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Africa Oil &#038; Power (AOP) (www.AfricaOilAndPower.com) held its Mozambique Gas &#038; Power (MGP) 2021 day of Technical Workshops today; the virtual workshops were held by leading companies in Mozambique and targeted a range of subjects including local content, capacity building, and gas-to-power; dedicated exclusively to showcasing the progressive energy and non-energy initiatives taking place across Mozambique, the workshops were a build up to MGP 2021, re-scheduled to later in 2021. Africa Oil &#038; Power (AOP) held its Mozambique Gas &#038; Power (MGP) 2021 day of technical workshops today, aimed at enhancing local content and knowledge transfer in Mozambique’s growing energy industry. Held using a virtual format in order to allow AOP’s global audience to attend and participate, the workshops targeted a range of subjects including capacity building, critical infrastructure, security and community, and deal-making across the energy value chain. In partnership with the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, the African Energy Chamber, the Mozambican Oil &#038; Gas Chamber, and Attitude HR, the workshop series was conducted by leading companies in sub-Saharan Africa. The sessions included question submissions, poll participation and networking with distinguished guests. The technical workshops focused on local content within Mozambique’s energy sector and included a roundtable discussion led by Deloitte, with specific discussion points directed at methods of enhancing local company participation, the increase in women’s inclusivity, and sectoral challenges hindering local content. With notable speakers including Natalia Magaia Camba, Director of Local Content, National Petroleum Institute of Mozambique; Victor Tivane, Local Content Director at ENH; Thomas Rodriguez, Local Content Manager: Mozambique LNG, Total; Shauki Musallam, Territory Manager: Middle East &#038; Africa, Polati of Russia; António Fumo, Local Content Director, Sasol; and Marco Correia, CEO of Duys, the sessions offered an all-inclusive look at the value of local content within Mozambique. “We need to be able to learn from other countries and other market’s mistakes,” stated Correia. “We are fully capable of driving local content, and must be ready with the right partners who are interested in developing local content with us. We need to be equipped with the right skills and cheap financing. Mozambique has the labor and the people who can be easily taught and skilled.” In addition to local content, the workshops offered an in-depth discussion of the value of gas-to-power infrastructure for Africa in which an insightful presentation by TAQA Arabia and detailed case study examples emphasized the socio-economic and electrification advantages associated with the resource. Panelists included Khaled Abubakr, Executive Chairman, TAQA Arabia; Adly Kafafy, VP Africa &#038; New Ventures, TAQA Arabia; and Michael Konadu, Commercial Growth Director, GE Power Sub Saharan Africa, Ghana. “If you have a reliable energy delivery, you will have a reliable economy,” stated Khaled Abubakr. “Having strong infrastructure and pipelines will help countries balance gas shortages and monetize surplus. Typically, what is happening in Mozambique, is that there is a focus on export facilities which will be fine for surplus and monetization, but the next step is to develop the infrastructure such as pipelines to focus exports on the region.” “Africa needs affordable electricity,” stated Michael Konadu. “Gas can supply affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to the entire region. You cannot be involved in the power sector without being involved in the gas sector.” By bringing together global investors and policymakers in the oil, gas, and power industry together for this focused technical workshop program, AOP aims to drive further investment and development in Mozambique’s transformative energy industry. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.Media filesDownload logo

Africa Oil & Power boosts Mozambique Local Content via Technical Workshops

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The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has finalized the purchase of 26 modular steel bridges to replace infrastructure that was destroyed in weather disasters in Mozambique. The modular bridges are due to be installed in coming months after the appointment of local contractors. The goal is to restore transport connections to the isolated regions of Manica, Sofala, Nampula and Cabo Delgado. An estimated 500,000 people are expected to benefit. With a service lifespan of up to 100 years, the bridges will provide a temporary solution in areas that are vulnerable to extreme weather while the government invests in climate-smart permanent bridges. “We are delighted to be able to deliver this important contribution to Mozambique and respond to the recent climate disasters while investing to building back better,” said Pietro Toigo, the African Development Bank’s country manager for Mozambique. “The Bank will remain at the forefront of the fight to mobilize climate finance for adaptation and contribute to climate justice for the African continent.” The bridges are funded under the Post Cyclone Idai and Kenneth Emergency Recovery and Resilience Program, which was approved in the wake of these two cyclones that struck Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi in 2019 and affected around 3 million people in the three countries. The program is being implemented over four years, ending in December 2023, at a total cost of UA 70.86 million ($100 million) of which UA 66.01 million is to be paid by the Bank and the remainder by the affected governments. The funding was provided by the African Development Fund, the concessional arm of the African Development Bank Group. João Osvaldo Machatine, Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, said: “The government of Mozambique is delighted to be working with the African Development Bank to help build resilience to climate and disaster risk management in the country.” Central Mozambique has been hit by extreme climate events in recent years. Cyclones Idai and Kenneth passed through the same region of the country in March and April 2019, also affecting neighboring countries. Disaster struck again with Tropical Storm Chalane in December 2020 and Cyclone Eloise in January 2021. Mozambique is regarded as one of the world’s most climate-stressed countries. In its 2018-2022 Country Strategy Paper for Mozambique, the African Development Bank identifies climate change as a key development challenge, and has directed roughly $120 million to strengthening the country’s climate resilience.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Media Contact: Gershwin Wanneburg Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank Email: g.wanneburg@afdb.orgMedia filesDownload logo

Mozambique: African Development Bank purchases temporary bridges to replace infrastructure destroyed in cyclones

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The Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga (J.A.C.K.) sanctuary (www.JackSanctuary.org), after months of coordinated international effort, welcomed 20 monkeys to their new home. The monkeys, all native to the Democratic Republic of Congo, were confiscated in September 2020, disrupting a wildlife trafficking operation running between the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R. Congo) and South Africa. This is a historical event and is the first such operation in Africa, where the animals were repatriated back to their native origins. While crossing the border from Zambia into Zimbabwe, the traffickers were apprehended by the Zimbabwean ZRP/MFFU Officials. When the traffickers could not produce the necessary permits, the Zimbabwean officials moved quickly to confiscate the animals and arrest the traffickers. The arrested persons namely: MBAMBI John, MSIWA Overton, BEGOEX Nzeyi Okitelanga and BULANGONGO Ekaye, were arrested and charged for being in contravention of Zimbabwean laws, as they were unlawfully carrying monkeys of rare species from the D.R. Congo to the Republic of South Africa. The four men were unable to produce a CITES permit, export permit from the D.R. Congo, in-transit permits from the Republic of Zambia, in-transit permit from the Republic of Zimbabwe, or an import permit from the Republic of South Africa. They did not have any authorisation to transport these monkeys. The four men were charged and tried at the Magistrates Court in Karoi and were found guilty on all 3 counts they were charged with. The Court ordered that they pay $6000-00 or alternatively stay 6 months in prison. Given their foreign nationalities, they are awaiting deportation to their respective countries, and the monkeys were forfeited to Zimbabwe pending repatriation to the DRC. A huge congratulations goes to the Zimbabwean judiciary for understanding the importance of this case as well as the need for repatriation of the monkeys. During the repatriation process the monkeys were cared for by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, with support from the, the Chirundu Anti-Poaching Unit, and Hemmersbach Rhino Force together with the Tikki Hywood Foundation. The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) (https://PASA.org), a network of 23 primate sanctuaries across 13 African countries, was quickly alerted when the animals were confiscated. “A truck smuggling so many primates is almost certainly part of a wildlife crime syndicate,” said Gregg Tully, Executive Director of PASA. “So we knew this was a significant rescue – in fact, it’s the largest in PASA’s 20 year history.” This has been one of the biggest illegal wildlife trafficking cases uncovered in Zimbabwe and one which has led to the better understanding of how the illegal wildlife trade is changing and how laws must be adjusted going forward to accommodate cases such as this within the structure of the different country’s legislation. The success would not have been possible without the coordinated and combined efforts of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, and the Department of Veterinary Services. J.A.C.K. received authorization from the Congolese government to be the official repatriation site. Franck Chantereau, founder and chair of J.A.C.K., worked with a joint mission of leaders at the ICCN, which is tasked with the protection of wildlife by the Congolese government, and the Governor of the Haut Katanga Province. Together with the Provincial Minister of the Environment, they negotiated with their counterparts in Zimbabwe to work out the logistics of the rescue. In addition, non-governmental organizations assisted to make sure this operation was successful both in the DRC and in Zimbabwe these groups included Conserv Congo, a nonprofit in D.R. Congo which investigates wildlife crime. And in Zimbabwe the Chirundu Anti-poaching Unit, Hemmersbach Rhino Force and the Tikki Hywood Foundation. “International rescues are quite challenging,” said Chantereau. “But working together and being patient yet persistent were the qualities we needed to be successful.” In late January of 2021, Chantereau, the Congolese  Provincial Minister of the Environment, an ICCN representative along with the J.A.C.K. veterinarian, drove to Zimbabwe to retrieve the monkeys. At the Chirundu border post, where the monkeys were first confiscated, custody of the animals transferred to the DRC team. They arrived back to DRC thanks to a truck kindly sponsored by  Hemmersbach Rhino Force just before curfew and began to release the animals. “The next morning,” said Chantereau, “it was wonderful to see the enclosures full of monkeys! They were running, playing, jumping.” He noted that the monkeys were still quite small and were probably very young when they were poached. This case represents a victory in the fight against wildlife crime. Many organizations contributed to the success of this mission. Financial support came from: Olsen Animal Trust, Réserve Africaine de Sigean,  Fondation Brigitte Bardot, International Primate Protection League, San Diego Zoo Global, Dutch Federation of Zoos, Pro Wildlife, Columbus Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Global Wildlife Conservation, Zoo de la Palmyre, International Fund for Animal Welfare, GaiaZOO , LAJA Les Amis de JACK,  Zoo Mulhouse, Kansas City Zoo AAZK, AZA Old World Monkey TAG. In-kind support came from: Prosteel, PANACO, Espace Zoologique de Saint Martin La Plaine,  Forgotten Parks. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA).Media Inquiries: Jean Fleming +1 925.209.3329 jean@pasa.org Media filesDownload logo

Rescued Monkeys arrive at Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga (J.A.C.K.) Sanctuary, a Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) Member

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The prestigious U.S. magazine, Global Finance, specializing in financial markets and investment banking, has named the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) as the “Best Multilateral Financial Institution in the world for 2021”. The award is a global recognition for the path breaking efforts of the African Development Bank as it transforms itself into a solutions bank for Africa, through a combination of its operations, knowledge services and investment positioning, which continue to help accelerate Africa’s development. The award is an affirmation of the success of the operational strategy being pursued by the African Development Bank under the leadership of Akinwumi A. Adesina, who was unanimously re-elected to a second consecutive five-year term as President of the institution last year.  “With widespread expectations of consolidation in multiple sectors and all around the world, investment banks will play a leading role in reshaping the world economy post-pandemic,” said Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance on announcing the winning list.  “Companies need more than ever to understand the specialties and skills that investment banks bring to the table. Global Finance awards are a valuable guide.” In 2020 the African Development Bank received broad recognition for responding swiftly to the needs of the African continent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and for its pioneering role in the global social bond market.  In October 2020, the African Development Bank was selected in a poll of global bond market players as the best issuer for its $3 billion dollar-denominated Fight Covid-19 social bond, issued on 27 March 2020.  The Bank’s Fight Covid-19 Social bond was the largest ever US dollar denominated bond in world history, floated on the Luxembourg stock exchange, and listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Sustainable Bond Platform.  Also, in March 2020, the African Development Bank received the Environmental Finance’s 2020 bond of the year award—SSA category— for a successful one billion Norwegian Krone social bond issued in 2019. It was the first social bond ever launched in the Norwegian market, and the African Development Bank’s first transaction in Norwegian Krone.  Since 2017, the African Development Bank has launched nearly $5 billion worth of such instruments, denominated in US dollars, euros and Norwegian Krone. Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, said: “I am delighted at Global Finance’s recognition of the African Development Bank as the best multilateral financial institution in the world in 2021. I am proud that for first time since its establishment in 1964, the African Development Bank has risen to a position as a foremost globally-respected financial institution.” Adesina described the award as one which was “duly earned&#8221; and credited the Bank’s continued success to a new culture of results, strong client orientation, leadership, creativity and continued innovation by a team of excellent staff across all its jurisdictions. He added: “We are constantly innovating, developing and deploying financial, investment and knowledge products to meet the rapidly changing needs of African countries and the private sector.” In February 2021, the ratings agency S&#038;P Global affirmed the African Development Bank’s “AAA/A-1+” foreign currency issuer credit rating with a stable outlook. The Bank has continued to receive extraordinary support from its shareholders, including an increase in its subscribed capital from $93 billion to $208 billion, the largest increase in its capital since its establishment. According to Adesina “The extraordinary support of our shareholders and the strong corporate governance of the Bank’s board of directors have served us well. We will continue to leverage our resources to better serve our clients.” The full results of the 22nd annual World’s Best Investment Banks will be published in an exclusive survey in the April 2021 print and digital editions and online at GFMag.com. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Editor’s note: This replaces an earlier version of this press release which was issued earlier Media Contact: Amba Mpoke-Bigg Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank Email: a.mpoke-bigg@afdb.org About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org Media filesDownload logo

CORRECTION: African Development Bank named the World&apos;s Best Multilateral Financial Institution 2021 by Global Finance

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Download logoThe African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) stood out at the 22nd edition of the Global Finance Best Investment Bank Awards, where the prestigious U.S. magazine specializing in financial markets recognizes investment banking capacities. Global Finance named the African Development Bank the best multilateral financial institution in the world, a global recognition of its constant efforts to provide its clients – its 54 regional member countries – with support in financing their development. This award represents clear support to the operational strategy that the African Development Bank has been pursuing under the able leadership of its President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, unanimously re-elected for a second consecutive five-year term as head of the institution last year. “With widespread expectations of consolidation in multiple sectors and all around the world, investment banks will play a leading role in reshaping the world economy post-pandemic,” said Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance on announcing the winning list on 18 February 2021. “Companies need more than ever to understand the specialties and skills that investment banks bring to the table. Global Finance awards are a valuable guide.” In 2020 the African Development Bank received broad recognition for responding quickly to the needs of the African continent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and for its pioneering role in the social bond sphere. It has been widely recognized for quickly repurposing its 2020 lending program and in developing crisis response budget support through an accelerated approval process and quick disbursement to provide the relevant fiscal space for countries to respond to the most pressing economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis as well as facilitate the purchase of critical imports and medical supplies necessary to fight the virus. It also put a strong focus on collaboration and partnerships to maximize its response to the crisis working with key development partners such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. And despite challenges to its portfolio, it maintained very strong risk management practices. In October 2020, the African Development Bank was selected in a poll of bond market players as the best issuer in 2020 of a COVID-19 bond for its $3 billion dollar-denominated Fight COVID-19 social bond, issued on 27 March 2020. The Fight Covid-19 Social Bond received strong support from investors. It floated on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and was the world’s largest social bond at time of issuance. The bond has since been listed on the London Stock Exchange and was admitted on the Nasdaq Sustainable Bond Platform. Bond proceeds, with a three-year maturity, will go to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods and Africa’s economies. In March 2020, the Bank received the Environmental Finance’s 2020 bond of the year award—SSA category—for a successful one billion Norwegian Krone social bond issued in 2019. It was the first social bond ever launched in the Norwegian market, and the African Development Bank’s first transaction in Norwegian Krone. Since 2017, the African Development Bank has launched nearly $5 billion worth of such instruments, denominated in US dollars, euros and Norwegian krone. African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, said: “I am delighted at Global Finance’s recognition of the African Development Bank as best multilateral financial institution in 2021. It is a distinct honor, and I consider it as a mark of confidence in my leadership of Africa’s premier multilateral finance institution.” Adesina described the award as one which was “duly earned.” He credited the Bank’s continued success to strong teamwork by staff across all its jurisdictions. He added: “And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the support of our fabulous Board of Directors, who have made an accelerated approval process a hallmark of our pandemic response operations.” In February 2021, ratings agency S&#038;P Global affirmed the African Development Bank’s “AAA/A-1+” foreign currency issuer credit rating with a stable outlook. The ratings agency said its outlook reflected the expectation that the African Development Bank would, over the next two years, “prudently manage its capital while maintaining solid levels of high-quality liquidity assets and a robust funding profile. We also assume extraordinary shareholder support to the bank will remain unchanged.” The full results of the 22nd annual World’s Best Investment Banks will be published in an exclusive survey in the April 2021 print and digital editions and online at GFMag.com.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Media Contact: Amba Mpoke-Bigg Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank Email: a.mpoke-bigg@afdb.org About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

African Development Bank named the World&apos;s Best Multilateral Financial Institution 2021 by Global Finance

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The UCI World Tour Tirreno-Adriatico gets underway tomorrow in Lido di Camiore, Italy. The Italian stage race will comprise of 7 stages, ending with the traditional time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto. Team Qhubeka ASSOS will be heading to Tirreno-Adriatico led by veteran climber, Domenico Pozzovivo, and backed up by a strong classics style squad. Domenico Pozzovio will be our main card for the general classification, and so naturally he will look to ride strongly on the big stage 4 mountain summit finish as well as on the final stage, 10km individual time trial. With three punchy stages, the likes of Michael Gogl, Simon Clarke, Lukasz Wisniowski and Dimitri Claeys will look to continue with their positive and attacking approach to racing, that has yielded some strong results for our team in recent weeks. Bert-Jan Lindeman and Emil Vinjebo complete our line-up, with Tirreno-Adriatico being a special race for the 26-year-old Dane, as he makes his debut appearance at a UCI World Tour stage race. Thanks to our loyal supporter. Matt Dunningham for his assistance with announcing (https://bit.ly/30nR79c) our Tirreno-Adriatico squad. Domenico Pozzovivo &#8220;Tirreno-Adriatico is a race that I really like, with an extraordinary starting field, which will allow me and our team to test ourselves on various kinds of parcours. This race will be very important to try to build upon our condition, on the way to the Giro d&#39;Italia.&#8221; Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Team Qhubeka ASSOS.  Media Contact: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications) Email: jean@ryder.co.za Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033 About Team Qhubeka ASSOS: Team Qhubeka ASSOS (TeamQhubeka.com) is a purpose-led, high-performance team, fighting to win on the world&#39;s biggest stage, to inspire hope and create opportunity. Founded in 2007, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (formerly NTT Pro Cycling) became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016. We achieved our first major win in 2013 when Gerald Ciolek won Milan-San Remo, one of the five Monuments of cycling. We have competed in six Tour de France’s and notched up 7 stage wins, with Mark Cavendish wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey at the 2016 Tour de France. We are a multicultural, diverse team with bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. There are 19 nationalities represented across our World Tour and continental feeder team rosters. Our focus on developing African cycling has resulted in more than 55 riders from the African continent be given the opportunity to race on the world stage, since the team&#39;s inception. We race to help people to move forward with bicycles through our relationship with Qhubeka Charity. Through our work with Qhubeka, we have contributed to the distribution of over 30 000 bicycles in communities in South Africa. About Qhubeka: Qhubeka (Qhubeka.org) is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs. A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go.  All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release. Media filesDownload logo

Team Qhubeka ASSOS take aim at Tirreno-Adriatico

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Tuesday 9 March 2021 will mark the start of submissions to the 11th Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East. Until 4 June 2021, entrants will be able to submit their projects on the website https://startup.orange.com/fr. Since 2011, this prize has been awarded for innovative projects by start-ups, based on information and communication technologies that have a positive societal impact in Africa and the Middle East in the fields of education, healthcare, e-commerce and agriculture, or that help to meet sustainable development goals. Through this prize, Orange, as a committed operator, seeks to contribute to the socio-economic development of Africa, support social and environmental innovation and encourage entrepreneurship. The competition includes two stages: a local phase that takes place between March and June in the 17 Orange subsidiaries. The countries then each choose three prizewinners. During the second phase, the winners from each country are in competition with each other and an international jury consisting of representatives of the Orange start-up ecosystem meet to decide on the international POESAM prizewinners. In 2021, in addition to the International Grand Prize which rewards three prizewinners with prizes of €10,000 (3rd place) to €25,000 (1st place), in 2020 Orange launched the International Women&#39;s Prize with a value of €20,000, sponsored by the Orange Group Diversity and Inclusion Department. This prize will either go to a woman, or to a project offering a technological solution to improve the living conditions of women (women’s independence, creating or maintaining jobs, data collection on gender, digital and financial inclusion, etc.). Elizabeth Tchoungui, Orange Group Executive Director CSR, Diversity and Philanthropy and Deputy Chair of the Orange Foundation, said: &#8220;I am delighted that for the second year running the International Women&#39;s Prize is supporting entrepreneurship for women and the promotion of initiatives that aim to improve the empowerment of women. Because helping a woman grow makes the world a better place. This prize contributes towards the attainment of the tenth UN Sustainable Development Goal, which is &#8220;Reduced inequalities&#8221;, and is something we have committed to.” Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Orange Middle East &#038; Africa, noted that: &#8220;Africa is undergoing major changes: rapid population growth, accelerating urbanisation, technological breakthroughs in mobile communication and mobile financial services, for example. These structural trends are creating major economic opportunities which mean we must innovate in response and thus build a more prosperous and inclusive continent. And who is better placed to meet these challenges than the continent&#39;s young entrepreneurs?” Orange spots, accompanies and supports responsible innovation in Africa Detecting young talents is a core element of Orange’s strategy. Created in 2011, POESAM has already sponsored 36 projects which have shared the sum of €555,000 and 87 people have benefited from between 6 and 9 months of coaching and mentoring offered by Orange and its partners. The impact of social and technological entrepreneurship is now undeniable. It has been responsible for so much progress in the fields of education, healthcare, financial inclusion and environmental protection. Through these prizes, Orange has restated its commitment to entrepreneurs who have a positive impact in Africa and the Middle East. Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East where it had 128 million customers on 31 December 2021. With €5.8 billion in turnover in 2020, Orange MEA is the Group’s main growth region. Orange Money, with its mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has 50 million customers. Orange, a multi-service operator, benchmark partner of the digital transformation, provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange.Press Contacts:  Nathalie Chevrier +33 6 48 52 75 83 nathalie.chevrier@orange.com Khadija Komara +33 6 76 45 96 18 khadija.komara@orange.com About Orange: Orange (www.Orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications carriers with a turnover of €42.3 billion in 2020 and 142,000 employees as at 31 December 2020, of whom 83,000 are in France. The Group has a total customer base of 259 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2020, including 214 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In December 2019, the Group presented its new &#8220;Engage 2025&#8221; strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). To find out more (online and via your mobile device), go to: www.Orange.com, www.Orange-Business.com or to follow us on Twitter: @presseorange. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. Media filesDownload logo

Launch of the 11th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM)

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The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Amina J. Mohammed had a virtual meeting with FIFA (www.FIFA.com) President Gianni Infantino in which they exchanged views on shared priorities and the importance of urgent actions and commitments to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. They discussed the role of football as a force for good and a tool for hope, particularly as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of opportunities for engagement and collaborations were highlighted in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, at the World Cup and beyond. “The United Nations welcomes the collaboration with FIFA, particularly football’s potential in supporting the SDGs,” Ms. Mohammed said. “Our engagement is important to best identify how we can advance the Sustainable Development Goals not only at the global level, but also at regional and local level to ensure no one is left behind.” The FIFA President agreed, adding that it was important for football to be at the service of society. “It is important for us at the new FIFA to be able to engage with the UN. The new FIFA is a responsible body and a sustainable organisation. It is an organisation that is aware that football goes beyond playing competitions. Football is much more than that.” The call, which took place on 8 March, International Women’s Day was an opportunity to reflect on the role of the sport in advancing gender equality and building better mechanisms to protect from abuse and marginalisation. Both leaders agreed that while having a vaccine was an important step in the effort to end the pandemic, the vaccine needed to be a people’s vaccine with equitable availability around the world. Ms. Mohammed highlighted the Secretary-General’s call for reimagining multilateralism and need for working with new and untraditional actors around the world to promote the Global Goals and the United Nations Agenda. The FIFA President spoke about the need to build on positive examples around the world when communities and countries came together, how football can support the recovery process, and also the role that football can have in education. “The common language of football works everywhere, and it is in the DNA of the new FIFA to be open and we will use our competitions to get the message across,” the FIFA President said. “Through the Football for Schools programme and via a new African schools tournament programme, our focus is not only on football. FIFA strongly believes that through football, you can speak about everything, as it teaches children about values and rules, and we want to use football’s force for education.” The two leaders concluded by agreeing to strengthen existing relationships and to develop further plans in relation to the SDGs.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).Media filesDownload logo

UN and FIFA share strategic social goals

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The Springbok Women had a memorable International Women’s Day on Monday with a visit by Springbok scrum coach Daan Human as they continue their preparations in Stellenbosch for the Rugby World Cup. World Rugby announced last week that it had decided to recommend the postponement of the Rugby World Cup, which was scheduled to be hosted between 18 September and 16 October in New Zealand, until next year due to the evolution of “the uncertain and challenging global COVID-19 landscape”. The recommendation will be considered by the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee in the next two days. This, however, did not prevent Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer and his team from charging ahead with their preparations, which kicked off with an early morning conditioning session followed by a mid-morning field session and an intense workout in the gym later in the day. “I’m fortunate to be back here (in the Springbok Women’s camp),” said Human. “I really enjoy my time here. We haven’t been able to coach for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is a privilege to be back coaching again.” Commenting on the Springbok Women’s development, Human said: “The progress they are making is evident. They have been getting better, and I told the players that early in the field session. “They are steadily improving in terms of their fitness and conditioning, and they are definitely on the right track.” Springbok Women’s lock and captain, Nolusindiso Booi, and Babalwa Latsha (prop), meanwhile, extended their wishes to women around the world on International Women’s Day. “I would like to wish all women and women in rugby a happy International Women’s Day,” said Booi. “My advice to women in rugby is to keep working hard. “You can be a great player if you give everything, maintain a high level of discipline and keep believing that no matter what you commit to, the rewards will follow at the end of the day. “Don’t stop believing in yourself and always be the best version of yourself.” Latsha also shared inspirational words on behalf of the team, saying: “We at the Springbok Women would like to wish ladies all over the world a happy International Women’s Day. “We thank you for being courageous and giving us as young women the courage to pursue our dreams with valour and passion. “Thank you for being our inspiration as we continue to power forward to change the narrative of women all over the world.” The Springbok Women will remain in Stellenbosch until the end of the month with an eye on putting effective structures in place to compete on the international stage. The group of players participating in the camp will expand from 24 to 40 players next week, as several players with fulltime jobs join their team-mates in Stellenbosch.  Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby Union.Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com Media filesDownload logo

Human visits Bok Women on International Women&apos;s Day

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Vertiv, (NYSE: VRT) (www.Vertiv.com/en-emea), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, today announced additions and enhancements to the Vertiv Partner Program (https://bit.ly/30okRmr) to expand access to IT decision makers and enrich the Vertiv experience for partners and customers. The investment in the Partner Program includes new global channel oversight and a new global partner relationship management system that allows partners to interface with Vertiv for deal registrations, configuration tools and anything they might need to initiate, manage or complete work with Vertiv. These improvements are part of Vertiv’s ongoing investment in people and resources to better serve channel partners and their customers. “The channel partner program is the foundation of one of Vertiv’s fastest growing businesses. While we have a global program that can support international opportunities, our tools and benefits are catered to address the unique needs of the partners in each of our local markets, and a focused supply chain that ensures fast, easy equipment delivery and service anywhere in the world,” said Rob Johnson, CEO at Vertiv. “Ultimately, we are raising the bar to ensure a best-in-class relationship experience for our partners.” Vertiv is leveraging its experienced channel team, expansive portfolio and new tools to streamline partner interactions and further accelerate growth of the channel program. The program tools give partners streamlined access to an expanded product portfolio largely focused on integrated rack solutions, with a new configurator that allows partners to build complete solutions with Vertiv™ infrastructure equipment, simplifying that process and shortening timelines for their customers. Giordano Albertazzi (https://bit.ly/3kUOkxG), president of Vertiv in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), is leading global coordination efforts in conjunction with regional presidents and their channel organizations. Vertiv carries a broad portfolio for data center, edge, telecommunications and other critical applications. In 2020, product releases for the channel in EMEA included high-efficiency single phase UPS such as the Vertiv™ Liebert® GXT5 (https://bit.ly/3ryCWKj), and the Vertiv™ Edge line-interactive UPS (https://bit.ly/2OipmMC), the globally adaptable Vertiv™ Geist™ Universal Power Distribution Unit (UPDU) (https://bit.ly/3t3cQ2w), and Vertiv™ Avocent® and Vertiv™ Cybex® (https://bit.ly/3l1w7P8) IT management appliances that address security and remote management issues. Expansion of the portfolio is planned in 2021. “The IT channel market is growing rapidly to support the new wave of digitalization and we see a huge potential ahead,” said Senthu Premakumar, Research &#038; Business Development director at CONTEXTworld (www.CONTEXTWorld.com). “Our latest research shows that Vertiv has achieved one of its key value propositions of providing rich margins to their resellers, outpacing key competitors in this market.” For additional information on the Vertiv Partner Program and solutions portfolio, visit https://partners.Vertiv.com/English.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vertiv.Media Contact: Rania El Rafie M  (+41) 215613203‌ E rania.elrafie@apo-opa.com About Vertiv: Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) (www.Vertiv.com) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to ensure its customers’ vital applications run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. As Architects of Continuity™, Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs approximately 20,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. For more information, and for the latest news and content from Vertiv, visit www.Vertiv.com.Media filesDownload logo

Vertiv Accelerates Global Channel Growth with New Investments in People, Tools, Programs and Partner Relationship Management System

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The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-idb.org) have launched the first series of their joint webinars. CIBAFI – ICD Webinar on “Open Banking: A Driving Force for Islamic Banking Growth and Development” was successfully held yesterday. Fintech has revolutionized the global financial industry – it has not merely changed the way consumers interact with their banking institutions, it has also upended long-established business practices and internal workflows. CIBAFI Global Islamic Bankers’ Survey (GIBS) 2020 Report revealed that one of the two financial technologies that stand out as an area in which Islamic banks expect to have effective implementation within their operations is Open Banking. This increased interest in Fintech encouraged CIBAFI and ICD to jointly organize this webinar which gathers an international panel of distinguished speakers, Fintech enthusiasts, and Islamic finance industry stakeholders to discuss the perspectives of Islamic banks on the adoption of Fintech with a focus on Open Banking. The webinar also looks at the Open Banking model opportunities and challenges associated with it. Inaugurating the webinar, Dr Abdelilah Belatik, Secretary General of CIBAFI said: “Within today’s fast-changing and challenging environment, financial technology is a crucial element for the prosperity and development of the finance industry. It is essential, now more than ever, to increase awareness of the new technological trends and advancements such as the open banking model and accelerate the adoption process. Technologies that focus on customer experience and outreach will certainly prosper in coming years”. Mr. Ayman Sejiny, Chief Executive Officer of ICD added: “Technology and innovation are key growth drivers for the financial industry, and it is essential for Islamic financial institutions to profit from the benefits associated with their adoption. As a multilateral institution, encouraging the adoption of technology trends within the Islamic financial services industry is one of the objectives of ICD and we are happy to be co-organising this very important initiative with CIBA. Among the expert speakers who shared their insights on the topics of the webinar included: Mr. Mr. Yakup Sezer, CEO and Board Member, Insha Ventures – Al Baraka Turk; Mr. David Beardmore, Ecosystem Development Director, Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE), United Kingdom; Ms. Yasmeen Al Sharaf, Head of Fintech and Innovation, Central Bank of Bahrain; Mr. Paul Kayrouz, Head of Fintech, Blockchain &#038; Emerging Technology, PwC Legal Middle East and Mr. Peter Casey, Consultant, General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI). CIBAFI and ICD extend their highest appreciation to all speakers, guests, the media, and attendees for making the webinar a success. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).Media Contact: CIBAFI www.CIBAFI.org Tel: +973 17357300 Email: media@cibafi.org About the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI): CIBAFI (www.CIBAFI.org) is an international non-profit organisation established in 2001 and headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain. CIBAFI is affiliated with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It represents the Islamic financial services industry globally, defending and promoting its role, consolidating co-operation among its members, and with other institutions with similar interests and objectives. CIBAFI has over 130 members from 34 jurisdictions, representing market players, international intergovernmental organizations and professional firms, and industry associations. About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD): The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-idb.org) is a multilateral development financial institution and member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. ICD was established in November 1999, to support the economic development of its member countries through the provision of finance for private sector projects, promoting competition and entrepreneurship, providing advisory services to the governments and private companies, and encouraging cross border investments. ICD’s shareholders consist of the IsDB (rated T ‘AAA’), 55-member countries and 5 financial institutions from the member countries. ICD is rated ‘A2’ by Moody’s, ‘A-’ by S&#038;P and ‘A+’ by Fitch. ICD establishes and strengthens cooperation and partnership relationships with an aim to establish joint or collective financing. ICD also applies financial technology (Fintech) to make financing more efficient and comprehensive. Media filesDownload logo

CIBAFI – ICD Webinar Focused on the Important Role that “Open Banking” Presents for Growth and Development of Islamic Banks

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Following a Microsoft initiated third-party audit of its cloud migration practices and after meeting stringent criteria including demonstrable global customer success stories, proven upskilling of staff and best practice frameworks and architecture, Altron Karabina (www.AltronKarabina.com), a leading technology solutions provider across Africa and the Middle East, has earned the much-coveted Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization. “Altron Karabina (www.AltronKarabina.com) is one of only seven Microsoft partners in South Africa to have been awarded the specialisation,” says Corne Du Preez, Consulting Services Lead: Cloud Infrastructure at Altron Karabina. “To earn this advanced level of specialisation, Microsoft partners have to meet or exceed certain performance thresholds; they must also show a breadth of team members who have mastered their certifications and demonstrate their skills; and other important requirements such as detailed customer references and case studies.” Altron Karabina established their Cloud Practice in 2018, and in only three years have managed to achieve this specialisation in Azure. This feat demonstrates their focus and dedication to cloud computing as well as their concerted and unwavering belief in both the product and Microsoft cloud computing vision. “With a determined focus on growing our skill set in delivering full or hybrid cloud solutions, our customers can depend on us to guide them in moving their workloads to Azure feeling fully confident that their businesses will be supported effectively and efficiently throughout the process – from planning and assessing, to design and migration.” Audit findings show that Altron Karabina has built a solid team of cloud architects, who bring high levels of expertise to different stages along the journey to cloud, with proven abilities in empowering local and multinational customers to modernise their businesses in a secure and cost-effective way. These skills, paired with a solid understanding of customer requirements and objectives, are then translated into tangible, customer-centric outcomes. “Our approach to customer engagement is unique and focussed on ensuring the best possible outcome at all times and it is key that we deliver innovation that matters to our customers across the world,” says Du Preez. Lionel Moyal, Commercial Partner Director at Microsoft South Africa concurs: “Only partners who are able to demonstrate deep knowledge, extensive experience and proven success in migrating workloads to Microsoft Azure are able to pursue the Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization. Business today, and into the future, will be challenged to stay ahead of the pack in as far as how quickly they are able to innovate their offerings, and Altron Karabina has proven its abilities in helping businesses achieve this. Suren Govender, Group Chief Digital Officer from Life Healthcare: “As with any other organisation that is embarking on the journey to cloud, we initially experienced anxiety and trepidation. Our engagement with Altron Karabina has helped us understand how to move our infrastructure to Azure cloud, while also providing expert technical advice and working hand in hand with the Life Healthcare team to make the cloud journey reliable. Altron Karabina understands our strategy, and their recent Azure Advanced Specialisation Accreditation is an attestation to their focus on delivery and quality.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Altron Karabina.About Altron Karabina: Altron’s (www.AltronKarabina.com) purpose is to deliver innovation that matters with key focus areas across cloud services, security, data and automation. As a key operation of Altron, Altron Karabina is the business technology solutions company within the group that represents Microsoft. Founded in 2001, we have over 20 years’ experience and have become a trusted partner and advisor to hundreds of companies. We aspire to be an inspirational business partner, driving growth for our customers and jobs for the communities, to create a better South Africa. This enables us to be deeply purpose-driven, knowing that what we do and the solutions we can create with our customers, can impact our country. We have three core goals for our customers. Our first goal is to accelerate their business results. Secondly to transform their business and technology platforms and thirdly to empower our customers and their employees to win in everything they do. Through our Microsoft partnership, our inspiring leadership, our business value obsession, our relevant solutions and our experienced and talented employees and teams, we are a leading digital transformation partner in South Africa and Africa. For more information about Altron Karabina, visit www.AltronKarabina.com.Media filesDownload logo

Altron Karabina achieves global recognition with Azure Advanced Accreditation

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To help end a leading cause of illness and death in the southern African country of Zambia, a Rotary (www.Rotary.org) club-led initiative aims to save and improve lives by empowering community health workers to test, diagnose and treat malaria. Malaria, a preventable disease caused by a parasite spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, disproportionately affects children under the age of five and pregnant women in rural populations. To help end malaria in Zambia, The Rotary Foundation, World Vision USA and the Bill &#038; Melinda Gates Foundation will each contribute $2 million for the Rotary-led Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia program. This $6 million program will add 2,500 community health workers to the national health system in Zambia, allowing for effective malaria diagnosis and treatment for more than 1.3 million people in ten of the most highly affected districts in Central and Muchinga provinces. “By empowering community health workers, more people in areas with little to no access to health care will now be reached by trusted members of their communities,” said Bill Feldt, member of the Rotary Club of Federal Way in Washington, USA, who spearheaded the program. “This proven health care delivery model is effective and financially sustainable, and will bring lasting protection by reducing and eliminating this disease at the local level.” Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia takes Rotary members’ commitment to eliminate malaria to the next level by building a longer-term, multi-stakeholder partnership on the ground in Zambia with the National Malaria Elimination Centre, provincial health leadership, PATH MACEPA and World Vision Zambia. Martha Lungu, executive director for Malaria Partners Zambia, an affiliate of Malaria Partners International, and member of the Rotary Club of Ndola (Zambia) said, “Every day I witness firsthand the effects of malaria. This program demonstrates that Rotary members are true partners in our communities and are focused on supporting community health workers to help loosen the grip malaria has on the Zambian people.” Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia is the first awardee for Rotary’s Programs of Scale grant. In an annual competitive grant process, The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s philanthropic arm, will award $2 million to an evidence-based program that aligns with one of Rotary’s causes and has the capability for scaling-up to help more people. The programs are sponsored by Rotary members in collaboration with local communities and partner organizations.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rotary.Media Contact: Rotary Chanele Williams +1-847-866-3466 chanele.williams@rotary.org Claudia Brunner +41.44.387.7116 claudia.brunner@rotary.org World Vision Nicole Harris 404-735-0871 nharris@worldvision.org Bill &#038; Melinda Gates Foundation media@gatesfoundation.org Rotary and Partner Quotes “Rotary’s Programs of Scale is encouraging our members to think big and to work with other organizations to find comprehensive solutions to large-scale issues,” said K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran, Trustee Chair of The Rotary Foundation. “The power of Rotary is greatly magnified when we partner with like-minded organizations. As we’ve learned from our global effort to eradicate polio, our impact on communities is further augmented when compatible partners contribute their own specialized skills, talents and finances to support our efforts.” “Rotary members bring unparalleled energy and dedication to global health challenges. Their efforts have brought polio eradication within reach, and I am confident they will do the same in the fight against malaria,” said Philip Welkhoff, Director of the Malaria Program at the Bill &#038; Melinda Gates Foundation. “This project complements and builds upon the leadership of the Government of Zambia in working to eliminate malaria from the country. We are thrilled to expand on our longstanding partnerships with Rotary and World Vision to advance progress in hard-to-reach communities and to realize the goal of ending malaria for good.” “We are pleased to partner with both The Rotary Foundation and the Bill &#038; Melinda Gates Foundation on this important work to help end malaria in Zambia,” said Edgar Sandoval Sr., president and CEO of World Vision U.S. “When we bring impact-focused organizations together, we can do more to help the world’s most vulnerable reach their potential.” About Rotary: Rotary (www.Rotary.org) brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Through Rotary’s disease treatment and prevention programs, members educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. For more information, visit www.Rotary.org. About World Vision: World Vision (www.WorldVision.org) is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA. About the Bill &#038; Melinda Gates Foundation: Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill &#038; Melinda Gates Foundation (www.GatesFoundation.org) works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.Media filesDownload logo

Rotary-led Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia awarded US$6 million to reduce burden of malaria in heavily affected districts

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Africa Oil &#038; Power (www.AfricaOilAndPower.com) officially opened the Mozambique Gas &#038; Power (MGP) 2021 Technical Workshops with a ceremony held in Maputo today; the ceremony included opening statements by Miquelina Menezes, President of Mozambique Women of Energy, and highlighted the organization’s outlook on advances in electrifying the region, in commemoration of International Women’s Day; to comply with COVID-19 related regulations, the MGP 2021 Conference &#038; Exhibition has been re-scheduled to later in 2021, while planned workshops will take place online on 9 March. Africa Oil &#038; Power (AOP) has officially opened its anticipated Mozambique Gas &#038; Power (MGP) day of Technical Workshops with a ceremony dedicated to the celebration of International Women’s Day. As the world celebrates women, AOP aims to highlight women in Africa’s growing energy sector and the value of gender inclusivity. “I would like to congratulate all women today,” stated Miquelina Menezes, President of Mozambique Women of Energy. “Energy is important for everyone in Mozambique, but particularly women. With so many upcoming projects in Mozambique, the government has announced the goal of energy for all by 2024. Mozambique is going the right way to achieve this goal.” “As a form of prelude to the live event that the Mozambique Gas &#038; Power 2021 is set to deliver soon, we have a stellar line up in store,” stated Renée Montez-Avinir, Managing Director, AOP. “Please stay tuned for the thought-provoking discussions that will be delivered tomorrow.” The event was attended by industry leaders and government representatives and precedes a day of technical workshops which targets a range of discussions around critical topics impacting the country’s energy sector. Delegates can still register for the workshops on 9 March at www.MzGasAndPower.com. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.Media filesDownload logo

Africa Oil & Power officially opens Mozambique Workshops, celebrates International Women’s Day

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By Charné Hundermark, Southern And East Africa Editor Africa Oil &#038; Power (www.AfricaOilAndPower.com) would like to congratulate Sonangol on reaching the impressive milestone of 45 years in operation. The Angolan state-owned oil company has been operating since 1976, and despite experiencing political and economic challenges, the company has remained resilient, and has helped transform the country’s oil and gas sector into a global success story, while building a reputation as Africa’s leading national oil company. The Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, H.E. Diamantino Azevedo, stated that Sonangol has contributed to the growth and sustainability of the country’s petroleum industry – thereby guaranteeing a greater return for the state – and has supported the participation of companies and national staff in the sector’s activities. Sonangol has been a major contributor to the socio-economic development of Angola. More recent achievements include the implementation of a series of reforms intended to further boost sectoral success and focus Sonangol’s activities on its specific value chain. By restructuring both Sonangol and the sector and transferring the concessionary function to the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG), Sonangol was able to become more profitable and efficient. Sonangol’s board of directors recently announced that the company saved, in 2020, $1.441 billion, in which the restructuring was a key determinant, allowing the country to significantly reduce fuel imports. As the African continent emerges from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and oil prices stabilize, Sonangol is prioritizing production capacity increases, boosting international involvement in the hydrocarbons sector, and reinforcing its central role in the national production of hydrocarbons. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.Media filesDownload logo

Sonangol celebrates 45 Years in Service of Angola (By Charné Hundermark)

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Download logoThe Africa Skills Hub (www.AfricaSkillsHub.com), a youth employment organisation and business incubator in Ghana will partner with Canada World Youth – Jeunesse Canada Monde (CWY-JCM) with support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to implement the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods Initiative (WELI) (www.AfricaSkillsHub.com/weli). The project addresses challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic through an innovative youth-centred and gender-responsive economic empowerment approach. “COVID 19 has threatened the survival of many women businesses, there is still much hope in building back better. There is recovery ahead, and whilst Covid may have disrupted so many things it has however also provided enormous alternative opportunities to diversify and do gender responsive programming in a new way” said Daniel Antwi, Executive Director at Africa Skills Hub. Africa Skills Hub has officially begun various activities in Ghana and Senegal. In Ghana, the project is in two (2) peri-urban councils in Sagnarigu district, Northern region; and in a rural setting in Afadzato South, Volta region but will also have various nationwide and local advocacy outreach. In Senegal, the WELI project will focus its work in Thies Region. The project directly reflects CWY-JCM&#39;s commitment towards SDG 5 (Gender Equality and Empowerment) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). We will use innovative strategies to tackle topics such as gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, we will expedite training and learning to improve the productive capacities of adolescent girls and young women and position them to contribute towards rebuilding and strengthening the economy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.  Over the years, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have played a critical role in Africa&#39;s socio-economic development by producing critical goods and services, creating jobs, helping to reduce poverty, and promoting economic growth. The MSME sector has also provided women and youth opportunities to harness their economic potential. It is estimated by the World Bank that about one third of all MSMEs in Africa are owned by women. The overall outcome of WELI is to increase economic empowerment to strengthen resilience for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) most affected by COVID-19 in targeted areas in Ghana and Senegal. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods Initiative (WELI).Contact for Partnerships and Collaborations: Daniel Antwi daniel.antwi@africaskillshub.com +233265431191 Visit www.AfricaSkillsHub.com/weli and follow us on all our social media handles (@africaskillshub) Africa Skills Hub: Africa Skills Hub (ASH) (www.AfricaSkillsHub.com) is a youth employment and business incubator that aims to build skilled Africa youth as agents of change using a social enterprise paradigm that involves the application of disruptive approaches to community and grassroots development using online and offline tools. Visit www.AfricaSkillsHub.com and follow us on all our social media handles (@africaskillshub).  About Canada World Youth &#8211; Jeunesse Canada Monde (CWY-JCM): Canada World Youth &#8211; Jeunesse Canada Monde (CanadaWorldYouth.org) is an international organization dedicated to the empowerment of young people. CWY-JCM collaborates with partners in Canada and around the world to create transformative learning experiences focused on building knowledge and leadership skills through participation in sustainable community-driven projects. Global Affairs Canada (GAC): Global Affairs Canada (www.International.gc.ca/) is the department of the Government of Canada that manages Canada&#39;s diplomatic relations, promotes international trade and provides consular support. It leads international development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance efforts.

Canada World Youth and Africa Skills Hub partner to introduce Women’s Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Initiative (WELI)

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers, but does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group. 
Words: Ladi Eguche &#038; Fraser Mitchell. Graphics: Daniela Godard. Download document 1 &#8211; https://bit.ly/2OdOMLl Download document 2 &#8211; https://bit.ly/3v7NMcg Download document 3 &#8211; https://bit.ly/3ekxebi The United Nations (https://bit.ly/3sZ0Mz5) warns that the world could face a 40 per cent shortfall in water supply by 2030, with Africa – which already suffers from greater levels of water stress than other regions – likely to bear the brunt. The economic impact of the shortfall in water infrastructure and supply is already severe. Sub-Saharan Africa currently loses an estimated (https://bit.ly/30kvxlS) 5 per cent of its annual gross domestic product (GDP) due to poor access to clean drinking water and sanitation, 5 to 25 per cent of its GDP to droughts and floods in affected countries, and 40 billion hours of otherwise productive time annually, collecting water. Having delivered on sustainable water supply projects in the SADC region, South African-based construction and engineering firm, Khato Civils, has announced its intention to expand across the continent and play its part in tackling Africa’s infrastructure shortfall. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area, came into effect in January 2021. It is expected (https://bit.ly/3sZwgp0) to increase levels of intra-Africa trade by over 50 per cent by 2030 and offers the opportunity for increased Pan-African collaboration in major infrastructure projects. In an interview with AfricaLive.net (https://bit.ly/3c4FwB6) Khato Civils Chairman Simbi Phiri put forward an ambitious vision for African development facilitated by infrastructure development. “Problems like food shortages are not occasioned by a lack of food on the continent necessarily, it’s about our underdeveloped land and waterways. If we can step up infrastructure development, we will solve a lot of other problems as well,” says Mr Phiri. “AfCFTA gives us a chance to have a business without borders. “We will now be able to go into places like Zimbabwe, Zambia and other countries to compete. It also gives us a chance to compete with multinationals from India and China in other African countries. The agreement will lay to rest some of the restrictions that were imposed by colonial legacies of the past.” The Data: Africa’s Water Crisis In Numbers As the world becomes more populous, increased urbanisation, climate change and changes in food production are driving water demand at a rate that outpaces supply. * Globally, 80 (https://bit.ly/30lOVz5) per cent of wastewater goes back into the ecosystem without adequate treatment, resulting in 1.8 billion people worldwide drinking contaminated water. * Over 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to clean drinking water and over 700 million live without access to good sanitation. * The world faces a severe water shortage by 2030, and Africa is likely to bear the brunt – as exacerbated by the impact of climate change. * Africa’s water sector has an annual investment shortfall of USD 13 billion (urban areas) to USD 27 billion (rural areas). * African countries lose between 5 and 25 per cent of GDP due to issues related to lack of water infrastructure. The Opportunity: Every 1 USD spent brings between 3 and 24 USD of economic benefits For every USD 1 invested in water and sanitation, there are direct and indirect economic returns to individuals and households, the health sector, and agricultural and industrial sectors, ranging from USD 3 to 34, according to (https://bit.ly/30kvHcY) the World Health Organisation. “If you look at big cities like Accra, their biggest issue is water and sanitation,” says Mr Phiri, “The same applies to other cities like Lagos and Kinshasa with power and roads coming a close second,” “Water and sanitation is without a doubt the main area that will boom in Africa in the short-term future.” In order to unleash these economic benefits, Khato Civils Chief Executive Officer Mongezi Mnyani calls on governments to accelerate infrastructure development and foster public-private partnerships. “Political will is at the centre of it all,” says Mr Mnyani. “Infrastructure initiatives must be government-driven because that’s where the agenda is set and major decisions are made. Governments must work collaboratively and also develop strategies that entice the private sector so that firms like ours have an easier time carrying out projects.” The Water Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa Requires an Annual Investment of USD 35 Billion While poor governance, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of environmental research have exacerbated water supply issues, insufficient long-term investment in water infrastructure needed to manage water resources and provide water services remains a key challenge. The African Development Bank’s Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Wambui Gichuri, recently highlighted (https://bit.ly/3eiEC6O) an annual investment requirement of USD 35 billion per year. Ms Gichuri also stated (https://bit.ly/3vfqYaS) that a UN assessment indicates finance gaps of between 39 per cent for urban water supply and 78 per cent for rural water supply. Derisking Africa in the eyes of global capital is key to closing that funding gap. Mr Phiri believes indigenous African construction and engineering firms &#8211; previously often overlooked in favour of international firms &#8211; have a role to play in building investor confidence, saying “I believe it’s all about getting projects done on time, within budget, and with proper quality. “People will trust you more if you have a track record of delivering what’s needed with allocated funds. “Risk comes in when we have companies that do not do what’s required of them with borrowed funds. Once we develop professional and social proof based on the work done with borrowed funds, it will boost our credit rating and make it easier for us to access more capital.” Khato Civils Impact On Infrastructure in Southern Africa Khato Civils has been making a mark on water infrastructure across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region for decades, with Mr Phiri at the helm for about 11 years. “We took over the company in 2010 because we saw a niche area in South Africa,” he says. “Lots of South African companies were either being priced out of deals or running out of budget to complete certain projects. We also wanted to bring a special quality to the market in a way that exceeds what customers want and need.” Also speaking in an interview with AfricaLive.net (https://bit.ly/3sW3g1l), CEO Mogezi Mnyani adds, “We may be based in Johannesburg, but we have offices in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana and South Sudan. We are looking to set up offices in other regions as well because our vision is to diversify into other markets and offer our products to countries that need them the most across the continent.” With Khato Civils’ ongoing expansion and 85 per cent of their staff based in local sites, the company is poised to expand Sub-Saharan Africa’s water infrastructure and supply, thus improving climate resilience and mitigating food security risks, pending greater investments in water infrastructure. “It’s not just about business for us, we work to ensure we leave a legacy by changing the lives of communities,” says Mr Mnyani. Botswana’s 100km Pipeline Project The government of Botswana is implementing the North-South Carrier Project to address water shortages in its growing capital, Gaborone. The Khato Civils/South Zambezi/Evolution Engineering JV (https://bit.ly/3qlqpsk) is designing and constructing a Transmission Water Pipeline of approximately 100km from Masama Well fields to Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant in Gaborone, to convey 64Ml/day of borehole water abstracted from both Masama East and West Wellfields. The project started in May 2020 and Khato Civils is rallying to complete what would normally require 2.5 years in half the time, as per the client’s wishes, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic.  Joint Venture with South Zambezi: Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant in Botswana In connection with the above-mentioned North-South Carrier Project in Botswana, Khato Civils is working in a joint venture with South Zambezi (https://bit.ly/3ehjnlR) to increase the capacity of the Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant to handle increased water pipeline flows. The project entails designing, building and equipping all protection for the water treatment plant to function effectively, critically examining the maximum water flows and associated pressures, design calculations and drawings, amongst other activities (https://bit.ly/3v55Fso) The plant will treat a maximum of 110 megalitres of raw water per day. Khato Civils and South Zambezi have a long-standing business relationship. This joint venture serves as a clear example of the type of collaboration African engineering firms can form to deliver infrastructure projects ahead of schedule. Lake Malawi Water Supply Project The Lake Malawi project was conceptualised as a long-term and sustainable intervention to water problems that have been affecting the ever-growing population of Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, for over a decade. Khato Civils won the USD 500 million water transfer project tender issued by the government of Malawi, beating six reputable companies from China, Portugal, South Africa, Italy and the United Kingdom. Khato Civils is in a joint venture partnership with South Zambezi (https://bit.ly/3sROZmi) to extract water from Lake Malawi, clean and transport it to the Lilongwe Water Station, 124km away, before piping it to the city’s population. Khato Civils’ designs have been approved by the Malawi Water Board and the national government. Shaping Africa’s Future With A Commitment to Green Building The Khato Civils leadership also emphasises a commitment to sustainable engineering, construction and infrastructure development. “Our designs always have an element of green building in terms of energy savings, alternative sources of energy and local materials. We also research and look to bring in green technologies so that we ensure sustainability even as we build,” says Mr Mnyani. Mr Phiri adds, “I believe our future in this industry, in relation to sustainability, will largely depend on solar energy. We want to be recognised in this space and we are moving ahead with sealing important partnerships with Canadian firms to get the right competencies. We see this as an emerging sector.” Another of Khato Civils’ key service offerings is advice on cost-effectively executing projects from the design stage. “The importance of preliminary work before the execution stage is very important,” says Mr Mnyani. “We are resourceful enough and open enough for the use of various energy forms along the course of work. We have incorporated hydropower and even solar power, in the design, to ensure continuity at all times. We also believe in preserving natural sites, indigenous trees, graves and other important landmarks of countries.” A Call For Transformative Partnerships Khato Civils is now looking to both inspire a new generation of African engineers while accelerating its own development by forming new strategic partnerships. “Another big plus of the AfCFTA agreement is that fellow Africans will see an African-owned company like us that is well organised and accomplished and our success will rub off on them. Overall, the trade agreement provides a platform where trailblazing African companies can set the marker for the rest to emulate,” says Mr Phiri. “We look for competent like-minded partners and have found some in Kenya, USA, Italy, and other countries. The companies we work with have done business in far-flung areas, including Asia, and understand how to operate in sometimes unfavourable conditions.” “We are open to partners that have a passion for changing the status quo, care about African development, and are not just interested in profitability.” Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Khato Civils.Media filesDownload logo

USD 35-billion per year is needed to tackle Africa’s water crisis; South African firm Khato Civils announces African expansion and calls for AfCFTA to be the catalyst to build Africa’s water infrastructure

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USD 35-billion per year is needed to tackle Africa’s water crisis; South African firm Khato Civils announces African expansion and calls for AfCFTA to be the catalyst to build Africa’s water infrastructure

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Africa Oil & Power boosts Mozambique Local Content via Technical Workshops

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