Category: Africa

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GITEX NIGERIA puts a global spotlight on West Africa as government and global tech leaders back Nigeria’s digital future

Source: APO

The debut of GITEX NIGERIA (www.GITEXNIGERIA.ng) brought a global spotlight to Nigeria’s digital economy, with international exhibitors and investors confirming strong engagement and immediate business opportunities.

Held under the patronage of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GITEX NIGERIA ran from 1-4 September across Abuja and Lagos. The event was supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), endorsed by the Lagos State Government, and organised by KAOUN International, global producer of GITEX events.

The Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, Commissioner, Innovation, Science & Technology, Lagos State, said: “In three short days, GITEX NIGERIA has already had a meaningful impact on our nation, from startups seeking funds and exposure with global investors to international organisations discovering the vast growth opportunities within our digital economy. This annual event will continue to grow, have a long-term contribution to Nigerian digitalisation, and show the world the power of international collaboration.”

International participants highlighted the quality of engagement with decision makers and the value of Nigeria as a market. Abdelaziz Saidu, Country Leader at Cisco Nigeria & Ghana, said: “GITEX NIGERIA has been amazing – the crowd has been overwhelming, not just in size but in the quality of people coming to our stand, including the Lagos State Governor and the Minister, who were impressed with our AI and cyber security showcases. From day one we’ve generated strong leads, some already converting into opportunities, and engaged with organisations like the African Union. The brand reputation of GITEX has pulled in the right crowd locally, regionally and internationally, making this inaugural edition truly impactful.”

The event hosted dual platforms in Lagos – the GITEX NIGERIA Tech Expo & Future Economy Conference at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre and the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival at the Landmark Centre. Together, these platforms provided an international stage for Nigerian startups, investors, and corporates to connect, build partnerships, and explore the country’s digital growth potential.

As West Africa’s largest tech and startup show, GITEX NIGERIA also featured the country’s most internationally diverse investor programme, facilitating meetings between startups, corporates, investors, and government stakeholders to advance cross-border collaboration.

The event was supported by international tech companies and organisations, including AWS, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), IBM, Meta, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kaspersky, Space42, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.

For more information, news and updates on GITEX NIGERIA, please visit www.GITEXNIGERIA.ng. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX NIGERIA.

Notes to editors:
It is GITEX NIGERIA not Gitex Nigeria

Useful links:
To access our digital press kit click here (https://apo-opa.co/4nrHcYO)

Press office contact:
press@gitexnigeria.ng

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Qatar: His Highness (HH) the Amir Receives Written Message from Congo’s President

Source: APO


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HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE President of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) Denis Sassou Nguesso, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi received the message during his meeting on Tuesday with HE Minister of International Cooperation and Public-Private Partnership Promotion of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, who is visiting the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

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Karavan Press Remporte le Prix de la Fabrique de Livres du Nexus de l’Afrique Créative (CANEX) pour l’Édition en Afrique 2025

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Karavan Press, une maison d’édition indépendante basée à Cape Town, en Afrique du Sud, est la lauréate de l’édition 2025 du Prix de la Fabrique de Livre pour la publication en Afrique, qui célèbre et récompense les contributions exceptionnelles des éditeurs et Auteurs Africains au monde littéraire.

Karavan Press a été récompensé pour son livre In Silence My Heart Speaks (En silence, mon cœur parle) de Thobeka Yose, remportant le premier prix d’une valeur de 20 000 dollars. Le prix a été remis par le Ministre Algérien de la Culture et des Arts, Azzedine Mihoubi, lors d’une cérémonie de remise des prix qui s’est tenue dans le cadre de la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine 2025 (IATF2025) à Alger. Les finalistes ont reçu chacun 2 000 dollars.

Ce prix est une initiative conjointe du Nexus de l’Afrique Créative (CANEX), une intervention de la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) en partenariat avec Narrative Landscape Press Limited. Il vise à mettre en valeur la chaîne de valeur littéraire et éditoriale en Afrique et à développer les talents littéraires à travers le continent et la diaspora.

« Grâce au Prix de la Fabrique de Livre pour la publication en Afrique, nous continuons à renforcer l’économie créative Africaine en mettant en avant les éditeurs et en diffusant les récits Africains auprès d’un public international. Outre ce prix, nous organisons un atelier d’écriture Panafricain et publions une newsletter électronique mettant en avant la Littérature Africaine, afin de mettre en lumière et de valoriser la chaîne de valeur du livre Africain », a déclaré Temwa Gondwe, Directeur du Département Commerce Intra-Africain et Développement des Exportations (Créativité et Diaspora) d’Afreximbank.

Pour sa deuxième édition, le prix a attiré plus de 80 candidatures provenant de tout le continent, reflétant la diversité et la vitalité de la narration Africaine. Les éditeurs ont soumis des ouvrages commerciaux destinés au grand public et largement disponibles dans les bibliothèques et les librairies. Les candidatures comprenaient des ouvrages de fiction, des essais et des recueils de poésie, en version reliée ou brochée, l’accent étant mis sur les œuvres imprimées et publiées sur le continent et rédigées dans des langues indigènes. Les candidatures pouvaient être rédigées dans une ou plusieurs des langues officielles de l’Union Africaine : Arabe, Anglais, Français, Portugais, Espagnol, Swahili et toute autre langue Africaine. Les candidatures ont été jugées sur la qualité de l’écriture, de l’édition et de la production.

Le jury était composé du Dr Boukenna Abdelaziz, Professeur d’histoire à l’université d’Alger, de Lavaille Lavette, Président de JVL Media, et du Professeur Egara Kabaji, Professeur de Communication Littéraire à l’université des sciences et technologies Masinde Muliro. Le jury a salué la qualité exceptionnelle de l’écriture, de l’édition et de la production.

Ce prix s’inscrit dans le cadre des activités de la Fabrique de Livres du CANEX, un programme annuel d’événements organisé dans le cadre de l’initiative CANEX de l’Afreximbank, qui culmine avec la cérémonie de remise des prix. L’année dernière, Cassava Republic Press (Nigeria) a remporté le premier prix lors de la première édition du Prix de la Fabrique de Livre CANEX pour la publication en Afrique pour le livre Female Fear Factory: Unveiling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence de Pumla Dineo Gqola.

CANEX à l’IATF est présenté comme le plus grand rassemblement de créatifs d’Afrique et de la diaspora à travers les chaînes de valeur de diverses industries créatives et culturelles, du cinéma, de la musique et de la mode aux arts culinaires, aux sports et aux arts visuels, entre autres. Ce sommet d’une semaine a réuni des acteurs continentaux et mondiaux afin de présenter et d’exposer leurs produits et services, et d’explorer les opportunités commerciales et d’investissement au sein d’une économie créative en pleine expansion. Il se tient dans le cadre de l’IATF2025, organisé par la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire et co-convoqué par Afreximbank, la Commission de l’Union Africaine et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf). Cet événement d’une semaine devrait faciliter la conclusion d’accords commerciaux et d’investissement d’une valeur totale de plus de 44 milliards de dollars Américains.

L’IATF est une plateforme permettant aux entreprises de présenter leurs produits et services aux visiteurs et aux acheteurs tout en explorant les opportunités et en échangeant des informations. L’IATF vise à exploiter les opportunités offertes par le marché unique de la ZLECAf, qui compte plus de 1,4 milliard d’habitants et un PIB de plus de 3 500 milliards de dollars Américains. L’IATF2025, qui se tient actuellement, en est à sa quatrième édition. Les trois dernières éditions de l’IATF ont généré au total plus de 118 milliards de dollars de transactions commerciales et d’investissements et ont attiré plus de 70 000 visiteurs et 4 500 exposants.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter le site www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact médias :
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

À propos de la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine :
Organisée par la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank), la Commission de l’Union Africaine (CUA) et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine (IATF) a pour objectif de fournir une plateforme unique facilitant l’échange d’informations sur le commerce et l’investissement afin de soutenir l’augmentation du commerce et des investissements Intra-Africains, en particulier dans le contexte de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de Libre-Échange Continental Africain (ZLECAf). L’IATF rassemble des acteurs continentaux et mondiaux afin de présenter et d’exposer leurs produits et services et d’explorer les opportunités commerciales et d’investissement sur le continent. Elle fournit également une plateforme pour partager des informations sur le commerce, l’investissement et les marchés avec les parties prenantes et permet aux participants de discuter et d’identifier des solutions aux défis auxquels sont confrontés le commerce et l’investissement Intra-Africains. Outre les participants Africains, la Foire est également ouverte aux entreprises et aux investisseurs de pays non Africains intéressés par les affaires en Afrique et désireux de soutenir la transformation du continent par l’industrialisation et le développement des exportations.

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GDP bounces to 0.8% growth in Quarter 2

Source: Government of South Africa

GDP bounces to 0.8% growth in Quarter 2

South Africa’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has improved by some 0.8% in the second quarter of 2025.

This is following a marginal increase of some 0.1% in the first quarter.

“The mining and quarrying industry increased by 3.7%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. 

“The largest positive contributors were platinum group metals, gold and chromium ore,” Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Tuesday.

The country’s manufacturing industry also increased by some 1.8% over that period – contributing 0.2% to the GDP.

“Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates. The largest positive contributions were reported for the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division.

“The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 1.7%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for retail trade, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverages,” the institution said.

On the downside, the transport, storage and communication industry decreased by 0.8%.

“Decreased economic activities were reported for land transport and transport support services.

“The construction industry [also] decreased by 0.3%. Decreases were reported for residential buildings and non-residential buildings,” Stats SA said.

Expenditure on GDP

South Africa’s Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) also rose – increasing by some 0.8% and contributing 0.6 of a percentage point to the total growth.

“Positive growth rates were reported for durable goods, semi-durable goods and services.

“The main positive contributors to the increase in HFCE were expenditures on ‘other’ [2.6% and contributing 0.3 of a percentage point], restaurants and hotels [4.8% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point], clothing and footwear (3.4% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point], transport [0.7% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point] and communication [1.1% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point].

“The negative contributors were expenditures on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics,” Stats SA revealed. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

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Water dept refutes report on board governance

Source: Government of South Africa

Water dept refutes report on board governance

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has moved to correct what it describes as a misleading portrayal of water boards and their governance in a Sunday Times article published on 7 September 2025. 

The article headlined, “Splashing out, Dry Taps as Water Boards drown in excess”, alleged excessive remuneration and questionable expenditure by board members of the country’s seven water boards and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA).

In a statement on Tuesday, the department emphasised that the report not only misrepresented the facts but also created a distorted impression of how board members are remunerated and how governance structures function within the water sector. 

The department clarified that no board member earns anywhere near the R50 million figure suggested in the article. 

“The article gives the impression that individual senior board members may be earning up to R50 million a year in board fees. This is incorrect. The maximum amount earned by a board member in the last financial year was R1.7 million,” the department said. 

Claims that board members “pocket” R100 000 per meeting were also dismissed as misleading, with DWS explaining that figures provided to Parliament included both hourly meeting fees and fixed board fees for research, preparation, and other official work beyond meetings.

Board fees, the department stressed, are determined according to an independently benchmarked remuneration policy, approved annually by the Minister of Water and Sanitation and aligned to the Consumer Price Index. Hourly rates range from R1 150 for members of smaller boards to R1 818 for chairpersons of large boards, significantly lower than private sector equivalents.

Responding to allegations that board members claim fees for attending events such as funerals, gala dinners or izimbizo, the department said these gatherings often form part of stakeholder engagement, oversight, and statutory obligations, and are therefore necessary for effective governance. International travel, meanwhile, is subject to ministerial approval and is often curtailed to ensure cost savings.

“Board members are frequently required to attend meetings organised by the Minister, as well as meetings with provincial and municipal governments, including izimbizo. Such meetings are required for purposes of monitoring, accounting, oversight, and stakeholder engagement and are necessary to fulfil the statutory mandates of the water boards. Board members may also occasionally be required to attend a “gala dinner” or a funeral of a staff member or a meeting with trade unions,” the department said. 

DWS further highlighted that the total combined cost of board fees is less than 0.1% of the water boards’ operational budgets. Despite the article’s insinuations of poor governance, the department noted that the boards and TCTA consistently receive unqualified audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa, reflecting sound financial management.

In the 2023/24 financial year, water boards collectively reported revenue of R38.9 billion, exceeding projections of R33.2 billion and their combined asset base surpassed R90 billion.

Rand Water and Umngeni-uThukela Water remain the sector’s largest players, underlining their central role in South Africa’s water infrastructure.

“This improvement in revenue collection can be attributed to better credit control measures, particularly by the larger Water Boards,” the department said. 

The department emphasised that the resolution of South Africa’s water service delivery challenges requires a wide range of actions, including by DWS, municipalities which are water services authorities, the private sector and the public. 

“It is for this reason that the Department of Water and Sanitation held a National Water Indaba in March this year, bringing together all role players to develop a plan of action (see the Indaba declaration https://www.dws.gov.za/wsindaba/declaration.aspx),” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

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Madlanga Commission hearings kick off next week

Source: Government of South Africa

Madlanga Commission hearings kick off next week

The hearings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System – known as the Madlanga Commission – are expected to commence next week.

The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was initially scheduled to begin hearings at the beginning of this month, but was postponed due to delays in the procurement of vital ICT infrastructure.

“Since President Cyril Ramaphosa formally proclaimed the [commission] by way of government gazette…we’ve made significant progress in establishing the commission, while simultaneously conducting investigations into the allegations made by [KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner] Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and we’ve also been consulting witnesses.

“The commission’s senior team…are seized with preparations for the commencement of the commission’s hearings next Wednesday,” Commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, told a media briefing on Monday.

The spokesperson assured that the challenges experienced which delayed the hearings are now resolved.

“Working together with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development [DJCOD], which has the legal mandate in assisting commissions of inquiry in setting up, we have taken delivery of most of the physical and ICT infrastructure. Most of our staff have now been trained on the systems and they have conducted tests to ensure that the hardware and software are fit for purpose, which indeed they are. 

“The ICT systems which have been procured include a cybersecurity solution, a secure internet connection and a live streaming service, as well as transcription and stenography services, amongst others.

“In addition, we have onboarded a confidential reporting hotline for receiving reports from the public. The hotline consists of a number of platforms, including a telephone line where members of the public can confidentially talk to an operator and offer the commission information related to the terms of reference,” Michaels said.

The commission can be reached at madlangacommission@behonest.co.za or 0800 111 369.

Giving evidence

While awaiting the setup of the ICT infrastructure, Michaels said the commission’s work has been “advancing steadily”, and the commission’s evidence leaders and investigators have been in consultation with witnesses and are following up on information within the commission’s terms of reference.

Michaels revealed that Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be the commission’s first witness. 

The commission’s evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC, warned that due to the sensitive nature of the commission’s work, some witnesses may give evidence in camera, while others’ statements may not be revealed in public to protect their identities.

“What [the commission] has to investigate is allegations that organised criminal syndicates have infiltrated the SAPS and other organs of state involved in policing and public safety…and some of the evidence we gather, will include evidence from undercover agents. If the identity of those people is disclosed, there is a very real risk that they will be killed.

“While we are committed to transparency, we have to prioritise the protection of human life at all costs. Unless we can make evidence available in a form that’s not going to put human life at risk, we can’t do that. 

“So, this is not an analogise situation to that faced by the Zondo Commission. We sit in a much more extreme situation, and our first commitment must always be to the protection of human life,” he said.

The commission’s hearings will be held in the main auditorium at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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A Karavan Press conquista o Prémio Nexo Criativo África (CANEX) Book Factory para Publicações em África 2025

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

A Karavan Press, uma editora independente com sede na Cidade do Cabo, África do Sul, é a vencedora da edição de 2025 do Prémio CANEX Book Factory para a Publicação em África, que celebra e reconhece as contribuições excepcionais de editores e autores africanos para o mundo literário.

A Karavan Press foi reconhecida pelo seu livro In Silence My Heart Speaks de Thobeka Yose, ao vencer o prémio principal de $20.000. O prémio foi entregue pelo Ministro da Cultura e das Artes da Argélia, Azzedine Mihoubi, durante uma cerimónia de entrega de prémios realizada na Feira Comercial Intra-Africana 2025 (IATF2025) em Argel. Os finalistas receberam $2.000 cada.

O Prémio é uma iniciativa conjunta do Nexo Criativo África (CANEX), uma intervenção do Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) em parceria com a Narrative Landscape Press Limited. O seu objetivo é mostrar a cadeia de valor literário e de publicações em África e desenvolver talento literário em todo o continente e na Diáspora.

“Através do Prémio CANEX Book Factory para a Publicação em África, continuamos a reforçar a economia criativa de África ao elevar os editores e amplificar as narrativas africanas para audiências globais. Além do Prémio, realizamos um workshop de escrita pan-africano e uma newsletter eletrónica que destaca a literatura africana, para dar visibilidade e elevar a cadeia de valor do livro africano”, disse Temwa Gondwe, Diretora da Afreximbank para o Comércio Intra-Africano e Desenvolvimento de Exportações (Criativos e Diáspora).

Agora no seu segundo ano, o Prémio atraiu mais de 80 candidaturas de todo o continente, refletindo a diversidade e vitalidade da narrativa africana. Os editores submeteram livros comerciais publicados para um público geral e amplamente disponíveis através de bibliotecas e livrarias. As entradas abrangeram ficção, não-ficção e poesia, em capa dura e brochura, com ênfase em obras impressas e publicadas no continente e escritas em línguas indígenas. As entradas podiam estar em uma ou mais das línguas oficiais da União Africana: árabe, inglês, francês, português, espanhol, suaili e qualquer outra língua africana. As submissões foram avaliadas com base na qualidade da escrita, edição e produção.

O júri foi composto pelo Dr. Boukenna Abdelaziz, Professor de História na Universidade de Argel; Lavaille Lavette, Presidente da JVL Media; e o Prof. Egara Kabaji, Professor de Comunicação Literária na Universidade de Ciência e Tecnologia Masinde Muliro. O júri elogiou a qualidade excecional da escrita, edição e produção.

O Prémio é uma das atividades da CANEX Book Factory, um programa anual de eventos da iniciativa CANEX da Afreximbank que culmina na cerimónia de entrega dos prémios. No ano passado, a Cassava Republic Press (Nigéria) venceu o prémio principal durante a edição inaugural do Prémio da CANEX Book Factory para Publicação em África pelo livro Female Fear Factory: Unveiling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence de Pumla Dineo Gqola.

O CANEX no IATF é apresentado como o maior encontro de criativos da África e da Diáspora, abrangendo cadeias de valor de diversas indústrias criativas e culturais, desde cinema, música e moda até artes culinárias, desporto e artes visuais, entre outras. A cimeira de uma semana reuniu intervenientes continentais e globais para mostrar e expor os seus produtos e serviços, e explorar oportunidades de negócios e investimento dentro da economia criativa em rápida expansão. Está a ser realizada como parte do IATF2025, organizado pela República Democrática Popular da Argélia e co-organizado pelo Afreximbank, a Comissão da União Africana e o Secretariado da Área de Livre Comércio Continental Africana (AfCFTA). O evento de uma semana prevê facilitar negócios e acordos de investimento no valor de mais de 44 mil milhões de dólares.

O IATF é uma plataforma para as empresas apresentarem os seus produtos e serviços a visitantes e compradores, enquanto exploram oportunidades e trocam informações. O IATF tem como objetivo aproveitar as oportunidades do mercado único da AfCFTA, com mais de 1,4 mil milhões de pessoas e um PIB superior a 3,5 trilhões de dólares. A IATF2025 em curso é a sua quarta edição, com as últimas três edições do IATF a gerarem cumulativamente mais de 118 mil milhões de dólares em acordos de comércio e investimento e a atrair mais de 70.000 visitantes e 4.500 expositores.

Para mais informações, por favor visite www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto de imprensa:
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

Sobre a Feira Intra-Africana de Comércio:
Organizado pelo Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank), pela Comissão da União Africana (AUC) e pelo Secretariado da Área de Livre Comércio Continental Africana (AfCFTA), a Feira Intra-Africana de Comércio (IATF) destina-se a fornecer uma plataforma única para facilitar a troca de informações sobre comércio e investimento em apoio ao aumento do comércio e investimento intra-africano, especialmente no contexto da implementação do Acordo de Livre Comércio Continental Africano (AfCFTA). A IATF reúne intervenientes continentais e globais para exibir os seus bens e serviços e explorar oportunidades de negócios e investimento no continente. Também proporciona uma plataforma para partilhar informações sobre comércio, investimento e mercado com as partes interessadas e permite que os participantes discutam e identifiquem soluções para os desafios que confrontam o comércio e investimento intra-africano. Além dos participantes africanos, a Feira de Comércio também está aberta a empresas e investidores de países não africanos interessados em fazer negócios em África e ao apoiar a transformação do continente através da industrialização e desenvolvimento das exportações.

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SA emerging as a leader in the global hemp and cannabis industry

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa is establishing itself as an emerging leader in the global hemp and cannabis industry by utilising its natural strengths and the increasing momentum of the private sector, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The country is transitioning towards a fully regulated, economically driven cannabis and hemp industry, focusing on harmonising laws, boosting local cultivation and creating export opportunities – all while emphasising public health and safety.

In his 2025 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “We want South Africa to lead in the commercial production of hemp and cannabis.” This declaration marked a turning point in the national policy, indicating a shift from informal cultivation to regulated, large-scale production.

The National Cannabis Master Plan has been assigned to the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) to centralise policy, accelerate implementation, streamline licensing, and foster an inclusive commercial framework.

The planting season for hemp and cannabis production has begun, with provincial Departments of Agriculture, growers and downstream manufacturers collaborating on cultivation and export market opportunities.

Recent legislation, including the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act signed in 2024, lays the groundwork for legal cultivation and private use. However, commercial trade still faces regulatory hurdles, which are gradually being addressed. 

“The commercialisation of hemp and cannabis in South Africa is advancing, with the dtic already consulting national and provincial departments, as well as industry stakeholders through preliminary consultation geared development of a commercialisation policy.

“The Hemp and Cannabis Commercialisation Policy is expected to be ready for Cabinet approval and public comment by April 2026. 

“An Overarching Cannabis Bill is also in development to unify existing regulations, including the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024. This Bill, which will cover private use, commercial cultivation, manufacturing and research, is set to be presented to Parliament by mid-2027,” the department said.

In October 2021, the Department of Agriculture, declared Cannabis sativa L. with low THC (hemp) as an agricultural product under the Plant Improvement Act, 1976 (Act No.53 of 1976). This marked a major shift, allowing for regulated cultivation, import and export – provided growers obtained the required permits.

Historically, South Africa had one of the strictest THC limits globally – just 0.2%. But due to challenges like intense sunlight naturally boosting THC levels, a proposal was made to the Minister of Agriculture to approve the amendment of the threshold to 2% in terms of the Regulations of the new Plant Improvement Act 2018, (Act No. 11 of 2018) which is currently pending proclamation.

This is a game changer for farmers, making it easier to grow compliant crops and unlocking broader industrial uses, from textiles to construction materials. 

Medical cannabis is legal, with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) issuing 120 licenses for export and 1 408 cultivation permits issued by the Department of Agriculture, indicating strong government support.

As the dtic and Chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Hemp and Cannabis, through the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, the department has committed to support the industry through trade remedies, export opportunities, industry standards and compliance, combating illicit trade and access to funding for the downstream activities.

Initiatives like the Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS) offer grants of up to R20 million to stimulate investment in agro-processing, job creation and transformation.

Through international trade missions and agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the dtic is helping the South African producers access new markets globally, including markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. 

The department’s Director-General Simphiwe Hamilton has indicated that the export driven hemp and cannabis industry is key in the South Africa economy as it is one of the leading labour absorbing sectors within many rural communities. 

The hemp and cannabis industry employs over 90 000 people in South Africa. Favourable climate conditions, rising demand for medicinal products, and initiatives like the National Cannabis Master Plan contribute to the sector’s growth. 

Medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2017, with private use decriminalised in 2018, and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act enacted into law by President Ramaphosa on 28 May 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

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NYDA engages youth in KZN

Source: Government of South Africa

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has held on an outreach programme in KwaZulu-Natal to promote holistic development and provide safe, constructive alternatives for youth engagement outside the classroom.

The programme also included oversight visits to NYDA grant recipients and youth-headed indigent households in uMzinto. 

“These efforts form part of the NYDA’s broader campaign to bring services directly to young people, particularly those in rural areas, townships, and informal settlements. The aim is to provide practical support that alleviates poverty, combats youth unemployment, and creates pathways to empowerment,” the agency said.

In a practical demonstration of this commitment, the NYDA, in partnership with the Umdoni Local Municipality, will support two young unemployed single mothers who were visited during the outreach.  

One will be enrolled in a business management training programme with a pathway to start-up funding, alongside job placement support. 

The second will receive assistance to return to school and will be enrolled in both the Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives and the National Youth Service programme for immediate socio-economic relief.

“To the young women who have faced challenges like teenage pregnancy; do not give up. This is not the end of your dreams. Use the opportunities we bring to empower yourselves, protect yourselves, and become the authors of your own future,” NYDA Executive Chairperson, Dr Sunshine Myende said.

This visit affirms the NYDA’s strategic vision of building an inclusive, youth-centred development agenda, aligned with the principles of the National Development Plan (NDP) and the broader national commitment to socio-economic transformation.

The visit was also intended to honour the legacy of the late former Executive Deputy Chairperson, Bavelile Hlongwa.

The outreach carried profound significance, as the informal settlements visited are the very communities where the late Bavelile Hlongwa was raised. Her memory and legacy live on through the ongoing work of the NYDA to serve, uplift, and empower young South Africans.

“As we honour Hlongwa’s legacy, the NYDA remains resolute in taking services to all young people where they are, as they are. Not every young person will go to university, but every young person must have access to skills, support, and opportunities that enable them to break the cycle of poverty,” Myende said. –SAnews.gov.za

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DFFE on a fiscal discipline mission

Source: Government of South Africa

As government operates in a constrained fiscal climate, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is cutting unnecessary spending to ensure that every rand delivers maximum value.  

This will be achieved through fiscal accountability, limiting large physical events, eco-tourism and focusing on high-value environmental initiatives instead of funding campaigns without measurable impact.

With the R2.5 billion reduction over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said the department is compelled to rethink how it works, spends and delivers.

“Fiscal responsibility starts with accountability. That is why I have directed that all outreach programmes, department projects, and initiatives must have my prior approval, backed by detailed cost breakdowns and alignment with strategic priorities. 

“This is stewardship, not micromanagement. It ensures compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and with my Performance Agreement with the President.

“We are cutting unnecessary costs. Large physical events that consume millions will be replaced, where appropriate, with more effective and affordable online consultations, as was successfully done during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allows us to broaden participation, while safeguarding limited resources,” the Minister explained.

The department is also reprioritising as it focuses on high-value environmental initiatives, such as the upgrading and securing of South Africa’s 12 proclaimed fishing harbours and strengthening the front-line support for rangers and Fishing Control Officers.

“New bunkering regulations signed this year will protect one of our most endangered species, the African Penguin, and secure eco-tourism worth billions to our economy. 

“These decisions have already received international recognition, including praise from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 2025 Economic Survey for driving real emissions reductions,” George said.

He emphasised that this is a new era for the department.

“Weak oversight, inflated costs, and misaligned initiatives belong to the past. We are enforcing competitive procurement, aligning programmes with strategy, and holding officials accountable for results.

“The DFFE is not only a department of government. It is a steward of South Africa’s natural heritage and a driver of inclusive growth. With over 3 700 personnel, we must operate with precision and purpose. I am determined to ensure that this institution delivers jobs, sustainability, and credible governance.

“Together with South Africans across all sectors, we will prove that fiscal discipline and environmental stewardship are two sides of the same coin, and that through this discipline, we can secure a greener and more prosperous future for all,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za