Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Top Solar Developments in the MSGBC Region in 2022/23

Published

3 years ago

on

Solar

While the region’s oil and gas landscape has seen accelerated progress, the respective nations of the MSGBC region have been correspondingly targeting widespread solar deployment in a bid to bolster electrification efforts

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, March 6, 2023/APO Group/ — 

In the past year, the MSGBC region has been driving an ambitious energy expansion agenda backed by energy security, affordability and energy independence targets.

While large-scale oil and gas developments are set to come online this year – such as the 100,000 barrel per day Sangomar oil development and the 2.5 million tons per annum Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project – promise advances in fuel security, progress across the renewable sector has opened new opportunities for widespread electrification on the back of solar.

New Projects Improve Energy Access

Eager to capitalize on the significant solar potential available across the region, MSGBC nations have been driving a series of solar projects over the recent year. In 2022, Senegal launched a 23 MW solar plant 40km outside of the capital city of Dakar, which is expected to save state utility, Senelec approximately $2.7 million per annum in fuel costs over the project’s 25-year lifespan.

In Mauritania, British energy major bp signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government for the research and development of the rollout of green hydrogen, including the assessment of the country’s solar resources to produce green hydrogen. The year 2022 also saw Mauritania inking a Framework Agreement for the $40 billion AMAN green hydrogen project – targeting 12 GW of solar and 18 GW of wind – as well as the completion of the pre-feasibility study for the Project Nour green hydrogen facility, which includes 3 GW of solar.

While the world expects up to 600 GW of new solar capacity to be added in the next five years, Africa continues to receive merely 2% of global investments

Advancements in Local Content

Local content has been made a priority across the MSGBC region’s solar space, with nations pushing for the training of technicians and scaling up of the local workforce in this industry. In August 2022, Senegalese subsidiary of German consulting group, Gauff Engineering, saw 247 Senegalese students graduate a five-day intensive solar operations, maintenance and remote supervision course. These qualified trainees are to lead in the delivery of stand-alone solar power mini-grids to 300 rural villages, bringing electricity to 20,000 households.

Integrating Solar Across Sectors

In addition to power generation projects, the MSGBC region has been integrating solar systems with other sectors of the economy. On the agriculture front, both Senegal and Guinea-Conakry introduced solar irrigation pumping systems (SIPS) to replace traditional diesel generators. Projects launched last year include GreenTec’s 50kWp solar facility – powering treatment and desalination for a 2,000 liter per hour drinking water supply in Senegal ­– Enda Tiers Monde’s community SIPS installations, supplying 400 market gardeners with water in Senegal; the Bonergie irrigation project, comprising 2,000 pumps and 500 drip irrigation systems, among others.

On the mining side, Canadian gold mining company Kinross invested $55 million in the solar to power its Tasiast mine in Mauritania. As the mining industry expands regionally, players are expected to turn their attention to solar to power operations.

Despite representing a relatively new sector, the MSGBC solar market is set to witness significant growth as new players flock to the region, governments intensify electrification efforts and new investment flows into the market due to energy transition-related capital trends.

Yet, while the world expects up to 600 GW of new solar capacity to be added in the next five years, Africa continues to receive merely 2% of global investments. As such, the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference and exhibition (https://apo-opa.info/41ZJ550) – taking place in Mauritania from November 21-22 – will position the region as the destination of choice for foreign investment, while subsequently, inviting new players to connect with regional energy opportunities. With the region celebrating first oil and gas production this year, the conference will drive the conversation on what happens next, and how the region can better position itself as a global renewable energy hub with the adoption of technologies such as solar.

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

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Business

Afreximbank Posts Robust Q1 2026 Results with 25% Growth in Net Income and Improved Profitability

Published

4 days ago

on

May 22, 2026

By

Afreximbank

The results demonstrate continued resilience, disciplined balance sheet management and strong deal execution despite a challenging global operating environment

The growth in net interest income and profitability demonstrates the strength of our operating model and the continued relevance of our mandate

CAIRO, Egypt, May 22, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank” or the “Bank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) announced its results for the three months ended 31 March 2026. The results demonstrate continued resilience, disciplined balance sheet management and strong deal execution despite a challenging global operating environment.

 

The Group continued to expand its lending activities in Q1 2026, resulting in total credit exposure growing by 2% to reach a portfolio of US$42 billion, up from US$41 billion as of 31 December 2025. This performance reflects Afreximbank’s leading role as a Development Finance Institution (DFI) in financing trade and trade-enabling infrastructure, and its strategic contribution to economic resilience across Africa and the Caribbean.

Average loans and advances for Q1 2026 stood at US$32 billion, up 8% compared to the same period in the prior year, driving the recorded growth in interest income. The Group’s liquidity position remained strong, with cash and cash equivalents of US$5.6 billion, representing 14% of total assets, consistent with FY2025 and above the Bank’s strategic minimum.

Asset quality also remained strong, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 2.40%, broadly in line with 2.43% at FY2025 and below industry average.

Shareholders’ funds increased to US$8.6 billion at 31 March 2026, up from US$8.4 billion at FY2025, supported by internally generated capital of US$268.9 million and new equity investments received during the quarter, underscoring the Bank’s continued ability to mobilise capital from its shareholders in support of its growth and development mandate.

The Group delivered strong profitability during the quarter.  Notwithstanding declining benchmark rates, total interest income rose by 14% year-on-year to reach US$813.6 million, while net interest income increased by 24% to US$510.0 million, compared with US$411.2 million in the first quarter of 2025. The Group’s cost-to-income ratio remained contained at 19%, well within the Group’s strategic ceiling of 30%. As a result, Profit for the period increased to US$268.9 million, up from US$215.4 million in Q1 2025.

The Group continued to maintain a strong capital position, with a capital adequacy ratio of 23% as at 31 March 2026, in line with the Bank’s long-term capital management targets.

During the quarter, Afreximbank continued to demonstrate its counter-cyclical role in response to external shocks. In March 2026, the Bank launched a US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme to help member countries mitigate adverse spillover effects from the Gulf crisis. The facility is designed to support liquidity, stabilise trade and payments, and address supply-side disruptions, particularly in energy, tourism and aviation, fertilisers, food and other critical imports.

The Bank also continued to deploy targeted financing and advisory support to strengthen trade flows, industrial capacity and economic resilience across Africa and CARICOM. Regional integration received further momentum following South Africa’s ratification of the Bank’s Establishment Agreement in February 2026, bringing one of Africa’s largest and most diversified economies into the Bank’s membership and giving the Bank full continental coverage.

Highlights of the results for Afreximbank Group are shown below:

Financial Performance Metrics

Q1’2026

Q1’2025
Gross Income (US$ million)

874.1

784.9
Net Income (US$ million)

268.9

215.4
Return on average equity (ROAE)

13%

12%
Return on average assets (ROAA)

2.62%

2.38%
Cost-to-income ratio

19%

16%

 

Financial Position Metrics

Q1’2026

FY’2025
Total Assets (US$ billion)

41.7

42.3
Total Liabilities (US$ billion)

33.0

33.9
Shareholders’ Funds (US$ billion)

8.6

8.4
Non-performing loans ratio (NPL)

2.40%

2.43%
Cash/Total assets

14%

14%
Capital Adequacy ratio (Basel II)

23%

          23%

 

Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, commented:

“Against a backdrop of continued global uncertainty, heightened geopolitical risks and tight financial conditions, the Group delivered a resilient first-quarter performance, underpinned by disciplined balance sheet management, sound asset quality and strong capital and liquidity buffers. The growth in net interest income and profitability demonstrates the strength of our operating model and the continued relevance of our mandate. Our swift launch of the US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme further underscores Afreximbank’s counter-cyclical role in supporting member countries during periods of disruption. We remain focused on stabilising trade flows, easing liquidity pressures and advancing the industrial and economic transformation of Africa and the Caribbean.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Continue Reading

Business

Via Licensing Alliance Expands Voice Codec Program with New Licensee, New Licensors, Publishes Comprehensive Pool Rate Structure

Published

4 days ago

on

May 22, 2026

By

Via Licensing Alliance

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2026 – Via Licensing Alliance (Via) today announced continued momentum for its Voice Codec patent pool, including the addition of a new unnamed licensee and new licensors, NovaVoice Limited and Cordial IP, further growing the program’s patent stack and market penetration from its initial five, large global licensors.

The addition of the new licensee, unnamed at this time, reflects growing industry adoption of the collaborative licensing pathway Via’s Voice Codec program creates for accessing IP rights to critical voice technologies. This addition reflects a growing market uptake of advanced voice technologies, including EVS and IVAS, driven by rising demand as 5G and 5G-Advanced technologies are adopted worldwide.

Additionally, Via continues to prioritize transparency and has published its full rate structure for the Voice Codec pool, providing further clarity and predictability for implementers and to the broader market. For implementers, the full rate structure allows for complete visibility as they consider the appropriate royalty structure to choose from to meet their product level costs, evaluate future growth paths for their product lines, or plan their geographical expansion plan needs. This level of disclosure not only reduces uncertainty in licensing decisions but also enables more consistent benchmarking, reinforcing confidence in fair, market-aligned SEP licensing practices. The program’s royalty rates are listed on Via’s website at https://www.via-la.com/licensing-programs/voice-codec/#license-fees.

The addition of the new licensors indicates increased interest from patent holders in licensing their voice technology SEPs through highly efficient, aggregated licensing vehicles such as patent pools. Future growth in both the licensor list and the number of patents consolidated through the pool license will continue to enhance the value of the Voice Codec License for implementers. Via’s Voice Codec program licensors are listed here: https://www.via-la.com/licensing-programs/voice-codec/#licensors.

Via’s Voice Codec pool covers Enhanced Voice Services (EVS), which supports voice communications across more than one billion and growing active devices globally, as well as Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS), which will play a central role in next-generation voice and spatial audio applications.

“We are pleased to welcome these new entrants to our pool, which signal continued growth and momentum our Voice Codec program,” said Kevin Mack, President of Via Licensing Alliance. “This pool license offers strong value relative to other market options and represents the only collaborative licensing solution for EVS and IVAS technologies, making it a smart and efficient pathway for companies seeking to license critical voice capabilities.”

EVS remains a foundational technology for high-quality voice communications in 5G and 5G-Advanced networks, with adoption continuing to expand as 5G, 5G-Advanced and future network iterations reach global scale. As spatial audio and advanced voice technologies expand into 6G and a broader range of non-cellular devices, the importance of IVAS technologies is expected to increase, with Via’s pool offering an early and effective licensing pathway.

For more information about the Voice Codec patent pool, including information for prospective licensees, please visit https://www.via-la.com.

About Via Licensing Alliance:
Via Licensing Alliance is the collaborative licensing leader, dedicated to accelerating global technology adoption, fostering participation, and generating return on innovation with balanced licensing solutions for innovators and manufacturers of all sizes around the globe. Via has operated dozens of licensing programs for a variety of technologies. Via is an independently managed company owned by industry-leading participants with over 25 years of intellectual property licensing leadership. For more information about Via, please visit https://www.via-la.com.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Joint statement welcoming the Republic of Togo’s announcement on Visa facilitation for African nationals

Published

4 days ago

on

May 22, 2026

By

Togo

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank commend the Government and people of the Republic of Togo for hosting Biashara Afrika 2026 and for their continued commitment to advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda

LOMÉ, Togo, May 21, 2026/APO Group/ –The AfCFTA Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcome the announcement by the Government of the Republic of Togo, under the leadership of H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, regarding measures to facilitate visa-free entry for all nationals of African States holding valid passports, as announced by the Minister of Security on 18 May 2026.

The announcement was made in Lomé on the sidelines of Biashara Afrika 2026, the continent’s premier trade and business platform, which has brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, investors, and stakeholders from across Africa to advance dialogue on intra-African trade, investment, and regional integration.

Throughout the engagements, participants underscored the importance of facilitating the movement of African citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors as an important enabler of intra-African trade and economic cooperation. Against this backdrop, the announcement reflects the growing continental momentum towards strengthening connectivity and deepening African integration.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank, to which Togo is a State Party and a Member State, envision a continent where goods, services, capital, and people move more freely across borders in support of an integrated African market. Measures that facilitate mobility and connectivity continue to contribute towards advancing the broader mandate of both institutions; the attainment of the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank commend the Government and people of the Republic of Togo for hosting Biashara Afrika 2026 and for their continued commitment to advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Continue Reading

Trending