Africa – Page 1068 – MIL Africa Engine

November 10, 2025

What will it take to make Africa food secure? G20 group points to trade, resilient supply chains and sustainable farming

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Wandile Sihlobo, Senior Fellow, Department of Agricultural Economics, Stellenbosch University

The Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems work stream of the Business 20, a G20 engagement group, has endorsed three principles that it argues will contribute to the building of sustainable food systems and agriculture. The principles are increased trade, resilient supply chains, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo explains these three principles and how African countries can put them to good use.

What is global food security? How does it differ from food poverty?

Global food security is more comprehensive, seeking to address the challenges of access to food, nutrition, sustainability and affordability. The broad ambition of global food security is to ensure that countries, especially the G20 members, work collaboratively on initiatives that reduce global poverty levels. This reduction of poverty must be material at both national and at household level.

Achieving this goal will demand that each country’s domestic agricultural policy enables increases in food production, prioritises environmentally friendly production approaches, and eases trade friction. This will enable countries that cannot produce enough food to import it, and most importantly, do so affordably. Also, countries should ease the global logistics friction, removing tariffs and ensuring that a flow of agricultural products is smooth. This also includes the removal of export bans in certain cases. For example, in 2023, India banned the exports of rice and that caused a surge in global food prices.

It is for this reason that I have championed the approach of “achieving food security through trade”. Such an approach is essential in an environment characterised by trade friction, which generally increases transaction costs for all. Ultimately, the goal of improving global food security seeks to improve the living standards for all, with the focus on the poor regions of the world, mainly Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

How can increased trade, resilient supply chains and sustainable agricultural practices enhance food security?

These interventions are at the heart of easing costs. If trade friction (tariffs, non-tariff barriers and export bans) are eased, we are able to lower the transaction costs of getting the goods from the production areas to the consumption points affordably.

Resilient supply chains also mean that food can be produced, processed and transferred to consumption points with less friction even in times of natural disasters and conflicts.

Sustainable agricultural practices are at the core of the food system. Still, this does not mean a move away from improved seed cultivars and genetics, and elimination of agro-chemicals and other inputs. It mainly refers to using them better.

I have noted a troubling trend of activism that seeks to eliminate agricultural inputs, a path that would lead to lower agricultural productivity and output, and eventually worsen hunger. The key should be safe and optimal use of these inputs.

In the recent farm protests in the European Union, the EU’s regulatory approach to sustainable farming practices was one of the issues farmers raised as the major risk. They cited the EU’s Green Deal, which aimed to accelerate the reduction of the use of inputs, such as pesticides, fertilisers and certain other chemicals, that are critical for increased production.

In my view, the G20 should guard against activist moves that are dangerous to global food security.

What specific policies should countries, especially African nations, put in place to ensure the success of these principles?

South Africa and the African Union, which are both G20 members, should push for three broad interventions in agriculture to achieve the three G20 principles and boost food production that could benefit the African continent.

1. Climate-smart farming

First, there should be a strong call for sharing knowledge on climate-smart agricultural practices. These are new innovations and ways of farming that minimise the damage to crops caused by climate-related disasters like drought and heatwaves. This is important because Africa is very vulnerable to natural disasters.

For African agriculture to take off, governments must set up co-ordinated policies on how to respond to disasters. These responses must include everything African countries need to mitigate climate-related disasters, adapt to climate change, and recover quickly when disasters hit.

2. Trade reform

Second, Africa must push for a reform of the global trading system, and to improve food security in Africa through trade. South Africa already enjoys deeper access to agricultural trade with several G20 economies through lower tariffs and some tariff free access.

It is in the interests of all G20 members to ensure open trade among the nations of the world. Open agricultural trade enables countries to buy and sell agricultural produce at lower prices. This is vital in the current environment where some nations are taking a more confrontational approach to trade.

African countries whose agriculture is less productive, with generally lower or poor crop yields, may not benefit as much in the short term from open trade. They will, however, benefit in the long run.

3. Improve access to fertilisers

Third, Africa should continue prioritising discussions about improving fertiliser manufacturing and trade. Sub-Saharan African countries have poor fertiliser access and usage. Yet, greater fertiliser adoption is a key input to increased food production and therefore a reduction in food insecurity. Access to affordable finance is also a challenge for African agriculture.

Therefore, linking discussions on fertiliser with investments in network industries such as roads and ports is key. It is one thing to have fertilisers available, but moving them to areas of farming is difficult in some countries, and increases the costs for farmers. As part of this, the G20 should drive localised production.

Producing fertiliser on the continent would lessen the negative impact of global price shocks. It would also make it affordable for even the most vulnerable African countries to buy and distribute fertiliser.

Where do you suggest the balance is between more efficient agricultural production and reducing agriculture’s contribution to climate change?

We must use technology to adapt to climate change rather than demonising the use of agrochemicals and seed breeding, which certainly is a rising trend in some areas in South Africa. If we use high yielding seed cultivars, fertilisers and agrochemicals to control diseases, we can then farm a relatively smaller area, and rely on ample output.

But if we reduce these inputs substantially, we rely more on expansion of the area we plant. Tilling more land means hurting the environment. The main focus should be the optimal and safe use of agricultural inputs to improving increase food production. This is key to achieving global food security.

The G20 has a role to play in ensuring that we are moving towards a better world. These agricultural principles we outline above are some of the approaches that could help us move towards a more food secure and better world.

– What will it take to make Africa food secure? G20 group points to trade, resilient supply chains and sustainable farming
– https://theconversation.com/what-will-it-take-to-make-africa-food-secure-g20-group-points-to-trade-resilient-supply-chains-and-sustainable-farming-267653

November 10, 2025

Harare’s street traders create their own system to survive in the city

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Elmond Bandauko, Assistant Professor of Human Geography, University of Alberta

The informal sector has become a dominant source of livelihoods for urban residents in African cities. Within this sector, street trading is one of the most visible and vital components of urban economies.

In Zimbabwe’s capital city, too, street traders, selling clothing, snacks, fruits and vegetables, household goods, electronics and many other products, are a dominant feature in the economy. As in most African cities, the majority of Harare’s traders operate without licences, and they are often victims of municipal raids and displacements. Yet, despite this hostile environment, street trading continues to flourish.

How do traders organise themselves in such a difficult setting? Who decides who sells where? And how is order maintained in a space where the state’s control is weak or repressive?

I am an urban geographer whose work focuses on urban informality and governance in African cities. These questions are at the heart of a study that was part of my doctoral research on urban governance and the spatial politics of street traders in Harare. I am especially interested in how the urban poor wield their individual and collective agency to challenge urban exclusion.

Drawing on interviews and focus groups with traders in Harare’s central business district, the research explores the invisible systems of informal governance that regulate access to trading spaces. The study shows that street trading is structured by its own internal rules, norms and power relations.

Informality is not the absence of order. It is a different kind of order, rooted in everyday negotiation, social trust, and the shared struggle to survive in an unequal city.

I concluded that city authorities and others should recognise that these informal governance systems are legitimate, and can even be useful when it comes to formalising activities in the city. Ignoring them could lead to conflict and deeper inequalities.

Systems of organisation

Zimbabwe’s economy as a whole has been unstable over the past four decades. As a result, the informal economy has become very important. The relationship between urban authorities and street traders has always been antagonistic, however. That conflict has been the focus of most of the research on street trading. Harare’s city officials, like those in many other African cities, often treat traders as illegal, criminal, or a threat to “modern” urban order.

My research takes a different view: I shift attention away from state repression to the everyday systems of organisation and control that traders themselves have developed.

I conducted 19 semi-structured interviews and three focus groups with traders, to learn about their individual strategies and shared social mechanisms for keeping order on the streets.

Traders in Harare use informal governance mechanisms – unwritten rules, social norms and personal relationships – to decide who can occupy which space, for how long, and under what conditions. These community-based systems are built on mutual recognition and trust, but also shaped by hierarchy, gender and seniority.

Claiming and defending space

The interviews reveal that the most important rule for maintaining order is consistency. Traders often stay in the same spot for years – sometimes decades – to build customer loyalty and to assert their informal claim.

As one vendor explained:

I stay in the same spot so that people always know where to find me … When everyone sticks to their usual place, it reduces disputes.

This practice, described by another scholar, Asef Bayat, as “quiet encroachment”, involves small, everyday acts of claiming space without formal permission. Over time, these acts become socially recognised by other traders and even by local residents or shopkeepers. If a new vendor tries to take over someone’s space, existing traders usually intervene before conflict escalates.

As one woman put it:

No one can just occupy the space without our permission.

This peer-enforced control system maintains order but also reinforces informal hierarchies.

Leadership and street apprenticeship

Although there are no official leaders, senior traders – those with long experience or strong social influence – often act as custodians of space. They mediate disputes, mentor newcomers and enforce unspoken rules.

Market, Harare. Shack Dwellers International, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

New entrants typically undergo an informal “street apprenticeship”, during which they learn how to operate, when to display goods, how to evade municipal police, and whom to approach for protection. Newcomers cannot simply choose a spot and start selling. They must seek the approval of those already established. This process reflects an internalised authority system rooted in social norms rather than written law.

Social networks and inheritance

The study also uncovers how social capital – networks of trust, kinship and friendship – plays a central role in accessing space.

Many traders gain their first selling spot through relatives or friends who are already part of the informal economy. In this way, street trading becomes an intergenerational practice, often “inherited” from parents or grandparents.

One participant explained that her grandmother had traded in the same area for decades, and when she lost her formal job, she joined the family business. Others said they felt morally obliged to reserve a deceased vendor’s spot for their children or relatives.

Competition and exclusion

However, these systems are not equal or fair. Power among traders is unevenly distributed. Long-term vendors and those with strong social connections often dominate lucrative areas, while newcomers (especially young people, women and persons with disabilities) struggle to gain a foothold.

For example, male traders often control spots near busy transport hubs, which are more profitable but also riskier. Women, who are concerned about safety or need to balance caregiving duties, tend to occupy less visible areas. One visually impaired trader said he relied on others to protect his spot, showing how trust and vulnerability shape spatial access.

There are also reports of traders using aggressive tactics to defend their territory. Some long-time vendors admitted to “chasing away” new sellers or even tipping off municipal officers to get competitors arrested. These practices reveal how informal governance can both protect livelihoods and reproduce exclusion.

Everyday politics and quiet power

My study shows that power in Harare’s informal economy is not only top-down, from the state to the traders, but also horizontal, negotiated among the traders themselves.

Those with seniority or strong networks act as gatekeepers, deciding who can sell where. Women traders often face verbal or physical harassment from male counterparts but also develop their own strategies of resistance: confronting aggressors, forming alliances, or using moral arguments about fairness to defend their right to trade. These acts of quiet defiance demonstrate that informal governance is a site of both control and agency.

Beyond stereotypes of chaos

What emerges from this research is a more nuanced picture of Harare’s informal economy. Street traders are not simply victims of a repressive state or chaotic actors in an unregulated market. They are also self-organising agents who build complex systems of order, reciprocity and social regulation in the absence of formal protection.

At the same time, these systems are not utopian. They involve competition, hierarchy and exclusion. Informal governance is both a survival mechanism and a structure of power.

Understanding this duality is crucial for policymakers who wish to design fairer urban policies.

– Harare’s street traders create their own system to survive in the city
– https://theconversation.com/harares-street-traders-create-their-own-system-to-survive-in-the-city-268996

November 10, 2025

Le Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA) annonce un investissement stratégique en faveur de Spiro en vue d’accélérer la transition de la mobilité électrique en Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA), la branche d’investissement à impact sur le développement de la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export-(Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), a annoncé un investissement de 75 millions de dollars au profit de Spiro, le premier assembleur électrique de deux roues en Afrique, disposant de l’infrastructure d’échange de batteries à la croissance la plus rapide. Cet investissement est entièrement aligné sur la stratégie automobile globale d’Afreximbank, qui vise à développer des écosystèmes manufacturiers intégrés en favorisant des partenariats stratégiques sur l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur, des fournisseurs de technologie aux champions industriels locaux.

L’investissement intervient à un moment charnière, bénéficiant des politiques de véhicules pro-électriques sur les principaux marchés africains qui créent un environnement propice à l’adoption de la mobilité propre. Dans ce contexte, Spiro occupe une position unique pour se développer rapidement, en tirant parti de son modèle commercial éprouvé et en développant son infrastructure d’échange de batteries afin de devenir un moteur clé de la transition de l’Afrique vers un avenir plus propre et plus efficace en matière de mobilité.

Le Dr George Elombi, Président d’Afreximbank et du Conseil d’administration de la Banque et du FEDA, a déclaré :

«Je suis ravi que le partenariat entre la FEDA et Spiro ait désormais été finalisé. Avec ce partenariat, la Banque jette les bases d’une nouvelle ère pour le commerce et l’industrialisation intra-africains en stimulant la fabrication locale de véhicules, en renforçant l’intégration régionale et en améliorant les flux commerciaux. Il favorise, de manière significative, le transfert de compétences et de technologie, tout en créant des opportunités d’emploi et en réduisant la dépendance du continent aux véhicules d’occasion importés».

Gagan Gupta, Fondateur de Spiro, a déclaré : « Nous sommes fiers d’accueillir le FEDA en tant qu’investisseur stratégique au moment où nous accélérons la mission de Spiro de transformer la mobilité, le stockage et la distribution d’énergie à travers l’Afrique. L’expansion rapide de Spiro sur de nouveaux marchés témoigne du fort appétit du continent pour des transports propres, abordables et efficaces. En développant notre infrastructure d’échange de batteries et en intégrant des sources d’énergie renouvelables à notre mix énergétique, nous sommes en mesure de générer un potentiel de croissance important pour la distribution d’énergie de Spiro ».

Marlène Ngoyi, Directrice générale du FEDA, a affirmé : « Le succès rencontré par Spiro à ce jour témoigne de la solidité et de l’évolutivité de son modèle économique. La croissance rapide de l’entreprise et son adoption massive par le marché soulignent la forte demande de solutions de mobilité abordables et durables en Afrique. Grâce à son approche intégrée, Spiro a construit une plateforme à la fois commercialement viable et socialement responsable ».

Le Professeur Benedict Oramah, ancien Président de d’Afreximbank, a déclaré : « Je suis ravi que le partenariat entre le FEDA et Spiro soit maintenant en vigueur. Grâce à ce partenariat, la Banque jette les bases d’une nouvelle ère pour le commerce et l’industrialisation intra-africains en stimulant la production locale de véhicules, en renforçant l’intégration régionale et en améliorant les flux commerciaux. Surtout, ce partenariat favorise le transfert de compétences et de technologies, crée des emplois et réduit la dépendance du continent aux véhicules d’occasion importés».

Fondée en 2022, Spiro exploite le réseau d’échange de batteries le plus vaste et à la croissance la plus rapide d’Afrique, avec plus de 60 000 motos électriques et 1 200 stations d’échange. L’entreprise a développé un modèle conçu pour accélérer la transition énergétique et abandonner les transports basés sur les énergies fossiles, tout en améliorant l’efficacité énergétique, en réduisant les émissions urbaines et en facilitant l’accès à une mobilité abordable pour des millions d’Africains.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact Presse :
Vincent Musumba
Responsable des communications et de la gestion événementielle (Relations presse)
Courriel : press@afreximbank.com

À propos du FEDA :
Le Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (« FEDA ») est la filiale d’investissement à impact d’Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), créée pour fournir des capitaux propres, des quasi-fonds propres et des capitaux d’emprunt afin de financer le déficit de financement de plusieurs milliards de dollars (en particulier en capitaux propres) nécessaire pour transformer le secteur du commerce en Afrique. Le FEDA poursuit une stratégie d’investissement multisectorielle le long de la chaîne de valeur du commerce intra-africain, du développement des exportations à valeur ajoutée et de la fabrication, qui comprend les services financiers, la technologie, les biens de consommation et de détail, l’industrie manufacturière, le transport et la logistique, l’agro-industrie, ainsi que les infrastructures auxiliaires d’appui au commerce, telles que les parcs industriels. À ce jour, la FEDA a investi plus de 1, 3 milliards de dollars dans des entreprises et des projets dans le cadre de ses différentes initiatives de fonds, dans des secteurs tels que l’industrie manufacturière, l’agroalimentaire, les services financiers, les soins de santé et les produits pharmaceutiques, entre autres.

À propos d’Afreximbank :
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) est une institution financière multilatérale panafricaine dédiée au financement et à la promotion du commerce intra et extra-africain. Depuis 30 ans, Afreximbank déploie des structures innovantes pour fournir des solutions de financement qui facilitent la transformation de la structure du commerce africain et accélèrent l’industrialisation et le commerce intrarégional, soutenant ainsi l’expansion économique en Afrique. Fervente défenseur de l’Accord sur la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), Afreximbank a lancé les le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) qui a été adopté par l’Union africaine (UA) comme la plateforme de paiement et de règlement devant appuyer la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf. En collaboration avec le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf et l’UA, la Banque a mis en place un Fonds d’ajustement de 10 milliards de dollars US pour aider les pays à participer de manière effective à la ZLECAf. À la fin de décembre 2024, le total des actifs et des garanties de la Banque s’élevait à environ 40,1 milliards de dollars US et les fonds de ses actionnaires s’établissaient à 7,2 milliards de dollars US. Afreximbank est notée A par GCR International Scale, Baa2 par Moody’s, AAA par China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), A- par Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) et BBB par Fitch. Au fil des ans, Afreximbank est devenue un groupe constitué de la Banque, de sa filiale de financement à impact appelée Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA), et de sa filiale de gestion d’assurance, AfrexInsure, (les trois entités forment « le Groupe »). La Banque a son siège social au Caire, en Égypte.

À propos de Spiro :
Spiro, la plus grande entreprise de mobilité électrique d’Afrique, exploite le réseau d’échange de batteries à la croissance la plus rapide dans six pays du continent. Spiro a pour ambition de transformer les économies africaines en remplaçant les transports coûteux, basés sur les énergies fossiles importées, par des solutions de mobilité électrique abordables et accessibles, fabriquées localement en Afrique, par des Africains, pour l’Afrique et le monde. À ce jour, Spiro a permis de parcourir plus de 800 milliards de kilomètres sans émissions de CO2, a réalisé plus de 26 millions d’échanges de batteries et exploite plus de 1 200 stations d’échange, avec plus de 60 000 motos électriques en circulation. Grâce à son réseau de production régional en expansion et à ses usines d’assemblage fonctionnelles en Ouganda, au Kenya, au Nigeria et au Rwanda, Spiro s’engage à fournir des solutions de mobilité électrique abordables et fabriquées localement à grande échelle dans toute l’Afrique. Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter : www.SpiroNet.com.

November 10, 2025

O Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA) Anuncia Investimento Estratégico na Spiro para Acelerar a Transição para a Mobilidade Eléctrica em África

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), o braço de investimento de impacto em capital de desenvolvimento do Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), anunciou um investimento de 75 milhões de dólares na Spiro, a principal montadora de veículos eléctricos de duas rodas de África, com a infra-estrutura de troca de baterias que mais cresce no continente. Este investimento está totalmente alinhado com a estratégia automóvel mais ampla do Afreximbank, que visa desenvolver ecossistemas de fabrico integrados, promovendo parcerias estratégicas em toda a cadeia de valor, desde fornecedores de tecnologia a líderes industriais locais.

O investimento surge num momento crucial, beneficiando de políticas favoráveis aos veículos eléctricos nos principais mercados africanos, que estão a criar um ambiente propício à adopção da mobilidade limpa. Neste contexto, a Spiro está numa posição única de crescer rapidamente, aproveitando o seu modelo de negócio comprovado e expandindo a infra-estrutura de troca de baterias para se tornar um motor fundamental da transição de África para um futuro de mobilidade mais limpa e eficiente.

O Dr. George Elombi, Presidente do Afreximbank e Presidente do Conselho de Administração do Afreximbank e do FEDA, comentou: “

“Estou encantado que a parceria entre a FEDA e a Spiro tenha sido agora consumada. Com esta parceria, o Banco está a lançar as bases para uma nova era de comércio e industrialização intra-africanos ao estimular o fabrico local de veículos, reforçar a integração regional e aumentar os fluxos comerciais. O mais importante é que fomenta a transferência de competências e tecnologia, bem como cria oportunidades de emprego e reduz a dependência do continente em relação aos veículos de segunda mão importados.”

Gagan Gupta, fundador da Spiro, afirmou: “Estamos orgulhosos em receber o FEDA como investidor estratégico, à medida que aceleramos o crescimento da missão da Spiro de transformar a mobilidade, o armazenamento e a distribuição de energia em toda África. A rápida expansão da Spiro para novos mercados reflecte o forte apetite do continente por transportes limpos, acessíveis e eficientes. À medida que expandimos a nossa infra-estrutura de troca de baterias e integramos fontes de energia renováveis na nossa matriz energética, estamos posicionados para desbloquear um potencial substancial na distribuição de energia da Spiro.”

Marlene Ngoyi, Director Executivo do FEDA, observou: “O sucesso da Spiro até à data é uma demonstração clara da força e escalabilidade do seu modelo de negócio. O rápido crescimento da empresa e a forte adopção pelo mercado sublinham a procura significativa por soluções de mobilidade acessíveis e sustentáveis em toda África. Com a sua abordagem integrada, a Spiro construiu uma plataforma que é comercialmente viável e socialmente impactante.”

O Professor Benedict Oramah, antigo Presidente do Afreximbank, comentou: “Estou muito satisfeito pelo facto da parceria entre o FEDA e a Spiro ter sido agora consumada. Com esta parceria, o Banco está a lançar as bases para uma nova era de comércio e industrialização intra-africanos, estimulando a fabricação local de veículos, reforçando a integração regional e aumentando os fluxos comerciais. É importante referir que promove a transferência de competências e tecnologia, além de criar oportunidades de emprego e reduzir a dependência do continente em relação aos veículos usados importados.”

Fundada em 2022, a Spiro opera a rede de troca de baterias mais extensa e de mais rápido crescimento em África, com mais de 60.000 motociclos eléctricos e 1.200 estações de troca. A empresa criou um modelo concebido para acelerar a transição para longe dos transportes à base de combustíveis fósseis, melhorando igualmente a eficiência energética, reduzindo as emissões urbanas e expandindo o acesso a mobilidade a preços acessíveis para milhões de africanos.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto para a Imprensa:
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com os Meios de Comunicação Social)
Correio Electrónico: press@afreximbank.com

Sobre o FEDA:
O Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA) é a subsidiária de investimento de impacto do Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), criado para fornecer capital próprio, quase-capital e capital de dívida para financiar o défice de financiamento de vários milhares de milhões de dólares (especialmente em capital próprio) necessário para transformar o sector do comércio em África. O FEDA segue uma estratégia de investimento multissectorial ao longo do comércio intra-africano, desenvolvimento de exportações de valor acrescentado e cadeia de valor da indústria transformadora, que inclui serviços financeiros, tecnologia, bens de consumo e retalho, indústria transformadora, transportes e logística, agro-negócio, bem como infra-estruturas auxiliares que permitem o comércio, tais como parques industriais. Até à data, o FEDA investiu mais de 1,3 mil milhões de dólares em empresas e projectos através das suas várias iniciativas de financiamento, em sectores como a indústria transformadora, a transformação agrícola, os serviços financeiros, os cuidados de saúde e os produtos farmacêuticos, entre outros.

Sobre o Afreximbank:
O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) é uma instituição financeira multilateral pan-africana com mandato para financiar e promover o comércio intra e extra-africano. Há mais de 30 anos que o Banco utiliza estruturas inovadoras para oferecer soluções de financiamento que apoiam a transformação da estrutura do comércio africano, acelerando a industrialização e o comércio intra-regional, impulsionando assim a expansão económica em África. Apoiante firme do Acordo de Comércio Livre Continental Africano (ACLCA), o Afreximbank lançou um Sistema Pan-Africano de Pagamento e Liquidação (PAPSS) que foi adoptado pela União Africana (UA) como plataforma de pagamento e liquidação para sustentar a implementação da ZCLCA. Em colaboração com o Secretariado da ZCLCA e a UA, o Banco criou um Fundo de Ajustamento de 10 mil milhões de dólares para apoiar os países que participam de forma efectiva na ZCLCA. No final de Dezembro de 2024, o total de activos e contingências do Afreximbank ascendia a mais de 40,1 mil milhões de dólares e os seus fundos de accionistas a 7,2 mil milhões de dólares. O Afreximbank tem notações de grau de investimento atribuídas pela GCR (escala internacional) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) e Fitch (BBB-). O Afreximbank evoluiu para uma entidade de grupo que inclui o Banco, a sua subsidiária de fundo de impacto de acções, denominada Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), e a sua subsidiária de gestão de seguros, AfrexInsure (em conjunto, “o Grupo”). O Banco tem a sua sede em Cairo, Egipto.

Sobre a Spiro:
A Spiro é a maior empresa de mobilidade eléctrica de África, que opera a infra-estrutura de troca de baterias com o crescimento mais rápido em seis (6) países africanos. A Spiro tem uma visão de transformar as economias africanas através da substituição dos transportes caros à base de combustíveis fósseis importados por soluções de mobilidade eléctrica acessíveis e económicas, fabricadas localmente em África, por africanos, para África e para o mundo. Até à data, a Spiro alcançou mais de 800 mil milhões de quilómetros de viagens sem emissões de CO2, ultrapassou os 26 milhões de trocas de baterias e operou mais de 1200 estações de troca de baterias, com mais de 60.000 motos eléctricas em circulação. Através da sua rede de produção regional em expansão e das suas instalações de montagem operacionais no Uganda, Quénia, Nigéria e Ruanda, a Spiro está empenhada em fornecer soluções de mobilidade eléctrica acessíveis e fabricadas localmente em grande escala em toda África.

Para mais informações, visite: www.SpiroNet.com.

November 10, 2025

President El-Sisi Meets Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Business Leaders of Major Egyptian and Global Companies

Source: APO – Report:

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with CEOs and business leaders of 52 major Egyptian and international companies specialized in the outsourcing sector in the field of communications and information technology. The meeting was held on the sidelines of their participation in the Global Outsourcing Summit, hosted by Egypt on November 9-10, 2025. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said President El-Sisi started the meeting by welcoming the companies’ leaders, expressing gratitude for their confidence in Egypt’s communications and Information Technology sector. This confidence was reflected in their signing of 55 agreements with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology the previous day, which aim to create 75,000 new job opportunities over the next three years. The President emphasized that Egypt’s hosting of this global summit demonstrates the international community’s confidence in the country’s capabilities in this vital sector and its commitment to enhancing its position as an attractive destination for global companies, particularly in outsourcing. President El-Sisi also pointed out Egypt’s competitive advantages in the communications and Information Technology sector.

The President confirmed that Egypt was keen on developing a national digital strategy aimed at transforming the communications and Information Technology sector from a purely service-oriented sector into a productive one that contributes to job creation, increased exports, and economic growth. The President also stressed the importance of establishing specific targets within the strategy to ensure its success. Additionally, President El-Sisi emphasized the role of human resources in implementing the strategy and the state’s efforts to expand the base of trained Egyptian professionals who drive the industry, in collaboration with major international universities and educational institutions. The President stressed Egypt’s commitment to integrating digital education into the national education system and its ambition to achieve significant advancements in this field, particularly given the size of the Egyptian market and its capacity to absorb more workers in this specialized area.

President El-Sisi engaged in an interactive dialogue with several companies present at the meeting. Company representatives expressed their interest in expanding their investments in Egypt, commending the favorable business climate and the facilitation provided by the state. The President reaffirmed Egypt’s support for foreign investors and its readiness to remove any obstacles they may face, noting that Egypt’s stability, despite regional challenges, is a key factor in attracting investment. President El-Sisi emphasized that this stability stems not only from the state’s measures, but also from the awareness and determination of the Egyptian people to maintain stability and attract more foreign investments.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, addressed the meeting, highlighting that the communications and Information Technology sector has now become the fourth strategic sector alongside industry, agriculture, and tourism in Egypt’s economic growth process. Dr. Talaat also noted that outsourcing has become one of the key pillars of Egypt’s strategy to transform the communications and IT sector into a productive service sector.

The Minister also mentioned that the government aims to quadruple the number of workers and digital exports in this sector. Dr. Talaat pointed out that the number of trainees has reached 800,000 annually, compared to just 4,000 trainees eight years ago. Furthermore, Dr. Talaat explained that the state has launched a comprehensive strategy to build digital capabilities, providing opportunities for graduates from various fields to join tech jobs and expanding training programs across Egypt through 24 Digital Egypt Innovation Centers established over the past five years in all governorates. The state has also introduced remote digital training methods to reach youth across the country.

Dr. Talaat added that to ensure the quality of graduates while expanding training, the state has introduced new training modules in specialized areas. He highlighted the “Digital Pioneers” initiative, which is directly overseen by President El-Sisi and aims to train more than 10,000 young men and women annually, with full scholarships provided by the state.

The Minister emphasized that Egypt is taking all necessary steps to encourage global companies in the communications and IT sector operating in Egypt to expand their operations and open new markets. This includes offering incentives such as support for training, hiring, and export rebate schemes. He added that 60-thousand specialists in this field joined the workforce by the end of 2024, and that Egypt’s digital outsourcing exports have doubled between 2022 and 2024. The Minister also highlighted the annual growth rate of 14-16% in the sector, which has led to an increase in the sector’s share of GDP from 3.2% in 2018 to 6% in 2025. Dr. Talaat also noted that digital exports in the outsourcing sector have doubled, confirming that Egypt continues to lead Africa in fixed internet speed for the fifth consecutive year. He reported that Cairo is ranked among the top cities for innovation and entrepreneurship globally.

At the end of the meeting, President El-Sisi emphasized that Egypt welcomes everyone who seeks to work and innovate, reiterating the state’s determination to remove any obstacles faced by foreign investors in the country.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

November 10, 2025

Somalia: United Nations (UN) expert calls for action to safeguard fragile human rights gains

Source: APO – Report:

Somali authorities and the international community must take concrete, coordinated action to consolidate progress and prevent backsliding, amid the country’s fragile transition, a UN expert said today.

“Somalia stands at a fragile and decisive moment,” said Isha Dyfan, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia. “Despite progress in governance, human rights, and institution-building, insecurity, political tensions, humanitarian crises, and climate shocks continue to threaten these gains. Somali civil society, women, journalists, and human rights defenders remain inspiring—but they cannot advance peace and rights alone.”

Dyfan was presenting her final report to the General Assembly in New York. UN Human Rights Council decided to end the Special Procedures country mandate for Somalia at the conclusion of its 60th Session. The mandate was first established in 1993.

Over her six-year tenure, Dyfan highlighted both the resilience of the Somali people and the fragility of their achievements. Her final report commends progress including the adoption of the Disability Bill, the appointment of Commissioners for the National Human Rights Commission, and the organisation of the first National Human Rights Summit in 2025. She also welcomed the adoption of key chapters of the Provisional Constitution and the Juvenile Justice Bill as important steps by the government toward a more rights-based society.

Dyfan warned that Al-Shabaab violence, restrictions on freedom of expression, and worsening humanitarian and climate pressures risk undermining those gains.

“Both the Government of Somalia and the international community must now move from commitment to concrete implementation,” she said. “Human rights are not only an outcome of peace, but also a path to peace.”

Dyfan called for the full and timely implementation of the recent Human Rights Council resolution 60/28, describing it as “a roadmap to consolidate progress, strengthen accountability, and ensure that Somalia’s transition reinforces its human rights architecture” while stressing the need to support the OHCHR in implementing the resolution through technical assistance, capacity building, and monitoring.

“At this delicate juncture, inclusive political dialogue is more vital than ever,” she said. “Election-related disagreements, coupled with ongoing UN and African Union transition processes, risk deepening divisions and instability. Only through open and principled dialogue can Somalia safeguard stability and preserve the progress so painstakingly achieved.”

Dyfan also urged the adoption of pending legislation, including the Sexual Offences, Child Rights, and Anti-FGM Bills to protect women and girls, and called for greater investment in climate resilience to ensure environmental protection and human rights advance together.

“Somalia’s path forward will remain challenging, but not without hope,” she said. “With sustained national leadership, dialogue, and international partnership, fragility can give way to resilience, and human rights can become a lived reality for all Somalis.”

– on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

November 10, 2025

Liberia: Ministry of Health (MOH) Begins Three-day Workshop to Cut Maternal and Newborn Deaths

Source: APO – Report:

The Ministry of Health (MOH), in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development agencies, has opened a three-day national consultative workshop to map out strategies for reducing maternal and newborn deaths.

The workshop is held from 10–13 November 2025 in Monrovia, bringing together County Health Teams from all 15 counties, as well as UN bodies, NGOs, civil society groups, professional associations, and frontline health workers.

At the Opening, Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto said the initiative is part of a renewed push to ensure “every mother survives childbirth and every child survives delivery.”

She described the effort as vital to reversing the country’s maternal and newborn death rates.

“We must act with urgency,” Dr. Kpoto said. “Understanding the data helps us confront the realities and design evidence-based solutions.”

The minister noted that improvements in staffing and service delivery over the past two years had boosted morale among health workers, attributing the progress to stronger support systems. She also thanked Liberia’s development partners and President Joseph N. Boakai for what she called “renewed trust and investment in the health sector.”

Delivering remarks on behalf of UNFPA, the agency’s Deputy Representative, Leonard Kamugisha, said, “We must accelerate progress on all fronts.”

He praised the Ministry’s goal of a 40% reduction in maternal deaths by 2029, calling for “high-impact interventions, stronger domestic funding, and cross-sector collaboration” to reach the target.

Kamugisha expressed concern over the 2026 draft national budget, which allocates only US$40,000 for family planning and US$30,000 for maternal and child health programmes, urging lawmakers to boost spending.

“This roadmap should not be just another document,” he said. “It must be a covenant with Liberia’s women and girls, that every mother matters and every birth counts.”

Earlier, Dr Nuntia Gbalon, Director of the MOH’s Family Health Division, called for candid discussions to ensure that the new roadmap reflects the realities of Liberia’s health system at both national and community levels.

Representatives from professional bodies, UN agencies, and NGOs pledged continued support, through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building, to help drive down maternal and newborn deaths.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.

November 10, 2025

Kenya: Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Attaining World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 for Health Product Regulation

Source: APO – Report:

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for health product regulation, marking a major step toward strengthening Kenya’s capacity to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of all medical products.

Speaking during a high-level strategic meeting with the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) Board and senior management at the institution’s headquarters in Nairobi, the CS said the attainment of WHO ML3 status will position Kenya among countries with stable and internationally recognised regulatory systems for medical products.

“This milestone is critical for enhancing access to quality-assured medicines, strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and reinforcing pandemic preparedness,” said Hon. Duale. “It will also build public confidence by guaranteeing that health products in Kenya are consistently safe, effective, and of the highest quality — a key pillar in realising Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”

The engagement followed an earlier meeting with the NQCL Board at the Ministry, where longstanding institutional challenges were reviewed and sustainable strategies developed to strengthen operational capacity and improve overall performance.

During an inspection of the facility, the CS highlighted the urgent need to fast-track the calibration, repair, and maintenance of six stalled HPLC machines to accelerate full operationalisation of the laboratory, enhance efficiency, and boost revenue generation.

“I have urged the NQCL Board and staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, while aligning operations with modern healthcare demands,” Hon. Duale noted. “Reducing turnaround time to the mandated 42 days will improve client confidence and institutional credibility.”

He further commended the institution’s steady progress and announced a 90-day sprint focused on meeting all prerequisites for attaining WHO ML3 accreditation.

“Kenya must take its place among nations with trusted regulatory systems that not only protect citizens but also promote innovation and industrial growth,” the CS emphasised.

The meeting also included an interactive session with NQCL staff to discuss strategies for fostering a supportive work environment that enhances productivity and service delivery.

The CS was hosted by NQCL Board Chairperson Dr John Muturi and CEO Dr Sultani Matendechero, and accompanied by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms Mary Muthoni and Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

November 10, 2025

Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) Announces Strategic Investment in Spiro to Accelerate Africa’s Electric Mobility Transition

Source: APO – Report:

The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development equity impact investment arm of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), has announced a $75 million investment in Spiro, the leading electric two-wheel assembler in Africa with the fastest growing battery swapping infrastructure. This investment is fully aligned with Afreximbank’s broader automotive strategy, to develop integrated manufacturing ecosystems by fostering strategic partnerships across the entire value chain, from technology providers to local industrial champions.

The investment comes at a pivotal moment, benefiting from pro-electric vehicle policies across key African markets that are creating an enabling environment for clean mobility adoption. Against this backdrop, Spiro is uniquely positioned to scale rapidly, leveraging its proven business model and expanding battery swapping infrastructure to become a key driver of Africa’s transition to a cleaner, more efficient mobility future.

Dr. George Elombi, President of Afreximbank and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank and FEDA commented: “

“I am delighted that the partnership between FEDA and Spiro has now been consummated. With this partnership, the Bank is laying the groundwork for a new era of intra-African trade and industrialisation by stimulating local vehicle manufacturing, strengthening regional integration, and enhancing trade flows. Importantly, it fosters skills and technology transfer as well as creates employment opportunities and reduces the continent’s reliance on imported second-hand vehicles.”

Gagan Gupta, Founder of Spiro said: “We are proud to welcome FEDA as a strategic investor as we accelerate the growth of Spiro’s mission to transform mobility, energy storage, and distribution across Africa. Spiro’s rapid expansion into new markets reflects the continent’s strong appetite for clean, affordable, and efficient transportation. As we expand our battery swapping infrastructure and integrate renewable energy sources into our energy mix, we are positioned to unlock substantial upside in Spiro’s energy distribution.”

Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA noted: “Spiro’s success to date is a clear demonstration of the strength and scalability of its business model. The company’s rapid growth and strong market adoption underscore the significant demand for affordable, sustainable mobility solutions across Africa. With its integrated approach, Spiro has built a platform that is both commercially viable and socially impactful.”

Professor Benedict Oramah, Fromer President of Afreximbank commented: “I am delighted that the partnership between FEDA and Spiro has now been consummated. With this partnership, the Bank is laying the groundwork for a new era of Intra-African trade and industrialisation by stimulating local vehicle manufacturing, strengthening regional integration, and enhancing trade flows. Importantly, it fosters skills and technology transfer as well as creates employment opportunities and reduces the continent’s reliance on imported second-hand vehicles.”.”

Founded in 2022, Spiro operates Africa’s most extensive and fastest growing battery-swapping network, with more than 60,000 electric motorcycles and 1,200 swapping stations. The company has built a model that is designed to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuel-based transport while enhancing energy efficiency, lowering urban emissions, and expanding affordable access to mobility for millions of Africans

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

About FEDA:
The Fund for Export Development in Africa (“FEDA”) is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa. FEDA pursues a multi-sector investment strategy along the intra-African trade, value-added export development, and manufacturing value chain which includes financial services, technology, consumer and retail goods, manufacturing, transport & logistics, agribusiness, as well as ancillary trade enabling infrastructure such as industrial parks. To date, FEDA has invested more than US$1.3 billion in companies and projects across its various fund initiatives, in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, amongst others.

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

About Spiro:
Spiro is the largest electric mobility company in Africa, which operates the fastest growing battery swapping infrastructure in 6 countries in Africa. Spiro has a vision for transforming the African economies through substitution of expensive imported fossil fuel-based transportation into affordable, and accessible electric mobility solutions locally made in Africa, by Africans, for Africa & the world. This far, Spiro has achieved over 800 billion kms of CO2 free travel, crossed 26 million battery swaps and operated over 1200 battery swapping stations with more than 60,000 electric motor bikes in circulation. Through its expanding regional production network and operational assembling facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda, Spiro is committed to deliver affordable, locally manufactured electric mobility solutions at scale across Africa. For more information, visit: www.SpiroNet.com.

November 10, 2025

President El-Sisi Meets the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation

Source: APO – Report:

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty; Head of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Hassan Rashad; and Advisor to the President for National Security Affairs, Fayza Abul Naga. Also present from the Russian side were Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexander Venediktov; Russian Ambassador to Egypt, Georgiy Borisenk; Deputy Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Mikheev; as well as an official from the Security Council of the Russian Federation and an official in the Russian President’s Office for Foreign Policy.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said President El-Sisi began the meeting by asking his greetings to be conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The President expressed Egypt’s appreciation for its close relations with Russia and for the ongoing progress and momentum in their ties, which culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.

For his part, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Shoigu conveyed President Putin’s greetings and appreciation to President El-Sisi, affirming Russia’s keenness on further advancing bilateral relations and on maintaining political consultations on issues of mutual concern.

The meeting tackled a multitude of regional and international issues. President El-Sisi underscored the vital need to further strengthen efforts toward achieving stability in countries in the Middle East and to preserve their unity, sovereignty, and the resources of their peoples. The President stressed the importance of the full implementation of the Sharm El Sheikh Agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip through all its phases, consolidate the ceasefire, and ensure the unfettered delivery of sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid into the Strip. During the meeting, it was agreed that the application of the Two-State Solution and the establishment of a Palestinian State, in accordance with the references of international legitimacy, are the only viable path to achieving a just and lasting peace and stability in the region.

President El-Sisi also reiterated Egypt’s support for all efforts aimed at settling the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and reaching a comprehensive peace.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed means of forging closer bilateral relations in an array of spheres, notably in the political, commercial, and investment sectors. They emphasized the importance of building upon the agreements reached during the summit between President El-Sisi and Russian President Putin during President El-Sisi’s visit to Moscow to participate in the Victory Day celebrations in May 2025.

The talks also touched on the project for establishing the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project, in addition to other dossiers. President El-Sisi stressed the necessity to boost economic and investment cooperation, to work toward increasing the volume of trade, and to enhance collaboration in the tourism sector.

Concluding the meeting, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council affirmed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s role in the Middle East. He noted that history will remember the fundamental role played by President El-Sisi to reinforce stability in the region, and emphasized Russia’s keenness on maintaining close coordination with Egypt within this framework.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.