Category: Africa

Source: APO

The National Football League (www.NFL.com) today confirmed how fans across Sub-Saharan Africa can follow the 2026 NFL season, with live coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 in more than 50 countries across the continent, as well as on the simulcast of both channels on Disney+ in South Africa. 

Coverage begins with the NFL Kickoff Game, live in the early hours of Thursday, Sept. 10 — (1:20 a.m. WAT, 2:20 a.m. CAT and SAST, and 3:20 a.m. EAT) — as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. Coverage then continues every week of the regular season. Fans will be able to watch live games in both Sunday afternoon windows, followed by Sunday Night Football. Primetime coverage runs through the week with Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football. 

ESPN will carry the postseason in full, concluding with Super Bowl LXI from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, live in the early hours of Monday, Feb. 15 — (2:30 a.m. WAT, 1:30 a.m. CAT and SAST, and 2:30 a.m. EAT.) 

“The NFL is growing fast across Africa — not only in the size of the fanbase, but in the number of players from the continent that fans can now watch and call their own,” said Laura Louisy, NFL senior director of international business development and media, “and ESPN gives those fans a consistent home for the game every week, from the Kickoff Game through to the Super Bowl.” 

“The NFL is a major global sports brand with an incredibly strong heritage and growing connections to the continent,” commented Kyle De Klerk, Director: Sports for The Walt Disney Company Africa. “ESPN has a storied, decades-long history with the NFL, and we are proud to build on that legacy by bringing this year’s season to sports fans, building on our quality global programming featuring the best of American and international sports to audiences across Africa.”  

ESPN’s coverage sits alongside the NFL’s wider work across the continent, including the NFL Academy, the growth of flag football and the rising number of players of African heritage on NFL rosters. 

Join the NFL Africa community on Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3TmllZa) and X (https://apo-opa.co/4d73Brm) for exclusive content, highlights and breaking news.  ​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Football League (NFL).

Notes to Editors: 
In GMT markets, including Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, the NFL Kickoff Game begins at 12:20 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 and Super Bowl LXI at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. 

Coverage is available in the following markets: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, St Helena, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Source: APO

Vestergaard Sàrl (www.Vestergaard.com) announced today that Health Textiles Nigeria FZE is now operational, marking a major milestone in the fight against malaria and establishing Nigeria as a leading hub for the production of next-generation mosquito nets in Africa. At scale, Health Textiles Nigeria will produce 10 million nets per year, employing more than 600 people in Nigeria.

The facility is the first in Nigeria to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs). It will produce PermaNet® Dual – Vestergaard’s most advanced net designed to combat insecticide resistance, which was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023. Health Textiles Nigeria has been acknowledged by WHO as a Vestergaard production site.

As operations scale up, Health Textiles Nigeria represents a significant step forward in expanding access to one of the most effective tools available for malaria prevention. Support from the Government of Nigeria has been instrumental, symbolizing a shared commitment to strengthening malaria prevention through local initiatives.

Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria, said: “The commencement of local production of next-generation insecticide-treated nets is an important milestone for Nigeria’s health system and our fight against malaria. It also reflects our broader commitment to strengthening health security by building domestic capacity to manufacture the essential health products Nigerians need. Through partnerships that bring together global expertise, Nigerian talent and local production, we are building a more resilient healthcare value chain while creating skilled jobs and positioning Nigeria as a competitive manufacturing hub for Africa.”

This progress comes at a pivotal time in the global fight against malaria. Since 2000, ITNs including PermaNet Dual have been responsible for averting 1.13 billion cases (https://apo-opa.co/4ir1imJ). Yet malaria remains a significant  global health threat, particularly for women and young children, with an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths (https://apo-opa.co/4cAniHX) recorded by WHO globally in 2024. Africa remains hardest hit by malaria, and Nigeria accounts for a quarter of the world’s cases.

Health Textiles Nigeria (https://apo-opa.co/4xXcrjV) responds to this urgent need by expanding local capacity and expertise to produce life-saving malaria prevention tools, fulfilling the vision set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2024 between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). The agreement, which focuses on strengthening local production capacity, establishes Nigeria as West Africa’s first manufacturing hub for dual active-ingredient mosquito nets.

Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, said: “This milestone demonstrates what is possible when investment, technology transfer and government policy are deliberately aligned to build local manufacturing capability. When PVAC and Vestergaard signed the MOU in 2024, the objective was not simply to attract investment, but to translate partnership into productive capacity in Nigeria. Seeing Nigerian professionals trained, production underway and a pathway established to manufacture at scale is exactly the kind of outcome we want to replicate across the healthcare value chain.”

Health Textiles Nigeria is wholly owned by Vestergaard, a global leader in malaria prevention that has supplied approximately one-third of all insecticide-treated nets publicly procured worldwide since 2000. The company brings decades of manufacturing expertise, rigorous quality assurance systems and a proven track record in developing and scaling innovative vector-control technologies that have helped protect millions of people from malaria.

Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, said: “Today we welcome the start of a new chapter in Africa’s fight against malaria, and we thank Minister Pate for his leadership and the unwavering support of the Nigerian government. By combining Nigerian talent with world-class manufacturing and Vestergaard’s deep expertise in innovative malaria prevention tools, Health Textiles Nigeria will deliver the highest standards of quality, compliance and performance. We believe this facility can become a benchmark for malaria prevention manufacturing in Africa and help ensure that life-saving mosquito nets are produced closer to the communities that need them most.”

Health Textiles Nigeria is placing quality, training and compliance at the heart of its operations. The company has already recruited around 80 employees, with rigorous training covering manufacturing excellence, product quality, health and safety, and regulatory compliance ongoing. As production expands, the facility is expected to create additional employment opportunities while developing a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting world-class health-product manufacturing.

The facility builds on Vestergaard’s decades of commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering practical solutions for malaria prevention. Every aspect of production is designed to meet the company’s stringent global standards, ensuring that PermaNet Dual manufactured in Nigeria delivers the performance, reliability and quality that health programmes around the world depend on.

As countries across Africa increasingly prioritize local manufacturing of essential health products, Health Textiles Nigeria demonstrates how international expertise and local capability can combine to strengthen supply chains, create skilled jobs and improve access to critical health interventions.

With production now underway, the first commercial orders are expected to be fulfilled in the coming months.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vestergaard Sàrl.

Media contact:
Sarah-Jane Loveday
Director of Communication & Marketing
media@vestergaard.com

About Vestergaard:
Vestergaard is a social enterprise making innovative fabrics that have life-changing impact. Our PermaNet® insecticide-treated mosquito nets are a mainstay of global malaria elimination programmes, and our agricultural products safeguard harvests and protect high-value crops. Founded in Denmark in 1957, today the company is headquartered in Switzerland, with research and innovation led from the USA. Commercial and science teams are located across Africa and include a vector control research laboratory in Ghana (Vestergaard–Noguchi Vector Labs). Our manufacturing and quality testing operations are situated in Vietnam, with additional production facilities in Nigeria (Health Textiles Nigeria FZE). We have been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2006 and a certified B Corporation since 2021. More information: www.Vestergaard.com

  

Source: APO

Nationals in the UK, Sweden, France and Austria have commemorated the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for independence with patriotic zeal.

At the commemorative events in London and Manchester on 6 September, Mr. Hadgu Okbalidet, chairman of the PFDJ, provided a briefing on the historical background of Bahti Meskerem and called on nationals to safeguard the independence achieved through arduous struggle and immense sacrifice and pass it on to future generations.

Mr. Saleh Abdella, Charge d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in the UK and Ireland, noted that the Eritrean people launched the armed struggle for independence after being denied their rights despite their peaceful political struggle. He said that the day holds a distinguished place in the country’s history.

Stating, “Our Unity is the Secret of Our Struggle,” Mr. Suleiman Hassan, head of Consular Affairs, said that standing united under one flag to confront all hostilities is the timely responsibility of every citizen.

At the commemorative event in Stockholm, Sweden, on 5 September, Mr. Zer’om Kidane, chairman of the PFDJ in the city, gave an extensive briefing on the profound meaning of the day to the Eritrean people.

Mr. Yemane Gebrekidan, head of Consular Affairs, said that the day reminds every citizen to strengthen participation in efforts to nurture a committed and responsible generation capable of preserving the nation’s history and noble societal values. The day was also commemorated in various Swedish cities.

Nationals in Paris and its environs, France, also commemorated the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Revolution School.

At the event, Mr. Bereket Paulos, Charge d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy, gave a briefing on the historical background of the day. The event featured cultural and artistic programs and a photo exhibition staged by members of the Revolution School.

Similarly, nationals in Austria enthusiastically commemorated Bahti Meskerem. Speaking at the event, Mr. Okbai Abadi, chairman of the Eritrean community, called on nationals to strengthen their organization and participation in national affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

The ECOWAS Commission convened the Fourteenth Session of the Convergence Council by videoconference on September 7, 2026, to review progress towards the establishment of the ECOWAS Single Currency, The ECO, targeted for launch in 2027.

The Session considered the report of the 68th Meeting of the Committee of Governors (CoG) of the Central Banks of ECOWAS Member States, held on 4 September 2026. The CoG meeting followed the 3rd Joint Meeting of the Technical Committee on Macroeconomic Policies of the ECOWAS Commission and the Technical Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), held from 31 August to 2 September 2026.

The meetings reviewed the economic performance and convergence status of Member States and assessed progress on the outstanding requirements for the launch of the ECO. Participants noted that the objective of launching the ECO in 2027 remains achievable. The Council requested ECOWAS Commission to immediately convene the Meeting of the Presidential Task Force to fast track the process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

The National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the Southern Region has presented the Denden Award to 77 outstanding students, including 34 female students, who attained a GPA of 3.0 or above in the national school-leaving examination for the 2025/2026 academic year. The award ceremony, held for the fifth time, took place on 8 September in Dekemhare.

Mr. Filmon Mesfun, head of the union branch in Dekemhare sub-zone, said that 84% of the awardees had previously received the Indomaso Award for attaining high scores in the eighth-grade national examination.

Mr. Yemane Abera, administrator of the sub-zone, noted that the recognition places greater responsibility on the outstanding students and urged them to work hard and become competitive in their college studies.

In related news, Bisha Junior and High School in Barentu sub-zone has recognized outstanding students who attained high GPAs in the national school-leaving examination.

The awardees include 11 outstanding students who attained GPAs ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 and four who attained a perfect GPA of 4.0.

Noting that the achievements were the result of the efforts and commitment of students, parents and teachers, Mr. Legese Hadish, director of the school, called on the award-winning students to excel in their college studies to realize their aspirations.

Mr. Tesfa’alem Bahta, administrator of Barentu sub-zone, underlined that the educational journey requires patience and commitment. He called on the award-winning students to build on their achievements in the national school-leaving examination and strive for excellence in their college studies.

Mr. Mahmud Ali Jabra, secretary of the PFDJ in the Gash Barka Region, and Mr. Yasin Mohammed, head of the education office in the region, congratulated the award-winning students and their parents and called for continued efforts to recognize and encourage outstanding students.

From 2023 to 2026, Bisha Junior and High School presented awards to 176 outstanding students.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

The Government is set to write off more than Shs35 billion in tax arrears owed by tea factories as part of a wider intervention aimed at reviving Uganda’s struggling tea industry, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has said.

He said the arrears will be waived as soon as Parliament resumes after recess. The decision follows sustained efforts by Members of Parliament from Greater Bushenyi and other tea-growing areas to address challenges facing the sector.

“The minister directed that, when we resume Parliament, we will write off tax arrears worth more than Shs35 billion. I want to thank MPs from Greater Bushenyi who have worked hard on this issue,” Tayebwa said.

Tayebwa announced the development on Tuesday, 08 September 2026 while representing President Yoweri Museveni at the burial of the late Edna Kentaro Baryaruha in Bushenyi District. She was a pioneering gender advocate in the early development of Uganda’s gender policy framework.

The planned tax relief is expected to ease the financial burden on tea factories, some of which have struggled with accumulated debts and other operational challenges amid a prolonged crisis in the sector.

Tayebwa said the government was also working to streamline other issues affecting the management and operations of tea factories. He noted that accumulated tax obligations had become a major obstacle hindering the resumption of operations at some factories.

“The other issues will also be streamlined to ensure that factories are run better,” he said.

Tayebwa also revealed that the government is undertaking a deeper review of the tea sector to support long-term sustainability of the sector.

The announcement comes amid growing concern over the future of Uganda’s tea industry. Tea prices fell sharply in the past year as international demand weakened while large volumes of tea continued to enter the market, creating an oversupply that pushed auction prices down.

Political and economic disruptions in key importing countries, including Sudan, further reduced demand for East African tea. Uganda, which relies heavily on the Mombasa auction and mainly produces CTC black tea, was particularly exposed to these market shocks.

The price slump has also been compounded by concerns over tea quality and rising production costs. High fertiliser and input prices have made it harder for farmers to properly maintain their plantations, affecting the quality and quantity of green leaf supplied to factories.

When factories earn less from exports, their ability to pay farmers and meet operating costs is squeezed, creating a cycle of low farmer payments, declining investment in tea gardens and financial distress among processors.

But Tayebwa said government has a bigger plan for the tea sector, which includes a Shs212 billion investment.

The money, he revealed, has been earmarked for investment in the tea industry, but only factories that demonstrate that they are efficiently and effectively managed will qualify for the funds.

In a related development, the Deputy Speaker also revealed that the President has allocated land for the establishment of two industrial parks in Ruhengyere and Nakivale in the Ankole sub-region, saying the projects could create thousands of jobs and spur economic development.

“The President has given us two industrial parks. He wrote to me. He has given me five square miles of land for an industrial park in Ruhengyere, which will deal with the processing of foodstuffs. He has also given me five square miles in Nakivale, Isingiro. All these are in writing,” he said.

The announcement marks a significant step towards the fulfilment of Museveni’s promise to establish industrial facilities in the Ankole sub-region.

In addition, he revealed that an industrial hub will also be established in Kyeizoba, Bushenyi District. The district provided 70 acres of land for the project.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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Foreign Minister leads delegation to Conakry as 17 compatriots are laid to rest after Dar-es-Salam landslide

Conakry, Guinea-Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, headed a government delegation to a national funeral ceremony in Conakry on 4 September 2026, honouring 17 Sierra Leonean nationals among 36 confirmed fatalities from the Dar-es-Salam landfill collapse. This tragedy devastated a border community nearly two weeks prior.

The funeral service was held at the Turkish Mosque in Bambéto district, followed by interment at Martyrs Cemetery. The delegation comprised Mr. Morie Lengoh Esq., Minister of Internal Affairs; Madam Melrose Karminty, Minister of Social Welfare; Hon. Alpha Kanu, Presidential Spokesperson; and Mr. John Rogers, Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency. The Guinean Authority observed the National Day of Mourning, with senior government officials and bereaved families attending.

Minister Swaray paid solemn tribute to deceased compatriots, fourteen men and three women, as confirmed by Guinea’s National Agency for Emergency and Humanitarian Disaster Management Director General. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to bereaved families, expressed profound appreciation to Guinean authorities for facilitating victim identification and care provision, and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to enduring bilateral cooperation and strengthened diplomatic relations.

The Guinean government reflected on the national shock following the disaster. Local youth and state emergency services mobilised immediately, with the Head of State, Prime Minister and cabinet members present on-site supporting rescue operations.

An official confirmed a final casualty toll of thirty-six deceased as of 4 September, including a female victim who succumbed Monday and another fatality the previous day at Donka Hospital. ANGUCH, in collaboration with Conakry municipal authorities and the Governor, established two reception centres accommodating over 1,600 displaced persons. An official commended Presidential oversight and government strategic coordination throughout the emergency response.

Conakry Governor M’Mahawa Sylla equally joined in delivering her tribute to those who tragically perished in the Dar-es-Salam catastrophe, characterising the ceremony as a moment of collective mourning. She extended sincere condolences to bereaved families, the President of the Republic, and the Guinean populace, warmly welcoming the Sierra Leonean delegation for accompanying Guinea in shared sorrow, concluding with a prayer for eternal repose.

Mr. Lancei Touré, representing victims’ families, directly addressed President Mamadi Doumbouya, expressing gratitude for leadership, government support, and the Governor and Mayor’s presence during the crisis. Coffins draped in national flags lined the mosque courtyard beneath marquees as distraught relatives gathered. Following afternoon prayers, remains were conveyed for burial at Martyrs Cemetery.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah led the Guinean government delegation, with the diplomatic corps also in attendance.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Republic of Sierra Leone.

Source: APO

The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has issued a stern warning to sub-county and parish leaders in West Budama Central County, Tororo District, against mismanaging Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.

Speaking during a comprehensive PDM progress review meeting held at his residence in Muwafu Ward, Nabuyoga Town Council, Oboth warned that any form of corruption, particularly the demanding of kickbacks from vulnerable beneficiaries, would face a swift and unyielding crackdown.

“I was elected Speaker to fight corruption, and I will lead by example,” Oboth declared before an assembly of local leaders, administrators, and security chiefs. “Public resources must reach their intended recipients without being diverted along the way.”

The high-level performance review brought together a broad cross-section of grassroots stakeholders, including sub-county and parish chiefs, LC II and LC III chairpersons, Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs), local councilors, and SACCO leaders. Also in attendance were key district heads, including Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Salim Bategana and District Police Commander (DPC) Martin Karrekyezi.

Bategana strongly urged the gathered administrators to champion the PDM as a powerful catalyst for lifting households permanently out of poverty.

The meeting showcased several life-changing achievements, notably the story of Beatrice Nyafwono. After receiving a Shs1 million loan, Nyafwono strategically split her capital, spending half on three piglets and feeds, and investing the other half in a cassava garden. The profits from both ventures enabled her to purchase a cow, which has since multiplied to two, and to establish a retail shop that now provides her with a steady daily income.

Addressing security concerns and localised crime, DPC Karrekyezi pledged the police’s full support in protecting PDM beneficiaries, particularly against the theft of livestock purchased with programme funds. He urged leaders not to conceal or shield criminals, calling instead for full legal transparency.

Speaker Oboth reinforced this message, urging officials to resist interfering with the course of justice and to let the law take its course. He also commended District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) for their rigorous monitoring of government programmes and for the vital reports they provide to strengthen accountability.

The Speaker issued a clear warning that anyone attempting to exploit the system by conniving with local officials to divert PDM resources would be held strictly accountable. He urged leaders to remain content with their official salaries rather than seeking kickbacks or engaging in lavish spending to court public praise.

“You are not working for the President or any leader, but for yourself,” Oboth emphasised, calling for seamless cooperation and mutual respect across all administrative tiers.

Despite ongoing implementation challenges, progress reports compiled by sub-county and parish chiefs show that the PDM has already delivered substantial financial support to West Budama Central County. The county, which spans six sub-counties of Nabuyoga, Mulanda, Mwello, Pajwenda, Siwa, and Nabuyoga Town Council and comprises 22 parishes, has recorded significant milestones. Between 2022 and 2025, a total of Shs8.590 billion was successfully disbursed, directly benefiting 7,873 families, with an additional Shs 1.072 billion still pending disbursement to eligible households.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

Health Committee calls for probe into drug theft, extortion at Iganga, Bugiri Hospitals

The House Committee on Health has asked the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) of Iganga and Bugiri districts to investigate allegations of theft of medicines, extortion and mismanagement of funds in government hospitals there.

The committee gave the instructions during its oversight visit to health facilities in Eastern Uganda on Tuesday, 08 September 2026.

At Iganga General Hospital, MPs uncovered serious gaps in the management and accountability of government medicines, raising suspicion that weak record-keeping could be facilitating theft and diversion.

Some medicines found in the hospital stores had no supporting documents indicating how they were received. Other medicines had been reported out of stock, but hospital officials could not produce records showing how they had been dispensed until the supplies were exhausted.

Hon. Hope Nakazibwe, who led the committee said the irregularities made it difficult to establish the quantities of medicines delivered to the hospital and how they were used.

“We found some medicines that cannot be accounted for. Their inlet and outlet are unknown, and we cannot tell whether it was only the quantities we saw or it was a big consignment,” said Nakazibwe.

She said persistent weaknesses in the management of medical supplies were making it difficult for leaders to explain recurring drug stock-outs to the public, calling on RDCs’ intervention.

“We have asked the RDC to take charge of this irregularity as the law deems fit. We have also asked him to confiscate the medicines which have not been accounted for,” said Nakazibwe.

During an interaction with patients, the Bunyangabu District Woman MP, Hon. Sarah Kabarokole, also received complaints that some health workers were demanding money before providing services, particularly in the pharmacy section.

Workers’ MP Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija condemned reports that expectant mothers were being charged money to receive special assistance during deliveries at night.

“This will push away many others to seek maternity services from other risky providers,” said Rwabushaija.

At Bugiri Hospital, the committee received similar allegations of corruption and extortion. MPs heard that the hospital administration collected money from patients admitted to the private wing but did not remit it to the Consolidated Fund as required.

Patients told the committee that they sometimes paid more than the official charge of Shs10,000 per night declared by the hospital administration.

The Bugiri Hospital Administrator, Nuhu Kisambira, said the facility was waiting for the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to enrol it on the government’s electronic payment system to enable the remittance of the revenue.

However, Kisambira could not provide records showing how much money had so far been collected or where it was being kept.

The committee consequently directed the Bugiri RDC to investigate the management of revenue collected from the private wing. The RDC was also tasked with examining allegations that patients were being asked to pay unofficial charges to access services, including surgical procedures. Ends

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.