The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Zambia for 2024-2029, which sets out two priority intervention areas: Boosting the development of the private sector through investments in infrastructure and developing the country’s agricultural value chain.

“The aim of this new CSP is to support Zambia’s vision of speeding up its socioeconomic transformation to improve livelihoods,” comments Raubil Durowoju, head of the Bank Group’s Country Office in Zambia. “The first area emphasizes infrastructure development with the aim of increasing productivity, strengthening commercial competitiveness, diversifying the economy, and improving people’s lives. The second supports value addition and job creation and is targeted at women and young people,” he adds.

The Bank’s interventions will be designed to help expand the road and rail network and to make access easier and to unblock the development opportunities envisaged in other sectors of the economy. They will also support the creation of climate-resilient infrastructure and the development of transport resources to further strengthen regional trade, especially along the regional transport and trading corridors.

Furthermore, the Bank’s actions in the water and sanitation sector will help to improve access to high-quality water and the use of sanitation facilities. This should translate into an improved quality of life for the Zambian population, and a reduction in the costs of medical care for waterborne diseases.

Finally, the African Development Bank Group will provide assistance to the agricultural sector, concentrating primarily on the development of farm blocks and value chains, to improve the sector’s climate resilience and agricultural productivity. The Bank will also work with the Zambian Government and the private sector to improve the value chains of agricultural products by drawing on synergies with support for technological and digital start-ups in the agricultural sector.

On 29 February 2024, the African Development Bank’s active portfolio in Zambia comprised 23 projects, with a total commitment of almost a Billion US Dollars.

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

Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

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

Orange Digital Center (www.Orange.com) is launching a free high-level certification training program in partnership with Coursera, the world leader in online learning. This partnership aims to offer young people in Africa and the Middle East the opportunity to acquire essential skills in digital professions, free of charge and at their own pace.

The Orange Digital Center (ODC) network is driving digital inclusion for young people and entrepreneurs across Africa and the Middle East through its 16 centers. It is launching this initiative to provide young people in the region with key skills in essential areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. These programs are designed to meet the needs of the ever-evolving job market, providing talented young people with the knowledge and skills they need to enter the job market, develop their careers, or encourage them to become digital entrepreneurs.

Orange Digital Centers are physical structures designed to be hubs of innovation and learning, free and open to all, providing a dynamic environment where young people can develop their skills, explore new technologies, and stimulate their creativity.

Equipped with the latest technologies, they support young people throughout the entire technological innovation and entrepreneurship value chain. This innovation ecosystem consists of several spaces that offer free learning programs: a Code School, a Solidarity FabLab, an ‘Orange Fab’ startup accelerator, and Orange Ventures Middle East and Africa, the Orange Group’s investment fund that invests in the most promising startups.

Asma Ennaifer, Executive Director CSR, Orange Digital Centers and Communication, Orange Africa and Middle East, says: “At Orange, we firmly believe that digital inclusion is the key to creating a fairer and more prosperous future for everyone. In partnership with Coursera and through the Orange Digital Centers, we are opening the doors of certification training to all our beneficiaries, offering educational and professional development opportunities to those who need them most. “

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

Press contacts:
Stella Fumey
stella.fumey@orange.com

Ibtissame Nafii
ibtissame.nafii@orange.com

About Orange Africa and Middle East:
Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East where it had over 149 million customers on December 31, 2023. With €7.1 billion in turnover in 2023, Orange MEA is the Group’s main growth region. Orange Money, with its money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has 90 million customers. Orange, a multi-service operator, benchmark partner of the digital transformation, provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.

The Association of Service Providers of the Angolan Oil&Gas Industry (AECIPA) has partnered with the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (http://EnergyChamber.org) in a bid to promote investment opportunities in Angola as well as partnerships with Angolan services companies. As such, AECIPA will lead a delegation of Angolan companies to this year’s edition of African Energy Week; Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town. Through the partnership, AECIPA members have access to exclusive discount rates, while a delegation from the association will participate in various panel discussions and forums.

As an association representing Angolan service providers, AECIPA promotes, supports, and sponsors professional initiatives of service companies in the country. With a goal to drive socioeconomic growth in the country, the association supports opportunities for service companies while strengthening local content and SME participation across the value chain. Currently, the association represents 150 company-members, and addresses concerns, cultivates relationships and advocates for good business practices.

Across the industry, AECIPA member companies are making strides to develop resilient and competitive oil and gas projects. Angolan service company Brimont Angola, for example, secured a contract in 2021 to procure specialty chemicals for Angolan NOC Sonangol. The contract covers all of Sonangol’s operated blocks. Additionally, maritime service provider OCTOMAR entered a joint venture with Angolan logistics provider CABSHIP to establish a diving and offshore marine company in the Cabinda Special Economic Zone. As new project developments kick off across the industry, opportunities for Angolan service providers and partners continue to grow.

“AECIPA member companies have developed significant knowhow and capabilities in recent years, taking on even more complex projects and delivering them to high industry standards, under budget and with world class HSE practices. We continue to see more collaboration between our members and other world class brands. We therefore encourage other companies not yet in Angola to partner with world class Angolan companies and take advantage of the big opportunities that the market offers” said Braulio de Brito, President of AECIPA who is also Executive Chairman and Founder of Tradinter, an Angolan O&G Service company.

Through the partnership, AECIPA member companies will receive a 10% discount on delegate passes, enabling companies to participate in conference offering including panel discussions, exhibition, and networking functions. The added benefits for Angolan companies align with AEW: Invest in African Energy’s objective to make energy poverty history by 2030 through increased participation by local firms in industry development and dialogue.

AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and governments and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Representing one of the largest oil and gas producers in Africa, Angola has a strong pipeline of projects underway that aim to maintain production at 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) until 2027, thereafter increasing it to 1.18 million bpd. Major projects include the Cameia-Golfinho fields – with FID expected this year -; the 30,000 bpd CLOV Phase 3 Project on Block 17 – with production expected this year – and the start of operations of the first phase of the 30,000 bpd Cabinda Oil Refinery. At the same time, the company recently concluded a 12-block tender as part of its six-year licensing round – launched in 2019 – and expects the next round to be opened next year. With 43 wells set to drilled in 2024 and companies such as ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and more making billion and million-dollar commitments to the country’s oil and gas industry, respectively, contractual opportunities for Angolan players are increasing.

The AECIPA-AEW: Invest in African Energy partnership aims to position Angolan service providers at the forefront of the continent’s growth. As such, the parties will hold a webinar ahead of the conference this November, exploring investment opportunities in Angola and the role of local companies in strengthening African economies. These discussions will be further unpacked during the conference in Cape Town. AECIPA Chairman, Eng. Bráulio de Brito, will also deliver a presentation during the conference, providing crucial insight into ongoing programs in Angola.

“AECIPA continues to champion professional initiatives within the Angolan oil and gas industry and the association’s commitment to creating economic opportunities for Angolan service providers is exemplary. African-based service providers play a catalyzing role in project development. By prioritizing local content, streamlining industry opportunities and investing in SMEs, Africa stands to make energy poverty history by 2030,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 conference and exhibition – a regionally-focused event dedicated to the energy success of Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry – returns to Dakar for its fourth edition on December 3-4 this year.

In collaboration with the MSGBC member-countries’ respective energy ministries, this year’s edition is held in official partnership Senegalese petroleum company Petrosen; oil and gas strategy committee COS Petrogaz; and energy advocacy group the African Energy Chamber.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasandPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 conference.

With sizeable offshore oil and gas reserves, abundant solar and wind resources and opportunities in agriculture, mining and infrastructure development, the MSGBC region emerges as an attractive market to invest in. Collaboration has been at the forefront of the region’s energy success, evident through the pipeline of projects expected to come online in 2024. Ongoing developments underscore the potential for million-dollar investments while creating new opportunities for regional and global companies.

“We invite delegates to embark on a transformative journey at the MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power conference and exhibition in 2024, where the spotlight will shine on impressive projects, developments and investment opportunities within the bloc. Join us to unveil the boundless potential of the basin, which transcends borders to shape the future of energy collaboration,” stated Devi Paulsen-Abbott, CEO of event organizer Energy Capital&Power.

Once operational, Senegal’s inaugural offshore oil project, the Sangomar field development – which anticipates first oil in mid-2024 -, will offer a wealth of prospects for E&P companies, technology and service providers and investors from the African and global landscape. Meanwhile, spanning exploration, production, power generation and refinery development, initial production of the cross-border Grand Tortue Ahmeyim natural gas field is also expected in this year. Opportunities extend to development of the country’s flagship BirAllah offshore gas field, which is expected to start production in 2028.

In addition to oil and gas, the MSGBC region offers a wealth of opportunities in green energy. In Mauritania, renewable energy developer CWP Global is constructing a $40 billion green hydrogen project comprising 18 GW of wind capacity and 12 GW of solar. The Gambia is actively pursuing renewable energy initiatives, aiming to achieve universal access to electricity by 2025. The country is also venturing into green hydrogen production, capitalizing on untapped solar and wind resources while offering commercial prospects for energy exports to international markets.

Prime investment opportunities in Guinea-Bissau’s agricultural and forestry sectors will be made available during this year’s event. Recognized as West Africa’s green lung, the country is well-positioned to tap into the growing carbon credit market. Meanwhile, Guinea-Conakry’s mining sector is a robust industry – the country holds the world’s largest reserves of bauxite at 7.4 billion tons alongside other minerals -, with numerous foreign companies engaged in the development of essential minerals for the global energy transition.

MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 will also place Morocco’s energy vision center-stage as the country strives to lead the region towards global partnerships and large-scale developments. Driven by a commitment towards renewable energy and sustainable development, Morocco’s green energy space is ripe for investment for public- and private-sector players eager to participate in driving energy security worldwide.

This year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power conference features a comprehensive program covering every segment of the regional value chain, where investors and stakeholders converge to unlock new frontiers in sustainable energy development. As the region advances towards first oil and gas production, MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 invites movers and shakers from across the West African and global energy industry to foster partnerships, sign deals and advance project developments.

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

About Energy Capital&Power:
Energy Capital&Power is an Africa-focused global leading investment platform for the energy sector. Through a series of events, online content and investment reports, the company unites the entire energy value chain – from oil and gas exploration to renewable power – and facilitates global and intra-African investment and collaboration.