Category: Africa

Source: APO

The organisers of the C&I Energy+Storage Summit Johannesburg (https://Energy-StorageSummit.com/) are pleased to announce the co-location of Water Security Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4n0RaAd) and the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) Conference (https://apo-opa.co/4pth2qk) with the Summit on 4-5 November 2025.  

Taking place at the Maslow Hotel, Johannesburg, this strategic alignment brings together over 300 leaders from commercial, industrial, government and finance sectors to address interconnected challenges in energy volatility, water scarcity and sustainable growth. By convening these events under one roof, participants gain unmatched access to cross-sector networking while still having the benefit of sector-specific content and actionable strategies to build resilience amid South Africa’s evolving resource landscape. 

Water Security Africa: transforming water risks into competitive advantages  

Water Security Africa Johannesburg delivers strategies for water reuse, efficiency and sustainable supply, strengthening operations across water-intensive industries like mining, agro-processing and manufacturing in the context of the water-energy-food nexus. 

Programme highlights feature a joint opening keynote across all three events on national resilience strategies, a frank discussion questioning the scale of water challenges, sector-specific panels on securing operations from field to factory and pit to plant, project spotlights on innovative reuse and smart management initiatives and discussions on financing large-scale efficiency projects.  

Key sessions include case studies from key industry leaders, focusing on quality control, circular models and regulatory compliance. Download the full programme here https://apo-opa.co/4n0RaAd

EIUG Conference: challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s energy-intensive users  

The EIUG Conference builds on the group’s 25th anniversary launch event in 2024 to advance policy discussions, technology innovations and long-term strategies for industrial sustainability and competitiveness. 

Programme highlights include opening addresses by EIUG Chairman Murendeni Matshinyatsimbi, panels on integrated water-energy risk frameworks and market reforms, project spotlights on high-load growth and solar wheeling, fireside chats on industrial energy storage leadership, debates on small modular reactors and gas as a transitional fuel and a symposium on the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) impacts on sectors like iron, steel and cement. Download the full programme here https://apo-opa.co/4pth2qk

“These co-located events represent a pivotal moment for South Africa’s C&I sectors to collaborate on resilient, sustainable solutions that drive economic growth,” said Fanele Mondi, CEO of the Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa. “By integrating energy and water agendas, we’re equipping leaders with the tools to navigate volatility and unlock new opportunities.” 

With dedicated networking forums and exhibits, the events foster partnerships to accelerate projects in renewable energy, storage and water infrastructure. 

Join the discussion: register for these upcoming webinars brought to you by EIUG Conference and Water Security Africa 
 
Thursday 25 September 2025: Building energy security and affordability into your operations  
Speaker: Kobus Breytenbach, Director at Assayline 
More information and to register: https://apo-opa.co/4ntU7ZU
 
Tuesday 7 October 2025: From pit to plant: Scalable  mine water rehabilitation & reuse 
More information and to register: https://apo-opa.co/465MeUX

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

For Speaking opportunities Contact: 
Water Security Africa: 
Yolisa Nyoka
Yolisa.nyoka@wearevuka.com 

EIUG Conference:
Mediacy Mudekwa 
mediacy.mudekwa@wearevuka.com   
 
C&I Energy + Storage Summit:
Boipelo Motlhowa  
boipelo.mothlowa@wearevuka.com 

Sponsorship and Exhibition enquiries:  
Water Security Africa:
Stephen Campbell 
Stephen.campbell@wearevuka.com 

C&I Energy + Storage Summit and EIUG Conference:
Marcel du Toit   
marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com

About the Organisers:
As part of the Power and Energy Portfolio of VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com), this Summit aligns with VUKA’s mission to connect industries, spark innovation and fuel economic growth. VUKA Group is a premier organiser of conferences, exhibitions and events across Africa, delivering tailored platforms for networking, knowledge sharing and business development in energy and related sectors. 

Source: APO

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Azentio Software (www.Azentio.com) , a leading technology enabler in the BFSI space, announced the launch of Azentio Loan Origination, its next-generation product that redefines how financial institutions scale credit operations across retail, SME, and corporate segments, and supports both conventional and Islamic financing.

According to Deloitte (http://apo-opa.co/46lKYvA), today’s lending market demands speed, personalization, and easy digital access. Azentio Loan Origination enables banks and financial institutions to onboard customers quickly, make accurate credit decisions, and provide a seamless borrower experience, all while staying compliant with evolving regulations.

Reimagining speed and personalization in lending

With Azentio Loan Origination, lenders can launch new products up to 70% faster. Built-in compliance for each region shortens time-to-market from months to weeks. This enables lenders to avoid delays, accelerate innovation, and identify new growth opportunities.

Smarter credit decisions for precision and efficiency

Azentio’s new loan origination offering streamlines every step of credit decisioning with automation at its core. Its policy-driven framework seamlessly integrates with KYC, AML, and credit bureau systems to reduce approval delays and minimize manual errors. Pre-configured integrations and dynamic workflows make onboarding faster and simpler, helping banks lower drop-offs and improve decision accuracy. With compliance built in for both conventional and Islamic finance, lenders can grow without regulatory risk.

Future-ready architecture for scalable growth

Azentio Loan Origination is cloud-ready, scalable, and integrates easily with existing technology stacks, enabling financial institutions to expand into new regions. Its open framework ensures resilience, adapts to regulatory change, and supports new capabilities such as advanced analytics and alternative data without causing significant disruptions.

“Banks are under pressure to deliver seamless digital experiences while navigating tougher regulatory landscapes,” said Guru L, Senior Vice President, Lending – Product Management, Azentio. “Azentio Loan Origination brings speed, intelligence, and compliance together in a single offering, enabling financial institutions to innovate and scale. With this launch, we are equipping the industry not just to keep pace with change, but to lead it.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Azentio Software Private Limited.

About Azentio:
Azentio is a leading provider of purpose-built, intelligence-driven technology solutions designed to transform the banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) sectors. By combining cutting-edge innovation with deep domain expertise, Azentio empowers businesses to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. With a strong presence across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, Azentio delivers world-class technology that streamlines processes and delivers tangible results, enabling organizations to achieve sustainable success. For more information on Azentio, please visit www.Azentio.com.

Source: APO – Report:

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received CEO of Norwegian Company Scatec, Mr. Terje Pilskog, and Founder and Chairman of the Chinese Group “Sungrow”, Mr. Cao Renxian.  The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly; Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Lieutenant General Eng. Kamel Al-Wazir; and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng. Mahmoud Ismat.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President El-Sisi welcomed the heads of Scatec ASA and Sungrow Group, expressing appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between Egypt and the two companies. The President underscored the importance of this collaboration in boosting foreign direct investment, which contributes to creating more job opportunities in the new and renewable energy sector, thereby aligning with Egypt’s efforts to solidify its position as a regional energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The CEO of Scatec reviewed his company’s efforts to provide clean energy and green fuel in various countries worldwide. He also discussed the current state of cooperation between the Government of Egypt and his company, which has led to an increase in the number and scale of solar and wind power projects for electricity generation as well as green hydrogen projects in Egypt. Scatec’s new and renewable energy projects in Egypt are considered among the most successful within the energy axis of the national “NWFE ” program platform, which was adopted as a presidential initiative for climate action.

The investment portfolio that Scatec is implementing within the energy axis of the “NWFE ” program is valued at $3.6 billion. This includes the “Obelisk” solar power plant project in Nag Hammadi and a project to build a solar power plant with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt, plus 200 megawatt-hours of battery storage for Aluminium Company of Egypt (Egyptalum).  This is in addition to “Egypt Green Hydrogen” project, which aims to develop the first facility for producing green hydrogen and green ammonia within the Suez Canal Economic Zone; the “Shadwan” wind farm project in Ras Shokeir; and the “Green Ammonia” project in Damietta.

For his part, the Chairman of China’s Sungrow Group reviewed his company’s efforts in producing the components for power plants and manufacturing storage batteries. He also discussed the ongoing collaboration to establish a factory in Egypt with an annual capacity of 10 gigawatts for producing energy storage batteries. Mr. Cao Renxian expressed Sungrow Group’s readiness to cooperate with Egypt in the localization of this industry, leveraging Egypt’s existing infrastructure and components for new and renewable energy.

The meeting also explored opportunities for tripartite cooperation between Egypt, the Norwegian company, and the Chinese group. The two companies affirmed their appreciation for Egypt’s keenness on facilitating their investments in the country, in alignment with Egypt’s vision of becoming a leading manufacturer and exporter of green energy.

President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of bolstering cooperation opportunities with both Scatec and Sungrow Group, capitalizing on Egypt’s policy of localizing industry and enhancing high-quality production, while removing any obstacles encountering the two companies’ work in Egypt.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

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The AUC and IGAD have received with keen interest the Joint Statement issued by the Quad comprising the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America on the conflict in Sudan.

In particular, the African Union and IGAD welcome:

• The call for rapid humanitarian access and protection of civilians, as well as the three- month humanitarian truce, to be pursued through the Jeddah process, as a first step towards a permanent cessation of hostilities.

• The launch of a civilian-led transition process within nine months, ensuring inclusivity, legitimacy, and accountability.

• The firm rejection of external military support and extremist influence.

• Support for the Jeddah process as the channel for cessation of hostilities, in close coordination with regional and international partners.

This Quad position fully aligns with the African Union and IGAD Roadmaps for peace in Sudan.

Therefore, the African Union and IGAD reaffirm their readiness to work in partnership with the Quad, with the Sudanese people, and with all partners to end the war, protect the sovereignty and unity of Sudan, and advance an inclusive, civilian-led political transition.

In this regard, the African Union and IGAD, together with the League of Arab States, the United Nations, and the European Union will be convening this October, a new reinvigorated round of consultations with Sudanese civilian groups to promote unity among Sudanese and prepare the ground for an inclusive Sudanese- Sudanese dialogue and political transition to civilian-led constitutional order.

Like the Quad, the African Union and IGAD believe that there can be no military solution to the Sudanese crisis. The two African organizations look forward to collaborating with the Quad in the quest to end the war and return Sudan to civilian-led constitutional governance.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO – Report:

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The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo over two tragic boat accidents on the Congo River that caused numerous deaths, injuries, and missing persons.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy with the families of the victims, and to the government and people of the DR Congo over the two tragic incidents, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

– on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO – Report:

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Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province where an outbreak of the disease has been declared.

An initial 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine—from the country’s stockpile of 2000 doses prepositioned in the capital Kinshasa—have been delivered to Bulape, one of the current hotspots of the outbreak. Additional doses will be delivered to the affected localities in the coming days.

The vaccine is being administered through ring vaccination strategy, which entails vaccinating individuals at highest risk of infection after having come into contact with a patient confirmed with the virus. It is also recommended for health care and frontline workers responding to the outbreak who may be in contact with Ebola patients. The Ervebo vaccine is safe and protects against the Zaire ebolavirus species, which has been confirmed as the cause of the ongoing outbreak. 

The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has approved around 45 000 additional Ebola vaccine doses to be shipped to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the ongoing outbreak response. WHO supported the health authorities to develop the request for additional doses, and with partners, including UNICEF, also supported the development of a vaccination plan for the rollout of the doses. Vaccination teams are also being trained in data collection and receiving field support.

In addition to the vaccines, treatment courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy (Mab114) drug have also been sent to treatment centres in Bulape for clinical care. 

On the ground, WHO has so far deployed 48 experts in disease surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, logistics and community engagement who, along with partner organizations, are supporting the government to rapidly strengthen outbreak response measures to halt the spread of the virus.

In countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo, WHO is working with national authorities to bolster operational readiness to enable rapid detection of cases and prompt initiation of measures to curb further spread.

WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by the ongoing outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Democratic Republic of Congo.

Source: APO – Report:

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Nigeria is prioritizing adolescent health, well-being and development through multisectoral collaboration, in line with the National Health Sector Strategic blueprint and National policy on Health and development of Adolescent and young people. This was the central message of the National Policy Dialogue on the Future of the Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Development (AYSRH&D), which convened key diverse stakeholders in Abuja to chart a unified path for adolescent health and well-being in the country. The event underscored the power of multisectoral collaboration and meaningful adolescents and youth engagement in shaping sustainable national programmes.

What Happened and Why It Matters

The two-day dialogue, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, was convened by the Society for Family Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and the State Ministries of Health from Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, and Nasarawa.

The event brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including representatives from Ward Development Committees across the four states, members of the Nigeria National Assembly, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nigeria Governors Forum, Nigeria Health Watch, youth-led organizations, traditional institutions, and private sector partners. 

The goal was to make adolescent and youth health a central part of Nigeria’s development plans. By working together, ministries and partners aim to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s young population and achieve long-term national growth.

WHO played a key role by sharing two important tools:

• The Framework for Multisectoral Actions on Adolescent Health
• The Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement (MAYE) Framework

These tools helped guide discussions and emphasized the importance of involving young people in decision-making and programme implementation—at both national and local levels.

Purpose and Strategic Importance

The dialogue aimed to:

• Build agreement and commitment to prioritize adolescent and youth health and development (AYHD)
• Identify gaps and share evidence and key sights from the implementation of A360 and discuss opportunities for institutionalizing adolescent and youth-centred design approaches into the national and subnational AYHD Progrommnes 
• Strengthen coordination between ministries and sectors
• Encourage partnerships among government, civil society, youth groups, traditional leaders, and private sector organizations

This initiative is aligned to  WHO’s global guidance, AA-HA! 2.0, and contributes to achieving Universal Health Coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and regional commitments to adolescent health.

WHO’s Contributions

During the event, WHO presented a technical paper outlining its Framework for Multisectoral Collaboration and Accountability, a tool designed to help countries develop and implement effective adolescent health programmes. This framework served as a foundation for discussions on strengthening national approaches to adolescent health.

In addition, drawing from Nigeria’s experience, WHO shared valuable insights gained from the application of the AA-HA! (Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents) guidance since 2020. These included the review of national policy and implementation plans, the development of monitoring and evaluation tools, and support for programme rollout in Edo and Katsina States.

Dr Joy Ufere-Isikima, WHO Technical Officer for Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Primary Health Care, highlighted the importance of integrated programmes and community-level action. WHO’s support helped revitalized State Adolescent Health and Development Technical Working Groups and developed LGA-level workplans in two states.

UNICEF supported to expand the approach to 9 more states, demonstrating the growing momentum and commitment to adolescent health across Nigeria.

Key Outcomes

• Strong commitment from stakeholders to improve adolescent and youth health and development
• Agreement to leverage on multisectoral collaboration and accountability frameworks
• Recognition of the vital role of young people in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating AYHD programmes
• Development of commitment statements to guide future policies and actions

Voices from the Dialogue

“When young people are meaningfully involved in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programmes designed for us, it helps improve our health and well-being.” — Margaret Bolaji, Executive Director, Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative

“This event comes at a very critical time in our nation’s history… under the strong leadership of the Coordinating Hon. Minister of Health and Social Welfare.” — Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director, Family Health Department

“Healthy young people are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to national development.” — Mr Emmanuel Essien, Representative of the Hon. Minister of Youth Development

Next Steps

The dialogue led to an endorsed commitment statements with a shared vision from all stakeholders to accelerate efforts in the implementation Adolescent and youth Health and development programming focused at the subnational levels.  WHO will continue to provide technical support and help Nigeria strengthen its adolescent health systems. Ensuring that young people’s voices remain central to policy and programme development is a top priority.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.