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L’Afrique lance le Premier Pacte Panafricain pour l’inclusion Assurantielle

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Face à un paradoxe majeur, près de 19 % de la population mondiale mais moins de 1 % des primes d’assurance émises dans le monde, les acteurs africains de l’assurance se mobilisent.

Du 6 au 8 juillet 2026, la Fédération des Sociétés d’Assurances de Droit National Africaines (FANAF) organisera au Sofitel de Cotonou (Bénin) les États Généraux de l’Assurance pour Tous, une rencontre panafricaine majeure consacrée à l’assurance inclusive.

Cette rencontre réunira près de 400 décideurs africains issus des pouvoirs publics, des organismes de régulation et de supervision, des sociétés d’assurance et de réassurance, des institutions financières, des banques de développement, des partenaires techniques et financiers ainsi que des organisations professionnelles du continent.

L’ambition est claire : faire émerger une vision commune et des engagements concrets afin d’accélérer l’accès à l’assurance pour les populations africaines et renforcer la contribution du secteur aux priorités de développement économique et social du continent.

Les travaux déboucheront sur l’adoption du Pacte panafricain pour l’inclusion assurantielle ainsi que d’un plan d’action stratégique 2026-2030, destiné à structurer l’action collective autour d’un objectif ambitieux : contribuer au doublement du taux de pénétration de l’assurance dans l’espace FANAF à l’horizon 2040.

Une urgence économique, sociale et de développement

Dans l’espace CIMA, le taux de pénétration de l’assurance demeure inférieur à 1 % du PIB, contre plus de 6 % au niveau mondial.

Cette situation prive encore des millions de ménages, d’agriculteurs, d’entrepreneurs, de PME et d’acteurs du secteur informel de mécanismes essentiels de protection face aux risques sanitaires, climatiques, économiques ou sociaux.

Pour la FANAF, cette réalité constitue désormais un enjeu majeur de développement.

« L’Afrique ne pourra bâtir une croissance durable sans renforcer les mécanismes de protection de ses populations, de ses entreprises et de ses investissements. Les États Généraux de Cotonou doivent marquer le point de départ d’une nouvelle ambition continentale pour l’assurance africaine et son rôle dans la transformation économique du continent », déclare Mamadou Koné, Président de la FANAF.

Au-delà de l’assurance, un enjeu de transformation du continent

Pour la FANAF, l’assurance ne constitue plus uniquement un mécanisme de couverture des risques. Elle représente également un levier stratégique de résilience économique, de mobilisation de l’épargne, de sécurisation des investissements, de financement des PME, d’accompagnement des transitions climatiques et de renforcement de l’inclusion financière.

À travers ces États Généraux, la FANAF entend contribuer à repositionner l’assurance comme un acteur à part entière des transformations économiques, sociales et financières de l’Afrique.

Un Pacte pour accélérer l’action

Les conclusions des États Généraux donneront lieu à l’adoption du Pacte panafricain pour l’inclusion assurantielle, document de référence destiné à mobiliser gouvernements, régulateurs, acteurs du marché, institutions financières et partenaires au développement autour d’objectifs communs.

Le Pacte sera assorti d’un plan d’action stratégique 2026-2030 définissant les priorités d’intervention, les mécanismes de coordination ainsi que les modalités de suivi des engagements retenus.

Une dynamique de mobilisation des partenaires publics, privés et financiers accompagnera sa mise en œuvre afin de transformer les engagements en résultats concrets au bénéfice des populations et des économies africaines.

Cotonou 2026 : un rendez-vous pour construire une vision commune

Au-delà du secteur de l’assurance, les États Généraux ambitionnent de créer un cadre inédit de dialogue entre pouvoirs publics, régulateurs, investisseurs, institutions financières, partenaires techniques et acteurs du marché afin d’identifier les leviers permettant d’accélérer l’inclusion assurantielle sur le continent.

La tenue de cette rencontre au Bénin s’inscrit dans une dynamique plus large de transformation économique et financière portée par le pays et illustre la volonté collective des acteurs africains de construire des solutions adaptées aux réalités du continent.

À travers cette initiative, la FANAF entend faire de Cotonou 2026 un moment fondateur pour l’avenir de l’assurance africaine et le point de départ d’une mobilisation continentale durable en faveur de l’inclusion assurantielle.

Distribué par APO Group pour Fédération des Sociétés d’Assurances de Droit National Africaines (FANAF).

Contact presse :
François KOUELI
francois@globalmindconsulting.com
+221 77 200 20 49

À propos de la FANAF :
La Fédération des Sociétés d’Assurances de Droit National Africaines (FANAF) est l’organisation panafricaine de référence du secteur de l’assurance. Elle fédère les sociétés d’assurance et de réassurance opérant sur le continent et œuvre au développement d’un marché assurantiel performant, inclusif et durable, au service des populations et des économies africaines.

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Flat6Labs et International Finance Corporation (IFC) lancent StartAlgeria, un programme conçu pour soutenir les structures d’accompagnement qui développent l’écosystème des startups en Algérie

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Flat6Labs (www.Flat6Labs.com) et l’IFC, en collaboration avec le Ministère de l’Économie de la connaissance, des start-ups et des micro-entreprises, lancent StartAlgeria, un programme qui met les structures d’accompagnement au cœur du développement de l’écosystème algérien. L’initiative a pour but de donner aux structures d’accompagnement qui soutiennent les startups en phase d’amorçage et de pré-amorçage les expertises, cadres méthodologiques et réseaux nécessaires pour renforcer durablement l’écosystème entrepreneurial algérien et pour mieux accompagner leur expansion vers les marchés internationaux

StartAlgeria intervient à un moment charnière pour le développement de l’entrepreneuriat en Algérie. Le programme place l’amélioration des pratiques des structures d’accompagnement au cœur de sa démarche, en leur offrant de bonnes pratiques internationales adaptées aux besoins spécifiques de chaque structure, une approche fondée sur l’apprentissage entre pairs, ainsi qu’un accès facilité aux investisseurs, aux décideurs publics et aux acteurs clés de l’écosystème.

Une première cohorte sera lancée à Alger, en mettant l’accent sur les incubateurs de la capitale. À l’issue d’un appel à candidatures, les structures d’accompagnement sélectionnées suivront un programme composé d’ateliers et de masterclasses sur des thématiques clés telles que la sélection des startups, la conception et la mise en œuvre de programmes, et la préparation à l’investissement. Au-delà du programme principal, les structures participantes bénéficieront de 6 mois de mentorat post-programme axés sur la stratégie de levée de fonds, le développement de partenariats, la viabilité financière et l’amélioration de leurs programmes. Cet accompagnement vise à produire un impact durable sur la manière dont les structures d’accompagnement algériennes opèrent et sur la qualité des services qu’elles peuvent offrir aux startups qu’elles soutiennent.

Yehia Houry, CEO de Flat6Labs, déclare: « L’écosystème des startups algérien affiche un potentiel remarquable et une maturité en constante progression, porté par une nouvelle génération ambitieuse de fondateurs, un soutien institutionnel renforcé et un engagement national fort en faveur de l’innovation et de l’entrepreneuriat. Aujourd’hui, l’enjeu est de renforcer les capacités des structures d’accompagnement afin de tirer pleinement parti de cette dynamique : améliorer leur capacité à identifier et accompagner les startups à fort potentiel, concevoir des programmes à fort impact et créer des passerelles plus solides entre entrepreneurs et sources de financement. Avec des structures de soutien adaptées, l’Algérie a tous les atouts pour s’imposer comme l’un des principaux pôles d’innovation de la région.»

« La communauté entrepreneuriale algérienne compte parmi les plus dynamiques de la région ,et son potentiel est non seulement réel, mais prêt à se concrétiser. À travers StartAlgeria, nous nous engageons à ce que les structures d’accompagnement qui soutiennent les fondateurs disposent des ressources, des cadres méthodologiques et de l’expertise nécessaires pour les accompagner depuis les premières idées jusqu’aux entreprises prêtes à lever des fonds. Ce programme traduit concrètement la confiance à long terme de l’IFC dans le secteur privé algérien et dans la capacité de l’écosystème à faire émerger la prochaine génération d’entreprises à fort impact », a souligné Cemile Hacibeyoglu Ceren, représentante résidente du Groupe de la Banque mondiale en Algérie.

«Le lancement de StartAlgeria marque une étape importante pour l’écosystème de soutien aux startups en Algérie. En renforçant les capacités des structures d’accompagnement des entrepreneurs, nous investissons dans la croissance à long terme, la résilience et la compétitivité internationale des startups algériennes. Cette initiative reflète notre ambition commune de bâtir une économie fondée sur l’innovation et de créer de nouvelles opportunités pour les entrepreneurs à travers le pays», a déclaré S.E. M. Noureddine Ouadah, Ministre de l’Économie de la connaissance, des Start-ups et des Micro-entreprises.

Ce programme de l’IFC est mis en œuvre en partenariat avec le gouvernement des Pays-Bas.

Distribué par APO Group pour Flat6Labs.

À propos de l’IFC :
L’IFC, membre du groupe de la Banque mondiale, est la principale institution internationale de développement axée sur le secteur privé dans les marchés émergents. Présente dans plus de 100 pays, elle mobilise ses capitaux, son expertise et son influence pour ouvrir des marchés et créer des opportunités dans les pays en développement. En 2022, l’IFC a engagé un montant record de 32,8 milliards de dollars auprès d’entreprises privées et d’institutions financières dans ces pays, en misant sur le secteur privé pour réduire l’extrême pauvreté et favoriser une prospérité partagée, dans un contexte de crises mondiales croissantes.

Pour plus d’informations : www.IFC.org

À propos de Flat6Labs :
Flat6Labs est l’une des principales plateformes dédiées à l’entrepreneuriat au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique, avec une présence dans 15 pays. Elle accompagne les entrepreneurs à chaque étape de leur parcours, en s’associant à des acteurs de référence pour déployer des programmes d’accélération reconnus, renforcer la culture entrepreneuriale sur les marchés émergents et proposer des services de conseil aux startups, aux structures d’appui, aux grandes entreprises et aux gouvernements.

Depuis son lancement en 2011 au Caire, Flat6Labs a accompagné plus de 10 000 fondateurs en Afrique, au Levant et dans les pays du CCG, à travers des programmes conçus pour chaque contexte et un accompagnement de terrain concret, mené avec des partenaires de premier plan.

L’inclusion est au cœur de son action. Flat6Labs soutient activement les entrepreneurs issus de milieux défavorisés et dispose d’une solide expérience dans l’accompagnement des femmes et des personnes déplacées de force, avec un impact tangible sur les communautés vulnérables. À ce jour, les startups accompagnées ont créé plus de 90 000 emplois. Des centaines d’entrepreneurs contribuent ainsi à dynamiser les économies locales, et ils sont de plus en plus nombreux à porter des initiatives tournées vers un avenir plus durable.

Flat6Labs fait partie de F6 Group et travaille aux côtés de F6 Ventures, société de capital-risque spécialisée dans les investissements d’amorçage.

Pour plus d’informations : www.Flat6Labs.com

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Kenya’s Parliament urged to pass landmark bill to address discrimination against widows

Source: APO

To mark International Widows’ Day, Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization (CTWOO) (http://apo-opa.co/4g1aeOu) and Equality Now (http://apo-opa.co/4fVM73z) (www.EqualityNow.org) are urging MPs in Kenya to pass the Widowed Persons Protection Bill, 2026, before the current parliamentary session ends later this year. Turning this comprehensive Bill into law would provide all widowed persons with long overdue legal protections against the widespread discrimination they, particularly women, routinely face, including disinheritance, confiscation of property, and harmful cultural practices such as widow inheritance and widow cleansing.

The Bill was submitted to Parliament on 12 May 2026 as a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Hon. Otiende Amollo, MP for Rarieda Constituency, whose commitment to advancing widows’ rights is informed by the discrimination his own mother faced after being widowed.

The Bill was developed and drafted with input from CTWOO and Equality Now, and would transform widowhood from a condition of vulnerability into one of protected status. It aims to ensure widowed persons do not lose their rights, security, dignity, or standing in society.

Kenya’s widows urgently need stronger legal protection

CTWOO provides case support, counselling, and legal education to widows and orphans across Kenya. In May 2026 alone, CTWOO recorded 139 cases, demonstrating the scale of the problem and the lack of effective state channels to address the challenges widows face.

Dr Dianah Kamande, HSC, Executive Director of CTWOO, founded the organisation after experiencing discrimination, dispossession, and blame following the death of her abusive husband.

Drawing on her own experience and years of supporting widows, Dr Kamande saw how legal rights are often inaccessible in practice and undermined by custom, community pressure, and unequal family power dynamics. With little or no say over decisions affecting their lives, widows are routinely subjected to systemic rights violations that are enabled by a fragmented legal framework which leaves critical protection gaps.

Following the death of a spouse, widows are often forced from their homes by family and community members, unlawfully stripped of their possessions, deprived of livelihoods, and denied custody of their children. The resulting dispossession can lead to homelessness, destitution, dependency, and disruption to children’s education.

Widowed persons can face intimidation involving threats, isolation, blame for a spouse’s death, and accusations of witchcraft that are used to justify seizing property. Cyberbullying and fraudulent schemes are emerging and growing problems.

Many communities still subject widows to harmful mourning rites, which may include scarification, coerced fasting, denial of medical care, forced shaving of hair, or being prevented from bathing. Widow cleansing or widow inheritance entails a bereaved wife being pressured into ritual “purification” through forced sexual intercourse, often with a relative, which she is required to undergo before she can continue her life or remarry.

Dr. Kamande explains, “Every week, women come to CTWOO after losing their husbands and then their home, their dignity, sometimes even their children. Kenya’s Widowed Persons Protection Bill draws a clear line between cultural practices that strengthen communities and those causing harm. Culture is not static. It can evolve in ways that acknowledge tradition while ensuring widows are afforded the same dignity, equality, and protection under the law as everyone else.”

The Widowed Persons Protection Bill would strengthen legal protections in Kenya

Equality Now’s report, Gender Inequality in Family Laws in Africa: An Overview of Key Trends in Select Countries (https://apo-opa.co/3QCt9ob), highlights how overlapping and contradictory civil, customary, and religious laws undermine women’s rights across the continent.

Kenya is no exception. Protections for widows are scattered across succession, family, and criminal law. While the Constitution guarantees equality and property rights, the Law of Succession Act, 1981, has provisions that disadvantage widows, including differential treatment in the distribution of agricultural land and the removal of a widow’s right to inherit her late husband’s property if she remarries.

In polygamous marriages, the law groups each wife and her children into a single “unit” for dividing the family estate, giving a widow only a proportion equal to one of her children.

The Bill unites legal protections, creating a single dedicated framework of rights covering equality, dignity, property and inheritance, custody, health, privacy, and digital safety.

The Bill would criminalise coercive mourning rites, widow inheritance, forced marriage, and forced removal of children. It would be a criminal offence to unlawfully seize a widowed person’s property or evict them from the matrimonial home after a spouse dies.

Harassment, falsely accusing a widowed person of causing the death of a spouse, or branding them a witch, would be unlawful, and to address online harassment and inheritance fraud, their right to digital safety would be guaranteed.

The Law of Succession Act would be amended so that widows would be entitled to keep their inheritance if they remarry, and widows in polygamous marriages would inherit in their own right, rather than having their share treated as part of a household unit with their children.

A Widowed Persons Protection Board would be established to coordinate the law’s implementation and improve access to support. The Board would advise on policy reform, investigate rights violations, promote public education, facilitate access to legal aid and counselling, and ensure widows’ rights are reflected in national and county planning.

Data on widowhood is often fragmented and insufficiently disaggregated, making it difficult to design effective responses. The Bill would create a framework for data collection, research, and reporting, with widowed persons recognised as a distinct policy group.

In collaboration with civil society and relevant stakeholders, county governments would set up and maintain emergency shelters for widowed persons made homeless. Counties would be required to allocate adequate resources and establish and support legal aid and justice centres.

Aligning Kenya’s law with the Maputo Protocol and CEDAW

Kenya has ratified the Maputo Protocol (http://apo-opa.co/3QHoUYu), the only regional human rights treaty with a dedicated article on widows’ rights. Article 20 requires African states to protect widows from inhuman or degrading treatment, safeguard their property, and preserve their inheritance rights if they remarry.

As part of the Africa Family Law Network (https://apo-opa.co/4gA3MOn), CTWOO and Equality Now have collaborated with fellow member FIDA-Kenya to ensure the Bill aligns with the Maputo Protocol and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Importantly, the Bill translates Kenya’s commitments into practical, enforceable protections, closing longstanding gaps so widowed persons can fully benefit from the rights guaranteed under national, regional, and international law.

Deborah Nyokabi (https://apo-opa.co/3Qvv3qT), a human rights lawyer with Equality Now, explains, “If enacted, Kenya’s Widowed Persons Protection Bill, 2026, would set a precedent as the first dedicated widowed persons’ rights law in Africa. By addressing legal, social, and economic harms together, it would provide a blueprint for reform in other African countries, where widows face similar discrimination, abuse, and inadequate legal safeguards.

“Kenyan lawmakers can transform commitments under the Maputo Protocol and CEDAW into meaningful protections for widows. Passing the Bill is an opportunity to show that discrimination, dispossession, and harmful practices are not inevitable consequences of widowhood, but rights violations that must be prevented and punished.”

Dr Kamande concludes, “Widowed women are not just survivors; we are leaders, advocates, and agents of change. We have spoken out, organised, documented abuses, and helped develop solutions. We urge MPs to match our efforts by passing the Widowed Persons Protection Bill, 2026, before the current legislative session ends.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Equality Now:
Tara Carey
tcarey@equalitynow.org
WhatsApp + 44 7971556340

Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization (CTWOO):
George Ekokwa
george@cometogewoo.org
Whatsapp + 254 743 707 046

Social Media:
Equality Now:
Bluesky: equalitynow.bsky.social (http://apo-opa.co/4xICPyl)
Facebook: @equalitynoworg (http://apo-opa.co/4xFwILf)
Instagram: @equalitynoworg (http://apo-opa.co/4oGa1SS)
LinkedIn: Equality Now (http://apo-opa.co/4p2qSQh)

Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization (CTWOO):
Twitter @Cometogether_Wi

About Equality Now:
Equality Now is a worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls. Since its inception in 1992, it has played a role in reforming 120 discriminatory laws globally, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls, their communities and nations, both now and for generations to come.

Working with partners at national, regional and global levels, Equality Now draws on deep legal expertise and a diverse range of social, political and cultural perspectives to continue to lead the way in steering, shaping and driving the change needed to achieve enduring gender equality, to the benefit of all.

For more details, go to www.EqualityNow.org

About Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization (CTWOO):
CTWOO is a registered non-profit organisation in Kenya, recognised by the NGO Coordination Board in January 2019, having begun as a community-based organisation in October 2013. CTWOO champions the protection of human rights and dignity of widows and their children, in alignment with CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. CTWOO is a member of the Global Campaign for Equality in Family Law and an affiliate member of the Africa Family Law Network.

For more details, go to www.ComeTogeWOO.org. 

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Une main-d’œuvre africaine du secteur énergétique axée sur les données : la clé pour ouvrir la voie à l’exploration future

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


L’avenir énergétique de l’Afrique ne sera pas seulement façonné par les ressources souterraines, mais aussi par la capacité de sa main-d’œuvre à interpréter, gérer et exploiter des ensembles de données de plus en plus complexes. Alors que les cibles d’exploration deviennent techniquement plus difficiles à atteindre et que les investisseurs exigent davantage de certitudes, les entreprises énergétiques de tout le continent se tournent vers l’intelligence artificielle, l’analyse avancée et les plateformes numériques pour améliorer leur prise de décision. La constitution d’une main-d’œuvre axée sur les données, capable de tirer parti de ces technologies, apparaît comme une priorité stratégique, permettant aux opérateurs de réduire les risques liés à l’exploration, d’optimiser la production et d’accélérer le développement des projets.

Alors que l’innovation numérique devient de plus en plus essentielle pour rationaliser les opérations d’exploration et de production, l’African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 de cette année – qui se tiendra au Cap du 12 au 16 octobre – mettra en lumière l’impact de ces évolutions sur la compétitivité régionale. Ces avancées à l’échelle du secteur occuperont le devant de la scène lors de « Renegade Intel », le principal volet de l’événement consacré à l’IA et aux centres de données.

Pour le secteur de l’exploration en Afrique, la numérisation devient une condition sine qua non de la réussite. Alors que les opérateurs se tournent vers des zones d’exploration pionnières, des gisements plus profonds et des contextes géologiques plus complexes, la capacité à traiter et à interpréter de grands volumes de données sismiques, souterraines et opérationnelles est essentielle. Cependant, la technologie à elle seule ne suffit pas. L’intensification des activités d’exploration nécessitera une main-d’œuvre dotée de compétences numériques avancées, capable d’appliquer les connaissances issues de l’IA à la modélisation géologique, à l’évaluation des prospects et au développement des ressources.

Dans le secteur de l’exploration, le BHP Xplore Bootcamp – conçu pour accélérer l’exploration minière à un stade précoce – a été lancé en Afrique du Sud le 3 février. Ce programme intensif offre aux jeunes explorateurs des subventions de 500 000 dollars et l’accès à des analyses de données exclusives, ciblant spécifiquement les gisements de cuivre et de zinc plus profonds de la province du Cap-Nord grâce à une modélisation minérale avancée.

Pour renforcer encore l’efficacité en amont, l’entreprise technologique mondiale SLB a inauguré son Africa Performance Center à Luanda, en Angola, fin 2025. Ce centre fournit aux opérateurs régionaux des jumeaux numériques haute fidélité et des flux de travail basés sur l’IA pour la récupération assistée du pétrole. Ces outils permettent aux entreprises d’analyser d’énormes ensembles de données, prolongeant ainsi la durée de vie des gisements matures en Angola et en Algérie.

L’IA est de plus en plus adoptée dans les systèmes de gestion de l’énergie à travers l’Afrique. À la pointe de la gestion moderne des réseaux électriques, Eskom, le service public sud-africain, a annoncé le 3 mars qu’il exploitait l’IA pour construire un réseau électrique « auto-réparateur ». Ce projet ambitieux vise à utiliser l’analyse prédictive pour minimiser les coupures de courant et optimiser l’intégration des sources d’énergie renouvelables sur l’ensemble de son réseau national de transport d’électricité. Cette annonce a été suivie de la signature d’un accord entre Eskom, l’université de Pretoria et l’Institut national sud-africain de développement énergétique, visant à exploiter le potentiel de l’IA pour relever les défis énergétiques majeurs à l’échelle du pays.

Des initiatives similaires voient le jour au Nigeria. Dans le cadre d’une mesure historique en faveur de la transparence réglementaire, la Commission nigériane de régulation du secteur pétrolier en amont (NUPRC) a lancé un programme de numérisation de 60 jours début 2026. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, directeur général de la NUPRC, a annoncé cette initiative à la suite d’une visite de Musa Sarkin Adar, secrétaire exécutif de l’Initiative pour la transparence des industries extractives au Nigeria (ITIE), s’engageant à éliminer les traces papier afin d’accélérer les procédures et de renforcer l’application des redevances.

Pour maintenir cette dynamique, il est nécessaire de disposer de viviers de talents solides et de partenariats universitaires. La réforme de la main-d’œuvre est essentielle pour combler le déficit technique, car les institutions africaines doivent évoluer pour devenir des pôles d’innovation dynamiques. Investir dans le développement des compétences locales garantit que la transition numérique reste menée par l’Afrique, créant ainsi des emplois à forte valeur ajoutée pour la population jeune et croissante du continent.

« Pour concrétiser le potentiel économique de l’Afrique, nous devons donner les moyens d’agir à ceux qui rendent la croissance possible : nos PME, nos femmes entrepreneurs et nos jeunes », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’African Energy Chamber. « Tirer parti de la numérisation n’est plus une option, mais une nécessité pour garantir que l’Afrique reste compétitive à l’échelle mondiale. »

En fin de compte, la numérisation et le développement des compétences constituent les deux moteurs qui propulsent l’Afrique vers une ère d’abondance énergétique. En formant une main-d’œuvre maîtrisant les technologies et en adoptant des outils d’analyse de pointe, le continent peut réduire les risques liés aux projets et attirer des capitaux à long terme. Ces avancées cruciales constitueront la pierre angulaire des discussions du volet « Renegade Intel » lors de l’AEW 2026, qui se tiendra en octobre prochain.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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A força de trabalho do setor energético africano, centrada nos dados, é a chave para desbloquear a exploração futura

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O futuro energético de África será moldado não só pelos recursos que se encontram no subsolo, mas também pela capacidade da sua força de trabalho para interpretar, gerir e agir com base em conjuntos de dados cada vez mais complexos. À medida que os alvos de exploração se tornam tecnicamente mais desafiantes e os investidores exigem maior certeza, as empresas do setor energético em todo o continente estão a recorrer à inteligência artificial, à análise avançada e às plataformas digitais para melhorar a tomada de decisões. A criação de uma força de trabalho centrada nos dados, capaz de tirar partido destas tecnologias, está a emergir como uma prioridade estratégica, permitindo às operadoras reduzir o risco de exploração, otimizar a produção e acelerar o desenvolvimento de projetos.

À medida que a inovação digital se torna cada vez mais crucial para a racionalização das operações nas áreas da exploração e produção, a African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 deste ano — que decorrerá na Cidade do Cabo de 12 a 16 de outubro — deverá destacar o impacto destas mudanças na competitividade regional. Estes avanços a nível de todo o setor assumirão um papel central durante o «Renegade Intel», a principal vertente do evento dedicada à IA e aos centros de dados.

Para o setor de exploração africano, a digitalização está a tornar-se um pré-requisito para o sucesso. À medida que as operadoras procuram áreas de fronteira, reservatórios mais profundos e formações geológicas mais complexas, a capacidade de processar e interpretar grandes volumes de dados sísmicos, subterrâneos e operacionais é fundamental. No entanto, a tecnologia por si só não é suficiente. A expansão das atividades de exploração exigirá uma força de trabalho dotada de competências digitais avançadas, capaz de aplicar conhecimentos baseados em IA à modelação geológica, à avaliação de prospetos e ao desenvolvimento de recursos.

No setor da exploração, o BHP Xplore Bootcamp — concebido para acelerar a exploração mineral em fase inicial — foi lançado na África do Sul a 3 de fevereiro. O programa intensivo oferece a exploradores juniores subsídios no valor de 500 000 dólares e acesso a análises de dados exclusivas, visando especificamente sistemas mais profundos de cobre e zinco na província do Cabo Setentrional através de modelação mineral avançada.

Para aumentar ainda mais a eficiência a montante, a empresa global de tecnologia SLB inaugurou o seu Africa Performance Center em Luanda, Angola, no final de 2025. As instalações fornecem às operadoras regionais gémeos digitais de alta fidelidade e fluxos de trabalho baseados em IA para a recuperação avançada de petróleo. Estas ferramentas permitem às empresas analisar conjuntos de dados massivos, prolongando a vida útil de campos maduros em Angola e na Argélia.

A IA está a ser cada vez mais adotada nos sistemas de gestão de energia de África. Liderando a mudança na gestão moderna da rede elétrica, a empresa estatal sul-africana Eskom anunciou, a 3 de março, que está a utilizar a IA para construir uma rede elétrica com capacidade de autorrecuperação. Este projeto ambicioso visa utilizar a análise preditiva para minimizar as falhas de energia e otimizar a integração de fontes de energia renováveis em toda a sua rede nacional de transmissão. Seguiu-se a assinatura de um acordo entre a Eskom, a Universidade de Pretória e o Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento Energético da África do Sul, com o objetivo de aproveitar o poder da IA para enfrentar desafios energéticos críticos em todo o país.

Medidas semelhantes estão a ser tomadas na Nigéria. Numa iniciativa histórica em prol da transparência regulatória, a Comissão Reguladora do Setor Upstream do Petróleo da Nigéria (NUPRC) lançou um programa de digitalização de 60 dias no início de 2026. O Diretor Executivo da NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, anunciou a iniciativa na sequência de uma visita do Secretário Executivo da Iniciativa de Transparência das Indústrias Extrativas da Nigéria, Musa Sarkin Adar, comprometendo-se a eliminar a burocracia em papel para aumentar a rapidez e a aplicação das royalties.

Manter este impulso requer canais sólidos de recrutamento de talentos e parcerias com universidades. A reforma da força de trabalho é essencial para colmatar a lacuna técnica, uma vez que as instituições africanas têm de evoluir para se tornarem centros de inovação dinâmicos. Investir no desenvolvimento de competências locais garante que a transição digital continue a ser liderada por África, criando empregos de elevado valor para a crescente população jovem do continente.

«Transformar o potencial económico de África em realidade exige que capacitemos aqueles que tornam o crescimento possível — as nossas PME, as nossas mulheres empresárias e os nossos jovens», afirma NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia. «Aproveitar a digitalização já não é uma opção, mas sim uma necessidade para garantir que África se mantenha competitiva a nível global. ”

Em última análise, a digitalização e o desenvolvimento de competências são os dois motores que impulsionam África rumo a uma era de abundância energética. Ao promover uma força de trabalho com competências tecnológicas e ao adotar análises de ponta, o continente pode reduzir os riscos dos projetos e atrair capital a longo prazo. Estes avanços cruciais deverão constituir a pedra angular dos debates na sessão «Renegade Intel» da AEW 2026, em outubro deste ano.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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Africa’s Data-First Energy Workforce is the Key to Unlocking Future Exploration

Source: APO


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Africa’s energy future will be shaped not only by the resources beneath the ground, but by the ability of its workforce to interpret, manage and act on increasingly complex datasets. As exploration targets become more technically challenging and investors demand greater certainty, energy companies across the continent are turning to artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and digital platforms to improve decision-making. Building a data-first workforce capable of leveraging these technologies is emerging as a strategic priority, enabling operators to reduce exploration risk, optimize production and accelerate project development.

As digital innovation becomes increasingly critical to streamlining operations across exploration and production, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16 – is set to highlight how these shifts impact regional competitiveness. These industry-wide advancements are set to take center stage during Renegade Intel, the event’s premier track dedicated to AI and data centers.

For Africa’s exploration sector, digitalization is becoming a prerequisite for success. As operators pursue frontier acreage, deeper reservoirs and more complex geological plays, the ability to process and interpret large volumes of seismic, subsurface and operational data is critical. However, technology alone is not enough. Scaling exploration activity will require a workforce equipped with advanced digital skills, capable of applying AI-driven insights to geological modeling, prospect evaluation and resource development.

In the exploration sector, the BHP Xplore Bootcamp – designed to fast-track early-stage mineral exploration – launched in South Africa on February 3. The intensive program provides junior explorers with $500,000 grants and access to proprietary data analytics, specifically targeting deeper copper and zinc systems in the Northern Cape province through advance mineral modeling.

Further boosting upstream efficiency, global technology company SLB inaugurated its Africa Performance Center in Luanda, Angola in late 2025. The facility provides regional operators with high-fidelity digital twins and AI-driven workflows for enhanced oil recovery. These tools allow companies to analyze massive datasets, extending the life of mature fields in Angola and Algeria.

AI is increasingly being adopted across Africa’s energy management systems. Leading the charge in modern grid management, South Africa’s state utility Eskom announced on March 3 that it is leveraging AI to build a self-healing power grid. This ambitious project aims to utilize predictive analytics to minimize outages and optimize integration of renewable energy sources across its national transmission network. This was followed by the signing of an agreement between Eskom, the University of Pretoria and the South African National Energy Development Institute, aimed at harnessing the power of AI to address critical energy challenges across the country.

Similar moves are taking place in Nigeria. In a landmark move for regulatory transparency, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) launched a 60-day digitalization program in early 2026. NUPRC Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan announced the initiative following a visit from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s Executive Secretary Musa Sarkin Adar, pledging to eliminate paper trails to enhance speed and royalty enforcement.

Sustaining this momentum requires robust talent pipelines and university partnerships. Workforce reform is essential to bridge the technical gap, as African institutions must evolve into dynamic innovation hubs. Investing in local skills development ensures that the digital transition remains Africa-led, creating high-value jobs for the continent’s growing youth population.

“Transforming Africa’s economic potential into reality requires that we empower those who make growth possible – our SMEs, our women entrepreneurs and our youth,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Harnessing digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure Africa remains globally competitive.”

Ultimately, digitalization and skills development are the dual engines driving Africa toward an era of energy abundance. By fostering a tech-savvy workforce and adopting cutting-edge analytics, the continent can de-risk projects and attract long-term capital. These critical advancements are set to form the cornerstone of discussions at the Renegade Intel track at AEW 2026 this October. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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From Learning to Earning: Presentation of National Framework for Enhancing Graduates Employability in Libya

Source: APO

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, together with the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation, the European Union, and Expertise France (www.ExpertiseFrance.fr), officially announced the completion of the National Framework for Enhancing Graduates’ Employability in Libya, establishing a unified national reference to address the persistent challenge of translating education outcomes into sustainable employment.

The Framework provides a results-based structure to guide policy reform, institutional coordination, and implementation mechanisms designed to accelerate professional integration and support Libya’s broader economic diversification and national development priorities.

“A skilled and employable workforce is the foundation of a resilient and diversified economy. This framework is a strategic step toward aligning education outcomes with market needs, enabling Libya to unlock its economic potential and support sustainable growth.” Said H.E Dr.Suhail Abu Shiha, The Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade.

The validation marks a major milestone in Libya’s efforts to address structural graduate unemployment, labour market absorption challenges, and the long-standing mismatch between education outputs and economic demand. It reflects a high-level national commitment to positioning employability as a core function of both higher education and vocational education systems.

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Edbeb, Minister of Higher Education in Libya, said: “By aligning our academic output with the needs of the labor market, we aim to enhance the readiness of our graduates and enable them to acquire the competencies and skills that support their professional success and their contribution to building the national economy.”

The Framework was developed through a collaborative process led by a team from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education and the Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation with the support of international partners under the EU4Skills project, funded by the European Union, with a contribution from the French Government, and implemented by Expertise France. The development process brought together public institutions, education leaders, private sector representatives, and technical experts, ensuring national ownership and broad-based participation from all Libyan regions. The Framework also draws on international expertise and comparative case studies while being adapted to Libya’s institutional and economic context.

“What we need today is to work together on solutions and implementation, not just discuss the challenges,” stated, H.E Dr. Abdul Qader Ghaniya, Deputy Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education in Libya “Our responsibility today is not only to develop a good national framework, but also to ensure that it is transformed into a practical program with clear objectives and defined responsibilities capable of making a tangible impact on the lives of young people.”

The Framework is structured around four strategic goals that apply across both higher education and vocational pathways:

  • Developing competitive competencies aligned with modern labour market needs;
  • Expanding and diversifying employability pathways, with a focus on stronger private sector engagement;
  • Promoting entrepreneurship, self-employment, and innovation within educational institutions;
  • Generating sustainable societal and economic impact through improved education outcomes.

By modernizing curricula, expanding internships, and launching career guidance services, this initiative introduces practical tools to bridge the gap between ‘learning and earning.’ Through data-driven tracking and regulatory reforms, Libya is building a more responsive education system that adapts to the evolving needs of the job market

H.E. Mr. Nicola Orlando, Ambassador of the European Union to Libya, stated: “The European Union is proud to support Libya in advancing systemic reform that places youth employability at the centre of economic development. This Framework reflects a strong national commitment to evidence-based reform and institutional coordination. By strengthening alignment between education and labour market needs, Libya is investing in its most valuable asset: its young people.”

“At Expertise France, we believe that sustainability is built through institutional ownership,” said Mr. Maxime Bost, Programs Director of Expertise France in Libya. “This framework is not a standalone project but is designed to be anchored within Libya’s existing governance structures to ensure it evolves alongside the country’s economic needs to support employability and create great opportunities for young people.”

The Framework’s implementation follows a strategic roadmap, starting with foundational reforms and institutional capacity-building before scaling these initiatives across all Libyan regions. Designed for long-term sustainability, the strategy links classrooms to the national economy. Ultimately, this validation represents a unified national pledge to transform academic degrees into meaningful careers, equipping Libyan graduates to excel in a global market and driving the nation’s transition toward a resilient, knowledge-based economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Expertise France.

Contact:
Sarah Belamin
Strategic Visibility and Media Expert
Expertise France Economical program in Libya
sarah.belamin@expertisefrance.fr
+218946660453

About The European Union:
The European Union is made up of 27 Member States, which have decided to gradually pool their know-how, their resources, and their destiny. Together, over a period of over 50 years of enlargement, they have built an area of stability, democracy, and sustainable development, while maintaining their cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is determined to share its achievements and values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.

About Expertise France: 
Expertise France is the French public agency for international technical assistance. It aims at contributing to sustainable development based on solidarity and inclusiveness, mainly through enhancing the quality of public policies within the partner countries. www.ExpertiseFrance.fr

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Phone Call with Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, UAE National Security Adviser

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 22, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a phone conversation with HH Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The call discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them. It also discussed regional developments, particularly the diplomatic efforts to enhance security and stability in the region, following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the State of Qatar’s full support for the ongoing negotiations between the American and Iranian sides to reach sustainable solutions to outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means, in a way that enhances regional security, contributes to opening new horizons for cooperation, development and prosperity, and achieves the common interests of the peoples of the region and the world. 

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Zenith Bank Headline Sponsorship Powers Final Countdown to the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lagos

Source: APO


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The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.CA/) today announced final momentum for the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference (https://apo-opa.co/4xHpTJ5), taking place June 24-25, 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, headline sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc.

The flagship program will convene senior business leaders, investors, policymakers and institutional partners from Canada, Nigeria and across the African continent for two days of high-level networking, sector-focused discussion and practical engagement designed to accelerate trade, investment and commercial partnerships.

Hosted in the dynamic megacity of Lagos, a key gateway for global growth, the 6th edition places Nigeria’s private sector leadership and continental reach at the centre of Canada-Africa engagement. The program will highlight opportunities across financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, clean technologies and other high-growth sectors.

“Zenith Bank Plc is honoured to serve as headline sponsor to this distinguished gathering in Lagos, our home city and one of Africa’s most important commercial centres. The Conference reflects the growing importance of financial linkages between Africa and Canada, and we look forward to working with partners to advance trade, investment and shared prosperity.”

— Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc

Zenith Bank’s headline sponsorship reflects the central role of financial institutions in enabling market entry, cross-border trade, investment flows and project delivery. The bank brings deep local market knowledge, robust trade finance and treasury solutions, corporate and investment banking expertise, and digital platforms built to global standards.

“Building on over three decades of convening excellence, the Chamber is pleased to bring Canadian and African decision-makers together in Lagos at a time of exceptional opportunity. Thanks to Zenith Bank’s leadership, this conference is positioned to convert goodwill into relationships, and relationships into practical commercial outcomes.”

— Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

The conference is also supported by a growing roster of partners and sponsors, including Elephant Trade-Services DRC as Headline Chamber Sponsor, GardaWorld Security as Gold Conference Sponsor, and Silver Conference Sponsors Banwo & Ighodalo, Baywood Group, CBI News, Dentons, Eko Hotels & Suites, and Voranex Africa. The Government of Canada is recognized as Chamber Partner, with Abide Consulting serving as Conference Partner.

The two-day program includes keynote addresses, interactive panels, executive networking and business-to-business engagement, with a focus on practical outcomes for Canadian and African companies seeking growth, market access and long-term partnership. Delegates will participate in keynote addresses, executive panels, business-to-business engagement and Day 2 program focuses on deepening relationships between members and sponsors, with a Site Visit to GardaWorld Security, showcasing significant investment in action, as well as a closing VIP Reception.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

About The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business:
With more than 30 years of history, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening trade and investment between Canada and African markets. Through flagship conferences, targeted missions, and year-round engagement, the Chamber connects decision-makers and advances sustainable, private-sector-led development.

About Zenith Bank Plc:
Zenith Bank Plc is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, with an international footprint spanning Africa and Europe. The bank offers local market knowledge, trade finance and treasury solutions, corporate and investment banking expertise, and digital platforms built to global standards.