Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

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Anglo-Swiss commodity trading and mining giant Glencore has signed a five-year offtake and pre-financing agreement with Guinea’s state-owned Nimba Mining Company (NMC), reinforcing the strong global appetite for the West African nation’s bauxite and broader mineral resources. The deal comes amid rising international demand for aluminum, driven primarily by growth across the automotive, packaging, and solar energy sectors.

Under the terms of the agreement, Glencore will provide $300 million in upfront financing to support NMC’s operations. In return, NMC will supply Glencore with 10 to 12 million tons of bauxite annually over a five-year period – representing a total volume of 50 to 60 million tons. Beyond securing a reliable international commercial channel for NMC, the structure provides essential liquidity to accelerate production and field development.

The agreement reflects a broader surge in capital inflows into Guinea’s mining and infrastructure sectors as the government advances its multi-billion-dollar Simandou economic diversification agenda. The national framework leverages mining investments as the foundational engine for broader, multi-sector economic development.

International financial institutions are also scaling up support for Guinea’s macroeconomic and structural transition. In August 2026, Guinea reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for approximately $410 million to strengthen fiscal management, boost external buffers, improve governance, and channel mining revenues into sustainable development. Additionally, in June 2026, the World Bank Group approved three financing operations totaling $293 million under Guinea’s 2027–2033 Country Partnership Framework. This initiative aims to harness Simandou-driven growth to stimulate investment across agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and logistics.

Investment is also diversifying beyond traditional bauxite and iron ore assets. Resolute Mining – operator of the Syama mine in Mali and the Mako mine in Senegal, and developer of the Doropo project in Ivory Coast – recently committed to gold exploration in Guinea. The move opens up new development pathways across the country’s precious metals value chain.

Collectively, these developments underscore a dynamic evolution in Guinea’s capital-raising strategy, combining pre-financing offtake deals, infrastructure-linked investments, and multilateral facilities to unlock its vast resource base.

These evolving financing structures and investment opportunities will take center stage at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 – organized by Energy Capital & Power – held in Cape Town from October 14–16. Daouda Diakite, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Mines and Geology of the Republic of Guinea, will deliver a keynote address detailing the country’s key sector milestones, emerging project pipelines, and future strategic outlook. Through targeted discussions and high-level engagements, AMW 2026 will offer global investors a direct view into Guinea’s rapidly expanding mining sector.

Under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value, AMW 2026 will bring together governments, investors, mining companies and international partners to advance investment across mineral exploration, production, processing and supporting infrastructure. The event offers a strategic international forum to foster engagement, strengthen mineral ties and advance development in Africa and across international markets.  Book you delegate passes here to attend, https://apo-opa.co/4ALyewQ

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

Senior leadership of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) visited the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-led Sector Two, strengthening command-level engagement and gaining first-hand insight into the operational environment, ongoing activities and priorities within the Sector.

The AUSSOM Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, accompanied by the AUSSOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma, visited Sector Two Headquarters, where they were received by the Sector Commander, Brigadier Joel Maiyo.

During the visit, Brigadier Maiyo briefed the AUSSOM leadership on the prevailing security situation, ongoing operations and activities being undertaken by KDF troops in support of the Mission’s mandate. The briefing also highlighted operational priorities and the challenges confronting troops operating within the Sector.

The engagement provided an important platform for the Mission’s strategic and operational leadership to assess developments on the ground, exchange perspectives with the Sector leadership and appreciate the contribution of KDF personnel towards advancing peace, security and stability in Somalia.

Despite heavy rainfall, Ambassador Diene and Lt Gen Kavuma proceeded to engage directly with KDF troops serving at the Sector Headquarters. The interaction enabled the senior leadership to hear from personnel operating on the ground and appreciate their experiences in a complex and demanding operational environment.

Addressing the troops, the AUSSOM leaders commended their professionalism, resilience and dedication to duty, acknowledging their contribution to the Mission’s objectives. They encouraged the personnel to maintain high standards of discipline, teamwork and operational readiness as they continue executing their assigned responsibilities.

The engagement also reinforced the importance of effective leadership, communication and cohesion between Mission Headquarters, Sector commanders and troops deployed at the tactical level. Such interaction enables senior leadership to maintain situational awareness while ensuring operational priorities remain responsive to realities on the ground.

For KDF personnel, the visit provided an opportunity to interact directly with the Mission’s senior leadership and receive guidance on the broader objectives of AUSSOM and the importance of their individual and collective contribution to the Mission.

The visit reaffirmed the KDF’s continued role within AUSSOM and its contribution towards supporting security and stability in Somalia. It further underscored the importance of sustained leadership engagement, operational coordination and troop readiness in advancing the Mission’s mandate and creating conditions for lasting peace and stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

Strengthening institutional governance, promoting professionalism, and ensuring that public bodies effectively manage the workforce entrusted with executing state mandates depends heavily on continuous human resource training. Regular orientation and skill-building for public servants also enhance compliance with established regulations, guidelines, and national standards, while strengthening administrative systems for improved service delivery.

The Ministry of Defence has strengthened its capacity in civilian workforce governance following a four-day training programme for members of the Ministerial Human Resource Management Advisory Committee(MHRMAC), Heads of Sections, and Secretariat staff in Naivasha. The programme was facilitated in partnership with the Kenya School of Government (KSG) and the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The Director Administration officially opened the training program, underscoring the indispensable role of the civilian workforce as a critical asset in supporting the strategic objectives of the Ministry and the Kenya Defence Forces.

He noted that the program provided an important opportunity to finalise the implementation framework for the Defence Civil Staff Management Policy, aimed at enhancing synergy, integration, and coordination among civil staff. The engagement covered key operational areas including an overview of Human Resource Management and Development (HRM&D) functions, the specific role of the Human Resource Advisory Committee, structured mentorship and succession planning, and pre-retirement transition planning.

The initiative underscores the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to strengthening human resource governance, fostering professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality, and ensuring prudent management of its human capital in support of effective service delivery.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

Reliable access to water is critical to sustaining troops in operational areas, directly supporting their welfare, health and ability to maintain mission readiness in demanding environments.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Engineers have rehabilitated Sangailu Dam, restoring a critical water source serving personnel deployed at Sangailu Forward Operating Base (FOB) and significantly easing water supply challenges at the facility.

The rehabilitation works were undertaken by the Combat Engineer Brigade through 12 Engineers Battalion between 14 August and 25 September 2026. The dam, originally constructed in 2018, required rehabilitation to improve its capacity, reliability and effectiveness in supporting personnel stationed at the FOB.

Drawing on their specialised engineering expertise, equipment and resources, the military engineers carried out extensive works on the existing facility, including excavation of the dam and installation of a new liner to enhance water retention and improve its overall functionality.

The rehabilitation has restored the dam’s usability, providing Sangailu FOB with a more dependable water source while reducing the logistical burden associated with transporting and supplying water to personnel deployed in the area.

For troops operating away from established military facilities, reliable access to water is essential to sustaining daily activities and maintaining effective operations. The restored dam therefore represents more than an infrastructure improvement; it strengthens the FOB’s ability to support personnel while enhancing their living and working conditions.

The project further highlights the important role of KDF Engineers in supporting military operations through the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Beyond their conventional combat engineering responsibilities, military engineers provide specialised capabilities that help sustain troops, enhance mobility and improve operational effectiveness in challenging environments.

Their ability to apply engineering expertise to practical challenges within operational areas remains an important force-enabling capability, ensuring deployed formations and units have the infrastructure and essential services required to accomplish their missions.

At Sangailu FOB, the impact is immediate and practical: a rehabilitated dam, improved water security and a more sustainable operating environment for personnel serving on the frontline.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

Less than two years after overhauling its licensing architecture, Liberia has attracted supermajors, ratified eight production sharing contracts (PSCs) and resolved a high-profile institutional dispute that threatened to undermine investor confidence.

Behind that momentum sits a regulatory strategy built around transparency, flexibility and legal certainty. Evidence seems to suggest the country’s state-owned LPRA has solved the problems that stalled exploration for more than a decade, and recent reforms, commercial success and institutional developments are proving Liberia is marketing governance as a competitive advantage.

“Liberia is entering an important period in the development of its petroleum sector and we want to engage directly with investors and strategic partners,” said Special Envoy for U.S. Trade and Investments at the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Isaac E. Taggart Jr. during an investor showcase in Houston on August 19.

A New Rulebook for Frontier Capital

Liberia has strengthened its petroleum framework through reforms to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, establishing a modernized process for attracting investment into its offshore sector. It also allows companies to establish their technical and financial eligibility before specific acreage opportunities are launched.

Working alongside international law firm Watson Farley & Williams, the LPRA designed the 2024 Direct Negotiation Round, blending structured prequalification with negotiated awards. Companies first complete rigorous financial and technical screening before nominating specific acreage, eliminating speculative applications while accelerating negotiations for qualified operators.

Together, these provisions reduce frontier risk without sacrificing state oversight, creating a licensing model that balances investor flexibility with regulatory discipline.

The Investment Case Moves Offshore

The strongest endorsement has come from the industry rather than government. Following the 2024 licensing process, TotalEnergies secured four offshore permits – LB-6, LB-11, LB-17 and LB-29 – covering roughly 12,700 km² across the southern Liberia Basin, committing to a firm 3D seismic acquisition campaign.

The momentum continued with Atlas/Oranto Petroleum, which secured LB-15, LB-16, LB-22 and LB-24, bringing Liberia’s total to eight ratified PSCs. Signature bonuses reached $12 million, while projected exploration spending approaches $200 million per block, representing well over $1.5 billion in long-term capital commitments.

Exploration activity has accelerated accordingly. TotalEnergies has advanced offshore geological surveys, seabed mapping and seismic acquisition while partnering with Canada’s BluEnergies to mature prospects across the undrilled Harper Basin, one of West Africa’s last frontier deepwater provinces.

Governance Becomes Liberia’s Competitive Advantage

Investor confidence ultimately depends on regulatory clarity. In May 2026, the LPRA formally reaffirmed its exclusive authority to administer petroleum rights, clarifying that even Executive Allocation awards to the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) remain subject to LPRA approval, statutory due diligence and ministerial authorization.

“Frontier exploration requires agreements that can work over time,” said LPRA Director General Marilyn Logan at the investor showcase in Houston. “We want [companies] to have enough time to allow them to move quickly,” she added while encouraging prospective investors to focus on moving from potential to execution.

That position has since been reinforced in practice. A Senate-brokered agreement between NOCAL and the LPRA confirmed the regulator’s exclusive authority to issue reconnaissance licenses, ending a public institutional dispute while strengthening governance credibility and investor confidence.

The resolution complements broader reforms that have modernized Liberia’s petroleum framework without weakening regulatory oversight. By pairing commercial flexibility with transparent licensing, institutional accountability and predictable legal processes, Liberia is repositioning itself as one of West Africa’s most credible frontier exploration destinations.

The Launch of the Liberia 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round – organized by Energy Capital and Power – will take place at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 on October 14 at The Orchid, CTICC 2. Visit, https://apo-opa.co/4AOM8yq for more information.

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

Source: APO

On 25 September 2026, Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and Associate Professor Dr. Kongsak Thiangtum, President of Kasetsart University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Capacity Building in Agriculture and Fisheries in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The signing ceremony took place at TICA and was witnessed by representatives from the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, and Kasetsart University.

This MoU serves as a framework for cooperation in human resource development, knowledge and technology transfer, as well as the sharing of Thailand’s good practices in agriculture and fisheries. It aims to support Nigeria in achieving self-reliance and long-term food security, guided by the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). Given its substantial population and economic potential, Nigeria’s agriculture and fisheries sectors are vital to its employment and food security.

Both sides also discussed ways to advance future cooperation to support the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) and extend these efforts to other African countries in the years ahead.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.