Category: Africa

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Metrorail increases train fare

Source: Government of South Africa

For the first time in the last 10 years, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has announced that it will implement fare adjustments across the Metrorail network from 01 August 2025. 

“Fares have remained unchanged over the last 10 years, marking the first increase since 2015. Single tickets will increase by R2.50, while return tickets will see increases of R5.50 to R6.00, depending on the zone or distance travelled,” PRASA said on Wednesday.

The Department of Transport has approved the fare adjustment following comprehensive stakeholder consultations conducted in 2023. 

The additional revenue will fund critical operational needs, including energy and maintenance costs, as well as enhanced safety and security measures at stations and on trains. 

The fare adjustment will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the country’s biggest passenger rail operator.

“Even with this fare adjustment, PRASA Rail fares remain the most affordable across all modes of transport. We are committed to providing affordable, safe and efficient commuter services,” PRASA Rail CEO Nwabisa Gqamane-Ntiyane said.

PRASA Rail also announced the reintroduction of the much-anticipated weekly and monthly tickets. 

These tickets offer deeper discounts and are expected to be popular among regular commuters.

PRASA Rail’s off-peak discounts remain in place, offering even more affordable fares for those travelling between 09:00 and 14:00, with fares discounted by 50% – 40% during this period.

Commuters can find detailed information about the new fares, seasonal tickets, and station- specific details by visiting their nearest Metrorail station. 

Additional information is available through PRASA’s official social media channels, including @PRASA_Group, Metrorail Gauteng, Metrorail W.C, Metrorail KZN, and Metrorail E.C. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government to roll out Mpox vaccines as new cases are detected

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Health has announced a vaccination drive against Mpox disease, as the number of laboratory-confirmed cases is gradually increasing in the country.

According to the department, the vaccination programme will primarily target the provinces most affected, which currently include Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Two new laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded – one in Gauteng and one in the Western Cape. 

These cases involve a 32-year-old from Cape Town and a 45-year-old from Johannesburg, and both individuals have no history of travel.

This brings to 10 the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of 2025.

“Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease, with vaccinated individuals being protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications,” the statement read. 

The department said vaccination can be accessed at some public health facilities, travel clinics and a few private providers in the selected provinces.

Meanwhile, the department has urged people to be vigilant about the symptoms of Mpox. 

Those who suspect they may be at risk of Mpox infection are advised to consult their nearest health facility or healthcare provider for screening and testing. They should also enquire about their eligibility for this life-saving vaccination.

“Priority will be given to people at a higher risk of contracting the virus, including those who came into close contact with people who tested positive, people with multiple sexual partners and travellers going to areas where there is an outbreak of Mpox. Where indicated, vaccination will be offered to pregnant women and children older than two years.” 

Mpox vaccine

The department received approximately 10 500 doses of the mpox vaccine, Imvanex, as a donation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control. 

This donation was made through the Access and Allocation Mechanism for Mpox to help combat the various outbreaks of Mpox across the African continent.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) authorised the importation of this vaccine through a Section 21 process, which covers the sale and use of medicines not yet registered in South Africa. 

The National Control Laboratory tested Imvanex samples to establish the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before its release to the South African market.

“The vaccine was found to be safe and is well tolerated in most people. As with any vaccine, some individuals may experience mild to moderate side effects after vaccination. This is a normal sign that the body is developing some level of immunity to prevent the severity of the disease if infected,” the department said.

Several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, the United States, Canada and European countries have utilised the Mpox vaccine to control the spread of the disease. 

Common side effects that might be experienced following immunisation include pain, redness, swelling and itching at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, nausea and fever. 

However, the department said most side effects disappear on their own within a few days without treatment.

These side effects can be managed by having enough rest, staying hydrated and taking medication to manage pain, if needed. 

Individuals are encouraged to report any suspected side effects following immunisation directly to a healthcare professional or via the Med Safety App, which can be downloaded for free on an Android or IOS smartphone at https://medsafety.sahpra.org.za.

The number of Mpox vaccine doses allocated to South Africa is limited, and quantities will be issued in a phased approach, prioritising outbreak hotspots and based on vaccine availability. 

More information regarding mpox vaccination sites can be accessed at https://health.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-MPOX-VACCINATION-SITES.pdf. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government scales up youth-focused initiatives 

Source: Government of South Africa

As government pursues faster and more inclusive economic growth, the fight against youth unemployment remains a priority, with large-scale programmes underway to create opportunities for young people to earn an income, develop skills and gain work experience.

Delivering the Presidency Budget Vote for the 2025/2026 financial year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the greatest challenge that faces South Africa today is youth unemployment. 

“Approximately 3.8 million out of 10.3 million young people aged 15 to 24 years are not in employment, education or training. These are young people with energy, initiative and untapped potential,” President Ramaphosa said.

In his address on Wednesday, the President said government has launched large-scale programmes to provide young people with income opportunities, skills development and work experience.

“Through innovative and targeted interventions, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has continued to demonstrate that when a society invests in its people, the dividends are measured in hope restored and futures rewritten,” he said. 

He cited the Basic Education Employment Initiative, which entered a new phase in June this year, placing over 200 000 young people as school assistants in more than 2 0000 schools. 

To date, this initiative has created over one million posts for young people to serve as assistants in schools, supporting teachers in classrooms, school administration and school maintenance.

“The programme has been designed to strengthen the learning environment and learning outcomes in schools. In the process, participants gain work experience and skills vital to finding employment and starting their own businesses,” the President said.

He added that the SAYouth.mobi platform was launched in 2020 to tackle the barriers faced by young people such as experience and the lack of transport or lack of data money.

“There are now over 4.7 million young people registered on the SAYouth network. Young people have been supported to access over 1.67 million earning opportunities.

“A significant achievement of SA Youth is that the vast majority of earning opportunities have been accessed by the most excluded young people. Seventy percent of opportunities have been accessed by young black African women,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President noted that around 65% of the platform’s users live in grant-receiving households, demonstrating that “we are reaching some of the people who have the greatest need.”

Another impactful initiative mentioned was the Youth Employment Service (YES), which he said has become the largest corporate-funded youth jobs programme globally. 

The programme has to date provided over 190 000 young people with year-long work experience opportunities.

“Through all of these programmes coordinated by the Presidency, we are changing the way that government works and scaling innovative solutions to our unemployment challenge,” the President said. 

Education 

Turning to education, President Ramaphosa underscored its role in fighting poverty, with a focus on early childhood development, foundational learning, and access to well-run schools.

“We continue our efforts to ensure that learners have a safe and conducive environment in which to learn. To date, we have completed 97 percent of the sanitation projects under the SAFE initiative aimed at getting rid of pit latrines in our schools.”

He also confirmed the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, expansion of vocational training, and broader access to higher education through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Having come into effect in December last year, the Act amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the original legislation.

Through the NSFAS, government is expanding access for students from poor and working class families, and with the support of the National Skills Fund, assistance is being expanded to the ‘missing middle’.

“This year, NSFAS is supporting over 800 000 university and TVET [technical and vocational education and training] college students. This provides opportunities to young people today that will, in time, transform our economy and society,” he said. 

NHI

On healthcare and the National Health Insurance (NHI), the President said government is addressing the poor state of health facilities and is hiring more professionals, while also permanently employing community health workers.

“To address the severe challenges in the health system and in preparation for the implementation of the NHI, we are directing resources towards the hiring of more doctors, nurses and health professionals, the permanent employment of community health workers, and the purchase of new equipment and supplies.

“We are determined to meet our HIV testing and treatment targets, despite the withdrawal of US funding,” he added, noting that Deputy President Paul Mashatile continues to lead the HIV/AIDS response through the South African National AIDS Council.

Last week, Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said the National Treasury has allocated R753 million to the Department of Health — under Section 16 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) — to help bridge the shortfall caused by the United States’ decision to cut HIV and tuberculosis (TB) grants.

READ | Treasury allocates emergency funding of R750m towards HIV and TB after US funding cuts

The United States government’s withdrawal of funding to key health initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief P(EPFAR), which was established by former President George W Bush in 2003, led to a loss of R7.9 billion spent on HIV/Aids programmes annually.
 

Governance 

On governance, the President said building a capable and corruption-resistant state remains a priority. 

“For us to effectively tackle any of these challenges, we need to build a capable state with institutions that are resistant to corruption or interference. 

“The recent adoption of the Public Service Commission Bill by the National Assembly marks a crucial milestone, enhancing the independence and effectiveness of the Public Service Commission in promoting ethical governance,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa said the bill will allow the Commission to function as an impartial constitutional body and ensure that the executive is compelled to act on the Commission’s recommendations, thereby reinforcing accountability across the public sector. 

Digital Transformation Roadmap

He added that the Digital Transformation Roadmap launched in April 2025, is set to make government work more efficiently while also bringing it closer to the people.

READ | Digital Transformation Roadmap to make it easier to access government services

“The roadmap focuses on building digital public infrastructure including a digital identity for every South African citizen. 

“It includes a digital payments system to enable instant, low-cost payments, and interoperable data systems to ensure that citizens only have to provide their information to government once,” said President Ramaphosa. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government commits over R1 trillion to infrastructure investment

Source: Government of South Africa

Government is following through on its commitment to invest more than R1 trillion in infrastructure over the next three years to renew the country’s roads, port, rail, energy and water systems.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who presented The Presidency Budget Vote for the 2025/2026 financial year in the National Assembly in Parliament on Wednesday. 

The Budget Vote focused on the 7th administration’s three strategic priorities, including promoting inclusive growth, job creation, tackling poverty and the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. 

“South Africans benefit when the economy grows, when jobs are created, when established industries expand and new industries emerge,” the President said. 

The President emphasised that government is hard at work to boost infrastructure investment to ensure that infrastructure development becomes the “true flywheel of economic growth.” 

Through the Infrastructure Fund, he said government is investing in the roads that link communities to economic centres and the water projects that supply expanding cities and towns. 

“We have amended the regulations for Public Private Partnerships to make it easier for the private sector to invest in infrastructure ranging from renewable energy generation to housing. 

“This infrastructure has a direct impact on people’s lives, providing the services they need, reducing the cost of living, improving the business environment and encouraging economic activity,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa noted that the country continues to face high levels of unemployment and economic growth that is too low to create jobs and reduce poverty. In addition, the country faces the corrosive effects of corruption and pervasive crime, to which the poorest are most vulnerable.

“It is with these challenges in mind that we formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) to place our country on a path of growth and transformation, a path of peace and prosperity. 

“As we established the GNU, we understood that we were embarking on a new era in the life of our democracy. We understood that there would be complex dynamics and novel challenges that we would need to navigate,” he said.

The President highlighted that the GNU adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), which outlines clear actions that will be undertaken over the next five years in pursuit of three strategic priorities. 

“Across all ministries, all departments and all national entities, there is a commitment to implement the actions on which we have agreed and to move with urgency and purpose to address the needs of South Africans. 

“Most importantly, there is a shared understanding that we need to rise above our differences and to work together to make progress on our most important challenges,” the President said. 

The President explained that the approach of the Government of National Unity is to enhance national cohesion and nation building and to build partnerships across society to advance the common interests of all South Africans. 

He said the National Dialogue is being convened in response to calls from individuals and formations from across society.

The initiative has received wide support and has been endorsed by the GNU as a significant national process to develop a social compact that will enable the country to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan.

“We are all called upon to use this National Dialogue as an instrument of development, transformation, progress, national cohesion and nation building. The National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by our Constitution, nor the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the Executive,” he said. 

As the National dialogue process continues, the President said the GNU will continue to take action to address the immediate concerns that all South Africans share – to grow the economy, to create jobs, to tackle corruption and crime, and to fix local government.

“Everything that this government does – from trade negotiations to economic reforms, from the professionalisation of the public service to support for farmers and small businesses – is directed towards meeting the needs of South Africa’s people and securing their future. 

“The role of the Presidency is to coordinate the work of government towards this end, and to make sure that our commitments are translated into action. Our most important priority is to grow the economy and create jobs,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President added that efforts to improve visa administration, digital payments, tourism, and industrial diversification would unlock growth and investment. 

“We are pursuing the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy recently approved by Cabinet to ensure that the country’s mineral wealth creates jobs and produces value here in South Africa,” the President said. 

The development of new sectors was also a key focus. 

“Our National Policy on the Commercialisation of Hemp and Cannabis aims to improve the livelihoods of people living in rural areas, targeting 10 percent annual growth in this emerging industry,” he said.

Highlighting tourism’s recovery, he noted that over 9 million international tourists visited South Africa last year, spending more than R90 billion.

“This is thanks in large part to reforms in our visa system, targeted tourism promotion in key markets and support to local companies,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa reaffirmed that the Presidency continues to lead implementation of economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela. 

In the energy sector, working together with all stakeholders, the President noted outstanding progress in reducing the severity and frequency of load shedding. 

“There was a time when daily load shedding was the norm. Now, it is very much the exception,” he said.

He said government is putting in place the foundations for a competitive electricity market to unlock massive new investment in energy generation. 

“This will result in lower electricity costs for all South Africans and more renewable energy to power our economy.”

In addition, the President said South Africa has received international pledges worth R230 billion towards its just energy transition, with investments in transmission, renewables and localised development. – SAnews.gov.za

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Network International and Blu Penguin collaborate to enable mobile money transactions in Ghana

Source: APO

Network International (Network) (https://www.Network.ae/), a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa, has announced a collaboration with Blu Penguin, a Ghana-based fintech and mobile money aggregator, to provide mobile money transactions via Network’s N-Genius™ payment terminals. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding financial inclusion and driving payment innovation across Ghana and the broader West African region.

Through this collaboration, Network’s clients in Ghana can now process mobile money payments from all providers using their current N-Genius point-of-sale terminals. This development strengthens Network’s role as a third-party payment processor (TPP), broadening its service offerings and demonstrating its commitment to adapting to evolving market needs.

Chinwe Uzoho, Regional Managing Director, Western Africa – Processing at Network International, stated, “This partnership with Blu Penguin reinforces our commitment to advancing digital commerce and financial inclusion. By integrating mobile money transaction capabilities into our N-Genius terminals, we are providing a seamless payment experience that caters to the needs of both banked and unbanked individuals, helping businesses and financial institutions offer greater transaction flexibility.”

Sebastian Yalley, Managing Director, Ghana – Processing at Network International, added: “This collaboration represents a significant advancement for Ghana’s payments landscape. It enhances our service offerings for banks by combining the strong mobile money processing capabilities of Blu Penguin with our industry-leading card infrastructure to provide a unified app for merchants to deliver secure, accessible, and convenient payment capabilities.”

Through this collaboration, Blu Penguin will integrate its technology with Network International’s acquiring infrastructure, ensuring a secure and efficient backend for processing mobile money transactions across major telecom networks. With operations in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and DRC Congo, Blu Penguin’s mobile-first strategy streamlines transactions, making digital payments more accessible to millions of consumers across the region.

Tenu Awoonor, Founder of Blu Penguin, commented, “This collaboration goes beyond technology integration; it is a strategic effort to improve payment accessibility and convenience for merchants in Africa. By partnering with Network International, we are equipping banks and merchants with the ability to offer multiple payment options in a single app, making transactions more seamless. We get to leverage our respective strengths in a collaborative effort with financial institutions to drive faster adoption and usage of digital payments to support greater financial inclusion in Africa.”

The initial phase of the partnership has commenced, and plans are to enable this feature across all financial institutions using Network International’s N-Genius™ terminals in Ghana and ultimately Sub-Sahara Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

About Network International:
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s largest and leading digital payments company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We operate in 50+ countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. We have 2,500+ employees based in our markets serving over 250 financial institutions and 196,000+ merchants. 

About The Blu Penguin:
The Blu Penguin Company Limited is a licensed pan-African fintech firm committed to providing digital payment solutions that cater to the diverse evolving needs of small, medium and large sized enterprises. With a vision to drive financial inclusion in Africa, we provide a comprehensive suite of services designed to enhance and simplify both in-store and online payment collection for merchants. We serve banks, telecom companies, merchants and governments to offer payment services to millions of customers every day.

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Positioning Youth at the Forefront of Africa’s Energy Future: African Energy Chamber (AEC) Endorses Youth in Oil & Gas Summit 2025

Source: APO


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With first oil production on the horizon in Namibia, the country is on track for rapid growth across its oil, gas and broader energy sectors. This highlights a strategic opportunity for the country’s youth, and the upcoming Youth in Oil & Gas Summit – taking place July 25-26, 2025, in Walvis Bay – seeks to position young professionals at the forefront of Namibia’s energy development.

Held under the theme Drilling into the Future: Empowering Youth in Namibia’s Oil & Gas Revolution, the second edition of the Youth in Oil & Gas Summit represents a vital platform for advancing youth-led innovation and inclusion. Offering a vibrant platform for dialogue, education and strategic collaboration, the summit provides an opportunity for meaningful engagement between youth and energy leaders, thereby positioning youth at the helm of Namibia’s energy future. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – representing the voice of the African energy sector – offers its full support and endorsement of the upcoming summit. As a strong advocate for the role youth play in the oil and gas sector, the AEC considers this a vital platform for enhancing collaboration, fostering dialogue and advancing projects.

The Youth in Oil & Gas Summit comes at a critical time for Namibia’s oil and gas industry. Having emerged as one of the world’s most promising frontiers, the country has witnessed a series of exploration success across its offshore market in recent years. The country is on track for first oil production by 2029, led by the TotalEnergies-operated Venus field, which anticipates a final investment decision in 2026. Other projects such as the Galp-led Mopane development are also driving this production timeline. The company has made a string of discoveries at its exploration wells at the Mopane field – situated in PEL 93 -, with the latest made in February 2025. These discoveries have revealed the potential of over 10 billion barrels of oil.

Additional exploration campaigns in the Orange basin include in PEL 85, where energy company Rhino Resources is exploring. Energy services firm Halliburton announced the delivery of two exploration wells at Block 2914 in PEL 85 in May 2025. This follows a discovery made by Rhino Resources at the Capricornus-1X well in April 2025 and the confirmation of a hydrocarbon reservoir at the Sagittarius-1X well in February 2025. Other players such as Stamper Oil & Gas Corp and Pancontinental are also pursuing exploration projects, with interests in the Orange basin’s Block 2712A and PEL 87, respectively.

Beyond the Orange basin, Stamper Oil & Gas Corp secured stakes in Block 2914B in the Lüderitz Basin in 2025, as well as Blocks 2213, Block 2011B and Block 2111A in the Walvis Basin. The Lüderitz asset is situated in the southern part of the basin, with drilling expected to start in 2025. Energy major Chevron also acquired an 80% operating stake in Blocks 2112B and 2212A in the Walvis Basin, highlighting the level of global interest in Namibian assets. The country is also accelerating the development of the Kudu gas field – spearheaded by BW Energy. The field is situated in PEL 003 and, following completion, will be a key gas-to-power project in Namibia, utilizing a floating production unit to harness gas resources from the Kudu prospect. An appraisal well is set to be spud in late 2025, targeting the Kharaas Prospect in the north-west section of the Kudu formation.

Namibia is also making a strong play for onshore exploration, with campaigns led by energy company ReconAfrica. With stakes in the onshore Kavango basin, ReconAfrica is advancing its 2024 drilling campaign, targeting 3.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the Damara Fold Belt. Preparations are underway to spud a second exploration well. The company has since raised C$18 million to finance exploration activities, including drilling the Kavango West 1X well. The well targets 346 million barrels of gross unrisked prospective crude oil and 1,839 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Drilling is set to commence after rig mobilization – planned for June/July 2025, pending final permits. These exploration campaigns have not only unlocked opportunities for domestic oil and gas production, but highlighted the level of commercial opportunity available in Namibia’s oil and gas sector.

Beyond upstream, the country is also aligning investments with broader goals of enhancing fuel security through modernized infrastructure. Notably, Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery is expected to construct a 1.6-million-barrel fuel storage facility in Namibia. A tripartite agreement was also signed between the Namibian ports Authority and the respective national oil companies of Angola and Namibia to establish an integrated logistics base in Namibia. These introduce strategic opportunities for youth across the entire oil and gas value chain and the upcoming Youth in Oil & Gas Summit will outline opportunities, challenges and potential collaborations.

“This is our opportunity to promote youth and encourage them to be drivers of the future. Namibia is on track for rapid growth across its oil and gas, but without youth, it will fail to unlock the full potential of the sector. This is the time to establish mechanisms that encourage participation, foster inclusion and place collaboration at the forefront of development,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Guerre au Soudan : l’Unicef condamne des attaques qui ont coûté la vie à 35 enfants

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Au moins 24 garçons, 11 filles et deux femmes enceintes figureraient parmi les victimes de ces violences, qui se sont produites ce week-end dans des communautés situées autour de la ville de Bara, notamment dans les villages de Shag Alnom et Hilat Hamid.

L’UNICEF craint que le nombre d’enfants victimes n’augmente encore, car des dizaines d’autres ont été blessés et beaucoup sont toujours portés disparus.

« Un mépris total pour la vie humaine »

« Ces attaques sont scandaleuses », a déclaré la Directrice executive Catherine Russell dans un communiqué publié mardi.

« Elles représentent une escalade terrifiante de la violence et un mépris total pour la vie humaine, le droit international humanitaire et les principes les plus fondamentaux de l’humanité. »

Anciens alliés devenus rivaux, les Forces armées soudanaises (SAF) et les Forces de soutien rapide (RSF), une milice paramilitaire, se disputent le contrôle du pays depuis avril 2023. Les combats se sont récemment intensifiés dans la région du Kordofan, qui comprend trois États.

Mettre fin à la violence dès maintenant

« L’UNICEF condamne ces attaques avec la plus grande fermeté », a déclaré Mme Russell.

Elle a appelé toutes les parties à mettre fin immédiatement à la violence et à respecter leurs obligations en vertu du droit international, y compris le droit international humanitaire, ainsi que les principes de distinction, de proportionnalité et de précaution.

La cheffe de l’UNICEF a souligné que les civils – en particulier les enfants – ne doivent jamais être pris pour cible. En outre, toutes les violations présumées doivent faire l’objet d’enquêtes indépendantes et leurs auteurs doivent être traduits en justice.

« L’impunité ne peut être tolérée pour les violations du droit international, en particulier lorsque la vie d’enfants est en jeu », a-t-elle déclaré.

Mme Russell a présenté les condoléances les plus sincères de l’agence aux familles des victimes et à toutes les personnes touchées par ces violences odieuses.

« Aucun enfant ne devrait jamais subir de telles horreurs », a-t-elle déclaré. « La violence à l’encontre des enfants est inadmissible et doit cesser immédiatement. »

Distribué par APO Group pour UN News.

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Solidarité policière en soutien aux victimes du drame de Boganda

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Dans un élan de solidarité et guidé par le devoir de servir, le Réseau des femmes de la police de la MINUSCA (UNPOL Women Network), en collaboration étroite avec les femmes des Forces de sécurité intérieure (FSI), a symboliquement remis, le 14 juillet 2025, un lot de dons au Centre national hospitalier universitaire de Bangui (CNHUB). Outre des médicaments, le lot est composé de kits médicaux, d’hygiène et de denrées alimentaires.

Cette initiative vise à soutenir les élèves blessés lors de la tragédie survenue le 25 juin 2025 au Lycée Barthélémy Boganda, où l’explosion d’un transformateur électrique avait causé des pertes en vies humaines et fait plusieurs blessés parmi les candidats au baccalauréat.

Le directeur de l’hôpital, Dr Zakaria Abdel Karim, a salué cet élan de générosité : « Au nom de la direction du CNHUB et du ministère de la Santé, je tiens à exprimer ma profonde gratitude au Réseau des femmes de la police de la MINUSCA pour ce don précieux, qui renforce nos capacités de prise en charge gratuite des victimes et illustre un partenariat exemplaire, aligné avec la vision présidentielle d’une santé de proximité ».

Un geste qui va au-delà des uniformes

Pour Carole Guieke, présidente du Réseau des femmes UNPOL, cette action est une réponse instinctive et profondément humaine à la souffrance collective. « Dès que nous avons appris la tragédie du Lycée Boganda, nous avons ressenti l’appel du devoir, non pas en tant que fonctionnaires, mais en tant que femmes et mères. Ce don est un message d’amour, de réconfort et de soutien aux familles meurtries. Et surtout, cela s’inscrit dans le cadre de notre mission de protection des civils », a-t-elle déclaré.

Dans un esprit de sororité policière, les femmes des FSI ont activement participé à cette mobilisation, témoignant d’une solidarité renforcée. « Nous avons été profondément touchées par ce drame. Ce don est modeste, mais il est le fruit de notre engagement en tant que femmes, policières et mères », a renchéri la Sergente Pauline Yamba, point focal Genre de la police centrafricaine.

Sentiment partagé par la Maréchale des logis-chef Jeanne Magna, représentante des femmes gendarmes, selon qui « Ce geste de nos collègues de la MINUSCA nous va droit au cœur. Il montre que la solidarité policière ne connaît pas de frontières, surtout dans la douleur ».

Aux côtés de ses collègues, la cheffe d’état-major de la police de la MINUSCA, Brenda Chinomso, a indiqué que « ce don, bien que modeste, incarne l’essence même de notre engagement au sein de la MINUSCA : être aux côtés des populations dans les moments de peine comme de paix. Le geste de nos collègues du Réseau UNPol est une démonstration tangible de la solidarité internationale et de notre responsabilité partagée envers ceux qui souffrent ».

En unissant leurs forces, le Réseau des femmes UNPOL et les femmes des FSI illustrent de manière concrète que la sécurité humaine va bien au-delà du maintien de l’ordre ; elle touche aussi au soin, au réconfort et à la solidarité

Distribué par APO Group pour Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

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How Africa’s First Group of Twenty (G20) is Mainstreaming Gender

Source: APO


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The G20 is a global economic forum with the potential to transform lives for women and girls globally. Here’s why South Africa’s leadership in 2025 represents a pivotal moment. We asked UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office Programme Analyst Neo Mofokeng how South Africa’s 2025 presidency could advance gender equality.

What is the G20, and why should women care?

The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum for governments and central bank governors from 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union. It was established in 1999 to bring together the world’s major economies to discuss and promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth. It brings together the world’s largest economies, representing 67 per cent of the global population and 85 per cent of global GDP. When G20 countries make decisions, they don’t just affect stock markets; they directly impact whether women can access credit to start businesses, find decent jobs, or receive social protection during crises. From climate financing to digital transformation, the G20’s policies ripple through national economies, determining whether women are empowered or excluded from economic opportunities. When these countries and regional entities commit to gender-responsive policies, the effects are systemic, not symbolic.

What makes South Africa’s G20 presidency historic?

South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025 marks a critical moment as it is the first time an African country has led the forum. This leadership comes just five years before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing renewed urgency to accelerate progress on SDGs, particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa’s presidency directly aligns with the global agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is worth noting that South Africa has prioritized debt sustainability for low-income countries – a key gender justice issue, as debt crises often trigger austerity measures that disproportionately affect women and girls by reducing access to healthcare, education, and social protection.

What does gender mainstreaming mean in the G20 context?

While the G20 includes a dedicated Working Group on Women’s Empowerment, true progress requires gender mainstreaming, which is the embedding of gender perspectives across all working groups, not just the one explicitly focused on women’s issues. This means finance ministers considering how monetary policies affect women differently, infrastructure discussions evaluating women’s mobility and safety, and trade negotiations assessing impacts on women entrepreneurs. There is no such thing as gender-neutral economic policy – all decisions have differentiated impacts on women and men.

What are the priorities for gender mainstreaming for this year’s G20?

To carry forward the Global South priorities from the previous G20 presidencies of Indonesia, India, and Brazil, the following priorities were adopted as the focus areas for gender mainstreaming into this G20 presidency. The first priority is to shift policy perspectives on the care economy around paid and unpaid care work and household responsibilities. The second is to promote financial inclusion of and for women, and the third priority is to address gender-based violence and femicide, which threaten the lives and livelihoods of women.

How is progress on gender equality measured in the G20?

Despite the growing recognition of the importance of gender equality, tracking progress remains challenging. The most prominent commitment is the 2014 “25×25 goal”, reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25 per cent by 2025. As this deadline approaches, it serves as a critical test case for G20 accountability. However, other dimensions like unpaid care work, gender-based violence, and women’s leadership receive less attention. Gender-related commitments sometimes appear in one year’s declaration but vanish in the next, making long-term progress difficult to track. This is another reason why mainstreaming gender in the G20 is so important.

What makes the G20’s influence on gender equality so significant?

In a world of countless international forums, the G20’s influence is unmatched. When G20 countries commit to closing gender gaps in labour force participation or expanding women’s access to finance, the ripple effects shift global economic patterns and influence international norms far beyond G20 borders. The G20 serves as a strategic lever with the capacity to drive policy coherence by integrating gender equality across economic, climate, and digital agendas, foster shared accountability through joint monitoring, and mobilize financing with intent, ensuring gender equality is resourced, not just referenced.

What is UN Women’s role in the G20 process?

UN Women plays a pivotal role by advocating for gender mainstreaming across all G20 policy areas, providing technical expertise and data to working groups, and engaging with key stakeholders like the Women 20 (W20) engagement group. The organization works to ensure that gender perspectives are systematically mainstreamed into G20 discussions, communiqués, and policy frameworks, with a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and ending violence against women and girls.

How has UN Women supported South Africa’s G20 presidency?

UN Women, through its South Africa Multi-Country Office, has provided comprehensive technical and financial support to the South African Government, made possible by backing from The Ford Foundation, the Government of Ireland, and the UN Women Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. This support has been crucial in advancing gender equality within South Africa’s G20 agenda.

  • Youth Engagement: In February 2025, UN Women partnered with the South African Institute of International Affairs youth division to organize the “Bridging the Gap for Global Impact” workshop in Johannesburg, bringing together 150 young leaders aged 18-25. The workshop provided tools for effectively engaging decision-makers and included panel discussions on gender advocacy, enabling participants to develop strategies for promoting gender equality.
  • Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities: In March 2025, UN Women hosted a dialogue on “Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities for a Gender-Equal World” in Pretoria, bringing together 150 students from universities, technical and vocational education and training institutions, and high schools. This dialogue compiled youth recommendations for the Women’s Empowerment Ministerial Working Group meeting.
  • Technical Working Group Support: UN Women provided crucial support to all three Empowerment of Women Working Group meetings throughout 2025. The February virtual meeting focused on setting the priorities of the care economy, financial inclusion, and gender-based violence. The May meeting in Sun City emphasized advancing financial inclusion and developing a Guidelines Framework for mainstreaming women’s priorities in global financial systems. The July meeting at Kruger National Park concentrated on the care economy – recognizing, reducing, and redistributing care work.
  • Private Sector Engagement: UN Women supported a groundbreaking Private Sector Breakfast in May, bringing together corporate leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to align business practices with G20 gender equality goals. Grounded in the Women’s Empowerment Principles, this initiative moved beyond symbolic participation to actionable commitments.
  • Disability Inclusion: Additionally, UN Women supported disability inclusion initiatives and the W20 inception meeting, demonstrating comprehensive engagement across all aspects of South Africa’s gender equality agenda.

What does success look like for gender equality in the G20?

Success in 2025 means moving beyond rhetoric to gender-transformative policies with robust accountability mechanisms. It requires recognizing gender as intersectional, addressing the diverse experiences of all women and gender-diverse individuals across lines of race, class, disability, and age. At the current pace, it will take over 123 years to close gender gaps globally. The G20 has the power to change this trajectory, but only if gender equality becomes a lived reality, not just a shared goal.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

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South Africa: Committee on Health Receives Inputs on Tobacco Bill from Lesedi Black Business Forum and World Vapers Alliance

Source: APO


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The Portfolio Committee on Health has received briefings from the Lesedi Black Business Forum (LBBF) and the World Vapers Alliance (WVA) on the Tobacco and Electronic Delivery System Control Bill.

The LBBF supported the objectives of the Bill but called for a balance between public health and economic considerations. It said it has interacted with the Department of Health, via an online workshop organised by the department in 2020 but the LBBF is disappointed that the issues it raised in that workshop are not reflected in the final draft Bill submitted to Parliament.

On regulation, it said it supports efforts to reduce smoking in South Africa. Mr Lobi of the LBBF said a smarter, more practical approach is required to achieve the Bill’s goal while avoiding harm to communities and businesses in the process. He urged the government to focus more on stopping the out-of-control illicit tobacco trade, which harms young people and the poor the most.

The LBBF said the government should work on preventing young people from smoking by using behavioural and educational programmes, as was done in the past with HIV/Aids awareness campaigns, for instance. These programmes are key to finding a lasting solution to reducing smoking.

Mr Lobi said: “We have a problem with the criminalisation of smokers. Treating smokers as criminals is unfair and ineffective, and we encourage a more supportive approach to help them quit.”

The LBBF emphasised that in their local municipality, tobacco manufacturing is an anchor industry but it is being jeopardised by the Bill, should it be adopted as it is. Mr Lobi added: “Beyond specific Lesedi consideration, the Bill fails to account for the commercial interests of small traders that dot the South African landscape due to lack of employment opportunities.”

The WVA is concerned that the Bill equates vaping with smoking. Provisions such as flavour bans, advertising restrictions, plain packaging and public use bans exacerbate the situation. Overregulation may drive consumers back to smoking or the illicit market. Notably, WVA said the Bill fails to acknowledge vaping as a tool for harm reduction. The WVA in its briefing submitted evidence from Sweden, demonstrating a remarkable 55% decline in smoking rates over the past decade.

Committee chairperson Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said inputs made during the public engagement process will be taken into consideration and applied when the committee starts its deliberation on the Bill after consultations with the public are completed.

The objective of the Bill is to strengthen public health protection measures, align South African tobacco control law with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and repeal the Tobacco Control Act of 1993 and its amendments.

Key provisions in the Bill include the introduction of 100 percent smoke-free indoor public places and certain outdoor areas; a ban on the sale of cigarettes through vending machines; the implementation of plain packaging with graphic health warnings; a ban on the display of products at points of sale; and the regulation and control of electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems.

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