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AfDB named lead arranger for $8bln financing for Ethiopia airport

Zawya2 days ago
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will lead the effort to mobilize nearly $8 billion in funding for Ethiopia's new international airport.
AfDB has been appointed as the lead arranger, global coordinator and book runner to secure the capital.
Subject to board approval, the lender itself plans to also provide $500 million to help finance the mega project, which is estimated to cost $10 billion.
Described as a "game changer" for African aviation, the new Bishoftu International Airport will be built 40 kilometres south of Addis Ababa.
It will initially accommodate 60 million passengers and eventually expand its capacity to 110 million. Groundwork is slated to begin late this year.
(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Brinda Darasha)
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Review: Emirati artist Omar Al Gurg makes an exhibition of his Kilimanjaro expedition
Review: Emirati artist Omar Al Gurg makes an exhibition of his Kilimanjaro expedition

The National

time8 hours ago

  • The National

Review: Emirati artist Omar Al Gurg makes an exhibition of his Kilimanjaro expedition

Mountains can measure an individual. Climbing one is a test of endurance, physical and psychological. Muscles cramp, breathing become more difficult and every step becomes an exercise in motivation and gumption. Foresight is also a prerequisite. Awareness of the altitude and weather ahead, rationing supplies and knowing where to rest and for how long are all vital. One wrong move or decision can be catastrophic, if not fatal. But Omar Al Gurg 's exhibition Everyman's Mountain is not so much a story about man against nature. His photographs do document his experiences in hiking Mount Kilimanjaro – a six-day trek in 2021 – but it is more nuanced than that. The exhibition, running at Lawrie Shabibi until September, is a love letter to the mountain in Tanzania, its scale and biodiversity, as well as its human presence, which, as Al Gurg says in the exhibition's literature, feels simultaneously impactful and insignificant. Mount Kilimanjaro is a benchmark for many climbers. It is high enough to be challenging but still accessible, as it doesn't need any technical skills or ropes. It isn't as brisk a climb as Mount Fuji nor as arduous as the peaks in Nepal or the K2 that looms between Pakistan and China. Mount Kilimanjaro stands in the middle of a climber's ambition, leaning towards the more accessible-side of the spectrum. It is perhaps from this characteristic that the exhibition draws its title: Everyman's Mountain. Al Gurg's photographs communicate the scale, might and mystery of Kilimanjaro well, especially to those who have never braved Africa's highest mountain. Their composition also highlights Al Gurg's keen sensibilities as a photographer, even though the Emirati artist is perhaps best known for his work as a designer and founder of the studio Modu Method. In one photograph, colossal tree trunks, wrapped in velvety lichen, curve centre-frame, serving as an arched doorway to Kilimajaro's depth, its green wilderness emerging from an eternal mist. In another, Al Gurg tilts his lens upwards, showing how the endlessness extends vertically as well. Al Gurg also spotlights the porters who support the mountain's hikers, often outnumbering them. There are photographs that show them hoisting large satchel bags on their backs and over their heads. Another photograph captures the silhouette of a man through the sheer tent and is another point towards Al Gurg's tableaux-esque framing. These examples are particularly riveting in that they highlight the human activity on the mountain, showing the place of our species within its ecosystem. There is also a subtext to consider. Between the scars of forest fires and the shrinking ice caps of the mountain, Al Gurg's images prod us to reckon with the more adverse sides of the human impact on the mountain. The photographs convey a stark desolation when seen beside the more lush shots of the mountain. The works are materially interesting as well. Printed on cotton rag and pinned framelessly to the walls, the photographs impart a texture and organic quality that well compliments what they depict. Al Gurg's fascination with Mount Kilimanjaro and its symbolism does not wrap up with Everyman's Mountain. The artist is only 'marking the beginning' of his drive to document its changing landscape, the exhibition's literature reads. 'Everyman's Mountainis not about conquest but about process: the act of seeing, appreciating and bearing witness,' it says. The ethos is evident in the works within the exhibition, communicating a perspective of reverence towards the mountain, while also gently alluding to our part in protecting its grandeur.

Former Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Country's Offshore Oil Boom Accelerates
Former Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Country's Offshore Oil Boom Accelerates

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Former Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Country's Offshore Oil Boom Accelerates

Tom Alweendo, Former Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia will participate as a speaker at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3. Alweendo – who led Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy from 2018 until March 2025 – recently launched Alvenco Advisory, a strategic consultancy aimed at assisting investors in navigating Namibia's political, fiscal, legal and environmental regimes. The firm offers tailored advisory services covering policy and regulatory compliance, alignment with national development priorities, and stakeholder engagement at both community and government levels. By leveraging Alweendo's extensive ministerial experience and network, Alvenco Advisory aims to facilitate responsible investment that unlocks value, drive industrial participation and supports Namibia's long-term socioeconomic objectives. 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. Namibia's offshore oil and gas sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, marked by a series of world-class discoveries and heightened exploration activity. The most recent milestone came in April this year, when the Capricornus 1-X exploration well in offshore Block 2914A delivered a successful light oil discovery. Operated by Rhino Resources alongside partners Azule Energy, Namcor and Korres Investments, the well encountered 38m of high-quality net pay, flowed over 11,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) during testing and confirmed the presence of a commercially viable light oil system. Capricornus 1-X mirrors the characteristics of the nearby Venus and Graff discoveries, reinforcing the Orange Basin's position as a globally significant petroleum province. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – as the voice of the African energy sector – recently commended the PEL85 joint venture partners for delivering one of Namibia's most significant oil discoveries to date, noting its potential to catalyze further investment, fast-track appraisal drilling and accelerate development initiatives. Drilling momentum is set to remain strong throughout 2025, with seven wells planned this year alone. These include Marula-1X by TotalEnergies and a second PEL85 well planned by Rhino Resources, as well as the Kharas prospect within BW Energy's Kudu license. Additional prospects at Olympe and Saturn have also been identified, signaling continued confidence from major international operators. Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy has confirmed new licensing opportunities in 2025 under an open licensing regime, spanning deepwater, ultra-deepwater and shallow-water environments. The country's Petroleum Commission has emphasized the government's commitment to attracting fresh investment while ensuring discoveries are fast-tracked to first oil and deliver tangible benefits to the national economy. Beyond exploration, development planning is advancing on two of Namibia's largest finds. TotalEnergies' Venus project in Block 2913B is targeting a 2026 final investment decision and ap planned 150,000-bpd FPSO facility. Galp is progressing appraisal of its Mopane discovery, supported by 3,500km 2 of newly acquired high-density seismic data. 'Tom Alweendo's leadership and deep understanding of Namibia's energy landscape come at a pivotal moment for the country's resource development. His insights will be invaluable in guiding discussions on how to translate world-class discoveries into sustainable economic growth and long-term benefits for all Namibians,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. Namibia's emergence as one of the world's most promising oil frontiers – underpinned by a stable regulatory environment, competitive licensing terms and a strong governance framework – positions the country as a leading destination for global upstream investment. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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