Après un record de $17 milliards, l’African Energy Week revient du 4 au 8 octobre 2027 pour doubler ses espaces d’exposition et intensifier les négociations commerciales

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La conférence et exposition African Energy Week (AEW) se tiendra de nouveau au Cap du 4 au 8 octobre 2027. Pour cette prochaine édition, l’événement s’étendra aux deux sites du Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 1 et CTICC 2), alors que la plus grande plateforme commerciale du secteur énergétique africain poursuit sa croissance. Ces nouvelles dates tiennent compte de l’extension de l’espace d’accueil, qui permettra d’accroître les capacités d’exposition, de réseautage et de négociation commerciale, tout en offrant davantage de place aux discussions de haut niveau sur l’avenir du secteur énergétique africain.

Considérée comme la plus grande conférence énergétique du continent, AEW 2027 placera une nouvelle fois les accords commerciaux, les dépenses d’investissement et l’exécution des projets au cœur de son programme. L’événement mettra en relation les opportunités énergétiques africaines avec les capitaux, les technologies et l’expertise internationale nécessaires à leur concrétisation. Alors que la demande mondiale d’énergie continue de progresser, que les innovations technologiques améliorent l’efficacité et que de nouvelles opportunités commerciales émergent sur le continent, AEW entend faciliter les investissements et les partenariats nécessaires pour faire de l’Afrique un futur pôle énergétique mondial.

Le retour d’AEW en 2027 fait suite à une édition 2026 particulièrement marquante, qui a réuni 12 000 délégués issus de plus de 100 pays, ainsi que plus de 150 exposants et 450 intervenants. L’événement a généré plus de 17 milliards de dollars de nouveaux accords et d’engagements, tandis que des projets supplémentaires représentant 16 milliards de dollars et susceptibles d’obtenir des financements ont été présentés aux investisseurs. Ces résultats ont non seulement renforcé la position de l’événement comme principale plateforme de négociation commerciale du secteur énergétique africain, mais également mis en évidence l’ampleur des opportunités offertes par les marchés du pétrole, du gaz et de l’énergie au sens large sur le continent.

« AEW 2026 a démontré que l’Afrique n’attend pas les investissements : nous concluons des accords, mobilisons des capitaux et faisons avancer les projets. En 2027, nous voyons encore plus grand. Deux sites, davantage d’entreprises et d’investisseurs, et plus d’opportunités commerciales », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’African Energy Chamber.

AEW 2027 entend capitaliser sur ces résultats pour réunir une nouvelle fois la communauté énergétique internationale au Cap. Organisé autour de plusieurs parcours thématiques, l’événement abordera les défis et les opportunités de l’ensemble du secteur énergétique et de sa chaîne de valeur. Les dirigeants du secteur examineront des sujets allant de l’exploration-production pétrolière et gazière aux infrastructures de raffinage et de distribution, en passant par l’électricité, les énergies renouvelables, les services pétroliers et les technologies associées. Des forums d’investissement de haut niveau, des discussions techniques, des présentations consacrées aux marchés nationaux, des expositions et des rencontres bilatérales permettront aux développeurs de projets, aux financiers, aux fournisseurs de technologies et aux décideurs publics de se rencontrer autour d’opportunités commercialement viables.

Cette prochaine édition intervient à un moment charnière pour le secteur. L’Organisation des pays exportateurs de pétrole (OPEP) prévoit que la demande mondiale de pétrole atteindra 124 millions de barils par jour d’ici à 2050. Parallèlement, les perturbations affectant les voies d’approvisionnement traditionnelles renforcent l’intérêt international pour les marchés pétroliers et gaziers africains. En réponse, des marchés établis sur le continent, notamment l’Angola, le Nigeria, la Libye et la République du Congo, mettent en place des conditions d’investissement plus souples, réforment leurs cadres législatifs et ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives pour les projets en eaux profondes, à terre et sur des actifs existants. Les découvertes réalisées en Namibie et en Côte d’Ivoire ouvrent la voie à de nouvelles provinces pétrolières, tandis que le lancement de projets au Kenya, en Ouganda et au Mozambique contribue à diversifier l’offre mondiale d’hydrocarbures.

Dans le secteur des énergies renouvelables, l’Afrique prévoit d’ajouter 23 GW de capacités solaires d’ici à 2040, ainsi que 300 GW de capacités éoliennes, à condition que les pays parviennent à mobiliser les financements nécessaires. Les capacités nucléaires devraient être multipliées par cinq à dix d’ici à 2050, grâce notamment aux projets d’expansion en Afrique du Sud et à la construction de nouvelles installations en Égypte. L’hydrogène vert constitue également une opportunité d’investissement particulièrement prometteuse, avec un potentiel de production estimé entre 30 et 60 millions de tonnes par an à l’horizon 2050.

Dans le même temps, les progrès de l’intelligence artificielle, de l’automatisation et des technologies numériques transforment l’exploration, la production, la gestion des infrastructures et la distribution d’énergie. Ces évolutions créent de nouvelles possibilités d’améliorer l’efficacité opérationnelle et d’accélérer le développement des projets.

Au-delà des secteurs énergétiques traditionnels, l’expansion rapide de l’intelligence artificielle et des centres de données fait également émerger une nouvelle catégorie d’acheteurs stratégiques d’électricité. Cette évolution offre aux développeurs la possibilité de sécuriser une demande d’électricité à long terme et de débloquer des investissements dans les infrastructures de production et de transport. Ensemble, ces tendances positionnent l’Afrique comme un acteur de premier plan de la prochaine ère énergétique mondiale.

« Le monde a besoin d’énergie, et l’Afrique dispose des ressources, des talents et de l’ambition nécessaires pour la fournir. Notre priorité est de transformer ces atouts en actifs de production, en infrastructures, en emplois et en valeur économique durable. C’est au Cap que ces partenariats se nouent, et AEW 2027 fera franchir un nouveau cap à la plateforme commerciale énergétique africaine », conclut NJ Ayuk.

Pour plus d’informations sur AEW 2027, consultez le site www.AECWeek.com.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Após recorde de US$ 17 mil milhões, a African Energy Week regressa de 4 a 8 de outubro de 2027 para ampliar a sua área de exposição e impulsionar negócios

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

A Conferência e Exposição African Energy Week (AEW) regressará à Cidade do Cabo para a sua próxima edição, de 4 a 8 de outubro de 2027, ocupando os dois espaços do Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 1 e CTICC 2), à medida que o maior mercado de energia de África entra numa nova fase de crescimento. As novas datas acomodam a expansão do evento, criando espaço adicional para exposições, networking, concretização de negócios e debates de alto nível sobre o futuro do sector energético africano.

Na qualidade de maior conferência de energia do continente, a AEW 2027 voltará a colocar os negócios, o investimento de capital e a execução de projectos no centro da sua agenda, ligando as oportunidades energéticas de África ao capital, à tecnologia e ao conhecimento especializado internacionais necessários para as concretizar. À medida que a procura global de energia continua a crescer, as inovações tecnológicas aumentam a eficiência e surgem novas oportunidades comerciais em todo o continente, a AEW facilitará os investimentos e as parcerias necessários para consolidar a posição de África como futuro centro energético mundial.

O regresso da AEW em 2027 sucede a uma edição de grande impacto em 2026, que contou com a participação de 12.000 delegados de mais de 100 países, além de mais de 150 expositores e mais de 450 oradores. O evento gerou mais de US$ 17 mil milhões em novos negócios e compromissos de investimento, tendo ainda apresentado aos investidores projectos financiáveis no valor adicional de US$ 16 mil milhões. Estes resultados não só reforçaram a posição do evento como a principal plataforma de concretização de negócios em África, como também demonstraram a dimensão das oportunidades existentes nos mercados africanos de petróleo, gás e energia em geral.

«A AEW 2026 demonstrou que África não está à espera de investimento — estamos a concretizar negócios, a mobilizar capital e a fazer avançar projectos. Em 2027, vamos ainda mais longe. Dois espaços, mais empresas, mais investidores e mais oportunidades para fechar negócios», afirma NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da African Energy Chamber.

A AEW 2027 dará continuidade a este sucesso, reunindo novamente a comunidade energética internacional na Cidade do Cabo. Ao longo de um programa com várias vertentes, o evento abordará os desafios e as oportunidades em todo o sector energético e na respectiva cadeia de valor. Os líderes do sector debaterão diversos temas, desde a exploração e produção de petróleo e gás até às infra-estruturas de refinação, processamento e distribuição, passando pela electricidade, energias renováveis, serviços para o sector petrolífero e tecnologias associadas. Fóruns de investimento de alto nível, debates técnicos, sessões dedicadas a países, exposições e reuniões bilaterais ligarão promotores de projectos, financiadores, fornecedores de tecnologia e decisores políticos em torno de oportunidades comercialmente viáveis.

Esta próxima edição terá lugar num momento decisivo para o sector. Com a OPEP a prever que a procura mundial de petróleo atinja 124 milhões de barris por dia até 2050 e as rotas tradicionais de abastecimento a enfrentarem perturbações, o interesse internacional tem-se orientado cada vez mais para os mercados africanos de petróleo e gás. Em resposta, mercados consolidados em todo o continente — incluindo Angola, Nigéria, Líbia e República do Congo — estão a criar condições de investimento mais flexíveis, a reformular a legislação e a abrir novas vias para o desenvolvimento de projectos em águas profundas, em terra e em campos já existentes. As descobertas realizadas na Namíbia e na Costa do Marfim estão a abrir caminho à formação de novas províncias petrolíferas, enquanto o arranque de projectos no Quénia, no Uganda e em Moçambique está a disponibilizar fontes alternativas de abastecimento de petróleo no mercado.

No sector das energias renováveis, África prevê acrescentar 23 GW de nova capacidade solar até 2040, além de 300 GW de energia eólica, desde que os países consigam mobilizar o financiamento necessário. Prevê-se que a capacidade nuclear aumente entre cinco e dez vezes até 2050, impulsionada pelos planos de expansão da África do Sul e pela construção de novas centrais no Egito. O hidrogénio verde representa uma oportunidade particularmente atractiva para os investidores, com um potencial de produção anual entre 30 milhões e 60 milhões de toneladas até 2050. Paralelamente, os avanços na inteligência artificial, na automação e nas tecnologias digitais estão a transformar a exploração, a produção, a gestão de infra-estruturas e a distribuição de energia, criando oportunidades para melhorar a eficiência e acelerar o desenvolvimento.

Para além da energia convencional, a rápida expansão da inteligência artificial e dos centros de dados está também a criar uma nova categoria de grandes consumidores estratégicos de electricidade, oferecendo aos promotores oportunidades para garantir uma procura de longo prazo e desbloquear investimentos em infra-estruturas de produção e transmissão de energia. Em conjunto, estes desenvolvimentos estão a posicionar África na linha da frente da próxima era energética mundial.

«O mundo precisa de energia, e África dispõe dos recursos, do talento e da ambição para a fornecer. O nosso foco está em transformar esta vantagem em ativos de produção, infra-estruturas, empregos e valor económico duradouro. É na Cidade do Cabo que estas parcerias se concretizam, e a AEW 2027 elevará o mercado energético africano a um novo patamar», concluiu Ayuk.

Para mais informações sobre a AEW 2027, visite www.AECWeek.com.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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CSIR seeks partners to combat AI-driven misinformation

Source: Government of South Africa

CSIR seeks partners to combat AI-driven misinformation

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has called on partners to collaborate with it in using technology to combat misinformation.

The call comes as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms how information is created, shared and consumed. 

Increasingly sophisticated AI-generated videos, audio and images are making it harder to distinguish authentic content from misleading or fabricated information, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly during elections.

CSIR Acting Research Group Leader for Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Principal AI Specialist Avi Moodley said organisations tackling misinformation and fake news cannot afford to work in isolation.

“The challenge is enormous. Whether it is data, infrastructure, resources or funding, all these elements can make a significant difference to our coordinated efforts. We would welcome your participation in strengthening and expanding this network,” Moodley said on Wednesday during a virtual media roundtable to explore these challenges and their implications for the electoral information environment.

Moodley said the sheer volume of available content makes it difficult for people to determine whether the information they receive can be trusted.

“You do not know what is real and what is AI-generated. If we, as researchers, experience this fatigue when analysing information and data, can you imagine what ordinary South Africans are experiencing when they are overwhelmed with information and are uncertain about what is real or fake?” Moodley said. 

She said advances in AI have, to some extent, industrialised the spread of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation — collectively known as information disorder.

“AI can be used to create synthetic content, develop and amplify emotionally charged narratives, and produce material that could potentially manipulate perceptions in specific contexts.

“The flooding of the information ecosystem with large volumes of content has created an unprecedented environment. We have not seen this phenomenon in previous elections to the extent that we are likely to experience it in the future.

“Our response, as organisations working to combat misinformation, therefore needs to be coordinated because we cannot address these challenges in isolation,” Moodley said. 

To respond to these challenges, Moodley said the CSIR follows a well-defined process during each election.

“We begin by identifying keywords that shape election-related discourse. We then collect relevant information from social media platforms and enrich it using our natural language processing (NLP) services, together with additional data.

“This enriched information is processed through our misinformation and unrest detection systems to identify potential warning signals. The information can also be used for network analysis and shared with partners who require access to relevant data,” Moodley said.

The findings are then incorporated into dashboards that the CSIR will showcase throughout the election period.

The CSIR aims to share this information widely with its partners and through public dissemination platforms, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), during the election period.

The media roundtable was hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, in partnership with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and other key stakeholders.

The discussion focused on the role of fact-checking and public communication in countering misinformation and disinformation, and how science, technology and collaboration among stakeholders can help safeguard the integrity of public information.

Informed Fake News Advisor Project

The CSIR has developed the Informed Fake News Advisor Project to evaluate information, compare it with credible sources and trace its origin.

The project aims to provide indicators that help identify and filter potential misinformation.

“This technology is not necessarily intended for everyday use by ordinary South Africans. Rather, it could benefit fact-checkers who are on the front lines, working through large volumes of information to identify potentially problematic content that requires further investigation and reporting.

“We are also working on developing an information triage system that takes the available information, together with variables and inputs generated by the Informed Fake News Advisor, and helps prioritise content for further assessment,” Moodley said. 

Moodley said the triage system would help the CSIR prioritise information requiring urgent attention in time-sensitive situations, such as elections.

“This technology is still a work in progress. We are currently looking at using the upcoming elections as an opportunity to test some of these technologies so that we can strengthen our capabilities as we move from the local government elections towards the next national elections,” Moodley said.

Audio search technology

The CSIR is also developing technology to search audio content, extending its work beyond text-based information.

“Currently, efforts to combat misinformation in the country are largely limited to processing text-based information. When it comes to audio, we face challenges arising from South Africa’s linguistic diversity, including the wide range of languages spoken in the country and the limitations of converting audio content into text for analysis.

“We are therefore developing technology that bypasses the need for this conversion and allows us to search audio content quickly and efficiently. We anticipate that this could be a game-changer in addressing multimodal content, which is becoming increasingly prevalent with the rise of AI,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Maphephetheni housing project to benefit over 2 000 families

Source: Government of South Africa

Maphephetheni housing project to benefit over 2 000 families

The Maphephetheni Phase 3 Rural Housing Project in KwaZulu-Natal is expected to provide decent homes to 2 286 families by 2028 as government steps up efforts to improve living conditions in rural communities.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba will today hand over housing units to qualifying beneficiaries at Maphephetheni, north of Durban.

Close to R7 million has been allocated to the project for the 2026/27 financial year.

The Department of Human Settlements has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring dignity in rural communities, including through the eradication of mud houses. Government has set a target of eradicating close to 7 000 mud houses across the country.

Cornubia housing project marks key milestones

The Maphephetheni handover precedes a visit to KwaZulu-Natal by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will lead the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project Milestone Celebration in eThekwini, on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

The milestone celebration will highlight progress in developing integrated human settlements that provide dignified housing, bring communities closer to economic opportunities and essential services, and address spatial inequalities inherited from apartheid-era planning, in line with the priorities outlined in the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address.

Cornubia is expected to deliver 12 593 housing units through various programmes, including fully subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing, First Home Finance for the so-called missing middle and social housing.

According to the Presidency, the development has delivered close to 3 000 fully subsidised housing units since its launch more than a decade ago. It also includes supporting social infrastructure and amenities such as a school, retail outlets, and recreational facilities.

The project is also intended to address spatial inequalities created by apartheid-era planning by developing integrated communities with improved access to services and economic opportunities.

“Cornubia has recently welcomed the first group of 2022 flood survivors into their permanent homes, while construction of additional 146 housing units is expected to be completed by December 2026,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The Presidential visit will also highlight the contribution of strategic partners to the development of integrated human settlements and government’s efforts to fulfil its constitutional mandate to provide access to adequate housing.

President Ramaphosa is also expected to visit Montclaire Lodge, the first government-owned Temporary Emergency Accommodation facility, which provides temporary shelter to people displaced by disasters. 

President Ramaphosa will be joined by, among others, Human Settlements Minister, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC, and eThekwini Mayor.

The milestone celebration underscores the importance of sustained collaboration among national, provincial and local government in accelerating housing delivery, strengthening communities and ensuring that more South Africans have access to dignified living conditions. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police advisory council to support policing reforms and restore public trust

Source: Government of South Africa

Police advisory council to support policing reforms and restore public trust

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has welcomed the inaugural workshop of the National Police Advisory Council (NPAC), which is expected to strengthen strategic policy guidance and support policing reforms in South Africa.

The Council, recommended in the 2012 National Development Plan, will provide strategic and policy advice to the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Comprising 14 members drawn from diverse fields — including law, finance, law enforcement, academia and business — the Council held its inaugural workshop on Tuesday to formally constitute the body, orientate members on its mandate and familiarise them with the Police Reset Agenda and other key priorities.

Addressing the members, Cachalia highlighted the urgency of reforming policing amid high crime levels and revelations emerging from the Madlanga Commission, which have further eroded public confidence in the police.

“A light has been cast on the darker side of policing and society. These developments have further deepened the trust deficit between the police and the communities they serve, undermining public confidence in policing,” he said.

Cachalia emphasised that the police service belongs to the people of South Africa and must fulfil its responsibility to serve and protect citizens.

“The police service belongs to the people of South Africa, and citizens have a legitimate expectation that the police will serve and protect them. It is against this backdrop that the Police Reset Agenda has become necessary.

“At its core, the Reset Agenda is a programme of policing reform aimed at reshaping the SAPS to ensure that it delivers on its constitutional mandate, upholds the rule of law and restores public trust.

“We look forward to the Council’s contribution towards ensuring that the Police Reset Agenda translates into meaningful and measurable improvements in policing and, ultimately, safer communities for all South Africans,” Cachalia said.

The Police Reset Agenda encompasses key institutional and operational interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity, effectiveness and professionalism of the SAPS.

These include filling critical vacancies, improving supply chain management processes, strengthening vehicle management and addressing police infrastructure challenges through the construction of new police stations, as well as the maintenance and upgrading of existing facilities.

The Council’s contribution is expected to support efforts to translate these reform priorities into tangible improvements in policing and public safety. – SAnews.gov.za

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Strengthens Libya’s Central Bank with Specialized Training Programs in Islamic Finance

Source: APO


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The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), delivered three specialized capacity-building programs in Tripoli, Libya, equipping more than 60 senior CBL professionals with knowledge and practical insights to support the development of the country’s Islamic financial services industry.

Held from 4 to 22 October 2026, this strategic initiative was implemented under an IsDB-funded Technical Assistance Project, designed to support the development of the Islamic financial services industry in Libya and strengthen institutional capabilities within the country’s financial sector. Each program spanned five training days.

The three programs focused on the themes of “Shari’ah-Compliant Monetary Policy Tools,” “Liquidity Management in the Banking System,” and “Treasury Management in Central Banks.”

Each program comprised 20 intensive training sessions facilitated by subject-matter experts, Dr. Mohammed Saleh Ayyash of IsDBI and Dr. Fathalrahman Ali Mohammed Saleh of the Financial Investment Bank, Sudan.

The sessions covered advanced topics in Shari’ah-compliant monetary policy and liquidity management, including the design and pricing of Islamic financial instruments and Sukuk, banking-system liquidity analysis, central bank interventions in the Libyan banking sector, liquidity supervision and crisis management, treasury operations, investment portfolios, international reserves, and credit risk management. They also explored the relationship between treasury operations, monetary policy, and financial stability.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions, case studies, and practical learning exercises that provided valuable insights into contemporary practices aligned with international standards and Islamic finance principles.

The programs received highly positive feedback from participants, who commended their relevance, quality, and practical orientation. Each program concluded with a certificate-awarding ceremony recognizing the participants’ successful completion of the training.

Alongside the programs, the IsDBI  team also held a series of professional meetings with several beneficiary institutions of IsDBI Technical Assistance Projects. These visits included meetings with the Ministry of Finance, Areefi Bank, and Aljomhoria Bank, where discussions focused on project implementation progress and ensuring the timely execution of planned activities.

In addition, a scoping visit was also made to the Saving and Real Estate Investment Bank as a newly approved beneficiary of IsDBI technical assistance. Discussions focused on identifying priority technical assistance needs and possible project technical components, besides exploring avenues to maximize the development impact of the grant.

The successful delivery of these programs and engagement with important Libyan stakeholders reflect IsDBI’s continued commitment to advancing human capital development, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and expertise, and strengthening institutional capacities across its member countries. Through its technical assistance initiatives, IsDBI continues to support the sustainable growth and development of the Islamic finance industry worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. For more information, visit: https://IsDBInstitute.org/

Stabilité des États côtiers : Le Bénin évalue les acquis du Mécanisme de Stabilité des États Côtiers (MSEC) et définit de nouvelles orientations

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le Ministre délégué auprès du Président de la République chargé de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité publique a procédé, le mardi 27 octobre 2026, au lancement officiel de l’atelier national de présentation des résultats et d’orientation stratégique du Mécanisme de Stabilité des États Côtiers (MSEC). 

Organisée à Cotonou, la cérémonie d’ouverture a réuni, autour du Ministre Djibril MAMA CISSÉ, son collègue des Enseignements Maternel et Primaire, Armand Kuyema NATTA, les Ambassadeurs des Pays-Bas, d’Allemagne et du Royaume-Uni, ainsi que la Cheffe de bureau de l’Organisation Internationale pour les Migrations (OIM). 

Le Mécanisme de stabilité des États côtiers est un programme mis en œuvre par l’OIM et financé par trois partenaires techniques et financiers : le Royaume-Uni, l’Allemagne et les Pays-Bas. Déployé depuis trois ans en étroite collaboration avec plusieurs ministères sectoriels, il intervient dans les communes frontalières les plus exposées à l’extrémisme violent. 

L’objectif de cette rencontre, qui rassemble l’ensemble des parties prenantes, est double : dresser le bilan des trois premières années d’activités et définir les orientations stratégiques pour le prochain triennat. Concrètement, les participants sont appelés à évaluer les résultats enregistrés, identifier les contraintes rencontrées et capitaliser sur les leçons apprises. 

A cette occasion, le ministre de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité publique a invité l’assistance à mener des réflexions approfondies afin d’adapter au mieux le mécanisme aux besoins réels des populations et d’assurer des retombées durables sur la stabilité des zones frontalières. Il a notamment décliné les priorités stratégiques du gouvernement : 

• Consolider les acquis tout en garantissant leur appropriation locale ;
• Renforcer la coordination et la complémentarité des interventions ;
• Faire de la jeunesse et de l’inclusion communautaire les leviers majeurs de la stabilité ;
• Optimiser le dispositif de suivi-évaluation et la mesure des impacts. 

Plusieurs autres personnalités ont également pris la parole, dont les diplomates des pays partenaires et la responsable de l’OIM. 

Dans son intervention, Monsieur Stefan BUCHWALD, Ambassadeur de la République fédérale d’Allemagne près le Bénin, a rappelé que le MSEC cible en priorité les localités confrontées à des défis sécuritaires aigus, dans le but de restaurer la confiance entre les populations et les Institutions publiques. Il a réaffirmé sa conviction qu’une relation solide et apaisée entre les citoyens, l’administration et les forces de défense et de sécurité constitue le meilleur rempart contre l’infiltration des réseaux criminels et des groupes armés terroristes. Enfin, il a émis le souhait que les travaux de l’atelier préservent les trois piliers fondateurs du MSEC :

• Une démarche flexible et réactive ;
• Un renforcement tangible de la présence de l’État ;
• Une attention prioritaire portée aux communes les plus vulnérables.

Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.

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Spiro et Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) lancent un programme pilote au Rwanda avec l’ambition d’accompagner 5 000 femmes entrepreneures à travers l’Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

  • 50 femmes ont déjà commencé leur formation au Rwanda, dans le cadre d’un programme pilote qui prévoit d’accompagner 500 participantes dans le pays.
  • Le programme associe formation pratique et entrepreneuriale, accès à des motos électriques abordables, solutions de financement et opportunités commerciales, afin de permettre aux femmes de développer leur propre activité.
  • Spiro et ESP ambitionnent d’accompagner 5 000 femmes à travers l’Afrique d’ici 2030, en favorisant leur participation au développement du secteur de la mobilité électrique sur le continent.
  • Cette initiative vise à renforcer la place des femmes dans les métiers de la mobilité électrique, notamment au Rwanda, où elles ne représentent que 4 % des travailleurs du secteur des transports.

Spiro (www.Spironet.com), leader africain de la mobilité électrique, et Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), cabinet panafricain spécialisé dans l’accompagnement entrepreneurial, annoncent le lancement au Rwanda du programme « Women in E-Mobility », une initiative destinée à permettre aux femmes de devenir conductrices professionnelles de motos électriques, de développer leur propre activité et de générer des revenus durables.

Le programme est déjà opérationnel, avec une première cohorte de 50 femmes ayant débuté leur formation en octobre 2026. Cette première promotion s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un projet pilote visant à accompagner 500 femmes au Rwanda, avant un déploiement progressif dans d’autres marchés africains, avec l’objectif d’atteindre 5 000 bénéficiaires d’ici 2030.

Cette initiative traduit l’ambition de Spiro de faire de l’essor de la mobilité électrique en Afrique un levier d’autonomisation économique pour les femmes. Alors que les deux-roues motorisés constituent une source importante d’emplois dans les secteurs du transport, de la livraison et de la logistique, les femmes y restent largement sous-représentées. Au Rwanda, elles ne représentent que 4 % des travailleurs du secteur des transports, alors même qu’une étude menée à Kigali en 2025 révèle que 47,7 % des femmes interrogées envisageraient de devenir conductrices de motos-taxis.

Pour lever les freins à leur insertion dans ce secteur, le programme « Women in E-Mobility » propose un accompagnement complet associant formation pratique à la conduite de motos, sensibilisation à la sécurité routière, éducation financière, développement des compétences numériques et formation à l’entrepreneuriat. Les participantes pourront également bénéficier de solutions de financement accessibles, notamment de dispositifs de location avec option d’achat, leur permettant d’acquérir une moto électrique Spiro et d’accéder à son réseau de stations d’échange de batteries.

Au-delà de l’accès aux véhicules, le programme prévoit de mettre les participantes en relation avec des plateformes de transport à la demande, de livraison et de logistique, afin de faciliter leur accès à une clientèle et de les accompagner dans le développement d’activités économiques pérennes. À travers cette approche, Spiro et ESP entendent encourager davantage de femmes à s’engager dans les métiers de la mobilité électrique et à contribuer à la croissance du secteur.

« La mobilité électrique ouvre de nouvelles perspectives économiques à travers l’Afrique, et nous souhaitons que davantage de femmes puissent saisir ces opportunités. À travers ce programme, nous leur donnons les moyens de devenir conductrices professionnelles, de créer leur propre activité et de générer des revenus. Notre ambition est de favoriser l’émergence d’une nouvelle génération de femmes entrepreneures qui contribueront à façonner l’avenir de la mobilité sur le continent », a déclaré Anant Badjatya, CEO du Groupe Spiro.

Le programme repose sur la complémentarité entre les infrastructures de mobilité électrique de Spiro et l’expertise d’Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) en matière d’entrepreneuriat. Ce cabinet panafricain accompagne les entrepreneurs dans l’accès au financement, le renforcement de leurs compétences et le développement de leurs activités.

« Pour les femmes entrepreneures, l’accès à une moto ne constitue qu’une première étape. La réussite d’une activité repose également sur l’acquisition de compétences, l’accès au financement, le développement d’une clientèle et un accompagnement dans la durée. En associant l’expertise entrepreneuriale d’ESP à l’écosystème de mobilité électrique de Spiro, nous souhaitons créer des opportunités économiques concrètes et durables pour les femmes », a déclaré Eric Kacou, cofondateur et CEO d’Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners.

Le Rwanda a été choisi pour accueillir cette première phase du programme en raison du développement de son écosystème de mobilité électrique et de l’implantation déjà solide de Spiro dans le pays, notamment à travers ses activités d’assemblage et son réseau de stations d’échange de batteries.

Cette phase pilote permettra d’évaluer les progrès des participantes, l’évolution de leurs revenus et les performances de leurs activités avant une extension progressive du programme, entre 2027 et 2030, à d’autres pays africains dans lesquels Spiro est présent. Pour accompagner ce déploiement, Spiro et ESP souhaitent mobiliser des institutions de financement du développement, des investisseurs à impact, des gouvernements et des partenaires privés, afin de faciliter l’accès aux financements, de renforcer les dispositifs de formation et de multiplier les débouchés commerciaux.

À travers « Women in E-Mobility », les deux partenaires entendent démontrer que la transition vers des transports plus propres peut également constituer un moteur d’entrepreneuriat féminin, de création d’emplois et de développement économique à travers l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour Spiro.

À propos de Spiro :
Spiro est le leader africain de la mobilité électrique, présent dans sept pays et à la tête du réseau d’échange de batteries pour deux-roues électriques le plus étendu et à la croissance la plus rapide du continent. Avec plus de 156 000 motos électriques, plus de 2 500 stations d’échange de batteries, dont 11 mégastations au Kenya et au Rwanda, et plus de 57 millions d’échanges de batteries réalisés à ce jour, Spiro totalise plus de 3,1 milliards de kilomètres parcourus en mobilité bas carbone. L’entreprise contribue à transformer les modes de déplacement et les économies africaines en proposant des solutions de mobilité abordables, accessibles et durables, en alternative aux transports dépendants de carburants fossiles importés et coûteux. Grâce à un réseau régional de production en pleine expansion et à des unités d’assemblage opérationnelles en Ouganda, au Kenya, au Nigeria et au Rwanda, Spiro s’engage à développer des véhicules électriques fabriqués en Afrique, par des Africains, pour l’Afrique et le reste du monde. Pour plus d’informations : www.Spironet.com

À propos d’ESP :
Fondé en 2011, Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) est un cabinet panafricain de conseil et d’investissement, disposant de bureaux à Kigali, Abidjan, Nairobi et Dakar. Présent dans 28 pays et fort d’une équipe de près de 100 professionnels, ESP s’appuie sur sa méthodologie propriétaire Intelligent Capital™ pour accompagner les entrepreneurs et contribuer au développement des écosystèmes du secteur privé en Afrique. À ce jour, ESP a accompagné plus de 12 900 micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME), contribué à la création de 43 153 emplois directs et facilité l’accès à 104,5 millions de dollars de financements. Ses programmes ont bénéficié à plus de 23 700 jeunes femmes, avec une attention particulière portée à l’entrepreneuriat, à l’inclusion économique et au développement d’activités durables. Parmi ses partenaires institutionnels figurent notamment la Fondation Mastercard, le Groupe de la Banque mondiale et la Banque africaine de développement. Pour plus d’informations : https://ESPartners.co/

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Visa strengthens its Senegalese relationship with new Dakar office and Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026

Source: APO

Visa (www.Visa.com), a global leader in digital payments, today announced plans to strengthen its engagement with financial institution partners, regulators and other stakeholders in Senegal through the opening of a new office in Dakar by the end of 2026 and its sponsorship of the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, taking place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. Under the platform “Visa at Dakar 2026: Powering the Payment Experience,” and through its global Olympic partnership and payment capabilities, Visa will help deliver secure, convenient digital payments and a seamless payment experience for athletes, fans and visitors.

Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event held on African soil and is expected to welcome around 2,700 young athletes from around the world. In collaboration with its members and partners, Visa will bring its Worldwide Olympic Partnership to life by supporting digital payment acceptance, merchant engagement and initiatives in Dakar and Saly connected to the Youth Olympic Games. Visa has partnered with the Olympic Movement since 1986 and is a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games through 2032. Dakar 2026 extends that global partnership into a locally focused programme designed to create practical value before, during and beyond the Games.

“Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates. Dakar 2026 is much more than a sporting event. It is a historic moment for Senegal and for Africa, and an opportunity to show the world the talent, energy and ambition of a new generation,” said Aminata Kane, Sr. Vice President and Group Country Manager for Visa Western & Central Africa. “The opening of Visa’s office in Dakar marks an important milestone in its engagement with Senegal. Through its Worldwide Olympic Partnership and in collaboration with its members and partners, Visa will support secure, convenient digital payment experiences for athletes, fans and visitors, while contributing to the country’s digital transformation journey beyond the Games.”

Visa announces new Dakar office

Visa also announced that it will open a new office in Dakar by the end of 2026, expanding its relationship and reflecting Visa’s long standing financial commitment to Senegal. The office support engagement with Visa partner institutions in Senegal, bringing Visa closer to clients, regulators, merchants, fintechs and other partners as they advance digital payments and inclusive economic growth.

Powering Payment and Local Activation

Through“Visa at Dakar 2026: Powering the Payment Experience”  and in collaboration with its members and partners, Visa will expand secure, convenient digital payment acceptance for visitors and local communities while supporting merchants. Two fan zones in Dakar and Saly will support Visa payment acceptance, strengthen “Visa Accepted Here” visibility and help drive local commerce.

Together, the new Dakar office, Dakar 2026 sponsorship and local activations reflect Visa’s ambition to build a stronger, long-term presence in Senegal. Beyond the Games, Visa aims to contribute to a lasting legacy of broader digital payment acceptance, stronger local commerce and more seamless, secure payment experiences for people across the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Visa Inc..

Media Contacts:
Visa
Yvan Guehi
yguehi@visa.com

About Visa Inc.:
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at www.Visa.com. 

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Spiro and Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) kick off pilot programme in Rwanda, aiming to support 5,000 women entrepreneurs across Africa

Source: APO

  • 50 women have already begun their training in Rwanda, following the programme’s launch as part of an initial pilot targeting 500 participants.
  • The programme combines practical and entrepreneurial training, access to affordable electric motorcycles, financing and commercial opportunities to help women build their own businesses.
  • Spiro and ESP aim to support 5,000 women across Africa by 2030, encouraging greater participation of women in the continent’s growing electric mobility sector.
  • The initiative aims to increase women’s participation in electric mobility, particularly in Rwanda, where they represent just 4% of transport workers.

Spiro (www.Spironet.com), Africa’s leading electric mobility company, and Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), a pan-African firm specialising in entrepreneurship development, have launched the Women in E-Mobility programme in Rwanda, an initiative designed to help women become professional electric motorcycle riders, develop their own businesses and generate sustainable income.

The programme is already underway, with the first 50 women having started training October 2026. They form the first cohort of a pilot targeting 500 women in Rwanda, before a planned expansion to other African markets to reach 5,000 participants by 2030.

This initiative reflects Spiro’s ambition to ensure that the growth of electric mobility in Africa creates new opportunities for women. While motorcycles are a major source of employment in transport, delivery and logistics, women remain largely underrepresented in the sector. In Rwanda, women account for just 4% of transport workers, despite a 2025 study in Kigali finding that 47.7% of women surveyed would consider becoming motorcycle taxi drivers.

The Women in E-Mobility programme aims to address these challenges by providing participants with practical motorcycle riding and road safety training, financial literacy, digital skills and entrepreneurship support. Women will also gain access to affordable financing, including lease-to-own arrangements, enabling them to acquire Spiro electric motorcycles and use its battery-swapping network.

Beyond access to vehicles, the programme will connect participants with ride-hailing, delivery and logistics platforms, helping them secure customers and build sustainable businesses. Through this approach, Spiro and ESP aim to encourage more women to pursue careers in electric mobility and contribute to the sector’s growth.

“Electric mobility is creating new economic opportunities across Africa, and we want more women to be part of this transformation. Through this programme, we are giving women the tools to become professional drivers, build their own businesses and generate income. Our ambition is to encourage a new generation of women entrepreneurs who will help shape the future of mobility on the continent,” said Anant Badjatya, Group CEO of Spiro.

The programme combines Spiro’s electric mobility infrastructure with the entrepreneurship expertise of Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), a pan-African firm helping entrepreneurs access financing, develop their skills and grow their businesses.

“For women entrepreneurs, having access to a motorcycle is only the first step. Building a successful business also requires skills, financing, customers and ongoing support. By combining ESP’s entrepreneurship expertise with Spiro’s electric mobility ecosystem, we want to create practical and sustainable economic opportunities for women,” said Eric Kacou, Co-founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners.

Rwanda was selected as the starting point for the programme, building on its growing electric mobility ecosystem and Spiro’s established local presence, including its assembly operations and battery-swapping network.

The initial pilot will help assess participants’ progress, income generation and business performance before the programme is progressively extended to other African countries where Spiro operates between 2027 and 2030. To support this expansion, Spiro and ESP are seeking to engage development finance institutions, impact investors, governments and commercial partners to facilitate access to financing, strengthen training and expand commercial opportunities.

Through Women in E-Mobility, both partners aim to demonstrate how the transition to cleaner transport can also encourage women’s entrepreneurship, create jobs and support economic development across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Spiro.

About Spiro:
Spiro is Africa’s largest electric mobility company present in seven countries, operating the continent’s most extensive and fastest growing network of battery-swapping for electric two-wheel vehicles. With more than 156,000 electric motorcycles, over 2500 battery swapping stations, 11 mega swap stations in Kenya and Rwanda, and more than 57 million battery swaps to date, Spiro has achieved over 3.1 billion kilometres of low-carbon emissions travel, transforming mobility and economies through substituting expensive imported fossil fuel-based transportation with affordable, accessible and sustainable solutions. Through its expanding regional production network and operational assembling facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda, Spiro is committed to delivering electric vehicles made in Africa by Africans for Africa and the world. For more information, visit www.Spironet.com

About ESP:
Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) is a pan-African consulting and investment firm founded in 2011, with offices in Kigali, Abidjan, Nairobi and Dakar. Operating across 28 countries with a team of nearly 100 professionals, ESP deploys its proprietary Intelligent Capital™ methodology to support entrepreneurs and private sector ecosystems across Africa. ESP has supported more than 12,900 MSMEs, contributed to 43,153 direct jobs and unlocked USD 104.5 million in access to finance. Its programmes have reached over 23,700 young women, with a focus on entrepreneurship, economic inclusion and sustainable business development. Its institutional partners include the Mastercard Foundation, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank. For more information, visit https://ESPartners.co/.

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