Global investment firm Premier Invest entered into a partnership with energy major Shell last month to facilitate financing for oil and gas projects across Africa. Through this strategic collaboration, the two companies will work together to identify and co-finance transactions in the region, aiming for substantial returns while benefiting local communities and economies.

Premier Invest has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – November 4-8 – as a silver sponsor in line with efforts to champion energy investment in Africa. The company’s Managing Partner Rene Awambeng is also speaking at the event, providing insight into how this partnership and other initiatives led by Premier Invest will advance project development in Africa.

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

Africa currently receives less than 5% of global energy-related investment, which hinders the implementation of large-scale energy projects across the continent – especially in oil and gas. The lack of foreign direct investment further impedes the development of infrastructure for refining petroleum products and expanding power generation and distribution capacity. Premier Invest aims to address these challenges by offering key financial advisory services including strategic and M&A advisory, capital markets support and restructuring. The company serves as an advisor for leaders in business and government, with a focus on local expertise and global reach.

As the continent witnesses increased M&A activity, particularly in its upstream sector, the company’s role as a financial advisor is imperative. In the first two quarters of 2024, significant oil and gas acquisitions targeted southern African assets, emphasizing frontier exploration and LNG projects. Notable deals include international oil company Azule Energy’s acquisition of a 42.5% interest in Namibia’s Block 2914A; Abu Dhabi National Oil Company purchase of a 10% equity stake in Mozambique’s Area 4; and Canadian independent Renaissance Africa Energy’s acquisition of interests in Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. These transactions reflect a broader trend of increased M&A activity in Africa’s upstream sector, where companies seek to leverage the continent’s hydrocarbon resources for energy security and economic growth. Premier Invest fits into this dynamic space by providing essential financial advisory services to facilitate these transformative transactions, thereby contributing to the continent’s energy development and economic growth.

In May, the company signed a six-month agreement with Gabon Oil Company (GOC) to raise $1.2 billion to acquire Gabonese oil producer Assala Energy and its assets from US equity firm Carlyle. This acquisition would mean that GOC would take ownership of assets including seven onshore production licenses, a pipeline network and the Gamba export terminal in Gabon. This is significant as it will enhance Gabon’s energy infrastructure and production capabilities and give GOC greater responsibility and control over Gabonese assets.

“Premier Invest’s strategic partnership with Shell and GOC is a leap forward for Africa’s energy landscape. By championing investments in African energy projects, the company is not only addressing the continent’s critical need for financial resources but also driving sustainable economic growth. Its role as a financial advisor is vital in unlocking Africa’s vast energy potential, ensuring energy security and long-term prosperity,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

During AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, Premier Invest will leverage its participation to connect with African leaders, industry stakeholders and global energy players. This engagement will provide opportunities to discuss collaborative projects and share insights on advancing Africa’s energy sector. AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 serves as a platform for Premier Invest to showcase its vision for the continent’s energy future and explore strategic partnerships that can drive progress and innovation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

In a decisive move to address the backlog of cases overwhelming Ghana’s judicial system, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced the appointment of sixteen new Justices to the Court of Appeal.

This significant expansion is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary, ensuring timely justice delivery across the nation.

The newly appointed Justices include Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah, Justice Gifty Dekyem, and Justice Kofi Akrowiah, among others. Their appointments, made upon the advice of the Judicial Council, come at a critical time when the Court of Appeal faces the dual challenges of an overburdened docket and the recent retirement of several senior judges. Four Justices of Appeal – Justice Amma Gaisie, Justice Cecilia Sowah, Justice Victor Ofoe, and Justice Angelina Domakyaareh – have retired upon reaching the statutory age of retirement, with a fifth, Justice Alex Poku Acheampong, due to retire in October 2024.

The Chief Justice, with the support of the Judicial Council, has spearheaded a strategic initiative to decentralize the Court of Appeal by establishing permanent panels in five key locations across Ghana. This move is designed to reduce the burden on the central court in Accra and to expedite the resolution of cases by making the appellate process more accessible to citizens in various regions.

The new locations for the permanent panels of the Court of Appeal include:

Sekondi: This panel will sit at the premises of the Sekondi High Court, catering to appeals from the Central and Western Regions. By decentralizing the court’s operations, the judiciary aims to streamline the appeal process for cases arising in these regions, reducing travel time and expenses for litigants and legal practitioners.

Koforidua: Located at the premises of the Koforidua High Court, this panel will handle appeals from the Eastern, Volta, and Oti Regions. This strategic placement is expected to enhance the efficiency of the appellate system in these regions, providing quicker access to justice.

Kumasi: The new Court of Appeal Complex in Kumasi will serve as the base for appeals from the Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, and Ashanti Regions. This modern facility is equipped to handle a significant volume of cases, ensuring that justice is delivered promptly. Additionally, the government has constructed townhouses and a guesthouse in Kumasi to provide permanent residences for Justices of the Court of Appeal, ensuring they are readily available to hear cases.

Tamale: This panel will cater to appeals filed at the Registry in Tamale from the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah, and Northern Regions. The cases will be heard through a virtual link in the Kumasi Court of Appeal, leveraging technology to bridge geographical distances and improve judicial efficiency.

Accra: The existing Court of Appeal in Accra will continue to handle appeals from the Greater Accra Region, maintaining its central role in the nation’s judicial system while benefiting from the reduced caseload due to the establishment of regional panels.

President Akufo-Addo emphasized that these appointments and the establishment of regional panels are essential to addressing the backlog of cases and improving the overall efficiency of the judiciary. “The significant expansion of the personnel of the Court of Appeal, occasioned by the appointment of these sixteen new Justices of Appeal, is a direct response to the challenge of an overburdened court system,” he stated.

The President also highlighted the importance of equipping the judiciary with the necessary tools to expedite the delivery of justice. This includes the adoption of new technologies such as the e-justice system, which aims to streamline judicial processes and enhance transparency. The decentralization initiative, coupled with the use of technology, is expected to significantly reduce delays in the judicial process, ensuring that justice is served in a timely manner.

Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo reiterated the government’s commitment to continuous judicial reforms and the improvement of court infrastructure. In addition to the new Court of Appeal complex in Kumasi, the administration has been constructing courthouses with residential facilities nationwide. As of February 2024, seventy-nine courthouses have been inaugurated, with twenty-one more in various stages of completion.

The decentralization and expansion of the Court of Appeal reflect a broader strategy to make the judicial system more accessible and efficient, ultimately reinforcing public confidence in the rule of law. By addressing the backlog of cases and enhancing the capacity of the judiciary, the administration aims to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done promptly and fairly across all regions of Ghana.

In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the newly appointed Justices and their ability to contribute significantly to the advancement of Ghana’s judicial system. He urged them to approach their duties with integrity, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility, emphasizing that their decisions would have far-reaching implications for the lives of individuals and the development of the nation. The strategic expansion of the Court of Appeal marks a pivotal step towards a more efficient, transparent, and accessible judicial system in Ghana.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

With crime on the rise and residents in Torit County feeling unsafe, the recent inauguration of new police facilities in Imodonge was warmly welcomed.

“As a community, we believe that this positive development will greatly improve security in our area,” said Luka Ohucholi Odu, landlord of the large plot of land hosting the multi-purpose law enforcement structures, funded by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

While not the first police station in Eastern Equatoria to be financed and handed over by the peacekeeping mission, the Imodonge project is unique: the premises feature a spacious training ground and has been deliberately built to help recruit and train significantly more police officers later to be deployed across the state.

“The presence of this strong, well-equipped structure should make anyone considering a criminal career think twice – and reevaluate accordingly,” affirmed Major General James Manday Enock, Eastern Equatoria’s Police Commissioner, while giving the crowd gathered for the occasion a look of steely determination to crush crime.

The peacekeeping mission’s decision to fund the construction project was made following a joint request made by local authorities and citizens living in the area.

“This facility will play a crucial role in building trust between the police and the people they serve and protect, and a vital element of our mission’s mandate is to protect civilians,’ averred Guy Griffin, Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Torit. He added that improved security could both enhance civic and political space and prompt the voluntary and safe return of internally displaced persons.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Swiss mining company Glencore has launched the ProAc project (https://apo-opa.co/4c6hTp6) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aiming to promote economic diversification, financial inclusion and food security in the region. The initiative, part of Glencore’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) portfolio, will provide financing and skills training to local communities in the agri-food sector. The project seeks to ensure that the country’s mineral resources benefit local development, infrastructure and workforce advancement

To highlight its commitment to the DRC’s economic development, Glencore has joined the 2024 edition of the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit, with Marie-Chantal Kaninda, the firm’s President in the DRC and Chairman of Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) ­– a joint venture between Glencore and Gecamines – participating as a speaker. Kaninda will share her insights during a Leaders Forum panel – Innovation in a New Era of African Mining -, which explores key trends in African mining.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit on November 6 – 7 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference (https://AECWeek.com/) on November 4 – 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com

Glencore is advancing the development (https://apo-opa.co/3WCDwJ8) of the DRC’s copper and cobalt resources by implementing new technologies to boost production. In March 2024, KCC introduced Newtrax’s Proximity Detection Technology during phase 2 expansion at its KTO copper and cobalt mine (https://apo-opa.co/3Wyu8WO) near Kolwezi. The technology will aid in exploring critical mineral deposits and support KCC’s goal of producing 300,000 tons of copper per annum (ktpa) and 30,000 ktpa of cobalt to drive the global energy transition. At CMA, Kaninda will provide an update on its project portfolio and how the firm is driving the growth of the DRC’s critical mineral sector.

The company is ramping up investments to add value to the DRC’s critical minerals sector and support employment creation through large-scale investments across the midstream sector and in both greenfield and brownfield projects. In 2022, the firm resumed copper and cobalt production at its Mutanda Mine – with a target to increase output at the mine to 5,000 metric tons as from 2024 – as a result. In 2021, Glencore announced a multi-year $8 billion investment package to bolster activities in DRC projects including the KOV and Mashimba East Mines, the KTC Mines and the Luilu Refinery. Kaninda will highlight Glencore’s investment strategy as the global demand for critical minerals increase and the DRC – as the world’s largest cobalt producer and Africa’s largest copper miner – increases its contribution in the global energy transition.

“Glencore has contributed to the growth of the DRC’s copper and cobalt industries. As the DRC advances its position in the global critical minerals sector and the energy transition, Glencore’s technical expertise and investment will be crucial,” stated Rachelle Kasongo, Project Director at CMA organizer Energy Capital&Power.

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