Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African media relations and communications consultancy, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Bytesview Analytics Private Limited, a technology company specialising in artificial intelligence and data analytics.

This collaboration will leverage NewsData.io, a flagship product by Bytesview Analytics. NewsData.io is an advanced news aggregation and analysis platform that provides real-time and historical news data from over 84,000 sources in 206 countries and 89 languages. It is designed to support media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and data-driven decision-making.

Through this partnership, APO Group and Bytesview Analytics will work together to enhance the monitoring, analysis, and distribution of African news. APO Group will integrate Bytesview’s AI-powered tools to provide clients with deeper insights into how their stories are received across different languages and regions, helping them measure visibility, impact, and public sentiment more effectively.

“This is a powerful example of how smart data and strategic communications can come together to drive better media outcomes,” said Bas Wijne, CEO of APO Group. “Our partnership with Bytesview Analytics brings new depth to the services we offer, especially in tracking and analysing media coverage across Africa.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with APO Group to strengthen our visibility in Africa and to support better storytelling with reliable, data-driven insights,” said Piyush Khatri, Director at Bytesview Analytics. “This partnership opens new doors for both our team and the organisations we serve.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.  

Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024.  Additionally, in 2025, the Davos Communications Awards 2025 awarded us the Gold Award for Best PR Campaign and the Bronze Award for Special Event.

APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences. 

About Bytesview Analytics:
Bytesview Analytics Private Limited is a technology-focused company specializing in AI-powered analytics and real-time data solutions. With a dedicated team of developers and data scientists, Bytesview delivers high-performance digital products across industries such as media, fintech, edtech, marketing, environmental sciences, and social media intelligence.

Its flagship product, NewsData.io, is a news aggregation and analytics platform that offers real-time and historical news data through a developer-friendly API. It is designed for researchers, analysts, developers, media professionals, and organizations seeking structured news data from global sources in various languages.

To learn more, visit:
www.Bytesview.com
www.NewsData.io

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The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has called on the Department of Higher Education to be proactive in plugging the gap left by the US cuts in grant funding that occurred earlier in 2025.

Mr Feni said a deliberate drive is needed, even if it means going on tour abroad to mobilise resources for research purposes. “The grant funding impact was massive and at a time when South Africa found itself operating in a fiscally constrained environment. We must not allow a situation where community-based research programmes suffer and get aborted due to this decision,” he said.

The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, had informed the committee that work to address this issue is being done. In addition, the government had opted for a collaborative approach, as cuts affected programmes administer by the departments of Health and of Science and Technology. Minister Nkabane said a technical team has been set up to coordinate and collate the affected programmes.

Mr Feni said the committee welcomes the news that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is contributing to resource mobilisation. “We would appreciate if all these efforts yield results. Our institutions are research intensive and that is one area we excel in and could not lose momentum. The committee is looking forward to receiving the report on the sector-wide impact of the funding cuts,” Mr Feni said.

Minister Nkabane led a strong departmental delegation to present the department’s annual performance and strategic plans.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Standing Committee on Appropriations today raised several concerns regarding the Department of Transports’ (DOT’s) performance and infrastructure priorities during a briefing on the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The DOT has provided spending plans and briefed the committee on identified mega projects that are covered in the 2025 allocation for public infrastructure investments.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Mmusi Maimane, expressed alarm over the persistent reliance on acting officials in key leadership roles within the department. “It is deeply concerning that while we are expected to appropriate significant funds that are over a trillion rands, the department has not appointed permanent officials in vital positions. This practice undermines accountability and weakens governance,” said Mr Maimane. He said leadership issues in the department need urgent intervention in order to stabilise.

Mr Maimane also raised concerns about the Moloto Road project, noting that the road has cost taxpayers approximately R15 billion, notwithstanding the historic spend on the road over the past ten years. “This is quite exorbitant for a 167-kilometre road and nearly three times the cost compared to another country such as China,” emphasised Mr Maimane.

The committee welcomed progress made at the South African Airways (SAA) and urged the department to do more to restore the airline to its former competitive standing. However, members of the committee voiced concern over revelations that R1.5 billion owed to SAA remains trapped in foreign countries, told the committee that despite several agreements between South Africa and Zimbabwe, little progress has been made.

The committee called for diplomatic intervention at the highest level to recover funds which will improve SAA’s liquidity. Furthermore, the committee welcomed the suspension of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Chief Executive Officer and calls for urgent resolution and accountability. The committee also called on the RAF Board to act decisively to root out corrupt practices and to resolve the growing number of unsettled claims.

“We are increasingly concerned with executive bonuses and golden handshakes in a department that oversees deteriorating road infrastructure. It is unacceptable that senior officials receive performance incentives when service delivery is clearly lagging,” added Mr Maimane.

Committee members also raised concerns over the growing number of trucks on the roads and the associated increase in traffic accidents. It also urged the department to explore a shift from road to rail for goods transport, which would reduce congestion and road maintenance costs. In addition, the high costs of toll gates particularly in Mpumalanga were criticised as an undue burden on commuters.

The committee also questioned inefficiencies and duplication in transport-related agencies. It noted with concern that entities like the Road Traffic Management Corporation invoice each other billions, which could be avoided if these entities were consolidated under the Department of Transport.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Eritrean nationals residing in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Germany, Scandinavian countries, and the United States, as well as Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, commemorated Martyrs Day.

According to reports, at commemorative events held in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, the nationals pledged to augment the Martyrs Trust Fund and continue their support to the families of martyrs. Nationals in Sweden contributed over 104 thousand Kroner towards Martyrs Trust Fund.

Eritrean nationals in various German cities also organized walkathons, candlelight vigils, and cultural and artistic performances in memory of the martyrs. At the Berlin event, certificates of recognition were awarded to individuals who assumed responsibility for supporting the families of martyrs.

Nationals in Dubai and the Northern Emirates commemorated Martyrs Day with great spirit on19 June, featuring candlelight vigils and cultural programs. They also expressed their readiness to uphold the trust of the martyrs through supporting families of martyrs and hard work. Similarly, nationals in Kuwait commemorated Martyrs Day with great pride.

Members of the Eritrean Embassy in Ethiopia, along with Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, also marked Martyrs Day with patriotic zeal.

Eritrean nationals across various U.S. cities commemorated the day, pledging to strengthen their participation and contributions to support the families of martyrs. Nationals in Chicago and its environs contributed over 30,240 U.S. Dollars in support of 42 families of martyrs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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In the heart of Galmudug State, Somalia, the dream of two young women, Iftin and Aminaa, to attend university in Abudwaq was fraught with challenges.

Frequent power cuts and a long, dark and possibly dangerous road between the campus and town made it nearly impossible for them and other girls to attend evening classes.

Determined to find a solution, they approached the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Co-Funding System (CFS), which provides matching funding for community-led projects and which is designed to empower local communities in Somalia to take charge of their development and recovery.

Rallying 19 other women students, Iftin and Aminaa submitted a simple yet transformative proposal….. to crowdfund for solar streetlights and a solar energy system for the school.

By July 2022, the girls had raised $10,000. IOM matched this amount and added $50,000 more.

The result was a well-lit and secure road from Abudwaq town to the university and a fully functional solar energy system.

The system now powers the university around the clock with clean energy.

The impact didn’t stop there.

The community later decided to connect a nearby borehole to the system, providing clean, free water to all of Abudwaq and nearby pastoralist communities, who now bring their livestock to drink and graze near the water source.

“Abudwaq was not one of our original target locations,” explained Mohamed Mohamud Hussein, an IOM officer working on community-based planning. “But we considered the proposal because it was well thought out, transformational for the community, and aligned with the CFS’s mandate and priorities around ownership and sustainability.”

Iftin and Aminaa’s determination set an example for other communities across Somalia.

Community power

Piloted by IOM in 2021, the CFS has become one of Somalia’s most innovative recovery tools. It puts power in the hands of local communities.

By the end of 2024, 42 projects had been completed, reaching over 580,000 people across 22 districts in central Somalia.

Nine more are ongoing. Close to 1,600 community and diaspora members contributed, raising over $500,000, which IOM matched with $2.3 million.

Even in fragile settings, collective action is making a difference. In Farjano, a settlement for internally displaced persons in Galmudug State, the construction of a new primary school did more than provide classrooms. It has restored hope.

“For the very first time, all my children could go to school – and it was free,” said Shamso, a mother of three.

In Mataban, a newly built youth stadium fostered unity and a sense of shared identity. Groups that had once avoided each other began to spend time together. “The stadium brought us together in ways we never imagined,” said Mustaf, a resident of Mataban. “It’s not just for sports – it’s where our community feels united.”

By requiring communities to identify their needs and raise initial funds, the CFS takes a bottom-up rather than traditional top-down approach to development.

It ensures that projects are not only community-driven but also have a higher chance of long-term success and impact

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) which begins in Sevilla, Spain on 30 June, aims to reform financing at all levels, and will no doubt consider the local solutions and community-driven initiatives which have proven so successful in Somalia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

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Nearly 15 years after Gaddafi’s fall, Libya remains split between the internationally recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli, and the rival Government of National Stability in Benghazi.

Although a truce was reached on 14 May, the outbreak of fighting last month in the capital “temporarily disrupted UN development and humanitarian operations,” said top UN envoy Hanna Tetteh.

Fragile Truce

On 18 May, with support from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the Presidential Council established a Truce Committee.

Composed of key security actors, the body has been mandated to monitor the upholding of the ceasefire, facilitate a permanent end to the fighting and ensure the protection of civilians.

As UNSMIL works to ease tensions and prevent further clashes, the Presidential Council has also set up a temporary Security and Military Arrangement Committee, tasked with sustaining peace and reorganising security forces in the capital.

“The truce, however, remains fragile, and the overall security situation unpredictable,” said Ms. Tetteh.

Alleged grave violations

The armed clashes that erupted in May resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, as well as damage to critical civilian infrastructure, underscoring the shortcomings of State security forces in adhering to international humanitarian and human rights law, she continued.

Ms. Tetteh expressed alarm over mass graves found in Abu Slim, citing emerging evidence of serious human rights violations – including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances – allegedly by State security forces.

“The presence of charred remains, unidentified bodies in morgues, and a suspected unofficial detention site at Abu Salim Zoo underscores the scale and gravity of these abuses,” she said.

Demand for change

“Many Libyans are deeply disillusioned with the prolonged transitional period and have lost confidence in the current institutions and leadership,” said Ms. Tetteh.

As civilians increasingly doubt the current leadership’s willingness to put national interests above their own, there is strong demand for a political process that allows public participation, enables elections, and delivers a democratic government with a clear mandate for real change.

UNSMIL intends to present a time-bound and politically pragmatic roadmap – with the goal of reaching the end of the transitional process – by the time of her next briefing, Ms. Tetteh told ambassadors.

“I urge all parties to engage in good faith and to be ready to forge consensus on this roadmap,” she said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

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President Wavel Ramkalawan presided over a landmark economic forum on Tuesday afternoon, bringing together high-level government officials and private sector representatives in an unprecedented collaborative dialogue aimed at strengthening Seychelles’ economic foundation and fostering sustainable growth.

The historic gathering held at State House, marked the commencement of a structured partnership between the government and business community. President Ramkalawan articulated his vision for enhanced economic cooperation, expressing profound enthusiasm for the collaborative framework being established to streamline business operations and accelerate the nation’s economic trajectory. He emphasized the administration’s dedication to creating an environment where private sector innovation and investment can flourish, recognizing that such an environment is essential for achieving long-term economic prosperity. The collaborative approach established through this inaugural forum represents a significant step toward more inclusive economic governance and strategic partnership between public and private sectors.

The forum commenced with comprehensive discussions on strategic land development and reclamation initiatives. The Minister of Investment, entrepreneurship and Industry Mrs. Devika Vidot provided an insightful overview of land utilization policies, establishing the foundation for CEO Jitesh Shah’s detailed presentation on reclamation projects. These discussions illuminated significant opportunities for strategic land development that would support industrial expansion while addressing the growing demand for commercial spaces.

Financial sector modernization emerged as a central theme throughout the deliberations. The Chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered comprehensive presentations addressing the acceleration of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer(KYC) reforms, initiatives designed to enhance business growth prospects while ensuring robust financial inclusion. These reforms represent crucial steps toward maintaining Seychelles’ competitive position in the international financial sector and addressing compliance requirements that have become increasingly stringent in the global marketplace.

The forum also extensively examined payment system modernization, with particular emphasis on the systematic phase-out of traditional cheque systems and the implementation of contemporary digital payment infrastructure and its associated disadvantages.

The forum concluded with a commitment to establishing regular dialogue mechanisms that will ensure ongoing communication between government and private sector stakeholders on a monthly basis. This framework is designed to create responsive policy development processes that can adapt to changing market conditions and emerging business needs.

The successful convening of this forum demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparent dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, establishing a foundation for continued engagement that will support Seychelles’ economic development objectives while addressing the practical challenges faced by businesses operating in the modern economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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The Future Studio incubator in Cotonou has developed a successful coaching programme, propelling four startups to success. The Beninese innovation center is now expanding, while business support organizations across West Africa are increasing their collaboration.

The NTF V FastTrackTech project has nurtured these developments. The ITC project brought together major players from Benin, Niger and Mali to share their experiences and build together a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Future Studio: a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in Benin

Since opening a year ago in Cotonou, the Future Studio innovation center has aimed to propel Beninese innovation and digital entrepreneurship. As a partner of the Epitech school and a member of the African Education & Innovation Group, the innovation center fosters the growth of young, innovative companies, providing structured support and networking. With the support of the NTF V FastTrackTech project, the Future Studio has set up a support programme tailored to Benin’s digital ecosystem.

‘We can’t claim to support entrepreneurs without being supported and empowered ourselves. Thanks to the recommendations of the NTF V FastTrackTech project expert, we have gained in vision and methodology,’ said Future Studio project manager Yoann Agbo. ‘This is what enabled our Start program to take shape and achieve its first successes. We’re very proud today to see ideas become solid projects as teams grow.’ 

After six months in the incubation program, four startups have made significant progress: they have perfected their pitch, established commercial collaborations, and intensified their discussions with potential investors. One gained international visibility by taking part in Gitex Africa.

‘Our intention is to provide ongoing support for the startups we have supported, and we are actively engaged in preparing a second cohort of entrepreneurs. At the same time, we plan to develop a targeted offering for more mature companies seeking accelerated growth or diversification of their offerings,’ said Yoann.

This expertise recently earned Future Studio a contract with telecom operator MTN Benin to take charge of the operational side of a new incubation program. ‘Since supporting the NTF V FastTrackTech project, Future Studio has shown what it can do. This new partnership testifies to the trust placed in our activities,’ he added.

Better support for African entrepreneurs

Like the Future Studio, business support organizations walk with entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, contributing to job creation and more sustainable, inclusive economic development. NTF V FastTrack Tech believes the creation of synergies makes African organizations more efficient by optimizing their resources.

The project initiated an exchange session on 30 April between the Bussiness Support Structures Network of Niger (Réseau des Structures d’Appui du Niger – RESAEN), the Federation of Innovative Business Support Organizations in Benin (Fédération des Structures d’Appui à l’Entrepreneuriat Innovant – FedSAEI) and the National Council of Incubators of Mali (Conseil National des Incubateurs du Mali – CNSIM).

Rabia Moussa is vice-president of RESAEN and co-founded the Développe-les organization in Niger.

‘Regular exchanges and lasting cooperation create a network of mutual support between BSOs, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. Financing issues are often at the heart of concerns,’ she said. ‘In this respect, RESAEN shared its experience and roadmap.’

The session concluded with the formalization of several ideas and recommendations, including the need to set up a working group dedicated to the question of financing, the monitoring of new opportunities and the prospecting of new partners. Rabia also stressed the need for BSOs to clarify the roles and commiments of their governance members, so that tasks are properly assigned.

‘I can only encourage the holding of an annual general meeting with the publication of an activity report.

By also adopting transparent and participative governance practices, support structures can consolidate their internal functioning and increase their impact in the service of a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem,’ she said.

The nascent collaboration between Benin, Niger and Mali is just the first step towards continental synergy.

‘Tomorrow, the dialogue could even be extended to Burkina Faso. It is this growing synergy that will enable African talent to flourish and contribute fully to the continent’s economic development,’ she added.

About the project

The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) program (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Trade Centre. NTF V supports SMEs in the digital technology and agribusiness sectors in Benin, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Uganda. Its ambition is to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems partly through digital solutions, to improve the international competitiveness of local tech start-ups and to support the implementation of the export strategy of IT&BPO companies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.