MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) has formally endorsed the upcoming Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, positioning the May 2026 gathering as a critical platform for investment, partnership and policy dialogue across the continent. Scheduled for May 14-15 in Rwanda’s capital, the forum is expected to convene approximately 2,800 CEOs, heads of state, ministers and business leaders, reinforcing its status as the largest annual meeting of Africa’s private sector.

For the AEC, Kigali represents a strategic venue where African decision-makers, global investors and industry leaders can align around practical solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenge: ending energy poverty while accelerating economic growth. By bringing together stakeholders from more than 90 countries alongside hundreds of government representatives and journalists, the forum creates a rare environment capable of translating dialogue into bankable projects and long-term partnerships.

This positioning aligns with the Africa CEO Forum’s core mission: highlighting the driving role of the private sector in Africa’s development through high-level networking, deal-making opportunities and strategic analysis from leading institutions. Participants gain access to decision-makers, insight into emerging investment projects and direct engagement with public authorities seeking public-private partnerships.

Energy remains central to these discussions. Despite Africa’s vast natural resources, over 600 million still lack access to reliable electricity and 900 million to clean cooking solutions, constraining industrialization, job creation and social development. The AEC maintains that addressing this crisis will require sustained investment across oil, gas, power and emerging low-carbon technologies – supported by regulatory certainty and African financial leadership.

“Africa’s energy future should be defined by Africa – and platforms such as the Africa CEO Forum are strategic opportunities to advance Africa’s energy narrative. The Forum in Kigali provides the platform where investors, governments and industry can engage directly, mobilize capital at scale and build partnerships that deliver reliable, affordable power to African citizens,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Kigali also reflects a broader shift in confidence toward African economic leadership. Rwanda’s rise as a hub for high-level continental dialogue shows how stable governance, investment-friendly policies and regional connectivity can position African cities at the forefront of global business discussions. Ultimately, Africa’s journey toward energy security and prosperity will be defined by partnerships forged on the continent itself.

As momentum builds toward May, the AEC is calling on energy stakeholders across the value chain to engage actively in Kigali – bringing projects, financing solutions and long-term commitment. Participation ensures that Africa’s economic and energy future is not merely discussed abroad, but designed, financed and delivered where it matters most.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

Webb Fontaine (www.WebbFontaine.com), a leading provider of AI-powered trade facilitation solutions, successfully concluded its participation as Corporate Sponsor at the 2026 WCO Technology Conference & Exhibition, where it officially launched its groundbreaking new concept, Webb Fontaine Zerø.

Held at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 28 to 30 January 2026, the conference brought together more than 1,500 public and private sector stakeholders, including Customs administrations from over 100 countries, to explore how advanced technologies are shaping the future of border management, trade facilitation, and supply chain resilience.

Webb Fontaine’s Corporate Sponsorship for the second consecutive edition of the event marked a significant milestone, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to driving digital transformation in Customs through innovation, partnership, and AI powered platforms.

The highlight of Webb Fontaine’s presence was the official unveiling of Webb Fontaine Zerø, a next-generation, LLM-based Customs technology concept built from the ground up for the AI era. Announced during the opening keynote by Webb Fontaine Chief Executive Officer Alioune Ciss, Webb Fontaine Zerø represents a complete reset from legacy systems, embedding artificial intelligence and large language models into every layer of Customs operations.

“AI is no longer a future roadmap on a PowerPoint slide. It is already at work,” said Alioune Ciss, CEO of Webb Fontaine. “With Webb Fontaine Zerø, we rebuilt our core platforms from the ground up, integrating AI into every layer of Customs processes. This is not an upgrade. It is a fresh start for an AI-driven era. Customs administrations need systems that evolve as fast as regulations and trade tariff rates change, and Webb Fontaine Zerøis designed precisely for that.”

The 2026 edition of the Conference was held under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” aligning closely with Webb Fontaine Zerø’s vision of real-time regulatory adaptation, intelligent risk management, and seamless digital trade ecosystems.

Beyond the keynote launch, Webb Fontaine experts actively contributed to high-level discussions throughout the event. Ara Shamirzayan, Chief Technology Officer, led a technical panel on reinventing risk management through advanced data analytics and AI, while Anicet Houngbo, General Manager of Webb Fontaine Benin, moderated a panel on digital facilitation at the border, highlighting successful government transformations across emerging markets.

Webb Fontaine’s exhibition stand attracted significant attention, offering live demonstrations of AI-powered solutions and immersive experiences centered around Webb Fontaine Zerø. Delegates engaged with interactive activations and in-depth discussions on how next-generation technologies can modernize Customs operations, enhance revenue collection, strengthen border security, and accelerate trade flows.

The company also sponsored the official conference dinner on the second day of the event, creating a unique platform for networking and collaboration among global Customs leaders, policymakers, and technology partners.

Webb Fontaine’s strong presence at the conference builds on its long-standing collaboration with the World Customs Organization, including discussions around securing cross-border transactions and contributing to the strategic work done by the WCO through active participation to the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), and the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC).

With the successful launch of Webb Fontaine Zerø and an impactful week of engagement with the global Customs community, Webb Fontaine continues to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven trade technology.

The company looks forward to advancing discussions initiated at the conference and partnering with governments worldwide to usher in a new era of intelligent, agile, and future-ready Customs systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Webb Fontaine.

About Webb Fontaine:
Established in 2002 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Webb Fontaine is a leading technology company specializing in Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions for global trade. With offices spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, the company leverages its extensive expertise to provide governments and communities with innovative solutions that streamline trade processes and enhance efficiency.

Webb Fontaine is renowned for its pioneering technologies that help reduce trade fraud, improve customs revenue, and expedite clearance times, supporting smoother and more profitable trading ecosystems. The company prides itself on a diverse workforce of over 700 professionals from 41 nationalities, emphasizing a culture of excellence, innovation, and integrity.

The firm’s commitment to research and development is unmatched, owning the largest R&D centres in the trade sector, which are pivotal in advancing trade technology and practices. Webb Fontaine’s accolades include numerous international awards and certifications, underscoring its dedication to quality and leadership in trade facilitation.  

Source: APO

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The high‑profile exit of global energy major TotalEnergies from deepwater Blocks 11B/12B and 5/6/7 – home to the Brulpadda and Luiperd gas discoveries – was a significant setback for South Africa’s plans to use domestic resources to boost energy security and economic growth. TotalEnergies, together with partners QatarEnergy and CNR International, gave up their stakes after determining that the discoveries could not be commercially developed under the existing market conditions and regulatory framework.

The exits underscored long‑standing industry frustrations with South Africa’s legal and regulatory environment, widely seen as lacking the clarity and predictability that deepwater investors demand. That backdrop helps explain the government’s passage of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRD Act) – a standalone legislative framework designed to replace the petroleum provisions embedded in the old Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and provide a bespoke upstream regime.

At its core, the UPRD Act aims to accelerate exploration and production of South Africa’s petroleum resources by providing clear rules and stable rights for companies – key to attracting major investment. It combines exploration and production rights into a single petroleum right, sets out controlled licensing rounds, guarantees third-party access to infrastructure, and establishes the Petroleum Agency of South Africa as a clear regulatory authority. The law also promotes active participation by the State and previously disadvantaged South Africans, mandates local content, allows a share of output to be sold for strategic stock purposes, and separates oil and gas regulation from mining rules to reduce red tape and simplify operations.

Yet the big question remains: will this new legal certainty be enough to lure back the supermajors, or has the landscape shifted toward leaner, more aggressive independent companies seeking opportunities where majors have stepped away?

“Simply put, TotalEnergies’ exit was a blow to South Africa’s energy industry. These discoveries brought to light alternative energy solutions for a country plagued with a decade‑long energy crisis. However, without clear, predictable rules, even world‑class discoveries struggle to progress to commercial development. It shows how regulatory reform is essential to restoring investor confidence,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

The UPRD Act now provides that framework, but timing is crucial. The regulations needed to put the Act into practice are still being finalized, and until these rules – covering licensing, environmental safeguards and rights administration – are published and tested in early rounds, investor confidence is likely to remain cautious.

For supermajors, investment decisions are increasingly guided by a global strategy that prioritizes projects with clearer returns and lower regulatory risk. With growing pressure to meet climate targets and streamline their portfolios amid the energy transition, deepwater frontier projects in emerging markets are less appealing unless they come with clear, predictable terms.

This creates an opening for independent and smaller players. Companies like Africa Energy Corp. – which increased its stake in Block 11B/12B after the majors’ exit – could view South Africa’s upstream sector as a promising opportunity. With leaner cost structures and a greater tolerance for frontier risk, these players can advance projects that supermajors may avoid, potentially driving local value creation and technology transfer through a different investment model.

Looking ahead to African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – the continent’s premier energy summit bringing together governments, investors and service companies – the UPRD Act is expected to be a central topic in discussions surrounding South Africa. AEW offers a high‑profile platform to showcase the country’s evolving policy landscape and could set the stage for the first post‑Act licensing round. Industry leaders are likely to debate whether the framework delivers on its promise of stability and what conditions might be needed to attract supermajors back.

Ultimately, South Africa’s upstream rebound will depend on execution: if the regulations foster transparency, competitive terms and confidence in governance, the UPRD Act could be a turning point. If not, the sector may settle into a new normal where ambitious independents, rather than supermajors, drive the next chapter of oil and gas development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12^th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent. 

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty. 

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation. 

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington. 

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate 

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include: 

Global Realignment & New Partnerships 

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape. 

Financing Africa’s Future 

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system. 

Strategic Value Chains 

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems. 

Digital Transformation & Technology 

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation. 

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

Media Contact:
Invest Africa 
Email: george.meadows@investafrica.com  

About The Africa Debate:
The Africa Debate is London’s premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment and economic transformation. Now in its 12th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa’s evolving role in the global economy. 

• 800+ attendees convening in the heart of London 
• 40+ high-level speakers from business, government and finance 
• 50+ countries represented, reflecting Africa’s global engagement 

Website: https://TheAfricaDebate.com

About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading business and investment platform with over seventy years’ experience in Africa, dedicated to connecting businesses with unique opportunities across the continent. Its global network comprises more than 400 member companies, including multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional service providers, government bodies and entrepreneurs. 

With presence in the UK, UAE, US, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, Invest Africa leverages its international reach, market intelligence and extensive network to support and connect businesses. As a trusted gateway into Africa, it promotes sustainable investment and socio-economic growth through membership, advisory services and a dynamic events programme. 

For more information visit www.InvestAfrica.com

Source: APO

The Prime Minister of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane, the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, who also serves as Chairman of the Global Advisory Board of the African Leadership Organisation, are among a distinguished group of African and global leaders set to headline the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year (POTY) Ceremony (https://www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk), scheduled for 27–28 February 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra, Ghana, themed “Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning Our Narrative.”

Prime Minister Matekane will deliver the keynote address, drawing on his reform-driven leadership and focus on restoring institutional trust, strengthening social stability, and advancing economic resilience—closely aligned with the summit’s emphasis on peace, accountable governance, and African-owned development pathways.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah brings to the Accra convening decades of experience in public service and diplomacy, reinforcing the summit’s focus on inclusive governance, peacebuilding, and narrative ownership through African-led leadership grounded in continuity, cohesion, and sovereign decision-making.

Former President Kikwete’s participation brings deep continental and institutional perspective to the convening, reflecting his enduring contribution to democratic consolidation, regional diplomacy, peacebuilding, and leadership development across Africa. In his capacity as Chairman of the Global Advisory Board of the African Leadership Organisation, he provides strategic guidance to the platform’s mission of advancing African-led leadership, governance excellence, and narrative ownership on the global stage.

Also confirmed to headline the convening is Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. A seasoned parliamentarian and respected institutional reformer, Speaker Bagbin’s participation underscores the critical role of strong legislatures in safeguarding democratic governance, promoting constitutionalism, and advancing peaceful political transitions across Africa, while reinforcing Ghana’s standing as a continental reference point for democratic stability and dialogue-driven governance.

The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year (POTY) Ceremony is Africa’s premier annual celebration of visionary leadership and institutional excellence, convened by African Leadership Magazine (ALM). Now in its 15th year, the platform brings together Heads of State, senior policymakers, business leaders, and development partners to recognise individuals and institutions whose leadership has delivered tangible impact across governance, economic transformation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development across the continent. The 2026 edition is expected to attract a global audience of over one million viewers through live streaming and international media partnerships and will feature high-level plenary sessions, leadership dialogues, investment showcases, and multi-sector networking engagements focused on Africa’s peace, economic cooperation, institutional renewal, and long-term development agenda.

Other confirmed headline leaders include Austelino Tavares Correia, President of the National Assembly of Cabo Verde; Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of Ethiopia; Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone; and Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The convening will also feature senior leaders from across business, finance, regulation, education, infrastructure, and strategic industries, including Khulekani Mathe, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa; Kelly Oluoch, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Medical Training College; Dinesh Shukla, President, American International University West Africa (AIU), The Gambia; Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Executive Chairman, KEFI Gold and Copper Plc; David Mathu, Chief Executive Officer, National Housing Corporation, Kenya; and Bruno Linyiru, Director General, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Kenya.

Also confirmed are Philip Oti-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer, UMB Bank Plc, Ghana; Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA); Mary Okwakol, Executive Director, National Council of Higher Education, Uganda; Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet); Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University; and Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki, Director General, Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA).

Further confirmed participants include Abubakar Shuaibu Jimeta, Managing Director, Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Nigeria; Alexandre Carreira, Chief Executive Officer, Nova Sociedade de Seguros de Angola (NOSSA Seguros); Mariama Moussa Boussi, Chief Executive Officer, Banque Agricole du Niger (BAGRI); and Mohamed Abdellahi Ould Yaha, President and Founder, Maurilog Group, Mauritania, alongside other senior leaders from the public and private sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.

For media and other enquiries:
Ehis Ayere
Group General Manager, African Leadership Magazine UK
ehis@africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk
+44 203 051 1883

About African Leadership Magazine:
African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organisation (UK), focuses on presenting the best of Africa to a global audience—telling the African story from an African perspective while developing solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges. For over 19 years, the organisation has promoted impactful leadership and African opportunities globally through an ecosystem of Afro-positive content, trade facilitation and market-entry solutions, Afro-centric communities, and high-level business networking platforms.

Source: APO – Report:

As global interest in African energy resources continues to grow, an unfortunate trend has emerged: Africa-focused energy events are increasingly being held outside the continent. Some companies, such as Frontier Energy, take this further – not only hosting African conversations internationally but also excluding Africans from their organizations. As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) strongly condemns this approach.

At a time when African nations are prioritizing local content, improving investment environments and positioning themselves as strong partners for global energy companies, organizations like Frontier risk undermining these efforts by sidelining African participation and leadership.

The AEC has long supported international investment across the continent. The Chamber consistently advocates for fair treatment of international oil companies, financiers and service providers operating in Africa, often pushing back when investors face regulatory uncertainty or unfair practices. But partnership must be reciprocal. If Africa is expected to open its markets, reform its policies and provide long-term certainty, then the platforms shaping its energy narrative must do the same: hire Africans, build local capacity and anchor events in Africa.

Some global event organizers understand this responsibility. Companies such as DMG Events demonstrate that it is both possible and necessary to host world-class energy conferences in Africa while prioritizing African talent. DMG has always been a leader in hiring, training, retaining and promoting Africans. They even recruit qualified African vendors. DMG consistently brings conversations about Africa to Africa, with strong African representation across leadership, content development and logistics. Examples include DMG’s Egypt Energy Show (Cairo) and West Africa Infrastructure Expo (Nigeria). Across the continent, these events employ Africans, build local teams and ensure African professionals are central to operations – setting the model that should be respected and scaled.

African Energy Week (AEW) was created to challenge the idea that Africa’s energy story must be told elsewhere. Born from the need to prove that large-scale, globally relevant energy events can – and should – be hosted on the continent, AEW has grown into Africa’s largest energy gathering. Held in Cape Town, AEW convenes delegations from the United States, Europe, China and the Middle East, while being organized by an African team and driven by African priorities. It demonstrates that Africa does not need to outsource its voice to be heard globally.

The same principle underpins the Africa CEO Forum, held in Kigali. The Forum has established itself as one of the continent’s most influential platforms for private-sector leadership, investment and policy dialogue by bringing Africa’s top decision-makers together in Africa. The AEC supports and endorses this approach, viewing the Africa CEO Forum as a clear example of how global relevance and African ownership are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing.

By contrast, some events like Africa Energy Summit organized by Frontier Energy Network in London brand themselves as “Africa’s premier” fail to hire blacks or include them in senior organizational roles. We have questioned Daniel Davidson in the past but there is a stubborn refusal to reverse his Blacks Not Allowed Practice when it comes to hiring. This approach removes the conversation from African ecosystems and contradicts the local content policies African governments are striving to implement. Local content does not start at the wellhead – it starts with who is hired, who is empowered and who leads.

Oil and natural gas companies and Seismic companies can’t expect the AEC to continue to push African governments for better fiscals, enabling environment, streamlining the permitting process and cutting bureaucracy while supporting entities that do believe in the values that we see in hiring and promoting Blacks in the Oil and Gas sector.

“Trying to break down barriers for Blacks and women in Oil and Gas is an ancient and ultimate struggle. I am all about Drill Baby Drill but we also need Hire Baby Hire. The good news is that there are qualified blacks and women fully capable of engaging in oil and gas event sector if they have access and opportunity. As Africans, we cannot continue to accept a model where decisions about our resources are made without us in the room. Local content is not a slogan – it is a commitment. If you want to do business in Africa, you must invest in Africans, hire Africans and place Africans at the forefront of all discussions,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

“African Energy Summit has the largest share of the African market, yet its pattern of discrimination when it comes to hiring blacks amounts to a virtual lock-out of Blacks except when they need Africans to sponsor the event in London. They want our money and our support but don’t want to do business with us or high us and work with us. If they won’t invest in us, we won’t invest in them. The oil and gas industry should stop supporting this practice. To have a blackout by Frontier Energy Network is unacceptable. We should be disturbed by this data, because it is disturbing. We should be outraged, because it is outrageous. I am not calling for a boycott for now but if we see no commitments to hire blacks we reserve the right to pressure African governments and private sector to not participate” Concluded Ayuk

Energy events shape perceptions, influence capital flows and set priorities. If they are serious about Africa’s future, they must reflect Africa’s present – by hosting events on African soil, hiring African professionals and positioning Africa not as a case study, but as a leader. Anything less is not partnership. It is exclusion.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.