The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia – among the world’s top mineral producers – are currently spearheading the implementation of a Transboundary Battery and Electric Vehicle (EV) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) (https://apo-opa.co/4g2yhK7). The development of SEZs dedicated exclusively to battery and EV production aims to unlock new foreign investment, as well as position both countries within the global automotive manufacturing space. 

The upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit will feature a Automotive and Batteries Focus panel, examining measures to establish Africa as a global hub for battery precursors, batteries and EVs, as well as exploring opportunities for Africa’s critical minerals to support clean energy development. To date, most African automotive manufacturing takes place in South Africa, yet massive mineral wealth in Zambia and the DRC indicates the potential of these markets to become industrial hubs. 

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 (https://apo-opa.co/4fUGT5A) 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. 

Increased cooperation among governments and international partners has been critical to positioning Africa’s mineral producers as potential manufacturing partners. The DRC, which holds the world’s largest cobalt reserves at 6 million metric tons out of the global 11 million metric tons, established the Congolese Battery Council in 2023 to facilitate investment across its mineral value chain. The country – also representing Africa’s largest copper producer – signed an MOU with Zambia in March 2023 to fast-track the implementation of the Transboundary Battery and Electric Vehicle SEZ, seeking to add value to its raw cobalt and copper resources. 

Zambia – Africa’s second-largest copper producer – formed a task committee in 2023 to expedite the implementation of the SEZ and identified land to host the zone. The country has strengthened partnerships with global mining firms, including Ivanhoe Mines, Galileo Resources, Tertiary Minerals, First Quantum, Vedanta Resources, Jubilee Metals and Xtract Resources, to achieve its goal of producing three million tons of copper annually by 2030. The Zambian and DRC governments are also partnering with the World Bank to launch local platforms between May 2024 and 2026, aimed at identifying and assessing investment prospects across their respective EV and critical minerals value chain. 

South Africa, which holds 80% of the world’s platinum group metals (PGMs) reserves – crucial for EV and hydrogen vehicle production – currently leads Africa’s EV market. Mining firm Isondo Precious Metals (https://apo-opa.co/3XlPHdy) plans to launch an advanced manufacturing facility for processing PGMs for EV applications in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, global automaker BMW, mining firm Anglo Platinum and energy company Sasol are piloting a fleet of hydrogen-fueled vehicles to advance smart mobility adoption in South Africa. CMA 2024 will host delegations from the DRC, Zambia, South Africa and other key industry stakeholders to discuss the latest developments shaping Africa’s smart mobility and mining sectors. 

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

Africa’s tourism sector is poised for an exciting ascent, and it has the potential to soar if it is propelled by visionary strategies and robust investments that harness the continent’s unparalleled tourist allure.

Amid the unprecedented changes of recent years, Africa’s tourist appeal is greater than ever. With the right steps, it can offer more top destinations for today’s tourists. The API Hospitality&Residences Forum is a pivotal platform for Africa’s hospitality industry that is legendary for its dealmaking, networking, and unique insights. It takes place on 19 September 2024 at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town on the first day of the highly anticipated two-day API Summit.

This year’s API Summit is themed “Impact”, and industry leaders speaking at the API Hospitality and Residences Forum highlight the key to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s tourism sector to foster sustainable growth and enhance the continent’s appeal to both travellers and investors includes focused investments, strategic partnerships and robust public sector involvement. The API Hospitality&Residence Forum sets the stage to catalyse and nurture these outcomes.

Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, will be among the distinguished speakers. “The pandemic had several profound effects on the tourism sector,” Haddad reflects. “One of the most noticeable impacts has been the increased desire among travellers for domestic or regional trips, as well as nature-based or less crowded destinations. Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from these trends.”

Citing the latest Chain Development Pipeline report by W Hospitality, Haddad notes a 20% growth in the number of hotel rooms in Africa since 2020, reaching a total of 92,134 rooms. “This growth indicates that the supply is expanding across the continent to meet the rising demand. We are also witnessing an increase in the quality and branded hotel supply in resort destinations such as Zanzibar and national parks like Serengeti and Mara. The global demand for nature and experiential experiences presents a significant opportunity for Africa, which has much to offer in this regard.”

Haddad continues, “Investing in and fostering partnerships within the tourism sector is not just beneficial but essential for unlocking its full potential in Africa.”

Such efforts can lead to comprehensive economic development, job creation, and the promotion of sustainable and inclusive growth. He emphasises that governments, private sector players, and international organisations all have crucial roles in facilitating these investments and partnerships to ensure the tourism sector thrives and significantly contributes to the continent’s development.

Echoing this sentiment, Daniel Trappler, Senior Director – Development Sub-Sahara Africa at Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), who will also speak at the event, outlines RHG’s strategic plans in the post-COVID landscape. “RHG plans to capitalise on growth opportunities in key value nodes such as Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar, and leisure offerings in the coastal and safari segments across Southern and Eastern Africa. Within these nodes lies the opportunity to increase RHG branded supply to meet the obvious growing demand.”

Trappler highlights RHG’s eagerness to expand its footprint in Cape Town’s 5-star and luxury segments, which have consistently performed above the market average despite higher rates. In Victoria Falls, RHG aims to replicate the success of its Zambezi River’s Zambia side, planning to introduce the upscale Radisson brand to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

“We are actively seeking partners to bring our Radisson, Radisson Blu, or Radisson Collection brands to Zanzibar, given RHG’s significant presence in Eastern Europe, the largest source market for Zanzibar,” Trappler adds.

Since opening its new Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, RHG has set its sights on replicating the same model within Southern and Eastern Africa, capturing both the foreign market and the regional market, which prefers short travel distances for tourism needs.

“The group is developing resort offerings in various safari and coastal locations, including Masai Mara, Serengeti, the Kenyan coast, Seychelles, Mauritius and the wildlife territories in Namibia and Botswana.”

Trappler underscores the critical role of investment and public sector involvement. “The contribution of tourism to GDP is evident across the region. National and local governments need to increase their awareness of the sector’s potential contribution to GDP. In South Africa, where RHG aims to double its portfolio, we need to see more active interest and contributions from the public sector towards developing hotels and hospitality infrastructure.”

He stresses the need for public sector initiatives driving growth in this sector, particularly in South Africa, where the sector is strong but could be a much larger contributor to GDP and employment creation.

The API Hospitality&Residences Forum is a unique pan-African event that brings hospitality-focused leaders and investors together with Africa’s leading real estate community. Sponsored by industry giants like Radisson Hotel Group, Marriott Hotels, HTI Consulting, JLL, and Tui Blu, the forum offers an unparalleled platform for doing business in African hospitality.

With over 500 leaders expected to attend the summit, including more than 250 hospitality delegates, in excess of 75 hotel brands, operators and owners, and 35 speakers, the API Hospitality&Residences Forum is the premier gathering of Africa’s leading hospitality professions and consultants.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events.

For any media enquiries or interviews, kindly contact:
Anne Lovell
anne@dmix.com
083 651 7777

Distributed for API Events by Dmix:
API Events
Murray Anderson-Ogle
Email:Murray@apievents.com
Contact: +27 71 890 77 39
Website: www.APIEvents.com

Social Media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4dF2L3l
Instagram: @ APIsummit
LinkedIn: API Events

Flutterwave (www.Flutterwave.com), a leading payments technology company, has received a Payment Systems Operator (PSO) license from the Bank of Uganda. This marks a key milestone in Flutterwave’s expansion across Africa, adding Uganda to its growing list of countries where it operates. 

Uganda’s digital payment landscape is transforming, driven by a youthful and vibrant population — over 78% (https://apo-opa.co/3AHL6ti) of its citizens are under the age of 35. This demographic presents an unprecedented opportunity to advance economic growth through enhanced financial inclusion and digital innovation.  

Founded in 2016, Flutterwave has emerged as a cornerstone of Africa’s digital economy, with a mission to simplify payments for endless possibilities. Leveraging its advanced technology and deep understanding of African markets, Flutterwave offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions tailored to the country’s unique needs. From mobile money integration — crucial for Uganda’s predominantly mobile-first population — to seamless cross-border payment capabilities, Flutterwave is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between Uganda and the global economy. 

With the PSO license, Flutterwave will offer payout services for disbursing funds like salaries and commissions, invoicing solutions for easy tracking and payment collection, and mobile money integration to provide convenient and accessible payment options for Ugandans. The license will also streamline fund transfers and payment collections across diverse customer segments and locations in Uganda, enabling businesses to benefit from efficient, reliable, and tailor-made payment solutions through either Flutterwave for Business or SendApp. 

Commenting on the license approval, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, Founder&CEO of Flutterwave, said, “Securing this license in Uganda is a significant step towards realising our vision of a financially connected Africa. At Flutterwave, we believe that the future of Africa lies in its ability to seamlessly connect its people, businesses, and economies through technology. We are excited to contribute to this journey, empowering Ugandan businesses and individuals to harness the full potential of digital payments and drive inclusive growth.” 

Oluwabankole Falade, Chief Regulatory Officer at Flutterwave, added: “The acquisition of this license further solidifies our standing as a leading payment technology service provider in Africa. We are deeply committed to adhering to all regulatory requirements and maintaining a strong relationship  with the Bank of Uganda to ensure our services remain safe, secure, and beneficial to the Ugandan people.” 

Flutterwave’s entry into Uganda follows its recent acquisitions of payment licenses in Ghana and Mozambique, further expanding its footprint and enhancing its ability to offer seamless and secure payments across the continent. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Flutterwave.

For additional information on Flutterwave or interview requests, please contact Hudson Sandler at flutterwave@hudsonsandler.com 

About Flutterwave 
Flutterwave is the leading payments technology company that enables businesses worldwide to expand their operations in Africa and other emerging markets through a platform that enables local and cross-border transactions via one Application Programming Interface (API). Flutterwave has processed over 630M transactions in excess of USD $31B and serves global and African customers like Uber, Air Peace, Bamboo, PiggyVest, and across various industries. The company’s key advantage is connecting businesses to various local and international payment types to enable them to expand globally. It also enables cross-border transactions from the diaspora to African countries via its SendApp product. Flutterwave processes payments via multiple payment modes, including local and international cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and Google Pay. The company has an infrastructure reach in 34 African countries. For more information on Flutterwave’s journey, please visit www.Flutterwave.com. 

Chinese foreign direct investment in Africa has increased significantly in recent years as Beijing strengthens its global trade and credit lines. Programs such as the Belt and Road Initiative – a China-led global infrastructure initiative – have seen up to $21.7 billion invested in Africa in 2023 alone while together, state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China National Petroleum Corporation and China Petroleum&Chemical Corporation represent the fourth-largest energy investors on the continent. As new opportunities in upstream hydrocarbon development, regional infrastructure and downstream processing unfold, China’s project portfolio in Africa is expected to substantially grow.

Given emerging opportunities for Chinese investors in Africa, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) – serving as the voice of the African energy sector – will conduct a working visit to China under efforts to promote new investment and global partnerships. A delegation led by AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese government officials and the private sector, with discussions centering around investment opportunities, bankable projects and China’s emerging role in Africa’s upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.

China’s Growing Energy Presence in Africa

Already boasting a strong presence in Africa’s mineral and renewable energy sectors, Chinese state-owned and private companies are turning their attention to developing African oil and gas resources. Wing Wah, a Chinese oil and gas company, is pioneering a comprehensive project in the Republic of Congo, designed to optimize resource monetization and promote the use of natural gas. The Bango Kayo project features a innovative development model for the Bango Kayo oilfield, extending production beyond the initial block lifecycles and harnessing previously flared gas. Through three phases, Wing Wah will incrementally enhance gas processing and valorization capabilities to produce LNG, butane, and propane. The primary focus is on meeting domestic demand, with surplus gas exported globally, positioning the project as a key contributor to the country’s energy landscape.

In Angola, China has invested just shy of $14 billion in the past decade, the majority of which in energy. At present, Chinese companies are advancing the development of refining projects while seeking new opportunities in upstream oil and gas. Earlier this year, a group of executives from CNOOC travelled to Angola to discuss investment opportunities in oil exploration. CNOOC is assessing an investment in Angola’s Block 24, a deepwater concession with promising potential. Construction firm China National Chemical Engineering also signed an MoU with Angola’s national oil company Sonangol in 2023 for the development of the 200,000 barrel per day Lobito Refinery – poised to be the country’s biggest.

In East Africa, CNOOC is developing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline in partnership with energy major TotalEnergies and the respective national oil companies of Uganda and Tanzania. Designed to transport crude from the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in Uganda to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga, the 1,443-km pipeline is estimated to cost $5 billion. Of this, the project partners have already raised $2 billion and the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments are seeking an additional $3 billion in debt financing – primarily from Chinese lenders such as the Export-Import Bank of China and the China Export&Credit Insurance Corporation. Meanwhile, CNOOC is partnering with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation to explore deep-sea Blocks 4/1B and 4/1C while holding talks with South Sudan to boost output at Blocks 3 and 7 in the Paloch fields. In West Africa, the company launched wildcat drilling in Gabon’s Blocks BC-9 and BCD-10 in 2023 and renewed its production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and TotalEnergies for OML 130.

“As Africa’s pipeline of bankable oil and gas projects grows, Chinese investors are bound to play an even greater role in supporting development across the industry. Leveraging strong multilateral ties established under programs such as the Belt and Road Initiatives, Chinese companies are gradually emerging as the partners of choice for upcoming oil and gas projects in Africa. From upstream exploration to downstream infrastructure to power and manufacturing industries, Chinese companies can catalyze development as Africa aims to make energy poverty history by 2030,” states Ayuk.

The AEC’s working visit to China comes ahead of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – Africa’s largest energy event, taking place November 4 – 8 in Cape Town. Amid China’s growing investment portfolio in Africa, AEW: Invest in African Energy serves to connect Chinese investors and project developers with African opportunities, fostering a new era of partnerships that drive projects forward. During the event, presentations, panel discussions and investor forums focus on bankable projects across the energy value chain in Africa, providing the information needed to advance investments.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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.