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Vitol Group’s Steve Brann to Shape LNG Discussions at African Energy Week (AEW) 2022

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Vitol Group

Steve Brann of Vitol Group will be coming to AEW 2022 to share insights on how Africa can boost LNG production, transportation and trade

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 5, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Steve Brann, Long Term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Origination at Vitol Group, will be attending and participating at the African Energy Week (AEW) 2022 (AECWeek.com) conference, Africa’s premier event for the oil and gas sector, which takes place from 18 – 21 October 2022, in Cape Town.

Vitol Group represents one of the world’s largest traders of energy, with 367 million tons of crude oil and products shipped in 2020 alone. Facilitating the flow of energy across global markets, the group is well positioned to lead discussions on improving intra-African energy trade at the continent’s premier event for the oil and gas sector. With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement implemented in January 2021, new opportunities for trade have emerged in Africa, on the back of simplified procedures and new projects across the entire energy spectrum coming online. Under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030, AEW 2022 promotes free markets as well as improved trade of energy commodities across Africa. In this regard, Brann, representing Vitol, will be instrumental, driving discussions on trade, LNG and alleviating energy poverty.

The participation of Brann at AEW 2022 brings the discussion on Africa’s LNG potential to greater heights

Brann’s experience across the global LNG market will be crucial for shaping discussions on how Africa can optimize its LNG market. With Africa set to become a global LNG hub – owing to increased demand from Europe, energy poverty reduction efforts, new gas discoveries in Namibia, Mozambique and Ivory Coast, and increased LNG development and infrastructure rollout in mature markets such as Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Niger and Equatorial Guinea – insights from Brann at AEW 2022 will be crucial for helping African energy stakeholders and policymakers understand the challenges and opportunities across the future African LNG market and how to navigate through them.

Prior to his current role, Brann was Vitol Dubai Limited’s Investment Manager for LNG. With investment declines in the oil and gas sector hindering the growth of Africa’s LNG market by limiting exploration and production and delaying infrastructure rollout, Brann’s experience regarding energy investment allocation, policies and management will be vital for discussions around how Africa can attract funding to boost the energy market as the energy transition intensifies. Brann has played a pivotal role in optimizing Vitol Group’s investment strategy with the firm expanding its footprint in Africa through the signing of a multi-billion LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement with Nigeria LNG Limited for the supply of 0.5 million tons per annum of LNG from October 2021 through to 2031. The deal will be critical for Nigeria’s gas market, driving gas monetization and infrastructure modernization. In 2018, Vitol Group also led a consortium of Africa Oil and Delonex Energy in a $1.407 billion investment deal to acquire oil and gas producing assets in Nigeria’s deepwater.

Before joining Vitol, Brann worked in management consulting with Dubai-based Contax Group, US-based Celerant Consulting and Bain & Co. Brann is also board member of global fuel retail solutions firm, Cockett Marine Oil.

“The participation of Brann at AEW 2022 brings the discussion on Africa’s LNG potential to greater heights. LNG has the potential to transform Africa’s energy and economic landscape, ushering in a new era of energy access, industrialization and socioeconomic growth. Countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique and Tanzania are making significant progress to establish competitive LNG markets. In addition to exports, LNG can and should be used in Africa. Driving this narrative, while making a strong case for intra-African commodity trade, Brann will be instrumental at AEW 2022,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC). 

At AEW 2022, Brann will participate in panel discussions and high-level meetings, discussing the LNG market and trends within the African energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Week (AEW).

Events

Africa Tech Festival opens registration for landmark 29th edition in Cape Town

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Tech Festival

Based on the success of last year’s event, and ongoing conversations with key stakeholders, Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect where investment is flowing, where innovation is accelerating, and where the biggest opportunities lie

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com/), the continent’s longest-running and most influential technology event, today announced that registration is open for the 29th edition of the event, taking place from 16 to 19 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa.

 

Based on the success of last year’s event, and ongoing conversations with key stakeholders, Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect where investment is flowing, where innovation is accelerating, and where the biggest opportunities lie: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation. Every session, speaker and experience at Africa Tech Festival 2026 is built around these pillars, which will be showcased throughout the event, on eight dedicated stages.

For sponsors and exhibitors, Africa Tech Festival is the premier platform where enterprise buyers, technology leaders, and solution providers converge to shape the future of digital transformation across the continent. Leading brands can engage directly with C-suite executives, policymakers, and industry leaders as they showcase solutions in telecoms, AI, data centres, cybersecurity and enterprise innovation. In addition to providing a forum for generating leads and forming partnerships, Africa Tech Festival’s media exposure and pan-African reach create the ideal platforms for boosting brand reputation.

First wave of confirmed speakers announced

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is already attracting some of the continent’s most influential technology and business leaders. Confirmed speakers to date include:

Africa’s digital economy is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and Africa Tech Festival 2026 is designed to be at the centre of that momentum

  • Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (Owners of Shoprite Nigeria)
  • Dido wa Kalonji, Chief Information Officer, FNB Eswatini
  • Faith Burn, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa
  • Joost Pielage, Chief Technology Officer, Quro Medical
  • Lazola Ndamase, Group Executive Head: Big Data & AI/ML Technology, Vodacom
  • Mary Mahuma, Chief Information Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, Philip Morris South Africa
  • Nina Triantis, Head: Global Sponsor Coverage, Client Coverage CIB & Vice Chair/TMT, Standard Bank Group
  • Nirvani Dhevcharran, Chief Technology Officer: Platforms and Operations, TFG (The Foschini Group)
  • Nollie Maoto, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, FirstRand Compliance Office
  • Nomsa Chabeli, Group Chief Executive Officer, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
  • Richard Cazalet, Executive: Strategy and Transformation, Telkom SA
  • Seaparo Phala, Chief Information Officer, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
  • Senthil Kumar Velayutham, Chief Technology and Digital Officer, African Development Bank

 

Commenting on the importance of the event in advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda, David Monaghan, VP, Africa Tech Festival, said, “Africa’s digital economy is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and Africa Tech Festival 2026 is designed to be at the centre of that momentum. Whether you’re a decision-maker looking to shape strategy, an innovator seeking investment, or an organisation ready to put your brand in front of the continent’s most influential technology leaders, this is the event for you. We look forward to welcoming the industry to Cape Town in November.”

 

Register to attend Africa Tech Festival 2026

 

General registration: https://apo-opa.co/3OvRBqv

 

For more information, as well as exhibitor and sponsor applications, visit https://AfricaTechFestival.com/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

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Energy

Typhoon Returns to African Mining Week (AMW) as Associate Sponsor Amid Regional Push to Formalize Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM)

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Energy Capital

African Mining Week 2026 will connect global investors with the continent’s gold mining companies such as Typhoon for partnership formations aimed at accelerating the growth of the gold value chain

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Typhoon Greenfield Development (Typhoon) – Ghana’s first small-scale mining company compliant with London Bullion Market Association standards – is returning to this year’s edition of African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 as an Associate Sponsor.

Typhoon’s participation highlights the company’s strategy to deepen engagement with global investors and advance Africa’s gold value chain at a time when the sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. Gold prices surpassed $5,000 per ounce in March 2026, prompting mineral-rich African countries to accelerate strategies aimed at maximizing the resource’s contribution to GDP growth, employment creation, beneficiation and broader economic development.

During the event, Typhoon executives will participate in high-level panel discussions, networking sessions and project showcases, where they are set to engage with African stakeholders on strategies to advance artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) formalization. The company is expected to share lessons and best practices from Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen responsible and formalized gold production.

Held under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value Chain, AMW 2026 – scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town – will feature a dedicated Gold Forum addressing key industry priorities, including maximizing Africa’s gold production, expanding local beneficiation and accelerating ASGM formalization. The forum provides a strategic platform for companies such as Typhoon to highlight their contributions to Africa’s gold sector while exploring investment and partnership opportunities.

In 2026, Typhoon is advancing the Adomanu cluster of mines expansion project, which has reached a 65% completion milestone. The company is also conducting additional exploration to unlock new production prospects within the cluster, while advancing development at its first large-scale asset – the Asempanaye concession in the Asante Akim South District of Ghana. These initiatives form part of a broader growth strategy announced in June 2025 aimed at expanding the company’s asset base from two clusters through additional exploration across its six cluster mining concessions. At AMW 2025, the company presented its in-house program designed to empower artisanal and small-scale miners, contributing to Ghana’s broader industry formalization agenda.

At AMW2026, Typhoon is expected to showcase progress made in advancing these initiatives while unveiling new investment and partnership opportunities across its growing portfolio of mining assets.

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

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Business

City of Cape Town backs Converge Africa 2026 to accelerate digital commerce growth

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City support strengthens Cape Town’s position as a gateway for digital trade, innovation and cross-border commerce in Africa

Cape Town is the ideal place for this gathering and its engagements between tech entrepreneurs and thought-leaders in the public and private sector

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 22, 2026/APO Group/ –As Africa’s digital economy moves towards a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, cities are increasingly becoming the catalysts for innovation, investment and cross-border trade. In this context, the support of the City of Cape Town for Converge Africa 2026 signals a strategic commitment to positioning Cape Town as a leading hub for digital commerce on the continent.

 

Taking place from 4 – 6 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Converge Africa brings together the continent’s most influential leaders across eCommerce, fintech, payments, logistics, digital marketing and cybersecurity.

At its core, the event is driven by a unifying industry imperative:
“Frictionless digital commerce. Transacting seamlessly, without borders.”

A city enabling the future of commerce

The City of Cape Town’s role as a supporting partner reflects a broader vision to attract investment, enable innovation and strengthen the region’s position within Africa’s digital economy.

As digital commerce continues to evolve, cities that create the right environment for collaboration between corporates, start-ups and global technology providers will lead the next phase of growth. Cape Town has increasingly established itself as one of those environments.

By supporting Converge Africa, the City is not only endorsing the event, but actively contributing to driving international and regional business into the Western Cape and showcasing Cape Town as a gateway for digital trade into Africa.

“The City eagerly welcomes the return of Converge Africa to Cape Town. Communities all across the continent are exceptionally active in the e-commerce space, whether as businesses or consumers. Cape Town is the ideal place for this gathering and its engagements between tech entrepreneurs and thought-leaders in the public and private sector,” said Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

Converging the full digital commerce ecosystem

Converge Africa is designed as a fully integrated ecosystem, bringing together more than 1,400 attendees from over 700 organisations.

The event spans five core pillars: Payments & Fintech, eCommerce, Digital Marketing, Fulfilment & Logistics, and Digital Security.

This convergence reflects a fundamental shift in how commerce operates today. No part of the customer journey exists in isolation, and the ability to connect systems, platforms and experiences is now central to growth.

Converge Africa combines a dynamic exhibition floor, curated content stages, hands-on workshops and high-value networking opportunities, creating a platform where insight, innovation and business connection come together in one place.

Addressing Africa’s real commerce challenges

Across the continent, the barriers to digital commerce are no longer about access alone, but about reducing friction. These include payment acceptance gaps, cross-border complexity, fraud and trust challenges, and fragmented customer experiences.

Converge Africa provides a platform where these challenges are not only discussed, but actively addressed through practical insight, partnerships and solutions.

A platform for leadership and collaboration

The 2026 edition features a high-calibre speaker line-up from leading global and African organisations.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Ajay Moti, Head of Global Card Networks, Booking.com
  • Hannes Wessels, General Manager South Africa, Binance
  • Kerissa Varma, Chief Security Advisor Africa, Microsoft
  • Joshua Suckerman, Digital Product Manager: API Marketplace & Payments, Absa
  • Zain Naidoo, Head of Digital Marketing, Dis-Chem Pharmacies
  • Grant Paul Roy, Chief CX Officer, Superbalist

These voices are complemented by leaders from organisations such as Pick n Pay, Nedbank, Vodacom, Spur Group and Kimberly-Clark, offering a multi-dimensional perspective on the future of commerce in Africa.

Driving impact beyond the event

Converge Africa is not just a conference; it is a platform for economic enablement.

Through curated networking, valuable meeting introductions and interactive workshops, the event is designed to facilitate real business outcomes, partnerships and investment opportunities.

The support of the City of Cape Town reinforces the importance of this platform in shaping the region’s digital economy and ensuring that local and international businesses can connect, collaborate and scale.

A shared ambition for growth

As Africa’s commerce landscape continues to evolve, the role of cities, industry leaders and enabling platforms becomes increasingly interconnected.

Converge Africa provides the platform. Cape Town provides the environment. Together, they represent a shared ambition to position the region at the forefront of Africa’s digital commerce growth story.

View the event programme: http://apo-opa.co/42lez6L

Ticket Options: https://apo-opa.co/4eyhPmD

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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