The West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST) will be held from 2st – 28th September 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Organised by the Commissions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in partnership with the Ivoirian Ministry of Culture and Francophonie. The theme for ECOFEST 2024 is ‘Culture, a catalyst for peace, diversity, economic and social integration in West Africa’.

This festival will inaugurate a new era in the celebration of West African cultural diversity and reaffirm the role of culture as a driving force for integration, social cohesion and the socio-economic and cultural development of the West African sub-region.

ECOFEST will also be an opportunity to engage public and private stakeholders in the cultural sector for the promotion of the vaste cultural wealth in the Sub-region.

The official launching of the Festival will take place on Saturday 11 May 2024 from 3pm at the Palais de la Culture Bernard BINLIN-DADIE in Abidjan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Mrs Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, opened a three-day regional technical conference on Human Capital Development (HCD) in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday 8 May 2024. 

This meeting of experts and focal points from Member States, organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, aims to strengthen the commitment of Member States, partners and ECOWAS technical staff to Human Capital Development at regional and national levels.

In her opening speech, the Vice-President of the Commission, H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, said that since the launch of the regional strategy in 2021, ECOWAS has actively supported the development of national HCD strategies and significant results have been achieved. “Today, we can proudly say that seven (7) out of 15 ECOWAS Member States have received ECOWAS funds to support the development of their strategies. Nigeria and Burkina Faso have completed the development of their national HCD strategies. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has moved on to implement its strategy at Federal State level, with substantial support from ECOWAS,” she added.

H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja pointed out in her speech that in their efforts to achieve these HCD objectives, ECOWAS Member States are faced with a number of challenges: political instability, growing insecurity, terrorist attacks, climate change, epidemics and economic migration; and that despite these challenges, ECOWAS is determined to continue implementing the HCD programme.

At the opening ceremony, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank, technical and financial partners of ECOWAS, reiterated their commitment to continue working with ECOWAS to meet the challenges of human capital development.

Ms Charlotte Lejeune of the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation reaffirmed her institution’s commitment to promoting human capital development through its partnership with ECOWAS, focusing on innovative solutions to improve education, health, nutrition and financial inclusion in West Africa.

Mr Robert Taliercio O’Brien, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, in his message, mentioned the demographic, economic and climatic challenges facing West Africa, where 65% of the population is under the age of 25, and stressed the need for ECOWAS Member States and partners to work in a coordinated manner.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Pan-African legal and business advisory group CLG – formerly Centurion Law Group (https://CLGGlobal.com/) – has opened an office in the Republic of Congo, further solidifying the firm’s commitment to serving clients across the African continent. The new office will be located in the country’s oil and gas city Pointe Noire, providing current and upcoming hydrocarbon projects direct access to premier legal and business support.

The opening of the Pointe Noire office is part of CLG’s strategic growth plan to expand its footprint across Africa and provide clients with enhanced access to its legal services. With a long-standing history facilitating oil and gas transactions, navigating complex business environments and providing top-tier legal services, CLG has quickly become the preferred professional services partner in Africa. With a team of internationally-trained lawyers and a dedication to excellence, the firm is resolute in its commitment to unlock a new era of successful oil and gas developments in Africa.

As one of the Africa’s largest oil producers and an emerging natural gas producer, the Republic of Congo offers a wealth of opportunities for investors and project developers alike. The country has set an ambitious target to increase hydrocarbon production to 500,000 barrels per day – a two-fold increase in national output – while strengthening project developments across the burgeoning natural gas industry. This year, the country achieved first cargo delivery from the Congo LNG project – the country’s pioneering natural gas liquefaction project – which monetizes gas from the offshore Marine XII concession. This milestone has already enticed new players to join the market, underscoring a growing demand for in-country legal services and strategic advice.

Notably, independent hydrocarbon producer Perenco recently completed a 3D seismic acquisition campaign on the Tchibouela II, Tchendo II, Marine XXVIII and Emeraude permits. This has laid the foundation for future exploration drilling. Additionally, energy major Eni is exploring conventional and deep offshore areas by Pointe-Noire in tandem with the onshore Koilou area. Energy major TotalEnergies is preparing to drill the Niamou-1 exploration well on the Marine XX block while the national oil company SNPC completed the fourth phase of processing of 3D seismic – set to open up the Marine XIX and Marine XXX basins. Heightened interest in the Congo’s off- and onshore acreage is underpinned by recently acquired geological surveys, setting the stage for a new era of M&A activity in the country. 

To achieve production targets, the country is inviting foreign investment in exploration. This, in turn, will result in a wave of new transactions, all of which will be supported by companies to the likes of CLG. As a firm, CLG is well-equipped to handle all legal aspects of upcoming oil and gas projects. The firm’s comprehensive understanding of the industry, compounded by its presence in various oil and gas producing markets in Africa – including Nigeria, South Sudan, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and more – underscore its competitiveness and edge. By opening an office in this rapidly growing market, CLG is positioning itself as the legal and business advisory group of choice for oil and gas industry players in the Republic of Congo.

“The Republic of Congo’s oil and gas industry is on the cusp of transformation, with new investment signaling a strong pipeline of hydrocarbon-related transactions. With the opening of our new office in Brazzaville, we are better positioned to meet the growing demand for legal services in the country,” said Zion Adeoye, CEO of CLG. “We look forward to working closely with our clients to navigate the complexities of the local legal landscape and support their business objectives.”

For more information about CLG and its service offerings, visit https://CLGGlobal.com/.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi sent a cable of condolences and consolation to the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over the passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who left behind a journey marked by unwavering devotion to his nation. President El-Sisi extended his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the people and leadership of the UAE, praying to Allah the Almighty to embrace the deceased with His perfect mercy and forgiveness, grant his family patience and solace, and protect the people of the UAE from all harm.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.