Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

The organisers of the 2nd edition of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg (https://Energy-StorageSummit.com/) invite commercial and industrial (C&I) project owners to apply to join its exclusive Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4nYJpez).  

This unique initiative offers complimentary access to the Summit, connecting participants with cutting-edge solutions, industry peers and actionable insights to address energy challenges like load-shedding, price volatility and operational demands. Designed for those actively implementing or planning energy and storage projects, the programme is a gateway to transformative opportunities. 

The Summit is set to take place on 4 and 5 November at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.   

Why participate? 

Launched in November 2024, the highly successful Hosted Buyer Programme provides direct access to regional solution providers who understand South Africa’s energy landscape.  
 
“The Summit was an excellent opportunity to learn from and engage with various industry experts. I would highly recommend it to someone who is looking to share ideas, gain knowledge and network,” says 2024 attendee, Du Toit Niemand of Scaw South Africa. 
 
Through the programme, selected hosted buyers will have the opportunity to network with fellow energy users to share real-world experiences, gain clarity on market trends and explore regulatory updates and innovative financing tools. Hosted buyers will also be able to learn from operators who have successfully implemented energy-plus-storage systems, enabling them to build a robust business case for their C&I projects. 

Apply to be a Hosted Buyer at https://apo-opa.co/4nYJpez
 
Event features 

The C&I Energy + Storage Summit is a platform to connect, learn and lead in energy security. Attendees will engage with project owners and industry leaders to foster collaborations, network with OEMs, technology suppliers, developers and regulators; and gain practical knowledge through keynote sessions, panel discussions and masterclasses. The Summit offers in-depth insights into project financing, regulatory navigation and advanced energy and storage technologies, empowering businesses to reduce costs, ensure reliable supply and drive decarbonisation.  

Confirmed advisory board members and companies in attendance include Siemens, Standard Bank, Energy Intensive Users Group, Eskom, ACWA Power and Goldfields, among others. See the full Advisory Board here (https://apo-opa.co/3K3Hirb) and visit the event website (https://Energy-StorageSummit.com/) for an updated list of attending companies. 
 
Download the programme to explore the full agenda: https://apo-opa.co/46oTYAc Apply to be a Hosted Buyer at https://apo-opa.co/4nYJpez
 
Download the Summit programme to explore the full agenda: https://apo-opa.co/4ptDTSn

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

For sponsorship queries, contact Marcel du Toit: marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com 

If you would like to apply to be a speaker at the event, contact Boipelo Motlhowa: Boipelo.motlhowa@wearevuka.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group is Africa’s leading business intelligence, exhibition and networking platform focused on the continent’s infrastructure, energy, mining, manufacturing, and transport sectors. With a portfolio of world-class events, VUKA Group connects decision-makers, fosters innovation, and drives sustainable development across Africa. For more information, visit https://WeAreVUKA.com/   

Source: APO

Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com), one of Africa’s largest fintech platforms, today announced a strategic partnership with MoneyGram, a leading global payments network for consumers, businesses, and communities. The collaboration connects Mukuru to the global MoneyGram network and links two advanced financial technology platforms to deliver faster, more affordable, and inclusive remittance services across Africa, Asia, and beyond. 

According to Oui Capital’s latest market report (https://apo-opa.co/4mmabvW), Africa’s cross-border market is forecast to triple in size to $1 trillion over the next decade, fuelled by mobile money adoption, digital wallets, and fintech partnerships. By combining Mukuru’s technology-led Southern African infrastructure with MoneyGram’s modern, global reach, millions of customers will benefit from greater access, flexibility, and security in how they send and receive money. 

Supporting global financial access: 

• Global reach: Mukuru customers can now access MoneyGram’s expansive payout network across Asia, East and West Africa with options to receive funds via cash pickup, direct transfers to bank accounts and mobile wallets. 
• Local strength: MoneyGram customers gain access to Mukuru’s owned network of 1,250+ outlets and extensive agent and partner locations across Southern Africa, ensuring guaranteed liquidity and reliable last-mile delivery. 
• Inclusive choice: The partnership bridges cash and digital ecosystems, serving both banked and underserved customers with solutions tailored to emerging markets. 

Technology-led integration: 

At the core of these services is the partnership between two fintech platforms designed for speed, security, and scale: 

• API-driven interoperability enables real-time settlement and frictionless switching between digital and cash transactions. 
• Mobile-first access allows customers to transact easily through Mukuru’s app, WhatsApp, USSD, and web channels, aligned with customer behaviour across Africa. 
• Best-in-class compliance and security ensure safe, regulated transactions that protect customers while maintaining simplicity. 

“This is a milestone moment for Mukuru and the communities we serve. Together with MoneyGram, we are not just extending our network — we are building a technology bridge between traditional cash services and digital ecosystems. Our shared goal is to make cross-border payments simpler, faster, and more inclusive,” said Andy Jury, Group CEO of Mukuru. 

“We partnered with Mukuru for their strong local presence and trusted brand across Southern Africa. What makes this collaboration so powerful is our shared commitment to putting the consumer first. Together, we’re advancing financial inclusion by meeting customers where they are — whether through cash, mobile, or digital channels — and ensuring they enjoy the best possible experience at the best possible price. This partnership is a direct reflection of that shared mission,” said Colin Marnewecke, VP, Sales – Africa at MoneyGram. 

The partnership builds on both parties’ track records of fintech innovation and strategic alliances with other key global distribution providers. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

Media Contact:
Kgomotso Hlakudi
kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com

About Mukuru:
Mukuru is a leading next-generation financial services platform serving over 17 million customers across Africa, Asia and Europe. With more than 100 million transactions processed across 570+ corridors, Mukuru leverages technology to provide affordable, accessible financial services via both physical and digital channels. Recognised six times in the FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross- Border Payment Companies, Mukuru is also an award-winning employer and innovation leader. www.Mukuru.com 

About MoneyGram:
MoneyGram connects the world by making the movement of money across borders seamless, affordable and secure for everyone. Each year, the company serves more than 50 million people in over 200 countries and territories. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices in 36 countries, MoneyGram is globally recognized for its high-performance culture and has been honored as a Top Workplaces USA award winner for four consecutive years. https://www.MoneyGram.com/

Source: APO

.

Canadian mining company B2Gold has set its 2025 gold production guidance at 970,000 to 1,075,000 ounces, with the bulk of output driven by its African operations. With key projects in Mali and Namibia, the company is advancing operations under efforts to unlock greater value from Africa’s gold market. 

B2Gold is expected to highlight these projects at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, taking place from October 1–3, 2025 in Cape Town. John Roos, Country Manager of B2Gold Namibia, will join the Africa’s Gold Economy: Value, Processing and Global Market Positioning panel, where he is expected to provide an update on the company’s production plans. The event will also spotlight Africa’s broader gold opportunities, connecting investors with key projects.

B2Gold has set bold production targets for its Namibian and Mali projects. In Namibia, the Otjikoto Mine is forecast to produce 185,000 to 205,000 ounces. B2Gold has approved the development of the Antelope underground deposit at Otjikoto Mine, which will extend the mine’s life and increase output. The company plans to invest at least $105 million in 2026–2027, targeting an additional 110,000 ounces annually.

In Mali, the Fekola Complex is expected to deliver 515,000 to 550,000 ounces. The company aims to secure an exploration permit for the Fekola Regional deposits by the end of Q3, 2025, with first production anticipated in early 2026. The project is expected to add approximately 180,000 ounces per year over its initial five years. B2Gold has already advanced the Fekola Mine with an underground facility, licensed by the Malian government in July 2025, where mining operations are underway.

At AMW 2025, Roos will share the stage with key African gold market stakeholders – including representatives from the Chamber of Mines of Mali, South Africa’s Rand Refinery, Araina Resources, Ghana’s Typhoon, Goldfields and many more. The panel will not only provide insight into ongoing projects but address key challenges and opportunities across the continent’s gold market.

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

About African Mining Week:
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.

Source: APO

.

In furtherance of its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy future while strengthening regional cooperation and investment across Africa, global energy company the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has joined African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 as a Partner. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 takes place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, serving as the continent’s premier platform for driving oil, gas and renewable energy development. 

NNPC Limited is advancing the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a transformative regional infrastructure project designed to connect Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to West African markets, Mauritania, Morocco and onward to Europe. The AAGP, developed in partnership with Morocco, Mauritania and involving 13 ECOWAS member states, underscores Nigeria’s ambition to expand export capacity, enhance intra-African energy trade, and position the continent as a key supplier of natural gas to international markets. This strategic initiative reflects NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to cross-border cooperation, energy security, and long-term economic integration across Africa. 

In addition to strengthening regional integration through cross-border initiatives, the NNPC Ltd continues to advance Nigeria’s upstream sector with landmark agreements such as the recently executive production sharing contract (PSC) for petroleum prospecting licenses 2000 and 2001 alongside the TotalEnergies-Sapetro Consortium. Representing the first PSC to comprehensively cover both crude and natural gas, the milestone supports Nigeria’s commitment to responsible hydrocarbon development, investment attraction under the Petroleum Industry Act and the long-term goal of enhancing national energy security while creating sustained economic value. 

The NNPC Ltd has also advanced domestic energy security through strategic supply agreements, with Dangote Oil Refinery. NNPC Ltd has allocated over 112 million barrels of Crude Oil to Dangote Refinery from December 2023 to September 2025.  NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery have signed a new Crude SPA (with a tenure of 2 years) under the crude-for-Naira initiative to ensure consistent feedstock for Nigeria’s largest refinery, reduce foreign exchange pressures and strengthen the resilience of local refining capacity. 

The NNPC Ltd is pursuing an ambitious target of attracting $60 billion in investments by 2030, with a focus on upstream expansion, gas infrastructure and partnership for the refinery sustainability program to enhance energy security across Nigeria and the wider region. Progress on projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, new deepwater exploration agreements and refinery upgrades underscores the company’s role in shaping Africa’s energy future while meeting growing domestic and export demand.  

“NNPC Ltd’s recent reforms and strategic partnerships reflect a decisive shift toward transparency, investment attraction and long-term energy security. By advancing upstream development, expanding gas infrastructure and strengthening domestic refining, the company is positioning Nigeria as a cornerstone of Africa’s energy future,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

.

11-year-old Mariam has already lost years of school. Conflict displaced her family, and when she finally enrolled in an Accelerated Education Program – a short, intensive course for children who had missed years – she was reading for the first time. Yet her teacher fears what comes next: the nearest secondary school has no space, resources, or plan to receive students like her. 

Download document: https://apo-opa.co/4nbralO

Download infographic: https://apo-opa.co/3VYAgGA

Mariam’s story, drawn from the experiences of many children in fragile contexts across Africa, illustrates a wider crisis. A new Education .org report, launched today at an event co-hosted by UNICEF, warns that millions of out-of-school children across the region face the same trap: getting back into learning through non-formal programs, only to be shut out of school again. 

During the launch event, Harun Yussuf, CEO of Kenya’s National Commission for Nomadic Education, acknowledged, “The reality is that progress in access has been uneven. And unless we act collectively, the dream of education for all will remain a dream.” 

The Missing link: Transitioning from learning to schooling 

The findings land as African leaders meet for the 80th UN General Assembly. Half of the 272 million children and youth out-of-school, globally, are living in sub-Saharan Africa, a share that has been growing (UNESCO, 2025).  

UNESCO has reported that this may be well be an underestimate due to recent emergencies and crises in Burkino Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.  

Accelerated Education Programs (AEPs) are one of the fastest routes to education for children and youth, yet Education .org’s review of nearly 400 studies, 67% covering sub-Saharan Africa, shows that – globally – only half of learners’ transition from these programmes to school successfully – and in crises contexts, just four in 10. 

Despite this, Education .org reports that less than half of the 38 national and subnational education strategies reviewed in Africa mention AEPs (47%) while only five include strategies to support learners after they graduate from these programmes. 

“This is a missing link in the fight for universal education,” said Dr. Randa Grob-Zakhary, Founder and CEO of Education .org. “Without deliberate, cost-effective strategies to help children transition into schools and stay there, we are condemning millions to fall through the cracks a second time.” 

Shrinking aid, growing risk 

The challenge is compounded by shrinking aid. International education funding is projected to fall by more than a quarter by 2027 (UNESCO, 2025). Education .org’s analysis finds that nearly six in ten Accelerated Education Programmes (AEPs) (58%)  are at risk due to cuts. Half of the at least four million learners in these programmes globally – a low estimate given weak tracking – risk losing access to education, while millions more may never get the chance to enroll. 

Sarah Bugoosi Kibooli, Uganda’s Commissioner for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, said the guidance can help support the impact and sustainability of these proven programmes. “Accelerated education programs cannot fulfil their promise without deliberate support for transitions – into schools, skills, or work opportunities,” she said. 

Mind the gap: STEP Framework offers guidance on transitions into school 

The new STEP Framework (Supporting Transitions Through Evidence-Based Planning) (https://apo-opa.co/4gs9GPw) from Education .org sets out five essentials: align accelerated programs with curricula and life skills; guarantee completion opens school doors; link AEPs with nearby schools; provide support at enrolment and beyond; and make schools flexible and inclusive enough to sustain learners. 

All five steps, Education .org argues, must rest on a foundation of collaboration between schools, communities, and non-formal providers. Evidence shows that when AEPs and schools are linked through shared governance structures, children are twice as likely to succeed. 

The implications go beyond AEPs. Community schools, refugee centers, catch-up classes, and digital pilots face the same risk: without recognized pathways and support for transitions, older youth may drop out, while girls, young mothers, and children with disabilities are especially vulnerable. 

“Accelerated education proves we already know how to teach literacy and numeracy quickly and well,” said Dr. Kilemi Mwiria, Education .org’s Africa representative. “What we are failing to do is close the transition gap — and without that, millions of children who finally start learning again won’t get the chance to reach their full potential.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Education.org.

Media Contact: 
Georgina Mallory
Chief Communications Officer, Education .org
Georgina@education.org
www.Education.org

About Education .org: 
Education .org is an independent, non-profit initiative, dedicated to bringing the best available evidence to education leaders worldwide. Its mission is to transform the learning of every child and young person by helping leaders access and use the best evidence to guide their national policies and plans. Operational since 2020, Education .org is supported by a visionary co-investor collective and is growing partnerships across governments, agencies, NGOs, universities, businesses, and foundations around the world. For more information visit: www.Education.org. 

Source: APO

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping trade in Africa – curbing illicit financial flows, driving growth and boosting market opportunities.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), will host the 2025 Afreximbank Compliance Forum (ACF2025) from 12 – 14 November 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda.

Held under the theme “Better Compliance – Better Trade: Embracing AI to Promote and Secure Trade Through a Modern AML/CFT Compliance Framework”, the Forum will focus on how AI is enabling faster risk assessments, advancing fraud detection, streamlining due diligence, and real-time monitoring of cross-border transactions. These innovations are tackling financial crime, enhancing transparency and building secure compliance systems to expand trade across Africa and into global markets.

Dr George Elombi, Executive Vice-President, Governance, Legal and Corporate Services and Incoming President, Afreximbank, said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not the future of compliance, it is already shaping the present. Once considered a regulatory cost it is now recognised as a strategic driver of trade and economic growth. Robust compliance frameworks help ensure legal and regulatory alignment and reassure trade partners of integrity in business. This creates fairer competition, improves access to finance, and strengthens Africa’s integration into the global economy. Our partnership with the National Bank of Rwanda for ACF2025 reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation in compliance, safeguarding financial integrity, and promoting the sustainable growth of African trade. Together, we are committed to equipping financial institutions and regulators with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships they need to balance innovation with strong governance—ensuring a secure, transparent, and competitive trading environment for the continent.”

Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, said: “At the National Bank of Rwanda, we consider compliance as the cornerstone of financial stability, trust, and sustainable growth. By aligning with international best practices and leveraging innovations such as artificial intelligence, we are reinforcing the integrity of our market, deepening investor confidence, and strengthening Rwanda’s standing as a trusted partner in global trade. Hosting the Afreximbank Compliance Forum 2025 in Kigali is a testament to Rwanda’s leadership and Africa’s collective commitment to harnessing technology, safeguarding our financial systems, and unlocking the continent’s vast trade potential. Our collaboration with Afreximbank reflects a shared vision to advance modern compliance standards that not only meet global benchmarks but also address Africa’s unique trade realities.” 

This year’s Forum is expected to attract diverse participants ranging from central bankers, global and regional regulators, commercial bankers, legal advisers, compliance officers, trade-focused specialists, financial institutions, development partners, Fintechs and technology specialists, auditors, and financial intelligence agencies from across the Africa and other parts of the world.

Key themes at ACF2025 will include:

• The integration of artificial intelligence in compliance and its impact on the effectiveness of Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures,
• Insights from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on digital transformation,
• Lessons learned from African countries successfully exiting the FATF grey list,
• Strategies for detecting Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML),
• Best practices in correspondent banking and
• Case studies showcasing the application of AI in customer onboarding and real-time monitoring.

Attendance at last year’s Compliance Forum held in Dakar, Senegal, more than doubled compared to the previous year, underscoring the rising priority of compliance in unlocking trade and growth opportunities. ACF2024 brought together delegates from 36 countries and featured 25 expert global and regional speakers.

ACF2025 builds on Afreximbank’s leadership in trade-related compliance and its investment in AI-powered platforms that streamline client onboarding, enable real-time risk monitoring, and ensure secure transaction processing.

Attendees can register for the Afreximbank Compliance Forum through this link: www.ACF2025.com  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Doreen Makumi
Director
Corporate Communications
National Bank of Rwanda
Email: dmakumi@bnr.rw