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Vodacom named Africa’s Top Employer for third year running, setting global benchmark in Innovation and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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The Top Employer certification is a critical benchmark for assessing Human Resources (HR) practices, evaluating how effectively companies align HR frameworks, culture, and employee experience with international standards of excellence

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 15, 2026/APO Group/ –Vodacom Group (www.Vodacom.com) has once again been certified and recognised as Africa’s number one employer by the Top Employers Institute, marking its third consecutive win and reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.

 

This prestigious certification and first place ranking have been awarded to Vodacom Group, alongside separate certifications for Vodacom Mozambique, Vodacom South Africa, Vodacom Tanzania, and Safaricom Ethiopia and Kenya.

Vodacom Group Chief Executive, Shameel Joosub says, “Being certificated as Africa’s Top Employer for a third consecutive year marks an important milestone in our Vision 2030 journey. Not only is this testament to our consistency in leading with purpose but it also shows that our people centric approach and focus on talent development and workplace culture is impactful”.

The Top Employer certification is a critical benchmark for assessing Human Resources (HR) practices, evaluating how effectively companies align HR frameworks, culture, and employee experience with international standards of excellence. The certification spans 20 HR domains, including People Strategy, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Leadership Development, Performance Management, Employee Wellbeing, and Diversity and Inclusion.

“We are incredibly proud to maintain our position as Africa’s Top Employer for the third consecutive year. This achievement demonstrates that creating an exceptional employee experience is a sustained commitment to our people. We believe that the well-being and empowerment of our employees contributes directly to our ability to fulfil our purpose of connecting for a better future,” says Matimba Mbungela, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vodacom Group.

Vodacom Group achieved an exceptional overall Top Employer score of 99.56%, with Vodacom Mozambique recording the highest Group score at 99.96%, Vodacom South Africa achieving 99.88%, and Vodacom Tanzania achieving 99.76%, maintaining its standing among the highest-rated employers globally. Safaricom Ethiopia and Safaricom Kenya each secured first place rankings in their respective countries. These results reaffirm Vodacom Group’s consistent delivery of world-class HR practices.

Driving Innovation and Ethical AI Integration

This achievement demonstrates that creating an exceptional employee experience is a sustained commitment to our people

This year, the Top Employers Institute expanded its evaluation criteria to reflect evolving global priorities in people management and organisational ethics, with new questions focusing on three critical themes: empowering workforce innovation and creativity, evaluating the human impact of AI in organisational processes, and embedding ethics and integrity across HR and technology integration.

A major highlight of this year’s certification is the recognition of two Vodacom South Africa best practices for global benchmarking:

  • Human-AI Collaboration Impact Evaluation: Vodacom proactively and continuously evaluates AI implementations to ensure that human-AI collaboration initiatives balance organisational needs with their impact on employees.
  • Innovation and Creativity Empowerment: Vodacom fosters a culture of creativity and innovation by empowering employees to experiment, take risks, and share ideas without fear through various programmes including hackathons.

 

“The Top Employers Institute’s increasing focus on fostering innovation, ethical leadership, and prioritising the human impact of technology, reflects where the world of work is heading. We’re proud that Vodacom Group continues to set the standard in these areas by championing forward-thinking, employee-centric approaches and being recognised globally for these best practices,” adds Mbungela.

Employee-Centric Approach

Vodacom Group’s success is underpinned by continued investment in digital HR enablement, digital learning, future-fit skills, leadership capability, and holistic wellbeing. The organisation’s Employee Value Proposition, built on principles of Compassion, Acceptance, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.), includes enhanced wellness initiatives supporting all stages of life and a comprehensive family responsibility leave policy.

The company’s commitment to talent development extends beyond its workforce to the broader African tech ecosystem. Through initiatives like the Vodacom Digital Skills Hub, CodeLikeAGirl, Discover Graduate, and Spirit of Vodacom, the company continues to drive empowerment and create opportunities across the continent, preparing the next generation for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Looking Ahead

“As we look ahead, Vodacom Group remains dedicated to creating a workplace that inspires excellence, supports growth, and connects every employee to our shared purpose. Our third consecutive year as Africa’s Top Employer is testament to our people-first approach and our commitment to fostering innovation and ethical technology adoption that puts people at the center of the organisation,” concludes Mbungela.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Group.

 

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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