Category: Africa

Source: APO

Ms. Blale Araya, head of the education office in Mendefera sub-zone, reported that commendable activities are being carried out through the students’ summer work program.

More than 1,200 students from 16 centers are participating in activities that include water and soil conservation, tree planting, and traffic safety.

The participating students indicated that, in addition to contributing to development activities, the program plays a significant role in cultivating a strong work culture and enabling them to exchange experiences.

In related news, secondary school students in Nakfa sub-zone are carrying out encouraging water and soil conservation activities under the guidance of agricultural experts.

Mr. Jim’e Saleh, one of the program coordinators, said that 370 students from various centers are participating in the program.

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

Source: APO – Report:

Eight families at Pointe Larue are now homeowners following the opening of the second phase of the Vilaz Pozitivite affordable housing project at Anse Francois on Friday, as the government advances President Dr Patrick Herminie’s commitment to expand access to affordable housing and accelerate housing delivery across the country.

The President joined the eight beneficiary families for the official opening and allocation of the second phase of the affordable housing project, alongside Vice-President Sebastien Pillay, the Secretary of State for Lands, Housing and Infrastructure, Mr Joseph Francois, Member of the National Assembly for Pointe Larue, Hon. Conrad Gabriel, district administrators and senior officials from the lands and housing department.

The development comprises one residential block containing eight three-bedroom units and represents the second phase of the Vilaz Pozitivite project. The first phase was completed and allocated in September 2025.

Addressing those present, Vice-President Pillay, who also oversees the Lands and Housing portfolio, said the project forms part of the government’s broader efforts to increase access to affordable housing while ensuring that lessons from previous developments are translated into improved standards for new projects.

He noted that following concerns raised by residents of Phase One, several issues had been identified, including bathroom fittings, tiling, drainage, exposed utility cables, fencing and rainwater entering some homes.

The Vice-President said some of the issues have since been resolved, while the remaining works are being addressed by the contractor. Improvements were also incorporated into Phase Two, with the aim of ensuring that similar shortcomings are avoided in future housing developments.

The second phase is valued at SCR 14.1 million, of which SCR 6.75 million represented the construction cost of the residential block, while SCR 7.35 million was invested in external works and supporting infrastructure. These include site preparation, retaining walls, drainage, parking facilities and sewerage connections.

Vice-President Pillay emphasised that the beneficiaries will not bear the cost of the supporting infrastructure. The government will also provide a considerable subsidy towards the units themselves to make the homes more affordable, with the subsidy also extended to beneficiaries of Phase One.

The project was undertaken by O-Nivo Construction, with construction commencing in August 2023 and reaching completion in July 2026.

Looking beyond the eight units, the Vice-President outlined further housing developments planned for Pointe Larue and neighbouring communities. These include a proposed 28-unit Mid-Range Condominium project near the Airtel facility, targeting young professionals from Pointe Larue and Anse Aux Pins, which the government intends to start before the end of this year.

Discussions are also under way for a further 30-unit Mid-Range Condominium development above Anonyme View Estate, which is being considered for commencement during the first half of next year. Work is also continuing on the redevelopment of Nageon Estate, which includes seven houses due for completion this year.

At the national level, Vice-President Pillay said more than 430 housing units are currently under construction for people on the housing waiting list. This figure excludes Mid-Range Condominium developments and housing redevelopment projects.

Among the developments highlighted are projects at Anse Etoile, Corgate Estate, Mont Buxton, Caryole at Anse Aux Pins, Le Domaine at Au Cap, Perseverance, Grand Anse Praslin, La Digue, Barbarons, Beoliere and Anse Royale.

The Vice-President congratulated the eight families and thanked them for their patience while awaiting completion of their homes. Reflecting on the name Vilaz Pozitivite, he encouraged the residents to embrace a positive approach not only within their own households, but also in their relationships with their neighbours and the wider community.

Hon. Conrad Gabriel described the occasion as more than the opening of another housing development, saying it represented “a new chapter in the lives of the people who will live here.”

He encouraged the beneficiaries to care for their new surroundings and build a community founded on respect, love, unity and cooperation.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Petra Laporte expressed appreciation to all those who contributed towards the realisation of the project and shared the joy of the eight families as they received their new homes.

The completion of Phase II of Vilaz Pozitivite adds another eight homes to the country’s housing stock, while continued investment in new developments and supporting infrastructure forms part of the government’s wider drive to respond to housing demand and expand access to affordable homes across Seychelles.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

When a vaccination team arrived in her community in northern Nigeria, Amina Bindawa hesitated. She had heard different stories about vaccines and was unsure what to believe. It was the intervention of a trusted community leader and a health worker who spoke calmly with her that changed her mind.

“I only agreed after they explained why the vaccine was important for my child,” she said. “Now I encourage other mothers to listen and ask questions.”

Amina’s experience reflects the reality in many communities where trusted voices help families make informed health decisions.
Stories like Amina’s show why trust remains central to Nigeria’s effort to end poliovirus transmission and strengthen routine immunization. Nigeria can stop the spread of poliovirus and protect more children through sustained leadership from traditional institutions, government commitment and coordinated partner support.

This message shaped discussions at the second quarter review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee in Abuja. The meeting brought together traditional leaders, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation and other partners.

Nigeria has made important progress, but gaps remain. With an estimated 8 million births each year, about 2.1 million children have not received any routine vaccine. National routine immunization coverage among children aged 12 to 23 months is estimated at 57%, while coverage in northern Nigeria is lower at 41.5%.

These figures point to an equity concern. Children in remote, insecure or underserved communities are more likely to miss vaccines. Many of them live in areas where families face barriers such as distance from health facilities, misinformation, conflict, poverty or lack of regular outreach services.

Women, especially mothers and caregivers, play a central role in vaccination decisions, making community engagement essential.
Surveillance gaps also remain. According to the weekly national polio statistics report for week 30 of 2026, an estimated 719 wards, representing 8.1% of wards nationwide, are reported as “silent wards”. These are areas where no suspected cases are being detected or reported, often because surveillance systems need strengthening.

WHO continues to support government-led efforts through surveillance strengthening, data analysis, training for frontline health workers, coordination support and community engagement. This support aligns with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme, the national primary health care revitalization strategy and the National Immunization Agenda 2030. It also supports WHO’s country cooperation priorities and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategy, which focuses on stopping all poliovirus transmission and strengthening immunization systems. Immunization Agenda 2030 aims to ensure everyone, everywhere, at every age benefits from vaccines, with equity and primary health care at its centre. Nigeria’s sector-wide health reforms also identify immunization, primary health care and zero-dose children as priorities.

At the meeting, Dr Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative to Nigeria, recognized the role of traditional leaders in building trust and helping health workers reach children who are often missed.

“Health workers deliver vaccines, partners can support vaccination, but traditional leaders significantly contribute to deliver trust,”. Traditional leaders help families understand why vaccination matters and why every child should be protected.” Ursu said

“As traditional leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that no child is left unimmunized, no outbreak goes unreported and no community is left behind. While widespread insecurity poses a major barrier to reaching remote or vulnerable populations with essential health services, traditional and political leaders must not use insecurity as an excuse to abandon vulnerable communities,” said Alhaji Samaila Mera, Chairman of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee and Emir of Argungu.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, said the US$ 615 million immunization financing package planned for 2026 to 2030 presents an opportunity to strengthen immunization services. The package includes US$ 515 million from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and US$ 100 million in counterpart funding from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The investment is expected to support cold-chain systems, vaccine delivery, frontline service capacity and better access to routine immunization. It also fits within Nigeria’s wider health sector reforms, which call for stronger domestic financing and better coordination across federal, state and local levels.

Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, said Nigeria has reduced circulating variant poliovirus type 2 cases from 48 to 39 as of July 2026. He also noted the detection of seven variant poliovirus type 3 cases, which requires urgent action.

According to the agency, 70% of detected poliovirus cases are concentrated in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, where population immunity remains low. In Sokoto State, inactivated polio vaccine coverage is reported at 10%. Analysis of 121 confirmed poliovirus cases found that more than 80% of affected children were zero-dose, and 90% had not received a routine inactivated polio vaccine dose.

These findings show why routine immunization and polio campaigns must work together. Campaigns can interrupt outbreaks, but routine services protect children over time.

Traditional leaders were urged to continue mobilizing families, identifying missed children, supporting vaccination teams and addressing rumours through community and religious platforms. Their role is especially important in areas where public trust is low or where health services are difficult to reach.

WHO and partners will continue to support the Government of Nigeria and the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee with technical assistance, evidence generation, workforce capacity-building and coordination. Recent WHO-supported surveillance work in Nigeria has focused on improving detection of suspected cases and closing gaps at state and community levels.

The call from the meeting was clear: every missed child must be found, every community must be heard, and every dose must reach the child who needs it.

Ending poliovirus transmission in Nigeria will require sustained action from government, traditional leaders, health workers, caregivers, donors and partners. The next step is to turn available financing, community trust and technical support into stronger services for every child, wherever they live.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

Venezuela Energy Week 2027 – the country’s largest-ever international energy investment summit – will now take place in Caracas from February 22–25, 2027, moving from its previously announced dates of October 26–29, 2026, following expanded engagement with international investors, energy companies and industry stakeholders exploring opportunities across Venezuela’s energy sector.

The February 2027 timeframe reflects growing international investor interest in Venezuela’s hydrocarbons sector, with the summit building on outreach efforts that are translating commercial momentum into investment opportunities across upstream development, infrastructure modernization, gas monetization and downstream expansion. The event is expected to serve as the venue for the signing of key commercial agreements that will help advance investment and project development across Venezuela’s energy sector. Recent hydrocarbon reforms introduced in July 2026 have further shaped this investment landscape, strengthening the framework for private-sector participation and creating greater clarity around commercial opportunities for international partners.

“The decision to bring Venezuela Energy Week to February 2027 reflects the growing interest from international investors and industry partners in Venezuela’s energy sector. This event is designed to accelerate investment, strengthen strategic partnerships and convert market interest into tangible projects that support the country’s long-term energy development,” said Paula Henao, Minister of Hydrocarbons of Venezuela.

Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, Venezuela Energy Week 2027 will bring together U.S., Venezuelan and international oil companies, investors, financiers and service providers to advance investment discussions and commercial agreements across one of the world’s largest hydrocarbon resource bases.

Since the event was first announced, Venezuela Energy Week has expanded its engagement with the international energy community. The London Industry Showcase, held in July 2026, strengthened investor engagement around opportunities in Venezuela’s energy sector, while the upcoming Houston Industry Showcase continues to build commercial interest among U.S. energy companies, service providers and technical partners ahead of the February summit.

Venezuela holds more than 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves – the largest globally – alongside more than 195 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources. With production now recovering to 1.2 million barrels per day, the country is pursuing a long-term strategy to further restore output through phased investment, field rehabilitation and increased private-sector participation.

The investment opportunity is supported by significant brownfield potential across Venezuela’s major producing regions, including the Orinoco Oil Belt, Maracaibo Basin and Eastern Venezuela Basin. Opportunities span mature field redevelopment, enhanced recovery programs, drilling campaigns, heavy crude upgrading and infrastructure modernization.

Beyond upstream development, Venezuela Energy Week 2027 will highlight opportunities across refining, logistics, storage and gas infrastructure. Underutilized refining capacity, constrained midstream systems and significant natural gas resources create potential entry points for companies seeking to support the modernization of Venezuela’s energy value chain. Offshore developments such as the Dragon and Cocuina-Manakin fields represent potential growth areas for regional gas supply and future LNG opportunities, while expanded gas capture, processing and transportation infrastructure will be critical to maximizing the value of Venezuela’s resources.

As global energy markets continue to prioritize supply security and access to large-scale resources, Venezuela Energy Week 2027 is positioned to serve as a catalyst for investment, bringing together government leaders, investors and industry executives to convert commercial interest into long-term energy projects.

The summit is organized by Energy Capital & Power.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery

Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hE4ACL).

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

Venezuela is staging a deliberate return to hydrocarbon production and development as industry reforms create new opportunities for regional and international energy companies seeking high returns in one of the world’s largest oil and gas provinces.

Meetings between Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and the African Energy Chamber (AEC) this week reinforced a shared commitment to accelerating investment while strengthening strategic partnerships and advancing the next phase of Venezuela’s energy reopening.

The AEC delegation, led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk and Senior Vice President Verner Ayukegba, met with President Rodríguez alongside Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao, PDVSA President Héctor Obregón, Vice Minister of Hydrocarbon Policy Eduardo Ramírez and other senior officials.

Discussions focused on expanding international cooperation, attracting upstream investment, accelerating project development and strengthening technical collaboration across the oil and gas value chain. The parties also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in education and skills development, support cleaner hydrocarbon production through gas flaring reduction initiatives and expand access to liquefied petroleum gas to better human lives as a means of addressing energy poverty, improving public health and enhancing quality of life.

A key outcome of the discussions was the AEC’s recognition of Venezuela’s recent energy sector reforms, which the Chamber described as a significant step toward creating a more competitive and investment-friendly operating environment.

“Venezuela possesses one of the world’s greatest hydrocarbon resource bases, but resources alone do not create prosperity. What creates prosperity is a shared commitment between governments and investors to develop those resources through stable policies, long-term partnerships and sustained investment,” said Ayuk. “President Rodríguez is sending a strong signal to international investors: Venezuela is open for investment, committed to collaboration and ready to usher in a new era of hydrocarbon development.”

He added that the reforms implemented by the Venezuelan government demonstrate a clear commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment.

“Combined with the country’s extraordinary resource base, they have the potential to position Venezuela as one of the most attractive oil and gas investment destinations in the Southern Hemisphere while ensuring that resource development delivers long-term economic opportunities and tangible benefits for Venezuelan citizens,” Ayuk said.

The visit comes at a critical time for the country’s energy sector. In July 2026, Venezuela published the long-awaited Regulations of the Organic Hydrocarbons Law, providing one of the clearest frameworks yet for governing the next phase of oil and gas development. The regulations modernize the country’s upstream framework while offering greater transparency on how projects will be structured, evaluated and managed, supporting a new wave of investment as Venezuela works to rebuild production.

The reforms establish a clearer pathway for attracting investment, revitalizing production and repositioning Venezuela as a major global hydrocarbon supplier. They build on a series of milestones achieved in 2026 as international operators return to the market and exports continue their recovery. Export volumes have reached 1.25 million barrels per day, the highest level in years, while companies including Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Shell and bp continue expanding their presence in the country.

The AEC visit reinforced Venezuela’s commitment to sustaining this momentum. Industry analysis estimates that the country will require approximately $183 billion in upstream and supporting infrastructure investment between 2026 and 2040 to achieve its production target of 3 million barrels per day, including roughly $53 billion to sustain existing production. Brownfield redevelopment is expected to provide the quickest gains, with an estimated 300,000-350,000 barrels per day recoverable through relatively low-cost interventions. Longer-term production growth will depend on greenfield investment, with annual capital expenditure of $8-9 billion required through 2040 to support production of 2 million barrels per day by 2030 and 3 million barrels per day by 2040.

“Our meetings in Caracas demonstrated a clear determination from Venezuela’s leadership to move the sector forward, and the AEC stands ready to support that journey by connecting the country with investors, operators and strategic partners capable of delivering the capital, technology and expertise needed for long-term growth,” Ayuk said.

The meetings build on the memorandum of understanding signed between the AEC, PDVSA and Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons in February 2026 to strengthen cooperation on upstream development, refining, investment promotion and technical capacity building. Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to unlocking Venezuela’s hydrocarbon potential while ensuring the country’s energy resources contribute to sustainable economic growth, improved energy access and long-term national development.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.