Latest news with #Angola
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and SACE provide EUR250 Million to Africa Finance Corporation
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) ( the continent's leading infrastructure solutions provider, has secured a landmark EUR 250 million 10-year term loan facility from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) the Italian Financial Institution for Development Cooperation. The transaction is backed by a guarantee from SACE, the Italian insurance and financial group fully owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, covering up to 80% of the facility amount. The financing builds on engagement at the Mattei Plan-Global Gateway summit, attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, CDP, SACE and AFC, where the parties confirmed their intent to collaborate. The facility is structured to cultivate Italian supply chain opportunities in infrastructure and renewable energy generation, including the supply of components for the Lobito Railway Corridor - a commercial railway line that will run through Angola and extend to the borders of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This long-term facility deepens AFC's strategic partnership with both CDP and SACE, while reinforcing its mandate to mobilise high-quality, long-tenor capital in support of delivering sustainable infrastructure across Africa. "Cassa Depositi e Prestiti confirms its role as a strategic partner in supporting infrastructure projects with a high social and economic impact in Africa. With this financing - said Dario Scannapieco, Chief Executive Officer of CDP - we are strengthening business and technological relations between Italy and Africa, enhancing talent and innovation. We are convinced that investing in strategic projects not only creates new opportunities for our companies but also helps to build lasting and shared ties capable of fostering growth and well-being for local communities." 'We are proud to contribute to the involvement of Italian companies in the transport and logistics sector to realise a significant strategic project like the Lobito Railway Corridor within the Mattei Plan,' said Alessandra Ricci, CEO of SACE. 'This collaboration reaffirms SACE's commitment to promoting new connections for Italian companies seeking to diversify their exports and embrace new growth opportunities.' ' Our partnership with CDP, further strengthened by SACE's guarantee, exemplifies the power of blended finance in unlocking capital for infrastructure development in Africa,' said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head, Financial Services, AFC. ' The Lobito Corridor is a transformational project that will open new trade routes for resources, support regional industrialisation, accelerate job creation and strengthen Africa's position in global value chains, while delivering long-term, inclusive growth. ' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). SACE Media gallery: Media Enquiries: Communications Africa Finance Corporation Email: communications@ SACE Press Office ufficiostampa@ CDP Media Relations Tel: +39 06 42213990 Website: Follow CDP on: LinkedIn: X: Facebook: Instagram: YouTube: About Lobito Corridor Rail Project: The railway line will be approximately 830 km long and will connect Chingola in Zambia to Luacano in Angola with the aim of facilitating the transportation of agricultural products, minerals and consumer goods. The greatest opportunities for the Italian supply chain in the region lie in sectors such as energy, renewables, transportation and logistics. About CDP: Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is the National Promotional Institute which has been supporting the Italian economy since 1850. The main goal of CDP is to accelerate the industrial and infrastructural development of Italy to boost its economic and social growth. CDP focuses its activities on sustainable development at local level, supporting the innovation and growth of Italian enterprises, also in the international arena. It partners local authorities, in a financing and advisory capacity, to create infrastructures and improve services of public value. CDP also participates actively in international cooperation initiatives to realize projects in developing countries and emerging markets. Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is entirely financed by private capital, through the issuing of Postal Savings Bonds and Postal Savings Passbooks, and through issues on national and international financial markets. About SACE: SACE is the insurance and financial group controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, specialising in supporting the growth of Italian companies through a wide range of solutions to facilitate export and innovation, including financial guarantees, factoring, risk management and protection, advisory services and business matching. With a network of 11 offices in Italy and 13 worldwide in target countries for Made in Italy products, SACE serves over 60,000 companies, supporting their growth in Italy and globally, with a portfolio of insured operations and guaranteed investments totalling EU 267 billion across approximately 200 foreign markets. About AFC: AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC's approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa's infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth. Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in core infrastructure sectors. AFC has 45 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion since its inception.
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Community support boosts Angola's cholera response
In the heart of Boa Vista, a neighbourhood in Angola's capital, Luanda, 48-year-old mother of three Maria Teresa da Silva is joining other community members to spread awareness of the ongoing cholera outbreak. When the first cases were reported in her community in mid-January 2025, she joined a group of concerned women eager to contribute to the response. With support from local authorities, they began educating neighbours, distributing hygiene products and promoting cholera prevention practices. 'We live in a community,' she says. 'We must find time and support each other to protect our health and save lives.' Community involvement in this low-income urban neighbourhood has helped to curb the outbreak: no new cholera cases have been reported for four consecutive weeks, since 19 May. 'At first, many families didn't seek health services. Lack of information was the biggest challenge,' says the municipal administrator of Ingombota, Mika Kaquesse. Local authorities organized 800 community awareness sessions, built water tanks, distributed hygiene products and implemented sanitation sensitization campaigns. 'We know that prevention is key in cholera control ‒ clean water, sanitation and information,' says Dr Genoveva Mafu, clinical coordinator at the Boa Vista cholera treatment centre. 'It was frightening at first, but teamwork and partner support made all the difference.' The Ministry of Health in Angola, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), has trained more than 8000 community mobilizers to support the response and around 4450 community leaders in early detection, oral rehydration solution preparation and household water treatment. Health authorities have conducted sensitization campaigns with community and religious leaders, community listening sessions, and engaged with multiple sectors such as environment, fisheries, water and energy, youth and the military to ensure a coordinated and culturally appropriate response. This has resulted in more than 8 million people reached with messages on cholera prevention. 'Community-based activities have increased public trust in health services and strengthened local epidemiological surveillance,' says Mateus Mariano Miguel, president of the Boa Vista Residents Committee. 'The community responded massively. We continue working, even without new cases, because we know prevention must never stop.' Health authorities have also trained 1000 health workers and activated almost 140 surveillance teams conducting case management, active case finding, and infection prevention and control. Nationwide, 166 rapid response teams have been deployed and 180 cholera treatment centres have been established to manage and treat cases. In just over five months, Angola has recorded over 26 000 cases and nearly 750 deaths. This marks the worst cholera outbreak in the country in almost two decades. Thanks to a multisectoral and multipronged approach, the past two weeks have shown encouraging trends. As of 14 June 2025, the number of new weekly cases has dropped to 826 – the lowest levels since March. Weekly deaths have decreased to the lowest levels since January and the weekly case fatality rate has declined to 1.5% from a high of 8.8% in January 2025. 'While the situation remains serious, these improvements demonstrate the impact of the ongoing response and provide hope that the outbreak can be brought under control soon. We must continue to reinforce collaboration because when communities are empowered and engaged, lives can be saved and dignity restored,' says Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hilton plans to triple its hotel presence in Africa
Hilton plans to significantly expand its hotel presence across Africa, aiming to operate over 160 hotels in the coming years. This growth involves opening more than 100 new properties across key African markets including Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Angola, and Madagascar. The expansion is expected to support the continent's growing hospitality industry and create approximately 18,000 new jobs. The hotel group recently entered Angola with three signed properties: Hilton Luanda Hotel Godinho, Hilton Garden Inn Luanda Airport, and DoubleTree by Hilton Cabinda Futila Residences. These hotels will offer a range of amenities such as beachfront locations, meeting spaces, restaurants, and leisure facilities. Hilton's entry into Benin is marked by the upcoming Hilton Cotonou, positioned strategically near government offices and embassies to boost business and tourism opportunities. In Madagascar, Hilton will open two hotels in the capital city Antananarivo: a Hilton property and a Hilton Garden Inn. Both are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers with extensive meeting rooms and fitness facilities. Nigeria will see the introduction of Hilton Lagos Ikeja, Hilton Garden Inn Kano, and The Wave Hotel Abuja Jabi from Hilton's Curio Collection, adding to the country's hospitality offerings in business and residential districts. Hilton's expansion strategy places a strong emphasis on employment, with current recruitment efforts already underway for 600 positions across Africa. The projected 18,000 new jobs will span hospitality roles and related sectors, supporting local economies. Several developments are located near major airports, business districts, and government hubs to leverage business travel demand and event hosting capabilities. The group also plans to integrate its loyalty programme, Hilton Honors, across all properties to enhance customer engagement. Recent hotel openings include Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, Hampton by Hilton Sandton Grayston, and DoubleTree by Hilton Addis Ababa Airport. Later this year, Hilton is set to debut in Ghana with the Hilton Accra Cantonments hotel, featuring over 140 rooms, dining venues, event spaces, and wellness facilities. In North Africa, the portfolio will grow substantially, with multiple new hotels planned in Egypt, Morocco, and a DoubleTree property in the historic city of Fes. Hilton's expansion reflects broader trends in Africa's hospitality sector, driven by increasing business travel, tourism development, and infrastructure investment. The planned growth reinforces the company's long-standing presence on the continent, which spans over six decades. "Hilton plans to triple its hotel presence in Africa" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Angola Strengthens United States (US) Energy, Mineral Ties with Sonangol-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cooperation Agreements
Angola's national oil company Sonangol has signed two agreements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – a private university based in Boston, United States (US) – aimed at strengthening cooperation and knowledge-transfer in the fields of oil, gas and critical minerals. The agreements – dubbed the MIT Industrial Liaison Program (MIT-ILP) and MIT Africa – seek to strengthen US-Africa ties by facilitating greater collaboration and skills development opportunities. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – commends Angola and Sonangol for forging this strategic alliance with one of the world's leading innovation institutions. The AEC believes partnerships of this nature are vital to accelerating Africa's energy transition while equipping the next generation of African professionals with the skills and knowledge required to drive industrial growth, energy security and sustainable resource development. The agreements were signed by Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins and MIT Executive Vice President Glan Shor during a meeting presided over by Angola's Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas Diamantino Azevedo. A core focus of the meeting and the subsequent agreements was to explore opportunities to support Angolan resource development by leveraging global research, innovation and technology. With goals to increase oil production, diversify the industry through innovative gas projects and advance the development of alternative energy sources such as green hydrogen, Angola has committed to working with global partners to transform ideas into solutions. The agreements serve as catalyst for these objectives by laying the foundation for bilateral research and development. Under MIT-ILP, Sonangol and MIT will work together to develop strategic industries such as energy, mining, engineering, construction and infrastructure. According to Minister Azevedo, this program will enable Sonangol to directly interact with MIT research centers in key areas, thereby accelerating innovation in the oil sector while facilitating a just energy transition. Minister Azevedo shared that visiting MIT showed the Angolan delegation how applied research is closely linked with humanity's real challenges – notably, clean energy, artificial intelligence, resilient infrastructure and digital transformation. MIT-ILP will support the development of Angolan expertise and innovation. Meanwhile, MIT Africa features two programs - Global Classroom and Global Teaching Labs - aimed at facilitating knowledge-exchange, staff training, joint research and academic mentoring. Both the Global Classroom program and Global Teaching Labs program allow Angolan educational institutions to tap into US expertise, with the aim of supporting skills development in Angola. Among the Angolan institutions that will directly benefit from this cooperation are the Instituto Superior Politécnico de Tecnologias e Ciências and the Sonangol Research and Development Center. These institutions will be at the forefront of implementing these innovative programs. 'Through these mechanisms, Angola will be able to benefit from innovative teaching methodologies and collaborative experiences that value national talent and promote the internationalization of our higher education,' Minister Azevedo shared. 'These agreements are more than protocols: they are commitments with concrete impact in the short, medium and long term, in the fields of advanced training, scientific research, technological development, energy transition, decarbonization and industrial innovation. I believe that Angola's future is built on knowledge, serious partnerships and strategic vision.' The agreements come as Angola and the US take concrete steps to deepen strategic partnerships within the oil, gas, critical mineral and renewable energy sectors. Meetings held by Minister Azevedo and the US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright this week highlighted areas of cooperation, with the parties committing to working together to achieve a balanced energy transition. Future cooperation will be largely built on the success American companies have had in Angola as well as cooperation in new industries such as critical minerals, renewable energy and infrastructure. In the oil and gas space, companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron continue to make significant strides towards unlocking greater exploration and production opportunities. ExxonMobil has recently extended its license for Angola's Block 17 – one of the country's longest-producing assets – in partnership with TotalEnergies. The company is also seeking play-opening discoveries in the offshore Namibe basin while drilling new wells under the country's Incremental Production Initiative. Chevron is making in-roads in the natural gas sector with its stakes in the Angola LNG plant and upstream gas projects. In late-2024, the company started production at the Sanha Lean Gas Connection project, which increases feedstock for Angola LNG – supporting exports. Chevron also has stakes in the New Gas Consortium, the operator of Angola's first non-associated project, coming online in late-2025. Leveraging the expertise of these players and strengthened cooperation in research and development, Angola is well-positioned to realize its industry goals. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Africa Global Logistics (AGL) Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as it Expands Logistics Footprint in Angola
Africa Global Logistics (AGL) – a leading multimodal logistics, transport and port operations company in Africa – has joined the Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) 2025 conference as a Bronze Sponsor. The event will take place on September 3-4 in Luanda. AGL's participation reflects its growing commitment to strengthening supply chains in Angola, as it expands and modernizes logistics and port operations across the country. Operating through port, road, rail and air freight services, AGL has significantly grown its footprint in Angola in recent years, investing in infrastructure upgrades and offering turnkey logistics management solutions. With one of the largest logistics networks in Africa, the company provides reliable, flexible solutions that support oil and gas projects and create added value. As an AOG 2025 sponsor, AGL aligns with Angola's broader goals of increasing oil production and boosting intra-African petroleum trade. AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola's oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@ AGL's sponsorship comes at a pivotal time for Angola, as the country prepares to bring several major developments online between 2025 and 2028. These include the Cabinda Oil Refinery (2025), the Agogo Integrated West Hub (late 2025), the Quiluma and Maboqueiro gas fields (2026) and the Kaminho Deepwater Development (2028). These projects require coordinated logistics operations to ensure the safe, continuous delivery of supplies – from offshore FPSOs to onshore facilities and export terminals. AGL's engagement at AOG 2025 is set to foster deeper collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders, supporting these projects through direct engagement and potential partnerships. In 2024, AGL launched operations at the AGL Lobito Terminal, located at Angola's largest port hub, the Port of Lobito. The terminal accommodates large-capacity ships and handles over one million tons of bulk goods and more than 100,000 TEU containers annually. AGL won the international tender for the development of the container and multipurpose terminal in 2023, aiming to enhance the port's connectivity and support Angola's trade and industrialization ambitions. In addition to supporting oil and gas trade, the modernized terminal serves as the first Atlantic gateway providing access to Africa's copper-belt regions. Connected to the Lobito Railway – which links Zambia and the DRC to international markets via the port – the terminal facilitates critical mineral exports and supports the development of agricultural basins across these countries. AGL's participation at AOG 2025 presents an opportunity for closer engagement across Angola's upstream, downstream and logistics value chains. As Angola ramps up oil and gas output and expands exports, AGL's expertise will be instrumental in delivering the infrastructure and services needed to support these ambitions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
