Category: Africa

Source: APO

.

The Federal Government has charged State Director of Cooperatives from the 36 States and FCT to lead the practical rollout of the National Cooperative Smart Registry, NCSR, describing them as “Frontline Implementers, not spectators” in Nigeria’s cooperative sector transformation.

Speaking during the National Technical Workshop on Cooperative Sector Digitalization organized by the Ministry in collaboration with its Technical Partner, Seam fix Limited on Tuesday 11th August,2026, in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Security and Supervising Minister of Cooperative Affairs, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the workshop was convened to move from “Reform Conversations to Reform Implementation” under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform & Revamp Program, RH-CRRP 2030.

The Minister stated that the purpose of the workshop is to equip State Directors with the knowledge and tools to drive the digitalization agenda at state and community levels. “Distinguished Directors of Cooperatives, this is particularly why you are here. The Federal Government cannot successfully digitalize Nigeria’s cooperative sector from Abuja alone. Cooperative regulation and administration take place across our States and communities. You are therefore not spectators in this transformation; you Are Frontline Implementers,” he said.

Sen. Abdullahi urged them to understand the search, registration and validation workflow, how the Cooperative Verification Number, CVN, and Cooperative Member Identification Number, Coop ID, will be generated, and the responsibilities that will fall on State Cooperative Departments. “Ask questions. Challenge the process constructively. Seek clarification. Identify peculiarities within your States.

We are building a national infrastructure, and therefore it must work for every cooperative across the entire federation, “he charged.

The Minister explained that digitalization is designed to solve decades of identity and data gaps. “For too long we could not plan for cooperatives because we could not see them. We cannot effectively finance what we cannot identify. We cannot properly regulate what we cannot see. With NCSR, CVN and Coop ID, government, banks and development partners can now identify, verify, finance and regulate cooperatives with confidence,” he emphasized.

According to him, at the foundation of the transformation is the NCSR, which provides the infrastructure for cooperative search, registration, verification and digital governance. From the NCSR will emerge the CVN for cooperative organizations and Coop ID for members. Together, the NCSR, CVN and Coop ID will strengthen registration, identity verification, data management and regulatory oversight, while building trust, visibility and integrity within Nigeria’s cooperative ecosystem.

Sen. Abdullahi described cooperative sector digitalization as “not merely an ICT project, but an economic and institutional reform.” He warned that it “must not simply reproduce our existing manual inefficiencies on a computer screen.”

He added that it must improve transparency, strengthen accountability, make cooperative administration easier, provide reliable information for policy and planning, and ultimately deliver value to the ordinary cooperative member.

The Minister linked the digital infrastructure to the proposed Cooperative Bank of Nigeria, (Coop Bank), noting that the NCSR, CVN and Coop ID will provide the verified data and trust required for share subscription, credit profiling, risk management and sustainable operation.

He disclosed that the Bank will be “government-enabled, 7 cooperatively-owned, cooperatively-controlled and professionally managed,”_ and that share-subscription is targeted to commence by the end of October 2026, pursuant to resolutions of the 8th National Council on Cooperative Affairs.

The Minister also gave an update on the Ministerial Advocacy Tour, noting that the South-West, North-West and South-South zones have been covered. Visits to the North-Central, South-East and North-East will follow before the Coop Bank launch. He also revealed that tomorrow, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria, (CFN), and technical partner Seam fix Limited will formally execute a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the framework for collaboration.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Minister stated that government is determined to build a cooperative ecosystem that is modern, inclusive, transparent and accountable, and capable of contributing significantly to food security, financial inclusion, job creation and shared prosperity. He called on the Federal Department of Cooperatives, State Directors, CFN, Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria, (ICOPRON), Seam fix and all stakeholders to approach implementation as a shared national responsibility.

Concluding, Dr. Abdullahi declared: “A New Era for Nigeria’s Cooperatives is here”

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi revealed that ‘’ the digital infrastructure we are building today, starting with the CVN and Smart Registry, will serve as the primary strategy for transparently delivering input subsidies, credit interventions, and technical assistance directly to verified cooperators under the AGROW initiative’’.

Dr. Ogunbiyi stated that ‘’the RH-CRRP 2030 is designed to modernize our cooperative sector to boost financial inclusion, eliminate fraudulent actors, and unlock capital for smallholder producers across and cooperative generally across the country’’.

He urged participants to engage actively during the technical sessions and to ensure that the outcomes of the workshop translate into concrete actions at state and grassroots levels for the benefit of cooperative members.

In attendance were Directors of Cooperatives from the 36 States and FCT, members of the RH-CRRP 2030 National Steering Committee, leadership of CFN and ICOPRON, representatives of MDAs, relevant institutions, development partners and technology experts

The Highlight was a live demonstration of the platform by the technical partner, Seam fix Limited.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria (FMARD).

Source: APO

.

As commodity markets enter a new era defined by a rising demand for critical minerals, Mercuria Energy Group is rapidly expanding its global footprint through major acquisitions, strategic joint ventures and infrastructure investments. Against this backdrop, the company will participate as a Bronze Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16, where it will engage African governments, national oil companies and industry leaders on the next generation of energy investment opportunities.

Mercuria’s latest expansion reflects a strategy centered on controlling physical assets alongside its global trading operations. In June 2026, the company signed a marketing agreement and inventory prepayment facility with Lotus Resources. The agreement will support the commercialization of approximately 1.3 million kg of uranium from Malawi’s Kayelekera Mine over 30 months, strengthening the country’s role in global nuclear fuel supply while demonstrating growing investor confidence in African mining assets.

The company is also deepening its presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most strategic critical mineral producers. In February, Mercuria completed its first purchases of responsibly sourced copper and cobalt from Enterprise Générale du Cobalt following a strategic agreement to strengthen traceability across artisanal mining supply chains. The partnership supports greater transparency while expanding international market access for Congolese minerals.

Mercuria continues to increase its financial commitment to Africa’s mining sector through large-scale prepayment financing that provides producers with development capital in exchange for long-term supply agreements. This approach is helping miners secure financing outside traditional banking channels while supporting new production across minerals essential to electrification, battery manufacturing and advanced technologies.

The company has also been linked to discussions surrounding the proposed development of Western critical mineral supply chains anchored by the DRC’s Kipushi Mine. By supporting financing structures for copper, zinc and other strategic minerals, Mercuria is reinforcing Africa’s role as a long-term supplier of resources required for global industrial growth and the energy transition.

These investments are supported by a significantly strengthened financial position. Mercuria reported an 88% increase in first-half 2026 profit and subsequently retained earnings to expand its equity base rather than distribute dividends. In June 2026, the company further enhanced its capacity to finance large-scale investments by securing a $3.84 billion multicurrency revolving credit facility, providing additional liquidity to support future projects, including across African markets.

“Access to innovative financing and global commodity markets will be essential to unlocking Africa’s full energy and mining potential,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Mercuria’s growing investment across African critical minerals and resource value chains makes the company a valuable addition to AEW 2026, where industry leaders will shape the partnerships needed to drive the continent’s next phase of growth.”

Mercuria’s participation at AEW 2026 comes as African producers seek greater access to capital, trading expertise and commercial partnerships capable of accelerating resource development. As countries pursue new investment across hydrocarbons, critical minerals and associated infrastructure, the company’s integrated approach to financing, marketing and commodity trading offers a relevant model for unlocking large-scale projects across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

.

The National Assembly (NA) yesterday passed the Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority Bill.

The Bill provides for the establishment of an Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority, which will replace the current Municipal Demarcation Board under a new legislative framework. It sets out the criteria and procedures for determining and redetermining municipal boundaries and for delimiting municipalities into wards. The Bill also seeks to ensure that municipal boundaries support effective local governance, the equitable and sustainable provision of services, integrated development and economic development.

Other important provisions in the Bill include public participation in municipal boundary determinations and ward delimitation. This means that communities can comment on and object to proposed decisions, while a Demarcation Appeals Authority will provide a mechanism for challenging certain demarcation decisions. The Bill also includes information technology among the areas of knowledge and expertise that may be considered when appointing members of the Board.

In addition, the selection panel responsible for recommending Board members will include representation from the National Assembly oversight committee responsible for local government and the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, along with the other representatives provided for in the Bill.

The National Assembly first passed the Bill on 30 November 2023 and sent it to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence. However, the Bill lapsed at the end of the Sixth Parliament in May 2024 and was revived by the NCOP on 29 July 2024. The Council passed the Bill with amendments on 27 November last year. After considering the NCOP’s amendments, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs recommended that the NA concur with them.

The House adopted the committee’s report, concurred with the NCOP’s amendments and passed the Bill.

The Bill will now be sent to the President for assent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

Mauritius must mobilise development financing at scale to deepen structural transformation, drive sustainable and inclusive growth, and realise its vision of becoming a high-income economy, according to the African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) 2026 Country Focus Report (CFR) (https://apo-opa.co/4woGEqE) and the Bank-commissioned Mauritius Productivity Study, both released on 29 July 2026.

The CFR, titled Mobilising Mauritius’ Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World, reviews the country’s recent macroeconomic performance and outlook, quantifies its development financing gap, and proposes reforms to strengthen financial systems in a rapidly changing global environment.

The report projects that economic growth in Mauritius will slow to 3% in 2026 before recovering to 3.8% in 2027, supported by financial services, wholesale and retail trade, and tourism on the supply side, and by household consumption on the demand side.

Key growth drivers in 2025 included financial services, wholesale and retail trade, and tourism—with tourist arrivals reaching an all-time high of 1.44 million—while final consumption expenditure was the main contributor on the demand side.

However, the report cautions that structural bottlenecks are hindering deeper economic transformation and long-term economic growth. These include labour market rigidities, skills mismatches and an ageing population; infrastructure deficits in the water and energy supply and in port logistics; and gaps in information and communications technology (ICT).

Inflation is projected to accelerate to 5.7% in 2026 — breaching the central bank’s monetary policy target range of 2-5% — due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, before easing to 3.9% in 2027 as global commodity prices ease.

Despite the government’s strong commitment to fiscal consolidation, public debt remains elevated, constraining fiscal space. Nevertheless, the fiscal deficit is projected to narrow to 6% of GDP in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027 on the back of growth-friendly consolidation measures, with public debt projected to fall below 80% of GDP in 2029.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Kevin Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, said: “By adopting good practices in domestic revenue mobilisation, improving efficiency in public expenditure planning, public finance and debt management, mobilising investment from Africa’s institutional investors, the African diaspora and high-net-worth individuals, and addressing informality, the continent can mobilise capital at scale to finance its development.”

In her welcoming remarks, Moono Mupotola, the Bank’s Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Mauritius, said the Country Focus Report and the Mauritius Productivity Study are more than analytical publications: together, they provide an evidence-based roadmap for strengthening Mauritius’ resilience, enhancing productivity, and mobilising the resources needed to achieve the country’s long-term development ambitions.

“The recommendations presented are a call for collective action. Real progress will require continued collaboration between the public and private sectors, development partners, academia, civil society, and financial institutions to translate these ideas into concrete reforms, investments, and lasting results. By building on its strong institutional foundations and embracing the reforms outlined in these studies, Mauritius is well positioned to strengthen its competitiveness and secure economic transformation,” Mupotola said.

The Bank also presented the key findings of the Mauritius Productivity Study, commissioned to inform the preparation of the Mauritius Vision 2050 and the Ten-Year National Development Plan. The study assesses the causes of productivity slowdown and challenges hindering deeper structural transformation, and how to boost digitalisation, Industry 4.0 adoption and competitiveness. It identifies emerging growth pillars, including the ocean economy, the digital and knowledge economy, the circular economy, and the creative and cultural industries.  

The Mauritius CFR 2026 report (https://apo-opa.co/4woGEqE) was presented by Wolassa Kumo, African Development Bank’s Principal Country Economist for Mauritius. Taruna Ramessur, Consultant and Associate Professor at the University of Mauritius, presented the key findings of the Mauritius Productivity Study.

The virtual launch brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, other government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society, and senior officials from the Bank Group. They offered strategic insights on both reports.

Jamiil Jeetoo, UNDP National Economist for Mauritius and Seychelles, stressed that development finance should be assessed not only by the volume mobilised, but by the productivity and resilience it generates.

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

Media Contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

Source: APO – Report:

Kenya and Qatar have agreed to institutionalise annual Bilateral Political Consultations as part of efforts to strengthen political dialogue and deepen cooperation between the two countries.

The inaugural consultations were led by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, CBS, and H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.

The two sides discussed a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, agriculture and food security, labour mobility, aviation, tourism, education, youth, sports, climate action and multilateral cooperation.

Kenya invited increased Qatari investment in priority sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, tourism and Special Economic Zones, and called for Qatar’s participation in Kenya’s USD 200 million Green Investment Fund.

On labour mobility, the two countries agreed to expedite discussions on the review of the 2012 Bilateral Labour Agreement, while Kenya welcomed continued employment opportunities for its citizens in Qatar, where more than 70,000 Kenyans live and work.

Kenya also requested Qatar to review restrictions affecting Kenyan meat exports, with both sides agreeing that relevant technical authorities will continue consultations towards a mutually acceptable solution.

The consultations further welcomed expanding cooperation between Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways, including increased air connectivity, cargo cooperation and opportunities for further aviation collaboration.

The two countries agreed that the Second Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in Nairobi in 2027, further strengthening the framework for regular political dialogue and follow-up.

The inaugural consultations mark a significant milestone in Kenya–Qatar relations and reaffirm the commitment of both countries to shared prosperity, sustainable development and stronger people-to-people ties.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Kenya.