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Dubai, United Arab Emirates –25 November 2025: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Kuwait’s leading financial institution and a cornerstone of regional banking excellence, celebrated the official inauguration of its new branch in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. The event underscores NBK’s commitment to deepening economic ties between Kuwait and the UAE, while reinforcing cross-border banking solutions within one of the world’s most dynamic financial 
landscape.

Attended by senior executives, regulatory officials, and key stakeholders, the inauguration reflects NBK’s strategic vision to drive sustainable growth, innovation, and cross-border collaboration  across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. The new DIFC branch, holding a Category 1 license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent regulator for business undertaken from or in DIFC, is NBK’s fourth in the UAE, complementing its strategic footprint across the country. The branch serves as a key hub for NBK’s international operations, providing a comprehensive range of financial services that support its diverse client base across global markets. 

Leveraging DIFC’s world-class legal and regulatory framework and connectivity, NBK aims to facilitate seamless cross-border capital flows, empower clients navigating complex markets, and contribute to the UAE’s economic diversification and broader GCC integration. This expansion coincides with renewed focus on GCC financial cooperation, highlighted during the 124th GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee meeting in Kuwait, emphasising regional collaboration. 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, NBK leadership shared insights on the strategic drivers behind this expansion. 

Isam Al-Sager, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of NBK, addressed the gathering, emphasising the profound alignment between Kuwait and the UAE. “The unbreakable bond between Kuwait and the UAE has long been a catalyst for regional prosperity, rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and a vision for collective advancement,” said Al-Sager.

“This new DIFC branch is more than an expansion, it’s a testament to our dedication to greater financial integration and the seamless flow of cross-border capital that fuels economic growth across the GCC”. 

“In DIFC, a globally renowned financial powerhouse, we are establishing a presence that forges pathways for innovation, stability, and opportunity benefiting generations to come. NBK remains steadfast in its role as a bridge-builder, leveraging its expertise to navigate geopolitical complexities and deliver value that strengthens the region’s global standing,” Al-Sager added.

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said: “The addition of National Bank of Kuwait to our financial ecosystem reflects DIFC’s growing appeal as the destination of choice for GCC banks seeking global scale. As more regional institutions establish operations here, they are capitalising on DIFC’s world-class legal and regulatory framework, connectivity, and depth of capital markets to serve regional and international clients and capture new opportunities. This valuable addition underscores our position as the leading global financial hub in the MEASA region.”

NBK envisions the DIFC branch as a strategic platform to drive digital innovation, foster sustainable finance, and provide next-generation advisory solutions in line with its commitment to responsible and forward-looking banking. Supported by strong credit ratings from all major global agencies and recognised through numerous awards across diverse categories, NBK continues to demonstrate financial strength, operational excellence, and strategic foresight. The branch reinforces the Group’s strategy to capture growth opportunities, enhance cross-border client services, and contribute to sustainable economic development.

This strategic foothold in DIFC enhances NBK’s ability to serve its clients across the region while advancing the broader GCC vision for integrated and resilient economies. Leveraging DIFC’s dynamic growth, spirit of innovation, and its prominent concentration of private wealth, NBK is poised to deliver solutions that connect markets, manage risk effectively, and empower regional trade and investment.

 

Initial 50 megawatts received at Kamoa-Kakula; expected to increase to 100 megawatts by Q1 2026 as grid improvements are completed, and 150 megawatts by 2027

Over 10 years of partnership between Ivanhoe Mines and Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL) in the refurbishment of 250 megawatts of renewable, hydropower capacity

Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo–(Newsfile Corp. – November 25, 2025) – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete are delighted to announce that the first 50 megawatts (MW) of clean, hydroelectric power from the newly refurbished 178-MW Turbine #5 at the Inga II dam is now being received at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. The feed of hydroelectric power, from Inga II to Kamoa Kakula, is expected to increase to 100 MW in Q1 2026 and then increase to 150 MW as grid improvements are completed.

Watch the video summarizing over 10 years of partnership with the DRC state utility, SNEL, in refurbishment and return to operation of 250 MW of clean, hydropower capacity: https://vimeo.com/1140019977/45383e1c1d?fl=pl&fe=sh

Initial 50 megawatts of clean, hydropower delivered to Kamoa-Kakula from newly refurbished 178-megawatt Turbine #5 at Inga II

Installation of replacement mechanical and electrical equipment at Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric facility was completed in Q3 2025, followed by synchronization and energization of Turbine #5 in early Q4 2025. The newly refurbished Turbine #5 has since ramped up to full capacity, delivering approximately 180 MW of clean, hydroelectric power into the DRC grid. Of the 180 MW being delivered into the grid, Kamoa-Kakula is currently receiving an initial 50 MW, bringing its total domestically sourced power to approximately 110 MW, as shown in Table 1. Hydroelectric power delivery to Kamoa-Kakula, from Turbine #5, is expected to increase to 100 MW in Q1 2026 and to 150 MW thereafter as grid upgrades are completed.

The grid improvement initiatives primarily focus on upgrades to substations at Inga (SCI) and Kolwezi (SCK). The first upgrade, consisting of resistor banks at the Inga substation, was completed in May 2025. Corresponding resistor upgrades at the Kolwezi substation are expected to be completed imminently, improving voltage stability to Kamoa-Kakula. In addition, the static compensator at the Kolwezi substation is scheduled to be completed in early Q1 2026, increasing the power delivery from Inga II to the Kamoa-Kakula up to 100 MW. The remaining workstreams to upgrade the filter banks at SCI and SCK will occur in phases over the next 18 months, ultimately increasing the total power received from Turbine #5 to 150 MW during H1 2027. As shown in Figure 1, by the end of 2027, total domestically-sourced, renewable grid-supplied power is expected to be approximately 210 MW.

Table 1. Kamoa-Kakula’s projected power supply and demand balance from 2025 to 2028.

		Dec 25	Dec 26	Dec 27	Dec 28
TOTAL POWER DEMAND	MW	208	271	292	347
SNEL (national grid)	MW	110	180	210	210
Third-party purchases (Imports)	MW	100	100	100	100
On-site solar	MW	–	60	60	60
TOTAL SUPPLIED POWER	MW	210	340	370	370
On-site backup generators	MW	178	214	214	214

 

Representatives from DRC state-owned power utility, Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL), engineering and construction contractors Gruner Stucky AG and VOITH, and Kamoa Copper, standing on top of the recently refurbished Turbine #5, inside the turbine hall at the Inga II hydroelectric facility.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/275861_ivanhoe2en.jpg

(L-R) Kasper Badenhorst, Kamoa Copper, Construction Manager, and Papy Enona, Mechanical Engineer, Gruner Stucky AG, reviewing commissioning plans during the commissioning of Turbine #5

Qualified Persons

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience, and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Amos is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Vice President, Projects. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.

Ivanhoe has prepared independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, which is available on the company’s website and under the company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca:

• Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan 2023 Technical Report dated March 6, 2023, prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd.; China Nerin Engineering Co. Ltd.; DRA Global; Epoch Resources; Golder Associates Africa; Metso Outotec Oyj; Paterson and Cooke; SRK Consulting Ltd.; and The MSA Group.

The technical reports includes relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters, and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the power demand balance at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex cited in this news release, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures, and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal operations in Southern Africa; the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the tier-one Platreef platinum-palladium-nickel-rhodium-gold-copper mine in South Africa.

Ivanhoe Mines is exploring for copper in its highly prospective, 54-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over six times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, including the high-grade discoveries in the Makoko District. Ivanhoe is also exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries in new horizons, including Angola, Kazakhstan, and Zambia.

Information contact

Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on X.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “predict” and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Such statements include, without limitation: (i) statements that hydroelectric power delivery from Turbine #5 is expected to increase to 100 MW in Q1 2026 and to 150 MW, by end of 2027, as grid upgrades are completed; and (ii) statements with respect to Kamoa-Kakula’s projected power supply and demand balance from 2025 to 2028 as set out in Table 1.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to those discussed above and under the “Risk Factors” section in the company’s MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, and its current annual information form, and elsewhere in this news release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; changes in the rate of water ingress into underground workings; the continuation of seismic activity; the state of underground infrastructure; delays in securing underground access; changes to the mining methods required in the future; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.

The company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the “Risk Factors” section in the company’s MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, and its current annual information form.