Category: Africa

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Why the US can destroy terrorist camps in Nigeria, but not terrorism – security scholar

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Obasesam Okoi, Associate professor, University of St. Thomas

US military airstrikes on Islamic State-linked militants in north-western Nigeria on Christmas Day 2025 attracted global attention. The focus was on the international legal implications and whether the Nigerian government had consented to the strikes.

I’m a scholar of peace and security and have carried out research on Boko Haram’s protracted campaign of violence. The research shows that the group’s activities have produced extensive loss of life and material destruction, as well as large-scale internal displacement. This calls for integrated security, humanitarian and governance responses.

In my view, focusing on the airstrikes risks obscuring the real question: why does terrorism continue in Nigeria?

My argument is that it’s not the absence of military force. My research shows that the problem of continuing violence is rooted in the failure of governance at every level of society. Airstrikes don’t address the political, economic and social conditions that allow armed groups to survive, adapt and recruit.

Armed violence has expanded where state authority is exercised in predatory, selective or unaccountable ways. Terrorism in Nigeria has thrived because the state has too often failed to govern justly, consistently and credibly.

In north-east Nigeria, for example, counterterrorism efforts have been undermined where displaced civilians remain unable to return safely, and land disputes go unresolved. What’s needed is investment in civilian protection, and local reconciliation processes that rebuild trust between communities and the state.

Similar lessons can be seen in parts of the Lake Chad Basin, where humanitarian support and local governance reforms have proven more effective at stabilising communities than military operations alone.

Military force can play a role in containing armed groups. But it must be embedded in a broader project of political reconstruction, institutional accountability and social trust building. This means restoring the state’s presence not only through soldiers, but through reliable public services in communities most affected by violence and displacement.

Narratives, legitimacy and insecurity

Following the strike, President Donald Trump announced the operation in a social media post in moral and religious terms. He described the attack as retaliation against militants who had been killing Christians. He portrayed the strike as both morally necessary and strategically decisive.

That framing, reported widely by Reuters, and amplified through US media and social platforms, resonated strongly in Washington political discourse. Major US outlets, including CNN, noted that the reality of violence in Nigeria was more complex than a simple religious binary.

For their part, Nigerian officials emphasised sovereignty, coordination and the non-sectarian nature of insecurity in the country. In a statement reported by Reuters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that terrorism in Nigeria affected citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity. It warned against narratives that could inflame sectarian divisions. According to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.

Where governance is fragile, externally imposed moral framing can deepen mistrust, sharpen social divisions and offer armed groups new narratives to exploit.

Framing insecurity as a religious war is analytically inaccurate. It is also strategically dangerous. Armed groups frequently rely on ideas like that to recruit, radicalise and justify violence.

External validation of these ideas, even unintentionally, can become a propaganda asset for militants operating in contexts of weak state legitimacy like Nigeria.

Military success is not security success

US military statements described the strike as having destroyed militant infrastructure and disrupted operations. Reports by Premium Times and Reuters indicated that camps and facilities had been hit. Yet public information about leadership casualties, command and control disruption, or financial networks remains limited.

Without clarity about what happened, claims of success offer little to Nigerians who continue to live with insecurity.

Tactical disruption can interrupt planning and movement, but it does not dismantle networks embedded in local economies of coercion, taxation and protection.

Getting to the heart of the problem

Militant violence in Nigeria is embedded in a wider landscape of state retreat, informal authority and survival economies. Large areas of rural territory in the north-east remain effectively ungoverned.

Security and justice are provided by armed actors and criminal networks, not the state. In such environments, terrorism is less an external invasion than a symptom of systemic institutional collapse.

Military interventions can disrupt these systems temporarily. But without restoring governance, they leave intact the structures that reproduce violence.

Government can restore governance by doing the following.

Political reconstruction: Rebuilding local institutions in ways that involve displaced populations, traditional leaders, women and youth, rather than relying solely on centralised state authority. Unemployment, land disputes and political exclusion have created conditions in which violence thrives. What’s needed is to reinvest in livelihoods, education and fair land governance.

Institutional accountability: This means restoring trust in the Nigerian state, particularly in conflict-affected communities where security forces are perceived as abusive or corrupt. Accountability mechanisms for investigating abuses and compensating victims are necessary. This requires transparent systems for managing humanitarian activities and reconstruction funds. Citizens can be more confident in state authority when they see corruption confronted and justice applied.

Social trust building: Community-based peacebuilding and inclusive reconstruction processes are essential for repairing social fractures. When people experience safety and dignity in their everyday lives, confidence in security institutions can return.

Counterterrorism success in Nigeria should not be measured solely by the number of insurgents neutralised, but by whether state authority emerges more legitimate than before. Durable peace will depend less on tactical military gains than on the restoration of public trust. That will happen through accountable governance, civilian protection and inclusive economic recovery.

– Why the US can destroy terrorist camps in Nigeria, but not terrorism – security scholar
– https://theconversation.com/why-the-us-can-destroy-terrorist-camps-in-nigeria-but-not-terrorism-security-scholar-274799

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Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) condamne la décision relative à Dawes Island, qu’elle considère comme un abus de pouvoir judiciaire menaçant la réforme nigériane des champs marginaux

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Une Haute Cour fédérale du Nigeria a rendu un jugement contre le ministère des Ressources pétrolières en faveur d’Eurafric Energy Limited, annulant la révocation en 2020 de la licence du champ marginal de Dawes Island, qui, après sa révocation, était détenue et exploitée par Petralon 54 Limited depuis 2022. Cette décision remet effectivement en cause la décision prise en 2020 par l’autorité de régulation de ne pas renouveler la licence d’Eurafric, qui avait expiré sans production commerciale après 17 ans. Un appel a depuis été interjeté par Petralon 54 Limited, avec un sursis à exécution en attendant la décision des tribunaux supérieurs. Pour le secteur amont nigérian, qui navigue déjà entre la reprise de la production et la mise en œuvre des réformes prévues par la loi sur l’industrie pétrolière (PIA), les implications vont bien au-delà d’un simple actif.

En tant que porte-parole du secteur énergétique africain, la Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) condamne fermement la décision rendue à l’encontre du ministère des Ressources pétrolières et de Petralon, la considérant non seulement comme un affront aux entreprises nigérianes qui tentent de développer des champs marginaux, mais aussi comme un exemple flagrant d’abus de pouvoir judiciaire. La Chambre soutient fermement le ministère et Petralon, et demande que cette question soit résolue afin de permettre à Petralon de continuer à augmenter sa production, à monétiser l’actif et à soutenir les objectifs industriels à long terme du Nigeria.

Un exemple d’abus de pouvoir judiciaire

L’AEC est profondément préoccupée par le raisonnement juridique qui sous-tend le jugement. Une question centrale est l’application apparente des dispositions de la PIA – promulguée le 16 août 2021 – à des événements qui se sont produits avant son adoption. La licence de Dawes Island a expiré en avril 2019 et le régulateur a officiellement refusé son renouvellement en avril 2020, ces deux mesures ayant été prises en vertu du régime juridique en vigueur à l’époque. L’application rétroactive de la PIA risque de compromettre le principe de sécurité juridique qui sous-tend les investissements à long terme en amont. Les investisseurs engagent des capitaux sur la base de cadres réglementaires clairs, de conditions fiscales et d’une autorité de régulation.

La décision soulève également des préoccupations opérationnelles, notamment en ce qui concerne le traitement des quelque 62 000 barils produits lors d’un test de puits comme preuve de production commerciale. Dans la pratique établie en amont, les essais de puits constituent une évaluation technique des performances du réservoir et non le début d’une production commerciale durable, qui nécessite une confirmation réglementaire par le biais d’une autorisation technique. En outre, le fait de s’appuyer sur un accord de farm-out non signé pour établir un intérêt juridique exécutoire s’écarte des principes établis du droit des contrats, selon lesquels les documents non signés ne créent pas d’obligations contraignantes. Dans l’ensemble, cette décision risque de créer un précédent dans lequel les tribunaux inférieurs interviennent dans des affaires pétrolières techniquement complexes d’une manière incompatible avec la pratique réglementaire et la gouvernance fiscale.

L’engagement de Petralon en faveur de la production marginale

Suite à la désignation de l’actif dans le cadre de la licence de prospection pétrolière 259 (PPL 259), Petralon a rapidement pris des mesures pour s’acquitter de ses obligations. Les conditions de la licence imposent un engagement pour un seul puits, mais la société a déployé environ 60 millions de dollars pour forer deux nouveaux puits et mettre en place des installations de soutien afin de commencer la production dans un délai de 12 mois. Plus de 150 000 barils ont été produits et évacués vers le terminal de Bonny, le plus grand terminal d’exportation du Nigeria, et le versement des redevances à l’État a déjà commencé.

Le lancement du deuxième puits a été supervisé par Heineken Lokpobiri, ministre d’État chargé des ressources pétrolières (pétrole), en novembre 2025, ce qui témoigne de l’alignement entre l’opérateur et le gouvernement. Depuis, la société s’est engagée à doubler la production de l’actif, réaffirmant ainsi son engagement en faveur de la croissance pétrolière du Nigeria. Ces résultats contrastent fortement avec l’historique de non-production du champ. Les activités de Petralon démontrent l’efficacité de la politique nigériane « drill or drop » (forer ou abandonner) et de l’initiative plus large « Project One Million Barrels » (Projet un million de barils) – des réformes visant à garantir que les champs marginaux contribuent de manière significative à la production nationale. À l’heure où le Nigeria cherche activement à attirer de nouveaux capitaux en amont, il convient de renforcer – et non de déstabiliser – la mise en œuvre visible, la conformité et la génération de redevances.

« Petralon est une société indépendante nigériane qui a respecté toutes les règles, s’est conformée à toutes les réglementations et a travaillé main dans la main avec le gouvernement pour augmenter la production. Elle a foré. Elle a investi. Elle a payé des redevances. Elle a obtenu des résultats. Venir à ce moment-là et faire dérailler ces progrès est injuste et envoie un mauvais signal au marché », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’AEC.

Une histoire de développement

Petralon n’est pas un nouvel entrant spéculatif dans le secteur amont nigérian. Créée en 2014, la société a progressivement constitué un portefeuille diversifié d’actifs exploités et non exploités. Entre 2021 et 2022, Petralon a levé 60 millions de dollars de capitaux, renforçant ainsi son bilan et se positionnant pour une croissance en amont. Aujourd’hui, la société détient un champ exploité et deux actifs en eaux profondes non exploités.

Grâce à sa participation indirecte de 6,06 % dans Prime Oil & Gas, Petralon est exposée aux OML 127 et OML 130. L’OML 127 comprend le champ Agbami, tandis que l’OML 130 comprend les champs Akpo, Egina et Preowei, qui comptent parmi les actifs de production en eaux profondes les plus importants du Nigeria. Cette base de production souligne que Petralon n’est pas seulement un opérateur marginal, mais un acteur crédible du secteur amont nigérian, présent en eaux profondes, discipliné en matière de capital et aligné sur les cadres réglementaires.

« Il ne s’agit pas seulement d’un champ. Il s’agit de soutenir les entreprises nigérianes qui investissent au Nigeria, créent des emplois, augmentent la production et renforcent notre sécurité énergétique. Si les indépendants nigérians se retrouvent dans une situation précaire en raison de décisions judiciaires incohérentes, cela dissuadera les investissements locaux et internationaux », a ajouté M. Ayuk.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Presidential Youth Employment Intervention continues to produce results

Source: Government of South Africa

Presidential Youth Employment Intervention continues to produce results

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) has facilitated nearly 295 000 earning opportunities for youth during the third quarter of this financial year.

This according to Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli who released the PYEI 2025/26 third quarter results in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The results cover the time span between October and December last year and show, amongst others, that:

  • Some 294 530 earning opportunity were secured
  • Over 11 000 work experience opportunities were created through partnerships with higher learning institutions and the private sector
  • More than 6 700 enterprise opportunities were provided to support youth entrepreneurship through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

“Furthermore, our revitalised National Youth Service…continues to expand with 132 784 young people having been placed in paid service opportunities to date.

“These achievements show that the PYEI is not only growing in scale but also in length, diversity and sustainability of opportunities,” Mhlauli said.

She emphasised that the quarter’s most important milestone is the “continued success” of the Jobs Boost Fund.

The fund – which is in its pilot phase this financial year – is aimed at delivering high-quality jobs for previously excluded youth by incentivising skills providers to deliver appropriate skills development and support job readiness programmes and interventions.

“Over 9 170 young people have enrolled into this particular programme. Which means we have been able to exceed our target for this financial year.

“Of the young people enrolled in this programme, 7 200 young people have already been placed into jobs,” she said.

Young people are encouraged to take up the opportunities presented on the zero rated sayouth.mobi site where opportunities are listed. 

“You will find all opportunities related to every and anything youth related. On [the site], you will find earning and learning opportunities, access to work experience and enterprise support. You will receive work readiness support and guidance.

“This platform is designed to ensure that no young person is excluded because of cost, location or lack of access to information,” the Deputy Minister said.

Since inception, the PYEI has reached more than 5 million young people with 2.36 million earning opportunities facilitated through SA Youth and an additional 402 515 opportunities through the labour department’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA).

“The PYEI is part of a broader national effort to remove structural barriers to job creation and economic participation. We are building a South Africa where young people participate in the economy with dignity, agency and hope.

“The progress report we present today is encouraging but our work is far from complete. Youth unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges that we face as a nation but through partnership, innovation and persistence we are steadily expanding pathways to earning for millions of our young South Africans,” Mhlauli concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Condemns Dawes Island Ruling as Judicial Overreach Threatening Nigeria’s Marginal Field Reform

Source: APO – Report:

A Federal High Court in Nigeria has delivered a judgement against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in favor of Eurafric Energy Limited, reversing the 2020 revocation of the Dawes Island marginal field license, which post revocation has been held and developed by Petralon 54 Limited since 2022.  The ruling effectively challenges the regulator’s 2020 decision not to renew Eurafric’s license that had expired without commercial production after 17 years. An appeal has since been initiated by Petralon 54 Limited, with a stay of execution pending determination by higher courts. For Nigeria’s upstream sector – which is already navigating production recovery and reform implementation under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) – the implications extend far beyond a single asset.

As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) strongly condemns the ruling carried down against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Petralon, recognizing it as not only an affront to Nigerian companies that are trying to develop marginal fields but also as a clear example of judicial overreach. The Chamber stands firmly with the Ministry and Petralon, calling for the issue to be resolved to pave the way for Petralon to continue increasing production, monetizing the asset and supporting Nigeria’s long-term industry goals.

An Example of Judicial Overreach

The AEC is deeply concerned by the legal reasoning underpinning the judgment. A central issue is the apparent application of provisions of the PIA – enacted on August 16, 2021 – to events that occurred prior to its passage. The Dawes Island license expired in April 2019, and the regulator formally declined renewal in April 2020 – both actions taken under the legal regime in force at the time. Applying the PIA retrospectively risks undermining the principle of legal certainty that underpins long-term upstream investment. Investors commit capital on the basis of clear statutory frameworks, fiscal terms and regulatory authority.

The ruling also raises operational concerns, particularly in its treatment of approximately 62,000 barrels produced during a well test as evidence of commercial production. In established upstream practice, well testing is a technical evaluation of reservoir performance – not the commencement of sustained commercial production, which requires regulatory confirmation through a technical allowable. Additionally, reliance on an unsigned farm-out agreement to establish enforceable legal interest departs from established contract law principles, under which unsigned documents do not create binding obligations. Taken together, the ruling risks setting a precedent where lower courts intervene in technically complex petroleum matters in a manner inconsistent with regulatory practice and fiscal governance.

Petralon’s Commitment to Marginal Production

Following the designation of the asset under Petroleum Prospecting License 259 (PPL 259), Petralon moved swiftly to execute its obligations. The licence terms compel a one-well commitment, yet and the company deployed approximately $60 million to drill two new wells and put in place support facilities to commence production within a 12-month period. More than 150,000 barrels have been produced and evacuated to the Bonny Terminal, Nigeria’s largest export terminal, and royalty payments have already commenced being remitted to the state.

The commencement of the second well was witnessed by Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) in November 2025, signaling alignment between operator and government. The company has since committed to doubling production at the asset, reaffirming its dedication to Nigeria’s oil growth. These results stand in stark contrast to the field’s previous history of non-production. Petralon’s activities demonstrate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s “drill or drop” policy and the broader Project One Million Barrels initiative – reforms designed to ensure that marginal fields contribute meaningfully to national output. At a time when Nigeria is actively courting new upstream capital, visible execution, compliance and royalty generation should be reinforced – not destabilized.

“Petralon is a Nigerian independent that has followed every rule, complied with every regulation and worked hand-in-hand with government to increase production. They drilled. They invested. They paid royalties. They delivered results. To come at this time and derail that progress is unjust and sends the wrong signal to the market,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

A History of Development

Petralon is not a speculative entrant into Nigeria’s upstream sector. Incorporated in 2014, the company has steadily built a diversified portfolio of operated and non-operated assets. Between 2021 and 2022, Petralon raised $60 million in capital, strengthening its balance sheet and positioning itself for upstream growth. Today, the company holds one operated field and two non-operated deepwater assets.

Through its indirect 6.06% shareholding in Prime Oil & Gas, Petralon has exposure to OML 127 and OML 130. OML 127 contains the Agbami field, while OML 130 includes the Akpo, Egina and Preowei fields – some of Nigeria’s most significant deepwater producing assets. This production base underscores that Petralon is not merely a marginal field operator but a credible Nigerian upstream participant with deepwater exposure, capital discipline and operational alignment with regulatory frameworks.

“This is not just about one field. It is about supporting Nigerian companies that are investing in Nigeria, creating jobs, increasing production and strengthening our energy security. If Nigerian independents are placed in a precarious position by inconsistent judicial decisions, it will deter both local and international investment,” Ayuk added. 

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Parliament ready for landmark 2026 SONA

Source: Government of South Africa

Parliament ready for landmark 2026 SONA

Parliament is gearing up for one of the most significant events on South Africa’s democratic calendar as preparations gather pace for the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) – a sitting that coincides with the 30th anniversary of the country’s Constitution.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane led a briefing outlining Parliament’s state of readiness for the landmark occasion.

SONA, a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the NCOP convened by the President in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution, will take place on Thursday, 12 February, at 19:00 at the Cape Town City Hall.

Describing the event as a defining moment in the democratic calendar, Didiza said SONA brings together the three arms of the state under one roof.

She emphasised that the address is more than ceremonial, as it is a key accountability platform.

Outlining Parliament’s preparations, Didiza said SONA provides President Cyril Ramaphosa with the opportunity to reflect on progress made and set out government’s priorities for the year ahead.

“He outlines priorities for the year ahead and presents government’s programme of action. These commitments become the benchmarks against which Parliament measures executive performance through community oversight, debates and legislative processes,” Didiza said.

About 490 Members of Parliament, including representatives of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), will be seated in the chamber, while invited guests will occupy the public gallery. Additional attendees will be accommodated in an overflow venue.

In line with Section 2 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, City Hall has formally been designated a parliamentary precinct for the purposes of SONA, Didiza confirmed.

Following the President’s address, Parliament will shift into debate mode. A two-day Joint Debate involving members of both Houses is scheduled for 17 and 18 February, with the President’s reply set for 19 February, concluding this phase of the SONA programme.

“The debates and President’s response will be held in the Dome, which was handed over by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure last Friday,” Didiza said.

The 2026 address is expected to draw a wide range of distinguished guests, including former Presidents and Presiding Officers, members of the Judiciary, heads of institutions supporting democracy, traditional leaders, representatives of local government, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Reflecting on South Africa’s democratic journey

Beyond the policy agenda, SONA 2026 carries added historical weight. The address takes place in the year South Africa marks 30 years since the adoption of its Constitution in 1996.

Didiza said the milestone presents an opportunity for reflection and renewal.

The anniversary, she noted, invites South Africans to reflect on the country’s democratic journey and recommit to the constitutional values of dignity, equality, freedom and accountability that continue to guide government’s work.

She further highlighted that 16 June 2026 will mark 50 years since the Soweto Uprising – a pivotal chapter in the nation’s history that underscored the contribution of young people to South Africa’s democratisation.

Looking ahead, Didiza also pointed to Parliament’s global engagement, noting: “In September 2026, Parliament will host the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, an international gathering that reinforces South Africa’s role in advancing global parliamentary democracy.”  – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

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Dr Bauer appointed to serve on FMD Ministerial Task Team

Source: Government of South Africa

Dr Bauer appointed to serve on FMD Ministerial Task Team

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has appointed Dr Gary Bauer to formally represent the wildlife sector on the Ministerial Task Team overseeing South Africa’s response to the current foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.

Bauer brings crucial expertise at a time when the intersection between wildlife, livestock and disease control has never been more important.

“The wildlife sector must be fully integrated into our FMD Recovery Plan. Buffaloes are central to the epidemiology of this disease in Southern Africa. Any serious strategy to restore our status must account for that reality,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are the natural, asymptomatic reservoir hosts of all three Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes of the FMD virus. 

They maintain and transmit the virus and remain the primary source of infection for livestock in Southern Africa. 

“Buffalo herds in red-line districts remain persistent carriers, and once a herd is infected, the virus cannot be eradicated from that herd.

“The implications are profound. South Africa has more than 3 200 registered disease-free buffalo farms, supporting tens of thousands of jobs in remote rural areas and contributing billions of rand annually to hunting, tourism, genetic sales and related services. The disease-free buffalo industry is, therefore, highly vulnerable to the current outbreaks,” the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Where infection occurs in a certified disease-free herd, current protocols require the complete culling of the herd. 

“In large reserves, spanning tens of thousands of hectares, with thousands of buffaloes, this is practically unworkable and poses enormous logistical, environmental and economic challenges.

“Other wildlife species such as warthog and kudu can act as intermediaries, while poor fencing, shared water points and intensive feeding practices increase transmission risk. 

“Targeted cattle vaccination around buffalo zones, strict biosecurity, and science-based movement control are, therefore, essential pillars of the national response,” the Ministry said.

The Minister’s strategy remains clear: South Africa will vaccinate the national herd in a phased, controlled and verifiable manner to regain FMD-free status with vaccination from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The Ministerial Task Team forms part of the broader triangular structure established to drive recovery – the Department of Agriculture, the Technical and Scientific Task Team and the FMD Industry Coordination Council. This partnership ensures alignment between policy, veterinary science and operational execution.

“The stakes are extremely high. If we do not get this right, the consequences for both livestock and wildlife will be long-lasting. But if we stay disciplined, science-driven and united, we can restore our status and protect the entire value chain,” Steenhuisen said.

The task team is currently implementing a decisive, fact-driven blueprint focused on vaccination, regionalisation, traceability, surveillance and market re-entry readiness.

The Ministry said Dr Bauer’s appointment strengthens that effort and ensures that the wildlife industry’s expertise is fully integrated into South Africa’s National Disease Recovery Plan. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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Afreximbank accélère la modernisation des infrastructures des Bahamas en accordant une Facilité de 100 millions de dollars américains accordée à Bahamas Striping Group

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Dans le cadre d’une initiative visant à transformer le réseau de transport des Caraïbes, la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) a annoncé l’octroi d’une Facilité d’escompte de créances de 100 millions de dollars US à Bahamas Striping Group of Companies Ltd (BSGC). Ce financement vise à soutenir la réhabilitation et la construction de plus de 320 kilomètres d’infrastructures routières essentielles aux Bahamas.

Versés dans le cadre d’un accord-cadre signé avec le gouvernement des Bahamas en marge de la 48e Conférence des chefs de gouvernement de la CARICOM qui s’est tenue à Bridgetown, à la Barbade, en 2025, ces fonds devraient permettre à BSGC d’engager un vaste programme de réhabilitation des infrastructures nationales visant à garantir des réseaux routiers plus sûrs et plus durables qui stimuleront le commerce, le tourisme et la logistique dans tout l’archipel.

Afreximbank a agi en tant que prêteur pour cette opération, en fournissant le financement issu des contrats gouvernementaux permettant à BSGC d’accélérer l’exécution du projet et de recevoir un financement anticipé pour les travaux achevés et certifiés, notamment le pavage, le marquage routier, l’amélioration de la sécurité et l’entretien des routes sur plusieurs îles des Bahamas.

Commentant cette transaction, Okechukwu Ihejirika, directeur général par intérim d’Afreximbank pour la CARICOM, a déclaré que ce financement reflétait « l’engagement indéfectible d’Afreximbank à soutenir ses partenaires de l’Afrique Globale dans le développement d’infrastructures favorisant le commerce ».

« Ce mécanisme représente une approche novatrice du financement structuré dans le cadre de partenariats interrégionaux et s’aligne sur notre mandat de promouvoir une Afrique mondiale connectée intégrant la CARICOM. En rendant possible ces vastes travaux de réhabilitation routière, nous favorisons le développement durable et améliorons les opportunités économiques », a-t-il ajouté.

M. Ihejirika a réitéré l’engagement d’Afreximbank à s’appuyer sur les partenariats forgés lors des assemblées annuelles 2024 de la Banque et du Forum Afrique-Caraïbes sur le commerce et l’investissement, qui s’est tenu à Nassau, aux Bahamas, soulignant que la transaction faisait suite à la signature d’un accord-cadre avec le gouvernement des Bahamas.

« Nous sommes reconnaissants à Afreximbank de nous avoir accompagnés à chaque étape du processus, et nous sommes fiers que cette transaction renforce notre capacité à exécuter des projets majeurs, à soutenir nos sous-traitants et nos fournisseurs, et à multiplier les opportunités », a déclaré Dominic Sturrup, président exécutif de BSGC.

Selon Atario Mitchell, président de la BSGC, la Facilité d’affacturage de créances de 100 millions de dollars US permettra à ces entreprises locales de remplir leurs obligations financières, telles que le paiement des salaires, l’achat de matériaux et l’expansion de leurs activités.

« Cette facilité donne à BSGC la capacité d’agir plus rapidement, de mieux planifier et d’exécuter ses projets avec encore plus de fiabilité au bénéfice de plusieurs îles », a déclaré Mr. Mitchell.

Cette facilité, liée à des contrats approuvés par le gouvernement, contribue directement à l’amélioration des réseaux routiers, y compris le revêtement, le marquage et l’entretien, qui sont essentiels pour le tourisme, le commerce et l’accès aux communautés, tout en créant des emplois et en favorisant l’autonomisation des communautés locales. Elle devrait contribuer à une croissance économique durable, notamment en renforçant la compétitivité des Bahamas en tant que plaque tournante du commerce et du tourisme.

BSGC est une entreprise locale appartenant à des Bahamiens fondée en 2010 qui a réalisé plus de 200 projets dans les régions de Nassau, Exuma et Eleuthera, employant plus de 300 personnes, y compris des sous-traitants.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact Presse :
Vincent Musumba
Responsable des communications et de la gestion événementielle (Relations presse)
Courriel : press@afreximbank.com

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À propos d’Afreximbank :
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) est une institution financière multilatérale panafricaine dédiée au financement et à la promotion du commerce intra et extra-africain. Depuis 30 ans, Afreximbank déploie des structures innovantes pour fournir des solutions de financement qui facilitent la transformation de la structure du commerce africain et accélèrent l’industrialisation et le commerce intrarégional, soutenant ainsi l’expansion économique en Afrique. Fervente défenseur de l’Accord sur la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), Afreximbank a lancé les le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) qui a été adopté par l’Union africaine (UA) comme la plateforme de paiement et de règlement devant appuyer la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf. En collaboration avec le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf et l’UA, la Banque a mis en place un Fonds d’ajustement de 10 milliards de dollars US pour aider les pays à participer de manière effective à la ZLECAf. À la fin de décembre 2024, le total des actifs et des garanties de la Banque s’élevait à environ 40,1 milliards de dollars US et les fonds de ses actionnaires s’établissaient à 7,2 milliards de dollars US. Afreximbank est notée A par GCR International Scale, Baa2 par Moody’s, AAA par China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), A- par Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR). Au fil des ans, Afreximbank est devenue un groupe constitué de la Banque, de sa filiale de financement à impact appelée Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA), et de sa filiale de gestion d’assurance, AfrexInsure, (les trois entités forment « le Groupe »). La Banque a son siège social au Caire, en Égypte.

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter www.Afreximbank.com

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Reflections ahead of SONA 2026

Source: Government of South Africa

Reflections ahead of SONA 2026

By Nomonde Mnukwa 
As South Africans prepare to listen and watch the State of the Nation Address (SoNa) on 12 February 2026 at 7pm, the country does so at a time marked by positive developments which include the strengthening of the rand, consecutive quarters of economic growth and having consistent power supply from Eskom.

Our immediate task now is to sustain these positive developments which are as a result of multistakeholder approach aimed at building an inclusive economy. One of the most significant indicators of renewed confidence has been reflected in our economy. South Africa’s sovereign credit rating upgrade from ‘BB-‘ to ‘BB’, the first in nearly two decades, signals sound financial policies, advanced structural reforms, and a more stable political environment. 

This development carries real benefits for the country and South Africans such as reduced borrowing costs, increased investor confidence and greater capacity for government to direct resources toward infrastructure and social development. This milestone stands as evidence that our reforms are beginning to deliver results.

Our progress is also reinforced by South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force greylist and the European Union’s list of High-Risk third-country jurisdictions. Achieved through enhanced oversight and tackling deficiencies, this outcome underscores a renewed national commitment to transparency, accountability, and the integrity of our financial system. It has fortified South Africa’s standing in global markets and reaffirmed our commitment to international standards of governance and compliance.

Moreover, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been extended until the end of the year and will provide relief on South African products exported to the United States of America and also accelerate our nation’s economic outlook on the global front. AGOA restores certainty for exporters and investors alike through providing duty-free entry for more than 1800 South African products in the United States of America. 

By supporting key sectors such as the automotive, agriculture and manufacturing industries, AGOA not only protects jobs and enhances competitiveness, but also supports government’s broader efforts to advancing inclusive economic growth and development.

Our economy is also starting to show growth which has also been evident across broader financial indicators. A strengthening rand, easing inflationary pressures, and consecutive quarter of economic growth points to an economy that is gaining momentum. These gains reflect not only government intervention, but also the resilience and contribution of workers, businesses, and communities who continue to invest in South Africa’s future, even amidst global uncertainty.

Furthermore, one of our biggest contributors to South Africa’s growing economy, our tourism sector welcomed 10 498 506 international arrivals between January and December 2025, a 17.6 percent (1 579 136) increase compared to the 8,919,370 international arrivals of 2024, which is our highest on record to date. This surge reaffirms our status as a premier global destination and the beating heart of tourism on the African continent.

We are also making progress in stabilising electricity power supply and in this financial year we experienced 238 consecutive days without an interrupted power supply, with only 26 hours of loadshedding recorded in April and May 2025. Our Energy Availability Factor stood at 64.55 percent at the end of January 2026, reflecting on the progress of Eskom’s intensive maintenance, operational improvements, and strategic interventions. 

We have also classified Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as a national disaster to enable faster mobilisation of resources, strengthened coordination, and expanded support for survivors. These measures reflect a commitment to building a safer, more caring society.

As South Africans prepare for the State of the Nation Address, these developments offer renewed hope and provide motivation to continue building a better nation for everyone. Progress is possible when leadership, institutions, and citizens work together with shared purpose.  While challenges remain, the highlights of the past year point to a country steadily regaining momentum and moving forward with resolve, responsibility, and confidence in its collective future.

*Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General at the the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

 

Neo

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Braille signage unveiled at Blaauwberg Nature Reserve

Source: Government of South Africa

Braille signage unveiled at Blaauwberg Nature Reserve

Visually impaired visitors will now be able to access and engage with coastal environmental information at the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve in Cape Town, following the unveiling of the first Braille informational beach signage.

“The signage we unveiled today features Braille, raised tactile text, and QR codes that provide audio descriptions and access to additional data and information,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Willie Aucamp said on Wednesday.

Addressing the unveiling ceremony, the Minister said the signage is moving from a philosophy of “look and  read” to one of “touch, listen, feel and experience.”

He announced that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is in the process of revitalising the national coastal signage.

“This revitalization is about more than just fresh paint or new timber. It is about technological integration and, most importantly, it is about inclusivity. 

“I want our department to take this project out to all our Harbours. I want to be able to visit Mossel Bay and have all people have access to these spaces,” he said.

The department is collaborating with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) on this project.

“I declare my department is absolutely ready to work with everyone to bring this to everyone. We are currently working on a Collaboration Framework that aligns our legislative mandate for integrated coastal management, to protect the coast, with WESSA’s century-long legacy of mobilising citizen action.

“The new content we are introducing is vibrant and engaging. We are telling the story of ‘Life on the Edge’. We are inviting the public – sighted and visually impaired alike – to meet the ‘Noisy Mother,’  the African Black Oystercatcher. We are teaching visitors how the White Sand Mussel ploughs through the wet sand, and how the Three-spot Swimming Crab navigates the turbulent surf.

“That is not only for people who can see or read. These stories create a connection, and connections foster care,” Aucamp said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Afreximbank acelera a modernização de infra-estruturas das Bahamas com um financiamento de 100 milhões de USD ao Bahamas Striping Group

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Num impulso transformador à rede de transportes das Caraíbas, o Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) anunciou o desembolso de uma linha de crédito de 100 milhões de USD à Bahamas Striping Group of Companies Ltd (BSGC). Este financiamento destina-se a ajudar na reabilitação e construção de mais de 200 milhas de infra-estruturas rodoviárias essenciais nas Bahamas.

Desembolsados ao abrigo de um Acordo-Quadro assinado com o Governo das Bahamas à margem da 48.ª Conferência dos Chefes de Governo da Caricom, realizada em Bridgetown, Barbados, em 2025, os fundos deverão permitir à BSGC prosseguir com uma extensa renovação das infra-estruturas nacionais, destinada a garantir redes rodoviárias mais seguras e duradouras que impulsionem o comércio, o turismo e a logística em todo o arquipélago.

O Afreximbank foi o credor da transacção, fornecendo a linha de crédito decorrente de contratos governamentais e permitindo que a BSGC acelere a execução do projecto e receba financiamento antecipado para obras concluídas e certificadas, que incluem pavimentação asfáltica, sinalização rodoviária, melhorias de segurança e manutenção em várias ilhas das Bahamas.

Ao comentar sobre a transacção, o Sr. Okechukwu Ihejirika, Director de Operações Interino do Afreximbank, CARICOM, afirmou que o financiamento reflectia o “compromisso inabalável do Afreximbank em apoiar os parceiros da África Global no desenvolvimento de infra-estruturas que facilitem o comércio”.

“Esta linha de crédito representa uma abordagem inovadora ao financiamento estruturado em parcerias inter-regionais e está alinhada com o nosso mandato de promover uma África Global interligada que engloba a CARICOM. Ao possibilitar estas extensas obras de reabilitação rodoviária, estamos a impulsionar o desenvolvimento sustentável e a melhorar as oportunidades económicas”, afirmou.

O Sr. Ihejirika reiterou o compromisso do Afreximbank em desenvolver as parcerias estabelecidas nas Reuniões Anuais do Banco de 2024 e no Fórum de Comércio e Investimento Afro-Caribenho, realizado em Nassau, Bahamas, observando que a transacção se seguiu à assinatura de um Acordo-Quadro com o Governo das Bahamas.

“Estamos gratos ao Afreximbank por nos apoiar em todas as etapas do processo e estamos orgulhosos de que esta transacção venha reforçar a nossa capacidade de executar grandes projectos, apoiar os nossos subscontratados e forncedores e ampliar oportunidades”, afirmou o Sr. Dominic Sturrup, Presidente Executivo da BSGC.

De acordo com o Sr. Atario Mitchell, Presidente da BSGC, a linha de crédito de 100 milhões de USD para cessão financeira (factoring) de contas a receber permitirá que estas empresas locais cumpram as suas obrigações financeiras, tais como o pagamento aos funcionários, a aquisição de materiais e a expansão das operações.

“Esta linha de crédito confere à BSGC a capacidade de agir mais rapidamente, planificar melhor e executar ainda com maior fiabilidade em várias ilhas”, afirmou o Sr. Mitchell.

A linha de crédito vinculada a contratos aprovados pelo governo contribui directamente para a melhoria das redes rodoviárias, incluindo pavimentação, sinalização e manutenção essenciais para o turismo, o comércio e o acesso da comunidade, ao mesmo tempo que cria emprego e promove o empoderamento da comunidade local. Prevê-se que contribua para o crescimento económico sustentável, incluindo uma maior competitividade das Bahamas como centro comercial e turístico.

A BSGC é uma entidade indígena das Bahamas fundada em 2010 e já concluiu mais de 200 projectos nas regiões de Nassau, Exuma e Eleuthera, empregando mais de 300 pessoas, incluindo subcontratados.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto para a Imprensa:
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com a Imprensa)
Correio Electrónico: press@afreximbank.com

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Sobre o Afreximbank:
O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) é uma instituição financeira multilateral pan-africana com mandato para financiar e promover o comércio intra e extra-africano. Há mais de 30 anos que o Banco utiliza estruturas inovadoras para oferecer soluções de financiamento que apoiam a transformação da estrutura do comércio africano, acelerando a industrialização e o comércio intra-regional, impulsionando assim a expansão económica em África. Apoiante firme do Acordo de Comércio Livre Continental Africano (ACLCA), o Afreximbank lançou um Sistema Pan-Africano de Pagamento e Liquidação (PAPSS) que foi adoptado pela União Africana (UA) como plataforma de pagamento e liquidação para sustentar a implementação da ZCLCA. Em colaboração com o Secretariado da ZCLCA e a UA, o Banco criou um Fundo de Ajustamento de 10 mil milhões de dólares para apoiar os países que participam de forma efectiva na ZCLCA. No final de Dezembro de 2024, o total de activos e contingências do Afreximbank ascendia a mais de 40,1 mil milhões de dólares e os seus fundos de accionistas a 7,2 mil milhões de dólares. O Afreximbank tem notações de grau de investimento atribuídas pela GCR (escala internacional) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). O Afreximbank evoluiu para uma entidade de grupo que inclui o Banco, a sua subsidiária de fundo de impacto de acções, denominada Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), e a sua subsidiária de gestão de seguros, AfrexInsure (em conjunto, “o Grupo”). O Banco tem a sua sede em Cairo, Egipto.

Para mais informações, visite: www.Afreximbank.com.

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