Category: Africa

Posted on

Société Internationale Islamique de Financement du Commerce (ITFC) ouvre sa participation aux Assemblées annuelles 2026 du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (BID) avec un accent sur le financement du commerce, la croissance du secteur privé et la coopération régionale

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Société Internationale Islamique de Financement du Commerce (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), membre du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (BID), a entamé sa participation aux Assemblées annuelles 2026 du Groupe de la BID à Bakou par la signature de trois accords stratégiques et une série d’échanges de haut niveau consacrés à la promotion du financement du commerce, du développement du commerce, de la croissance du secteur privé et de la coopération économique régionale.

M. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Directeur général de l’ITFC, a conduit la délégation de l’institution lors de réunions bilatérales avec les gouverneurs et délégations de plusieurs pays membres, notamment le Bangladesh, la Gambie, la Guinée, les Maldives, le Sénégal, la Somalie et le Tadjikistan, ainsi qu’avec des partenaires stratégiques tels que Vakif Katilim Bank et Türk Eximbank. Les discussions ont porté sur le renforcement de la coopération en matière de financement du commerce, l’élargissement de l’accès aux solutions de financement conformes à la Charia et l’identification de mécanismes concrets permettant d’aligner les interventions de l’ITFC sur les priorités nationales de développement.

L’ITFC a également participé au Forum du Leadership de l’Économie Halal 2026, où M. Nazeem Noordali, Directeur des opérations de l’ITFC, est intervenu dans le cadre du dialogue stratégique intitulé « Modèles économiques halal éthiques et financements résilients face aux risques ». Cette session a examiné la manière dont les modèles de l’économie halal, la finance islamique et les mécanismes de partage des risques peuvent soutenir l’intégration régionale, renforcer la participation des micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) et favoriser le commerce transfrontalier entre les pays membres.

Principales signatures

Gambie : Accord-cadre de 250 millions de dollars américains pour soutenir les secteurs vitaux de l’économie

L’ITFC a signé avec la République de Gambie un accord-cadre de 250 millions de dollars américains sur une période de trois ans, définissant la prochaine phase de coopération entre les deux parties. Cet accord fait suite à l’utilisation intégrale du précédent accord-cadre de 250 millions de dollars américains, conclu en janvier 2021 pour une durée de cinq ans.

Le nouvel accord permettra à l’ITFC de soutenir plusieurs secteurs prioritaires en Gambie, notamment l’approvisionnement énergétique, la sécurité alimentaire, les services de santé, les chaînes de valeur agricoles ainsi que le financement du secteur privé à travers les institutions financières locales.

L’accord a été signé par l’Honorable Seedy K.M. Keita, Ministre des Finances et des Affaires économiques de la République de Gambie, et M. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Directeur général de l’ITFC.

Tadjikistan : Une facilité de Mourabaha directe de 10 millions de dollars américains pour soutenir le commerce du coton

L’ITFC a signé une facilité de financement directe de type Mourabaha d’un montant de 10 millions de dollars américains avec la République du Tadjikistan afin de soutenir l’achat et le commerce du coton ainsi que des produits dérivés du coton.

L’accord a été signé par M. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Directeur général de l’ITFC, et Son Excellence M. Hokim Holiqzoda, Premier Vice-Premier ministre de la République du Tadjikistan.

Cette facilité pilote fournira des fonds de roulement aux acteurs du secteur cotonnier et permettra à l’Agence des exportations relevant du Gouvernement de la République du Tadjikistan, par l’intermédiaire des entreprises de transformation, d’acheter le coton auprès des producteurs durant la saison des récoltes en vue de son exportation. Cette initiative soutient un secteur qui contribue de manière significative aux exportations, aux chaînes de valeur agricoles et aux moyens de subsistance des populations rurales.

Avec près de 37 000 exploitations et entités productrices de coton et environ 680 000 personnes impliquées dans cette filière à travers le pays, ce financement devrait renforcer les liens commerciaux et soutenir les activités génératrices de revenus. Cet accord s’inscrit dans la continuité de l’appui apporté par l’ITFC aux secteurs stratégiques du Tadjikistan et reflète son engagement à fournir des solutions de financement du commerce conformes à la Charia répondant aux priorités de développement de ses pays membres.

Coopération régionale : Signature d’un accord de banque confirmatrice avec l’IFC pour élargir l’accès au financement du commerce

L’ITFC a signé un accord de banque confirmatrice (Confirming Bank Agreement) avec la Société financière internationale (IFC), marquant une nouvelle étape dans le renforcement de la coopération entre les deux institutions afin de soutenir le financement du commerce dans les pays membres communs de l’Organisation de la coopération islamique (OCI).

L’accord a été signé par M. Nazeem Noordali, Directeur des opérations de l’ITFC, et M. Abdullah Jefri, Directeur de la division du Conseil de coopération du Golfe (CCG) de l’IFC, en présence de M. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Directeur général de l’ITFC.

Grâce à ce partenariat, l’ITFC pourra développer davantage ses opérations de financement du commerce en s’appuyant sur le dispositif de partage des risques et les garanties de l’IFC couvrant les obligations de paiement des banques émettrices. Cette collaboration devrait améliorer l’accès au financement du commerce pour les importateurs et exportateurs des pays membres de l’OCI, faciliter les transactions commerciales transfrontalières essentielles et renforcer la connectivité commerciale ainsi que la croissance économique au sein des pays membres.

Organisée à Bakou, en Azerbaïdjan, cette première journée de participation de l’ITFC aux Assemblées annuelles a placé le financement du commerce, le développement du commerce et la finance islamique au cœur de son agenda. D’autres accords et rencontres de haut niveau sont prévus tout au long de la semaine, alors que l’ITFC poursuit sa collaboration avec les pays membres et ses partenaires afin de financer les échanges essentiels, renforcer la participation du secteur privé et promouvoir une plus grande intégration économique régionale.

Distribué par APO Group pour International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Pour toute demande des médias :
E-mail : ITFCGlobal@hudsonsandler.com
Téléphone : +44 (0)20 7796 4133

Contacter l’ITFC :
Tél. : +966 12 646 8337
Fax : +966 12 637 1064
​E-mail : ITFC@itfc-idb.org

Réseaux sociaux :
Twitter (X) : @ITFCCORP
Facebook : @ITFCCORP
LinkedIn : International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)

À propos de la Société Internationale Islamique de Financement du Commerce (ITFC) :
La Société Internationale Islamique de Financement du Commerce (ITFC) est un membre du Groupe de la Banque Islamique de Développement (BID). Elle a été créée dans le but premier de promouvoir le commerce entre les pays membres de l’OCI, ce qui contribuerait en fin de compte à l’objectif global d’amélioration des conditions socio-économiques des populations à travers le monde. Ayant commencé ses activités en janvier 2008, l’ITFC a fourni 96 milliards de dollars de financement aux pays membres de l’OCI, ce qui en fait le principal fournisseur de solutions commerciales pour les besoins de ces pays membres. Avec pour mission de devenir un catalyseur du développement du commerce pour les pays membres de l’OCI et au-delà, la Société aide les entités des pays membres à obtenir un meilleur accès au financement du commerce et leur fournit les outils nécessaires au renforcement des capacités liées au commerce, ce qui leur permettrait d’être compétitifs sur le marché mondial.

Media files

Posted on

Vogue India Spotlights Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej’s Leadership, Purpose, and Vision for Empowering Women

Source: APO

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (https://Merck-Foundation.com), has been featured by leading lifestyle media publication Vogue India. The feature article, titled “Empowering Change: Dr. Rasha Kelej’s Vision for Women-Led Development”, highlights her inspiring leadership journey, her vision for empowering women and girls through education and healthcare, and the transformative impact of Merck Foundation’s programs in advancing healthcare capacity, breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, and driving social change across Africa and beyond.

Click here to read the full Vogue India article: https://apo-opa.co/4ox2VzX

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential African Women (2019-present) shared, “I am truly honoured to be featured by Vogue India, yet again. As a long-time reader of Vogue, I have always admired its ability to celebrate fashion, individuality, and influential voices. This feature not only highlights the impact of my work but also reflects a message I strongly believe in that women should never feel they must compromise their femininity to become effective leaders. Leadership today is multidimensional; it is not only about the decisions we make, but also about how we present ourselves and represent our mission. I believe confidence, authenticity, professionalism, and personal style can coexist seamlessly, and that embracing our individuality can make us stronger leaders and role models for others.”

Beyond her personal leadership journey, The Vogue India feature also highlights Dr. Kelej’s close collaboration with 33 African and Asian First Ladies, through which she champions programs that empower women in healthcare and STEM, break infertility stigma, support girls’ education, and create lasting impact in communities across Africa and Asia.

Under Dr. Rasha Kelej’s leadership, Merck Foundation has transformed the lives of millions through their impactful programs including the “Merck Foundation Scholarships Program”, through which more than 2,600 scholarships have been provided for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

She also created the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” movement in 2015, one of the most impactful and widely recognized campaigns, that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education, health and change of mindset. The campaign is building quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care capacity, breaking infertility stigma, raising awareness about infertility prevention & male infertility, and Supporting Girl Education.

As a passionate advocate for supporting girls’ education Dr. Kelej has launched Merck Foundation Educating Linda program, which provides annual scholarships to high-performing yet underprivileged schoolgirls, in partnership with African first Ladies. To date, more than 1,500 annual scholarships are awarded to African schoolgirls from 21 countries, covering school fees and other essential educational expenses, including books and uniforms, enabling them to complete their education and reach their full potential.

The article also showcases how Dr. Kelej has leveraged innovative and creative platforms, including media, fashion, music, animation films, and storybooks, to raise awareness about critical social and health issues. Through these initiatives, Merck Foundation has been able to engage communities and create culture shift in communities across Africa and beyond.

The feature also spotlights Dr. Kelej’s distinctive style and fashion presence while offering insights into the personal philosophy that has guided her journey, she shares, “My learnings and takeaways from my work and journey have been to never give up and always be yourself. Be consistent, persistent, and disciplined. Not only in your work commitments and goals, but also in your personal ones, such as daily exercise, healthy eating, and self-development, to stay relevant. Most importantly, practice daily stress management, which is the key to sustainable high performance.”

To learn more about the Dr. Rasha Kelej’s journey, visit her Social Media Handles: Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4e9ld72), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3S7lU8p), X (https://apo-opa.co/4ozx0PA),  and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4oxi58B).

And Merck Foundation Social Media Handles: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4vSburx), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4gpFN4p), X (https://apo-opa.co/4vNbQzH) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4azdIE6)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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

Media files

.

Posted on

Vogue Índia destaca a liderança, o propósito e a visão da Senadora Dra. Rasha Kelej para o empoderamento feminino

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

A Senadora Dra. Rasha Kelej, CEO da Fundação Merck (https://Merck-Foundation.com), foi destaque na Vogue Índia, uma publicação líder em estilo de vida. A matéria, intitulada “Empoderando a Mudança: Visão da Dra. Rasha Kelej para o Desenvolvimento Liderado por Mulheres”, destaca a sua inspiradora trajectória de liderança, sua visão para o empoderamento de mulheres e meninas através da educação e da saúde, e o impacto transformador dos programas da Fundação Merck no avanço da capacidade de atendimento à saúde, no combate ao estigma da infertilidade, no apoio à educação de meninas e na promoção da mudança social em África e noutras regiões. 

Clique aqui para ler o artigo completo da Vogue Índia: https://apo-opa.co/4ox2VzX

A Senadora Dra. Rasha Kelej, CEO da Fundação Merck e uma das 100 mulheres africanas mais influentes (2019-presente) partilhou: “É uma verdadeira honra ser destaque na Vogue Índia, mais uma vez. Como leitora assídua da Vogue, sempre admirei a sua capacidade de celebrar a moda, a individualidade e vozes influentes. Esta matéria não só destaca o impacto do meu trabalho, como também reflecte uma mensagem na qual acredito fortemente: as mulheres nunca devem sentir que precisam comprometer a sua feminilidade para se tornarem líderes eficazes. A liderança hoje é multidimensional; não se trata apenas das decisões que tomamos, mas também de como nos apresentamos e representamos a nossa missão. Acredito que confiança, autenticidade, profissionalismo e estilo pessoal podem coexistir perfeitamente, e que abraçar a nossa individualidade pode nos tornar líderes mais fortes e exemplos a serem seguidos.”

Além da sua trajectória pessoal de liderança, a matéria da Vogue Índia também destaca a estreita colaboração da Dra. Kelej com 33 Primeiras-Damas Africanas e Asiáticas, por meio das quais ela promove programas que empoderam mulheres nas áreas da saúde e ciência, tecnologia, engenharia e matemática (STEM, na sigla em inglês), combatem o estigma da infertilidade, apoiam a educação de meninas e criam um impacto duradouro em comunidades de África e da Ásia.

Sob a liderança da Dra. Rasha Kelej, a Fundação Merck transformou a vida de milhões de pessoas por meio dos seus programas impactantes, incluindo o “Programa de Bolsas de Estudo da Fundação Merck”, através do qual mais de 2.600 bolsas de estudo foram concedidas a profissionais de saúde de 52 países em 44 especialidades médicas críticas e carentes.

Ela também criou o movimento “Fundação Merck Mais Que uma Mãe” em 2015, uma das campanhas de maior impacto e reconhecimento, que visa empoderar mulheres com infertilidade e sem filhos por meio do acesso à informação, educação, saúde e mudança de mentalidade. A campanha está a construir capacidade de atendimento reprodutivo e de fertilidade de qualidade e equitativo, combater o estigma da infertilidade, aumentar a conscientização sobre a prevenção da infertilidade e a infertilidade masculina e apoiar a educação de meninas.

Como defensora apaixonada da educação feminina, a Dra. Kelej lançou o programa Educar Linda da Fundação Merck, que oferece bolsas de estudo anuais para alunas de alto desempenho, porém carentes, em parceria com Primeiras-Damas Africanas. Até o momento, mais de 1.500 bolsas de estudo anuais são concedidas a alunas africanas de 21 países, cobrindo mensalidades escolares e outras despesas educacionais essenciais, incluindo livros e uniformes, permitindo que elas concluam os seus estudos e alcancem o seu pleno potencial.

O artigo também mostra como a Dra. Kelej utilizou plataformas inovadoras e criativas, incluindo mídia, moda, música, filmes de animação e livros infantis, para conscientizar sobre questões sociais e de saúde críticas. Por meio dessas iniciativas, a Fundação Merck conseguiu engajar comunidades e promover mudanças culturais em comunidades em África e noutros continentes.

A matéria também destaca o estilo único e a presença marcante da Dra. Kelej no mundo da moda, além de oferecer insights sobre a filosofia pessoal que guiou a sua trajectória. Ela partilhou: “Meus aprendizados e principais lições aprendidas com o meu trabalho e minha jornada foram: nunca desistir e sempre ser eu mesma. Ser consistente, persistente e disciplinada. Não apenas nos meus compromissos e objectivos profissionais, mas também nos pessoais, como exercícios diários, alimentação saudável e desenvolvimento pessoal, para me manter relevante. E, principalmente, praticar a gestão diária do stress, que é a chave para um alto desempenho sustentável.”

Para saber mais sobre a trajectória da Dra. Rasha Kelej, visite os seus Canais de Redes Sociais: Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4e9ld72), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3S7lU8p), X (https://apo-opa.co/4ozx0PA),  e YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4oxi58B).

E Canais de Redes Sociais da Fundação Merck: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4vSburx), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4gpFN4p), X (https://apo-opa.co/4vNbQzH) e YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4azdIE6).

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Merck Foundation.

Contato:
Mehak Handa
Gerente do Programa de Conscientização Comunitária
Telefone: +91 9310087613 / +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Media files

Baixar .tipo

Posted on

Société internationale islamique de financement du commerce (ITFC) et la Gambie signent un accord-cadre de 250 millions de dollars américains pour promouvoir le commerce, la sécurité énergétique et le développement du secteur privé

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Société Internationale Islamique de Financement du Commerce (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), membre du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (BID), et la République de Gambie ont signé un nouvel accord-cadre d’un montant de 250 millions de dollars américains destiné à soutenir les priorités de développement du pays à travers le renforcement du financement du commerce, de la sécurité énergétique, de la sécurité alimentaire et de la croissance du secteur privé.

L’accord a été signé en marge des Assemblées annuelles 2026 du Groupe de la BID à Bakou, en Azerbaïdjan, par l’Honorable Seedy K.M. Keita, Ministre des Finances et des Affaires économiques et Gouverneur de la BID pour la République de Gambie, et M. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Directeur général de l’ITFC.

Ce nouvel accord-cadre, conclu pour une durée de trois ans, fait suite à la mise en œuvre réussie et à l’utilisation intégrale du précédent accord-cadre de 250 millions de dollars américains signé en janvier 2021 pour une période de cinq ans. Il témoigne de l’ampleur remarquable de la coopération entre l’ITFC et la Gambie et constitue une plateforme stratégique visant à renforcer les interventions de financement du commerce en soutien à la sécurité énergétique, à la sécurité alimentaire, au développement du secteur privé et à une croissance économique durable.

Depuis le début de ses opérations en Gambie, l’ITFC a approuvé plus de 870 millions de dollars américains sous forme de financements et d’interventions de développement du commerce, soutenant des secteurs clés de l’économie nationale et consolidant son rôle de partenaire de développement de long terme du pays.

Ce partenariat produit déjà des résultats concrets dans plusieurs secteurs stratégiques de l’économie gambienne. Les opérations en cours soutiennent notamment l’importation de produits pétroliers grâce à des facilités de financement accordées à la National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) et à la Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), contribuant ainsi au renforcement de la sécurité énergétique du pays et à la continuité des activités économiques essentielles.

L’ITFC soutient également la sécurité alimentaire à travers le financement des importations de produits de première nécessité et favorise la croissance du secteur privé grâce à des partenariats de financement du commerce conclus avec les institutions financières locales.

Distribué par APO Group pour International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Pour toute demande des médias :
E-mail : ITFCGlobal@hudsonsandler.com
Téléphone : +44 (0)20 7796 4133

Contacter l’ITFC : 
Tél. : +966 12 646 8337
Fax : +966 12 637 1064
E-mail : ITFC@itfc-idb.org

Réseaux sociaux :
Twitter (X) : https://apo-opa.co/4eaUUNP
Facebook : https://apo-opa.co/4osXoum
LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/3Ssoq9c

À propos de la Société internationale islamique de financement du commerce (ITFC) :
La Société Internationale Islamique de Financement du Commerce (ITFC) est un membre du Groupe de la Banque Islamique de Développement (BID). Elle a été créée dans le but premier de promouvoir le commerce entre les pays membres de l’OCI, ce qui contribuerait en fin de compte à l’objectif global d’amélioration des conditions socio-économiques des populations à travers le monde. Ayant commencé ses activités en janvier 2008, l’ITFC a fourni 96 milliards de dollars de financement aux pays membres de l’OCI, ce qui en fait le principal fournisseur de solutions commerciales pour les besoins de ces pays membres. Avec pour mission de devenir un catalyseur du développement du commerce pour les pays membres de l’OCI et au-delà, la Société aide les entités des pays membres à obtenir un meilleur accès au financement du commerce et leur fournit les outils nécessaires au renforcement des capacités liées au commerce, ce qui leur permettrait d’être compétitifs sur le marché mondial.

Media files

Posted on

Africa Finance Corporation Maintains its Top-Tier AAA Ratings with Stable Outlook from China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd (CCXI) and from S&P Global (China) Ratings

Source: APO

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has received renewed top-tier credit ratings with stable outlooks from China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd (CCXI) and S&P Ratings (China) Co., Ltd. (S&P Global (China) Ratings), reaffirming the Corporation’s strong financial profile, prudent risk management framework, and growing strategic relevance within global capital markets.

CCXI affirmed AFC’s AAA domestic issuer credit rating with a stable outlook, while S&P Global (China) Ratings also affirmed AFC’s AAAspc issuer credit rating with a stable outlook. These renewals underscore continued confidence in AFC’s resilient balance sheet, disciplined capital management, robust liquidity position, and consistent execution of its mandate to accelerate infrastructure-led industrialisation across Africa.

The renewed credit ratings further strengthen AFC’s position within China’s domestic debt capital markets and support the Corporation’s strategy to diversify funding sources, broaden investor access, and mobilise long-term capital for transformative infrastructure projects across the continent.

“AFC has established sound risk management processes and governance mechanisms to proactively and systemically address asset deterioration and challenges arising from market and economic fluctuations. Its comprehensive risk management framework is supported by a professional management team, including the Board Risk and Investment Committee… These entities work in concert to monitor key risk areas, including credit risk, market risk, operational risk, asset and liability management risk, and environmental and social risk”, CCXI analysts concluded in their report. “AFC adopts a prudent risk appetite and enforces strict risk exposure limits to ensure portfolio diversification. Industry exposure is capped at 35% of the total investable funds.”

S&P Global (China) Ratings noted AFC’s strong liquidity profile, robust governance standards, resilient asset quality, and sufficient capital buffers, even under challenging market conditions. ”AFC’s issuer credit rating of AAAspc is mainly based on its stand-alone credit profile in terms of high policy importance, disciplined capital management and sufficient liquidity buffer,…” S&P Global (China) Ratings wrote. ”AFC adheres to a highly conservative approach to liquidity management. It employs the Minimum Liquidity Level (MLL) and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), among other critical indicators and triggers, to mitigate liquidity risks. Both the MLL and LCR are determined based on  an 18-month business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and a 12-month stressed scenario. As of the end of 2025, the LCR stood at 203% under BAU assumptions (year-end 2024, 194%) and 207% under a stressed scenario (year-end 2024, 191%),” they added.

Commenting on the affirmations, Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member & Head, Financial Services at AFC, said, ”The dual reaffirmations build on AFC’s successful expansion into China’s financial markets and reflect growing international recognition of the Corporation’s role as a trusted infrastructure financier for Africa. It recognises our financial resilience, robust governance, and global reach, and will enable stronger ties with Asian markets to drive critical investment in economic development, high-value job creation, and Africa’s prosperity.”

AFC has continued to deepen its strategic partnership with China’s foremost financial institutions, advancing a relationship that has grown steadily in scale, sophistication and ambition. In 2025, AFC and the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) signed a landmark partnership agreement to promote Chinese-African trade through catalytic infrastructure projects in priority sectors across AFC’s member countries. The collaboration builds on a relationship of considerable standing. CEXIM had earlier extended AFC a five-year loan facility designed to enhance trade finance and bolster private -sector initiatives, an early engagement that established the foundation of trust on which subsequent transactions have been built.

In 2024, AFC finalised a US$1.16 billion syndicated loan facility co-led by Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), London Branch, in conjunction with other global banks. The momentum carried into 2025, when AFC secured a US$1.5 billion syndicated facility from a consortium of leading Asian and Middle Eastern banks, with Bank of China serving as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner. The transaction notably broadened AFC’s base of Chinese partners, attracting first-time lenders including Bank of Communications and Hua Nan Commercial Bank.

This trajectory culminated in AFC’s largest syndicated loan facility to date — a US$2 billion syndicated transaction with Bank of China and ICBC acting as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, and CEXIM, Hua Nan Commercial Bank and China Construction Bank, among others, participating as lenders. The facility stands as a powerful endorsement of AFC’s credit standing and the strength of its relationships across the Chinese banking sector.

Together, these strategic collaborations with China’s leading financial institutions exemplify AFC’s commitment to diversifying its funding sources, broadening its investor base and forging enduring global partnerships in the service of Africa’s economic development.

Read the full ratings report by CCXI here: CCXI 2026 Credit Rating Report (https://apo-opa.co/3StHp3b) and by S&P Global (China) Ratings here: S&P Global (China) 2026 Credit Rating Report (https://apo-opa.co/3ScXxGi).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of energy, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested over US$19 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

Media files

.

Posted on

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and The Gambia Sign US$250 Million Framework Agreement to Advance Trade, Energy Security and Private Sector Development

Source: APO

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, and the Republic of The Gambia have signed a new US$250 million Framework Agreement to support the country’s development priorities through enhanced trade finance, energy security, food security, and private sector growth.

The Agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan, by Hon. Seedy K.M. Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and IsDB Governor for the Republic of The Gambia, and Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC.

The new three-year Framework Agreement follows the successful implementation and full utilization of the previous five-year US$250 million Framework Agreement signed in January 2021. It reflects the remarkable scale of cooperation between ITFC and The Gambia and provides a strategic platform to expand trade finance interventions in support of energy security, food security, private sector growth, and sustainable economic development.

Since commencing operations in The Gambia, ITFC has approved more than US$870 million in financing and trade development interventions, supporting key sectors of the economy and reinforcing its position as a long-standing development partner of the country.

The partnership is already delivering tangible impact across strategic sectors of the Gambian economy. Current operations support the importation of petroleum products through financing facilities benefiting the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) and the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), helping to strengthen the country’s energy security and ensure the continuity of essential economic activities across the country. ITFC also supports food security through the financing of essential commodity imports and promotes private sector growth through trade finance partnerships with local financial institutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

For all media enquiries:
Email: ITFCGlobal@hudsonsandler.com
Phone number: +44 (0)20 7796 4133

Contact ITFC: 
Tel: +966 12 646 8337
Fax: +966 12 637 1064
E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

Social Media:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4eaUUNP
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4osXoum
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3Ssoq9c

About the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$96 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

Media files

.

Posted on

Trois années placées sous le signe de l’espoir, de l’action et de la transformation : Mercy Ships célèbre son impact en Sierra Leone

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

De 2023 à 2026, le Global Mercy a tenu son engagement envers la population de la Sierra Leone en dispensant des milliers d’interventions chirurgicales gratuites et sûres et d’heures de formation, conformément aux objectifs convenus avec le ministère de la Santé du pays. Grâce aux compétences, aux convictions et au dévouement des professionnels bénévoles issus de plus de 70 pays  –  dont des centaines de citoyens sierra-léonais qui ont servi comme membres d’équipage à temps plein ou de jour –, de nombreuses vies ont été transformées à travers le pays.

Alors que le navire-hôpital met le cap sur les îles Canaries pour sa période de maintenance annuelle avant d’entamer en août une nouvelle mission en partenariat avec le Ghana, tous ceux qui ont pris part à ces trois années de transformation en Sierra Leone peuvent aujourd’hui se réjouir du chemin parcouru.

Ces trois missions consécutives ont permis de dispenser plus de 5 430 interventions chirurgicales, plus de 17 110 actes dentaires et plus de 106 780 heures de formation destinées à plus de 590 professionnels de la santé locaux. (1)

Un travail aussi monumental n’aurait pas été possible sans la collaboration essentielle des dirigeants gouvernementaux sierra-léonais.

Son Excellence le président Julius Maada Bio a rendu hommage aux plus de 450 citoyens de son pays qui se sont rendus chaque jour sur le navire-hôpital avec l’intention bienveillante d’améliorer la vie de leurs compatriotes. « À tous les bénévoles sierra-léonais et aux membres d’équipage qui ont servi… laissez-moi vous dire ceci : vous nous avez rendus fiers. Vous avez incarné le professionnalisme, la discipline, l’humilité et l’excellence de la Sierra Leone. Vous êtes montés à bord en tant que Sierra-Léonais talentueux et vous en êtes revenus en tant que professionnels internationaux. »

Mercy Ships demeure un partenaire engagé aux côtés du gouvernement du président Bio, qui fait de la santé un pilier de son Programme de développement du capital humain (https://apo-opa.co/4etdsrm) et investit dans des programmes d’enseignement et de formation spécialisés.

Parmi ces programmes figurent les formations du personnel infirmier en anesthésie, des techniciens biomédicaux, les mentorats en stérilisation et en kinésithérapie, la formation « Chirurgie plus sûre » de l’hôpital Connaught, ainsi que des parrainages de formation médicale, comme ceux accordés à de futurs dentistes sierra-léonais poursuivant leurs études à l’université Gamal Abdel Nasser en Guinée.

Le Dr Austin Demby, Ministre de la Santé de la Sierra Leone, a rappelé à tous qu’ « aujourd’hui n’est pas simplement un adieu. C’est une célébration de la générosité en action, de vies transformées et d’un partenariat qui a touché le cœur de milliers de Sierra-Léonais. »

Plusieurs programmes de partenariat ont été lancés pour contribuer à combler le déficit en personnel de santé et répondre aux besoins croissants du système de santé ; ils se poursuivront après le départ du Global Mercy afin de garantir l’amélioration continue des soins de santé dans le pays, tout en augmentant le nombre de professionnels de santé formés, selon Mercy Ships.

« Alors que le Global Mercy va entamer sa prochaine mission, une équipe de professionnels dévoués de Mercy Ships restera en Sierra Leone pour continuer à travailler avec nos partenaires pour renforcer les effectifs chirurgicaux », a assuré le Dr Sandra Lako, Directrice de Mercy Ships en Sierra Leone. « Des progrès significatifs ont été réalisés au cours des trois dernières années, et nous sommes ravis de poursuivre sur cette lancée pour mettre en place un système chirurgical plus solide et durable. »

Mercy Ships est arrivé pour la première fois à Freetown en 1992 avec son premier navire-hôpital, l’Anastasis, et a noué des liens solides avec la population de la Sierra Leone au cours de huit missions.

« Mercy Ships exprime sa profonde gratitude envers les nombreux partenaires qui ont contribué au succès de la mission du Global Mercy à Freetown, notamment les autorités gouvernementales sierra-léonaises, le ministère de la Santé, l’Autorité portuaire de Sierra Leone, l’Université de Sierra Leone, les acteurs des secteurs public et privé, les organisations non gouvernementales ainsi que les nombreux professionnels de santé du pays qui ont collaboré étroitement avec l’organisation tout au long de ses missions. », a déclaré le Dr Lako.

Qu’il s’agisse de soigner des milliers de personnes souffrant d’affections pouvant être traitées chirurgicalement ou d’aider à former de nombreux professionnels de santé sierra-léonais dans leurs domaines d’expertise, l’avenir des soins chirurgicaux en Sierra Leone s’annonce chaque jour plus prometteur.

(1) Données disponibles à la date de publication. Le rapport final pourra être fourni sur demande ultérieurement.

Distribué par APO Group pour Mercy Ships.

A propos de Mercy Ships :
Mercy Ships est une organisation humanitaire internationale qui déploie les deux plus grands navires-hôpitaux civils au monde, l’Africa Mercy® et le Global Mercy™, pour fournir des soins chirurgicaux gratuits et de première qualité aux plus démunis. L’ONG internationale fondée sur des valeurs chrétiennes soutient également le développement durable des systèmes de santé des pays hôtes par la formation des professionnels de la santé et la construction d’infrastructures médicales.

Créé en Suisse en 1978 par Don et Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships est intervenu dans 55 pays. A bord de ses navires, une moyenne de 2 500 bénévoles par an, issus de 70 pays, contribuent à l’œuvre de Mercy Ships. Des professionnels tels que chirurgiens, dentistes, personnel infirmier, formateurs dans le domaine de la santé, cuisiniers, marins, enseignants, ingénieurs… dédient leur temps et leurs compétences à cette cause.

Avec des bureaux dans 16 pays et un Centre opérationnel pour l’Afrique basé à Dakar, au Sénégal, Mercy Ships se met au service des nations en restaurant santé et dignité.

Pour de plus amples informations, visitez www.MercyShips.org et suivez @MercyShips sur les réseaux sociaux

Media files

Posted on

Mercy Ships Completes Three Years of Life-Transforming Impact in Sierra Leone

Source: APO – Report:

From 2023 to 2026, the Global Mercy ™ fulfilled its commitment to the people of Sierra Leone to deliver thousands of free, safe surgeries and training in support of goals agreed upon with the nation’s Ministry of Health. Through the faith, skill, and dedication of volunteer professionals from more than 70 nations – including hundreds of Sierra Leonean citizens who served as full-time crew and day crew – many lives were successfully changed for the better across the nation.

As the Mercy Ship sails to the Canary Islands for annual maintenance before commencing a refreshed partnership with Ghana in August, everyone involved in this three-year period of transformation in Sierra Leone has cause to celebrate. These three consecutive field services yielded over 5,430 surgeries, over 17,110 dental procedures, and more than 106,780 hours in training for more than 590 local healthcare professionals. (1)

Such monumental work would not have been possible without the key partnership of Sierra Leonean governmental leaders.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio commended the more than 450 citizens of his country who came to the ship every day with the honorable and selfless intentions of improving the lives of their countrymen. “To all Sierra Leonean volunteers and crew members who served… let me say this: you made us proud. You represented Sierra Leonean professionality, discipline, humility, and excellence. You went aboard as talented Sierra Leoneans and returned as global professionals.”

With healthcare as a priority in President Bio’s human capital development agenda (https://apo-opa.co/4a2IZiy), Mercy Ships continues to work alongside his government as they invest in the health of citizens through education and training programs. Some of these programs include the nurse anesthesia and biomedical technician education programs, sterile processing and physiotherapy mentorship programs, the Connaught Hospital Safer Surgery program, and medical education sponsorships such as those of Sierra Leonean dental students studying at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Guinea. 

Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, reminded everyone that “Today is not merely a farewell. It is a celebration of compassion in action, of lives transformed, and of a partnership that has touched the hearts of thousands of Sierra Leoneans.”

A number of collaborative programs were established to help bridge the gap and narrow the shortage of healthcare workers and will continue after the Global Mercy departs to ensure ongoing improvements to the nation’s healthcare, while also increasing the number of trained medical professionals, according to Mercy Ships.

“While the Global Mercy embarks on her next mission, a dedicated Mercy Ships team will remain in Sierra Leone to continue working with our partners to strengthen the surgical workforce,” reassured Mercy Ships’ Country Director for Sierra Leone, Dr Sandra Lako. “Significant progress has been made over the past three years, and we’re excited to build on this momentum towards a stronger, sustainable surgical system.”

Mercy Ships first came to Freetown in 1992 with their first hospital ship, the Anastasis, and has built a strong relationship with the people of Sierra Leone over a period of eight field services.

“Mercy Ships is eternally grateful for the partnerships with Sierra Leonean government leaders, the Ministry of Health, the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, the University of Sierra Leone, public and private entities, non-governmental organizations, and the many national healthcare professionals who collaborated with Mercy Ships during the entirety of the Global Mercy’s stay in Freetown,” stated Dr Lako.

From healing thousands of people with surgically treatable ailments to helping educate and train many Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals in their areas of expertise, the future of surgical care in Sierra Leone looks brighter every day.

  1. From data available at the time of publication. The final report can be provided upon request at a later date.

– on behalf of Mercy Ships.

About Mercy Ships: 
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.  

Each year, 2,500+ volunteer professionals from more than 70 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit www.MercyShips.org and follow @MercyShips on social media. 

Media files

.

Posted on

Afreximbank Trade and Development Finance Brief highlights urgent need to strengthen Africa’s trade and investment resilience

Source: APO – Report:

.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has released Volume 10, Issue 1 of its Trade and Development Finance Brief, titled “Africa’s Trade and Investment Landscape”, which examines the structural challenges shaping Africa’s trade performance and investment outlook in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

The current edition highlights that Africa’s trade landscape remains heavily dominated by export of raw materials, including agricultural products, oil, gas and minerals, while imports continue to be heavily skewed towards manufactured goods and machinery. The Brief notes that the existing export-import configuration leaves many African economies overly exposed to unfavourable terms of trade shock on account of external headwinds, including commodity price volatility, geopolitical tensions and associated global supply chain disruptions.

According to the brief, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains central to efforts aimed at diversifying the continent’s trade base, strengthening regional value chains and increasing intra-African trade. The publication notes that, alongside the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the AfCFTA provides a practical framework for integrating fragmented markets, expanding industrial production and boosting productivity, with intra-African exports projected to increase by more than 20 percent within a decade as implementation advances.

Additionally, the brief further highlights the importance of scaling investment in trade-enabling infrastructure, including energy, transport, communications networks, ports and logistics systems, to reduce the cost of doing business and improve cross-border trade flows. It notes that targeted infrastructure investment can support industrialisation, strengthen regional specialisation, and improve Africa’s competitiveness as an investment destination.

The edition also points to a broader set of priorities for strengthening Africa’s trade and investment ecosystem, including regulatory coherence, institutional strengthening, economic diversification, improved access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, and greater use of digital financial technologies. The Brief notes that domestic and foreign investment are increasing across many African economies, while fintech is contributing to growth in domestic investment, underscoring the opportunity to build a more resilient, diversified and investment-ready trade landscape.

It also notes that domestic and foreign investment are increasing across many African economies, notwithstanding the observed dominance of foreign investment. It further highlights that the direction of investment flows remains uneven across sub-regions, with Eastern and Southern Africa receiving a larger share of foreign direct investment compared to Western and Central Africa.

Afreximbank said the findings reinforce the need for coordinated action to expand trade finance, improve trade-enabling infrastructure, deepen regional integration and accelerate value addition across the continent.

Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director, Research says “Regional development finance institutions, including the African Export-Import Bank, are playing an increasing role in supporting intra-African trade through trade finance and related initiatives. The Brief points to Afreximbank initiatives such as the Intra-African Trade Fair, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, the Border Markets Initiative and the Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme as part of the wider effort to strengthen Africa’s trade and investment ecosystem.

The report concludes that while progress is being made, significant gaps remain. Addressing these gaps will be essential to increasing financing, strengthening competitiveness and unlocking Africa’s full trade and investment potential.”

Read more about the Afreximbank Trade and Development Finance Brief Highlights here: https://apo-opa.co/3QGrGgN

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Additional Link: 
https://apo-opa.co/3QGrGgN

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Follow us on:
X: https://apo-opa.co/4xwuxcz
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/44cyBBr
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3SblMok
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4xw7dvN

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Posted on

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and AU Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, to the High-Level Meeting of African Heads of State, Governments and Partners on the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency, Chair of the African Union, President Évariste Ndayishimiye,
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres,
Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr Mahamoud Ali Youssouf,
Your Excellencies Prime Ministers and Ministers,
Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
Director General of the Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya,
Developmental partners, 
Philanthropists, 
Global health institutions, 
Friends,

I thank the Chairperson of the African Union for convening this important meeting at a critical moment for our continent. 

We also welcome and convey our sincere appreciation to the leaders from across the world that have joined us in solidarity.

It has been a month since we last met, where we demonstrated political will and mobilised just under 500 million US dollars in pledges from various countries, global health institutions, banks and philanthropic organisations. 

This is a critical opportunity to take stock and renew our commitments.

Our collective resolve remains vested in the health and livelihoods of our people and the brave health workers who fight this terrible threat on the frontlines. 

We mourn the lives that have been lost to this disease, and convey our condolences to the families and communities that have been affected by the spread of Ebola. 

We support the recently launched Continental Preparedness and Response Plan and are determined to ensure it is adequately financed. 

In this regard, I am pleased to announce that South Africa is increasing its pledge to 13.5 million US dollars as our commitment to solidarity and sovereignty for the people of this continent. 

I call upon all leaders to maintain or increase their pledges, and all those who made pledges at the last meeting to convert them in full into cash, medical countermeasures or technical assistance.

With no vaccine or antiviral, every day that transmission continues unchecked, the human cost rises. 

The West Africa Ebola epidemic demonstrated that delayed action can transform a localised outbreak into a regional and global crisis. 

This is why our response must focus on breaking the transmission and stopping Ebola at its source.

However, our public health measures are being thwarted by the volatile environment in which the response is being undertaken. 

As political leaders, we can help by creating safe corridors for the passage of goods and services. 

We must seek a ceasefire to allow the Ebola response to proceed unhindered.

We must continue to strengthen cross-border collaboration.

We must expand rapid diagnostic testing, contact tracing and community awareness. 

We should be concerned that we have no biotechnology in our arsenal against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

While we welcome and unreservedly support the efforts of GAVI, CEPI and others, Africa cannot depend indefinitely on external markets and production systems during health emergencies.

The response to Ebola therefore cannot end when this outbreak ends.

This moment must become a turning point. 

As African leaders, we must accelerate investment in local manufacturing, strengthen the African Medicines Agency and operationalise the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism.

African manufacturers must have predictable markets and African countries must have reliable access to lifesaving products in emergencies.

We must all take heed of Africa CDC’s stance against imposing blanket and unsubstantiated travel bans.

I call upon African financial institutions, development banks, philanthropies and the African private sector to join governments in this effort.

I call upon our international partners to continue to stand with Africa in a spirit of solidarity and mutual responsibility. 

We welcome the bold actions being undertaken by the World Bank to free up capital for the response. 

We call on all financing institutions to be as flexible and understanding in this hour of need.

As countries, as a continent and as a global community, our actions must be evidence-based, scientifically sound and mutually accountable. 

The world will not be safe from Ebola until we have eliminated it everywhere.

And when we do eliminate this threat – which we surely will – we must intensify our efforts to build a resilient global health architecture that will safeguard our people now and into the future.

I thank you.