General News
Middle East Energy Returns to Guide Energy Conversations Across MEA Region
Middle East Energy, the leading energy industry event in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, will be making a highly-anticipated return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 7 – 9 March 2023.
Featuring the largest and most innovative power companies who will showcase the latest energy trends from smart solutions to renewable & clean energy, Middle East Energy will provide a unique platform for energy leaders to debate and shape the future of the energy landscape.
Organised by leading global exhibitions organiser Informa Markets, the 48th edition of the event will bring together buyers and sellers from across different countries to explore the latest advancements in energy products and solutions.
It will provide unmatched opportunities to network with international energy suppliers, discover products and solutions that are changing the energy landscape, and build long-lasting business relationships.
At the forefront of the event is the mission to guide the MEA region through the energy transition in order to build resilient energy systems and infrastructures. The global energy transition holds new promise for Nigeria’s economic and social development, with renewable energy and other emerging areas offering robust growth potential.
Middle East Energy will explore the unique opportunity to merge economic development and climate action priorities in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of the world’s first true just transitions.
Ade Yesufu, Exhibition Manager, Middle East Energy, in his comments about the mission to transform energy infrastructures across the MEA region said: “The value of Middle East Energy to Nigeria and the MEA region is its ability to gather all the key players in the global energy sector under one roof to showcase and discover thousands of energy innovations and solutions.
“Over the years, the event has been instrumental in driving transformation across energy industries as it offers a platform for unmatched opportunities in terms of engagement, networking, and investments.
“From uncovering solutions to critical business challenges to connecting buyers to energy product suppliers, Middle East Energy is a full-service channel to transform the energy sector and drive energy transition globally.
With over 900 exhibiting companies representing 57 countries and a 25,000+ global audience, participants at Middle East Energy will explore insights on the future of alternative energy solutions that will help in delivering more efficient and effective power systems.
Among the featured exhibitors are leading international industry players such as Alfanar, Baudouin, Riyadh Cables Group, Ducab, LTC Group, Bahra Electric, Perkins, Riello, Stamford | AvK, Lucy Electric, and Eaton.
Afrah Packirsaibo, Conference Director, Middle East Energy, also underscored the importance of the event in driving growth in the industry. She said, “The theme guiding this year’s event focuses on implementing solutions to modern energy challenges.
“All the solution providers and innovations to be explored at Middle East Energy are powered to drive the energy transition forward whether that is through energy efficiency, decarbonisation, digitalisation, or enabling critical infrastructure to be future-ready.
“The conferences serve as a platform to uncover success stories, case studies, learnings, and actionable best practices that can be implemented into business practices and corporate environments to drive sustainable growth.
“It is a unique opportunity for stakeholders in Africa’s energy ecosystem to network with key players in the industry, driving collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing that will transcend the show.”
The three-day event will also feature conferences that will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, support relationship building, and uncover solutions to some of the most pressing challenges faced by the energy sector. These include a CEO roundtable, a Technical Seminar, and the Intersolar Conference.
In addition, there will be the launch of the Strategic Conference, a high-level forum exclusively focused on unpacking the complex opportunities and challenges for senior decision-makers in the energy and utilities sector in the Middle East and Africa.
A panel session during the Strategic Conference is dedicated to spotlighting the perspectives from Nigeria on energy transition, as well as to explore the challenges and opportunities for natural gas in the global energy transition.
Speakers on the panel include Engr. Abubakar Ali-Dapshima, Director, Renewable & Rural Power Access Department, Federal Ministry of Power; Olakunle Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Tetracore Group; Sule Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Executive Board, West African Power Pool and the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria; and Sowunmi Olabode, Senior Legislative Aid to the Senate President, National Assembly of Nigeria. In addition to this, the Strategic Conference will also address energy transition goals across other African countries including Egypt, Kenya, Zambia, etc.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.
Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,
This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.
He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.
Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.
Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.
The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.
Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.
The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.
Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.
He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.
Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.
He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.
Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.
Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.
Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.
The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.
The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.
The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.
Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.
A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.
Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.
The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.
Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.
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