Category: Africa

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Africa Tech Festival opens registration for landmark 29th edition in Cape Town

Source: APO


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Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com/), the continent’s longest-running and most influential technology event, today announced that registration is open for the 29th edition of the event, taking place from 16 to 19 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa.

Based on the success of last year’s event, and ongoing conversations with key stakeholders, Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect where investment is flowing, where innovation is accelerating, and where the biggest opportunities lie: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation. Every session, speaker and experience at Africa Tech Festival 2026 is built around these pillars, which will be showcased throughout the event, on eight dedicated stages.

For sponsors and exhibitors, Africa Tech Festival is the premier platform where enterprise buyers, technology leaders, and solution providers converge to shape the future of digital transformation across the continent. Leading brands can engage directly with C-suite executives, policymakers, and industry leaders as they showcase solutions in telecoms, AI, data centres, cybersecurity and enterprise innovation. In addition to providing a forum for generating leads and forming partnerships, Africa Tech Festival’s media exposure and pan-African reach create the ideal platforms for boosting brand reputation.

First wave of confirmed speakers announced

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is already attracting some of the continent’s most influential technology and business leaders. Confirmed speakers to date include:

  • Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (Owners of Shoprite Nigeria)
  • Dido wa Kalonji, Chief Information Officer, FNB Eswatini
  • Faith Burn, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa
  • Joost Pielage, Chief Technology Officer, Quro Medical
  • Lazola Ndamase, Group Executive Head: Big Data & AI/ML Technology, Vodacom
  • Mary Mahuma, Chief Information Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, Philip Morris South Africa
  • Nina Triantis, Head: Global Sponsor Coverage, Client Coverage CIB & Vice Chair/TMT, Standard Bank Group
  • Nirvani Dhevcharran, Chief Technology Officer: Platforms and Operations, TFG (The Foschini Group)
  • Nollie Maoto, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, FirstRand Compliance Office
  • Nomsa Chabeli, Group Chief Executive Officer, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
  • Richard Cazalet, Executive: Strategy and Transformation, Telkom SA
  • Seaparo Phala, Chief Information Officer, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
  • Senthil Kumar Velayutham, Chief Technology and Digital Officer, African Development Bank

Commenting on the importance of the event in advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda, David Monaghan, VP, Africa Tech Festival, said, “Africa’s digital economy is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and Africa Tech Festival 2026 is designed to be at the centre of that momentum. Whether you’re a decision-maker looking to shape strategy, an innovator seeking investment, or an organisation ready to put your brand in front of the continent’s most influential technology leaders, this is the event for you. We look forward to welcoming the industry to Cape Town in November.”

Register to attend Africa Tech Festival 2026

General registration: https://apo-opa.co/3OvRBqv

For more information, as well as exhibitor and sponsor applications, visit https://AfricaTechFestival.com/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival: 
Africa Tech Festival is the continent’s leading platform for shaping the future of the digital economy. Taking place annually in Cape Town, the festival brings together the full technology ecosystem, from telecoms and infrastructure providers to enterprise leaders, startups, investors and policymakers.

Through six core pillars spanning connectivity, AI, cybersecurity, data centres, digital transformation and the startup ecosystem, Africa Tech Festival delivers a comprehensive view of the trends, challenges and opportunities defining Africa’s digital landscape.

The festival combines high level content with large scale exhibition and networking, creating a space where strategy meets execution. Across three days, it convenes global technology leaders, decision makers and innovators to share insight, build partnerships and drive real business outcomes.

Africa Tech Festival is part of Informa Festivals, a division of Informa.

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Le ministre du Pétrole du Niger participe à African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 dans le cadre d’une nouvelle offensive en matière d’exportations et d’infrastructures

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le ministre nigérien du Pétrole, Hamadou Tinni, prendra la parole lors de la conférence et du salon African Energy Week (AEW) – qui se tiendra du 12 au 16 octobre 2026 au Cap – alors que le pays intensifie ses efforts pour se positionner comme un producteur pétrolier compétitif, axé sur l’amont et l’exportation. Sa participation intervient à un moment charnière pour le secteur des hydrocarbures du Niger, alors que les récents développements de projets et l’expansion des infrastructures redessinent le paysage énergétique du pays.

L’expansion en amont du Niger repose sur des projets tels que ceux du bassin du rift d’Agadem. La China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) exploite le champ pétrolier d’Agadem, dont elle a récemment porté la capacité de 20 000 barils par jour (bpj) à 90 000 bpj grâce à une deuxième phase d’extension. Savannah Energy détient actuellement des participations dans la zone du contrat de partage de production (PSC) R1234 – représentant environ 50 % du bassin – avec cinq découvertes réalisées à ce jour à partir de cinq puits dans la zone de licence R3.

Pour l’avenir, Savannah Energy évalue des plans pour un programme de tests sur quatre puits et/ou une reprise des activités d’exploration dans la zone du contrat PSC R1234 en 2026/2027. La société a identifié au total 146 cibles d’exploration potentielles sur l’ensemble de ses quatre zones de licence, les futures activités d’exploration étant soumises à l’approbation du gouvernement. Depuis 2024, Savannah Energy a restructuré le plan de développement de la zone R3 Est, portant les prévisions de production de 5 000 barils par jour à 10 000 barils par jour. La première production de pétrole dans cette zone dépendra du succès des essais de puits.

Le projet bénéficie des progrès réalisés en matière d’infrastructures, notamment la raffinerie SORAZ construite par la CNPC et l’oléoduc Niger-Bénin, désormais achevé. Cet oléoduc offre un accès direct aux marchés internationaux pour le pétrole brut du Niger, ouvrant ainsi une voie d’exportation claire pour la zone R1234 du PSC. D’un coût de 4,5 milliards de dollars, cet oléoduc s’étend sur 1 980 km et achemine le brut depuis les champs pétrolifères d’Agadem au Niger jusqu’à Seme, un port atlantique au Bénin.

En tant que moteur économique clé, l’industrie pétrolière du Niger devrait rester le pilier de la croissance prévue pour le pays en 2026 et au-delà. Le Fonds monétaire international prévoit que la croissance économique du pays atteindra 6,7 % en 2026, portée par la hausse des exportations de pétrole et l’expansion des infrastructures. Bien que les transitions politiques aient eu un impact sur le climat d’investissement du pays, celui-ci s’est fixé des objectifs clairs pour accroître la production de pétrole brut tout en accélérant le développement d’autres industries clés telles que l’exploitation minière. Pour les investisseurs, cela met en évidence une opportunité unique de soutenir la croissance de secteurs prometteurs.

« Le Niger démontre comment des infrastructures stratégiques et un potentiel en ressources peuvent se conjuguer pour ouvrir de nouvelles frontières énergétiques. Des projets tels que l’oléoduc Niger-Bénin sont appelés à soutenir de nouveaux investissements dans le secteur en amont du pays en offrant une voie d’accès directe au marché pour le pétrole brut nigérien. Alors que le pays cherche à accroître sa production et à attirer de nouveaux acteurs sur le marché, une orientation politique claire pourrait servir de tremplin à l’exploration », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie. 

Lors de l’AEW 2026, le ministre Tinni devrait présenter les grandes lignes de la stratégie de développement du pays, en donnant un aperçu des opportunités d’investissement stratégiques dans l’ensemble du spectre économique. Alors que la concurrence pour les capitaux s’intensifie, la combinaison du potentiel en ressources et de l’amélioration des infrastructures du Niger offre une proposition de valeur différenciée. La participation du ministre à la conférence de cette année constituera une tribune pour articuler cette vision tout en renforçant la volonté du pays de s’associer avec les acteurs mondiaux du secteur.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Niger’s Petroleum Minister Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 Amid Renewed Export, Infrastructure Drive

Source: APO


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Niger’s Minister of Petroleum Hamadou Tinni will take the stage at the African Energy Week (AEW) Conference and Exhibition – taking place October 12-16, 2026, in Cape Town – as the country accelerates efforts to position itself as a competitive upstream and export-driven oil producer. His participation comes at a pivotal moment for Niger’s hydrocarbons sector, as recent project developments and infrastructure expansion reshape the country’s energy landscape.

Niger’s upstream expansion is anchored by projects such as those in the Agadem Rift Basin. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) operates the Agadem oilfield, recently increasing its capacity from 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 90,000 bpd through a phase two expansion. Savannah Energy currently has interests in the R1234 PSC area – equating to roughly 50% of the basin – with five discoveries made from five wells in the R3 license area to date.

Looking ahead, Savannah Energy is assessing plans for a four-well testing program and/or a return to exploration activity in the R1234 PSC contract area in 2026/2027. The company has identified 146 potential exploration targets in total across its four license areas, with future exploration subject to government approval. Since 2024, Savannah Energy has restructured the R3 East Area development plan, raising production forecasts from 5,000 bpd to 10,000 bpd. First oil production from the area will depend on successful well tests.

The project is supported by advancements in infrastructure, specifically the CNPC-built SORAZ refinery and the now-completed Niger-Benin oil export pipeline. The pipeline provides a direct route to international markets for Niger’s crude oil, offering a clear export pathway for the R1234 PSC area. The $4.5 billion pipeline traverses 1,980km, transporting crude from Niger’s Agadem oilfields to Seme – an Atlantic port in Benin.

As a key economic driver, Niger’s oil industry is expected to remain the backbone of the country’s growth forecast for 2026 and beyond. The International Monetary Agency projects the country’s economic growth to reach 6.7% in 2026, driven by rising oil exports and infrastructure expansion. While political transitions have impacted the country’s investment climate, the country has set clear goals to expand crude production while accelerating the development of other key industries such as mining. For investors, this highlights a unique opportunity to support the growth of promising sectors.

“Niger is demonstrating how strategic infrastructure and resource potential can come together to unlock new energy frontiers. Projects such as the Niger-Benin Pipeline stand to support new investments in the country’s upstream sector by offering a direct route to market for Nigerien crude. As the country looks to expand production and attract new players to the market, clear policy direction could serve as a launchpad for exploration,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. 

At AEW 2026, Minister Tinni is expected to outline the country’s development strategy, providing insights into strategic investment opportunities across the entire economic spectrum. As competition for capital intensifies, Niger’s combination of resource potential and improving infrastructure offers a differentiated value proposition. The Minister’s engagement at this year’s conference will provide a platform to articulate this vision while reinforcing the country’s readiness to partner with global industry players.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Ministro do Petróleo do Níger participa na African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 num contexto de renovado impulso às exportações e às infraestruturas

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O ministro do Petróleo do Níger, Hamadou Tinni, subirá ao palco da Conferência e Exposição da African Energy Week (AEW) — que decorrerá de 12 a 16 de outubro de 2026, na Cidade do Cabo —, num momento em que o país acelera os esforços para se posicionar como um produtor de petróleo competitivo no setor upstream e orientado para a exportação. A sua participação surge num momento crucial para o setor dos hidrocarbonetos do Níger, à medida que os recentes desenvolvimentos de projetos e a expansão das infraestruturas remodelam o panorama energético do país.

A expansão a montante do Níger assenta em projetos como os da Bacia da Fenda de Agadem. A China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) opera o campo petrolífero de Agadem, tendo recentemente aumentado a sua capacidade de 20 000 barris por dia (bpd) para 90 000 bpd através de uma segunda fase de expansão. A Savannah Energy detém atualmente participações na área do contrato de partilha de produção (PSC) R1234 — o que equivale a cerca de 50% da bacia —, tendo sido feitas até à data cinco descobertas a partir de cinco poços na área da licença R3.

Olhando para o futuro, a Savannah Energy está a avaliar planos para um programa de testes de quatro poços e/ou um regresso à atividade de exploração na área do contrato PSC R1234 em 2026/2027. A empresa identificou um total de 146 alvos de exploração potenciais nas suas quatro áreas de licença, estando a exploração futura sujeita à aprovação do governo. Desde 2024, a Savannah Energy reestruturou o plano de desenvolvimento da Área R3 Este, aumentando as previsões de produção de 5.000 bpd para 10.000 bpd. A primeira produção de petróleo da área dependerá do sucesso dos testes nos poços.

O projeto é apoiado por avanços nas infraestruturas, especificamente a refinaria SORAZ construída pela CNPC e o oleoduto de exportação Níger-Benim, agora concluído. O oleoduto proporciona uma rota direta para os mercados internacionais para o petróleo bruto do Níger, oferecendo uma via de exportação clara para a área do PSC R1234. O oleoduto de 4,5 mil milhões de dólares atravessa 1.980 km, transportando crude dos campos petrolíferos de Agadem, no Níger, até Seme — um porto atlântico no Benim.

Como principal motor económico, espera-se que a indústria petrolífera do Níger continue a ser a espinha dorsal das previsões de crescimento do país para 2026 e anos seguintes. O Fundo Monetário Internacional prevê que o crescimento económico do país atinja 6,7% em 2026, impulsionado pelo aumento das exportações de petróleo e pela expansão das infraestruturas. Embora as transições políticas tenham afetado o clima de investimento do país, este estabeleceu objetivos claros para expandir a produção de crude, acelerando simultaneamente o desenvolvimento de outras indústrias-chave, como a mineração. Para os investidores, isto destaca uma oportunidade única de apoiar o crescimento de setores promissores.

«O Níger está a demonstrar como as infraestruturas estratégicas e o potencial de recursos podem unir-se para abrir novas fronteiras energéticas. Projetos como o Oleoduto Níger-Benim visam apoiar novos investimentos no setor a montante do país, oferecendo uma rota direta para o mercado do petróleo bruto nigeriano. À medida que o país procura expandir a produção e atrair novos intervenientes para o mercado, uma orientação política clara poderá servir de rampa de lançamento para a exploração», afirma NJ Ayuk, Presidente Executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia. 

Na AEW 2026, espera-se que o Ministro Tinni delineie a estratégia de desenvolvimento do país, fornecendo informações sobre oportunidades de investimento estratégico em todo o espectro económico. À medida que a concorrência pelo capital se intensifica, a combinação do potencial de recursos e da infraestrutura em melhoria do Níger oferece uma proposta de valor diferenciada. A participação do Ministro na conferência deste ano proporcionará uma plataforma para articular esta visão, reforçando simultaneamente a disponibilidade do país para estabelecer parcerias com intervenientes globais da indústria.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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La Zero Waste Foundation fait progresser la diplomatie de la 31e Conférence des Parties (COP31) en Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Samed Agirbas, champion climatique de haut niveau de la COP31 (https://apo-opa.co/4u3OpBB) et président de la Zero Waste Foundation (www.sifiratikvakfi.org/en), a participé au deuxième Forum urbain africain (AUF2) qui s’est tenu à Nairobi du 6 au 10 avril, s’engageant auprès des parties prenantes régionales et internationales pour faire progresser la justice climatique, renforcer la coopération mondiale et promouvoir les solutions d’économie circulaire à travers des partenariats stratégiques avec l’Afrique.

« Nous sommes ici pour la justice mondiale », a déclaré Agirbas. « Le changement climatique est un défi partagé qui nécessite une responsabilité collective et une coopération, non pas un modèle basé sur l’aide mais sur un partenariat égal. Alors que nous nous dirigeons vers la COP31, nous devons construire un agenda mondial enraciné dans l’équité, le partage des connaissances et l’action conjointe pour des villes durables et des communautés résilientes. »

Renforcer la diplomatie climatique à travers l’Afrique

La participation d’Agirbas à l’AUF2 s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un effort diplomatique plus large de la COP31, visant à aligner les priorités mondiales avec les besoins et les perspectives des pays africains. Ses engagements ont reflété le leadership croissant de la Türkiye en matière de durabilité et son engagement à construire des solutions inclusives et axées sur le partenariat.

Tout au long du forum, la Zero Waste Foundation a souligné l’importance de la justice climatique comme principe directeur, soulignant que le développement durable doit être équitable et accessible à tous. Les discussions se sont concentrées sur les voies pratiques pour mettre en œuvre des modèles d’économie circulaire et des systèmes efficaces de gestion des déchets, particulièrement dans les régions en rapide urbanisation.

L’approche zéro déchet de la Türkiye a été présentée comme un modèle évolutif et collaboratif, démontrant comment l’expérience nationale peut contribuer aux objectifs mondiaux de durabilité par l’échange mutuel plutôt que par des cadres unilatéraux.

Faire progresser les villes durables et l’économie circulaire

Lors de l’AUF2, Agirbas a souligné le rôle essentiel des villes durables dans la lutte contre les défis climatiques. La résilience urbaine, la gestion des déchets et l’efficacité des ressources ont été des thèmes centraux dans les discussions avec les principales parties prenantes.

Des réunions ont eu lieu avec le Dr. Aklilu Fikresilassie, directeur des villes résilientes au WRI Afrique, et le Dr. Meggan Spires, directrice du changement climatique à ICLEI Afrique, se concentrant sur le renforcement de la coopération en matière de durabilité urbaine et d’action climatique. Les engagements ont également inclus des discussions avec Anacláudia Rossbach, directrice exécutive d’ONU-Habitat, sur l’avancement des agendas mondiaux de développement urbain.

Ces interactions ont renforcé le besoin d’approches intégrées combinant politique, innovation et expertise locale. La Zero Waste Foundation a souligné l’importance d’intégrer les principes de l’économie circulaire dans la planification urbaine, permettant des bénéfices environnementaux et économiques à long terme.

S’engager auprès des communautés et de la jeunesse sur le terrain

Lors de sa visite à Nairobi, Agirbas a également effectué des visites sur le terrain dans des communautés défavorisées, notamment Kibera et Mathare, s’engageant directement auprès des résidents locaux et des leaders de la jeunesse. Réfléchissant sur Kibera, il a déclaré : « Nous voulons amplifier la voix de la justice climatique de Kibera au monde. Protéger notre maison commune commence par nous protéger les uns les autres. »

En visitant une école locale, Agirbas a souligné les conditions vulnérables auxquelles sont confrontées les communautés touchées par le changement climatique et la pauvreté, notant que beaucoup luttent pour survivre avec seulement 10 à 15 dollars par mois et font face à des risques mortels liés aux impacts climatiques.

Au Mathare Community Park, il a rencontré une vingtaine de jeunes leaders pour discuter des réponses de la jeunesse aux urgences climatiques telles que les inondations et a présenté brièvement son rôle de champion. La visite s’est terminée par une plantation d’arbres.

Construire des partenariats stratégiques pour la COP31

Le programme d’Agirbas à Nairobi comprenait également des réunions visant à élargir la collaboration intersectorielle. Des discussions avec le Dr. Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır de la Fondation T3 et Zeliha Sağlam de l’African Culture House ont mis en évidence le rôle de la technologie, de l’échange culturel et de l’engagement communautaire dans les efforts de durabilité.

Ces engagements ont reflété une stratégie plus large visant à renforcer les liens entre la Türkiye et l’Afrique à travers des objectifs partagés et des initiatives conjointes. Plutôt que de positionner la durabilité comme un effort unilatéral, la Zero Waste Foundation l’a présentée comme un parcours collaboratif façonné par l’apprentissage mutuel et le co-développement.

« Alors que nous poursuivons nos préparatifs pour la COP31, il est essentiel que nous maintenions un agenda mondial unifié », a commenté Agirbas. « Nos engagements à Nairobi ont clairement montré que le dialogue régional peut jouer un rôle décisif dans la définition de l’action climatique mondiale. Des solutions durables ne seront possibles que par des partenariats solides, une responsabilité partagée et un engagement ferme envers la justice climatique. »

Distribué par APO Group pour Zero Waste Foundation.

Contact :
Ahmet Musa Bala
basin@sifiratikvakfi.org

À propos de la Zero Waste Foundation :
La Zero Waste Foundation est la principale plateforme de Türkiye pour faire progresser les solutions d’économie circulaire et la gestion durable des ressources aux niveaux national et mondial. Créée sous le leadership honoraire de la Première Dame S.E. Emine Erdoğan, la Fondation développe et met en œuvre des programmes qui réduisent les déchets, augmentent l’efficacité et alignent la politique environnementale sur les objectifs climatiques.

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Zero Waste Foundation advances 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) diplomacy in Africa

Source: APO

Samed Agirbas, COP31 (https://apo-opa.co/4u3OpBB) Climate High-Level Champion and President of the Zero Waste Foundation (www.sifiratikvakfi.org/en), participated in the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) held in Nairobi from 6–10 April, engaging with regional and international stakeholders to advance climate justice, strengthen global cooperation, and promote circular economy solutions through strategic partnerships with Africa.

“We are here for global justice,” said Agirbas. “Climate change is a shared challenge that requires collective responsibility and cooperation, not a model based on aid but on equal partnership. As we move towards COP31, we must build a global agenda rooted in fairness, shared knowledge and joint action for sustainable cities and resilient communities.”

Strengthening climate diplomacy through Africa

Agirbas’s participation in AUF2 formed part of a broader COP31 diplomacy effort, aimed at aligning global priorities with the needs and perspectives of African countries. His engagements reflected Türkiye’s growing leadership in sustainability and its commitment to building inclusive, partnership-driven solutions.

Throughout the forum, the Zero Waste Foundation emphasised the importance of climate justice as a guiding principle, underlining that sustainable development must be equitable and accessible to all. The discussions focused on practical pathways to implement circular economy models and effective waste management systems, particularly in rapidly urbanising regions.

Türkiye’s zero waste approach was presented as a scalable and collaborative model, demonstrating how national experience can contribute to global sustainability goals through mutual exchange rather than unilateral frameworks.

Advancing sustainable cities and circular economy

During AUF2, Agirbas highlighted the critical role of sustainable cities in addressing climate challenges. Urban resilience, waste management and resource efficiency were central themes in discussions with key stakeholders.

Meetings were held with Dr. Aklilu Fikresilassie, Resilient Cities Director at WRI Africa, and Dr. Meggan Spires, Climate Change Director at ICLEI Africa, focusing on strengthening cooperation in urban sustainability and climate action. Engagements also included discussions with Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, on advancing global urban development agendas.

These interactions reinforced the need for integrated approaches that combine policy, innovation and local expertise. The Zero Waste Foundation underscored the importance of embedding circular economy principles into city planning, enabling long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Engaging with communities and youth on the ground

During his visit to Nairobi, Agirbas also carried out field visits to disadvantaged communities, including Kibera and Mathare, engaging directly with local residents and youth leaders. Reflecting on Kibera, he said: “We want to amplify the voice of climate justice from Kibera to the world. Protecting our shared home begins with protecting one another.”

Visiting a local school, Agirbas highlighted the vulnerable conditions faced by communities affected by climate change and poverty, noting that many struggle to survive on just 10–15 dollars a month and face life-threatening risks linked to climate impacts.

In Mathare Community Park, he met with around 20 young leaders to discuss youth responses to climate emergencies such as flooding and delivered a brief presentation on his Champion role. The visit concluded with a tree planting.

Building strategic partnerships for COP31

Agirbas’s programme in Nairobi also included meetings aimed at expanding cross-sector collaboration. Discussions with Dr. Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır of the T3 Foundation and Zeliha Sağlam of the African Culture House highlighted the role of technology, cultural exchange and community engagement in sustainability efforts.

These engagements reflected a broader strategy to strengthen ties between Türkiye and Africa through shared objectives and joint initiatives. Rather than positioning sustainability as a one-sided effort, the Zero Waste Foundation framed it as a collaborative journey shaped by mutual learning and co-development.

“As we continue our preparations for COP31, it is essential that we uphold a unified global agenda,” commented Agirbas. “Our engagements in Nairobi have clearly shown that regional dialogue can play a decisive role in shaping global climate action. Lasting solutions will only be possible through strong partnerships, shared responsibility and a firm commitment to climate justice.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zero Waste Foundation.

Contact: 
Ahmet Musa Bala 
basin@sifiratikvakfi.org

About the Zero Waste Foundation: 
The Zero Waste Foundation is Türkiye’s leading platform for advancing circular economy solutions and sustainable resource management at both national and global levels. Established under the honorary leadership of First Lady H.E. Emine Erdoğan, the Foundation develops and implements programs that reduce waste, increase efficiency, and align environmental policy with climate goals.

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Ghana’s mining law aims to stop speculation but leaves communities in limbo – insights from a lithium case study

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Clement Sefa-Nyarko, Lecturer in Security, Development and Leadership in Africa, King’s College London

Ghana’s parliament ratified the country’s first lithium mining agreement in March 2026. This came three years after lithium mining was confirmed as commercially viable in September 2023.

The Ewoyaa Lithium Project, in the Central Region of Ghana, covers an area where farming communities have lived for generations. It spans several communities.

The agreement is between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited, the local subsidiary of Australia-based Atlantic Lithium. Lithium is a mineral used in batteries that power electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems and everyday electronics. It’s at the heart of global minerals supply chains to decarbonise energy and transport.

With the deal in place, formal discussions will begin with mining communities about relocation, compensation and restoring livelihoods. Compensation could include payment for land, crops, construction work and other assets that will be affected by mining operations, as required under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act.

The ratification of the deal also marks the end of a legal moratorium set out in Ghanaian law. This comes into force once minerals of commercial value are discovered.

The moratorium, which lasted three years in the case of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, was designed to protect both the state and mining firms from complications such as speculative construction, sudden land claims, and inflated compensation demands that may arise from new developments.

Under Ghana’s mining law, once minerals of commercial value are confirmed, temporary restrictions are placed on new permanent structures, farm expansion and other major land use changes in the affected area. It lasts until there is a mineral agreement and compensation arrangements are clear. The intention is to stabilise land use and ensure fair valuation.

It has profound social consequences.

For people already living in these areas, the moratorium can mean extended periods of uncertainty. During this time, everyday decisions about livelihoods, housing and the future are placed on hold.

Its practical impact is that residents living on or near the mining area can’t build, expand their farms, or make other major decisions about land use.

The affected communities live in a state of suspended time during the moratorium. Farmers are unable to plan their next season confidently. Families delay home improvements. Young people postpone major life decisions because their future access to land remains unclear.

The mining agreement doesn’t end the waiting. Instead, it opens a new phase of negotiations, compensation assessments and administrative back and forth. It could stretch on for months or even years.

This prolonged uncertainty causes real social and economic harm. Yet its effects are often overlooked.

My academic work examines governance, natural resources, politics, and energy transitions. In a recent paper, based on extensive fieldwork in the lithium-rich communities of Ewoyaa, Krampa Krom and Krofu, I investigated how these delays and uncertainty shaped everyday life. I gathered firsthand accounts of how people navigated this period of waiting. All are affected by the project.

The effects were unmistakable. People described the moratorium as a form of “frozen time”, when life could not move forward.

The economic setbacks and emotional strain from long periods of uncertainty often go unrecognised in public policy discussions.

Time on hold

My research identified a number of negative effects of the delays in getting mining operations off the ground.

Firstly, households described how it eroded local opportunities and contributed to young people leaving the area. Young people expressed frustration as their job prospects remained frozen, and they lacked clarity on whether future employment at the mine would be accessible or meaningful.

Many young adults, already frustrated by years of stalled prospects, had left in search of work elsewhere.

The few lower-paid jobs associated with early stage mining activities were not yet available.

Secondly, farmers reported clear losses: they could not expand or invest.

Thirdly, women traders, many of whom sell farm produce and foodstuffs, reported disruptions in household income patterns because farming activities were stalled.

Fourth, community elders, reflecting on years of limited communication, described a growing distrust towards government institutions and the processes governing the mineral agreement.

Across these accounts, what united residents was the feeling that their lives had been interrupted by forces far beyond their control. The moratorium did more than pause development, it suspended decision making, aspirations and the ability to plan even the simplest aspects of the future.

“Time on hold” shaped economic choices, social relationships and the very rhythm of community life.

In my study, I argue that these prolonged delays are a form of “temporal injustice”. This concept emerged directly from listening to residents describe how their aspirations, livelihoods and sense of security were reshaped by bureaucratic time.

Temporal injustice occurs when certain groups bear unfair burdens of waiting, uncertainty and delayed decision-making. These disruptions may seem minor when viewed from the outside. But they have broader implications. They affect project timelines, investor confidence, and the long-term reliability of the supply chains that power the global clean energy transition.

Looking forward

As Ghana and the mining company move into the compensation and community engagement phase, they have an opportunity to address not only material losses but the temporal burdens that communities have endured.

First, compensation frameworks should recognise that the moratorium itself caused harm. Beyond land, crops and structures, policymakers must account for the economic and social costs of years spent waiting.

Second, community engagement must be timely, transparent and genuinely participatory.

Information should flow consistently, especially when people’s livelihoods depend on it.

Third, Ghana should incorporate temporal justice principles into mining governance, including clearer timelines, regular updates and support for communities facing prolonged delays.

Finally, as Ghana deepens its role in the global critical minerals supply chains, local communities should share the benefits rather than being left to carry hidden costs. A just energy transition demands fair distribution not only of mineral wealth, but of time, certainty and opportunity.

– Ghana’s mining law aims to stop speculation but leaves communities in limbo – insights from a lithium case study
– https://theconversation.com/ghanas-mining-law-aims-to-stop-speculation-but-leaves-communities-in-limbo-insights-from-a-lithium-case-study-279594

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East African Community’s expansion has triggered financial troubles: why solutions come with risks

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicodemus Minde, Researcher, United States International University

The East African Community is one of Africa’s oldest regional economic organisations. Its birth in 1967 was the culmination of decades of economic ties forged in the colonial era between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It’s no surprise that the EAC is also the most deeply integrated regional entity.

In its heyday between 1967 and 1977, the bloc shared a common currency, jointly operated a development bank and administered its transport infrastructure as one. There was a common education policy with a single syllabus and examining body as well as the University of East Africa with specialised colleges in the three countries.

Political friction and conflicting priorities, among other factors, led to its collapse in 1977 but it was revived in 1999. Citizens within the bloc currently benefit from free movement of goods, services, labour and capital, along with the rights of establishment and residence. Unmet objectives include the return of a common currency and a political federation.

Meanwhile, the bloc has grown from three to eight – Rwanda and Burundi joined in 2007; South Sudan in 2016, the DR Congo in 2022 and Somalia in 2023. The territory covers stretches from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic and brings together over 331 million people and a combined GDP of US$313 billion as of 2025.

However, this rapid expansion has triggered financial difficulties, putting the economic integration agenda at risk. While partner states are expected to contribute to fund the bloc’s operations, only Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda regularly meet their quota. The budget shortfall has led to massive staff layoffs and a freeze on new recruitment.

So serious is the crisis that it was top of the agenda at the annual summit of the heads of state in March 2026. The leaders stepped up to reform the funding model and signalled that the bloc was ready to sanction or sideline countries that compromise funding.

I have studied regionalism and integration in eastern Africa, conducted research on the EAC and published on Tanzanian citizens’ sovereignty, popular participation, and the EAC integration and democratisation.

It is my view that the radical proposals will compel non-paying partner states to either shape up or ship out. These reforms will salvage the East African Community but could potentially trigger mistrust and perception of unequal benefits in the long run.

The cost of rapid expansion

Each of the eight partner states is expected to contribute approximately US$7 million to fund the bloc’s operations. In addition, the bloc relies on development partners to fund some activities.

In recent years, six of the eight member states have missed their budget contributions. This resulted in a US$90 million budget shortfall. Regional institutions affected by these include:

  • the East African Legislative Assembly, the regional parliament

  • the East African Court of Justice, responsible for the interpretation and application of the EAC Treaty.

The two have failed to perform their core functions due to resource constraints. The regional assembly, on occasion, has been forced to skip sittings. This has an effect on critical debates and enactment of new laws to foster economic integration. The regional court grapples with case backlogs.

In November 2023, the EAC Summit adopted a new financing model. It shared 65% of the budget equally among partner states and the rest based on each country’s financial capacity. This capacity is assessed using the World Bank’s average nominal GDP per capita metric for the previous five years.

But only Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda – and occasionally Rwanda – have remitted their contributions on time. Domestic conflicts in South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia may have played a role in the slow contributions of these newer EAC members. In the 2024-2025 financial year, Burundi paid only 19% of its expected contribution, the DRC paid 14%, Somalia paid around half, and South Sudan paid a mere 7%.

Overall compliance stood at roughly 58%, leaving the bloc with arrears exceeding US$55 million. In the 2025-2026 cycle, the picture was even bleaker: compliance slipped to just 36.6%, while outstanding obligations climbed to about US$90 million.

The pattern also hints at something deeper: political ambivalence among non-paying members, and uneasiness among some partner states about the benefits of belonging to the bloc. Despite the funding challenges, inter-regional trade in the EAC has been on the rise due to increased trade facilitation under the customs union and common markets protocols. The EAC has also made advances in peace and security. In 2022 for example, through the Nairobi Process, the EAC facilitated peace talks and deployed the East African Community Regional Force in DRC.

Beyond funding, personal and political differences between the DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame have contributed to tensions within the bloc.

What did the leaders decide at the March summit?

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, in a rather surprising but decisive move, pushed for a new financing formula, replacing the model adopted in 2023.

The highlights of the new financing formula include:

  • 50% of the budget will be shared equally among all partner states, while the remaining 50% will be based on each country’s economic strength. The formula will take effect from 1 July 2026. By factoring in differences in economic capacity, the reform aims to reduce the burden on smaller economies and make the bloc’s funding more sustainable.

  • members of the legislative assembly should be paid by their respective national assemblies with effect from December 2027

  • the council of ministers should finalise the schedule of sanctions considering the new financing formula. The EAC aims to deal with mounting arrears and non-payment through a sanction regime.

A quorum for the meeting of all organs and institutions of the community will be two-thirds of all partner states. Previously, all states had to participate in passing crucial resolutions, and this was frustrated by absenteeism, especially by non-paying countries.

Nominations for the key institutional positions will depend on the sponsor state’s ratification of all community legal instruments, domestication of the treaty, and full implementation of the roadmap for the partner state’s integration.

What’s next

These are radical proposals, with consequences. Take the example of the decision to appoint Stephen Mbundi of Tanzania as the new secretary general. Based on the rotational principles of the EAC, South Sudan was poised to take over the position from Kenya’s Veronica Nduva. But South Sudan is a defaulter.

This decision signalled the bloc’s commitment to financial compliance and commitment to the spirit of regional integration. Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, also took over the chairman’s position, bypassing Somalia and the DRC, which were poised to lead the community for a year. Somalia and the DRC have been behind in their annual payments.

The proposals, which appear to have been orchestrated by the founding members, suggest a pragmatic move to salvage the EAC.

– East African Community’s expansion has triggered financial troubles: why solutions come with risks
– https://theconversation.com/east-african-communitys-expansion-has-triggered-financial-troubles-why-solutions-come-with-risks-280632

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APO Group nomme Loanette Boshoff au poste de Directrice des ressources humaines

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

APO Group (https://APO-opa.com), le cabinet panafricain de conseil en communication intégrant expertise stratégique, exécution et diffusion propriétaire de l’information, annonce la promotion de Loanette Boshoff au poste de Directrice des ressource humaines (Chief People Officer).

En tant que conseiller stratégique auprès de clients de premier plan, APO Group s’appuie sur un vivier de talents exceptionnels caractérisé par une maîtrise locale et une compréhension culturelle acquises au fil de près de vingt ans d’activité sur les marchés africains. Cela reflète la volonté de l’entreprise de placer les personnes et la culture au cœur de ses priorités. Boshoff veillera à ce qu’APO Group continue d’attirer des talents remarquables, de développer les capacités de leadership et de maintenir une culture de haute performance au service de ses clients.

Le Fondateur et Président d’APO Group, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, commentant cette nomination, a déclaré : « La croissance durable requiert un développement structuré des talents. Loanette a apporté des conseils avisés au sein de la direction d’APO Group et a joué un rôle décisif dans la structuration de nos équipes et de notre culture. Sa promotion illustre l’importance que nous accordons à la clarification des standards, la mesurabilité de la performance et la cohérence sur tous les marchés ».

Boshoff a intégré APO Group en 2019 et a dirigé la mise en place d’une équipe multinationale répartie et opérant à travers l’Afrique et à l’international. Elle a conçu les cadres de leadership, les standards de performance et les systèmes de gestion des talents qui ont permis à APO Group de croître rapidement tout en maintenant l’excellence. Sous son approche de direction centrée sur la personne, l’organisation s’est développée en une équipe diverse et performante représentant des dizaines de nationalités et active dans 54 marchés africains.

Sa carrière antérieure couvre plus de 20 ans dans la gestion mondiale des talents en Afrique, au Moyen-Orient, en Europe, en Amérique du Nord et en Asie. Elle a accompagné des multinationales, des start-ups et des entreprises en forte croissance, et a cofondé des cabinets de conseil spécialisés en ressources humaines et services stratégiques.

Boshoff a déclaré : « La haute performance doit être construite de manière délibérée. Dans une organisation à distance opérant en Afrique et au-delà, la clarté est essentielle. Les standards comptent. L’alignement du leadership compte. Mon objectif est simple : garantir que nos systèmes produisent des résultats mesurables pour nos collaborateurs et nos clients, et intégrer davantage la stratégie des ressources humaines à l’exécution et à la durabilité à long terme ».

En intégrant des mécanismes internes solides de croissance, APO Group s’assure que son équipe de travail panafricaine est dotée de moyens pour remplir son rôle de partenaire de confiance en communication pour les organisations à travers le continent et au-delà.

Distribué par APO Group pour APO Group.

Contact presse :
marie@apo-opa.com 

À propos d’APO Group :
Fondé en 2007 par Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group est un cabinet de conseil en communication conçu pour la performance – combinant expertise stratégique, exécution opérationnelle et visibilité garantie sur tous les marchés africains.

Récompensé par de nombreux prix internationaux, dont SABRE, Davos Communications et World Business Outlook, APO Group accompagne des organisations mondiales et africaines pour délivrer des communications performantes – grâce à la stratégie, l’exécution et une visibilité mesurable.

Les rôles de conseil de son fondateur auprès d’institutions internationales renforcent l’accès d’APO Group aux décideurs et consolident son statut de cabinet de communication le plus connecté du continent. Parmi ses clients figurent Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, GITEX Global, la Royal African Society et le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD).

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SIU obtains R76.5 million freeze order related to Eskom alleged corruption

Source: Government of South Africa

SIU obtains R76.5 million freeze order related to Eskom alleged corruption

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has scored a major victory in clawing back the money stolen at Eskom, securing a preservation order to freeze R76.5 million worth of real estate and a fleet of luxury cars linked to businessman Siyabonga Moses Goodwill Nkosi.

The order prevents the assets from being “sold, transferred, or hidden while the SIU seeks to set aside irregular contracts and recover public funds”.

An SIU investigation into Eskom – as authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa – revealed how officials at the power utility’s Kusile and Matla Power Stations allegedly “turned procurement into a jackpot”.

“Between 2021 and 2023, officials approved inflated and irregular purchase orders for relays, which are equipment meant to keep power stations running.

“Instead of delivering reliable service, Nkosi’s companies delivered invoices. Eskom officials signed off on contracts that priced relays at R50 000 each, when the market price was between R180 and R450. This manipulation resulted in a direct financial loss of R73 650 994.87 to Eskom,” the SIU explained.

Furthermore, officials at Eskom allegedly split the purchase orders in order to keep the transactions below the R1 million threshold and effectively “abusing the informal tendering system and bypassing formal procurement processes”.

“False part numbers were uploaded to Eskom’s systems to ensure only colluding vendors could bid, inflating costs for equipment that was never needed and remains unused in stock years later,” the SIU added.

The web of trusts

According to the SIU, Nkosi used the Nkosi Royal Trust, Sibongukukhanya Trust and Siyabonga Kankosi Trust – which he was trustee of – allegedly as conduits for laundering the stolen money and pouring it into prime properties in Gauteng, KwaZulu‑Natal and Mpumalanga.

The money was also alleged to have been used to purchase luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, Porsche Cayennes and a Porsche Panamera.

“This preservation order motivates the SIU to move towards approaching the Special Tribunal to review and set aside these contracts. The order allows for the SIU to launch proceedings within 60 days from the date of the order.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.

“The SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation and to recover financial losses suffered by the State, including funds paid for services not rendered,” the SIU said. – SAnews.gov.za

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