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The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to Highlight United States (U.S.) Capital Mobilization for Africa at Houston Energy Forum

Source: APO – Report:

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is set to take the stage at the U.S.–Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) in Houston next month, with Director Selam Demissie confirmed as a featured speaker. Her participation comes at a pivotal moment as the DFC deepens its commitment to mobilizing U.S. private capital into Africa’s energy and critical minerals sectors, particularly in underfinanced markets.

Despite being resource-rich and technically viable, many African energy projects continue to face challenges reaching financial close, held back by a lack of early-stage capital, limited credit guarantees and high perceived political risk. This financing gap continues to stall progress across upstream and midstream segments, particularly in markets where private investors remain cautious. The DFC is stepping into this space with the clear goal of derisking investment environments and making U.S. participation not only viable, but attractive.

Through its suite of financial tools – including political risk insurance, debt financing and equity investment – the DFC is uniquely positioned to provide the kind of blended finance packages that catalyze private sector involvement. Its products are designed specifically to absorb risk where commercial lenders will not, helping to crowd in capital for large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. By offering coverage of up to $1 billion per project, the DFC protects investors against challenges such as expropriation, political violence and currency inconvertibility – barriers that often delay or derail investments in complex African markets.

One of the DFC’s recent moves was its $553 million loan to support the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Lobito Atlantic Railway, which stretches over 1,300 kilometers from the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the Angolan coast. This investment includes rail infrastructure and port facilities, designed to enable the efficient transport of critical minerals, such as cobalt and copper, from the DRC to global markets. The corridor represents a major shift in regional logistics strategy – offering a competitive and secure alternative to existing routes – and speaks to a broader U.S. push to build more resilient and transparent supply chains for critical materials central to the energy transition.

The DFC’s participation at USAEF also signals that its focus extends beyond minerals. In the energy sector, the DFC has extended political risk insurance to gas and infrastructure projects, including in markets like Mozambique, where it played a role in supporting early-stage development of LNG facilities despite significant security and operational challenges. These efforts highlight how U.S. development finance can help move forward energy projects that might otherwise remain stalled in frontier markets.

At USAEF 2025, the DFC’s participation underscores its expanding role in Africa’s energy and critical minerals sectors. The agency’s growing footprint reflects a clear recognition of Africa’s pivotal role in the future of global energy systems and supply chains. By providing risk-tolerant capital for infrastructure such as gas processing, terminals and transport corridors, the DFC is helping to catalyze private investment and strengthen U.S. economic and strategic engagement across the region.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com or visit https://USAfricaEnergy.com. Join us in Houston to connect with the leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape and experience the momentum that drives ECP’s events worldwide.

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Reservoir to provide water for North West communities 

Source: Government of South Africa

As part of a commitment by government to improve the provision of a reliable water supply to communities, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has officially handed over a large water reservoir to the Moretele Local Municipality in the North West.

The Deputy President handed over the reservoir alongside Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina. The official handover was part of the Deputy President’s outreach programme aimed at addressing service delivery challenges facing communities.

READ | Deputy President to lead service delivery outreach in North West

Mashatile handed over the 25 megalitre concrete water reservoir to the municipality, as part of a commitment by government to improve the provision of a reliable water supply to communities. 

These initiatives are in line with the clarion call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to elevate the provision of quality water services to communities. 

As one of its apex national priorities, government has committed to spending over R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years, to revitalise roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise ports and airports, and power the economy. 

“This is a big reservoir, the first of its kind in the area. We want to ensure that our people get water. The President said water is a priority and ours is to implement,” Majodina said on Friday.

The Minister explained that the reticulated network falls under the municipality. 

Town water or a reticulated water network delivers potable water to homes and businesses through an interconnected grid of pipes.

“That’s why I’ve raised it that when we give the municipality this bulk water supply, theirs is to reticulate. People need water, and municipalities must reticulate,” she said.

As part of his visit, the Deputy President will also embark on a Clean Cities and Towns campaign in Mogogelo village, in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. 

This nationwide campaign is aimed at fostering cleaner, greener, and more inclusive urban spaces, while advancing sustainability, equality, and solidarity among all citizens.  

He is also expected to deliver remarks at a community meeting, which will provide an opportunity for government leadership to give feedback on progress achieved in addressing service delivery challenges affecting the surrounding communities. 

The Deputy President is also accompanied by North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, Morelete Local Municipality Mayor George Manyike, Members of the North West Provincial Executive Council, as well as senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government to strengthen gender equality measures

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa will over the next five years focus on strengthening and monitoring systems that are meant to advance gender equality and women empowerment.

Speaking at the official launch of Women’s Month 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday, Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, said this will be underpinned by a robust evaluation function and ensuring accountability across all spheres of governance to ensure that women empowerment takes place.

Chikunga outlined critical developments aimed at institutionalising gender-responsive governance.

She said a key development is the upcoming Promotion of Women’s Rights, Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, which, once enacted, will institutionalise gender-responsive planning, budgeting, procurement, and service delivery across all organs of State.

“The bill will also provide the enforcement mechanisms that have long been missing,” Chikunga said.

The department, the Minister said, is working closely with National Treasury to fast-track the finalisation of regulations of the Public Procurement Act in order to help empowerment of businesses owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities.

“In addition to our department’s economic empowerment strategy, we have developed a socio-economic empowerment index through which we will be able to track empowerment and participation across socio-economic sectors, thus promoting a deeper analysis of systemic barriers affecting women’s economic empowerment.”

To move from intent to impact, Chikunga said the Women’s Economic Assembly has been tasked to urgently study the anatomy of government expenditure and supply chain patterns.

“This will enable us to break free from entrenched barriers to market entry and reimagine a women-led industrial and productive revolution. No sector should be beyond our reach.”

She said new indicators of economic progress are needed to enable government to measure what matters. These should also include indicators that recognise both paid and unpaid care work (the care economy), which often remains largely undervalued and unaccounted for.

Highlighting the significance of Women’s Month, Chikunga said the struggle for gender equality has evolved from resistance to reconstruction, from wanting “mere inclusion to demanding a fundamental re-structuring of power relations”.

“Today, building on the legacy of 1956, our transformation agenda is much more daring to the patriarchal script. Our agenda is rooted in centuries of systemic exclusion that relegated women to subordinate positions across virtually every sphere of human activity.

“At its core, our movement for gender equality seeks to uproot entrenched patriarchal structures that have historically denied women equal participation in economic, political, social and scientific spheres of life.”

Achievements 

Chikunga also reflected on the achievements made since 1994, noting that South African women currently hold 43.5% of seats in Parliament, occupying 171 out of 400 seats — up from 28% in 1994.

“The appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s first female Chief Justice marks a historic achievement. The signing of the Public Procurement Bill and the Land Expropriation Act also demonstrates our commitment to gender-responsive redistribution of land and productive assets,” she said.

The Minister highlighted the establishment of the R20 billion annual Transformation Fund, which supports emerging women industrialists and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as part of government’s bold commitment to transformation.

“The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) Act has now been passed, and the process of establishing the National Council is underway.”|

She further noted another major achievement under the leadership of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, including the G20 Women’s Empowerment Working Group, as a significant platform.

“Our Chairship of the Empowerment of Women Working Group has elevated three overarching priorities, including policy perspectives on the care economy, financial inclusion, and the elimination of gender-based violence.”

Equipping women 

The launch of Women’s Month was held in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Gauteng Provincial Government, Standard Bank South Africa and ABSA.

Some of the key highlights of the event included the Women in Trade Intervention and a roundtable session titled: “De-Risking Financial Inclusion for Women”.

These initiatives aim to equip women with business skills, market knowledge, and access to opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area. – SAnews.gov.za

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Nigeria: African Development Bank to join groundbreaking ceremony of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Oyo State

Source: APO – Report:

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oyo State Government will be joined by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ).

Headlining the ceremony, to be held 2 August 2025 in Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area, will be Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, African Development Bank Group head, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, alongside senior government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders.

The SAPZ Programme is a flagship of the Bank’s Feed Africa strategy and aims to transform Nigeria’s rural economy by facilitating agro-industrialisation, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment.

This marks the third groundbreaking under Phase I of the Nigeria SAPZ Programme, and the first in the country’s southwest, following successful launches in Kaduna (http://apo-opa.co/45vNMqL) and Cross River (http://apo-opa.co/4ovxCp4) States, in April 2025. It underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering regionally balanced agro-industrial development across Nigeria.  

Nigeria’s SAPZ Phase I spans seven states in addition to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, and Imo, with a total financing envelope of $538 million. The programme is co-funded by the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, alongside federal and state contributions.

Oyo State, with a population approaching 8 million and the largest landmass in the southern part of the country, is one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally endowed states. Over 90% of its 28,454 square kilometers is arable, positioning it as a key contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural output. Its proximity to Lagos – the most populous city and largest subnational economy in Africa – makes it a natural hub for agro-industrial investment, trade, and market access.

The 300-hectare SAPZ site in Ijaiye lies just 29 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and is connected to key infrastructure, including the Chief Obafemi Awolowo Railway Station (16 km) and a newly upgraded road network that links to the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport – which is being modernized into an international cargo facility. These assets position Oyo State as a natural hub for domestic and export-oriented agro-processing.

The SAPZ will capitalize on Oyo’s comparative advantage in cassava, maize, poultry, soybeans, and horticulture.

In addition to the Ijaiye hub, the state is also developing a 2,800-hectare agribusiness hub with an Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Eruwa, designed to serve smallholder farmers and youth agripreneurs through shared infrastructure and service platforms. Both facilities are supported by a $37 million financing package from the African Development Bank.

As the African Development Bank and the Government of Nigeria advance the program, the Oyo SAPZ launch signals the continued scale-up of integrated, inclusive agro-industrial growth across the country.

Under phase 2 of the SAPZ program, another 24 states will come on board. Phase 2 generated $2.2 billion in global investment interest at the Africa Investment Forum held in December 2024 (http://apo-opa.co/3UFakPH).

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Nkiruka Henrietta Ugoh
Nigeria Country Department
email: media@afdb.org

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No resilient economy without gender equality

Source: Government of South Africa

No resilient economy without gender equality

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has warned that there can be no resilient economy while wealth and income inequality persist along gender lines.

Speaking at the official launch held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Friday, Chikunga emphasised that economic resilience is fundamentally undermined when half the population remains economically marginalised.

“A resilient economy is one that should be able to withstand, adapt to, and recover from various shocks and disruptions while maintaining its ability to grow. And certainly, no economy can be truly resilient for all when half of its population is economically marginalised,” Chikunga said.

Chikunga said financial inclusion for women goes far beyond basic access to banking.

“It represents a fundamental shift in economic power. This struggle includes challenging discriminatory lending practices, advocating for property rights reforms that allow women to use assets as collateral, and confronting cultural norms that position men as the primary financial decision-makers.”

She argued that true economic resilience requires a deliberate reconstruction of systems and structures that harness the full productive potential of all citizens, with particular attention to those who have been historically excluded from economic power.

The Minister pointed out that Africa represents the future of trade and market success and has been at the centre of the population growth, accounting for the largest relative growth, with its population expanding from 283 million in 1960 to more than 1.5 billion in 2024 – a more than fivefold increase.

“This is projected to increase by 950 million and touch 2.5 billion by the year 2050. This population represents a largely untapped market that must be connected through technology, a market that must be fed from our arable land, a market that must travel, a market that must be entertained and a market that must be well dressed. In short, the market is at our doorstep. Let us innovate around it,” the Minister said.

Women at the heart of African trade 

The Minister underscored the need for women to be at the forefront of the African market, noting that traditional trade models, dominated by male-centred networks and structures, have proven insufficient in confronting the paradox of a wealthy Africa that is inhabited by poor Africans.

“Research evidence has consistently shown that economies with higher levels of women’s participation in trade enjoy greater resilience, innovation and sustainable growth patterns. We also know that women-led businesses tend to prioritise societal well-being over pure profit maximisation.”

Despite these strengths, Chikunga acknowledged that barriers remain — particularly limited access to digital tools, excessive red tape, border delays, and administrative red tape — that prevent women from fully participating in cross-border trade.

To address these challenges, the Minister called on policymakers, businesses and development financiers to intensify their efforts to eliminate these barriers and expand trade opportunities for women.

She said work must be intensified via the Comprehensive Financial Architecture Reform that establishes gender-responsive financial systems capable of addressing women’s unique economic realities.

“This includes the creation of women-focused investment funds that provide patient capital — capital with flexible, longer payback periods suited to the nature of women-led businesses. It also requires developing alternative credit scoring mechanisms that recognise informal economic activities, where many women are concentrated.

“Financial institutions must adopt collateral-free lending programmes, recognising that women’s limited property ownership should not exclude them from accessing capital. Additionally, blended finance mechanisms—which combine public and private funding—will help de-risk investment, while providing women entrepreneurs with the patient capital needed to build sustainable, export-ready businesses,” the Minister said.

A call to action

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Deputy Minister, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, echoed the Minister’s message, urging women to see themselves not as passive beneficiaries but as active economic drivers.

“Women are not bystanders in the economy. We are contributors. It is time for women to lead a march for economic emancipation, from our townships to our rural areas.”

She also encouraged women to take ownership across all sectors, especially in the financial and digital economies.

“Do not limit yourselves to one sector. It is your time, take the economy in your hands. When women work together and support each other, we will win,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

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SA continues to engage US over tariffs

Source: Government of South Africa

SA continues to engage US over tariffs

South Africa remains committed to finding a resolution with the United States following the recently imposed reciprocal tariffs.

This, as government intensifies efforts to protect jobs, support affected companies and diversify trade markets.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed members of the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday. 

The President’s comments follow the imposition of a 30% tariff by the United States on all goods imported from South Africa. The move forms part of a broader US tariff policy affecting multiple trade partners across the globe.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa had already tabled a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade proposal to the United States and that negotiations are ongoing.

“We put on the table a package, which would deal with our trade relations with the United States that contained what we were offering and what we wanted them to offer us. We wanted a number of trade items to be exempted, and we wanted to offer them the ability to invest in our economy, as well as South African companies to invest in the United States. 

“That package is still to be fully negotiated. What they want to do now is to deal with the trade issues that have got to do with what they are going to be imposing (sic)… Our negotiations with the US are continuing,” the President said. 

The President stressed that South Africa was not alone in facing these challenges. “Let’s be clear. South Africa is not the only country that is dealing with these crises. Many other countries are, some of which are in a much worse situation than we are. Others are slightly better off.

“All of us are involved in a process of having discussions and negotiations with the United States. It should also be clear that the US has come up with a unilateral tariff imposition on many countries in the world.

“They are the biggest economy in the world, so we have to respond to the US tariff proposal. Many of our companies deal with US customers. We export vehicles, steel and aluminium and citrus. We have to engage with them and find a way to reach a settlement. Within the window that’s still open, we are hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter. 

“On our African continent, we are the largest economy and the most industrialised economy. So obviously we will be a target, because we export more than many other countries,” the President said.

Support for local companies

Government is working on a support package for South African companies that are likely to be hit hardest by the new tariffs.

“That for us is the main objective, but at the same time, we are saying to our companies that we are going to come up with measures to support our companies through negotiations. There are other interventions that we are working on, which will lessen the blow to our companies,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Government’s approach is two-pronged: to negotiate both globally and at the sectoral level, while also offering direct support to industries most exposed to the US market. 

“Our objective really is to save jobs. We want to preserve the jobs at those companies that are going to be adversely affected.

“Those who deal with citrus, we will be assisting them with those negotiations, and those who deal with vehicles, we will be [assisting them as well]. The second approach is precisely that of assisting our companies and giving them as much help as we can,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa said South Africa is taking active steps to reduce its dependence on any single trade partner by encouraging companies to explore new international markets.

“The whole process of dealing with countries on a trade basis requires that we should be multidimensional. We should not just focus on one country, and we’ve been encouraging our companies to look out to export their products to various markets because it is too risky just to focus on one market. 

“When I travel overseas, I usually take a business delegation so that they can go and search for new markets wherever we go. The same thing happens with the Deputy President and other Ministers as well,” the President said. 

He emphasised that South Africa must intensify its efforts to expand international trade.

“For us to grow our economy, we need to be much more vigorous and robust with our international trade, and it must be as ‘international as the word international means’. 

“There are quite a number of countries that we need to reach out to, countries that want to deal with us, that want to trade with us, and this moment gives us that opportunity,” the President said. 

Engagement 

Following the briefing, The Presidency released a statement confirming that South Africa will continue negotiating with the United States on the tariffs which are expected to come into effect seven days after 1 August 2025. 

“South Africa will continue negotiating with the US regarding the 30% tariff announced by the US, which will come into effect on or after 12h01 eastern daylight time, seven days after 1 August 2025,” the statement read.

It clarified that previously exempted items under a US Executive Order, such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and stainless-steel scrap, remain excluded from the new tariff measures. 

The statement confirmed that South Africa has submitted a Framework Deal aimed at fostering mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. 

“All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US and our negotiators are ready pending invitation from the US,” it said.

In the interim, government is finalising a support package for affected sectors, with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) set to announce further details. An Export Support Desk has also been established to provide exporters with updates, guidance and market assistance.

READ | Government announces measures to assist exporters

“South Africa will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard its national interests.  It is important that as a country, we keep our people at work and our companies producing some of the high-quality products destined for many parts of the world,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

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Township businesses to benefit from Merchant Development Programme

Source: Government of South Africa

Township businesses to benefit from Merchant Development Programme

The newly launched Merchant Development Programme is set to unlock opportunities for township-based automotive businesses in Krugersdorp.

The programme was launched by Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela on Thursday.

Diale-Tlabela said the initiative is a bold move by the Gauteng Provincial Government to promote inclusive economic growth. The programme is aimed at boosting township-based automotive businesses by integrating them into government’s fleet maintenance supply chain.

“This is not just another project. It is a bold and deliberate step toward realising the Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, as proclaimed by Premier Panyaza Lesufi that 60% of the provincial budget must be spent within townships. This initiative will guarantee that we successfully transition from intention to execution,” she said.

READ | Gauteng to launch Merchant Development Programme

The initiative provides skills development, training, onboarding, accreditation and assistance for future integration into the government’s fleet maintenance supply chain.

The programme is championed by g-FleeT Management, the trading Entity of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, in partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and WesBank, to address barriers to entry.

Township spending by the Fleet Maintenance Unit of g-FleeT Management increased from 7% to 10% as of October 2024, with a clear goal to reach 30% by the end of 2025.

“Each rand invested in township merchants contributes directly to job creation and community development. This programme is about more than numbers. It is about impact, dignity and participation.

“In partnership with the private sector, we will continue to build an economy that values ambition and rewards ability, regardless of one’s location,” the MEC explained.

Meanwhile, AIDC Chief Executive Officer, Andile Africa, stated that they are proud to play a key role in this initiative by hosting, supporting and developing the merchants at Chamdor Automotive Hub.

He said AIDC provides the infrastructure, compliance support, training, and broader ecosystem benefiting merchants from being in a secure, Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)-approved facility.

“[The] Merchant Development Programme is more than just repairing vehicles. It’s about repairing the structural inequalities of the past, building sustainable businesses, and creating real opportunities for people in our communities,” he said.

WesBank’s National Contract Manager for Fleet Services, Marcellus Mbanda, spoke to the RT46 contract, business model, and beneficiation approach to the townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH) areas.

WesBank plays a key managing role in the RT46 contract, which is a transversal government contract designed to streamline the acquisition, financing, and disposal of vehicles for national and provincial departments.

The RT46 contract is a transversal term contract managed by the National Treasury for providing fleet management services.

“Currently, the bank is working with about 243 merchants sitting outside the hub, benefiting through RT46,” said Mbanda.

Mbanda further confirmed that since 2021, the amount spent towards repairs by township merchants has risen to R37 million in terms of allocation of work. – SAnews.gov.za

Neo

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Fourth Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum Communiqué

Source: APO – Report:

We, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the Government of Grenada, convened the Fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) from 28 to 29 July 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada, under the theme, Resilience and Transformation – Enhancing the Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.

RECOGNIZING the profound historical, cultural, and ancestral bonds that unite Africa and the Caribbean, and reaffirming our joint commitment to the advancement of a prosperous and self-reliant Global Africa.

ACKNOWLEDGING the African Union’s recognition of the African Diaspora as the sixth region of the continent, and its critical role in fostering trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable development across the two regions.

RECALLING the declarations and outcomes of previous ACTIF forums—ACTIF2022 (Bridgetown, Barbados), ACTIF2023 (Georgetown, Guyana), and ACTIF2024 (Nassau, The Bahamas)—which called for deeper political, economic, and cultural integration between Africa and the Caribbean.

RECOGNIZING the need to build resilience amid an increasingly fragile and uncertain global landscape—marked by climate crises, pandemics, rising protectionism, debt vulnerabilities, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

CONSCIOUS of the persistent structural barriers to AfriCaribbean integration, including inadequate transportation and connectivity, limited access to trade and project finance, and regulatory misalignment; whose resolution present opportunities for growth through regional integration in sectors such as energy, hospitality and tourism, agriculture and agroprocessing, manufacturing, creative and cultural industries,health, financial services, transport and logistics.

AFFIRMING the imperative of strengthening intra-African and intra-Caribbean markets, while simultaneously expanding African-Caribbean trade and investment to drive shared prosperity and transformation.

WE HEREBY:

COMMIT to supporting the deepening  of cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, with a focus on building resilient cross-regional value chains in strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy, infrastructure, health, financial services, manufacturing, and the creative and digital economies.

WELCOME the endorsement for the establishment and operationalization of an Africa–Caribbean Free Trade Arrangement, to eliminate trade barriers, enhance regulatory coherence, and unlock mutual market access.

UNDERTAKE to support, and fast-track the implementation of enabling policies and instruments to establish direct air and maritime links between Africa and the Caribbean, and CALL UPON the African Union Commission (AUC), CARICOM Secretariat, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), International Trade Center, AfCFTA Secretariat, CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), AfriCaribbean Business Council (ACBC), and private sector stakeholders to collaborate towards sustainable and commercially viable trade corridors.

WELCOME the wide range of trade and investment deals amounting to over US$ 300 million that were announced during ACTIF2025, spanning infrastructure,   manufacturing, logistics, digital services, tourism, and agribusiness—and ENCOURAGE greater participation by SMEs, women- and youth-led enterprises.

SUPPORT the continued growth of the AfriCaribbean Business Council (ACBC) under the partnership of the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation and the Africa Business Council as a dynamic platform to catalyze business-to-business linkages, strengthen trade promotion, and resolve common private sector challenges.

WELCOME the endorsement of the Global Africa Commission to drive and strengthen Africa-Caribbean economic and cultural relations by the Government of Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and other leaders of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; and call on African and Carribeean Heads of State and Government to endorse the Global Africa Commission at the African-Carribean Summit in Addis Ababa in September 2025. 

COMMEND the ambition of establishing a Global Africa Athletics Championships as a landmark initiative strengthening youth development and sports diplomacy between Africa and the Caribbean and as one of the initiatives of the Global Africa Commission

ACKNOWLEDGE the pivotal role played by strategic partners including the African Union Commission (AUC), the AfCFTA Secretariat, the CARICOM Secretariat, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and the International Trade Center in advancing the shared vision of Global Africa.

ENCOURAGE both regions to speak with one voice on global matters, pushing for fair trade systems and economic reforms that reflect collective aspirations

CALL  for joint Africa and Caribbean action and advocacy for climate justice at the global level

CALL for strategic studies to optimise Caribbean-African economic, social and cultural linkages.

EMPHASISE the imperative of eliminating of visa restrictions to promote entrepreneurial movement and promote trade and investment between the two regions.

WELCOME collaboration to adress digital skills shortages and capacity gaps in telecommunications and digital sectors that are hampering regional development and require immediate attention through skills and knowledge transfer programs COMMEND the Government of Grenada and fellow OECS states for showcasing concrete bankable opportunities.

APPLAUD the 13 countries that have signed onto Afreximbank’s Partnership Agreement and urge remaining countries to formalize participation in order to fully benefit from tailored financing, facilitation and advisory services.

ACKNOWLEDGE the urgent need to invest in  infrastructure that unlocks Caribbean- African trade and investment opportunities in sectors such as  —energy, transport, broadband, ports, eco-tourism—and CALL ON development finance institutions to design targeted solutions for this agenda.

RECOGNIZE the important role of the creative and digital economy—including music, film, literature, fashion, visual arts, and sports—as a vibrant engine for growth, identity, and youth empowerment and commend Afreximbank for its initiatives in support of the sector.

CONGRATULATE Dr. George Elombi on his appointment as the fourth President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank.

COMMIT to the continued convening of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, and reaffirm our full support for ACTIF2026, as a flagship platform to accelerate Afro-Caribbean trade, investment, and integration.

VOTE OF THANKS

Express our deep appreciation to the 2,106 delegates from over 80 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider international community for their active participation and contribution to ACTIF2025—including 11 Heads of State and Government , senior government officials, business executives, artists, scholars, development partners, 85 speakers and moderators and 102 exhibitors.

Extend our gratitude to Former Heads of State Government His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, Former President of Niger, and Right Honourable Percival J. Patterson, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica for their wisdom and guidance in charting the course of Global Africa.

We thank the African Union Commission, Caribbean Community Secretariat, African Free Trade Area Secretariat, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Secretariat, the United Nations, and the International Trade Center for their continued support in building African-Caribbean relations.

We express our deep appreciation to the People of Grenada led by the Governor- General Dame Cecile La Grenade and Prime Minister, The Honourable Dickon Mitchell, for their exceptional hospitality and seamless organization of the Forum.

We acknowledge the visionary leadership of Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, and commend the Bank and its partners for their unwavering commitment to advancing the vision of a united and empowered Global Africa through the ACTIF platform.

29th day of July 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada.

– 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 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). 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

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Youth in Oil & Gas Summit Founder Calls for Pragmatic Leadership to Empower Youth in Namibia

Source: APO – Report:

Justina Erastus, Founder of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia, called on the country’s leaders to empower the youth across the industry by providing access to job experiences and skills training. Highlighting the need to provide youth with the chance to gain experience, she drew insight into the instrumental role youth play in the evolving oil and gas sector – not only as participants, but as the visionary leaders of tomorrow.

Delivering opening remarks during the second edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia this July, Erastus explained that youth often face challenges gaining experience across the oil and gas sector, particularly in emerging markets such as Namibia. As such, the country’s leaders have a vital role to play in ensuring accessibility.

She said: “Investing in young Namibians is investing in the promise of a brighter tomorrow. How else do we empower the youth without giving them chances? It is not about experience, if you don’t have the experience, how will you gain it if the leaders do not give us a chance? Enough about the social media clickbait – we need to start hiring and training our youth.”

The Youth in Oil and Gas Summit offered a platform for industry leaders, international companies and Namibian youth to connect. Erastus explained that the summit “is a movement fueled by passion, true collaboration and the belief in our youth.” She added that the summit has evolved to become “a national project that is designed to empower every young Namibian, so that they see themselves as innovators and decision makers. This summit is situated at the crossroads of policy, investment and talent development, giving Namibians the tools to leverage their networks, sharpen their skills and launch their various careers.”

The summit comes as Namibia prepares for first oil production by 2029, led by industry players such as TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, Galp, Rhino Resources, ReconAfrica and more. This milestone is expected to spur the creation of a domestic fuel hub in Namibia, further bolstered by ongoing gas development at the Kudu field and onshore exploration in the Kavango basin. For Namibians, domestic oil and gas production offers the promise of fuel security, job creation and local business opportunities.

“I see a future where Namibia is 100% electrified, thanks to our oil and gas resources. I see a Namibia where we are a leading oil producing country, fueling industrial growth and driving regional integration. To every young person here – seize this moment,” added Erastus.

Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry offers a range of opportunities across the entire value chain. As a sector largely in its infancy stage, the oil and gas industry requires significant levels of investment, innovation and technology. It is within this scenario that the youth have a vital role to play.

“Oil and gas is not an industry that is exclusively for the petrochemical, engineer or geophysicist. It is a long, interconnected value chain that calls for logistics experts, catering companies, waste managers, asset custodians, communicators and even creatives. There is room for every passion every skill and every dream,” stated Erastus. 

As such, Erastus called for a rethinking when it comes to youth in the Namibian oil and gas sector. The country has a unique opportunity to implement bold policies, prioritize inclusivity and empower the youth before the industry has even developed. For Namibia’s youth, Erastus underscored the need to think, not only of opportunity today, but how the youth can transform the industry of tomorrow.

“Let us think of ourselves not only as participants but as the visionary leaders of tomorrow. We should be leaders that uplift our communities and choose integrity over convenience. Leaders who rewrite the narrative of possibility. Let us create a future that is prosperous, safe and enabling, not just for ourselves but for the generations yet to come,” Erastus concluded.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Advocates for Namibia’s Youth-Led Energy Future

Source: APO – Report:

Namibia’s emerging oil and gas sector is set to become a cornerstone of national economic development, with youth empowerment, skills training, infrastructure readiness and policy reform forming key pillars of its long-term strategy. Speaking at the second edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit held in Walvis Bay, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org), discussed the importance of inclusive participation in the energy sector, calling for stronger public-private collaboration to ensure Namibia’s resources deliver impact for local communities.

As Namibia prepares for first oil from major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin – led by global energy players such as TotalEnergies, Shell, Galp and Chevron – the summit spotlighted the need for foundational capacity building, including STEM education, vocational training and investment in youth entrepreneurship. The event, spearheaded by Justina Erastus, and supported by key national institutions such as Petrofund, emphasized local ownership and workforce integration as the industry scales up.

“A future that speaks to the hearts and minds of all Namibians is a future that speaks to the hearts of every Africa,” Ayuk stated, adding, “When we see what you are building for your country, we know the future is bright.”

According to the AEC, Namibia’s anticipated offshore production will require robust support infrastructure ranging from marine services and logistics hubs to data centers and grid-connected baseload power. Ayuk highlighted that energy demand linked to digital infrastructure – including AI, cloud computing and data storage – would require consistent, large-scale electricity generation. This positions Namibia’s oil and natural gas sector as a potential anchor for industrial development.

While acknowledging global climate priorities, the AEC emphasized that Namibia and other African nations must have the right to leverage their natural resources to combat energy poverty. With Africa contributing less than 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions, the Chamber maintained that international climate policies must account for the continent’s development needs.

“There are forces around the globe telling us that climate change is the problem. But how do you think Europe became what it is? How do you think America became what it is? How do you think Asia became what it is? They use oil. They use coal. They make billions for themselves. And right now, they tell you in this country, you don’t deserve the right to use your oil. We don’t agree with that,” Ayuk stated.

Institutional partners such as Petrofund were recognized for their role in providing scholarships and technical training for Namibians, especially women and youth. Petrofund’s investment in vocational education and postgraduate studies has directly supported the country’s efforts to create a skilled workforce ready to meet industry demand.

Ayuk also called on industry players, government and academia to create synergy around youth capacity building. He urged energy companies operating in Namibia to commit to meaningful local content policies and to make space for young professionals in both technical and leadership roles.

“We’ve got to figure out how to make industries more accommodating to young women. Globally, we’ve seen less than 70% women in the oil and gas industry. That’s not enough,” Ayuk added.

The summit also underscored the importance of regulatory and policy coherence to support industrial growth. The AEC reaffirmed its support for ongoing efforts by Namibia’s Upstream Petroleum Unit to align national frameworks with global best practices, while tailoring them to the country’s unique socioeconomic landscape.

Namibia’s growing energy ecosystem, including downstream infrastructure, local fabrication capacity and training institutions, stands to benefit from strategic investments aligned with long-term goals. The AEC maintains that a balanced, pragmatic approach to energy – one that includes both hydrocarbons and renewables – will allow Namibia to transition sustainably while building wealth and creating jobs.

“It starts with you. It starts with what role you want to play. And the role you have to play that shaped the future. You represent that,” Ayuk concluded.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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