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Passion Meets Innovation: Hong Kong’s Leap into Football’s Future

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

The future of football is being written in Asia. It starts in Hong Kong.

World Football Summit (WFS) is set to redefine the global football landscape with its inaugural Hong Kong summit on September 2nd-4th, marking a pivotal moment where technology, culture, and strategic vision converge at the heart of Asia’s football revolution.

As the Asian football market surges to a remarkable USD 7.187 billion, with digital engagement breaking records and investment opportunities expanding, this summit represents a critical junction in the sport’s global narrative. The Asian Football Confederation has witnessed a 20% growth in digital followers, with website page views exploding by 258%—a testament to a market on the brink of unprecedented transformation.

“Our Hong Kong summit transcends a traditional conference,” explains Jan Alessie, Co-founder and Managing Director at World Football Summit. “We’re creating a global platform where football’s most innovative minds will explore how East and West can reshape the beautiful game’s future.”

The inaugural WFS Hong Kong, proudly supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is designed to provide a platform where football legends meet tech innovators. Where East meets West. Where digital transformation isn’t just discussed—it’s demonstrated.

Part of the lineup reads like a football hall of fame, given the caliber of the legends that have confirmed their participation so far.

  • Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United legend
  • Fabio Cannavaro, 2006 Ballon d’Or winner, member of the 2006 WC winning team
  • John Terry, Chelsea FC legend
  • Romy Gai, Chief Commercial Officer, FIFA
  • Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan Vice President and legend
  • Carles Puyol, Barcelona legend and member of the 2010 World Cup winning team
  • Davor Suker, former Croatian FA President, 1998 WC Golden Boot
  • Fabio Capello, former football coach and player
  • Pierluigi Collina, former famous referee and Chairman at FIFA Referee Committee

In addition to these global football icons, prominent local leaders will also be taking part in the event. These include:

  • Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group
  • John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park
  • Crystal Wong, Vice President – Asset Management at K11 Concepts Limited

The full lineup of speakers will dive deep into the most critical questions facing football:

  • How do digital technologies redefine fan experiences?
  • What are the new investment models in sports?
  • Hong Kong: a new hub for sports development?

The general summit themes are razor-sharp:

  • Fan Engagement in the Digital Age
  • Football’s Cultural Crossroads
  • East and West: Reimagining Football Relationships
  • Digital Transformation and Innovation

“Hong Kong represents a unique gateway between global football markets,” added Filipe Gonçalves, Chairman at Asia Partners IFBD, WFS strategic partner in Asia. “This summit is not just an event—it’s a strategic bridge connecting diverse football ecosystems, positioning Asia at the forefront of the sport’s next evolution.”

From broadcasting innovations to sustainable business models, from talent development to cross-continental investments, the WFS Hong Kong summit will provide an unparalleled platform for connection, insight, and strategic thinking. With an expected attendance of over 4,000 international industry professionals and more than 100 speakers, the event promises to be a defining moment in football’s global evolution.

A dedicated fan zone will transform the event from a conference into a celebration. Interactive experiences, egaming, football skills competitions, classic memorabilia—this is where strategy meets passion.​

Global football summit brought to Hong Kong for the first time, proudly supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board

World Football Summit Hong Kong 2025 is proudly supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. With the tremendous support, WFS is aimed to elevate the city’s positioning as a premier destination for global sports business and innovation.

By supporting WFS, the Hong Kong Tourism Board reaffirms its commitment to attracting world-class international events and leveraging the power of football to enhance the city’s global appeal, economic development, and regional influence within the Greater Bay Area.

This partnership highlights the shared vision of making Hong Kong a central hub for the future of the sports industry in Asia and beyond.

Event Details:

  • Date: 2nd-4th September, 2025
  • Location: AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong
  • Focus: Connecting the global football ecosystem
  • Expected Attendance: 4,000+ international professionals

The future of football is being written. Will you read it or write it?

– on behalf of World Football Summit.

Contact and media accreditation:
Jaime Domínguez –
Communications Director,
World Football Summit
press@worldfootballsummit.com

Marta Lop –
Marketing Director APAC
World Football Summit
marta.lop@worldfootballsummit.com

About World Football Summit:
World Football Summit is a leading international organization for the football industry. Through its platform, we organize events across four continents that bring together key stakeholders from the ecosystem, fostering business opportunities, collaboration, and innovation in the sector. Thousands of professionals representing companies and institutions from around the world actively engage with WFS.

About Asia Partners IFBD:
Asia Partners IFBD is a premier investment IP company specialising in the sports sector. We focus on investing in innovative intellectual property (IP) concepts and collaborating with top-tier players in the industry. Our extensive network and expertise allow us to work alongside the best football players and organizations.

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Africa Future Hospitality Summit underway in Cape Town

Source: South Africa News Agency

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has welcomed delegates from across the world to the Future Hospitality Summit Africa which is currently underway in Cape Town.

For over a decade the Future Hospitality Summit Africa – previously known as AHIF – has served as a launchpad for hospitality investment across the continent, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming Africa’s tourism and hospitality landscape. 

The summit, which began on Tuesday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), gathers global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders who are dedicated to turning potential into reality. The summit concludes on Thursday, 19 June.

In his address, Meyer emphasised the province’s dynamic role in shaping the future of the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“Cape Town is not just a backdrop; it is a beacon of possibility. But our world-class infrastructure, stable governance, and vibrant economic ecosystem make the Western Cape Africa’s gateway to investment,” Meyer said. 

The MEC also touched on the upcoming Western Cape Investment Summit 2025, which is set to take place from 5-7 November.

This summit serves as a transformative platform aimed at connecting global capital with high-impact opportunities.

Aligned with the province’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, the summit seeks to attract R200 billion in direct investment, to develop an inclusive R1 trillion economy that grows at an annual rate of 3-5% by 2035.

According to the provincial department, the hospitality and tourism sectors are essential components of this vision.

In April 2025, Cape Town’s hotels recorded an impressive occupancy rate of 72.5%, along with a 20.1% year-on-year increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Meanwhile, the luxury properties led the charge, reinforcing the city’s status as a global tourism hub.

The summit will showcase investment-ready projects across nine sectors, with tourism and hospitality offering premium experiences, cultural capital, and tech-driven innovation. 

The gathering will provide streamlined regulatory support, expedited approvals, and direct access to key decision-makers.
Meyer concluded with a call to action to join the Western Cape Investment Summit 2025, aiming to shape the future of hospitality and tourism in Africa.

“Together, we can create jobs, uplift communities, and position the Western Cape as Africa’s investment leader.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Symposium looks into impact of political funding law

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Electoral Commission of South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo, says the Party Funding in SA symposium has been convened to assess the implementation and impact of South Africa’s political funding law.

The first-ever symposium on political funding follows four years of implementing the Political Funding Act of 2018, which came into effect on 1 April 2021.

Held under the theme: “Sustaining Multi-Party Democracy through Enhancing Political Funding Regulation in South Africa”, the symposium aims to foster informed dialogue on matters related to the use of money in politics, promote transparency and accountability models, as well as possible reforms to ensure an effective political finance regulatory regime in South Africa.

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Speaking at the two-day symposium held in Durban, Mamabolo on Wednesday said an assessment of the effectiveness of disclosure mechanisms for political parties must be conducted.

“While the [Political Funding Act] was designed to enhance transparency, concerns remain about the opacity of certain contributions, the adequacy of public reporting and the efficacy of the enforcement framework,” he said.

He said they must consider the law’s impact on the promotion of multi-party democracy.  

“As is always necessary in evaluating regulatory frameworks, comparative analysis will be provided to juxtapose our own experiences with regulatory frameworks that… from other democracies around the world.

“I urge all participants, regardless of ideological persuasion, to see this moment not as a burden, but as an opportunity, a chance to improve a law that touches the very soul of our democratic practice,” Mamabolo said.

He said the symposium must evaluate the current framework with a view to providing the policymaker, which is Parliament, with proposals to strengthen the regulatory framework.

“Let our debates be rigorous, but respectful. Let our differences sharpen the outcome, not delay it, and let our unity be in service of something far greater than any single party: our democracy itself,” he said.

The symposium convenes a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from political parties, Members of Parliament, academia, civil society, media, the business sector, as well as international and intergovernmental organisations. 

In Pictures | Symposium on political party funding in SA 

– SAnews.gov.za

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Eastern Cape holds Provincial Day of Mourning for storm victims

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is today hosting a Provincial Day of Mourning in honour of the victims of last week’s floods.

Thursday’s ceremony which will take place at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Mthatha will bring together government leaders and community members to pay tribute to the lives lost in the storms.

The death toll in the tragedy currently stands at 92, including a teenage girl whose body was recovered along the Mthatha River on Wednesday. The total number of fatalities in Mthatha alone are at 68.

“Mthatha in the OR Tambo District Municipality remain the hardest hit across the province and the number of deceased persons may continue to rise. Progress has been made with the processing of the bodies as 86 bodies have now been positively identified, with 83 collected by family members.

“Five bodies remain unidentified. The Provincial Government is still urging members of the public to report any missing persons at their nearest police station to assist ongoing recovery and identification efforts,” provincial spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie said in a statement.

Rantjie said the provincial government continues to work tirelessly to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to 4 308 individuals that have been left homeless across the province.

Processes are underway to ensure the provision of Temporary Residential Units (TRUs).

“Significant progress has also been made in the restoration of critical infrastructure. The OR Tambo District Municipality has reported steady advancements in the restoration of water supply systems. Full restoration is anticipated across all affected areas by Friday, 21 June 2025,” Rantjie said.

READ | Death toll in Eastern Cape floods rises to 90

In the Amathole District Municipality, operations at the Butterworth Water Treatment Works (WTW) have resumed following the successful repairs to the high lift and backwash pumps. Water supply has also been restored in most areas.

However, the provincial government said high-lying communities are still facing limited access as the system stabilises, and this will take some additional time to recover fully.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and conduct assessments to quantify the full restoration across all affected communities.

Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has commended South Africans and the world for the provision of much needed support to reach people in dire need.

“We are encouraged by the outpouring of love and support from all corners of the globe. The Provincial Government remains committed to working alongside municipalities, national departments, and civil society to restore dignity and livelihoods across the province,” Mabuyane said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Report shows that consumers owe municipalities R416.1 billion

Source: South Africa News Agency

As of 31 March 2025, total consumers debt owed to municipalities amounted to R416.1 billion when compared to R347.6 billion that was reported in the same period in 2023/24.

This is according to a report released by National Treasury on local government revenue and expenditure for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

“A total amount of R10.8 billion or 2.6% has been written off as bad debt. The largest component of this debt relates to households and represents 72% or R299.5 billion (73 % or R253.6 billion in the same period in 2023/24 financial year),” National Treasury said on Wednesday.

The third quarter publication covers 257 municipalities on financial information and conditional grant information.

“The government debt accounts for 6% or R24.9 billion (R21 billion reported in the same period in 2023/24) of the total outstanding debtors.

“Total outstanding creditors owed by municipalities as at 31 March 2025 amount to R131.8 billion an increase from R106.7 billion reported in the same quarter in 2023/24. R111.8 billion or 84.8% has been outstanding for more than 90 days,” said Treasury.

Provinces with the highest percentage of outstanding municipal creditors in the category greater than 90 days include the Free State at 94.4%, Mpumalanga at 93.9%, the Northern Cape at 93.8%, and the North West at 84.4%. 

An increase in outstanding creditors could be an indication that municipalities are experiencing liquidity and cash challenges and consequently are delaying the settlement of outstanding debt owed.

“Analysis of the collection rates indicates that while municipalities’ average collection rate on the adjusted budget is 85%, the aggregated actual collection against billed and other revenue is only 63.6 percent. The metros budgeted (adjusted budget) for a 87.9% collection rate and collected only 58.2%. The secondary cities budgeted billing was 86.3% and the actual collection was 69.7%,” it explained.

Municipal spending

As at 31 March 2025, aggregate spending by municipalities was at 64.9% or R432.2 billion of the total adjusted expenditure budget of R665.9 billion.

“Aggregated billing and other revenue was 71.7% or R478 billion of the total adjusted revenue budget of R666.8 billion.

“Capital expenditure was R26.4 billion or 33.6% of the adjusted capital budget of R78.5 billion.

“The adjusted operating expenditure budget was R587.5 billion, of which R405.8 billion or 69.1 per cent) was spent by 31 March 2025.”

Municipalities adjusted their salaries and wages (including remuneration of Councillors) budget from R162.6 billion in the adopted budget to R161.1 billion in the adjusted budget for the 2024/25 financial year, representing a R1.5 billion or a 0.9% decrease. 

The budget for salaries and wages constituted 27.4 % of the total adjusted operating expenditure budget of R587.5 billion. 

As at 31 March 2025, R114.2 billion or 70.9% of the adjusted salary budget was spent.

Conditional Grants

As at 31 March 2025, municipalities were allocated R44.7 billion for direct conditional grants, of which R38.9 billion has been transferred. 

This amount excludes the Equitable Share allocation, Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) as a supplementary capital allocation to metropolitan municipalities as well as indirect grants. 

National Transferring Officers (NTOs) reported spending of R25 billion, or 55.9%, while municipalities reported spending of R19.5 billion or 43.7% of the total allocation. 

In comparison, during the same period in the previous financial year, NTOs reported 58.8% against the total adjusted allocation for direct conditional grants, while municipalities reported expenditure of 46.8 %.

“There are several factors that attributed to the overall underspending of the conditional grants by municipalities during the 2024/25 financial year. Some of these factors include late submissions of business and implementation plans which hindered timely implementation, while persistent Supply Chain Management (SCM) challenges disrupted procurement processes. 

“These issues not only affected grant performance in the third quarter but also led to reduced allocations for many municipalities during the adjustment budget process as uncommitted funds were reallocated to better-performing municipalities.

“The impact of these challenges highlights the need for stronger municipal planning, more efficient SCM systems, and stricter enforcement of procurement regulations to prevent similar underspending in the future.”

Treasury said the third quarter infrastructure grant performance presents a mixed picture, with R23.8 billion or 56.3% expended from the R42.8 billion allocation. 

“While showing moderate overall progress, significant disparities exist between better-performing grants and those facing implementation challenges. While this demonstrates moderate progress, the performance varies considerably across different grants, with some showing effective implementation and others lagging behind.

“While some grants such as the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG), Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the Regional Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) demonstrate efficient spending with expenditure over 60% by the end of the third quarter, others like the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant (MDRG) and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) remain severely underperforming. 

“This inconsistency highlights the need for a more balanced approach in grant management, such as rewarding well-performing municipalities with additional support while imposing stricter consequences for chronic underspending. Without urgent corrective measures, critical service delivery backlogs will continue to worsen,” National Treasury said. 

Further details on this report can be accessed on the National Treasury’s website: www.treasury.gov.za . – SAnews.gov.za

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W Cape boosts fishing harbours

Source: South Africa News Agency

As part of efforts to revitalise South Africa’s proclaimed fishing harbours, government has installed new, high-visibility signage at nine key sites across the Western Cape.

While harbour infrastructure falls under the mandate of other departments, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment remains committed to doing everything within its scope to promote operational efficiency and a welcoming, well-managed environment across all proclaimed fishing harbours.

“These signage upgrades are more than cosmetic. They are a statement of intent. They reflect our department’s commitment to restore dignity, pride and functionality to communities who rely on our working harbours,” the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said on Wednesday.

Nine of the Western Cape’s 12 proclaimed fishing harbours now sport newly installed, high-quality signage.

The upgrades reflect government’s visible commitment to revitalising coastal communities.

The following harbours now have new signage in place:

  • Kalk Bay – Completed on 18 June 2025.
  • Hout Bay – Completed on 18 June 2025.
  • Elands Bay – Completed on 16 June 2025.
  • Doring Bay – Completed on 16 June 2025.
  • Saldanha Bay (Pepperbay) – Completed on 16 June 2025.
  • Lamberts Bay – Completed on 14 June 2025.
  • St Helena Bay (Sandy Point) – Completed on 12 June 2025.
  • Laaiplek – Completed on 12 June 2025.
  • Yzerfontein – Initial signage installed on 25 April 2025, with further enhancements planned.

For the remaining harbours — Arniston, Stilbay, Struisbay, Hermanus, Gansbaai and Gordons Bay — site visits have been completed, and signage is prepared for transportation and installation. 

Final installation dates will be announced soon.

The department said close collaboration with local teams is key to ensuring that all remaining harbours soon reflect the same level of visible progress. 

The signage project underscores the department’s broader commitment to rejuvenating fishing communities, promoting sustainable development, and restoring the Western Cape’s harbours as vibrant centres of economic and cultural activity.

“We are determined to uplift and improve our harbours to unlock their economic potential. Our teams are working tirelessly to finalise the remaining installations, and we look forward to celebrating the full revitalisation of these harbours,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

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eThekwini Municipality strengthens ties in UAE to advance smart city

Source: South Africa News Agency

eThekwini Municipality strengthens ties in UAE to advance smart city

The eThekwini Municipality has embarked on a high-level international engagement mission in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reinforcing its commitment to sustainable urban development, cutting-edge transport systems, and smart city transformation.

City Manager, Musa Mbhele is currently leading a series of high-level strategic engagements with government and business leaders in Abu Dhabi to explore strategic partnerships that could unlock economic opportunities and introduce advanced infrastructure innovation solutions.

This follows a successful initial round of discussions with major Abu Dhabi institutions, which laid a robust foundation for collaboration in integrated mobility, urban planning, and digital governance.

Key objectives of the UAE mission

The current leg of the mission, taking place from 16 to 19 June 2025, aims to:  
•    Finalise agreements with the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) to implement forward-looking transport innovations aligned to the needs of the eThekwini region.
•    Explore technology-driven investment platforms with Maqta Technologies, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, focusing on digital investment portals, such as the Single Window and the proposed “Invest in KZN” prototype.
•    Consolidate the Abu Dhabi-Dubai-KZN knowledge exchange corridor, focusing on smart logistics, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced technologies in customs clearance and risk analytics through platforms like BorderVision, RiskLab, and BorderMeter.

Mbhele is joined by Project Executive in the Chief Operations Office, Lungelo Buthelezi, and Acting Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Nelisiwe Zama.

On 16 June, the team led constructive discussions with senior leaders in Dubai’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, centred on building urban spaces, where mobility is seamless, sustainable, and intelligently connected.

“As urban landscapes evolve, the integration of smart transport systems, thoughtful urban planning, and municipal coordination has become more crucial than ever. We are in the United Arab Emirates to leverage international best practices.

“By embracing innovation and strategic planning, we pave the way for a connected and resilient urban future for our city of Durban,” said Mbhele.

Collaboration with UAE mobility and infrastructure leaders

The eThekwini delegation also engaged with key stakeholders in Abu Dhabi’s intelligent mobility and digital infrastructure sectors.

Among the stakeholders included Dr Emily Mogano, Vice President of Partnerships at the Sheikh Maktoum NEO Technologies Office, who expressed enthusiasm for the growing collaboration.

Senior representatives from the UAE’s transport sector, led by Minister Abdulla Al Hashmi, Director of Traffic Systems at the Integrated Transport Center, shared insights on Abu Dhabi’s Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). These include smart mobility advancements, traffic infrastructure optimisation, and road safety enhancements driven by cutting-edge technologies.

Al Hashmi emphasised the UAE’s readiness to collaborate with eThekwini on solutions tailored for Durban’s urban context.

These engagements underscores eThekwini’s commitment to proactive global cooperation and innovation-driven development, positioning Durban as a hub for international investment, mobility innovation, and smart governance. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Carbon Markets Africa Summit: Unlocking Africa’s Carbon Wealth Through Integrity, Action and Investment — Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) is a project of VUKA Group

The award-winning VUKA Group (www.WeareVuka.com) has officially launched the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS), a purpose-driven, high-level continental gathering that will take place from 21 to 23 October 2025 in Johannesburg. Designed as Africa’s flagship platform for carbon finance, CMAS brings together policymakers, investors, standards bodies, developers and corporates to drive practical, inclusive climate action and unlock Africa’s carbon value at scale.

Carbon markets are quickly becoming one of Africa’s most promising opportunities for climate finance and sustainable development. Yet the complexity of validation, verification, regulation and monetisation continues to challenge project developers, financiers and governments alike.

“This isn’t mining or retail. The returns, timelines and requirements are different,” says Olivia Tuchten, Principal Climate Change Advisor at Promethium Carbon. “There’s money to be made and good to be done – but only if stakeholders upskill and understand the process.”

CMAS is Africa’s response – a strategic event focused on building confidence, closing knowledge gaps and accelerating real transactions.

Strategic Moment: Africa’s Carbon Future and the Global Agenda

The timing of CMAS is particularly significant. With growing global momentum around carbon pricing and the operationalisation of Article 6, the outcomes of the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in November are expected to influence the future architecture of global carbon markets.

As the G20 debates issues like carbon border adjustment mechanisms and international credit standards, Africa must be ready to respond with a united, informed voice. CMAS provides a platform for African stakeholders to strategically align, share technical insights, and sharpen positions – not only for G20, but also in preparation for COP30, where climate finance and carbon market governance will again take centre stage.

“We are in the right place and at the right time today to ensure that Africa benefits from carbon markets,” says Prof Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank.

A Unique Value Proposition: What Sets CMAS Apart

  • Pan-African Focus with Global Reach: Prioritising African leadership while connecting to international buyers, standards and financiers.
  • Ministerial Roundtable (21 October): A closed-door session convening African environment, climate and finance ministers to align policy priorities and amplify Africa’s voice at COP30 and G20.
  • Deal-Making Platforms: Investor roundtables, project showcases, deep-dive workshops and curated networking designed to convert conversations into transactions.
  • Integrity & Compliance: Navigate voluntary and compliance carbon markets with rigor, exploring Article 6, regional frameworks and global best practice.
  • Project Visibility: Spotlight on investable, Africa-based carbon projects with real climate and community impact.
  • Pre-COP30 Momentum: CMAS will help unify African market positions and technical readiness in the lead-up to multilateral climate finance negotiations.

Advisory Board: A Multi-Sectoral Powerhouse

To ensure CMAS reflects Africa’s diverse needs and opportunities in carbon markets, an influential advisory board has been convened, including:

  • Andrew Gilder – Director, Climate Legal, South Africa
  • Andrew Ocama – Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, Uganda
  • Bianca Gichangi – Regional Lead – Africa, VCMI, Kenya
  • Brett Stacey – Director, Carbon Zero Verification, United Kingdom
  • Dr Olufunso Somorin – Regional Principal Officer, AfDB, Kenya
  • Heather McEwan – Regional Representative, Verra, South Africa
  • Javier Mazanares – CEO, Allen Manza, Panama
  • Lawrence Cole-Morgan – Carbon Credit Trading Lead, Standard Bank, South Africa
  • Mathis Granjon – Trader, Green Steps, Netherlands
  • Maxime Bayen – Operating Partner, Catalyst Fund, Spain
  • Olivia Tuchten – Promethium Carbon, South Africa
  • Reshma Shah – Lead, Carbon Markets, FSD Africa, Kenya
  • Bernardin Uzayisaba, Carbon Market Programme Specialist, UNDP, South Africa
  • Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Government of Nigeria

A Pathway to African Ownership

“Africa is still not maximising its potential. We need to do things differently,” says Olufunso Somorin, AfDB. “One of the challenges is that there are many good project developers who have very good ideas, but they don’t have the resource to jumpstart their idea into an investable project.” Somorin continues: “The AfDB has created the African Carbon Support Facility, and we are hoping to start off with a $100 million capitalisation.” Among the goals are supporting countries towards market-creating policy shifts, and the bulk of the funds will provide resources to project developers and assist in validation costs. “The AfDB wants to increase the number of African-owned, African-based and African-led project developments on the ground,” he adds.

According to Lawrence Cole-Morgan, Standard Bank, “the carbon markets provide Africa with the ability to monetise its significant carbon sequestration potential to fund socio-economic development and badly needed adaptation, while making a meaningful contribution to combatting climate change.” 

Meanwhile, Andrew Ocama, Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, is of the opinion that “each country is at a different level of readiness to actively participate in the carbon markets. To the seven Alliance countries, these markets are an important avenue for finance owing to their accountability and the measurability of their outcomes.” 

Event Details

21 October – Pre-Summit Day

  • Carbon 101 seminar
  • High-impact dialogue by the Global Trust Project

22–23 October – Main Summit

  • Plenaries
  • Ministerial Roundtable
  • Investor roundtables
  • Hands-on workshops
  • Sector-focused dialogues
  • Deal-making and networking

 

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Organised by VUKA Group

With more than 20 years of experience delivering high-impact B2B events across Africa, VUKA Group is the independent, B-BBEE-compliant force behind platforms like Africa’s Green Economy Summit, Enlit Africa, Smarter Mobility Africa, and DRC Mining Week.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

Contact:
Tailor-made partnerships
Natalie Kruger
+66 (0) 65 614 8605
Natalie.kruger@wearevuka.com

Portfolio Director – Green Economy
Emmanuelle Nicholls
+27 (0) 83 447 8410
emmanuelle.nicholls@wearevuka.com

Website: www.CarbonMarketsAfrica.com  

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Nigeria Gears Up to Unveil Mining Potential at African Mining Week


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As Nigeria advances its mining ambitions through high-impact deals and project milestones, African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s premier mining gathering, taking place October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town – will feature a dedicated session on the country. The session will showcase current projects and opportunities, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as an emerging mining hub.

Public and private stakeholders are working to harness Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth to diversify the economy and boost GDP. In April 2025, Nigeria signed a cooperation agreement (http://apo-opa.co/449iMLC) with South Africa – the continent’s leading mining nation – to promote investment, technology transfer and knowledge sharing. This partnership is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s mining growth by drawing on South Africa’s expertise and mature sector.

On the ground, Titan Minerals Limited (https://apo-opa.co/44872Zw) is leading exploration for phosphate in Sokoto, bitumen in Edo and Ondo and gold along the Schist Belt, while seeking partners to advance new gold, base metals and PGM deposits toward feasibility. Meanwhile, Thor Explorations (http://apo-opa.co/3TAhEvi) launched underground drilling at its Segilola Gold Mine – Nigeria’s first industrial gold operation – aiming to scale production to 85,000–95,000 ounces in 2025.

Additionally, Nigeria resumed gold, lithium and copper exploration in Zamfara in early 2025, underscoring its drive to attract fresh investment. The country’s mineral resources (http://apo-opa.co/4e6dpRM) include 42.5 billion tons of probable bitumen (sixth-largest globally), 10.6 billion tons of limestone, 2.75 billion tons of coal, over 3 billion tons of iron ore and 21.4 metric tons of gold – offering significant investor opportunities. Together, these resources position Nigeria as a potential mining powerhouse capable of driving industrialization, creating jobs and delivering long-term economic growth.

Against this backdrop, AMW 2025 provides an ideal platform for Nigeria to showcase its progress and engage investors to secure its role in Africa’s mining future. The event will not only highlight key projects, but also foster dialogue on policy, infrastructure and partnerships needed to unlock the sector’s full potential. With growing international interest, Nigeria is poised to position itself as a leading destination for sustainable mineral development.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

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When Uber Is a ‘Predator’ and LinkedIn a ‘Species’: the 5M Framework Offers a New ‘Natural’ Lens for Antitrust Oversight

The BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre (www.BRICSCompetition.org), in collaboration with mathematicians, programmers, ecologists and biologists from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA, Vienna), has developed a systemic approach to deepen the understanding of how digital ecosystems function. The research group proposes applying mathematical models and biological theories from the natural sciences to describe processes in the digital economy. Their comprehensive approach to analysing and regulating ecosystems is built on analogies between natural and digital ecosystems—both are complex adaptive systems that share structural and functional characteristics. The results have been published in the interdisciplinary journal npj Complexity in the open-access article “An ecological perspective to master the complexities of the digital economy” (Elena Rovenskaya, Alexey Ivanov, Sarah Hathiari, Daria Kotova, Ursula M. Scharler, Gergely Boza) (www.nature.com) and in the Springer Nature Research Communities “Behind the Paper” post “Taming the Digital Giants: Why Regulators Need an Ecological Lens on Platform Power” (Elena Rovenskaya, Alexey Ivanov, Sarah Hathiari, Daria Kotova, Ursula M. Scharler, Gergely Boza) (www.communities.springernature.com).

The scientists formulated this idea as the 5M System (5M Framework), which describes the digital realm in ecological terms and draws analogies between natural and digital phenomena across five levels: Micro (“genes”) — elements of technology, knowledge, and business strategy (including user behaviour data); Meso (“species”) — products; Macro (“ecosystems”) — digital platform ecosystems; Mega (“biomes”) — wider societies hosting platform ecosystems; Meta — interactions among the four previous levels occur here.

For example, optimal foraging theory can explain why Uber avoids sparsely populated areas:  like an animal that leaves a food-poor patch because the energy gained per unit of search time is too low, Uber steers clear of rural zones where ride requests are infrequent, driver utilisation drops, and the “return” on each kilometre driven fails to justify the effort. The flexibility of digital-product boundaries is akin to the blurred definition of biological species, within which finer subspecies are often distinguished: LinkedIn can be viewed either as a Microsoft service or as a set of related products—job marketplace, professional social network, advertising platform, and so on.

Elena Rovenkaya, the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Program Director and Principal Research Scholar:

“Digital ecosystems are an entirely new economic object, fundamentally different from the standard economic agents regulators are used to dealing with. The analogy we propose between natural and digital ecosystems will allow antitrust authorities to look at digital ecosystems from a new angle and obtain intuitive explanations for business strategies that often seem complex. Moreover, applying well-established mathematical and ecological approaches may be more effective than designing new methods from scratch.”

Aleksey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre:

“The published article is expected to be the first in a series of interdisciplinary publications devoted to new antitrust approaches for regulating the digital environment. In the AI sector and adjacent fields, the number of partnerships and investment agreements resembling mergers is growing, yet companies often evade antitrust scrutiny by sidestepping formal filing thresholds. A systemic-analysis response—particularly mathematical modelling and the systems-mapping method that the BRICS Centre is developing with partners—can depict a complex phenomenon in a model of all its cause-and-effect links. This will significantly accelerate research and make antitrust analysis more precise.”

In the future, the researchers also plan to create a digital tool using AI for BRICS antitrust coordination — the “Merger Radar.” This system will detect economic-concentration deals and shape preliminary positions on such transactions.

The article forms part of the BRICS Centre’s research track on the antitrust challenges created by digitalisation. The project was launched in 2018 to provide expert and methodological support to antitrust agencies in the BRICS Working Group for Research on Competition Issues in Digital Markets; in 2019 the Centre first highlighted the threats posed by digital platforms and the need for special oversight; from 2020 the Working Group shifted its focus to ecosystem regulation — today the most advanced debate in antitrust law. At the 7th BRICS Competition Conference (China, 2021) the Centre publicly presented the “eco-antitrust” concept; in 2022, in Brazil, it organised the first BRICS Digital Competition Forum, which has since been held annually. At the latest forum, in autumn 2024, representatives of Brazil’s antitrust authority CADE announced the drafting of a new bill to regulate ecosystems, which is now before the Brazilian parliament. The experts are currently analysing the impact of AI on competition and preparing a new report.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre.

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