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February 26, 2026

Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement octroie un don de 16,6 millions de dollars à l’Institut international d’agriculture tropicale pour la mise à l’échelle des technologies agricoles en Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) et l’Institut international d’agriculture tropicale (IITA) ont signé, mercredi 18 février 2026 à Abuja, un accord de don de 16,61 millions de dollars pour lancer la troisième phase du programme Technologies pour la transformation de l’agriculture africaine (TAAT-III), qui vise à mettre à l’échelle la production alimentaire résiliente au climat à travers le continent.

L’accord renforce l’engagement commun en faveur de la modernisation de l’agriculture africaine par le déploiement à grande échelle de technologies éprouvées, le renforcement des systèmes semenciers et l’élargissement des partenariats entre les institutions de recherche, les gouvernements et les acteurs du secteur privé.

Depuis son lancement en 2018, TAAT est devenue l’une des plateformes d’innovation agricole les plus efficaces et transformatrices d’Afrique, touchant près de 25 millions d’agriculteurs et stimulant la productivité des principales cultures de base. L’initiative a permis d’étendre les pratiques agricoles résilientes au climat sur plus de 35 millions d’hectares.

En étroite collaboration avec le Groupe consultatif pour la recherche agricole internationale (CGIAR) et des partenaires nationaux et régionaux, TAAT a permis d’accroître les rendements agricoles jusqu’à 69 % et de générer plus de milliards de dollars de valeur agricole supplémentaire. Des pays comme le Soudan, l’Éthiopie, la Zambie, le Zimbabwe et le Nigeria ont enregistré des gains notables en matière de productivité des cultures de base et de résilience au climat.

Le Nigeria a été l’un des principaux bénéficiaires des initiatives de TAAT. Dans le cadre de son Wheat Compact (Pacte du blé), les agriculteurs qui ont adopté des variétés améliorées résistantes à la chaleur ont plus que doublé leurs rendements, qui sont passés de 1,7 tonne à 3,5 tonnes par hectare. Les évaluations des systèmes semenciers menées dans le cadre du programme ont également contribué à éclairer les réformes nationales visant à élargir l’accès à des semences certifiées et résilientes au climat.

S’exprimant lors de la cérémonie de signature, Abdul Kamara, directeur général du Groupe de la Banque pour le Nigeria, a déclaré que la nouvelle phase se concentrera sur une mise à l’échelle plus rapide de l’innovation : « TAAT-III souligne l’engagement de la Banque africaine de développement à veiller à ce que les technologies agricoles éprouvées et résilientes au climat atteignent les agriculteurs plus rapidement et à plus grande échelle. Cette phase renforce les systèmes de diffusion de l’innovation, aidant les pays à stimuler la productivité, à renforcer la résilience et à aligner les efforts de transformation de l’agriculture sur les Quatre points cardinaux, les quatre nouveaux axes prioritaires de la Banque. »

Financé par le Fonds africain de développement, le guichet de prêts concessionnels du Groupe de la Banque, TAAT-III consolidera les acquis antérieurs tout en introduisant un modèle d’exécution plus durable, piloté par le secteur privé. L’initiative vise à renforcer les systèmes de distribution de semences et de technologies, à approfondir les partenariats avec les gouvernements et les entreprises agro-industrielles, et à développer les outils numériques, notamment les catalogues électroniques de technologies et les plateformes de suivi en temps réel, afin d’accélérer le déploiement de solutions à fort impact.

« TAAT-III nous permet d’intensifier la fourniture de solutions fondées sur la science qui améliorent les rendements et les moyens de subsistance des agriculteurs. En collaboration avec la Banque et nos partenaires, nous mettons à l’échelle des technologies qui rendent les systèmes alimentaires de l’Afrique plus résilients et plus compétitifs », a fait remarquer Simeon Ehui, directeur général de l’IITA.

TAAT a joué un rôle majeur dans le soutien apporté par la Facilité de production alimentaire d’urgence du Groupe de la Banque pour l’Afrique, en aidant les pays à déployer rapidement des semences et des technologies améliorées pour stabiliser les approvisionnements en denrées alimentaires lors des récentes perturbations au niveau mondial. La troisième phase du programme vise à intégrer ces innovations dans les stratégies nationales d’investissement agricole à long terme.

TAAT-III devrait toucher 14 millions d’agriculteurs supplémentaires dans 37 pays vulnérables et à faible revenu bénéficiaires du Fonds africain de développement, le guichet de financement concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact média :
Nkiruka Ugoh
Banque africaine de développement, Département pays du Nigeria
media@afdb.org

February 26, 2026

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in Africa

Source: APO

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III), aimed at scaling climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.

Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has become one of Africa’s most effective and transformative platforms for agricultural innovation, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and boosting productivity across major staples. The initiative has expanded climate-resilient agricultural practices across over 35 million hectares.

Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners, TAAT has increased crop yields as much as 69 percent and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value. Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.

Nigeria has been a key beneficiary of TAAT initiatives. Under its Wheat Compact, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Programme‑supported seed system assessments also helped inform national reforms to expand access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the new phase will focus on scaling innovation more rapidly: “TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s four new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points.”

Financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, TAAT-III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. The initiative aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution systems, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand the digital tools, including its technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, to speed up deployment of high‑impact solutions.

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked: “TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science‑based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.”

TAAT featured prominently in supporting the Bank Group’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries to rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies to stabilise food supplies during recent global disruptions. The programme’s third phase seeks to embed these innovations within long-term national agricultural investment strategies.

TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Nkiruka Ugoh
African Development Bank Nigeria Country Department
email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

February 26, 2026

Morocco: ancient fossils shed light on a key period in human evolution

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mohib Abderrahim, Chercheur en Préhistoire et conservateur principal des Monuments et Sites, Institut national des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine in Rabat

Could a Moroccan cave hold a crucial piece of the puzzle of human origins? Hominin fossils dating back 773,000 years discovered in the country are bringing new evidence to the debate about the last common ancestor of present-day humans (Homo sapiens), Neanderthals and Denisovans. The discovery points to a long evolutionary history in north Africa, much earlier than modern Homo sapiens. It also supports Africa’s central role in the major stages that shaped the human species.

Abderrahim Mohib is a prehistoric archaeologist, heritage curator, and associate professor and researcher at the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage in Rabat. He’s one of the authors of a recent study that explains the significance of the discovery.

What did you discover and why does it matter?

Excavations have been underway since 1994 in the Hominid Cave at the Thomas Quarry I, south-west of the city of Casablanca in Morocco. A research programme called Prehistory of Casablanca working at the site is led by Morocco’s National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

General view of the Thomas Quarry I deposit with its two sites. Author provided (no reuse)

The team has unearthed hominin fossils along with thousands of animal remains and around 300 artefacts made of quartzite and flint. The site looks like it was a den for large carnivores. This is supported by a hominin femur showing bite marks from a large carnivore, likely a hyena.

In addition to the femur, the set of hominin remains includes a nearly complete adult jaw, half of another adult jaw, a young child’s jawbone, cervical and thoracic vertebrae, and several teeth.

This discovery is significant. It sheds new light on a key period in human evolution. Fossils from this period are very scarce in Africa, Europe and Asia. These remains help document little-known populations between early Homo species and the more recent lineages. They are the oldest hominin fossils ever found in Morocco with a clear and reliable date.

All known human fossils at the Moroccan sites. Author provided (no reuse) Fourni par l’auteur

In addition, the site is adjacent to another, older, site named Unit L in the same quarry. This site covers more than 1,000 square metres and dates back to 1.3 million years ago. It documents the oldest human occupation in Morocco. It is linked to the Acheulean material culture in north-west Africa.

How old are these early humans and how did you date them so accurately?

These fossils found in Casablanca were dated to around 773,000 years, using palaeomagnetism, the study of the Earth’s ancient magnetic field.

The sediments in Grottes à Hominidés have recorded changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. With very high-resolution sampling (every 2cm) we were able to identify the last geomagnetic reversal from a reverse polarity (Matuyama) to a normal polarity (Brunhes). This means that we have identified a period when the Earth’s magnetic field flipped. And that is a natural event that serves as a marker for dating geological and archaeological layers.

This reversal is a very solid and widely accepted chronological marker. What is extraordinary is that our fossil remains date precisely to the time of the reversal. This offers one of the most reliable datings of hominin fossils from the Pleistocene era (starting about 2.58 million years ago and often called the “Ice Age”). These data are consistent with the geological setting and palaeontological remains.

How does this change our understanding of modern human evolution?

The Casablanca fossils come from a time when Homo erectus spread out of Africa. It was also a time when older groups of hominins like the Australopithecus and Paranthropus died out.

In terms of shapes and features, the fossils show a mix of archaic traits typical of Homo erectus and more advanced traits closely related to Homo sapiens. They also fill an important gap in the African fossil record. Palaeogenetic data suggest a split between the African lineage to Homo sapiens and the Eurasian lineages that later produced the Neanderthals and the Denisovans.

The unique combination of primitive and more evolved features suggests that these individuals were in a population that lived close in time to this split.

This Moroccan population can be described as having advanced traits of Homo erectus. It has more evolved traits than older Homo erectus fossils found in Africa and Asia. But it lacks the full modern features seen in Neanderthals or anatomically modern Homo sapiens.

Until now, the fossils of Homo antecessor unearthed at the Gran Dolina site in Atapuerca, Spain were the only ones to show Homo sapiens-like traits. The fossils from the Grotte à Hominidés offer a new perspective.

They open up the possibility of an evolutionary link with the oldest known Homo sapiens fossils – those from Jebel Irhoud in Morocco, dated to around 315,000 years ago. These discoveries help clarify the emergence of the Homo sapiens lineage while reinforcing the idea that its deep roots are African.

So, based on their mix of archaic and derived traits, these finds support the deep African roots of Homo sapiens but also point to an African population close to the split between Eurasian and African lineages in the Middle Pleistocene.

Why is north Africa, and Morocco in particular, so important?

North-west Africa, along with east and southern Africa, represents one of the key regions where we currently have a new window into the evolution of Pleistocene hominins. The Mediterranean Sea likely acted as a major biogeographical barrier. It contributed to the divergence between African and Eurasian populations.

The Sahara desert’s size changed over time. It probably shaped how African populations were structured. The Moroccan fossils confirm how ancient and deep our species’ roots are in Africa. They highlight the key role of north-west Africa in the major stages of human evolution.

– Morocco: ancient fossils shed light on a key period in human evolution
– https://theconversation.com/morocco-ancient-fossils-shed-light-on-a-key-period-in-human-evolution-275099

February 26, 2026

Marriott International confirme sa forte dynamique de croissance en Europe, au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique en 2025

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq : MAR, « Marriott ») (www.Marriott.com) annonce une année 2025 exceptionnelle en matière de développement en Europe, au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique (EMEA), avec plus de 230 signatures organiques représentant plus de 31 000 chambres. L’an dernier, le groupe a également enrichi son portefeuille de 170 établissements et près de 24 000 chambres dans la zone EMEA, enregistrant ainsi une croissance nette de 7,8 % de son inventaire de chambres dans la région.

« 2025 a été une nouvelle année solide pour Marriott International en EMEA, marquée par une expansion stratégique et une dynamique soutenue dans l’ensemble des segments de la région », déclare Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. « Nous avons poursuivi le développement de notre portefeuille avec intention, en nous implantant dans de nouvelles destinations, en faisant évoluer nos marques de manière réfléchie et en proposant des expériences toujours plus diversifiées à nos clients ainsi qu’aux membres de Marriott Bonvoy. La solidité de notre croissance témoigne de l’engagement de nos équipes et de la confiance de nos propriétaires, et nous restons déterminés à façonner l’avenir du voyage dans la région. »

La région EMEA du groupe a clôturé l’année avec un portefeuille de projets de plus de 600 établissements et près de 113 000 chambres.

L’Allemagne, l’Italie, l’Arabie Saoudite, les Émirats Arabes Unis et le Royaume-Uni ont été les marchés les plus porteurs, enregistrant le plus grand nombre de signatures pour le groupe dans la région en 2025. Les projets de conversion et de reconversion adaptative continuent de générer une croissance significative, portés par le portefeuille de marques de collection du groupe et ses offres adaptées aux conversions. Ces projets de transformation ont représenté près de 50 % des signatures de la région au cours de l’année.

Des marques de luxe inégalées au service d’une croissance exceptionnelle

Marriott International a renforcé son leadership dans le segment du luxe en 2025. L’EMEA a été la région la plus dynamique pour les signatures dans ce segment, avec un record de 40 projets signés. La marque St. Regis a enregistré le plus grand nombre d’accords dans la région, avec 14 signatures, The St. Regis Karya Cove Resort, Bodrum et The St. Regis Jeddah Corniche. Parmi les autres signatures marquantes dans le luxe figurent The Cape Town EDITION, JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent and JW Marriott Milos Resort and Spa.

Nombre record de signatures pour les résidences de marque

Confirmant son leadership de 25 ans dans le secteur des résidences de marque, Marriott International a signé un nombre record de 24 accords résidentiels à travers l’EMEA, soit plus du double du volume enregistré en 2024. Depuis la fin de l’année 2023, le portefeuille total de résidences de marque du groupe, comprenant les propriétés ouvertes et en projet, a augmenté de 33 % en Europe et de 70 % au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique, illustrant la demande croissante pour un art de vivre haut de gamme dans la région. Le groupe a clôturé l’année avec 33 établissements ouverts et 60 projets dans le portefeuille de projets régional. Parmi les signatures marquantes de 2025 figurent The Residences de l’hôtel the Dubai Beach EDITION ; Marriott Residences, Budapest ; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Hills, Cairo et Seamont, Autograph Collection Residences, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

Accélération de l’expansion sur le segment milieu de gamme

Marriott International a connu une croissance exceptionnelle dans le segment milieu de gamme, tout en maintenant un focus stratégique sur le déploiement de marques adaptées aux spécificités régionales. Four Points Flex by Sheraton, une marque milieu de gamme favorable aux conversions proposée en EMEA, est ainsi devenue la marque connaissant la plus forte croissance dans la région, avec 18 signatures et 23 ouvertures en 2025. La marque a terminé l’année avec 38 établissements ouverts, totalisant plus de 4 300 chambres.

Récemment, Marriott International a lancé deux nouvelles marques dans cette région : Series by Marriott, une collection mondiale destinée aux segments milieu et haut de gamme, conçue pour offrir une expérience personnalisée reflétant le caractère unique de chaque destination, et StudioRes, une marque milieu de gamme spécialisée dans les séjours prolongés. Les deux marques ont suscité un vif intérêt de la part des promoteurs et investisseurs à travers la région EMEA.

Acquisition de la marque citizenM

Soucieux de répondre aux besoins changeants des voyageurs et à la diversité des motifs de séjour, Marriott International a finalisé l’acquisition de la marque citizenM, reconnue pour la qualité authentique de son service, son expérience hôtelière connectée, son utilisation très efficace de l’espace et son parti pris pour l’art et le design. Le portefeuille de citizenM a été intégré aux plateformes Marriott au cours du quatrième trimestre de 2025, ajoutant 19 hôtels et près de 4 000 chambres au parc hôtelier du groupe en zone EMEA.

Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International a ajouté : « Qu’il s’agisse du dynamisme remarquable de nos segments milieu de gamme ou du nombre record de signatures dans le luxe et les résidences de marque, nous saisissons toutes les opportunités de croissance pour conquérir de nouveaux publics dans la région. Ces étapes clés soulignent la profondeur et la diversité de notre portefeuille et renforcent notre engagement à offrir une valeur durable à nos propriétaires dans cette région. »

En 2025, Marriott International a ajouté 170 établissements à son portefeuille opérationnel dans cette région. Parmi les ouvertures marquantes :

The Luxury Collection a poursuivi son expansion dans la région avec l’ouverture de Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Greece et de H15 Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Krakow.
Les marques lifestyle de luxe EDITION et W Hotels ont célébré des ouvertures emblématiques telles que The Lake Como EDITION, The Red Sea EDITION, W Florence et W Sardinia.
JW Marriott a fait ses débuts en Grèce avec le JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, le premier resort de plage méditerranéen de la marque.
La marque phare du groupe, Marriott Hotels, a fait ses débuts au Luxembourg avec le Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa.
Morea House, Autograph Collection a ouvert à Camps Bay, Cape Town, élargissant davantage le portefeuille diversifié et dynamique de la marque de boutiques-hôtels indépendants dans la région.
Pour célébrer son 10ᵉ anniversaire, Moxy Hotels a atteint 100 établissements ouverts dans la région avec Moxy Belfast City, ainsi que d’autres ouvertures clés à Istanbul, Lisbonne et Varsovie.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton a ajouté plus de 20 établissements à son portefeuille opérationnel, incluant l’entrée de la marque en Allemagne, Autriche, Italie et Espagne.

Alors que Marriott International poursuit l’expansion de son offre, l’étendue et la diversité de son portefeuille lui permettent de proposer des options attractives aux développeurs et investisseurs immobiliers. Pour en savoir plus sur les opportunités de développement et les actualités de Marriott International, rendez-vous sur https://apo-opa.co/40s81T0.

Distribué par APO Group pour Marriott International, Inc..

Télécharger des images supplémentaires : https://apo-opa.co/4r8stDy

À PROPOS DE MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL :
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq : MAR), basé à Bethesda, dans le Maryland, aux États-Unis, possède un portefeuille de plus de 9 700 établissements répartis sur plus de 30 marques emblématiques dans 143 pays et territoires, au 30 septembre 2025. Marriott exploite, franchise et octroie des licences pour des hôtels, des résidences, des propriétés en multipropriété et d’autres types d’hébergements à travers le monde. L’entreprise a également le programme Marriott Bonvoy®, sa plateforme de fidélité primée. Pour plus d’informations, veuillez visiter notre site web à l’adresse www.Marriott.com, et pour les dernières actualités de l’entreprise, visitez www.MarriottNewsCenter.com. De plus, connectez-vous avec nous sur Facebook et @MarriottIntl sur X et Instagram.

Marriott encourage les investisseurs, les médias et toute personne intéressée par l’entreprise à consulter et à s’abonner aux informations que Marriott publie sur son site web dédié aux relations avec les investisseurs à l’adresse www.Marriott.com/investor ou sur le site web de son espace presse à l’adresse www.MarriottNewsCenter.com, pour avoir accès aux dernières actualités. Le contenu de ces sites web n’est pas incorporé par référence dans ce communiqué de presse ou dans tout rapport ou document déposé par Marriott auprès de la Commission des valeurs mobilières et des changes des États-Unis (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), et toute référence à ces sites web est uniquement destinée à être une référence textuelle inactive.

NOTE SUR LES DÉCLARATIONS PROSPECTIVES :
Ce communiqué contient des « déclarations prospectives » au sens des lois fédérales américaines sur les valeurs mobilières, y compris des déclarations relatives à nos attentes concernant de nouvelles marques, offres et opportunités de croissance ; les signatures d’accords et les ouvertures de projets futures prévues ; notre portefeuille de projets en développement ; le rythme et l’élan des activités de développement, des conversions et de la croissance dans certains segments et niveaux de produits ; les débuts de marques sur certains marchés et secteurs ; l’intérêt, la demande et les préférences des propriétaires pour nos marques ; ainsi que d’autres déclarations similaires concernant des actions et attentes futures anticipées qui ne constituent pas des faits historiques. Nous attirons votre attention sur le fait que ces déclarations ne garantissent pas les performances futures et sont soumises à de nombreux risques et incertitudes évolutifs que nous ne pouvons pas nécessairement prévoir ou évaluer avec précision, y compris les facteurs de risque identifiés dans nos dépôts auprès de la Securities and Exchange Commission américaine, notamment notre dernier rapport annuel sur le formulaire 10-K ou notre dernier rapport trimestriel sur le formulaire 10-Q. Chacun de ces facteurs pourrait entraîner des résultats réels significativement différents des attentes exprimées ou implicites dans ce communiqué. Nous formulons ces déclarations prospectives à la date de ce communiqué et n’assumons aucune obligation de mettre à jour ou de réviser publiquement une déclaration prospective, que ce soit en raison de nouvelles informations, d’événements futurs ou pour toute autre raison.

Media files

February 26, 2026

U.S.-Africa Energy & Minerals Forum Expands to Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Security

Source: APO – Report:

The U.S.-Africa Energy & Minerals Forum (USAEMF) has relaunched with a dedicated focus on critical minerals, marking an important evolution in its role as a platform for U.S.-Africa commercial engagement. Building on its foundation in energy, power and industrial projects, the forum’s expanded scope positions it at the center of investment conversations shaping the future energy economy.

Scheduled for July 21–22, 2026, in Houston, Texas, USAEMF comes at a time of surging global demand for copper, cobalt, lithium, manganese and rare earth elements, driven by electrification, battery storage, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Africa is increasingly critical to securing these materials, highlighting how energy and minerals are now interconnected pillars of industrial growth, geopolitical stability and decarbonization.

The forum’s minerals mandate deepens engagement with African producers – particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home to some of the world’s largest copper and cobalt reserves. Momentum is building through the U.S.–DRC strategic minerals framework and the U.S.-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium, a major investment platform supported by the DFC and private partners. The consortium is pursuing a 40% stake in the Mutanda and Kamoto copper-cobalt operations in a $9 billion transaction, securing long-term supply for allied markets while reinforcing cooperation on infrastructure, security and supply-chain governance.

U.S. financing is also expanding across the region, with the DFC managing a continental portfolio exceeding $13 billion to support mining, processing and transport infrastructure for critical mineral supply chains. Recent commitments include rare earth, graphite and potash projects in Malawi, Mozambique and Gabon; broader investments in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa; and $553 million linked to the development of the Lobito Corridor. The DFC is also a major backer of TechMet, a U.S.-supported investment firm valued at over $1 billion, which is raising up to $200 million to expand copper, cobalt, lithium and rare earth assets and pursue new opportunities across the DRC and Zambia. Together, these initiatives underscore Washington’s push to diversify battery-mineral supply while positioning Africa as a long-term partner in clean energy and industrial value chains.

Houston’s role as host city reflects the alignment between American industrial capacity and African resource development. Long established as a global energy hub, the city is expanding into energy transition technologies, advanced materials, carbon management and industrial innovation. By convening African governments with U.S. private equity, development finance institutions, exporters, insurers and technical service providers, the forum creates a commercial platform capable of converting mineral potential into bankable projects.

“The evolution from USAEF to USAEMF reflects a broader shift toward integrated energy and mineral development,” states Nadine Levin, Portfolio Director at Energy Capital & Power, forum organizers. “Placing critical minerals at the center while maintaining strong hydrocarbons engagement strengthens U.S.-Africa commercial ties and advances projects that deliver long-term shared value.”

While critical minerals define the forum’s strategic expansion, the U.S.’ longstanding role in Africa’s energy sector remains central to the platform’s value proposition. American energy companies continue to advance exploration and development across key upstream markets, support gas monetization in the Gulf of Guinea and revitalize mature production in North Africa. U.S. export credit and development finance are also helping unlock large-scale LNG capacity in Mozambique while supporting optimization and expansion across existing gas infrastructure in West Africa – demonstrating how American capital, engineering expertise and risk-mitigation tools convert resource potential into delivered energy systems.

USAEMF is the leading platform connecting U.S. capital and technical expertise with Africa’s energy and minerals sectors. For more information or to participate at the upcoming forum, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Media files

February 26, 2026

Marriott International Announces Robust Growth Momentum Across Europe, Middle East & Africa in 2025

Source: APO – Report:

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR, “Marriott”) (www.Marriott.com) announced an exceptional year of growth across Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) in 2025 with more than 230 organic signings representing over 31,000 rooms. Marriott also added 170 properties and nearly 24,000 rooms across EMEA last year, contributing to a 7.8% net rooms growth in the region.

“2025 was another strong year for Marriott International in EMEA defined by strategic expansion and segment-wide momentum across the region,” said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “We continued to grow our portfolio with purpose by expanding into new destinations, scaling our brands thoughtfully and offering even more diverse experiences for our guests and Marriott Bonvoy members. Our robust growth is a testament to the dedication of our teams and the trust of our owners, and we remain committed to shaping the future of travel in the region.”

The company’s EMEA region ended the year with a pipeline of over 600 properties and nearly 113,000 rooms.

Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom were the highest growth markets, with the leading number of signings for the company across the region in 2025. Conversions and adaptive reuse projects continue to drive significant growth for the company in the region, fueled by the company’s portfolio of collection brands and conversion-friendly offerings. Conversions and adaptive reuse projects represented nearly 50% of the region’s signings in the year.

Unrivaled Luxury Brands Deliver Extraordinary Growth

Marriott reinforced its luxury leadership in 2025. EMEA represented the company’s strongest region for signings in the luxury segment with a record 40 signed luxury deals. St. Regis saw the highest number of signed agreements in the region with 14 deals, including The St. Regis Karya Cove Resort, Bodrum and The St. Regis Jeddah Corniche. Other luxury milestone signings included The Cape Town EDITION, JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent and JW Marriott Milos Resort and Spa.

Record Breaking Branded Residential Signings

Reinforcing the company’s 25-year leadership in branded residences, Marriott signed a record-breaking 24 residential deals across EMEA, more than double the volume signed in 2024. Since year-end 2023, the company has grown its branded residential total portfolio of open and pipeline properties by 33% in Europe, and 70% in the Middle East & Africa, demonstrating the growing demand for elevated living in the region. The company closed the year with 33 open locations and 60 in the region’s pipeline. Signings highlights in 2025 included The Residences at the Dubai Beach EDITION; Marriott Residences, Budapest; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Hills, Cairo and Seamont, Autograph Collection Residences, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

Accelerated Expansion of Midscale Segment

Marriott has experienced extraordinary growth in the midscale segment, while maintaining a strategic focus on regionally resonant brands and scaling them. Four Points Flex by Sheraton, a conversion-friendly midscale brand offered in EMEA, represented the fastest growing brand for the company in the region with 18 signings and 23 openings in 2025. The brand closed the year with 38 open properties with over 4,300 rooms.

Marriott recently introduced two new brands to the region – Series by Marriott, a global collection brand for the midscale and upscale lodging segments that is designed to deliver a personalised experience that reflects the distinct character of each destination, and StudioRes, an extended-stay midscale brand. Both brands have received significant interest from developers across the EMEA region.

Acquisition of the citizenM brand

As the company continues to strive to meet the evolving needs of every traveler and trip purpose, Marriott completed its acquisition of the citizenM brand, known for its genuine service, tech-savvy in-hotel experience, highly efficient use of space, and focus on art and design. The citizenM portfolio was integrated on Marriott’s platforms in the fourth quarter of 2025, adding 19 hotels and nearly 4,000 rooms to the company’s EMEA portfolio.

Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International added,

“From record luxury and branded residential signings to the remarkable momentum of our midscale offerings, we are capturing opportunity for growth and new audiences across every segment in the region. These milestones underscore the depth and diversity of our portfolio and reinforce our commitment to delivering long-term value for our hotel owners in this region.”

Marriott added 170 properties to its operating portfolio in the region in 2025. Opening highlights included:

The Luxury Collection continued its expansion in the region following the openings of Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Greece and H15 Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Krakow
Lifestyle luxury brands EDITION and W Hotels celebrated milestone openings such as The Lake Como EDITION, The Red Sea EDITION, W Florence and W Sardinia.
JW Marriott made its debut in Greece with the JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, the brand’s first Mediterranean beach resort.
The company’s flagship brand, Marriott Hotels, marked its debut in Luxembourg with the Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa.
Morea House, Autograph Collection, opened within Camps Bay in Cape Town, further expanding the brand’s diverse and dynamic portfolio of independent hotels in the region.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Moxy Hotels reached 100 open properties in the region with the Moxy Belfast City along with other key openings in Istanbul, Lisbon and Warsaw.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton added over 20 properties to its operating portfolio which included the brand’s entry into Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain.

As Marriott continues to expand its offerings, the breadth and depth of the company’s portfolio remain well-positioned to offer compelling options for developers and real estate investors. To learn more about Marriott’s development opportunities and updates, visit https://apo-opa.co/40s81T0.

– on behalf of Marriott International, Inc..

Download additional images: https://apo-opa.co/4r8stDy

ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL:
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of compelling brands across luxury, premium, select, midscale, extended stay, and all-inclusive, with over 9,800 properties in 145 countries and territories, as of December 31, 2025. Marriott franchises, operates, and licenses hotel, residential, timeshare, yacht, outdoor, and other lodging products all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy^®, its highly awarded travel platform. For more information, please visit our website at www.Marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.MarriottNewsCenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4sfywHl) and @MarriottIntl on X (https://apo-opa.co/4rBqNmK) and Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4u1qHGU).

Marriott encourages investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review and subscribe to the information Marriott posts on its investor relations website at www.Marriott.com/investor or Marriott’s news center website at www.MarriottNewsCenter.com, which may be material. The contents of these websites are not incorporated by reference into this press release or any report or document Marriott files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and any references to the websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to our expectations regarding new brands, offerings and growth opportunities; deal signings and expected future project openings; our development pipeline; the pace and momentum of development activity, conversion activity and growth in certain segments and product tiers; brand debuts in certain markets and sectors; owner interest, demand and preferences for our brands; and similar statements concerning anticipated future actions and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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February 26, 2026

North West declares 2026 year of ‘decisive action to fix local government’

Source: Government of South Africa

North West declares 2026 year of ‘decisive action to fix local government’

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has declared 2026 the “year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy”, pledging firm interventions to restore municipal functionality, accelerate infrastructure delivery and drive inclusive growth.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Mahikeng on Thursday, Mokgosi said the province remains committed to tackling unemployment, poverty and inequality while consolidating democratic gains 30 years after the adoption of the Constitution.

The Premier invoked the legacy of Sol Plaatje and the sacrifices of past generations, urging renewed focus on ethical leadership, accountable governance, and delivery of tangible benefits to communities.

Turning around local government

Mokgosi placed local government reform at the centre of the provincial agenda, stressing that functional municipalities are essential for service delivery and economic growth.

He noted improvements in audit outcomes, with nine out of eleven provincial departments receiving unqualified or clean audits in the last audit cycle. A number of municipalities, including Moses Kotane, Taung and JB Marks, have improved from qualified to unqualified audit opinions.

“We will be dedicating our ongoing efforts in assisting the Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipalities as well as the Moretele Local Municipality to move from unqualified to clean audit outcomes,” the Premier said.

He noted the decrease in disclaimer audit outcomes from nine municipalities in 2020/21 to only one in 2024/25, which is Ditsobotla.

To strengthen oversight, the Premier announced the introduction of a province-wide SmartGov Monitoring and Evaluation Dashboard from the beginning of 2026/27 financial year.

“All our departments will be integrated into a single executive oversight platform, that allows real time tracking of performance, expenditure, and service delivery outcomes.”

Mokgosi announced that targeted interventions under Sections 154 of the Constitution will be implemented in identified struggling municipalities, including Ditsobotla and Matlosana, to strengthen their capacity in areas, including waste management and road maintenance.

“The Departments of Public Works and Roads as well Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism will be seized with the responsibility to assist with the aforementioned.

“Ditsobotla and Matlosana Local Municipalities will be our starting point where our cooperation will include working with SANRAL [South African National Roads Agency] and farmer’s organisations.

“Section 106 investigations into alleged acts of maladministration at City of Matlosana, Madibeng and Tswaing have been completed with remedial action plans being implemented. In relation to Matlosana we are using other various legislative measures to stabilize the municipality. This is aimed at strengthening administrative stability and financial accounting,” Mokgosi said.

Eskom will also assist municipalities grappling with load reduction with energy efficiency and demand management grant. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 02/26/2026 – 15:49

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February 26, 2026

Cabinet backs local FMD vaccine production

Source: Government of South Africa

Cabinet backs local FMD vaccine production

Cabinet has confidence the rebuilding of local vaccine manufacturing capacity within the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) will help South Africa reclaim its Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free status from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research facility has resumed production of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines for the first time in more than 20 years.

The first batch of locally produced vaccines was officially handed over on Friday, 6 February 2026. The vaccine is registered as a stock remedy under Act 36 of 1947 and meets all required standards for quality, safety, and efficacy standards.

Between 2010 and 2018, the ARC undertook extensive research within its existing facilities aimed at strengthening regional vaccine capacity.

The programme sought to identify new candidate vaccine strains appropriate for use within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, adapt the strains for large-scale in vitro cultivation in bioreactors to improve yields, and assess their ability to elicit protective immunity both immunologically and clinically.

Researchers also evaluated vaccine potency and the duration of immunity to inform appropriate field vaccination schedules.

Briefing media in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the resumption of local vaccine production marked a critical milestone in efforts to curb the current FMD outbreak affecting more than 14 million livestock in the country.

The outbreak has caused significant losses within the farming sector and threatens the country’s agricultural export standing.

“Cabinet extends its appreciation to the farming community, who have worked tirelessly to complement efforts of the Department of Agriculture to curb the current outbreak of the FMD,” Ntshavheni said.

Black households now 41% of high-income earners

Meanwhile, Cabinet welcomed findings from a University of Cape Town Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing study, based on Statistics South Africa data, indicating a notable shift in the country’s income distribution patterns.

The study found that the proportion of black households earning more than R75 000 per month increased to 41% in 2024, up from 29% in 2012.

The number of Black South Africans in middle- and upper-income brackets, earning more than R22 000 per month, has quadrupled to more than seven million in 2024. Overall, the total number of people in these income categories rose from approximately four million to more than 11 million between 2012 and 2024.

Ntshavheni said the increase in black remuneration reflected gradual progress in the racial profile of South Africa’s higher income brackets.

“This is a direct dividend of 31 years of democratic transformation through programmes, such as employment equity and Black Economic Empowerment.

“This progress is made in a country that was shaped by institutionalised inequality, where the black majority were systematically discriminated against during colonial and apartheid rule, and earnings were once based on one’s race, through government’s transformation programmes, amongst others,” the Minister said.

However, Cabinet acknowledged that progress remains uneven and not yet proportional to the demographic representation of South Africa’s population.

“Black South Africans still predominate the ranks of the poor and working poor, and millions still live in poverty,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 02/26/2026 – 14:30

47 views

February 26, 2026

Pesalink et Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) permettent désormais les paiements transfrontaliers en monnaies locales au Kenya

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Virements bancaires instantanés 24h/24 et 7j/7 entre banques africaines dans différentes monnaies locales.
Paiements transfrontaliers simplifiés pour les particuliers, les entreprises et les PME.
Plus de 80 participants au réseau Pesalink sont désormais connectés à plus de 160 banques participantes au réseau PAPSS.

Pesalink, le réseau de paiement instantané de facto du Kenya, s’est associé au Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) afin de faciliter les paiements transfrontaliers et d’accélérer l’intégration financière régionale.

Ce partenariat permet aux participants au système PAPSS d’effectuer des paiements transfrontaliers instantanés 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7, vers les banques et les opérateurs de services financiers mobiles du réseau Pesalink au Kenya, en monnaies locales. Cela réduit les exigences complexes en matière de correspondance bancaire ainsi que la dépendance à l’égard des devises de réserve étrangères.

Le PAPSS, une initiative de la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) en collaboration avec l’Union africaine et le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf, permet des paiements transfrontaliers entre les pays africains. Pesalink est désormais un fournisseur de connectivité technique. Cela signifie que plus de 80 banques, fintechs, SACCO et opérateurs télécoms kenyans participant au réseau Pesalink seront connectés à plus de 160 banques commerciales et fintechs sur la plateforme PAPSS.

Les paiements transfrontaliers restent coûteux et lents pour de nombreuses entreprises africaines. Le rapport 2023 (http://apo-opa.co/4baDSh7) de la Banque mondiale sur les prix des transferts de fonds indique que l’envoi d’argent à travers les frontières africaines engendre en moyenne des frais de 7 à 8 % de la valeur totale envoyée (contre 6 à 7 % en moyenne mondiale). Le règlement peut également prendre entre trois et sept jours ouvrables.

Le partenariat Pesalink-PAPSS réduira les coûts, accélérera les règlements et aidera les particuliers, les PME et les entreprises à envoyer de l’argent plus efficacement à l’international.

Lors de la signature du partenariat dans les bureaux de Pesalink à Nairobi, Mike Ogbalu III, Directeur général de PAPSS, a déclaré : « Pour que PAPSS ait un réel impact, la collaboration avec des commutateurs nationaux et privés comme Pesalink est essentielle. Pesalink est le premier commutateur que nous avons testé pour la terminaison des transactions au Kenya, et nous constatons déjà une adoption croissante grâce à l’ouverture de nouveaux canaux pour des paiements transfrontaliers fluides en monnaie locale à travers l’Afrique ».

Gituku Kirika, PDG de Pesalink, a déclaré : « Les banques kenyanes pourront désormais offrir des paiements transfrontaliers plus rapides et moins chers. Elles aideront leurs clients à développer davantage de relations commerciales régionales et à prospérer dans une économie numérique plus intégrée ».

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez contacter :
Trezer Maina
Directeur du marketing, Integrated Payment services Limited
Courriel : twmaina@ipsl.co.ke

Papa Samba Thiongane
Directeur Marketing & Communications, PAPSS
Courriel : communications@papss.com

À propos de Pesalink :
Pesalink est le réseau de paiement instantané et interopérable du Kenya. Il facilite les paiements 24/7 entre comptes bancaires, portefeuilles d’argent mobile, fintechs et SACCO via des applications, en ligne ou par USSD. Pesalink est exploité par Integrated Payment services Limited (IPSL) et est détenu par Kenya Bankers Association (l’Association des banquiers kenyans.) L’IPSL a été créée en 2015 en vertu de la loi sur le système national de paiement. Avec plus de 80 institutions déjà intégrées, le réseau est devenu un pilier central de l’infrastructure de paiement en temps réel du Kenya.

Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) :
Le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) est une initiative d’Afreximbank, la principale institution de financement du commerce en Afrique, dont la mission est de stimuler l’expansion, la diversification et le développement du commerce africain. Le PAPSS permet des transferts de fonds efficaces et sécurisés à travers les frontières africaines, minimisant les risques et contribuant à l’intégration financière régionale. Plus de 160 banques commerciales utilisent actuellement sa plateforme.

Media files

February 26, 2026

Pesalink and Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) Unlock Cross-Border Payments in Local Currencies in Kenya

Source: APO – Report:

Instant 24/7 bank-to-bank transfers across African borders in local currencies.
Simpler cross-border payments for individuals, businesses, and SMEs.
80 plus Pesalink network participants now linked to 160 plus PAPSS participating banks.

Pesalink, Kenya’s de facto instant payment network, has partnered with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to ease cross-border payment and speed up regional financial integration.

The partnership enables instant 24/7 cross-border payments from PAPSS participants into banks and mobile money operators within the Pesalink network in Kenya, all settled in local currencies. This reduces complex correspondent banking requirements and reliance on foreign reserve currencies.

PAPSS, an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, enables cross-border payments between African countries. Pesalink is now a Technical Connectivity Provider. It means that 80 plus Kenyan bank, fintech, SACCO and telco participants on the Pesalink network will be connected to 160 plus commercial banks and fintechs on the PAPSS platform.

Cross-border payments remain expensive and slow for many African businesses. The 2023 (http://apo-opa.co/4baDSh7) World Bank Remittance Prices report indicates that sending money across African borders incurs on average 7-8% of the total value sent (above the global average of 6–7%). Settlement can also take three to seven business days.

The Pesalink–PAPSS partnership will reduce costs, speed up settlements, and help individuals, SMEs and businesses send money more efficiently across borders.

Speaking during the partnership signing held at Pesalink offices in Nairobi, PAPSS CEO Mike Ogbalu III said, “For PAPSS to deliver true impact, collaboration with national and private switches like Pesalink is essential. Pesalink is the first switch we’ve piloted for transaction termination in Kenya, and we are already seeing greater adoption by opening more channels for seamless, local-currency cross-border payments across Africa.”

Pesalink CEO, Gituku Kirika, said “Kenyan banks will now be able to offer faster, cheaper cross-border payments. They will be helping their customers grow more regional trading relationships and thrive in a more integrated digital economy.”

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

For more information, please contact:
Trezer Maina
Head of Marketing, Integrated Payment Services Limited
Email: twmaina@ipsl.co.ke

Papa Samba Thiongane
Head Marketing & Communications, PAPSS
Email: communications@papss.com

About Pesalink:
Pesalink is Kenya’s instant and interoperable payment network. It facilitates the 24/7 payments between bank accounts, mobile money wallets, fintechs and SACCOs via apps, online or USSD. Pesalink is operated by Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL) and owned by the Kenya Bankers Association. IPSL was established in 2015 under the National Payment System Act. With more than 80 institutions already integrated, the network has become a central pillar of Kenya’s real-time payments infrastructure.

About Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS):
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is the brainchild of Afreximbank, Africa’s pre-eminent trade finance institution, whose mission includes stimulating the expansion, diversification, and development of African trade. PAPSS enables the efficient flow of money securely across African borders, minimizing risk and contributing to financial integration across the regions. Currently, it has more than 160 commercial banks on its platform.

Media files