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The Africa Hospitality Investors Council (AHIC), powered by the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA) launches at Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Nairobi

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3 weeks ago

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Africa

AHIC will operate as an independent body within the EEA framework, governed by its own dedicated Board but powered by the EEA

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 31, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • AHIC will be Africa’s collective voice of capital committed to sustainable hospitality investment
  • AHIC will operate as an independent body within the EEA framework
  • The EEA will provide the legal, governance, and operational foundation that ensures AHIC’s international credibility and compliance with global standards

 

Today at the FHS Nairobi (www.FutureHospitality.com/Africa) the Africa Hospitality Investors Council (AHIC), announced its creation and launch. AHIC will operate as an independent body within the EEA framework, governed by its own dedicated Board but powered by the EEA.

AHIC aims to be Africa’s collective voice of capital committed to sustainable hospitality investment, ensuring Africa’s hospitality sector has a visible and credible presence in global investment dialogues. AHIC will contribute a coordinated investor perspective to policy and market dialogue, improving the conditions for long-term investment, strengthening market confidence and supporting sustained economic value creation.

AHIC’s mission in the fast-growing African hospitality sector is to help build the foundations for sustainable, bankable, and scalable growth by unlocking a deeper pipeline of projects as attractive investment opportunities across the continent – for Africa, by Africa.

With EEA, which comprises 50,000 hotel assets with a global footprint at an approximate value of US$400bn, AHIC will coordinate engagement directly between ministries of finance, planning, infrastructure, tourism, trade and investment, and investors in Africa’s hospitality sector.

The EEA provides the legal, governance, and operational foundation that ensures AHIC’s international credibility and compliance with global standards, while safeguarding its regional autonomy. Through the EEA Capital Markets Committee, AHIC will help shape how sustainability, transition risk, and resilience are priced in African hospitality portfolios.

Africa’s hotel and lodging sector is positioned for substantial growth, supported by powerful demographic trends and rising demand for quality tourism and hospitality assets, yet faces a number of issues such as fragmented regulatory frameworks, uneven risk–return visibility, gaps in infrastructure provision, and limited transparency and disclosure standards.

AHIC’s mandate is to strengthen Africa’s position within global capital allocation by:

  • Aligning investor perspectives with national and regional priorities for trade, tourism and economic growth, strengthening clarity on where and how capital can be deployed.
  • Informing policy and regulatory frameworks through coordinated market insight, reflecting the realities of investment, development and operations across African markets.
  • Advancing transparency, comparability and governance standards, enabling more consistent assessment of risk and strengthening investor confidence
  • Supporting cross-border alignment of investment conditions, engaging with the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, including SADC, COMESA, AND ECOWAS to reduce fragmentation and improve market coherence

Hospitality assets form part of Africa’s export and trade architecture and considered economic infrastructure. They generate foreign exchange, enable mobility, activate local supply chains and create employment at scale. As one of the largest employers in the region and a significant source of revenue for national economies, the hospitality sector is key to Africa’s successful development. AHIC is committed to ensuring its investments benefit all segments across the local hospitality value chain. This includes AHIC working with its members to deliver low-carbon buildings, enhancing the motivation, benefits and training for all employees, reducing consumption of energy, water and resources, and the efficient management of waste. AHIC is dedicated to supporting the development of local talent and positively impacting job creation with quality job opportunities, helping to transform lives of local communities.

AHIC will aim to deliver four strategic outcomes:

  • Mobilise African and global capital through a coordinated investor voice.
  • Influence government policy to unlock investable projects.
  • De-risk capital deployment across the hotel value chain in Africa.
  • Strengthen transparency, disclosure, and procurement systems.

AHIC’s founding members are:

  • Mossadeck Bally, Azalai Hotels Group
  • Kamal Bensouda, Atlas Hospitality Group
  • Ewan Cameron, Westmont Hotel Group
  • Lara Dupre, Aichti Hotels
  • Hamza Farooqui, Millat Investments
  • Olivier Granet, Kasada Capital Management
  • Sophia Lopez Benhamida, RISMA
  • Paul Mack, Latitude Hotels
  • Julien Renaud, Onomo Hotels
  • Jameel Verjee, CityBlue Hotels
  • Graham Wood, V & A Waterfront

AHIC will be a permanent, investor-led council — coordinating private capital alongside sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and multilateral partners.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa).

 

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Events

GREE Unveils 130 Products at the 139th Canton Fair, with Over 80% Featuring AI and Green Energy-Saving Technologies

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1 day ago

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April 24, 2026

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GREE

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 April 2026 – On April 15, the 139th China Import and Export Fair (hereinafter referred to as the “Canton Fair”) officially opened. As a leading enterprise in the manufacturing sector, Gree Electric made a grand appearance at Pavilion 4.2A under the theme “GREE, Making Better Electric Appliances,” presenting over a hundred innovative products in its largest exhibition area in Canton Fair history. Amid the global wave of green and intelligent manufacturing transformation, GREE is leveraging its hard-core independent innovation and full-industry-chain capabilities to show the world the confidence and resolve of China’s intelligent manufacturing to navigate industry cycles and lead the transformation.

Zhu Lei, CMO of Gree Electric, stated that Gree has participated in the Canton Fair for 31 consecutive years. This year, GREE brought 130 products to the event. Facing the global market, GREE strives to fully meet the practical needs of consumers from different regions worldwide. Notably, the majority of these products are originally manufactured in and exported from China, reflecting the dedication and ingenuity of GREE’s Chinese craftsmen.

It is reported that at this year’s Canton Fair, GREE has created a full-industry-chain exhibition space ranging from core components to scenario-based solutions. To date, buyers from over 50 countries and regions have scheduled visits and business negotiations, marking a 21% year-on-year increase.

Currently, the global home appliance industry is undergoing a dual transformation. On one hand, an energy efficiency revolution driven by the “Dual Carbon” goals makes the transition to eco-friendly refrigerants an urgent priority; on the other hand, an experience revolution spurred by consumption upgrades has made quietness, health, and smart features the core demands of users. GREE’s SilenzX series ultra-quiet air conditioners, showcased at the event, serve as a precise response to this trend. Equipped with a self-developed rotary four-cylinder compressor, the SilenzX series reduces the minimum sound pressure level of the outdoor unit to a mere 29 decibels—far below the industry average of 42 decibels. Backed by 137 invention patents, the product recently won a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, signaling that Chinese enterprises have shifted from being “followers” to “leaders” in the realm of comfort technology.

A deeper layer of competitiveness stems from GREE’s long-term bet on a green future. Among the products showcased at this Canton Fair, over 80% are equipped with AI, green energy-saving, and other advanced technologies. GREE has comprehensively implemented R290 eco-friendly refrigerant technology across its entire product matrix, including split units, window units, and water heaters. Furthermore, its world-first photovoltaic air conditioning system has achieved a systemic breakthrough of “zero carbon emissions, zero electricity bills, and zero waste.” The AI dynamic energy-saving technology also utilizes intelligent algorithm optimization to boost annual energy efficiency by 15.8% and reduce power consumption by 13.6%. Rather than isolated technological features, these represent comprehensive green solutions that cover the entire chain of energy production, transmission, and consumption, providing the industry with a leapfrog path from “low-carbon compliance” to “zero-carbon leadership.”

Behind this systemic innovation capability lies a full-industry-chain competitive moat forged through 35 years of independent R&D. At this Canton Fair, Gree introduced three major compressors—G-Boost, G-Storm, and G-Hyper—which have successfully overcome industry challenges such as ultra-high-temperature cooling and ultra-low-temperature heating. Its star product, the GMV 9 series, is capable of operating in an ultra-wide temperature range from -35°C to 60°C, marking GREE’s achievement of full-stack technological autonomy from core components to system integration.

This strategic resolve is yielding substantial returns in GREE’s global layout. As one of the first Chinese home appliance companies to venture overseas, GREE has built a network covering more than 190 countries and regions. Independent brands now account for 70% of its total export volume, and this figure exceeds 85% in Belt and Road countries. This marks a highly successful, high-quality transformation from a traditional OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model to an independent brand-led enterprise.

From core technological breakthroughs to a green and low-carbon transition, GREE remains rooted in technology and centered on quality. Its presence at the Canton Fair serves as a vivid microcosm of the transformation and upgrading of China’s manufacturing sector, demonstrating the powerful potential and dynamic momentum of “Made in China.”

 

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Energy

Zambia Energy Minister to Showcase Integrated Power and Fuel Investment Agenda at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

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2 days ago

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April 23, 2026

By

African Energy Chamber

Makozo Chikote joins African Energy Week’s growing ministerial lineup as Zambia fast-tracks energy reforms across power, renewables, and oil

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Zambia’s Energy Minister, Makozo Chikote, will take a prominent role at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town from 12–16 October, where he is expected to outline the country’s integrated energy strategy to investors, policymakers and development partners.

 

His participation comes at a time when Zambia is accelerating reforms across the entire energy value chain – from electricity generation and renewable deployment to fuel supply security and downstream oil infrastructure – positioning the country as both a regional power hub and an emerging player in refined fuel distribution.

 

A key pillar of the government’s agenda is the Carbon Feed-in Premium (CFIP) program, launched earlier this month and designed to unlock up to 300 MW of private renewable energy investment. The initiative aims to diversify Zambia’s generation mix, reduce emissions and strengthen grid stability. It also includes a Mitigation Outcome Purchase Agreement with Norway under the CFIP framework, expected to help mobilize international climate-linked financing and support decarbonization of the power sector ahead of 2027.

 

Alongside the renewable push, Zambia is also advancing its hydrocarbons and fuel security agenda. The government has begun construction of a 60,000 barrels-per-day crude oil refinery in Ndola, a landmark downstream project aimed at reducing dependence on imported refined fuels and strengthening domestic supply security. The refinery is expected to support industrial demand, particularly from mining and transport sectors, while easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves over the long term. At AEW 2026, Minister Chikote is expected to position this dual-track strategy as central to Zambia’s long-term energy security and industrial growth agenda.

 

Zambia has already committed to adding more than 2,610 MW of new electricity generation capacity by the end of 2026. The expansion program is designed to address chronic power shortages, reduce load shedding and support industrial expansion. It prioritizes a diversified mix of solar, wind and hybrid projects to improve system resilience, particularly as climate variability continues to affect hydropower output.

Zambia is taking a smart, integrated approach to energy – balancing power, renewables, and oil and fuel security

 

Investor sentiment has also been supported by recent regulatory momentum. In March 2026, the Energy Regulation Board approved 24 licenses, seven construction permits and amendments to existing projects, representing a combined investment commitment of ZMW 1.1 billion across power generation, renewables and downstream petroleum infrastructure. The approvals reflect both growing private sector appetite and a more streamlined regulatory environment for energy project development.

 

 

Beyond generation and fuel infrastructure, Zambia is also strengthening energy efficiency and system resilience. Through a partnership with the European Union, the Ministry of Energy has launched the Zambia Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Transformation program, introducing LED retrofits and infrastructure upgrades in schools and hospitals in the Eastern Province to reduce consumption and improve reliability.

 

 

Regionally, Zambia is deepening cooperation with Tanzania in oil and gas development, with both governments exploring joint exploration opportunities, cross-border energy trade and shared infrastructure. The discussions reflect a broader regional push to strengthen energy security and improve integration across East and Southern Africa.

 

“Zambia is taking a smart, integrated approach to energy – balancing power, renewables, and oil and fuel security. This is exactly the kind of practical, investment-ready strategy Africa needs. Minister Chikote is showing how policy can unlock capital and deliver real projects across the entire energy value chain,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Events

Africa Tech Festival opens registration for landmark 29th edition in Cape Town

Published

3 days ago

on

April 22, 2026

By

Tech Festival

Based on the success of last year’s event, and ongoing conversations with key stakeholders, Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect where investment is flowing, where innovation is accelerating, and where the biggest opportunities lie

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com/), the continent’s longest-running and most influential technology event, today announced that registration is open for the 29th edition of the event, taking place from 16 to 19 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa.

 

Based on the success of last year’s event, and ongoing conversations with key stakeholders, Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect where investment is flowing, where innovation is accelerating, and where the biggest opportunities lie: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation. Every session, speaker and experience at Africa Tech Festival 2026 is built around these pillars, which will be showcased throughout the event, on eight dedicated stages.

For sponsors and exhibitors, Africa Tech Festival is the premier platform where enterprise buyers, technology leaders, and solution providers converge to shape the future of digital transformation across the continent. Leading brands can engage directly with C-suite executives, policymakers, and industry leaders as they showcase solutions in telecoms, AI, data centres, cybersecurity and enterprise innovation. In addition to providing a forum for generating leads and forming partnerships, Africa Tech Festival’s media exposure and pan-African reach create the ideal platforms for boosting brand reputation.

First wave of confirmed speakers announced

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is already attracting some of the continent’s most influential technology and business leaders. Confirmed speakers to date include:

Africa’s digital economy is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and Africa Tech Festival 2026 is designed to be at the centre of that momentum

  • Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (Owners of Shoprite Nigeria)
  • Dido wa Kalonji, Chief Information Officer, FNB Eswatini
  • Faith Burn, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa
  • Joost Pielage, Chief Technology Officer, Quro Medical
  • Lazola Ndamase, Group Executive Head: Big Data & AI/ML Technology, Vodacom
  • Mary Mahuma, Chief Information Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, Philip Morris South Africa
  • Nina Triantis, Head: Global Sponsor Coverage, Client Coverage CIB & Vice Chair/TMT, Standard Bank Group
  • Nirvani Dhevcharran, Chief Technology Officer: Platforms and Operations, TFG (The Foschini Group)
  • Nollie Maoto, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, FirstRand Compliance Office
  • Nomsa Chabeli, Group Chief Executive Officer, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
  • Richard Cazalet, Executive: Strategy and Transformation, Telkom SA
  • Seaparo Phala, Chief Information Officer, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
  • Senthil Kumar Velayutham, Chief Technology and Digital Officer, African Development Bank

 

Commenting on the importance of the event in advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda, David Monaghan, VP, Africa Tech Festival, said, “Africa’s digital economy is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and Africa Tech Festival 2026 is designed to be at the centre of that momentum. Whether you’re a decision-maker looking to shape strategy, an innovator seeking investment, or an organisation ready to put your brand in front of the continent’s most influential technology leaders, this is the event for you. We look forward to welcoming the industry to Cape Town in November.”

 

Register to attend Africa Tech Festival 2026

 

General registration: https://apo-opa.co/3OvRBqv

 

For more information, as well as exhibitor and sponsor applications, visit https://AfricaTechFestival.com/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

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