CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –A high-level ministerial roundup will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from 12–16 October –, convening some of the continent’s most influential energy leaders at a defining moment for Africa’s oil, gas and power sectors. As hydrocarbon expansion converges with accelerating energy transition strategies, the gathering is set to spotlight real-time project execution, regulatory reform and cross-border infrastructure that are actively reshaping Africa’s energy future.

 

Confirmed ministers to date include Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop, Zambia’s Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote and Niger’s Minster of Petroleum Hamadou Tinni.

 

Fresh from a March OPEC+ decision to lift output to 977,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Algeria enters AEW 2026 amid a $60 billion sector transformation. The country is also advancing a 500-well exploration drive and accelerating its 1.48 GW “Project of the Century” solar rollout. Gas exports to Europe remains central to the country, supported by hydrogen corridor planning and refinery expansion aimed at boosting capacity to 50 million tons by 2029.

 

Following license extension for Jubilee and TEN to 2040 and the late-2025 restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana is pushing a $3.5 billion upstream reinvestment plan while settling $500 million in gas arrears. A 1,200 MW state thermal plant and expanded gas processing at Atuabo anchor its gas-to-power shift, alongside a renewed upstream push in the Voltaian Basin.

 

Senegal’s delegation comes on the back of strong production momentum, with the Sangomar oil field delivering 36.1 million barrels in 2025, outperforming forecasts, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development ramped up to 2.9 million tons per annum following first gas. Dakar is now prioritizing domestic gas through refinery upgrades at the SAR refinery and preparations for Sangomar Phase 2 to push output beyond 100,000 bpd.

 

Zambia is redefining its power mix after drought-induced hydro shortfalls. New solar capacity – including the 200 MW Chisamba expansion and 136 MW Itimpi Phase 2 – is part of a broader 2,500 MW diversification drive. Cabinet has approved major regional fuel pipelines, while the Energy Single Licensing System fast-tracks approvals. Lusaka targets 10 GW generation by 2030, with solar and wind rising to one-third of supply.

Niger’s presence reflects its emergence as a serious oil exporter, with the fully operational 1,950-km Niger-Benin pipeline now moving up to 90,000 bpd to international markets. Alongside uranium expansion and renewed cooperation with Algeria on upstream assets, Niamey is advancing digital oversight reforms and reinforcing energy sovereignty amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

 

“The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Their leadership reflects a continent moving decisively from strategy to execution, creating a platform where investors can engage directly with the policymakers shaping Africa’s next wave of oil, gas and energy growth.”

 

At AEW 2026, this ministerial cohort will be well-positioned to offer investors direct insight into Africa’s most dynamic energy markets – where new barrels, new pipelines and new megawatts are reshaping regional growth trajectories in real time.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 19, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa Global Logistics (AGL) is positioning sustainability at the center of its operations across Africa – but the real value of its ESG performance is not in reporting frameworks but in the impact the company delivers on the ground. Through a strategy built around three pillars – enabling logistics decarbonization, fostering inclusive trade and addressing social challenges – the company is aligning its corporate commitments with the practical realities of operating across one of the world’s fastest-growing logistics markets.

 

As a Diamond Sponsor and Logistics Partner of African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies (AEW) 2026 – taking place October 12-16 in Cape Town – AGL will join governments, investors and industry leaders to explore how ESG strategies can translate into measurable economic and social outcomes across the continent. By bridging reporting and reality, the event offers companies the chance to demonstrate how ESG and local content goes beyond compliance to deliver impactful projects across the continent.

AGL’s CSR strategy is rooted in enabling logistics decarbonization and protecting the blue planet. Under this pillar, the company has committed to reducing emissions and environmental impact across the logistics sector. It’s latest sustainability report identified nine priority areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the gradual replacement of fossil fuels with low-carbon energy as well as broader electrification. This commitment has already yielded tangible results. Two of the company’s depots in Zambia are fully powered by solar energy while 100% of the terminal equipment in Ivory Coast is electric. Up to 13 AGL-operated terminals have also been awarded ‘Green Terminal Status’ – in recognition of efforts undertaken by the company to support the energy transition and reduce emissions.

The company’s second sustainability pillar – fostering inclusive trade – is particularly relevant in Africa, where logistics infrastructure remains a major barrier to economic integration. The company has committed to addressing this challenge, with outcomes already evident. AGL is developing and operating more than 40 logistics corridors and 66 dry ports across the continent, connecting inland production basins to export markets and domestic consumption centers. These include the launch of the Kribi Industrial Zone (KPIZ) in Cameroon in March 2026 – a 520 billion FCFA project featuring vital infrastructure networks such as transport, energy, water and telecommunications. The company also operates the Lobito Corridor Terminal – an export facility linking the Lobito Railway to international markets.

“Africa’s energy future depends on strong infrastructure, resilient supply chains and responsible business practices. Companies like AGL are helping shape that future by investing in logistics systems that support trade, create opportunities for communities and reduce environmental impact. The company’s sustainability strategy reflects a broader commitment to ESG – moving beyond compliance to delivery,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

AGL’s third pillar – addressing social challenges – showcases a commitment to capacity building and workforce development. The company aligns its policies with international frameworks such as the UN Global Compact and has introduced initiatives aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and youth innovation across Africa. One example is a hackathon initiative launched in Ivory Coast with the MSC Foundation and the Horn Foundation, designed to support young entrepreneurs working on solutions for sustainable development and logistics challenges. The company also partnered with the French African Foundation in 2024 to identify and support a new generation of committed African and French talents and leaders who are creating a positive and lasting impact.

As AGL’s sustainability strategy continues to take shape across the continent, platforms such as AEW: Invest in African Energies 2026 will play a key role in accelerating the shift from ESG reporting to tangible impact. Convening policymakers, operators and service companies across the energy and logistics chains, the event provides a platform to align sustainability frameworks with Africa’s developmental priorities.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 18, 2026/APO Group/ –Smartphone For All (www.SmartphoneForAll.ai), a business committed to digital inclusion, has won the 2025 Pinnacle Awards (Telecoms and Wireless Category) Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion and the 2026 Merit Award (Telecoms and Wireless) Digital Divide. The Pinnacle Awards is a reputable global program honoring innovation and excellence across industries. According to Katie Lang, Executive Director of the Pinnacle Awards, “The Telecom and Wireless Sector continue to set the pace for innovation, connecting people and businesses worldwide. We are proud to recognize the organizations that exemplify ingenuity, reliability and impact in one of the most dynamic industries on the planet”.

In the same vein, Marie Zander, Executive Director of Merit Awards states that “this year’s winners reflect excellence across the ecosystem—demonstrating the technologies and strategies that are shaping the future of communications”.

Smartphone For All had earlier in the year 2025 unveiled an ambitious campaign to bridge Africa’s digital divide by providing affordable, high-quality smartphones and connectivity and AI at the edge to consumers who are excluded from the digital world across the continent.

Established on the belief that exclusion from the digital ecosystem locks people out of opportunities and lifestyle enhancements. Smartphone For All aims that every individual—regardless of income, geography, or background- can fully participate in the digital economy and the evolving AI transformation.

According to Mr. Babatunde Osho, Founder/CEO of Smartphone For All, “The digital divide is not just a technology gap—it’s an opportunity gap. When someone does not have access to a smartphone, they are cut off from education, jobs, healthcare, financial services, and even their own voice. Our mission is to close that gap, one device at a time and build Africa’s largest digital inclusion platform. We are glad that the Pinnacle and Telecom & Wireless Awards have recognized what we are doing to improve digital inclusion and accessibility in Africa”

Smartphone For All partners with MNOs to provide smartphones to 2G/3G subscribers who cannot afford 4G smartphone across Africa. The initiative was launched with MTN in South Africa in May 2025 for an initial period of one year with a smartphone device at ZAR 99 or $5. The plan is targeting about 1.2m devices. The vision of Smartphone for All is to take the offering to other African countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and other markets.  Apart from the benefits for the subscribers, there are obvious MNO benefits of better spectrum utilization with 4G+ networks over legacy 2G/3G networks. For regulators and government, the benefits include productivity enhancements and digital inclusion among citizens.

According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, 10% growth in broadband connectivity results in 1.4% growth in GDP in low- and middle-income countries and 1.2% growth in high income countries. African countries like South Africa are actively incentivizing this growth through policies like a ban on new 2G/3G device activations starting from December 31, 2024, and a complete shutdown by December 31, 2027. The government has also reduced taxes on certain classes of smartphones to drive adoption.

According to Jeff Miller, Director at Smartphone for all, ‘Smartphone For All is not just a business, it is a movement powering Africa into the next phase of development. Digital access is the foundation of inclusion in commerce, wellbeing and civic engagement. The pathway to growth for Africa is to bring more Africans into the digital ecosystem spanning financial, educational, public health, trade and other streams of innovation.’