Category: Africa

Source: APO

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In response to a formal invitation by the Government of Zambia, an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be deployed to observe the general elections in the Republic of Zambia on 13 August 2026.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has appointed Michael McNamara, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer.

Ahead of deployment, Chief Observer, McNamara, declared: “I am honoured to lead this sixth EU Election Observation Mission to Zambia. The EU has observed every general election since 2001, a testimony to a long-standing partnership. I look forward to meeting and engaging with representatives of State institutions, political parties, candidates, civil society, and other electoral stakeholders in Zambia.”

Background

The EU EOM will provide a comprehensive, independent, and impartial assessment of the electoral process based on Zambia’s national legal framework as well as international and regional standards for democratic elections.

The EOM will be composed of different observer groups. The Core Team will consist of eleven election experts, scheduled to arrive in the country at the end of June. Closer to election day, 32 Long-Term Observers will join the mission and deploy across the country, followed by 32 Short-Term Observers.  

In line with the EU’s methodology on election observation, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference after the elections. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented and shared with stakeholders after the finalisation of the entire electoral process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union External Action: The Diplomatic Service of the European Union.

Source: APO

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Too often, children are recruited into conflicts they were never meant to be part of.

Underage recruitment is one of six grave violations against children that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and local partners work tirelessly to combat. It defies existing laws — and robs the most vulnerable of the childhoods every one of them deserves.

These childhoods are now a reality for children recently released from armed forces in Yambio (UNMISS and partners support the release of children recruited into armed forces) and Malakal (From fear to freedom: Abducted children reunited with family are fostering a future not shaped by the past), following joint initiatives by UN Peacekeeping mission and partners. Yet not every process unfolds the same way; some contexts present greater challenges than others.

“One of the biggest challenges are the many moving parts in these contexts. From authorities granting access, and partner availability to issues posed by active conflict. Planning predictability is usually not a luxury available to us,” explains Phoebe Murungi, a Child Protection Officer at UNMISS.

Her words are echoed by national counterparts working on the same frontlines.

“While the law is clear, the reality on the ground is often more abstract. According to our constitution, military directives and related parliamentary Acts, no one below the age of 18 should be recruited into armed conflict,” explains Oluku Andrew Holt, the National Coordinator for the Release of Children, with South Sudan’s Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission. “So, we need to make everyone understand that investing in our children is a crucial step towards peace. This is not an easy task.”

Such understanding is built through awareness-raising and education initiatives that are just as critical as verification and identification missions to identify potential child soldiers. Every access granted to military ranks and barracks holds the potential to save a child, even if results are not always immediate.

Processes like these take not only patience but also collective effort. For every child released, there are dozens of individuals from UNMISS, UNICEF, SDDRC, and government authorities working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it possible.

But as long as children continue to bear the brunt of conflict, giving up is not an option.

“Even if there is just one child we manage to identify and save, seeing them reclaiming their futures with bright and confident smiles is worth all the effort,” emphasizes Ms. Murungi upon return from yet another step towards a more peaceful South Sudan for everyone.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, held a strategic retreat from June 21st to 25th, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkiye, focusing on advancing Uganda’s trade and investment opportunities in the Gulf and Middle East regions.

Under the theme “Unlocking Uganda’s Trade and Investment Potential from the Interventions of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD),” the retreat gathered Uganda Missions from Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ankara to review their ECD activities, evaluate performance, and align efforts with national economic goals for the fiscal year 2026/27.

Ambassador Henry Mayega, Head of the International Economic Cooperation Department, officially opened the retreat, highlighting the increased funding and support from the Ministry of Finance over the past two financial years, recognizing the vital role of the Ministry and Missions in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. “Missions have received improved funding and are therefore encouraged to prioritise achievable targets and focus on activities with measurable and tangible outcomes,” Mayega emphasized.

Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of the newly established Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Hub, outlined efforts to address challenges such as coordination gaps, limited stakeholder engagement, and insufficient trade information. He stressed the importance of effective reporting mechanisms and alignment with Uganda’s Ten-fold Growth Agenda, the Fourth National

Development Plan, and Vision 2040 to maximize the impact on tourism, trade, investment, and economic growth. The retreat also featured a strategic perspective presentation on the Middle East by Mr. Joseph Enyimu, Commissioner for Economic Policy Development and Research at the Ministry of Finance, enhancing focus and alignment for the missions. Kabonero noted, “We are building the capacity of our diplomats and stakeholders and providing feedback on Half-Term Performance for FY 2025/26 and Work Plans for 2026/27 to the Ministry of Finance.” Uganda’s Ambassador to Türkiye, H.E. Nusura Tiperu, who hosted the retreat in Istanbul, praised the strong collaboration between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance in advancing Uganda’s economic development agenda. She underscored Istanbul’s strategic importance as a global trade hub connecting Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, making it an ideal location for reviewing progress and fostering cooperation among Uganda’s missions.

This retreat concluded a series of regional reviews conducted earlier in the year for Uganda’s missions in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe and the Americas, marking a comprehensive effort to strengthen Uganda’s economic diplomacy worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

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Guinea-Bissau’s economy demonstrated notable resilience in 2025, according to the World Bank Group’s Guinea-Bissau Economic Update (Spring 2026), released today.

Real GDP expanded 5.8% in 2025, buoyed by a strong cashew harvest and farmgate prices that supported rural incomes and private consumption. Yet beneath this encouraging headline, the country faces mounting structural pressures — including elevated public debt, a fragile financial sector, and a private sector that is growing in employment but shrinking in productivity.

The report, titled Pathways for Unlocking Productivity-Led Private Sector Growth, examines Guinea-Bissau’s macroeconomic trajectory, fiscal and financial sector risks, and the policy agenda required to shift the economy toward a more diversified and productive growth model.

“Guinea-Bissau has shown resilient growth in 2025 — but resilience anchored in a single crop and weighed down by falling labor productivity is not a foundation for lasting prosperity. Turning today’s investment into better jobs and rising incomes for Bissau-Guinean households will require a fairer tax system, broader access to finance, and institutions that firms can rely on” said Rosa Brito, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guinea-Bissau.

Inflation fell sharply to 0.9% in 2025, offering temporary relief to households amid continued political uncertainty. The fiscal deficit narrowed to 6.5% of GDP, though consolidation relied heavily on spending restraint rather than stronger revenue generation. Public debt stood at 75.6% of GDP — above the WAEMU ceiling. Non-performing loans surged to over 22% by mid-2025, sharply curtailing credit to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), women-led firms, and the broader private sector.

Looking ahead, GDP growth is projected to ease to 4.8% in 2026, reflecting subdued investment and lingering political uncertainty following the political transition of November 2025. Spillovers from the Middle East conflict are projected to reach Guinea-Bissau mainly through higher fuel and food import prices (each about 30% of imports) and rising freight costs that squeeze cashew export margins. Policy priorities should focus on protecting vulnerable households while safeguarding macro fiscal sustainability. Extreme poverty is expected to decline to 37.8% by 2028, though rising food and fuel prices risk slowing that progress.

Drawing on the 2025 World Bank Enterprise Survey, the report finds a striking divergence between investment and labor productivity in Guinea-Bissau’s private sector. The share of firms investing in fixed assets rose from 45.1% in 2006 to 61.2% in 2025 — yet labor productivity turned sharply negative, dropping from 6.2% to -6.8%. Firms are hiring more workers without expanding output, pointing to a pattern of low-quality job creation that leaves wages, efficiency, and living standards stagnant. Taxation, access to finance, and institutional unpredictability have emerged as the most binding constraints, while gender gaps in firm ownership and credit access further narrow the productive base of the economy.

To reverse this trend, the report calls for broadening the tax base and simplifying compliance, including scaling up digital filing and introducing a streamlined SME regime, while expanding access to finance through stronger credit systems and targeted support for SMEs and women-led firms. It also underscores the need to modernize customs to enhance predictability, sustain energy reliability and utility governance, and close the digital gap through telecom reforms and deployment of the national fiber backbone.

“Guinea-Bissau’s private sector challenge is not a lack of entrepreneurship— it is a lack of the conditions that allow firms to grow, formalize, and become more productive. Addressing firms most binding constraints in a coordinated way is what will turn investment into productivity and growth into better jobs.”, said Maria Elkhdari, Country Economist for Guinea Bissau and lead author of the report.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Source: APO

Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) has released its first Impact Report, revealing a project pipeline exceeding US$12 billion, more than 20 deals initiated, and over US$25 million in known financing outcomes linked to projects participating in the AGES ecosystem.

Across four editions, AGES has established itself as a leading platform connecting investors, project developers, policymakers and industry leaders to accelerate green economy opportunities across Africa.

At a time when the continent faces a significant climate financing gap, the report demonstrates the importance of creating pathways between capital and credible, investment-ready projects.

“Africa does not lack innovation, ambition or opportunity. The challenge is often creating the connections that enable projects to move forward,” said Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director at VUKA Group.

“AGES was designed to bring the right people into the same room and create the conditions for partnerships, investment and implementation. This report demonstrates that when those connections happen, real outcomes follow.”

Since its launch, AGES has welcomed more than 1,500 stakeholders from 34 countries, including over 500 investors, facilitated more than 1,500 curated meetings, and showcased over 140 projects spanning renewable energy, climate finance, carbon markets, sustainable mobility and green infrastructure.

Unlike traditional conferences, AGES focuses on creating meaningful connections between projects, investors and strategic partners, with an emphasis on outcomes rather than participation.

The Impact Report highlights a number of partnerships and growth stories enabled through the platform. Among them is the collaboration between Uber Sub-Saharan Africa and e-mobility company vALTERNATIVE Energy, which originated through introductions made at AGES and led to the launch of Uber Package, an electric last-mile delivery service creating jobs while supporting cleaner urban logistics.

The report also showcases the growth of PAM Africa’s Net Zero Village initiative, the expansion of Green Riders’ carbon-free mobility platform, and STROOM’s strategic partnership with P4G — demonstrating how targeted introductions can accelerate investment, partnerships and scale.

Looking ahead, AGES will continue to strengthen project pipelines, deepen investor engagement and support opportunities that can deliver both commercial value and sustainable impact.

As Africa’s green economy enters its next phase of growth, the challenge is no longer identifying opportunities, it is ensuring that capital, partnerships and implementation capacity can reach them.

AGES was created to help make those connections happen.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Download the Impact Report link: https://apo-opa.co/4wsIMy7

About Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES): 
Africa’s Green Economy Summit is a leading deal-making platform connecting investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs and project developers working to accelerate sustainable growth across Africa. Through curated matchmaking, project showcases, investor engagement and strategic dialogue, AGES helps bridge the gap between capital and opportunity across key sectors of the green economy.

Source: APO

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The ECOWAS Commission successfully organized the first meeting of the Strategic Steering Committee (SSC) of the “ Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access ” (ATCMA) Program – ECOWAS component from June 17 to 19, 2026, in Banjul, The Gambia.

Funded by the European Union under the Global Gateway initiative and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), the program aims to strengthen the competitiveness of regional value chains and improve market access for West African businesses.

The meeting brought together representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, the UEMOA Commission, the European Union Delegation, ECOWAS member states, Mauritania, regional private-sector organizations, and the program’s implementing agencies (UNIDO and ITC).

Participants reviewed progress made since the program’s launch on June 17, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria; the program’s governance and coordination mechanisms; the report on the selection of priority value chains; and the six-month work plan.

Following the deliberations, the Committee adopted the terms of reference for the Strategic Steering Committee, approved the report on the selection of value chains, and validated the two priority value chains identified by the program, namely, formulated complementary foods and pharmaceuticals. The six-month work plan was also adopted, accompanied by recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional coordination, stakeholder participation, and the effectiveness of the program’s implementation.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Kalilou SYLLA, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, emphasized the vital importance of the program for the region, which is undergoing rapid economic and geopolitical change. He suggested clear indicators and a collective commitment so that, by the end of the project, measurable results could be demonstrated: an increase in the percentage of trade, a rise in local pharmaceutical production, and an effective reduction in customs barriers.

In conclusion, the representatives commended the progress made and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the program’s effective implementation for the benefit of member states and the regional private sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) successfully conducted a series of bilateral meetings with government institutions, multilateral organizations, financial regulators, academic institutions, development agencies, and industry leaders on the sidelines of the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The meetings reaffirmed IsDBI’s commitment to advancing Islamic economics and finance as a catalyst for sustainable development, innovation, financial inclusion, and economic transformation across Member Countries and beyond.

The engagements covered a wide spectrum of strategic themes, including Islamic finance ecosystem development, regulatory and legislative reform, capacity building, sukuk market development, Islamic social finance, digital transformation, fintech, sustainable finance, waqf innovation, and knowledge partnerships.

Among the key engagements were discussions with representatives from the Governments of Tajikistan, Libya, Maldives, Türkiye, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone on strengthening Islamic finance ecosystems through technical assistance, regulatory enhancement, and institutional capacity development.

The Institute also met with leading international organizations and standard-setting bodies, including the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), AAOIFI, the Eurasian Development Bank, and the Islamic Microfinance Development Fund (FDMI). The meetings explored avenues for collaboration in research, standards development, capacity building, and strategic initiatives aimed at broadening the global reach and impact of Islamic finance.

Several meetings focused on innovation and emerging opportunities, including discussions with Rosatom State Corporation on sustainable financing solutions and sukuk structures, Islamic Money Australia on digital Islamic banking models, and INCEIF University on Islamic social finance data, waqf tokenization, and applied research collaboration.

The Institute also explored partnerships with organizations from Brazil, Palestine, Somalia, Senegal, Djibouti, and the private sector to advance knowledge dissemination, capacity-building programs, blended Islamic finance solutions, cash waqf digitalization initiatives, and investment-related research.

Commenting on the outcomes of the engagements, the Institute’s team, led by Acting Director General, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, noted that the meetings reflected the growing global interest in leveraging Islamic economics and finance to address contemporary development challenges and unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth.

The discussions generated a pipeline of follow-up initiatives, including technical assistance programs, joint research projects, capacity-building activities, policy advisory support, and collaborative knowledge-sharing platforms.

The 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings provided a valuable platform for strengthening existing partnerships, establishing new strategic relationships, and advancing the Institute’s mission of promoting innovative, impactful, and development-oriented Islamic economics and finance solutions worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).