MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

• The awards see strong turnout with 150 finalists, recording a 58% increase in entries from project owners, including key government authorities
• Over 20 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Singapore, the UK, the US and Uganda, among others
• The Sustainable Initiative of the Year award recorded the highest number of entries this year

The fifth edition of Big 5 Global Impact Awards, celebrating impact in the built environment, has announced 150 finalists competing across 19 categories. The awards recognize projects, organizations, individuals and teams driving sustainable, collaborative and technology-led achievements, highlighting evolving standards of excellence across both public and private sectors in the urban development and construction landscape.

Commenting on this year’s finalists’ announcement, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “This year we have seen a remarkable 58% increase in entries from project owners, including key government authorities, alongside a 63% rise in new entrants across all categories. These figures underline the importance of Big 5 Global Impact Awards and highlight the industry’s commitment to sustainable development, innovation and collaboration.”

Finalists this year come from 21 countries, including Azerbaijan, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda, the UK and the US, among others, showcasing the global reach and relevance of the awards.

Government participation highlights sector collaboration

Once again, Big 5 Global Impact Awards has drawn an exceptional number of finalists from government authorities, reflecting the increasing role of public sector leadership in promoting innovative and sustainable practices across the construction and urban development ecosystem. Among the finalists are the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), County Government of Tana River, Lagos Free Zone, Fujairah Municipality, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Ethiopian Electric Power,  and Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey.

The Sustainable Initiative of the Year award, which received the highest number of entries, highlights an initiative’s success through clear metrics, effective collaboration and tangible outcomes, including adherence to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. Finalists include Dianne Rampadarath’s Contracting and General Services Provider for Rural Electrification Utilizing Solar Energy; ITC Limited for Mainstreaming Energy Efficiency & Thermal Comfort; Soudah Development for the Soudah Cloud Forest Reforestation Programme; Msheireb Properties for Msheireb Downtown Doha: Sustainable Downtown City; Almoosa Health for Almoosa Rehabilitation Hospital; County Government of Tana River for Maji ya Solar Initiative; Dar for Dar’s Decarbonization and Net Zero 2030 Strategy; Ethiopian Electric Power for Serving Community: Sustainable Social Impact; Fakhruddin Properties for 90:90 Waste Management Initiative; Fujairah Municipality for Green Geopolymer Concrete from Industrial Waste; Orascom Construction for Orascom Integrated ESG Excellence Program; and PEARL Homes for Hunters Point Pearl Homes and Marina.

Another award showcasing the industry’s forward-looking vision is the Liveable City Initiative of the Year, which recognizes projects that improve urban quality of life and social infrastructure. Finalists include Centum Real Estate for Two Rivers Social City; Concept Dash for Reclaiming the Edge – Public Realm Reimagined; Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Building Humanization Certification; and The Arab Contractors Company (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.) for Greater Cairo Monorail.

View the full list of finalists across 19 categories (https://apo-opa.co/4pO6YbD).

Every year, the awards are judged by an independent, international panel of industry experts, representing the highest standards of excellence and ensuring that winners are selected purely on merit and excellence.

Commenting on the quality of entries, Matthew Jackson, Co-Founder, ZERO Construct, said: “The calibre of submissions this year demonstrates encouraging progress, and I commend all of the submissions to this year’s awards. The projects are moving beyond ambition to demonstrate real action on sustainability, digital innovation and community impact. At the same time, we must be honest: there is still a long way to go before this becomes the norm across the industry. This shortlist proves what’s possible and sets a challenge for all of us to keep raising the bar if we are serious about building a resilient, inclusive and zero-carbon future. My congratulations to the projects and the teams who worked on them.”

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 25 November 2025 at Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, where more than 400 industry leaders, innovators and government representatives will gather to celebrate achievement and impact.

Big 5 Global Impact Awards is supported by Gold Sponsor, Wurth Professional Services and Carbon Net-Zero Initiative of the Year Category Sponsor, AGSI.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of dmg events.

For more information, please contact:
Ranju Warrier
Head of Communications – Construction, dmg events
ranjuwarrier@dmgevents.com

Khushie Mallya
PR Executive – Construction, dmg events
khushiemallya@dmgevents.com

About Big 5 Global:
With a 45-year legacy, Big 5 Global is the largest and most influential building and construction event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and the annual meeting hub for the global construction industry.  Taking place from 24 – 27 November 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Big 5 Global attracts more than 85,000 global attendees from over 165 countries and 2,800 exhibitors to UAE covering the full construction and urban development cycle across dedicated sectors and nine specialized events enabling industry professionals to source worldwide building solutions for every stage of construction: Heavy, Totally Concrete, Marble & Stone World, UDLE, WDF, HVACR World, LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and FutureFM.

For more information and to register, visit: www.Big5Global.com

Source: APO – Report:

Gabon is calling for renewed international investment in its oil and gas sector, focusing on marginal oil fields to counteract declines from aging reservoirs.

Speaking at a session titled ‘Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Gabon’s Oil & Gas Sector’ at Africa Energy Week: Invest in African Energies, Aristide P. Nyamat Bantsiva, General Director of Upstream Oil and Gas, highlighted the government’s push to revitalize production from mature fields and capitalize on untapped resources.

Gabon’s 2019 Hydrocarbon Code reforms, which include flexible production sharing contracts and tax incentives, aim to stimulate exploration. The country has more than 30 marginal discoveries across onshore and offshore blocks, which officials hope will drive sustainable production growth and economic revitalization.

“The advancement of technology has allowed us to review and discover new blocks that were previously thought inaccessible. Through our technical workshops and yearly statutory meetings, we will continue to monitor the overall performance of these assets, including safety, production, people and budget,” Bantsiva said.

Bantsiva noted that Gabon has over two billion barrels of proven oil reserves and substantial gas potential. Yet only 27.5% of its 255,104 km² total acreage is currently licensed, leaving nearly 185,000 km² open for investment.

“The government, through partnerships with operators such as Perenco, BW Energy and state-owned Gabon Oil Company, is leveraging these enhanced oil recovery technologies and redeveloping underutilized assets to maximize output from mature fields,” he added, emphasizing that tapping deepwater basins will require additional investment and technical expertise.

Meanwhile, independent energy company Perenco is investing $2 billion into the Cap Lopez LNG terminal, deploying a floating LNG vessel capable of producing 700,000 tons of LNG and 25,000 tons of LPG, with 137,000 cubic meters of storage. BW Energy also signed production sharing contracts for the Niosi Marin and Guduma Marin blocks in 2024, covering an eight-year exploration period with a two-year extension option.

“With established infrastructure, including over 225 km of gas pipelines, 7 million barrels of storage capacity, and a functioning refinery system, as well as continued commitment from government, Gabon offers a compelling opportunity for investors to be part of the next chapter in Africa’s energy story. Our oil basin is rich in history and ripe for innovation,” Bantsiva concluded.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO – Report:

Egypt is developing a digital portal, set to launch in January 2026, to give global investors access to geological data and new opportunities in the country’s mining sector, according to Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority.

During a fireside chat held on Wednesday at African Mining Week 2025, Ramadan also outlined six key reasons why Egypt stands out as an attractive destination for mining investment.

Egypt has a strong geology hosting significant deposits of phosphate gold, silver, cobalt and zinc, he noted, adding that the strategic location of Egypt, linking Africa, Asia and Europe, presents an opportunity for mining stakeholders to access international markets.

“Logistics-wise, Egypt is a good zone,” stated Ramadan.

Egypt’s well-established infrastructure, including more than 180,000 kilometers of roads and numerous ports, provides a foundation for mining operations.

Ramadan further pointed to fiscal reforms, citing the new model agreement structure adopted in 2018 that offers competitive investment terms and supports local content development.

“The regulatory fees are being reviewed to align with globally attractive standards. We already have incentive packages and we will launch a new licensing round that allows investors to explore various minerals under a single license, with exemptions in several taxes,” he explained.

Another strength, he said, lies in Egypt’s stable political and business environment, underpinned by a strong focus on people.

“About 97% of the mining sector workforce are Egyptians,” Ramadan noted, underscoring the government’s emphasis on local employment.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

Moses Engadu, Secretary General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), outlined five key imperatives for advancing the continent’s mineral sector expansion during African Mining Week in Cape Town on Wednesday.

He urged African nations to embrace collective mineral diplomacy for the continent to capture greater benefits from its resources.

“We must negotiate mining contracts as one Africa. This will allow us to set the terms of engagement and move forward together. Our potential is volatile if not managed well, but by sharing infrastructure, policy and vision, we can drive industrial transformation,” he stated.

Engadu further emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation built on mutual respect, stressing that Africa’s international partners should contribute not only exploration capital but also investments in value addition.

He highlighted the need to accelerate mineral beneficiation by developing local processing and refining facilities which would secure jobs, retain wealth, increase tax revenues and strengthen local expertise.

Engadu called for the adoption of digital traceability and tokenization technologies to combat illegal mining and resource mismanagement.

“We launched the Madini tokenization initiative to give every African mineral a secure digital twin, ensuring transparency in origin, value, and custody,” he said.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

Enlit Africa (https://apo-opa.co/46OyWLI) and Water Security Africa (www.WaterSecurity-Africa.com) have released their 2026 sponsorship and exhibition brochures, inviting businesses to secure prime positions at these premier industry events. Set to take place from 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Enlit Africa and Water Security Africa will be co-located, fostering synergies between the energy and water sectors. This marks the fifth Enlit Africa since it rebranded from the long-running African Utility Week, and the second Water Security Africa in Cape Town.

Enlit Africa features a world-class conference, a free-to-attend expo with over 250 exhibitors, technical and strategic conference programmes for renewables, storage and grid modernisation, plus exclusive networking like the Utility CEO Forum and site visits.

“Engaging at Enlit Africa was a key priority for our team, and it didn’t disappoint,” said Connie Ochola-Iseme, Strategic Business Development Leader at Lucy Electric, of their 2025 participation as a sponsor. “We had the chance to showcase our latest innovations; all built with our customers at the heart of every solution. Even more rewarding was the opportunity to connect directly with attendees, gaining insights, feedback and inspiration that will help drive our next steps.”

What’s new in 2026:

Enlit Africa is levelling up on Level 2, hosting exclusive, high-level talks and networking, in partnership with the ESI Africa Power & Energy Elites (https://apo-opa.co/46KsGo4). Level 2, the newest opportunity to connect dealmakers, technology partners and investors, brings together the Project & Investment Network and the Utility CEO Forum coupled with deal rooms, masterclass sessions and country spotlights,

The P&IN breakfast, which kickstarts the Level 2 experience, features 200+ of Africa’s leading power and energy leaders, through a curated project and investment focused networking and discussion platform.

What to expect at Water Security Africa 2026:

Water Security Africa complements Enlit Africa by focusing on sustainable water supply for commercial, industrial and public sectors, showcasing technologies for reduction, reuse and recycling to mitigate quality and supply risks while boosting economic growth through the circular economy.

Building on the foundation from the 2025 event, Water Security Africa is expanding both programming and exhibition opportunities across C&I and utility sectors, encompassing public and private sector water usage for the whole of the African continent.

How to get involved:  

Download the sponsorship and exhibition brochures at www.Enlit-Africa.com and www.WaterSecurity-Africa.com.

– on behalf of VUKA Group.

For Enlit Africa sponsorship enquiries, contact:
Marcel du Toit
marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com

Contact Stephen Campbell for Water Security Africa sponsorship information:
Stephen.campbell@wearevuka.com

For more information about advertisement opportunities in ESI Africa Power & Energy Elites, contact:
Nick Lumb
Nicholas.lumb@wearevuka.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and each other, across Africa’s energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy and technology sectors through innovative events, content, and strategic networking. By integrating industry introductions, curated events, and digital engagement, the group empowers businesses to navigate complex markets, forge valuable connections, and drive sustainable success.

Venture partners to The Global Trust Project, Founders of WomenIN empowerment platform and leaders of NPO, Go Green Africa. The VUKA Group’s diverse portfolio acts to contribute to its purpose of ‘Connecting Africa to the World’s Best, to Influence Sustainable Progress’

Discover more at https://WeAreVUKA.com 

Source: APO

In commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, PRO ALLY (www.PROALLYWorld.com), a Sustainability Communication consulting company for the energy, extractive, STEM, and related sectors, partnered with the Word Café Podcast to host Echoes of Dark Gold: Nigeria’s Oil Exploration History.

The storytelling session revisited the critical but often un-referenced years of 1903 to 1958, a period that shaped Nigeria into an oil-producing nation. Anchored by Amachree Isoboye, host of the Word Café Podcast, with Edidiong Ekwere, Manager, Corporate Transformation Advisory at NLNG as Conversant, the conversation revealed how Nigeria’s political and economic journey has been deeply influenced by oil.

Tracing the Journey back, the key milestones explored included:

• 1903 First Concessions: Nigeria Bitumen Corporation’s early exploration attempts.
• 1908 The Near-Miss: Well #5 briefly produced 2,000 barrels per day before collapsing, leading to the company’s liquidation.
• 1936 Strategic Return: Shell and Darcy (later BP) secured exclusive nationwide concessions.
• 1956 Breakthrough: Discovery of commercial oil at Oloibiri, Niger Delta
• 1958 First Export: Nigeria shipped its first 8,500 tons of crude oil to Rotterdam.

This colonial phase, speakers noted, entrenched foreign dominance, tied Nigeria’s oil wealth to Britain’s global concerns, and ignited nationalist pushback against unfair royalty laws.

The session drew strong links between history and contemporary challenges in the Nigerian energy sector.

The audience engaged actively through questions and comments, reflecting on how history continues to mirror Nigeria’s present challenges in the energy sector.

Participants emphasized the need for accountability and citizen responsibility, drawing parallels between colonial-era missteps and today’s governance issues. One participant asked: “If we keep repeating history, how do we break free from this cycle in our energy sector?” These contributions reinforced the session’s objective for knowledge sharing, citizen responsibility, and the importance of communication in the Energy sector.

As a response to another participant’s question, Tunbosun Afolayan, Managing Director at PRO ALLY, responded that “oil is not a curse”, and what oil and gas when produced safely and sustainably, can do, is to lift people out of poverty. The current Nigeria issue can instead be linked to poor resource management. She highlighted that Nigeria must embrace the use of technology and democratized accountability solution to chart her current and future production policies.

Isoboye stressed the importance of political will and citizen responsibility, stating “we need to be courageous enough to hold our leaders accountable and define for ourselves how best to use this resource”, while Ekwere highlighted weak governance, corruption, and infrastructure deficits as persistent challenges, pointing to oil theft as a major drain on revenue.

The event was held to highlight the impact of pioneering explorers and how finance is a critical tool for players to survive the capital-intensive nature of oil and gas development operations, also to correct the common misconception that Shell D’Arcy was the first company to explore for Oil in Nigeria. The aim to inspire the audience to think differently about their contributions in the energy industry was met.

More related energy stories can be found on https://apo-opa.co/48JSe7m

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PRO ALLY.

Media Contact
Email: info@proallyworld.org
Website: www.PROALLYWorld.com

About PRO ALLY:
PRO ALLY is a Sustainability Communication consulting company for the energy and extractive sectors, with vision to democratize knowledge and opportunities.

About Word Café:
Word Café leverages storytelling to inspire, empower, and reshape perspectives by unpacking history, values, and human experience.

Source: APO

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The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (https://ICD-ps.org/), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has successfully disbursed a USD 30 Mn financing facility to Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDBL) in Uganda.

This strategic facility marks ICD’s first Line of Finance transaction in Uganda and the broader East Africa region, representing a significant milestone in its efforts to support private sector development across its member countries in Sub Saharan Africa.

ICD’s funding, structured under a long-term Commodity Murabaha, is expected to empower local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by enabling access to medium- and long-term resources for productive investments.

Uganda’s agribusiness, education, investment in fixed assets (including land, building, machinery, equipment) manufacturing, and healthcare sectors are set to receive a major financial boost with this disbursement, driving tangible progress in economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development

This landmark transaction paves the way for future collaborations between ICD and local financial institutions in Uganda, reinforcing ICD’s commitment to fostering inclusive and resilient private sector ecosystems in its member countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

For further details, please contact:
Nabil El-Alami
Communications & Corporate Marketing Division Manager at ICD
Nalami@isdb.org

About Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDBL):
Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDBL) is a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) wholly owned by the Government of Uganda and operates as a Development Finance Institution (DFI). The bank, a successor company to Uganda Development Bank, which was established in 1972, was incorporated as a limited liability company in 2000 under the Companies Act Cap 106, Laws of Uganda and is mandated to finance enterprises in key growth sectors of the economy.

UDBL re-positioned itself as a key partner to the Government of Uganda in delivering its National Development Plan (NDP) by providing financial services to priority sectors, as identified by Uganda’s development plans, in the form of concessional loans. UDBL’s funding mainly targets SMEs in five priority sectors: agriculture (primary agriculture and processing), infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing and human capital development (i.e. education and health services). The bank does not aim to maximize profits but considers financial sustainability a key objective.

For more information, visit: https://UDBL.co.ug/

About ICD:
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral development financial institution that supports the economic development of its member countries. Based in Jeddah, ICD is a part of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group and was established in November 1999. With an authorized capital of $4 billion, ICD’s shareholders include the IsDB, 56 Islamic countries, and five public financial institutions.

ICD’s mandate is to provide financing for private sector projects in member countries, promote competition and entrepreneurship, and encourage cross border investments. ICD also brings additional resources to projects, encouraging the development of Islamic finance, attracting co-financiers and enhancing the role of the market economy. ICD focuses on financing projects that contribute to economic development, including job creation, the development of Islamic finance, and export growth. Additionally, ICD works to foster sustainable economic growth by mobilizing capital in the international financial markets. ICD operates to complement the activities of the IsDB in member countries and also that of national financial institutions. ICD is rated ‘A2’ by Moody’s, ‘A+’ by Fitch, and ‘A’ by S&P.

For More Information, visit: https://ICD-ps.org/