Sports · Aerospace & defense
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) demonstrated its sporting prowess on the continental stage as all six boxers representing the Defence Forces Amateur Boxing Association (DEFABA) in Kenya’s national boxing team, the Hit Squad, secured medals at the African Elite Boxing Championships held at Kasarani Indoor Arena, Nairobi, from 17 to 22 October 2026.
In an impressive display of skill, resilience and competitive excellence, the KDF pugilists claimed two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, achieving a remarkable 100 per cent medal-winning record.
Corporal Kelvin Maina and Senior Private Friza Asiko spearheaded the medal charge, clinching gold after defeating Angola’s Martinho Loureiro Ferreira and Egypt’s Hamza Tia, respectively, in their championship finals.
Cpl Maina delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament, overcoming Uganda’s Kakane Bruno in the quarter-finals before defeating Equatorial Guinea’s Israel Mbaga in the semi-finals. He crowned his impressive campaign with victory over Angola’s Ferreira to secure continental gold.
Corporal Veronica Mbithe added silver to the medal tally, while Sergeant Edwin Okongo, Corporal Peter Abuti and Chris Ochanda each battled their way to bronze, completing an exceptional championship campaign for DEFABA.
The six-medal haul underscores the KDF’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent, promoting physical fitness and fostering competitive excellence among its personnel. It further highlights the discipline, mental resilience and determination that define military professionalism, both in operational environments and competitive sport.
Beyond individual achievement, the performance reinforces the Defence Forces’ contribution to Kenya’s sporting success and its growing prominence in continental boxing.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence - Kenya.
Oct 23 · 10:06·APO Group
Education · Aerospace & defense
Growing geopolitical uncertainty, piracy, transnational maritime crime and emerging technological threats demand stronger African-led security cooperation to safeguard strategic sea lanes, maritime trade and continental economic interests.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), through the Kenya Navy, reinforced Kenya’s commitment to collective maritime security during the inaugural African Maritime Security Forum held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, from 14 to 15 October 2026.
Representing Kenya was Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Brigadier John Sankale Kiswaa, who joined senior naval leaders, security experts and international partners in deliberations under the theme, “The African Maritime Landscape in Times of Geopolitical Uncertainty in 2026 and Beyond.”
Brigadier Kiswaa participated in a high-level naval panel on maritime governance alongside counterparts from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa. Discussions focused on strengthening maritime security coordination, intelligence and information sharing, technological innovation and collective responses to emerging threats.
The Forum underscored the interconnected nature of maritime security challenges across Africa, reinforcing the strategic importance of cooperation between the Western Indian Ocean and other maritime regions in protecting sea lines of communication and countering transnational threats.
On the sidelines, Brigadier Kiswaa, representing Commander Kenya Navy, paid a courtesy call on KAIPTC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong. Their discussions explored enhanced defence cooperation through instructor exchanges, professional military education, expertise sharing and joint capacity development.
Kenya’s participation reaffirmed its strategic role in advancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean while strengthening continental partnerships, defence diplomacy and African-led solutions to shared security challenges.
Through sustained engagement and cooperation, the Kenya Navy continues to contribute to securing Africa’s maritime domain, protecting vital trade routes and promoting regional stability, economic resilience and sustainable development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence - Kenya.
Oct 23 · 10:01·APO Group
Finance · SaaS
South Sudan's resource renaissance could begin with seismic data rather than drilling rigs, as East Africa’s sole oil producer looks to bring its next barrels online. With 14 exploration blocks available to investors and limited seismic coverage across much of the country's frontier acreage, advances in subsurface imaging, geophysical surveying and digital interpretation offer an opportunity to accelerate exploration, reduce geological uncertainty and bring new petroleum prospects closer to development.
The upcoming South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) conference, scheduled for November 24-25 in Juba, places seismic acquisition at the forefront of the country’s exploration strategy. By connecting exploration opportunities with technical expertise and financing, SSOP 2026 aims to help move South Sudan's frontier acreage from geological potential to drill-ready prospects – and ultimately, new production.
From Limited Data to Drill-Ready Prospects
South Sudan currently produces oil from three consortia operating primarily across the Melut and Muglad basins, yet up to 70% of the country’s territory remains under-explored. The country’s strategic location and proven production history strengthen its investment appeal. Situated on major extensions of the Cretaceous rift basin system, the country offers significant potential for new discoveries across unmapped areas.
New 2D seismic acquisition could provide regional coverage across underexplored blocks, identifying basin structures, sedimentary sequences and prospective hydrocarbon traps. More targeted 3D surveys could subsequently help operators define individual prospects, refine well locations and assess geological risks before committing capital to drilling.
Reprocessing existing seismic datasets offers another route to advancing exploration without immediately undertaking extensive new acquisition campaigns. According to the Ministry of Petroleum, the country’s exploration blocks consist of legacy regional gravity and magnetic compilations rather than dense 2D or 3D seismic coverage. Modern processing techniques, including advanced migration, noise attenuation and velocity modelling, can improve subsurface imaging and potentially reveal geological features that were difficult to identify using older technologies.
Uncovering Unmapped Acreage
While little to no seismic acquisition has been conducted to date, recent updates show companies are moving in this direction. The Strategic Fuel Fund – which merged into the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) – launched a geophysical survey campaign alongside Nilepet for Block B2 in 2023. The project was presented at SSOP 2023.
By March 2024, SANPC had completed an initial aerial geophysical survey covering approximately 47,000 km², marking a major step toward improving geological understanding of the block. In October 2026, the SANPC issued a tender for integrated reconnaissance in Block B2, advancing preparations for a planned 2D seismic survey in the Jonglei Sub-Basin. The move represents a crucial step towards identifying new exploration plays and advancing South Sudan’s exploration strategy.
Anchoring South Sudan’s Exploration Renaissance
Expanded seismic coverage not only creates vital entry points for international geophysical and oilfield service companies, but could anchor South Sudan’s broader exploration and production drive. The Ministry of Petroleum currently reports national output of approximately 170,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the country is targeting 230,000 bpd in the near term and 450,000 bpd over the longer term. While production growth will also depend on infrastructure, recovery improvements and operational investment, new exploration remains essential to replenishing reserves and extending the industry's productive life.
SSOP 2026 Connects Technology with Investment
As South Sudan works to convert its resource potential into new production, SSOP 2026 will provide a platform for securing the partnerships, financing and technologies needed to advance exploration. For geophysical and technology companies, the conference offers direct access to prospective exploration partners and opportunities to support new data acquisition, reprocessing and subsurface evaluation programs. For operators and investors, it provides an opportunity to assess available acreage, engage with technical partners and develop commercially viable exploration strategies.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Oct 23 · 10:00·APO Group
Government & policy
The Small Business in Transportation Coalition ("SBTC"), operating through Truckers.com, SmallTransportation.org & TruckerVote.com, published its 2026 Trucker Voter Guide & Congressional Scorecard in advance of the November 3rd, 2026 mid-term elections in the United States on October 20,...
Oct 23 · 10:00·PRWeb
SaaS · Sports
Precision, speed and composure under pressure are hallmarks of exceptional marksmanship and essential attributes of military professionalism. These qualities propelled the Defence Forces Rifle Association (DEFRA) pistol team to an impressive five-medal haul at the Kenya Shooting Sports Federation (KSSF) International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) League IX.
Held at the Ngong Racecourse Jockey Club Shooting Range in Nairobi, the championship brought together competitive shooters in a demanding contest of accuracy, speed and tactical execution. DEFRA delivered a strong performance, demonstrating technical proficiency, mental resilience and competitive excellence.
Leading the medal charge, Senior Private Charles Ngara clinched silver in the Production Division, while Corporal Irene Ndunda delivered a standout performance, securing bronze in the Open Division and gold in the Ladies Handgun Category.
Sergeant Agatha Muchiri further strengthened the team’s medal tally with silver in the Ladies Handgun Category, while Warrant Officer Class Two Alice Njuguna claimed bronze in the same category, completing DEFRA’s impressive five-medal haul.
Beyond the podium finishes, the team’s performance highlighted the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) commitment to developing competitive marksmanship, strengthening mental discipline and nurturing sporting talent. Competitive shooting reinforces precision, sound judgment and the ability to maintain focus under pressure, qualities that complement military training and operational effectiveness.
The championship also served as a crucial preparatory platform ahead of the Kenya Open IPSC Level 3 Handgun Shooting Championship, scheduled for December 2026 at Bamburi Rifle Club in Mombasa. It further contributed to the national team selection pathway for the IPSC World Championship scheduled for January 2027 in Pattaya, Thailand.
DEFRA’s achievement reaffirms the KDF’s growing presence in competitive shooting and its commitment to sporting excellence, professional discipline and the development of skilled, confident and resilient marksmen capable of excelling on national and international platforms.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence - Kenya.
Oct 23 · 09:55·APO Group
Education · Aerospace & defense
Effective military leadership is forged through rigorous training, tactical proficiency and the ability to make decisive judgments under pressure. Strengthening these competencies among Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) is critical to sustaining discipline, combat effectiveness and mission readiness across the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The School of Armour in Isiolo has successfully concluded an intensive command training course aimed at sharpening the leadership, command and management capabilities of SNCOs, preparing them to effectively lead troops and respond to the evolving demands of modern warfare.
The training covered leadership, command, military administration, contemporary warfare and tactical decision-making. Through demanding practical exercises and realistic operational scenarios, participants strengthened their ability to exercise command under pressure, manage personnel and translate operational directives into effective tactical action.
The course also reinforced the pivotal role of SNCOs as the backbone of military leadership, responsible for enforcing discipline, mentoring junior personnel, fostering teamwork and bridging the command structure between officers and service members.
Presiding over the graduation ceremony, Commander Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Alex Kiraguri, underscored the importance of adaptive, competent and principled leadership in confronting emerging security challenges. He emphasised that continuous professional development remains essential to building a disciplined, resilient and combat-ready force.
Brigadier Kiraguri further noted that the training represented a strategic investment in strengthening combat effectiveness, administrative efficiency and operational preparedness across military formations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence - Kenya.
Oct 23 · 09:47·APO Group
SaaS · Energy
International operators, oilfield service companies and strategic partners are invited to register as commercial partners for the Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) 2027 Deal Room, where companies can pursue joint ventures, service agreements, technology deployments, offtake arrangements and other commercial opportunities.
Taking place February 22–25 at the Simón Bolívar Convention Center in Caracas, the Deal Room will bring international companies into direct discussions with local operators, project developers, asset owners and regional leadership. As international companies re-engage with Venezuela's oil and gas industry, the platform aims to facilitate project-level discussions and establish commercial relationships spanning upstream development, infrastructure, technology and energy supply.
For international operators and investors, the Deal Room provides an opportunity to identify assets and local counterparties for joint development. Venezuela's push to increase oil production to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2026 and 1.5 million bpd in 2027 is creating potential openings for companies with the technical expertise, operational capacity and financial resources to participate in field rehabilitation, enhanced oil recovery, drilling and production expansion. Partnerships with Venezuelan operators can provide a route to developing assets and sharing project responsibilities.
Recent agreements demonstrate how partnerships have already begun to take shape. In September, Chevron secured expanded development rights in the Orinoco Belt, underpinning plans by its Venezuelan joint ventures to invest more than $7 billion over five years. Eni also signed a 25-year contract with PDVSA to assume operatorship of the Junín 5 heavy-oil field, giving the company responsibility for its technical, financial and commercial development.
Oilfield service companies and technology providers can pursue commercial agreements supporting these activities. Demand spans drilling and workover equipment, artificial lift, engineering, digital production systems, reservoir technologies, power solutions and other services required to restore production and improve the performance of existing infrastructure.
Commercial partnerships are advancing this area. In September, Halliburton signed separate agreements with Eneva and WESCA covering development opportunities, field evaluation and technical planning, while SLB signed a framework agreement with PDVSA in June spanning field development, digital technologies and workforce training.
The commercial opportunity extends beyond upstream operations. Companies can explore technology and service partnerships supporting gas processing and transportation, refinery rehabilitation, power generation, grid infrastructure and energy logistics, creating multiple routes for international suppliers and specialist firms to establish a presence in the market and for Venezuelan companies seeking to strengthen their portfolios.
Recent agreements reflect growing momentum in these areas. In September, GE Vernova signed a strategic alliance with PDVSA to rehabilitate electrical infrastructure serving Venezuela's oil industry. More recently, Baker Hughes partnered with PDVSA, Venezuelan engineering company Lindsayca and Fulcrum LNG to pursue gas processing, transportation and commercialization projects.
Offtake and supply agreements offer another route for strategic participation. Companies can negotiate arrangements linked to specific oil, gas or refined-product assets, while international trading and downstream partners can explore supply relationships connected to Venezuela's expanding production and processing capacity. Trading companies Vitol and Trafigura have already secured agreements to purchase and market Venezuelan oil, while international refiners are increasingly pursuing direct supply relationships with PDVSA.
The Deal Room will also provide direct access to the institutions shaping project development and commercial activity, including the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, PDVSA and its operating leadership. These relationships can help companies identify counterparties, clarify project requirements and develop commercial frameworks around specific opportunities.
As international activity accelerates across Venezuela's energy sector, the Deal Room offers companies a focused setting to identify partners and convert market interest into concrete commercial relationships.
International operators, service companies and strategic partners can register to engage as commercial partners at the Venezuela Energy Week 2027 Deal Room. To engage as a commercial partner email info@venezuelaenergyweek.com or visit https://apo-opa.co/4z16kLV for more information.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Oct 23 · 09:36·APO Group
SaaS · Sports
Physical fitness, mental resilience and disciplined execution are fundamental to military effectiveness. Beyond the battlefield, competitive martial arts such as Taekwondo sharpen these attributes, developing agility, tactical awareness, self-control and the ability to perform decisively under pressure.
The Kenya Navy demonstrated this spirit of sporting excellence during its annual Inter-Units Taekwondo Tournament held at Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe, where athletes drawn from various units and formations battled for top honours in fiercely contested finals.
Competing across multiple weight categories, including Finweight, Featherweight, Lightweight and Heavyweight divisions for both men and women, the athletes showcased exceptional skill, precision, endurance and fighting spirit. The contests highlighted the importance of rigorous training, tactical discipline and mental toughness in achieving competitive excellence.
Presiding over the tournament, Commander Kenya Navy Fleet, Brigadier Mohamed Shemote, underscored the strategic value of sports in strengthening physical conditioning, personal development and operational readiness.
“Taekwondo offers real value to sailors. Its demanding movements develop fitness, balance, agility and controlled strength. Its practice can build confidence, self-discipline and the ability to remain composed under pressure,” he stated.
Brigadier Shemote further emphasised that the respect demonstrated towards coaches, officials and opponents reinforces the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of every sailor. He noted that the physical and psychological benefits of Taekwondo extend beyond competitive sport, contributing to individual well-being, teamwork and military effectiveness.
Beyond the medals and competitive honours, the tournament provided a platform for identifying outstanding athletes to represent the Kenya Navy at the forthcoming Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) Challenge Cup, where they will compete against their counterparts from across the Kenya Defence Forces.
The championship reaffirmed the Kenya Navy’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent, strengthening physical and mental resilience, and cultivating a disciplined, confident and mission-ready force capable of meeting the demands of modern military service.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence - Kenya.
Oct 23 · 09:35·APO Group
Finance · SaaS
The MONUSCO Police (UNPOL) supported a forum held in Kinshasa on Wednesday, 21 October, organized by the Congolese National Police (PNC) in collaboration with the U-Report platform. The forum focused on youth, peace, health and community safety.
Participants included young people, health-sector stakeholders, civil society representatives and residents of Mont-Ngafula, where the local U-Report section initiated the event. The initiative aims to draw public attention to drug use and violence among young people.
According to the mayor of Mont-Ngafula, the municipality is particularly affected by the use of psychoactive substances among young people, a practice that often leads to violence.
“Our young people face many challenges, particularly drug use,” said Séverin Lumbu.
Andréa Amisi, who coordinates U-Report in the municipality, shares the mayor’s concerns. His youth and involvement in U-Report bring him into contact with many young people. He regrets that, in the absence of opportunities and proper guidance, many young people turn to hard liquor and psychoactive substances.
He also points out that most of those selling these products are young people themselves. This trade provides them with a source of income while endangering the health of other young people and undermining community safety.
“This reality calls on all of us to act,” said the mayor of Mont-Ngafula. “It requires collective awareness, but above all, concrete and lasting action.”
This is precisely the purpose of the forum: to bring together young people, health professionals, local authorities and the police to discuss effective ways of steering young people away from drugs and preventing urban violence.
“We need responsible young people who are engaged and aware of their rights, but also of their duties towards their community and their nation,” Séverin Lumbu stressed.
To combat drug use, he called for substantial efforts in education and prevention.
A shared commitment to fighting drug use
The police share this view.
The Deputy Executive Secretary of the Committee for Monitoring Police Reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which co-organized the forum, also highlighted the harmful effects of hard liquor and drug use among young people.
“Drug addiction is a real scourge that destroys human lives in our society,” said Deputy Divisional Commissioner Jean-Rémy Nkanga, calling for coordinated action by all stakeholders in the sector.
His appeal echoed UNPOL’s advocacy. Edmond Tapsoba, who spoke on behalf of the MONUSCO Police at the forum, reminded participants that “security is a shared responsibility,” emphasizing the important role young people play in ensuring security in a vast municipality such as Mont-Ngafula.
There is indeed a link between the use of psychoactive substances and security.
Dr. Patrice Milambo, coordinator of the National Programme for Combating Drug Addiction and Toxic Substances, explained that, according to African Union figures, 6% of people who commit acts of violence do so under the influence of these substances. He described the connection as “clear.”
For Amisi of U-Report, the same pattern is evident. The more idle young people are, the more likely they are to turn to drugs, increasing the risk of their involvement in criminal activities.
He recalled a campaign he conducted in 2024 after noticing an increase in burglaries in his municipality on evenings when Africa Cup of Nations matches were being played.
The campaign revealed that many young people involved in the burglaries were using psychoactive substances.
Like all the other forum participants, Andréa Amisi is calling for greater awareness-raising and educational efforts among young people to address drug addiction.
U-Report is a community-based youth engagement platform that enables young people to express their views on issues that affect them.
In Mont-Ngafula, the platform reports having approximately 200 active young members, with just over 5,000 others following and participating in its activities across the municipality.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Oct 23 · 09:31·APO Group
Healthcare · Government & policy
The November 9 event in Pittsburgh will unite government leaders, healthcare experts and community advocates to advance maternal health and family wellness.
The November 9 event in Pittsburgh will unite government leaders, healthcare experts and community advocates to advance maternal health and family wellness.
Oct 23 · 09:29·GlobeNewswire
Automotive · Government & policy
Autodata exhibited at GROUPAUTO 2026, showcasing OEM technical data, EV and Chinese vehicle coverage, and digital solutions for independent workshops.
Oct 23 · 09:09·GlobeNewswire
Finance · SaaS
African Collaborations Group (ACG) (www.ACGafrica.com), the leading strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa through the origination of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems, today announced the appointment of Grégoire Ndjaka to its Advisory Board.
Mr Ndjaka is Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), the continental federation of Africa's national radio and television organisations. Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Dakar, the AUB brings together 86 members across the continent and beyond. It operates in four official languages (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese), positioning it as the pan-African anchor point for public service broadcasting, media exchange and continental audiovisual policy.
First elected CEO of the AUB in January 2016 and re-elected for a four-year term in June 2022, Mr Ndjaka brings over three decades of professional experience as a senior journalist and media executive. He previously served as Director of Human Resources and Advisor to the Director-General of Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), and holds two Master's degrees in Human Rights and Humanitarian Emergencies and in Project Management from the Catholic University of Central Africa. He is a fellow of the Japan Foundation.
Under his leadership, the AUB has driven a continental broadcasting agenda that spans preferential satellite tariffs for member organisations, capacity-building programmes across African media, the coordination of major continental broadcasting rights arrangements, and public service media reform. He is a member of the World Broadcasting Unions alongside his European (EBU), Asian (ABU), North American (NABA) and Caribbean (CBU) counterparts.
His appointment to the ACG Advisory Board brings to the platform the continental broadcasting layer that any sport and entertainment district project requires to reach African and global audiences. Sport and entertainment districts, at the scale ACG is originating, depend on structured broadcast distribution across national public service broadcasters, negotiated media rights frameworks, and coordinated continental coverage — the very layers that the AUB convenes on behalf of its 86 member broadcasters. Mr Ndjaka's appointment ensures that ACG's work is aligned from the outset with the continental broadcasting architecture that determines the reach, revenue and cultural resonance of large sport and entertainment properties in Africa.
His appointment brings to the ACG Advisory Board an unmatched combination of pan-African media leadership, deep relationships across national broadcasters and public service media, and continental policy positioning in the audiovisual sector — capabilities directly relevant to originating and structuring large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across the African continent.
"Grégoire Ndjaka brings to our Advisory Board the continental broadcasting layer that no serious African sport and entertainment district project can be conceived without. The reach, cultural resonance and financial return of these projects depend on how well they connect to the pan-African public service broadcasting architecture, and the AUB is the continental anchor point for that architecture. His presence on our Advisory Board is a genuine strategic asset," said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder and Executive Chairman of ACG.
The ACG Advisory Board provides strategic guidance as ACG originates and structures large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across the continent, aligning governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), investors, sport bodies and infrastructure partners to support the development of financially sustainable, mixed-use district ecosystems.
Africa's sport economy is projected to reach $20 billion by 2035, yet the continent continues to lack the integrated district ecosystems required to support large-scale development. ACG addresses this gap by originating bankable sport and entertainment district projects, moving beyond single-venue development models towards mixed-use, revenue-generating and financially sustainable district ecosystems.
Through its collaborative model, ACG convenes governments, PPP authorities and regulators, development finance institutions, private investors, developers, designers and engineers, legal and transaction advisors, operators, sport federations and leagues, event promoters, media and broadcast partners, academic institutions and host communities, creating structured pathways from concept to feasibility, bankability and delivery.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Collaborations Group (ACG).
Media contact:
marie@apo-opa.com
About African Collaborations Group (ACG):
www.ACGafrica.com) is the leading strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa through the origination of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems. By convening governments, private-sector partners, development finance institutions, sport and entertainment stakeholders, and academic institutions, ACG creates structured pathways that transform concepts into investable and deliverable district projects across the continent.
Oct 23 · 09:00·APO Group