A high-powered delegation of Ghana energy leaders will showcase a range of significant investment opportunities in the booming African oil-and-gas territory, in what has been described as “a game-changing moment for the sector” at the forthcoming AOW Investing In African Energy (www.AOWEnergy.com) event. 

His Excellency Herbert Krapa, Minister of Energy, Republic of Ghana and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation CEO Joe Dadzie will provide invaluable insights into Ghana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector, and host private meetings with interested operators in an exclusive showcase titled “Why Ghana matters: A New Era of Exploration”. 

The engagements are expected to be among the most promising at the event, which has million-dollar networking opportunities as one of its unique selling points. AOW describes itself as “the meeting place for the global community of African energy stakeholders committed to enabling a prosperous energy outlook for Africa”. 

West Africa has long been one of the continent’s hottest regions for oil and gas exploration. Recent discoveries in Cote d`Ivoire surrounding the Calao and Baleine basins have emphasised the region’s importance. Now, ongoing discoveries in the Tano basin off Ghana have become a focus for industry experts. 

“It is no surprise that Ghana is one of the hottest topics in the African oil and gas narrative,” says Yemi Ibidunni, Event Director for AOW. “The industry has matured rapidly since discoveries in the Jubilee field in 2006, with upstream and downstream development. Now, new offshore finds have boosted interest in Ghana’s prospects. We are proud to be hosting a session to delve into what makes Ghana an attractive investment and exploration destination.” 

Key topics to be covered in the session will include: the resurgence of interest in the Tano Basin, and how recent discoveries are reshaping the West African oil-and-gas landscape; open-acreage offshore opportunities, and the potential for future discoveries; and a first look at the hugely anticipated Volta and Keta basins, and their significance to African exploration. 

AOW is acknowledged as the premier meeting point for the global private sector and balance-sheet holders with the capital and technology to drive major projects. The exclusive Ghana Showcase will give attendees the chance to engage with key Ghana energy stakeholders, gain strategic insights, and stay ahead of the curve on upstream trends and opportunities in the territory.  

“In particular, this session will offer an in-depth look at the re-emergence of the Transform Margin as one of Africa’s most promising areas,” says Sinclair. “This event promises to be a game changing moment for the industry, given Ghana’s huge potential.” 

AOW Investing in Africa Energy (https://apo-opa.co/3Bui94i) runs from October 7 – 11, 2024, at the CTICC 2 in Cape Town.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

Nobody can predict the future; However, modernising payroll gives the space to contemplate a company’s unique workplace evolution.

We are overwhelmed by predictions of the future workplace. Workforces will be more flexible.  Employees will assert their independence. Hybrid and remote working will become the norm. The 9-to-5 grind is coming to an end—or not. There is evidence pointing towards and away from these predictions.

Some companies are trialling 4-day work weeks while others try to lure employees back to the office. Some business models work very well remotely, while others struggle when they don’t have people present. The more we try to unpack the potential futures of the workplace, the more scenarios appear.

“The only thing we can say with confidence is that nobody has the answers,” says Sandra Crous, Managing Director of PaySpace by Deel. “What works for one business doesn’t work for another, which is not what business leaders want to hear. One day, we’ll have the answers. But we’re the ones who need to come up with those answers and put them to the test.”

The certainty of flexibility

With so many contradictions, what is the best way forward? There is a clear answer—automate the tasks that stop HR departments from applying their minds to these crucial questions.

Consider when you go shopping. Which approach is more effective: making a shopping list beforehand or trying to figure it out while you shop? A shopping list is much more efficient and gives you the space to consider other options, such as price differences or taking advantage of a special.

“Our brains can only handle so many things at a given point. If you try to do everything at once, you don’t do anything well. So, are there things that occupy your mind that don’t need to be there? I think this is the real definition of flexibility: it’s not just about choice but removing unnecessary choice,” says Crous.

HR staff are like a busy shopper floundering between necessary and unnecessary choices. They wear many hats, interact with employees and owners, juggle policies and culture, and manage the workforce’s demands. They are also expected to help inform and cultivate a workplace’s future. In order for them to focus on those questions, they need more flexibility and space. How can we create that space?

Flexibility through payroll

The answer lies in automating and streamlining routine yet crucial employee and business touchpoints, and payroll modernisation is the most obvious place to start, says Crous:

“Payroll encompasses a lot: the main examples are remuneration, benefits calculation, leave allocation, budgeting for salaries, and employee loans. Indirectly, payroll relates to talent management and employee wellbeing. On a strategic level, payroll is a big cost to business and a nerve centre between employees and employers. Some payroll tasks are simple yet important, such as providing payslip information so an employee can do things like open bank accounts. Other things become very complicated, like changes to employment laws or managing staff across multiple regions.”

Can payroll help HR prepare for the future workplace? Just like shopping without a list, payroll tasks can overwhelm HR and other departments with routine yet crucial tasks pulling their attention in different directions. However, when payroll services start removing the clutter and demands of payroll through automation, self-service, and enriched integration, it gives HR professionals the flexibility to apply their skills to the changing workplace.

“Nobody can predict what the future of offices will look like,” Crous explains. “Every business must figure that out for their circumstances. But if your HR people are constantly dealing with payroll issues, they don’t have the scope to envision long-term scenarios and feel the pulse of company workforces.”

Nobody has conclusive answers on what tomorrow’s workplace looks like. But we can empower the right people to apply their minds to those questions by removing things that shouldn’t consume their bandwidth. Payroll is an obvious place to start.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PaySpace.

ABOUT PAYSPACE:
Architected in the cloud, PaySpace’s proprietary payroll technology is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use allowing anytime, anywhere access to empower payroll and HR teams. It is highly secure and drives operational efficiency, offering self-serve payroll or payroll outsourced to a team of in-house PaySpace payroll experts.

PaySpace was specifically designed to provide multi-country payroll and HR functionality with built-in compliance for organizations of all sizes and industry sectors. It provides a single truth for payroll and HR data – and the tools to make strategic decisions at every level. PaySpace has expanded into 40+ African countries as well as the United Kingdom and the Middle East, with an imminent launch in Brazil.

PaySpace, acquired by Deel in their largest acquisition to date in 2024, will be integrated as Deel’s exclusive payroll calculation engine. This represents an enormous step toward their goal of being the one-stop-shop for all things global payroll&HR.

Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), has been selected as a recipient of the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award. Taking place during the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – the awards celebrate the individuals and companies spearheading the development, innovation and growth of the African energy industry.

The Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award represents the highest honor in Africa’s energy sector, and recognizes an individual who has left an indelible mark on the African oil, gas and energy industries.  His work as Secretary General of APPO and commitment to driving inclusive, collaborative and sustainable development in Africa reaffirm Ibrahim’s selection as a recipient of this award.

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 http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Under Ibrahim’s leadership, APPO has made significant strides towards expanding and strengthening the African energy sector. One of the organization’s biggest achievements is the launch of the Africa Energy Bank, an institution established with the aim of improving access to finance for African energy projects. Officially launched in 2024, the bank features an initial start-up capital of $5 billion and will be headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. Spearheaded by APPO and the African Export-Import Bank, the bank was created out of a need to enhance access to financing for Africa’s oil and gas industry. With the decline in foreign capital expenditure posing a challenge for oil and gas projects in Africa, the bank aims to fulfill the imposing investment gap, thereby ensuring projects are developed at scale and on time. By providing capital and partnering with over 700 African financial institutions, the bank will pave the way for a new era of project development in Africa.

Beyond the Africa Energy Bank, APPO has played an instrumental part in promoting cooperation within the field of hydrocarbons both within Africa and further abroad. Ibrahim represents a strong advocate for the role oil and gas plays in Africa and has worked tirelessly to promote investment, development as well as a just energy transition across the continent. In 2024, APPO published a study on the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry in Africa in the Light of the Energy Transition, outlining three major areas of concern. These include finance, technology and markets. In the study, APPO offers strategic insight into how countries can address these challenges, while strengthening their standing as a global energy producer.

At the center of APPO’s strategy is cooperation among producing markets, and under Ibrahim’s leadership, the organization has enhanced its mission to foster fruitful collaboration and partnerships. Through ministerial meetings, roundtables, working visits, training institutes and studies, APPO aims to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities faced by Africa’s producing markets. Ibrahim – leveraging his experience as an advisor to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Governor to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Board Member of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum – continues to drive the organization’s goals.

“Omar Farouk Ibrahim represents the type of leader that Africa needs: one that is resolute in their approach to driving investment and development across the oil and gas value chain. Ibrahim not only recognizes the vital role hydrocarbons play in Africa, but balances the needs of the continent with an overarching goal to reduce emission and foster sustainable operations. His commitment to development, his drive for inclusive projects and his dedication to fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem in Africa makes him a perfect recipient of the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Ibrahim will receive the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award during the African Energy Awards ceremony at this year’s AEW: Invest in African Energy conference. Uniting global investors and project developers with African governments and projects, the conference serves as the biggest energy platform on the continent. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) (www.GABI.UNGlobalCompact.org) flagship event wrapped up on September 26, 2024, in New York, successfully concluding a two-day summit held alongside the UN General Assembly. Themed “Unstoppable Africa: Shaping Global Ambitions for Agenda 2063”, the event attracted over 2,000 leaders, CEOs, investors, policymakers, and innovators, all focused on positioning Africa as a global leader. 

The summit emphasized inclusive participation and solution-driven solutions, culminating in a final roundtable where stakeholders committed to tackling pressing challenges. Key topics included unlocking inclusive trade growth, Africa’s role in clean energy, digital advancements, and the global impact of African creativity and sports. 

Powerful Closing Remarks 
UN Assistant Secretary-General Sanda Ojiambo commended the Africa Business Leaders Coalition for its leadership, noting a nearly 25% reduction in carbon footprints among participating businesses since launching a climate statement at COP27. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed stressed the critical role of Africa’s private sector in driving impactful change, emphasizing that with the right investments and partnerships, Africa is poised for transformative growth. 

Introducing Itana: A Digital Future for Africa 
A major highlight was the launch of Itana, Africa’s first Digital Free Zone. This initiative enables global technology, finance, and service businesses to operate seamlessly in Nigeria and scale across Africa, entirely online. Itana offers attractive incentives, including tax breaks, streamlined immigration processes, and tailored banking solutions, along with a live-in accelerator program and live-work districts that showcase the future of African urban development. 

Insightful Panels and Discussions 
Day Two started with a panel on closing Africa’s climate finance gap, which revealed that the continent receives less than 5% of global climate funding despite its renewable energy potential. Another panel explored the rising significance of Africa’s cultural and creative industries, highlighting their role in economic growth and reshaping narratives. 

The discussion on the digital economy included insights from leaders like Rwanda’s ICT Minister, Paula Ingabire, and Safaricom’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa, who emphasized the necessity for strategic financing and inclusive policies. 

Additionally, a session on the African fashion sector showcased the industry’s growth potential, with a focus on female designers dedicated to establishing a competitive presence in the global market. 

NBA Africa Startup Accelerator Award 
Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, presented the NBA Africa Startup Accelerator award to Festival Coins, a Nigerian tech company known for its Tix Africa platform, which simplifies event registration and ticketing in Nigeria and Ghana. This initiative aims to support Africa’s tech ecosystem by providing mentorship and funding to emerging entrepreneurs. 

New Partnerships and Future Directions 
The event also served as a platform for announcing significant partnerships aimed at shaping Africa’s future: 

Mine Tech Hub Contribution: H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia announced a significant contribution to the Mine Tech Hub, which aims to promote technological innovation in the mining sector, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.  

Timbuktoo Initiative: H.E. Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, expressed his strong support for the Timbuktoo Initiative, a global effort led by UNDP Africa focused on youth empowerment, digitalization, and sustainable development.  

Infrastructure Collaboration: Turkish construction company SUMMA and TAV Airports announced a collaboration to enhance infrastructure development and investment opportunities in Africa, Selim Bora, Chairman of SUMMA, said: ‘‘We believe in the transformative power of infrastructure to shape the future of Africa. For over a decade, we have proudly partnered with nations across the continent creating opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life. ‘Unstoppable Africa’ is a testament to the resilience, ambition, and growth that we see across the region.”  

Key initiatives for 2025 include: 

Food Systems: GABI signed a $250,000 partnership with PepsiCo to mobilize the private sector in Africa to transform food systems. The partnership will coincide with key milestones, including a GABI Bridge at the UN Global Compact Annual Local Network Forum in South Africa in 2025 and the Food Systems Summit.  

Education: A planned partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) will focus on transforming Africa’s education systems. This collaboration will build on the outcomes of the 2022 Transforming Education Summit and begin with a side event hosted by GPE during Convene in 2025.  

The 2024 GABI event concluded with optimism and a shared commitment to harness Africa’s potential for global leadership. With concrete plans and partnerships now established, the initiative is poised to continue its momentum toward a future where Africa leads on the global stage. 

View photos from Day 2 here (https://apo-opa.co/3BuaanQ) and event B-roll (https://apo-opa.co/4eloo9f) here. For more information about Unstoppable Africa event, please visit the Website (https://apo-opa.co/3Bm8Gfu)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.

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