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Startupbootcamp AfriTech on Scouting Tour for Cohort 3 of the Africa Startup Initiative (ASIP) Accelerator Program

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AfriTech

Over the last 5 years, 50 African startups have completed the SBC AfriTech Accelerator

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 17, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Startupbootcamp AfriTech (Startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/AfriTech), Africa’s leading tech Accelerator is scouting for the most disruptive African tech startups from critical industry verticals for the Telecel Group (https://TelecelGroup.com) Africa Startup Initiative (https://ASIProgram.com) Accelerator Program.

The fate of Africa lies in innovations designed to alleviate the continent’s toughest challenges while also building products that are compelling enough for a global market. To do that, Accelerator programs facilitate and enable the evolution of home-grown solutions into powerhouses that make an indelible mark in the world. This is one of the many reasons why forward-thinking companies and governments are collaborating more with these essential support engines.

Founded by telecoms giant, Telecel Group (https://TelecelGroup.com) powered by SBC AfriTech, and supported by partners such as DER/FJ (a Department of the Republic of Senegal) (https://DER.sn), the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) (https://www.FMO.nl), ENRICH in Africa (a European Union-funded project) (https://ENRICH-in-Africa-project.eu), AWS (https://go.AWS/3ezrigY), and Google (https://Startup.Google.com), the ASIP Accelerator aims to support the next generation of early-stage African tech startups disrupting key industry verticals that include FinTech, InsureTech, AgriTech, Climate-tech, eCommerce, Digital Health, and CleanTech, Mobility, Micro-leasing, and digitizing the informal economy.

Over the last 5 years, 50 African startups have completed the SBC AfriTech Accelerator.

“90% of our alumni are still operating and scaling,” notes Program Director Henry Ojour. “Collectively, SBC portfolio companies have raised more than $120 Million in follow-on funding and the past 2 cohorts of the Telecel Group ASIP Program are doing exceptionally well. We’re excited about what Cohort 3 will achieve, and we believe it will set new records.”

Telecel Group (https://TelecelGroup.com) has also reinforced its commitment to providing the participating startups with access to markets, with the help of other relevant corporates will enable founders to execute proof of concepts and pilots while also building sustainable businesses.

Eleanor Azar ASIP Director said: “we are excited to announce that applications are now open, and we encourage all startups to apply, the past two cohorts have been very successful and we expect cohort three to be phenomenal, especially since our partner consortium is growing and adding powerhouses such as FMO and Enrich In Africa in addition to DER, AWS, Google, Microsoft and many more”.

The Government of Senegal through DER/FJ continues to be the bridge that provides essential public sector partnerships and government support. Cohort 3 also has the full support of the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank, FMO (https://bit.ly/3Vzirwj) invests in inclusive business models and provides the expertise that startups need to improve their business operations while also providing broader support to facilitate a vibrant start-up environment in the regions where the program invests.

We are excited to announce that applications are now open, and we encourage all startups to apply

Speaking on this, Ventures Program Manager Marieke Roestenberg said, “As part of our entrepreneurial ecosystem building efforts, FMO was keen to support the ASIP program and SBC AfriTech in expanding their operations into more middle-tier markets. This partnership provides an opportunity to bring more world-class acceleration to entrepreneurs striving to build businesses that create jobs and better livelihoods for their families and communities.”

Once selected, participants will spend three months undergoing intensive coaching through expert-led masterclasses covering scaling fundamentals -from the business model canvas, and lean methodology, to fundraising. The program will take place in Senegal, culminating in a hybrid Demo Day where startup founders pitch their disruptive solutions to a broad audience of media, investors, corporate partners, and industry stakeholders

Telecel Group ASIP Startups will also have access to Startupbootcamp’s tailored coaching tool, the Accelerator Squared platform which has a complete library of content, group workshops, 1:1 mentoring, collaborative sessions with Entrepreneurs in Residence, and invite-only discussion forums with founders from around the globe. This is in addition to customized support from experienced mentors and dedicated Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIRs). The 10 startups in the ASIP program will also receive benefits valued at more than $750,000, including credits from AWS, Google Cloud Services, and many more, and a direct cash investment of $18,000. 

Telecel Group ASIP powered by SBC AfriTech has so far hosted scouting events (FastTracks) in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Uganda. In the next few weeks, the team will be in Accra,Casablanca and Dakar.

“For each FastTrack, we invite the top 10 startups who apply to receive instant feedback from a panel of industry experts, network with our investment team and find out more about the program,” explains Henry Ojour. “Teams that attend a FastTrack are 20% more likely to be invited to our Final Selection Days.

Five out of the 10 startups chosen for the program will be fully funded and backed by ENRICH in Africa (https://ENRICH-in-Africa-project.eu), a project funded by the European Union and designed to support and strengthen the European and African innovation ecosystem. These startups will receive additional benefits, including access to the Euroquity (https://bit.ly/3TnSAq1) community, networking events, and follow-up support.

Reflecting on the journey, Philip Kiracofe, the Co-founder of SBC AfriTech said “When we launched Startupbootcamp AfriTech in 2017, we had an audacious vision to scout, skill, and scale African Solutions for African Challenges. Six years later, we have become one of the most highly regarded programs on the continent, and our portfolio of startups has an aggregate valuation of nearly $700 Million. We are privileged to have new partners including FMO and EnrichInAfrica (funded by the European Commission) supporting us, and looking forward to launching more Accelerators in the near future.”

To join cohort 3 apply here: bit.ly/SBC-Apply3

To attend the scouting events as a startup, register: https://bit.ly/FT-Startup

To attend as a mentor: https://bit.ly/FT-Mentor

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Startupbootcamp AfriTech.

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Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2024 Strategic Track to Drill Down on Angolan Investment, Local Content Opportunities

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Angola Oil & Gas 2024 returns to Luanda from October 2-3 under the theme ‘Driving Exploration and Development Towards Increased Production in Angola’

LUANDA, Angola, August 6, 2024/APO Group/ —

Global projects developers, independent E&P firms and regional investors are expected to enter the Angolan oil and gas market in the coming months as new blocks become available across onshore, offshore and marginal fields. In addition to accelerating exploration, new entrants signal fresh opportunities for collaboration and local contract opportunities.

The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – returning for its next edition from October 2-3 in Luanda – will feature a strategic track as part of its main conference agenda. The track will examine Angola’s investment outlook, strategies for enhancing local content and the role of women in the oil and gas industry. Stakeholders from both the global and local market stand to gain crucial insight into projects, opportunities in natural gas production and the business environment in Angola.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Angola’s Namibe Basin is one of the final frontiers for oil and gas exploration, representing a significant unexploited hydrocarbon province. While minimal exploration has been conducted to date, seismic studies have shown promising results. Notably, Blocks 41, 42 and 43 in the Kwanza and Namibe basins are covered in their entirety with a 2D seismic dataset, with significant syn- and post-rift potential across the entire basin identified. A panel discussion on Frontier Exploration: Charting New Paths for Investment during AOG 2024 will explore the strategic potential of the basin, with speakers delving into block opportunities and partnership prospects.

In tandem with oil production efforts, Angola is making strides towards attracting investment across the natural gas industry. The country has a target to increase the share of gas to 25% of the energy mix by 2025 and is promoting exploration opportunities, infrastructure development and monetization solutions. Major projects include the Angola LNG plant – which celebrated its 400th cargo in 2023 – and the Quiluma and Maboqueiro development, Angola’s first non-associated gas project. The project will come online by 2026 and will serve as feedstock for the Angola LNG plant. During AOG 2024, a panel discussion on Beyond Oil: Angola’s Rise as a Gas Powerhouse will examine investment opportunities across the gas industry.

Up to $60 billion will be invested in Angola’s oil and gas industry in the next five years. The country’s enabling business environment and market-focused fiscals have played an instrumental part in attracting foreign capital to the market. A six-year licensing round launched in 2019 provides regular access to block opportunities while engagement with IOCs ensures ongoing review of licensing structures and fiscal terms. AOG 2024’s strategic track will feature a session on Perspectives on Investment: The key to Doing Business in Angola. The session will unpack the country’s business climate, including regulatory frameworks, industry procedures and rules of engagement.

As the country’s oil and gas industry grows, so do opportunities for Angolan SMEs and operators. As a mature producer, Angola’s industry success is largely attributed to the competitiveness of its domestic players. The Angolan government is driving local content through the Angolanization initiative, which strengthens national entrepreneurship by granting local service providers preference to oil and gas contracts. The initiative places local content at the forefront of projects by prioritizing the utilization of Angolan products and services. AOG 2024 will further explore this initiative through a panel titled Empowering Angola Talent: Local Content Strategies to Unlock Angola’s Human Capital.

Given the vital role women play in strengthening Angola’s oil and gas industry while driving project forward, the conference will also feature a panel discussion on Sailing into the Future: Women Steering the Ship of Angola’s Oil and Gas Evolution. The session will explore the contributions and future potential of women in the industry, with topics such as leadership, technical expertise and more featured.

AOG 2024 features a multi-track program that offering a comprehensive overview of the country’s oil and gas value chain. To download the program, visit https://apo-opa.co/3SCYLIq. For more information on panel discussions, speakers and topics, visit www.AngolaOilandGas.com.

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

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Invest Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government Announce Strategic Partnership for The Africa Debate – UAE

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The event, taking place on 31 October in Dubai, will serve as a platform to explore and capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment corridor

The UAE is already the fourth-largest investor in Africa, and we are excited to work with the government to bolster commercial ties across the continent at this critical time

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 6, 2024/APO Group/ —

Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), a business network promoting trade and investment in Africa, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates to host The Africa Debate-UAE (https://TheAfricaDebate.com/UAE). The event, taking place on 31 October in Dubai, will serve as a platform to explore and capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment corridor.

Following ten successful editions of The Africa Debate in London, Invest Africa is excited to take the conference to the UAE – the largest investor in Africa among the GCC states. This year’s programme will spotlight investment opportunities along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment corridor, featuring sessions on financial services, logistics and supply chain optimisation, energy and infrastructure, and ICT and digital transformation. The event will bring together global businesses, private and public investment bodies, thought leaders, and policymakers for a series of insightful debates on UAE-Africa relations in 2024 and beyond.

Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa said: “Our partnership with The Ministry of Economy – UAE is a testament to our commitment to facilitating meaningful business connections and fostering two-way trade and investment between the UAE and Africa. The Africa Debate – UAE will not only spotlight investment opportunities but also provide a robust platform for dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders. The UAE is already the fourth-largest investor in Africa, and we are excited to work with the government to bolster commercial ties across the continent at this critical time in Africa’s growth story.”

H.E. Juma Alkait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy – UAE said: “The UAE has long recognised the strategic importance of Africa as a key trade and investment partner. By collaborating with Invest Africa, we aim to deepen our engagement with African markets and explore new avenues for economic cooperation. The Africa Debate has already established itself as a premier platform for promoting Africa-forward initiatives and investment, and we are excited to bring this prestigious event to Dubai. We look forward to welcoming 300+ vetted industry leaders to advance UAE-Africa partnerships and drive mutual growth.”

The conference will feature a series of breakout sessions focusing on:

  • Financial Services
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Optimisation
  • Energy and Infrastructure
  • ICT and Digital Transformation

As global businesses, investors, and policymakers converge in Dubai, The Africa Debate – UAE will serve as a crucial nexus for those seeking to engage in trade and investment along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa corridor.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Togo: the African Development Bank grants a loan of over USD 26 million to develop key agricultural sectors through private-sector investments

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The aim is to provide the country with an industrial hub for processing agricultural products and establish a business zone to offer opportunities to young people and women in the Kara and Savanes regions

As well as consolidating the achievements of the first phase of the project, it was essential to support the structure of the Togo Agro-Food Processing Zone Project (Togo Agropole)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, August 5, 2024/APO Group/ —

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) have approved a loan of US $26.55 million to Togo to implement the second phase of the Agro-Food Processing Zone Project.

The aim is to provide the country with an industrial hub for processing agricultural products and establish a business zone to offer opportunities to young people and women in the Kara and Savanes regions, in the north and far north of the country, respectively.

The project, approved in Abidjan on 19 July 2024, will also help to attract a significant level of private investment into key agricultural sectors, such as rice, maize, soya, sesame, cashew nuts and broiler chickens.

The funds come from the Transition Support Facility, an African Development Bank Group mechanism aimed at countries in transition, and will support investments that encourage inclusive agricultural growth that creates jobs and reduces food imports into the small West African country located on the  Atlantic Ocean.

“As well as consolidating the achievements of the first phase of the project, it was essential to support the structure of the Togo Agro-Food Processing Zone Project (Togo Agropole) with a second phase. This will focus on the construction and operationalization of the agro-industrial park (the central hub), including building a network of infrastructure (various roads and networks, administrative buildings, electrification, water and fibre optics) to create the right conditions for establishing private businesses,” said Wilfrid Abiola, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager in Togo.

Among others, the project will support the creation and operationalization of the company that will manage the agro-park and the construction of an agro-industrial park in Broukou (in Doufelgou prefecture, in the north of the country) by opening roads, developing electricity and street lighting networks, and building an administrative, financial, civil protection and access control centre.

The project will also fund the purchase of small agricultural equipment for vegetable-growing plots, particularly for women. The plan is also to build the capacity of agricultural producers, including women, in production, processing, storage and marketing to help them find markets and sell agricultural products. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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