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Stablecoins are gaining ground as digital currency in Africa: how to avoid risks

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Iwa Salami, Professor of Law, University of East London

A notification popped up on my LinkedIn the other day. Africans were doing a traditional celebratory dance at the Africa Stablecoin summit in Johannesburg.

The picture gave me a sinking feeling.

Why? While stablecoins can advance financial inclusion in Africa, could this celebration mark the potential transfer of monetary sovereignty from African economies to the economy issuing the most coveted currency-denominated stablecoin?

Stablecoins are crypto-assets or digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being pegged to a reference asset such as a national currency (like US dollars), a commodity (like gold) or a basket of assets.

The use of stablecoins in Africa is on the rise, particularly in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. This rise is driven by currency volatility, inflation and limited access to stable foreign currency through traditional banking. Those problems prompt some people to adopt US dollar-denominated stablecoins for saving, hedging and remittances.

Part of their appeal is that they can be moved across borders more quickly, cheaply and efficiently than conventional assets. In South Africa, a well developed regulatory and financial infrastructure has increased institutional confidence, expanding stablecoin use beyond retail into business payments, remittances and other business-to-business transactions.

Their stability is usually achieved through reserves, collateral, or algorithmic mechanisms that prevent large price swings.

My book, Financial Technology Law and Regulation in Africa, looked at their operation as a crypto-asset in African states. I raised concerns about their potential impact on emerging economies, including African countries, in 2019 and 2020. A recent International Monetary Fund paper has echoed these concerns.

The journey so far

Stablecoins emerged in 2014 to reduce the volatility of crypto-assets for crypto-holders who wanted to cash out of a high-value crypto-asset before it crashed. Crypto-asset values crash easily because they are highly speculative, sentiment-driven, and can be sold instantly at scale, allowing fear to trigger rapid sell-offs.

The most popular ones are US dollar-denominated USDT and USDC issued by private companies Tether and Circle, respectively. However, stablecoins were unregulated for about 10 to 11 years before the EU Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCA) regulation in 2024 and the US Genius Act in 2025. During this period, there were no disclosure requirements governing these crypto-assets.

As not all are subject to regulation, criticisms abound regarding the quality and opaque nature of the assets backing them and their robustness to withstand redemption runs or large cash redemption by holders of stablecoins.

These criticisms arise as it is often unclear exactly how liquid, safe, and transparent the assets backing stablecoins are, raising doubts about whether unregulated issuers could meet large, sudden redemption demands without stress. This matters because the stablecoin market is worth approximately US$300 billion, so a loss of confidence could trigger mass redemptions and cause disruption well beyond the crypto-asset sector.

Potential problems

The rise in the use of stablecoins poses a risk of dollarisation, as US dollar-denominated stablecoins account for 99% of the stablecoin market. Dollarisation is the excessive use of the dollar in local African economies. It could be a threat to African states’ monetary sovereignty and drive capital flight from African economies.

To avert this problem, African authorities and central banks would first need to be prepared to impose restrictions or limits on the amounts of these US dollar or foreign-denominated stablecoins that can circulate within their economies at any given time. This is to prevent the threat to monetary sovereignty.

Secondly, African economies should also be prepared to put in place sound policy frameworks through which they can build credibility for their currencies and, therefore, avoid the risk of dollarisation.

Thirdly, they can consider launching their own stablecoins. This can be in the form of a local currency stablecoin or a regional stablecoin. To prevent capital flight from the economies, these stablecoins can be backed by a commodity or a basket of commodities, from Africa’s wealth of natural resources and minerals such as precious stones, gold, diamonds, crude oil and cobalt. To have a global edge, a dollar value can be derived from these commodities.

Since the proposed African backed stablecoin would be a local currency with a US dollar value, it could be used to settle domestic, regional and global transactions without the need for US dollars, whose backing assets are held outside the country and in the US.

Fourthly, they could also consider issuing their own retail central bank digital currency, as this would have exactly the same effect as fiat but in digital form. It would have the same credibility status as fiat, which would need to be built to avoid the risk of dollarisation.

The risks

As US dollar-denominated stablecoins account for 99% of the stablecoins market, the rise of their use in Africa indicates stablecoins have heightened dollarisation.

Dollarisation already exists and is widespread across Africa. It ranges from partial and informal to deep and systemic, depending on country conditions, but stablecoins accelerate and reinforce it. Traditional dollarisation (people and firms informally using US dollars for savings and trade) remains constrained by physical cash, bank access and foreign exchange controls.

Stablecoins make dollar-denominated liquidity instantly accessible on a mobile phone, bypassing banks, foreign exchange restrictions and domestic currency infrastructure. They become “digital dollars”, circulating outside the supervisory perimeter of central banks.

The US Genius Act brings issuers under US regulatory oversight. It guarantees that US dollar-denominated stablecoins will be safe, liquid and institutionally backed, making them more attractive than many African domestic currencies, especially in inflationary environments.

Consequently, what was once an informal hedge becomes a formal, globally credible digital alternative to local currency, accelerating capital flight, weakening deposit creation, and undermining domestic monetary policy.

This has direct monetary sovereignty implications for countries such as Nigeria and Kenya. In Nigeria, persistent foreign exchange shortages and naira volatility have pushed households and small enterprises into Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) as working capital and savings instruments.

Post-Genius Act, these instruments will become more institutionally robust, increasing dependence on US-dollar-based payment and settlement systems located and governed outside the country’s financial system and reducing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ability to influence liquidity, lending and inflation.

In Kenya, where digital finance is already deeply embedded through M-Pesa, US dollar-stablecoins offer a hedge against the shilling, bypassing local credit creation and weakening the Central Bank of Kenya’s monetary transmission mechanism.

In both cases, the US Genius Act effectively shifts monetary authority away from African central banks and towards US regulators and private issuers – not by design, but through market incentives. Stablecoins thus do not merely mirror existing dollarisation; they legalise it at scale, embedding it into Africa’s digital financial systems.

There is also the risk of capital flight from African economies to the jurisdictions where the denominated stablecoins are backed.

In summary, stablecoins can truly advance financial inclusion in Africa, but heavy reliance on foreign-denominated stablecoins risks deepening dollarisation and weakening monetary sovereignty.

Next steps

To deal with these risks, African economies need stronger policy frameworks to build currency credibility and reduce the risk of dollarisation. This means that the fiscal deficit must be contained – meaning that governments must not spend far more than they earn. Current account balances must be managed, and foreign exchange, bank and corporate sector balances must be closely monitored.

My take on this issue is that central banks should be at the forefront of these developments, and this could also involve issuing their own central bank-issued tokenised money or digital currencies. This can co-exist alongside stablecoins rather than allowing privately issued, foreign-denominated stablecoins to become the dominant digital currency in circulation in a state.

So, while the dance at the stablecoin summit was commendable, I am concerned that only one dimension, looking at the benefits of stablecoins to facilitate payments and financial inclusion, is being put forward.

Policymakers must clearly articulate the implications of foreign-denominated stablecoins and prepare appropriate responses.

– Stablecoins are gaining ground as digital currency in Africa: how to avoid risks
– https://theconversation.com/stablecoins-are-gaining-ground-as-digital-currency-in-africa-how-to-avoid-risks-271359

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Madlanga Commission to resume later this month

Source: Government of South Africa

Madlanga Commission to resume later this month

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, will resume its public hearings on 26 January 2026.

The commission delivered its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 17 December 2025, three months after the first hearing took place on 17 September 2025.

“The Commission will continue where it left off in December 2025, hearing evidence from persons who have been implicated in the serious allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and many other witnesses who corroborated or substantiated those allegations last year.

“As part of its remaining work, dozens of witnesses are due to appear before the Commission over the next few months,” said a statement issued by Jeremy Micheals, the spokesperson for the Commission.

The Commission’s evidence leaders, investigators, secretariat and support staff have been working over the recess period to prepare for the hearings.

“Phase One was dedicated to establishing what factual foundation there was for the allegations of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi. During this phase, the Commission received evidence from witnesses able to substantiate the allegations that prompted its establishment. However, the evidence was not subjected to testing questioning in Phase One.

“Phase Two provides persons implicated in Phase One an opportunity to respond to the allegations made against them and, where applicable, to make their own allegations.

“Alongside the responses to the allegations of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi and the witnesses supporting him, Phase Two also provides for the ventilation of other issues falling within the Commission’s Terms of Reference but not addressed in Phase One.

“Phase Three will provide for the recall of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi and the witnesses supporting his allegations.

“In this phase, the earlier evidence of the lieutenant-general and supporting witnesses will be subjected to testing questioning and they will have the opportunity to reply to any evidence adduced against them in Phase Two,” said the Commission.

It said it was important to note that the work of the Commission was dynamic and was part of an ongoing process.

“Issues of crucial significance to the Commission’s mandate will be addressed in further hearings even if they do not fall neatly into the three phases,” said the Commission.

Anyone who wishes to provide the Commission with further information which falls within the Terms of Reference can do so anonymously and confidentially by contacting the Commission’s hotline at 0800 111 369 or by email at madlangacommission@behonest.co.za. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Janine

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Public urged to discontinue use of affected Nestlé NAN products

Source: Government of South Africa

Public urged to discontinue use of affected Nestlé NAN products

The Department of Health has urged parents and caregivers to immediately discontinue the use of the affected Nestlé NAN products, in accordance with the National Consumer Commission recall notice. 

The product (Special Pro HA Infant Formula 0-12 months, batch number 51660742F3 and best before date 15 December 2026) is intended for the specific dietary management of infants with allergic reactions to cow’s milk.

The product is sold in an 800g can and has been on the market since  September 2025.

“The product recall follows the identification of a potential presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, which constitutes a food safety concern. 

“The contamination of the product is traced back to the manufacturing plant in Germany, which produces the products for countries, including South Africa,” the Health Department said.

It has confirmed with the European Union authorities, as well as Nestlé, that South Africa has only received this implicated batch. No other products or batch numbers are affected. 

The department is in close contact with Nestlé, the National Consumer Commission and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure the necessary steps are taken in line with strict food quality and safety protocols.

“Appropriate actions are being implemented to ensure the health and wellbeing of all babies. No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the affected products, but parents and caregivers are urged to look out for symptoms such as severe or persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or unusual lethargy, especially when using any infant formula.

“Concerned parents should feel free to speak to healthcare providers regardless of the presence of the symptoms in babies. Consumers should check the product packaging for the recalled product batch number to verify if it is impacted,” the department urged.

Consumers in possession of the affected product are urged to return the product to the point of purchase for a full refund. 

The department has reaffirmed its commitments to promote and support breastfeeding as the optimal way of feeding infants and young children.

“Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months. From six months up to 2 years or beyond, breastmilk remains an important source of nutrition and protection against illnesses while the child gradually learns to eat solid foods. 

“There is no need for the public to panic. The department will keep parents, caregivers and the public informed on the developments related to the product recall.” –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

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Gauteng learners urged to make use of online system for matric results

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng learners urged to make use of online system for matric results

With the matric results due to be available to the class of 2025 on Tuesday, the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is making it easier for matriculants to access their 2025 examination results through the Gauteng Matric Results Online System.

“Recognising that results day can be both exciting and stressful for learners, the system has been designed with accessibility and ease of use in mind. Matriculants can check their results instantly on their smartphones, tablets, or other digital devices, allowing them to access their results in a private and supportive environment, at a time and place that suits them,” the provincial government said.

By providing a reliable digital platform, the GPG is supporting learners as they reach a major milestone in their academic journey and prepare for the next phase of their education, training, or career pathways.

Gauteng MEC for the Department of e-Government, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, said the system empowers learners by ensuring that critical academic information is available directly to them in a secure and protected manner.

“This digital platform ensures that matriculants can access their results easily and securely, while maintaining the privacy they deserve as they reflect on their achievements and prepare to take their next steps after completing school,” said MEC Dhlamini.

To access your 2025 matric results, simply visit https://results.gauteng.gov.za/ , enter your examination number, and click “search.”

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is set to release the 2025 Matric Results on Monday evening, 12 January 2026. Results of the exams will be released to candidates on 13 January 2026.

Meanwhile, the DBE recently announced that the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations will be published in accredited newspapers  on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. 
–SAnews.gov.za

 

Neo

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SAWS warns of disruptive rainfall

Source: Government of South Africa

SAWS warns of disruptive rainfall

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 9 and Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rainfall over the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga for Monday and Tuesday. 

These weather conditions will also affect the extreme north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.

This is due to a persistent low-pressure system that is currently affecting the north-eastern regions of South Africa, bringing in significant amounts of rainfall.

The Orange Level 6 warning indicates a high likelihood of disruptive rainfall, with significant impacts including flooding of roads and settlements, and danger to life due to fast-flowing streams and deep waters. 

Major roads may be flooded or closed, and major disruptions to traffic flow could occur. 

The Orange Level 9 warning represents a medium likelihood of disruptive rainfall, with severe impacts, including widespread and dangerous flooding, the closure of major roads and bridges, significant damage to infrastructure and settlements, and an increased risk of injuries and danger to life, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

“Communities in affected areas should avoid flooded roads, rivers, or streams, as even shallow water can be dangerous, and never attempt to cross flowing water. Property, livestock, and belongings should be secured or moved to higher ground, and outdoor activities should be re-evaluated or postponed, especially in flood-prone areas. 

“It is important to stay indoors during heavy rain and thunderstorms, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow instructions from local authorities and disaster management services,” the weather service said.

Residents should check on vulnerable family members and neighbours; prepare for possible evacuation by identifying safe locations and essential items, and take immediate precautions to reduce risks to life, property and livelihoods during this period of severe weather.

The public is urged to stay informed by regularly monitoring official SAWS updates and warnings via radio, TV, and social media.

The SAWS will continue to closely monitor this weather system and issue regular updates as conditions change. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

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Top 2025 matriculants spell out recipe for success

Source: Government of South Africa

Top 2025 matriculants spell out recipe for success

South Africa’s top matric achievers for 2025 have spelled out the key attributes required for academic excellence: a strong support system, hard work, focus and determination.

On Monday, 40 of the country’s top learners were celebrated as the cream of the crop for the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams – an achievement not to be taken lightly, as they wrote exams with at least 900 000 other candidates.

A learner, who had to lean particularly hard on her support system, is Simesihle Khuzwayo from King Bhekuzulu College in KwaZulu-Natal, who fell ill and was hospitalised during the school year.

“My teachers were very supportive and I would ask them questions even at 1am and they would answer. I would even chase after them in the staff room to get past papers or tests to do. But they were there for me and always told me that I can do it.

“My mother also looked for tutors for me. My twin sister would bring worksheets for me when I’m not at school and would tell me about assignments, and tasks that need to be completed. They were all very supportive,” she told SAnews.

The learner’s mother, Tholakele Bhutelezi, described the year as a “very difficult” one.

“I had to be strong in front of her but when I’d go to the bathroom, I’d just cry. There were times I’d have to leave her twin at home and go to the hospital.

“I was very worried about what would happen with her schoolwork and that she’ll miss out on a lot of content. But her sister would come with everything that she needed.

“But now, I am very proud and I just cried tears of joy now. I knew she would make it and I thank God,” Bhutelezi said.

Johannesburg-based Jeppe High School for Girls learner, Nchongatakor Besong, told SAnews that living a balanced life is key to achieving matric ambitions, while enjoying the final year of school.

“It was stressful, as expected. But overall, I think when you have a good support system, when you have a well-rounded life doing cultural activities and go out with friends, it helps.

“When you have a healthy outlet, you can properly focus on your academics as well,” she said.

Angie Ntuli, a learner from Phumzile Secondary School in Mpumalanga, added: “Matric was not easy at all. I realised that Grade 12 will not be an easy road. It needs one to have perseverance, to be disciplined and to not give up.

“It is through the support that I got from especially my mom, friends, family as well as my school teachers that I was able to make it as a top achiever”.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube will announce the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams from 6pm today. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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La construction d’une « Grande Côte d’Ivoire » : Les jeunes resteront au cœur des politiques publiques

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La « Grande Côte d’Ivoire » est en marche. Et elle avancera grâce à la préservation de la paix, au renforcement de la cohésion sociale et à l’ingéniosité de son capital humain.

Depuis sa prestation de serment à l’issue du scrutin présidentiel du 25 octobre 2025, le Président Alassane Ouattara a démarré son nouveau mandat comme un nouveau pacte de confiance avec le peuple. « À travers ce nouveau contrat social que nous entamons, je réaffirme mon engagement à poursuivre la construction d’une « Grande Côte d’Ivoire, ambitieuse et solidaire ; une Nation forte, respectée, performante et souveraine ».

Il s’est engagé dès cette année 2026, à poursuivre les grands chantiers de modernisation du pays. « Les infrastructures routières, ferroviaires, énergétiques et hydrauliques continueront de structurer le territoire et de renforcer l’intégration nationale », a relevé le Chef de l’Etat.

Mais en plus du volet infrastructurel, la construction de la Grande Côte d’Ivoire intègre largement la dimension humaine par la poursuite des efforts en matière d’investissements sociaux. « Les jeunes et les femmes resteront, bien évidemment, au cœur de nos politiques publiques. En effet, leur formation, leur insertion professionnelle, leur créativité et leur engagement sont essentiels pour bâtir l’avenir », précise Alassane Ouattara. Cette annonce et les perspectives qu’elle dessine s’appuient sur les progrès déjà réalisés dans l’éducation primaire, secondaire, l’Enseignement supérieur en passant par l’enseignement technique et de la formation professionnelle pour un capital humain de qualité.

Au primaire par exemple, 39 448 nouvelles classes ont été construites entre 2011 et 2025 pour porter le nombre total à 95 428. Au secondaire, la construction de 608 nouveaux collèges et lycées publics a porté le nombre total à 902 établissements. Parmi les 608 collèges construits, 296 sont des collèges de proximité réalisés en milieu rural.

Dans l’enseignement technique, le gouvernement a investi dans la réhabilitation et surtout la construction de nombreux établissements sur l’ensemble du territoire. Les capacités d’accueil ont augmenté et de nouvelles filières sont créées. L’offre de formations pertinentes et adaptées assure une insertion professionnelle durable. 19 nouveaux établissements de formation professionnelle construits, 10 nouveaux établissements de formation sont en cours de construction…

Dans l’enseignement supérieur, la création de nouveaux pôles universitaires a permis de désengorger les premières universités tout en améliorant la qualité de l’offre avec des spécialisations qui tiennent compte des potentialités des différentes régions.

Le nombre d’universités publiques est passé de 03 en 2011 à 09 en 2024. Et le nombre d’étudiants passant de 66 237 en 2011 à 346 786 en 2025.

L’emploi Jeunes a toujours été érigé au rang des priorités. Selon le bilan gouvernemental 2011-2025, 1 958 646 opportunités d’emploi et d’insertion professionnelle offertes aux jeunes. 1 441 676 emplois formels créés (1 216 557 dans le secteur privé et 225 119 dans le secteur public).

Depuis des années, l’État multiplie les actions pour favoriser l’employabilité des jeunes à travers les TIC, les industries culturelles et créatives et le sport. Au nombre des actions en faveur des technologies créatives et de l’économie numérique, on peut citer l’initiative « Startups Boost Capital » lancée le 24 janvier 2023 pour financer les projets d’entreprises innovantes à forte composante technologique.

On note également la mise en œuvre du Programme économique pour l’innovation et la transformation des entreprises (PEPITE) dont les 27 premières entreprises lauréates ont été présentées le 4 décembre 2025.

Le pays prévoit la construction d’une cité de l’innovation et de la culture. Cette cité va intégrer et regrouper dans un lieu unique les infrastructures technologiques de dernière génération, des incubateurs ainsi que des espaces dédiés à la création et à la promotion des arts et de la culture.

« Je connais votre envie d’exprimer votre talent, votre soif d’indépendance et votre soif d’épanouissement pour aider vos familles et contribuer au rayonnement de notre beau pays », avait déclaré le Président Ouattara aux jeunes.

La construction de la Grande Côte d’Ivoire se fera par les jeunes et pour les jeunes.

Distribué par APO Group pour Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

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Scottish Africa Business Association Launch Annual Report

Source: APO – Report:

The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) (www.AfricaScot.com) has released its Annual Report for 2025, highlighting a year of expansion, increased member activity and strategic engagement across Scotland, London and Africa. The report showcases tangible impact across market access, advisory support, inward and outward trade missions and high-level convening.

Throughout the past year SABA delivered an ambitious programme of activity including trade missions, inward delegations, hydrogen roundtables, executive briefings and its flagship Scotland London Africa Week. Membership grew across sectors including energy, education & skills training, agriculture, maritime and digital innovation with increased participation from both Scottish organisations and African partners.

SABA also expanded its advisory capabilities through SABA Consult which supported Scottish companies and institutions with market intelligence, sector research and tailored introductions across priority markets.

In 2023, Scotland’s total international exports were worth an estimated £37.7 billion across goods and services and data shows exports to Africa are a small share of overall trade, with countries in Africa such as Nigeria recorded as a Scottish export destination, though comparatively modest in value (for example exports to Nigeria were reported at around £5.6 million in a recent period).  Around 11,000 Scottish businesses export internationally (out of a total of roughly 346,000 businesses), showing the scale of international engagement across all markets.  In recent surveys, about 30% of Scottish mid-sized firms identify Africa as a target for new trade routes, underlining rising interest in the continent among companies seeking overseas growth.

Frazer Lang, Chief Executive Officer of SABA, said: “This year has demonstrated the appetite among Scottish companies to explore African markets and the strength of partnerships that are emerging as a result. Our work is helping businesses turn ambition into action, whether through market insight, in-country access, or practical introductions that help accelerate commercial conversations. With growing member engagement and a clear pipeline of trade missions and delegations for the year ahead, SABA is well positioned to deepen Scotland’s role in these markets and support businesses in pursuing international opportunity.”

Seona Shand, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Our focus this year has been on delivering value for members and making market engagement easier, more informed and more strategic. The growth in membership and participation across our programmes shows that companies want practical pathways into African markets and trusted guidance along the way. As we expand our platforms including SABA Briefings and SABA Consult, we look forward to helping even more organisations connect, build relationships and unlock new commercial outcomes.”

Looking ahead

In the year ahead SABA will:

  • Expand its outward trade mission programme to North, West and East Africa
  • Grow inward delegations to Scotland, enabling direct engagement between Scottish and African partners
  • Scale Scotland London Africa Week as a flagship platform for market insight and networking
  • Deepen sector emphasis in energy, hydrogen, agriculture and aquaculture, ports & maritime, infrastructure and education & skills training
  • Enhance member support through SABA Consult

SABA’s Annual Report outlines continued demand from Scottish organisations for international growth support and highlights Africa as a high-potential region for partnership and investment aligned with Scotland’s capabilities in energy, skills and innovation.

– on behalf of Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA).

About the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA):
SABA is the preeminent non-political, Africa focussed, members trade organisation with an unrivalled board of experienced directors which promotes trade, investment and knowledge sharing between Scotland’s world class expertise and Africa’s priority sectors including energy, agriculture, the blue economy, healthcare, skills training and education by leveraging extensive commercial, trade, political and government contacts across Scotland and Africa.

As part of this, our team organises private meetings, round tables, seminars, conferences, global trade missions and offers market research, intelligence sharing and consultancy services.

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Cabo Verde: Ministro do Turismo e Transportes visita obras do novo Pontão de Santa Maria

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Ministro do Turismo e Transportes, José Luís Sá Nogueira, realizou uma visita de acompanhamento às obras do novo Pontão de Santa Maria, na ilha do Sal, com o objetivo de aferir o andamento dos trabalhos e acompanhar de perto as intervenções em curso.

Atualmente, a obra encontra-se numa fase inicial, centrada sobretudo nos estudos técnicos indispensáveis à sua execução, nomeadamente o diagnóstico do subsolo e a realização de testes hidráulicos, etapas consideradas fundamentais tendo em conta a localização costeira do pontão e as exigências de segurança estrutural.

Em paralelo, já é visível o avanço da edificação da estrutura que irá acolher a futura praça pedonal, concebida como um espaço de acolhimento e fruição para residentes e visitantes.

A intervenção no Pontão de Santa Maria insere-se num projeto estruturante de requalificação urbana e turística, com um prazo de execução estimado em cerca de dois anos e visa devolver à cidade um equipamento emblemático, reforçando a segurança, a valorização paisagística e a qualidade da experiência turística.

A infraestrutura, orçada em 8,9 milhões de euros, para além da componente turística, assume também uma forte dimensão social e económica, ao integrar soluções que conciliam o uso público do espaço com as atividades tradicionais ligadas ao mar.

O Ministro também deslocou-se igualmente ao mercado do peixe e ao espaço de reassentamento provisório dos pescadores, construído em articulação com a Associação dos Pescadores de Santa Maria.

Este espaço foi concebido para garantir condições adequadas durante o período de execução da obra, dispondo de cacifes individuais, áreas de despensa e instalações sanitárias, assegurando dignidade, funcionalidade e continuidade da atividade piscatória.

Nas visitas que aconteceram no sábado, 10 de janeiro, o Ministro do Turismo e Transportes, José Luís Sá Nogueira, esteve acompanhado do Presidente do Instituto do Turismo de Cabo Verde, Jair Fernandes, e do coordenador do Gabinete de Gestão das Zonas Turísticas Especiais, Victor Cardoso.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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‘South Africa is proud of you’ – Education Minister hails top 2025 matriculants

Source: Government of South Africa

‘South Africa is proud of you’ – Education Minister hails top 2025 matriculants

South Africa’s top matriculants should be celebrated not just for their results, but for the determined pursuit of excellence that drove them to the top of the 2025 Matric class.

This according to Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, who addressed the Ministerial Breakfast celebrating the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Class of 2025 top achievers.

Reflecting on a story based in Greek mythology about a man condemned to pushing a boulder up a hill, the Minister likened this toil to the one South Africa’s brightest stars endured.

“[This] story matters today because every learner we celebrate this morning knows something about pushing a boulder uphill: the late nights, early mornings, setbacks, pressure, self-doubt, and the quiet decision, again and again, to keep going.

“And today, we gather not just to celebrate the summit you reached, but the pursuit of excellence that brought you here,” Gwarube said.

She told the learners that their remarkable achievements stand as a testament to what hard work and determination can accomplish.

“You have not only passed; you have excelled. In doing so, you have expanded what is possible for yourselves, your families, and your communities. You have shown that excellence is not reserved for a privileged few, but is earned through discipline, resilience, and focus.

“But let me say this clearly: this moment is not the end of your journey. It is the beginning of a new climb.

“There will be other hills. Other boulders. Other moments when progress feels slow or setbacks feel heavy. Do not be discouraged when the climb becomes steep again. Remember what you have already proven that you can persevere, that you can adapt, and that you can rise,” she said.

A word of appreciation was spared for the support systems behind the learners and the teachers who travelled the journey with them.

“To the parents and guardians in the room: today also belongs to you, as much as it belongs to your children.

“Behind every high-achieving learner is a home that made sacrifices. A home that chose discipline over comfort, encouragement over despair. You carried emotional, financial, and psychological weight so that your children could focus on learning. You pushed your own boulders – sometimes silently, sometimes exhausted, often without recognition.

“To the teachers watching from classrooms, staff rooms, across the country as they prepare to receive learners Back-To-School: this celebration is yours too. Teachers are the quiet architects of excellence. You see potential before it becomes visible,” Gwarube said.

The learners are encouraged to carry forward the “curiosity, effort, humility and grit” that carried them through the exams.

“South Africa needs not only your intelligence, but your character. May you carry this lesson with you: that excellence is not only found at the top of the hill, but in the climb itself.

“Congratulations to each and every one of you. South Africa is proud of you. The future is brighter because of you,” Gwarube concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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