Category: Africa

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One Carbon World joins Carbon Markets Africa Summit as official climate impact partner

Source: APO – Report:

One Carbon World (OCW) will be the official climate impact partner of the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October.

OCW is a not-for-profit dedicated to helping organisations reduce their carbon footprint and achieve recognised standards such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). They provide tailored guidance to clients and advocate for putting high-quality data in front of decision-makers.

Carbon Markets Africa Summit will gather the continent’s entire carbon markets value chain, from successful early carbon market movers, climate-finance-ready projects and regulatory bodies to global institutional development organisations and investors.

Measuring CMAS carbon footprint
“We are very, very proud to be working with the VUKA group as their climate impact partner for the CMAS Summit,” says Madeleine Garlick, One Carbon World Africa Director. “We will be measuring the carbon footprint of the CMAS Summit. VUKA believes in leading by example, which includes setting high standards for themselves.”

She adds: “Our partnership, we hope, will enable VUKA to gather huge amounts of data to understand the impacts of their summits. By working together, we hope to be able to track year-on-year improvements. It is a journey. And we think that this is a really, powerful move by an organisation who are not only hosting the critical green conversations that we need about Africa’s future, but are also leading the way by walking the walk themselves.”

Monitoring, reporting and verification
One Carbon World recently began to expand its work into nature-based solutions projects in the carbon market. Garlick explains: “This is very much in response to what our customers have been asking for, which is high integrity carbon credits to support their low carbon journey. We particularly support our customers and clients and projects through the MRV process (monitoring, reporting and verification) to ensure that their process and activities are high integrity and comply with all the relevant data and global verification requirements. Ultimately, we believe that carbon markets are a key part of the climate journey for a number of organisations.”

Partnerships key to scale African carbon markets
According to Madeleine Garlick, One Carbon World’s key message at CMAS will be that “African stakeholders and innovators are developing and leading the market at the moment. And the most important thing at this point in the progress and development of the African carbon market is partnership. Partnerships between businesses, partnership between project implementers to learn from each other, partnerships with communities, finding new ways to deliver value at the grassroots level. Partnership is the way we will get scale out of the African carbon market and ensure it is delivering for everybody.”

Future of sustainable events in Africa
“We’re thrilled to accompany VUKA on the start of their journey as they take meaningful steps to measure the emissions of their inaugural Carbon Markets Africa Summit,” states Andrew Bowen, One Carbon World CEO. He continues: “With One Carbon World’s extensive experience in footprinting the emissions from large events around the world, we know how impactful this kind of leadership can be in shaping credible sustainability conversations and global climate action. We look forward to our partnership as we work together to advance the future of sustainable events in Africa and beyond.”

[Read and watch the full interview with Madeleine Garlick, One Carbon World Africa Director here (https://apo-opa.co/4motFQP).]

Event dates and location:
Dates:
21 October: Pre-summit day
22–23 October: Summit
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Event website: About — Carbon Markets Africa (www.CarbonMarketsAfrica.com/about)
One Carbon World website: https://www.OneCarbonWorld.com

– on behalf of VUKA Group.

Additional Information:
Download the CMAS2025 Programme Brochure: https://apo-opa.co/3K5IUk2

Contact details for Carbon Markets Africa Summit: 
Project Lead: Emmanuelle Nicholls 
Cell: +27 83 447 8410  
Email: emmanuelle.nicholls@wearevuka.com

VUKA Group: 
Carbon Markets Africa Summit is organised by VUKA Group, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the official host organisation.

The VUKA Group (formerly Clarion Events Africa) is a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. It has more than 20 years’ experience in serving the business community across Africa. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include Africa’s Green Economy Summit, Smarter Mobility Africa, Enlit Africa, DRC Mining Week, Nigeria Mining Week, DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum, ECOM Africa and CEM Africa.

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African Experts Urge Governance Reforms, Domestic Resource Mobilization, and Stronger Partnerships to Drive Economic Transformation in Transition States

Source: APO – Report:

African economists and development leaders have called for sweeping governance reforms, stronger domestic resource mobilization, and innovative partnerships to accelerate economic transformation across the continent’s transition states. 

The call came at a high-level Policy Dialogue organized by the African Development Institute (ADI) of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) during the 66th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) in Abuja. The session, themed “Driving Africa’s Economic Transformation in Transition States: The Role of Capacity Development and Knowledge Management”, was moderated by Chidiebere Ibe, Chief Capacity Development Officer at ADI. 

The session drew hundreds of delegates from across African and globally, including leading economists, policymakers, academics, students, and international development partners.  

Africa’s transition states are the continent’s most vulnerable economies, facing a wide range of political, economic, security and environmental challenges, and striving for greater stability and resilience. 

Opening the dialogue, Abdul Kamara, African Development Bank Director General for the Nigeria Country Department, said Africa must accelerate growth to at least 7% annually and achieve per capita GDP growth of 3.5% for four to five decades to meet the African Union’s Agenda 2063 targets. 

“Africa requires $811 billion per annum in financing to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development. Yet the continent faces a funding gap of about $680 billion each year,” Kamara said. “Transition states alone require $210 billion annually, with a shortfall of $188 billion.” 

He stressed that inclusive growth—focused on job creation, youth and women empowerment, and reducing structural bottlenecks—is central to the Bank’s approach. Highlighting initiatives such as Nigeria’s $618 million iDICE program to boost innovation and the creative economy. Kamara said the Bank is investing in the youth, women, infrastructure, energy, education, and technology to tackle persistent development challenges. 

Eric Ogunleye, Director of the ADI, underscored the urgency of addressing fragility, noting that 24 African countries are now classified as transition states, up from 22 just in the last four years. 

“Over 250 million Africans are directly affected by fragility, with more than 44 million forcibly displaced by mid-2024,” Ogunleye said. “Conflict-affected countries have suffered a 20% drop in growth and significant declines in social outcomes, as resources are diverted from infrastructure and health to fighting causes of fragility.” 

He warned that hotspots of instability across the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region threatened long-term development unless countries pursued bold reforms, strengthened governance, and built resilience against climate shocks. 

Both AfDB officials emphasized that sustained transformation requires not only financial resources but also investments in capacity development and knowledge management. “Capacity is crucial to policymaking and institution-building,” Ogunleye said. “We must move away from copy-and-paste policies and develop locally relevant and tailored strategies rooted in indigenous and unique knowledge of the environment.” 

Other experts echoed the call for reforms. Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere, Director of Research, Policy and Programs at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), stressed that conflict resolution and governance reform must precede any meaningful development. 

“Efforts must first focus on ending the conflict before any developmental activity can start,” he said. “The most important thing is to ensure reforms focus on establishing good governance and visionary leadership. That is where the buck starts and ends.” 

Owusu-Sekyere warned that corruption and weak political commitment remain Africa’s “elephant in the room.” He urged governments to stem illicit financial flows, harness remittances, and pursue non-partisan development plans. 

On financing, Adeyemi Dipeolu, Faculty Member of the Policy Lab Unit at ADI and erstwhile Advisor to the President of Nigeria on Economic Matters, highlighted Africa’s low tax-to-GDP ratio of 17% compared to 29% in Latin America and 26% in East Asia. 

Dipeolu stressed the importance of tackling illicit financial flows, which cost Africa an estimated $90 billion annually, and leveraging remittances, which rose to $56 billion in 2024. He also cautioned against unsustainable borrowing: “Out of the countries in debt distress worldwide, seven of nine are African,” he stated. 

Jane Mariara, Executive Director of the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), pointed to shrinking development assistance but highlighted opportunities in climate finance flows to Africa, which surged to $137 billion in 2024. 

She called for stronger debt management capacity and wider use of blended finance and risk-sharing instruments: “Transition states must prioritize building institutional capacity, while partnerships with the private sector can unlock new resources.” 

Across the dialogue, experts agreed that transformation in Africa’s transition states will depend on strong governance, coherent development strategies, sustainable financing, and robust partnerships. 

In his closing remarks, Seedwell Hove, Division Manager, Policy Management Division at the African Development Institute, stated that one of the key takeaways from the policy dialogue is that capacity development is foundational to economic growth and transformation, while knowledge management helps to scale impact. These must underpin reforms if Africa is to move from fragility to resilience, and from transition to transformation.  

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Click here for more photos: https://apo-opa.co/4pml4k5

Media Contact: 
Kwasi Kpodo
Communication and External Relations
African Development Bank Group 
media@afdb.org

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Especialistas africanos pedem reformas na governança, mobilização de recursos internos e parcerias mais fortes para impulsionar a transformação económica nos Estados em transição

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Economistas e líderes de desenvolvimento africanos defenderam reformas governamentais abrangentes, maior mobilização de recursos internos e parcerias inovadoras para acelerar a transformação económica nos países em transição do continente. 

O apelo foi feito durante um Diá. Político de alto nível organizado pelo Instituto Africano de Desenvolvimento (IAD) do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (BAD) durante a 66.ª Conferência Anual da Sociedade Económica Nigeriana (NES) em Abuja. A sessão, com o tema ‘Impulsionar a transformação económica de África nos Estados em transição: o papel do desenvolvimento de capacidades e da gestão do conhecimento, foi moderada por Chidiebere Ibe, Diretor de Desenvolvimento de Capacidades do IAD. 

A sessão atraiu centenas de delegados de toda a África e do mundo, incluindo economistas de renome, decisores políticos, académicos, estudantes e parceiros internacionais de desenvolvimento. 

Os Estados em transição de África são as economias mais vulneráveis do continente, enfrentando uma ampla gama de desafios políticos, económicos, de segurança e ambientais, e lutando por maior estabilidade e resiliência. 

Ao abrir o diá., Abdul Kamara, Diretor-Geral do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento para o Departamento Nacional da Nigéria, disse que África deve acelerar o crescimento para pelo menos 7% ao ano e alcançar um crescimento do PIB per capita de 3,5% durante quatro a cinco décadas para cumprir as metas da Agenda 2063 da União Africana. 

“África necessita de 811 mil milhões de dólares por ano em financiamento para alcançar um crescimento inclusivo e um desenvolvimento sustentável. No entanto, o continente enfrenta um défice de financiamento de cerca de 680 mil milhões de dólares por ano”, afirmou Kamara. “Só os Estados em transição necessitam de 210 mil milhões de dólares anualmente, com um défice de 188 mil milhões de dólares”, acrescentou. 

Salientou que o crescimento inclusivo – centrado na criação de emprego, na capacitação dos jovens e das mulheres e na redução dos estrangulamentos estruturais — é fundamental para a abordagem do Banco. Destacando iniciativas como o programa iDICE da Nigéria, no valor de 618 milhões de dólares, para impulsionar a inovação e a economia criativa, Kamara disse que o Banco está a investir na juventude, nas mulheres, nas infraestruturas, na energia, na educação e na tecnologia para enfrentar os desafios persistentes do desenvolvimento. 

Eric Ogunleye, diretor do IAD, sublinhou a urgência de abordar a fragilidade, observando que 24 países africanos estão agora classificados como Estados em transição, contra 22 apenas nos últimos quatro anos. 

“Mais de 250 milhões de africanos são diretamente afetados pela fragilidade, com mais de 44 milhões deslocados à força até meados de 2024”, disse Ogunleye. “Os países afetados por conflitos sofreram uma queda de 20% no crescimento e declínios significativos nos resultados sociais, à medida que os recursos são desviados da infraestrutura e da saúde para combater as causas da fragilidade”. 

Alertou que os pontos críticos de instabilidade no Sahel, no Corno de África e na região dos Grandes Lagos ameaçam o desenvolvimento a longo prazo, a menos que os países realizem reformas ousadas, fortaleçam a governação e construam resiliência contra os choques climáticos. 

Ambos os responsáveis do BAD enfatizaram que a transformação sustentada requer não apenas recursos financeiros, mas também investimentos no desenvolvimento da capacitação e na gestão do conhecimento. “A capacitação é crucial para a formulação de políticas e a construção de instituições”, disse Ogunleye. “Temos de nos afastar das políticas de copiar e colar e desenvolver estratégias localmente relevantes e adaptadas, enraizadas no conhecimento indígena e único do ambiente”, salientou. 

Outros especialistas ecoaram o apelo à reforma. Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere, diretor de Investigação, Política e Programas do Centro Africano para a Transformação Económica (ACET), salientou que a resolução de conflitos e a reforma da governação devem preceder qualquer desenvolvimento significativo. 

“Os esforços devem concentrar-se primeiro em pôr fim ao conflito antes que qualquer atividade de desenvolvimento possa começar”, afirmou. “O mais importante é garantir que as reformas se concentrem no estabelecimento de uma boa governação e de uma liderança visionária. É aí que tudo começa e termina”, defendeu. 

Owusu-Sekyere alertou que a corrupção e o fraco compromisso político continuam a ser o ‘elefante na sala’ de África e exortou os governos a conter os fluxos financeiros ilícitos, aproveitar as remessas e procurar planos de desenvolvimento apartidários. 

Sobre financiamento, Adeyemi Dipeolu, membro do corpo docente da Unidade de Laboratório de Políticas do IAD e ex-conselheiro do presidente da Nigéria para os Assuntos Económicos, destacou a baixa relação entre impostos e PIB da África, de 17%, em comparação com 29% na América Latina e 26% no Leste Asiático. 

Dipeolu salientou a importância de combater os fluxos financeiros ilícitos, que custam a África cerca de 90 mil milhões de dólares anualmente, e de aproveitar as remessas, que aumentaram para 56 mil milhões de dólares em 2024. Também alertou contra os empréstimos insustentáveis: “Dos países em situação de endividamento em todo o mundo, sete dos nove são africanos”, lamentou. 

Jane Mariara, diretora executiva da Parcerias para Políticas Económicas (PPE), apontou para a redução da ajuda ao desenvolvimento, mas destacou as oportunidades nos fluxos de financiamento climático para África, que aumentaram para 137 mil milhões de dólares em 2024. 

Apelou a uma maior capacidade de gestão da dívida e a uma utilização mais ampla de instrumentos de financiamento misto e partilha de riscos: “Os Estados em transição devem dar prioridade ao reforço da capacidade institucional, enquanto as parcerias com o setor privado podem desbloquear novos recursos”, sublinhou. 

Ao longo do diá., os especialistas concordaram que a transformação nos Estados em transição de África dependerá de uma governação forte, estratégias de desenvolvimento coerentes, financiamento sustentável e parcerias robustas. 

Nas suas observações finais, Seedwell Hove, Diretor da Divisão de Gestão de Políticas do Instituto Africano de Desenvolvimento, afirmou que uma das principais conclusões do diá. sobre políticas é que o desenvolvimento de capacidades é fundamental para o crescimento económico e a transformação, enquanto a gestão do conhecimento ajuda a ampliar o impacto. Estes aspetos devem sustentar as reformas para que África passe da fragilidade à resiliência e da transição à transformação. 

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Clique aqui para ver mais fotos: https://apo-opa.co/4pml4k5

Contacto para os media:  
Kwasi Kpodo
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas
media@afdb.org 

Sobre o Grupo do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org/pt

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La Banque africaine de développement accueillera le Secrétariat de la Communauté de pratique pour la comptabilisation du capital naturel en Afrique (Africa NCA CoP)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) a annoncé officiellement qu’il accueillerait le Secrétariat de la Communauté de pratique pour la comptabilisation du capital naturel en Afrique (Africa NCA-CoP), renforçant ainsi son rôle de chef de file en matière d’intégration du capital naturel dans les stratégies de développement climato-résilientes sur le continent. 

En tant que nouvel hôte, le Groupe de la Banque fournira des locaux au Secrétariat de la NCA-CoP au sein de son siège d’Abidjan, en Côte d’Ivoire, et il examinera et mettra en œuvre sa stratégie et son plan d’action, conformément à la priorité qu’il accorde à la valorisation des ressources naturelles. Il travaillera avec des partenaires tels que la Banque mondiale, la Commission économique pour l’Afrique des Nations unies (UNECA) et l’Union africaine afin de mobiliser des ressources pour intensifier les activités sur l’ensemble du continent. 

Lancée en 2020, la Communauté de pratique pour la comptabilisation du capital naturel en Afrique comprend désormais plus de 500 membres issus de 48 pays africains. La NCA-CoP promeut le renforcement des capacités techniques, l’élaboration de politiques fondées sur les données et le partage des connaissances sur la comptabilité du capital naturel. Elle était précédemment hébergée par la Banque mondiale. 

La Banque africaine de développement a fait cette annonce lors d’un événement parallèle organisé en marge du Sommet africain sur le climat 2.0 (en anglais, Africa Climate Summit 2, ACS2), qui s’est tenu récemment à Addis-Abeba et qui a réuni des décideurs politiques, des partenaires du développement et des praticiens pour discuter de l’importance de l’intégration du capital naturel dans les politiques nationales, la planification économique et les stratégies d’investissement. 

Le directeur du Centre africain de gestion et d’investissement en ressources naturelles du Groupe de la Banque, Fred Kabanda, a souligné l’engagement de l’institution en faveur du capital naturel : « La Banque africaine de développement accorde la priorité au capital naturel, comme indiqué dans son Plan d’action de gestion et d’investissement en ressources naturelles (2025-2029), qui est ancré dans sa Stratégie décennale (2024-2033). L’accueil du Secrétariat de l’Africa NCA CoP permettra à la Banque de renforcer ses capacités, de favoriser la collaboration et de veiller à ce que le capital naturel soit pleinement intégré dans les politiques et les investissements qui favorisent un développement résilient au climat dans toute l’Afrique. » 

Les abondantes ressources naturelles de l’Afrique sont vitales pour ses économies, ses moyens de subsistance et ses efforts de réduction de la pauvreté. Pourtant, la valeur du capital naturel est fréquemment sous-représentée dans les mesures économiques conventionnelles, laissant les écosystèmes sous-évalués et les vulnérabilités climatiques ignorées. 

En accueillant le Secrétariat de la NCA-CoP, la Banque africaine de développement s’engage à assurer la continuité, à renforcer l’appropriation continentale et à faire progresser l’engagement politique en matière de comptabilisation du capital naturel, libérant ainsi le potentiel de l’Afrique pour un développement inclusif, vert et résilient au climat. 

Pour obtenir de plus amples informations sur le rôle de la Banque africaine de développement lors du deuxième Sommet africain sur le climat, cliquez sur ce lien (https://apo-opa.co/41YA7Xg).

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact médias :
Sonia Borrini,
Département du changement climatique et de la croissance verte,
courriel : s.borrini@afdb.org 

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Johannesburg, Durban to host Africa’s premier tourism trade shows

Source: Government of South Africa

Johannesburg and Durban have been confirmed as the host cities for Africa’s two flagship tourism trade shows, Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) for the next five years, starting in 2026.

Meetings Africa, the continent’s leading business tourism platform, will mark its 20th edition at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 23–25 February 2026. Africa’s Travel Indaba, which focused on leisure tourism, will take place from 11–14 May 2025 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

Both events serve as critical economic levers, generating leads, promoting investment, and boosting intra-African trade and connectivity.

The Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba are Africa’s leading trade platforms for business and leisure tourism respectively, bringing together buyers, exhibitors, media, and tourism stakeholders from across the continent and the world.

The decision follows a rigorous and competitive procurement process overseen by South African Tourism, which saw several cities and provinces across the country submitting compelling bids to host the flagship events.

Johannesburg and Durban were selected for their compelling bid commitments, exceptional track records, world-class infrastructure, and alignment with South Africa’s strategic tourism objectives.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has congratulated both Johannesburg and Durban, highlighting that the events are not just about tourism, but economic opportunity, job creation, and positioning Africa as a globally competitive destination.

The Minister said the department looks forward to continuing its strong partnerships with both cities and the private sector for the next five years.

“We are committed to supporting the execution of innovative, fit-for-purpose trade shows that deliver real value for all delegates, whether they are buyers, exhibitors, or stakeholders across the tourism value chain.

“We will achieve these, together with the Tourism Business Council South Africa and the various tourism stakeholders,” de Lille said.

Johannesburg Tourism Company Chairperson, Nandipha Zonela, said securing Meetings Africa for another five years underscores the city’s global competitiveness.

“This demonstrates Johannesburg’s competitiveness as a global city – a city that has differentiated itself as an all-year-round travel market leader in South Africa, recording 4.29 million arrivals and achieving R69 billion total tourism spend in 2024. Joburg is honoured to remain the home and heartbeat of Meetings Africa – where Africa connects,” Zonela said.

KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverand Musa Zondi, said hosting Africa’s Travel Indaba is a major opportunity for the province to show the world and the tourism trade that KZN “is indeed an exceptional destination, to do business in and come for both leisure and business travel.”

“ATI also presents immeasurable opportunities for our emerging tourism entrepreneurs who can strike business deals that can propel their business to even greater heights. Having KZN as the backdrop of one of the biggest tourism trade shows also positions us as possible film destination for blockbuster movies that can also be shot in KZN,” Zondi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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‘Impartial’ Madlanga Commission to make findings based on evidence

Source: Government of South Africa

Chief evidence leader of the Madlanga Commission, Advocate Terry Motau SC, has emphasised that the Commission will take an impartial approach to all the evidence that will be presented at the Commission.

Motau delivered an address at the commencement of the hearings held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane today.

“[The] starting point must be the allegations made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi at the 6 July media briefing. However, this investigation assumes no facts and does not depart from the premise that the allegations made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi are true. Any findings made by the Commission must and will be based on evidence.

“When the Commission investigates an issue, the legal team remains impartial and will not presume a particular outcome. Witnesses may offer varying or conflicting accounts of events. The Commission’s role is to examine and explore all relevant versions and material,” Motau said.

READ | Madlanga Commission: Lt. General Mkhwanazi gives evidence

He highlighted that the Commission will also not function as a court.

“The Commission is not conducting a criminal trial of specific individuals, nor is it bound by the procedural and evidentiary rules that govern judicial proceedings. Rather, this Commission operates in an inquisitorial capacity: its primary objective is to uncover facts and establish an accurate record of events, thereby enabling informed recommendations.

“Throughout this process, the Commission will uphold the principles of natural justice and fairness for all parties. The Commission and its evidence-leading team approach these responsibilities without any preconceived agenda, other than the pursuit of truth,” he said.

Furthermore, findings will be made “transparently and accordingly identify and report those responsible”.

“Conversely, if the evidence does not substantiate the allegations, the Commission will equally make such findings accordingly.

“The Commission’s mandate is to establish the facts; not to prosecute. Nonetheless, its fact-finding will be rigorous and thorough so that, where appropriate, prosecutions or other corrective measures may follow,” Motau said.

The proceedings began with the evidence of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. – SAnews.gov.za

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‘Criminal justice system is key to the rule of law’ – Justice Madlanga

Source: Government of South Africa

The Madlanga Commission has kicked off proceedings at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane today.

The commission kicked off on Wednesday with an address by Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga setting out the map for the commission.

The establishment of the commission follows serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about an alleged criminal syndicate that has spread influence into law enforcement, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and intelligence services.

“The interest shown by the South African public in this investigation is not surprising. I say so because the allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025 concern a grave subject matter: the subject of the alleged infiltration of, or exertion of undue influence on, the criminal justice system.

“If the allegations are proved to be true, that spells doom for South Africa’s criminal justice system. A healthy criminal justice system is key to the rule of law and, in turn, to a functioning constitutional democracy,” Madlanga said.

READ | Madlanga Commission: Lt. General Mkhwanazi gives evidence

He warned that if a criminal justice system is “populated by malleable and corrupt functionaries, many criminals – especially those holding positions of influence – will rarely, if ever, answer for their criminal deeds”.

“Also, malleability, corruption and dysfunctionality in the criminal justice system are at odds with what we, South Africans, expect of and are entitled to from a criminal justice system.

“At the centre of any functioning constitutional democracy is a well-functioning criminal justice system. If you subvert the criminal justice system, you subvert the rule of law and constitutional democracy itself,” he said.

Pressing further, the chairperson highlighted that subversion of justice may take other forms.

“Without purporting to be exhaustive, it may come as downright intimidation. It may consist of improper promises or inducements. It may take the form of corruptly influencing the decision-making or functioning of those responsible for the smooth running of the system. All these forms and others are a cancer to what a proper criminal justice system should be.

“Ours, from today onwards, is to investigate whether our criminal justice system is what it should be or whether it has been infiltrated by criminal syndicates. Words from us must end here, and we must start with the investigative process,” Madlanga said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy President to address Public Works and Infrastructure MinMEC

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Thursday deliver the keynote address at the two-day Public Works and Infrastructure Minister and MECs (MinMEC) sitting, scheduled to take place at the Eastcape Training College in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

The Deputy President will attend the sitting at the invitation of the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson. He is expected to address the occasion on “the significance of infrastructure service delivery in driving the economy and creating much needed jobs”.

The MinMEC is a government forum chaired by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, and includes the Deputy Minister of Public Works, Sihle Zikalala, as well as Members of the Provincial Executive Councils (MECs) of Public Works and Infrastructure of all the nine provinces.  

Its strategic focus is to reflect on the priorities of the department, mitigate the risks and evaluate progress on all the priority areas, while using public assets for the public good and contributing meaningfully to economic development and job creation. 

The forum also provides a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange and policy alignment. 

The MinMEC proceedings will be preceded by an oversight visit to the Umoyilanga Energy Project, an innovative energy security infrastructure that combines solar photovoltaic with wind and battery energy storage system (BESS) technologies. Upon completion, Umoyilanga will offer reliable dispatchable renewable power to the national grid. 

This unique combination of wind and solar resources with battery energy storage system, enables Umoyilanga to provide 75 MW reliable energy to the national grid. 

“Government continues to upgrade and construct public infrastructure such as water supply facilities, energy, schools and health clinics to improve the living standards, restore dignity of the people as well as foster social cohesion and national unity,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

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KZN Transport partners with vehicle testing body to curb fraudulent certificates

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department has announced a partnership with the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA) to clamp down on private vehicle testing stations issuing fraudulent roadworthy certificates.

This follows a spate of learner transport accidents in the Umgungundlovu District, with three incidents recorded in just four days.

The most recent accident occurred on Monday, when a minibus taxi carrying learners from several schools veered off the road and plunged off KwaKhetha Bridge on the P127 near Impendle in the Midlands.

According to traffic officials, 20 learners from Matomela High, Luthando High and Sthunjwana Primary sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Gomane Clinic and Harry Gwala Regional (Edendale) Hospital.

The taxi driver fled the scene and remains at large.

Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said it was disturbing that the taxi driver fled but law enforcement agencies are looking for the driver.

Duma called on the South African National Taxi Council in KwaZulu-Natal to take stronger responsibility for incidents involving its members.

The Automobile Association estimates that 70 000 minibus taxis are involved in crashes annually, with the sector recording double the crash rate of other passenger vehicles.

Duma said the new partnership with the VTA, which represents private vehicle testing stations under the Retail Motor Industry Organisation, will target corruption in the issuing of certificates of roadworthiness.

“We have agreed to work together to isolate elements that are operating vehicles without roadworthy certificates and to ensure that those issuing fraudulent certificates are arrested,” Duma said.

As Transport Month approaches in October, Duma said the department will announce its collaboration with the VTA to introduce further reforms, including: 
•    Strengthen legislation governing the taxi and scholar transport industry, with clear provisions on driver vetting, vehicle standards, and operational oversight.
•    Enforcing stricter compliance and accountability measures across the province, supported by transparent reporting and independent audits.
•    Require biannual Certificates of Roadworthiness for all heavy passenger vehicles, replacing the current annual requirement.
•    Ensure that all minibuses are inspected within the KZN province at accredited municipal or private testing, and in alignment with their designated route permits. – SAnews.gov.za

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African Development Bank to Host Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice (Africa NCA COP) Secretariat

Source: APO

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has officially announced that it will host the Secretariat of the Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice (Africa NCA-CoP), strengthening its leadership role in integrating natural capital into climate-resilient development strategies across the continent.  

As the new host, the Bank Group will provide premises for the Secretariat at its Abidjan headquarters, review and implement the Africa NCA CoP strategy and action plan in line with the Bank Group priority for natural resources value addition and work with partners including the World Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union to mobilize resources to scale up activities across the continent. The NCA-COP, launched in 2020 and now comprising more than 500 members from 48 African countries, promotes technical capacity building, data-driven policymaking, and knowledge sharing on natural capital accounting.  It was previously hosted by the World Bank. 

The Bank announced the development during a side event at the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit 2.0 in Addis Ababa that brought together policymakers, development partners, and practitioners to discuss the importance of mainstreaming natural capital into national policies, economic planning, and investment strategies. 

Fred Kabanda, Manager of the Bank Group’s African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre, stressed the Bank’s commitment to natural capital. “The African Development Bank is prioritizing natural capital as outlined in its Natural Resources Management and Investment Action Plan (2025–2029), which is anchored in the Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033). Hosting the Africa NCA CoP Secretariat allows the Bank to strengthen capacities, foster collaboration, and ensure that natural capital is fully integrated into policies and investments that drive climate-resilient development across Africa.” 

Africa’s abundant natural resources are vital to its economies, livelihoods, and poverty reduction efforts.  Yet the value of natural capital is frequently underrepresented in conventional economic measures, leaving ecosystems undervalued and climate vulnerabilities unaddressed. 

By taking on hosting the NCA CoP Secretariat, the African Development Bank is set to ensure continuity, strengthen continental ownership, and advance policy engagement on natural capital accounting, ultimately unlocking Africa’s potential for inclusive, green, and climate-resilient development. 

Read here (https://apo-opa.co/4gtkiOm) for more information on the African Development Bank’s role in the second Africa Climate Summit.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Sonia Borrini,
Climate Change & Green Growth Department,
email: s.borrini@afdb.org 

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