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USTDA and AIF Showcase Women as Investment Champions

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Investment Champions

USTDA and AIF showcased how their existing partnership advances women-led sustainable infrastructure in Africa

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, July 28, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Africa Investment Forum (AIF) co-hosted a forum of 40 women leaders who are delivering high-quality solutions for Africa’s infrastructure needs. The forum took place during last week’s U.S.-Africa Business Summit, in Marrakech, Morocco.

During the forum, USTDA and AIF showcased how their existing partnership (https://bit.ly/3zaVKEx) advances women-led sustainable infrastructure in Africa. The closed-door gathering brought together women leaders from Africa’s private sector, the U.S. government, and international development finance agencies. It also supported the U.S. government’s Prosper Africa initiative to increase trade and investment between African nations and the United States.

“It is critically important to bring together women to talk about opportunities in infrastructure development and getting access to capital,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Our partnership with AIF will facilitate women’s entrepreneurship in Africa and spark the development of sustainable infrastructure in support of Africa’s long-term growth.”

AIF Senior Director Chinelo Anohu lauded the transaction-focused nature of the partnership.

“Today, we have been discussing the obstacles to investment, and how to surmount them. We also considered how to build partnerships across agencies, and how to share deal flows and collaborate on the missing pieces that will enhance infrastructure investment to the continent. This is a collaboration that we will continue as we head to the Africa Investment Forum 2022 Market Days in Abidjan in November, and to the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December.”

It is critically important to bring together women to talk about opportunities in infrastructure development and getting access to capital

Addressing the media after the women’s summit, Dana Banks, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for the U.S.- Africa Leaders Summit, said, “the discussion was a true demonstration of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to Africa and commitment to focus on women’s empowerment in the run-up to the U.S.- Africa Leaders Summit in December.” Banks also announced that the focus on women, and on connecting project sponsors with capital, will be one of the pillars of the White House Summit.

About the USTDA-AIF Partnership

In November 2021, USTDA and AIF signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support high-quality infrastructure solutions for sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on AIF’s capacity to mobilize capital (https://bit.ly/3J9lB4k) and USTDA’s focus on assuring the bankability of deals through its provision of feasibility studies on a grant-making basis. The MOU has already led to a mutually beneficial collaboration to advance sustainable infrastructure projects that support Africa’s long-term growth, as the two organizations share their deal pipelines.

This partnership with USTDA will help AIF advance several of its ongoing priorities, including its “Women as Investment Champions” (https://bit.ly/3oyn7DF) initiative, which was launched in 2019 and led to the establishment in 2021 of a stand-alone pillar for transactions that are not only founded and led by women, but also have a significant gender impact.

The Women as Investment Champions initiative will be profiled at AIF’s 2022 Market Days, taking place from November 2-4 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The platform is expected to increase the proportion of deals that are women-led, and women impactful, as well as build upon AIF’s March 2022 unveiling (https://bit.ly/3Bp3TIa) of 45 projects worth up to $50 billion for its virtual boardrooms. Eight of these were women-led with a value of nearly $5 billion.

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

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OPPO Launches Find X8 Series Globally, Marking Steady Progress in Globalization

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  • OPPO Find X8 and Find X8 Pro launched in global markets
  • Overseas markets have become the growth engine for OPPO, contributing approximately 60% of its total shipments
  • OPPO’s globalization is rooted in localization and driven by its focus on premiumization

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2024 -OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, today announced the global availability of its Find X8 and Find X8 Pro flagship smartphones. Each delivers ultra-grade experiences across camera, performance, and battery life and debuts ColorOS 15 with its suite of advanced OPPO AI solutions.
The global release of the OPPO Find X8 series underscores OPPO’s commitment to globalization and its dedication to delivering top-quality products and services to users worldwide.
 
“Our progress in globalization stems from OPPO’s commitment to understanding local communities and delivering exceptional products and services.” said Billy Zhang, President of Overseas Marketing, Sales and Services at OPPO. “As we expand in overseas market, we remain committed to creating diverse and innovative solutions that enhance the users experience.”

Overseas markets as OPPO’s growth engine

Overseas markets have become the growth engine for OPPO. Currently, the company operates in over 70 countries and regions, with more than 300,000 retail spaces worldwide. OPPO now ranks No. 4 globally in smartphone shipments, and overseas shipments account for approximately 60% of its total volume.

Southeast Asia remains a core market for OPPO, where the brand holds the top position. Newly established markets in 2024, such as Brazil and Argentina, underscore OPPO’s commitment to expanding in Latin America. Now OPPO ranks NO.5 with a 62% year-on-year growth in Latin America.[1]

OPPO’s ambitions of globalization extend beyond smartphones as it evolves into a comprehensive global technology company. With a diverse product portfolio that includes internet services—engaging 700 million ColorOS users worldwide[2]—and a growing lineup of IoT products, OPPO is dedicated to expanding its presence in global markets.

Strengthening local connections through retail, manufacturing, and cultural engagement

A significant part of OPPO’s globalization success comes from its commitment to connect with local communities.

With the goal of resonating with people and understanding their unique cultures, OPPO partners with Discovery Channel this year to launch the “Culture in a Shot” initiatives, celebrating cultural diversity through OPPO imaging technology. To date, over 330 million people worldwide have been inspired by these cultural images and stories.

OPPO’s understanding of local culture is also evident in its retail strategy. As part of its retail 3.0 Pro upgrading plan with a $60 million investment, OPPO integrates the local culture into its retail space to create a welcoming and familiar environment for customers. In Indonesia, for example, OPPO stores feature coffee corners with locally sourced coffee.

To ensure reliable quality for local consumers, OPPO is not just sold globally but also made globally. With manufacturing centers in 8 countries, OPPO’s local production capabilities enable it to efficiently meet regional market demands while strengthening connections with local communities and economies.

Driving premiumization through joint innovation with global tech giants

As OPPO expands globally, it is also focusing on premiumization. By collaborating with leading tech companies such as Google, MediaTek, Ericsson, and Hasselblad, OPPO continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI, imaging, and connectivity. For example, featuring AI Telescope Zoom and Lightning Snap, OPPO Find X8 Series is the perfect Matchday Phone for fans, under the collaboration between UEFA and OPPO.

These partnerships empower OPPO to deliver exceptional, premium experiences that cater to discerning consumers worldwide, and strengthening its influence in premium markets.

With a focus on global expansion, local engagement, and premium experiences, OPPO is committed to bringing innovative, high-quality solutions to users worldwide. The OPPO Find X8 series global launch exemplifies this commitment, and it is backed by OPPO’s dedicated global service network in over 62 countries and regions. As it moves towards globalization and localization, OPPO remains dedicated to delivering technology that empowers and connects communities around the world.
 



 

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OPPO Elevates ColorOS 15 with Microsoft’s Advanced AI Productivity Features

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SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2024 -OPPO has strengthened its cooperation with Microsoft to deliver advanced AI productivity features to ColorOS 15, OPPO’s next-generation smart device experience.a

“To deliver advanced AI experiences, we are incredibly proud to partner with Microsoft, a pioneer in the field. At the cutting edge of global AI development, Microsoft lays a strong foundation for ColorOS 15’s language features. These save OPPO users time and headspace, ensuring meaningful, advanced AI productivity tools are always just a tap away”.—Nicole Zhang, General Manager of AI Product at OPPO
 
ColorOS 15’s AI Speak uses Microsoft’s advanced AI productivity features, reading web pages aloud so users can consume content hands-free while reducing their screen time. These ultra-intelligent models also power OPPO Documents’ translation features and the Voice Translate application, breaking down language barriers in seconds.

Microsoft’s AI capabilities enhance ColorOS 15 with practical, time-saving features, including accurate audio transcription within the new Recorder and Notes apps, boosting organisation and delivering time-saving benefits.

ColorOS 15, featuring Microsoft’s advanced AI capabilities, will debut at the global launch of OPPO’s upcoming Find X8 Series.
 



 

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Yellow Card Secures Crypto Asset Service Provider Licence in South Africa

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Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Yellow Card (www.YellowCard.io), Africa’s leading stablecoin-based infrastructure provider, has been issued a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.  

Commenting on the FSCA’s decision to issue the licence to Yellow Card Financial South Africa, Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, said, “The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent.This achievement reflects our dedication to providing secure, compliant and transformative solutions for our customers both in South Africa and across Africa.  

The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent

Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%. In South Africa alone, where the number of total users of crypto assets is estimated to amount to 5.8 million people, stablecoins have experienced growth of 50% month over month since October 2023, displacing bitcoin as the country’s most popular cryptocurrency.  Yellow Card is excited to play a pivotal role in this financial revolution in South Africa. 

Yellow Card, which launched in South Africa in 2020, has facilitated over US$3 billion in transactions in the last several years and now operates in 20 countries across the continent. The company recently completed a US$33 million Series C financing, led by Blockchain Capital and existing investors, including Polychain Capital, Valar Ventures, Third Prime Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Block, Inc. (Square/Cash App), reflecting strong investor confidence in its mission.   

As the stablecoin landscape continues to evolve, Yellow Card is committed to leading the charge in making digital assets accessible and secure for businesses across Africa. With the recent licensing and funding, the company plans to expand its B2B offerings by enhancing its stablecoin rails, upgrading infrastructure, and advancing its B2B API and Widget. These efforts will empower businesses with seamless solutions for liquidity management and their general operations. 

To learn more about Yellow Card, visit: https://YellowCard.io/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Yellow Card Financial.

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