Spark+ Africa Fund Partner Peter George will speak on opportunities in financing clean cooking solutions in sub-Saharan Africa at the upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2024 forum.

The $64-million impact investment fund finances companies that provide next-generation, scalable and distributed cooking energy solutions utilizing a range of fuel types, such as biomass, biogas, ethanol, electricity and LPG. With around 940 million people in sub-Saharan Africa without access to clean cooking fuels and technologies, the fund aims to address this critical need and transform clean cooking into a commercial, private sector-led industry. Spark+ Africa Fund is also expected to discuss the role of carbon credits in making the business models it finances both viable and more affordable for consumers.

Organized by Energy Capital&Power, IAE 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/49krKXM) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Support for the fund has come from the African Development Bank, European Commission, Denmark’s Investment Fund for Developing Countries and the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, along with a range of private capital partners. Uniting DFIs, multilateral banks, private equity firms, pension funds and other financial partners, IAE 2024 serves to catalyze new financing tools, business models and technologies to bridge Africa’s energy investment gap and meet its long-term electrification and clean cooking access targets.

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

Jean-Michel Jacoulot, CEO of oil and gas company Trident Energy, will speak at the 2024 edition of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – taking place November 4-8 in Cape Town. Jacoulot is expected to address the challenges and opportunities for sustainable hydrocarbon development in Africa.

Committed to enhancing value in mid-life oil and gas assets, Trident Energy is spearheading a new age of sustainable hydrocarbon production. The company boasts several high-profile assets in Equatorial Guinea, integrating innovative technology with a forward-looking investment approach while serving as a blueprint for other oil and gas firms 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.

In November 2023, following the arrival of a semi-submersible drilling rig in Luba, offshore Equatorial Guinea, Trident Energy started its second drilling program in the country. The rig is set to perform drilling operations for three deepwater wells in the Ceiba&Okuma fields in Block G as well as one exploration well in Block S. What’s more, the company is in the final stages of preparing the tie back of the wells to existing production, storage and transportation facilities.

In his role as CEO, Jacoulot oversees strategic decision-making, the organization of the group, as well as its Merger&Acquisition activity. With over 25 years’ experience in Senior Management roles in the oil and gas industry, Jacoulot brings a level of expertise to AEW 2024 discussions and represents an instrumental player in Africa’s oil and gas sector.

With a focus on sustainability, Jacoulot leads Trident Energy towards realizing its goals of maximizing oil and gas resources while spearheading several local content and ESG initiatives including a $1.1 million per year investment to support projects across the health, education and infrastructure sectors and regular contributions towards the National Institute for Technology.

Currently, Trident Energy has stakes in 11 producing assets in Equatorial Guinea, including Block G and Block S, W and EG-21. The company’s assets produce approximately 50,000 barrels of oil per day, contributing towards national output and economic growth. At its core, Trident Energy is committed to redeveloping mid-life assets and works towards maximizing resources for long-term and sustainable economic growth in West Africa.

“I’m encouraged by the efforts of Trident Energy, which is finding ways to bolster production in mature fields and continue to bring private capital, experience and know-how to the continent. Trident Energy is introducing a new era of operational efficiency and production improvements in Equatorial Guinea, serving as an active, visible member of communities where it operates and their participation at AEW 2024 will be imperative for energy investment in West Africa’s mid-life fields,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Further insight into Trident Energy’s oil and gas activities in Equatorial Guinea will be shared during AEW 2024, where Jacoulot is expected to participate in a variety of panel discussions, networking functions and investor meetings. For more information about how you can get involved, visit www.AECWeek.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The systemic approach to the sustainable and climateresilient infrastructure is one of the key preconditions for the continuous and equable growth of Ethiopia. The priorities in the development of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), road and transport, housing, and energy infrastructure should be financially supported by national and external resources, while inclusive planning and design are important not to leave any vulnerable groups behind.

These are the key messages of the National Conference on Climate Resilient Sustainable Infrastructure organized by UNOPS in collaboration with the Ethiopian Civil Engineers Association in Addis Ababa on 26 and 27 March 2024. The two-day workshop had the objective of facilitating policy-making in the area of sustainable infrastructure, sharing best practices among different stakeholders, and providing the opportunity to discuss some of the cutting-edge technologies in infrastructure.

H.E. Mr. Wondemu Seta, State Minister, Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure speaking at the events said “As we embark on these crucial deliberations today, I urge every one of you to approach the discussions with a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and determination. The decisions we make here will have far-reaching implications for generations to come, shaping the future landscape of our nation and our planet -says the H.E Wondimu Seta. State Minister of Urban and Infrastructure in Ethiopia.” He stressed that the participants need to leverage their collective expertise, experiences, and insights to identify actionable solutions and best practices in sustainable infrastructure development. Actions that will drive progress and transformation in our communities.” During the last two days, infrastructure and project management experts were actively participating in the presentations and plenary sessions about WASH, irrigation, sustainable road and transport, sustainable housing and energy, and financing and project delivery. Their main focus was the policy briefing for climate-resilient sustainable infrastructure, integrating planning encompassing social, environmental, and economic sustainability, and national policy innovations in this area.

UNOPS, within its mandate to implement infrastructure, is committed to helping countries gain a better understanding of how their infrastructure planning, delivery, and EACE management practices compare to recognized global best practices, and how they could improve.

“I am very proud of our joint results with the Government of Ethiopia and donors, as a partner of choice, in the area of infrastructure development in different regions. From the reconstruction of primary schools and health centers in Tigray, the installation of medical incinerators in eight different regions, and the design and rehabilitation of the one-stop shop centers for refugees, to the construction of latrines and water points in the Somali region,” the UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-County Office Director and Representative to the African Union, Mrs. Worknesh Mekonnen, said. “We at UNOPS anticipate the future with the infrastructure designed and built to suit the needs of all its beneficiaries, including women, children, persons with disabilities, older or marginalized people. We are dedicated to the sustainable infrastructure which is resilient to climate change and climate-compatible.”

The infrastructure is significantly impacting 92% of targets within all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and can stir the development positively or negatively. When developed in a sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive manner, it can create efficient transportation and green energy, contribute to new employment opportunities and quality housing, and improve access to fresh water and sanitation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to president of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, on the occasion of her country’s National Day.

In this message, the Sovereign expresses to Sakellaropoulou His warmest congratulations and best wishes for continued progress and prosperity to the Greek people.

His Majesty the King takes this opportunity to express His determination to continue working with the Greek president to strengthen the close cooperation between the two countries and expand it to all sectors of common interest, for the benefit of the two friendly peoples.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.