Category: Africa

Source: APO

By Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer at APO Group (www.APO-opa.com).

Most leaders think communication comes after decisions are made. In African markets, that is too late.

The moment a decision leaves the room, it starts being interpreted. Not when the statement goes out. Not when teams are aligned. Immediately. And once that interpretation sets in, it is hard to reverse.

A multinational restructured its operations across East Africa in late 2025. Rational decision. Operationally sound. They planned to announce internally first, then handle external communications once approvals were finalised.

But in markets where the CEO’s strategy session is discussed in regulatory circles before the memo goes out, there is no “once approvals are finalised”.

Employees in the regional hub heard it as validation. Employees in the office being consolidated heard it as abandonment. Local media in a third market framed it as disinvestment before the company had said a word. A regulator in a fourth market read about the restructuring in the business press before receiving official notification. The approval process that followed was slower, more cautious. Not because the decision was flawed, but because the foundation of trust had been eroded before the formal process even began.

Same decision. Four interpretations. All forming faster than the company could schedule town halls.

By the time leadership issued the official statement, they were not introducing a strategy. They were correcting narratives that had already shaped how stakeholders saw the decision. Talent retention became an unplanned cost. The partnership they were counting on in one market stalled because the initial framing stuck.

This is the pattern. Companies finalise decisions, plan the rollout, and assume silence buys time. It does not.

In high-context African environments, silence is not neutral. It is interpreted. And interpretation happens fast.

This is because information does not move the way most executives expect. A company will issue a statement in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra and assume it lands the same way in each place. It does not.

In one market, the business conversation happens on radio. In another, it is shaped in WhatsApp groups before any official media picks it up. In a third, a press release without a prior face-to-face conversation is read as disrespect.

The company thought it was managing one narrative. It was navigating three different information ecosystems, each with its own timelines, trusted voices, and expectations.

And the cost shows up later. In talent walking out after an acquisition because the framing was wrong. In market access that does not materialise because the initial perception stuck. In partnerships that stall because trust was not managed early.

Leaders who operate well in Africa bring communication into the room while decisions are being made. Not to write statements. To ask the questions that prevent expensive mistakes.

What will this look like in a market where the previous government promised jobs? How will employees in the hub country hear this differently than employees in the market being consolidated? If we say nothing for three weeks, what story forms in that gap?

That discipline changes outcomes. Fewer decisions need explaining later because fewer are misunderstood early.

Africa makes this visible faster. Memory is long. Trust is local. Context is not optional. The gap between intent and interpretation closes quickly.

The problem is not that companies fail to communicate. It is that they measure success using the wrong scorecard.

Media coverage matters. But it does not tell you why the partnership stalled. Why talent walked. Why the regulatory process took twice as long as expected.

When things go wrong, those metrics leave you blind. You know the outcome was bad. You do not know what broke or where.

Bringing communication into the decision-making process solves a different problem. It is not about controlling the narrative after the fact. It is about designing decisions that account for how they will land before they are finalised. That prevents the fracture from happening in the first place.

In African markets, that is not a communications luxury. It is operational necessity.

Communication is not something that happens after strategy is set. It is decision insurance.

And in markets where narratives form fast and trust is built slowly, you do not buy insurance after the risk has materialised.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group Insights.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market.

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility.

Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Source: APO

African-founded cryptocurrency exchange, Quidax has announced a partnership with Lisk blockchain. This collaboration marks Lisk’s first partnership with an African exchange licensed by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), creating a bridge between regulated digital assets infrastructure (www.Quidax.io) and the rapidly expanding Lisk Layer 2 (L2) ecosystem.

In 2024, Quidax made history as the first crypto exchange to receive a provisional operating license from Nigeria’s SEC. This partnership builds on that regulatory foundation, enabling Quidax customers to trade and move value seamlessly using USDT, USDC, LSK, and Ether (ETH) on the Lisk network.

Beyond retail trading, the partnership provides a critical gateway for the developer community. Builders on the Lisk network can now leverage Quidax’s robust digital asset infrastructure to access stablecoins and local currencies at competitive rates. This institutional-grade infrastructure is designed to power “future-forward” financial products, ranging from neobanks and cross-border payment platforms to regional exchanges and global fintech solutions.

“The partnership with Lisk enables us to extend our platform to serve more people and cater to the increasing demand from products and services that want to integrate our stablecoin and digital assets product (https://apo-opa.co/4qVVBh7) to build products across Africa,” said Morris Ebieroma, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Quidax.

Lisk, which recently transitioned to an Ethereum Layer 2 to focus on high-growth markets, sees this partnership as a cornerstone for its African expansion.

“Africa represents one of the most critical frontiers for blockchain innovation, where the demand for reliable and inclusive financial tools is urgent,” said Chidubem Emelumadu, Ecosystem Lead (Africa) at Lisk. “Our partnership with Quidax expands access to stablecoins and onchain financial opportunities for everyday users and businesses. At the same time, it gives founders building on Lisk the critical infrastructure they need to create solutions that can scale meaningfully across the continent.”

By combining Quidax’s deep local liquidity and compliant framework with Lisk’s scalable L2 technology, this partnership is set to accelerate the adoption of Web3 solutions that solve real-world financial challenges for millions of customers across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Quidax.

About Quidax:
Quidax is an African-founded cryptocurrency exchange that makes it easy for anyone to buy, sell, store and transfer digital assets. Quidax additionally enables OTC trading (https://apo-opa.co/40d8IzH) and gives fintechs the tools to offer digital assets to customers.

About Lisk:
Lisk Chain is a cost-efficient, fast, and scalable Layer 2 (L2) network based on the OP Stack and secured by Ethereum. Focused on solving real-world problems in high-growth markets, Lisk provides a growth platform for Web3 founders through its $15M EMpower Fund, blockchain, accelerator programs, and a founder-focused ecosystem.

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, as part of the President’s brotherly visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said upon the President’s arrival at the private residence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, a commemorative photograph was taken of the two leaders, followed by a closed meeting. This was followed by an Iftar banquet hosted by the Saudi Crown Prince in honor of President El-Sisi and his accompanying delegation.

President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and generous hospitality and asked for greetings to be conveyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The President offered his congratulations to the Saudi Crown Prince on the occasion of the Founding Day, wishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia progress and prosperity. This was valued by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

President El-Sisi stressed the significant development in the brotherly relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and the importance of advancing cooperation across various fields.

For his part, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the President’s visit, affirmed the pivotal nature of the deep-rooted relations between the two countries and looked forward to elevating them to broader horizons in a way that serves the interests of both peoples.

The meeting addressed developments in the Gaza Strip. Both sides stressed that it was necessary for all parties to adhere to the agreement to stop the war and implement US President Trump’s peace plan. This is in addition to the importance of increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip without obstacles and the need to expedite the early recovery and reconstruction process. Furthermore, there was emphasis on the rejection of attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land. Both sides stressed that the solution lies in launching a comprehensive political process that leads to the implementation of the two-state solution.

The meeting also addressed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest. Emphasis was placed on the importance of avoiding escalation and tension in the region, supporting peaceful solutions to crises through dialogue, and strengthening Arab solidarity to confront challenges. This is while emphasizing respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed to continue and enhance political consultation and coordination between the Egyptian and Saudi sides to maintain regional stability.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman accompanied the President to see him off at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

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As outbreaks of Filovirus Disease (FVD) continue to regularly affect countries across Africa and in efforts to increase preparedness capacities, the World Health Organization (WHO) with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has convened 50 clinicians, researchers and public health specialists globally and partners for a five-day Filovirus Disease Optimized Supportive Care Workshop to update and harmonize clinical management guidelines.  

The continent bears the heaviest burden of FVD outbreaks, with increasing frequency in recent years. In 2025 alone, four countries (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda) reported outbreaks.

“Our collective experience in filovirus outbreaks, has shown that when supportive care is optimized and standardized, the chance of survival in patients increases. This workshop aims to bring experts from around the globe, to share, debate, analyse and update WHO recommendations. A clinical toolkit for frontline clinicians and key performance indicators that policy makers can use to improve quality during outbreaks will also be developed.” said Dr Janet Diaz, Unit Head for Safe and Scalable Care, WHO Headquarters.  

Over the course of the workshop, experts are reviewing current standards of care, assessing emerging clinical evidence, identifying gaps in existing guidance, and working toward consensus on updated, evidence-informed recommendations for patient management across the world.  Particular attention is being given to the optimization of fluid therapy, patient monitoring and care of patients with severe complications such as bleeding and renal failure as well as the care for survivors, and populations at increased risk, such as pregnant women and children.  

The engagement also includes a one-day training on Good Clinical Practice and WHO core clinical trial standard operating procedures, strengthening the readiness of principal investigators and research teams to rapidly and ethically implement clinical trials during outbreaks. Clinical trials remain essential for determining the safety and effectiveness of candidate vaccines and therapeutics.  

“Marburg and Ebola are among the most lethal pathogens we face and have significant social, economic and psychological impact on individuals and communities that have been affected. In the absence of approved specific vaccines and treatments for Marburg virus disease and Sudan virus diseases, the quality and consistency of supportive care determine survival. Standardized, evidence-based care is not optional, it is lifesaving,” said Dr Marie-Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, Director, Emergency preparedness and Response at WHO Regional Office for Africa.

The workshop will produce a consolidated clinical management guideline drawing on the best available evidence and field experience, alongside a comprehensive optimized supportive care toolkit designed for use in all resource settings.

Following the four-day technical discussions, WHO will conduct a one-day training on Good Clinical Practice and WHO core clinical trial standard operating procedures, strengthening the readiness of principal investigators and research teams to rapidly and ethically implement clinical trials during outbreaks. Clinical trials remain essential for determining the safety and effectiveness of candidate vaccines and therapeutics.

Once finalized, the updated guidance will be disseminated to Member States and integrated into preparedness planning, training and simulation exercises. WHO will continue working with countries and partners to strengthen clinical capacity and advance research on filovirus therapeutics and vaccines.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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At an activity assessment meeting of the Ministry of Health branch in the Northern Red Sea Region conducted on 20 and 21 February in the port city of Massawa, it was reported that maternity waiting rooms established at health facilities are significantly contributing to ensuring the health of mothers and infants.

According to a report presented by Dr. Henok Tekie, head of the branch office, most of the charted-out programs for 2025 have been implemented. Pre- and post-natal care increased by 5%, deliveries at health facilities by 2%, and utilization of maternity waiting rooms by 4%.

Dr. Henok further noted that, in collaboration with Brhan Aini Hospital, eye surgery was performed on 680 patients and eye diagnoses were conducted on over 5,000 patients. In addition, a hepatitis vaccination program has been introduced, and modern medical equipment worth over 3 million Nakfa has been installed.

At the event, reports were presented focusing on communicable disease control, vaccination coverage, pre- and post-natal care, community-based environmental sanitation, maternal and infant care, and delivery services, among other areas.

Noting that fundamental progress is being registered in health care service provision to the public in general and to mothers and children in particular, Ms. Amina Nurhusein, Minister of Health, stated that organizing sustainable training programs to upgrade the capacity of health workers and introducing modern medical equipment are among the Ministry’s priority programs.

The participants conducted extensive discussions on the reports presented and adopted various recommendations.

In the Northern Red Sea Region, there are one referral hospital, three community hospitals, 10 health centers and stations, as well as 34 health units.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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Successful eye surgery was performed on 161 patients from the sub-zones of Nakfa and Adobha at Nakfa Hospital on 16 and 17 February.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Eyob Beyene stated that prior to the surgery, eye diagnoses were conducted on over 1,635 patients and that surgery was performed on those who were identified as requiring treatment.

Dr. Eyob further indicated that the eye surgery program is being conducted at Nakfa Hospital for the fourth time. In addition, trachoma medicine and eyeglasses were provided to a number of patients.

The beneficiaries, on their part, indicated that they had previously been compelled to travel as far as Asmara and Keren to seek eye treatment and expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Health for providing them with the opportunity to receive eye surgery services in their area.

Mr. Yonatan Woldu, head of administration and finance in Nakfa sub-zone, said that prior to the surgery, eye diagnoses had been carried out at Nakfa Hospital and Dirit Health Center, and that the eye surgeries were conducted successfully.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Ms. Nathalie Rose as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).

Ms. Rose holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management from York St. John University, as well as a Diploma in General Management from the University of Seychelles. She also received specialised training in radio production and journalism from international institutions, such as the International Institute of Journalism (Berlin), Le Conseil International des Radios – Télévisions Francophones CIRTEF), and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. She is a qualified trainer, having successfully trained several cohorts through the SBC Learning Centre.

Ms. Rose has over 23 years of continuous service within the SBC, during which she built an extensive career in broadcasting, leadership, and media management. She served as the Principal of Paradise FM from 2017 to October 2022 and previously held positions including Paradise FM Administrator and Radio Producer, gaining hands-on experience across programme production, presentation, administration, and team management.

Prior to her appointment, as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Rose has been serving as Head of Radio Programmes, a position she held since October 2022, where she has been responsible for leading radio production teams, introducing new programmes, and ensuring that SBC’s radio services remain relevant, dynamic, and aligned with national objectives.

Ms. Rose’s appointment as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the SBC took effect from 15th February 2026.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.