Wider African Energy Summit Highlights Role of Service Companies in Boosting Local Content
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Global service companies were highlighted as a potential vehicle for local content development in Africa during the recent Wider African Energy Summit in Aberdeen, hosted in partnership with the African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org).
The value of local content in driving economic growth was a key focus – emphasizing that as the continent's oil and gas value chain evolves, opportunities for service companies to strengthen local content become increasingly apparent. This was showcased in a presentation delivered by Ileana Ferber, CEO and Founder of Colibri Business Development LLC.
“Service companies can become a key enabler of local content in Africa. In addition to upstream opportunities in Africa, we have a lot of prospects in midstream infrastructure. As the sector grows, there are a lot of opportunities for service companies. Service companies are the bridge between operators and suppliers,” she said.
While Africa's oil and gas sector has been largely focused on upstream activities, a recent shift is being seen across the continent, with nations prioritizing mid- and downstream infrastructure under efforts to strengthen trade, fuel access and domestic market development. This has not only created business prospects for service companies but opened new doors for local content development – from job creation to supplier contracts to workforce training and technology transfer.
“There are different elements associated with local content. We want to train people – in both soft and hard skills -; we want to enhance supplier development, to ensure they have the capabilities to meet industry standards; and we want technology transfer, strengthening tacit knowledge and know-how as well as research and development,” Ferber shared.
Many countries across the continent are implementing local content regulations with the aim of generating economic opportunities for local populations. Ferber pointed to some of the challenges with local content requirements, highlighting the need for greater coordination between government and industry in the development of these policies.
“Local content requirements can be prescriptive, with minimum engagement with the industry. They can feature unrealistic targets that exceed local capability and skills. They can also be unfeasible in certain project phases,” she said. However, she also described the opportunities, stating that “local content requirements can develop infrastructure to strengthen the economy, create incentives to develop other industrial sectors and enable programs to develop SMEs as well as unrepresented groups.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Democratic institutions can deliver again – Gaborone Democracy Lab charts pathway for citizen-centred renewal of African democracies
The inaugural Gaborone Democracy Lab, jointly hosted by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Botswana and Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org), has launched a continent-wide dialogue on how democratic institutions can be renewed to deliver dignity, inclusion, and social justice for all citizens.
Held under the banner “Democratic Institutions Must Deliver Again,” the two-day gathering brought together 50 policy makers, activists, and experts from across more than 20 African countries. The lab's discussions focused on three key pathways for building democratic institutions that work for people – pathways recognised as critical not only for Botswana, but for Southern Africa and the wider continent.
- Strengthening local-level decision making
Participants emphasised the need for citizens to be directly involved in political decisions at the community level. Decentralised and participatory structures were identified as essential for rebuilding public trust, improving accountability, and ensuring that public services respond to real needs. This shift mirrors growing demands for meaningful local governance across Africa.
- Channelling “Gen Z” activism into organised participation
With Africa's youth driving protest movements and civic action from Cape Town to Nairobi, the lab explored how this energy can be transformed into structured engagement. Delegates highlighted the need for leadership pathways, long-term organising, and political inclusion to ensure young people shape – rather than sit outside – democratic institutions.
- Embedding ubuntu in democratic reform
With its principles of solidarity, dignity, and collective responsibility, ubuntu emerged as a powerful, culturally grounded framework for reshaping African governance. Participants underscored its relevance to the continent as countries seek people-centred systems that reduce inequality and strengthen social cohesion.
The Vice President of the Republic of Botswana Hon. Ndaba Gaolathe emphasised the importance of building citizen-centred institutions and systems that outlast today's leaders. “If democracy is to mean anything,” he said, “it must endure beyond applause. It must survive beyond the headlines. It must live in the daily experience of justice and dignity.”
A defining feature of the Gaborone Democracy Lab is its unique format. Unlike traditional conferences, it brings together policy makers, youth leaders, trade unions, civil society, academics, data experts, and political actors in one experimental space. This “democracy laboratory” encourages creativity, cross-sector collaboration, and consensus building, offering a model that could inspire democratic innovation across the continent.
Afrobarometer's Surveys Director Boniface Dulani noted that while trust in institutions may be declining, citizens across Africa remain committed to democracy and continue to demand accountability and inclusion.
Henrik Maihack, Head of FES Africa, stressed the importance of global cooperation among democratic actors to counter rising threats and build more resilient institutions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.For more information, please contact:
Asafika Mpako
Communications coordinator for Southern Africa
Telephone: +27 83 979 8299
Email: ampako@afrobarometer.org
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About the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung:
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is Germany's oldest political foundation, promoting social democracy and international cooperation in more than 100 countries. For over half a century, FES has been a cornerstone of Botswana's democratic development. Invited by President Sir Seretse Khama in the early 1970s, FES officially opened its Gaborone office in 1973. Since then, FES has served as a partner, working with the pillars of democracy: the marginalised, workers, youth, and women.
Building on this legacy, the FES Botswana office has been officially designated as the FES Democracy Hub Africa in 2025 – the central focal point for Africa-wide initiatives on youth political engagement, party dialogue, and democratic development.
Visit us online at: https://Botswana.FES.de/
About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 430,000+ interviews in 45 countries, representing the views of more than 75% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent's data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website (www.Afrobarometer.org) and may be analysed free of charge using AB's online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.co/48nEhLI).
Visit us online at: www.Afrobarometer.org
African Influencers Unite at the African Union to Reclaim the Narrative on 141 Years Since the Berlin Conference
Marking 141 years since the Berlin Conference, a dark day when Africa's soul was fragmented, African influencers, Journalists, Content Creators, Artists, Cultural Custodians, Activists, and Policymakers gathered at the African Union Headquarters for the High-Level Influencers Forum on Borderless Africa. The forum, held on 14 and 15 November 2025, paid a powerful homage to the resilient spirit of our forefathers and matriarchs who resisted colonial division and imposed borders.
Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4o5by2S
In a historic assembly at the African Union building, these voices converged to rewrite Africa's story and champion a future of African unity and regional integration. This was not just a convening, it was a space to reclaim our identity as Africans, undo the artificial borders, claim the urgency as Africans and renew our commitments towards a borderless Africa.
H.E. Amb. Fred Ngoga, Senior Advisor for International Partnerships at the African Union Commission, in his keynote speech, mentioned: "Integration is more than policy; it is about people experiencing freedom across their own continent. Influencers have the power to make this real for millions of Africans."
Hardi Yakubu, Coordinator of Africans Rising Movement, challenged the continent to move beyond historic grievances: "We can no longer complain about what the Berlin conference did 141 years ago, yet we have the power to undo what 13 men sat down to do. We are asking for things that we shouldn't even be asking for. We must begin to localise the borderless campaign."
He further highlighted the burden of colonial legacy, saying, "We no longer want to accept the situation 141 years after the Berlin conference, that African people have to pay dollars to come to Ethiopia, which is the headquarters of the African Union."
Armed with their phones, cameras and pens, 36 influencers, journalists and artists representing all regions of Africa, including the diaspora, united in boldly signing the Addis Ababa Influencers Declaration on Borderless Africa to H.E. Amb Robert Afriyie, Ghana's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Commission. The Ambassador received the declaration with resolute encouragement: “Difficulty is not impossibility. Reparations remind us that justice is hard, but never out of reach."
He urged the influencers to wield the power of technology wisely, reminding them, "The device in your hand once filled an entire room. Use it wisely. Search nonsense, and the algorithm will feed you nonsense. History is not a marathon but a relay. Run your leg with purpose, then pass the baton to the next generation."
Ambassador Afriyie underscored the importance of ownership in storytelling, stating, “Africa must tell its own stories through its own lenses. When we own the narrative, we reclaim our power."
Further strengthening this momentum, the creation of the Borderless Africa Fund was announced to promote and support advocacy, awareness campaigns, and Borderless Africa initiatives across the continent, providing crucial resources to the movement.
The committed storytellers, influencers, and journalists vowed to honour the declaration by shaping the African narrative with dignity, rejecting stereotypes, sensationalism, and fear-mongering. They pledged to use their platforms to highlight African achievements, expose injustices hindering freedom of movement, and engage governments and regional bodies with factual, people-centred advocacy.
"Africa has the diversity and creativity to populate millions of new worlds. Yet, our full potential remains unrealised, waiting for us to manifest it," said Rocky Dawuni, Grammy-nominated Ghanaian musician and humanitarian.
Their vision for a borderless Africa is bold: a continent where every citizen can move, live, and dream freely; where the African passport is universally accepted with visa-free travel guaranteed, air travel is affordable, and intra-African trade thrives. Governments are called upon to embrace integration as the foundation for peace, prosperity, and dignity.
Despite progress, challenges remain. As of 2025, only 32 of the 55 African Union member states have signed the 2018 AU Protocol on Free Movement Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, and a mere four countries, Rwanda, Niger, Mali, and São Tomé and Príncipe, have ratified it. The forum's united front sends a strong message that this must change.
The two-day High-Level Influencers Forum on Borderless Africa was more than a dialogue; it planted a lasting mark within the African Union, echoing the dream of unity and belonging. It is indeed a reflection of the commitment of the Africans Rising Movement towards free movement in Africa through its flagship campaign, Borderless Africa, and a resounding reassurance of reclaiming the right to movement as a key justice discourse.
To support this vision and help make a borderless Africa a reality, join us by signing the petition available on our website: https://www.AfricansRising.org/
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africans Rising.For more information, contact:
campaigns@africans-rising.org
Media Contact:
Joyce@crescendodigital.co.uk
About Africans Rising:
Africans Rising is a Pan-African movement of movements, uniting individuals, communities, and organisations across Africa and the diaspora to advance social justice, human rights, and continental solidarity. The movement amplifies African voices, champions campaigns on issues like reparations, free movement, and gender equality, and empowers citizens to shape policies, narratives, and creative initiatives that drive Africa's transformation. Through advocacy, storytelling, and grassroots mobilisation, Africans Rising works to ensure that the continent and its people reclaim agency over their future.
Canon Central & North Africa Hosts “Creator Lens” Event in Kenya – Empowering East Africa’s Next Generation of Content Creators
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Canon Creator Lens event, taking place on 19th November 2025 at the iconic Shamba Café, Nairobi.
‘Creator Lens' is not just an event; it's a platform for participation and discovery. The initiative began with an open call to creators across East Africa, inviting both emerging and established voices to be part of a dynamic creative community. Designed as an immersive experience, the event brings together panel discussions, inspirational talks, hands-on “touch & try” product sessions, and live demonstrations by industry experts in real-life creative setups, all aimed at empowering content creators to elevate their craft across genres such as fashion, lifestyle, weddings, wildlife, and podcasting.
LENS: Learn, Explore, Network, and Synergy
The name ‘Creator Lens' where LENS stands for Learn, Explore, Network, and Synergy, encapsulates the event's mission to inspire creativity and connection. Participants will learn from top industry experts and develop new creative skills; explore Canon's latest creator tools and innovations; network with fellow creators and leading professionals; and build synergy through powerful collaborations that enable impactful storytelling.
This event forms part of Canon's larger strategic initiative “ICE” (Innovation and Customer Experience) which reinforces Canon's focus on enhancing customer engagement and empowering creators as one of its most important communities.
Through this strategic initiative, Canon continues to shift perceptions beyond being a photo brand, positioning itself as a leading video brand, providing tools that meet the evolving demands of the modern cinema and video content landscape.
Immersive Experience Zones
At the heart of the ‘Creator Lens' event are four immersive experience zones, each led by content creators and industry experts, offering participants hands-on exposure to Canon's latest technology:
- Podcast Zone – Led by Dr. Ofweneke- TV & Radio Host
Showcasing Canon's range of video solutions for podcasters, from beginners to professionals, featuring the EOS C80, R5 Mark II, C50, EOS R50V and highlighting the Live Switcher Application. - Fashion & Lifestyle Zone – Led by Joy Kendi- Fashion & Lifestyle Content Creator
Demonstrating Canon's compact video tools for beauty, lifestyle, and social content creation. Key products in focus are PowerShot V10, EOS R50V, and accessories for vertical shooting and live streaming. - Wedding Zone – Led by Gabriel Kasha- Wedding Videographer
Positioning Canon as the top choice for wedding videography, featuring C50, R5 Mark II, and Canon accessories while focusing on 4K Dual Base ISO and Log color grading. - Cinematic Zone – Led by Hans Ngoteya – Wildlife Filmmaker
Highlighting Canon's cinema solutions for wildlife cinematography with the EOS C50, C80, C400, and Canon cinema lenses.
Community, Competition, and Collaboration
In addition to the interactive zones, the event features a range of activations including panel discussions, inspirational keynotes, and live demos where creators can explore Canon products in real-world shooting environments. A content creation competition will also run during the event, where participants will shoot and edit videos using Canon equipment, with entries judged on creativity and technical mastery. Winners will receive exclusive Canon prizes and mentorship opportunities.
“Through ‘Creator Lens', we aim to nurture and empower a vibrant community of storytellers who are redefining content creation across Africa. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, collaboration, and enhancing the customer experience through creativity,” said Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa.
“Our goal is not only to inspire creators but also to equip them with the tools and skills they need to tell powerful visual stories, moving beyond photography and embracing the limitless possibilities of video.”
A Regional Vision for Creators
While the first edition is being hosted in Kenya, Canon plans to expand the ‘Creator Lens' experience regionally to Morocco and Nigeria, cultivating a sustainable ecosystem of creators across Africa.
By engaging with macro, micro, and nano influencers, Canon aims to encourage creators to upgrade their content creation journeys, transitioning from smartphones to Canon's range of entry-level and professional cameras designed for video excellence.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com
APO Group - PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com
About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon's business within the Africa region - by strengthening Canon's in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon's commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa's rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon's corporate philosophy is Kyosei (http://apo-opa.co/4a4t8kd) – ‘living and working together for the common good'. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon's products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: www.Canon-CNA.com