MIL Africa Engine – Page 1454

August 5, 2025

Flat6Labs s’agrandit : présentation du F6 Group à l’occasion du lancement de F6 Ventures, la nouvelle branche capital-risque

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

F6 Group, une entité nouvellement créée intégrant le capital-risque au soutien entrepreneurial, annonce son lancement officiel, en s’appuyant sur deux axes fondamentaux : F6 Ventures, une nouvelle firme d’investissement en phase d’amorçage, et Flat6Labs (https://Flat6Labs.com), la plateforme d’accélérateur de startups la plus reconnue de la région. Ensemble, les deux entités représentent une évolution audacieuse des 14 ans d’existence de l’entreprise, apportant un focus plus précis, une portée élargie et des capacités renforcées pour soutenir les fondateurs et les écosystèmes à travers le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique.

F6 Ventures, le capital-risqueur du Groupe qui gèrera six fonds avec plus de 90 millions de dollars d’actifs sous gestion et un portfolio de plus de 300 startups. Axé sur les investissements en amorçage et en early-stage au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique, F6 Ventures se positionne comme future leader du capital d’amorçage dans les écosystèmes émergents, en répondant à un besoin de financement dans la période la plus critique du développement des startups: les phases de pré-amorçage et d’amorçage.

Cofondée par Dina el-Shenoufy et Ramez El-Serafy, la nouvelle société d’investissement s’appuie sur la présence régionale du F6 Group et sur son héritage dans le soutien à l’entrepreneuriat, grâce au travail de longue date de Flat6Labs précédemment sous la direction d’el-Shenoufy et d’El-Serafy, pour accompagner des fondateurs visionnaires, accélérer l’innovation technologique et générer de la valeur durable pour l’ensemble de ses parties prenantes.

« F6 Ventures marque le début d’une nouvelle ère dans notre parcours , en apportant un capital ciblé et une exécution plus affûtée pour soutenir les fondateurs les plus audacieux de la région », déclare Dina el-Shenoufy, cofondatrice et General Partner de F6 Ventures. « Nous renforçons notre engagement envers les startups en phase de démarrage afin de les accompagner dans leur passage de l’idée à l’impact ».

Soutenu par une vaste présence régionale et l’héritage entrepreneurial du F6 Group, basé au Caire et présent à Riyad, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Tunis et Nairobi, F6 Ventures est piloté par une équipe de Partners régionaux : Eyad Albayouk, Ryaan Sharif, Rasha Manna, Walid Triki et Christine Namara. Ensemble, ils forment une direction expérimentée qui cumule plusieurs décennies d’expertise dans le capital-risque, l’entrepreneuriat et le développement de marchés à travers le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique.

« Depuis plus de dix ans, nous avons accompagné des milliers de fondateurs et aidé des idées audacieuses à devenir des startups leaders sur leur marché. Je suis ravi d’entamer ce nouveau chapitre avec F6 Ventures pour aider les fondateurs à évoluer plus rapidement et à stimuler la prochaine vague d’innovation », déclare Ramez El-Serafy, cofondateur et General Partner de F6 Ventures.

Tout en maintenant la renommée régionale de la marque, et sous la direction de son nouveau CEO, Yehia Houry, Flat6Labs recentre ses efforts sur le soutien des fondateurs, la promotion de l’innovation et le développement des écosystèmes sur les marchés émergents. Forte de plus de 14 ans d’impact avéré, l’organisation demeure la principale plateforme régionale pour les programmes d’accompagnement de startups de classe mondiale et les initiatives de renforcement des écosystèmes, approfondissant sa mission de soutien à l’entrepreneuriat et de stimulation de l’innovation régionale.

Les deux entités opèrent sous la structure unifiée du F6 Group dirigé par Dina el-Shenoufy, CEO, et Hany Al Sonbaty, fondateur et président du conseil, assurant ainsi une stratégie unifiée qui combine le capital-risque et les programmes de soutien aux entrepreneurs afin de promouvoir l’innovation sur les marchés émergents.

F6 Ventures prévoit de lancer plusieurs nouveaux fonds régionaux à travers l’Afrique, le CCG et le Levant, dans le but d’atteindre 200 millions de dollars d’actifs sous gestion et d’investir dans plus de 200 entreprises au cours des cinq prochaines années.

F6 Group rassemble le capital-risque et le soutien aux fondateurs au sein d’une seule plateforme spécialement conçue pour servir les startups des marchés émergents. En alignant son expérience en investissement et en programmation, F6 Group offre un accès inégalé au capital, aux programmes et à l’expertise pour permettre aux fondateurs visionnaires de devenir des leaders de leur secteur.

Distribué par APO Group pour Flat6Labs.

Pour les demandes de médias, veuillez contacter info@f6.vc

Media files

August 5, 2025

Flat6Labs Grows Bigger: Introducing F6 Group to launch F6 Ventures, the new venture capital arm

Source: APO

F6 Group, a newly formed entity integrating venture capital and entrepreneurial support, announces its official launch, anchored by two powerful arms: F6 Ventures, a newly launched seed-stage investment firm, and Flat6Labs (https://Flat6Labs.com), the region’s most recognized startup accelerator platform. Together, they represent a bold evolution of the company’s 14-year journey, bringing sharper focus, expanded reach, and deeper capabilities to support founders and ecosystems across the Middle East and Africa.

At the core of this transformation is F6 Ventures, the Group’s dedicated venture capital arm to be managing six funds with over $90 million in assets under management (AUM) and a track record of 300+ companies invested into by the Partners. Focused on seed and early-stage investments across the Middle East and Africa, F6 Ventures is positioned to become a market leader in seed-stage investing across emerging ecosystems, as it addresses a pressing funding gap at the most critical phase of startup development: the pre-seed and seed stages.

Co-Founded by Dina el-Shenoufy and Ramez El-Serafy, the firm leverages F6 Group’s extensive regional presence and legacy of empowering entrepreneurial talent, through the long-standing work of Flat6Labs, previously under the leadership of el-Shenoufy and El-Serafy, to back visionary founders, scale tech-driven innovation, and create lasting value for stakeholders.

“F6 Ventures marks a new era in our journey, bringing focused capital and sharper execution to support the region’s boldest founders.” said Dina el-Shenoufy, Co-Founder and General Partner at F6 Ventures. “We are extending our commitment to early-stage startups to help them scale from idea to impact.”

Backed by the extensive regional footprint and entrepreneurial legacy of F6 Group and headquartered in Cairo, with offices in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Amman Tunis, and Nairobi, F6 Ventures is also led by the regional partners, namely Eyad Albayouk, Ryaan Sharif, Rasha Manna, Walid Triki, and Christine Namara. Together, this seasoned leadership team brings decades of experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and market development across the Middle East and Africa.

“Over more than a decade, we’ve empowered thousands of founders and helped bold ideas grow into market-leading startups. I’m excited to begin this new chapter with F6 Ventures helping founders scale faster and drive the next wave of innovation,” said Ramez El-Serafy, Co-Founder and General Partner at F6 Ventures.

Meanwhile, maintaining the regionally renowned brand name, and with the leadership of newly appointed CEO, Yehia Houry, Flat6Labs sharpens its focus on founder support, innovation, and ecosystem growth across emerging markets. Building on more than 14 years of proven impact, it remains the region’s leading platform for world-class startup programs and ecosystem-building initiatives, deepening its mission to empower entrepreneurs and drive regional innovation .

Both entities operate under the unified structure of F6 Group led by Dina el-Shenoufy as CEO and Hany Al Sonbaty, Founder and Chairman, ensuring a unified strategy that combines venture capital and entrepreneurial support programs to advance innovation across emerging markets.

Looking ahead, F6 Ventures plans to launch multiple new regional funds across Africa, the GCC, and Levant, with a goal of expanding its AUMs to $200 million and investing in over 200 companies within the next five years.

F6 Group brings together venture capital and founder support under one platform, purpose-built to serve startups across emerging markets. By aligning investment and programmatic expertise, F6 Group delivers unmatched access to capital, programs, and expertise – turning visionary founders into market leaders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Flat6Labs.

For press inquiries, contact info@f6.vc

Media files

.

August 5, 2025

Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Nigeria’s Pan Ocean & Newcross Companies Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Source: APO

African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is proud to announce that Seyi Oladapo, Group CFO of Pan Ocean and the Newcross Companies, will be joining the continent’s premier energy event in Cape Town. His participation brings one of Nigeria’s most strategically positioned private energy players to the forefront of conversations on upstream growth, local capacity building and unlocking new investment across Africa’s hydrocarbon value chain.

As one of Nigeria’s most established oil companies, Pan Ocean is accelerating its growth – deploying advanced technologies such as aerial drones and ultrasonic meters to enhance asset security – pursuing an ambitious well-drilling campaign, and supporting Nigeria’s goal to reach 2 million barrels per day by 2025, while working to eliminate gas flaring by 2030. Pan Ocean and NewCross recently held a high-level meeting with NNPC leadership, underscoring their commitment to aligning with national strategic priorities and strengthening partnerships across the oil and gas exploration and production sectors.

Together with its sister company NewCross, Pan Ocean is carrying out drilling on OML 24, which is expected to add approximately 1,500 barrels per day of oil and around 4 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The company also recently commissioned a vapor recovery unit compressor that channels gas to a processing plant, reducing flaring and improving efficiency. At AEW 2025, Oladapo’s participation will provide valuable insights into how Pan Ocean is using financial strategy to scale operations, manage risk and build strategic partnerships amid a rapidly evolving regional energy landscape.

“Pan Ocean and Newcross exemplify how indigenous private leadership can deliver meaningful growth and infrastructure value in Nigeria’s energy sector. Their participation at AEW 2025 reflects Africa’s shift toward home-grown, investment-ready energy operators that can partner globally and deliver local impact,” says Oré Onagbesan (http://apo-opa.co/4m5UV7g), Program Director (http://apo-opa.co/4m5UV7g), AEW: Invest in African Energies (http://apo-opa.co/4m5UV7g).

Oladapo’s engagement at AEW 2025 underscores the importance of Nigeria’s private sector in driving upstream capacity, aligning with broader continental goals of self-reliance, energy infrastructure development and investment draw. His participation also highlights how innovative financing and strategic partnerships are essential to unlocking Nigeria – and Africa’s – vast energy potential and securing sustainable growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About 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.

Media files

.

August 5, 2025

Do elephants make deliberate gestures to ask for things? Our study says yes

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Vesta Eleuteri, PhD candidate, Universität Wien

Elephants are known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and good memories. But do they communicate to show real intention? A new study suggests they do. The research showed that elephants gestured to ask for food when a person was around and that they kept gesturing when they didn’t receive all the food. These are signs that the elephants are trying to communicate with intention.

We spoke to lead author Vesta Eleuteri, a PhD candidate, to learn more about what this means and why it matters.

Why did you study how elephants use gestures to communicate?

Most of the research on elephant communication is on their calls and chemical signals, likely because of their extraordinary hearing and smell. How elephants communicate with gestures is comparatively less studied. But there are descriptions of elephants using many different body movements and displays in different contexts, which suggests a key role of gestures in elephant communication.

But whether elephants gesture intentionally to others to communicate goals in mind has not been systematically explored before. My colleagues and I study the cognition and communication of animals to understand how complex cognitive skills evolved, which is what this article is based on.

In our study led by the University of Vienna and in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, the University of Portsmouth and City University of New York, we show that semi-captive elephants use many different gestures intentionally to ask a human to give them apples (their goal).

We found that the elephants used 38 different gesture types intentionally. The elephants kept gesturing when they only got half the apples (only partially reached their goal), while they changed gestures when they got no apples (did not reach their goal), both key behaviours to establish intentional use.

Why is it important to know whether their communication is intentional?

The ability to intentionally communicate goals in mind using a variety of gestures might help elephants navigate their complex social lives. By showing that semi-captive elephants gesture intentionally to humans using many different gesture types, our study builds on the evidence that this ability is not unique to primates, but that it has repeatedly emerged during evolution.

Here we consider intentionality as “goal-directed intentionality”, which is the ability to communicate goals we have in mind to others. This was in the past considered to be a unique human skill. Today we know that all the other apes and even some other primates (although in a less flexible way) communicate intentionally using over 70 different gesture types to communicate many different goals in mind. Some examples include gesturing for things like “come here”; “give me that”; “groom me”.

In non-primates, this intentionality was shown only in a few animals, from guppy fish to Arabian babblers. But typically this was done with one or two gestures and for specific goals, like “follow me”.

Elephants are distantly related to humans in evolution. We last shared a common ancestor with them over 100 million years ago. But, like apes, they are highly intelligent and live in complex societies where they have many different types of relationships (from kin to allies, friends and strangers). Also, there are descriptions of elephants using many different body movements and displays during many different contexts. These include when they greet, affiliate, play with each other or even when they travel together.

What gestures did the elephants use, and how do you know they were on purpose?

The elephants in semi-captivity often reached their trunks or swung them back and forth towards the human or the tray with apples. This made it clear they were communicating that they wanted the apples.

Elephant gestures.

To know whether the elephants were using their gestures intentionally, we applied the behavioural criteria first created to study the development of intentional communication in human infants. These are: audience directedness, persistence and elaboration.

Signallers should use gestures when there is a recipient and appropriately according to whether he/she is looking or not (audience directedness). For example, if the recipient is not looking at them, they should use tactile gestures instead of visual gestures that the recipient would not see.

After gesturing, signallers should wait for the recipient to react and, if the recipient does not react as they wanted, they should keep gesturing (persistence) or change gestures (elaboration) to clarify what they wanted.

I can make an example. If I want to ask you to pass me the salt (my goal), I first should consider whether you are looking at me and, if you are, I may reach my hand towards the salt (audience directedness). If you don’t react or pass me the wrong thing, like the pepper, I should keep gesturing (persistence) or should change gesture by, for example, pointing towards the salt to clarify I wanted the salt from you (elaboration).

You worked with semi-captive elephants; do wild elephants act the same?

We and many other elephant experts have observed wild elephants gesturing apparently intentionally to each other (and even to us!) many times in the field. Nonetheless, we cannot confirm their ability to gesture intentionally merely from our observations. Science is there to systematically test with data the intuitions or feelings we get from observations.

Elephant gesturing: the ability to intentionally communicate goals in mind using a variety of gestures might thus help elephants navigate their complex social lives. Author supplied

Whether wild elephants use the same gestures we observed in this semi-captive group is an interesting question that needs to be explored. The same goes for assessing if different elephant groups or populations use different gestures. Based on previous descriptions, wild elephants should use, intentionally, a few of the gestures we found (trunk reaches or swings) but maybe they don’t use some of the “more creative” ones like the “blow leaf in the air” our elephant Pfumo had fun using.

What’s next for your research?

We want to systematically test whether wild elephants gesture intentionally to each other, describe the repertoire of their intentional gestures and the goals (meanings) they use these gestures for (they may say to each other: “travel with me”, “move away”, “stop that”). We have thousands of videos collected in two elephant populations in South Africa that I am video coding for gestures and their intentional use.

It will take time to define the repertoire and meanings of elephant intentional gestures. But we hope to someday do this and to compare the gestures of different populations to understand if elephants may have different “gestural languages”.

Studying animal communication offers “a window” into our own language, into our minds, because it allows us to understand what, if anything, makes language unique. Showing that animals have so much in common with us makes people empathise more with them and care more about them, which is important for their conservation.

Most importantly, studying animal communication is crucial because we can understand animals better and, if we know them better, we can take better measures to safeguard them.

– Do elephants make deliberate gestures to ask for things? Our study says yes
– https://theconversation.com/do-elephants-make-deliberate-gestures-to-ask-for-things-our-study-says-yes-261782

August 5, 2025

Sudan’s rebel force has declared a parallel government: what this means for the war

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Samir Ramzy, Researcher, Helwan University

Sudan’s south-western city of Nyala in Darfur recently became the centre of a significant political development.

After more than two years of fighting Sudan’s army, an alliance of armed and political groups backed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces announced the formation of a parallel government on 20 July 2025.

The new administration, dubbed the Government of Peace and Unity, is a coalition of armed movements from Darfur in Sudan’s western region, and Kordofan in the central region. Together, these regions account for about 46% of Sudan’s total land area.

The coalition has made Nyala its base. The city is a transit hub, with an airport and railway terminus. It is also a trading centre for gum arabic, one of Sudan’s largest exports and a key ingredient in making food, drinks and medicines.

The coalition’s stated aim is to establish a more representative governing structure for Sudan’s peripheral regions. It has 24 member groups.

In my view, however, the creation of a parallel government reflects the reality that neither the Rapid Support Forces nor its rival Sudanese army is close to victory. This view is informed by my research on Sudan’s political developments and its conflict dynamics for close to a decade.

The creation of a parallel government appears to be about entrenching the paramilitary group’s control in its western strongholds as the conflict continues. It risks cementing a permanent division of the country.

Why form a parallel government?

The Rapid Support Forces emerged from the Janjaweed militias that fought in Darfur, western Sudan, in the 2000s. Once allied with the state, the group grew into a powerful governmental paramilitary force, competing with the Sudanese Armed Forces for control of Sudan’s politics and economy.

When full-scale war broke out in April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces quickly seized much of western Sudan, particularly the Darfur region. It is country’s largest region, home to around 10 million people and spanning 500,000 square kilometres.

Darfur shares borders with Libya, Chad and the Central African Republic. It is also the Rapid Support Forces’ leadership’s home territory. It contains vast reserves of gold, fertile farmland and major production zones for gum arabic.

With little chance of outright military victory and its image in tatters, the paramilitary group has sought to reinvent itself politically. The group’s reputation has been devastated by reports of ethnic cleansing, sexual violence and atrocities against civilians.

The new Government of Peace and Unity is its attempt to gain favour. By forging alliances with other armed movements and community groups, the group is trying to position itself as the voice of Sudan’s marginalised peripheries.

Coalition partners include the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), the largest non-state armed group in Sudan. The group controls territory in Kordofan and advocates for the establishment of a secular state.

The new coalition’s founding charter calls for:

a decentralised political system
granting Sudan’s regions significant autonomy over local governance and resources.

This resonates with communities such as the Fur who have suffered decades of exclusion by Sudan’s political elite. Most of these leaders come from the country’s northern and central regions.

The timing of the announcement reflects both political and military calculations.

The Rapid Support Forces and its allies control large areas in western Sudan but have faced challenges expanding further east, where the Sudanese army remains entrenched.

Establishing a formal administration allows the coalition to strengthen its influence in the territories it already holds, and build alliances with local communities. It also helps create political structures that can engage with external actors.

Broadening the political base

Key figures from influential political groups have taken senior positions within the parallel government.

The Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as Hemedti) has assumed the role of president of the presidential council. Abdelaziz al-Hilu, the leader of SPLM-N, was appointed as vice-president.

Fadlallah Burma, head of a faction of the Umma Party, the former ruling party, took the position of speaker of the legislative council. Mohamed al-Ta’ayshi, a politician from the Arab Ta’aisha tribe, was appointed prime minister.

Leaders from African-origin communities such as the Fur have also taken positions within the administration. Many of these groups have faced Sudanese army airstrikes and have historical grievances against the central state.

However, legitimacy at home is not enough. The Rapid Support Forces also hopes to use foreign alliances to force international recognition.

Kenya hosted the coalition’s launch conference. The group has also cultivated ties with actors in Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and eastern Libya. These relationships have already helped the group consolidate control over key border areas, particularly in Libya, which spans a 382km border.

Serious challenges remain

The Rapid Support Forces-led project faces major obstacles.

Internal rivalries over power sharing have delayed the announcement of a full cabinet. Key ministries, including defence, foreign affairs and finance, remain unassigned.

Militarily, the Rapid Support Forces cannot claim uncontested authority even in its western strongholds. Sudanese army-allied forces still control El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The army also maintains an overwhelming advantage in the air, making it impossible for the parallel government to project control beyond its core zones.

Internationally, the initiative has been widely condemned by the African Union and the Arab League.

The risks ahead

The failure of international mediation has left Sudan’s conflict at an impasse.

Tensions between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates – both key players in an international mediation effort that also includes the US and Saudi Arabia – have further complicated the search for a political solution.

Their tensions led to the postponement of a peace meeting in Washington in July 2025. The meeting was called off after Egypt, which supports the army, rejected the UAE’s proposal to exclude the two major warring parties from Sudan’s transitional government.

In this context, the Rapid Support Forces’ bid for legitimacy may fuel a more intense struggle with the army rather than a push towards compromise.

Three battlegrounds are likely to escalate.

The battle for El Fasher: Military confrontations are likely to escalate in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, as it remains the only major area in the region not under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.
The air war: The paramilitary group may try to procure advanced weapons to counter the army’s air dominance.
The humanitarian front: The parallel government could use aid routes to gain recognition. The UN has shown flexibility in engaging with de facto authorities in Sudan, prompting the army to block such efforts by controlling border crossings and routes as much as possible.

The longer the stalemate lasts, the greater the risk that Sudan will fragment beyond repair, which is unlikely to benefit any party involved.

What needs to happen next

One immediate step the international community could take is to expand and strictly enforce the arms embargo on Sudan. This could reduce the flow of weapons to both sides and create pressure for a return to negotiations.

In addition, a new political process is urgently needed, one less vulnerable to regional rivalries than the four-nation initiative.

International actors must also find ways to deliver humanitarian aid directly, even if that means air drops into hard-to-reach areas. This will help reduce civilian suffering and prevent both sides from weaponising aid access.

Without such interventions, Sudan’s future could be defined by a protracted war that leaves the state hollowed out and communities further devastated.

– Sudan’s rebel force has declared a parallel government: what this means for the war
– https://theconversation.com/sudans-rebel-force-has-declared-a-parallel-government-what-this-means-for-the-war-262363

August 5, 2025

Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 Welcomes Dangote Group as Official Premier Partner

Source: APO – Report:

Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment forum, is excited to announce Dangote Group as an official Premier Partner. As one of Africa’s leading industrial conglomerates, with over 18 subsidiaries operating across a wide spectrum of sectors critical to the continent’s economic transformation – including cement, fertilisers, petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, sugar, salt, and logistics, Dangote Group will be a key partner for IATF at its fourth edition to be held in Algiers, Algeria from 4-10 September 2025.

The biennial IATF, hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and organised by Afreximbank in partnership with African Union Commission and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, aims to increase intra-African trade and showcase the investment opportunities across Africa.

The fourth edition will feature a wide participation of production and service companies, alongside an investment and trade forum highlighting Africa’s potential for economic integration. During the week-long fair, more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the African continent and globally, will showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging trade and market information. This is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank said: “We are delighted to welcome Dangote Group as an Official Premier Partner of IATF2025. As a beacon of African industrial excellence, Dangote Group continues to shape the continent’s economic trajectory through bold investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and regional value chains. Afreximbank is proud to have supported their transformative projects – including the landmark Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex and Dangote Fertiliser Plant – through tailored financing and advisory solutions.

According to the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, “Our partnership with IATF is built on a shared vision of commitment to advancing Africa’s economic growth. Having experienced the tangible impact of IATF2023, we are proud to build on that momentum as a Premier Partner for IATF2025. This platform continues to drive meaningful connections and opportunities across the continent, and we look forward to contributing to its success once again in Algiers.”

“This strategic partnership underscores our shared commitment to building a self-reliant, prosperous Africa where intra-African trade is the cornerstone of growth. Together, we aim to unlock new frontiers of opportunity and position Africa as a global hub of production, innovation, and trade,” Chiejina added.

Dangote Group, founded in Nigeria in 1978, is playing a key role in reshaping Africa’s industrial landscape. As one of the continent’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, Dangote drives sustainable development through transformative investments in cement, agriculture, food production, and energy. With a commitment to innovation and self-sufficiency, the Group has empowered millions of Africans, boosted regional economies, and spearheaded infrastructure and manufacturing growth.

To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

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

About Dangote:
Dangote Industries Limited is one of Africa’s leading diversified and fully integrated industrial conglomerateswith an annual group turnover of US$9.6 billion (2024) with vibrant operations in Nigeria and Africa across a wide range of sectors including cement, sugar, salt, condiments, packaging, energy, port operations, automotive, fertiliser, petroleum refining and petrochemicals.

The core business focus of the Group, which started operations in 1978, is to provide local, value-added products and services that meet the ‘basic needs’ of the populace. Through the construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing facilities in Nigeria and across 10 other African countries, Dangote Group is focused on building local manufacturing capacity to generate employment, prevent capital flight and provide locally produced goods for the people.

About the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF):
Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with 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 on 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 who bring investment goods as well as those interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development.

August 5, 2025

Les Expositions Commerciales Internes 2025 accueillent le Groupe Dangote en tant que partenaire officiel

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Exposition Commerciale Intérieure de l’Afrique 2025 (IATF2025), le Forum sur le Commerce et le Développement en Afrique, est heureux d’annoncer que le groupe Dangote est devenu son premier partenaire officiel. En tant que membre de ce groupe de leaders Africains, qui compte plus de 18 entreprises actives dans plusieurs secteurs clés de l’économie, notamment l’agriculture, l’énergie, le transport, le pétrole, le pétrole raffiné, le sucre, le minerai et les télécommunications, le groupe Dangote deviendra le premier employeur du continent. le transport maritime, le pétrole, le transport de pétrole, le sucre, le charbon et le transport aérien, le groupe Dangote sera l’un des principaux participants à l’IATF qui se tiendra à Alger, en Algérie, du 4 au 10 septembre 2025.

L’IATF a été créé il y a deux ans, il est dirigé par la République Démocratique Algérienne et supervisé par Afreximbank en partenariat avec le Fonds de solidarité et de coopération de la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEA) et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf). Il a pour mission de développer le Commerce Intra-Africain et de créer des opportunités de développement à travers le continent.

Le projet sera mené en partenariat avec des entreprises privées du secteur des technologies et des services, ainsi qu’avec des acteurs du développement et du commerce qui soutiennent les objectifs de l’Afrique en matière de coopération internationale. Au cours de ces quelques semaines, plus de 2 000 entrepreneurs de toute l’Afrique et d’autres pays ont rencontré des prestataires de services, présentant leurs produits et services aux consommateurs et aux investisseurs à la recherche d’opportunités et de changements dans le commerce et la transformation des produits agricoles. Ceci représente plus de 44 milliards de dollars Américains en termes de commerce et d’investissement.

Kanayo Awani, Conseiller du Président Mtendazi, Commerce Intérieur et Développement des zones rurales, Afreximbank, a déclaré : « Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir le groupe Dangote en tant que membre officiel de l’IATF2025. En tant que leader du développement transfrontalier en Afrique, le groupe Dangote continue de transformer l’économie mondiale grâce à ses investissements dans les secteurs de l’énergie, des infrastructures, des télécommunications et des métaux précieux. Afreximbank soutient ses ambitions en finançant le complexe de raffinage et de pétrochimie Dangote et le complexe de gaz naturel de Mbolea, grâce à des prêts et des conseils.

Selon le Directeur Général de Biashara na Mawasiliano, Dangote Industries Limited, Bw. Anthony Chiejina, « notre partenariat avec l’IATF est fondé sur une vision commune de contribuer au développement économique de l’Afrique. Après avoir rejoint l’IATF2023, nous avons l’intention de poursuivre dans cette voie afin que le Nigeria devienne le leader mondial de l’IATF2025. Dans l’intervalle, nous continuerons à fournir des informations sur les raisons et les opportunités au cours des prochaines années, et nous veillerons à ce que le processus se poursuive à Alger. »

« Cette collaboration renforce notre engagement commun à construire une Afrique qui prospère, où le commerce Intra-Africain est le principal moteur de la croissance.

Ensemble, nous continuerons à exploiter les opportunités qui s’offrent à nous et à faire de l’Afrique un pôle de développement, de leadership et d’affaires. » a déclaré le Président.

Le groupe Dangote, fondé au Nigeria en 1978, joue un rôle important dans le développement de nombreuses industries en Afrique. En tant que leader du développement et l’un des hommes d’affaires les plus influents au monde, Dangote a stimulé le développement durable grâce à des investissements dans les infrastructures, l’agriculture, l’alimentation et les télécommunications. Grâce à son leadership et à son engagement, le groupe Dangote compte aujourd’hui parmi les plus grandes entreprises Africaines, contribuant à la croissance économique et au développement durable du continent.

Pour participer à l’IATF2025, veuillez consulter le site www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact médias :
media@intrafricantradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

À propos de Dangote :
Dangote Industries Limited est l’un des plus grands conglomérats industriels d’Afrique, avec un chiffre d’affaires annuel de 9,6 milliards de dollars Américains (2024) grâce à ses activités de premier plan au Nigeria et en Afrique dans divers secteurs, notamment le ciment, le sucre, le charbon, les produits chimiques, les produits alimentaires, la construction, l’immobilier, le pétrole et le pétrole.

Dans le secteur des services, le groupe, qui a commencé ses activités en 1978, fournit des services de distribution et de maintenance à des prix abordables pour répondre aux « besoins essentiels » de la population. Grâce à son leadership et à son engagement en faveur des communautés locales au Nigeria et dans 10 autres pays africains, le groupe Dangote s’est engagé à développer le potentiel entrepreneurial local afin de créer des emplois, de générer des revenus et de fournir des emplois qualifiés dans le pays pour le bien de la population.

À propos de l’Initiative pour le financement des infrastructures en Afrique (IATF) :
L’Initiative pour le financement des infrastructures en Afrique (IATF) a été lancée par la Banque Africaine d’investissement (Afreximbank), en partenariat avec la Commission de l’Union Africaine (CUA) et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf). L’IATF rassemble des représentants du secteur privé et des pouvoirs publics afin de promouvoir et de soutenir leurs produits et services et de renforcer les opportunités commerciales et les investissements dans ce secteur. Il facilitera également la circulation des informations sur le commerce, le développement et les investissements, et encouragera les participants à échanger et à partager des solutions aux problèmes qui entravent le commerce et le développement en Afrique. Outre les participants Africains, Maonyesho ya Biashara est également votre partenaire pour les entrepreneurs et les entrepreneurs de tous les pays d’Afrique qui souhaitent se lancer dans l’entrepreneuriat et l’entrepreneuriat en Afrique et aider les entrepreneurs de ce continent à se développer grâce à des programmes de formation et de développement.

August 5, 2025

President Ramaphosa to announce Nationwide Cleanup Day

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa to announce Nationwide Cleanup Day

President Cyril Ramaphosa will designate a specific day for a nationwide cleanup, with all South Africans, including Ministers, participating in community cleanup efforts, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said.

“We’ll dedicate time on the day that the President will indicate that at least on that particular day, for particular hours in the day, we work with our communities, and we clean,” the Deputy President said on Tuesday.

This as he visited the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State as part of the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign.

The Deputy President officially unveiled a comprehensive national cleaning initiative aimed at transforming community hygiene and infrastructure maintenance in the province.

The campaign is an integrated service delivery initiative that was officially launched in Kliptown, Soweto, in June of this year.

READ | Government launches community-driven campaign to keep cities clean

It aims to promote cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environments in both urban and rural areas.
The campaign encourages community involvement in cleaning their surroundings, working collaboratively with district and local municipalities.

The Mangaung leg of the campaign was held under the theme: “Bontle Ke Botho: A Free State that works for all – Building clean and sustainable communities.”

The campaign emphasises a collaborative approach across national, provincial, and local government levels, highlighting the campaign’s multifaceted strategy.

“We’re not just picking up papers. This campaign is going to be combined with repairing and modernising things, dealing with challenges of potholes, fixing roads and repairing infrastructure,” Deputy President Mashatile told the community.

According to the country’s second-in-command, the initiative also includes several critical components, including weekly dedicated cleaning days and school engagement to instill a cleanliness culture.

“We also went to visit schools to encourage our young children to inculcate this culture of clean-up. So, it’s going very well today,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President said government plans to address municipal challenges, recognising that many local authorities struggle with limited economic resources.

“Some municipalities are not able to perform critical services because they don’t have an economic base.”
The campaign represents a “whole of government approach,” aiming to create a unified responsibility for maintaining clean, functional urban and rural environments.

The initiative is expected to roll out across provinces to transform South Africa’s approach to community maintenance and civic responsibility.

The Clean Cities and Towns Campaign seeks to revitalise urban areas, enhance service delivery, and combat environmental degradation.

READ | Mashatile takes the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign to Free State

“We used to have bins where people could throw stuff in, and then twice a week or so, a truck comes to take it because if we don’t do that, they start throwing everywhere.”

It is also part of South Africa’s commitment to climate action to preserve the environment, support social cohesion initiatives and prioritise efforts for decent work, poverty eradication, and community resilience. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 08/05/2025 – 15:10

42 views

August 5, 2025

A Feira de Comércio Intra-Africana 2025 dá as boas-vindas ao Grupo Dangote como Parceiro Oficial Principal

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Baixar .tipo

A Feira de Comércio Intra-Africana 2025 (IATF2025), o principal fórum de comércio e investimento de África, está entusiasmada em anunciar o Grupo Dangote como um Parceiro Premier oficial. Como um dos principais conglomerados industriais de África, com mais de 18 subsidiárias a operar numa vasta gama de setores críticos para a transformação económica do continente—incluindo cimento, fertilizantes, petroquímicos, produtos petrolíferos refinados, açúcar, sal e logística, o Grupo Dangote será um parceiro-chave para a IATF na sua quarta edição, a realizar em Argel, Argélia, de 4 a 10 de Setembro de 2025.

O bienal IATF, hospedado pela República Popular Democrática da Argélia e organizado pela Afreximbank em parceria com a Comissão da União Africana e o Secretariado da Zona de Livre Comércio Continental Africana (AfCFTA), tem como objetivo aumentar o comércio intra-africano e mostrar as oportunidades de investimento em toda a África.

A quarta edição contará com uma ampla participação de empresas de produção e serviços, juntamente com um fórum de investimento e comércio que destaca o potencial de integração econômica da África. Durante a feira de uma semana, mais de 2.000 expositores, incluindo empresas do continente africano e de todo o mundo, apresentarão os seus produtos e serviços a visitantes e compradores, ao mesmo tempo que explorarão oportunidades e trocarão informações sobre comércio e mercado. Espera-se que isso resulte em mais de 44 mil milhões de dólares em negócios de comércio e investimento.

A Sra. Kanayo Awani, Vice-Presidente Executiva, Comércio Intra-Africano e Desenvolvimento de Exportações, Afreximbank disse: “Estamos encantados em dar as boas-vindas ao Grupo Dangote como Parceiro Oficial Premier do IATF2025. Como um farol de excelência industrial africana, o Grupo Dangote continua a moldar a trajetória económica do continente através de investimentos audaciosos em manufatura, infraestrutura e cadeias de valor regionais. A Afreximbank tem orgulho de ter apoiado os seus projetos transformadores – incluindo a emblemática Refinaria Dangote e o e complexo petroquímico e fábrica de fertilizantes Dangote – através de soluções de financiamento e aconselhamento personalizadas.

De acordo com o Diretor Executivo de Marca e Comunicações do Grupo, Dangote Industries Limited, Sr. Anthony Chiejina, “A nossa parceria com o IATF é fundamentada numa visão partilhada de compromisso com o avanço do crescimento económico de África. Após termos sentido o impacto tangível do IATF2023, estamos orgulhosos de continuar a aproveitar esse impulso como Parceiro Principal do IATF2025. Esta plataforma continua a fomentar conexões e oportunidades significativas por todo o continente, e estamos ansiosos por contribuir mais uma vez para o seu sucesso em Argel.”

Esta parceria estratégica sublinha o nosso compromisso comum em construir uma África auto-suficiente e próspera, onde o comércio intra-africano é a pedra angular do crescimento. Juntos, pretendemos desbloquear novas fronteiras de oportunidade e posicionar a África como um centro global de produção, inovação e comércio.

O Grupo Dangote, fundado na Nigéria em 1978, desempenha um papel fundamental na reformulação da paisagem industrial da África. Como um dos maiores e mais diversificados conglomerados do continente, a Dangote impulsiona o desenvolvimento sustentável através de investimentos transformadores em cimento, agricultura, produção de alimentos e energia. Com um compromisso com a inovação e a autossuficiência, o Grupo capacitou milhões de africanos, impulsionou economias regionais e liderou o crescimento da infraestrutura e da manufatura.

Para participar na IATF2025, por favor visite www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto de imprensa:
media@intrafricantradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

Sobre Dangote:
A Dangote Industries Limited é um dos principais conglomerados industriais diversificados e totalmente integrados da África, com um volume de negócios anual de 9,6 bilhões de dólares (2024), com operações vibrantes na Nigéria e na África em uma ampla gama de setores, incluindo cimento, açúcar, sal, condimentos, embalagem, energia, operações portuárias, automóveis, fertilizantes, refinação de petróleo e petroquímicos.

O foco central do negócio do Grupo, que começou a operar em 1978, é fornecer produtos e serviços locais com valor acrescentado que satisfaçam as ‘necessidades básicas’ da população. Através da construção e operação de instalações de manufatura em grande escala na Nigéria e em outros 10 países africanos, o Grupo Dangote está empenhado em construir capacidade de manufatura local para gerar emprego, prevenir a fuga de capitais e fornecer bens produzidos localmente para a população.

Sobre a Feira de Comércio Intra-Africana (IATF):
Organizado pelo Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank), em colaboração com a Comissão da União Africana (AUC) e o Secretariado da Área de Livre Comércio Continental Africana (AfCFTA), a Feira de Comércio Intra-Africana (IATF) tem como objetivo proporcionar uma plataforma única para facilitar a troca de informações sobre comércio e investimento em apoio ao aumento do comércio e investimento intra-africano, especialmente no contexto da implementação do Acordo de Livre Comércio Continental Africano (AfCFTA). A IATF reúne players continentais e globais para mostrar e expor os seus produtos e serviços e explorar oportunidades de negócios e investimento no continente. Também proporciona uma plataforma para partilhar comércio, informação sobre investimento e mercado com intervenientes e permite aos participantes discutir e identificar soluções para os desafios que enfrentam o comércio e investimento intra-africano. Além dos participantes africanos, a Feira do Comércio também está aberta a empresas e investidores de países não africanos que tragam bens de investimento, bem como aqueles interessados em fazer negócios em África e em apoiar a transformação do continente através da industrialização e desenvolvimento das exportações.

August 5, 2025

Invest Africa and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Announce Partnership for The Africa Debate – UAE

Source: APO – Report:

Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the leading platform for promoting trade and investment across the African continent, is proud to announce a partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its flagship Africa Debate conference, taking place on 30 September 2025 in Dubai.

Held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the forum will bring together over 500 senior figures from government, finance, and industry under the theme “Shared Markets. Shared Future.” As Africa undergoes a generational shift toward industrialisation, digitalisation, and green transition, the event offers a timely and focused platform to deepen UAE–Africa economic cooperation.

The UAE’s emergence as Africa’s largest investor—committing over $110 billion between 2019 and 2023, including $72 billion in renewable energy—marks a major shift in global capital flows. The Africa Debate will spotlight some of the headline transactions that illustrate this evolving partnership, including ADNOC/XRG’s entry into Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin, IHC/IRH’s $1.1bn acquisition of Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines, and G42 and Microsoft’s $1bn geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya, amongst others.

His Excellency Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, commented: “Africa is a vital partner in our economic future. Through The Africa Debate, we look forward to strengthening our ties, building shared prosperity, and showcasing the UAE as a gateway for impactful, long-term investment across the continent. This partnership with Invest Africa reflects our commitment to co-developing opportunities that serve both African development goals and the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and global cooperation.”

Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Africa, added: “We are delighted to partner with the UAE Government to deliver this years edition of The Africa Debate. Dubai has long been a global epicentre for climate innovation, digital finance, and investment strategy—all of which are central to Africa’s growth story. This forum offers a rare opportunity to connect African and Emirati leaders in a dialogue not just about capital, but about shared vision, co-investment, and transformational outcomes.”

The conference will feature a series of high-level sessions, including:

Capital Meets Strategy – The UAE’s evolving role in Africa’s industrial future
Hydrogen Horizons – Unlocking Africa’s potential as a green hydrogen leader
Can Africa Leapfrog to Smart Infrastructure? – Co-developing next-generation infrastructure
Seeds of Opportunity – Agribusiness as a shared asset in a changing climate
Reimagining Capital Flows – Sovereign wealth, blended finance, and regional co-investment

Taking place just ahead of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings and COP30, the event will contribute to a wider global conversation about how investment in the Global South can be both catalytic and commercially viable.

– on behalf of Invest Africa.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Pippa van Breda
Marketing & Communications Manager, Invest Africa
T: +44 2037 305 035
E: pippa.vanbreda@investafrica.com

About The Africa Debate – UAE:
The Africa Debate – UAE is a high-level investment forum hosted by Invest Africa in partnership with the UAE Government. The event brings together public and private sector leaders from across the UAE, Africa, and the global investment community to shape the next generation of UAE–Africa economic partnerships. The forum will focus on real strategy, real transactions, and cross-sector collaboration in infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, digital innovation, and climate finance.

About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform, connecting global capital with African opportunity. With more than sixty years of experience and a network of over 400 member companies, Invest Africa provides trusted market insight, bespoke support, and curated events across its chapters in the UK, UAE, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States.

Media files