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VFS Global appointed to roll out Australian biometric collection centres in Sub-Saharan Africa

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VFS Global

With the recent addition of Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, VFS Global has become the exclusive biometrics collection service provider to Australian visa applicants across all nine regions globally

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 16, 2024/APO Group/ —

  • Services to be rolled out at 12 locations in seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa by February 2025 
  • VFS Global becomes the exclusive biometric collection service provider for Australian applicants in all the nine regions globally – ​Americas, Europe, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, Pacific, South Asia, South East Asia, North Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa 
  • Core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance. 
  • Additional (as required services) include remote interview hosting, document and claim checking, paper digitisation and local addressing and document delivery. 

Under the Department’s guidance, we will continue to elevate the experience of Australian applicants across the world

The Department of Home Affairs, Australia has appointed VFS Global to provide biometric collection services for Sub-Saharan Africa. VFS Global is the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist for governments and diplomatic missions. This is in addition to the seven regions awarded in August 2023 to provide biometric collection services –the Americas, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, North Asia, Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. With the recent addition of Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, VFS Global has become the exclusive biometrics collection service provider to Australian visa applicants across all nine regions globally. 

The Sub-Saharan Africa region includes seven countries in total with Australian Biometric Collection Centre services to be rolled out at 12 locations in 13 countries by February 2025. This includes setting up Centres in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. 

According to the agreement, VFS Global’s core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance on the Department’s ImmiAccount portal. The company would also provide additional (as required services) such as remote interview hosting, document and claim checking, paper digitisation and local addressing and document delivery.  

We are pleased to extend our Agreement with VFS Global to include Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. We will continue to work closely with VFS Global to ensure the delivery of high-quality biometric collection and visa support services for our visa applicants worldwide.” said Anthony Phillips, Director Offshore Service Delivery Partners Section, Department of Home Affairs.

“Securing these two regions is a testament to our dedication, expertise, commitment to excellence, and trusted partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. This decision not only reflects our ability to meet highest standards but also reinforces our resolve to deliver innovative solutions. Under the Department’s guidance, we will continue to elevate the experience of Australian applicants across the world,” said Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development, VFS Global. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFS Global.

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World Football Summit Rabat at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) Concludes with Commitment to African Football Development and Global Collaboration

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World Football Summit

Over two days, the summit convened 1077 stakeholders from 70 countries, reinforcing Morocco’s role as a platform for sport-driven innovation and continental collaboration

RABAT, Morocco, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –The inaugural edition of the World Football Summit (WFS) (https://WorldFootballSummit.com) Rabat 2025, held in partnership with Evosport, a subsidiary of UM6P, and in collaboration with the Royal Moroccan Federation of Football concluded after two days of exchanges on the state and the trajectory of football in Africa and its links to global dynamics.

Held on April 9 and 10 at UM6P’s Rabat campus, the summit convened more than 1077 football industry leaders from 70 countries, including decision-makers from 65 clubs, leagues, and federations. Under the theme “Where football innovation meets legacy”, the event provided a platform for reflection on the evolving role of Morocco and Africa in shaping the global football landscape, particularly in light of the continent’s growing visibility ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Morocco alongside Spain and Portugal.

“What we’ve witnessed in Rabat these past two days has been truly historic,” said Jan Alessie, Co-founder and Managing Director of World Football Summit. “The quality of discussion, the level of engagement, and the genuine commitment to collaboration have exceeded our expectations. This summit has not only showcased Morocco’s growing leadership in global football but has created tangible pathways for African football to accelerate its development through meaningful partnerships. The connections formed here between African football leaders and their international counterparts will yield benefits for years to come.”

Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, stated: “WFS Rabat is a natural extension of our commitment to rethinking development models through knowledge, innovation, and continental collaboration. Football—like science, education, and technology—requires institutions that can convene, structure, and elevate ambition. By hosting and contributing to this summit, we are reinforcing Morocco’s and Africa’s capacity to lead with ideas, shape with values, and build ecosystems where excellence is cultivated and shared.”

The quality of discussion, the level of engagement, and the genuine commitment to collaboration have exceeded our expectations

The WFS Honors Ceremony, moderated by Mimi Fawaz (MC – WFS Rabat 2025), highlighted a number of initiatives and individuals whose work reflects a thoughtful approach to football development. The Academie Mohammed VI was recognized for its Local Grassroots Strategy to develop Sport. Frederic Kanoute received the WFS Honor for Exemplary Achievements in Football & Beyond for his contributions both on and off the pitch. OCP Group received the WFS Honor for Social & Community Impact through Sport for their transformative community initiatives. The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was recognized with the WFS Honor for Exceptional Development in Women’s Football for their pioneering efforts in advancing the women’s game in Morocco. Finally, the African Club Association (ACA) was granted the WFS Honor for Uniting African Football. 

Discussions throughout the two days addressed pressing challenges and opportunities in the football ecosystem. Topics ranged from talent retention and financial models to technological integration and regulatory governance. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Football Federation, presented Morocco’s vision for football development ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Shehu Dikko, Honourable Minister of Sports of Nigeria, reflected on how African football can become more sustainable. FIFA’s Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, discussed pathways for strengthening football governance, while CAF’s Director of Tournaments, Samson Adamu, shared innovations in continental competitions formats.

The summit drew participation from organizations such as FIFA CAF, or ECA, government ministers from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, as well as executives from properties such as LALIGA, FC Barcelona, or even the NBA, who engaged in discussions about cross-continental collaboration in sport governance and development.

Moreover, partners including Royal Air Maroc and TAQA played essential roles in the summit’s success, demonstrating the importance of public-private collaboration in advancing sports development.

The WFS global series continues with upcoming events in Monterrey (June 2025), Hong Kong (September 2025), Madrid (October 2025), and Riyadh (December 2025), creating a year-round platform for the football industry to connect and collaborate across continents.

For more information about World Football Summit’s 2025 events and registration details, visit www.WorldFootballSummit.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Football Summit

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Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 to Host Panel on Advancing Africa’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Potential

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Invest in African Energy

A high-level panel at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris, powered by Perenco, will explore how Africa can overcome infrastructure and investment challenges to unlock its LNG potential while advancing energy security and sustainable development

PARIS, France, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –The upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum will feature a high-level panel on Advancing Africa’s LNG Potential: Overcoming Infrastructure and Investment Challenges, sponsored by Perenco. As global demand for natural gas rises, Africa’s abundant reserves and strategic location position the continent as a key supplier – provided infrastructure, regulatory and financing hurdles can be addressed.

Moderated by Jacqueline Chinwe, Global Future Energy Leader, the panel brings together influential voices from the LNG value chain. Confirmed speakers include Julius Rone, Managing Director of UTM Offshore; Mario Bello, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Eni; Dominique Gadelle, Vice President, Upstream & LNG at TechnipEnergies; and Denis Chatelan, Head of Business Development at Perenco. These leaders will share strategies to accelerate LNG development, including de-risking investments, leveraging blended finance models and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure commercial viability.

IAE 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/4lq1VMj) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Africa’s natural gas resources – particularly in countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, Senegal, Mauritania and the Republic of the Congo – are attracting growing international interest. Natural gas is expected to account for 40% of Africa’s oil and gas capital expenditures by the end of the decade, according to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report. In West Africa, major projects such as Phase 2 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim development and the Yakaar-Teranga Gas Project in Senegal are set to significantly boost LNG production and regional gas-to-power capacity, while Eni’s Congo LNG project in the Republic of the Congo is leveraging FLNG technology to fast-track exports and monetize offshore reserves.

With major LNG projects advancing across the continent, investment momentum continues to build. Floating LNG solutions – such as UTM Offshore’s facility in Nigeria and Perenco’s Cap Lopez terminal in Gabon – are offering scalable, capital-efficient models for deployment. In Mozambique, Eni is expanding on the success of its Coral South FLNG by developing a second floating facility, Coral North. Meanwhile, gas-to-power initiatives hold strong potential to address chronic energy shortages, contributing to both energy security and the transition to a more sustainable, lower-carbon energy mix. The panel will explore how to align Africa’s export ambitions with domestic industrialization and energy access goals, driving inclusive economic growth while contributing to global energy security and environmental objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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Aptiway Global Hosts High-Level Delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Advance Digital Transformation Agenda

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The workshop will also examine models for human capital development and institutional readiness that support long-term digital transformation

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –Aptiway Global (https://Aptiway.com) is pleased to announce that it will host a senior delegation from L’Agence pour le Développement du Numérique (ADN) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a high-level strategic workshop in Dubai from April 14 to 18, 2025. The workshop will take place at the Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel and is designed to foster technical collaboration, share experiences, and explore scalable digital solutions tailored to the DRC’s national priorities.

Led by Mr. Dominique MIGISHA, Coordinator of ADN, the delegation will engage in an intensive five-day program covering a wide range of strategic themes, including digital identity platforms, eGovernment systems, cybersecurity, data protection, and infrastructure interoperability. The workshop will also examine models for human capital development and institutional readiness that support long-term digital transformation.

Africa’s digital future depends on bold leadership and practical collaboration

This engagement aims to identify actionable outcomes that can accelerate the implementation of inclusive and secure digital ecosystems in the DRC. These include a roadmap for deploying national digital identity systems, strategic recommendations for eGovernment rollout, and a framework for ongoing technical cooperation between Aptiway and ADN.

Speaking ahead of the workshop, Mr. Shince Thomas, CEO of Aptiway Global, said: “We are honoured to host the ADN leadership. This visit underscores a shared vision for using technology as a catalyst for development, and we look forward to co-creating solutions that deliver real impact.” 

Mr. Dominique MIGISHA, Coordinator of ADN, added: “This collaboration with Aptiway Global is a timely opportunity to deepen our understanding of effective digital infrastructure and services. We are committed to translating this knowledge into tangible progress for the Congolese people.” 

Simplice Anoh, Co-Founder of Aptiway Global, also commented on the significance of the partnership: “Africa’s digital future depends on bold leadership and practical collaboration. This workshop reflects our shared commitment to building resilient, homegrown solutions that respond to local challenges while unlocking global opportunities.” 

The workshop reaffirms the value of cross-border collaboration in achieving sustainable digital transformation and highlights the Democratic Republic of Congo’s growing momentum in building resilient, future-ready digital systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aptiway Global

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