The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today announced nearly 40 of the top high-school-age prospects from 24 countries outside the U.S. who will travel to Phoenix, Ariz. for the second Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global girls camp. The event will be held Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21 at the Verizon 5G Performance Center – the official training facility of the Phoenix Suns – as part of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2024.

The campers will be coached by several former WNBA and FIBA players and coaches, including WNBA Coaches Development Program participants Edniesha Curry, Shey Peddy, April Sykes and Kelly Raimon (Schumacher).  Former WNBA player and current Vice President of Team Operations&Organizational Growth for the Boston Celtics Allison Feaster will serve as the camp director.

The players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities, including anthropometric and athletic testing, movement efficiency, skill development stations, shooting and skills competitions, life skills seminars and 5-on-5 games. A ceremony on the final day of the camp will award the Kim Bohuny Camp MVP, the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award, the Three-Point Champion and the Defensive MVP honors to the campers who distinguish themselves on the court and as leaders. The campers will also attend the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center on Saturday, July 20.  

The event will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp.

BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, has reached more than 4,400 participants from 142 countries and territories since 2001, with 127 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA.  There have been 75 BWB camps in 50 cities across 33 countries on six continents. Eleven former BWB campers have advanced to the WNBA, including Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm; Australia; BWB Asia 2016), Jade Melbourne (Washington Mystics; Australia; BWB Global 2020), Aaliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics; Canada; BWB Global 2019), Nika Muhl (Seattle Storm; Croatia; BWB Europe 2018&BWB Global 2019) and Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky; Brazil; BWB Global 2019). 

Follow the camp using the hashtag #BWBGlobal on Facebook, Instagram and X.  Find out more about BWB at BasketballWithoutBorders.com, on YouTube (Basketball Without Borders : https://apo-opa.co/3VWfkQi) and on Instagram (@basketballwithoutborders).

The following is a complete list of players participating in the second BWB Global girls camp at WNBA All-Star (rosters subject to change):

Name

Country

Filomena Luis

Angola

Malena Maggi

Argentina

Alma Bourgarel

Argentina

Nerea Lagowski

Argentina

Saffron Shiels

Australia

Opal Bird

Australia

Bonnie Deas

Australia

Sienna Harvey

Australia

Monique Bobongie

Australia

Sina Hollerl

Austria

Kyra Bruyndoncx

Belgium

Alexia Araujo

Brazil

Nyadieng Yiech

Canada

Alex-Anne Bessette

Canada

Patricia Augustin

Canada

Deborah Damoah

Canada

Meredith Venner

Colombia

Emilie Brzonova

Czech Republic

Blanca Quiñonez

Ecuador

Aisha Hassan

Egypt

Salma Khedr

Egypt

Lilli Onnela

Finland

Stacy Chovino

France

Lelia Lesueur

France

Ysaline Saulnier

France

Sakura Horiuchi

Japan

Kanon Suzuki

Japan

Joanie Rakotonanahary

Madagascar

Oumou Dabo

Mali

Keona Douwstra

Netherlands

Annika Scott

New Zealand

Antonella Luraghi

Paraguay

Tacko Sy

Senegal

Lana Mikes

Serbia

Tanja Valancic

Slovenia

Ajsa Sivka

Slovenia

Alba Caballero

Spain

Irene Noya

Spain

Tilda Trygger

Sweden

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contact:
Kevin Alonzo
NBA
kalonzo@NBA.com 
(212) 407-8158

Multilateral development finance institution the African Development Bank announced a $7 million trade finance guarantee facility to Access Bank DR Congo to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and local businesses in February 2024. The financing aims to address the funding shortages that impede the growth of SMEs and their full participation in key economic sectors, including agriculture and mining.

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As part of efforts by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to strengthen SMEs and advance its critical minerals sector, Hon. Louis Kabamba Watum, Minister of Industry and the Development of SMEs has joined the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit as a speaker.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit on November 6 – 7 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference (http://apo-opa.co/3zA7jZX) on November 4 – 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The DRC is ushering in a new era of prosperity and innovation across diverse sectors, particularly mining, by prioritizing skills development among its youth and SMEs. The country has trained over 7,720 women and young entrepreneurs with next-generation entrepreneurship skills through the World Bank-led PADMPME program, since its inception in 2018. As the DRC intensifies efforts to harness and exploit its critical mineral resources for economic growth and job creation, the role and potential of SMEs are poised for substantial expansion. Minister Watum will address these themes at CMA, emphasizing the vital role of local entrepreneurship and economic diversification within the DRC’s mining sector.

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Minister Watum will highlight the role of the DRC’s vast mineral wealth – including the world’s largest cobalt reserves and fourth largest copper deposits – in driving GDP growth and economic development, with a focus on local SMEs and community benefits. The DRC – through state-owned mining firm Gecamines – kickstarted operations at the 140,000 tons per annum Kipushi zinc-copper mine this July following 30 years of mine maintenance. The resumption of operations at the facility is set to boost the DRC’s copper output, enhance export revenue and create new opportunities for SMEs across sectors such as transportation. Additionally, Gecamines has independently begun marketing and selling its copper shares from the Tenke Fungurume mine, operated by a Chinese firm, aiming to increase profitability and stimulate economic opportunities for local SMEs, businesses, and economies. At the CMA summit, Minister Watum will contribute to the Ministerial Forum, engaging with African and international mining ministers to discuss strategies and best practices aimed at empowering Africa’s critical minerals industry.

As the official platform for deal signing, CMA 2024 represents an ideal platform for Minister Watum to meet with international investors, mining companies, and industry leaders to discuss potential collaborations and investment opportunities.

“The DRC is prioritizing the empowerment of SMEs and local businesses, recognizing their pivotal role in driving the sustainable growth in the critical minerals sector. As the industry continues to attract new investments, local SMEs are poised to unlock innovative solutions and infrastructure development that will propel the country’s critical minerals sector forward,” stated Rachelle Kasongo, Project Director, Energy Capital&Power.

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

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is glad to announce that its Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), will be a guest speaker at the seventh edition of the EurAfrican Forum 2024 (www.EurAfricanForum.org). The event, organised by the Portuguese Diaspora Council, will take place at NOVA School of Business and Economics in Cascais, Portugal on 15 – 16 July 2024.

Launched in 2018 and chaired by the former President of the European Commission and current Chair of the Board of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Professor José Manuel Durão Barroso, the EurAfrican Forum is an action-oriented platform that seeks to strengthen collaboration between Europe and Africa. Previous editions of the EurAfrican Forum were attended by the Presidents of Ghana, Mozambique, and Angola, along with a diverse array of influential leaders, policymakers, and industry experts.

Commenting on his participation, Pompigne-Mognard said, “I am honoured to join this distinguished forum and share insights on how the sports industry can be a catalyst for the growth of the continent. Sports go beyond entertainment. It is widely recognised by development actors as a catalyst and an enabler of human development and social good, offering opportunities for jobs and revenue generation through sponsorships, broadcasting rights, merchandise sales, venue management, tourism, infrastructure development, event management, hospitality services, sports technology, and fan engagement. Sports can also influence urban development by revitalising areas through the construction of stadiums and sports complexes, contributing to local economies.”

Pompigne-Mognard serves on the Advisory Board of the World Football Summit.

In June 2023, he was appointed as Special Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa, to provide expert advice and guidance on specific issues and areas of responsibility related to rugby and matters of interest on the African continent.

Pompigne-Mognard’s wholly-owned enterprise, APO Group, has been FIFA’s pan-African public relations agency for the past three years and serves as the pan-African public relations agency for the NBA and the Basketball Africa League. It also functions as the strategic partner of the Olympic Movement in Africa (ANOCA).

From 2017 to 2022, APO Group held the position of Main Official Sponsor of Rugby Africa. In 2023, it advanced to become Rugby Africa’s official public relations partner and sport marketing agency. APO also sponsored Africa’s first-ever World Tour cycling team, NTT Pro Cycling, from 2020 to 2022, and the Lux Afrique Polo Day from 2019 to 2021. It maintains strategic partnerships with the International Press Sport Association (AIPS) and is the official partner of the OM Africa development programme of the renowned French football club, Olympique de Marseille.

Recently, The Beast Foundation, a prominent sports and education programme established by former Springbok rugby legend and Rugby World Cup winner, Tendai Mtawarira (The Beast), selected APO Group as its exclusive public relations partner.

Pompigne-Mognard was listed among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2023.

Other representatives from APO Group attending the EurAfrican Forum 2024 include João Marques, Director of Strategy, and Eleanor Legge-Bourke, Senior Growth Director.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media contact:
Marie@apo-opa.com

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) stands as the premier award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of both private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact in Africa and beyond.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation in communication strategies has been recognised with prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award, five PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards and two World Business Outlook Awards in 2023 alone, in categories, among others, including Leading Public Relations Firm Africa 2023 and Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa 2023.

Our esteemed clientele, including global giants like Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, and Coca-Cola, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape, with teams on the ground in numerous African countries, offering unmatched insights and reach across the continent.

APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.

For more information, please visit our website: www.APO-opa.com

African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk has been selected as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the Who’s Who Legal (WWL): Energy 2024 report. Hosted by global legal intelligence platform Lexology, the WWL: Energy 2024 report is a comprehensive source of international legal updates, analysis and insights on law firms and in-house counsel. Ayuk’s selection not only underscores his expertise in the field of energy but his recognition as an authority in the African energy sector.

The WWL: Energy 2024 report identifies private practice lawyers with a proven track record in representing and advising major and independent energy companies involved in the exploration, production, marketing and transportation of energy. The report highlights experts in the sector using a combination of extensive research, client feedback and expert insight. As such, this recognition underscores Ayuk’s profound impact on the global energy legal sector, specifically in advocating for investment and development across Africa’s evolving energy industry.

Ayuk’s expertise spans various aspects of energy law, including oil and gas, renewables and power projects. Through his work as Founder and Executive Chairman of the AEC – an energy advocacy group which serves as the voice of the African energy sector – Ayuk’s efforts have not only elevated the profile of African energy on the global stage but also paved the way for innovative legal frameworks that support investment and growth in the sector.

In addition to his role at the AEC, Ayuk is the Founder and former-CEO of CLG – previously Centurion Law Group -, a trailblazing legal firm renowned for its innovative and flexible approach to meeting the diverse needs of its clients. His extensive experience and leadership in navigating the complex legal landscapes of the energy sector have been pivotal in driving forward both the AEC and CLG’s mission to promote sustainable and inclusive energy development across the continent.

Ayuk’s inclusion in the WWL: Energy 2024 report highlights his unwavering commitment to fostering a more equitable and prosperous energy future for Africa. This milestone is a testament to Ayuk’s dedication, vision and influential role in the legal field.

“Being acknowledged by my peers in the legal community is a tremendous honor. It reinforces the importance of collaboration and the collective effort of lawyers in shaping the future of the energy sector. Energy is the backbone of economic development and as the sector continues to grow, I am committed to supporting and guiding its progress through sound legal practices and strategic advocacy. Together, we can drive sustainable growth and create opportunities for all,” stated Ayuk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.