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Liberia Lays the Infrastructure Foundation for Offshore Petroleum Sector Ahead of 2026 Exploration Push

Source: APO


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Liberia is entering a new phase of offshore exploration as international companies advance seismic and geological programs while the government strengthens the infrastructure and institutions needed to support a growing petroleum sector. Activity is accelerating in the Harper Basin, while port modernization, petroleum storage and regulatory capacity are developing in parallel.

TotalEnergies and BluEnergies are already advancing a technical work program across Blocks LB-26, LB-30 and LB-31 in the Harper Basin. Announced in July 6, the program includes seismic reprocessing, seabed surveys and geochemical work aimed at identifying drillable prospects and potential drilling locations.

Port Infrastructure Enters a New Modernization Cycle

Liberia’s port system is being upgraded as offshore activity gains momentum. The National Port Authority (NPA), which oversees the Freeport of Monrovia and Port of Buchanan, is implementing its RESET Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, focused on port modernization, operational efficiency, safety and international maritime cooperation.

Buchanan already provides an established industrial logistics platform, with a commercial quay, open storage areas, warehouse facilities and heavy-lift capabilities. The NPA is now pursuing broader modernization and planning initiatives designed to improve the country’s maritime infrastructure and operating standards.

In July, the NPA also concluded a cooperation agreement with France’s HAROPA PORT, covering operational efficiency, technical cooperation and maritime modernization. The partnership forms part of the authority’s wider effort to bring Liberia’s ports closer to international standards.

Storage Expansion Builds Downstream Capacity

Liberia is also expanding petroleum storage capacity. In 2024, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) completed a new gasoline storage tank, increasing national petroleum storage capacity by approximately 17,000 m3.

The next expansion phase is set to be substantially larger. In June, President Joseph Boakai reviewed the LPRC’s proposal for a new 50,000-ton tank farm at the company’s Product Storage Terminal. The project is intended to strengthen fuel security, expand strategic storage and improve Liberia’s petroleum distribution capacity.

The investment comes as exploration activity moves forward offshore, giving Liberia additional storage and logistics capacity as petroleum sector activity expands.

Strengthening Liberia’s Petroleum Institutions

Regulatory capacity is developing alongside the physical infrastructure, with the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority – led by Director General Marilyn T. Logan -and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission having signed an MoU in June covering regulatory cooperation, knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement and institutional capacity building. The agreement provides for cooperation in areas including petroleum-sector governance and technical expertise.

Liberia’s production-sharing framework also embeds local content and workforce development requirements into upstream contracts, creating mechanisms for Liberian workers and companies to participate as exploration and production activity expands.

With TotalEnergies and BluEnergies advancing offshore technical work in 2026, Liberia is simultaneously expanding port infrastructure, petroleum storage and regulatory capacity. The developments are giving the country’s emerging offshore sector a broader operational foundation as exploration moves toward potential drilling activity.

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/4rHXpMI for more information.

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

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Afreximbank Congratulates the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya and Dangote Group on Landmark Lamu Refinery Project

Source: APO

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) congratulates the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya, led by H.E. President Dr William Samoei Ruto, on the groundbreaking of the Dangote oil refinery in Lamu. The landmark investment has the potential to significantly expand Africa’s refining capacity, strengthen regional energy security and accelerate the continent’s transition from exporting raw materials to trading value-added products.

The approximately US$16 billion refinery is planned to have capacity to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to create approximately 60,000 jobs. Its intended regional ownership and market reach underscore its potential as an East African industrial asset. The refinery is expected to process crude sourced from African producers, including Uganda, while supplying refined petroleum products to Kenya and the wider regional market.

The economic significance of establishing large-scale refining capacity is substantial. A project of this scale presents an opportunity to retain more value within Kenyan and African economies, deepen local industrial supply chains, generate employment and associated services, reduce exposure to imported refined products and create a new platform for regional exports.

The project also comes at a consequential moment for Africa’s energy security. Recent disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz and continuing instability around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb have again demonstrated the vulnerability created when African economies depend heavily on distant supply chains for strategic commodities. Against this backdrop, expanding African refining capacity is critical to advancing industrialisation, Intra-African trade and economic resilience.

Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said, “The significance of this investment extends well beyond the construction of a refinery. It demonstrates Africa’s capacity to conceive, finance and build major industrial assets that respond directly to the needs of our economies. By refining more of what we produce on the continent, we retain greater value from our natural resources, create jobs and strengthen the trade links between African economies.”

He continued, “Recent disruptions to global energy and shipping routes have reminded us of the cost of dependence. Africa has the capital, the enterprises and the markets to reduce that exposure. Investments such as this give us the productive capacity to shorten supply chains, conserve foreign exchange, strengthen regional energy security and build greater resilience into our economies.”

The Lamu refinery groundbreaking takes place amid a wider expansion of Kenya’s industrial and trade infrastructure, an agenda in which Afreximbank has become an important long-term partner to the Government of Kenya. In 2023, Afreximbank launched a US$3 billion Country Programme for Kenya to support priority public and private-sector projects. The programme encompasses industrial development and export manufacturing, climate adaptation and irrigation, trade infrastructure, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and initiatives designed to connect Kenyan businesses more effectively to regional and continental markets. It includes an US$800 million Kenya Climate Change Adaptation Facility supporting irrigation development and broader agricultural productivity.

In addition, working with the Government of Kenya and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), Afreximbank is supporting the development of the Dongo Kundu Integrated Industrial Park in Mombasa and the Naivasha Special Economic Zone II. Approximately US$1 billion has been earmarked for development of the two integrated industrial parks, which are expected to strengthen export manufacturing, attract domestic and international investment and enhance Kenya’s position as an industrial and logistics gateway into East and Central Africa. Government projections have associated the two developments with approximately 140,000 jobs once fully developed.

The Bank has also expanded its support for the Vipingo Special Economic Zone in Kilifi County. In 2025, Afreximbank and KCB Group announced an US$800 million financing framework, comprising US$500 million from Afreximbank and US$300 million from KCB, to support enterprises establishing operations in the zone. Afreximbank had already disbursed US$40 million towards development of the SEZ. The financing targets enterprises in manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics and other value-addition sectors.

Afreximbank also congratulates Mr Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, and the Dangote Group, for continuing to make large-scale commitments to Africa’s industrial development.

Afreximbank and Dangote Group have built a longstanding partnership focused on industrialisation, value addition and expanding Africa’s productive capacity. Since 2015, Afreximbank has invested approximately US$15 billion in the Dangote Group. That support has included major financing for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Nigeria. In 2025, Afreximbank signed a US$1.35 billion financing facility as part of an approximately US$4 billion syndicated financing for Dangote Industries Limited. In 2026, the Bank subsequently underwrote US$2.5 billion of a US$4 billion senior syndicated term loan for the refinery, representing the largest participation in the syndicate. Since refining operations began, Afreximbank has also provided a US$1 billion working-capital facility and served as financial adviser on the Naira-for-Crude initiative.

These interventions complement Afreximbank’s wider effort to build an African market for African-refined petroleum. In 2025, the Bank established a US$3 billion Revolving Intra-African Oil Import Financing Programme, designed to facilitate approximately US$10 billion to US$14 billion in intra-African petroleum imports and enable African buyers to source more refined products from refineries operating on the continent.

Dr. Elombi said, “African enterprises such as Dangote Industries demonstrate what is possible when African ambition is matched by investment at scale. They turn our natural resources into productive capacity – refineries, factories, supply chains, jobs and products that can be traded across African markets. Afreximbank has been proud to support the Dangote Group’s industrial expansion, including its major refining investment in Nigeria. Its decision to extend that industrial footprint into East Africa is important because Africa’s transformation will increasingly depend on African enterprises investing across our borders, African financial institutions supporting them and governments creating the conditions in which those investments can succeed.”

Afreximbank believes that the development of globally competitive African enterprises and regional value chains will be essential to achieving the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Investments such as the Lamu refinery, alongside Kenya’s emerging industrial parks and special economic zones, can help shift the continent from dependence on the export of unprocessed commodities and the import of manufactured products towards an African economy that increasingly produces, processes and trades for itself.

Distributed by APO Group 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 strong supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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Ecowas Court and women’s rights in west Africa: what’s working – and what isn’t

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Maame Efua Addadzi-Koom, Senior Lecturer, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

The Ecowas Court is a west African regional body located in Abuja, Nigeria, serving the now 12-nation Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). The court, originally set up to handle economic matters related to the Ecowas Treaty, was given a human rights mandate in 2005. Since then, of the hundreds of cases the court has heard, nearly 90% have been human rights-related. In a recent book, international law and human rights scholar Maame Efua Addadzi-Koom argues that the shift in the court’s mandate has made it an accessible forum for advancing women’s rights. Some of its landmark decisions have challenged discrimination and violence against women.

Why is the court so important for women’s rights in west Africa?

The court has become the preferred destination for west Africans litigating human rights issues against their governments. As I set out in my book, this has begun to happen since it was given its human rights mandate in 2005.

A key attraction of the Ecowas Court is its accessibility: plaintiffs do not have to go through all the judicial avenues available in their country before they can bring their action to the court. This is the case with other regional tribunals on the continent.

This accessibility has been enhanced by electronic filing and case management systems.

What key decisions has it made about the rights of women?

It’s made key decisions in areas like marriage, widowhood, domestic violence, employment, school, culture and conflict situations. An example is the 2019 decision of Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES) and Child Welfare Society, Sierra Leone (CWS-SL) v. The Republic of Sierra Leone (the “Waves” case).

This was a public interest litigation case against Sierra Leone, where a non-governmental organisation filed the action on behalf of an estimated 3,000 pregnant schoolgirls. Sierra Leone had banned pregnant schoolgirls from attending mainstream schools and offered them substandard education in “alternative” schools.

Waves argued that the arrangement denied the girls equal access to education on the basis of their pregnancy status. The court ordered Sierra Leone to revoke the ban and close down the alternative schools.

How enforceable are its decisions?

The court is working to improve the enforcement of its decisions. It has an enforcement plan – member states are to set up a national authority to receive and enforce the court’s decisions. Not all member states have done so. Eight out of the 12 Ecowas member states have not complied with the arrangement.

Even among those that have set up a national authority, records show that some are among the countries with the highest number of unenforced judgments. Nigeria, home of the Ecowas Court, is one example.

That said, there are instances of decisions being enforced in part. For example, the Waves case. I attribute Sierra Leone’s partial compliance to the public-interest nature of the case, which led to systemic remedies (fixing the broken system in the country) rather than monetary remedies (compensation for individual victims), and the publicity such litigation generates.

What weaknesses still need to be addressed?

A gap I note in the book is the uncertainty surrounding the monetary compensation the court awards in women’s rights cases. It is one thing for women to receive a favourable judicial declaration that their rights have been violated, and another to be unsure of the “price tag” the court will place on those rights.

The “price tag” is equally important, and the lack of uniformity diminishes predictability, a determining factor in effective compensation.

I also observe that there is minimal mention of the Maputo Protocol by the Ecowas Court in most of its women’s rights decisions, the 2025 case of Forum Against Harmful Practices and Others v. Republic of Sierra Leone being an exception. The Maputo Protocol is the African Bill of Rights for Women, adopted in 2003. It is the first regional human rights treaty specifically designed for women.

In most of the decisions analysed in the book, the court mentions the Maputo Protocol only briefly and does not rely on it heavily. This is troubling because, among international human rights instruments for women, the Maputo Protocol is best suited to African women and girls because of its comprehensive scope and distinctive nature.

If it’s not used, its impact is diminished.

How can the court transform women’s rights in the region?

The Ecowas Court is already doing a great job advancing women’s rights in the region, but its work would be even more transformative if it developed a uniform monetary compensation framework and became more intentional about increasing its reliance on the Maputo Protocol.

Public interest litigation is another route to getting the Ecowas Court to deliver systemic, transformative decisions. But the initiative will come from the lawyers submitting cases, not from the court itself.

What does the future hold for women’s rights in the region?

Ecowas has established itself as a fair and receptive regional court where women can trust they will receive justice, even if their own states do not provide it.

The range of women’s rights issues that the court addresses continues to grow. I eagerly anticipate the court’s future handling of a technology-facilitated gender-based violence case when it is eventually presented with one. This is an emerging form of gender-based violence that is partly or fully committed, assisted, aggravated or amplified using technological platforms and other digital media or tools.

Women are particularly affected by this type of violence. As of 2026, it’s estimated that 75% of women globally have experienced it. Therefore, a decision by the Ecowas Court on this matter would help shape the rights of women to be free from violence online.

– Ecowas Court and women’s rights in west Africa: what’s working – and what isn’t
– https://theconversation.com/ecowas-court-and-womens-rights-in-west-africa-whats-working-and-what-isnt-291919

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Kenya’s large class sizes make it harder for teachers to help children learn

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Fridah Gatwiri Kiambati, Associate Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center

Kenya introduced a competency-based approach to education in 2017. It was meant to give learners a range of skills, from basic reading, writing and arithmetic to critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy and social-emotional skills.

Competency-based education puts learners at the centre while the teacher guides and enables learning. But learners in Kenya are still not achieving their basic literacy and numeracy skills. In grade 3, six out of 10 learners can’t read and understand a story in English, and eight in 10 can’t solve a basic numeracy problem for their grade.

I’m a researcher with a special interest in inclusive education, and was part of a team at the African Population and Health Research Centre in Nairobi that looked at how the new approach was going. We examined how teachers actually teach, and why. This included their use of teaching and learning materials, and integration of information and communication technology in classrooms.

We found a gap in foundational learning classrooms between the expected learner-centred approaches (as set out in the competency-based education framework) and what happened in the classroom. Teachers were not following the framework, partly because of large classes and shortages of materials.

How teachers teach has a great influence on how learners learn. This is particularly true in the early years of learning, when literacy and numeracy foundations are built. The framework is designed to ensure that every learner’s potential is nurtured regardless of their abilities, interests or backgrounds. Therefore it’s important to understand and correct any problems with teaching practice.

How teachers teach

We collected data from 200 schools across 11 counties, and we observed 398 grade 1 and 3 teachers teaching literacy or numeracy. After the first analysis of classroom observation data, we interviewed teachers to get deeper insights into why they teach the way they do.

Research has shown that use of teaching and learning materials enhances understanding of content being taught. Learners need to see and handle things, not just memorise words and numbers. This is why the competency-based education framework calls for teachers to deliberately and creatively use instructional materials, such as textbooks, real-life (everyday) objects and teacher-made materials, to enhance understanding.

But what we saw in classrooms was an over-reliance on the use of the blackboard and print materials. Not enough creative use was being made of other objects and materials.

Read more: Chalk and talk vs. active learning: what’s holding South African teachers back from using proven methods? 

The competency approach also says teachers should not instruct the class as a whole all the time. They should attend to children’s different needs. Otherwise they could leave behind learners who struggle, and fail to challenge those who are gifted.

The findings showed that teachers appreciated learner-centered instruction approaches. For example, one said:

If I am only using the lecture method, it becomes difficult for them to remember what I am teaching because they cannot see the actual thing.

But they faced school-level and system-level constraints (class size, resource gaps and curriculum pressure). These made it more convenient to use traditional methods such as whole-class instruction.

Read more: Ghana wants learner-centred classrooms – but many teachers still favour old methods

In literacy, teachers focused on the whole class 84.5% of the time. In numeracy it was 62.8% of the time. Small-group instruction and individual learner support was minimal (less than 10%).

In literacy lessons, teachers spent 22.5% of the time asking questions, 15% of the time explaining things and 14% monitoring. In numeracy lessons, monitoring learners was the dominant teacher action (it took 39.1% of their time).

Learner actions were largely passive or repetitive. In literacy, learners spent a lot of the lesson time listening to or watching the teacher (28.7%) and responding to oral questions (24.1%). In numeracy, learners spent much of the lesson time writing exercises (36.4%), followed by listening to or watching the teacher (24.9%).

Why they teach the way they do

Instructional choices made by teachers were mainly shaped by classroom realities such as large class sizes, resource constraints, curriculum pressure, mental health and limited support systems.

One teacher in our study said:

even handling the 75 learners before the end of the day, I am really tired. Honestly very tired. Overworking because of the learners, marking the books, the noise, you feel as if your head is going to burst.

Large class size was found to influence the low use of teaching and learning materials.

Available resources also made a difference. Overall, access to approved textbooks was generally adequate, with most schools reporting fewer than two learners per textbook. But there were county-level disparities. For instance, Marsabit county had three learners for every textbook.

Where ICT fits in

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Rather than replacing physical teaching and learning materials, technology is an extra resource to use in the classroom.

Information and communications technology integration helps build digital literacy skills, boosts learner engagement, supports use of different learning styles, encourages teamwork, enhances problem solving skills, and makes concepts simpler through use of interactive apps and simple educational tools.

As one teacher in our study put it:

When you use those ICT in class, the lesson becomes more enjoyable and also the learners are able also to upload their own work.

The competency-based framework emphasises digital literacy as a core competency. But our research found a disconnect between the framework and classroom practice. ICT is scarcely being used during lessons.

Five issues limited ICT integration in classrooms:

  • infrastructural and technical barriers

  • inadequate or non-functional ICT resources

  • high cost of digital pedagogy

  • time management and instructional efficiency

  • teacher capacity and training gaps.

One teacher said:

You find only two or three functional tablets in an institution.

What needs to be done

Based on our findings we have a number of recommendations.

Firstly, strengthen teacher mentorship, coaching and supervision to support the use of recommended teaching practices.

Secondly, encourage peer learning and peer support among teachers. Teachers could observe one another using materials and ICT in large classes with children of mixed ability.

Thirdly, build teachers’ capacity to give special attention to learners whose achievement is below learning expectations, within the lesson time.

Fourth, make sure every learner has their own textbook. That means an investment by the Ministry of Education.

Fifth, improve ICT integration by providing the proper infrastructure and making sure teachers have the skills they need to use it.

Research assistant and PhD candidate Nelson Muhia worked with the author on this article.

– Kenya’s large class sizes make it harder for teachers to help children learn
– https://theconversation.com/kenyas-large-class-sizes-make-it-harder-for-teachers-to-help-children-learn-291680

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Africa’s Green Economy Summit launches preview brochure for its 5th edition, with the City of Cape Town confirmed as host city

Source: APO

Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) has launched the preview brochure for its 5th edition, taking place in Cape Town from 23 to 26 February 2027. The City of Cape Town has been confirmed as host city once again, continuing a partnership that has anchored AGES in the city since its earlier editions.

The launch comes as the world turns its attention to COP31, the UN Climate Change Conference. AGES is positioned to carry that global momentum forward, turning the commitments and conversations of COP31 into the partnerships and financing decisions that deliver Africa’s sustainable development on the ground.

“Africa’s Green Economy Summit is a must-attend for anyone serious about the future of our great continent. It is wonderful to combine great content from speakers experienced in the field with capital matching opportunities which make a real difference on the ground.” Says Hywel George of Old Mutual Investments.

AGES has grown into one of the continent’s leading dealmaking platforms for the green economy, connecting global capital with investable African projects across renewable energy, green transport, water, waste, sustainable agriculture, green buildings, the blue economy and climate technology.

Inside the preview brochure

The preview brochure sets out the early shape of the 2027 agenda, features and participation opportunities, ahead of the full programme. It gives delegates, sponsors and project owners a first look at what to expect from this year’s summit, including the speaker line-up, the project pitch stages and the new Green Village. The preview brochure is available to download via the AGES website, with the full programme to follow.

Speakers

AGES 2027 will bring together an international line-up of speakers from government, development finance, industry and civil society. Confirmed speakers include:

Aakif Merchant, Director and Head of Africa – Convergence

Annie McWalter, CEO – The Hope Factory

Barbara Buchtner, Global Managing Director – Climate Policy Initiative

Candice Stevens, CEO – Sustainable Finance Coalition

Dayo Aduroja, Director, Youth and Tech Innovation, Africa – Heifer International

John Roome, Independent Senior Adviser on Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Infrastructure

Jonathan First, Head Africa and Country Director South Africa – Climate Policy Initiative

Leila Guici, Senior Advocacy Manager, Climate Tech – GSMA

Lisa Pinsley, Fund Head, African Transition Acceleration Fund – AIIM

Thembi Xaba, Executive Director, OneFarm Impact

Matsi Modise, Africa Lead – World Climate Foundation

Mohamed Sebti, Investment Director – Head of Growth Equity – Inspired Evolution

Sarah Malm, Executive Director – GOGLA

*(Additional speakers to be announced in the lead-up to the event.) *

Projects pitching at AGES 2027

A key feature of AGES is its investment-ready project pipeline, presented across two dedicated pitch stages to an audience of investors, financiers and development partners. Projects confirmed to pitch at AGES 2027 include:

– Eden Menia Egypt Farm, Sustainable Agriculture, Egypt

– MTE Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells Electric Generator, Renewable Energy / Green Hydrogen / Fuel Cells, Namibia

– Pyrosa, Climate Technology, South Africa

– Safi Organics, Sustainable Agriculture, Kenya

– Spiro ESS — Second-Life Battery Circular Economy Program, Green Mobility / Energy Storage / Circular Economy, Kenya

– Nioki pilot project, Renewable Energy / Urban Electrification / Mini-grids, Democratic Republic of the Congo

*(Further projects to be confirmed and announced ahead of the summit.) *

The Green Village

New for this edition, the Green Village positions AGES as Africa’s leading green economy marketplace, bringing the full green economy ecosystem together in one place. It is structured around three components: Project Pods, giving investment-ready projects visibility beyond the pitch stage, with every sector of the green economy represented; Corporate Pods, reserved for organisations such as special economic zones, industrial development zones and foundations, and available as an add-on for AGES sponsors; and Pavilions, bringing together projects and programmes from development finance institutions and country delegations to showcase their impact on Africa’s green economy. Together, these elements create a visible, physical marketplace for partnerships and project financing at the heart of the summit.

Confirmed partners

AGES 2027 is supported by a growing network of partners, including the City of Cape Town as host city, Climate Policy Initiative and Frost & Sullivan as knowledge partners, AP3 as transaction advisory partner, ESI Africa as host media partner, and project partners Dala 4 Africa, Fetola and P4G. The summit is also backed by a wide base of supporting organisations spanning private capital, sustainable finance and industry bodies across the continent.

*(Additional sponsors and partners to be announced ahead of the summit.)*

Who attends AGES

AGES brings together the full spectrum of stakeholders shaping Africa’s green economy transition. The 2027 edition is expected to welcome more than 700 delegates, spanning investors and financiers, project owners and developers, corporates and industry leaders, government and policymakers, and legal and advisory professionals. The summit will showcase more than 40 investment-ready projects across its two pitch stages, representing a project pipeline exceeding USD 2 billion, alongside more than 200 Green Village attendees fostering connections between capital providers and climate solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Media Contact:
Melissa Wilkinson
Marketing Manager
VUKA Group
Email: melissa.wilkinson@wearevuka.com
Phone: +27 (0) 21 700 3558

About Africa’s Green Economy Summit:
Africa’s Green Economy Summit connects industry professionals and organisations to information and to each other in a curated, live environment. Its purpose is to support the mobilisation of investment for green projects, helping them scale and industrialise in ways that deliver meaningful impact for environmental sustainability and economic growth across the continent. AGES is created by VUKA Group.

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group is a purpose-driven business that connects people and organisations to drive meaningful impact across Africa’s key industries. Through its portfolio of events, digital platforms, and insights, VUKA enables collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and business growth in sectors critical to the continent’s future.

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Multi-million rand investment aims to expand school sports participation in Mitchells Plain

Source: APO


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The Western Cape Government has invested over R30 million into a shared sports facility at Lentegeur Senior Secondary School and Cornflower Primary School in Mitchells Plain. Learners from 68 other schools in the area now have access to two rugby fields, a cricket oval with three pitches and three practice cricket nets, a clubhouse, and an artificial surface for rugby, football and hockey. 

The Western Cape School Sport Strategy commits R130 million over three years, with 624 no-fee and low-fee schools set to receive sport equipment.

Western Cape Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, and Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education, Jaco Londt, joined Premier Alan Winde and National Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, at the official opening of the Lentegeur Shared Facility in Mitchells Plain on Monday, 28 September 2026.

Minister Mackenzie, who inspected the site while it was still under construction in February, said the facility demonstrates what can be achieved when government departments work together to expand opportunities for young people.

“School sport is a pathway, from first practice to school leagues, clubs and federations. Through our MOD Programme, this facility will come alive after the final school bell, when support matters most. Every young person we bring into sport or a structured programme is given the opportunity to belong, grow and thrive,” said Minister Mackenzie.

Minister Londt said the facility supports the WCED’s vision of quality education for every learner in every classroom in every school in the province because it will expand participation in school sport and create pathways for talent.

He also challenged learners to take ownership of the new facility.

“The first learners who use this facility have an opportunity to set the benchmark – to create a standard for every cohort that follows. This is an important investment that will impact generations to come. My challenge to every learner is to use this facility, look after it and share it with friends so that its impact reaches well beyond the first group that benefits from it,” said Minister Londt.

Minister Gwarube emphasised the importance of ensuring that the investment creates opportunities not only for individual schools, but for the broader community. “This facility is serving 68 schools in the area. That is an incredible level of access for the children in this community. I want to emphasise to the community here today that this facility belongs to you,” she said. 

Premier Winde also reflected on the importance of seeing tangible investment and development taking place in communities, particularly where it can create opportunities for young people.

“As you travel through this community, you can see that things are changing. Investment is being made and infrastructure is being developed. When I saw this facility and what has been created here, I was incredibly encouraged. These are the kinds of investments that give young people opportunities and allow communities to see that progress is possible,” said Premier Winde.

Learners of the two host schools will be the primary users of the new facility, followed by the surrounding schools, approved departmental programmes and community users through agreed scheduling. Participation will deliberately be widened to include girls, learners with disabilities, and less-active learners.

“Today we have built the fields, funded the programmes and brought the partners together, so that the next fifty years can be written by children who were given a fair start. As the people of Unchain the Plain say, maar die kinders moet speel, and from today, here in Lentegeur, they will,” said Minister Mackenzie.

The opening concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and learners taking part in sporting activities on the new fields.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.

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North Kivu: United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) builds new offices for the Beni military tribunal

Source: APO

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) on Tuesday, September 29, launched construction and equipment works for six additional offices for the Beni Military Garrison Tribunal in North Kivu Province.

Funded to the tune of US$49,389 under the UN mission’s Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), the project will be implemented over a three-month period and is intended to strengthen the operational capacity of the military justice system.

Strengthening the capacity of military justice

The construction of the new facilities addresses a need that officials of the Beni Military Tribunal have expressed for several years, as they have faced a shortage of workspace in a context marked by strong demand for justice.

At the ceremony marking the launch of the works, Catherine-Anne Moore, Chief of MONUSCO’s Justice Support Section, stressed that the project represents much more than a simple construction project.

“This is an act of justice,” she said, explaining that it responds to the expectations of a population seeking justice that is more effective, faster and more accessible. According to her, the new offices will enable military magistrates to carry out their duties more effectively.

“These offices will give military magistrates the means to investigate cases more effectively, protect victims and combat impunity,” she added.

Better working conditions

For the project’s direct beneficiaries, this support will significantly contribute to improving the working conditions of judicial staff, as well as the quality of reception provided to people seeking justice.

The President of the Beni Military Garrison Tribunal, Colonel Guy Nyembo, welcomed the start of the works.

“We are very pleased with the launch of this project. It is a project of great importance to us because it will enable us to receive people seeking justice in good conditions and also provide magistrates and court clerks with adequate working conditions. In addition, this project will help build confidence among those seeking justice when they see this building being erected here,” he said.

For military judicial authorities, the new facilities will promote better case management and strengthen citizens’ confidence in the judicial institution.

A project benefiting the local community

Beyond its impact on the functioning of military justice, the project will also generate socio-economic benefits for the local community.

The implementation of the works will require the recruitment of local workers, thereby providing temporary employment opportunities for several young people from Beni and surrounding areas. This approach is in line with MONUSCO’s commitment to simultaneously contributing to the strengthening of public institutions and the economic resilience of communities.

Once completed, the six new offices are expected to enable the Beni Military Garrison Tribunal to better respond to the needs of the population and carry out its mission more effectively in a region where security challenges remain significant.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere following the death, last week, of senior military justice officials in a plane crash in Kenge. A minute of silence was observed in their memory.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

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President Ramaphosa to lead SADC Participation at the AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa to lead SADC Participation at the AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), will participate in the 8th African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) in El-Alamein, Arab Republic of Egypt, on Sunday, 4 October 2026. 

The meeting brings together Heads of State and Government of the AU Bureau, Chairpersons of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), heads of AU Organs and development partners, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). 

The annual meeting provides an opportunity for the Chairpersons of the RECs to exchange views on the status of continental integration and progress towards the realisation of the “Africa We Want”, as outlined in Agenda 2063. 

Leaders will also assess progress in implementing the Division of Labour between the AU, RECs/RMs and Member States, with a focus on strengthening coordination, synergies and subsidiarity in the implementation of Agenda 2063.

The meeting will further consider the role of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in accelerating continental and regional integration. 

Among the key issues on the agenda will be progress in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), infrastructure related to water and sanitation, and efforts to prevent and address conflicts on the continent, including through strengthened early warning mechanisms.

“The Heads of State and Government are expected to consider efforts that the AU is undertaking in addressing and preventing conflicts on the continent, including through enhancing its early warning mechanism. 

“The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting provides an opportunity for President Ramaphosa to interact with his counterparts bilaterally on African issues of mutual concern,” the Presidency said in a statement. 

On the margins of the meeting, Egypt will host a Business Forum from 2 to 4 October 2026, while a Summit of the Founders of AUDA-NEPAD will be convened on 3 October 2026.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau. – SAnews.gov.za

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Manamela congratulates UCT on global university ranking

Source: Government of South Africa

Manamela congratulates UCT on global university ranking

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has congratulated the University of Cape Town (UCT) on its rise to 147th place in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027.

The university is the highest-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa, climbing to joint 147th position from its joint 164th position  last year.  The university is ranked 147th with four other universities, including Case Western Reserve University in the United States, Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa in Italy, and the University of Osaka in Japan.

The university now officially retains its position as Africa’s highest-ranked university.

“Its return to the global top 150 is a significant achievement for UCT and South African higher education,” Manamela said.

The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of the academics, researchers, staff and students to its international standing.

The Minister also commended UCT for hosting the first Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit (WAS) on African soil, in partnership with the University of Bristol.

Higher education summit

Manamela also commended UCT for hosting the first Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit (WAS) on African soil, held in partnership with the University of Bristol.

The three-day summit was held from 29 September to 1 October 2026, under the theme: “Knowledge, justice and futures: Universities in the age of intelligence”.

The summit brings together global leaders in higher education, research, policy, business and civil society to explore how universities can harness intelligence – human, artificial and collective – to shape fairer, more sustainable and future-ready societies.

“I congratulate Professor Mosa Moshabela, the university’s leadership, staff and students. 

“This achievement reflects the sustained work of a university community whose contribution reaches well beyond its campus. UCT has also done our country and continent proud by bringing this important global conversation to Africa,” Manamela said.

The Minister participated in discussions at the summit, focusing on the relationship between government and universities, international collaboration, artificial intelligence (AI), and the responsibility of higher education institutions to expand opportunities.

Addressing delegates, Manamela said universities must remain autonomous while being deeply engaged with the communities they serve.

“Government must protect academic freedom and create the conditions for teaching, research and innovation to flourish.

“Together, we must ensure that this work improves people’s lives,” the Minister said.

Manamela also acknowledged the progress made by other South African universities in the latest global rankings and highlighted the role of academic excellence and sustained institutional efforts in maintaining the country’s international standing.

The Minister commended the university’s excellent work and the conditions that make good work possible.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that a young person’s background does not determine their access to quality education and that the knowledge produced in our universities helps us confront unemployment, poverty and inequality,” Manamela said.

He called for stronger partnerships between universities and industry to expand practical learning, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Minister emphasised the need to equip students and lecturers on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly, supported by investment in digital infrastructure, connectivity and training.

Delegates were encouraged to translate the summit’s discussions into equitable partnerships, joint research and opportunities for students and academics across Africa.

“International collaboration must involve a real exchange of knowledge and opportunity. African universities have much to contribute. 

“We must help shape the future of higher education,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za

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One year after the ENL and Rogers merger, ER Group delivers on its commitments and keeps investing in Mauritius and beyond

Source: APO

In its first full financial year, ended 30 June 2026, and the first since the merger of ENL and Rogers, ER Group (https://ERGroup.mu/) recorded revenue of MUR 46.3 billion (USD 969 million) and profit after tax of MUR 5.4 billion (USD 113 million), excluding non-recurring items. The Group exceeded the operating profit target announced during the year and reduced its gearing. This financial strength is translating into concrete progress in Mauritius, from tea cultivation to electric mobility and sustainable finance, and into new steps across the region, which the Group will build on through its strategic plan to 2029.

By bringing together two groups that have shaped Mauritius’ economic and social development for more than a century, the merger of ENL and Rogers set out to create a group that is simpler in its organisation, more agile and better equipped to invest for the long term. One year on, ER Group operates as a single, unified structure, has consolidated New Mauritius Hotels Ltd (Beachcomber) as a subsidiary, has been admitted to the Sustainability Index of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEMSI), and has adopted a ten-year strategy, implemented through a three-year plan.

Results ahead of target

To allow a like-for-like reading, results are compared with a restated FY2025, which combines the activities now brought together within ER Group. On this basis, revenue remained stable at MUR 46.3 billion, with growth in hospitality offsetting lower new vehicle sales.

EBITDA excluding non-recurring items rose 10% to MUR 12.6 billion (USD 264 million), above the MUR 12 billion expected: for every MUR 100 of revenue, the Group now generates MUR 27 of operating profit, compared with MUR 24 a year earlier. Excluding non-recurring items, profit after tax reached MUR 5.4 billion. Including net non-recurring items of MUR 2 billion (USD 42 million), mainly related to the consolidation of Beachcomber as a subsidiary, profit after tax stood at MUR 7.4 billion (USD 155 million). Gearing fell to 45%, net asset value per share rose to MUR 73.57 (USD 1.54) from MUR 61.98, and the dividend for the year amounts to MUR 1.38 per share, a total of MUR 664 million (USD 14 million).

Expanding across the region

ER Group established a presence in Nairobi, Kenya, and set up a MUR 1 billion (USD 21 million) co-investment vehicle to support its companies across Africa. Ecoasis, the Group’s energy solutions company, has established operations in Tanzania, and Beachcomber has signed an agreement to acquire Zuri Zanzibar, a five-star resort, with completion subject to the required regulatory approvals.

Concrete progress in Mauritius

ER Group continues to invest in Mauritius. Among the year’s key achievements, ER Agri extended its tea plantations to 30 hectares and Axess now distributes XPENG electric vehicles. Moka City opened the Moka Rangers Sports Club, and Ascencia, in partnership with Alteo, began construction of the Mall de Flacq, which will host, among other brands, the island’s third Decathlon store from July 2027.

FMBcapital Holdings Plc, the Group’s joint venture partner, has obtained in-principle approval from the Bank of Mauritius to establish a new bank. Subject to the grant of the banking licence, ER Group will hold a 35% stake in the new bank.

In June, ER Group published its Sustainable Finance Framework, which received a Second Party Opinion from Moody’s. Oficea carried out the first issuance under the framework in September, with a MUR 3.4 billion (USD 71 million) sustainability-linked bond.

The Group increased its installed solar capacity to 11.5 MWp, from 8.4 MWp a year earlier. The ER Foundation, now structured around social inclusion and climate and environmental resilience, runs its projects through seven regional committees, in line with its new strategic plan to 2035.

The Group, which employs nearly 13,000 people across 17 territories, invested MUR 115 million (USD 2.4 million) in training and developing its teams.

Gilbert Espitalier-Noël, Group CEO of ER Group, said: “We brought two groups together with one conviction: this was never about becoming bigger, it was about growing better. This first year provides the first evidence of that. Our teams have delivered on the commitments we made, and we approach our strategic plan with the capacity to invest in Mauritius while pursuing growth across the region.”

USD figures are provided for convenience only, converted at USD 1 = MUR 47.76 (Bank of Mauritius consolidated indicative mid-rate, 30 September 2026).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ER Group.

For further information, please contact:
Céline Guillot-Sestier
Chief Communication Executive
ER Group
E. celine.guillotsestier@ergroup.mu
T. +230 404 9500

About ER Group:
​A leading player in the Mauritian economy and listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, ER Group was formed through the strategic merger of the ENL and Rogers groups.
With more than 200 years of history for ENL and 125 years for Rogers, these two pillars of the Mauritian business landscape have shaped the country’s economic and
social development. In 2025, they came together under a new identity, ER Group, which honours their shared heritage while setting out future ambitions, now carried with a single voice.

Today, ER Group employs nearly 13,000 people and operates in 17 territories worldwide. Drawing on a strong portfolio of recognised brands that lead in their fields, ER Group operates across 7 strategic segments: Agribusiness, Real Estate, Hospitality & Travel, Logistics, Finance, Commerce & Manufacturing, and Technology & Energy.

Guided by its purpose, “Ignite today for a better tomorrow”, the Group is driven by its ambition to act responsibly, by bringing strengths together, broadening its horizons and actively helping to shape a sustainable future for Mauritius.

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