MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the President congratulated the Saudi Crown Prince on the approaching Saudi National Day, expressing his wishes for continued stability and prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince.

The Saudi Crown Prince expressed his appreciation for the wishes, underscoring the deep-rooted, historical ties that unite the two countries.

The call covered the overall state of bilateral relations. The President stressed the importance of further advancing cooperation to achieve common interests and meet the aspirations of the two countries and peoples towards development, prosperity and improved conditions in the region.

The President stressed the shared destiny of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of joint action to overcome the challenges facing the region and its countries, and stressing that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and all Arab countries, is integral to Egypt’s national security.

The Saudi Crown Prince affirmed his appreciation for the ongoing progress in Egyptian-Saudi relations, praising the close coordination to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and to meet the aspirations of the two peoples towards progress and prosperity, and stressing the importance of intensifying coordination between the two countries in various fields, including the exchange of high-level visits.

Additionally, the call addressed a number of regional and international issues. Both sides stressed the need for de-escalation in the region to preserve peace and stability, in light of the repercussions of the current tension on energy security and regional and international trade and supply chains.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

The fourth COMESA-IRSK Annual Conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 11 to 13 November 2026, bringing together approximately 180 delegates, including policymakers, diplomats, scholars, business leaders, and representations from the African Union, regional economic communities, United Nations agencies and civil society organisations. The gathering will examine how Africa’s regional and continental institutions can advance peace, resilience and transformation in an increasingly fragmented global order.

The conference is jointly organized by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK), the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Kenya, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and the Australian High Commission in Kenya (AHC).

Under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Continental and Regional Institutions for Peace, Resilience and Transformation Amid a Fragmenting Global Order,” this fourth edition of the conference will feature high-level keynotes, roundtable discussions, panel sessions, research presentations, and dedicated networking opportunities.

The 3-day conference is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and produce actionable policy recommendations to strengthen Africa’s institutional responses to contemporary challenges. Particular attention will be given to the role of regional economic communities and continental institutions in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, regional integration, economic resilience, climate governance, development financing, and Africa’s engagement within a rapidly changing global order.

A key outcome of the conference will be the development of a set of policy recommendations and strategic priorities aimed at supporting regional and continental institutions in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. These recommendations will be shared with COMESA Member States, the African Union, regional economic communities, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

In the lead-up to the conference, the organizing partners will work closely with select media outlets to promote informed public discourse on the conference themes and ensure broad dissemination of key outcomes and recommendations. Media organizations interested in covering the conference, conducting interviews, or partnering on content production are encouraged to contact the organizers.

– on behalf of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Source: APO – Report:

The Just Energy Transition (JET) Concert, a highlight of the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW) Conference and Exhibition this October, has announced its 2026 line-up, bringing together some of the continent’s established and emerging musical talent for an evening celebrating African energy, culture and creativity.

Taking place at the Grand Africa Café & Beach in Cape Town on Monday, October 12 from 18:00 to 23:00, the concert will feature performances by Keasungs, Mafikizolo, Roga Roga & Extra Musica and DJ Dollar, before Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold closes the evening as the headline act. The event will officially kick-start AEW 2026, which runs October 12-16 in Cape Town.

Headlining the concert will be Nigerian Afropop star Adekunle Gold, whose career has seen him continually blend contemporary African pop with sounds rooted in Nigerian musical traditions. His sixth studio album Fuji, released in October 2025, marked a deliberate return to the sounds that shaped his upbringing in Lagos. His headline appearance brings one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary artists to the AEW stage, closing the evening with a celebration of African music’s ability to connect local heritage with global audiences.

South African duo Mafikizolo will bring more than two decades of Afro-pop, kwaito and house to the concert. Comprising Nhlanhla Mafu and Theo Kgosinkwe, Mafikizolo has become one of South Africa’s most enduring musical acts, with a catalogue featuring hits including Ndihamba Nawe, Love Potion and Khona. The group has also played an important role in cross-border African collaboration, working with artists including Nigeria’s Davido and Zimbabwe’s Jah Prayzah. Their appearance brings a distinctly South African dimension to a concert designed to showcase the continent’s musical diversity.

Representing the Republic of Congo, Roga Roga will bring Congolese rumba, soukous and ndombolo to Cape Town. Roga Roga co-founded Extra Musica in the early 1990s, with the group rising to prominence following three successful albums. After several members departed to establish Extra Musica International, Roga Roga continued under the Extra Musica Zangul name, building on the group’s success with memorable tracks including État-Major, Shalaï and Trop c’est trop. Roga Roga’s appearance at the JET Concert brings more than three decades of Congolese musical influence to a line-up spanning multiple regions of Africa.

Keasungs joins the line-up as another Nigerian voice at the JET Concert. His catalogue includes releases spanning Afrobeats-inspired and dance-oriented sounds, including Ku Lo Sa (Dancehall Afro Cover) and more recent 2026 releases Na Woman Finish My Papa and Nkpigamy. His appearance alongside established continental acts reflects the concert’s combination of emerging and established African talent.

DJ Dollar returns to the JET Concert after performing at the 2025 edition alongside artists including Young Stunna and Uncle Waffles. He will bring a DJ-led element to the 2026 program, complementing the concert’s live performances and helping connect its mix of African musical styles. His return also creates continuity between successive editions of an event that has become an established part of the AEW networking and cultural program.

More than an entertainment event, the JET Concert is designed to connect Africa’s cultural influence with the continent’s energy ambitions. The concert will set the stage for five days of investment discussions at AEW 2026, where African governments, energy companies, financiers and technology providers will convene to advance projects and partnerships across oil, gas, power, renewables and infrastructure.

“The JET Concert is about showcasing Africa in its entirety. We have extraordinary energy resources, but we also have extraordinary people, music and culture that have changed the way the world sees this continent. From Congo to South Africa and Nigeria, this line-up reflects the diversity and creativity that define Africa,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

For more information about the JET Concert, visit https://apo-opa.co/3UxqVIE

For more information about AEW 2026, visit https://AECWeek.com

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

Guyana is rapidly approaching one million barrels per day of oil production, but the country’s next wave of growth could be defined as much by what happens beyond the oil fields as by the continued expansion of offshore output. That was the message from senior government and industry leaders in Georgetown on Tuesday as Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 officially launched in-country, bringing investors and energy stakeholders together around Guyana’s expanding pipeline of opportunities.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said Guyana’s production has surged from around 80,000 barrels per day in 2020 to more than 900,000 bpd, with the country on track to approach 1.7 million bpd by the end of the decade.

Bharrat highlighted exploration and the wider oil and gas value chain as major areas of opportunity, with Guyana’s local-content framework creating new avenues for international investors to partner with domestic companies. “You are in the right place, at the right time,” he told investors.

The government’s local-content drive is already reshaping that ecosystem. Nearly 1,300 companies are registered with the Local Content Secretariat and almost 7,000 Guyanese have been trained and certified to work directly in the oil and gas sector, Bharrat said.

“When we dropped that [Local Content Act], it was in no way meant to shut the door on foreign investment,” he said. “We have proven that the model can work, where we can have foreign investors partnering with our local private sector.”

For Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer Peter R. Ramsaroop, the opportunity now extends beyond hydrocarbons. The country is entering a period of transformation in which energy availability and cost could unlock new investment across manufacturing and other industries.

“Energy is economics. It’s not a commodity, it’s a variable,” Ramsaroop said, pointing to the expected impact of lower electricity costs as Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project comes online.

The approximately 300-MW project is designed to process natural gas from the offshore Stabroek Block for power generation while recovering natural gas liquids. Lindsayca Guyana Country Manager and Board Member Luis Pirela said the project is targeting power generation before the end of 2026.

“With GtE, our goal is to bring energy to Guyana in the shortest time possible,” Pirela said, adding that Lindsayca is now sourcing close to 70% of its materials locally.

The project illustrates the wider shift underway in Guyana, where the rapid expansion of oil production is generating demand for infrastructure, services, manufacturing and local businesses while creating new opportunities for international investors. That transformation is also increasingly regional in scope – a central focus of Caribbean Energy Week 2027.

“Looking around this room, the strength of our collective leadership is clear,” said Sandra Jeque, Vice President at Energy Capital & Power, organizers of CEW. “We are here today to lay the groundwork for what will be a landmark event for the region – Caribbean Energy Week 2027 – at a critical moment for the Caribbean’s energy future.”

With Guyana emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers, CEW 2027 will bring that momentum into a regional forum focused on investment, partnerships and the next chapter of the Caribbean’s energy economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

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Invictus Energy will participate in African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Bronze Partner, bringing Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin development into the continent’s premier energy investment forum. The partnership comes as Invictus shifts from frontier exploration toward commercial development following major discoveries, regulatory progress and a landmark production sharing agreement.

Invictus holds an 80% interest across 360,000 hectares in the Cabora Bassa Basin, where its Mukuyu discovery has established a significant gas-condensate resource. The company estimates the project contains 4.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas and 264 million barrels of condensate, positioning Cabora Bassa as a potential new source of domestic gas and power for Zimbabwe.

The company signed a petroleum production sharing agreement with the government of Zimbabwe in May this year, establishing the fiscal and commercial framework for future development. The agreement gives the state a 20% interest and incorporates the Mutapa Investment Fund, while providing a framework under which Zimbabwe can take its share through profits or physical gas volumes.

Invictus is now preparing for its next major exploration catalyst, with the Musuma-1 well scheduled to spud in November. The well will target an independent prospect on the eastern basin margin containing an unrisked gross mean prospective resource of 1.2 tcf of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate, potentially expanding the basin’s commercial footprint.

The company has also secured Exalo Drilling Rig 202 through a deed of variation with Exalo Drilling, while wellpad construction, civil works and rig preparations advance ahead of mobilization. Invictus also completed an approximately $7-million capital raising in July, strengthening its funding position for the upcoming drilling program and wider appraisal activity.

Alongside exploration, Invictus is developing an early gas-to-power commercialization pathway centered on Mukuyu. A pilot project with Dallaglio and Himoinsa is designed to generate an initial 12 MW for the Eureka Gold Mine, with potential expansion to 50 MW as gas production develops and additional industrial demand emerges.

The company is also pursuing broader gas monetization through an MoU with Mbuyu Energy, potentially supplying gas-to-power generation facilities connected to the Southern African Power Pool. Longer-term plans include regional pipeline infrastructure and modular LNG production, creating multiple routes for Cabora Bassa gas to reach Zimbabwean and regional energy markets.

“Invictus Energy represents the type of African-led resource development that AEW is designed to showcase, where exploration success is being matched by commercial planning, government alignment and investment,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Its participation brings Zimbabwe’s emerging gas opportunity into direct conversation with investors, developers and energy companies from across the continent and beyond.”

Invictus’ Bronze Partnership gives AEW 2026 delegates direct engagement with an emerging African upstream developer advancing one of the continent’s most significant recent onshore gas discoveries. Its participation comes as Zimbabwe seeks to convert new hydrocarbon resources into domestic power generation, industrial growth and energy security, while attracting investment into an underexplored frontier basin.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

Two decades after its founding, the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) partnership opens a new chapter in Seoul next week, with artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure at the heart of discussions on Africa’s economic transformation.

The 8th KOAFEC Ministerial Conference (https://apo-opa.co/4x2fplN) will run from 8 to 11 September under the theme “Harnessing AI and Digital Infrastructure for Africa’s Transformation.” It will bring together African ministers, senior Korean officials, development partners, private sector leaders, investors, innovators and start-up founders. They will explore how technology, investment and value creation can accelerate Africa’s development. The conference will be officially opened by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.

The conference marks the 20th anniversary of KOAFEC, the flagship platform for Korea- Africa economic cooperation, established in 2006. For the African Development Bank Group, a founding pillar of the partnership alongside Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM), the occasion offers an opportunity to take stock of two decades of cooperation and to define a more ambitious agenda for the future.

African Development Bank Group President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, is leading the Bank’s delegation to Seoul, marking his first official visit to the Republic of Korea since taking office in September 2025.

The 2026 conference will examine how Korean expertise in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, ICT, energy, manufacturing and innovation can contribute to Africa’s development priorities.

For the African Development Bank Group, this ambition aligns directly with President Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points (https://apo-opa.co/4gJnabL) strategic framework: unlocking Africa’s capital power, rebuilding its financial sovereignty; turning demographic trends into a dividend, and building resilient infrastructure and competitive value chains.

Anchored on these Four Cardinal Points is the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), which aims to mobilise substantial African and global capital for the continent’s development needs and bridge its estimated annual financing gap of more than $400 billion.

The Tangible Results of a Unique Partnership

KOAFEC offers a formidable platform for advancing this agenda.  The renewed partnership comes at a pivotal moment. Africa’s youthful and growing population, abundant critical minerals and expanding continental market offer significant opportunities, but converting these assets into productive industries, jobs and inclusive growth will require greater access to capital, technology, infrastructure and skills.

Since its creation in 2007, the KOAFEC Trust Fund has become the Bank Group’s largest active bilateral trust fund. Approximately $50 million in project preparation support has catalysed an investment pipeline exceeding $6 billion and mobilised around $4 billion in financing, supporting operations across sectors including energy, agriculture, digital transformation, infrastructure, natural resources and private sector development.

The partnership has also supported more than 1,300 start-ups and entrepreneurs, benefited more than 1,200 businesses, and helped create more than 5,000 jobs.

The 20th anniversary is more than a moment to mark past achievements. It is an opportunity to define what the partnership should deliver over the next two decades, as Africa navigates rapid technological change and seeks a stronger position within emerging global value chains.

The conference is expected to culminate in a Joint Declaration setting out a shared vision and practical pathways to deepen Korea-Africa economic cooperation, along with the introduction of the 2027–2028 Action Plan, covering digital transformation and artificial intelligence, energy, infrastructure, trade, private sector development, and human capital.

For the Bank Group, the ambition is clear: to utilise KOAFEC as a platform to elevate Korea-Africa cooperation to a new level – one in which technology and foreign investment converge with Africa’s own capital, talent and markets to support investment, value creation, jobs and shared prosperity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

Source: APO

Oyam County North Member of Parliament, Hon. Eunice Otuko says the revival of Lira Spinning Mills is key for the promotion of agro-industrialisation, creation of employment, value addition and stimulating economic growth in Lango.

Appearing before the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry on Thursday, 03 September 2026, Eunice Otuko said the dormancy of Lira Spinning Mills for the last 40 years has negatively impacted productive employment and deprived cotton farmers of a stable domestic and high-value market.

“The once thriving giant of Lango sub-region was established as a strategic national asset designed to consume Ugandan grown cotton. However, cotton farmers across Northern and Eastern Uganda now sell their cotton with little to no-value addition,” Eunice Otuko said.

Eunice Otuko added that revitalisation of the spinning mill is a vital economic necessity to absorb up to 7,000 unemployed youth and women in Lira City and neighbouring districts.

“Reviving Lira Spinning Mills will directly promote the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) framework, by providing the domestic production capacity required to operationalise the second-hand clothes import restrictions under the newly enacted External Trade (Amendment) Act, 2026,” she said. 

The law imposes a 30 per cent environmental levy on imported second-hand clothing and worn articles.

She stated  that an engagement with Uganda Investment Authority revealed that government will require US$58 million to establish a fully integrated, modern spinning mill under structured government recapitalisation or a public-private partnership model.

“Government needs to undertake a comprehensive technical, financial, legal, and commercial assessment of Lira Spinning Mills to establish its current structural status and investment requirements. The required financing can be mobilised through Uganda Development Corporation in strict compliance with public finance laws,” she proposed.

Committee members welcomed the proposal noting that it will accelerate the move into the money economy for many Ugandans.

Hon. Abraham Isamat (NRM, Kapir County) said Teso sub-region previously relied on cotton production but added that, lack of factories to support value-addition has slowed the progress of the sector.

“We still have ginneries where cotton can be stored, but government is concentrating more on coffee production which has taken time to be embraced in Teso. There is also vast land in Northern Uganda and if this idea is processed, they will swing into cotton growing,” Isamat said.

Sironko District Woman Representative, Hon. Asha Mafabi proposed that development of the cotton mill in Lira should be complimented with food production, saying locals in the region will benefit from agriculture for food and commercial production.

The committee is considering the proposal following a motion tabled in the House by Eunice Otuko on July 2026. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.