Category: Africa

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In the heart of Galmudug State, Somalia, the dream of two young women, Iftin and Aminaa, to attend university in Abudwaq was fraught with challenges.

Frequent power cuts and a long, dark and possibly dangerous road between the campus and town made it nearly impossible for them and other girls to attend evening classes.

Determined to find a solution, they approached the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Co-Funding System (CFS), which provides matching funding for community-led projects and which is designed to empower local communities in Somalia to take charge of their development and recovery.

Rallying 19 other women students, Iftin and Aminaa submitted a simple yet transformative proposal….. to crowdfund for solar streetlights and a solar energy system for the school.

By July 2022, the girls had raised $10,000. IOM matched this amount and added $50,000 more.

The result was a well-lit and secure road from Abudwaq town to the university and a fully functional solar energy system.

The system now powers the university around the clock with clean energy.

The impact didn’t stop there.

The community later decided to connect a nearby borehole to the system, providing clean, free water to all of Abudwaq and nearby pastoralist communities, who now bring their livestock to drink and graze near the water source.

“Abudwaq was not one of our original target locations,” explained Mohamed Mohamud Hussein, an IOM officer working on community-based planning. “But we considered the proposal because it was well thought out, transformational for the community, and aligned with the CFS’s mandate and priorities around ownership and sustainability.”

Iftin and Aminaa’s determination set an example for other communities across Somalia.

Community power

Piloted by IOM in 2021, the CFS has become one of Somalia’s most innovative recovery tools. It puts power in the hands of local communities.

By the end of 2024, 42 projects had been completed, reaching over 580,000 people across 22 districts in central Somalia.

Nine more are ongoing. Close to 1,600 community and diaspora members contributed, raising over $500,000, which IOM matched with $2.3 million.

Even in fragile settings, collective action is making a difference. In Farjano, a settlement for internally displaced persons in Galmudug State, the construction of a new primary school did more than provide classrooms. It has restored hope.

“For the very first time, all my children could go to school – and it was free,” said Shamso, a mother of three.

In Mataban, a newly built youth stadium fostered unity and a sense of shared identity. Groups that had once avoided each other began to spend time together. “The stadium brought us together in ways we never imagined,” said Mustaf, a resident of Mataban. “It’s not just for sports – it’s where our community feels united.”

By requiring communities to identify their needs and raise initial funds, the CFS takes a bottom-up rather than traditional top-down approach to development.

It ensures that projects are not only community-driven but also have a higher chance of long-term success and impact

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) which begins in Sevilla, Spain on 30 June, aims to reform financing at all levels, and will no doubt consider the local solutions and community-driven initiatives which have proven so successful in Somalia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

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Nearly 15 years after Gaddafi’s fall, Libya remains split between the internationally recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli, and the rival Government of National Stability in Benghazi.

Although a truce was reached on 14 May, the outbreak of fighting last month in the capital “temporarily disrupted UN development and humanitarian operations,” said top UN envoy Hanna Tetteh.

Fragile Truce

On 18 May, with support from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the Presidential Council established a Truce Committee.

Composed of key security actors, the body has been mandated to monitor the upholding of the ceasefire, facilitate a permanent end to the fighting and ensure the protection of civilians.

As UNSMIL works to ease tensions and prevent further clashes, the Presidential Council has also set up a temporary Security and Military Arrangement Committee, tasked with sustaining peace and reorganising security forces in the capital.

“The truce, however, remains fragile, and the overall security situation unpredictable,” said Ms. Tetteh.

Alleged grave violations

The armed clashes that erupted in May resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, as well as damage to critical civilian infrastructure, underscoring the shortcomings of State security forces in adhering to international humanitarian and human rights law, she continued.

Ms. Tetteh expressed alarm over mass graves found in Abu Slim, citing emerging evidence of serious human rights violations – including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances – allegedly by State security forces.

“The presence of charred remains, unidentified bodies in morgues, and a suspected unofficial detention site at Abu Salim Zoo underscores the scale and gravity of these abuses,” she said.

Demand for change

“Many Libyans are deeply disillusioned with the prolonged transitional period and have lost confidence in the current institutions and leadership,” said Ms. Tetteh.

As civilians increasingly doubt the current leadership’s willingness to put national interests above their own, there is strong demand for a political process that allows public participation, enables elections, and delivers a democratic government with a clear mandate for real change.

UNSMIL intends to present a time-bound and politically pragmatic roadmap – with the goal of reaching the end of the transitional process – by the time of her next briefing, Ms. Tetteh told ambassadors.

“I urge all parties to engage in good faith and to be ready to forge consensus on this roadmap,” she said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

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President Wavel Ramkalawan presided over a landmark economic forum on Tuesday afternoon, bringing together high-level government officials and private sector representatives in an unprecedented collaborative dialogue aimed at strengthening Seychelles’ economic foundation and fostering sustainable growth.

The historic gathering held at State House, marked the commencement of a structured partnership between the government and business community. President Ramkalawan articulated his vision for enhanced economic cooperation, expressing profound enthusiasm for the collaborative framework being established to streamline business operations and accelerate the nation’s economic trajectory. He emphasized the administration’s dedication to creating an environment where private sector innovation and investment can flourish, recognizing that such an environment is essential for achieving long-term economic prosperity. The collaborative approach established through this inaugural forum represents a significant step toward more inclusive economic governance and strategic partnership between public and private sectors.

The forum commenced with comprehensive discussions on strategic land development and reclamation initiatives. The Minister of Investment, entrepreneurship and Industry Mrs. Devika Vidot provided an insightful overview of land utilization policies, establishing the foundation for CEO Jitesh Shah’s detailed presentation on reclamation projects. These discussions illuminated significant opportunities for strategic land development that would support industrial expansion while addressing the growing demand for commercial spaces.

Financial sector modernization emerged as a central theme throughout the deliberations. The Chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered comprehensive presentations addressing the acceleration of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer(KYC) reforms, initiatives designed to enhance business growth prospects while ensuring robust financial inclusion. These reforms represent crucial steps toward maintaining Seychelles’ competitive position in the international financial sector and addressing compliance requirements that have become increasingly stringent in the global marketplace.

The forum also extensively examined payment system modernization, with particular emphasis on the systematic phase-out of traditional cheque systems and the implementation of contemporary digital payment infrastructure and its associated disadvantages.

The forum concluded with a commitment to establishing regular dialogue mechanisms that will ensure ongoing communication between government and private sector stakeholders on a monthly basis. This framework is designed to create responsive policy development processes that can adapt to changing market conditions and emerging business needs.

The successful convening of this forum demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparent dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, establishing a foundation for continued engagement that will support Seychelles’ economic development objectives while addressing the practical challenges faced by businesses operating in the modern economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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The Future Studio incubator in Cotonou has developed a successful coaching programme, propelling four startups to success. The Beninese innovation center is now expanding, while business support organizations across West Africa are increasing their collaboration.

The NTF V FastTrackTech project has nurtured these developments. The ITC project brought together major players from Benin, Niger and Mali to share their experiences and build together a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Future Studio: a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in Benin

Since opening a year ago in Cotonou, the Future Studio innovation center has aimed to propel Beninese innovation and digital entrepreneurship. As a partner of the Epitech school and a member of the African Education & Innovation Group, the innovation center fosters the growth of young, innovative companies, providing structured support and networking. With the support of the NTF V FastTrackTech project, the Future Studio has set up a support programme tailored to Benin’s digital ecosystem.

‘We can’t claim to support entrepreneurs without being supported and empowered ourselves. Thanks to the recommendations of the NTF V FastTrackTech project expert, we have gained in vision and methodology,’ said Future Studio project manager Yoann Agbo. ‘This is what enabled our Start program to take shape and achieve its first successes. We’re very proud today to see ideas become solid projects as teams grow.’ 

After six months in the incubation program, four startups have made significant progress: they have perfected their pitch, established commercial collaborations, and intensified their discussions with potential investors. One gained international visibility by taking part in Gitex Africa.

‘Our intention is to provide ongoing support for the startups we have supported, and we are actively engaged in preparing a second cohort of entrepreneurs. At the same time, we plan to develop a targeted offering for more mature companies seeking accelerated growth or diversification of their offerings,’ said Yoann.

This expertise recently earned Future Studio a contract with telecom operator MTN Benin to take charge of the operational side of a new incubation program. ‘Since supporting the NTF V FastTrackTech project, Future Studio has shown what it can do. This new partnership testifies to the trust placed in our activities,’ he added.

Better support for African entrepreneurs

Like the Future Studio, business support organizations walk with entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, contributing to job creation and more sustainable, inclusive economic development. NTF V FastTrack Tech believes the creation of synergies makes African organizations more efficient by optimizing their resources.

The project initiated an exchange session on 30 April between the Bussiness Support Structures Network of Niger (Réseau des Structures d’Appui du Niger – RESAEN), the Federation of Innovative Business Support Organizations in Benin (Fédération des Structures d’Appui à l’Entrepreneuriat Innovant – FedSAEI) and the National Council of Incubators of Mali (Conseil National des Incubateurs du Mali – CNSIM).

Rabia Moussa is vice-president of RESAEN and co-founded the Développe-les organization in Niger.

‘Regular exchanges and lasting cooperation create a network of mutual support between BSOs, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. Financing issues are often at the heart of concerns,’ she said. ‘In this respect, RESAEN shared its experience and roadmap.’

The session concluded with the formalization of several ideas and recommendations, including the need to set up a working group dedicated to the question of financing, the monitoring of new opportunities and the prospecting of new partners. Rabia also stressed the need for BSOs to clarify the roles and commiments of their governance members, so that tasks are properly assigned.

‘I can only encourage the holding of an annual general meeting with the publication of an activity report.

By also adopting transparent and participative governance practices, support structures can consolidate their internal functioning and increase their impact in the service of a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem,’ she said.

The nascent collaboration between Benin, Niger and Mali is just the first step towards continental synergy.

‘Tomorrow, the dialogue could even be extended to Burkina Faso. It is this growing synergy that will enable African talent to flourish and contribute fully to the continent’s economic development,’ she added.

About the project

The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) program (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Trade Centre. NTF V supports SMEs in the digital technology and agribusiness sectors in Benin, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Uganda. Its ambition is to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems partly through digital solutions, to improve the international competitiveness of local tech start-ups and to support the implementation of the export strategy of IT&BPO companies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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On the night of June 21, a woman detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in a crowd of people at a fish market in Konduga town, about 25 km southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital in Nigeria. The attack, which reportedly killed at least 12 people, is the first in the region in 2025 after a series of suicide bombings in 2024.

The conflict between Nigerian security forces and Islamist insurgent groups, referred to as Boko Haram, has now entered its 16th year. It has been marked by widespread violence, including suicide bombings, often carried out by women who conceal explosives beneath their hijabs, a traditional covering widely worn by Muslim women in the northern region.

Since Nigeria’s first recorded suicide bombing in 2011, Boko Haram has carried out hundreds of such attacks, many targeting civilian gatherings. In 2017 alone, there were more than 127 suicide bombings and attempted suicide bombings, according to data from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

However, in the years leading up to 2024, incidents of suicide bombings had waned. Some analysts had attributed this decline to military successes and the fragmentation of Boko Haram into rival factions, most notably the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS). ISWAP adopted a different strategy from the original Boko Haram group, favoring targeted attacks against security agencies and military installations rather than civilians. Over time, infighting between the factions significantly weakened both groups, particularly JAS, whose leader, Abubakar Shekau, died in 2021.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement posted on X, said the suicide bomb attack was an attempt to spread fear and directed the security forces to “rout the remnants of Boko Haram.” Over the years the Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed to have defeated Boko Haram despite ongoing attacks against civilians and military targets.

While no group has claimed responsibility, the latest suicide bombing and others since 2024 raise concerns for the safety of people in the region, particularly amid reports of a resurgence of the JAS faction, which has often carried out brutal attacks targeting civilians.

Insurgent groups should end all targeted and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. Nigerian authorities should take decisive action to hold those responsible for these abuses to account.

– on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

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The Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Kao Kim Hourn, praised His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s leadership in advancing social and economic development in Morocco, expressing his appreciation for the Royal initiatives for Africa.

This position was expressed in the Joint Summary of Meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and ASEAN Secretary-General.

In this document, Kao, who is on his first visit to Morocco and Africa, praised “His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s leadership in advancing social and economic developments towards ensuring continued stability, prosperity and development in the country.”

He also commended “the major socio-economic and infrastructure developments and the successful reforms achieved in Morocco.”

Kao also praised His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s enlightened vision for the African continent through the Strategic Royal Initiatives.

In this regard, he noted with appreciation the Atlantic Initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, namely the Initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean Access for Sahel states, the Africa-Atlantic Gas pipeline (AAGP) and the Atlantic African States Initiatives.

The ASEAN Secretary-General underlined that Morocco’s “numerous assets make it an attractive platform for trade and investments for ASEAN governments and business communities.”

He added that the “partnership between both sides will facilitate the access of ASEAN to the African space and the opportunities offered under the Atlantic Initiatives in the region.”

Mr. Bourita and Kao agreed that Morocco offers an important gateway for ASEAN Member States to Africa. In the same vein, ASEAN represents a real opportunity for Morocco to develop and open up for more economic cooperation with the region in particular and with Asia as a whole.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn is paying a working visit to Morocco from June 24 to 26 at the invitation of Mr. Bourita.

This regional grouping includes the 10 countries of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

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Senior representatives of the United States and Nigerian governments, along with business leaders from both countries’ private sectors, convened in Abuja to officially launch the working group meetings of the United States–Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP). This landmark Partnership, established under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed  in July 2024 by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Nigeria’s former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, aims to deepen bilateral commercial cooperation and expand economic opportunities in both nations.

Four senior U.S. and Nigerian officials led the dialogue: Ambassador Richard Mills, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, U.S. Department of State; Julie LeBlanc, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honorable Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment; and Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr., remarked during the inaugural session, “The Commercial and Investment Partnership, or CIP, is one of the top priorities of my tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, so it gives me immense pleasure to see the launch of the working groups come to fruition.  The CIP underscores the United States’ strong commitment to further enhancing our bilateral commercial and investment ties, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities that benefit people across both our great nations.”

The inaugural discussions focused on three working groups: agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure.  The working groups – comprised of U.S. and Nigerian private sector participants – began their work by nominating group leads and identifying non-tariff barriers to trade and investment.  Their goal is to foster job creation, encourage private sector engagement, and recommend solutions to policymakers to address key challenges in these critical sectors.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa, Thomas Bruns stated that, “The U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership reflects our shared commitment to deepening economic ties, fostering innovation, and expanding opportunities for businesses in both nations. The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration is proud of its work to foster international commerce and, as the U.S. Government’s voice for the U.S. private sector, we are thrilled to launch these working groups with our Nigerian counterparts. By strengthening collaboration in sectors that are engines of growth for both our nations—including infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy—we can advance prosperity, create jobs, and build a foundation for sustainable economic growth that benefits our people and lasts for the long-term.”

The four senior U.S. and Nigerian principals agreed to review progress on a biannual basis and to identify future areas of cooperation.  The next formal meeting of the CIP will take place in Fall 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.

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The Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, expressed his unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in Rabat on Tuesday.

This position was expressed in the joint summary made public at the end of the meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and Kao, who is on a working visit to Morocco from June 24 to 26.

In this joint summary, the two sides have stressed “their unwavering support to the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of UN Member States, which include ASEAN Member States and Morocco, as well as the non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

The meeting between the two senior officials also provided an opportunity to underline the excellent ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and ASEAN, which comprises the 10 countries of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei-Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia), and to discuss actions to be taken to strengthen relations between the Kingdom and this regional grouping, both in terms of substance and scope.

Kao, on his first visit to the Kingdom and to Africa, expressed his high appreciation of Morocco’s actions and commitment to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN and its member states.

In this respect, “he welcomed Morocco’s presence and commitment to various structures in the ASEAN regions, such as the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).”

In addition, the ASEAN Secretary-General noted with satisfaction Morocco’s active participation in various ASEAN events, including seminars and workshops on human rights, economic cooperation, transport, social welfare and development, connectivity and smart city development, among others.

For his part, MFA Bourita stressed that the strengthening of relations between Morocco and ASEAN is in line with the strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to diversify the Kingdom’s partners and promote strong, mutually supportive South-South cooperation.

He reiterated Morocco’s readiness to support and collaborate with ASEAN in many sectors, in a win-win approach, both with the Organization and with all its member states.

The Minister expressed his thanks to Kao, and through him to ASEAN member states, for their support in Morocco’s bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in September 2023.

The two sides also welcomed the holding of the second meeting of the ASEAN-Morocco Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AM-JSCC) in Jakarta on November 27, 2024, while the 3rd session is scheduled for November 2025.

The two officials underlined the importance of the training programs offered by the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED) to diplomats from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat.

They also welcomed the fruitful cooperation programs existing between ASEAN member states and Morocco, through the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), for ASEAN member states and African countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.