Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO – Report:

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The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) has announced the establishment of its Advisory Board, a key step in guiding the organisation’s next phase of strategic growth and long-term impact across the African continent.

The new Advisory Board brings together a distinguished group of global leaders with extensive experience in business, policy, development, media, and innovation. The Board will provide high-level strategic guidance on AWIEF’s medium- to long-term priorities, including sustainable revenue growth, institutional strengthening, governance, and the expansion of programmes that support women’s entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.

“The establishment of the Advisory Board marks an important milestone in AWIEF’s evolution,” said Irene Ochem, Founder & CEO of AWIEF. “The collective experience, insight, and leadership of our Advisory Board members will be invaluable as we consolidate our institutional foundations and scale our impact across Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

AWIEF Advisory Board Members

• Fatma Samoura — Former Secretary-General, FIFA; global leader in sport, gender equity, and youth empowerment
• Dalia Ibrahim — CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House; Founder & CEO, EdVentures; champion for education, innovation, and Africa’s creative economy
• Awa Ndiaye-Seck — Former Special Representative UN Women to the African Union Commission & President, ADES-USA; expert in gender policy, economic inclusion, and sustainable development
• Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard — Founder & Chairman, APO Group; pan-African media and communications strategist with extensive global networks; named one of the most 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine in 2023 and 2024

Role of the Advisory Board

The Advisory Board has been created to support AWIEF’s growth beyond its flagship annual convenings, with a strong focus on strategic programming, partnerships, research, policy influence, and ecosystem development.

Members have been selected for their exceptional leadership, cross-sector expertise, and proven commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment across Africa.

– on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

For media enquiries:
Yolanda Mtshawu
Email: inf@awieforum.org
Phone: +27 21 002 8264

About AWIEF:
The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is a pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Through high-impact programmes, strategic partnerships, and world-class convenings, AWIEF creates opportunities for women innovators and business leaders to connect, learn, and scale solutions that address Africa’s most pressing challenges.

AWIEF’s flagship Conference, Exhibition & Awards convenes entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders from across Africa and around the world to catalyse growth, foster collaboration, and champion women’s leadership in business and innovation.

Website: www.AWIEForum.org

Source: APO – Report:

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The Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 opened in Tripoli on Saturday with a series of strategic announcements underlining its renewed upstream momentum and investment appeal. Prime Minister Abdulhamid Al-Dbeibeh confirmed that the country’s first major oil and gas licensing round in more than 17 years – launched in March 2025 – will have its results announced in February 2026. The round, covering 22 onshore and offshore blocks under revised fiscal and profit-sharing terms, is designed to improve competitiveness and support Libya’s push toward higher production and diversified investment.

Prime Minister Al-Dbeibeh framed the summit as a turning point for Libya’s energy sector, highlighting rising output, stronger partnerships and structural reforms. He cited crude oil production exceeding 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) and total oil equivalent production of more than 1.52 million bpd in early 2026 as evidence of progress following years of disruption.

Waha Re-Entry Agreement: $20B Investment to Boost Output

In one of the summit’s biggest deals, Libya signed a 25-year oil development agreement with France’s TotalEnergies and the U.S.’s ConocoPhillips via Waha Oil Company, backed by more than $20 billion in foreign-financed investment. The deal aims to modernize upstream operations and boost production capacity by up to around 850,000 bpd over the medium term – a major vote of confidence in Libya’s hydrocarbons sector.

The amendment to the Waha re-entry agreement, signed at LEES by TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné and ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan M. Lance, reinforces long-term IOC commitment to one of Libya’s most strategic producing assets and is widely viewed as a benchmark for future upstream investment structures.

Libya and Egypt Deepen Petroleum Cooperation

Libya and Egypt formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand technical cooperation, capacity building and institutional coordination in the oil and gas sector. The agreement reflects a shared regional approach to energy security and infrastructure development, reinforcing ties between two of North Africa’s largest hydrocarbon producers.

Chevron Signs MoU on New Exploration Opportunities

In another key development, U.S. oil major Chevron signed an MoU with Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) to study potential new exploration and development opportunities. This marks Chevron’s re-engagement in Libya after more than a decade since its previous exit, and signals growing interest from major international players in the country’s upstream potential.

Ministerial Panel: Production Targets and Strategic Focus

During a high-profile ministerial panel, Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek said the nation is targeting an increase in crude oil output from roughly 1.375 million bpd to 1.6 million bpd by the end of 2026, reflecting the progress the country has made in stabilizing production and attracting investment. Minister Abdulsadek also highlighted the importance of agreements like the Waha re-entry amendment as central to the country’s strategy for scaling production.

IOC Panel: Gas Expansion, Infrastructure and Drilling Capacity

Italian major Eni confirmed plans to bring its Bahr Essalam gas compression project online by the end of Q1 2026, adding around 100 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) to Libya’s gas output. A second gas utilization project is expected by Q3 2026, potentially delivering an additional 100–120 mmscfd and reinforcing gas as a core pillar of Libya’s energy strategy.

OMV highlighted Libya’s significant stranded gas potential, estimating associated gas volumes of between 7 and 9 billion cubic meters, while stressing that infrastructure constraints – particularly evacuation and processing capacity – remain a key barrier to development. During the same panel, Libya’s NOC outlined plans to invest $2 billion to modernize gas infrastructure, including pipelines and processing systems, addressing bottlenecks that have constrained evacuation and processing capacity.

Operational readiness and drilling capacity also featured prominently. Assail Drilling Company (ADC) hosted a technical workshop focused on rig technology upgrades, outlining how modernized rigs and enhanced drilling efficiency could support Libya’s near-term production targets and reduce downtime across mature fields.

Repsol executives echoed the need for long-term visibility and stable frameworks, noting that predictable contracts and infrastructure readiness are essential for mobilizing rigs, capital and skilled personnel at scale.

Bottom Line: A Turning Point for Libya’s Energy Sector

Announcements from day one of LEES 2026 indicate that Libya’s oil and gas sector is moving decisively from recovery into an expansion phase. With long-term IOC re-entry agreements, advancing gas projects, renewed exploration interest and a focus on infrastructure and drilling efficiency, Libya is positioning itself for higher production, deeper regional integration and renewed relevance in global energy markets.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) welcomes Libya’s accelerating recovery in the energy sector, as rising production, renewed investment and policy clarity signal the country’s re-emergence as a key African and Mediterranean energy producer.

At the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 in Tripoli, Libya’s leadership outlined a clear commitment to restoring output, monetizing gas resources and creating an investment environment capable of supporting long-term energy development. The AEC views these priorities as essential to translating Libya’s resource wealth into reliable power supply, economic growth and improved living standards.

Libya’s oil sector has recorded its strongest performance in years, with production averaging approximately 1.375 million barrels per day. Plans to further increase output through a $20 billion investment program reflect a renewed focus on operational stability, international partnerships and performance-driven growth. For the AEC, sustained oil production remains critical to generating revenues needed to fund infrastructure, public services and broader development objectives.

Gas monetization is emerging as a central pillar of Libya’s energy strategy. With gas production expected to reach 700–750 million standard cubic feet per day, Libya is well positioned to expand domestic power generation, reduce energy shortages and support industrial activity. Increased gas utilization also offers a practical pathway to lowering emissions by replacing higher-carbon fuels, while improving affordability and reliability for households and businesses.

Libya’s energy resurgence also carries a strong regional and pan-African dimension. LEES 2026 highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange and investment integration across North Africa and the continent at large. The Chamber sees Libya’s recovery as an opportunity to demonstrate how African countries can work together to strengthen energy security and create regional value chains that support industrial growth, workforce development and energy access.

“Libya is showing that African nations can deliver energy projects at scale when stability, political will and investor-friendly frameworks come together,” said NJ Ayuk, AEC Executive Chairman, speaking at LEES 2026. “By prioritizing energy access, domestic power generation and long-term investment, Libya is laying the foundation for inclusive growth and sustainable development.”

The AEC also welcomes Libya’s focus on operational efficiency, zero-flaring initiatives and workforce development, recognizing these efforts as essential to sustaining production gains while maximizing local value creation. Investments in skills training and technology will be vital to ensuring that energy development translates into jobs, knowledge transfer and long-term economic benefits.

As Libya advances its energy reform agenda, the AEC reiterates its commitment to supporting policies that promote investment, energy access and African-led development. “Libya’s resurgence reinforces a simple truth,” Ayuk added. “Africa’s energy future will be built through pragmatism, partnerships and delivery – not delay.”

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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In Madagascar, leprosy remains a major public health concern. Each year, between 1500 and 2000 new cases are reported, placing the country among the 23 priority countries for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the fight against leprosy. The disease remains endemic in 37 remote districts across 16 of the country’s 24 regions. In 2024, a total of 1713 new cases were recorded. Almost 350 people (20% of all cases) are living with permanent disabilities caused by leprosy, which indicates late diagnosis.

Thanks to strengthened detection efforts, particularly through annual screening campaigns organized in the most affected regions, the country is intensifying early management to limit disabilities and providing post exposure treatment to break chains of transmission.

In the district of Ambatoboeny, one of the most endemic areas of Madagascar, the detection rate of around 40% of cases per 100 000 inhabitants—compared with a national average of around 5% per 100 000—illustrates the seriousness of the situation. The number of people newly diagnosed with leprosy in the district increased from 95 in 2024 to 132 in 2025. This rise reveals the effectiveness of active case finding strategies and early diagnosis implemented in the field.

Geographical isolation, exacerbated by flooding of the Kamoro and Betsiboka rivers that makes some communities inaccessible for several months, deprives many people of early screening and regular access to treatment.

These physical barriers are compounded by deeply rooted beliefs that fuel stigma, delay diagnosis and expose patients to severe and disabling forms of the disease. For many, leprosy is still perceived as a hereditary illness, a social taboo, or the result of witchcraft.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health, with support from partners such as WHO and the Raoul Follereau Foundation, organizes annual active screening campaigns in endemic districts. Intensified leprosy control activities in Ambatoboeny began in 2023. They aim to strengthen case detection, reduce disabilities through early diagnosis and interrupt transmission chains through post exposure chemoprophylaxis.

In November 2025, it was during one of these campaigns that Freddy, a 24 year old cart driver, was diagnosed. “For several months, I had been suffering from numbness, burning sensations and a loss of sensation in my left leg. Sometimes it felt paralyzed, which affected my ability to work,” explains the father of one.

The patches appearing on his skin exposed him to mockery and stigma, prompting him to take advantage of the arrival of medical teams to seek care. Freddy had never imagined he had leprosy. “I was surprised when the doctor told me it was leprosy. Now that I know what I have, I hope to get the treatment I need and regain my strength so I can provide a decent life for my family,” he says.

During screening campaigns, community health workers ensure social mobilization. Radio announcements in local languages and the distribution of posters help reach as many people as possible.

Data highlights the effectiveness of this proactive approach. In 2023, the district of Ambatoboeny recorded 110 new leprosy cases, 64 of which were identified through active screening. In 2024, 62 of the 95 diagnosed cases came from this approach. In 2025, activities were strengthened with support from the WHO Madagascar country office. During the campaign held in November 2025, 16 new cases were detected among 91 people screened. Thanks to active strategies, eight patients who had previously been lost to follow up were also located and reintegrated into care—underscoring the importance of continuous and rigorous monitoring. No new cases were recorded among children under 14.

“The absence of cases in children is an encouraging sign that will need to be confirmed through thorough contact follow up,” says Dr Cécile Lusta Rasoamanana, head of the leprosy control unit at the Ambatoboeny District Public Health Service. “Active case finding allows us to identify, examine and treat patients immediately. It breaks the chain of transmission and prevents severe and irreversible disabilities. It also helps us find people who stopped their treatment and reintegrate them into care. Beyond the medical aspect, this initiative is a reminder that leprosy is treatable and curable,” she says.

These campaigns are also an opportunity to strengthen equity and combat stigma. “Highly isolated populations finally gain access to screening, treatment and information. This is an essential step in reducing disabilities, restoring the dignity of affected persons and dispelling longstanding misconceptions,” emphasizes Dr Lovasosa Mbolamanana Andrianiriana, Head of the National Leprosy Control Programme at the Ministry of Public Health.

This integrated approach—combining community engagement, operational strategy, screening and free treatment—aligns with WHO’s strategy to eliminate leprosy by 2030. WHO supports the training of clinicians to detect atypical forms of the disease and community health workers to conduct awareness raising and anti stigma efforts.

The Organization also provides specialized tools such as PCR testing on nerve biopsies and nerve ultrasound to enhance early detection. It ensures continuous free access to multidrug therapy, an essential treatment for preventing disabilities and reducing transmission.

“Reaching communities is essential to break transmission chains and protect the most vulnerable,” says Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Madagascar. “Our goal is clear: reduce disabilities linked to leprosy, break stigma and protect every community. Together, we are advancing toward the elimination of leprosy in Madagascar.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Madagascar.