OPPO acknowledged the partnership’s strategic value, stating: “You have demonstrated a deep understanding of client requirements and consistently delivered outstanding results.”

Since 2019, Media OutReach Newswire has been a trusted newswire partner of OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand known for combining aesthetic excellence with innovative technology. Media OutReach Newswire has supported OPPO by distributing the company’s press releases across Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, the USA & Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Europe & the UK, and Latin America.

“Being recognised as the ‘OPPO Partner of the Year’ for the second time is a proud moment for Media OutReach Newswire and a testament to the excellence of our distribution network and customer services,” said Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire. “This award reflects our deep understanding of clients’ needs and our commitment to delivering results that exceed expectations globally. It highlights our expertise in connecting OPPO’s press releases with journalists, securing guaranteed news postings on high-quality media outlets globally, and providing post-release reports with data insights and PR Campaign Intelligence. Our continuous investment in press release distribution network ensures OPPO’s PR and marketing teams achieve impactful results in their global communications campaigns. Media OutReach Newswire is the trusted partner for corporations and governments looking to elevate their global brand trust and recognition.”

Through its comprehensive database of more than 200,000 journalists and editors over 500 trade categories, Media OutReach Newswire ensured OPPO’s press releases reached both general news (newspapers) and targeted trade media such as telecommunications & mobile, general technology, business, finance, ESG, retail and lifestyle which are key to OPPO’s business communications. By delivering OPPO’s press release directly to the inbox of targeted journalists and editors, Media OutReach Newswire’s press release distribution service has generated write-ups from trade media such as Gadgets 360, GMSArena, Phone Arena, Hardware Zone, Tech Edition as well as from tier one media outlets like CNBC, Forbes and South China Morning Post.

Media OutReach Newswire offers a Total Communications Solution that addresses the full requirements of PR and IR professionals, which includes a comprehensive global network of editors and journalists, guaranteed online news postings on quality and real media, and multiformat ready to use post release report with data insights and pioneering PR Campaign Intelligence to facilitate C-Suite’s reporting.

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Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire Launches West Africa’s First Gender Bond to Accelerate Financial Inclusion for Women Entrepreneurs

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23 hours ago

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March 9, 2025

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Ecobank

This five-year bond provides an attractive annual interest rate of 6.5% with a two-year capital repayment grace period

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, March 8, 2025/APO Group/ –Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (www.Ecobank.com), the leading Pan African Bank, takes a major step forward in its commitment to financial inclusion with the launch of the first Gender Bond in West Africa. This groundbreaking bond issuance, amounting to XOF 10 billion, aims to mobilize funding for women-owned and women-led businesses, reducing financing inequalities and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Named “Ellever Gender Bond 6.5% 2024-2029,” this bond has been structured and arranged by EDC Investissement Corporation (EIC), Ecobank’s Brokerage and Asset Management subsidiary. It marks Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire’s second bond issuance after its initial fundraising in 2013. Aligned with international sustainable finance standards, the Gender Bond has received an independent second-party opinion from Morningstar Sustainalytics, ensuring compliance with global best practices in responsible investment.

Since its inception, the ELLEVER program has made a tangible impact on women entrepreneurship. In 2024, over 3,465 businesses registered, benefiting from XOF 13.25 billion in disbursed loans. However, access to financing remains a significant challenge for women entrepreneurs in West Africa, where less than 20% of women-led SMEs have access to adequate funding. Globally, Gender Bonds represented only USD 14.5 billion, accounting for just 1.5% of the sustainable bond market in 2023, underscoring the need to expand such initiatives.

We have structured this bond to be attractive to investors while delivering a strong impact on women’s empowerment in Côte d’Ivoire

According to Paul-Harry Aithnard, Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, women’s financial inclusion is a major economic priority. “This Gender Bond provides a tangible solution to the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in West Africa. Today, women-led businesses are recognized for their resilience and performance, yet they remain significantly underfunded. Through this issuance, we reaffirm our commitment to building an ecosystem where women have full access to the financial resources they need to grow and succeed. This is a powerful tool to transform access to financing and sustainably accelerate the growth of women-led businesses.”

The “Ellever Gender Bond 6.5% 2024-2029” offers investors and the public a unique opportunity to combine profitability with social impact. This five-year bond provides an attractive annual interest rate of 6.5% with a two-year capital repayment grace period. The total issuance of XOF 10 billion consists of one million securities with a nominal value of XOF 10,000 each.

All funds raised will be fully allocated to strengthening the ELLEVER program, financing initiatives led by women, and providing them with tailored financial and technical support. Roseline Abé, Chief Executive Officer of EDC Investissement Corporation, highlights the significance of this initiative: “We have structured this bond to be attractive to investors while delivering a strong impact on women’s empowerment in Côte d’Ivoire. This is a unique opportunity to combine financial performance with social inclusion.”

With this Gender Bond, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire cements its leadership in sustainable finance and paves the way for greater economic inclusion. The bank’s ambition goes beyond this issuance, as it envisions a long-term strategy to promote innovative and inclusive financial instruments.

Paul-Harry Aithnard concludes: “This issuance is just the beginning. We will continue to develop tailored solutions to enhance women’s participation in the economy and encourage other financial institutions to follow this path.”

Through this initiative, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire is transforming access to finance and reaffirming its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.

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Congo Drives Oil Development, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to Participate at Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025

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23 hours ago

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March 9, 2025

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OPEC

With aims to attract investment to the sector, Congo is preparing to launch an international licensing round at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) this March

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 7, 2025/APO Group/ –As sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth largest oil producer, the Republic of Congo has ambitions to leverage its oil production to fuel further economic growth. With over 1.8 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, Congo has ambitions to double oil production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2027.

With aims to attract investment to the sector, Congo is preparing to launch an international licensing round at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) this March. In light of these ambitions, an address by Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General, OPEC at CEIF 2025 is set to strengthen confidence and support cooperation among major oil producing nations in Africa.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

Haitham Al Ghais’ participation at CEIF 2025 underscores the vital role of international collaboration in shaping Africa’s energy future

Last June, Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua participated in two OPEC meetings, where the decision was made to extend oil production cuts into 2025. During the meetings, Minister Itoua expressed the country’s steadfast commitment to supporting market stability while highlighting that production cuts will encourage new investment in African oil and gas projects.

Congo is currently leading several exploration and development programs to unlock new geological plays in the country. Independent hydrocarbon producer Perenco recently yielded a shallow water discovery at its PNGF Sud license and completed a 3D seismic acquisition campaign on the Tchibouela II, Tchendo II, Marine XXVIII and Emeraude permits, paving the way for future exploration drilling.

Meanwhile, Italian major Eni is focused on exploration efforts on the conventional and deep offshore areas off the coast of Pointe-Noire. Chinese energy company Wing Wah is currently developing the Banga Kayo block while French supermajor TotalEnergies is preparing to drill the Niamou-1 exploration well on the Marine XX offshore block.

“Haitham Al Ghais’ participation at CEIF 2025 underscores the vital role of international collaboration in shaping Africa’s energy future. His insights as OPEC Secretary General will enhance dialogue, foster investor confidence and strengthen partnerships crucial to unlocking Congo’s vast oil potential,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.

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

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