Category: English

Source: APO

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Premier Invest will return as the Deal Room Sponsor at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, strengthening its role as one of the continent’s most active platforms for structured energy financing and transaction facilitation. The announcement builds on a multi-year partnership, during which the Deal Room has evolved into a cornerstone of AEW’s investment agenda – bringing together project sponsors, financiers and policymakers in a focused environment designed to accelerate deal closure across Africa’s oil, gas and renewables sectors.

The Deal Room has become one of AEW’s most closely watched features, reflecting growing demand for practical investment platforms in a market where Africa continues to attract only a small share of global energy capital. It functions as a live transaction space, directly connecting investors with structured, bankable opportunities across the continent.

At AEW 2025, the Premier Invest Deal Room showcased approximately $13.4 billion in energy opportunities spanning upstream, midstream, downstream and renewable projects, underscoring the scale and diversity of Africa’s investment pipeline. The session consistently draws strong participation from private equity firms, family offices, trading houses and regional financiers.

Led by Founder and Managing Partner René Awambeng, Premier Invest advises on and structures transactions across Africa’s energy value chain, mobilizing capital from global investors while deepening engagement with regional financial institutions. The firm secured its license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority in 2025, marking a key milestone in its institutional expansion and regulatory positioning, and has since advanced a broader group structure designed to strengthen trade finance flows and investment facilitation in emerging markets.

More recently, Premier Invest has expanded its footprint beyond traditional energy financing into adjacent sectors, including the advancement of its African Sports Infrastructure Fund, underscoring its growing interest in infrastructure-linked investment platforms that complement long-term economic development strategies across the continent.

At AEW 2026, the Deal Room is expected to further sharpen its focus on deal conversion, with increased emphasis on follow-through sessions, investor matchmaking and structured negotiation formats. The platform has also gained recognition for its role in catalyzing real transactions and helping move projects from early-stage visibility to term-sheet readiness.

“The Deal Room is where Africa’s energy ambition meets execution,” said African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk. “This is about deals getting structured, capital getting mobilized and projects moving forward. Its return in 2026 reinforces AEW’s role as the continent’s premier marketplace for energy investment and deal-making.”

With AEW 2026 set to bring together an even wider pool of global investors and African energy stakeholders, the Premier Invest Deal Room is expected to remain one of the event’s defining spaces for translating ambition into executed investment outcomes.

For more information, visit: https://apo-opa.co/4vcSlRh

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

• First airline in the world to offer this level of comprehensive travel cover
• Robust conflict-related medical expense protection and free 30-day trip extension
• Airline-managed hotel stays and extended-stay support during disruption
• Complimentary rebooking on other airlines during conflict-related cancellations
• Cover that stands, regardless of government travel advice

Emirates (www.Emirates.com) has become the first airline in the world to offer Comprehensive Travel Cover, an industry-first travel insurance product that handles it all, including medical cover for conflict-related incidents, backed by airline-managed hotel accommodation and extended-stay support across a range of disruption scenarios.

When itineraries include connecting on other airlines or Emirates services are unavailable, Emirates will also rebook disrupted customers to their destination at no additional cost, including where flights have been cancelled due to conflict-related disruption.

Customers can now plan and travel with even greater peace of mind from the moment they book their journey, with expanded medical cover in the insurance product, supported by Travel Guard, and additional disruption support by Emirates on top of the existing travel insurance offering.

For customers in South Africa, Emirates’ Comprehensive Travel Cover will be available from 17 June 2026 and can be purchased when booking flights on emirates.com or added to existing bookings via Manage Booking. The enhanced offering provides South African travellers with expanded protection and support before and during their journeys, including access to conflict-related medical expense cover, trip extension benefits and additional assistance during travel disruptions.

Emirates’ new Comprehensive Travel Cover includes trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide, among other generous benefits. Newly added conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses of up to US$ 25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days. The cover is not restricted by government travel advice.

Rooted in Emirates’ ‘fly better’ brand promise and its duty of care to customers is airline-managed hotel accommodation during disruptions, including airspace closures**. This is in addition to existing customer-first benefits such as a free date change for tickets booked from 2 April, and the option to ‘hold my fare’ for 24 hours free of charge, giving travellers flexibility, reassurance, and support at every step.

Emirates Comprehensive Travel Cover is available at an accessible premium and delivers exceptional value. Available from today, it can be purchased on emirates.com at the time of booking or added to existing bookings via Manage Booking.*

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs.  Together with Travel Guard, a leader in the global insurance industry, Emirates is pleased to offer an enhanced travel insurance product that is as comprehensive as it is reassuring for a wider range of situations. With strong demand for travel in summer, we are proud to offer our customers added confidence in planning their journeys to and through Dubai when they book with Emirates.”

Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships, Travel Guard added: “Our long-standing collaboration with Emirates is grounded in a shared commitment to elevating the customer experience. By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry and responds to the needs of today’s travellers.”

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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

Source: APO – Report:

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (www.IsDBInstitute.org) and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) have jointly unveiled a pioneering study proposing the Ṣukūk Enhancement Fund (SEF), an innovative mechanism designed to improve the risk profile of ṣukūk and expand access to capital markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The report was launched during the 20^th IsDB Global Forum on Islamic Finance, held on 17 June 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in conjunction with the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings.

Titled “Ṣukūk Enhancement Fund: A Sustainable, Cost-Efficient Scheme for Enhancing the Risk Profile of Ṣukūk,” the study addresses one of the most persistent challenges in Islamic finance: enabling SMEs to access long-term financing through capital markets despite limited credit history, perceived risk, and high issuance costs.

The proposed SEF introduces a mutualized risk-sharing mechanism through which participating ṣukūk issuers collectively contribute to a protection fund that enhances investor confidence without relying on external guarantees, government subsidies, or additional financing costs. By transforming fragmented issuer risk into a pooled protection framework, the model seeks to broaden market participation while preserving economic discipline and Sharīʿah compliance.

Commenting on the study, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, said: “The Ṣukūk Enhancement Fund represents a practical innovation that aligns with the core principles of Islamic finance—risk sharing, real-economy linkage, and inclusion. We believe it can help unlock new opportunities for SMEs and deepen Islamic capital markets.”

Prof. Bambang P. Brodjonegoro, Dean of the ADBI, added: “SMEs remain the backbone of many developing economies, yet access to long-term finance continues to be a challenge. The SEF offers a promising approach to expanding financing opportunities through market-based Islamic finance solutions.”

Supported by extensive quantitative analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, the study demonstrates the resilience of the proposed framework across a range of stress scenarios. The findings suggest that the SEF can enhance market stability, broaden the issuer base, and facilitate greater participation in the ṣukūk market.

Beyond its role as a risk-mitigation tool, the report positions the SEF as a foundational component of Islamic capital market infrastructure, capable of supporting financial inclusion, private sector development, and sustainable economic growth across IsDB member countries and beyond.

The report is accessible on IsDBI website here: https://apo-opa.co/3Q7QDlb

– on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on www.IsDBInstitute.org

Source: APO – Report:

New research by Kaspersky Digital Footprint (DFI) (www.Kaspersky.co.za) has discovered that more than one-third of infostealer infections start when users run files directly from temporary browser folders, showing that user behaviour remains a key factor behind credential theft. Just 32% of infostealer attacks use process injection and living‑off‑the‑land techniques — behaviour typical of advanced malware families. 

Kaspersky DFI researchers analysed 5 million infostealer log files discovered on the dark web in 2025. These logs, which contain data stolen from compromised devices such as account credentials, browser cookies and system metadata, also revealed the original locations of malicious files on infected machines. 

The most common location was the Windows temporary directory, C:UsersAppDataLocalTemp, which accounted for approximately 35% of all observed cases. This folder is commonly used to store files downloaded from the Internet before they are explicitly saved by a user: a significant share of infections occurs when users directly launch downloaded files, without attackers relying on sophisticated evasion techniques.  

The second most common location, responsible for about 32% of cases, was C:WindowsMicrosoft.NETFramework. This path is associated with process injection and living-off-the-land techniques, in which malware abuses legitimate system processes to evade detection. Such behaviour is commonly observed in more advanced infostealer families, including Lumma (https://apo-opa.co/4efwnHn). 

The analysis indicates that infections are often linked to two risky user actions: downloading software from untrusted sources and attempting to activate software illegally. In many cases, victims follow instructions provided by threat actors and disable security software before running malicious files. According to the research, many malicious files were disguised as legitimate software installers, activators or game modifications. While game mods remain a common lure, attackers frequently adapt the same techniques to distribute virtually any type of software.  

“Infostealers surged (https://apo-opa.co/4oxo3pT) in 2025, with infections rising 59% year over year. Our analysis shows that user behaviour remains a key factor behind many of these compromises. The volume of infostealers executed from temporary download folders suggests that users often launch them immediately after downloading. In many cases, attackers do not need sophisticated techniques, they simply need to convince a user to run a file,” said Sergey Shcherbel, expert at Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.  

Beyond behavioural traits, distinct naming patterns were also observed across infostealer families. Lumma tends to favour generic installer names, .NET obfuscation and process injection. Vidar, in turn, typically appears as Bootstrapper.exe variants relying on conventional loaders. Stealc follows a mixed strategy, using both meaningful names like Licence_Version_Loader.exe and randomly generated filenames. RisePro, by contrast, stands out through recurring conventions such as MPGPH.exe and MSIUpdater.exe. 

The full report is available here (https://apo-opa.co/4xE67OE). 

To reduce the risk of infostealer infections, Kaspersky recommends businesses do the following: 

• Adopt a comprehensive digital risk protection service that monitors organisations’ digital assets and detects threats across the surface, deep and dark web such as Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence (https://DFI.Kaspersky.com/). 
• ​Provide your InfoSec professionals with an in-depth visibility into cyberthreats targeting your organisation. The latest Kaspersky Threat Intelligence (https://apo-opa.co/3SML38o) provides them with rich and meaningful context across the entire incident management cycle and helps them identify cyber risks in a timely manner. 

To stay safe users are recommended to: 

• Download software only from official and trusted sources, avoiding pirated software, cracks, activators and unofficial installers. 
• Use a strong security solution on all computers and mobile devices, such as Kaspersky Premium (https://apo-opa.co/4vUrWrA). It will warn you about potential threats and prevent infection. 
• Manage sensitive data securely: avoid storing passwords or recovery phrases in your photo gallery or notes; instead, use a dedicated, trusted password manager such as Kaspersky Password Manager (https://apo-opa.co/4vSYt0Y). 
• Never disable antivirus or security tools to install software and exercise caution when downloading game mods, cheats or third-party utilities. 
• Keep operating systems and applications updated, use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. 

– on behalf of Kaspersky.

For further information please contact:
Nicole Allman
nicole@inkandco.co.za

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About Kaspersky: 
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Innovating the industry with a Cyber Immunity approach, Kaspersky safeguards consumers, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments from cyberthreats, with over a billion devices protected to date. Kaspersky ensures Cybersecurity True to Business, focusing on providing clear outcomes, protecting revenue, easing workloads and preventing downtime. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services for organizations of every size, from small businesses to large enterprises, combining proven AI-driven protection technologies with simple management and expert support. Recognized in independent tests and trusted by millions of individuals worldwide and nearly 200,000 organizations, Kaspersky helps detect threats earlier, respond faster and operate with greater confidence and freedom, protecting what matters most to our clients. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za. 

Source: APO – Report:

• Delivering a comprehensive portfolio of energy solutions to accelerate Africa’s industrialization and economic growth.
• Showcasing CERius™, an AI-powered decarbonization software that enables sustainable industry and global competitiveness.
• Providing advanced grid-firming technologies to enable the reliability and stability of the continent’s energy systems.

In line with the Africa Energy Forum’s theme, ‘Building Africa’s industrialized Future,’ GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) (www.GEVernova.com) today showcased its comprehensive portfolio of technologies engineered to translate large-scale infrastructure ambitions into operational reality. Success in this new industrial era requires a holistic approach, one that bridges the gap between power generation and industrial application. By integrating sustainable energy generation, advanced electrification systems, and digital decarbonization tools, GE Vernova aims to enable African industries to scale with precision, helping ensure that energy remains a reliable, affordable, and sustainable foundation for the continent’s economic transformation.

At the event, GE Vernova is demonstrating how digital intelligence is accelerating the energy transition (https://apo-opa.co/4aylxtK). In Tunisia, the state utility STEG, identified an opportunity to evaluate GE Vernova’s CERius™, a sophisticated digital platform that integrates artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital twin technology to create a digital framework for emissions management. By moving from hardware-heavy monitoring to a software-driven digital framework, STEG is gaining real-time, auditable emissions data critical for aligning with international standards – including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Validation at the Sousse B power plant confirmed the effectiveness of this digital approach. Beyond achieving high consistency in emissions monitoring, STEG anticipates that this software-driven shift will reduce related investment and maintenance costs by up to 50%. By enhancing traceability, this initiative supports Tunisia’s ambitious electricity export strategy to Europe, proving that data-driven decarbonization is a powerful catalyst for regional economic growth.

Alongside digital innovation, GE Vernova emphasized that as the continent accelerates its energy transition, the focus should shift from merely adding capacity to confirming grid infrastructure is inherently stable and resilient. To support this, the company released a new whitepaper at the event – “Spain’s 2025 Blackout Experience: Grid Firming Needs for Developing Power Systems with High-Renewable Penetration (https://apo-opa.co/4xRp28T).”

The paper’s core recommendation is that future grids must be engineered for resilience, not just energy delivery. To successfully scale renewable energy, African nations are encouraged to prioritize grid stability from the outset, applying lessons learned from the Iberian Peninsula to build power systems that are as reliable as they are sustainable. By integrating flexible, grid-forming technologies – such as aeroderivative gas turbines, synchronous condensers, and advanced power electronic – and by explicitly valuing grid-support services, Africa can leapfrog traditional infrastructure hurdles. This approach enables the development of a more reliable and sustainable power system capable of supporting long-term economic growth. For further strategic guidance on these shifts, GE Vernova’s white paper, “Ensuring Power System Stability in an Evolving Electrical Grid (https://apo-opa.co/43InKix),” maps out the essential path for modernizing power systems.”

“Building Africa’s industrial future starts with getting the fundamentals right: power that is reliable, sustainable, and ready to scale,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (https://apo-opa.co/43Cskin). “A modern, stable grid is the backbone of this vision. Our goal is to provide a complete toolkit – from the AI that manages decarbonization to the grid technology that keeps the system stable – and to partner with African leaders to make that future a reality.”

Building on over 125 years of collaboration across the continent, GE Vernova continues to support Africa’s energy evolution by delivering comprehensive power generation, transmission, and distribution solutions alongside critical software and community-focused initiatives. Through this deep-rooted presence, the company is actively fostering the technical self-sufficiency required to power the next generation of industrial growth.

– on behalf of GE Vernova.

Media Contact:
Winnie Gathage
Africa Communications & MEA Special Projects Leader
GE Vernova
winnie.gathage@gevernova.com

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GE Vernova Middle East & Africa LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3QKcvmM

About GE Vernova:
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Electrification and Wind segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 85,000 employees across approximately 100 countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.

Learn more: www.GEVernova.com.

© 2026 GE Vernova and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
GE and the GE Monogram are trademarks of General Electric Company used under trademark license.

Source: APO – Report:

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Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com) and the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a strategic partnership to advance investment, policy engagement and global positioning of Africa’s mining and minerals sector.

The agreement brings together AMSG’s deep-rooted relationships with African governments, regional institutions and policy stakeholders, and ECP’s expertise in investment promotion, communications and large-scale event organization. Together, the two organizations aim to catalyze greater capital flows into Africa’s minerals industry while strengthening dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders.

Central to the partnership is a joint commitment to the development and success of African Mining Week (AMW) – taking place October 14-16, 2026 -, where AMSG will serve as a strategic advisor. Through this role, AMSG will support high-level government engagement, contribute to program development and provide strategic policy insights to ensure the event reflects the priorities and opportunities shaping Africa’s mining landscape.

The collaboration is expected to significantly elevate the profile and impact of AMW by facilitating the participation of senior government officials, institutional stakeholders and industry leaders, while reinforcing the event’s position as a leading platform for investment and policy discussions.

“This partnership marks a defining step in aligning Africa’s policy leadership with global investment capital,” said H.E. Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of AMSG. “By working with ECP, we are creating a powerful platform to ensure that Africa’s mineral wealth is not only recognized globally, but strategically developed to deliver long-term value for our economies. Our shared vision is to foster meaningful engagement between governments and investors that translates into tangible projects and sustainable growth.”

Beyond AMW, the MOU establishes a broader framework for collaboration across investment forums, ministerial roundtables and industry events, as well as joint initiatives in strategic communications, market intelligence and investment facilitation. AMSG will play a leading role in government coordination and policy engagement, while ECP will drive private sector mobilization and investor outreach.

“This agreement represents a major milestone in our mission to connect Africa’s most promising sectors with global capital,” said James Chester, CEO of ECP. “By partnering with AMSG, we are enhancing our ability to convene the right stakeholders at the highest level, drive impactful conversations and unlock investment opportunities across Africa’s mining sector. Together, we are building a platform that not only promotes Africa’s resources, but actively supports their development through strategic engagement and collaboration.”

As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the ECP-AMSG partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Africa. By aligning policy leadership with investment promotion and strategic communications, the collaboration is set to play a key role in shaping the future of the continent’s mining industry.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), members of the IsDB Group, launched a landmark report titled “Islamic Finance in Azerbaijan: Breaking New Ground”, providing a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities, challenges, and future development pathway for Islamic finance in Azerbaijan.

The report was launched on 17 June 2026 during the 20^th IsDB Global Forum on Islamic Finance, held in conjunction with the IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The report highlights Azerbaijan’s strong potential to develop a vibrant Islamic finance ecosystem, supported by its predominantly Muslim population, investment-grade sovereign ratings, ongoing regulatory reforms, and strategic location connecting Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe.

Recent developments, including the introduction of pilot Islamic banking products under the regulatory sandbox of the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CBAR) and ongoing legal and regulatory reforms, signal growing momentum toward establishing the foundations of Islamic finance in the country.

The report projects that Islamic banking assets in Azerbaijan could reach approximately USD 2.7 billion by 2035, while cumulative ṣukūk issuances could grow to USD 1.5 billion by 2035, creating new opportunities for investment mobilization, trade finance, financial inclusion, and private sector development.

Commenting on the issuance of the report, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, said: “Azerbaijan is well positioned to develop a credible and sustainable Islamic finance ecosystem. We hope this report serves as a practical reference for policymakers and industry stakeholders as they advance this important agenda.”

Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, added: “Islamic finance can play an important role in supporting trade, investment, and private sector growth in Azerbaijan. ITFC remains committed to supporting the country’s development journey through innovative Shariah-compliant solutions.”

The report concludes with a phased development roadmap focusing on regulatory reform, sector development, capacity building, awareness enhancement, and regional positioning. Together, these measures can support Azerbaijan’s ambition to become a leading Islamic finance hub in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region.

The report is accessible on IsDBI website here: https://isdbinstitute.org/product/islamic-finance-azerbaijan/

– on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org

Source: APO – Report:

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, has opened applications for the 2026 edition of the CANEX WKND 2026 Junior Chef Competition. The competition invites Nigeria’s most promising junior culinary talents, aged 16 to 21, to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and cultural storytelling at the CANEX WKND 2026, set to hold from 5 to 8, November 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Applications opened on 5 June 2026 and will remain open until 26 June 2026 via the official CANEX platform here: https://apo-opa.co/43ZZ4lT.

Now in its second edition, the competition builds on the landmark debut in Algiers, Algeria, during IATF2025, with Fatma Zohra Bendjelida crowned the inaugural winner. This year, the spotlight turns to Nigeria’s next generation of culinary talents. Eight aspiring young chefs will earn their place on the live stage at CANEX WKND in Lagos, where they will transform African culinary heritage into bold, signature creations; making dishes that honour the flavours, traditions, and stories of the continent while presenting a fresh, fearless voice in African gastronomy.

The journey to the finals unfolds in stages. Shortlisted applicants will advance to a semi-final round of live cooking sessions before an independent jury of culinary leaders from across Africa and the Caribbean. Competitors will be judged on creativity and innovation, technical skill, plating and presentation, ingenuity in the use of local ingredients, and their ability to tell cultural stories through food.

Commenting on the launch, Afreximbank’s Director of Intra-African Trade and Export Development (Creatives and Diaspora), Temwa Gondwe, said:

“The CANEX Junior Chef Competition reflects Afreximbank’s commitment to Africa’s creative economy, by investing in the talent and enterprises that will define its future. Africa’s gastronomy is among the world’s richest, yet most underexplored assets. It is a living expression of our heritage, ingredients and stories, and a commercial sector with the power to drive tourism, create jobs, strengthen local food supply chains and open new markets for African cuisine. Through CANEX, we are turning culinary creativity into enterprise.”

The vision of the Junior Chef Competition sits at the heart of CANEX’s broader mission to establish gastronomy as one the defining pillars of Africa’s creative economy, nurture talents, and advance food as an engine of cultural expression and commerce.

Selected participants will gain visibility, mentorship, and connections with leading chefs and sector stakeholders, while creating pathways to translate culinary talent into enterprise opportunities. The top three winners will receive cash prices, certificates and trophies.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to applicants from Nigeria who meet the following requirements:

• Must be aged 16–21
• Must live or work in any part of Nigeria and be willing to travel to Lagos for CANEX WKND 2026.
• Open to aspiring chefs, culinary students, and self-taught food creatives

How to Apply

Applicants can submit their entries via the official CANEX platform: https://apo-opa.co/43ZZ4lT

To register to attend CANEX WKND 2026 for free visit: https://WKND.CANEX.Africa

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com