Latest news with #ARDA
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) Executive Secretary Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in Support of Africa's Growing Downstream Sector
Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners&Distributors Association (ARDA) – a pan-African organization that serves as the voice of the continent's downstream sector – will speak at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference. Taking place on September 29-October 3 in Cape Town, the event is the largest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. Kragha's participation will contribute to discussions on the downstream sector, covering challenges, opportunities, trends and projects. This comes as many of Africa's major oil and gas producers – including Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and the Republic of Congo – pursue bold strategies to strengthen domestic petroleum value chains. These efforts aim to reduce refined petroleum imports and improve fuel security. ARDA plays a key role by promoting strategic collaboration, policy advocacy and industry innovation. Recently, the association called for the creation of an African downstream register to better support projects. At AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies Kragha is expected to outline the benefits of such a register and highlight ARDA's strategies to drive downstream expansion. AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 for more information about this exciting event. Refinery development is a critical priority for many African countries, with several major projects underway to boost regional fuel distribution and lower costs. Angola is advancing three new facilities aiming for a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), including the 60,000 bpd Cabinda refinery (expected online in 2025), the 200,000 bpd Lobito facility and the 150,000 bpd Soyo project. Nigeria's Dangote Refinery, Africa's largest at 650,000 bpd, is progressing toward full operational capacity. In the Republic of Congo, the Fouta Refinery, designed to produce 2.5 million tons of petroleum products annually, is slated to begin operations by the end of 2025. South Africa plans to rehabilitate the SAPREF refinery, which has been closed since 2022. The refurbishment aims to raise capacity from 180,000 bpd to 600,000 bpd, opening new opportunities for affordable fuel supply. Beyond refineries, several African countries are prioritizing cross-border pipelines to boost exports and regional fuel distribution. Notable projects include the 1,443-km East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline linking Uganda's oilfields to Tanzania's Port of Tanga and expected to start operations in 2026. Nigeria's $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline will traverse 13 West African countries over 5,660 km to connect Nigerian gas fields with European markets via Morocco, with production targeted for 2029. Meanwhile, a planned $13 billion pipeline running from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, spanning 4,128 km and delivering 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, aims to facilitate regional exports and deeper African collaboration. While these developments mark significant progress toward expanding fuel distribution in Africa, achieving downstream ambitions requires substantial investment. Kragha's participation at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies is expected to provide valuable insights on sector challenges and opportunities, fostering new deals and partnerships. 'In order to end energy poverty by 2030, Africa must significantly scale up investments across the downstream sector,' says Ore Onagbesan, Program Director of AEW 2025. 'By shifting from an export-driven to a domestic-focused mindset, the continent can unlock greater value from its oil and gas resources. Organizations like ARDA recognize the critical role refining, pipelines, petrochemicals and terminals play in enhancing energy security across Africa.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Hospitality Net
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Celebrates Completion of First Luxury, Six-Bedroom Homes at Orange Lake Resort
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, an international vacation ownership company, today marked a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the first phase of The Residences at Orange Lake Resort. The expansion includes three completed six-bedroom luxury homes and one fully furnished model home, now ready to welcome multi-generational travelers seeking a high-end, private-vacation experience. The ceremony comes just shy of two years after the company broke ground on the project on August 8, 2023. The event included remarks from company and industry leaders, including John Staten, President and Chief Executive Officer of Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Jorge Reyes, Regional Vice President of Operations for Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Jason Gamel, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA); Mike Campbell, HICV Vice President of Sales; and Robert Agrusa, President and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA). Built with family connection, comfort, and luxury in mind, each Residence spans more than 5,575 square feet and features: Six bedrooms and six bathrooms with dual master suites Large entertainment spaces with 85" TVs and surround sound Private screened-in pool with sun shelf, hot tub, and fire pit area Game and fitness rooms Chef's kitchen with island seating and dining room to seat 20 Outdoor kitchen and covered patio Smart home technology and personal golf cart use The Residences are now available for preview through the model home, with the first three homes ready for stays later this summer. Priority booking will be offered to Holiday Inn Club members. Originally opened in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, Orange Lake Resort has grown into a 1,100-acre flagship destination featuring more than 2,400 villas across four villages. The property offers guests a wide range of amenities including a lazy river, four golf courses, restaurants, mini golf, sports courts, and more. Hotel website
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent's Refining and Downstream Future?
Set to launch in June 2025 with an initial $5 billion in capital, the African Energy Bank (AEB) is positioned to catalyze a shift in Africa's energy sector. Established by the African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO) in partnership with multilateral financial institution Afreximbank, the AEB aims to mobilize capital for upstream, midstream and downstream energy projects, addressing a continent-wide investment shortfall estimated at up to $50 billion annually. By providing accessible, Africa-focused financing, the AEB is expected to reduce dependency on foreign capital and imports, especially in the downstream sector where over 80% of refined petroleum products are currently imported. The AEB's role in advancing refining capacity and downstream development will take center stage at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. As Africa's premier platform for energy dialogue and investment, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the AEB's potential to transform Africa's energy landscape. Driving Refining Capacity Through Local Investment Despite holding over 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Africa continues to struggle with insufficient refining capacity, forcing nations to export crude oil and re-import refined products at a premium. Institutions such as the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) have long-advocated for investment in modernizing and expanding Africa's refining infrastructure. Current projections indicate that African petroleum demand will increase from 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5.3 million bpd by 2040 – a trend that underscores the urgency of building self-sufficient refining systems. As such, the AEB – headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria and scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025 – is uniquely positioned to support strategic investment across Africa's downstream and refining sectors. With an ambition to grow its asset base to $120 billion, the bank is positioned to unlock domestic value chains and catalyze large-scale projects that meet the continent's rising demand for petroleum. Momentum in Downstream Expansion Recent developments across the continent reflect growing momentum to scale refining capacity. Angola expects phase one of the Cabinda refinery to begin operations in 2025, bringing 60,000 bpd to the market. The country has a goal to increase capacity to 445,000 bpd and is on track to reduce imports of derivatives by 14% by 2026. Nigeria's 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery began producing diesel and aviation fuel in 2024, marking a significant milestone for domestic processing. Similarly, upgrades to the Port Harcourt Refinery and ongoing expansion to Ghana's Sentuo Oil Refinery highlight national efforts to meet growing demand. Equatorial Guinea's recent agreement with Shanghai SupeZet to build a new refinery and expand the Bata facility further illustrates the strategic push toward local processing. These efforts not only reduce import dependency but also create jobs, enhance energy security and promote regional trade in refined products. Aligning Regional Integration and Investment Africa's refining and energy infrastructure ambitions are closely tied to broader goals of economic integration. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement, ratified by more than 48 countries, creates a platform for cross-border energy projects by removing trade barriers and harmonizing investment policies. It also supports the development of regional supply chains, enhancing the commercial viability of shared infrastructure. The AEB will play a central role in supporting these regional ambitions by working with over 700 African financial institutions and APPO member states to channel funding into integrated, cross-border energy systems. By reducing the time, cost and risk associated with project development, the bank could accelerate the pace of infrastructure buildout across the continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About African Energy Week: AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 for more information about this exciting event.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Celebrates Completion of First Luxury, Six-Bedroom Homes at Orange Lake Resort
The Residences offer a new era of multi-generational travel at flagship Orlando property ORLANDO, Fla., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, an international vacation ownership company, today marked a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the first phase of The Residences at Orange Lake Resort. The expansion includes three completed six-bedroom luxury homes and one fully furnished model home, now ready to welcome multi-generational travelers seeking a high-end, private-vacation experience. The ceremony comes just shy of two years after the company broke ground on the project on August 8, 2023. The event included remarks from company and industry leaders, including John Staten, President and Chief Executive Officer of Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Jorge Reyes, Regional Vice President of Operations for Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Jason Gamel, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA); Mike Campbell, HICV Vice President of Sales; and Robert Agrusa, President and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA). "This is more than just the completion of four stunning homes—it's the realization of a bold vision to reimagine how families travel together," said Staten. "We believe that multi-generational travel is the future, and The Residences represent our ongoing commitment to leading that movement by offering innovative, spacious accommodations at the very resort where our company began more than 40 years ago." Built with family connection, comfort, and luxury in mind, each Residence spans more than 5,575 square feet and features: Six bedrooms and six bathrooms with dual master suites Large entertainment spaces with 85" TVs and surround sound Private screened-in pool with sun shelf, hot tub, and fire pit area Game and fitness rooms Chef's kitchen with island seating and dining room to seat 20 Outdoor kitchen and covered patio Smart home technology and personal golf cart use The Residences are now available for preview through the model home, with the first three homes ready for stays later this summer. Priority booking will be offered to Holiday Inn Club members. Originally opened in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, Orange Lake Resort has grown into a 1,100-acre flagship destination featuring more than 2,400 villas across four villages. The property offers guests a wide range of amenities including a lazy river, four golf courses, restaurants, mini golf, sports courts, and more. For photos: Click HERE:Photo Caption: From L to R: Jason Gamel, President & CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA); Jorge Reyes, Regional Vice President of Operations; John Staten, President & CEO of Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Mike Campbell, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Vice President of Sales; and Robert Agrusa, President/CEO, Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA).For Video: Click HERE About Holiday Inn Club Vacations IncorporatedEncompassing resorts across the United States and the Mexican Caribbean, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated is a resort, real estate and travel company with a mission to be the most loved brand in family travel by delivering easy-to-plan, memorable vacation experiences that strengthen families. Based in Orlando, Fla., the company has been a leader in the vacation ownership industry since 1982, when Holiday Inn® founder Kemmons Wilson debuted the company's flagship property, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® at Orange Lake Resort, next to Orlando's Walt Disney World® Resort. Today, the Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort portfolio spans across the United States, and into the Mexican Caribbean, with the company's international expansion in May 2023. Throughout its history, the company has maintained the core family values true to its founding Wilson family, while aggressively pursuing growth, transforming its member engagement model and building an industry-leading team passionate about the guest experience. Media Contact:pr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Holiday Inn Club Vacations Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
04-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
USWNT cruises to easy win in friendly vs. Jamaica: Highlights
USWNT cruises to easy win in friendly vs. Jamaica: Highlights Show Caption Hide Caption Sydney Leroux talks all things women's soccer and NWSL Sydney Leroux stops by to break down women's soccer and tells us about her new partnership with ARDA, the Sharing Time Off Contest. Sports Seriously The U.S. women's national team breezed past Jamaica Tuesday night, running up a 4-0 scoreline in a friendly at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Ally Sentnor and Lynn Biyendolo both provided two goals. Sentnor, the Utah Royals attacker, did her damage by scoring twice in a nine-minute span in the first half, while Biyendolo came off the bench to score with her first touch, then provided the final margin with an 88th-minute finish. With USWNT legend and St. Louis native Becky Sauerbrunn honored before kickoff, the USWNT made light work of a Reggae Girlz side missing some of its biggest names. The U.S. would finish the match with 82% possession, while goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce did not have to register a save on either of Jamaica's two shot attempts. U.S. coach Emma Hayes got more things to think about long-term, with Kerry Abello going the full 90 in her first-ever USWNT appearance. Claire Hutton and Avery Patterson, who were in that situation very recently, played major roles in USWNT goals on the night, while Ajax youngster Lily Yohannes pulled the strings in a more advanced role than she played in the 3-0 win over China on May 31. USWNT PLAYER RATINGS: Which players impressed in easy win vs. Jamaica? USWNT vs. Jamaica highlights The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
