Pan-African legal and business advisory firm CLG (https://CLGGlobal.com/) has appointed Mr. Cosby Manuel Oliveira Toichoa as Managing Director for Equatorial Guinea. Oliveira will undertake the strategic oversight of CLG’s operations in the country, leading efforts to provide specialized legal counsel and strategic support to clients engaged in oil and gas activities.

Prior to his appointment as Managing Director at CLG Equatorial Guinea, Oliveira served as a Managing Partner at CLG Equatorial Guinea. Specializing in comprehensive consultancy for companies, Oliveira’s expertise encompasses commercial law, particularly in OHADA Business Law, covering aspects such as company establishment, dissolution, licensing and contracts. Additionally, he provides legal advice on labor, social security, administrative and tax law matters. Oliveira holds a Law Degree from the University of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, and a Master of Law in Corporate and Finance Law from Widener University in the United States. Oliveira was admitted to the bar in Equatorial Guinea and has also advised numerous local and international businesses entering Equatorial Guinea.

Leveraging his expertise and industry knowledge and in his new role as Managing Director, Oliveira will drive initiatives to navigate regulatory landscapes, negotiate contracts and facilitate large-scale transactions, ensuring clients receive tailored solutions that address their specific needs and challenges in the dynamic energy sector of Equatorial Guinea.

With a legacy of facilitating transformative oil and gas transactions across Africa, CLG has a comprehensive understanding of the oil and gas industry and ensures tailored solutions for every stage of the oil and gas project lifecycle, from exploration to production to distribution. Operating across multiple markets, including Equatorial Guinea, the firm is committed to fostering lasting relationships and delivering exceptional results.

CLG’s track record in Equatorial Guinea underscores its commitment to the growth of the country’s oil and gas industry. The firm has had a strong footprint in Equatorial Guinea, spearheading oil and gas transactions and providing strategic support for project developers and investors alike. Notable accomplishments include facilitating negotiations for Equatorial Guinea and Congo to join OPEC; negotiating an Umbrella Agreement for the country’s pioneering FLNG project; negotiating and signing a Unitization Agreement and Unit Operating Agreement between several oil majors in the country; and serving as legal adviser to the Ministry of Mines&Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea on the drafting of new mining legislation. CLG’s comprehensive understanding of both the oil and gas industry and Equatorial Guinea’s market makes it well-equipped to handle all legal aspects of oil and gas projects in the country.

Going forward, CLG’s expertise uniquely positions the firm to navigate the intricate legal landscape surrounding Equatorial Guinea’s Gas Mega Hub project. This endeavor involves partnerships with neighboring countries to exploit offshore oil and gas resources. Through its dynamic range of service offerings, CLG offers invaluable support in navigating complex legal frameworks governing cross-border energy projects. From negotiating agreements to ensuring compliance with international standards, the firm’s deep understanding of both local and international laws enables it to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders. Leveraging its track record of success in similar ventures across Africa, CLG expertise stands to assist in playing a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth progression of the Gas Mega Hub project, unlocking the full potential of Equatorial Guinea’s offshore prospects.

“CLG is dedicated to leveraging our expertise to navigate the intricate legal framework of Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas sector, facilitating seamless collaboration and maximizing its potential. With Oliveira as the Managing Director of our Equatorial Guinea branch, CLG is poised to offer unmatched support and strategic counsel to our clients in this critical African Market,” states Zion Adeoye, CEO of CLG.

In addition to its achievements in the oil and gas sector, CLG has provided expertise in banking and finance, public law, legislative drafting and labor and employment matters. These accomplishments underscore the firm’s capability to deliver exceptional legal services and strategic counsel to clients in Equatorial Guinea and beyond.

Visit CLG’s new website at https://apo-opa.co/3JQaqi1

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

The Canada Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.ca) is pleased to profile our Major Supporters who are committed to accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment. Today we speak to Sabine Kamukitu, owner of Lambano Full Services SARL.

Kolwezi-based Lambano Full Services (https://apo-opa.co/3UDMIdP) is a leader in the DRC mining industry in the areas of service supply and subcontracting, procurement of materials, equipment and spare parts, machinery maintenance and project management.

“Lambano Full Services strives to carry out the work that will lead to the achievement of your objectives, at advantageous prices and within the prescribed time frame,” says founder and CEO, Sabine Kamukitu, who recently participated in the 30th Anniversary program of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and MineAfrica Mining Tour in Sudbury.

A Major Sponsor of the Canada-Africa Chamber, Lambano Full Services were among the companies visited during the DRC-Canada Leadership Visit to the Lualaba Province in February this year, where the company’s operations were profiled during a site visit for Canadian delegates.

“Lambano Full Services strives to carry out the work that will lead to the achievement of your objectives, at advantageous prices and within the prescribed time frame,” says founder and CEO, Sabine Kamukitu.

“We are committed to customer satisfaction and to continuously improving the quality of our products and services by adhering to the required international standards, using certified equipment and rigorous safety to international standards. We also ensure that the services are adaptable to the needs of the clients, whether they are fixed or mobile installations.”

Sabine Kamukitu said her recent visit to Sudbury, following the Canada-Africa Chamber’s 30th Anniversary Forum, provided valuable insights for understanding the private sector in northern Ontario, as well as the importance of the region for business partnerships in African markets.

“I would like to thank the Canada-Africa Chamber for the incredible value I’ve received as a member, including new networks and agreements with Canadian businesses. This private sector of this country is a strong partner in the growth of the DRC economy and Africa as a whole, working with local partners such as my company,” says Kamukitu.

During the program in Canada last week, including the visit to Sudbury run by MineAfrica, Sabine Kamukitu announced Lambano Full Services would continue its Major Sponsorship of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, ahead of its Africa Accelerating (https://apo-opa.co/3wz6uzf) conference in Ottawa from 4-6 November, where Kamukitu will address delegates from across Canada and the African continent.

Chamber President, Garreth Bloor, commended Sabine Kamukitu for her leadership of Lambano Full Services and the company’s commitment to working with Canadian counterparts who are discovering the incredible opportunities in the DRC, through DRC-based members of the Canada-Africa Chamber.

“Thank you for your support of the Chamber, as one of our Major Sponsors. We look forward to being back on the ground with you again in the DRC soon as we deepen ties between Canada and African markets such as the DRC, by profiling the great work being done by our corporate members”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

Dr. Ahmed Kamali, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, received a delegation from the European Union, led by Ambassador Omar Abu Aish, Assistant Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Coordinating Secretariat for Implementing the Egyptian-European Partnership Agreement, Anika Eriksjard, Director of Financial and Economic Affairs at the European Commission, to discuss avenues for economic cooperation. The meeting was attended by Wael Ziyada, Assistant Minister of Planning for Economic and Investment Affairs (via video conference), Hatem Al-Laythi, Advisor to the Minister on Monetary and Banking Affairs, Ismail Youssef, Supervisor of the Planning Sector, and Emad Morsi, Head of Project Feasibility Studies Unit.

During the meeting, Dr. Ahmed Kamali emphasized that the meeting aims to review and discuss plans and strategies to enhance the Egyptian economy and achieve sustainable development, noting that the meeting represents a fruitful opportunity for cooperation and coordination between the Egyptian government and the European Union to enhance economic partnership.

The Deputy Minister of Planning highlighted that comprehensive and integrated plans have been developed to enhance the investment environment in Egypt and increase its competitiveness at both the domestic and international levels, affirming the Egyptian state’s efforts to strengthen key productive sectors such as industry, agriculture, telecommunications, and information technology, in line with the goals of the National Program for Structural Reforms, as well as enhancing the country’s export capacity.

Dr. Ahmed Kamali also stressed the importance of achieving a balance between economic, environmental, and social aspects to achieve sustainable development that benefits all segments of society, emphasizing the work on enhancing social justice and providing equal opportunities for all, including supporting entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation, and developing skills and human resources. He also explained that Egypt seeks to enhance partnership between the government, private sector, and civil society to achieve common goals, noting the state’s focus on the business environment and efforts to solve problems hindering economic development and enhance international cooperation to achieve the main goal, which is to achieve Egypt’s Vision 2030.

The Deputy Minister of Planning also stated that Egypt, like other countries, has been affected by recent global changes and crises. Therefore, the state has worked to increase the resilience and enhance the Egyptian economy’s ability to withstand shocks and diversify the Egyptian economic structure, which it is targeted by the National Program for Structural Reforms, emphasizing the importance of changing the economic structure to be more competitive, which requires support and participation of the private sector in more sectors, especially productive sectors with high added value.

Kamali said that despite the importance of the role of the private sector, the public sector also has its important role in providing infrastructure and basic services, including education, health, and transportation, contributing to creating a conducive environment for investment and growth.

Dr. Ahmed Kamali also addressed the role of technology and innovation in enhancing the competitive capacity of the Egyptian economy, explaining that upgrading technological infrastructure and encouraging innovation in various sectors can contribute to increasing productivity and improving the quality of products and services provided, thereby enhancing export opportunities and attracting foreign direct investments.

In the same context, Kamali referred to the development of labor market mechanisms and the enhancement of human capabilities, emphasizing that improving labor skills and providing decent job opportunities can contribute to enhancing domestic consumption, thereby stimulating sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Ahmed Kamali also emphasized the importance of increasing Egyptian exports to be competitive with exports of other countries, pointing out that the Egyptian market is large and attractive to both local and foreign investors to benefit from the market size, as well as the demographic structure of the Egyptian state, which is characterized by a large youth population. However, Egypt seeks to attract foreign direct investment that seeks to create a highly competitive environment and efficiency in the production process.

Regarding the first economic report for Egypt issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) under the Egyptian-OECD Program, Kamali explained that it is a joint effort between the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the organization, covering a variety of economic aspects such as the business climate, the role of the private sector, and the labor market situation, with a focus on the importance of providing decent job opportunities. The report reviews the main features of the Egyptian economy and provides the organization’s recommendations for designing effective policies to overcome economic challenges, enhance the performance of the Egyptian economy, and drive comprehensive and sustainable growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has formally opened a four-day conference of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Court of Justice on the theme, “Enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and National Stakeholders”.

He expressed delight at the choice of Sierra Leone as a destination for the 2024 conference and reminded participants that the country was one of the founding members of ECOWAS in May 1975 and had remained firmly committed to the ideals and aspirations of its treaty.

The President urged member countries that “the need for cooperation and integration amongst our people in West Africa requires our concerted and best efforts. Such cooperation and integration are partly the key to our sub-region’s prosperity and the well-being of our people.

“The ECOWAS Court of Justice plays a pivotal role in advancing these noble objectives by upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law across our region. As members of the ECOWAS, we are bound together by a shared vision of regional integration, cooperation, and promoting peace and prosperity for our people”.

President Bio confirmed at the conference that the establishment of the Court in 2001 was a welcome step by member countries toward fostering integration and cooperation and that the strides it had made since its inception were a testament to the importance of the great institution.

The President associates the gains made by the court as a result of its expanded jurisdiction, which is in line with the Amended Protocol of 2005, including the authority to adjudicate the alleged violation of the human rights of the community’s citizens.

President Bio commends the leadership of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for what he described as “progressive; the Court is succeeding in increasing its crucial role of providing additional justice delivery options to the citizenry of the ECOWAS community.”

Vice President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Gbéri-Bè Ouattara reminded the conference that the Court was established by the Lagos Treaty of May 28, 1975. He also stated that the ECOWAS Revised Treaty was adopted in July 1993 and was recognised as the fundamental charter of ECOWAS and the roadmap for the economic integration of the Community.

Keynote speaker, Professor Ernest Kofi Abotsi, spoke largely around the topic of “enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the court and national stakeholders.

“Courts are not in the business of engaging with any constituencies, actual or perceived. Indeed, the idea of courts having to network constituents may seem at first odd and inconsistent, even with the juridical character of the judicial institution, one structured to be detached, neutral, and authoritative in pronouncement, unperturbed by the effects of their rulings and consequences of their actions”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.