MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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Young entrepreneurs in Senegal are bringing their business ideas to life, using two new digital service centres that offer free computers, high-speed internet, and other tools.

The centres supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) are housed at universities in the northern city of Saint-Louis and the southern city of Ziguinchor. Through training, networking, and mentorship, the centres are helping new founders launch and grow their ventures.

Here are two of their stories:

Djiby Diop: Discovering his entrepreneurial path in agritech

When Djiby Diop joined the Saint-Louis Service Centre at Gaston Berger University, he had no idea that he would bring his ideas to life and become an innovative entrepreneur.

The 32-year-old IT graduate is now the founder of Dior Bi, a company specializing in the production of organic fruits and vegetables.

‘I found out about the Centre thanks to a friend. When I arrived, I lacked practical skills, but I had one thing: the will to become an entrepreneur. The Centre gave me the tools to make it happen,’ he says.

Among his flagship achievements is a prototype for an automatic irrigation system, designed to optimize water use and increase agricultural yields. He refined the concept with mentorship provided at the centre, which also set him up with the tools need to create the prototype.

Diop is among the 501 people who have tapped into the centre’s resources.

Ousmane Traoré: A modern innovation for livestock

Ousmane Traoré, 27, a master’s student in forestry, has always been passionate about farming and business.

In 2021, during a youth employment forum at Assane Seck University, he discovered the Ziguinchor Service Centre. For Ousmane, it was a golden opportunity to bring his ideas to life.

With mentoring and tools from the Centre, Ousmane launched Gaynako in 2021, a startup that produces livestock feed from agricultural waste and bulrush, which thrive in the region’s wetlands. Three years later, with Gaynako 2.0, he incorporated a digital platform that helps manage livestock.

He didn’t stop there. He also created Yaralma, which allows people in the city to use their phones to invest in livestock that are raised by professional ranchers.

‘With increasing urbanization, many people can no longer keep livestock at home. Thanks to Yaralma, they can buy livestock on the platform and entrust it to professional breeders while receiving real-time updates on their animals,’ explains Ousmane.

Today, Ousmane and his team of six connect breeders and livestock investors, creating jobs and modernizing ranching in Senegal.

The Ziguinchor centre worked with 241 project holders in 2024.

Through these centres, supported by the ITC West Africa Competitiveness Support Programme – Senegal Component (PACAO-Senegal), simple ideas are transformed into bankable businesses. Young people become entrepreneurs who positively impact their communities. Djiby and Ousmane have seen their dreams come true. Now they plan to make full use of the knowledge gained from the Service Centres to take their businesses to the next level.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: APO

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Angolan oil producer Etu Energias has joined this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference as a Silver Partner. The company’s participation comes as it pursues accelerated oil production in Angola, with advancements in onshore exploration and offshore development positioning it to achieve its 80,000 barrel per day (bpd) goal. Etu Energias’ Chairman and CEO Edson dos Santos is also speaking at the event, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding its portfolio and working with regional partners.

Etu Energias is pursuing an ambitious exploration and production strategy in Angola, with eight exploration projects, 10 development projects and seven redevelopment projects in the pipeline. This strategy follows a successful year in 2024, whereby the company reported its strongest financial results to date. During the year, Etu Energias achieved a 53% increase in net profit compared to 2023, increased its portfolio of operated and non-operated assets from 6 to 15 and grew its oil reserves 2.5 times to reach 106 million barrels. Looking ahead, the company plans to reach 387 million barrels in oil reserves by 2030, with its participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 supporting this goal.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

In 2025, Etu Energias has made several key advancements across its oil and gas portfolio. These include the start of production at the Begonia field development in Block 17/06 – achieved in collaboration with TotalEnergies (operator), Sonangol and Falcon Oil. The project adds 30,000 bpd to Angola’s production capacity and represents the first inter-block development in the country. The development follows Etu Energias kickstarting drilling operations at Block 2/05 – situated in the shallow waters of the province of Zaire – in July 2025. The company is advancing the redevelopment of the block through an extensive drilling program, which includes three development wells, one exploration well and five technical interventions across existing wells. Etu Energias increased its stake in Block 2/05 in 2024 from 30% to 36%, cementing its position as an offshore producer.  

Meanwhile, Etu Energias is also leading exploration in the onshore Angolan market. The company signed a Risk Service Contract for Block CON 4 in May 2025, granting it a 25-year operating license for the block. Five years are dedicated to the exploration phase while 20 years is allocated for production. In addition to Block CON 4, Etu Energias is the operator of Block CON 1. The first phase of studies for CON 1 has been completed and a seismic survey has been defined – targeting 430 km of 2D data in the first phase. At Block FS/FST, Etu Energias continues its 3D seismic campaign. The company plans to spud the first exploration well at the block later this year. These efforts align with both Etu Energias’ goals to increase production as well as Angola’s broader ambitions to revitalize onshore production.

To support its exploration and production strategy, Etu Energias plans to make an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2026. Supporting debt reduction and capital raising, the IPO will increase the company’s capacity to accelerate development activities and take on new projects. For investors, the IPO represents a strategic opportunity to participate in Angola’s oil and gas development through a competitive local upstream company.

“Etu Energias represents the kind of company that Africa needs. As an Angolan firm with deep-rooted experience in the sector, the company understands the market, is eager to work with upstream partners and is instrumental in supporting the country’s industry goals. With a clear production target of 80,000 bpd and plans for an IPO, Etu Energias is reaffirming its position as a major player in Angola’s oil and gas sector,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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Diaspora nationals on vacation in their country visited historical and developmental sites in the Adi-Keih sub-zone on 19 August. The tour was organized by the PFDJ Central Office.

Upon arrival at the Adi-Keih College of Business and Social Science, they were warmly welcomed by the residents of Adi-Keih and the college community.

They also visited the historical sites of Kohaito, Ishga, Safira Dam, and the ancient Egyptian tomb, where they received briefings from knowledgeable guides about the background and history of the sites.

Indicating that such tours to historical and developmental sites have been conducted for the third time, Mr. Solomon Tareke, from the PFDJ office, said that nationals from various countries participated in the tour.

Expressing satisfaction for visiting the historical and developmental sites and receiving the briefings, the participants conveyed their gratitude for the warm welcome extended to them by the residents of Adi-Keih.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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For many inhabitants of the Cape Verde archipelago, the night of 10-11 August 2025 will never be forgotten. Never before had they faced such devastation. In just a few hours, torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin turned streets into raging torrents, triggered landslides, and destroyed vital infrastructure.

Countless homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and the livelihoods of hundreds of families were wiped out. At least nine people lost their lives, and thousands were forced to seek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters after losing everything.

“My house collapsed in just a few hours. My children lost everything… and so did I,” says Alcídia dos Reis Fortes, a mother of five now sheltering in a school converted into a reception centre managed by the Red Cross.

In the face of such destruction, the government declared a state of emergency and two days of national mourning. The islands of São Vicente and São Antão have been the hardest hit. 

Red Cross volunteers in Cape Verde were mobilized as soon as the first warnings were issued.

“We immediately informed communities and helped evacuate families at risk,” explains Jamilson José Dos Santos Rodrigues, a volunteer, youth representative and currently head of operations for the local committee in São Vicente. He has been on the ground with a Red Cross team since the first hours of the disaster.

The floods also caused the collapse of the central water supply system, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. In a country already weakened by drought and food insecurity, this disruption poses a serious additional threat: the spread of waterborne diseases.

“Many families have nothing left to drink or cook with. We are distributing emergency kits, drinking water, and clothing, as well as providing psychosocial support. But the needs are far greater than what we can cover,” says Jamilson. 

“Today, every vital sector is affected—shelter, water, health, and food. International support is essential to meet the scale of this crisis,” stresses Sadrack Matanda, an emergency preparedness and response specialist deployed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross.

As an initial response, the IFRC plans to release emergency funds to assist affected families by providing shelter, water and sanitation services, and livelihood support. Shelter and water and sanitation specialists will also be deployed to strengthen the response.

“We are continuing our assessments and do not rule out launching an emergency appeal to help communities overcome this unprecedented crisis,” Sadrack added.

On 13 August, the Cape Verde Red Cross launched the national campaign #ReconstruirComEsperança to support affected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Source: APO

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Africa is set to add 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of new refining capacity by 2030, marking one of the fastest downstream expansions globally, according to the newly released 2025 OPEC World Oil Outlook. This medium-term growth – led by landmark projects in Nigeria, Angola and Uganda – signals a turning point for the continent’s energy sovereignty and investment attractiveness.

At the forefront of Africa’s refining expansion is Nigeria’s 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery, which began operations in 2024 and is already reshaping regional fuel trade dynamics. Further developments include the 200,000-bpd Akwa Ibom Refinery, also in Nigeria, and Angola’s state-driven push to bring online the 200,000-bpd Lobito Refinery and 100,000-bpd Soyo Refinery by 2030.

Uganda’s refining ambitions are taking shape with a 60,000-bpd facility in Hoima, part of the country’s broader Lake Albert basin development plan. Meanwhile, modular refinery projects in Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, the Republic of Congo and additional sites in Nigeria are enabling incremental but scalable capacity builds in markets where infrastructure and financing hurdles persist. In North Africa, Algeria (Hassi Messaoud), Libya (Ubari) and Egypt (Soukhna) are all advancing refinery projects aimed at capturing higher margins, improving domestic supply security and reducing dependency on imports of refined petroleum products.

According to OPEC, Africa will need over $40 billion in refining investments by 2030 to meet its mid-decade objectives. Beyond 2030, the figure climbs steeply – requiring an additional $60+ billion for refinery construction, modernization and secondary processing capacity upgrades. This opens a $100 billion investment window for project developers, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and energy-focused private equity. With nearly 86% of global refinery additions through 2050 concentrated in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, Africa is increasingly seen as a high-growth frontier.

The 2025 edition of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies in Cape Town will provide a platform for governments, operators and financiers to align on next-phase refinery projects, policy incentives and deal pipelines. As host countries seek to reduce costly imports and capture more value from domestic crude, AEW offers an ideal venue for matchmaking capital with opportunity.

Additionally, Africa’s rising domestic consumption of crude – forecast to reach 4.5 million bpd by 2050 from just 1.8 million bpd in 2024 – further underlines the case for investing in downstream infrastructure. This consumption shift, in turn, is expected to reduce Africa’s crude exports by over one million bpd by 2050, emphasizing a structural pivot toward internal value chains.

Africa’s medium-term refining expansion reflects both a technical development and strategic inflection point. If the continent seizes this momentum, it can move beyond being a raw crude exporter to becoming a competitive, resilient and integrated energy producer. With $100 billion in refining investment needs projected through 2050 and billions in trade deficits to reverse, the time to bet on the African downstream sector is now.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.