Category: Africa

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La Banque africaine de développement et Invest in Africa signent un accord de subvention de 850 000 dollars pour stimuler les emplois verts inclusifs au Ghana et au Sénégal

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Banque africaine de développement  (www.AfDB.org) a signé un accord de subvention de 850 000 dollars avec Invest in Africa (IIA), une organisation à but non lucratif, pour soutenir le projet MicroGREEN visant à procurer des moyens de subsistance à des groupes marginalisés et vulnérables du Ghana et du Sénégal.

Intitulée Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities’ Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources (Renforcement du micro-entrepreneuriat des femmes, des jeunes et des personnes handicapées au profit d’emplois verts liés aux ressources naturelles), cette initiative vise à créer jusqu’à 500 emplois verts, en se concentrant sur les secteurs de l’agroforesterie, de la pêche et de la conservation de la biodiversité. Elle est financée par le Fonds d’assistance au secteur privé africain (FAPA) de la Banque, parallèlement à un engagement initial d’un million de dollars du Fonds d’affectation spéciale multidonateurs de la Banque pour l’innovation et l’entrepreneuriat des jeunes visant à soutenir le projet sur deux ans.

Ces secteurs ciblés présentent un fort potentiel d’emplois résistants au changement climatique et nécessitent une main-d’œuvre qualifiée capable de gérer les écosystèmes et de déployer des technologies vertes.

Malgré leur potentiel, en Afrique, les femmes et les jeunes restent largement sous-représentés dans les secteurs de la croissance durable de l’Afrique. L’augmentation de leur participation, surtout dans les industries vertes qui créent de nombreux emplois, pourrait accélérer un développement économique inclusif et résilient sur tout le continent.

La subvention du FAPA financera la composante renforcement des capacités et de la chaîne de valeur du projet MicroGREEN. De nombreuses petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) d’économies fragiles ou en transition comme le Ghana et le Sénégal n’ont qu’un accès limité à la formation à l’entrepreneuriat et aux services de développement commercial. Ces contraintes sont particulièrement aiguës pour les entreprises dirigées par des femmes et des jeunes et sont aggravées par le coût élevé des services et les obstacles systémiques socioéconomiques et fondés sur le genre.

Pour contribuer à surmonter ces difficultés, le projet MicroGREEN offrira une formation de qualité en entrepreneuriat, des services de développement commercial sur mesure et des programmes de mentorat pour les femmes, les jeunes et les personnes handicapées dans des secteurs basés sur l’agriculture.

En renforçant les capacités et en intégrant les microentreprises dans les chaînes de valeur vertes, le projet vise à stimuler la création d’emplois locaux et à promouvoir une participation inclusive à l’économie verte en Afrique.

Invest in Africa sera le partenaire de mise en œuvre du projet. En tant qu’organisation à but non lucratif, IIA se consacre au soutien des PME africaines en leur facilitant l’accès au marché, en développant leurs compétences et en leur donnant un meilleur accès au financement.

Le FAPA est un fonds d’affectation spéciale multidonateurs qui soutient des initiatives d’assistance technique et de renforcement des capacités alignées sur la stratégie de développement du secteur privé de la Banque africaine de développement. Le gouvernement du Japon est le principal donateur du FAPA. Depuis sa création, le FAPA a financé plus de 100 projets dans plus de 38 pays africains, engageant plus de 80 millions de dollars pour améliorer l’environnement commercial, renforcer les systèmes financiers et favoriser la croissance des micro-, petites et moyennes entreprises. Le financement du FAPA permet à la Banque de jouer un rôle plus actif dans la préparation des projets en amont, renforçant ainsi la réserve d’opérations du secteur privé susceptibles d’être financées.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact média :
Département des Communications et des Relations extérieures
media@afdb.org

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Nigeria needs to increase investment in agricultural biotechnology for food security – (By Joseph Omode)

Source: APO

By Joseph Omode, editor in chief of Alexa News Nigeria (www.Alexa.ng) and the Chief Executive Officer of Alexa Media Services.

Nigeria is making remarkable progress in leveraging agricultural biotechnology. With robust regulatory structures, real-world biotech crop adoption, and growing public engagement, the country is setting the pace for innovation in Africa. Sustainability and confidence will grow as awareness spreads and more biotech solutions reach Nigerian farms.

If Nigeria can increase and boosts Research & Development (R&D) investment, streamlines regulations, builds public trust, equips farmers, and engages the private sector, it can become Africa’s leader in safe, climate-smart agricultural biotechnology—helping to secure food supply and economic growth.

Agricultural biotechnology for food security is about using modern biological techniques to improve crops, livestock, and agricultural systems so that they can produce enough safe, nutritious, and affordable food — even under challenges like climate change, pests, and limited resources. Agricultural Biotechnology is the use of new scientific techniques based on our understanding of DNA to improve crops and livestock that are not possible with conventional breeding alone.

Biotechnology is seen as essential to improve food security, climate resilience, and economic growth by helping farmers manage pests, drought, and nutrition deficiencies. Biotechnology provided innovative tools to improve agricultural productivity and safeguard food crops from the impacts of climate change, such as heat, floods and drought.

Agricultural biotechnology uses tools like genetic engineering, molecular markers, tissue culture, and bioinformatics to develop plants and animals with improved traits. It can:

  • Increase yields
  • Improve nutritional quality
  • Enhance resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses
  • Reduce post-harvest losses

Nigeria can strengthen and expand its agricultural biotechnology sector by focusing on five main areas:

1. Strengthen Research & Development (R&D)

Increase funding for NBRDA, universities, and agricultural research institutes so they can develop more locally relevant biotech crops (drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, nutrient-rich varieties).

Encourage public–private partnerships so biotech innovations move faster from lab trials to farmers’ fields.

Support regional research hubs to reduce dependence on imported biotech solutions.

2. Improve Regulatory Efficiency & Transparency

Streamline approval processes so that promising crops can reach farmers without unnecessary delays.

Enhance biosafety monitoring with stronger post-release tracking of biotech crop performance and safety.

Adopt clear genome editing guidelines so that CRISPR-based and other precision-breeding techniques are not overregulated as GMOs.

3. Expand Public Awareness & Trust

National biotech education campaigns through radio, TV, social media, and community outreach to counter misinformation.

Demonstration farms & “Seeing is Believing” programs where farmers and the public can see biotech benefits firsthand.

Include biotechnology in school curricula so the next generation grows up with accurate knowledge.

4. Build Farmer Capacity

Training on biotech crop management to ensure farmers understand planting, pest control, and post-harvest handling.

Subsidies or credit access for smallholder farmers adopting biotech seeds.

Support farmer cooperatives to improve adoption rates and collective bargaining for inputs.

5. Encourage Private Sector & Market Development

Attract biotech seed companies with favorable investment policies.

Develop seed distribution networks to ensure timely and affordable access to biotech seeds nationwide.

Promote export opportunities for biotech-based products where regulations permit.

How Biotechnology Supports Food Security

Food security depends on four pillars:

  1. Availability – Enough food produced locally or imported
  2. Access – People can afford and physically reach food
  3. Utilization – Food is safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable
  4. Stability – Supply is reliable over time

Biotechnology addresses each:

  • Availability:
    • Genetically modified (GM) crops like drought-tolerant maize or pest-resistant Bt cotton boost productivity.
    • Biofortified crops (e.g., Golden Rice enriched with Vitamin A) tackle nutrient deficiencies.
  • Access:
    • Higher yields and reduced production costs can make food cheaper for consumers and more profitable for farmers.
  • Utilization:
    • Improved nutritional content (e.g., high-iron beans, protein-rich sorghum) helps combat malnutrition.
  • Stability:
    • Crops resistant to climate extremes and diseases ensure consistent harvests year after year.

Challenges & Considerations

  • Regulatory approval and biosafety frameworks
  • Public perception and misinformation about GMOs
  • Equitable access to technology for smallholder farmers
  • Intellectual property rights that can limit seed saving
  • Environmental concerns like potential biodiversity impacts
  • African Development Bank (AfDB) and other international government agencies should mobilize for funds for establishing agricultural processing zones in all Nigerian states and efforts should be aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening value chains.
  • International bodies in their support should mainly focuse on mechanized farming equipment, farmer training, and service centers to transition Nigeria from subsistence to commercial agriculture .
  • The Nigerian government should significantly increase funding for GMO technology, because public support remains minimal. Budget aloccated most times is limited and Nigeria need stronger political and financial commitment to fully harness agricultural biotechnology, especially given emerging innovations like TELA maize. Nigeria has made strategic strides in agricultural biotechnology—setting up regulatory institutions, approving biotech crops like TELA maize, and launching infrastructure hubs. However, domestic funding remains limited, and large-scale investments have been mostly external (e.g., Brazil, AfDB). To truly scale biotech-driven solutions for food security, sustained domestic investment and stronger R&D support are vital.
  • Nigerian government should help already established biotechnology hubs across the six geopolitical zones, focusing on genetic engineering, crop improvement, and support for biotech startups leveraging Nigeria’s biodiversity.

The Future Of Agricultural Biotechnology

  • Genome editing (e.g., CRISPR) for precise, low-cost improvements without introducing foreign DNA.
  • Synthetic biology for creating entirely new traits.
  • Microbiome engineering to improve soil health and crop resilience.
  • Climate-smart biotech crops tailored to local conditions.

Joseph Omode is the editor in chief of Alexa News Nigeria (www.Alexa.ng) and the Chief Executive Officer of Alexa Media Services. Joseph Omode is a multifaceted professional with over a decade years of diverse experience spanning media, brand strategy and development, public relations and reputation management,  communication and media relations, content creation, design and visual branding.His career spans various industries, including hospitality management, oil and gas, education, and community development, demonstrating his versatility and ability to adapt his skills to different challenges. His career, marked by adaptability, continuous learning, and a dedication to creating meaningful change, positions him as a forward-thinking person equipped to drive innovation and impact across sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Alexa News Nigeria.

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Briefing Highlights: How the African Development Fund is Financing Africa’s Future in a Shifting Global Landscape

Source: APO

The African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) concessional financing arm, was the focus of a special edition of the African Transformation Briefing co-hosted by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the Global Strategic Communications Council.

Moderated by ACET Communications Manager Belinda Ayamgha, the session was held virtually on 29 July 2025. The media-focused event convened development partners, journalists, and policymakers for an in-depth conversation on the Fund’s role in financing economic transformation across 37 low-income African countries, nearly half of which are classified as fragile states.

Valerie Dabady, Manager of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships at the African Development Bank, delivered a keynote presentation outlining the Fund’s catalytic impact, financing structure, and evolving strategic direction. She underscored the Fund’s ability to channel investments in areas such as climate resilience and regional integration through concessional resources tailored to country-specific needs and highlighted plans to expand its resource base.

“With 37 member countries and over $45 billion in investments since inception, the African Development Fund is a cornerstone of Africa’s development financing architecture,” Dabady said. “As we look toward the future, innovations like market borrowing and expanded donor engagement will be critical to increasing our impact.”

The briefing also featured a country perspective from Joseph Chanda, Assistant Director for Economic Management and Planning in Zambia’s Ministry of Finance. Chanda highlighted how Zambia is leveraging African Development Fund resources to accelerate infrastructure development, build climate resilience, and deepen regional integration.

“ADF financing has played a transformative role in Zambia,” he noted. “By allocating just 10% of our national resources to the Lobito Corridor, we were able to leverage over $330 million in regional window co-financing. These are the types of investments that build real economies and regional prosperity.”

The Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and road project connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, is among the largest regional integration initiatives currently under preparation with support from the African Development Fund. With a $500 million commitment, the Fund is helping to finance and de-risk the project, which is expected to catalyze investment in logistics, agriculture, and mining, particularly in critical minerals vital to the global energy transition.

Chanda also referenced the Kazungula Bridge Project, a regional integration initiative co-financed by the Fund with an investment of $68 million. Completed in 2021, the 923-meter-long bridge spans the Zambezi River, connecting Zambia and Botswana and replacing a long-standing ferry service. The project also includes One-Stop Border Posts on both sides of the bridge, significantly streamlining customs procedures and reducing transit times along the North–South Corridor. It supports intra-African trade, enhances regional logistics efficiency, and has become a key node for trade between Southern and Central Africa.

Participants raised questions on donor engagement, capital market access, and the future structure of the Fund. Dabady reaffirmed the Bank’s ongoing efforts to attract non-traditional partners and finalize approvals that would enable the Fund to access capital markets.

“The ADF has long flown under the radar,” she said. “But this is a pivotal moment to raise its profile, demonstrate impact, and unlock greater investment for Africa’s most pressing priorities.”

The session concluded with a call to action from Kerezhi Sebany, Africa Director for Economic Opportunities at the ONE Campaign. “We must shine a light on the African Development Fund,” she said. “When people know what the Fund is and what it delivers, it fosters transparency, trust, and partnership. Now is the time to tell the ADF story and tell it boldly.”

The African Development Fund is currently undergoing its 17th replenishment cycle (ADF-17). The next consultative meeting with development partner representatives will be held virtually on 18-19 September 2025. This will be followed by a meeting in Lusaka, Zambia in October, where Zambia government representatives will share results and country-level experiences.

The final pledging session for ADF-17 is scheduled for December 2025.

Watch the briefing: 

https://apo-opa.co/4mxztaR

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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« Moment charnière » avant une reconstitution majeure pour le principal prêteur concessionnel d’Afrique et pour une visibilité renforcée du Fonds africain de développement (FAD)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le rôle central du Fonds africain de développement du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) dans la promotion de la transformation économique des États africains les plus fragiles a été mis en lumière lors d’un briefing (https://apo-opa.co/4mxztaR) virtuel dédié aux médias. L’événement a été co-organisé par le Centre africain pour la transformation économique et le Global Strategic Communications Council.

Tenue le 29 juillet, cette rencontre a rassemblé partenaires au développement, journalistes et décideurs politiques pour un échange approfondi sur l’impact du Fonds et l’évolution de sa stratégie. 

« L’action du Fonds africain de développement est longtemps restée discrète », a déclaré Valérie Dabady, responsable de la Mobilisation des ressources et des partenariats à la Banque africaine de développement, en ouverture. « Il est temps de lui accorder la reconnaissance qu’il mérite, de mettre en valeur son impact et de mobiliser davantage de financements pour les priorités urgentes de l’Afrique. » 

Valérie Dabady a souligné le rôle catalyseur du Fonds et son modèle de financement innovant, capable d’attirer des investissements dans des projets de résilience climatique et d’intégration régionale. « En regardant vers l’avenir, des innovations telles que l’emprunt sur le marché et une participation accrue des donateurs seront cruciales pour renforcer notre impact. »

Joseph Chanda, directeur adjoint à la gestion économique et à la planification au ministère zambien des Finances, est lui aussi intervenu. Comme il l’a rappelé, la Zambie mobilise des ressources du Fonds africain de développement en vue d’accélérer son programme de développement des infrastructures.

« Le financement du Fonds africain de développement a eu un effet transformateur en Zambie », a-t-il fait observer. « En consacrant seulement 10 % de nos ressources nationales au corridor de Lobito, nous avons réussi à mobiliser plus de 330 millions de dollars en cofinancement régional. C’est bien ce type d’investissement qui développe le secteur réel de l’économie et favorise la prospérité régionale. »

Le corridor de Lobito est un réseau ferroviaire et routier stratégique qui relie l’Angola, la République démocratique du Congo et la Zambie. Il constitue l’une des plus grandes initiatives d’intégration régionale en cours de préparation. Soutenu par le Fonds africain de développement et d’autres partenaires, le projet vise à attirer des investissements dans la logistique, l’agriculture et l’exploitation minière, notamment pour les minéraux critiques essentiels à la transition énergétique mondiale. Le Fonds a alloué une subvention de 500 millions de dollars pour aider à atténuer les risques associés à cette initiative.

Joseph Chanda a également évoqué le projet du pont de Kazungula, reliant la Zambie et le Botswana, qui a bénéficié de subventions et de prêts du Fonds totalisant 68 millions de dollars. L’initiative comprend aussi des postes frontières à guichet unique, qui simplifient considérablement les formalités douanières et réduisent les temps de transit, le long du corridor nord-sud, reliant l’Afrique australe et centrale.

Kerezhi Sebany, directeur des Opportunités économiques pour l’Afrique à Campagne ONE, a déclaré : « Il faut mettre en lumière les actions du Fonds africain de développement. Lorsque le public comprend ce qu’est le Fonds et ce qu’il réalise, la transparence, la confiance et le partenariat s’en trouvent renforcés. Le temps est venu de porter haut et fort l’histoire du Fonds. »

Le Fonds africain de développement en est à son 17e cycle de reconstitution (FAD-17). La prochaine réunion consultative avec les partenaires au développement se tiendra en ligne en septembre, suivie d’une session à Lusaka, en Zambie, en octobre, où le gouvernement zambien présentera les résultats et retours d’expérience de l’initiative nationale.

La dernière session d’annonces de contributions pour le FAD-17 est prévue pour décembre 2025.

Regardez la présentation (en anglais) en cliquant ici (https://apo-opa.co/4mxztaR)

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

À propos du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement :
Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement est la principale institution du financement du développement en Afrique. Il comprend trois entités distinctes : la Banque africaine de développement (BAD), le Fonds africain de développement (FAD) et le Fonds spécial du Nigeria (FSN). Représentée dans 41 pays africains, avec un bureau extérieur au Japon, la Banque contribue au développement économique et au progrès social de ses 54 Etats membres régionaux. Pour plus d’informations: www.AfDB.org

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How hot is your home? Nigerian study explores comfort levels in buildings

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mak Okay-Ikenegbu, Researcher, University of Portsmouth

Global standards for heating comfort are largely based on cooler, northern hemisphere climates. How relevant are these benchmarks in low-cost housing in warmer African regions?

Mak Okay-Ikenegbu did his doctoral research on thermal comfort in low-cost housing for warm and humid climates in Nigeria. His research showed that people in tropical environments can withstand higher temperatures than current global standards assume. The findings open the door to affordable housing designs that are climate-appropriate, without relying on energy-intensive solutions like air conditioning. He told us about his research.

How do you define comfortable housing for people in tropical Africa?

Comfortable housing in the tropics is housing that allows people to live, work and rest without experiencing excessive heat or discomfort. This can be without air conditioning as well. It supports well-being by allowing natural ventilation, reducing heat build-up and adapting to local climate conditions.

It is housing that keeps people thermally comfortable using passive design techniques such as cross-ventilation, shading and use of breathable materials. These materials can be adobe, earth blocks, or bamboo, which reduce indoor heat.

What did you find out about people’s housing needs?

My research found that people in low-income, tropical settings like informal settlements in Nigeria adapt to higher indoor temperatures than international standards suggest.

I developed a local thermal comfort model based on real-life experiences of people living in naturally ventilated earth and makeshift homes in Nigeria. My data came from low-income residents in low-cost homes.

This model is unique to the study context, as it directly reflects the comfort responses of people living in this environment. Adaptive thermal comfort models have been developed before, for example, the American ASHRAE 55 model and the European EN 16798 model. These are based primarily on data from temperate climates and mechanically cooled buildings.

Models like this are scarce for sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the context of low-income or informal housing. This model has potential application for design and policy. It can inform architects, urban planners and housing authorities on how to design buildings that align with how people actually experience and adapt to heat.

This is crucial for creating affordable, climate-responsive housing that doesn’t depend on expensive mechanical cooling systems. It shows that people in tropical climates are comfortable at higher indoor temperatures than the international comfort standards suggest.

What does better housing look like in these conditions?

Affordable, climate-responsive housing solutions use local and thermally appropriate materials.

In my research, earth-based construction materials like mud or adobe walls were found to be more comfortable than materials such as scrap metal, timber planks and plastics. In earth-based housing such as those built with adobe or compressed earth blocks, indoor temperatures typically ranged from 20°C to 43°C. In contrast, in makeshift housing, often constructed from materials like corrugated metal sheets and tarpaulin, the temperatures were even higher, ranging from 25°C to 47°C.

This shows that makeshift structures tend to trap more heat and expose occupants to more extreme indoor conditions. The findings highlight the importance of building material choice and passive design in helping to reduce indoor heat and improve comfort, especially in settings without access to mechanical cooling.

I didn’t test the thermal performance of specific materials, but based on previous studies, materials like adobe or compressed earth blocks are known to offer natural insulation and reduce heat gain.

Corrugated metal roofs, which are common in low-income tropical informal settlements, often trap heat. So, incorporating insulation and ventilation beneath roofing can make a significant difference at very low cost.

Combining passive design strategies like shaded outdoor spaces, high ceilings, wide eaves, and cross-ventilation with materials that are affordable and climate-appropriate would help achieve better comfort.

What is significant or new about your findings?

My findings highlight the limitations of applying international comfort standards like ASHRAE 55 and EN 16798 in tropical climates. These standards were developed by organisations in the United States and Europe.

ASHRAE 55 is from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and EN 16798 is from the European Committee for Standardisation. They set out detailed guidelines for what indoor temperature are considered comfortable based on studies mostly from cooler climates and mechanically cooled buildings.

I found that many of the indoor temperatures that international standards would label as “too hot” were actually considered fine by residents. This was done by creating a comfort guide based on how people in the local area experience heat in their homes.

Based on the European standard, depending on outdoor conditions, comfortable indoor temperatures are expected to fall between 22°C and 32°C in the buildings surveyed in this study. The American standard shows a narrower range of approximately 23°C to 29°C. But the model or guideline developed in this study, based on actual feedback from residents in low-income homes in Nigeria, showed that people were comfortable at higher temperatures than those predicted by the international standards.

In this local context, comfort temperatures ranged from 24°C to 40°C, reflecting a greater tolerance for heat. This higher threshold suggests that people living in tropical climates, particularly in naturally ventilated and informally built homes, have adapted to their environment in ways that global models do not fully account for.

This matters because it affects how we design, build and improve low-cost housing in hot climates. If we rely only on international standards, we risk pushing for expensive cooling systems like air conditioning in order to meet recommended indoor conditions. Simpler, low-cost solutions based on how people actually adapt to heat could work just as well, or even better.

What policies or interventions can make this feasible?

Local adaptive comfort standards do not exist for sub-Saharan African contexts like Nigeria. Housing policies should therefore recognise the value of local comfort models and not impose global standards. Governments and other local stakeholders should allow and promote context-specific benchmarks when designing or delivering affordable housing schemes.

Building codes, urban development policies and political interventions should encourage residents and builders to adopt passive design techniques. These can be shading and ventilation, for example. Interventions must support the use of local, sustainable materials that perform well in hot, humid climates.

Investment is needed in community-led housing upgrades, especially in informal settlements. Even small improvements to insulation or adding windows for cross-ventilation can greatly improve comfort without incurring major costs.

– How hot is your home? Nigerian study explores comfort levels in buildings
– https://theconversation.com/how-hot-is-your-home-nigerian-study-explores-comfort-levels-in-buildings-262060

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Bold Sports seeks strategic partners for on-ground coverage of major global sporting events

Source: APO

Following its widely acclaimed digital coverage of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, Nigeria’s fast-rising sports media platform Bold Sports (www.BoldSportsng.com) is now seeking strategic partners to support its on-ground reporting at four major international sporting competitions between late 2025 and 2026.

These include:

  • 2025 AFCON – Morocco (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026)
  • 2026 FIFA World Cup – USA, Mexico & Canada (June 11 – July 19, 2026)
  • 2026 Commonwealth Games – Glasgow, Scotland (23 July to 2 August 2026)
  • 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup – Berlin, Germany (September 4 – 13, 2026)

While Bold Sports was not physically present at 2024 WAFCON and the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket in Morocco and Ivory Coast respectively, its digital coverage set it apart, delivering a proudly Nigerian, fan-first experience across platforms complete with match previews, player features, live watch-alongs, vibrant commentary, and behind-the-scenes narratives that resonated with local fans as Nigeria’s Super Falcons claimed the title for the 10th time and D’Tigress won their fifth straight title.

The results underscored its rising influence:

  • Over 25 million video views on Facebook, with more than 1.9 million engagements and 75,000 new followers
  • On TikTok, more than 1.7 million views, with strong interaction from fans across Nigeria and the diaspora
  • Over 150,000 views on YouTube, fueled by dynamic live sessions and commentary
  • More than 30,000 pageviews on www.BoldSportsng.com

Now, Bold Sports is ready to go even further by being physically present at the upcoming tournaments. This shift to on-site coverage will enable real-time storytelling, richer content, and exclusive access to Team Nigeria and fans, providing a more immersive experience for its growing audience.

More importantly, Bold Sports believes it has a national responsibility to tell Nigerian stories on the global stage — up close, with nuance, and with pride.

“We’ve already proven what we can do from home. But these next competitions are different — they’re massive, and our athletes need us there,” CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Bold Sports, Tosin Oluwalowo said. “The Super Eagles, D’Tigress, our Commonwealth athletes – Nigerians care deeply about these teams. They want to see them, hear from them, feel what they’re feeling. We’re ready to be there to deliver that. And we’re calling on the right partners to make it happen.”

The recent historic triumph of D’Tigress at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket where they became the first African team to win five straight titles has only deepened this emotional connection. Nigerians are eager to follow the team’s journey to Berlin 2026, to show support, and to witness them make more history.

“It’s not just about the games,” Bold Sports COO and Managing Editor Kelvin Ekerete said. “Nigerians want to know what their athletes are going through in camp. They want to see the tears, the celebrations, the setbacks, and the triumphs. Being there lets us bring all that home – and that’s what we intend to do.”

Bold Sports is now in conversations with corporate sponsors, institutions, media brands, and philanthropic partners to support each event individually. Partnership opportunities include travel logistics, branded digital shows, athlete features, tech and equipment support, and fan activations – all with strong brand visibility and access to a growing, engaged Nigerian sports audience.

“We want partners who believe in the value of Nigerian stories,” Oluwalowo added. “From the pitches of Morocco to the courts of Berlin, this is our time to show up – and with the right support, Bold Sports will be there to capture it all.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Bold Sports.

For sponsorship and partnership inquiries:
admin@boldsportsng.com
Call or WhatsApp:
+234 704 793 3646
www.BoldSportsng.com

Socials:
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4md101K
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4lj4IFB
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TikTok: https://apo-opa.co/46LQN7z

About Bold Sports:
Bold Sports, published by Bold Media Innovations & Creative Hub Limited, is Nigeria’s leading digital sports media platform, providing high-quality, data-driven coverage of Nigerian athletes at home and abroad. Through video, storytelling, and real-time engagement, Bold Sports connects a passionate community of fans with the moments that matter — from grassroots to global competitions.

With a bold, multimedia-first approach, we celebrate Nigeria’s sporting excellence and foster national pride across generations and geographies.

Motto: Boldly Nigerian. Passionately Sporty.

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to Host First Basketball Without Borders Camp in East Africa

Source: APO

The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.Africa.NBA.com) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today announced that the 21st Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp will be held at Petit Stade in Kigali, Rwanda, from Saturday, August 23 – Tuesday, August 26, marking the first time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in East Africa after previous editions in Angola, Egypt, Senegal and South Africa.

BWB Africa 2025 will bring together 60 of the top male and female players ages 18 and under from across Africa to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their peers from across the continent.  The campers and coaches, who will be announced prior to the camp, will also take part in life-skills, leadership development and social responsibility programming.

“Basketball Without Borders Africa continues to provide a platform for top young players from across the continent to continue their development and reach the highest levels of the game,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi.  “We look forward to bringing this year’s camp to East Africa at a time when there is incredible momentum around the game in the region.”

“Basketball Without Borders plays a pivotal role in the region’s basketball development, providing top young talent with access to elite coaching and valuable growth opportunities,” said FIBA Head of Players Unit, Kimberley Gaucher.  “Hosting this edition in Rwanda is particularly significant, as the country has established a strong footprint in African basketball over recent years, having hosted a FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying tournament last year, celebrated four Basketball Africa League Playoffs and Finals from 2021-2024, and also as host for both the boys’ and girls’ FIBA U-16 AfroBasket tournaments and a Regional Youth Camp this year, further underscoring its growing prominence on the continent.”

BWB Africa 2025 will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear.

BWB has reached more than 4,600 participants from 144 countries and territories since 2001, with 142 former campers drafted into the NBA and WNBA or signed as free agents.  Fourteen former BWB Africa campers have been drafted into the NBA and WNBA since the first BWB Africa camp in 2003, including 2023 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012) and 2025 No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach (Phoenix Suns; South Sudan; ties to Uganda; BWB Africa 2023).  Seventy-two former BWB Africa campers have been featured on Basketball Africa League rosters over the league’s first five seasons.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contact:
Chumani Bambani,
NBA Africa,
cbambani@nba.com,
+27 65 548 1031

About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  NBA Africa conducts the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya.  The league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more.

NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015.  The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that concluded its fifth season in June 2025. Fans can follow @ NBAAfrica on Facebook and YouTube, @ nbaafricaofficial on Instagram, @ NBA_Africa on X, and @ theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

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Efforts to ensure digital transformation does not create barriers

Source: Government of South Africa

While the tax administration is undergoing significant digital transformation globally, the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) has highlighted the critical role of the Ombud in ensuring fairness, equality and accountability in the evolution of tax administration.

“As we look to the future, we must remember technology is a tool, not an end. A truly modern tax system is not only fast and efficient it is inclusive, transparent, and just,” Office of the Tax Ombud’s Acting CEO Mmamelao Malakalaka said on Monday.

Addressing the 12th Annual Tax Indaba in Johannesburg, Malakalaka said research shows while urban taxpayers may benefit from these advances, those in rural or underserved areas may struggle with internet connectivity, device access, or digital literacy.

“Also, this digital divide is not just about internet access it’s about the capacity to navigate, trust, and benefit from digital systems. The elderly, rural communities, low-income taxpayers, and small businesses may face barriers.

“As an institution mandated to safeguard taxpayer rights, the OTO must take proactive steps to ensure that digitisation does not come at the expense of fairness, transparency or access to justice,” the Acting CEO said.

She warned that as tax systems modernise; they bring both efficiency and new risks.  

“While the South African Revenue Service (SARS) advances toward a more digitised, Artificial intelligence (AI) driven tax environment, fraudsters are also evolving, exploiting new loopholes in the system. Oversight bodies like the OTO must ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of taxpayer rights, transparency, or accountability.

“One major example is our current investigation into eFiling profile hijackings, a growing form of identity theft where fraudsters gain control of a taxpayer’s profile, change key details, and divert refunds,” Malakalaka said.

The OTO is currently investigating a number eFiling profile hijacking cases.

“The OTO is actively monitoring this matter, conducting investigations, collaborating with SARS and stakeholders, and has expanded its systemic investigation team to respond effectively to these emerging digital risks.

“Tax practitioners and taxpayers have reported to the OTO that the SARS eBooking system is frequently inaccessible due to errors, timeouts, or technical issues, and that there is limited availability of appointment slots.

“The OTO is listening closely to SARS’s response and … is committed to monitoring this situation. If improvements are not made, the OTO may consider opening a systemic investigation next year,” she said.

This demonstrates the OTO’s commitment to actively listening and addressing challenges to ensure digitisation does not create barriers to fairness and access.

“As part of the global Tax Administration 3.0 evolution, SARS and other tax authorities are exploring the use of AI technologies for audits and assessments. Tax practitioners have expressed concern about the potential for bias and error in AI algorithms. From experiences in banking and other sectors, we know that AI algorithms can sometimes be biased or incorrect.

“The OTO is aware of these risks and is preparing to oversee the use of AI within tax administration to ensure transparency and fairness are maintained,” Malakalaka said.

She emphasised that the evolution of tax administration in developed countries offers valuable lessons, but also serves as a cautionary tale. 

“We must adopt best practices, adapt them to our unique context, and guard against the unintended consequences of digital transformation.

“We too are modernising and digitising our own complaint-handling systems, improving online access, and investing in data analytics to better detect systemic issues. But in doing so, we are determined not to create new barriers for taxpayers who may have limited digital access or skills.,” the Acting CEO said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Women’s Month: Constable’s desire to serve and protect vulnerable groups

Source: Government of South Africa

As the country observes Women’s Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is celebrating the specialised units and teams who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

Today, the spotlight is on the Port Alfred Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit in the Eastern Cape.

Since August 2024 to date, the investigators have collectively placed 39 sexual offenders behind bars with five life terms sentences and an additional 382 years’ imprisonment.

Constable Sandra Catherine is one of the investigators attached to the Port Alfred FCS unit, with a conviction rate of 78.57% for 2024/2025 financial year. 

She is responsible for investigating serial rape cases, including sexual cases against children across Eastern Cape.

Her thorough investigation and high work ethic secured two life terms and an additional 25 years’ imprisonment that was imposed against the convicted serial rapist, Nkosikona Sandi (28), in the Makhanda High Court on 30 May 2025. 

Sandi, infamously known as the Nemato Serial Rapist, was convicted on multiple counts of rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Catherine’s investigation led her to link Sandi with the DNA evidence to a broader pattern of violent criminal conduct, including several rapes and aggravated robberies spanning from 2016 to 2019 in Nemato Township, Port Alfred. 

Her high moral standing and immeasurable desire to serve and protect vulnerable groups, especially women and children, serve as an inspiration to Catherine’s colleagues, victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), and the greater community of Ndlambe.

“I have a passion to seek justice for victims of gender-based violence and femicide, and to protect vulnerable members of society as well as ensure that those who commit crimes against them are brought to justice,” the Constable said. 

“I will always be the voice to the voiceless and pillar for those who need it. I hope that this sentence will bring comfort and a certain degree of closure to the survivors, families, as well as the communities,” she said.

Furthermore, Unit Commander Captain Candice du Preez emphasised that the Port Alfred FCS unit continues to demonstrate unwavering commitment to fight for justice for victims of GBVF and to put behind bars individuals who commit heinous crime against vulnerable group, especially women, children and people underscore the critical work of this team.

“To secure lengthy sentences against perpetrators of GBVF, it takes hard work, dedication, teamwork, and working long hours piecing evidence together as well as to present watertight cases before the court of law.  I am so proud to be a commander of this unit,” said du Preez. – SAnews.gov.za

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Letsike launches newsletter to boost opportunities for young South Africans

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, August 11, 2025

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has launched You(th), a flagship bi-weekly newsletter aimed at closing the information gap between government and the country’s youth.

The online publication will provide young South Africans with access to government initiatives, provide a platform for young people to access information, resources, and opportunities that can help them thrive.

Letsike said the launch of You(th) is a significant step towards empowering young South Africans with the information and resources they need to succeed.

“We believe that by providing a platform for young people to access opportunities and share their stories, we can help build a brighter future for our country and confront the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” Letsike said.

The You(th) newsletter will feature a range of topics, including:
•    Government Opportunities: Information on government initiatives, programs, and tenders that can help young people.
•    Youth Spotlight: Profiles of young South Africans making a positive impact in their communities and industries.
•    Know-How: Tips and guides on accessing government information, resources, and services.
•    Stories of Hope: Inspirational stories of young people overcoming challenges and achieving success.
•    Career and Business News: Updates on career development, entrepreneurship, and business opportunities.
The department encourages young people, media representatives, and stakeholders to access and share the publication with their networks. – SAnews.gov.za