Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Nigeria’s Upstream Reform Program Captures 40% of Africa’s Final Investment Decision (FID) Activity After a Decade on the Margins

Source: APO


.

Nigeria has gone from capturing 4% of Africa’s upstream final investment decisions (FIDs) to commanding 40% in two years, according to Nigeria’s Energy Sector Reforms 2023-2026: A Three-Year Review, published by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and spearheaded by Special Adviser Olu Verheijen. The $50 billion project pipeline now in development beyond 2026 points to sustained capital commitment at a scale not seen in the Nigerian upstream for at least a decade.

Between 2014 and 2023, Nigeria was among the continent’s weakest performers for upstream FIDs despite holding 37.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the second-largest endowment in Africa. Algeria captured 44% of African upstream FIDs during that period, Angola held 26%, while Nigeria trailed Mozambique, Ghana, Senegal and Namibia. In the third quarter of 2022, crude production briefly dropped below one million barrels per day, as years of underinvestment, pipeline vandalism and regulatory ambiguity compounded each other. However, reforms instituted by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu have dramatically turned this trend around. Through deliberate and coordinated steps, the government has reset the trajectory. 

Addressing Fiscal Terms, Regulatory Scope and Contracting Speed

President Bola Tinubu’s administration moved simultaneously on fiscal terms and regulatory architecture. Policy directives in 2023 clarified the boundary of jurisdiction between the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), resolving an ambiguity that had complicated project sanctioning. Presidential Directive 40 introduced targeted tax incentives, and a separate Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Production in 2024 was designed to draw international oil companies (IOCs) back into capital-intensive, long-cycle deepwater projects. The VAT Modification Order 2024 and Upstream Cost Efficiency Order 2025 addressed the cost structures that had rendered marginal projects uneconomic. NNPCL contracting timelines were compressed from 36 months to a maximum of six months.

Four Divestments Transferred Onshore Control to Indigenous Operators

In parallel, the administration deployed targeted security directives and accelerated ministerial consents for four IOC asset transfers. Renaissance acquired Shell’s onshore portfolio. Seplat Energy completed its acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Nigerian upstream interests. Oando took over from Agip, and Chappal acquired Equinor’s local assets. The four transactions totaled approximately $4 billion. The transfer of onshore and shallow-water blocks to indigenous operators contributed directly to production recovery. Output rose by approximately 400,000 barrels per day between 2023 and 2025 to reach 1.6 million barrels per day, the highest onshore production level in 20 years.

Signed Projects Total $10 Billion, With a $50 Billion Pipeline Beyond

The reforms produced a concrete FID response from Shell and TotalEnergies. Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) sanctioned the $5 billion Bonga North deepwater development in December 2024 and committed a further $2 billion to the HI Non-Associated Gas (NAG) project. TotalEnergies and NNPCL took a joint FID on the $550 million Ubeta gas field development in June 2024.

Together those three commitments account for more than $10 billion in signed investment after a decade of near-zero sanctioning activity. The pipeline beyond 2026 spans a further $50 billion across 11 projects including Bonga South West, Owowo, Usan and Erha. Nigeria approved 28 field development plans valued at $18.2 billion in 2025 alone, targeting an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of reserves.

“When a government rebuilds fiscal competitiveness and regulatory predictability at the same time, capital responds,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Nigeria has done both, and the FID numbers are concrete proof.”

The Counterfactual Illustrates How Much Was at Stake

The presentation includes a no-reform projection that puts the gains in context. Without intervention, total crude and condensate production was on track to fall from 1.371 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2022 to 579,000 by 2030. Under the reform trajectory, output reached 1.77 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026, with a stated government target of 3 million barrels per day. Export gas utilization rose 39% over the same period, while domestic utilization grew by 7%.

The durability of these gains will be tested by two factors: whether the institutional architecture put in place under the Tinubu administration holds over the long term, and whether the deepwater commitments signed in 2024 and 2025 advance to execution on schedule. The project pipeline is large enough that partial delivery would still represent a generational shift in Nigeria’s upstream output profile.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

Enlit Africa 2026 to spotlight Africa’s nuclear execution pathway, from Koeberg life extension to new build readiness

Source: APO

Enlit Africa has announced dedicated nuclear-focused content within its 2026 conference programme, positioning nuclear not as a theoretical debate but as an execution topic centred on addressing delivery constraints, readiness and real-world decision-making. The event takes place on 19–21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

As countries and utilities balance energy security, affordability and decarbonisation goals, nuclear is increasingly being evaluated through the lens of implementation: life extension, supply chain capability, regulatory readiness, skills and grid integration. Enlit Africa’s nuclear programme coverage is designed to bring together utilities, regulators, policymakers, technology providers and financing stakeholders to engage on these practical enablers.

Nuclear programme coverage will include:

Koeberg life extension as an execution case study: lessons on planning, delivery and operational readiness for life extension programmes

New build readiness and procurement realities: a focus on the governance, sequencing and decision frameworks required to move from intention to delivery

Grid integration and system planning: discussions on how nuclear fits within wider system reliability, transmission planning and long-term capacity strategies

Supply chain, localisation and skills: what it takes to build durable delivery capability beyond individual projects

“The conversation is shifting from whether nuclear is part of the mix to what it would take to deliver it responsibly and successfully,” said Claire Volkwyn, Head of Content, Power, Energy and Water, VUKA Group. “We are structuring this content around execution: readiness, regulation, supply chain, skills and system integration.”

Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group, forms part of a broader delivery-focused agenda spanning power and water infrastructure. The full programme is available online.

Download the full programme: https://apo-opa.co/4tTRDYB

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4nggi77

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About Enlit Africa:
Enlit Africa convenes stakeholders across the power sector value chain to address the commercial and operational realities of delivery, bringing together leaders across finance, utilities, government, industry and technology to accelerate bankable investment, system readiness and measurable outcomes. https://apo-opa.co/4de7o5q

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa.  www.WeAreVUKA.com        

Media files

.

Posted on

Angola Strengthens Global Investment Drive Across Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources

Source: APO

At a defining moment in Angola’s economic transformation, the Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) (https://CMAGAfrica.com), together with the Government of Angola and the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas of the Republic of Angola (MIREMPET), will convene global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders in London for the Angola Oil, Gas & Mining Investment Conference on 14 May 2026.

More than a conference, this gathering represents a strategic international engagement at a time when Angola is actively reshaping its economic future and positioning itself as one of Africa’s most compelling destinations for long-term investment in natural resources, infrastructure, and industrial development.

With sweeping reforms across the extractive sector, Angola is entering a new phase defined by transparency, regulatory modernisation, value addition, and international partnership. The country’s leadership is sending a clear message to global markets: Angola is open for investment and ready to build transformational partnerships that support sustainable growth and economic diversification.

The event will be headlined by H.E. Diamantino Azevedo, Minister for Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas of Angola, whose leadership since 2017 has been central to advancing Angola’s mineral and hydrocarbons agenda. Under his stewardship, Angola has accelerated institutional reform, strengthened governance frameworks, promoted private sector participation, and prioritised sustainable resource development.

As global demand intensifies for critical minerals, energy security, and resilient supply chains, Angola is uniquely positioned to become a strategic partner to international investors and industrial economies. The country’s vast untapped mineral wealth, significant oil and gas reserves, expanding infrastructure ambitions, and commitment to economic diversification present a rare investment window for global stakeholders.

Speaking ahead of the event, Veronica Bolton Smith, CEO of the Critical Minerals Africa Group said:

“Angola stands at a pivotal point in its national development. The reforms taking place across the country’s extractive sectors are creating unprecedented opportunities for responsible international investment and strategic partnership. This is not simply about resource development, it is about building long-term industrial growth, strengthening energy and mineral supply chains, and shaping Angola’s future as a globally competitive investment destination. We believe this moment represents one of the most important opportunities for international partners to engage with Angola’s leadership and participate in the country’s next chapter of economic transformation.”

The event is expected to attract a distinguished international audience, including sovereign representatives, institutional investors, mining and energy executives, infrastructure developers, development finance institutions, and strategic partners seeking direct engagement with Angola’s leadership.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG).

Enquires:
The Critical Minerals Africa Group 
info@cmagafrica.com

Media files

.

Posted on

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the South32 Hillside Aluminium anniversary

Source: President of South Africa –

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli,
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau
Deputy Ministers,
MECs,
Executive Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Cllr Sikhumbuzo Dlamini,
Mayor of the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi,
Chief Executive Officer of South32, Mr Graham Kerr, 
Chief Operating Officer of South32, Mr Noel Pillay
Representatives of state-owned enterprises,
Members of the diplomatic community,
Representatives of business and organised labour,
Traditional, community and faith leaders,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is my privilege to be here to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillside Aluminium smelter and to pay tribute to South32 for its sustained commitment to investing in the provincial and national economy. 

Since its operations began in 1996, Hillside Aluminium has contributed significantly to our country’s industrial capabilities. 

When President Nelson Mandela opened the smelter in April 1996 he said: “The ultimate yardstick by which we must measure our efforts is the extent to which they promote sustained economic growth and development, create jobs and eliminate poverty.” 

Today, we can say that Hillside Aluminium has delivered. 

It is reported that the smelter currently supports 3,650 direct and indirect jobs, contributes to an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy, and plays a key role in supplying aluminium to the local downstream industry. 

Hillside Aluminium is not only a smelter; it is a producer of skills. 

It is known for its highly skilled artisans, rigorous engineering, tight process control and an uncompromising safety culture. 

The apprenticeships, bursaries and learnerships provided by Hillside Aluminium are more than corporate programmes. 

They have strengthened South Africa’s national skills pipeline. They prepare young people for the high-demand jobs of future industries, from advanced manufacturing to the green economy. 

Hillside Aluminum has shown that its roots are firmly planted in the community through sustained community and social investment, strengthening education, economic participation, health and well-being. 

These programmes have reinforced the principle that large industrial operations should create shared value with host communities. 

This is seen through the smelter’s community and social investment programmes.

We commend the company’s support for health services at the Ngwelezana Hospital through the establishment of a dedicated paediatric burns unit. 

There is also its support for water projects in the King Cetshwayo District, which has
helped connect over 1,200 households to safe, clean water, and the school refurbishment project at Aquadene Secondary School.

All of these projects make a real and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of people in this area.

South32 demonstrated its confidence in the South African economy at this year’s South Africa Investment Conference, where it pledged R3.9 billion to upgrade rail infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape. 

It has been a difficult operating environment for smelters in recent years, with many having been forced to close due to rising costs and adverse market conditions. 

We commend Eskom for its constructive and proactive efforts to work with the industry to address rising electricity costs. 

We welcome the discussions between Eskom and South32 about a long-term electricity solution for the Hillside Aluminium when the current contract ends in 2031. 

We are encouraged by the commitment by South32 and Eskom to develop an energy solution that supports the smelter’s competitiveness and brings renewable energy into the national grid. 

Smelters are anchor investments that catalyse downstream manufacturing clusters like fabrication, transport, construction inputs, packaging and components for the renewable energy supply chain. 

They enable the development of a wide array of supporting industries and jobs. 

Hillside Aluminium’s export footprint is a practical demonstration that South African industries can meet demanding global standards and hold their own in world markets. 

Hillside Aluminium’s participation in global market systems, such as being listed on the London Metals Exchange and meeting certificate requirements, underscores the confidence in South Africa’s quality and traceability. 

As we look to the future, our planning must be informed by the realities of climate change. 

Customers and markets are increasingly rewarding lower carbon, responsibly produced materials and more circular manufacturing.

Our industry needs to respond accordingly if we are to sustain our competitiveness in increasingly demanding international markets. 

Increasing the competitiveness of South African industries will continue to depend on reliable enabling infrastructure in energy and logistics. 

That calls for ongoing collaboration between industry and key public partners to support investment and jobs. 

I am happy that South32 recognises the importance of strong, practical working relationships with Eskom and Transnet to sustain production, exports and investment confidence. 

Transnet has turned the corner and has moved from decline to recovery, and from planning to implementation. 

Investment, reform and delivery are now firmly underway in rail and port infrastructure.

There is clear progress in our quest to restore rail volumes, implement structural reform and crowd in private sector investment.

South Africa is transitioning to the early stages of a multi-operator rail system, with 11 private train operating companies having been granted access to freight rail lines. 

We have also seen tangible improvements on the iron ore and coal export corridors, including improved network reliability and reduced operational disruptions.

This will enable companies like South32 to plan ahead. 

The momentum of the structural reform agenda we embarked upon in 2018 continues to grow and by a number of indicators our economy is steadily recovering. 

As I said in the State of the Nation Address earlier this year, our foremost priority is to deliver inclusive growth and job creation.

Sustained domestic investment, including the investment by South32, is essential to advance this priority. 

Through a combination of structural reform and infrastructure development, notably in key sectors such as logistics and water, we remain committed to creating an enabling business environment that supports such investments. 

Once again, I congratulate South32 on reaching this milestone. 

Your longevity is a story of South Africans choosing excellence, shift after shift and year after year. 

You are demonstrating what can be achieved when long-term investment, operational excellence and partnership between industry, labour, communities and the state come together. 

We wish Hillside Aluminium many more years of safe production, shared prosperity and success. 

I thank you.
 

Posted on

Consultative Sessions on National Human Rights Action Plan Continue

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | May 07, 2026
Consultative sessions on the National Human Rights Action Plan (2026- 2030), organized by the committee tasked with preparing the plan, continued on Thursday under the chairmanship of HE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad.
The session, which forms part of the committee’s participatory approach to gathering views and exchanging perspectives to contribute to the development of a comprehensive and implementable national plan, was hosted by HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi.
Committee members and several specialists took part, discussing issues related to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice and reviewing proposals and approaches to support the development of the plan and ensure its alignment with national policies and legislation.
At the conclusion of the session, participants stressed the need of the National Human Rights Action Plan as a national framework that reinforces the protection of human rights.

Posted on

Seychelles: Appointment of the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit

Source: APO


.

The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Mr Phillip Moustache as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Mr Moustache is a highly accomplished financial and regulatory professional with over four decades of distinguished service in the banking and public sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom and is a Fellow Member of the International Compliance Association, reflecting his advanced expertise in compliance and anti-money laundering.

Mr Moustache commenced his career in the late 1970s and subsequently joined the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS), where he served progressively in senior roles, such as in research and bank supervision.

His extensive experience in financial regulation and supervision culminated in his appointment as Compliance Director and later as Director of the FIU, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing Seychelles’ frameworks for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

Among his most notable professional engagements, Mr Moustache has undertaken high-level assignments in banking supervision and financial sector regulation. He has also been involved in initiatives to strengthen national frameworks for anti-money laundering and the countering of the financing of terrorism.

Mr Moustache has participated in, and contributed to, key training seminars and workshops organised by leading international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), focusing on risk-based supervision, financial investigations, and regulatory compliance. Particular significance of his career has been his involvement in capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional effectiveness and aligning Seychelles’ financial systems with international standards and best practices.

His appointment takes effect on 1st May 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Posted on

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Successfully Concludes Private Sector Roadshow in Baku

Source: APO

The Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) affiliates (www.IsDB.org) – namely the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) – in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH), organized the “IsDB Group Private Sector Roadshow” in Baku, Azerbaijan, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO).

The high-profile event which took place on Thursday, 7th May 2026, at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy, came as part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming IsDB Group Annual Meetings and Private Sector Forum (PSF 2026), scheduled to take place from 16 to 19 June 2026, under the high patronage of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, the Forum showcased IsDB Group services, activities, and initiatives across its 57 member countries, with particular emphasis on Azerbaijan. It highlighted the Group’s ongoing support for private sector development and its efforts to stimulate promising investment and trade opportunities in the Azerbaijani market.

The event also served as a unique opportunity inviting the audience to participate actively in IsDB Group Annual Meetings and the Private Sector Forum (PSF 2026). The program included panel discussions and specialized workshops on ways to enhance economic partnerships and the role of IsDB Group’s institutions in supporting the needs of member countries. The spectra of services, solutions and financial tools were also presented, including lines and modes of Islamic financing, trade finance and trade development solutions, corporate private sector financing, as well as risk mitigation solutions plus investment insurance and export credit insurance services.

Keynote speakers, in their speeches, underlined strong commitment to deepening engagement with the private sector and fostering meaningful partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth in light of the upcoming IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, all to showcase integrated solutions especially in Islamic finance, trade, investment, and risk mitigation while working closely and collectively with private sector partners to unlock new opportunities, support innovation, and empower businesses contributing to inclusive and resilient development across IsDB Group member countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group).

Media Contacts: 
Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
Email: ICIEC-Communication@isdb.org 

International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
(ITFC) Tel: +966 12 646 8337
Fax: +966 12 637 1064
E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH):
Email: THIQAH@isdb.org

Social Media: 
Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
X: https://apo-opa.co/4uxMCVx
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3P2rjfN
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4cW5kjN
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4nd0fqC
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4dvUNMg

Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD):
Twitter: @ICD_PS
LinkedIn: ICDPS
Facebook: @icdps
YouTube: ICDPS

International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)​:
Twitter: @ITFCCORP
Facebook: @ITFCCORP
Linkedin: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH):
Twitter: @IsDBGTHIQAH
Facebook: @IsDBGTHIQAH
LinkedIn: IsDB Group Business Forum – THIQAH

About Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group:
Rated AAA by the major rating agencies of the world, the Islamic Development Bank is the pioneering multilateral development bank (MDB) of the Global South that has been working for over 50 years to improve the lives of the people and communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57 Member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of nearly 1 of 4 people worldwide. It is committed to addressing development challenges and promoting collaboration to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by equipping people to drive their own green economic and sustainable social progress, putting planet-friendly infrastructure in place and enabling them to fulfil their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has 10 regional hubs and a center of excellence.  Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising: the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI); the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC); the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD); and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

About Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
As a member of ‘AAA’ rated Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States and promote intra-OIC trade and investments by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions. The Corporation is the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world. It has led from the front to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions to companies and parties in its 51 Member States. ICIEC, for the 18th consecutive year, maintained an “Aa3” insurance financial strength credit rating from Moody’s, ranking the Corporation among the top of the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) Industry. Additionally, S&P has reaffirmed ICIEC “AA-“ long-term Issuer Credit and Financial Strength Rating for the third year with Stable Outlook.  ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting, global reinsurance network, and strong risk management policies. Cumulatively, ICIEC has insured more than USD 139 billion in trade and investment. ICIEC activities are directed to several sectors such as energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture. 

For more information; visit: www.ICIEC.IsDB.org

About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD):
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral organization affiliated with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). It supports the economic development of its member countries by providing financial assistance to private sector projects in accordance with the principles of Shari’ah. It also mobilizes additional resources for projects and encourages the development of Islamic finance. ICD’s operations complement the activities of IsDB in member countries and also those of national financial institutions. ICD has 55 member countries and five public financial institutions as its shareholders and has an authorized capital of USD 4 billion.

Website: www.ICD-PS.org

About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided US$93 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

About the Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH):
The Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH) is the window of the IsDB Group that facilitate contact and coordination between entities concerned of the IsDB Group and private sector firms and related institutions in IsDB Group member countries. The main objective of THIQAH is to establish a unique platform for effective dialogue, cooperation and inclusive partnership for business leaders committed to partnering in promising investment opportunities. Through facilitation and catalyst roles, THIQAH will be leveraging IsDB Group’s resources to offer necessary services and confidence to investors and to establish strategic partnerships with the leaders of the private sector. The primary focus will be on maximizing cross-border investment among member countries to be supported by IsDB Group’s financial products and services. (www.IDBGBF.org)

About the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO):
The Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) is a government-supported institution established to promote non-oil exports and attract foreign direct investment into Azerbaijan. Operating under the Ministry of Economy, AZPROMO plays a key role in supporting the country’s economic diversification strategy.

AZPROMO provides a wide range of services to both local and international businesses, including investment facilitation, market intelligence, business matchmaking, and support for exporters to access new markets. The agency actively promotes Azerbaijan as a competitive investment destination by showcasing priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and renewable energy. In addition, AZPROMO collaborates with international partners and organizations to enhance trade relations, organize business forums and trade missions, and strengthen the private sector ecosystem.

Media files

.

Posted on

Le Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (GBID) conclut avec succès son roadshow du secteur privé à Bakou

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Les entités du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (GBID) (www.IsDB.org)— à savoir la Société islamique d’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE), la Société islamique pour le développement du secteur privé (SID) et la Société internationale islamique de financement du commerce (SIFC) —, en coopération avec le Forum des affaires du Groupe de la BID (THIQAH), ont organisé le « Roadshow du secteur privé du Groupe de la BID » à Bakou (Azerbaïdjan), en étroite collaboration avec le Ministère de l’Économie de la République d’Azerbaïdjan et l’Agence de promotion des exportations et des investissements de la République d’Azerbaïdjan (AZPROMO).

Cet événement de haut niveau, tenu le jeudi 7 mai 2026 au Ministère de l’Économie de l’Azerbaïdjan, s’inscrit dans le cadre des préparatifs en cours pour les prochaines Assemblées annuelles du Groupe de la BID et le Forum du secteur privé (PSF 2026), prévus du 16 au 19 juin 2026, sous le haut patronage de Son Excellence le Président Ilham Aliyev, Président de la République d’Azerbaïdjan.

Réunissant un large éventail de parties prenantes, le Forum a mis en avant les services, activités et initiatives du Groupe de la BID dans 57 pays membres, avec un accent particulier sur l’Azerbaïdjan. Il a également souligné le soutien continu du Groupe au développement du secteur privé et ses efforts pour stimuler des opportunités d’investissement et de commerce prometteuses sur le marché azerbaïdjanais.

L’événement a également constitué une occasion unique d’inviter le public à participer activement aux Assemblées annuelles du Groupe de la BID et au Forum du secteur privé (PSF 2026). Le programme a comporté des tables rondes et des ateliers spécialisés consacrés aux moyens de renforcer les partenariats économiques et sur le rôle des institutions du Groupe de la BID dans l’appui aux besoins des pays membres. Un large éventail de services, de solutions et d’outils financiers a aussi été présenté, notamment des lignes et des modes de financement islamique, des solutions de financement du commerce et de développement du commerce, des financements d’entreprises pour le secteur privé, ainsi que des solutions d’atténuation des risques, ainsi que ses services d’assurance-investissement et d’assurance des crédits à l’exportation.

Dans leurs allocutions, les intervenants principaux ont réaffirmé leur ferme engagement à approfondir la collaboration avec le secteur privé et à favoriser des partenariats créateurs de croissance économique durable, à la veille des Assemblées annuelles du Groupe de la BID à Bakou. Ils ont souligné l’importance de mettre en valeur des solutions intégrées, notamment en finance islamique, commerce, investissement et atténuation des risques, tout en travaillant étroitement et collectivement avec les partenaires du secteur privé afin de développer de nouvelles opportunités, soutenir l’innovation et renforcer les entreprises contribuant à un développement inclusif et résilient dans les pays membres du Groupe de la BID.

Distribué par APO Group pour Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group).

Contact presse :
Société islamique d’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE) :
Courriel : ICIEC-Communication@isdb.org

Société internationale de financement du commerce (SIFC) :
Tél. : +966 12 646 8337
Fax : +966 12 637 1064
Courriel : ITFC@itfc-idb.org   

Forum des entreprises du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (THIQAH) : 
Courriel : THIQAH@isdb.org  

Réseaux sociaux :
Société islamique d’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE) :
X
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram

Société islamique pour le développement du secteur privé (SID) :
Twitter : @ICD_PS
LinkedIn : ICDPS
Facebook : @icdps
YouTube : ICDPS

Société internationale de financement du commerce (SIFC) :
Twitter : @SIFCCORP
Facebook : @SIFCCORP
LinkedIn : Société internationale islamique de financement du commerce (SIFC)

Forum des entreprises du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (THIQAH) : 
Twitter : @IDBGTHIQAH
Facebook : @IDBGTHIQAH
LinkedIn : Forum des entreprises du Groupe de la BID – THIQAH

A propos de la Banque islamique de développement (BID) :
La Banque islamique de développement est une institution multilatérale de développement dont la mission est de favoriser améliorer des conditions de vie de dans les pays membres et communautés musulmans à travers le monde. En s’appuyant sur une collaboration étroite entre ses 57 pays membres, la Banque vise à offrir les infrastructures nécessaires pour permettre à ces communautés d’atteindre leur plein potentiel. Son nouveau modèle économique, « mettre les marchés au service du développement », renforce la compétitivité des pays membres dans des secteurs stratégiques comme l’agroalimentaire, le textile, la pétrochimie, la construction et la finance islamique. La Banque promeut également des solutions innovantes et durables aux plus grands défis de développement dans le monde et exploite le potentiel scientifique de la technologie et de l’innovation comme moteurs stratégiques de la croissance économique. Elle œuvre également pour la réalisation des Objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies.

A propos de la Société islamique d’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE) :
Fondé en 1994, La SIACE favorise les relations économiques entre les pays membres de l’OCI en proposant des solutions d’atténuation des risques pour le commerce et l’investissement. En tant que seul assureur multilatéral islamique au monde, la Société a joué un rôle de pionnier en proposant une gamme complète de solutions aux entreprises et aux parties prenantes de ses pays membres. Pour la 17ème année consécutive, la SIACE a conservé la note de solvabilité « Aa3 » de Moody’s, la classant parmi les meilleurs du secteur de l’assurance du crédit et risques politiques (CPRI). De plus, la SIACE s’est vu attribuer pour la première fois la note de crédit émetteur à long terme « AA- » par S&P avec une perspective stable. La résilience de la SIACE repose sur sa solide souscription, sa réassurance, sa gestion des risques et ses politiques d’investissement. Au total, la SIACE a assuré plus de 121 milliards USD en échanges commerciaux et en investissements. Les activités de la SIACE couvrent plusieurs secteurs, notamment l’énergie, l’industrie manufacturière, les infrastructures, la santé et l’agriculture.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter : www.ICIEC.IsDB.org 

A propos de la Société islamique pour le développement du secteur privé (SID) :
La Société islamique pour le développement du secteur privé (SID) est une organisation multilatérale affiliée à la Banque islamique de développement (BID). Elle soutient le développement économique de ses pays membres en fournissant une assistance financière à des projets du secteur privé, conformément aux principes de la charia. Elle mobilise également des ressources supplémentaires pour des projets et encourage le développement de la finance islamique. Les opérations de la SID complètent celles de la BID dans les pays membres et celles des institutions financières nationales. La SID compte 55 pays membres et cinq institutions financières publiques comme actionnaires, et dispose d’un capital autorisé de 4 milliards USD.

Site web : www.ICD-PS.org 

A propos de la Société internationale de financement du commerce (SIFC) :
La Société internationale islamique de financement du commerce (SIFC) est membre du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (BID). Elle a été créée avec pour objectif principal de promouvoir le commerce entre les pays membres de l’OCI, contribuant ainsi à l’objectif global d’amélioration des conditions socio-économiques des populations du monde entier. Depuis son lancement en janvier 2008, la SIFC a fourni plus de 83 milliards USD de financement aux pays membres de l’OCI, ce qui en fait le principal fournisseur de solutions commerciales répondant aux besoins de ces pays. Avec pour mission de devenir un catalyseur du développement du commerce pour les pays membres de l’OCI et au-delà, la Société aide les entités des pays membres à accéder plus facilement au financement du commerce et leur fournit les outils de renforcement des capacités nécessaires pour être compétitives sur le marché mondial.

A propos du Forum des entreprises du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (THIQAH) :
Le Forum des entreprises du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (THIQAH) est la plateforme du Groupe de la BID qui facilite les contacts et la coordination entre les entités concernées du Groupe de la BID et les entreprises du secteur privé et les institutions connexes des pays membres. L’objectif principal de THIQAH est de créer une plateforme unique de dialogue efficace, de coopération et de partenariat inclusif pour les chefs d’entreprise engagés dans des partenariats porteurs d’opportunités d’investissement. Grâce à ses rôles de facilitateur et de catalyseur, THIQAH s’appuiera sur les ressources du Groupe de la BID pour offrir les services nécessaires et inspirer confiance aux investisseurs, et pour établir des partenariats stratégiques avec les leaders du secteur privé. L’accent sera mis sur la maximisation des investissements transfrontaliers entre les pays membres, soutenus par les produits et services financiers du Groupe de la BID. (www.IDBGBF.org)

À propos de l’Agence de Promotion des Exportations et des Investissements (AZPROMO) :
L’Agence de Promotion des Exportations et des Investissements de la République d’Azerbaïdjan (AZPROMO) est une institution soutenue par le gouvernement, créée afin de promouvoir les exportations hors pétrole et d’attirer les investissements directs étrangers en Azerbaïdjan. Placée sous l’autorité du Ministère de l’Économie, AZPROMO joue un rôle clé dans le soutien à la stratégie de diversification économique du pays.

AZPROMO fournit une large gamme de services aux entreprises locales et internationales, notamment la facilitation des investissements, l’intelligence économique et de marché, la mise en relation d’affaires, ainsi que l’accompagnement des exportateurs pour accéder à de nouveaux marchés. L’agence promeut activement l’Azerbaïdjan en tant que destination d’investissement compétitive en mettant en avant des secteurs prioritaires tels que l’agriculture, l’industrie manufacturière, la logistique, le tourisme et les énergies renouvelables.

En outre, AZPROMO collabore avec des partenaires et organisations internationales afin de renforcer les relations commerciales, organiser des forums d’affaires et des missions commerciales, et soutenir l’écosystème du secteur privé.

Media files

Posted on

South Africans are far less tolerant of migrants than before – hotspots, drivers and solutions

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Steven Gordon, Chief Research Specialist., Human Sciences Research Council

Anti-immigrant marches in several major South African cities (such as Tshwane and Johannesburg) in early May 2026 once again led to questions being asked about xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa.

In the wake of the protests President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to embrace solidarity with their African neighbours. For their part, foreign governments lodged their protests while police sought to curtail violence.

The tension in the country was palpable.

Are the recent outbreaks of anti-immigrant activism a harbinger of a wider uptick in anti-migrant sentiment amongst South Africans? Recent public opinion data from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) suggests that this might be the case.

The HSRC’s South African Social Attitudes Survey is an important source of information on what ordinary South Africans think about international migration. The survey series consists of nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional surveys that have been conducted annually by the HSRC since 2003.

The latest data, from the 2025 survey, show that South Africans are more hostile towards immigrants than at any other time before since the survey began in 2003. An important dimension of the change has been an attitudinal shift and hardening of attitudes towards migrants among poorer and working-class adults. In addition, the recent growth of anti-immigrant sentiment has been geographically concentrated in four provinces: Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

Read more: What research reveals about drivers of anti-immigrant hate crime in South Africa

The rise in anti-immigrant sentiment is particularly concerning given that the country is due to hold local government elections on 4 November 2026. Aspirant political parties, in an attempt to maintain or gain power, may seek to exploit anti-immigrant sentiment for their own ends. In this way elections can provide a potential accelerant for xenophobia.

Growing hostility may even provoke xenophobic violence in a country that has a long history of collective anti-immigrant hate crime. and is home to more than two million international migrants.

Declining Hospitality

South African Social Attitudes Survey has included the following in its questionnaire since 2003:

Please indicate which of the following statements applies to you? I generally welcome to South Africa… (i) All immigrants; (ii) Some immigrants; (iii) No immigrants; and (iv) Uncertain.

In 2003 about a third (34%) of the South African adult population said that they would welcome all immigrants. The remainder indicated that they would accept either none (32%) or some (35%).

The proportion of the public that would be prepared to welcome foreigners tended to fluctuate within a narrow band over the 2003-2017 period.

But around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the research data began to show an upswing in anti-immigrant sentiment.

Read more: Xenophobia is on the rise in South Africa: scholars weigh in on the migrant question

About a quarter (26%) of those surveyed said that they would welcome all immigrants during the 2021 survey round. This was similar to figures in the mid-2010s.

But the share that held this hospitable attitude fell in subsequent survey rounds. In 2025 15% of adults said that they would welcome all foreigners.

Conversely, the proportion of the public adopting a hostile position (in other words ‘welcome no immigrants’) increased from 30% in 2021 to 42% in 2025.

Geography and class

The provinces with the highest growth in anti-immigrant sentiment – Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal – are ones through which most immigrants travel and often settle.

The situation has become particularly delicate in KwaZulu-Natal. The share of adults in the province who said that they would welcome no immigrants grew from 23% in 2021 to 45% in 2023 and then again to 60% in 2025.

The upsurge in hostility in KwaZulu-Natal could be linked to growing popular anger against the current economic and political status quo. A staggering 88% of provincial residents are unhappy with present economic conditions, and an equal proportion expect conditions to worsen over the next five years.

The notable attitudinal shift among poor people is also concerning.

South Africa is a highly unequal nation characterised by stark economic divisions. Most citizens can be found on the wrong side of these divides and could be classified as economically disadvantaged.

Historically, as research has shown, anti-immigrant sentiment in the country tended to cut across class divisions. But in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, something changed.

Before the pandemic, South African Social Attitudes Survey data showed a linear relationship between economic disadvantage and anti-immigrant sentiment. In the years following the pandemic, however, a clear pattern emerged. As the lockdowns ended and the post-pandemic recovery began, most socioeconomic groups in South Africa became more and more hostile towards immigrants. But antipathy grew at a much more aggressive rate for the low and lower middle socioeconomic groups.

During the 2025 survey round, adults in these groups were much more hostile towards foreigners than those in the upper middle and high socio-economic groups.

The drivers

What could have caused the economically disadvantaged to become more antagonistic towards immigrants over the last five years or so?

It could be argued that the poor have become more likely to scapegoat foreigners for the failures and inequalities of the post-pandemic economic recovery. Poor people have been badly affected by a cost of living crisis and persistent deindustrialisation. They need someone to blame and foreigners have long provided a handy scapegoat.

The South African economy has struggled in the last few years, dealing with doggedly high unemployment. The country also has notoriously high crime rates. Such problems, as experts have argued again and again, cannot be directly laid at the feet of immigrants living in the country. But it would appear that they are getting blamed anyway.

What should be done?

The South African government has a National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

Implemented in March 2019, one of its goals was to reduce public hostility towards migrants. Clearly, whether because of a lack of resources or government coordination, the plan has not succeeded.

The country needs to reinvigorate it and its associated processes. What’s needed is political, civic and community leaders to address legitimate socio-economic grievances without allowing immigrants to become scapegoats for deeper structural failures in society.

Efforts to strengthen social cohesion, improve economic inclusion, enhance public trust in governance and promote responsible political leadership are also crucial.

Well-provisioned and effective anti-xenophobia strategies are urgently required to address the worsening situation. The alternative is to allow hatred to flourish.

– South Africans are far less tolerant of migrants than before – hotspots, drivers and solutions
– https://theconversation.com/south-africans-are-far-less-tolerant-of-migrants-than-before-hotspots-drivers-and-solutions-282389

Posted on

Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation Announce Winners of the $2 Million Milken-Motsepe Prize in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Manufacturing

Source: APO

The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation are honoured to announce BleagLee, a Cameroon-based AI-powered waste recycling company, as the $1 million Grand Prize winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/) in AI and Manufacturing. The award is designed to recognize established companies driving innovation in Africa’s manufacturing sector with the potential to scale, create jobs, and spread the adoption of these technologies across the world. The winners were announced today (https://apo-opa.co/4etcixP) at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.

BleagLee was awarded top honours for its work in leveraging AI-powered waste collection to convert plastic, agricultural, and e-waste into premium recycled products. Tanzania-based Freshpack Technologies was named the $250,000 Runner-Up for its AI-powered cold storage, which tackles food waste in Africa. Digitech Oasis Limited from the United Kingdom received $100,000 for the Most Advanced Use of 4IR, demonstrating technological capabilities that will shape competitive manufacturing over the next decade. Additional interim prizes totalling $750,000 were awarded and disbursed among five finalists, each receiving $30,000, and the 10 semi-finalists, each receiving $50,000, throughout this prize cycle. All awards are unrestricted, enabling teams to direct their winnings toward what will most impact their businesses, strengthening their pipeline, speeding real-world pilots, and unlocking promising innovations.

BleagLee is revolutionizing waste management in Cameroon using patented AI software to detect and collect waste across communities and processing it into high-value products, such as engineered recycled polymers, 3D printing filaments, and bio-based carbon materials. By combining cutting-edge technology with community-driven impact, BleagLee is turning an environmental crisis into economic opportunity while working toward mitigating 300 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2030.

“Africa is producing world-class AI and technology innovation that is solving problems and creating opportunities on a global scale. And that story is only beginning to be told,” said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO, Motsepe Foundation. “When we invest in innovation that is both locally grounded and globally minded, the returns are limitless. I am delighted to see partnerships like this one ensure the brightest minds have the resources, networks, and platforms they need to scale their work and shape a more prosperous and equitable world.”

AI and Manufacturing is the fourth prize awarded as part of the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a series of competitive multimillion-dollar global competitions and awards designed to incentivize and reward bold, innovative technological solutions to address pressing economic and environmental challenges in Africa and across the globe.

Launched in May 2025, the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing attracted more than 2,000 entrepreneurs from 100 countries across five continents, with just 10 being selected as semi-finalists.

Each team underwent a comprehensive judging process that evaluated four key criteria: commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability. In December 2025, 10 semi-finalists pitched their innovations to investors at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit (https://apo-opa.co/4eu9sso) in Abu Dhabi. From this group, an expert panel of judges selected five finalists—BleagLee (www.BleagLee.org/), Digitech Oasis Limited (www.DigitechOasis.net), Freshpack Technologies (https://FreshpackTechnologies.com/), Spiro (www.Spironet.com), and Toto Safi Limited (https://TotoSafi.com/)—to advance to the final stage of the innovation award, pitching their company’s innovations at the 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference.

Since its launch in 2021, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has awarded over $8 million in funding to more than 50 innovators worldwide. Participating teams have raised nearly 31 times the Grand Prize in additional outside investments, reaching and impacting over one million community members across the globe.

The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program offers free, curated resources and online events not only to award winners but also to more than 12,000 global entrepreneurs.

For more information about the winners and the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, visit https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/.

Announcing a New Prize in Circular Economy

The next Milken-Motsepe Prize will focus on the circular economy, a new award designed to recognize companies using technology to enhance circular economy practices across a variety of industries. With $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize, the Prize in Circular Economy seeks companies that develop and scale commercially viable, technology-enabled solutions that replace linear “take-make-waste” systems with regenerative, resource-efficient value chains.

The award also aims to address the complex realities of industrial waste management systems in Africa. Successful teams will demonstrate solutions that deliver measurable environmental and social impact, while providing training and reskilling opportunities to support safer, more specialized waste management practices.

“Our prize program has become a powerful engine for discovering and accelerating extraordinary innovators who are tackling some of the world’s most urgent challenges across industries,” said Emily Musil, PhD, managing director of Environmental and Social Innovation at the Milken Institute. “As we turn our focus to the Circular Economy, we are especially energized to champion entrepreneurs who are fundamentally reimagining how materials are used, recovered, and reused. These innovators are not only reducing waste—they are unlocking new economic value, strengthening local industries, and driving resilient, inclusive growth. As we enter our fifth year of the Milken-Motsepe Prize, we celebrate and acknowledge its growth—and its role in advancing solutions that deliver lasting benefits for communities, markets, and the environment.”

By extending the life cycle of materials, strengthening local manufacturing, and improving both upstream and downstream waste management systems, the prize seeks to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive circular economy in Africa.

Registration is open now through August 13, 2026, 2 p.m. Eastern. To apply, visit: https://apo-opa.co/4cWKf8L

The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program seeks companies that must meet the following eligibility requirements: have over two years of continuous operation, generate over $500,000 in revenue and raised capital, have institutional, corporate, and/or public‑sector partnerships, has a solution currently deployed on the African continent, has clear evidence of social impact and job creation, and demonstrates operational readiness to deploy more than $1 million in funding.

Teams from a variety of businesses are encouraged to apply, and teams will be required to submit vertical-specific metrics from industries such as food systems, packaging, electronics, fashion and textiles, construction, and the built environment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Libby Miller
202.249.6905
Limiller@milkeninstitute.org

About the Milken Institute: 
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit https://MilkenInstitute.org.

About the Motsepe Foundation: 
The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute toward eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed, and marginalized people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Motsepe and Dr. Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Motsepe and his wife committed to give half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond. For more information, visit https://www.MotsepeFoundation.org/.

Media files

.