Category: Africa

Source: APO

Vuka Group’s Mining Review Africa (https://WeAreVUKA.com/) recent webinar on workforce development in the mining sector is now available to watch on demand for free.

Titled Learning curves: Addressing the skills shortage in African mining, the webinar brought together leaders from industry and academia to discuss the growing skills gap facing Africa’s mining sector and the practical steps needed to prepare a future-ready workforce.

As mining operations continue to evolve through digitalisation, automation and changing sustainability requirements, the discussion explored how companies, institutions and technology providers can work together to strengthen workforce development across the continent.

The webinar unpacked several key topics shaping the future of mining employment and training, including the drivers behind Africa’s mining skills shortage, bridging the divide between academic learning and workplace readiness, and the impact of emerging technologies on workforce requirements.

Panelists also discussed practical approaches to skills transfer, talent retention and leadership development, while highlighting the growing role of immersive technologies in mining training programmes.

The session formed part of Mining Review Africa’s ongoing webinar series focused on the key opportunities and challenges shaping the mining industry across Africa.

Special thanks to our esteemed panelists:

• Dr. Paseka Leeuw (https://apo-opa.co/4ukMLft), Head of School at Wits School of Mining Engineering.
• Tanya Graham (https://apo-opa.co/4ueodVf), Managing Director at COMODEX Consultancy.
• Hayley Dady (https://apo-opa.co/4nC6kxb), Training and Capability Development Leader at Immersive Technologies.

The full webinar recording is now available to watch on demand here: (https://streamyard.com/watch/2ZExBuZEHpqt)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks World Art Day 2026 through their Pan-African “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community, established by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. On this occasion, the Merck Foundation also proudly celebrates the 6-year anniversary of this impactful community, which continues to harness the power of art and fashion to address critical health and social issues in Africa and beyond.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019 – 2025 shared “I am happy to mark World Art Day 2026, and I firmly believe that art, fashion, and media are powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues. We also proudly celebrate the 6-year anniversary of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ Community, established in 2020. Through this dynamic community, we continue to raise awareness on important health and social issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending FGM & child marriage, stopping gender based violence, women empowerment and diabetes, hypertension & cancer awareness, while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their day-to-day creative work as a powerful tool for awareness, education, and driving a meaningful cultural shift within their communities.

Our community today brings together talented members from more than 25 countries. I am proud of what we’ve built together and the positive social impact it continues to create.”

Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives including their first-ever pan-African TV program, ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of their ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

“Our Africa” has been broadcast on prime TV stations of many countries, and is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4uVAy0u, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4uVXlJF, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3POrnQz and YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4uUAONa) and Merck Foundation (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/42DgwMe, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/42HjDTq, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3RfS1Ck and YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4dhieZN).

Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4uUPsE6

Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Entries for the 2026 Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

A significant part of Merck Foundation’s “Art and Fashion with Purpose” Community is made up of the talented winners of Merck Foundation annual Fashion, Film, and Song Awards.

“I am proud and delighted to share that in partnership with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, we have so far recognized and celebrated 175 exceptional talents as our winners from 25 countries through our Fashion, Film, and Song Awards. Each winner has become a valued member of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ Community. Together, they continue to use their voice, art, and influence to spark meaningful conversation, challenge deeply rooted perceptions, and raise awareness about sensitive social and health issues across their communities,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

The 175 winners include 102 Fashion Award winners, 53 Song Award winners, and 20 Film Award winners, selected for their outstanding creativity and impact from 25 countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 9 Children’s Storybooks in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted their storybooks to create 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili, with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

https://apo-opa.co/4wHXB0G

https://apo-opa.co/3Rykovz 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com   

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4uT0z0e 
X: https://apo-opa.co/4uXc333
Youtube: https://apo-opa.co/49UgNhA
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4uYYFvp
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4tGxBzI
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4dxqwvo
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3RfRQqE

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/42DgwMe), X (https://apo-opa.co/3RfS1Ck), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/42HjDTq), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/49UgNhA), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4tGxBzI) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4dxqwvo).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavours.

Source: APO

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced that its Board has approved a commitment of up to US$100 million to invest in Africa-focused technology fund managers.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Africa. The continent’s digital economy is projected to contribute over US$700 billion to GDP by 2050, driven by a fast-growing, digitally connected population and accelerating enterprise adoption of technology. Yet despite this momentum, a persistent gap in long-term institutional capital continues to constrain the development and scaling of high-potential technology businesses across the continent.

Through this commitment, AFC will deploy catalytic capital in leading Africa-focused technology Funds and in particular African-owned fund managers. In doing so, AFC aims to address the underrepresentation of local capital in venture funding by catalysing greater participation from African institutional investors and deepening local ownership within the ecosystem.

Africa’s venture capital ecosystem has demonstrated real potential – the continent has produced nine unicorns, some of its leading fund managers have generated returns of up to 128 times the capital originally invested, and African start-ups raised US$3.8 billion in 2025 alone. Yet local institutional capital remains significantly underrepresented across many fund cap tables, with the majority of venture funding continuing to flow from international sources. AFC’s commitment is designed to shift that dynamic.

Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of AFC said: “Across the continent, young Africans are not waiting for the digital economy to arrive; they are seizing the moment — adopting technology, creating markets and solving real economic problems faster than infrastructure has kept pace. That is the investment signal. AFC’s US$100 million Africa-focused Technology Fund will accelerate the convergence of growing demand, rapid technology adoption, youthful demographics and the enabling infrastructure we are building. Digital infrastructure is now as fundamental to Africa’s transformation as roads, rail, ports and power — enabling productivity, payments, logistics, services, data and cross-border trade, while creating jobs and industrial scale.”

As part of the initial deployment, AFC has made anchor commitments to Lightrock Africa Fund II and Future Africa Fund III, positioning the Corporation across the full innovation lifecycle – from early-stage venture capital through to growth-stage scaling. These initial commitments represent the first tranche of a broader deployment, with AFC actively evaluating a pipeline of additional Africa-focused funds spanning a range of strategies and stages, with further commitments expected in the near term.

Pal Erik Sjatil, Managing Partner & CEO, Lightrock, said: “We are delighted to welcome Africa Finance Corporation as an anchor investor in Lightrock Africa II, deepening a strong partnership shaped by our collaboration on high-impact investments across Africa, including Moniepoint, Lula, and M-KOPA.

This commitment reflects a shared conviction in the opportunity to back high-growth, technology-enabled businesses with proven business models, strong fundamentals, and clear pathways to profitability. With aligned capital, a long-term perspective, and a shared focus on value creation, we are well positioned to support exceptional management teams and scale category-leading businesses that deliver attractive financial returns alongside measurable environmental and social outcomes.”

Future Africa is a venture capital firm that backs founders building technology-enabled solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges, with a portfolio that includes some of the continent’s most celebrated technology companies. AFC’s investment in Future Africa Fund III strengthens the pipeline of innovation at the early-stage end of the market, backing founders solving important problems spanning financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, consumer technology and education.

Iyin Aboyeji, Founding Partner, Future Africa, said: “Young Africans are not waiting for the digital economy to arrive; they are already among its most active participants globally. What they need now are the skills, productive assets and infrastructure to build and scale within it. By investing in AI-native skills, financing productive tools such as phones and laptops, and expanding energy, connectivity and compute infrastructure, we can convert Africa’s greatest asset — its people — into critical participants in the new global economy. AFC’s US$100 million commitment is the anchor this moment demands. As our first multilateral development bank partner, AFC is sending a clear signal that digital is as fundamental to Africa’s transformation as agriculture, manufacturing and physical infrastructure. We trust that other development finance institutions, insurers, reinsurers and pension funds will follow AFC’s lead.”

Overall, the commitment builds on AFC’s broader strategy to deploy capital across integrated infrastructure systems, where digital platforms increasingly complement physical infrastructure to unlock value across sectors. By combining its balance sheet strength, structuring expertise, and pan-African network, AFC aims to establish itself as the leading institutional investor in Africa’s technology ecosystem – mobilising capital at scale while delivering sustainable, long-term development impact across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of energy, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested over US$19 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

Source: APO

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Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is pleased to announce Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as Headline Partner for the 12th edition of The Africa Debate, taking place on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at the Guildhall, London.

This year’s extraordinary speaker line-up includes H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and AFC’s President and CEO, Samaila Zubairu, alongside global business leaders and investors shaping Africa’s next chapter.

As the UK’s leading forum for high-level dialogue on Africa’s economic future, The Africa Debate 2026 will convene over 800 senior leaders from government, finance and industry under the theme: ‘Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition’.

As the global order evolves and new economic and geopolitical realities emerge, discussions will focus on how to accelerate investment, unlock growth and strengthen development outcomes through a new era of collaboration.

This year’s speaker line-up reflects the breadth of voices shaping Africa’s next chapter, from heads of state to the stewards of global capital.

Highlights include:

H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
The Rt. Hon. Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister for International Development and Africa

Key ministers include:

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, Republic of Ghana

Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, Republic of Ghana

Hon. Judith Salvio Kapinga, Minister for Industry and Trade, United Republic of Tanzania

H.E. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Dalu Ajene, CEO & Head of Coverage, Africa, Standard Chartered

Runa Alam, Co-Founder & CEO, Development Partners International
Haythem El Maayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank

Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, Co-Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation
Claver Gatete, Under Secretary General & Executive Secretary, UNECA
Amadou Hott, Chair, Africa Advisory Board, Vision Invest

Kola Karim, Group Managing Director & CEO, Shoreline Energy International
Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive Officer, British International Investment
Zemedeneh Negatu, Chief Executive Officer, CBE Capital Investment Bank and Chairman, Fairfax Africa Fund

Hardy Pemhiwa, President & CEO, Cassava Technologies

Commenting on AFC’s partnership with Invest Africa, Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, said: “We are entering a decisive period for Africa and the global economy. As trade routes, supply chains, and industrial capacity are being reshaped, Africa has a historic opportunity to move from the margins of the global economy to a more central role in powering future growth, resilience, and industrial competitiveness.

Realising that opportunity will require mobilising capital at scale toward the infrastructure, energy systems, logistics networks, and industrial ecosystems that enable productive economies to grow and create jobs.

The Africa Debate comes at an important moment to deepen partnerships, align long-term capital with long-term opportunity, and accelerate the practical solutions required to help build the Africa our children will inherit.”

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, added: “The world is in transition, and Africa is no longer waiting to be invited to shape it. From the race to secure critical minerals and redefine development finance, to the urgent need to unlock energy access and accelerate digital transformation, this year’s Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities first.

With AFC as our Headline Partner, we have a bold, visionary institution that understands what long-term, bankable investment in Africa truly looks like. Together, we are convening a conversation that goes beyond rhetoric, focused on the partnerships, the financing models, and the structural shifts that will define Africa’s next decade.” 

Confirmed Partners of The Africa Debate Include: Africa Finance Corporation (Headline Partner), Absa Group, Afreximbank, Africa GreenCo, Brand South Africa, FirstBank UK Limited, Invest Durban, London Stock Exchange Group, Manufacturing Africa, Premier Invest, Rawbank, S-RM, Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL), Standard Bank Group and Standard Chartered.

To register as a delegate for The Africa Debate, please visit: https://apo-opa.co/4dqVaqk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

For more information or media enquiries, please contact: 
Fiona Hannig 
Marketing & Communications Manager 
Invest Africa 
T: +44 2037 305 035 
E: fiona.hannig@investafrica.com 

About The Africa Debate: 
The Africa Debate is London’s premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment and economic transformation. Now in its 12th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa’s evolving role in the global economy.

About Invest Africa: 
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform, that drives trade and investment across the continent. With over seventy years’ experience in Africa, we provide our network with trusted market insights, tailored business support, and platforms for meaningful engagement. Our network includes more than 400 multinational corporations, investors, policy makers and entrepreneurs, united by a shared commitment to building sustainable opportunity across Africa.

About Africa Finance Corporation: 
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is Africa’s leading multilateral finance institution, focused on bridging the continent’s infrastructure gap through innovative, commercially viable, and sustainable investments.  AFC has deployed over $14bn across 42 African countries.

Source: APO – Report:

The AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation (AISCA Foundation) (https://AISCAfrica.org) officially launches in Kigali to dismantle the barriers to AI innovation, strengthening Africa’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. Through this initiative, AISCA Foundation aims to provide equitable access to compute, skills development, research support, and community building.

Backed by seed funding from founding technology partner Cassava Technologies, AISCA Foundation is bridging the “compute gap” to ensure African AI researchers and innovators can develop world-class AI solutions locally, while building a scalable pipeline for continental talent development.

“Africa has the talent, ideas, and urgency to lead in applied AI. What has often been missing is access to compute, coordinated ecosystem support, contextualised data sets, and scalable pathways into dignified economic opportunities. AISCA Foundation is designed to help close those interconnected gaps,” said Isobel Acquah, Chief Executive Officer- AISCA Foundation.

AISCA Foundation is built around four core pillars:

• Sovereign Compute: Providing localised infrastructure in partnership with Cassava Technologies to ensure data and processing never leaves African borders.
• Curated Data: Developing high-quality African datasets in critical sectors like agriculture, health, and climate, to name a few.
• Capacity Building: Scaling AI skills across the entire value chain.
• Community: Creating a pan-African network to identify, mentor, and anchor top-tier technical talent.

Ambitious Targets for Inclusive Growth

Through these pillars, AISCA Foundation aims to deliver measurable continental impact, including:

• 1 million youth transitioned into dignified economic opportunities across the AI value chain
• 25,000 AI Native Innovators awarded compute grants to build AI-enabled solutions and use cases
• 10,000 AI Researchers awarded compute grants and technical assistance to advance cutting-edge research from Africa

AISCA Foundation will work closely with universities, the venture ecosystem, governments, development agencies, and private-sector partners to ensure that AI innovation is rooted in African priorities and accessible to local builders.

Speaking at a fireside conversation at the Kigali Launch, Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies said:“ While Cassava has invested millions of dollars in setting up AI Infrastructure, supporting AISCA through enabling access to dedicated compute ensures that we are empowering African youth in utilizing the rails to create localized value for their communities in practical and impactful ways.”

The Chairperson of the AISCA Board, Dr Agnes Kalibata, noted in her key remarks that Africa must begin developing technologies that respond to its own challenges rather than relying on imported solutions that often fail to address local needs.

The Foundation’s launch in Kigali reflects Rwanda’s growing role as a hub for digital transformation and frontier technology on the continent.

– on behalf of AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation (AISCA).

About AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation:
The vision of AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation (AISCA) is an Africa where young people – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds – are creators, not  just consumers, of AI, with the skills, infrastructure, and pathways to access dignified and fulfilling work. Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, the Foundation unlocks AI innovation through the provision of compute grants to AI Researchers and Native Innovators.