International energy and infrastructure conglomerate Sahara Group has announced a series of strategic appointments aimed at advancing the expansion of the group’s downstream business in Africa. Foluso Sobanjo has been appointed as the company’s Head: Africa Downstream while Yaa Serwaa Alifo has been appointed Head: Sahara Downstream in Ghana. Additionally, Nomnso Dike has been appointed as CEO of Sahara Group Nigerian subsidiary Asharami Synergy Limited while Yvette Selormey has been appointed Country Manager of Sahara Group Zambian subsidiary Asharami Energy Resources Limited. 

Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends the efforts by Sahara Group to not only strengthen its downstream operations but build a leadership team that is committed to alleviating energy poverty in Africa. The appointments signal a new era of company growth and the AEC looks forward to seeing new projects and infrastructure developed by Sahara Group.

As one of Africa’s largest private power businesses, Sahara Group has made great strides towards developing downstream infrastructure in Africa. The company operates a number of power generation and distribution assets in sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating trade and energy distribution and supporting economic growth. Currently, the group has over 1,861 MW of installed power generation capacity and aims to expand its generation capacity to over 5,000 MW by 2026. In 2024, the group installed 15 wind turbines at the Egbin Power Plant in Nigeria. The turbines will not only improve power supply but reduce emissions across the generation industry. In 2023, the group installed 24 solar panels and 24 batteries at an orphanage in Senegal;

Sahara Group – through its various subsidiaries – also promotes the adoption of sustainable oil and gas solutions to meet Africa’s energy needs. Through Asharami Synergy PLC, the group has gained over two decades of expertise in the downstream industry and has emerged as a top aviation fuel supplier in West Africa. The company is responsible for 24% of Nigeria’s aviation fuel supply and a sizeable share of the country’s premium motor spirit demand. Additionally, the group is a strong advocate for the adoption of market-based regimes in Africa to support the development of gas. The group has invested $142 million in two LPG vessels in Nigeria. Valued at $71 million each, the vessels have already bolstered the group’s capacity to deliver reliable and sustainable access to LPG in the country.

Meanwhile, Sahara Group has demonstrated a commitment to capacity building and skills development. The group collaborated with tertiary institution Pan-Atlantic University in Nigeria in May 2024 to drive human capital development in the power sector. The parties will exchange knowledge and conduct programs in engineering to support power-related skills development. The group also partnered with the University of Lagos in Nigeria in May 2024 to strengthen research in renewable energy and foster entrepreneurship. The appointment of the new leadership team will not only support project development by the company but support programs such as these as Sahara Group moves to train the next generation of energy entrepreneurs in Africa.

“Sahara Group has built a team that is deeply rooted in the industry and Africa – but not limited to it. The recent slate of appointments underscores the group’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and delivering both successful and sustainable projects. The AEC commends the leadership of Sahara Group and looks forward to witnessing the company grow from strength to strength,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Wragby Business Solutions&Technologies Limited, a leading technology provider in Nigeria, proudly co-exhibited with Microsoft at the recently concluded GITEX Africa 2024 (https://GITEXAfrica.com/). Alongside esteemed Microsoft partners from across Africa, Wragby showcased groundbreaking advancements in technology with cutting-edge solutions and solidifying its commitment to driving digital transformation across Africa.

As one of the leading tech events globally, GITEX Africa 2024 provided the perfect platform for Wragby to demonstrate its innovative solutions and reaffirmed its commitment to driving digital transformation across the continent. The exhibition, held in Marrakech, Morocco from the 29th of May to 31st May 2024, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and technology enthusiasts from around the globe.

According to the MD/CEO of Wragby, Dr Oluyomi Alarape (https://apo-opa.co/3V7fZxJ) “Our collaboration with Microsoft underscores a shared vision of leveraging advanced technologies to enhance growth and empower businesses in Africa”.

At the heart of Wragby’s exhibit was the presentation on Microsoft Fabric (https://apo-opa.co/4e4Z2wF) and its seamless integration with Workhelio (https://apo-opa.co/4c5CSbL), Wragby’s newest AI-powered product. Microsoft Fabric provides a comprehensive data platform designed for real-time analytics and insights. By integrating Workhelio with Microsoft Fabric, Wragby offers an unparalleled solution that transforms raw data into actionable intelligence, enabling businesses to make informed decisions swiftly and effectively. Wragby’s other offerings include robust cloud infrastructure&application services, customized applications&ERP solutions, comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, Managed Services, and sophisticated data analytics platforms. By leveraging Microsoft’s powerful technologies, Wragby enables businesses to harness the full potential of their data, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth.

At GITEX, visitors  had the opportunity to explore real-world success stories and witness firsthand how Wragby’s solutions have transformed businesses. Through interactive demos and detailed presentations, Wragby highlighted how its solutions&services are helping enterprises achieve operational excellence and maintain a competitive edge.

Wragby Business Solutions&Technologies Limited stands for innovation, integrity, and excellence, with a mission to provide businesses with the tools and expertise they need to navigate the complexities of the modern digital landscape. By continuously evolving its offerings and fostering strategic partnerships, Wragby continues to enable organizations to stay ahead in this ever-changing digital landscape. Wragby’s partnership with Microsoft and presence at GITEX Africa 2024 reflects its dedication to being at the vanguard of digital transformation in Africa.

Wragby’s participation in GITEX Africa 2024 is just one step in its journey to revolutionize business processes across Africa. Wragby is dedicated to empowering organizations with the latest technology, driving digital transformation, and contributing to the growth and development of the African economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

About Wragby Business Solutions&Technologies Limited:
Wragby Business Solutions&Technologies Limited is a leading provider of innovative business solutions and technology services. Wragby specializes in cloud services, business applications&ERPs, cybersecurity, Modern work solutions, data analytics, AI, software engineering, product development, digital transformation, and IT training, partnering with global technology leaders like Microsoft and more to deliver exceptional value to its clients. With its customer-centric approach Wragby won the 2024 SAP top capability award in Africa, awarded twice as Microsoft Partner of the year in 2019 and 2020 and emerged thrice as Microsoft global finalist in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Today, Wragby is the only Azure managed services provider in Nigeria and amongst the only few globally.

To know more about how Wragby’s solutions&services can transform your business, contact at GITEX@wragbysolutions.com or call +2342017006320

Visit www.WragbySolutions.com to know more about Wragby Business Solutions

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) (www.NigeriaRugby.org) has awarded Edo State the hosting rights for the 2024 National League for the South South Zone.

This decision marks a significant milestone for Edo State, often referred to as the “Heart Beat of Nigeria,” as it gears up to welcome teams from across the South South region.

Teams from Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Edo will compete for the zonal title and a ticket to the national Super Six finals. This regional league is part of a broader competition held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones—South West, South South, South East, North Central, North East, and North West. The winners from each region will advance to compete for the national title.

The Edo State Rugby Association has graciously accepted the opportunity to host this prestigious event, which is expected to enhance the sport’s profile and development within the state.

NRFF President Dr. Ademola Are praised the chairman of the Edo State Rugby Association, Comrade Sunny Osayande, an astute businessman with a keen vision, along with his vice chairman, Mr Asuen Marcel for their unwavering support and dedication to the growth of rugby in Edo.

Dr. Are also congratulated the state on having five of its players in the national team that recently participated in the African Games in Ghana.

During his visit, Dr. Are engaged with various stakeholders in Edo at all levels, reaffirming the NRFF’s commitment to the growth of sports in the state.

In the South West, 5 Clubs from Lagos and 1 from Ogun State will compete for the Cup. this further demonstrates the NRFF’s strategic approach to developing rugby across Nigeria.

Fixtures and plans for other regions will be announced in the coming days as preparations for the 2024 Nigeria Rugby Football Federation League gathers momentum.

E-sign
From the Office of the President of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).

African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina (www.AfDB.org) says the world is changing and Africa needs to be at the table.

Adesina told more than 150 journalists covering the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Nairobi that the Global South is becoming much more important and that as a result the global financial architecture needs to change:

“The global financial architecture is not addressing Africa’s issues nor delivering for Africa. Our voice needs to be at the table. The global financial architecture needs to be creating fairness, equality, justice, representation and inclusiveness.”

Adesina welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s decision to create a third seat for Africa on its Board, and the inclusion of South Africa and the African Union in the G20, adding that he thought there should be a second seat for Nigeria in the G20. He stressed, however, that collaboration was key:

“Africa is coming of age on the strength of south-south cooperation, but I don’t see the world in a divisive manner. We should be looking at our ability to pool our energies and harness all our diversity for the good of the world. All our development banks cooperate and now there isn’t a single project in Africa that we can’t finance – not one”.

He said that he believed strongly in Africa’s future:

“I’m an African. We have the potential to be great as a continent…We have 477 million people under the age of 25. Africa will be the workshop of the world and is full of entrepreneurs and young people able to take opportunities”.

He said that Africa’s agricultural potential, with 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, will determine the future of the world’s food supply and will make the continent globally competitive. The Bank is investing heavily in agriculture and cited the Bank’s work in Ethiopia where it has given heat tolerant wheat varieties to local farmers. 5,000 hectares were planted, that has now grown to 2 million hectares and as a result Ethiopia is now self-sufficient in wheat production and starting to export.

“If we can do that for Ethiopia”, says Dr Adesina, “we can do it anywhere”.

Combatting climate change is a key theme at the Annual Meetings as Africa experiences extreme weather patterns bringing devastating floods in Kenya and Mozambique and droughts in Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe which declared a national emergency as the drought grew in intensity and scale.

Adesina said he was humbled that the Bank was meeting against this backdrop of floods that recently devastated parts of Kenya and conveyed his sympathy to the families of people who lost their lives.

Adesina says that Africa will drive the global agenda for renewable energy, employing solar power to fuel future energy needs. By 2030 the African Development Bank in collaboration with the World Bank will connect 300  million Africans to electricity. Already the Bank’s New Deal for Africa has increased access to power from 37% of Africans to 52%, while it’s  $20 billion Desert to Power project in the Sahel will generate 10,000 Megawatts of power, bringing electricity to 250 million people.

“Electricity is the life blood of economic development” says Dr Adesina, “it enables digital infrastructure, rail and transport corridors like the Lobito Corridor between Angola, Zambia and the DRC, and the Lagos to Abidjan highway”.

Adesina said infrastructure like this supported the Banks High 5” objectives to integrate Africa and industrialise Africa. He said he was proud that the two strategic objectives along with the other three High 5s  – to “power Africa, feed Africa  and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa “-  had transformed the lives of 400 million Africans since he introduced them in 2016:

“If we will keep doing these High 5s Africa will achieve 90% of its UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)and 90% of AU’s Agenda 63 goals. I’ll work to the last second to achieve this”.

The 5-day African Development Bank’s Annual Meetings will be end from 27-31st May in Nairobi, Kenya.

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

Contact:
Peter Burdin
Communication and External Relations Department
email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org