Category: Africa

Source: APO

Franklin Templeton, a global investment leader and Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, announced a new institutional off-exchange collateral program, making digital markets more secure and capital-efficient. Now live, eligible clients can use tokenized money market fund shares issued through Franklin Templeton’s Benji Technology Platform as off-exchange collateral when trading on Binance.

The program alleviates a long-standing pain point for institutional traders by allowing them to use traditional regulated, yield-bearing money market fund assets in digital markets without parking those assets on an exchange. Instead, the value of Benji-issued fund shares is mirrored within Binance’s trading environment, while the tokenized assets themselves remain securely held off-exchange in regulated custody. This reduces counterparty risk, letting institutional participants earn yield and support their trading activity without hedging on custody, liquidity, or regulatory protections.

“Since partnering in 2025, our work with Binance has focused on making digital finance actually work for institutions,” said Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton. “Our off-exchange collateral program is just that: letting clients easily put their assets to work in regulated custody while safely earning yield in new ways. That’s the future Benji was designed for, and working with partners like Binance allows us to deliver it at scale.”

“Partnering with Franklin Templeton to offer tokenized real-world assets for off-exchange collateral settlement is a natural next step in our mission to bring digital assets and traditional finance closer together,” said Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance. “Innovating ways to use traditional financial instruments on-chain opens up new opportunities for investors and shows just how blockchain technology can make markets more efficient.”

Assets participating in the program remain held off-exchange in a regulated custody environment, with tokenized money market fund shares pledged as collateral for trading on Binance. Custody and settlement infrastructure is supported by Ceffu, Binance’s institutional crypto-native custody partner.

“Institutions increasingly require trading models that prioritize risk management without sacrificing capital efficiency,” said Ian Loh, CEO of Ceffu. “This program demonstrates how off-exchange collateral can support institutional participation in digital markets while maintaining strong custody and control.”

Launching the institutional off-exchange collateral program expands on both Franklin Templeton’s and Binance’s growing networks of off-exchange program partners and represents another effort since announcing Franklin Templeton and Binance’s strategic collaboration in September 2025.

By using Benji to bridge tokenized money market funds, Franklin Templeton is taking trusted investment products and making them work in modern markets—allowing institutions to trade, manage risk, and move capital more efficiently as digital finance becomes an everyday part of the financial system.

Offering more tokenized real-world assets on Binance meets the increasing institutional demand for stable, yield-bearing collateral that can settle 24/7. This gives investors greater choice and enhances their trading experience on the world’s largest regulated digital asset exchange.

Franklin Templeton is a pioneer in digital asset investing and blockchain innovation, combining tokenomics research, data science, and technical expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions since 2018. Learn more at Franklin Templeton Digital Assets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

About Binance:
Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 300 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means.

For more information, visit: www.Binance.com

About Ceffu:
Ceffu is an institutional-grade custody platform offering custody and liquidity solutions that are ISO 27001 & 27701 certified and SOC2 Type 2 attested. Our multi-party computation (MPC) technology, combined with a customizable multi-approval scheme, provides bespoke solutions allowing institutional clients to safely store and manage their virtual assets.

For the purposes of this program, custody services for Benji-issued tokenized money market fund shares are provided by Ceffu Custody FZE, a virtual asset custodian licensed and supervised in Dubai.

About Franklin Templeton:
Franklin Templeton is a trusted investment partner, delivering tailored solutions that align with clients’ strategic goals. With deep portfolio management expertise across public and private markets, we combine investment excellence with cutting-edge technology. Since our founding in 1947, we have empowered clients through strategic partnerships, forward-looking insights, and continuous innovations – providing the tools and resources to navigate change and capture opportunity.

With more than $1.7 trillion in assets under management as of January 31, 2026, Franklin Templeton operates globally in more than 35 countries.

To learn more, visit www.FranklinTempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN]

All investments, including money funds, involve risk, including loss of principal. There are risks associated with the issuance, redemption, transfer, custody, and record keeping of shares maintained and recorded primarily on a blockchain. For example, shares that are issued using blockchain technology would be subject to risks, including the following: blockchain is a rapidly-evolving regulatory landscape, which might result in security, privacy or other regulatory concerns that could require changes to the way transactions in the shares are recorded.

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 12^th Edition of their annual conference, “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, in partnership with the Government of The Gambia. The conference was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of Gambia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of More Than a Mother. First Lady of Senegal, H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE along with The First Ladies of Burundi, Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, and São Tomé and Príncipe joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) expressed, “I am very happy to meet my dear sister, H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, First Lady of the Republic of Senegal, and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. We had a very meaningful discussion about our ongoing joint programs in the country to transform the public healthcare landscape and raise awareness about a wide range of social health issues. I am happy to share that we have so far provided 29 scholarships for Senegalese doctors in many specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Fertility, and Embryology. We also discussed scalping up of the programs.”

H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, First Lady of the Republic of Senegal, and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” shared, “It is a great pleasure to partner and work closely with Merck Foundation. I deeply appreciate their programs, and I am very excited to share that together we have launched the Educating Linda program in my country, through which we are providing annual scholarships to 40 best performing schoolgirls who are underprivileged.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has provided 29 scholarships for our doctors across key specialties such as oncology, fertility, embryology and diabetes. All of these scholarships are of great importance and are helping us transform our patient care landscape.”

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Senegal & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4tFiLuF

Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, First Lady of the Republic of Senegal, and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”: https://apo-opa.co/3MDjWdg

On Day 1 of the conference, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 took place, featuring keynote speeches of First Ladies of Africa. Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was also held with African Ministers to discuss the Merck Foundation African Research Summit MARS strategy to build scientific research capacity and empower women in STEM with special focus on scientific research. 

On Day 2 of the conference, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed.

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://apo-opa.co/4aR7AaJ

Together with Senegal First Lady, Merck Foundation has provided 29 scholarships for local doctors in Senegal in many critical and underserved specialties. Out of 29 scholarships:

• 8 Scholarships have been provided in the vital field of oncology, so that the patients can receive quality and equitable cancer care in their home country.  
• 11 Scholarships have been provided for our doctors for hands-on training in Fertility and Embryology, as well as for One-Year Postgraduate and Two-Year Master’s Degrees in Sexual and Reproductive Care. This will significantly contribute to advancement of women’s health and revolutionize the Reproductive and Fertility care in Senegal.  
• 10 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes Master Course. Upon completion, these doctors will not only be equipped to effectively treat patients with diabetes but will also play a key role in raising awareness about the condition and promoting the importance of a healthy lifestyle in our communities.

“Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We have so far provided 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. We will continue to provide scholarships for doctors from Senegal and beyond,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation in partnership with First Lady of Senegal has launched many community awareness initiatives to address a wide range of social and health issues.

Together with the office of the First Lady of Senegal recently conducted their Online Health Media Training to encourage the journalist to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture shift around critical social issues like supporting girl education, ending GBV and FGM, women empowerment, and health issues like diabetes and hypertension awareness.

Merck Foundation also announced the 2026 Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Senegal for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of Senegal, Merck Foundation is launching their children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, “Mark’s Pressure”, and “Ray of Hope”. The storybooks address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, diabetes and hypertension awareness. The storybooks will be made available in French Language, and thousands of copies will be distributed to school children.

The 12^th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4apVhkg), X (https://apo-opa.co/4tCWIEZ), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4tBljtK), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3OkpeLp).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4aEDo1n), X (https://apo-opa.co/4amES1m), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4bXFOuh), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3MdD41D).

Link to the YouTube live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/4ayqJwN

Summarizing Merck Foundation’s initiatives and impact:

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

• 2500+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for healthcare providers from 52 Countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

• 3700+ Media Representatives from more than 35 countries trained by Merck Foundation to raise awareness about different social and health issues
• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, film, song and fashion.
• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
• 9 Children’s Storybooks in four languages – English, French, Portuguese, and Swahilli
• 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education and prevention and early detection of Diabetes, Hypertension & Cancer.
• Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
• 1040+ Scholarships provided annually to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to empower them to complete their studies
• 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4apVhkg
X: https://apo-opa.co/4tCWIEZ
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3OkpeLp
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4tBljtK
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4cxE8b3
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4kEs89W
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/466MyT4

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4apVhkg), X (https://apo-opa.co/4tCWIEZ), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4tBljtK), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3OkpeLp), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4cxE8b3) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4kEs89W).

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

Source: APO

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Seychelles, through the representation of Vice President Pillay, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing Africa’s shared priorities, following the successful conclusion of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

The theme of the African Union for the year 2026: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063” was launched during the Assembly. This theme resonates deeply with Seychelles, where water is essential to national survival.

The Assembly also witnessed the customary annual handover of the Chairmanship of the African Union, from the President of Angola, H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, to H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi. The President of Burundi will therefore chair the African Union up to February 2027. 

Intervening on the Report of the AU Commission on International Law on the issue of Colonisation and Slavery, Seychelles highlighted the concrete steps it has taken to honour this history. The Assembly was informed of the declaration of 1st February, for the first time in our national history, as a public holiday, commemorating the abolition of slavery, reflecting our commitment to remembrance, education, and national dialogue.

The Assembly proceedings featured insightful discussions on several important topics, including key reports from the African Union Peace and Security Council, this year’s AU theme, advancements in the Reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to secure permanent seats for Africa, as well as the African Union’s participation in the G20, among other significant matters.

On the margins of the Assembly, Vice President Pillay had the opportunity to interact with various leaders of both AU Member States, AU Organs, and Regional Organisations. In these high-level interactions, discussions focused on the Continent’s priorities and the strategic role of island nations in harnessing their unique specificities to contribute to the Continent’s progress.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama used the closing remarks of his Accra Reset side event in Addis Ababa to synthesise wide-ranging proposals for African economic sovereignty, from conflict-free mineral certification to pan-African payment systems, and called for the urgent implementation of frameworks that have languished in discussion for too long.

The high-level gathering, titled “Accra Reset’s Addis Reckoning,” brought together government officials, private sector leaders, international partners, and civil society representatives on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Assembly of Heads of State to chart an action-oriented path toward African prosperity.

“DRC is at the epicentre of the resource curse, and so when we talk about the Accra Reset and natural resource sovereignty, then DRC is right at the core of what we’re talking about,” President Mahama stated.

He highlighted the call by DR Congo’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, for certification mechanisms to distinguish between minerals extracted for the benefit of the Congolese people and those that fuel ongoing conflicts.

“When he talks about the certification of their minerals, Great Lakes certificates for their minerals, to be able to know what minerals are extracted generally in the interest of the people of DRC and those that are extracted due to the wars, then I guess he makes a very good point,” he noted.

The President drew attention to global complicity in the DRC’s suffering: “The world has closed its eyes to the carnage in the DRC because it needs the coltan, the tantalum, and all that to power the digital devices and systems we have.”

A recurring theme throughout the President’s remarks was the urgent need for intra-African payment systems that eliminate dependence on third-party currencies, a point he attributed to the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Wamkele Mene’s intervention.

“One of the issues he raised was why, as an SME in Accra or Ghana, I want to export my goods to my compatriots in Kenya, and yet, I must convert my local currency into a third-party currency, then exchange it again to pay my colleague SME in Kenya,” President Mahama recounted.

“So, the Pan-African payment and settlement system is a thing whose time has come, and with urgency. I should be able to ship my goods to Kenya and get paid in Cedis rather than a foreign currency. That’s something we need to work on.”

This emphasis on payment infrastructure aligns with the Accra Reset’s broader vision of creating economic systems that serve African interests rather than perpetuating dependency on external financial architecture.

While acknowledging historical challenges in moving goods and people across Africa, President Mahama painted an optimistic picture of emerging continental connectivity, crediting private sector initiatives.

He praised ASKY Airlines for connecting West African cities and Ethiopian Airlines for serving almost every African country, contrasting this with the challenges travellers faced in the past.

President Mahama also highlighted new maritime services, including reefer vessels redistributing cargo along the West Coast from Dakar to Douala, and a proposed ferry service to transport trucks and cargo between major ports from Accra to Lagos to Monrovia.

“Once supply and demand are in place, the logistics will follow,” he observed, expressing confidence that commercial imperatives will drive continued improvements in continental connectivity.

The President warmly acknowledged a UK representative’s contribution to the discussion, emphasising her observation that African prosperity serves global interests.

“He says, when Africa prospers, Europe prospers. That’s true. Africa’s prosperity is not a threat to anybody in this world. Africa’s prosperity will consolidate world prosperity. And it will be a positive for this world, not a threat.”

These framing positions the Accra Reset not as a confrontational initiative but as a pathway to mutual benefit, in which Africa’s development contributes to, rather than detracts from, global economic health.

President Mahama expressed appreciation to Egypt’s minister for foreign affairs, Badr Abdelatty, whose remarks he said, “transported me back to the time of Kwame Nkrumah,” praising the “true Pan-Africanist” spirit of the intervention.

However, the President repeatedly returned to the theme of urgency, echoing concerns about the gap between Africa’s ambitious frameworks and actual implementation.

“We come with the decisions. We agree. We do the frameworks. What is missing is urgency and implementation. We take time. And we behave like time is waiting for us,” President Mahama said, articulating a frustration shared across the continent.

He concluded with a clear challenge to participants and the broader African leadership.

“As we said, this is the Addis reckoning. From Addis, we must stop talking and start implementing,” he declared.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama will table a landmark resolution before the United Nations General Assembly in March, seeking global recognition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade as the gravest crime against humanity.

The president announced this on Sunday in his report to the 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Advancing the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations.

President Mahama’s draft UN resolution to the AU Assembly has been adopted.

According to Mahama, “all peoples of African descent have been waiting for this day. The truth cannot be buried. The legal foundations are sound; the moral imperative is undeniable.”

The resolution, first announced during the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025, represents a culmination of year-long efforts to elevate Africa’s reparatory justice agenda on the global stage.

President Mahama reported significant progress in establishing continental mechanisms to pursue reparations for the legacies of transatlantic enslavement, colonialism, and apartheid. These include the AU Coordination Team on Reparations, the AU Committee of Experts on Reparations, and a Reference Group of Legal Experts.

“This marked a historic turning point in the life of our Union, not as a symbolic or commemorative act, but as a strategic and international commitment,” he said, referring to the AU’s designation of 2025 as the Year of Justice for Africans through Reparations.

The President urged member states to establish national reparations commissions, engage formally with historical perpetrator states, and support the proposed Decade of Reparations to ensure sustained continental commitment beyond the commemorative year.

“Reparatory justice will not be handed to us. Like political independence, it must be asserted, pursued and secured through determination and unity,” Mahama declared.

The AU has engaged with UNESCO and the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent throughout 2025, ensuring Africa’s reparations agenda shapes global discourse on cultural restitution, historical truth-telling, and emerging issues, including artificial intelligence.

Major gatherings from Accra to Madrid, culminating in the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé, have “fundamentally reframed the global narrative,” presenting reparations as forward-looking instruments for justice and development rather than backwards-looking claims.

President Mahama called on the current generation of African leadership to be “remembered not for hesitation, but for courage in advancing justice, restoring dignity, securing restitution and shaping a future grounded in truth.”

The March presentation to the UN General Assembly will mark a pivotal moment in the continental campaign for global recognition and redress of historical injustices against African peoples.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

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Mr. Barry Faure, Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, participated in a high-level consultation led by H.E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia. The discussion centered on the future of the United Nations, the UN Security Council (UNSC), and the upcoming election of the next UN Secretary-General (UNSG).

President Boakai emphasised Liberia’s commitment to equitable representation in the UN and the importance of inclusive dialogue for global governance reforms. He also highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation among Africa’s elected non-permanent members and the permanent members of the UNSC.

The meeting agreed to continue to advocate for the common African position on the reform of the UN based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration on UN Reform.

Minister Faure supported the call for greater gender balance in international leadership. The consultation agreed that appointing a woman as the next UNSG would mark a significant advance in inclusivity within the multilateral system.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Republic of Seychelles.