Category: Africa

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Deputy President Mashatile to address the Eastern Cape Traditional Leaders Summit

Source: President of South Africa –

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will this afternoon, 10 March 2026, deliver a keynote address virtually at the Eastern Cape Traditional Leaders Summit taking place from 10-11 March 2026 at the East London ICC, Eastern Cape Province. 

The Eastern Cape Traditional Leaders Summit has been convened as a platform where challenges facing the Traditional Leadership Institution in discharging their constitutional and customary obligation and strategies to strengthen positioning of the institution in working closely with government will be deliberated, with a view to providing practical solutions for the betterment of the lives of communities in the areas under Traditional Leadership. 

A couple of weeks ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the official Opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Parliament, Cape Town, where he stressed the importance of the institution of Traditional Leadership in the history, presence and future of South Africa as a united, democratic and prosperous country, in the service of its citizens.

The President has delegated the Deputy President to work closely with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in addressing issues that they have raised, including Government support to the institution; social ills confronting their communities; interface of Traditional Leadership with Local and Provincial Government; local economic development and job opportunities for Traditional Communities.

Details of the virtual address are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Time: 12h30 
Venue: East London ICC, Eastern Cape Province

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Brazil-South Africa Business Forum during the State Visit to Brazil, Brasilia, Brazil

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
Distinguished Ministers, Ambassadors and Members of Delegations,
Leaders of Business,
Ladies and Gentlemen.,
 
It is a great honour for to be with you today in Brasilia.
 
Brazil and South Africa are much alike. 
 
We are large, complex and diverse democracies. We are resource-rich and full of talent. 
 
We carry the weight of significant inequality and we both carry the ambition to overcome it. 
 
We are members of BRICS, partners in IBSA, advocates together within the G20 and at the WTO.
 
We have consistently championed the view that the rules governing global trade and investment must be made more fair, more inclusive and more responsive to the realities of the Global South.
 
This visit presents us with an opportunity to re-imagine a world of opportunities anchored by our shared values and vision. 
 
As Team South Africa, we are keen to rebalance our trade by growing and diversifying South African exports to Brazil.
 
Both countries have an interest in improving market access and product coverage through the MERCOSUR-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement.
 
Among other things, we need to work on reducing trade friction by strengthening cooperation on trade remedies and resolving non-tariff constraints affecting priority products.
 
There is huge scope for advancing industrial cooperation in identified high-impact sectors.
 
These sectors include biofuels, defence, agro-processing, aerospace, energy, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing and automotive.
 
These cooperation should include technology transfer and skills development.
 
We want to position South Africa as Brazil’s gateway into African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and to position Brazil as South Africa’s gateway into Latin America.
 
Many South African companies have operations in Brazil. These include companies like Sasol, MTN, Naspers, FNB, Aspen Holdings, Grindrod, Standard Bank, AngloGold Ashanti and others. 
 
Brazilian companies such as Petrobras, Embraer, Marcopolo SA have operations in South Africa. 
 
We welcome the establishment by Embraer of an aviation training academy at OR Tambo International Airport, building South African aerospace talent and embedding our country in a global aviation value chain. 
 
Marcopolo has invested in automotive manufacturing in the Gauteng province, contributing assembly capacity and workforce development. 
 
The Brazilian industrial engineering group WEG has built a manufacturing and distribution presence that serves South Africa’s mining, energy and water sectors. 
 
The foundation for greater trade and investment is in place.
 
Within BRICS, we have both championed development-oriented reform of the international financial architecture. 
 
Within IBSA, we have demonstrated that South–South cooperation can deliver real outcomes in health, agriculture, science and education. 
 
In the G20, South Africa has built on the momentum of Brazil’s distinguished Presidency in 2024, advancing shared priorities of inclusive growth, climate finance and fairer trade rules.
 
We have the foundation of a preferential trade agreement, the MERCOSUR-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement, covering more than a thousand tariff lines. 
 
We see this agreement as a platform with much greater potential than has yet been realised.
 
We are eager to work with our Brazilian partners to expand its product coverage and increase its use within the business community. 
 
South Africa is open for business.
 
We both have the policies, infrastructure and financial and technical tools to make it happen. 
 
Our Industrial Development Corporation and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa are in the room. 
 
They are available to support a joint financing fund instrument targeting large scale infrastructure projects in manufacturing, biofuel, transport and energy. 
 
Both countries have sound technical standards regulators and agencies. 
 
There is therefore good opportunity for technical exchanges in the field of standards, accreditation, specification and conformity assessments.
Agreements have been signed. Now is the time to accelerate implementation. 
 
To Brazilian executives who are considering where to deploy capital and build partnerships in the decade ahead, South Africa is not simply a market of 63 million people. 
 
South Africa is the gateway to a continent of 1.4 billion people, integrated through the African Continental Free Trade Area into a single market with a combined GDP approaching $4 trillion. 
 
Our main ports – Durban, Cape Town and Richards Bay – are among the busiest in the southern hemisphere. 
 
Our financial system is the most sophisticated on the African continent. 
 
Our logistics infrastructure, legal framework and depth of skilled human capital together provide a competitive advantage.
 
South Africa and Brazil are not simply trading partners. 
 
We are fellow architects of a more equitable international order. 
 
At a time when multilateralism faces real pressure, when the rules governing international trade are in flux, when the voices of the Global South risk being marginalised, our partnership carries a greater significance.
 
Let our economic partnership be the living expression of that shared political purpose. 
 
When South Africa and Brazil trade more, when we invest in each other’s economies, when we build value chains that span the South Atlantic, we are not merely creating jobs and generating returns. 
 
We are demonstrating that the Global South can shape its own prosperity.
 
I am here today with a business delegation representing South Africa’s most capable export and investment-ready companies across aerospace, mining, chemicals, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, energy, defence and advanced manufacturing. 
 
They have made this journey not as observers, but as partners ready to build.
 
As I look around this room at the companies, the entrepreneurs, the investors and the decision-makers who have made the journey to be here I see something powerful. 
 
I see two nations choosing partnership over isolation. Cooperation over competition.
 
In closing, I invite you all to join us at the South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg on the 31st of March 2026, not simply as guests, but as partners in building a future of shared prosperity between our nations. 
 
The door to South Africa is open. And the time to invest and grow together is now.
 
I thank you.
 

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TECNO and Tonino Lamborghini Announce a New International Collaboration

Source: APO – Report:

TECNO (www.TECNO-Mobile.com), the AI-driven innovative technology brand, today at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) announced a new collaboration with Tonino Lamborghini, the Italian lifestyle experience brand renowned for its heritage, boldness and uncompromised spirit. The partnership is born from a shared vision of innovation and modern lifestyle experience.

More than a collaboration, this partnership is an expression of a lifestyle shaped by design, technology and attitude, where Italian aesthetics meet advanced technological innovation to accompany everyday moments with purpose, boldness, and personality.

This collaboration represents a natural evolution for both brands. TECNO reinforces its leadership of merging cutting-edge technology with bold and elegant design through a partnership that conveys character, reliability and high-end user performance. Tonino Lamborghini gains an opportunity to expand into new categories while staying true to its core values of quality, identity and sophistication.

Products developed as part of this collaboration will feature exclusive design elements inspired by Tonino Lamborghini’s iconic style, paired with TECNO’s cutting-edge technological solutions. The result is a refined yet functional offering, designed for an international audience with a strong appreciation for both aesthetics and user experience.

“This partnership is built on the same pursuit of excellence and commitment to their missions. TECNO has shaped the digital experience of hundreds of millions worldwide, and the partnership is another milestone in our relentless journey to reimagine performance and aesthetics,” said Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO.

“This collaboration brings together two complementary worlds: our design language and TECNO’s technological know-how. Together, we have created a project that interprets contemporary lifestyle with coherence and vision,” commented Dr. Tonino Lamborghini, Founder of Tonino Lamborghini S.p.a.

The first products of the TECNO x Tonino Lamborghini line was officially launched at MWC 2026 Barcelona, marking a new chapter in technology and gaming experiences. The collaboration will extend across gaming devices, mobile phones, laptops, earphones, and tablets, creating a complete smart ecosystem infused with the iconic Tonino Lamborghini design.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS (MEGA MINI G1 Pro)

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS (MEGA MINI G1 Pro) is the second generation of TECNO Mini gaming PCs, following the success of the MEGA Mini G1, the world’s first and smallest water-cooling gaming PC. The latest model continues to redefine what a compact gaming system can be, empowering both creative professionals and gaming enthusiasts to harness the full capabilities of the latest applications.

A sleek, all-metal body accented with dazzling RGB lighting highlights the impactful Tonino Lamborghini design and color. The Intel® Core™ i9-13900HK processor boasts an impressive 14 cores and 20 threads, with a clock speed reaching up to 5.4 GHz.

The newly upgraded NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 8GB GDDR 7 discrete graphics card boasts 145W of total graphics power. Adopting the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, it brings game-changing realism of path tracing, cinematic quality visuals at unprecedented speed, ultimate responsiveness and 614 AI TOPS.

The CPU and GPU performance can be monitored via a real-time screen on body, and even in intense computing environments, the mini PC remains silently cool with approximately 10,000mm² pure copper water-cooled cold plate and a triple-fan setup.

Connectivity is equally robust, with 15 ports, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4. Power is supplied through an external 330W GaN (Gallium Nitride) power adapter.

The device represents the first product line of the TECNO x Tonino Lamborghini collaboration and the next step in high-performance, lifestyle-focused technology.

TECNO POVA Metal Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition

TECNO POVA Metal Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition is the world’s first-ever full-metal unibody 5G phone. The phone captures the most distinctive elements of both POVA series and Tonino Lamborghini with uninterrupted curves and an ultra-thin 0.99mm bezel. The Rear Dot Matrix features a 241-pixel independent LED matrix that showcases signature Tonino Lamborghini design elements. It can be personalized to display call alerts, notifications, and other dynamic visuals. Complementing this is a pulse light strip that adds an extra layer of motion and energy to the overall design. Adding to the memorable design is a Snapdragon® processor.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO AIoT Ecosystem

TECNO also displays a full concept AIoT Ecosystem, which will include laptops, tablets and wearables. Inspired by the iconic aesthetics of Tonino Lamborghini, it features a unified design language marked by sharp geometry and a sleek, modern silhouette. Light in weight and high in performance, the devices will fit users’ daily life for work, creativity, study and daily communications, while fully expressing their individuality.

Mobile World Congress 2026 is from March 2 to 5 in Barcelona, Spain at Fira Gran Via. Visitors may experience the collaboration at the TECNO Booth, located at Stand 7A40, Hall 7. 

– on behalf of TECNO Mobile.

For any related media queries, please contact: 
pr.tecno@tecno-mobile.com

About TECNO:
As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies and AI. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, smart gaming, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the newest technologies and AI-powered new experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.TECNO-Mobile.com.

About Tonino Lamborghini Group:
Since 1981, Tonino Lamborghini brand has stood out for innovative design and exclusive luxury. With a product range spanning watches, eyewear, fashion accessories, hospitality, real estate, total living, luxury beverages, and electric golf carts, the brand embodies Italian elegance and sophistication.

For more information: www.Lamborghini.it

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TECNO et Tonino Lamborghini annoncent une nouvelle collaboration internationale

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

TECNO (www.TECNO-Mobile.com), marque technologique innovante portée par l’IA, a annoncé aujourd’hui au Mobile World Congress (MWC) un nouveau partenariat avec Tonino Lamborghini, marque italienne d’art de vivre reconnue pour son héritage, son audace et son esprit sans compromis. Cette collaboration repose sur une vision commune de l’innovation et d’un lifestyle contemporain affirmé.

Plus qu’une simple alliance, ce partenariat incarne un véritable état d’esprit où design, technologie et attitude se rencontrent. L’esthétique italienne s’allie à l’innovation technologique avancée pour enrichir le quotidien avec caractère, performance et personnalité.

Cette collaboration représente une évolution naturelle pour les deux marques. À travers ce partenariat, TECNO renforce son positionnement de leader dans l’alliance entre technologie de pointe et design audacieux et élégant, à travers une démarche qui reflète le caractère, la fiabilité et la haute performance utilisateur. De son côté, Tonino Lamborghini bénéficie d’une opportunité d’élargir sa présence à de nouvelles catégories, tout en restant fidèle à ses valeurs fondamentales de qualité, d’identité et de raffinement.

Les produits développés dans le cadre de cette collaboration intégreront des éléments de design exclusifs inspirés du style emblématique de Tonino Lamborghini, associés aux solutions technologiques de pointe de TECNO. Le résultat donne naissance à une offre à la fois raffinée et fonctionnelle, pensée pour un public international attaché aussi bien à l’esthétique qu’à l’expérience utilisateur.

« Ce partenariat repose sur une même quête d’excellence et un engagement fort envers nos missions respectives. TECNO façonne l’expérience numérique de centaines de millions d’utilisateurs dans le monde, et cette collaboration marque une nouvelle étape dans notre ambition de redéfinir la performance et l’esthétique », a déclaré Jack Guo, General Manager de TECNO.

« Cette collaboration unit deux univers complémentaires : notre langage de design et le savoir-faire technologique de TECNO. Ensemble, nous avons créé un projet qui interprète avec cohérence et vision le lifestyle contemporain », a commenté le Dr Tonino Lamborghini, fondateur de Tonino Lamborghini S.p.A.

La première gamme TECNO x Tonino Lamborghini a été officiellement dévoilée au MWC 2026 à Barcelone, ouvrant un nouveau chapitre dans les expériences technologiques et gaming. La collaboration couvrira les appareils gaming, smartphones, ordinateurs portables, écouteurs et tablettes, pour créer un écosystème intelligent complet marqué par l’empreinte iconique Tonino Lamborghini.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS (MEGA MINI G1 Pro)

Le Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS (MEGA MINI G1 Pro) représente la deuxième génération des mini PC gaming de TECNO, après le succès du MEGA Mini G1, premier et plus petit PC gaming au monde doté d’un système de refroidissement liquide.

Ce nouveau modèle repousse les limites des systèmes compacts en offrant aux créatifs et aux passionnés de gaming toute la puissance des applications les plus exigeantes.

Son châssis intégralement en métal, sublimé par un éclairage RGB dynamique, reflète l’identité visuelle distinctive de Tonino Lamborghini. Il est équipé d’un processeur Intel® Core™ i9-13900HK à 14 cœurs et 20 threads, atteignant une fréquence jusqu’à 5,4 GHz.

La carte graphique NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 8GB GDDR7 offre une puissance graphique totale de 145W. Basée sur l’architecture NVIDIA Blackwell, elle propose un réalisme avancé grâce au path tracing, des visuels de qualité cinématographique, une réactivité optimale et 614 AI TOPS.

Un écran intégré permet de suivre en temps réel les performances du CPU et du GPU. Même en environnement intensif, le système reste silencieux et parfaitement refroidi grâce à une plaque de refroidissement liquide en cuivre pur d’environ 10 000 mm² et un triple système de ventilation.

La connectivité comprend 15 ports, le WiFi 6E et le Bluetooth 5.4. L’alimentation est assurée par un adaptateur externe GaN de 330W.

Cet appareil représente la première ligne de produits issue de la collaboration entre TECNO et Tonino Lamborghini, ainsi que la prochaine étape d’une technologie haute performance, pensée pour s’intégrer à un style de vie moderne et exigeant.

TECNO POVA Metal Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition

Le TECNO POVA Metal Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition est le tout premier smartphone 5G au monde doté d’un châssis monobloc entièrement en métal. Il reprend les éléments les plus emblématiques de la série POVA et de l’univers Tonino Lamborghini, à travers des courbes continues et des bordures ultra-fines de 0,99 mm.

À l’arrière, le Rear Dot Matrix intègre une matrice LED indépendante de 241 pixels, mettant en avant les codes de design emblématiques de Tonino Lamborghini. Celle-ci peut être personnalisée pour afficher des alertes d’appels, des notifications ainsi que d’autres visuels dynamiques.

L’ensemble est complété par une bande lumineuse pulsée, qui apporte une touche supplémentaire de mouvement et d’énergie au design global. Pour parfaire cette conception remarquable, l’appareil embarque également un processeur Snapdragon®, renforçant à la fois ses performances et son caractère distinctif.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO AIoT Ecosystem

TECNO a également présenté un concept d’écosystème AIoT complet, incluant ordinateurs portables, tablettes et objets connectés.

Inspirés par l’esthétique iconique Tonino Lamborghini, ces produits adoptent un design unifié caractérisé par des lignes affirmées et une silhouette moderne. Légers et performants, ils accompagnent les utilisateurs dans leur quotidien professionnel, créatif et personnel, tout en affirmant leur singularité.

Le Mobile World Congress 2026 se tient du 2 au 5 mars à Barcelone, à Fira Gran Via. Les visiteurs peuvent découvrir la collaboration sur le stand TECNO, Hall 7, Stand 7A40.

Distribué par APO Group pour TECNO Mobile.

Pour toute demande média :
pr.tecno@tecno-mobile.com

À propos de TECNO :
Marque technologique innovante présente dans plus de 70 marchés à travers le monde, TECNO s’est donné pour mission de transformer l’expérience numérique dans les marchés émergents. La marque œuvre en permanence à l’intégration harmonieuse d’un design contemporain et esthétique avec les technologies les plus récentes et l’intelligence artificielle.

TECNO propose une large gamme de produits comprenant des smartphones, des objets connectés, des ordinateurs portables et tablettes, des équipements gaming intelligents, le système d’exploitation HiOS ainsi que des solutions pour la maison connectée.

Guidée par sa signature « Stop At Nothing », TECNO s’engage à démocratiser l’accès aux technologies les plus avancées et aux expériences enrichies par l’IA, afin d’accompagner les esprits ambitieux dans la réalisation de leur plein potentiel.

Pour plus d’informations :
www.TECNO-Mobile.com

À propos du Groupe Tonino Lamborghini :
Depuis 1981, la marque Tonino Lamborghini se distingue par son design innovant et son positionnement dans le luxe exclusif. Son univers s’étend à de nombreux secteurs, notamment l’horlogerie, la lunetterie, les accessoires de mode, l’hôtellerie, l’immobilier, le lifestyle, les boissons premium et les voiturettes de golf électriques.

La marque incarne l’élégance italienne et un raffinement affirmé, tout en cultivant une identité forte et reconnaissable.

Pour plus d’informations :
www.Lamborghini.it

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President Ramaphosa extends period of Madlanga Commission

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has amended the period in which the Judicial Commission of Inquiry Commission into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System arising from specific allegations by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025, must complete its work and submit its final report.

Accordingly, the Commission shall submit a second interim report by 29 May 2026 and a final report on the completion of the inquiry, on 31 August 2026.

This extension was granted at the request of the Commission due to the number of persons who must still appear.

The President appointed the Judicial Commission Inquiry in terms of section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution on 21 July 2025.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga was appointed Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry and Advocates Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC were appointed as members of the Commission.

The Commission submitted its first interim report to the President on 17 December 2025 and resumed its activities in January of this year.

In its interim report, the Commission referred a number of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals.
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President- media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Media remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the State Visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil, Brasilia

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency, President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva,
Ambassadors,
Ministers,
Distinguished Members of our Delegations
Ladies and gentlemen of the Media
 
I wish to thank you, President Lula, for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation and for the constructive manner in which our discussions have been conducted.
 
We wish to pay our respects to the victims of the recent floods and landslides in the state of Minas Gerais and to convey to the families of those who lost their lives our deepest condolences. 
 
Our meeting takes place in the year that South Africa celebrates the 30th anniversary of the adoption of our democratic Constitution. 
 
On this occasion, we reflect on the progress our democratic nation has made and the sacrifices that made our freedom possible. 
 
We remain deeply grateful for the solidarity of the people of Brazil during our struggle for freedom. This support contributed meaningfully to the achievements we celebrate today.
 
Our visit takes place against the backdrop of renewed conflict in the Middle East. We reiterate our call for the peaceful resolution of all disputes in line with the United Nations Charter. We condemn the loss of civilian life and the destruction of vital infrastructure. 
 
We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
 
Your leadership has strengthened the foundations of our strategic partnership. We value your guidance on how our cooperation can be deepened and made more impactful.
 
South Africa and Brazil share a commitment to equality, economic growth and the eradication of poverty. These shared values provide a strong basis for building practical, mutually beneficial programmes that advance our respective national development priorities.
 
I am joined by several Ministers and officials. Working with their Brazilian counterparts, this delegation is well positioned to expand cooperation across key areas of mutual interest.
 
Our interactions with the Brazilian government and the forthcoming Business Forum are important steps in strengthening and expanding our strategic partnership. 
 
The South Africa–Brazil Joint Commission is a central platform for this work and we look forward to hosting its eighth session later this year. 
 
We also welcome progress in several sectors, including the conclusion of the Memorandum of Intent on Agriculture and the Memorandum of Understanding on Basic Education. 
 
Deepening our economic cooperation is imperative. 
 
South Africa remains committed to strengthening cooperation in agriculture, agro‑processing and value‑added exports. 
 
Enhancing reciprocal market access, including through the MERCOSUR–SACU Preferential Trade Agreement, will be vital. Our business delegation stands ready to pursue new commercial opportunities.
 
South Africa serves as a strategic entry point for Brazil into the African continent, just as Brazil provides a gateway for South Africa into Latin America and the Caribbean. This visit strengthens these linkages and supports broader regional engagement.
 
As we conclude our engagements, I reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to advancing our Strategic Partnership. 
 
The clarity and warmth of our discussions give me confidence that the momentum generated during this visit will yield concrete outcomes for both our nations and our respective regions.
 
President Lula, thank you once again for your generous hospitality and the spirit of partnership that continues to define our relationship. 
 
We look forward to welcoming you to South Africa soon.
 
I thank you.
Obrigado.
 

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International Women’s Day: African Union Celebrates Women of the Union with Pledge to Strengthen Inclusion and Dignity for All

Source: APO


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The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), commemorated the International Women’s Day 2026, under the theme “Honouring Women of the African Union: Voices, Work and Community,” recognising the diverse contributions of women across all levels of the institution. The celebration, held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, highlighted the vital roles women play in sustaining the Union’s work, from leadership and policy development to administration, security, cleaning and other essential services.

Speaking as “a son raised by a strong African woman,” the AUC Chairperson, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, acknowledged women across all roles, from Commissioners and Policy Officers to Drivers, Cleaners, and Interns, emphasizing that their contributions, whether visible or behind the scenes, shape the African Union’s mission.

“Every woman within this Institution, regardless of her grade or role, must feel valued, supported, and protected. Your commitment, talent, and leadership are indispensable to our collective mission. Your well-being, professional growth, and aspirations matter greatly to this Institution,” emphasized the AUC Chairperson.

During the interactive dialogue segment to reflect on the AU’s theme for Women’s Day, participants discussed key institutional priorities, including the review of maternity and parental leave policies, the forthcoming opening of an African Union daycare center to better support working families, and ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to health services for all staff regardless of contract status. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission also reaffirmed the institution’s zero-tolerance policy toward harassment and discrimination on women, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for all employees.

The AUC Chairperson concluded by calling for renewed commitment to building a Commission where every woman can thrive and where the next generation of African women leaders can serve with confidence and pride.

Addressing the staff, the AUC Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Ambassador Selma Haddadi, paid tribute to the founding mothers of the African Union, including Fatia Bettahar, Phoebe Asiyo, Fathia Nkrumah, Albertina Sisulu, and others, on whose shoulders  women still stand today. She underlined that the AU was the first among its peers to institutionalize equal representation for women, with women currently representing 37% of the workforce, including 38% of senior leadership positions.

Ambassador Haddadi emphasized the importance of recognizing women at every level of the institution, from young professionals to gardeners, translators, security officers, and cleaners, describing their work as “essential and indispensable” to the Union’s functioning. Drawing on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, Deputy Chairperson Selma Haddadi called for intergenerational and cross-rank solidarity among women and stressed the importance of male allyship in advancing gender equality.

“The solidarity we want for women across this continent must begin inside the walls of our institution. We cannot credibly champion women’s rights and justice across fifty-five member states if we do not first practice justice, dignity and care for one another within these walls. This endeavour is incomplete unless joined and genuinely supported by our brothers, at all levels,” concluded the AUC Deputy Chairperson.

The event served as both a celebration and a renewed call to action, affirming the African Union’s commitment to building a Commission where every woman can thrive, and where the next generation of African women leaders can serve with confidence and pride.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

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Harnessing data and frontier technologies for Africa’s economic transformation: forthcoming economic report calls for innovation-driven growth to accelerate structural transformation

Source: APO


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The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) will soon release its flagship Economic Report on Africa 2026 (ERA 2026) titled “Growth through Innovation: Harnessing Data and Frontier Technologies for Africa’s Economic Transformation.” The report underscores that while Africa has achieved steady economic growth in recent years, much of this progress has been driven by factor accumulation, capital and labour, rather than sustained productivity gains. As a result, the continent’s structural transformation has been slow, with limited reallocation of labour and investment into higher-productivity sectors such as manufacturing and modern services.

Reflecting on the report, ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete says that the strategic adoption of data and frontier technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, renewable energy solutions and advanced robotics, offers a vital opportunity for African economies to leapfrog traditional development pathways.

“When effectively governed and integrated, these technologies can boost productivity, stimulate industrial upgrading, expand job creation and promote inclusive, sustainable growth consistent with the goals of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The report projects that Africa’s growth performance will strengthen in 2026, reaching 4.3 per cent, supported by increased infrastructure investment, stabilising commodity prices, and growing intra-African trade. Yet, persistent challenges, such as high debt service burdens, limited fiscal space and widening inequalities, continue to constrain progress.

“This work emphasises that harnessing frontier technologies is now essential to closing the continent’s productivity gap, strengthening resilience to climate and demographic pressures, and fostering inclusive prosperity,” says Mr. Gatete.

The authors highlight that the economic impact of frontier technologies depends on complementary policies that nurture skills, industrial capacity, research and development, and access to finance. These factors determine whether technological advances can be absorbed, adapted, and scaled across sectors. Skills development emerges as a decisive lever for success, alongside innovation-driven financing tools such as innovation bonds, blended finance facilities, and regional credit lines to channel resources into high-productivity sectors.

The report also underscores that data—described as the new oil of the digital economy—represents a powerful economic asset capable of generating revenue, fostering entrepreneurship, improving governance and powering frontier technologies. By strengthening the entire data value chain—from generation and storage to processing and use—African countries can unlock new industries, strengthen digital sovereignty, and position themselves competitively within the rapidly expanding global frontier technology market, projected to reach USD 16.4 trillion by 2033.

ERA 2026 identifies manufacturing as the anchor of Africa’s structural transformation, driven by technology-enabled production clusters, smart logistics systems and digital integration via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Similarly, frontier applications in agriculture, transport, energy, and services are already transforming livelihoods—demonstrating how frontier technologies can strengthen productivity, catalyze green industrialization, and advance the clean energy transition.

However, the report also warns of critical risks, including labour displacement, gender and digital divides, cybersecurity threats and data dependency. It calls for stronger governance frameworks to ensure that the benefits of technology and innovation are equitably shared while safeguarding national interests.

To maximize the transformative potential of data and frontier technologies, ERA 2026 recommends that African countries strengthen governance and institutional capacity; invest in research, development and innovation ecosystems; develop dynamic policy roadmaps; promote human capital development, particularly for youth and women; and deepen public–private partnerships and regional cooperation. Closing infrastructure gaps—especially in energy, broadband, data centres, and transport—alongside reforming the international financing environment to de-risk investment in innovation, remains crucial.

With its vast critical mineral reserves, abundant renewable resources and youthful demographics, Africa possesses the foundations to become a key player in the global technology revolution. The ERA 2026 finds that by embracing innovation, strengthening productive capacities, and embedding frontier technologies within regional value chains, the continent can achieve resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic transformation.

The Economic Report on Africa 2026 will be officially launched at the ECA Conference of Ministers in March 2026 in Tangier, Morocco and will be accompanied by a high-level policy dialogue with African ministers, policymakers, private sector leaders and development partners. The report provides a data-driven framework for African countries to unlock the productivity dividends of technology and innovation and realize the aspirations of The Africa We Want.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

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Le Cameroun et la Banque Africaine de Développement adoptent un plan d’accélération et de redressement de la performance du portefeuille pays

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Au terme de la 55e revue du portefeuille organisée du 23 au 26 février 2026 à Kribi, dans la région du Sud, le gouvernement de la République du Cameroun et le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) ont validé un plan d’action conjoint pour améliorer la performance du portefeuille des projets financés par l’institution dans ce pays d’Afrique centrale. Cette revue, marquée par une volonté de rupture, veut insuffler un changement de rythme et de méthode dans l’exécution des opérations.

Le plan approuvé met l’accent sur le renforcement de la redevabilité à travers l’instauration de contrats de performance entre les coordonnateurs des projets, les ministères sectoriels et le ministère de l’Économie, de la Planification et de l’Aménagement du territoire (MINEPAT). Il prévoit également la tenue de revues sectorielles mensuelles orientées vers des solutions concrètes, l’anticipation des blocages dans les acquisitions, les décaissements, un suivi rigoureux des projets afin d’accélérer leur mise en œuvre et d’optimiser leur impact et le renforcement des capacités des unités de gestion des projets sur les règles et procédures de la Banque notamment en matière de sauvegarde environnementale et sociale et de gestion financière.

Par ailleurs, les participants à la Revue ont identifié des actions prioritaires. Ils ont ainsi recommandé le traitement prioritaire des projets signés mais n’ayant pas reçu un décaissement depuis plus de 15 mois ; le suivi rigoureux des opérations en alerte de clôture ; la prise de décisions rapides en matière d’extension ou d’annulation partielle des financements et le respect strict de la production des rapports d’achèvement afin de garantir une amélioration durable et mesurable de la performance du portefeuille.

A l’ouverture des travaux, le préfet du département de l’Océan dans la région du Sud, Bouba Haman, représentant le ministre de l’Économie, de la Planification et de l’Aménagement du territoire, gouverneur de la Banque pour le Cameroun, a salué la tenue de cet exercice stratégique qu’il a souhaité plus régulier et a rappelé l’importance d’une exécution diligente des projets pour répondre aux attentes des populations. « Ces travaux visent un objectif politique et social majeur : améliorer le taux d’absorption des financements. Chaque projet qui prend du retard est un service public dont les populations sont privées. Nous avons le devoir de gérer ces ressources avec la plus grande transparence et une rigueur budgétaire sans faille » a-t-il signifié.

Le directeur général du Groupe de la Banque pour l’Afrique centrale, Léandre Bassolé, a, pour sa part, appelé à un changement profond d’approche : « nous sommes ici pour regarder la réalité en face, sans complaisance, mais aussi sans esprit de reproche, avec un seul objectif : améliorer durablement la performance de nos projets et programmes », a-t-il déclaré.  

Il a poursuivi : « changer de paradigme signifie passer d’une logique de procédures à une culture de résultats ; d’une gestion fragmentée à une responsabilité clairement assumée ; et d’un suivi ponctuel à un pilotage rigoureux et continue de la performance. »

Moment clé du dialogue stratégique entre le Cameroun et la Banque, cette 55ᵉ revue du portefeuille marque le point de départ d’un processus renforcé de pilotage de la performance. Les deux parties ont réaffirmé leur engagement à faire du portefeuille un levier efficace de transformation économique et d’amélioration tangible des conditions de vie des populations camerounaises.

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

Contact médias : 
Frédérique Pascale Essama Messanga
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures
Banque africaine de développement
media@afdb.org            

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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Les Chefs d’État et de gouvernement de la Communauté Est-Africaine se sont réunis à Arusha en Tanzanie pour le 25ᵉ Sommet ordinaire

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Ce samedi 7 mars 2026, à Arusha (siège de la Communauté Est-Africaine) en République-Unie de Tanzanie, les Chefs d’État et de gouvernement de la Communauté Est-Africaine (EAC) se sont réunis pour le 25ᵉ Sommet ordinaire de cette organisation, sous le thème :
« Approfondir l’intégration pour améliorer les conditions de vie des citoyens de l’EAC ».

Après une rencontre à huis clos des Chefs d’État et de gouvernement de l’EAC, le Président kényan, Son Excellence William Ruto, qui était jusqu’alors Président en exercice de l’EAC, a salué dans son discours, la bonne collaboration avec les autres Chefs d’État des pays membres au cours de son mandat à la tête de la communauté. Il a souligné que des avancées significatives ont été enregistrées, notamment dans la facilitation de la circulation des personnes et des marchandises, le renforcement du processus de création d’un marché commun ainsi que les progrès vers l’instauration d’une monnaie unique.
Il a également insisté sur la nécessité de renforcer la paix et la sécurité dans la région, précisant que la situation sécuritaire dans l’est de la RDC continuerait d’être suivie de près.

Après la cérémonie de passation de témoin entre le Président sortant de l’EAC, Son Excellence William Ruto, et le Président entrant, Son Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni de la République d’Ouganda, plusieurs allocutions ont été prononcées.

Dans son discours, le Président ougandais et nouveau Président en exercice de l’EAC, Son Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, a évoqué les mesures visant à faciliter la libre circulation des biens et des personnes dans la région, notamment à travers la simplification des procédures aux frontières entre les pays membres de l’EAC.

Le Sommet des Chefs d’État et de gouvernement de l’EAC, en tant qu’organe suprême de prise de décisions de la communauté, a réaffirmé l’engagement des États membres à faire progresser l’intégration régionale et le développement durable. Les dirigeants ont insisté sur plusieurs questions clés susceptibles de façonner l’avenir du bloc régional, notamment les progrès accomplis dans la mise en œuvre des programmes régionaux.

Des rapports institutionnels ainsi que des initiatives stratégiques visant à approfondir l’intégration et à améliorer les conditions de vie des citoyens est-africains ont également été examinés. À cette occasion, le sommet a procédé au lancement officiel de la caution douanière régionale de l’EAC. Il s’agit d’une garantie douanière unique qui remplace l’obligation actuelle de fournir plusieurs cautions nationales le long des corridors de transit.
Grâce à ce nouveau dispositif, les opérateurs commerciaux et les transitaires pourront désormais utiliser une seule caution reconnue dans tous les États partenaires de l’EAC, au lieu de devoir obtenir des garanties distinctes dans chaque pays de transit.

Cet accord relie les administrations douanières, les assureurs et les institutions financières dans un cadre régional unifié, réduisant ainsi les coûts de conformité et les délais aux frontières, tout en protégeant les recettes publiques et en facilitant une circulation plus rapide et plus sûre des marchandises au sein de la Communauté.

Le Président en exercice de l’EAC a également appelé à un engagement accru de la jeunesse afin de renforcer l’unité, la paix, la sécurité et la coopération dans la région, dans le but de promouvoir le développement socio-économique et le bien-être des populations.

Signalons qu’au cours de ce 25ᵉ Sommet ordinaire des Chefs d’État et de gouvernement de la Communauté Est-Africaine, le nouveau Secrétaire général, Monsieur Patrick Stephen Bundi, ainsi que d’autres responsables, dont des juges de la Cour de justice de l’EAC, ont prêté serment devant les Chefs d’État et de gouvernement, s’engageant à exercer leurs fonctions conformément aux lois et règlements de la Communauté.

Signalons en outre que parmi les huit Chefs d’État attendus à ce Sommet figuraient notamment le Président de la République du Burundi et Président en exercice de l’Union Africaine, Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, la Présidente de la République-Unie de Tanzanie, Son Excellence Samia Suluhu Hassan, le Président de la République d’Ouganda, Son Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, le Président de la République fédérale de Somalie, Son Excellence Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, ainsi que le Président de la République du Kenya, Son Excellence William Ruto. D’autres pays étaient représentés par des envoyés spéciaux et des délégations officielles.

Distribué par APO Group pour Présidence de la République du Burundi.