Category: Africa

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As Ebola accelerates in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns food assistance and logistics are critical to containing the outbreak

Source: APO


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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently scaling up food assistance, logistics, telecommunications and air services in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where Ebola has evolved from a localized health emergency into the fastest-spreading outbreak on record.

Ebola is not only a health crisis; it is a threat multiplier for communities already facing conflict, displacement and hunger. Without urgent, flexible support, families may be forced to choose between complying with public health measures and finding food, undermining containment and deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

“Ebola feeds on delay, fear and hunger,” said Carl Skau, WFP’s acting Executive Director. “Stopping this outbreak requires all hands on deck and communities at the center. Food assistance is frontline Ebola containment. It helps families stay home, supports safe isolation, builds trust with communities and keeps health teams moving. We know what works; what we need now is the speed and resources to scale it before this outbreak outruns the response.”

Here are the latest updates on food security and WFP operations in eastern DRC:

Health and Food Security Situation in eastern DRC:

  • The outbreak is unfolding in a complex humanitarian environment marked by conflict, displacement, limited access to basic services, and an ongoing health workers strike.
  • The Ebola outbreak is now affecting 48 health zones across five provinces in eastern DRC: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele.
  • Ituri accounts for about 90 percent of confirmed cases, while the spread to Tshopo, including Kisangani, and Haut-Uele raises the risk of wider transmission through major transport routes.
  • In eastern DRC, nearly 10 million people are already facing crisis or emergency levels of hunger. Ituri remains one of the country’s most severe hunger hotspots with 1.9 million people facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse.
    • More than 2.65 million people in the 48 Ebola-affected health zones face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+), including more than 628,000 people in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4).

WFP’s Operational Food Response:

  • WFP is providing food assistance to Ebola patients, close contacts of those infected, frontline responders and affected households – helping people comply with containment measures while reducing pressure on families already struggling to meet basic food needs.
  • In DRC, WFP has delivered more than 160,000 hot meals to patients, contacts and frontline workers in 17 treatment and isolation centres.
  • WFP has also provided dry food rations to 23,000 people in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, including 14,000 people under quarantine with monthly food assistance. An additional 36,000 people in Ebola-affected zones have been reached with general food assistance.
  • Food assistance is critical to containment: it helps reduce movement of people in search of food, supports safe isolation, lowers the risk of harmful coping strategies and creates the social conditions for health actors to operate safely and effectively.

WFP

 Logistics and Supply Chain Operations:

  • WFP is supporting efforts as the logistics backbone of the Ebola response – helping to move responders, medical supplies, telecommunications equipment and essential cargo into hard-to-reach areas.
  • Since the onset of the outbreak, UNHAS has operated 495 flights, transported 3,395 humanitarian responders and delivered 56 metric tons of essential cargo to frontline locations, including newly affected provinces such as Haut-Uele and Tshopo.
  • Within DRC, the WFP-led Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster is providing storage and last-mile delivery to more than 200 locations across Bunia, as well as 36 other affected health zones.
  • WFP is supporting WHO and the Ministry of Health to set up six logistics hubs across Ebola hotspots to increase storage capacity.
  • With the virus spread into Tshopo and Haut-Uele, the Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster has rapidly mobilized road and air deliveries on behalf of partners.
  • Three EpiShuttle isolation units are deployed in Bunia to support safe medical evacuation from frontline locations, while UNHAS has strengthened passenger and staff protection measures.
  • WFP has restored the UN security communications channel in Bunia and is establishing a dedicated communications channel for NGO partners to coordinate field movement.

Challenges and Funding Requirements

  • Speed and resources are the main challenges. Every delay gives Ebola more room to spread, while gaps in logistics, food assistance and community support risk weakening containment efforts.
  • Insecurity, access constraints, community unrest and limited operational capacity in newly affected areas continue to complicate surveillance, supply movements and response scale-up.
  • WFP requires USD 101 million for the next six months for the Ebola response in the region. Of this, USD 76 million is needed for DRC alone.
  • Food and nutrition assistance remains the largest urgent gap, with USD 50 million needed to sustain hot meals, support quarantine, and expand assistance in newly affected areas.
  • WFP requires USD 293.6 million over the next six months to sustain all operations in DRC, including emergency logistics and food assistance in Ituri and other affected areas.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Delegation to Conduct Venezuela Working Visit as Energy Reforms Open New Frontiers in Gas, Oil and Tech

Source: APO


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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) will conduct a three-day working visit to Venezuela on August 3-5, 2026, reinforcing its support for the country’s energy sector reforms and advocating for increased international investment in oil, natural gas and associated infrastructure. Led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, the AEC delegation will engage key industry leaders and government representatives to assess the country’s evolving investment landscape, identify opportunities for collaboration and support efforts to mobilize foreign capital as the country re-positions itself as a global energy supplier. 

The visit comes as Venezuela enters one of its most decisive energy chapters yet, underpinned by regulatory reform, reengagement with foreign operators and a growing reserve base. At a time when global supply chains are increasingly volatile, the visit will showcase Venezuela’s capacity to become a central player in meeting growing international energy demand, while promoting new capital frontiers such as natural gas, AI and digital infrastructure.

Home to some of the world’s largest proven oil and gas reserves, Venezuela has the geological advantage to play a more prominent role in global markets – all it needs is investment. Recent reforms have created a stronger foundation for international capital expenditure, opening new pathways for operators and financiers, while renewed engagement with international companies has created opportunities for companies able to provide capital, technology and technical expertise. Changes to the country’s hydrocarbons framework have created greater flexibility for private participation and strengthened the commercial terms available for operators.

These efforts have already begun to yield results, setting the stage for accelerated production growth and project reactivation. Repsol plans to increase production from its Venezuelan assets while Eni is relaunching a heavy crude project in the Orinoco Belt. Chevron is cementing its presence in the country while ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips have expressed interest in emerging Venezuelan opportunities. These moves point to a market poised for growth, underscoring the impact reform has played in reopening the sector. 

Natural gas represents a particularly significant opportunity. International companies are advancing projects capable of monetizing Venezuela’s offshore resources and strengthening regional energy supply. Shell is progressing the Dragon gas development, designed to deliver Venezuelan gas to Trinidad and Tobago, while bp is advancing the Cocuina-Manakin development. Repsol and Eni are also pursuing increased production from the Cardón IV project, demonstrating the growing commercial focus on Venezuela’s gas resources.

“Venezuela continues to be integral to global energy security. When foreign investment enters Venezuela’s energy sector, it unlocks vital supply needed to meet expanding global demand. The reforms underway send an important signal to the market. Continued progress on competitive terms, regulatory certainty and international collaboration can position Venezuela to attract the capital and technology required to increase production and deliver energy to markets that need it,” states Ayuk.

For the AEC, these developments represent the beginning of a much larger investment opportunity. Beyond exports and traditional industrial demand, Venezuela’s gas resources could support the expansion of reliable power infrastructure required by emerging industries. Rapid global growth in AI, cloud computing and data centers is increasing demand for secure, scalable electricity supply, creating a potential new market for gas-backed power development.

“We are exceptionally bullish on Venezuela’s natural gas potential. Developing gas reserves to power next-generation technology -including data centers and AI infrastructure – represents the next major investment frontier in the region,” Ayuk added.

Stepping into this picture, the AEC’s upcoming working visit builds on this momentum to showcase Venezuela’s energy story to a global audience. Backed by world-class resources, an improving investment climate and opportunities spanning upstream oil, natural gas infrastructure and digital technologies, Venezuela is positioning itself as a major global energy hub. Unlocking this potential will require greater investment to bring projects online, expand infrastructure and accelerate development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Delegação da Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC) realizará visita de trabalho à Venezuela, numa altura em que as reformas energéticas abrem novas fronteiras nos setores do gás, do petróleo e da tecnologia

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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A Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) realizará uma visita de trabalho de três dias à Venezuela, de 3 a 5 de agosto de 2026, reforçando o seu apoio às reformas do setor energético do país e defendendo um aumento do investimento internacional no petróleo, no gás natural e nas infraestruturas associadas. Liderada pelo Presidente Executivo NJ Ayuk, a delegação da AEC irá reunir-se com líderes-chave do setor e representantes governamentais para avaliar o panorama de investimento em evolução do país, identificar oportunidades de colaboração e apoiar os esforços para mobilizar capital estrangeiro, à medida que o país se reposiciona como fornecedor global de energia. 

A visita surge num momento em que a Venezuela entra num dos capítulos mais decisivos da sua história energética, sustentado por reformas regulatórias, o restabelecimento de relações com operadores estrangeiros e uma base de reservas em crescimento. Numa altura em que as cadeias de abastecimento globais se mostram cada vez mais voláteis, a visita irá demonstrar a capacidade da Venezuela para se tornar um interveniente central na satisfação da crescente procura internacional de energia, promovendo simultaneamente novas frentes de investimento, tais como o gás natural, a IA e as infraestruturas digitais.

Sendo o lar de algumas das maiores reservas comprovadas de petróleo e gás do mundo, a Venezuela possui a vantagem geológica para desempenhar um papel mais proeminente nos mercados globais — tudo o que precisa é de investimento. As recentes reformas criaram uma base mais sólida para o investimento internacional, abrindo novos caminhos para operadores e financiadores, enquanto o reatamento das relações com empresas internacionais criou oportunidades para empresas capazes de fornecer capital, tecnologia e conhecimentos técnicos. As alterações ao quadro regulamentar dos hidrocarbonetos do país proporcionaram maior flexibilidade à participação privada e reforçaram as condições comerciais disponíveis para os operadores.

Estes esforços já começaram a dar frutos, preparando o terreno para um crescimento acelerado da produção e a reativação de projetos. A Repsol planeia aumentar a produção dos seus ativos venezuelanos, enquanto a Eni está a relançar um projeto de crude pesado no Cinturão do Orinoco. A Chevron está a consolidar a sua presença no país, enquanto a ExxonMobil e a ConocoPhillips manifestaram interesse nas oportunidades emergentes na Venezuela. Estas medidas apontam para um mercado pronto para o crescimento, sublinhando o impacto que a reforma teve na reabertura do setor. 

O gás natural representa uma oportunidade particularmente significativa. As empresas internacionais estão a avançar com projetos capazes de rentabilizar os recursos offshore da Venezuela e de reforçar o abastecimento energético regional. A Shell está a avançar com o desenvolvimento do projeto de gás Dragon, concebido para fornecer gás venezuelano a Trinidad e Tobago, enquanto a bp está a avançar com o desenvolvimento de Cocuina-Manakin. A Repsol e a Eni estão também a procurar aumentar a produção do projeto Cardón IV, demonstrando o crescente foco comercial nos recursos de gás da Venezuela.

«A Venezuela continua a ser fundamental para a segurança energética global. Quando o investimento estrangeiro entra no setor energético venezuelano, desbloqueia o abastecimento vital necessário para satisfazer a procura global em expansão. As reformas em curso enviam um sinal importante ao mercado. O progresso contínuo em termos de competitividade, certeza regulatória e colaboração internacional pode posicionar a Venezuela para atrair o capital e a tecnologia necessários para aumentar a produção e fornecer energia aos mercados que dela necessitam», afirma Ayuk.

Para a AEC, estes desenvolvimentos representam o início de uma oportunidade de investimento muito maior. Para além das exportações e da procura industrial tradicional, os recursos de gás da Venezuela poderiam apoiar a expansão de infraestruturas energéticas fiáveis exigidas pelas indústrias emergentes. O rápido crescimento global da IA, da computação em nuvem e dos centros de dados está a aumentar a procura por um fornecimento de eletricidade seguro e escalável, criando um potencial novo mercado para o desenvolvimento de energia baseada no gás.

«Estamos extremamente otimistas quanto ao potencial do gás natural da Venezuela. O desenvolvimento das reservas de gás para alimentar a tecnologia de próxima geração — incluindo centros de dados e infraestruturas de IA — representa a próxima grande fronteira de investimento na região», acrescentou Ayuk.

Enquadrando-se neste contexto, a próxima visita de trabalho da AEC aproveita este impulso para apresentar a história energética da Venezuela a um público global. Apoiada por recursos de classe mundial, um clima de investimento em melhoria e oportunidades que abrangem o setor petrolífero a montante, as infraestruturas de gás natural e as tecnologias digitais, a Venezuela está a posicionar-se como um importante centro energético global. Desbloquear este potencial exigirá um maior investimento para colocar projetos em funcionamento, expandir as infraestruturas e acelerar o desenvolvimento.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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Authorities monitor N3 amid snowfall

Source: Government of South Africa

Authorities monitor N3 amid snowfall

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma says authorities are monitoring the road network as the Drakensberg Mountains experience snowfall.

The MEC said grader operators are on standby to remove snow before it accumulates to more than 30cm.

“Van Reenen between Harrismith and Ladysmith is being closely monitored to ensure road closure where necessary. This will help to prevent motorists from being stuck on the N3. Coastal and low-lying areas where there are informal settlements are being closely monitored,” Duma said on Wednesday.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning for disruptive rain, which is expected to result in flooding of bridges, roads and settlements, as well as damage to property and infrastructure, in places along the coast and adjacent interior between East London in the Eastern Cape and Cape Vidal in KwaZulu-Natal.

The weather service has also issued a warning for disruptive snow, which is expected in places over the north-eastern high ground of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg area of KwaZulu-Natal. The snow could result in traffic disruptions, disruption to essential services and some communities being temporarily cut off.

Disruptive rain, resulting in flooding of bridges, roads and settlements, as well as damage to property and infrastructure, is expected over the south-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape and the eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, except in the extreme north-east.

The Human Settlements team, working with eThekwini Municipality Human Settlements and Infrastructure, has made more than 170 rooms available at the newly acquired Montclair Lodge.

“We will accommodate families that may be left destitute because of floods. There is construction on the Quarry Heights Bridge, which was partially destroyed by floods in 2022. Gabions are being installed by eThekwini Municipality to prevent soil erosion and restore sidewalks.

“Engineers from the Department of Transport have ensured that culverts are installed in some bridges to prevent water from pooling on the road, which normally results in flooding,” the MEC said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Évacuations médicales, transport de troupes : dans les airs, les casques bleus bangladais ne comptent pas leurs heures

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Déployée en République démocratique du Congo depuis août 2003, l’Unité d’aviation du contingent bangladais constitue l’un des piliers du dispositif aérien de la MONUSCO. Ses équipages participent régulièrement aux évacuations médicales de militaires congolais blessés au combat, ainsi qu’à cellesde civils nécessitant une assistance urgente dans des zones difficiles d’accès.

Jeudi 23 juillet à Bunia, chef-lieu de la province de l’Ituri, le Commandant de la Force de la MONUSCO, le général Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, a présidé la cérémonie de remise de la Médaille des Nations Unies aux Casques bleus de cette unité. Cette distinction récompense leur engagement et leur contribution à la mise en œuvre du mandat de protection des civils dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo.

« Recevoir la Médaille des Nations Unies est non seulement un immense honneur et un privilège, mais également une reconnaissance du dévouement, du professionnalisme et des efforts collectifs de notre contingent en faveur de la paix et de la stabilité en République démocratique du Congo », s’est notamment réjouie l’une des récipiendaires, le lieutenant Rifah Tania Badhon, officier de sécurité de l’Unité d’aviation bangladaise.

Son unité assure aussi le transport de troupes, de matériel et de munitions dans le cadre des opérations de la Force, ainsi que celui du personnel de la MONUSCO et des Nations Unies à travers le pays.

39 000 heures de vol

Dans un territoire aussi vaste que le Congo, où les infrastructures routières et de communication demeurent limitées dans plusieurs régions, les capacités aériennes représentent un élément indispensable à la mise en œuvre du mandat de protection des civils et au soutien des opérations de maintien de la paix.

Le Bangladesh est l’un des principaux pays contributeurs de troupes de la MONUSCO dans le domaine de l’aviation, avec le déploiement d’hélicoptères utilitaires Mi-17, dont certains sont équipés de capacités de vision nocturne, ainsi qu’un avion de transport Hercules C-130 destiné au transport de passagers et de fret.

En Ituri, cet engagement se traduit par un bilan remarquable. Depuis son déploiement en 2003, l’Unité d’aviation bangladaise de la MONUSCO a effectué avec succès plus de 39 000 heures de vol sans accident, apportant un soutien essentiel aux opérations de la Mission et à la protection des populations civiles.

Au cours de la cérémonie de jeudi, le commandant de la 32e région militaire des Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC), le général Antoine-David Mushimba a salué la contribution des Casques bleus bangladais, qui achèvent leur mission après près d’une année de service en Ituri, dans un contexte marqué par la persistance de l’activité des groupes armés et l’épidémie de la maladie à virus Ebola.

« L’Unité d’aviation des Casques bleus bangladais de la MONUSCO a beaucoup apporté comme appui dans la protection des civils en Ituri, aux côtés des FARDC », a-t-il déclaré, rendant hommage à leur engagement au service de la population congolaise.

« Tous les soldats de la MONUSCO ont accepté de donner leur vie pour les Congolais afin qu’il y ait la paix dans notre pays », a-t-il ajouté.

Fierté

De son côté, le Commandant de la Force de la MONUSCO a souligné le professionnalisme et le dévouement des récipiendaires tout au long de leur déploiement.

« Ces hommes et femmes des Nations Unies ont démontré un engagement sans faille et ont travaillé avec professionnalisme au service de la paix, malgré un environnement sécuritaire complexe », a déclaré le général Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes.

Pour le lieutenant Rifah Tania Badhon, cette distinction représente une reconnaissance collective du travail accompli par l’ensemble du contingent.

« En tant que Casque bleu du Bangladesh, je suis profondément honorée de servir sous le drapeau des Nations Unies. Cette médaille nous rappelle que le maintien de la paix n’est pas seulement un devoir, mais un engagement envers l’humanité, l’impartialité, la discipline et la protection des civils conformément au mandat des Nations Unies », a-t-elle affirmé, ajoutant :

« Je rends également hommage à mes compagnons de mission qui continuent de travailler sans relâche, souvent dans des conditions difficiles, afin de promouvoir la paix, la sécurité et l’espoir pour la population de ce magnifique pays. »

À travers cette distinction, les Nations Unies ont rendu hommage à l’engagement de ces Casques bleus qui apportent chaque jour assistance, sécurité et espoir aux communautés affectées par les violences armées dans l’Est de la République démocratique du Congo.

Distribué par APO Group pour Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

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Une délégation de Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) effectuera une visite de travail au Venezuela alors que les réformes énergétiques ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives dans les secteurs du gaz, du pétrole et des technologies

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) effectuera une visite de travail de trois jours au Venezuela, du 3 au 5 août 2026, afin de renforcer son soutien aux réformes du secteur énergétique du pays et de plaider en faveur d’un accroissement des investissements internationaux dans le pétrole, le gaz naturel et les infrastructures associées. Dirigée par son président exécutif, NJ Ayuk, la délégation de l’AEC rencontrera des dirigeants clés du secteur et des représentants du gouvernement afin d’évaluer l’évolution du paysage des investissements dans le pays, d’identifier des opportunités de collaboration et de soutenir les efforts visant à mobiliser des capitaux étrangers, alors que le pays se repositionne en tant que fournisseur énergétique mondial. 

Cette visite intervient alors que le Venezuela entame l’une des étapes les plus décisives de son histoire énergétique, soutenue par une réforme réglementaire, un renouveau des relations avec les opérateurs étrangers et une base de réserves en croissance. À l’heure où les chaînes d’approvisionnement mondiales sont de plus en plus instables, cette visite mettra en avant la capacité du Venezuela à devenir un acteur central pour répondre à la demande énergétique internationale croissante, tout en promouvant de nouveaux secteurs d’investissement tels que le gaz naturel, l’intelligence artificielle et les infrastructures numériques.

Abritant certaines des plus grandes réserves prouvées de pétrole et de gaz au monde, le Venezuela dispose d’un avantage géologique lui permettant de jouer un rôle plus important sur les marchés mondiaux – il ne lui manque plus que les investissements. Les réformes récentes ont renforcé les fondements des dépenses d’investissement internationales, ouvrant de nouvelles voies aux opérateurs et aux bailleurs de fonds, tandis que le renouveau des relations avec les entreprises internationales a créé des opportunités pour les sociétés capables d’apporter des capitaux, des technologies et une expertise technique. Les modifications apportées au cadre réglementaire du pays en matière d’hydrocarbures ont permis une plus grande flexibilité pour la participation du secteur privé et ont renforcé les conditions commerciales proposées aux opérateurs.

Ces efforts ont déjà commencé à porter leurs fruits, ouvrant la voie à une croissance accélérée de la production et à la relance de projets. Repsol prévoit d’augmenter la production de ses actifs vénézuéliens tandis qu’Eni relance un projet de pétrole brut lourd dans la ceinture de l’Orénoque. Chevron consolide sa présence dans le pays tandis qu’ExxonMobil et ConocoPhillips ont manifesté leur intérêt pour les opportunités émergentes au Venezuela. Ces initiatives indiquent un marché prêt à croître, soulignant l’impact des réformes sur la réouverture du secteur. 

Le gaz naturel représente une opportunité particulièrement importante. Les entreprises internationales font avancer des projets capables de valoriser les ressources offshore du Venezuela et de renforcer l’approvisionnement énergétique régional. Shell poursuit le développement du gisement de gaz Dragon, destiné à acheminer du gaz vénézuélien vers Trinité-et-Tobago, tandis que bp fait progresser le projet Cocuina-Manakin. Repsol et Eni s’efforcent également d’augmenter la production du projet Cardón IV, ce qui témoigne de l’intérêt commercial croissant pour les ressources gazières du Venezuela.

« Le Venezuela reste un maillon essentiel de la sécurité énergétique mondiale. Lorsque des investissements étrangers affluent dans le secteur énergétique vénézuélien, cela libère des approvisionnements vitaux nécessaires pour répondre à la demande mondiale en pleine expansion. Les réformes en cours envoient un signal important au marché. La poursuite des progrès en matière de conditions concurrentielles, de sécurité réglementaire et de collaboration internationale peut permettre au Venezuela d’attirer les capitaux et les technologies nécessaires pour accroître la production et fournir de l’énergie aux marchés qui en ont besoin », déclare M. Ayuk.

Pour l’AEC, ces développements marquent le début d’une opportunité d’investissement bien plus vaste. Au-delà des exportations et de la demande industrielle traditionnelle, les ressources gazières du Venezuela pourraient soutenir le développement d’infrastructures électriques fiables, indispensables aux industries émergentes. La croissance mondiale rapide de l’IA, du cloud computing et des centres de données accroît la demande en approvisionnement électrique sécurisé et évolutif, créant ainsi un nouveau marché potentiel pour le développement de l’énergie alimentée au gaz.

« Nous sommes extrêmement optimistes quant au potentiel du gaz naturel vénézuélien. L’exploitation des réserves de gaz pour alimenter les technologies de nouvelle génération – notamment les centres de données et les infrastructures d’IA – représente la prochaine grande frontière d’investissement dans la région », a ajouté M. Ayuk.

S’inscrivant dans ce contexte, la prochaine visite de travail de l’AEC s’appuie sur cette dynamique pour présenter le parcours énergétique du Venezuela à un public international. Fort de ressources de classe mondiale, d’un climat d’investissement en amélioration et d’opportunités couvrant l’amont pétrolier, les infrastructures gazières et les technologies numériques, le Venezuela se positionne comme un pôle énergétique mondial majeur. Libérer ce potentiel nécessitera des investissements accrus pour mettre en service des projets, étendre les infrastructures et accélérer le développement.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Don’t miss your chance to register to vote, IEC urges 

Source: Government of South Africa

Don’t miss your chance to register to vote, IEC urges 

The Electoral Commission (IEC) on Wednesday reminded all eligible South African voters that the weekend of 1 and 2 August 2026 marks the final voting station-based registration opportunity.

“The Commission calls on all eligible South Africans who have not yet registered as voters; those who are registered but have not yet inspected their address details for completeness, or those who have moved residence since they last registered, to use this final opportunity to secure their place on the voters’ roll,” Electoral Commission Chief Executive Officer Sy Mamabolo said.

Addressing the media on the state of readiness for the second round of voter registration, Mamabolo said the Commission has completed its final operational preparations for the upcoming voter registration weekend.

“As part of these preparations, the number of voting districts has been revised from 23 706 to 23 699 following the optimisation of voting station arrangements based on voter activity recorded during the first registration weekend. For the final voter registration weekend, the Commission will operate 23 699 voting stations across the country,” he said.

Mamabolo said all registration stations will operate from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

“The Commission will once again deploy 48 212 trained electoral officials who will be on hand to welcome and assist eligible voters to register, update their details or verify their registration information ahead of the elections,” he said.

During the first voter registration weekend held on 20 and 21 June 2026, over 3 million registration transactions were recorded, reflecting South Africans’ continued commitment to democratic participation.

Mamabolo said the Commission is hopeful that the same spirit of participation will prevail during the final in-person registration drive.  

“Following the first voter registration weekend in June 2026, the Electoral Commission has to date recorded more than 815 000 voter registration transactions.

“Of these, approximately 603 572 (74%) were processed through the Online Voter Registration (OVR) portal, underscoring the growing use of the digital online registration platform among South Africans. The highest levels of online registration activity were recorded in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

“Women remain the leading users of the online registration platform, accounting for 61% of all online registration activity. Young people are also embracing digital registration in significant numbers, with the 16–29 age cohort contributing 50% of all online transactions,” he explained.

In addition, the Department of Home Affairs will once again align its operating hours with the Commission’s voter registration activities, ensuring that eligible voters requiring identity documents have access to the necessary services during the registration weekend.

Once the final voter registration weekend has concluded, the Commission anticipates that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) will proclaim the date of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Mamabolo said the voters’ roll will close at midnight on the day the election is proclaimed.

“From that point onwards, no new voter registrations or changes to existing voter registration details may be processed until after the elections. Consequently, the Electoral Commission will cease all registration drives and deactivate the online voter registration portal,” he said.

He further explained that the Electoral Code of Conduct issued in terms of the Municipal Electoral Act comes into operation until the election results are announced.

“The purpose of the Code is to foster conditions for free and fair elections by creating a climate of tolerance, open public debate and free political campaigning. The Commission wishes to indicate that the “no go” zones go against both the letter and spirit of the Code.

“We reiterate that all registered political parties, the leaders and office bearers of parties, candidates nominated by parties and independent candidates are bound by the Code.”

Mamabolo said candidate nomination processes for party candidates and independent candidates may commence.

“To this end, the Commission has activated the Online Candidate Nomination System to facilitate nomination. The system is accessible via the public website at www.elections.org.za

Eligible voters have also been urged not to wait until the last minute to register or update their details.

“Experience has shown that a surge in registration activity often occurs closer to key deadlines, creating avoidable pressure on registration channels,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za    
 

 

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Liberia Receives Congratulatory Messages from More Than 35 World Leaders and International Partners on Liberia’s 179th Independence Day

Source: APO


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The congratulatory messages, conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the national celebrations held under the theme, “Strengthening National Identity Through Liberian-Led Historical Leadership,” recognized Liberia’s enduring democratic tradition, its constructive role in regional and global affairs, and President Boakai’s leadership in advancing peace, stability, and international cooperation.

Presenting the messages to President Boakai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, said the outpouring of goodwill reflects the strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships Liberia continues to enjoy with nations and international institutions around the world.

The messages were received from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden; President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea; President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana; President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia; President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon; President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt; and King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Additional congratulatory messages were received from King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; President Christine Kangaloo of Trinidad and Tobago; President Maia Sandu of the Republic of Moldova; Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani of the Syrian Arab Republic; and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany.

Others included Pope Leo XIV of the Holy See (Vatican City State); President Paul Biya of Cameroon; President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China; President Andrzej Duda of Poland; Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan; President Droupadi Murmu of India; President Azali Assoumani of the Union of the Comoros; and President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic.

Also extending warm Independence Day felicitations were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský of the Czech Republic; President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America; President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of Cuba; King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada; United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres; President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland; President Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea; and Speaker Hyacinth Alia of the Nevis Island Legislature.

The Government of Liberia expresses its sincere appreciation to all the leaders and international partners whose messages of goodwill reaffirm the longstanding friendships and diplomatic ties that Liberia continues to cherish as it advances its development agenda and strengthens cooperation with the international community.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

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Egypt: President El-Sisi Meets the President of Madagascar

Source: APO


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Today, in El-Alamein City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received President of the Republic of Madagascar, Michael Randrianirina.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the reception ceremonies included a guard of honour, the playing of the national anthems of both countries, and a commemorative photograph. This was followed by an expanded session of talks attended by delegations of the two countries, the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding, Then, President El-Sisi hosted a luncheon banquet  in honour of the President of Madagascar and his accompanying delegation.

The talks reaffirmed the two sides’ keenness to further strengthen bilateral relations across various fields, particularly in the areas of economy, trade, and investment. They also stressed the importance of advancing cooperation in a number of promising sectors, including agriculture, health, transport and infrastructure, renewable energy, water resources, as well as capacity-building for cadres in Madagascar.

The President of Madagascar expressed his deep pride in visiting Egypt, meeting with the President, and experiencing the warm hospitality and generous reception. He emphasized that the visit was historic, as it marks the first official bilateral visit by a Malagasy President to Egypt. He also underscored the importance of elevating bilateral relations across all sectors, expressing his appreciation for Egypt’s support to Madagascar following the recent cyclones, as well as for the training programmes provided by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development to various Malagasy cadres.

The meeting also tackled cooperation between the two countries within the African context, including the framework of the African Union.

Following the talks, the two Presidents held a joint press conference. ​

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

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Regional Economic Outlook 2026: Southern Africa Must Mobilise Development Finance at Scale to Close Annual $55 Billion Financing Gap

Source: APO

Southern Africa must urgently mobilise development financing at scale to turn a gradual and uneven economic recovery into real gains in living standards, according to the African Development Bank’s (https://www.AfDB.org) 2026 Regional Economic Outlook for Southern Africa: Mobilising Southern Africa’s Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World, released on Tuesday.

The report reviews the region’s macroeconomic prospects, quantifies its development financing gap, and sets out reforms needed to strengthen financial systems and regional agency in a changing global economy.

The report projects regional growth rising from 2.1% in 2026 to 2.7% in 2027, supported by stronger household consumption and services. However, limited diversification, weak agricultural productivity, infrastructure gaps, and low domestic resource mobilization continue to constrain long-term growth and resilience, trimming gains in GDP per capita and efforts to tackle entrenched economic disparities.

A Widening Financing Gap

At the heart of the report is a stark diagnosis: Southern Africa’s development challenge is not simply a shortage of resources, but rather persistent constraints in mobilizing, intermediating, and deploying available capital effectively and at scale.

“The challenge is not simply a shortage of money. It is mobilising, intermediating, and deploying the capital that already exists, effectively and at scale, in an increasingly fragmented global economy,” said Kennedy Mbekeani, African Development Bank’s Director General for Southern Africa.

The Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, Kevin Urama, urged regional leaders to swiftly implement the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), a continental initiative championed by President Dr Sidi Ould Tah and endorsed by African leaders earlier this year.

”It is only through the effective implementation of the key building blocks of the new financial architecture that the continent can weather the financial storms and increased volatilities and uncertainties that come with the ongoing fragmentation in the global financial markets,” Urama said.

Gross capital formation in the region fell to around 18.6% of GDP by 2025 — below the threshold needed for middle-income economies to achieve structural transformation. With tighter global financial conditions and declining concessional aid compounding the problem, Southern Africa is projected to face an annual financing shortfall of approximately $55 billion by 2030.

“The gap between domestic savings and investment reflects both a dependence on external funding and poor utilisation of local resources,” the report states, citing weak financial intermediation, poor project preparation, and a lack of long-term funding sources as key barriers to converting available capital into productive investment.

 Inflation Eases, but Risks Remain Elevated

On the macroeconomic front, the report finds inflation moderating significantly across the region — falling from 26.1% in 2024 to 12.3% in 2025, with a further decline to 8.4% projected for 2026.

Despite a cautiously positive trajectory, the report cautions that fiscal deficits, rising public debt burdens, and external imbalances continue to constrain policy space. Poverty reduction has slowed owing to income losses, inflation, and climate shocks, while persistent inequality, unemployment, and weak service delivery continue to limit welfare gains. Stringent global financial conditions could trigger capital outflows and exchange rate depreciation, adding further pressure to an already fragile recovery.

Untapped Capital

The report identifies a signifcant underutilized financing sources across the region — from diaspora remittances and institutional investors to capital markets and natural resource wealth — though their potential varies widely by country. Remittances play an outsized role in Lesotho and Zimbabwe, while Namibia and South Africa benefit from deeper capital markets and substantial pension assets, pointing to untapped scope for greater institutional investor participation.

To close the financing gap, the report recommends an integrated policy agenda: strengthening fiscal capacity and public financial management; curbing resource leakages and illicit financial flows; de-risking investment through targeted instruments and expanded blended finance; and mobilizing institutional capital — including pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign funds — through public-private partnerships. It also calls for leveraging digital technologies to formalize economic activity, broaden the tax base, and reinforce the fiscal social contract.

The report argues that Southern Africa must move beyond bank-centric financial models to build deeper, more integrated capital markets capable of channelling long-term assets from pension and insurance funds.

South Africa in Focus

Alongside the regional outlook, the Bank unveiled its South Africa Country Focus Report (CFR) 2026, which applies the development financing theme at country level and shows that even Africa’s most developed capital market faces a significant financing challenge.

“Fragmentation in the global economy is not simply a threat to South Africa. It is also an opening,” said Hendrik Oosthuizen, in a speech on behalf of South Africa’s National Treasury. “As traditional sources of concessional finance contract and become more contested, the countries that prosper will be those that get better at mobilizing their own capital and at making themselves an attractive, well-governed destination for others’ capital.”

South Africa’s GDP growth rose to 1.1% in 2025 from 0.5% in 2024, supported by agriculture and stronger finance, real estate, and trade activity. Growth is projected at 1.2% in 2026 and 1.6% in 2027, aided by improved energy supply and Operation Vulindlela reforms (https://apo-opa.co/3U1q1U8). Electricity and water shortages, freight and port inefficiencies, and vulnerability to global risks continue to weigh on the outlook. Unemployment remains high at 31.4%, while public debt is expected to peak at 78.9% of GDP in 2025/26.

The report notes that South Africa’s October 2025 exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, after successfully completing 22 anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms, helped strengthen investor confidence and supported Moody’s Ratings’ May 2026 outlook upgrade from stable to positive. These developments also underscore that stronger governance, and institutional credibility can lower capital costs.

Both reports were presented by Edward Sennoga, the Bank’s Lead Economist for Southern Africa, ahead of a fireside chat, “Mobilizing development financing at scale: from Regional Trends to Country Perspectives.” moderated by Hervé Lohoues, the Bank’s Acting Director of the Country Economics Department, the discussion drew participants from South Africa’s National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank, Nedbank, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), officials across the region, and members of the public.

Click here (https://apo-opa.co/3TLKGvr) to download the full report.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its fifty-four regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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