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Stryk Global Diplomacy to Highlight United States (U.S.)-Africa Energy Investment Collaboration at African Energy Chamber G20 Forum
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Stryk Global Diplomacy, a premier Washington D.C.-based public affairs and government relations firm, will participate in the African Energy Chamber's (https://EnergyChamber.org/) G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum in Johannesburg on November 21. The firm will be represented by Bryce Dustman, Global Managing Partner, who is expected to share insights on strategic investment, international partnerships and energy policy engagement across Africa's fast-evolving energy markets.
Working closely with international partners to strengthen bilateral relations, promote energy investment and advance sustainable development goals through strategic advocacy and engagement, Stryk Global Diplomacy has become one of the most influential advisory firms connecting governments and corporations with policymakers in the U.S.
Dustman's participation comes at a time when the firm has deepened its collaboration with African institutions and stakeholders. Earlier this year, Stryk Global Diplomacy partnered with the African Energy Chamber – the voice of the African energy sector – to advocate for enhanced U.S. engagement in Africa's oil and gas sectors and to promote an Africa-centric approach to energy development. This initiative underscores the shared commitment between African and international stakeholders to address energy poverty, expand infrastructure and attract private investment into critical projects across the continent.
Stryk Global Diplomacy's work with clients across Africa – including governments and private-sector leaders – has focused on enhancing trade, improving policy transparency and supporting investment strategies that align with both U.S. and African economic priorities. The firm's growing footprint reflects its commitment to fostering global partnerships that promote stability, energy access and economic opportunity.
As such, at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, Dustman will be well-positioned to highlight the importance of strategic diplomacy and cross-border investment frameworks in driving Africa's energy growth. With many African nations prioritizing industrialization and electrification, Stryk Global Diplomacy's experience in navigating the intersection of policy, finance and governance positions the firm as a key contributor to discussions on creating stable, investor-friendly environments.
“Bryce Dustman's participation at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum reinforces the importance of diplomatic engagement in accelerating Africa's energy transformation. Strategic cooperation between Africa and its international partners will be vital in scaling investment, strengthening institutions and ensuring the continent's resources drive meaningful development,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.
As global investors and policymakers convene in Johannesburg, Stryk Global Diplomacy is expected to help shape new pathways for collaboration and investment – unlocking opportunities across energy, infrastructure and industrial development throughout Africa.
To register for the Forum click here (https://apo-opa.co/3LNuMwB).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Consultancy Firms Join African Energy Chamber G20 Forum Amid Rise in African Oil and Gas Transactions
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Leading consultancy companies have joined the African Energy Chamber's (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, taking place November 21 in Johannesburg. Acha Leke, Chairman, McKinsey & Company Africa, and Simon Van Wyk, Director of Sustainability & ESG, Deloitte Africa, are expected to shed light into Africa's evolving energy landscape, examining how global investors perceive African opportunities and strategies for advancing investment across the continent.
Their participation comes as Africa enters a period of rapid growth, driven by increased Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activity and continental efforts to alleviate energy poverty. Heightened M&A activity is expected to be fueled by strategic realignments among global independents, international oil companies and indigenous operators. At the same time, a slate of upcoming licensing rounds is expected to attract new investment across the oil and gas market, increasing spending across both mature and frontier basins. As international companies turn their focus on the continent, consultancy companies with a deep understanding of the market are expected to play a role in facilitating transactions, instilling investor confidence and supporting companies as they navigate the changing dynamics of the industry.
McKinsey & Company Africa has been a long-standing advisor to governments, national oil companies and investors across the continent, providing strategic guidance on industrial policy, infrastructure and energy transition planning. The company helps clients pursue sustainability, inclusion and growth, aligning closely with Africa's broader goals of advancing both an energy transition and strengthening energy security. By integrating robust analytics and policy insight, the firm is helping African governments create data-backed pathways toward industrialization and energy diversification. Its work underscores the importance of transparency and competitiveness in making African markets more attractive to global financiers.
Meanwhile, Deloitte continues to support the growth of Africa's energy sector through a range of services – from audit and assurance to consulting to tax and related services. The company currently has offices in 12 African countries and a presence in 17 as well as the ability to serve 52 nations across the continent. The company is committed to supporting clients navigate Environmental, Social and Governance trends, providing clients with the tools to align their operations and investments with international standards. As Africa's oil and gas sector continues to grow, these services will be instrumental in supporting companies as navigate the complexities of the global energy transition.
“Improved market intelligence and clearer risk perception are transforming how investors view Africa's oil and gas markets. For too long, outdated assumptions and incomplete data have inflated Africa's perceived risk profile. Firms like McKinsey and Deloitte are changing that narrative, providing the insights, analytics and governance frameworks that allow investors to see the continent for what it truly is: a dynamic, high-return opportunity. By driving transparency and data-led decision-making, they are helping unlock the capital Africa needs to develop its resources responsibly and competitively,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
As the continent positions itself at the center of global energy supply diversification, collaboration with strategic advisors such as McKinsey and Deloitte will be essential. Their insights on risk management, policy innovation and ESG alignment will help ensure that Africa's oil and gas growth story is not only profitable but also sustainable and inclusive.
To register for the Forum click here (https://apo-opa.co/3LFpsLN).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.South Africa’s South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), South African Oil & Gas Association (SAOGA) and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to Represent National...
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Leaders from three of South Africa's premier regulatory and energy institutions will take the spotlight at the African Energy Week G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, taking place on November 21 in Johannesburg. The lineup includes Titus Mathe, CEO, South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI); Adrian Strydom, Executive Director and CEO, South African Oil & Gas Association (SAOGA); and a senior representative from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
The participation of these institutions underscores South Africa's strong representation in discussions on energy development, investment and industrial growth across the continent.
In 2025, SANEDI has emphasized governance, energy efficiency and innovation, achieving an “outstanding performance” review for the 2024/25 financial year by meeting all performance targets and securing a fourth consecutive clean audit. The institute launched a digitalization laboratory to enhance national energy modelling and alignment with the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 and is promoting the registration of large buildings for Energy Performance Certificates before the December 7, 2025, deadline.
SANEDI also recently issued a request for proposals for an electric mobility project, partnered with financial institution Standard Bank's LookSee platform to introduce energy and carbon certification for homes, and has been directed by South Africa's Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to develop recommendations to improve electricity affordability. Additionally, SANEDI has been appointed the Secretariat for the Energy Transitions Working Group under South Africa's G20 Presidency.
SAOGA continues to play an active role in supporting southern Africa's oil and gas industry through partnerships and policy engagement. In October 2025, the association led a trade mission to Namibia to explore opportunities arising from recent offshore discoveries and hydrogen developments, while also facilitating dialogue on the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act. The organization has leveraged its expertise to spotlight domestic gas resources for prospective investors, including the potential of the Orange Basin.
The IDC, meanwhile, continues to anchor South Africa's industrial finance landscape. In 2025, it raised R2 billion through its first sustainability bond, appointed Mmakgoshi Lekhethe as CEO and established a new board chaired by Gloria Serobe. The corporation recently signed a MoU with financial institution KfW Development Bank to bolster green hydrogen development and also recently reported strong investment activity in South Africa totaling R15.9 billion, leading to the creation of 17,826 jobs.
In August 2025, the IDC renewed its long-standing collaboration with the Public Investment Corporation through a new MoU, enabling joint investment and project co-development across multiple sectors. previous collaborations between the two entities led to significant renewable energy investments and the creation of thousands of jobs nationwide.
The presence of SANEDI, SAOGA and the IDC at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum highlights South Africa's leadership in advancing institutional cooperation, industrial development and investment-driven growth on the African continent.
“South Africa's institutions continue to play a critical role in shaping the continent's energy and industrial landscape. Their participation at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum reaffirms the importance of collaboration and investment in driving Africa's economic future,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.
To register for the Forum click here: http://apo-opa.co/47UKayN.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.African Development Bank approves $310 million financial package for FirstRand Bank to scale up lending to MSMEs, women entrepreneurs and agribusinesses in South Africa
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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $310 million financial package to FirstRand Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Africa. This support will significantly increase access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized business enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on women-led businesses and agribusinesses in South Africa.
FirstRand Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the FirstRand Group.
This comprehensive financing package demonstrates the African Development Bank's continued support for private-sector-led growth and its confidence in FNB, FirstRand's leading commercial banking franchise, to support South Africa's socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth, particularly through empowering women entrepreneurs and agricultural businesses nationwide.
The package comprises three strategic components: a $200 million line of credit for on-lending to MSMEs across various sectors; a $100 million gender-focused line of credit dedicated to women-led and women-owned MSMEs; and a $10 million concessional line of credit from the Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism targeting women-owned agricultural small business enterprises.
“This approval highlights the African Development Bank's dedication to bolstering the private sector and fostering inclusive economic growth in South Africa,” said Kennedy Mbekeani, African Development Bank's Director General for Southern Africa. “By channeling these resources through FirstRand and, in particular, its commercial banking franchise, FNB, we are working with trusted partners with extensive reach to ensure that MSMEs —particularly those led by women —have access to the capital they need to grow, create jobs, and contribute to South Africa's economic development.”
A defining feature of this approval is its strong gender focus: $110 million — more than one-third of the total financial package – is explicitly earmarked for women MSMEs. This intentional gender approach aligns with AfDB's Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) and the Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM) initiatives, demonstrating AfDB's commitment to closing the gender financing gap in Africa.
The concessional funding is, by design, ring-fenced for women-owned small business enterprises operating in South Africa's agriculture sector to significantly increase their access to affordable credit on favorable terms. Most smallholder farmers in South Africa remain excluded from accessing bank credit, yet they make up a significant proportion of the farming population.
The Financial Package will be complemented by technical assistance and Performance-Based Incentives from ACFM and AFAWA initiatives of the African Development Bank. The Technical assistance packages are intended to enhance the bankability of women-led/owned small business enterprises; support FNB's (FirstRand's commercial banking franchise) agriculture offerings; and explore alternative credit scoring.
“The approval of this financing package represents a significant milestone and elevation of this impactful partnership between the African Development Bank and FirstRand. It demonstrates both institutions' shared commitment to driving inclusive economic growth and empowerment of the heavily credit-deprived business communities of South Africa by deliberately channeling credit to women entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers”, stated Ahmed Attout, Director of the Financial Sector Development Department at the African Development Bank
“MSMEs are significant contributors to South Africa's economic growth, supporting job creation and community upliftment. FirstRand's commercial banking arm, FNB, has demonstrated a strong track record in providing capacity to women-owned businesses and small businesses in the agricultural sector, which in turn supports community development,” said Bhulesh Singh, FirstRand Group Treasurer.
This operation aligns with the African Development Bank's Four Cardinal Points development priorities. It also supports the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033), which focuses on inclusive growth, private sector development, and gender equality.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Afreximbank calls for Africa’s Sustainable Development and Industrialisation, Just Energy Transition at United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)
At the ongoing 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) is strategically advocating for a climate agenda that aligns with Africa's sustainable development and industrialisation ambitions as outlined by its President, Dr. George Elombi.
The Bank's delegation is advocating for a pan-African climate narrative that builds on the outcomes of the African Climate Summits and previous COPs. Afreximbank's engagements are anchored on the core principles of the AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and emphasizes the critical role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in building climate-resilient economies.
A central pillar of the Bank's advocacy involves mobilising climate finance primarily to support adaptation aspirations of its member countries and ensuring the swift and effective operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund. The Bank is also pushing for African countries, who are disproportionately affected by climate events despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions, to receive adequate compensation and to develop the necessary domestic structures to access these funds.
Aligned with President Dr. George Elombi's vision, Afreximbank is spotlighting the continent's immense potential in value addition and strategic minerals processing. Instead of exporting raw materials, the Bank is championing financing for entire value chains, such as transforming the Democratic Republic of Congo's lithium into batteries, to position Africa as a hub for clean technology and create high-skilled jobs.
The Bank is also urging for a just and equitable energy transition that recognizes Africa's right to address its energy poverty, which leaves over 600 million people without electricity. This includes a balanced approach that integrates renewable energy sources while responsibly utilising transitional fuels like natural gas to power industrialisation.
The Bank also seeks to draw attention to Africa's biodiversity which is a key source of climate resilience absorbing harmful emissions. Afreximbank is committed to helping its member countries to monetise their biodiversity to further help its fight against the debilitating impact of climate change.
Furthermore, Afreximbank is showcasing its financial initiatives, such as the Afreximbank Trade Transformation Fund (ATTF) as one of its key vehicles for de-risking and financing green projects across the continent.
At COP30, the Bank's participation includes high-level dialogues, thematic panels, and side events, including activities at the African Pavilion and a planned session with Liberia on establishing a carbon markets authority.
Commenting on Afreximbank's participation at COP30, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development Bank at Afreximbank, stated:
“Our mission at COP30 is clear: to ensure that Africa's voice is not only heard but heeded. Our approach is one of proactive transformation, adding value to our abundant minerals, powering our industries with a sustainable energy mix, and leveraging the AfCFTA to build resilient, integrated economies. We are leveraging our influence to mobilise Global African capital and demand a globally recognised and supported framework for our continent's just energy transition that ensures comprehensive climate action actively serves and reinforces Africa's ambitions for development and industrialisation.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Manager, Communications and Events (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com
About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
