Category: Africa

Source: APO

.

President John Dramani Mahama will participate in the first Davos convening of the Accra Reset on 22nd January 2026, on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

The President leads the Presidential Council of the Accra Reset, a Global South initiative working to strengthen sovereign capacity and reimagine international cooperation in an era of unprecedented global challenges.

Other Presidential Council members attending the side event include President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent Nigeria, and Prime Minister James Marape will represent Papua New Guinea.

Former Heads of State participating include President Olusegun Obasanjo, Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who make up the Guardians Circle of the Accra Reset.

The meeting will launch priority programmes following the initiative’s introduction at the 2025 UN General Assembly and endorsement at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

Accra Reset is timely amid intensifying great-power rivalries, the collapse of the global aid narrative, unprecedented trade tensions, and the crises of climate shocks, cost of living, pandemics, and conflicts.

President Mahama considers the Accra Reset as complementary to his domestic reform, the Resetting Ghana Agenda. As a founding member, Ghana recognises that effective national governance requires both internal reforms and a more equitable international system.

President Mahama has consistently emphasised that sovereignty means the capacity to execute national visions while building strategic partnerships, particularly within Africa and across the Global South, that advance mutual interests.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with U.S. President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of his participation in the WEF, in Davos. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel- Atty, and Director of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Hassan Rashad. From the U.S. side, the meeting was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the meeting discussed relations between Egypt and the United States. The President emphasized Egypt’s keenness to elevate these relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership and looked forward to fostering economic and trade cooperation through convening the second session of the Egyptian-American Economic Forum in 2026.

For his part, the U.S. president expressed his great appreciation for the longstanding partnership between the two countries across various political, military, and economic fields and praised President El-Sisi’s role in achieving development and political and security stability in Egypt, as well as in supporting regional peace and stability.

The meeting also reviewed regional issues of mutual interest. President El-Sisi welcomed President Trump’s initiative to establish the Peace Council and the role entrusted to the Council to achieve peace and resolve various conflicts, expressing his support for this initiative. The President noted President Trump’s pivotal role in stopping the war in the Gaza Strip and beginning the implementation of the second phase of the agreement, referring to the announcement of the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the administration of the Strip. The President affirmed Egypt’s readiness to exert all necessary efforts to ensure the full implementation of the agreement. The President stressed the importance of immediately starting early recovery efforts for the reconstruction of the Strip and emphasized the need to increase humanitarian assistance in light of the harsh conditions endured by Palestinian people.

The two sides also discussed joint efforts to end the war in Sudan within the framework of the Quartet. The President welcomed U.S. efforts in this regard and affirmed the importance of reaching an urgent humanitarian truce and intensifying international efforts to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.

President El-Sisi valued President Trump’s interest in the issue of the Nile waters, being an existential and pivotal issue for Egypt. The President confirmed that the U.S. president’s sponsorship of efforts to resolve this protracted crisis shall open new prospects for an anticipated breakthrough.

President El-Sisi further emphasized Egypt’s keenness to establish cooperation mechanisms with the Nile Basin countries to achieve common interests in accordance eith the rules of international law, especially that the volume of water and rainfall in the Nile Basin countries is abundant and sufficient to meet their needs and uses if managed properly.

The meeting also touched on developments in Lebanon. The President affirmed the importance of the U.S. role in halting attacks and violations against Lebanon’s sovereignty. This is in order to enable state institutions to carry out their duties and extend their authority over the entirety of Lebanese territory.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

The World Advanced Manufacturing & Future Mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco) has secured a transformative lineup of global industrial leaders making their first appearance at a manufacturing exhibition in Morocco, signaling unprecedented international confidence in the kingdom’s emergence as a strategic hub for Industry 4.0 and intelligent manufacturing across Africa.

Taking place from 20 to 22 January at Foire Internationale de Casablanca, WAM Morocco marks the exhibition debut in Morocco for SAP, Sumitomo Corporation, ENGIE, Vigel and Zoho Corporation, joining an elite roster of more than 100 participating companies from over 18 countries, including the United States, Portugal, Spain, France, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Vietnam, Netherlands and Italy.

The exhibition brings together a powerful convergence of global technology giants and industrial innovators, including Schneider Electric, Teledyne, Vivo Energy, Autoritat Portuària de Barcelona, Kirby Building Systems and OCP Circular Technologies, creating an unparalleled platform for cross-border collaboration, technology transfer and investment mobilisation across Africa’s industrial ecosystem.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: “The calibre of companies choosing WAM Morocco for their first manufacturing exhibition in the region demonstrates the extraordinary momentum building around Morocco’s industrial transformation. These global leaders recognise that Morocco is not just participating in the future of intelligent manufacturing—it is actively shaping it. WAM Morocco creates the strategic gateway where global innovation meets regional ambition, unlocking new pathways for collaboration that will define Africa’s industrial future.”

A spokesperson for UM6P shared: “Our participation in WAM Morocco reflects our belief in Morocco’s ability to lead a new generation of intelligent industrial ecosystems. This platform gives us a unique opportunity to collaborate, innovate and accelerate the technologies shaping tomorrow’s manufacturing landscape.”

The event’s significance is amplified by robust backing from Morocco’s most influential industrial and institutional stakeholders, including MSC Pro, CDD, CE3M, Amlog, Fenagri, CGM, OFPPT and UM6P, alongside strategic sponsorship from Seidor, Transit Aharram and Plastic Science by Design. This institutional support, combined with Morocco’s sovereign financial institutions and industry federations, including CDG and APEBI, positions WAM Morocco as a government-endorsed catalyst for nationwide industrial advancement.

Hatim Chraibi, Principal at SPIRE Advisory Group, emphasised: “WAM Morocco is one of the rare opportunities where all the key stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers and investors are in the same room. It’s a vital platform to create synergies, raise awareness, and unlock the industrial potential of Morocco and Africa.”

In a landmark development, WAM Morocco introduces the region’s first international startup pavilion backed by Invest India, fast-tracking cross-border industrial innovation and creating direct pathways between African industrial challenges and global startup solutions. This initiative is reinforced by the Supernova Challenge, Africa’s first manufacturing-focused startup competition, featuring a USD 10,000 cash prize and attracting over 40 innovative startups competing across advanced manufacturing, supply chain optimisation, industrial automation and future mobility.

The top 10 Supernova finalists represent breakthrough innovation across critical industrial sectors, including advanced robotics, AI-powered quality control, sustainable materials technology, industrial IoT platforms, smart logistics solutions, and next-generation energy systems. These startups will pitch live to a panel of leading investors and industry executives, with winners securing not just capital but strategic partnerships that accelerate market entry across Africa and beyond.

Jaafar Elalamy, CEO of Seiki, highlighted the strategic timing: “The upcoming WAM Morocco is a timely opportunity to emphasise the strategic value of mobility data in shaping smarter, more sustainable cities. Morocco is positioned as a gateway between Africa and Europe and could serve as a model for data-driven urban planning. As the country prepares for the 2030 World Cup and Digital Morocco 2030 goal, the urgency to integrate mobility data has never been more pressing.”

Further extending WAM Morocco’s pan-African impact, the event has secured FEWACCI (Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce & Industry) as a new strategic partner, connecting Morocco’s industrial ecosystem with West Africa’s rapidly expanding markets and unlocking transformative opportunities for regional trade, investment and technology deployment.

Organised by KAOUN International (DWTC) and delivered in close partnership with regional and international stakeholders including MSC Pro, CDD, UM6P, Advantage Austria and Der Mittelstand, BVMW (Germany), WAM Morocco unites public and private sector leaders to drive tangible Industry 4.0 transformation across borders.

In association with GITEX Africa, WAM Morocco is powered by one of the world’s most influential technology ecosystems, leveraging shared DNA to position Morocco as a continental epicentre for Industry 4.0 and advanced industrial transformation.

WAM Morocco takes place in Casablanca from 20 to 22 January. Industry leaders, innovators and investors are invited to be part of the region’s defining platform for advanced manufacturing.

For more information, visit www.WAMMorocco.com

– on behalf of KAOUN International.

Follow WAM Morrocco on social media: 
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4sRlQYb
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/45pMJbz
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3ZmARDE
X: https://apo-opa.co/4qxja0d
Youtube: https://apo-opa.co/45lTFXc
Hashtag: #WAMMorocco

About KAOUN International and WAM Morocco:
KAOUN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is at the forefront of organizing transformative global events that foster collaboration, innovation, and industry growth. Building on a rich legacy of landmark exhibitions such as GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and AI event, KAOUN International is also responsible for the Kingdom’s most significant food industry events, including the Saudi Food Show and the thriving Saudi Food Manufacturing show.

In line with its mission to advance global industry and logistics, KAOUN International presents World Advanced Manufacturing & Future Mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco), Africa’s leading industrial and logistics expo. Organized by the team behind the renowned GITEX and GITEX AFRICA events, WAM Morocco reflects Morocco’s steadfast commitment to sustainable and inclusive industrial development. This landmark event aims to empower African nations, driving partnerships, investment, and technological advancement that will elevate the continent’s global competitiveness and realize the vision for a stronger, interconnected, and innovative industrial economy across Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

.

 Core Fashion Kenya supported by the UN Economic Commission for Africa – ECA hosted its Fashion Roundtable and Fashion Sourcing Tour during The Hub of Africa Fashion Week on Thursday January 15th at The Addis Ababa House of Culture, bringing together some of the most influential voices shaping the future of African fashion. The convening underscored a shared commitment to collaboration, transparency, and strategic growth across the continent’s fashion value chain—at a pivotal moment for an industry valued at $31 billion.

The Fashion Sourcing Tour, which took place from 13-16th January welcomed designers and industry leaders including Ejiro, Ugo Monye, and Tumi Buys, offering firsthand engagement with East Africa’s manufacturing, artisan, and sourcing ecosystems. The initiative aimed to unlock cross-border opportunities while strengthening intra-African supply chains.

The Roundtable Discussion, in collaboration with ECA, assembled an exceptional group of leaders and practitioners, including Tumi Buys, Waridi Schrobsdorff, Sheila Kingori, Shaldon Kopman, Ejiro Tafiri, Lydia Steele, Nursema Cil, Mahlet Teklemariam, and Mastewal Alemu. Together, they tackled the urgent structural and strategic questions facing African fashion as it scales globally.

A Call for Transparency, Quality, and Collective Action

Central to the conversation was the need for greater transparency in pricing, sourcing, and quality standards—a prerequisite for attracting global buyers, investors, and partners. Participants emphasized that African brands must invest not only in design excellence but also in high-quality media, photography, and storytelling to compete on the world stage.

Manufacturing challenges—including high minimum order quantities, infrastructure limitations, and access to reliable power and water—were discussed candidly. Rather than viewing these as barriers, the group stressed the need for audacity, innovation, and collaboration to design African-led solutions.

Designers Expanding Across Borders

A Lagos-based designer, Ugo Monye shared plans to expand operations into Kenya, Ethiopia and various African countries leveraging traditional African materials to promote cultural heritage across markets—while navigating workforce and sourcing complexities. Meanwhile, Mastewal Alemu, a leading high-end Ethiopian fashion house outlined its strategy to scale production, improve quality control, addressing long-standing gaps in skills development, capital access, and market demand.

Building Infrastructure for the Future

The Roundtable highlighted logistics and sustainability innovations, including on-going engagements with airline partners aimed at reducing shipping costs while improving speed and reliability for international transport to global fashion hubs such as Italy.

Strategic initiatives discussed include:

From Dialogue to Action

Linda Murithi, Founder of The Core Roundtable talks concluded the session with a clear mandate: “move decisively from conversation to execution.” 

Action points include testing a collective production and logistics model by August 2026, engaging African buyers and stockists, deepening partnerships with international brands, and organizing workshops focused on mentorship, business sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.

Future plans also include The Core Fashion Sourcing Tours in Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, reinforcing Core Fashion Kenya’s commitment to strengthening South–South collaboration within Africa.

For her part, Mercy Wambui, ECA’s Communication Head, welcomed the roundtable initiative and the sourcing tours, noting that Africa’s demographic dividend “will depend on the continent getting its job market right for the millions of young creatives needing spaces to connect and make money from their creations right here in Africa.”

“The AfCFTA is an opportunity waiting to be seized by African creatives,” she added. 

– on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, today co-chaired a high-level strategic engagement with the Governor of Bomet County, Hillary Barchock, bringing together key health sector stakeholders—including unions, the private sector, faith-based organisations, and development partners—to strengthen the delivery of quality healthcare under Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

The engagement was guided by a data-driven performance briefing, which indicated that all 158 public health facilities in Bomet County are fully empanelled on digital health systems. The County has registered over 610,000 residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA), ranking second nationally, and has achieved 97 per cent coverage in both immunisation and sanitation.

Commending the County’s progressive health reforms, the Cabinet Secretary noted that teachers registered under SHA can now access healthcare services at any accredited facility nationwide. He further announced that, effective 1 April, the Kenya Prisons Service and the National Police Service will transition to SHA. Since its establishment, SHA has registered 28.8 million Kenyans across the country.

Hon. Duale also announced plans to convene a consultative forum with relevant stakeholders to ensure full empanelment of all healthcare workers under SHA, recognising their central role in advancing UHC, and acknowledged the alignment of UHC staff remuneration with SRC guidelines.

Governor Barchock reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to supporting the Ministry’s efforts to curb fraud within the SHA system and called for capacity-building of health personnel, with support from SHA. He also emphasised the need for enhanced public sensitisation on SHA registration and contribution payment processes.

The Cabinet Secretary was hosted by Bomet County leadership led by Governor Barchock and Richard Yegon (Bomet East), and was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Ouma Oluga, Mercy Mwangangi, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Health Agency, Anthony Lenayara, alongside other national and county leaders.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: APO – Report:

The World Advanced Manufacturing & Future Mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco) has secured over 60 speakers from 20+ countries delivering 45+ hours of strategic content across three days, positioning the event as the region’s most influential platform for industrial transformation.

The conference marks the first regional speaking appearance for world-class leaders including Dr. Mehdi Snène, Chief AI Officer of the United Nations (Switzerland); Alain Sanchez, Chief Information & Security Officer for EMEA at Fortinet (France); Maxime de Bonrepos, Vice President of Asset Management Renewables at ENGIE; Isaac Chetrit, Board Director of Blazie Holdings (USA); and Pavlo Stergard, Deputy Head for MENA at Bpifrance.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: ” The calibre of speakers choosing WAM Morocco for their first appearance in the region reflects the extraordinary strategic importance of this moment. These are the architects of global industrial transformation, the custodians of billion-dollar portfolios, and the decision-makers shaping the future of manufacturing across continents. Their presence in Casablanca signals that Morocco has moved from potential to performance, from ambition to execution.”

Dr. Mehdi Snène, the UN’s top AI executive, manages the largest European neuroscience project valued at over €1 billion. Alain Sanchez leads cybersecurity for Fortinet’s $65 billion enterprise, advising Fortune 500 boards on the $10 trillion digital economy. Maxime de Bonrepos leads ENGIE’s green energy portfolio and architected the 1.5 GW Khazna Solar project in the UAE. Isaac Chetrit commands a multi-billion dollar investment portfolio as one of New York’s most sought-after investors. Pavlo Stergard represents Bpifrance’s €57.3 billion in assets under management, supporting 80,000+ companies across 1,150+ direct investments.

Additional first-time speakers include Fabrizio Lodovico, Managing Director of Vigel (Italy), with 5,500 machines installed globally; Jorge Sebastião, Co-Founder and CTO of Ecox (Portugal), advisor to Dubai government on blockchain; and Amine Sounni, Co-Founder of Terabase Energy (USA), delivering 250 projects representing $10 billion in investment.

Dr. Mehdi Snène, Chief AI Officer of the United Nations, stated: “Artificial intelligence is the foundation upon which the next generation of industrial ecosystems will be built. Morocco’s strategic vision creates an exceptional environment for AI-driven manufacturing transformation. WAM Morocco represents a critical moment where policy, technology and industrial ambition converge to accelerate Africa’s intelligent manufacturing revolution.”

Alain Sanchez, Chief Information & Security Officer for EMEA at Fortinet, added: “As manufacturing becomes increasingly digitised, cybersecurity is fundamental to industrial competitiveness and national security. Morocco’s ambition to become a regional manufacturing hub demands world-class digital infrastructure. WAM Morocco provides the ideal platform to build resilient, secure industrial ecosystems that can compete on the global stage.”

The conference tackles critical priorities including data centres for future-ready industries, global capital flows, green manufacturing, AI deployment, supply chain sovereignty, and energy transition.

Organised by KAOUN International (DWTC) in partnership with MSC Pro, CDD, UM6P, Advantage Austria and Der Mittelstand. BVMW (Germany), WAM Morocco takes place in Casablanca from 20 to 22 January.

For more information, visit www.WAMMorocco.com

– on behalf of KAOUN International.

Follow WAM Morocco on social media: 
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/4pSjG86 
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4qraKra 
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/45RO2jI 
X: http://apo-opa.co/45qhTzI 
Youtube: http://apo-opa.co/4qraKHG
Hashtag: #WAMMOROCCO

About KAOUN International and WAM Morocco:
KAOUN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is at the forefront of organizing transformative global events that foster collaboration, innovation, and industry growth. Building on a rich legacy of landmark exhibitions such as GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and AI event, KAOUN International is also responsible for the Kingdom’s most significant food industry events, including the Saudi Food Show and the thriving Saudi Food Manufacturing show.

In line with its mission to advance global industry and logistics, KAOUN International presents World Advanced Manufacturing & Future mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco), Africa’s leading industrial and logistics expo. Organized by the team behind the renowned GITEX and GITEX AFRICA events, WAM Morocco reflects Morocco’s steadfast commitment to sustainable and inclusive industrial development. This landmark event aims to empower African nations, driving partnerships, investment, and technological advancement that will elevate the continent’s global competitiveness and realize the vision for a stronger, interconnected, and innovative industrial economy across Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

.

On January 21, commencing at 11:35 a.m. for approximately 90 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting and working lunch with Hon. Selma ASHIPALA-MUSAVYI, Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia, who is paying a visit to Japan, as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The overview is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister MOTEGI welcomed Minister Ashipala-Musavyi’s visit to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and expressed his hope to deepen cooperation with Namibia, a country that is important for strengthening connectivity between Indian Ocean nations and Africa by combining quality ports with access to neighboring countries, to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law. In response, Minister Ashipala-Musavyi expressed her appreciation for Japan’s hospitality during this visit, as well as her expectation for further development of bilateral relations.
2. Minister MOTEGI stated that he would like to utilize this visit to follow up on the outcomes of TICAD 9. He also expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation toward enhancing economic relations between Japan and Namibia, while also mentioning Japan’s past development cooperation and Japanese companies’ interest in mineral and energy resources. In response, Minister Ashipala-Musavyi expressed her gratitude for Japan’s support to date and her expectation for mutually beneficial economic development through Japanese companies’ investment in Namibia. Both sides concurred on accelerating cooperation toward further strengthening bilateral relations, including investment promotion.
3. Both sides also exchanged views on various regional and international issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific, their policies toward North Korea including the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, the situation in Africa and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. They confirmed that they would continue to work together.

 

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO – Report:

.

On 21 January, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Olexandr Mischenko received the copies of credentials from newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Ukraine, Mr. Ahmed Ouail.

Olexandr Mishchenko congratulated the Ambassador on the start of his work in Ukraine and expressed hope for the active development of bilateral relations as well as for more active support by Algeria for our State, particularly in the context of adopting UN resolutions condemning Russia’s armed aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The parties discussed the state of Ukrainian-Algerian relations and the prospects for their development in the medium and long term, and identified key areas of cooperation, in particular in the context of full-scale aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

It was agreed to intensify high-level political dialogue, notably in the context of the future visit to Ukraine of the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Ahmed Attaf.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.