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‘Stop Roadblocks, Start Financing’ – Africa Calls for Pragmatism Over Ideology Ahead of G20 Investment Forum

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11 months ago

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Africa

The upcoming G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum – hosted by the African Energy Chamber – will connect global capital with African priorities, advancing energy access, industrialization and infrastructure development across the continent

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 5, 2025/APO Group/ –The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) is urging global financiers and policymakers to prioritize pragmatic, deal-ready investment over ideology. On November 21 in Johannesburg, the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, hosted by the AEC, will bring together G20 governments, institutional investors and African energy stakeholders to channel global capital toward Africa’s most urgent energy and infrastructure priorities.

 

Timed to follow the AEC’s flagship African Energy Week and ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa, the Forum serves as a key platform to align financing mechanisms with Africa’s development goals – driving industrialization, expanding power access and advancing the AEC’s mission to make energy poverty history by 2030.

Africa represents one of the world’s most promising growth frontiers. With energy demand projected to quadruple by 2040, the continent holds over 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 125 billion barrels of oil, and vast renewable potential. Yet roughly 600 million Africans remain without electricity and 900 million lack access to clean cooking, underscoring the need for investment in both household energy solutions and industrial-scale infrastructure. The G20 Forum aims to bridge this gap by connecting capital with opportunity, enabling investors, governments and private companies to develop bankable projects across the value chain – from upstream oil and gas to power generation, LPG distribution, transmission, renewables and regional manufacturing.

Africa’s position is clear: sustainable growth depends on affordable, reliable energy from diverse sources. Restrictive lending policies and transition-related conditionalities have slowed project development, limiting the continent’s ability to leverage its natural resources for inclusive growth. The AEC advocates for a balanced approach – one that supports emissions reduction while recognizing Africa’s right to industrialize and meet the energy needs of its people.

Africa needs policies that finance its development, not delay it

“Africa needs policies that finance its development, not delay it. If the G20 is serious about sustainable development, it must fund energy that works for Africans – all forms of energy that power homes, industries and hospitals,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “Every conversation about Africa’s future must start with energy access. Without power, there is no growth, no education, no healthcare. The G20 Investment Forum is where we stop talking and start building.”

The Forum also aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency priorities, which emphasize inclusive growth, infrastructure financing, debt sustainability, a just energy transition and Africa-led development. Task forces under the presidency further highlight industrialization, youth employment, innovation, digital infrastructure and reduced inequality as key focus areas. In the energy sphere, South Africa has urged a balanced approach between development and environmental protection – a message that directly reflects Africa’s realities.

In this context, the AEC’s G20 Forum complements the global agenda of inclusive growth and sustainable investment, viewed through an African lens. It will spotlight opportunities to mobilize blended finance, expand domestic gas and LPG utilization for power and cooking, strengthen infrastructure such as pipelines and LNG terminals, and scale renewable and low-carbon technologies to create a diversified, resilient energy mix.

For Africa, the challenge is not one of potential but of alignment and ensuring financing frameworks reflect the continent’s development priorities. By convening ahead of the G20 Summit, the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum offers a platform for African leaders and G20 investors to engage directly, moving beyond discussion to structure bankable, high-impact projects that deliver energy access, industrial jobs and long-term value creation.

Achieving global development and climate goals depends on sustained investment in Africa’s energy future — not divestment. Through collaboration, innovation and pragmatic financing, the G20 and Africa can forge a new partnership that delivers affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all.

Click here (https://apo-opa.co/49BnVQE) to register for the Forum.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Energy

Building a Knowledge Hub for China-ASEAN Energy Cooperation

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47 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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ASEAN

NANNING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – During the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, China Southern Power Grid showcased a range of innovations designed to support energy cooperation between China and ASEAN. These included the DaWatt – Lao Language Large Language Model (LLM) for the Energy and Power Sector V2.0 and the Flexible Grayscale Intelligent Monitoring & Analysis Platform for power system cybersecurity, highlighting expanding opportunities for cooperation in digitalization, intelligent technologies and green energy.

The Lao-language LLM has been deployed at Electricité du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDL-T), where it can automatically analyze thousands of inspection images within a short period of time. After its algorithms were optimized for Laos’ mountainous and rainforest terrain, the model completed intelligent inspection analysis for four transmission lines, processing 26,000 drone inspection images and identifying more than 3,600 equipment defects.

 




 
 

Liu Ying, general manager of the Digitalization Department at Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd., said the company has been building multilingual professional corpora for the power sector, covering ASEAN countries including Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia. Drawing on the capabilities of the DaWatt foundation model, the company is developing energy and power models tailored to ASEAN languages and real-world power industry applications.

Talent development is another focus of the cooperation. The China-ASEAN Institute of Energy, jointly established by Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. and Guangxi University, is exploring an industry-university training model with a strong emphasis on practical experience. So far, two cohorts totaling 53 students from ASEAN countries have enrolled.

Cooperation is also evolving from one-way training toward joint innovation. Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. and the Royal Academy of Cambodia have jointly established a laboratory for artificial intelligence and safety equipment, while the company has also launched peer-to-peer exchanges with Electricité du Laos on improving power supply reliability.

To address language barriers in cross-border technical exchanges, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. has developed an AI-powered translation platform backed by a specialized database containing terminology for more than 1,800 types of power equipment. The platform supports accurate translation between Chinese and English, Chinese and Lao, and Chinese and Vietnamese.

At a recent training program for Chinese and overseas engineers, the system supported one-click generation of bilingual course materials and real-time speech translation, helping participants navigate highly specialized power-sector terminology.

To support regular international exchanges, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. has also established an international talent pool covering management, technical and skilled personnel. It has developed 24 hours of courses on international affairs as well as 20 short-form video courses.

“This year, we will also explore joint postgraduate programs with universities in ASEAN countries,” said Sun Xiaohua, deputy director of the Human Resources Department at Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd.

Looking ahead, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. plans to further advance a development model featuring “R&D in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, integration in Guangxi, and application in ASEAN.” The company will continue expanding its multilingual power-sector corpora and explore a “Token Goes Global” model for power-sector AI, with computing resources and models based in Guangxi while knowledge services are delivered overseas. The effort is aimed at creating new forms of China-ASEAN energy cooperation and supporting the green development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0.
 




 

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Events

24th Sichuan Guangwu Mountain International Red Leaf Festival to Showcase Asia’s Spectacular Autumn Colors

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1 hour ago

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September 22, 2026

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Red Leaf Festival

BAZHONG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – The 24th Sichuan Guangwu Mountain International Red Leaf Festival will run from October 1 to November 18 at the Guangwu Mountain Tourism Area in Bazhong, Sichuan Province, China.

Located in southwest China, Guangwu Mountain boasts a forest coverage rate of 97%, earning its reputation as a “natural oxygen bar.” Each autumn, 680 square kilometers of mountain forests burst into a dazzling palette. Over 40 tree species, including Fagus pashanica, maples and lindens, weave the mountains into a stunning autumn landscape.

Known as “Asia’s longest natural red carpet,” the Mountain has become a top autumn destination for backpackers, photographers and travelers seeking immersive cultural and nature experiences, and is widely recognized as one of western China’s signature autumn attractions.

 




 
 

The tourism area caters to international visitors who prefer slower-paced, in-depth, off-the-beaten-path travel. The new Yanziling Loop Boardwalk, launched in May 2026, winds along mountain cliffs, with a sea of clouds rolling beneath visitors’ feet and brilliant foliage unfolding alongside the trail, creating the feeling of “stepping into a painting.”

Guangwu Mountain offers a wealth of outdoor attractions. Highlights include the 1,888-meter Red Leaf Coaster and a glass water slide certified by Guinness World Record, combining thrilling experiences with stunning natural scenery.

The large-scale immersive production “New Dream of Guangwu Mountain” integrates cutting-edge light and visual technology with Bashan folklore and traditions, transforming the forest into an atmospheric nighttime experience. Visitors can also enjoy welcome performances and interactive robot activities, which offer more ways to discover the mountain’s late-autumn charm.

A major highlight of this year’s festival is the newly completed Micang Avenue. Stretching 85 kilometers, the route connects seven core scenic spots, including Guangwu Mountain, Micang Mountain, and Nuoshui River, reducing a four-hour drive to just one hour. Lined with continuous stretches of colorful forest and layered peaks, the avenue brings brand-new travel experiences for autumn foliage enthusiasts.

The festival will also feature cultural, sports and international exchange activities, including the third season of the “Sending You a Red Leaf” campaign, the China Micang Avenue International Road Cycling Race, and the “World Red Leaf Landmark” global collection campaign.

In addition, 31 scenic attractions and 18 museums and cultural venues across Bazhong will provide special ticket offers and visitor benefits during the festival.

Across mountains and seas, Guangwu Mountain invites visitors from around the world to witness one of China’s most vibrant red-and-gold autumn displays.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
 
 




 

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Business

DHL Invests in Greater Middle East-Africa Connectivity with New Aviation Lane

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1 hour ago

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September 22, 2026

By

DHL Express

The investment also reflects shifting global supply chains, as companies diversify sourcing, manufacturing and customer markets beyond traditional corridors

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • New weekly B767/F Bahrain-Johannesburg service strengthens Sub-Saharan Africa connectivity and supports growing trade flows between Africa, the Gulf and global markets

DHL Express (www.DHL.com) has marked an important milestone in its regional aviation network with the successful operation of the first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa.

The inaugural flight arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, opening a new weekly aviation lane operated by a DHL Express B767/F freighter. The route reinforces DHL’s continued investment in strengthening Sub-Saharan Africa network connectivity, expanding heavier-weight capability, improving flexibility and supporting growing trade flows between the Middle East and Africa.

 




  

As trade between Africa and the Middle East develops, businesses need resilient, well-connected logistics networks. The new service provides greater inbound and outbound capacity for South Africa and neighbouring countries through the DHL Johannesburg Hub, one of the company’s key gateways on the continent.

 

The investment also reflects shifting global supply chains, as companies diversify sourcing, manufacturing and customer markets beyond traditional corridors. Bahrain’s position as a gateway between Africa, the Gulf and Asia make it an important link for businesses seeking faster access to international markets.

 

Every new connection we introduce is designed with our customers in mind

“Every new connection we introduce is designed with our customers in mind. As global trade routes diversify and economic ties between Africa and the Middle East continue to strengthen, we are seeing powerful geographical tailwinds creating new opportunities for businesses. Demand is growing across sectors such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, all of which rely on fast, reliable international logistics,” said Anthony Beckley, Vice President of Operations and Aviation for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

“While this first direct DHL flight between Bahrain and South Africa is a significant network milestone, its real value lies in the opportunities it creates for customers.”

 

 

South Africa is one of DHL’s Geographic Tailwinds markets, reflecting its growing role in global trade flows and its potential to drive future trade growth. And Johannesburg remains a critical gateway in DHL’s SSA network, linking South Africa and neighbouring markets to global opportunities through Bahrain and the wider DHL aviation network. Through continued investment in routes, aircraft capacity and hub connectivity, DHL is supporting customers across this dynamic lane.

 

“DHL Express is the only logistics provider operating a dedicated intra-regional air fleet across the Middle East, connecting customers through Bahrain with major global gateways including Hong Kong, Leipzig and Cincinnati,” said Richard Gale, Vice President of Aviation, DHL Express MENA.

 

“Bahrain’s position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East makes it an ideal hub for customers seeking faster, more reliable access across these growing trade corridors. We are pleased to add this direct Johannesburg connection as economic ties between Africa and the Gulf deepen.”

 

DHL remains committed to helping customers seize opportunities created by changing trade patterns and expanding economic relationships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL Express.

 

 




 

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