Category: Africa

Source: APO

Senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) leaders have received prestigious French national decorations in recognition of their distinguished service and contribution to strengthening defence and security cooperation between Kenya and France.

During a ceremony held on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the Residence of France in Nairobi, the French Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency Wadid Benaabou, conferred the Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur) on Lieutenant General John Omenda and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Gense.

Lieutenant General David K. C. Tarus, Vice-Chancellor of the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K), was conferred with the National Order of Merit (Ordre national du Mérite) in recognition of his distinguished service and contribution to defence cooperation.

The decorations were presented on the sidelines of a seminar bringing together French Defence Attachés serving in East Africa, alongside military authorities and representatives of the Kenya Defence Forces. The occasion provided a platform to recognise individual service while highlighting the depth of defence relations between Kenya and France.

The Legion of Honour is France’s highest national order of merit, recognising exceptional military and civilian service, while the National Order of Merit honours distinguished service and achievement. The conferment of the decorations on KDF leaders reflects the longstanding professional ties between the two countries and their respective defence institutions.

Kenya and France continue to maintain strong defence relations anchored on professional military engagement, training, capacity building, knowledge exchange and cooperation in areas of mutual security interest. Such engagements contribute to strengthening institutional capabilities while supporting broader efforts towards regional and international peace and security.

The ceremony further reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the Kenya Defence Forces and the French Armed Forces and the importance both countries attach to sustained defence diplomacy and professional military cooperation.

Beyond recognising distinguished individual service, the honours symbolise the growing defence partnership between Kenya and France and their shared interest in advancing security cooperation, military professionalism and regional stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

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• H.E. Oluwatosin Anthony OGUNJIMI, Vice-President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), concluded his working mission to the Republic of The Gambia on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
• This first working visit to The Gambia featured a series of institutional engagements, meetings with ECOWAS structures, visits to development projects, and discussions focused on peace, security and conflict prevention in the region.

A First Encagement Focused on ECOWAS Institutional Presence in The Gambia

On Monday, 28 September, the first official day of the mission, the Vice-President began his programme with a visit to the ECOWAS Permanent Mission Delegation in The Gambia. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange with the leadership and staff of the representation on ECOWAS activities in The Gambia, key issues being followed at the national level, as well as the challenges and opportunities related to strengthening the Organisation’s presence and visibility in the country. The Vice-President subsequently visited the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), where he was briefed on the activities of the regional institution and its contribution to advancing ECOWAS objectives in the area of competition.

Concrete Achievements of the Regional Stabilisation and Development Fund for Gambian Communities

The afternoon of 28 September was devoted to a field visit to several achievements of the ECOWAS Regional Stabilisation and Development Fund (RSDF). Accompanied by implementation partners, notably GAMWORKS, the Vice-President visited several project sites to directly assess the results of investments made for the benefit of Gambian communities. The visit began at the GAMWORKS office, where the Vice-President received a presentation on the RSDF programme in The Gambia, followed by discussions with the teams and a question-and-answer session.

The delegation then proceeded to the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI), where the Vice-President was welcomed by the management and the entire student body before visiting the facilities and reviewing the achievements of the Institute. The visit continued at the Fish Smoking Complex, where the Vice-President met with women beneficiaries and toured the facilities. This visit highlighted the impact of RSDF interventions on the beneficiaries’ economic activities and on improving their working conditions. Through these visits, the Vice-President was able to witness first-hand the tangible impact of ECOWAS investments in strengthening the resilience and socio-economic development of communities.

High-Level Dialogue with the Gambian Authorities

On Tuesday, 29 September, the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mohammed BS JALLOW, Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia. The meeting provided an important opportunity for discussions on relations between ECOWAS and The Gambia, as well as shared priorities in the areas of development, regional peace and security.

The Vice-President subsequently attended the launch of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Policy 2026–2035, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center. The high-level ceremony was attended by H.E. the Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia, the Ambassador of the European Union to The Gambia, and the Ambassador of Germany to The Gambia.

A Special Tribute to the ECOMIG Forces

On the afternoon of 29 September, the Vice-President paid a special visit to the troops of the 11th Nigerian Army Contingent deployed in The Gambia under ECOMIG. The visit was an important opportunity to recognise the forces engaged in the regional mission in support of peace and stability in The Gambia. The Vice-President interacted with the members of the contingent and commended their commitment and contribution to the collective efforts of ECOWAS to promote peace and security across the Community.

Conflict Prevention at the Heart of the Mission’s Conclusion

The mission concluded on 29 September with a visit to the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Centre in The Gambia. This final engagement enabled the Vice-President to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms and systems established to monitor developments that could affect peace and stability, as well as national and regional early warning and response capacities. The visit gave the mission a particularly coherent dimension by linking the development interventions of the Regional Stabilisation and Development Fund with ECOWAS efforts in the areas of conflict prevention, peace and regional security.

A Mission Focused on Proximity and Action

At the conclusion of the mission, the Vice-President’s visit to The Gambia highlighted the diversity of ECOWAS interventions in the country: institutional presence, community development and resilience, regional cooperation, peace support, early warning and conflict prevention.

The mission also provided an opportunity to strengthen dialogue with the Gambian authorities, ECOWAS structures, implementation partners and stakeholders directly engaged on the ground.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

In Bazungua, residents crave peace so they can farm without fear, seize the opportunities offered by education, and build the better future they have craved for so long.

They believe this peace can only be built by addressing grievances openly and honestly, before they develop into conflict.

“When there is a dispute in our community, I move fast to help resolve it, to bring peace so that we can live together in harmony,” explains resident, Lois Wilson.

In this remote part of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan is creating a safe space for the resolution of disagreements, promotion of reconciliation, and development of a collective action plan to secure sustainable peace.

Through an engagement conducted under the banner of the United Nations global campaign “Hear Us, Act Now for a Peaceful World’, more than 100 community members came together to explain their challenges and identify shared solutions.

“This activity has laid a very good foundation,” says Odeita James from the Civil Society Network. “People were able to share their challenges as well as their positive ideas for how we can cope better. We will advocate for these ideas with the Government and other partners.”

The initiative provided a platform for the community to establish a Peace Committee which will ensure the conversation moves beyond the meeting towards concrete action.

“It’s important that this dialogue happens at the grassroots level so that communities can understand how to cultivate peace and embrace it for the sake of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence,” stresses Samuel John, State Ministry of Peacebuilding Director-General.

For UNMISS, the goal is to help communities identify tensions early, strengthen their resilience, and address problems through dialogue before they erupt into catastrophic conflict.

“Through this conversation, the participants were able to work together to dispel misinformation and disinformation and build on the existing resilience of this community,” says Thomas Bazawi, UNMISS Protection, Transition, and Reintegration Officer.

“It is a challenge for all of us, as partners in protecting civilians, to collectively respond to the needs of the communities, strengthen the early warning network, and support them in building on local peace initiatives so that they last.”

In Bazungua, peace is not just an idea. It is a daily choice — to listen, resolve differences, and work together. And that work starts with one conversation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

On 23 September 2026, Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), welcomed and discussed with Her Excellency Mrs. Koumba Diop, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to Thailand with residence in Kuala Lumpur, and Mrs. Saowapha Wangphasit, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Guinea to Thailand, who paid a courtesy call on the occasion of the Ambassador’s visit to Thailand.

Both sides exchanged views on ways to enhance development cooperation, including the provision of scholarships for the Thailand International Postgraduate Programme (TIPP) and the Annual International Training Courses (AITC), initiatives that have been ongoing since Thailand and Guinea signed a Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation in 2012. Furthermore, the Director-General of TICA reiterated Thailand’s policy prioritizing the African region and a visit to Guinea by a TICA delegation, previously raised by H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his meeting with the Ambassador on 22 September 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Source: APO

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mr. Limpho Tau on Wednesday joined the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. Yang Xiaokun, at a formal signing ceremony marking a substantial military donation from China to Lesotho.

The People’s Liberation Army (LPA) of the People’s Republic of China has donated RMB 30 million (approximately M90 million) to the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Lesotho to bolster the nation’s security sector and operational readiness.

In his keynote remarks, Minister Tau expressed the Government of Lesotho’s profound appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Central Military Commission, the People’s Liberation Army and Ambassador Yang for their unwavering support and the enduring friendship between the two nations.

He emphasized that the contribution extends far beyond mere financial assistance.

He described it as a powerful testament to the deep-rooted friendship, mutual trust and strategic partnership shared between Lesotho and China.

The newly acquired funding is slated to significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

Furthermore, it will enhance Lesotho’s ability to actively contribute to regional and international peacekeeping efforts, particularly through bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

He highlighted the longstanding, multi-sectoral cooperation between the two countries, which spans infrastructure, education, health, agriculture and defence.

“This bilateral relationship reached a historic milestone in January 2026, when it was formally elevated to a Strategic Partnership through a joint Press Communique signed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

Minister Tau indicated that Lesotho aims to further deepen its defence and security ties with China. He said future collaborations are expected to focus on specialized training, exchanges of military expertise, peacekeeping cooperation and advancements in defence equipment and technology.

“This donation is more than financial assistance, it is a symbol of friendship, trust and shared vision between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the People’s Republic of China,” the Minister concluded.

On the other hand, Chinese Ambassador Yang said these new areas of cooperation complement our more established practical cooperation. He said in April, the two sides signed a protocol waiving two interest-free loans totaling RMB 89.976 million (M 224.94 million Maloti), fulfilling a commitment made at the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

“In July, we launched Phase II of the Mafeteng Solar Power Plant, further supporting Lesotho’s energy transition and green development,” he said.

He said the year 2026 also marks 70 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and African countries and is the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

“In Lesotho, we have actively supported youth, educational, cultural and health cooperation. We have been an important development partner of the Sebabatso Youth Empowerment Initiative and SABA since their establishment and have provided scholarships and training opportunities to Basotho youth. More than 270 Basotho have gone to China for study and training this year. We also welcomed the 20th Chinese Medical Team to Lesotho, while Chinese medical specialists continue to share expertise and strengthen local capacity. People-to-people exchanges are the foundation of lasting friendship between our two countries,” he said.

He indicated that as China embarks on the 15th Five-Year Plan and Lesotho celebrates 60 years of independence, their two countries are entering new stages of development.

He said China stands ready to work with Lesotho to make full use of their bilateral cooperation mechanism, follow up on the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, prepare for the next FOCAC meeting and expand practical cooperation in more areas for the benefit of their two peoples.

Meanwhile, Chinese military institutions regularly host and train LDF officers, offering professional development and technical education.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Liberia.

Source: APO

is Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit has sworn in additional caretaker ministers directing them to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services as South Sudan prepares for the December elections.

The appointment of caretaker ministers to these strategic institutions is intended to maintain continuity in critical areas of government and ensure that the immediate needs of the population remain firmly addressed throughout the transitional period.

Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the government will continue strengthening South Sudan’s international and regional relations while maintaining engagement with bilateral and multilateral partners.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management will remain focused on responding to the country’s humanitarian needs, coordinating relief efforts and supporting communities affected by displacement, natural disasters and other emergencies.

The Ministry of General Education and Instruction will ensure that the country’s education system continues functioning and serving learners across the country.

The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism will continue safeguarding South Sudan’s wildlife and natural heritage, strengthen conservation and advance the country’s considerable tourism potential.

During the swearing-in ceremony, H. E. President Kiir directed the ministers to translate their mandates into tangible results, emphasising that the caretaker period must not interrupt the work of government or the delivery of services required by citizens.

The ministers pledged to discharge their responsibilities diligently, strengthen their respective institutions and place the needs of the people at the forefront of their work.

As the country moves closer to the elections, the caretaker ministers assume office with a clear responsibility to preserve institutional stability, sustain essential services and ensure that the Government continues serving the people throughout the transition.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of the Republic of South Sudan.

Source: APO

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The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) will officially begin the Executive Budget Hearings for Fiscal Year 2027 on Thursday, October 1, 2026, marking another critical phase in the Government of Liberia’s national budget formulation process.

The hearings, coordinated through the National Budget Committee (NBC), will allow spending entities to present and justify their proposed programs, priorities, expenditure requirements, and planned activities for Fiscal Year 2027.

The process is in line with the statutory mandate requiring the MFDP to consult with spending entities on their programs, commitments, and budgetary priorities before the preparation and submission of the National Budget.

The opening session on Thursday will focus on the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Special Presidential Project Coordinating Committee (SPPCC), and the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), bringing together key institutions responsible for managing Liberia’s mineral and energy resources, coordinating priority presidential development projects, and overseeing public procurement and concessions.

During the hearings, participating institutions are expected to outline their proposed programs and activities, provide justification for their budgetary requests, and respond to questions concerning their priorities, implementation plans, and resource requirements.

The Executive Budget Hearings are scheduled to run through Friday, October 9, 2026, and will cover a broad range of sectors and spending entities across government

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance & Development Planning: Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

For many businesses, the decision to use solar power to reduce electricity costs is taking a backseat to how the project will be funded.

After several years of rapid renewable energy uptake driven by load shedding concerns, the commercial solar market is entering a more measured phase. While the economics of solar remain attractive for many organisations facing rising electricity tariffs, access to flexible and appropriate financing structures is playing a dominant role in determining which projects proceed and which remain on hold.

As such, for project developers, installers and commercial energy customers, understanding the funding landscape has become as important as understanding system design and energy generation. Financing arrangements can influence project affordability, risk allocation, cash flow and the speed at which projects reach implementation.

“Our reporting this year shows that African businesses are, in effect, building their own grid. Roughly 80% of distributed solar capacity on the continent now serves commercial and industrial customers. The challenge now for this market to understanding whether the funding structure behind a project fits the business that must live with it for the next ten or twenty years,” says Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, Editor-in-Chief of ESI Africa.

These considerations will be explored in an upcoming webinar hosted by Jaltech, in partnership with ESI Africa. This discussion will examine how businesses can navigate the commercial solar funding market and identify financing solutions that align with their operational and financial requirements.

The growing importance of funding choices

As energy users look to manage long-term electricity costs, they are faced with a range of funding structures, each with distinct advantages and trade-offs. Selecting the right option requires balancing project economics with organisational objectives, capital availability and customer expectations.

The webinar will provide a practical overview of the funding options available for commercial solar projects, examining the strengths and limitations of different financing approaches and how businesses can assess which model is most suitable for their circumstances.

The session will also consider what funders assess when evaluating projects and the steps businesses and project developers can take to improve the likelihood of securing finance.

“Across ESI Africa’s coverage of energy infrastructure funding, one theme keeps coming up: capital is available, but it goes to projects that are prepared for it. That holds for a utility-scale plant and for a rooftop system on a factory. Partnering with Jaltech on this webinar is about giving developers and energy users the practical knowledge to turn a sound solar business case into a project a funder will back,” says Pombo-van Zyl.

Moving projects from planning to implementation

While solar technology has become more widely understood and accessible, project funding remains a common point of uncertainty within the commercial and industrial energy sector.

“A power purchase agreement, a lease, a bank loan or an upfront capital investment can each be the right answer, depending on a company’s cash flow, its appetite for risk and who it wants carrying the operational burden. Upfront cost is still the biggest hurdle we hear about, and the businesses that move fastest are the ones that understand these trade-offs before they approach a funder,” says Pombo-van Zyl.

For developers and energy professionals, the ability to match customer requirements with the right financing structure can influence project viability and accelerate decision-making. Equally, businesses considering solar investments need a clearer understanding of how commercial finance is accessed, what information funders require and where different funding models are most effective.

These practical considerations sit alongside broader industry discussions around energy affordability, investment readiness and the commercial pathways required to support continued growth in distributed renewable energy. Similar themes are being explored across ESI Africa’s energy coverage and industry engagement activities as organisations seek to balance cost certainty, energy security and long-term sustainability objectives.

Webinar details

Solar Funding 101 with Jaltech

Presenter: Jonty Sacks, Partner at Jaltech

Dates: 13, 16 and 20 October 2026

Time: 13:00 (SAST)

Duration: 30 minutes

Platform: Zoom

During the session, participants will gain practical insight into:

Commercial solar funding options currently available in the market

The advantages and disadvantages of different funding structures

How to assess customer requirements and align them with suitable funding solutions

What funders look for when evaluating projects

The process of securing commercial solar finance

Register here (https://apo-opa.co/4ANlUfC)

Those unable to attend the live session are encouraged to register to receive access to the webinar recording after the event.

As ESI Africa, created by VUKA Group, continues to examine the commercial realities shaping renewable energy adoption, access to finance remains a central factor in determining how quickly businesses can move from energy ambitions to implemented projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About Jaltech:
Founded in 2010, Jaltech is an alternative investment fund manager, managing over R2 billion+ of retail investors’ capital. The team is made up of entrepreneurs and financial professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience in managing alternative investments.  www.Jaltech.co.za   

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa is a leading multimedia platform serving Africa’s power, energy, water, transport and utility sectors. Through industry analysis, interviews, webinars, special reports and multimedia content, ESI Africa connects sector professionals with the people, projects, technologies and developments shaping infrastructure across the continent. ESI Africa forms part of VUKA Group. www.ESI-Africa.com 

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and each other, creating business opportunities across key industries in Africa. Through events, digital platforms, media and targeted industry networks, VUKA Group brings together decision-makers, innovators, investors and industry stakeholders. www.weAreVUKA.com 

Source: APO

Around fifty vulnerable women from the commune of Bulongo, located approximately 60 kilometres from the city of Beni in North Kivu, will benefit from a social reintegration project aimed at supporting their socioeconomic recovery following the displacement they were forced to endure because of insecurity in the region.

Launched on Thursday, September 24, 2026, the project is funded by MONUSCO through its Gender Section, with a budget of US$48,000. It aims to strengthen the economic independence of 50 women and young girls who have been particularly affected by the consequences of armed violence.

The beneficiaries will receive training in several trades, including livestock farming, baking, small-scale commerce, as well as tailoring and dressmaking. They will then receive the equipment and tools they need to immediately launch income-generating activities.

According to Emery Chibi of MONUSCO’s Gender Section in Beni, the initiative is part of the Mission’s efforts to promote women’s participation in the recovery of communities affected by conflict.

“This project aims to implement solutions by empowering 50 women and young girls, enabling them to develop income-generating activities. It represents MONUSCO’s response through the implementation of the provisions of United Nations Resolution 1325, particularly its fourth pillar concerning relief and recovery,” he explained.

A source of hope for returning women

The launch of the project generated considerable enthusiasm among the beneficiaries. For many women who have returned to their communities of origin after spending several years in distant areas to escape the activities of armed groups, the challenges of reintegration remain numerous.

“There are many vulnerable people here. Since our return, life has been difficult. We thank MONUSCO for this project, which we consider a lifeline and which will help lift us out of poverty,” said Masika Kabala.

According to her, access to livelihoods remains one of the main concerns of returning households, many of which are still struggling to regain economic stability.

Strengthening resilience and social cohesion

As MONUSCO’s partner in implementing the project, the Association des femmes pour la nutrition à assise communautaire (AFNAC) will support the beneficiaries throughout the training process and the launch of their activities.

Its coordinator, Benge Mukengere, believes that the initiative will not only help improve the living conditions of the women concerned, but also strengthen social cohesion in an area affected by population displacement.

“This is a project that will help improve their standard of living, strengthen resilience, and also promote social cohesion,” she said.

For nearly six months, the commune of Bulongo has recorded a gradual return of displaced populations. Despite the relative improvement in the security situation, considerable needs remain in terms of resettlement and economic recovery.

For community stakeholders, supporting vulnerable women is an essential lever for rebuilding the social and economic fabric of communities affected by the conflict.

A call for peace and support for victims

At the launch of the project, women’s associations in Bulongo welcomed MONUSCO’s support while calling on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to strengthen its assistance to the many women who have been victims of the war. They urged the national authorities to draw inspiration from this initiative and develop more economic support programmes for women affected by conflict.

The women’s associations also reaffirmed their support for MONUSCO’s efforts to restore peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For these women, consolidating peace remains essential to ensuring the sustainable reintegration of returning populations and creating the conditions for inclusive socioeconomic development in Bulongo and throughout Beni Territory, which continues to face armed violence.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).