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Spiro Kenya Unveils Khaligraph Jones as Brand Ambassador to Champion Kenya’s Electric Mobility Revolution

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Spiro

The collaboration with Khaligraph Jones is expected to amplify Spiro’s brand visibility and support its mission of making electric mobility accessible to every rider while driving the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 8, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • The announcement marks the beginning of a collaboration that brings together one of Kenya’s most influential personalities and a company at the forefront of transforming transportation through clean, sustainable mobility.

 

  • As Brand Ambassador, Khaligraph Jones will support Spiro’s initiatives to promote electric mobility, engage rider communities, and drive public awareness on the environmental and economic benefits of electric motorcycles and battery-swapping technology.

Spiro Kenya (www.Spironet.com), Africa’s leading electric mobility company, today officially unveiled award-winning rapper, entrepreneur, and cultural icon Khaligraph Jones as its Brand Ambassador in a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating awareness and adoption of electric mobility solutions across Kenya.

Today marks an exciting milestone for Spiro Kenya as we officially welcome Khaligraph Jones to our family

The announcement marks the beginning of a collaboration that brings together one of Kenya’s most influential personalities and a company at the forefront of transforming transportation through clean, sustainable mobility.

Welcoming Khaligraph Jones to the Spiro family, Raymond Robert Kitunga, Deputy Country Head, Spiro Kenya, expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen the company’s efforts to connect with riders, young people, and communities across the country while advancing the conversation around sustainable transport.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Spiro Kenya as we officially welcome Khaligraph Jones to our family. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire a new generation to embrace cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable transportation solutions,” said Raymond Robert Kitunga, Deputy Country Head, Spiro Kenya.

As Brand Ambassador, Khaligraph Jones will support Spiro’s initiatives to promote electric mobility, engage rider communities, and drive public awareness on the environmental and economic benefits of electric motorcycles and battery-swapping technology.

Speaking during the unveiling, Khaligraph Jones said he was proud to partner with a brand that is helping shape the future of transportation in Africa.

“I’m excited to join the Spiro family and be part of a movement that is changing how people move every day. I look forward to working together to inspire more Kenyans to embrace the future of mobility,” said Khaligraph Jones.

The partnership comes at a time when Kenya is increasingly embracing clean energy solutions and innovation-driven transportation systems. Spiro continues to provide riders with affordable, reliable, and environmentally friendly mobility solutions while creating economic opportunities for thousands of riders across the country.

The collaboration with Khaligraph Jones is expected to amplify Spiro’s brand visibility and support its mission of making electric mobility accessible to every rider while driving the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Spiro.

 

Business

JSCCIB Joins Forces with Public Sector and World Bank to Launch “The Bangkok Business Summit 2026: Reinvent Thailand, Resilient ASEAN”

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Bangkok Business Summit

Driving the Thai Economy and Charting New Strategic Pathways for the Future of ASEAN
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB), comprising the Thai Bankers’ Association, the Board of Trade of Thailand, and the Federation of Thai Industries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and the World Bank, has announced its readiness to convene a high-level leadership conference, ‘The Bangkok Business Summit 2026,’ under the theme ‘Reinvent Thailand, Resilient ASEAN.’

To be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), the summit will showcase the vision of public-private sector collaboration aimed at restructuring Thailand’s economy. This event serves as a milestone paving the way toward the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026, which Thailand will proudly host in Bangkok in October 2026, as well as Thailand’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2028.

A key highlight of The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 includes a keynote address entitled ‘Thailand’s Offer to the World’ by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand. The address will declare Thailand’s readiness as a global investment hub, shifting the nation from cost-based competition to enhancing capabilities, innovation, and digital infrastructure. Furthermore, Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will deliver a policy address on ‘Unlocking the Next Growth Engines for Thailand & ASEAN,’ revealing policy reform steps designed to unlock private sector investment and drive the country’s new economic engines. Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, will address positioning Thailand as a regional investment platform for high-tech industries.

Mr. Payong Srivanich, Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB), stated that this event aims to answer a critical question: How can Thailand transform global shifts and its central location in ASEAN into new opportunities for investment, job creation, and sustainable growth?

“The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 is not merely a platform for exchanging perspectives, but a venue where Thailand presents its concrete strengths, opportunities, and development directions to the global business community—bridging the government’s vision, recommendations from international organizations, and the practical expertise of the private sector,” Mr. Payong stated.”Thailand’s challenge today is not just growth, but building competitive growth in a rapidly changing world. We need a platform for collaborative efforts to ‘Reinvent Thailand’ by creating new economic engines and elevating our competitiveness so Thailand can capture new opportunities and become an integral part of a ‘Resilient ASEAN’ capable of adapting to global dynamics.”

Key Highlights & Session Overview

Special Keynote: Mr. Vitai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, will present on ‘Thailand’s New Horizons: From Ambition to Delivery.’
Global Insights Panel: Featuring in-depth discussions with Mr. Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, Mr. Sarvesh Suri, Regional Vice President for Asia and Pacific, The International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Mr. John W.H. Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) exchanging views on economic trends, investments, and business opportunities.
Report Launch: Launch of the World Bank’s latest report, ‘Building Thailand’s Future Today: The Investment and Growth Playbook.’ The report proposes a roadmap for Thailand to achieve high-income country status through investment and reforms that create jobs, boost productivity, and lay the foundation for long-term growth, highlighting potential industries such as advanced manufacturing, sustainable & wellness tourism, digital services, agriculture & food, and the creative economy.
Luncheon Discussion: Thai Beverage Public Company Limited will host a special session entitled ‘Growth Reaches Communities: Sufficiency Economy Philosophy,’ presenting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as a framework that creates balance, strength, and sustainability from local communities to the business sector and macroeconomy.
Afternoon Tracks

Track 1: Building Resilience (Infrastructure, Energy, and Digital Finance): Led by Mr. Piti Disyatat, Deputy Governor for Monetary Stability, Bank of Thailand, in building competitiveness and the ability to attract future industries to the country. The session will include discussions on the topics of ‘Efficient Energy & Low-Carbon Infrastructure’ and ‘Policy Architecture and Low-Carbon Cities in Action’ focusing on investing in key infrastructure that will drive the industrial transition to a low-carbon society, with leaders from various sectors, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, PTT Public Company Limited, Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited, Siam Cement Public Company Limited, Thai Airways Public Company Limited, and Google LLC and the topic of ‘Building Thailand’s Trusted Economy: Digital Public Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth,’ focusing on digital public infrastructure in the financial sector for sustainable growth, and safe and inclusive digital finance, with senior executives from Bangkok Bank, Krungsri Bank, TMBThanachart Bank, and Ascend Money.
Track 2: New Horizons (Future Industries, Agri-Food, and Human-Centric Economy): Led by Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, focusing on developing high-potential talent within organizations and positioning Thailand as a regional investment platform for high-tech industries, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and advanced R&D.
Additionally, the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 will feature a panel discussion titled ‘The Future of Agrifood Business.’ Under the concept of Elevating to a Regional Strategic Asset, leaders from top companies including Sea Value PCL and Olam Agri (Singapore) will share their perspectives on how Thailand’s agrifood industry is evolving beyond its traditional role as the ‘Kitchen of the World’ to become a vital strategic asset for regional food security, and another discussion on ‘The Future of the Human-Centric Economy,’ integrating health, wellness, tourism, and the creative economy centered around people rather than isolated sectors. Panelists include Minor International, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), and Cerecin.

Closing & Actions

To conclude the summit, leaders from the three JSCCIB member organizations will summarize actionable proposals to transform insights into concrete practices. These encompass enhancing competitiveness, building investment ecosystems, and developing future industries. The event will culminate in the signing of a Letter of Intent for Cooperation on the Digital & AI Compact between Thailand’s economic agencies and the World Bank.

 

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Energy

Presidential Energy Adviser Olu Verheijen to Highlight Nigeria’s Investment Drive at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

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As the Tinubu administration advances reforms to unlock upstream investment, expand gas development and strengthen energy security, Nigeria’s Special Adviser to the President on Energy will join global industry leaders at African Energy Week 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria’s efforts to reposition its energy sector and attract a new wave of investment will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, confirmed to participate in the event.

Her participation comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration continues to implement an ambitious energy reform agenda aimed at reversing years of underinvestment, improving project economics and restoring Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading destinations for oil, gas and infrastructure capital.

Since taking office in 2023, the administration has prioritized measures to improve investor confidence, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, reforms to strengthen regulatory efficiency and a series of executive actions designed to accelerate investment across the upstream sector. The government has also focused on improving the commercial performance of NNPC, transitioning the national oil company toward a more investment-oriented operating model and expanding partnerships with international operators.

Nigeria has the resources, market scale and entrepreneurial strength to lead Africa’s next era of energy investment

These reforms are supporting renewed momentum across Nigeria’s upstream sector in 2026, with major international operators advancing new investments across deepwater oil and gas developments. ExxonMobil and its partners are moving forward with a $1 billion investment in the Usan Infill Project, expected to add approximately 40,000 barrels per day of production, while Shell continues to expand its deepwater and integrated gas portfolio through projects including Bonga North and the HI gas development. Bonga North is expected to deliver up to 110,000 barrels per day at peak production, while the HI project is designed to supply 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria LNG. These investments reflect growing confidence in Nigeria’s resource base and highlight opportunities for further capital deployment across offshore development, gas infrastructure and energy services.

With approximately 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, Nigeria is seeking to accelerate gas commercialization through LNG expansion, industrial projects, gas processing and gas-to-power initiatives. Projects including the Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion, alongside broader efforts to strengthen domestic gas supply infrastructure, are expected to play a key role in improving energy security, supporting industrial growth and expanding Nigeria’s position in global gas markets. Recent developments are also highlighting growing momentum around indigenous-led gas projects, including UTM Offshore’s 15-year gas supply agreement with a joint venture between NNPC and Seplat Energy to supply 200 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from the Yoho field for Nigeria’s first indigenous floating LNG project.

Nigeria’s downstream sector is also entering a new phase following the ramp-up of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day and is expected to reduce reliance on imported refined products while creating new opportunities across logistics, trading and energy infrastructure.

“Nigeria has the resources, market scale and entrepreneurial strength to lead Africa’s next era of energy investment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The reforms underway under President Tinubu’s administration are focused on making the sector more competitive, improving investor confidence and ensuring that Nigeria captures greater value from its oil, gas and power resources. AEW 2026 provides a critical platform to connect these reforms with the investors, companies and partners needed to deliver growth.”

As Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Verheijen has been closely involved in advancing Nigeria’s energy priorities, including investment promotion, sector coordination and policy implementation. Her participation at AEW 2026 will provide stakeholders with insight into Nigeria’s strategy for unlocking capital and accelerating development across the energy value chain.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Afriex Strengthens Global Payments Infrastructure with Global Innovations Bank Partnership

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Afriex

New sponsor and settlement banking relationship expands Afriex’s global banking network, strengthens regulatory coverage, and accelerates settlement as the company processes more than $600 million in annual payment volume

WILMINGTON, United States of America, August 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Afriex (https://www.Afriex.com/), the cross-border payments infrastructure company processing more than $600 million in annual payment volume, today announced a new sponsor and settlement banking partnership with Global Innovations Bank (GIB). The relationship strengthens the banking infrastructure behind Afriex’s B2B PaymentsAPI, enabling faster settlement, expanded regulatory support, and Global USD Account access for businesses moving money across more than 35 countries.

Originally founded as a consumer remittance company, Afriex has evolved into a global payments infrastructure platform powering cross-border payouts for remittance providers, payroll companies, ecommerce platforms, fintechs, banks, and other financial institutions. The company’s API combines licensed local payment rails with global banking connectivity, enabling businesses to launch and scale international payment products without building local infrastructure themselves.

The GIB relationship is the latest milestone in Afriex’s strategy of building a global banking network that combines local market expertise with international settlement capabilities. Together with banking partners including Choice Bank in Kenya and United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Nigeria, Afriex is creating the regulated financial infrastructure that enables businesses to move money seamlessly across emerging markets.

Our team has spent years solving the challenges of cross-border money movement

As demand for reliable cross-border payment infrastructure continues to grow, resilient banking relationships have become essential for delivering faster, compliant, and scalable money movement. Through its expanding network of banking partners, Afriex continues to strengthen the foundation behind its licensed payment operations while increasing the capabilities available to customers building on its platform.

“Building global payment infrastructure isn’t just about adding more corridors—it’s about building the banking foundation that makes every transaction faster, more reliable, and easier for our customers to scale,” said Tope Alabi, Founder and CEO of Afriex. “Global Innovations Bank understands the complexity of cross-border payments because their team has lived it firsthand. Their experience and long-term approach make them an ideal partner as we continue building the infrastructure powering the next generation of global fintech.”

Under the agreement, Global Innovations Bank will provide sponsor and settlement banking services supporting Afriex’s growing payments infrastructure, delivering:

  • Faster settlement across supported payment corridors
  • Global USD Account access
  • Expanded banking and regulatory coverage supporting licensed money movement
  • Greater operational resilience as transaction volumes continue to grow

The partnership also lays the groundwork for additional treasury, foreign exchange (FX), and global account capabilities that Afriex plans to introduce over the coming year.

“Our team has spent years solving the challenges of cross-border money movement,” said Alex Goody, Chief Product Officer at Global Innovations Bank. “That experience gives us a deep appreciation for what Afriex has built. Their disciplined compliance program, strong technical infrastructure, and focus on emerging markets make them exactly the kind of fintech we want to help scale.”

The partnership became effective in Q2 2026 and represents another step in Afriex’s strategy of becoming the financial infrastructure layer for companies building cross-border products worldwide. With banking partnerships now spanning the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and other strategic markets, Afriex continues to expand the regulated banking network supporting its global payment platform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afriex Inc.

 

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