Category: Africa

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Seychelles: President Herminie Highlights Key Outcomes of Abu Dhabi Mission at Post-Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 Press Conference

Source: APO – Report:

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The President of the Republic, Dr. Patrick Herminie, has outlined three major outcomes of his official mission to Abu Dhabi, following his participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026. Addressing members of the media at a post-mission press conference, the President identified strengthened pathways for water security, accelerated energy transformation, and enhanced digital connectivity as the principal deliverables of the visit.

President Herminie explained that engagements held at the ADSW 2026 were deliberately focused on translating international cooperation into practical, results-oriented solutions to address some of Seychelles’ most pressing national challenges. He noted that water and energy, are among the most critical sectors requiring urgent and sustained intervention, and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to delivering durable, long-term solutions through improved access to water and more affordable electricity.

First regarding water security, the President highlighted that recent years have exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s water supply, leading to periods of water stress that the Government is determined not to allow to persist. While reiterating that water conservation remains a national priority, he emphasised that desalination represents the most immediate and effective solution to meet growing demand. In this regard, the President has secured four desalination plants for the southern region of Mahé, an intervention expected to significantly reduce water stress and improve water availability over the next five to ten years.

In addressing energy transformation, President Herminie stressed that reducing the cost of electricity is central to the Government’s broader socio-economic development agenda. He acknowledged that Seychelles’ continued reliance on fuel oil for electricity generation is both costly and environmentally unsustainable, underscoring the urgency of transitioning to alternative energy production models. While renewable sources such as solar and wind energy remain key components of the national strategy, he noted that Seychelles’ limited land mass presents constraints for large-scale photovoltaic deployment.

To overcome these limitations, the President outlined an integrated approach that combines solar energy generation with battery storage systems, a model made increasingly viable by rapid advancements in technology. He announced that pilot initiatives will commence on La Digue Island, serving as an initial testing ground, before progressing to Praslin and, subsequently, Mahé. These efforts form part of a broader strategy to lower electricity costs, enhance energy reliability, and support the Government’s plans to introduce green infrastructure initiatives such as electric public transportation

Within this context, President Herminie further revealed that he has sought support from private individuals as well as the Government of Abu Dhabi to advance projects aimed at installing solar panel on government housing. He acknowledged that the high upfront cost of installation remains a significant barrier for many households. To address this challenge, the President said that the Government will move decisively by introducing a requirement for all new housing developments to be equipped with solar panel systems. He emphasised that this policy shift will not only advance national energy objectives but also create new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs and service providers within the renewable energy sector.

The President also addressed developments in telecommunications and internet connectivity, identifying digital infrastructure as a critical pillar of national transformation. He informed the media that discussions are currently underway with Starlink to explore the provision of more affordable and reliable internet services for Seychelles. President Herminie noted that progress in areas such as artificial intelligence, e-government, and broader digitalisation will depend heavily on improving both the cost and efficiency of telecommunications services.

He further noted that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is actively advancing these discussions and is expected to present concrete proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers by April this year.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 was held from 13 to 15 January, during which President Herminie delivered the keynote address at the Blue Forum, engaged with participants of the Youth for Sustainability initiative, and undertook a series of high-level engagements. The forum proved to be highly successful, offering invaluable opportunities to engage directly with emerging technologies and innovative solutions in energy production and water conservation.

The outcomes of the Abu Dhabi mission reflect the Government’s firm resolve to leverage international partnerships to deliver tangible benefits for the Seychellois people, while positioning Seychelles decisively on a path of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Eritrea: Epiphany colorfully celebrated nationwide

Source: APO – Report:

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Epiphany (Timket) was celebrated nationwide with vibrant and joyous festivities today, 19 January.

In the capital, Asmara, the religious observance was attended by archbishops, bishops, members of the Holy Synod, heads of dioceses, representatives of monasteries, senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and a large number of the faithful.

A prayer service, led by His Holiness Abune Basilios, the 6th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, was conducted at the Epiphany Holy Water spot at Bahti Meskerem Square.

During the occasion, Merigeta Simon Beyene provided a briefing on the historical significance of the Timket Holiday. Indicating that national holidays are a source of pride and embody national values, Merigeta Simon honored the Eritrean martyrs who made it possible to celebrate national holidays in peace and happiness, and extended his wishes for a joyous Epiphany to the Eritrean people at home and abroad, as well as members of the Eritrean Defense Forces. He also called on the faithful to extend support to disadvantaged citizens.

The event was broadcast live on Eritrean Television and Dimtsi Hafash Radio.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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South Africa: President Ramaphosa mourns multiple deaths in Cape Flats violence and scholar transport crash

Source: APO – Report:

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of life in violence on the Cape Flats at the weekend and in a collision involving a scholar transport vehicle this morning, Monday, 19 January 2026.

At least 26 people died in violence on the Cape Flats during a 24-hour period over the weekend while 11 learners died when the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark today.

President Ramaphosa offers his deepest sympathies to all families and communities concerned and says Government will work with citizens and community-based organisations to protect people’s lives in these different circumstances.

With reference to the Western Cape tragedies, President Ramaphosa said communities could expect stronger law enforcement and increased police visibility to stabilise affected communities and reduce the potential for further violence.

President Ramaphosa recognises the fear to which criminals subject residents and therefore calls on communities to strengthen their partnership with law enforcement agencies in community policing forums.

The President also urges residents to provide information – even on neighbours and family members – to police on an ongoing basis so that communities will instead become unsafe for criminals. With the assistance of community members, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been able to arrest 100 gang leaders and 106 runners in the past three months.

President Ramaphosa assures residents that Government is balancing short-term actions to prevent and respond to violence and stabilise communities, with long-term socio-economic interventions to improve social conditions and living standards.

On today’s learner transport tragedy, President Ramaphosa says it is particularly distressing that this incident has taken place on the day the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has published a report on scholar transport in the North West.

The President’s thoughts are with the families, teachers, classmates and friends of the young victims.

“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners.”

President Ramaphosa says national and provincial authorities will provide families and schools with the necessary psychosocial support.

– on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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South Africa: President Ramaphosa to visit flood-stricken areas in Mpumalanga Province

Source: APO – Report:

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon, Monday, 19 January 2026, visit Nkomazi Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to assess the extent of the  damage caused by the floods and the response of Government. 

The President will commence the visit at Mjejana, Nkomazi Local Municipality, after 14h00. 

The National Disaster Management Centre officially classified the inclement weather, which has respectively ravaged Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape Provinces, as a national disaster, following loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, displacement of communities, disruption to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.

The President has expressely shared that his thoughts are with families who have lost loved ones, people who have been injured and individuals, businesses and organisations who have lost property.  

Furthermore, the President hailed first responders, volunteers and humanitarian organisations for their emphatic coordinated response to the devastation across affected provinces.

President Ramaphosa will monitor the state of the disaster response at flood affected areas at the Nkomazi Local Municipality, accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, senior Government officials and representatives of the National Disaster Management Centre.

– on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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Tripoli Prepares to Host Libya’s Premier Energy & Economic Summit This Week

Source: APO – Report:

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Under the theme Infrastructure & Investment Driving Energy Growth, the fourth edition of the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) returns to Tripoli this week on January 24-26. As the country’s flagship investment forum, LEES 2026 arrives at a critical juncture in Libya’s economic recovery, providing a dedicated platform to unlock the capital and technical expertise required to revitalize national infrastructure and accelerate production across the energy value chain.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power and officially endorsed by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the National Oil Corporation, the 2026 edition will, for the first time, span three full days, reflecting rising international interest in Libya’s energy and infrastructure opportunities.

A Summit Aligned with Libya’s Growth Ambitions

LEES 2026 takes place as Libya targets increasing oil production from 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) to 1.6 million bpd by end-2026, with a longer-term ambition of 2 million bpd. Central to discussions is an estimated $18 billion pipeline of oil, gas, power and infrastructure projects, alongside Libya’s first international upstream licensing round in nearly two decades, offering 22 on- and offshore blocks.

Beyond hydrocarbons, the summit places strong emphasis on renewable energy and power infrastructure, showcasing projects such as the 500 MW Sadada solar plant – led by TotalEnergies – and Libya’s broader 4 GW renewables ambition, supported by the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya.

High-Level Speakers, Strategic Dialogue

The opening ceremony will feature keynote addresses from Libya’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid Al-Dbeibeh, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek and Chairman of the state-owned National Oil Corporation, Masoud M. Suleman. Minister Abdulsadek will be joined during a Ministerial Panel Discussion by international counterparts from Turkey, Malta and Algeria.

Industry leadership at LEES 2026 reflects the depth of international engagement in Libya’s energy resurgence, with strong participation from Europe, North America and the Mediterranean region. Major energy-producing nations including France, Italy, Spain and the U.S. will be represented through national and international oil companies, including the likes of TotalEnergies, Eni, Repsol and ConocoPhillips, among others. All these firms have actively engaged the country to advance upstream development, gas monetization and energy security initiatives in Libya.

What to Expect

LEES 2026 will deliver a multi-track agenda specifically designed to accelerate investment and translate dialogue into executable projects. A series of themed panel discussions will address Libya’s strategic priorities, including gas monetization and flare reduction, power and grid modernization, and marginal field development, offering investors and operators clean insights into near-term opportunities and long-term sector reform.

Meanwhile, central to the event’s three-day agenda are the bilateral national roundtables, including U.S.-Libya, Italy-Libya, France-Libya and UK-Libya sessions, which provide structured platforms for high-level government engagement, private sector dialogue and B2B matchmaking. These roundtables are tailored to deepen trade relations, advance infrastructure recovery and unlock new partnerships across Libya’s oil, gas, power and logistics value chains.

Complementing the diplomatic and commercial discussions, the summit introduces a dedicated technical workshops day, featuring in-depth sessions on upstream optimization, enhanced oil recovery, AI-enabled monitoring and digital infrastructure, inspection, maintenance and repair, as well as renewable energy integration and grid performance.

Sponsors and Market Confidence

The depth of sponsorship at LEES 2026 underscores strong market confidence in the country. Diamond Plus Sponsor Assail Drilling Company is joined by Diamond Sponsors Eni, TotalEnergies, Repsol, OMV, ConocoPhillips and Melltiah Oil & Gas. SLB, NESR and Delta United Group headline the Gold tier, with broad support across Silver, Bronze and National sponsor levels.

With one week to go, LEES 2026 stands as the definitive platform for investors, operators and policymakers seeking direct access decision-makers, bankable projects and first-mover advantage in one of Africa’s most strategically important energy markets.

Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa’s most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth. Visit www.LibyaSummit.com to secure your participation. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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What the United States (U.S.)-Venezuela Oil Shift Means for Caribbean Energy Markets

Source: APO – Report:

When the United States completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil this week, the $500 million transaction reopened a geopolitical channel that had been largely dormant for years, signaling that energy pragmatism is once again shaping Washington’s approach to the Western Hemisphere.

Carried out under a new U.S.–Venezuela arrangement that allows sanctioned crude to be marketed with proceeds held in U.S.-controlled accounts, the sale marks a tangible shift in how Washington is balancing political pressure with supply security. U.S. officials have indicated that additional cargoes are expected to follow, offering Venezuela a limited but meaningful pathway back into global oil markets after years of isolation that saw production fall from more than 3 million barrels per day (bpd) in the late 1990s to around 900,000 bpd in recent years.

For Latin America and the Caribbean, the implications extend well beyond Venezuela. The resumption of Venezuelan crude sales – reportedly at prices higher than the country previously received – has the potential to stabilize regional oil flows and support refinery economics in the U.S. Gulf Coast, where heavy crude processing capacity remains significant. For Caribbean refineries and energy importers, greater availability of regional crude could reduce reliance on longer-haul imports from the Middle East or West Africa, lowering transportation costs and improving supply reliability for refineries and power producers.

For island economies that remain heavily dependent on imported fuels, even incremental improvements in logistics, pricing and supply predictability can translate into meaningful fiscal and energy-security gains. Over time, this can support local employment, government revenues and more resilient energy systems in markets that have historically paid a premium for fuel imports.

The shift also reflects Washington’s broader effort to reassert economic influence across Latin America at a moment of intensifying global competition. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly floated figures of up to $100 billion in potential U.S. investment in Latin American energy and infrastructure should engagement deepen – a figure that is more political signal than firm commitment, but nonetheless indicative of how central energy has become to U.S. regional strategy. Even a fraction of that capital, if realized, would be transformative for upstream rehabilitation, midstream infrastructure and downstream modernization across the hemisphere.

For regional governments and energy companies, this moment presents both opportunity and urgency. Venezuela’s partial reintegration could unlock billions of dollars in deferred investment to rehabilitate aging fields, pipelines and export infrastructure. Neighboring producers and service hubs also stand to benefit from increased regional throughput and collaboration. Guyana and Suriname are already attracting multi-billion-dollar upstream commitments, while Trinidad and Tobago continues to position itself as a gas processing and LNG anchor for the Caribbean.

It is this convergence of geopolitics, capital and project momentum that makes Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) taking place on 30 March-1 April 2026, Paramaribo, Suriname particularly timely. As the region’s premier energy forum, the event convenes policymakers, national oil companies, international investors and technology providers at a moment when strategic alignment is critical. Discussions around hydrocarbons, gas monetization, power generation, renewables and regional integration will directly shape the investment decisions being made today.

In a landscape defined by shifting alliances and renewed U.S. engagement, CEW 2026 offers a rare platform to move beyond headline diplomacy and focus on execution: structuring bankable projects, mobilizing diversified capital and ensuring that energy development delivers long-term economic resilience.

The U.S. sale of Venezuelan oil may be only the first cargo in a longer process, but it is already a marker of change. For Latin America and the Caribbean, the question is no longer whether global attention is returning — it is how effectively the region positions itself to capture it.

Join us in shaping the future of Caribbean energy. To participate in this landmark event, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Media files

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President Ramaphosa assesses flood damage, calls for stronger disaster response

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa assesses flood damage, calls for stronger disaster response

President Cyril Ramaphosa says leadership must be visible and present when communities are in distress, as government intensifies its response to devastating floods that have led to loss of life, destroyed infrastructure, displaced families and disrupted schooling across several provinces.

The President was speaking to the media during his visit to the Nkomazi Local Municipality in Mpumalanga to assess the extent of the damage caused by severe weather, following the classification of the recent floods as a national disaster by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). 

“It’s important that, as leaders, we should be able to go and meet our people and see exactly what has befallen them. And that’s the important thing, because when people are in need, they want to have a sense that those that they have elected in key positions are there with them,” the President said on Monday.

The visit comes after the National Disaster Management Centre classified the recent inclement weather affecting Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape as a national disaster, following loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, displacement of communities and disruption to schooling and economic activities.

The President said he had received regular updates from Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and members of the provincial executive, who have been engaging affected communities and reporting on conditions on the ground.

“It is for that reason that I felt that I should come to give them support, and also to assess precisely what’s happening here [and] at a national level,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa noted that roads had been destroyed, children were unable to attend school, houses had been washed away and critical infrastructure damaged.

“The roads are destroyed. Children cannot go to school, and houses have been washed away, and valuable infrastructure has been damaged, so that is precisely what we’re going to be looking at closely,” he said.

He said national government, including the inter-ministerial committee on disaster management, is engaged in discussions on the required interventions, while the Minister of Finance who is currently in Davos is also being briefed on the situation.

The President commended first responders for their swift action in affected areas.

“We are also grateful that our rescue and quick response agencies have been really up to the task. They have responded extremely well the South African National Defence Force, as well as the emergency services here in the province at local government level,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the frequency and intensity of disasters linked to climate change require government to strengthen its disaster response capabilities.

“We’re now in an era where climate change is quite evident to everyone, and we are now developing our own disaster responses so that when we have disasters like these floods and fires and other forms of disasters, we are able to respond as quickly and as effectively as possible,” he said.

He stressed that saving lives remains government’s primary focus.

“With all this, the paramount issue that we focus on is to save lives because loss of life is what affects households and families very badly,” he said.

The President also reiterated South Africa’s call for climate finance to assist countries in the Global South that bear the brunt of climate change.

“… We need finance because once there’s been damage like this, we need finance, almost on an annual basis now, to recover,” he said.

Responding to questions about the pace of government’s response and the issuing of early warnings, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the need for improvement.

“With disasters, we can always do better, because when disaster [befalls] an area or households, we need to respond quickly,” he said.

He added that long-term solutions include improved town planning and stricter enforcement of municipal bylaws to prevent settlements in flood-prone areas.

“We now need to increase our town planning capability and get more young people to take up the town planning course, but also get our municipalities to enforce those bylaws,” he said.

On regional support efforts, President Ramaphosa confirmed that South Africa has provided assistance to Mozambique, which is also experiencing severe flooding.

“They have asked South Africa to help them… we have loaned them. We’ve sent some air assistance, like helicopters, to assist them for a number of days,” he said.

The President also expressed deep distress over the scholar transport accident that claimed the lives of 13 learners in the Vaal area earlier in the day.

“I’m devastated myself to hear right at the beginning of the year that 13 children in one go have lost their lives,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of safety in the scholar transport system, including vehicle condition, driver behaviour and compliance with road safety standards.

President Ramaphosa said his thoughts remain with families who have lost loved ones, those injured, and communities affected by the floods and recent tragedies. 

He will continue to monitor the disaster response alongside provincial leadership, senior government officials and representatives of the National Disaster Management Centre. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

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Nigeria’s former election umpire has been appointed an ambassador: why this is a red flag

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Onyedikachi Madueke, Teaching Assistant, University of Aberdeen

The Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointment of the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an ambassador in December 2025. This has resurfaced concerns about electoral integrity in the country.

Mahmood Yakubu stepped down as head of the electoral commission just three months prior to the ambassadorial appointment.

As a political scientist with published research on the electoral commission and electoral integrity in Nigeria, I argue that even though the president has a right to make the appointment under Section 171 of the constitution, it is still troubling. There are a number of reasons.

Firstly, it raises questions about institutional neutrality and public trust. It looks like a reward for the way elections were administered.

Yakubu’s tenure as chairman included the controversial 2023 general elections. Questions were raised about the commission’s credibility following logistical failures, technological breakdowns and delayed transmission of results. Though the courts ultimately upheld the declared outcomes, the election’s legitimacy remains hotly debated among citizens, civil society and scholars.

The same electoral umpire has been appointed to a prestigious diplomatic role less than three years after conducting an election that returned the appointing authority to power.

Secondly, it undermines public confidence at a time of rising political disengagement. Nigeria’s democracy is facing a legitimacy challenge driven by civic disillusionment, youth disengagement, and declining trust in institutions. Voter turnout in the 2023 presidential election, roughly 26% of registered voters, was one of the lowest in the country’s democratic history.

Thirdly, it reflects a weakening of institutional checks and legislative oversight. Despite widespread objections, the Senate approved the nomination with minimal dissent. A weak or compliant legislature reduces the institutional safeguards that protect elections from political capture.

Nigeria must strengthen electoral governance. This should include cooling off periods for electoral commission officials, stronger Senate oversight, protected institutional autonomy, and sustained civic re-engagement.

Impartiality and the perception of political reward

Electoral commissions thrive on perceived impartiality as much as on legal independence.

In a region where democratic norms are weakening as seen in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea and others, the perception that electoral officials may receive political rewards, especially if they manipulate the electoral institution to favour a candidate, can further erode trust. It sends a signal, intended or not, that electoral umpires can swiftly take on political roles.

This may influence future behaviour within the electoral commission. It becomes harder to preserve the principle of neutrality.

Ebbing trust in elections

Many Nigerians already believe that the electoral umpire is compromised. A 2023 report revealed that some senior electoral officials were politically affiliated with the ruling party.

A 2023 Afrobarometer report showed that 76% of Nigerians expressed a lack of trust in the commission.

In a recent paper, my colleague and I identified constraints on the commission. These included corruption, lack of adherence to its rules, and lack of independence.

Yakubu’s appointment risks deepening cynicism and feeding narratives of elite collusion.

For a democracy already struggling with fractured trust, where young people question whether voting makes a difference, this symbolic gesture may accelerate disengagement. When citizens lose faith in elections, they may turn to protest or apathy. Worse, they might support anti-democratic alternatives such as military intervention. It’s a trend already visible in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger.

Weakening checks and balances

The Senate’s role in the affair raises equally troubling concerns.

Rather than exercising its constitutional role as a check on executive appointments, the Senate appeared to align seamlessly with the president’s preferences. Most of the nominees were only asked by the Senate to bow and go.

This pattern of legislative passivity, common in Nigeria across all tiers of government, mirrors broader regional trends. Parliaments, whether in Togo, Benin or Senegal, have gradually ceded oversight functions to executives.

When political institutions become less independent, electoral oversight becomes more fragile.

A weak or compliant legislature reduces the institutional safeguards that protect elections from political capture.

The confirmation thus symbolises a gradual erosion of institutional balance. It’s a worrying sign in a region where democratic backsliding is accelerating.

What should be done

Reforms are essential.

In the US and Australia, revolving door laws exist to prevent former senior officials who occupied critical positions of trust from using their positions for political gains. They typically observe a cooling-off period before moving into a role that may risk a conflict of interest.

This norm exists to insulate institutional decisions from the prospect of political favour.

Nigeria currently lacks such a safeguard. Introducing a four- to six-year interval before former electoral commission chairs and commissioners could accept political or diplomatic appointments would bring Nigeria in line with international best practice.

Secondly, politically affiliated individuals must not be appointed to any position in the commission. This reform would protect both the individuals and the institution from allegations of political alignment.

Third, the Senate must reassert its constitutional role. It must subject sensitive appointments to genuine debate, ethical screening, and public interest review.

A credible, independent review, focusing on election logistics, technological failures, communication lapses and institutional pressures, would demonstrate a commitment to learning from past shortcomings. Transparency is the antidote to suspicion.

Preserving electoral integrity requires not only laws but also norms, perceptions and trust.

Across west African states, contested electoral processes and the fear that election administrators may align with political incumbents are increasingly widespread.

Nigeria, often viewed as a democratic anchor, cannot afford to reinforce this troubling pattern.

– Nigeria’s former election umpire has been appointed an ambassador: why this is a red flag
– https://theconversation.com/nigerias-former-election-umpire-has-been-appointed-an-ambassador-why-this-is-a-red-flag-273529

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Ethiopian women and safety: why some switch their ethnic identity when they start working

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Monica Beeder, Lecturer, University of Southampton

For many women in Ethiopia, getting their first formal job doesn’t just change their income; it can change how they describe who they are in everyday public interactions.

In a country where ethnicity shapes access to opportunities, safety and political rights, this shift is far from small.

That is the provocative finding of our recent study: formal employment can cause women to switch their self-reported ethnicity. We are a team of political scientists and development economists who study labour markets, gender and ethnic identity in Ethiopia. We studied this issue in a recent research project.

We used data from a unique field experiment with 27 firms across five Ethiopian regions, where job offers were randomised among qualified female applicants. This means the firms had more qualified applicants than positions, so eligible women were selected through a lottery system for job offers. We then tracked both women who received a job offer and those who didn’t over multiple survey rounds spanning roughly three years, collecting information on their employment status, earnings, working conditions, daily mobility and commuting patterns, household characteristics, and how they reported their ethnic identity.

What we found was striking. In our full sample of 891 women, around 8% changed their stated ethnicity at some point over the time we followed them. While this may sound like a small share, switching ethnic identity is rare and socially consequential, making this level of change substantial in context.

Women who received a job offer were 4.3 percentage points more likely to switch their stated ethnicity than those who did not. In the comparison group – women who were not offered a job – about 6% changed their stated ethnicity over time. Among women offered a job, this figure rose to around 10%. When we account for who actually took up the job, the effect is even larger.

To some readers, this may sound like a technical result. But in a country where ethnicity shapes politics, social opportunity and daily survival, it is explosive.

Changing one’s ethnic label is not a trivial act. It carries implications for family, community and belonging.

So, why would a job make someone change something so fundamental?

For women entering the formal labour market in Ethiopia, even at low wages, taking a job can reshape their daily routines and expose them to new public spaces and risks. These shifts in mobility and visibility create pressures that women who stay at home may never face.

As they navigate these new environments, some find themselves adjusting not just their schedules, but also how they present and even report their ethnic identity.

By showing that formal employment can lead to ethnic reidentification, our study reveals identity as a living, shifting facet of social life rather than a fixed badge.

As Ethiopia and other African countries pursue industrialisation, labour-market expansion and social mobility, we must pay attention: economic transformation may come with unexpected, and deeply personal, consequences.

Being vulnerable

Our in-depth interviews with women in the two cities with the highest switching in our sample – Dire Dawa in east-central Ethiopia and Hawassa in the southern region – reveal a striking mechanism.

Employment meant commuting through areas where ethnic and, in some cases, ethno-religious tensions were high.

Women told us they felt far more vulnerable on the road than at home, especially if their own ethnicity placed them on the “wrong” side of a local conflict.

As one respondent explained, the decision to switch was driven by practical concerns about personal safety rather than a deeper change in how they saw themselves.

Some women did not adopt the local majority’s identity but switched to a third, more neutral group, one not involved in conflict.

Whether this was possible depended on their appearance, religion and language skills. As several women explained, speaking the correct language allowed them to “pass”, meaning they were perceived as belonging to a safer group while out in public. We cannot say how common this strategy was across all women in our study, but the interviews confirm patterns we also observe in our quantitative data of women switching to a third, neutral ethnicity to navigate local conflicts.

This makes sense in a country experiencing repeated waves of violence. In 2022, more than 40% of all conflict-related deaths worldwide occurred in Ethiopia.

In this kind of context, identity is not static; it becomes a resource.

Our findings challenge common assumptions across economics, the social sciences, and policy. While scholars have long recognised that ethnic identity can be fluid, it is often still treated as something relatively stable in practice, rooted in ancestry or birth.

What our evidence shows is the strategic side of this fluidity. Ethnicity can be consciously adjusted in response to economic conditions, mobility and the risks women face in public spaces.

In other words, identity is not only socially constructed. It can also shift in response to the pressures and incentives created by the work environment.

The protections needed

This raises uncomfortable questions about the global garment industry, which has progressively shifted production from Europe to Asia and is now beginning to extend manufacturing activities to parts of Africa as global value chains are reconfigured in search of lower production costs. Ethiopia has encouraged this growth by developing large industrial parks.

But unlike in long-established manufacturing hubs, there are few safety nets, transport protections or policies designed around local ethnic dynamics.

When women must alter their identity to feel safe on the commute to a low-wage job, something is clearly missing.

Our findings show that when these global industries arrive without adapting to local realities, the burden falls disproportionately on women.

It is not a sign of progress when a woman has to change her identity, even temporarily, to commute safely to a low-paid job. If anything, it calls for a more honest debate about what industrialisation should look like, and what protections are needed for the workers it relies on.

This also raises more profound questions about belonging and dignity. Is changing your ethnic identity an act of personal agency – or a sign of social pressure and insecurity? What does it say about everyday life when your safety depends on how you present yourself while travelling to work?

Imagine having to change the language you speak on the bus – or even the surname you give when introducing yourself – just to avoid trouble on your way to work.

While not all women faced situations this extreme, the very possibility of needing such strategies illustrates the pressures created by moving through tense public spaces.

– Ethiopian women and safety: why some switch their ethnic identity when they start working
– https://theconversation.com/ethiopian-women-and-safety-why-some-switch-their-ethnic-identity-when-they-start-working-271325

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DHET shifts to Central Application Service for 2026 academic year

Source: Government of South Africa

DHET shifts to Central Application Service for 2026 academic year

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has announced that the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) will not be implemented for the 2026 academic year for the Class of 2025 and beyond.

In a statement issued on Monday, the department said the decision forms part of a broader reform of the post-school application process, focusing on the implementation of comprehensive support and an easier transition for all applicants through the Central Application Service (CAS).

The Central Application Clearing House was introduced in 2013 as an intervention to support matriculants and prospective students who were unable to secure placement at Post-School Education and Training (PSET) institutions.

The Central Application Clearing House has over the years played an important role in assisting young people to access available spaces within public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and more recently private higher education institutions.

This was achieved by collecting information on applicants who did not receive offers of placement; those who wished to change the qualifications they had initially applied for, as well as those who only became eligible for study opportunities following the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results and matching them with available spaces.

According to the department, the move away from the Central Application Clearing House reflects a shift towards a more comprehensive and integrated application system.

“The Central Application Service is designed as a more comprehensive, integrated and long-term solution addressing access, improved visibility of opportunities across the entire Post-School Education and Training system, and the elimination of bogus institutions at this time of the year,” the department said.

The department added that the Central Application Service will progressively make various alternative pathways visible over and above the traditional university and college pathways.

“This approach recognises the reality that current capacity within universities and colleges is not sufficient to meet the growing demand for post-school education and training,” the department said.

The department reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no young person is left without information, guidance, or support in navigating post-school opportunities.

Prospective students have been encouraged to engage with the Central Application Service through its WhatsApp chat line on 081 308 4196. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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