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IFC, African and European Partners Launch Alliance to Support Private Sector Growth in Africa

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To support a stronger private sector, entrepreneurship and the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across Africa, African, European, multilateral and bilateral partners today launched the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa (AforE).

The Alliance will combine and focus the technical and financial strengths of its members to improve Africa’s business environment and support the growth and success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women in business and young entrepreneurs. In addition to its core members, the Alliance aims to bring together multilateral and bilateral development banks, bilateral donors and African national development banks.

The Alliance was first announced at the Summit on Financing of African Economies in Paris in May 2021.

Alliance core members include the African Development Bank (AfDB); the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); the European Investment Bank (EIB); the European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI); the French Treasury; the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Proparco, the private sector financing arm of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group).

The launch of the Alliance comes as African economies recover and rebuild from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with small businesses seen as important drivers of job creation, innovation and the delivery of essential goods and services.

The creation of the Alliance reflects the strong commitment of African, European, multilateral and bilateral institutions, in coordination with the African Union, European Commission and others, to bolster Africa’s private sector amid ongoing African and global economic challenges.

Alliance members today signed the working arrangement for the Alliance. IFC will serve as the Alliance Secretariat helping to coordinate the activities and operationalize the initiative in partnership with the French Treasury.

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs in Africa are drivers of inclusive growth, economic stability and resilience. Supporting their growth will be critical to creating jobs and helping Africa recover from the COVID-19 crisis. And the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa stands ready to do that. IFC is proud to be part of this initiative, which deepens the partnership between international partners to give small businesses the support they need and deserve,” said Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director.

Solomon Quaynor, the African Development Bank’s Vice President for the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, said: “Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are vital to Africa’s prosperity. They represent 90% of all businesses and generate more than half of all jobs. Supporting existing businesses and the ecosystem for entrepreneurs to create innovative new ones lies at the heart of our private sector development strategy. The African Development Bank is committed to the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa. We want to ensure that African entrepreneurs have the means to thrive and can play an important part in solving Africa’s development challenges.”

Odile Renaud Basso, EBRD President, said: “The EBRD is committed to supporting financially and technically small businesses in the North African countries where it invests, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and soon Algeria. We offer an extensive suite of financial tools and advisory programme that we put at the service of small and medium enterprises and by joining forces with partners in Alliance we can archive a better impact on the economic growth of these countries.”

“Ensuring that African entrepreneurs and companies can access finance is crucial to accelerate growth and create jobs. Over the last two years EIB has been very active to support financial institutions that help SMEs particularly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to be a core member of the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa. This initiative combines the financial and technical strengths and local insight of African and international partners and together we can ensure a better future for African business,” said Ambroise Fayolle, European Investment Bank Vice President.

“The European DFIs welcome the opportunity to join hands with international and African partners to boost entrepreneurial growth in Africa. EDFI member institutions have been able to increase financing for SMEs across Africa, demonstrating our commitment to this important priority. The deeper collaboration through this new alliance can help mobilise even more investment in the inclusive development of Africa’s private sector,” said Søren Peter Andreasen, CEO at EDFI.

“Proparco is proud to count among the founding members of the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa. Proparco has long been committed to supporting African entrepreneurs and will build on the expertise acquired through the French initiative Choose Africa to contribute to this new global Alliance,” said Gregory Clemente, CEO of Proparco.

“Last May, the international community gathered in Paris at the Summit on the Financing of African Economies to devise jointly actions that will help boost a strong and inclusive recovery in Africa, grounded in a dynamic private sector. Today, we are proud to deliver with the official launch of the Alliance for entrepreneurship in Africa, gathering prominent development partners to support private sector development in Africa, as the main driver for growth and job creation. We will remain committed in the implementation phase to deliver on the ground, mobilize additional financing, promote tangible and high value added projects developed by the Alliance core members, with the objective to effectively make a difference for African SMEs through innovative financial products,” said Mr. Emmanuel Moulin, Director General of the Treasury.

Through a private-sector focused cooperation platform, the Alliance will support the roll-out of new initiatives to expand financing options for Africa’s SMEs, which cite a lack of access to finance as a major constraint to growth. According to the World Bank, SMEs account for up to 90 percent of all businesses in sub-Saharan Africa and represent 38 percent of the region’s GDP. Prior to COVID-19, IFC estimated the funding gap faced by SMEs in the region at $331 billion.

In addition to financing projects, the Alliance will support reforms aimed at strengthening the business and investment climate across Africa and facilitate the growth of private sector initiatives in more sustainable green and digital sectors.

Banking and non-banking financial institutions, other public and private sector organizations (such as foundations, philanthropic organizations, venture capital firms), and business and innovation training providers (including incubators, accelerators, universities), may also join the Alliance.

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NNPC and ARPHL Collaborate to Expand Port Harcourt Refinery to 310,000bpd

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has joined forces with the African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited (ARPHL) to expand the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The collaboration entails ARPHL’s subscription of a 15% equity stake in the Port Harcourt Refining Company, a move aimed at augmenting the refinery’s daily production capacity from 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 310,000bpd.

The agreement, finalized at a signing ceremony held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, underscores the commitment of both parties to bolstering Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.

Managing Director of African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited, Omotayo Adebajo, and NNPC’s Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Adedapo Segun, sealed the deal, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.

According to statements released by NNPC and ARPHL, the subscription agreement represents a crucial step towards expanding Nigeria’s refining capacity and addressing the nation’s persistent reliance on imported petroleum products.

The proposed increment of 100,000bpd in the Port Harcourt Refinery’s capacity is poised to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, fostering economic resilience and energy security.

Speaking on the collaboration, NNPC’s Executive Vice-President highlighted the strategic significance of co-locating the proposed additional refining capacity with the existing facilities at the Port Harcourt Refinery complex.

The move not only optimizes existing infrastructure but also underscores NNPC’s commitment to modernizing and revitalizing Nigeria’s refining sector.

In a similar vein, Tola Ayo-Adeyemi, Group Executive Director, Legal and Regulatory Compliance at African Refinery Group, emphasized the transformative impact of the collaboration on Nigeria’s energy landscape.

He highlighted the ARPHL refinery project’s position as the largest private refinery in Nigeria’s South-South and South-East geopolitical regions, underscoring its pivotal role in driving regional development and economic growth.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the ARPHL refinery project, scheduled for later this year, symbolizes a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards energy independence.

With construction slated to commence in 2025 and commercial operations targeted for 2027, the project represents a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s refining sector, promising to deliver over 30 million liters of various petroleum products daily upon completion.

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Tech Giants Microsoft and Alphabet Beat Expectations, Driven by AI and Cloud Revenue

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Industry titans Microsoft Corp. and Google parent company Alphabet Inc. have surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, buoyed by robust growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing revenue streams.

The stellar quarterly results underscore the pivotal role of advanced technologies in shaping the future of these tech behemoths.

Both Microsoft and Alphabet showcased impressive performances in their latest earnings reports, sending their shares soaring in after-hours trading.

Microsoft’s stock surged by 6.3%, while Alphabet witnessed an astonishing 17% increase, reflecting investor confidence in the companies’ strategic investments and innovative initiatives.

The driving force behind this remarkable success story is the accelerating demand for AI-powered solutions and cloud services. As businesses increasingly embrace digital transformation, the adoption of AI technologies and cloud infrastructure has become paramount, fueling substantial revenue growth for both Microsoft and Alphabet.

At the forefront of this AI revolution, Microsoft and Alphabet have been fervently expanding their AI capabilities and integrating them into a wide array of products and services.

From advanced AI models to cloud-based AI solutions, both companies have been relentless in their pursuit of technological innovation, positioning themselves as leaders in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Silicon Valley has heralded 2024 as the year of generative AI, a groundbreaking technology capable of creating text, images, and videos from simple prompts.

Microsoft and Alphabet have capitalized on this trend, leveraging generative AI to drive business growth and enhance their cloud computing offerings.

The surge in cloud computing demand has been a particularly welcome development for Google, which has long trailed behind rivals such as Amazon and Microsoft in this competitive market.

After achieving profitability in its cloud operation last year, Google’s first-quarter profit of $900 million far exceeded analysts’ projections, signaling a significant turnaround for the tech giant.

Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform also experienced robust growth, with sales climbing by 31% in the quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations.

The integration of AI technology into Azure subscriptions has proven to be a key driver of growth, as businesses increasingly recognize the value of AI-driven insights and automation.

Furthermore, both Microsoft and Alphabet have seen promising uptake of AI-powered tools across various industries. From AI assistants for office productivity to AI-driven coding platforms, these companies are empowering businesses with cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation.

Despite the stellar performance of Microsoft and Alphabet, the broader tech landscape remains dynamic and competitive.

While both companies have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating market challenges, they must continue to innovate and evolve to maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.

As the AI and cloud computing revolution continues to unfold, Microsoft and Alphabet are well-positioned to lead the charge, driving innovation, shaping industries, and delivering value to customers around the globe. With their unwavering commitment to technological excellence, these tech giants are poised for continued success in the dynamic landscape of the digital age.

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Axxela Limited Raises N16.4bn in Oversubscribed Bond Issuance

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Axxela Limited, a leading sub-Saharan African gas and power company, has successfully completed its N15 billion Series 1 Bond Issuance.

The company raised N16.4 billion due to oversubscription and investor confidence in the company’s financial strength and strategic direction.

Bolaji Osunsanya, Axxela’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the bond’s oversubscription of 109%.

Despite challenging economic conditions marked by rising interest rates and limited market liquidity, Axxela’s bond offering attracted strong interest from a diverse group of investors, including pension fund administrators, asset managers, and high-net-worth individuals.

Osunsanya explained that the proceeds from the bond issuance would play a crucial role in funding the company’s long-term capital expenditures, managing its weighted average cost of capital, and diversifying its funding sources.

The funds will support the completion of ongoing gas pipeline projects across Nigeria, aligning with the company’s commitment to enhancing energy infrastructure and contributing to the country’s energy transition agenda.

Stanbic IBTC Capital, serving as the lead issuing house alongside seven joint issuing houses, played a pivotal role in facilitating the transaction, with Stanbic IBTC Bank acting as the transaction bank.

The successful bond issuance reflects Axxela’s strategic positioning as a key player in the region’s energy sector and its ability to leverage strong investor confidence to drive growth and innovation in the industry.

As Axxela continues to expand its presence and strengthen its operations, the oversubscribed bond issuance serves as a testament to the company’s resilience and its commitment to delivering value to shareholders and stakeholders alike.

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