Anyone who does not feel comfortable staying in overcrowded living quarters would be well advised to avoid ending up behind bars in South Sudan. The Wau Central Prison, designed to accommodate 250 people, currently holds 900 women, men and juvenile lawbreakers.

In a bid to decongest the facility, reducing the risk of health issues like skin diseases and tuberculosis in the process, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has funded and recently handed over a new two-ward building, capable of hosting 80 detainees to local authorities in Thuro-Majok in Jur River County.

“Contributing to prisons upholding minimum standards and offenders being treated with dignity is essential as it will better prepare inmates to reintegrate into society once they have served their sentences,” said Major Atong Ajak, Director of the Thuro-Majok facility, adding that partners providing inmates with necessary healthcare is also part of raising the standard of living of people being confined to cells.

Norbert Niyodusenga, Acting Head of the peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Wau, stressed yet another key component when it comes to rehabilitating detainees.

“We want to reduce incidents of food insecurity as well, for example by giving convicts possibilities to farm fruits, vegetables and other crops,” he said, while also pointing out that such initiatives also give prisoners valuable skills with the potential of generating incomes.

On her part, Sara Cleto Rial, Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State, highlighted the collaborative nature of the process that made the construction of the new structure possible.

“Everyone has played a part in making this happen, starting with the community generously offering the land needed for the project. By working together, we can foster peace, security and development,” she noted.

The funding of the Thuro-Majok prison is part of the peacekeeping mission’s Quick Impact Project programme, with the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization being the partner constructing the buildings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The Republic of Congo will host the first ever Congo Energy&Investment Forum, scheduled for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville.   

Serving as the inaugural edition, the forum underscores the Republic of Congo’s growing role in Africa’s energy landscape. Under the leadership of Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, the country has affirmed its commitment to maximizing its energy potential and streamlining licensing and regulatory processes, leading to a series of recent acquisitions and project developments. As sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer – with a daily output of 280,000 barrels expected by the end of 2024 – the Congo has attracted a new wave of independent explorers and investments across its energy value chain, rivaling neighboring oil giants like Angola and Nigeria.  

Congo’s national oil company Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) is leading Congo’s energy growth. Among its many projects across the hydrocarbons value chain, the company holds a majority stake in the Mengo Kundji Bindi II permit, with an estimated 2.5 billion barrels of oil. SNPC’s initiatives in this field encompass the development of 13 wells, extensive 3D seismic data acquisition and the construction of six production platforms.  

TotalEnergies announced in May 2024 that it would invest a further $600 million in its projects in the Republic of Congo, where it is the largest oil producer. The company had stated the previous month that it would increase its stake in the Moho-Bilondo field by 10% to 63.5%. TotalEnergies also operates the deepwater Marine XX permit. In April 2024, Trident Energy entered the Congolese market through its acquisition of Chevron’s Congolese assets, including non-operated interests in the Moho-Bilondo, Nkossa and Nsoko II fields, as well as a 15.75% operated interest in the Lianzi field. In March 2024, oil and gas independent Perenco acquired several oil permits from Eni’s portfolio for $300 million – adding to its existing in-country portfolio that includes assets in the shallow water Emeraude, Yombo, Likouala, Pointe Noire Grand Fond Sud and Baotou oil fields.  

The upcoming Congo Energy&Investment Forum will provide critical insights into the country’s latest upstream developments, including perspectives from crucial service sector partners such as Baker Hughes and SLB as well as from E&P firms, and connect investors with new projects on- and offshore.  

The Republic of Congo boasts over 10 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas resources and has defined a medium- to long-term strategy for their utilization, focused on increasing production, monetizing flared gas, and developing advanced processing facilities. The country is targeting 3 million tons of LNG per year by 2025 from Eni’s Marine XII development, which involves the installation of two FLNG units at the Nenè and Litchendjili fields. In February 2024, Congo exported its first LNG cargo from the Tango FLNG facility – phase one of the broader Congo LNG development – with a second unit expected to be operational by the end of 2025, adding a capacity of 2.4 million tons per year. 

Meanwhile, Chinese company Wing Wah Oil is leading the development of the multi-phase Banga Kayo onshore project, which aims to produce 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas over a period of 25 years, transforming flared gas into dry gas, natural gas, LNG, LPG and polypropylene. The first phase of production is set to begin in 2024.   

To fully leverage its untapped gas potential, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons is soon to release a new Gas Master Plan, aimed at consolidating the position of existing E&P companies and attracting new investments to the sector. The plan will serve as a roadmap to harnessing the Congo’s gas resources for both domestic consumption and export, with a view to boosting gas utilization and diversifying crude oil revenues. In 2024, the Ministry is also planning to establish a national gas company and adopt a new Gas Code, set to facilitate the commercialization of stranded assets and flared gas and make small-scale projects more economically viable through amended fiscal terms.  

“In partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and with the support of the African Energy Chamber, we are dedicated to making this forum a landmark event. The inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum highlights the nation’s immense potential and latest achievements in the energy sector. The goal is to establish a platform that not only showcases the investment opportunities within the Congo, but also promotes international cooperation and long-term partnerships,” says James Chester, CEO of event organizer Energy Capital&Power.  

For more information, please visit www.CongoEnergyInvestment.com.  

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

Network International (Network) (www.Network.ae), a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, has extended its strategic partnership with Orabank Group, the largest banking group in Francophone Africa, to transform the bank’s prepaid and agent banking solutions.

The partnership is a significant milestone in enhancing the banking experience for Orabank Group customers and enabling the bank’s digital transformation with innovative solutions. It will leverage Network’s expertise in enhancing Orabank’s competitiveness in the Francophone markets. It also strengthens Network’s existing partnership with Orabank Group by introducing innovative payment technology and solutions to enhance consumer trust and convenience. 

Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum, Group CEO, Orabank Group, said: “We are thrilled to enter a new phase of growth through the strategic partnership with Network International. Using Network’s expertise, we are shaping the future of the digital payment market in Francophone Africa with new products and services that will facilitate our digital payment transformation. This offers an elevated experience for our customers and emphasises our pivotal role in the financial market.”

Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing, Network International, said: “We are excited to extend our strategic partnership with Orabank Group to transform digital payments for their customers in the prepaid and agent banking space. Implementing Network’s innovative solutions underlines the bank’s impact in the Francophone market by providing superior payment experiences. We look forward to capturing the opportunities that lie ahead and achieving new heights of success by working together.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

Media Contacts: 
Corporate Communications
Network International
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 303 2431
Email: lambert.espedido@network.global

Srishti Soni
Burson; Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600; Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: Srishti.Soni@bursonglobal.com

Oragroup
Direction de la Communication
Email : komi.ahawo@orabank.net
Tél : +228 90 06 83 92 

About Network International: 
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s largest and leading digital payments company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We operate in 50+ countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. We have 2,000+ employees based in our markets serving over 250 financial institutions and 130,000+ merchants. 

About Oragroup: 
Oragroup is present in 12 countries in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Togo) and in four monetary zones (WAEMU, ECCAS, Guinea Conakry and Mauritania). With 152 banking branches and 1,857 employees, Oragroup offers more than 500,000 customers (large national and international companies, SMEs and individuals) a wide range of banking products and services based on the principles of being local and responsive.

By striving for financial inclusion through the deployment of innovative solutions, Oragroup focuses on previously neglected segments of the population. This commitment is reflected in its CSR policy, which is an integral part of its strategy and a priority for its management bodies, focusing on energy transition, environmental and social risk management, and the well-being of the public and its employees.

For more information, please visit www.Orabank.net or LinkedIn, @ GroupOrabank on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Also explore KEAZ, Oragroup’s digital platform.

The Dialogue on Justice, Development, and Geopolitics, organized by the Ministry of Justice, commenced today at Asmara Palace Hotel.

In her keynote address, Ms. Fauzia Hashim, Minister of Justice, emphasized that a value-based and well-functioning justice system is a crucial component of development. She stated that the Horn of Africa has long been a victim of geopolitics, which have hampered efforts to achieve comprehensive development for the people of the region. Ms. Fauzia further noted that with proper handling and the development of mutual understanding, significant contributions can be made to the successful implementation of development programs.

The Dialogue, which will continue until 6 September, features research papers on various topics, including: “Eritrea: From Victim to a Key Player in the Geopolitics of the Horn,” “The Big Rupture in International Relations and Its Importance to the Region,” “The History and Geopolitical Dynamics of the Horn of Africa and Beyond,” “Land, Indigenous Laws, and Development in Africa,” “Decolonizing the Concept of Development and Integration in Africa,” “Assessment and Re-Assessment of the Integration Process in Africa,” “Building a Common Understanding on Synergies of Development,” and “Evaluation of Synergies on Development in the Horn of Africa, Red Sea Region, and the Nile Basin.”

The Dialogue is being attended by legal experts from Eritrea, Senegal, Ethiopia, Italy, Lebanon, Belgium, France, Nicaragua, and other countries that possess substantial knowledge of the subject.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.