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Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Progress: Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit

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Under the official patronage of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development for 2024, the summit will unveil energy project plans from both countries

HARARE, Zimbabwe, November 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Zimbabwe-Zambia (Zim-Zam) Energy Projects Summit will take place from November 18-20, 2024, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and could not be more timely. With the governments of both countries making innovative structural changes to make energy projects more bankable, appetite for investment is high. This is the opportunity to secure a more sustainable energy future for both Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The Zim-Zam Energy Projects Summit will alternate with Zambia bi-annually under the theme, Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernization and Energy Access.

Under the official patronage of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development for 2024, the summit will unveil energy project plans from both countries. Private sector investment into solar, geothermal and wind is complementing traditional hydro projects against the backdrop of ongoing drought, and the broader vision is to create a much wider door for the global investment community to walk through.

With the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) as summit sponsor, Edington Mazambani, ZERA’s Chief Executive Officer said: “As we stand on the brink of a transformative era in energy, the Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit embodies our commitment to a sustainable future. Together, we will explore the vast opportunities in renewables, modernise our grids, and ensure energy access for all. Let us unite in our vision to power Zimbabwe and Zambia’s sustainable energy future, unlocking potential for growth, innovation and collaboration.”

Together, we will explore the vast opportunities in renewables, modernise our grids, and ensure energy access for all

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)’s recent investment of $1.76 billion into the energy sector underlines the urgent need for energy expansion in the region.

Devastating droughts across Eastern and Southern Africa have set a context for why scenario planning is so vital, with the potential of dams regularly running dry. Bilateral and regional infrastructure will be critical to countering the impact, and to reduce dependence on dominant energy sources, The need for urgent grid infrastructure investment is just one of the topics to be discussed. Working collaboratively with the mining sector to support economic growth and its vision for a cleaner energy future is another.

“Having supported the mining sector in DRC for 14 years, we welcome this opportunity for the important conversations that will unlock opportunities in energy and infrastructure across Zimbabwe and Zambia, and power a sustainable future,” said Manoj Patil, Director of Mining Engineering Services, a Vinmart Group Company, and a sponsor of the summit.

Other topics set to drive change this November include creating an attractive energy investment destination and using innovative and profitable renewable solutions to meet universal access targets, benefitting industries and consumers. By bringing key energy players together, in one place, with one goal, the summit is set to drive projects in both countries more quickly to financial close and establish a clear pathway for risk mitigation.  

It will connect Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Ministries, utilities, regulators and energy organisations, with international private sector stakeholders, institutional investors, private financiers, service and technology providers.  DFIs and multinationals attending include the African Development Bank (AfDB), British International Investment (BII), FMO, Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Climate Fund Managers and Standard Bank.

They join the host of public sector leaders and stakeholders set to speak at the summit, most notably the Ministers from Zimbabwe and Zambia, the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and esteemed speakers from ZERA, Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), ZARENA, ZESA Holdings and RAEZ.

Speaking on behalf of Marsh, also a summit sponsor, Mortimer McKechnie, Senior Vice President, Energy & Power Leader, Africa, added: “This is an opportunity to come together, share experiences and think innovatively. Linking capital and mitigating risk can boost development for both countries, and Marsh is very excited to be part of this summit.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd..

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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) Joins Suriname Awareness Symposium 2025, Delivers Just Energy Transition Call

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The African Energy Chamber is participating at the Suriname Awareness Symposium 2025 as a strategic partner

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ — 

A delegation from the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/), the voice of Africa’s energy sector, led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, participated in the Suriname Awareness Symposium 2025 today. Hosted by Colibri Business Development, Sheriff Consultancy and Alite D’Fam Consultancy under the patronage of Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, the event brought together Surinamese stakeholders and global partners to explore opportunities within the country’s energy value chain.

During the opening remarks, H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, emphasized the symposium’s role as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

“We must ensure what is discussed turns to real life solutions on how can we ensure transparency, accountability and management of energy resources, how oil and gas revenue is invested in education, and how we can balance economic growth with environmental sustainability,” stated H.E Santokhi.

He highlighted the government’s development strategy, centered on four pillars: collaboration, economic diversification, a transformative mindset and dialogue.

Regarding energy diversification, President Santokhi outlined Suriname’s efforts to balance oil, gas and renewable energy sources while integrating investments from the private and public sectors and international partners.

H.E. Albert R. Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that energy affordability directly impacts national prosperity. He highlighted the importance of diversifying the energy mix to ensure cost-effective energy solutions and drive industrialization.

“Out of the energy transition lies the empowerment of the Suriname people. Sustainability must be anchor in our development strategy,” he remarked.

With oil and gas, Suriname will be able to power its fire plants and industrialize with fertilizers when the sun is not shining or wind not blowing

Ayuk addressed the critical role of Suriname’s oil and gas potential in fostering sustainable development.

“Climate change and energy poverty are interconnected issues. Energy poverty is a human rights challenge, and achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is impossible without addressing it,” Ayuk said.

He urged Suriname to harness its oil and gas resources while diversifying with renewables to achieve industrialization and energy security. Ayuk cautioned against repeating Africa’s mistakes, where abundant resources coexist with widespread energy poverty.

“With oil and gas, Suriname will be able to power its fire plants and industrialize with fertilizers when the sun is not shining or wind not blowing and avoid reliance on foreign aid.”

Ayuk emphasized that Suriname has every right to develop its oil resources to improve the lives of its people. He highlighted Suriname’s unique position as a carbon sink, with extensive aerial forestry, and commended the President for incentivizing TotalEnergies’ production of 230,000 barrels of oil. According to Ayuk, this decision is a crucial step toward resource development, and enables the country to generate revenue to fund future exploration efforts.

He criticized the notion of larger oil-producing nations, which extract millions of barrels daily, discouraging Suriname from utilizing its modest production capacity of 230,000 barrels in the name of climate change. Ayuk stated that both Suriname and Africa must maximize their hydrocarbon resources to support development and economic growth.

He encouraged TotalEnergies, which has already committed $1.5 billion to local content development, to increase its investments further. Ayuk also expressed gratitude to the President of Suriname for fostering a conducive environment that has attracted significant oil and gas investments. Additionally, he called for greater female participation in the energy sector, emphasizing the need for a fair and inclusive energy transition.

Taking place from January 27 – 28 under the theme “The Dawn of a New Era” the symposium aims to attract investments across Suriname’s energy value chain. The country boasts an estimated 2.4 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 12.5 trillion cubic feet of proven gas. Recent policy reforms, including 10-year tax incentives for development partners, and significant oil and gas discoveries between 2019 and 2022, have drawn major global interest.

Energy giant TotalEnergies announced a $10.5 billion Final Investment Decision for the GranMorgu project in Block 58 in October 2024. ExxonMobil and Malaysia’s Petronas signed a letter of agreement with the government for Block 52, while QatarEnergy partnered with Chevron to acquire a stake in Block 5 and maintains interests in Blocks 64 and 65.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Energy Week Drives Positive Impact in Cape Town: Employing 70 Local Vendors, with 99% of Event Work Delivered by South African Companies

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The African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference continues to be a key driver of economic growth and local empowerment in Cape Town, creating jobs, supporting businesses and positioning the city as a global energy hub

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ — 

The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference continues to leave an indelible mark on the city of Cape Town, reinforcing its status as a leading platform for investment, collaboration and innovation in Africa’s energy sector. Beyond advancing the continent’s energy agenda, AEW delivers significant economic and social benefits to the local community, creating jobs, supporting businesses and empowering young professionals.

In 2024, AEW proudly delivered economic benefits that directly impacted the local community. By engaging exclusively with 70 South African vendors and ensuring 99% of event work was conducted by South African companies, the event solidified its commitment to wealth creation and keeping economic gains within the country. These efforts underscore AEW’s dedication to local empowerment, with every aspect of logistics and services sourced locally to maximize community benefit.

Additionally, AEW significantly boosted the hospitality sector, with 80% of accommodation in Cape Town directly booked because of the conference, driving notable revenue growth for local hotels. The event also ensures its economic contributions are fully realized by paying local taxes, further bolstering Cape Town’s GDP and creating a significant distinction from some international companies that do not adhere to the same standard.

AEW goes beyond driving Africa’s energy ambitions – it creates meaningful, lasting benefits for the host city, strengthening its economy and fostering sustainable growth

AEW’s impact extended to education and skills development, with complimentary access provided to 102 students. This initiative reflects the event’s focus on nurturing the next generation of energy leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in the evolving energy landscape.

The success of AEW also highlights Cape Town’s growing reputation as a global energy hub. By hosting a world-class event that attracts leaders and investors from across the globe, the city has positioned itself as a strategic destination for energy-related discussions and partnerships. This visibility has not only elevated Cape Town on the global stage, but also fostered an environment conducive to long-term investment and innovation within the local energy ecosystem.

Looking ahead, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 3, is set to build on this legacy. The upcoming edition will once again position Cape Town as a hub for deal-making, collaboration and innovation, bringing together energy leaders, policymakers, investors and innovators from across the globe. With a strong focus on investment in transformative energy projects, capacity building and enabling environments, AEW 2025 aims to unlock new opportunities for Africa’s energy sector while expanding its positive impact on the host city.

“AEW’s impact on Cape Town is a testament to the power of collaboration and local empowerment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “By placing local businesses and people at the heart of its initiatives, AEW goes beyond driving Africa’s energy ambitions – it creates meaningful, lasting benefits for the host city, strengthening its economy and fostering sustainable growth. This is more than just an event; it’s a catalyst for transformative change.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Infobip recognized as Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT) Fraud Prevention Leader by Juniper Research

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Juniper Research scores vendors across 11 criteria, including but not limited to their size of operations in the AIT prevention market, the extent and breadth of relevant partnerships, market coverage, and product strength

CASABLANCA, Morocco, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Global cloud communications platform Infobip (www.Infobip.com) has been recognized as the number one provider among Established Leaders in the Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT) Fraud Prevention market by Juniper Research. The analyst firm has ranked Infobip first of 18 vendors in its Competitor Leaderboard for AIT Fraud Detection Solution Vendors 2024.  

Juniper Research scores vendors across 11 criteria, including but not limited to their size of operations in the AIT prevention market, the extent and breadth of relevant partnerships, market coverage, and product strength. Infobip scored highly across each of these and three further categories.  

We will continue to innovate and invest in preventing AIT fraud and protecting our customers and the wider messaging ecosystem

Overall, Infobip was ranked as the Leading firm because it offers a comprehensive solution to AIT fraud detection and prevention strategies, including its ‘Infobip Signals’ solution, which detects AIT by monitoring phone number behavior, ranges, and types. 

Helping set Infobip aside from others in the market is its use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to detect and block OTP traffic, ensuring automated protection for enterprises.  

Georgia Allen, Research Analyst at Juniper Research, said: “Infobip has a comprehensive solution to combat AIT fraud, with a significant messaging client base to inform future AIT detection and prevention strategies. Infobip’s growth into markets in North America and Western Europe is critical when considering the high levels of AIT fraud in these regions, therefore making them key regions for AIT prevention solutions. Infobip offers several AIT prevention solutions, with Juniper Research highlighting the ‘Infobip Signals’ solution as a crucial tool in blocking AIT fraud, with differing levels of aggression depending on the enterprise’s needs.” 

Goran Juršić, VP of Business Intelligence at Infobip, said: “Juniper Research has recognized Infobip as the leading provider of AIT Fraud Prevention solutions globally for our exceptional capabilities and products. With the support of our customers who partnered with us, we brought Signals – our risk detection solution – to life. Leveraging the newest technologies, Signals has already demonstrated its impact, exposing AIT fraud hotspots worldwide and saving our customers millions of dollars. We will continue to innovate and invest in preventing AIT fraud and protecting our customers and the wider messaging ecosystem.” 

Access the report: https://apo-opa.co/42ro9GJ

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Infobip.

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