Category: English

Source: APO

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With upstream capital expenditure set to reach $41 billion in 2026, Africa’s rising exploration and production (E&P) activity highlights the evolving landscape of above-ground attractiveness across the continent. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, African countries currently fall mostly in the mid-range of global attractiveness scores. However, a series of reforms, fiscal adjustments and strategic licensing initiatives are set to improve investor returns and deepen engagement across the continent.

Above-Ground Trends Shaping Investment

Political change, civil activism and shifting governance structures are creating new dynamics for African E&P. The waning of legacy European influence is being replaced by growing engagement from foreign powers, including China, Russia, the U.S. and Middle Eastern investors, impacting the diplomatic and investment landscape. Recent elections in South Africa, Senegal and Mozambique demonstrate how political flux can impact investor confidence and E&P operations.

Resource nationalism and local content requirements are also becoming more prominent. Governments are increasingly seeking to optimize national benefits from hydrocarbons through greater state participation, local ownership and employment measures. Countries such as Senegal, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Namibia are actively debating these policies. The evolving regulatory and social environment could empower civil society and labor unions, while environmental activities continue to scrutinize exploration in sensitive regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia and South Africa.

Strategic Licensing and Renewed Investor Interest

Amid renewed interest in deepwater exploration, sub-Saharan African producers are driving competitive licensing rounds to attract international operators and national oil companies (NOCs). Bid rounds are ongoing or planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, the DRC, Nigeria and Tanzania, with host countries offering more attractive fiscal and contractual terms. African governments are also increasingly flexible in dealing with a diverse investor base, ranging from local independents to international NOCs and financiers such as Middle Eastern banks, Asian export credit agencies and global trading firms.

Countries including Angola and Nigeria have implemented institutional, regulatory and contractual reforms aimed at unlocking upstream investment. Streamlined mergers and acquisitions approvals, clearer legislation and transparent licensing frameworks are critical to attracting cross-border capital. Emerging markets such as Ivory Coast, Kenya, Namibia and Senegal/Mauritania are under investor scrutiny as potential sites for strategic acquisitions and greenfield projects.

Focus on Gas Regulation and Industrialization

African governments are also prioritizing gas regulation to unlock lower-carbon growth opportunities. Clear frameworks for the gas value chain are expected to stimulate domestic industrialization, power access and international supply diversification. While pioneering projects such as Congo Floating LNG have advanced, other initiatives in Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania have been delayed due to contractual and offtake uncertainties. Pending gas master plans and legislation in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria and South Africa will be pivotal in determining how much of Africa’s undeveloped gas potential can be mobilized for export and domestic consumption.

Spotlight on Key Country Developments

Angola has emerged as a leading host country for E&P investment in Africa. Its above-ground risk score has steadily improved since 2017, reflecting extensive regulatory and institutional reforms. Angola’s fiscal incentives, including terms for gas, marginal fields, and incremental production, have successfully attracted upstream investment, consolidating its status as a continental leader.

Ivory Coast maintains a pragmatic approach to foreign investment. Regardless of the outcome of the 2025 presidential election, authorities are expected to continue supporting upstream investors while emphasizing adherence to local content requirements, particularly for offshore developments.

Mozambique is witnessing a cautious restart of onshore LNG projects following the stabilization of post-election political challenges and improved security in Cabo Delgado. TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project is set to resume construction in the second half of 2025, while Eni’s Coral North FLNG project remains on track. Despite progress offshore, onshore development may remain gradual due to lingering security risks.

Namibia is transitioning toward full producer status under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The country has consolidated oil and gas oversight under the presidency and is establishing an independent hydrocarbon regulator. Proposed increases in NOC NAMCOR’s share and local content requirements aim to strengthen the sector but could slow project approvals during a critical development phase.

Nigeria is reinvigorating its licensing program with updated terms and incentives targeting specific terrains and resource types. The government plans its third licensing round in three years, signaling a departure from decades of limited acreage availability. Renewed interest in projects such as TotalEnergies’ Ubeta onshore gas development and Shell’s Bonga North deepwater FID highlights growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream potential.

African Energy Week 2026

Africa’s E&P sector is at a pivotal moment. Strategic licensing, institutional reform and evolving fiscal frameworks are enhancing above-ground attractiveness, while political and social dynamics continue to shape the operating environment. As international investors seek opportunities across the continent’s hydrocarbon frontier, the upcoming African Energy Week conference – returning to Cape Town in 2026 – will explore how clear regulation, competitive fiscal terms and effective risk management will drive new investment and support Africa’s long-term energy ambitions.

“The continent offers compelling opportunities for investors who are prepared to engage in a transparent, regulated, and increasingly competitive E&P landscape,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “Governments and operators must continue to balance national priorities with investor confidence to unlock Africa’s vast hydrocarbon potential.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

While many couples might prepare for retirement as their years get along, Elaine and David Sigalet chose a different path. It is a path that lets them sail across oceans, transform lives, and deepens their bond in ways they could never have imagined. In the final years of their medical careers, this Canadian couple found renewed purpose with Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org), a global charity that delivers free surgical care and healthcare professional training to some of Africa’s most underserved regions. For the Sigalets, volunteering with the organization has been a deeply transformative journey.

Now serving for the fourth time on board the Global Mercy™, the Sigalets embody what it means to serve with both skill and heart. For them, this isn’t just volunteering. It is a calling.

David, a pediatric surgeon, spends his days performing life-changing surgeries for children. He repairs their hernias, removes their tumors, and restores lost hope to their families.

“What keeps me coming back is the sense of community,” David shared. “We’re not only transforming individual lives, we’re building something that lasts. The focus on teaching locals is the most meaningful part, because we leave something behind.”

Elaine has also seen the fruits of her labor, particularly in her work with local nurses.

“Today, I work with nurses I trained over a year ago, and their knowledge and ability to critically think in the moment have really improved. It’s very satisfying to see that growth.”

Elaine has a Ph.D. in medical education and serves as the Simulation Coordinator for Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) team. Her role involves creating realistic medical scenarios that allow local healthcare professionals to practice and refine their skills in a safe, risk-free environment. This ensures that the knowledge and skills they gain will remain long after the ship has sailed.

Recent studies (https://apo-opa.co/3KC76uX) show that simulation-based training in Sub-Saharan Africa can significantly enhance surgical and clinical competencies among local health professionals. For example, a systematic review found that simulation training is a highly promising modality to improve access and quality of surgical skills in underserved regions. By designing and delivering this supported training on board the Global Mercy, Elaine Sigalet puts theory into practice.

Married for 39 years, the Sigalets say their shared service aboard Mercy Ships has brought them even closer together. Between long days in the hospital and quiet reflective evenings on deck, they’ve rediscovered what first brought them together: a shared belief that faith and compassion can change the world.

“We try to always sit together for meals, attend services, and take evening walks,” Elaine reminisces. “Serving others side by side has taken our relationship, and our faith, to a deeper level. Until you experience it, you don’t really get it. It takes life, and love, to a whole new level.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

For more information about Mercy Ships, contact:
international.media@mercyships.org 

About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.      

Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal.

Source: APO

Black Swan, a Mauritius-based FinTech startup, has been named the winner of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025 (https://Meltwater.org), following a high-energy Grand Finale at Innovation City, Cape Town on November 26, 2025.

Led by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) and powered by Absa Group, the MEST Africa Challenge is one of the continent’s leading Pan-African pitch competitions, providing a platform for early-stage startups to secure funding, mentorship, and global visibility.

The 2025 edition turned its focus to FinTech; spotlighting startups and embedded financial solutions driving inclusion, smarter payments, and digital transformation across Africa’s economies.

Co-founded by Derick Kazimoto, Black Swan is on a mission to “Make Africa Bankable.” Across Africa, millions of consumers and MSMEs remain invisible to formal lenders because their data is fragmented, informal, and difficult to verify; a gap that locks out capable borrowers and limits credit growth. Black Swan tackles this challenge by turning fragmented data into instant credit intelligence that enables precise affordability assessments and inclusive lending at scale. Its platform helps financial institutions see real risk, unlocking new pathways for growth and economic mobility across the continent.

“Africa’s financial system cannot see the true creditworthiness of millions of consumers and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) because their data is fragmented, informal, and invisible to traditional lenders,” said Derick Kazimoto, Co-founder and CEO of Black Swan. “This invisibility locks out capable borrowers, limits credit growth, and slows economic mobility. Our mission is to make Africa bankable.” Kazimoto added, “We believe Africa is shifting from informal, collateral-heavy lending to data-driven credit. A transformation that’s changing how banks and FinTechs trust, lend, and grow.”

MAC 2025 attracted hundreds of applications from eight of Absa priority markets, including Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Mauritius. After a rigorous selection process, ten startups advanced to the Cape Town finale, where they pitched to a panel of judges comprising investors, Absa executives, and industry leaders.

The Grand Finale was a celebration of Africa’s ingenuity;  where founders showcased real, scalable solutions tackling challenges across payments, credit, insurance, and trade finance.

“Congratulations to Black Swan and all ten finalists of this year’s MEST Africa Challenge,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa. “This year showed a clear shift toward building for scale; founders are prioritizing compliance, interoperability, and cross-border readiness from day one. FinTech is now powering real sectors like agriculture, energy, and trade, and that’s where lasting impact will come from. At MEST, we’re inspired to see entrepreneurs building solutions that are deeply local yet globally adaptable. It reflects a new maturity in African innovation; grounded in customer realities, and ambitious enough to scale across borders.”

As the 2025 winner, Black Swan will receive US $50,000 in equity investment, entry into the MEST Portfolio, and the opportunity to pilot commercial solutions with Absa business units across Africa; support that will help the company scale its technology and expand its impact across the continent.

“This year’s Challenge brought forward solutions that reflect how people and businesses want to manage their financial lives in a simpler, more accessible, and more integrated way. Black Swan secured the winning position because their solution meets a clear need and shows potential to complement the services we provide across our markets. The Challenge has revealed just how much opportunity exists to enhance customer experiences through thoughtful innovation,” says Tawanda Chatikobo, Head of Digital for Absa Regional Operations (ARO), Retail and Business Banking.

Now in its seventh year, the MEST Africa Challenge has become a launchpad for early-stage founders across the continent; offering visibility, mentorship, and access to partners who can help them grow. The Challenge continues to serve as a bridge between emerging startups and established industry players, uniting the agility of innovation with the scale of corporate collaboration.

“Congratulations to Blackswan on reaching this milestone. What resonated with us was the technical discipline behind their approach: the architecture, the clarity of the build, and the way they’re thinking about scaling responsibly. For us, the Challenge is about expanding Absa’s view of the technology landscape and identifying where new capabilities or partnerships might emerge.” Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy and Transformation for Technology at Absa Regional Operations (ARO).

Since 2008, MEST Africa has trained and supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs and invested in over 90 startups. The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) is its flagship pan-African pitch competition designed to identify and support high-potential technology ventures.

Visit: https://apo-opa.co/48Rjvn5

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa).

Media Contact (MEST Africa):
Ophesmur Adjei
Marketing and Communications Manager
marketing@meltwater.org

About MEST Africa:
Established in 2008 as the non‑profit arm of Meltwater, the Meltwater Foundation drives job creation and economic growth in Africa through software entrepreneurship. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Support Organisation, MEST Africa, delivers a full-time, in-person intensive tech‑entrepreneurship training to emerging talent from more than 22 African countries and provides early‑stage investment to promising ventures. To extend this impact, the Foundation launched MESTx, a suite of collaborative programs designed and delivered with like‑minded partners to expand digital‑skills training and startup acceleration across the continent. Since its inception, the Meltwater Foundation has trained 2,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 90+ startups across the continent; fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping Africa’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

Learn more about MEST Africa: https://Meltwater.org

Source: APO

African Leadership Magazine (ALM) (www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.Co.UK) is excited to announce the winners of the African Persons of the Year (POTY) 2025 Awards, concluding a rigorous three-stage process that included continent-wide public nominations, a comprehensive editorial review, and a highly competitive global online poll that closed on 30 November 2025. This year’s exercise recorded exceptional engagement from Africans across the world, underscoring widespread public interest in celebrating leadership excellence across governance, business, philanthropy, innovation, and public service.

The ALM Persons of the Year Awards is Africa’s premier public-choice recognition, celebrating leaders whose vision, courage, and innovative actions in 2025 are shaping the continent’s development trajectory. Among the distinguished honourees, H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia, and H.E. Mandisa Maya, Chief Justice of South Africa, emerged as recipients of African Political Leader of the Year and African Female Leader of the Year, respectively. The 2025 winners collectively embody a pan-African community of trailblazers whose work spans sectors and geographies but aligned a shared commitment to advancing sustainable development, strengthening institutional resilience, and driving inclusive economic growth on the continent.

In his statement, Dr. Ken Giami, Publisher of African Leadership Magazine, highlighted that “As Africans, we must champion our own stories and recognise those shaping the continent’s future. This year’s awardees exemplify leadership that strengthens institutions, drives innovation, safeguards peace, and unlocks opportunity — showing what is possible when Africans lead with vision, courage, and purpose.”

The winners and runners-up will be formally presented with the awards trophy and instruments of honour during the flagship annual African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year awards ceremony, scheduled for 27–28 February 2026 in Accra, Ghana. The highlights of the event would include the POTY awards presentation, high-level plenary, business investment showcases, states and countries’ investment opportunities showcases, roundtable discussions, and multi-networking sessions, as well as an unveiling of the African Leadership Magazine special POTY edition.

The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year (POTY) Ceremony is Africa’s premier annual celebration of visionary leadership and excellence, convened by African Leadership Magazine (ALM). Now in its 15th year, the event brings together heads of state, policymakers, corporate leaders, and development partners to recognise individuals and institutions driving people-centred, transformative leadership across the continent. The 2026 edition promises to be bigger than previous editions as it projects to host over 400 delegates and reach a global digital audience of more than one million through live streaming and media partnerships, spotlighting transformative governance, peacebuilding, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.

The 2025 AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE PERSONS OF THE YEAR — FULL LIST OF WINNERS

African Political Leader of the Year

• Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia — Winner
• Patrice Talon, President of Benin — 1st Runner-up

African Female Leader of the Year

• Mandisa Maya, Chief Justice of South Africa — Winner

• Esperança da Costa, Vice President of Angola — 1st Runner-up

African Educationist of the Year

• Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University — Winner
• Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, Minister of Education, Somalia — 1st Runner-up

Africa Peace & Security Leader of the Year

• Mbaye Cissé, Chief of the General Staff, Armed Forces of Senegal — Winner
• Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson, AU Commission, Djibouti — 1st Runner-up

African Industrialist of the Year

• Samuel Dossou-Aworet, Founder & Chairman, Petrolin Group, Benin — Winner
• Phuthuma Nhleko, Chairman, Phembani Group, South Africa — 1st Runner-up

African Philanthropist of the Year

• Mr. Samuel Tafesse, Founder, Sunshine Investment Group, Ethiopia — Winner
• Mensa Otabil, Founder, International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Ghana— Runner-up

Young African Leader of the Year

• Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Nigeria — Winner
• Darshan Chandaria, Group CEO, Chandaria Group, Kenya — 1st Runner-up

African Public Sector Leader of the Year

• Debele Kabeta, Commissioner, Ethiopian Customs Commission — Winner
• Charles Anosike, DG/CEO, Nigeria Meteorological Agency — 1st Runner-up

African Public Health Champion of the Year

• Esperance Luvindao, Minister of Health, Namibia — Winner
• Mekdes Daba Feyssa, Minister of Health, Ethiopia — Runner-up

African Agricultural Development Leader of the Year

• Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture, Ethiopia — Winner
• Bruno Linyiru, DG, Agriculture & Food Authority, Kenya — 1st Runner-up

African Government Minister of the Year

• Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone — Winner
• Lee Maiyani Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary, Kenya — 1st Runner-up

African Lawmaker of the Year

• Austelino Tavares Correia, President, National Assembly, Cape Verde — Winner
• Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Nigeria — 1st Runner-up

Special African Philanthropist Icon Award

• Rali Mampeule, Founder/CEO, South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund — Winner

Young African Philanthropist of the Year

• Wicknell Chivayo, CEO, Intratrek, Zimbabwe — Winner

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.

For media and other enquiries, contact:
Ehis Ayere
Group General Manager
African Leadership Magazine UK
ehis@africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk
+44 203 051 1883

About African Leadership Magazine:
The African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organisation (UK), focuses on presenting the best of Africa to a global audience, telling the African story from an African perspective while developing solutions to the continent’s current challenges. We have committed the last 19 years to promoting impactful leadership on the continent and promoting African opportunities globally through an ecosystem of quality Afro-positive content, Africa trade facilitation and market entry solutions, Afro-centric communities and business networking platforms, as well as through public sector training and consulting.

Source: APO

As excitement continues to build ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) (https://apo-opa.co/4p76mwQ), the Organising Committee has opened applications for its volunteer programme, inviting people from Senegal and beyond to contribute to the delivery of the first Olympic sporting event to be held in Africa.

KEY FACTS

• Dakar 2026 launches its volunteer programme, “Jambaar26” open from 1 December 2025 until 31 January 2026, aiming to recruit over 6,000 volunteers.
• The name “Jambaar26” comes from the Wolof word “jambaar,” meaning “hero,” a tribute to the volunteers’ essential role.
• Jambaar26 is open to all interested people; volunteers will support operations such as event logistics, transport, accreditation, ceremonies, media services and spectator support.
• From 1 to 7 December 2025, a national volunteer-mobilisation tour will visit Senegal’s 14 regions to promote the programme and facilitate registration.

Opening on 1 December 2025, the programme, known as Jambaar26, will recruit more than 6,000 volunteers to support a wide range of operations across the Games. Open to anyone wishing to be part of this global sporting event, the programme offers participants the opportunity to develop new skills, gain experience behind the scenes and help welcome athletes and visitors from around the world. Registration will run exclusively on https://apo-opa.co/44ovkjd until 31 January 2026.

A PROGRAMME OPEN TO ALL

Taking its name from the Wolof word “jambaar” – meaning “hero” and often used in Senegal to recognise exemplary individuals – Jambaar26 highlights the important role that the volunteers will play in supporting the YOG. While the programme is expected to attract significant interest from Senegalese youth, Jambaar26 is open to anyone who wishes to contribute to the success of Dakar 2026 and gain first-hand experience of a major international sporting event.

Volunteers will support day-to-day operations across both competition and non-competition venues, contributing to functional areas such as sports events, ceremonies, transport, accreditation, media services and spectator experience.

To be considered for the programme, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a basic command of French and English. Selected volunteers will be required to participate in the training sessions provided by the Organising Committee and be available for at least 10 days during the Games.

A NATIONAL TOUR TO INSPIRE AND MOBILISE COMMUNITIES

To encourage nationwide engagement, the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) will organise a National Volunteer Tour from 1 to 7 December 2025, travelling across all 14 regions of Senegal to meet potential volunteers and share information about the programme.

The tour will begin on 1 December in Thiès, before three caravans set out across the country. Stops will include Fatick, Kédougou and Diourbel (2 December); Kaolack and Louga (3 December); Kolda (4 December); Kaffrine and Sédhiou (5 December); Saint-Louis (6 December); and Matam, Tambacounda and Ziguinchor (7 December). A final event will take place in Dakar on 14 December.

Throughout the tour, YOGOC teams will provide details on roles, requirements, benefits and the registration process; meet with local authorities and associations; and showcase the core values of volunteering, such as teamwork, inclusion and solidarity. The initiative aims to foster national enthusiasm for Dakar 2026 and build a diverse, motivated volunteer community representing every region of the country.

The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the world’s best young athletes aged up to 17. The Games will be held across three host sites in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Source: APO – Report:

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has closed a landmark US$524 million equivalent dual-currency Samurai term loan facility.

The transaction marks AFC’s largest Samurai loan to date and reinforces the Corporation’s growing footprint in Japan’s capital markets amid rising investor confidence in its credit fundamentals. The three-year syndicated facility, comprising US$505 million and JPY 3 billion, was significantly oversubscribed following strong demand from Japanese lenders.

AFC’s strong traction in Japan has been supported by a series of milestones, including its 2019 debut samurai loan, its 2023 guarantee of the Arab Republic of Egypt’s JPY75 billion Samurai Bond, and the award of an A+ (Stable) long-term issuer credit rating by the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) earlier this year. AFC’s 2022 Samurai facility of US$419 million equivalent (US$412 million and JPY 1 billion) matured in October 2025 and was fully repaid by AFC.

AFC maintains a strong presence in Asian capital markets, where it has raised over US$1.3 billion in the past decade across Chinese, Indian and Korean loan facilities.

 “Japan continues to be an important and strategic market for AFC,” said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC. “The strong support from Japanese lenders in our latest Samurai loan underscores the depth of confidence in AFC and the trust we have built with investors over the past few years. This successful transaction strengthens our funding base and expands our global investor reach as we continue mobilising capital to address the infrastructure deficit in Africa.”

The new facility was arranged by long-standing relationship banks, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank and SMBC Bank International, which acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. The transaction drew strong momentum from AFC’s lender roadshow held during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in August.

In a further demonstration of deepening engagement with Japanese and Asian investors, the facility welcomed several first-time  lenders to AFC, including Bank of Taiwan, China Construction Bank Corporation, First Commercial Bank, Taiwan Business Bank, The Chiba Bank, The Shizuoka Bank, and The Yamanashi Chuo Bank.

Proceeds from the facility will be used for general corporate purposes, supporting AFC’s mandate to drive sustainable development through infrastructure investment across Africa.

– on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
Email: Yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
Africa Finance Corporation was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 47 member countries and has invested over US$17 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

Source: APO – Report:

Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com), a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has entered into a strategic partnership with CSSi SA, a leading Cloud and VM Provider and distributor of data storage, servers, and data centre equipment.

Under the agreement, CSSi SA have structured an alliance to deploy racks and provide data sovereignty for South African customers, with up to three tiers of redundancy between three different data centre footprints. Located at Africa Data Centres’ facilities in Cape Town (CPT1) and Johannesburg (JHB1), and connected with 100GB links to CipherVault™ in Midrand. The availability of these racks will meet the growing local demand for redundant, reliable and next-generation data storage and colocation services.

“CSSi SA’s expansion into our South African facilities underscores the critical need for secure, high-performance data storage solutions in an era of rapid digital transformation. As businesses across South Africa and the broader African market accelerate their digital strategies, the demand for scalable, compliant, and resilient infrastructure has never been higher,” said Adil El Youssefi, Chief Executive Officer of Africa Data Centres. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing these challenges, ensuring that enterprises have the reliability and security required to manage growing data volumes while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.”

CSSi SA’s  data centre – CipherVault™ in Midrand, Johannesburg, will connect to Africa Data Centres’ JHB1 facility. This integration will provide its clients with seamless connectivity and redundant solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring business continuity.

“The ability to leverage scalability, partner with the best Data Centre provider today in South Africa, and using economies of scale which allow us to reduce the cost of data centre operations for our customers was always the key reason for this partnership. Today being one of the largest disgtributors in Africa of Storage, SSD and Hard Drives, coupled with Server supply, allows our customers to save significant costs by being a single entity to offer tin to service, backed by 99.9% plus uptime guarantees. With over 15 years of operational experience from our own Data Cnetre, it made sense to partner with the best Africa can offer, and we honoured to have a partner such as ADC” said James Grcic, CEO of CSSi SA “Today this means, clients have more flexibility, can scale on demand, and SMB’s and resellers can migrate into Data Centres’ with costs as much as 65-70% less then what they could of envisaged, with access to world-class infrastructure, as we move into offering AI and GPU solutions as another first in SA

Through this partnership, CSSi SA strengthens its ability to deliver high-performance, scalable solutions and significantly reduces the barriers to entry for both small and corporate clients in this market. “We see this partnership as unique, due to the growing demand for new hardware technology, with an insatiable demand for Data Sovereignty, uptime guarantees, and being able to offer world-class data centre facilities with the lowest latency, nationwide network and providing it right here in SA for South Africa,” concluded Adil.

– on behalf of Africa Data Centres.

About Africa Data Centres:
Africa Data Centres owns and operates Africa’s largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities. Bringing international experts to the pan-African market, Africa Data Centres is a trusted partner for rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections across Africa. Strategically located in South, East and West Africa, our world-class data centre facilities provide a home for all business-critical data for Africa’s small, medium and large enterprises and global hyper-scale customers. https://www.AfricaDataCentres.com/