Category: Africa

Source: APO – Report:

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On 31 July – 1 August 2025, Ms. Sasirit Tangulrat, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, together with delegates from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and Thai agricultural experts, visited the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. They met with high-level Ivorian officials to strengthen bilateral relations and development cooperation, of which both sides agreed to move forward three areas of cooperation: food security, energy security and human security, with related details as follows:

(1) H.E. Mr. Léon Kacou Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and the Ivorians Aboard, expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Thai side during his official visit to Thailand in February 2025. The Director-General reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to advancing cooperation in the three areas outlined and provided clarification on the situation along the Thai – Cambodian border, reiterating Thailand’s position in seeking to ease tensions and resolve issues through peaceful means.

(2) H.E. Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of State for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production of Côte d’Ivoire agreed to strengthen development cooperation to enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s food security. The Thai rice experts had the opportunity to visit rice fields and discuss further cooperation on regional rice research and rice production technology transfer with Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production with the Africa Rice Center.

(3) Dr. Coulibaly-Koné Soltie Aminata, Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage of Côte d’Ivoire agreed to promote cooperation in public health and health management, which constitutes a vital foundation for human security, particularly in the areas of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) management, food security, and pharmaceutical production.

(4) H.E. Mr. Evariste Koffi Yapi, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire and representatives from relevant Ivorian government agencies jointly discussed follow up on the outcomes of the Ivorian Foreign Minister’s official visit to Thailand, where both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of Thailand – Côte d’Ivoire Political Consultations in 2026.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Source: APO – Report:

The 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) has identified Mauritius as the leading government in Africa, followed by Rwanda and Botswana. The average score for countries in Africa was the lowest amongst all regions, although there has been modest improvement between 2024 and 2025.

This is according to Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at the Chandler Institute of Governance, who was speaking at a recent regional launch of the Index in Pretoria. The event brought together policymakers, academics, and practitioners to reflect on Africa’s governance journey and the lessons emerging from the latest findings.

Now in its fifth year, the CGGI provides one of the most comprehensive global measures of government capabilities and effectiveness. For Africa, the 2025 edition of the Index presents a mixed but forward-looking picture.

“As a region, Africa still has significant work to do in improving the quality of governance,” notes Naidu. “However, the recent progress recorded suggests an upward trajectory. Even in a challenging global environment, high performance African countries are making governance advances that can inspire peers across the continent.”

Covering 120 countries across seven pillars of capabilities and outcomes, the Index offers governments practical benchmarks to track progress, identify gaps, and strengthen public institutions. While many of Africa’s 28 CGGI‑ranked countries face fiscal and institutional challenges, several stand out for progress and resilience.

Africa’s top performers

In the 2025 rankings, Mauritius (51), Rwanda (59), Botswana (61), Morocco (75), and South Africa (77) emerged as the top five regional performers. While Mauritius remains the continent’s highest-ranked country for a fifth consecutive year, Rwanda stood out as the world’s best-performing low-income country, showing that national wealth is not necessarily a pre-requisite for effective government.

Botswana has improved its judiciary quality through digitalisation reforms in recent years, while Morrocco has made notable strides in data transparency and digital infrastructure. South Africa, despite fiscal pressures, remains one of the continent’s stronger performers and a key reference point for institutional capacity.

“South Africa continues to demonstrate real strengths in the areas of Robust Laws and Policies, as well as Strong Institutions, which help it remain among Africa’s top five performers,” says Naidu. “At the same time, persistent fiscal pressures and challenges in social outcomes highlight the importance of strengthening delivery in areas such as employment and income distribution. South Africa has the frameworks in place – it now needs to focus on turning this capability into more inclusive and tangible results for citizens.”

Tanzania: most improved over five years

Although outside the continental top five, Tanzania has recorded the most improvement of any African country since the Index was first published in 2021, rising from 82^nd to 78^th globally. In recent years, Tanzania’s government has expanded digital governance initiatives and introduced structural reforms to improve administrative efficiency and service delivery. The government’s Digital Tanzania Project is laying a foundation for technology‑driven governance solutions, while new regulatory frameworks, such as the Data Protection Act, seek to enhance security in the digital space.

“Good government is built over decades, but every step forward matters. The achievements we see in these African countries today – from digitalisation to reforms in public institutions – are building blocks for long-term transformation,” says Naidu.

A region of contrasts

The CGGI shows that Africa’s average governance score remains the lowest out of all regions worldwide. Only two countries – Tanzania and Rwanda – improved their rankings between 2021 and 2025. Financial Stewardship continues to be a major area of concern, as fiscal envelopes tighten and government debt burdens weigh heavily across the region.

At the same time, the continent’s strong demographic momentum offers promising opportunities. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under 30, governments that can deliver on jobs, education, and inclusive growth stand to unlock a powerful dividend.

“What is encouraging is the progress in areas such as strong institutions and digital governance,” notes Naidu. “Across Africa, we are seeing examples of governments innovating to improve service delivery and strengthen accountability. These reforms show that even in a tough global environment, progress is possible.”

A practical tool for governments

With governments under pressure to deliver better services and governance outcomes, the CGGI provides actionable benchmarks across seven pillars: Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People rise. Built by practitioners for practitioners, the Index provides a diagnostic tool that governments can use to identify opportunities for improvement and adopt good practices from peers.

“The Chandler Good Government Index is about recognising progress, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and inspiring improvements. We see it as a practical guide for governments committed to building long-term capabilities and improving service delivery,” says Naidu.

“The Chandler Institute of Governance remains committed to working alongside African governments, sharing insights, and strengthening public institutions to build a more resilient and inclusive future,” he concludes. 

– on behalf of Chandler Institute of Governance.

About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG):
The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We are a team of seasoned government practitioners grounded in real-world experience, focusing on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. Drawing on proven practices from Singapore and around the world, we tailor our solutions to each country’s unique needs – because context matters in governance. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.  

For more news and information, visit https://www.ChandlerInstitute.org or follow CIG on Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4mHkNqs), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4mTAsT8) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3Jz9d1G) @ ChandlerINST 

About the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI):
The Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) (www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com) is an annual index that measures the capabilities and effectiveness of 120 governments around the world. Built by practitioners for practitioners, the Index is designed to serve as a practical, diagnostic tool to support governments in benchmarking their performance and identifying areas for capability development.

For more information on the CGGI, visit  www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com

Source: APO – Report:

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The Minister of Health of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, has called on African nations to build stronger and more resilient health systems, urging member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region to unite in confronting the continent’s pressing health challenges. The Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, is accompanied by Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, Deputy Minister/Chief Medical Officer R.L., and members of the County Health officials.

Delivering her remarks at the 75th Regional Committee Meeting (RC75) of the WHO African Region in Lusaka, Zambia, on August 25, 2025, Dr. Kpoto congratulated the newly elected WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, describing the election as a “resounding reflection of the trust and confidence that African member states have in your leadership capacity.”

She commended the new Regional Director’s vision and policy agenda, which she said offered a pragmatic and forward-looking roadmap to transform health outcomes across the continent. “Your vision in advancing public health in our region, and your manifestos which lay out a clear and pragmatic roadmap for transforming health outcomes in Africa, are more visionary and deeply rooted in the realities we face as African countries,” Dr. Kpoto declared.

She underscored that Liberia and other member states were particularly encouraged by the alignment between the new leadership’s strategies and their respective national health agendas. “Your focus on health system resilience, particularly primary healthcare revitalization, emergency preparedness, equity, and local interventions, resonates strongly with our collective aspirations,” she noted, adding that such priorities will be critical in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Speaking in her capacity as Acting Chair of the RC74, Dr. Kpoto urged the new leadership to embrace the “spirit of African unity and common responsibility,” warning that the continent continues to confront multifaceted challenges, including recurrent outbreaks of cholera, mpox, and other infectious diseases, coupled with long-standing gaps in health financing and service delivery. “It is only by working together across sectors and borders that we can build resilient, people-centered health systems that our populations need and deserve,” she emphasized.

The Health Minister cautioned that shifts in the global development landscape were also affecting Africa’s progress in preventive healthcare. She pointed to disruptions in child immunization programs, challenges in combating preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, and the growing struggle to secure sustainable financing for essential services. “The shrinking donor envelope and shifting geopolitical priorities continue to affect our ability to sustainably finance essential health services and scale up innovation,” Dr. Kpoto warned. “Addressing this situation requires innovative approaches to increasing health financing, building stronger partnerships, and ensuring greater efficiency in resource mobilization and utilization. We must, therefore, redefine what self-resilience and sustainability mean for Africa.” On epidemic preparedness, she stressed the importance of strengthening continental capacity in surveillance, data management, vaccination, contact tracing, risk communication, and community engagement. “Breaking the chain of transmission for disease outbreaks requires a holistic strategy, one that integrates health, environmental, and intergovernmental approaches,” she said. “Such an approach must strengthen prevention and response systems across all sectors.”

Dr. Kpoto also highlighted the growing impact of climate change on public health, urging African governments to confront the crisis with urgency and coordinated action.

She concluded her address with a message of optimism, expressing confidence that the new WHO Regional Director will steer Africa’s health agenda toward greater resilience and sustainability. “I am confident that under this new leadership, we will rise to the occasion and confront the challenges before us with determination and solidarity,” she affirmed.

The RC75 gathering in Lusaka has brought together health ministers, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa to deliberate on health financing, system resilience, pandemic preparedness, and strategies for achieving Africa’s long-term health security.

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

Source: APO – Report:

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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the European Union have successfully concluded an innovative disaster preparedness project aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from urban flooding in Adamawa State, northeast Nigeria. 

Climate-change is fueling disasters and floods at unprecedented rates in places already affected by conflicts and crises. In 2024, unprecedented flooding in Nigeria caused food insecurity and cholera outbreaks, last month’s devastating flash floods in Niger State claimed over 150 lives.

In a region facing escalating humanitarian needs due to conflict, displacement, and the growing impacts of climate change, urban flooding remains a persistent and deadly threat—especially in informal settlements. The project focused on reducing these risks through community-led anticipatory action, empowering local residents to prepare for and respond to floods before disaster strikes.

Throughout the project, communities were equipped with early-warning systems, inclusive planning tools, and localised preparedness protocols. Special attention was given to ensuring the participation of women, youth, people with disabilities, and displaced populations—those often most affected by climate-related shocks.

However, while this project marks a significant milestone, the need for anticipatory action in Nigeria is far from over. Climate change is accelerating the frequency and severity of disasters, and without sustained investment, the most vulnerable will continue to face devastating losses. We urge government, donors, and humanitarian actors to integrate anticipatory action into national disaster risk reduction strategies, ensure predictable financing for early action, and scale up community-led resilience programs nationwide. The lessons from Adamawa show that acting before disaster strikes is not only cost-effective, but essential for safeguarding lives, strengthening resilience, restoring livelihoods, and the dignity of our clients. 

Babatunde Ojei, IRC Nigeria Country Director, said:

“Investing in early action saves lives. This project has transformed how we respond to climate-driven disasters in fragile, urban settings. By putting communities at the centre—especially women and marginalised groups—we’ve helped lay the foundation for long-term resilience and local ownership.”

The IRC has operated in Nigeria since 2012, initially responding to catastrophic flooding in Kogi State. Today, the organisation supports crisis-affected communities across the northeast with health, protection, education, economic recovery, and climate resilience services. With over 700 staff in the country, the IRC brings deep expertise in disaster preparedness and anticipatory action.

The project also built on strong collaborations with local and national institutions, including the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) and the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), ensuring long-term sustainability of the model.

With over EUR 762,500 in funding from the European Union, the project has reached more than 52,000 people across the Adamawa State. As the program concludes, it leaves behind strengthened systems, trained local organisations, and empowered communities better equipped to face future floods—and a model for urban anticipatory action that can inform future interventions across the region.

– on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

Source: APO – Report:

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The Japanese Resident Ambassador, H.E. Mr. SAKUTA Makoto, paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, on Tuesday 26th August at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

Discussions covered the ongoing procedures to finalise a visa waiver for Seychellois official and diplomatic passport holders, as well as the prospect of extending such facilitation to ordinary passport holders.

The two sides also reviewed the ongoing school exchange programmes, which saw Japanese high school students visiting Seychelles in January this year, followed by a group of Seychellois students who recently travelled to Japan. They further exchanged views on Seychelles’ participation in Expo 2025 currently taking place in Osaka, as well as the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (GREEN x EXPO 2027) in Yokohama.

Ambassador SAKUTA also briefed on the outcome of the recent TICAD Summit held in Yokohama.

The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between Seychelles and Japan and the commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.

Source: APO

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Equatorial Guinea’s national oil company, GEPetrol, has joined African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 as a Bronze Partner. Taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, the event will highlight GEPetrol’s commitment to revitalizing legacy assets, advancing upstream development and forging strategic collaborations to strengthen national production and energy security.

Under the leadership of CEO Bienvenido Nguema Envo, GEPetrol recently assumed operatorship of Block B, home to the country’s flagship Zafiro field. The company has launched a multi-phase redevelopment plan to increase production, optimize operations and ensure the field’s long-term growth.

Phase one, initiated in early 2025, involves reconnecting selected wells previously tied to the Zafiro Producer floating production unit. Phase two targets cost optimization and enhanced well exploitation, while phase three will deliver a full redevelopment of the field. Supporting these efforts, GEPetrol signed a $350 million technical services contract with Petrofac, covering onshore support, FPSO operations and platform services.

Beyond Zafiro, GEPetrol is expanding its upstream portfolio through new partnerships. In Block EG-23, the company holds a 20% interest alongside operator Panoro Energy (80%). Located north of Bioko Island, the block has yielded multiple hydrocarbon discoveries, with contingent resources estimated at 104 million barrels of oil and condensate and 215 billion cubic feet of gas. Under the current production sharing contract, subsurface studies are underway, with exploration drilling anticipated in future phases.

GEPetrol has also partnered with Chevron on deepwater Blocks EG-06 and EG-11 near Zafiro. These assets form part of Equatorial Guinea’s infrastructure-led strategy to reverse production declines and open new exploration frontiers.

With 1.1 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 1.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Equatorial Guinea is positioned as a key regional supplier and investment destination. GEPetrol’s transition from state representative to competitive upstream operator reflects a broader national strategy to attract investment, redevelop mature fields and drive long-term growth.

“Equatorial Guinea’s proven reserves, ongoing field redevelopment and new exploration partnerships position the country to emerge as a leading oil and gas player in the region. GEPetrol’s transformation into a competitive upstream operator is opening new investment opportunities and accelerating projects that will bolster energy security and economic growth,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.