MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed a facility agreement with NBS Bank Plc Malawi (NBS Bank) to provide NBS Bank with a US$100 million Afreximbank Trade Facilitation Programme (AFTRAF) line of credit to support the bank’s growing trade finance portfolio and enable it to continue to effectively meet its trade clients’ needs.  

Signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) by Mr. Haytham El Maayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, and Mrs. Temwani Simwaka, CEO of NBS Bank, the facility agreement is structured to assist NBS Bank to increase its trade volumes and to support importation of essential commodities, like fertiliser, medicines and fuel into Malawi.  

Speaking on the signing, Mr. Haytham El Maayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, said that the facility was a demonstration of Afreximbank’s commitment to support indigenous African businesses and financial institutions to meet national needs. 

“This US$100 million facility is among the largest limits for AFTRAF for a bank in Malawi,” Mr. El Maayergi said, adding, “it demonstrates Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s trade aspirations as one of its member states. It also demonstrates the good and long-term relationship that exists between Afreximbank and the NBS/NICO group.” 

He expressed confidence that the facility would enable NBS Bank to support the growing trade needs of its customers which are aimed at supporting and increasing trade volumes for strategic commodities in Malawi, notably the importation of fuel, fertiliser and pharmaceuticals, and would also provide the bank with a confirmation line from within Africa. 

Mr. El Maayergi added that the facility was in line with Afreximbank’s mandate of supporting intra- and extra-African trade. 

AFTRAF programme enhances the confidence of counterparties in the settlement of international trade transactions and improves correspondent banking relationships by supporting critical imports into Africa, boosting intra-African trade and facilitating the purchase of equipment for the production of export goods. It provides trade confirmation services, trade confirmation guarantees and irrevocable reimbursement undertakings. 

Attended by more than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, IATF2025, which took place from 4 to 10 September 2025, ended on a remarkably high note with US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed over the seven days of the continental exposition. It welcomed 2,148 exhibitors. 

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact: 
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development.  

For more information, please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com. 

Source: APO

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) officially launched its latest industry report – the State of African Energy 2026 Outlook – at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference on Tuesday. Developed in partnership with S&P Global Commodity Insights, the report provides an in-depth analysis into the various facets of the African energy sector, detailing challenges and opportunities in hydrocarbons, renewable energy, power, finance and technology. The report represents a vital tool for investors, de-risking investments at a time when the continent is accelerating energy developments.

“We need key data to drive investments which is why we worked with S&P Global Commodity Insights on this report. One thing is clear: there is significant density of infrastructure in Europe but that is not evident in Africa. But we also see significant opportunities in Africa. This study shows you where the market is and where the opportunities are,” stated Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President, AEC.  

The State of African Energy 2026 Outlook helps investors and project developers navigate the continent’s diverse and evolving energy markets. The report covers a variety of strategic topics, from exploration and production trends to upcoming drilling campaigns to global capital expenditure, frontier basins and decarbonization. A focus on the downstream sector offers insights into refining, infrastructure and trade, while a section on African gas and LNG unpacks new LNG projects, potential roadblocks to gas monetization and domestic demand.

“The report covers everything from oil and gas to critical minerals. It is time to stop talking and move to investing. Key takeaways you will find in the report are statistics on oil and gas production, with oil demand projected to grow from 11.4 million barrels per day (bpd) to 13.6 million bpd,” shared Mark Eramo, CEO, S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Beyond oil and gas, the report shares insights into Africa’s emerging renewable energy market. Chapters cover anticipated power demand, opportunities in off-grid solutions, challenges to renewable energy adoption and financing projects. By outlining the continent’s energy transition, the report offers key insights into how the continent can advance a transition to clean energy while scaling-up baseload power and energy access.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO – Report:

African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 opened on Tuesday with a call to fast-track oil, gas and clean energy development across the continent, as industry leaders highlighted new exploration initiatives, billion-dollar seismic investments and deepening U.S.-Africa energy ties as the backbone of Africa’s industrial future.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz pledged that Washington would stand behind Africa’s energy ambitions. “The U.S. should be a strong and committed partner in Africa’s energy future, supporting robust investment in exploration, production and infrastructure,” he said. Cruz also positioned the U.S. as Africa’s “alternative to communist China,” framing energy as the foundation of a new era of “investment-led commercial diplomacy.”

Josh Volz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East in the U.S. Department of Energy, emphasized U.S. support for African-led energy development. “International governments should not stand in the way of how African nations determine their energy futures. We are eager to hear how best we can, from a U.S. perspective, partner with Africa,” he said. Volz noted that the U.S. private sector is already heavily engaged in Africa, with current investments totaling $65 billion, along with a $2.5 billion pledge recently implemented under the Trump administration aimed at supporting energy expansion across the continent.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, said exploration is firmly back on the continent, but warned that policy delays could derail progress. “The state of African energy is resilient. Liberia just signed a few new blocks with TotalEnergies, and we are hoping gas developments in Mozambique move forward. But it shouldn’t take five, 10 or 20 years to approve projects,” he said. “The energy industry can take care of the sub-surface issues, but it’s our job to deal with the above-ground.”

Ayuk stressed the need for fiscal clarity and stronger enabling environments. “The game is going cheap. The fiscals will make us better. Besides putting pressure on African leaders to move, we need to deal with financial apartheid. Gas is green in Europe where they can afford it, but not in Africa. We need to stop these double standards,” he said.

Seismic giant TGS reinforced this momentum, with CEO Kristian Johansen, confirming that the company has invested over $1 billion in African data over the past decade. “Our unparalleled multi-client library, representing about 70% of all seismic data in Africa, continues to unlock new opportunities – de-risking frontier basins, revitalizing mature plays and revealing potential where others saw only uncertainty,” Johansen said.

Mike Sangster, Senior Vice President for Africa at TotalEnergies, emphasized the scale of investment needed to meet Africa’s growing energy demand. “The IEA says the industry needs to invest $500 billion per year to meet growing demand – 90% of this investment is needed just to stand still, to offset natural declines in our fields. New oil and gas projects are not optional – they are essential. Otherwise, energy security is at risk,” he said.

He noted that TotalEnergies is dedicating significant resources to Africa, with half of its exploration and appraisal budget allocated to the continent. The company recently acquired licenses in the Republic of Congo, Namibia and Nigeria, and is anticipating the launch of new projects in Angola and Uganda. Sangster further highlighted various sustainability initiatives, including the elimination of routine flaring in Gabon, the deployment of 13,000 methane sensors across Africa by 2025, and the operation or construction of 1.1 GW of renewable capacity.

Turning to clean energy solutions, Ayuk pressed for urgency on LPG as a safe cooking fuel, citing a landmark U.S. proposal launched earlier this year. “Some 750,000 to one million Africans die every year from lack of clean cooking fuels – this is an issue we must address. LPG is going to be big. We are going to use it and we will not stop,” he said.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

“How is it possible that in 2025, when we are able to send people to the moon, when we are able to create driverless vehicles, we’ve not been able to solve the problem of cooking energy in Africa’s rural areas?” asks Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa and Director of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub.

He continues: “This is something that is within our means. And as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, we are now working with governments across Africa on how to solve such problems. High-integrity carbon markets can offer Africa a powerful tool to mobilise finance required to advance climate action and ensure fair benefits while driving sustainable and inclusive development.”

Carbon markets unlocking billions

“Africa no longer waits for promises to be kept—we act,” Mr Gomera adds. “Carbon markets can unlock billions in finance, strengthen our institutions, and accelerate both Agenda 2063 and the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. At UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, we believe in a unified continent ready to harness this opportunity, own its solutions, and lead the global transformation towards resilience and prosperity.”

The UNDP is the official host partner of the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit CMAS), taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October, gathering the continent’s entire carbon markets value chain, from successful early carbon market movers, climate-finance-ready projects and regulatory bodies to global institutional development organisations and investors.

“We cannot continue talking about Africa’s potential. We must make that potential a reality,” says UNDP’s Maxwell Gomera. “The Carbon Markets Africa Summit matters, because we bring together like-minded people to strengthen the ecosystem around a problem that we all share and provide solutions. Our message is: Tomorrow is worth fighting for.”

The UNDP is making important contributions to the Carbon Markets Africa Summit programme:

CARBON 101

As part of the CARBON 101 pre-summit masterclass on 21 October, UNDP Carbon Market Programme Specialist Bernardin Uzayisaba will facilitate a session on “Why carbon markets matter – and why Africa’s timing is critical.” There is already a lot of interest in this masterclass by delegates who will gain a foundational understanding of global carbon markets—both voluntary and compliance—and their evolving mechanisms: what they are and how they work. In addition, he will explore the global architecture shaped by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and Africa’s emerging role in a system that’s rapidly evolving.

Day 1: Keynote session

– Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa and Director of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub will deliver a keynote address in the CMAS opening session on 22 October.

– Sandra Lindström, Head of International Climate Cooperation, Swedish Energy Agency, a UNDP partner, is another keynote speaker in this session, as she explains: “Sweden has been active in carbon markets for over two decades and we believe that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has an important role to play in enabling increased global climate ambition. Our long-standing partnerships in Africa are being ramped up to include cooperation on emissions trading with strong sustainable development contributions”. 

Turning policy into action

As African countries transition from climate ambition to implementation, regulatory clarity is emerging as the cornerstone of carbon market development. UNDP Carbon Market Programme Specialist Bernardin will moderate the discussion on “Africa’s carbon market frameworks: Turning policy into action” in this session, which will explore how national frameworks are evolving post-COP29, what integration of Article 6 looks like on the ground, and how public-private collaboration can drive effective execution.

NBS & AFOLU discussion

In the sector-focused dialogue on nature-based solutions and AFOLU, Mr Uzayisaba will also join the expert panel discussion to explore carbon methodologies, investment models, policy frameworks, and the role of communities in delivering high-integrity, land-based carbon outcomes.

African companies entering carbon markets

On Day 2, Tomas Sales, Special Advisor for UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, will co-lead the workshop on “How African companies can enter the carbon market.”

This workshop is designed for African corporates and SMEs looking to understand the business case for engaging in carbon markets.

[Read the full interview with UNDP’s Maxwell Gomera here (https://apo-opa.co/4nWxPQL).]

Link to the CMAS 2025 Programme Brochure: https://apo-opa.co/4nPlvBO 

Event dates and location:
Dates:
21 October: Pre-summit day
22–23 October: Summit
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Event website: About — Carbon Markets Africa (http://apo-opa.co/48DqHEz)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Other partners and sponsors for this inaugural event include the following:
Strategic institutional partners: AUDA NEPAD and UNEP.
Diamond sponsor: TASC
Gold sponsors: FSD Africa, SGS and Trees for the Future

Contact details for Carbon Markets Africa Summit: 
Project Lead: Emmanuelle Nicholls 
Cell: +27 83 447 8410  
Email: http://emmanuelle.nicholls@wearevuka.com

VUKA Group
Carbon Markets Africa Summit is organised by VUKA Group, which has more than 20 years’ experience in serving the business community across Africa. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the official host organisation.

Source: APO

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the quick-service restaurant industry, KFC Africa (https://global.KFC.com) announced today that it will do the unthinkable: reveal its secret recipe.

The recipe has been the stuff of corporate legend, with only a handful of people knowing the complete formula.

Competitors have tried to reverse-engineer it, conspiracy theorists have developed elaborate ideas about it, and social media has played its part in stoking the flames.

The objective has always been the same: to work out what’s in the recipe. And on Wednesday 8 October, the truth will finally be revealed.

The world deserves the truth

“People have been asking us for years about our secret recipe,” says Grant Macpherson, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, KFC Africa.

“They’ve guessed, they’ve pleaded and they’ve done their best to copy it. And now we’ve decided the world can finally share it. We think it will be better for everyone if it’s out in the open.

“History will decide whether or not this is a masterstroke, but we believe it will be good for us and most importantly good for South Africa.”

Macpherson says KFC will explain its reasons for revealing the secret recipe only on the day of the big reveal.

Precious asset

“There’s obviously going to be a lot of speculation about why we would give away this precious asset, and why now,” he says.

“Our loyal customers may be wondering whether this will kill the mystique that has made KFC South Africa’s biggest quick-service restaurant brand.

“We don’t think it will, but everything will become clear on 8 October. Until then, all the guesses and opinions will be just that.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.

About KFC Africa:
KFC has been part of Africa’s story since 1971, when the first restaurant opened in Johannesburg. Today, with more than 1,400 restaurants across 22 sub-Saharan countries, it stands as the continent’s leading quick service restaurant brand and home of the Original Recipe® fried chicken that millions love. 

At KFC Africa, we feed more than hunger — we feed potential. Every meal served is part of a bigger purpose: creating a seat at the table for everyone and ensuring that potential isn’t just seen — it’s nurtured. That commitment comes to life through initiatives that make a measurable difference. Our Streetwise Academy, backed by Services SETA accreditation, equips team members with skills to thrive across frontline leadership, HR and operations — achieving a 75% promotion and retention rate that proves the power of investing in people. Our Add Hope programme delivers over 30 million meals to vulnerable children each year, while Mini Cricket, South Africa’s largest grassroots sports programme, reaches more than 120,000 young players guided by 13,000 coaches. Beyond food, initiatives such as the Ikusasa Lethu scholarships and youth empowerment programmes across Africa open pathways to education, livelihoods, and brighter futures.

With over 40,000 team members powering our business, KFC Africa is proud to be an employer of choice — cultivating careers, fairness, and integrity while serving millions daily. Because when individuals rise, families strengthen. Communities grow. Nations transform. That’s the undeniable impact we are proud to serve.

Source: APO

Nigeria will select its next space representative through an expanded democratic astronaut selection process, launched today by the Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) (www.SERA.Space). The initiative promotes community-selected space representation for Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand, with citizens voting for their representatives through a blockchain-powered platform.

The program transforms space access from an exclusive institutional selection to one that involves public participation. Unlike traditional astronaut programs requiring military backgrounds or advanced degrees, SERA’s Mission Control platform on Telegram (https://www.SERA.Space/) enables anyone from partner nations to apply and compete for community support.

“After the success of SERA’s inaugural space flight in 2022, we’re scaling democratic space access to five nations simultaneously, plus a global seat,” said Joshua Skurla, SERA co-founder. “Nigeria’s seat means someone from any background can represent their nation in space based on community choice.”

The approach builds on SERA’s demonstrated success in sending Victor Hespanha, selected from the SERA community, to become South America’s first civilian astronaut on Blue Origin’s New Shepard. That mission validated both the selection process and global appetite for community participation in space exploration. For Nigeria, this represents a historic opportunity to build on the country’s recent achievements in space.

While Nigeria has pursued space exploration through its National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and witnessed Chief Owolabi Salis’s self-funded Blue Origin flight, as well as Nigerian scientist Dr. Temidayo Oniosun’s symbolic Egusi mission to space, SERA offers the first community-selected civilian astronaut pathway.

“This partnership aligns with our vision of expanding Nigeria’s space presence beyond satellites to human spaceflight,” said Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA. “SERA’s democratic approach ensures Nigerian representation reflects our diverse population’s aspirations.”

Dr. Anne Agi, President of Learnspace Foundation, which facilitated the partnership between SERA and NASRDA, emphasized the broader mission. “We’re building bridges between communities, institutions, and industry to ensure Nigeria’s journey to human spaceflight is not only historic but inclusive and connected to the global movement for shared exploration.”

The selection process operates through SERA Mission Control, a Telegram mini-app built on TON Blockchain for transparent voting. Candidates complete challenges to earn “SpaceDust” points and compete for their nation’s guaranteed seat. The blockchain infrastructure prevents manipulation while enabling global participation through the accessible Telegram platform.

“We’re opening space to people who never imagined it possible,” said Sam Hutchison, SERA co-founder. “A teacher in Abuja or a content creator in Lagos can now compete for Nigeria’s space seat through community engagement, not just academic credentials.”

Six seats are reserved for the upcoming Blue Origin mission—five allocated to partner nations, with a sixth open to citizens from any country. The program includes a Science Platform where communities can submit and vote on experiments, creating decentralized research opportunities.

SERA addresses the representation gap in space exploration. While around 800 people have traveled to space since 1961, none from Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Thailand, or most developing nations have flown as community-selected civilian astronauts despite representing billions of global citizens.

“SERA Mission Control represents space exploration reimagined for social media users,” said Max Crown, CEO of TON Foundation. “By launching on TON within Telegram, SERA transforms space travel from a distant concept into an interactive, community-driven experience.”

The platform represents one of the most ambitious consumer applications built on TON Blockchain, showcasing practical Web3 applications beyond financial uses. Transparent voting addresses fairness concerns while gamified engagement drives sustained participation.

Applications open immediately through the SERA Mission Control Telegram app, with voting and selection timelines to be announced. Selected astronauts will undergo standard Blue Origin safety training before their spaceflight missions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA).

Media Enquiries:
Edward Israel-Ayide
edward@carpediemng.com 

About SERA:
The Space Exploration & Research Agency was founded to build a global community dedicated to space exploration and research. Its mission is to create a space agency for everyone. Learn more at www.SERA.Space and follow @ seraspaceage across social platforms.

About TON Foundation:
The TON Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization that accelerates the growth of the TON Blockchain ecosystem by providing funding and support to developers, creators, and businesses through grants, technical resources, and strategic partnerships. While the Foundation advocates for TON’s mission, it does not control the decentralized, open-source, community-driven network. Learn more at https://TON.Foundation.

About Blue Origin:
We are building a road to space for the benefit of Earth, humanity’s blue origin. Our team is focused on radically reducing the cost of access to space and harnessing its vast resources while mobilizing future generations to realize this mission. Blue Origin builds reusable rocket engines, launch vehicles, in-space systems, and lunar landers. Discover more at www.BlueOrigin.com.