Category: Africa

Source: APO

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the Arab ministerial committee meeting tasked with mobilizing international action in response to illegal Israeli policies and measures in occupied Jerusalem. The meeting was held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed cooperation relations between both countries and ways to boost them, in addition to the latest regional developments, particularly joint Arab coordination to confront Israeli escalation targeting occupied Jerusalem, as well as diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and enhance regional security and stability.

During the meeting, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for all parties to remain committed to dialogue and diplomacy and to implement what was agreed upon within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, preserving regional security, safeguarding the gains achieved, and strengthening regional stability.

His Excellency also reiterated the State of Qatar’s full support for all efforts aimed at defusing tensions and reaching a comprehensive agreement that advances sustainable peace in the region. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation conducted an oversight visit to the National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System (NICIS) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Rosebank to assess NICIS’s infrastructure, capabilities and its contribution to South Africa’s digital transformation agenda.

The NICIS promotes scientific and industrial development through the provision of high-performance computing capability, high-speed network connectivity, and a national research data infrastructure. These capabilities are integrated into globally connected systems and local research infrastructure, providing seamless access to computing, networking, and data services for South Africa’s research and education communities.

The NICIS is a national initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and is implemented by the CSIR. The Centre for High Performance Computing is one of the three pillars of the NICIS and provides high-performance computing resources and services to researchers in academia, government, and industry.

The other two pillars are the South African National Research Network which provides high-speed connectivity and advanced networking services to the research and education sector, and the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa which provides national research data infrastructure and services that support sound data management practices and enable data-driven scientific and engineering discoveries.

Key findings:

• The Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) houses Lengau, South Africa’s flagship supercomputer and one of the fastest supercomputers on the African continent. The system can process massive volumes of data within seconds, enabling advanced scientific research, innovation, and complex computational analysis.
• The NICIS supports the Electronic Vaccination Data System, enabling secure vaccination registration, certification, and real-time health data management.
• Digital Government and Data Sovereignty: NICIS provides secure digital infrastructure that protects critical government data, strengthens cybersecurity, and supports South Africa’s digital sovereignty.
• Public Sector Digital Transformation: NICIS enables digital public services through high-performance computing and secure data infrastructure, improving service delivery across government and healthcare.
• Industry, Research and Economic Development: NICIS supports key sectors, including engineering, ICT, biotechnology, mining, and aerospace, through advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and big data capabilities.
• Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing: The CHPC’s Lengau supercomputer delivers world-class computing power, positioning South Africa as a leader in AI, scientific computing, and data-intensive research in Africa.
• National Research and Education Infrastructure: Through SANReN and DIRISA, NICIS provides high-speed connectivity and secure data services to universities, TVET colleges, science councils, and research institutions.
• Secure National Data Storage: DIRISA operates a secure national data centre with the capacity to store critical research and government data, supporting improved data governance and national digital resilience.

The committee noted that the CHPC is positioning South Africa as a leader on the African continent in the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to support e-government, higher education and research institutions, industry, and communities.

The committee observed that the CHPC requires expansion, as the current facility has reached its maximum capacity and the available infrastructure is insufficient to accommodate future growth.

The committee noted the continuous need for investment in the CHPC, the South African National Research Network, and the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa to upgrade and modernise their infrastructure.

Sustained investment is essential to ensure that these national cyber infrastructure platforms keep pace with rapidly evolving digital technologies, growing demand for computing and data services, and global state-of-the-art standards. Such investment will strengthen South Africa’s technological sovereignty by reducing reliance on foreign cloud services and international data storage, while expanding secure, locally hosted cloud and data storage capabilities for government, research institutions, and industry.

The committee’s oversight visit reaffirmed NICIS’ critical role in advancing South Africa’s digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. The committee recognised that continued investment in high-performance computing infrastructure and secure national data storage is essential to strengthening scientific research, supporting digital public services, driving artificial intelligence capabilities, and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness in science, technology, and innovation.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Eritrean community festival in Western Canada was colorfully celebrated in Edmonton on 1 and 2 August under the theme “Our Resilience: Our Guarantee.”

The festival was attended by numerous nationals from the Canadian cities of Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Regina, and Toronto, as well as from various cities in the United States. It featured cultural and artistic performances, sports competitions, and displays by members of the Red Flowers.

Noting that the Eritrean community festival in Western Canada has a history of about 40 years, Mr. Okbai Tesfaselasie, Chairman of the Holidays Coordinating Committee, said that the festival, which began with a clear vision and love of country, is a heritage of every Eritrean.

At the event, Mr. Elias Amare, the guest of honor, conducted a seminar for participants focusing on the objective situation in the homeland, as well as regional and global developments.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

The Ministry of Justice conducted its annual activity assessment meeting and discussed future programs on 3 and 4 August.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Fauzia Hashim, Minister of Justice, said that ensuring social supremacy, which is the core mission of the Ministry, is not a recent initiative; rather, it is rooted in the way of life of the Eritrean people and the social supremacy nurtured during the armed struggle for independence.

Minister Fauzia went on to say that the community-based legal system, built on the principle of social sovereignty, reflects the history, culture, and identity of the Eritrean people and plays a significant role in ensuring legal supremacy, social harmony, the implementation of overall development programs, and public confidence.

Noting that the community-based legal system stems from the family and is designed to be community-centered, Minister Fauzia said that it makes a significant contribution to preserving social harmony and stability. She added that the Ministry of Justice has been working relentlessly to formulate a community-centered legal system and that the plan already formulated is based on this principle.

Minister Fauzia said that an organizational structure consistent with the history, traditions, and societal values of the Eritrean people will be announced after thoroughly reviewing public participation in the organizational process currently underway at the area-administration level.

Minister Fauzia further said that the necessary efforts will be exerted to ensure that laws reflect the traditions and values of Eritrean society and to nurture capable human resources equipped with the necessary knowledge and professional ethics. She called on all staff members of the Ministry to play their part in realizing these objectives.

At the meeting, reports were presented focusing on the courts and prosecution offices, the five-year strategic plan, and the development of the Ministry’s information technology system.

The participants conducted extensive discussions on the establishment of a community-based legal system, the improvement of laws, human-resource and institutional development, and the enhancement of public awareness.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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• Eswatini’s growth accelerated in 2025, supported by large ongoing investment projects, but is expected to moderate in 2026, reflecting the impact of higher fuel costs, weaker global demand, weather-related disruptions, and moderation in public investment.
• Public debt rose to 45 percent of GDP by end-FY25/26 and is expected to increase to 50 percent by end-FY26/27, driven by public investment and wage increases. Consolidation is planned over the medium term to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio.
• Structural reforms and accelerating digitalization could boost growth potential.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Ms. Xiangming Li visited Mbabane during July 23 – August 5, 2026, to hold discussions for the 2026 Article IV Consultation with the Kingdom of Eswatini.

At the conclusion of the mission, Ms. Li made the following statement.

“Eswatini’s real GDP growth accelerated to 4.9 percent in 2025, supported by large public and private investment projects. Despite the strong growth, unemployment remains high at 33.5 percent. Growth is expected to moderate in 2026, reflecting higher fuel costs, weaker global demand, tighter financing conditions, weather-related disruptions, and easing of investment activity. Inflation moderated in 2025 and continued to decline through early 2026 before rising modestly to 2.6 percent in June 2026. Higher fuel prices are projected to raise average inflation for the year.

“The external position improved modestly in 2025, with the current account surplus widening from 2.1 percent of GDP in 2024 to 2.4 percent. This was driven largely by an improvement in the primary income balance. Gross international reserves remained low at 2.5 months of imports at end-2025. The current account surplus is expected to narrow, reflecting higher fuel costs and strong investment-related imports. Reserve coverage is projected to edge down, weakening external buffers over the medium term.

“The outlook is subject to significant downside risks. A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could further increase fuel and fertilizer prices, weaken external demand, and heighten fiscal pressures. Climate-related shocks, particularly drought and erratic rainfall patterns, could disrupt agricultural production, raise food prices, and worsen poverty. Under a severe global shock scenario, growth would be weaker, inflation higher, and public debt would rise more rapidly, underscoring the need for continued fiscal adjustment and structural reforms to build resilience.

“The fiscal deficit rose sharply in FY25/26 to 6.1 percent of GDP from 1.1 percent the previous year, largely reflecting public wage increases and higher public investment. As a result, public debt rose from 40 percent of GDP at end-FY24/25 to 44.7 percent of GDP at end-FY25/26.

“The FY26/27 budgeted deficit narrows slightly to 5.9 percent of GDP, as higher public wages and interest payments offset declines in other spending and higher SACU revenues. Public debt is expected to reach 50 percent of GDP by end-FY26/27.

“The Medium-Term Fiscal Framework approved by Cabinet envisages fiscal consolidation over the medium term to reduce debt vulnerability, with a cumulative reduction of 6.2 percentage points of GDP in the structural primary balance (excluding SACU revenue) through FY31/32. As a result, public debt is projected to peak at over 52 percent of GDP before declining to about 45 percent by end-FY31/32. Meanwhile, the government has been expanding its use of concessional external financing, helping lower borrowing costs.

“Further rationalization of recurrent spending, particularly transfers and other expenses over FY26/27-FY28/29, is advisable to accelerate debt reduction, strengthen fiscal buffers, and create space for growth-enhancing capital spending.

“Structural reforms to strengthen public financial management will be critical to support the fiscal consolidation effort. Priorities include fully implementing and enforcing the 2017 Public Financial Management Act while advancing targeted amendments to strengthen public debt and public investment management. Accelerating the rollout of the Integrated Financial Management Information System and e-procurement, alongside stronger budget execution and financial controls, would improve expenditure management and transparency. Rationalizing public sector employment and strengthening the financial discipline of public enterprises would help contain fiscal pressures while safeguarding service delivery.

“The Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) has maintained its policy rate at 6.75 percent since May 2025. While this leaves it 25 basis points below the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) policy rate, the CBE has kept its overnight deposit rate for banks aligned with the South African money market rate, helping contain capital outflows. Private sector credit growth remained robust at 10.6 percent year-on-year at end-May 2026. The banking system remains liquid and well-capitalized, though financial performance remains uneven across banks.

“Given elevated global uncertainty and the SARB’s transition to a lower inflation target, the CBE should closely monitor developments, carefully calibrate its policy rate alignment with the SARB, and stand ready to take measures as needed to safeguard the exchange rate peg. Strengthening the monetary policy framework, including through refining policy instruments, enhanced liquidity forecasting, and further development of money markets, would improve policy transmission and support macroeconomic stability.

“Strengthening financial sector oversight remains a priority to safeguard financial stability and enhance resilience. Priority reforms include updating the legal and regulatory framework, notably the Central Bank of Eswatini Act and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority Act, and operationalizing the deposit insurance scheme and emergency liquidity assistance framework.

“Structural reforms remain essential to support economic diversification and create jobs. Notably, reducing regulatory hurdles and accelerating digitalization, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, could boost productivity, improve public service delivery, and create new growth opportunities. Eswatini has made important progress in strengthening its digital foundations; further efforts to build digital skills and modernize regulatory frameworks will be key to unlocking the full benefits of digitalization.

“The mission thanks the authorities for their excellent collaboration and warm hospitality.”

– on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).