Category: Africa

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Wanted suspects arrested during track and tracing raids

Source: Government of South Africa

Wanted suspects arrested during track and tracing raids

The South African Police (SAPS) has arrested 308 wanted suspects during track and tracing raids conducted by detectives as part of weekly planned Operation Shanela. 

“The police arrested 22 suspects wanted in connection with rape cases, 10 for sexual offences, seven suspects for murder cases, 11 for attempted murder and 67 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm were apprehended and will appear in different courts soon,” the police said in a statement.

Over 1 015 suspects were arrested during high density deployments, as the multidisciplinary integrated forces carried out the following policing actions:

● High visibility patrols (5 350).

● Stop-and-search (13 227).

● Licensed liquor premises inspection (645).

● Second-hand dealers compliance inspection (147).

● Compliance inspection at scrapyards or recyclers (56).

● Spaza shops or informal business visits (76).

● Farm visits together with the Department of Home Affairs and Department of Labour (2 831).

“The joint team seized 703 grams of tik/chrystal meth and 59 mandrax tablets. The team further confiscated 950.68 litres of alcohol beverages, 108 packets of tobacco, and 305 kilograms of suspected stolen copper cables.

“Another weekly planned Operation Shanela will unfold in certain areas of concern and identified crime hotspot areas throughout Free State province,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng Health dept’s Mandela Month Surgical Marathon kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng Health dept’s Mandela Month Surgical Marathon kicks off

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) will conduct more than 1000 surgeries and clinical procedure in July in honour of Mandela Month.

This will mark the fourth edition of the department’s Mandela Month Surgical Marathon.

“[The] initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing efforts to reduce surgical waiting lists, improve access to care and restore the dignity of patients awaiting procedures across Gauteng public hospitals.

“With a total pledge of 1078 surgeries and clinical procedures, the department aims to surpass the 806 procedures performed during the 2025 Mandela Month Surgical Marathon, demonstrating continued progress in strengthening surgical services and expanding access to timely care,” the GDoH said.

Some 19 hospitals, including academic, tertiary, regional and district hospitals, will participate, making it “one of the province’s largest coordinated surgical access interventions to date”.

“These hospitals will dedicate theatre time throughout July to reduce waiting lists and improve access to specialist surgical services.

“More than 20 surgical and clinical disciplines will participate in this year’s programme, including ophthalmology, orthopaedics, general surgery, urology, paediatric surgery, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, ear, nose and throat surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, breast surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and oncology services.

“The procedures planned for this year’s Surgical Marathon range from cataract surgeries, hip and knee replacements and hernia repairs to more specialised interventions such as cochlear implants, penile prosthetic implants, paediatric reconstructive surgery and cardiac procedures,” the department explained.

Civil society organisations such as Gift of the Givers, the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa, Operation Healing Hands and Envision Africa will support the programme with specialist teams, medical consumables and equipment.

“For many patients, surgery represents more than a medical procedure. It means restored sight, renewed mobility, relief from pain and an opportunity to return to work, school and family life after months or even years of waiting for treatment.

“The Mandela Month Surgical Marathon is more than a series of operations. It is a province-wide commitment to restore hope, reduce waiting times, strengthen the health system and honour the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela through meaningful action.

“Every procedure performed represents sight restored, mobility regained, pain relieved and dignity returned to patients and families across Gauteng,” the department said.

Earlier this month, Cabinet called on all South Africans to dedicate their time to help build a better country that works for all.

“South Africa will in July commemorate Mandela Month under the theme ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity ‘. Cabinet calls on all South Africans to dedicate their time and efforts during Mandela Month and on Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2026, to help build a South Africa that works for South Africans,” it said.

Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18 July 2009 via a unanimous decision of the United Nation’s General Assembly. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Mining Chambers to Highlight Africa’s Next Wave of Investment Opportunities at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

Source: APO


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As African countries advance reforms to unlock new mineral discoveries and strengthen mining investment, chambers of mines are playing an increasingly important role in connecting governments, investors and industry. Through policy advocacy, regulatory engagement and investment promotion, these organizations are helping shape the continent’s next phase of mining development.

That growing role will be on display at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 14–16, where chamber executives will highlight the policies, partnerships and investment opportunities driving growth across Africa’s mining sector.

Zimbabwe offers a prime example of this expanding role. The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe has become an increasingly influential voice in addressing production constraints, including power shortages and foreign exchange challenges. Its recommendations align with recent government initiatives to expand coal-fired power generation, increase coal production and achieve 10% mining sector growth in 2026. At AMW 2026, CEO Isaac Kwesu will outline investment opportunities emerging as the country implements reforms to strengthen mining competitiveness.

In South Africa, the Minerals Council South Africa continues to advocate for improvements to rail, port and electricity infrastructure while supporting the implementation of the Mineral Resources Development Bill and measures to stimulate exploration. These priorities complement government initiatives such as the Junior Mining Exploration Fund and a broader strategy to mobilize R2 trillion in mining investment over the next five years. CEO Mzila Mthenjane will discuss efforts to revitalize exploration and unlock opportunities across the country’s platinum group metals, manganese and critical minerals sectors.

In Zambia, the Zambia Chamber of Mines has helped shape the Geological and Minerals Development Act of 2025, legislation designed to stimulate mineral exploration as the country works toward increasing annual copper production to three million tons by 2031. Zambia has already reached a key milestone in its nationwide geological mapping program, completing 55% of the survey, while the recent launch of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Policy and Geoportal is improving investor access to geological data. At AMW 2026, CEO Sokwani Chilembo is expected to showcase investment opportunities as Zambia expands exploration and diversifies beyond copper.

As countries increasingly position mining as a driver of economic diversification, Fousseni Togola, President of the Mali Chamber of Mines, will present opportunities in the country’s gold and lithium sectors, highlighting how Mali’s 2023 Mining Code is supporting investment into emerging minerals.

In Uganda, Humphrey Asiimwe, CEO of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, told AMW that the chamber will use the event to promote investment opportunities in gold, graphite and rare earths. The country’s mining sector forms a cornerstone of Uganda’s strategy to increase GDP from $59.3 billion to $500 billion by 2040.

Meanwhile, Amara Kamara, President of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, is expected to highlight reforms aimed at attracting new exploration investment, including plans to establish a national mining company as Liberia targets more than $3 billion in annual mining and energy revenues by 2029.

Regional collaboration will also feature prominently during AMW 2026. Thierry Naweji, Executive Chairman of the SA-DRC Chamber of Commerce, is expected to discuss opportunities to strengthen cooperation between South African and Congolese mining companies as both countries work to build more integrated regional mineral value chains.

With regulatory reforms gathering pace across the continent, AMW 2026 will highlight how chambers of mines are helping translate policy ambitions into investment opportunities, reinforcing their growing role in Africa’s mining development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Bernard Beya appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Source: APO

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (https://Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bernard Beya as Chief Executive Officer of its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), effective 1 April 2026.

“The DRC represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities in our region, and Bernard’s appointment comes at an important moment in our journey. His deep understanding of the local market, combined with his commitment to customer success and operational excellence, will help accelerate our ambitions to expand digital infrastructure and enable greater economic growth across the country,” said Sutha Siva, EVP: Group Chief Operating Officer at Cassava Technologies.

Bernard brings over 20 years of leadership experience in telecommunications, including deep expertise in the DRC market. He joined Liquid in September 2022 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Acting CEO in November 2025, overseeing the organisation’s strategic, operational and commercial direction. His proven track record of delivering results and building stakeholder trust highlights his capability to lead Liquid DRC effectively.

“I am honoured to lead Liquid DRC’s next phase of growth. Our priority is to build on the strong operational and financial foundation we have established to deliver greater value for our customers and partners. As a business of Cassava Technologies, we can expand access to reliable connectivity, cloud, cyber security, colocation and compute AI for our customers. We can play a meaningful role in accelerating digital transformation for the country’s enterprises, government, and communities,” said Bernard.

As the Democratic Republic of Congo advances its digital transformation agenda (https://apo-opa.co/450UEeK) through significant investments in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and skills development, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is well positioned to support these national ambitions, helping unlock inclusive economic growth and drive the country’s digital future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

About Liquid Intelligent Technologies:
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 116,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent. For more information, visit https://Liquid.Tech.    

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Gabon : L’héritier de l’ombre et de la lumière (Tome 2), un roman de fantasy mystique de l’auteure Franco-Gabonaise Céline Flore Saint Clair MEYO

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Un roman de fantasy mystique où l’amour maternel devient l’arme la plus puissante face aux forces qui convoitent l’avenir du monde.

Après la disparition de Xandro, une jeune femme découvre qu’elle porte un enfant capable de communiquer avec elle et d’ouvrir des brèches entre les mondes. Traquée par des forces obscures et surveillée par des entités divines, elle comprend que son fils à naître est convoité parce qu’il représente une clé vers la lumière… ou la destruction. Aidée par un mystérieux Homme sans ombre, elle devra apprendre à maîtriser des pouvoirs qui bouleversent le temps, les rêves et la réalité. À mesure que le lien entre la mère et l’enfant se renforce, une guerre ancienne ressurgit, attirant démons, gardiennes célestes et créatures oubliées. Pour sauver son enfant, elle devra choisir entre la peur, le sacrifice et l’amour qui défie les ténèbres.

L’auteure, Céline Flore Saint-Clair MEYO a 40 ans, d’origine Afro-Antillaise (Franco-Gabonaise).

Elle est née en France et a vécu 17 ans au Gabon, pays d’origine de son père Joseph MEYO.

Durant cette période, il lui est souvent arrivé d’aller en vacances en France puis en Guadeloupe (pays de sa mère Sonia MEYO née URSULE).

C’est bercée par cette mixité exotique et poussée par sa mère qu’elle se découvre une passion pour la lecture et l’écriture de poèmes.

Après l’obtention d’un baccalauréat en Sciences économiques et sociales en 2002, c’est en France, à l’Université de Limoges, qu’elle réalise son cursus universitaire en Droit administratif.

Après de longues années dans le secteur commercial, elle rejoint le secteur social de la Protection de l’Enfance à l’image de sa mère.

En 2024, elle fait éditer son premier recueil de poèmes Effeuillements de mon âme, par les Éditions WebLim.

Commande chez l’autrice :
06 28 93 74 58 
celinemeyo@yahoo.fr

Ou sur Amazon : https://apo-opa.co/4vmnpgJ

BIBLIOGRAPHIE :

Effeuillements de mon âme : https://apo-opa.co/450T24G

Echos de l’âme et harmonie des contrastes : https://apo-opa.co/4pepaLr

L’héritier de l’ombre et de la lumière : https://apo-opa.co/3RB1Wmp

Rétrospection de l’âme : https://apo-opa.co/4w3ANYm

Distribué par APO Group pour Éditions WebLim.

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African Economic Conference Launches Continental Network of Chief Economists to Strengthen Continent’s Policy Leadership

Source: APO


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African policymakers, development institutions and leading economists on Sunday launched the African Chief Economists Network (ACE-Network), a continent-wide platform designed to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and provide coordinated African solutions to increasingly complex global economic challenges.

The launch, one of the principal outcomes of the 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC), comes as African countries face mounting geopolitical tensions, global trade fragmentation, climate shocks, rising debt pressures, and a rapidly evolving international financial and development architecture.

Hosted by the African Development Bank Group in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the three-day conference brought together ministers, central bank officials, chief economists, academics, development practitioners, private-sector leaders and researchers from across Africa and beyond.

The event, held under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World,” concluded with more than 4,000 participants connected virtually over the three days, reflecting growing interest in Africa’s search for stronger, home-grown policy responses to a rapidly changing global economy.

Speaking on behalf of African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah, Senior Vice-President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade described the launch of the ACE-Network as a landmark achievement that would strengthen Africa’s capacity to develop practical, evidence-based policy solutions.

She noted that the broad participation and engagement of stakeholders across diverse sectors and institutions demonstrate the timeliness, relevance and importance of this year’s theme for Africa’s future. She urged members of the new network to translate research into policies and actions that improve the lives of Africans.

“This is a big responsibility on your shoulders, and we expect to see clear results in the form of very effective decisions and, therefore, actions that really move the needle for the men and women of this beautiful continent of ours,” Akin-Olugbade stressed.

Responding to a changing global economy

The establishment of the ACE-Network reflects growing recognition that African countries need stronger coordination among their leading economic thinkers as policymakers navigate increasingly interconnected global crises.

The network aims to fill that gap by creating an informal, invitation-only community of chief economists and senior policy advisers to exchange evidence, coordinate research, identify emerging risks, and jointly develop policy recommendations for African governments.

Members will include chief economists from African development finance institutions and multilateral organisations, chief economic advisers to African presidents and prime ministers, deputy governors of central banks responsible for economic policy, heads of leading think tanks, deans of economics faculties, and senior private-sector economists.

Rather than establishing another formal institution, the network will operate as a collaborative platform, meeting annually alongside the African Economic Conference and holding quarterly virtual sessions and rapid-response meetings during major global or regional economic shocks.

Strengthening Africa’s knowledge sovereignty

Presenting the network’s strategic vision, African Development Bank Group Chief Economist and Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, Prof Kevin Urama, said Africa must strengthen its knowledge systems if it is to shape the emerging global financial and economic order.

He argued that Africa has only a limited window to influence reforms to the international financial architecture and that stronger coordination among African economists would help governments make better-informed decisions amid unprecedented uncertainty.

Among the network’s priorities are strengthening Africa’s knowledge sovereignty, increasing investment in research and innovation, improving policy coordination, reducing duplication across institutions, enhancing early-warning systems for emerging risks, and ensuring that economic analysis better reflects African realities.

Urama also called for greater investment in what he described as “soft infrastructure”—research, data systems and knowledge institutions—to complement the continent’s growing investment in transport, energy and other physical infrastructure.

Bridging research and policymaking

UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Chief Economist Dr Raymond Gilpin described the network as “a unified powerhouse of African intellectuals” capable of narrowing the gap between economic research and public policy.

He said the initiative would help African countries mobilise domestic capital, strengthen implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), develop innovative responses to climate and fiscal challenges, and convert Africa’s demographic growth into a driver of long-term prosperity.

“The Africa Chief Economists Network will be an engine room that designs creative solutions necessary for Africa to attain the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” Gilpin said.

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist Dr Hanan Morsy said increasingly interconnected crises demanded stronger collective economic intelligence across Africa.

“No country, regardless of its size or resources, can effectively navigate this environment alone,” she said, adding that the network’s success would ultimately be measured by whether it improves policymaking, strengthens resilience and contributes to faster, more inclusive growth across the continent.

Representing the OECD, Ida McDonnell, head of the Development Research Unit, noted that current global challenges required integrated approaches to trade, debt, climate finance, industrial policy and investment, rather than treating each issue separately.

She added that the new ACE-Network would help reduce duplication while strengthening African contributions to global policy debates.

Over three days in the Ivorian capital, delegates examined how Africa can strengthen its geopolitical influence while improving trade resilience, mobilising domestic resources, expanding regional value chains, accelerating industrialisation and attracting greater investment in an increasingly multipolar world.

Sessions also explored the future of development finance, public investment efficiency, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, climate resilience, regional integration and institutional reforms needed to position Africa as a stronger actor in global economic governance.

Participants agreed that Africa possesses major comparative advantages—including the world’s youngest population, abundant renewable energy resources, critical minerals, expanding digital markets and the world’s largest free trade area under the AfCFTA—but that stronger institutions, better policy coordination and higher-quality economic analysis will be essential to convert those assets into sustained growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
African Development Bank Group
Kpodo, Wilberforce Kwasi, media@afdb.org

United Nations Development Programme
Eve Sabbagh, eve.sabbagh@undp.org

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Eleanor Carey, Eleanor.CAREY@oecd.org

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African Economic Conference 2026 Concludes with a Strong Commitment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to a Resilient and Prosperous Africa

Source: APO


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“Global economic storms will continue to test African institutions, but they can never erode the fundamental wealth and resilience of Africa’s people. With the strong partnership among our institutions, let us continue to combine our efforts and move forward together with urgency, clarity and determination to build the resilient and prosperous Africa we deserve—because that is the Africa the world needs,” Raymond Gilpin said on Sunday in Abidjan.

Gilpin, Chief Economist and Head of the Strategy, Analysis and Research Team at the Regional Bureau for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC), held from 10 to 12 July at the headquarters of the African Development Bank Group in Abidjan under the theme: “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World.” The event was jointly organized by the African Development Bank Group, UNDP, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Over three days, leading economists, researchers, policymakers and experts from regional and international development institutions engaged in candid discussions, exchanged perspectives and formulated practical recommendations for the continent’s future.

Highlighting key conclusions expected to shape future research and partnerships across Africa, Ida McDonnell, Senior Policy Advisor on Development Policy, Finance and Performance at the OECD, stressed the need for more integrated approaches to policymaking.

“Our analytical frameworks must now adapt to the reality and uncertainty in which we live. Trade, debt, investment, fiscal policy, climate action and development finance are becoming increasingly interconnected. Yet we often continue to analyze them separately. The complexity of today’s policy challenges calls for more integrated analysis that reflects the real choices policymakers face. Data matters—and we all agree on that. It matters even more when it is shared to support better decision-making.”

Marie-Laure Akin Olugbade, Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank Group, representing the President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, officially closed the conference. She commended participants for the rich and productive exchanges, which generated valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities and policy actions required to strengthen Africa’s geopolitical agency and trade resilience in an increasingly multipolar world and rapidly changing global economy.

“I am confident that policymakers and development partners will draw on these discussions to guide their future actions. The exchanges we have had provide an essential foundation for the policies and partnerships needed to strengthen Africa’s geopolitical agency and enhance its trade resilience,” Ms. Akin Olugbade said.

For Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, while the conference may have come to an end, its momentum must continue.

“The lasting impact of these past days will be determined by what we do next: remove barriers to trade, invest in African enterprise and innovation, strengthen regional value chains, and equip our young people to compete in a changing global economy. In a multipolar world, Africa’s greatest leverage will not come from choosing sides, but from building its own economic strength”, she concluded.

The 2026 African Economic Conference also hosted the annual meeting of the Global Network of Chief Economists of Development and Financing Institutions. The event was further marked by the launch of the African Chief Economists Network (ACE Network)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
African Development Bank Group
Alexis Adélé, media@afdb.org

United Nations Development Programme
Eve Sabbagh, eve.sabbagh@undp.org

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Eleanor Carey, Eleanor.CAREY@oecd.org

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Conferência Económica Africana lança rede continental de economistas-chefes para reforçar a liderança política de África

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Os decisores políticos africanos, as instituições de desenvolvimento e os principais economistas lançaram, no domingo, a Rede Africana de Economistas-Chefes (ACE-Network), uma plataforma à escala continental concebida para reforçar a elaboração de políticas baseadas em dados concretos e proporcionar soluções africanas coordenadas para os desafios económicos globais cada vez mais complexos.

O lançamento, um dos principais resultados da Conferência Económica Africana de 2026 (AEC), surge num momento em que os países africanos enfrentam tensões geopolíticas crescentes, fragmentação do comércio global, choques climáticos, pressões crescentes da dívida e uma arquitetura financeira e de desenvolvimento internacional em rápida evolução.

Organizada pelo Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, em parceria com o Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD) e a Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Económico (OCDE), a conferência de três dias reuniu ministros, responsáveis dos bancos centrais, economistas-chefes, académicos, profissionais da área do desenvolvimento, líderes do setor privado e investigadores de toda a África e de outros continentes.

O evento, realizado sob o tema ‘Reforçar a Autonomia Geopolítica e a Resiliência Comercial de África num Mundo Multipolar’, concluiu-se com mais de 4 mil participantes ligados virtualmente ao longo dos três dias, refletindo o crescente interesse na busca de África por respostas políticas mais fortes e de origem própria, face a uma economia global em rápida mudança.

Falando em nome do presidente do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, a vice-presidente sénior Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade descreveu o lançamento da Rede AEC como uma conquista histórica que reforçará a capacidade de África para desenvolver soluções políticas práticas e baseadas em dados concretos.

A ampla participação e o envolvimento das partes interessadas de diversos setores e instituições demonstram a atualidade, a relevância e a importância do tema deste ano para o futuro de África, salientou, exortando os membros da nova rede a traduzir a investigação em políticas e ações que melhorem a vida dos africanos.

“Esta é uma grande responsabilidade que recai sobre os vossos ombros, e esperamos ver resultados claros sob a forma de decisões muito eficazes e, consequentemente, ações que façam realmente a diferença para os homens e as mulheres deste nosso belo continente”, sublinhou Akin-Olugbade.

Responder a uma economia global em mudança

A criação da Rede AEC reflete o crescente reconhecimento de que os países africanos necessitam de uma coordenação mais forte entre os seus principais pensadores económicos, à medida que os decisores políticos enfrentam crises globais cada vez mais interligadas.

A rede visa colmatar essa lacuna através da criação de uma comunidade informal, acessível apenas por convite, composta por economistas-chefes e conselheiros políticos seniores, com o objetivo de trocar dados, coordenar a investigação, identificar riscos emergentes e desenvolver em conjunto recomendações políticas para os governos africanos.

Entre os membros contar-se-ão economistas-chefes de instituições africanas de financiamento ao desenvolvimento e de organizações multilaterais, conselheiros económicos principais de presidentes e primeiros-ministros africanos, vice-governadores de bancos centrais responsáveis pela política económica, diretores de importantes centros de reflexão, reitores de faculdades de economia e economistas seniores do setor privado.

Em vez de criar mais uma instituição formal, a rede funcionará como uma plataforma colaborativa, reunindo-se anualmente em paralelo com a Conferência Económica Africana e realizando sessões virtuais trimestrais e reuniões de resposta rápida durante grandes choques económicos globais ou regionais.

Reforçar a soberania do conhecimento em África

Ao apresentar a visão estratégica da rede, o Prof. Kevin Urama, Economista-Chefe do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento e Vice-Presidente para a Governação Económica e Gestão do Conhecimento, afirmou que África deve reforçar os seus sistemas de conhecimento se quiser moldar a ordem financeira e económica global emergente.

Argumentou que África dispõe apenas de uma janela de oportunidade limitada para influenciar as reformas da arquitetura financeira internacional e que uma coordenação mais forte entre os economistas africanos ajudaria os governos a tomar decisões mais bem informadas num contexto de incerteza sem precedentes.

Entre as prioridades da rede contam-se o reforço da soberania do conhecimento em África, o aumento do investimento em investigação e inovação, a melhoria da coordenação de políticas, a redução da duplicação de esforços entre instituições, o reforço dos sistemas de alerta precoce para riscos emergentes e a garantia de que a análise económica reflita melhor as realidades africanas.

Urama apelou também a um maior investimento naquilo que descreveu como “infraestruturas imateriais” — investigação, sistemas de dados e instituições de conhecimento — para complementar o crescente investimento do continente em transportes, energia e outras infraestruturas físicas.

Fazer a ponte entre a investigação e a elaboração de políticas

O Dr. Raymond Gilpin, economista-chefe do Gabinete Regional do PNUD para África, descreveu a rede como “uma força motriz unificada de intelectuais africanos” capaz de reduzir o fosso entre a investigação económica e as políticas públicas.

Afirmou que a iniciativa ajudará os países africanos a mobilizar capital interno, a reforçar a implementação da Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (AfCFTA), a desenvolver respostas inovadoras aos desafios climáticos e orçamentais e a converter o crescimento demográfico de África num motor de prosperidade a longo prazo.

“A Rede de Economistas-Chefes de África será uma sala de máquinas que conceberá as soluções criativas necessárias para que África alcance os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável e a Agenda 2063 da União Africana”, afirmou Gilpin.

A Secretária Executiva Adjunta e Economista-Chefe da Comissão Económica das Nações Unidas para África (UNECA), Dra. Hanan Morsy, afirmou que as crises cada vez mais interligadas exigiam uma inteligência económica coletiva mais forte em toda a África.

“Nenhum país, independentemente da sua dimensão ou recursos, consegue navegar eficazmente neste ambiente sozinho”, afirmou, acrescentando que o sucesso da rede seria, em última análise, medido pela sua capacidade de melhorar a elaboração de políticas, reforçar a resiliência e contribuir para um crescimento mais rápido e inclusivo em todo o continente.

Em representação da OCDE, Ida McDonnell, chefe da Unidade de Investigação para o Desenvolvimento, observou que os atuais desafios globais exigiam abordagens integradas em matéria de comércio, dívida, financiamento climático, política industrial e investimento, em vez de tratar cada questão separadamente. 

Acrescentou ainda que a nova Rede ACE ajudaria a reduzir a duplicação de esforços, reforçando simultaneamente as contribuições africanas para os debates políticos globais.

Ao longo de três dias na capital da Costa do Marfim, os delegados analisaram como África pode reforçar a sua influência geopolítica, melhorando simultaneamente a resiliência comercial, mobilizando recursos internos, expandindo as cadeias de valor regionais, acelerando a industrialização e atraindo mais investimento num mundo cada vez mais multipolar.

As sessões exploraram também o futuro do financiamento do desenvolvimento, a eficiência do investimento público, a inteligência artificial, a transformação digital, a resiliência climática, a integração regional e as reformas institucionais necessárias para posicionar África como um interveniente mais forte na governação económica global.

Os participantes concordaram que África possui importantes vantagens comparativas — incluindo a população mais jovem do mundo, recursos abundantes de energia renovável, minerais essenciais, mercados digitais em expansão e a maior zona de comércio livre do mundo no âmbito da AfCFTA — mas que instituições mais fortes, uma melhor coordenação de políticas, e análises económicas de maior qualidade serão essenciais para converter esses ativos em crescimento sustentado.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contacto para os media:
Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento
Kpodo, Wilberforce Kwasi, media@afdb.org

Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento 
Eve Sabbagh, eve.sabbagh@undp.org

Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Económico
Eleanor Carey, Eleanor.CAREY@oecd.org

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Conferência Económica Africana de 2026 terminar com um forte compromisso do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD) e da Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Económico (OCDE) com uma África resiliente e próspera

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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“As tempestades económicas globais continuarão a pôr à prova as instituições africanas, mas nunca poderão minar a riqueza fundamental e a resiliência dos povos africanos. Com a forte parceria entre as nossas instituições, continuemos a unir esforços e a avançar juntos com urgência, clareza e determinação para construir a África resiliente e próspera que merecemos — porque essa é a África de que o mundo precisa”, afirmou Raymond Gilpin no domingo, em Abidjan.

Gilpin, economista-chefe e chefe da Equipa de Estratégia, Análise e Investigação do Gabinete Regional para África do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD), falava na cerimónia de encerramento da Conferência Económica Africana de 2026 (AEC), realizada de 10 a 12 de julho na sede do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, em Abidjan, sob o tema: ‘Reforçar a Autonomia Geopolítica e a Resiliência Comercial de África num Mundo Multipolar’. O evento foi organizado conjuntamente pelo Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, pelo PNUD e pela Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Económico (OCDE).

Ao longo de três dias, economistas de renome, investigadores, decisores políticos e especialistas de instituições de desenvolvimento regionais e internacionais participaram em debates francos, trocaram perspetivas e formularam recomendações práticas para o futuro do continente.

Destacando as principais conclusões que se espera que moldem futuras investigações e parcerias em toda a África, Ida McDonnell, Consultora Sénior para Políticas de Desenvolvimento, Financiamento e Desempenho na OCDE, sublinhou a necessidade de abordagens mais integradas na elaboração de políticas.

“Os nossos quadros analíticos têm agora de se adaptar à realidade e à incerteza em que vivemos. O comércio, a dívida, o investimento, a política fiscal, a ação climática e o financiamento do desenvolvimento estão a tornar-se cada vez mais interligados. No entanto, continuamos frequentemente a analisá-los separadamente. A complexidade dos desafios políticos atuais exige uma análise mais integrada que reflita as escolhas reais que os decisores políticos enfrentam. Os dados são importantes — e todos concordamos. São ainda mais importantes quando são partilhados para apoiar uma melhor tomada de decisões”, considerou McDonnell.

Marie-Laure Akin Olugbade, vice-presidente sénior do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, em representação do presidente, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, encerrou oficialmente a conferência. Elogiou os participantes pelas trocas de ideias ricas e produtivas, que geraram perspetivas valiosas sobre os desafios, as oportunidades e as medidas políticas necessárias para reforçar a agência geopolítica de África e a resiliência comercial num mundo cada vez mais multipolar e numa economia global em rápida mudança.

“Estou confiante de que os decisores políticos e os parceiros de desenvolvimento vão basear-se nestas discussões para orientar as suas ações futuras. As trocas de pontos de vista que tivemos constituem uma base essencial para as políticas e parcerias necessárias para reforçar a capacidade de ação geopolítica de África e aumentar a sua resiliência comercial”, afirmou Akin Olugbade.

Para Ahunna Eziakonwa, secretária-geral Adjunta das Nações Unidas e diretora do Gabinete Regional do PNUD para África, embora a conferência tenha chegado ao fim, o seu impulso deve continuar.

“O impacto duradouro destes últimos dias será determinado pelo que fizermos a seguir: eliminar as barreiras ao comércio, investir nas empresas e na inovação africanas, reforçar as cadeias de valor regionais e capacitar os nossos jovens para competirem numa economia global em mudança. Num mundo multipolar, a maior vantagem da África não advirá de escolher lados, mas sim de construir a sua própria força económica”, concluiu.

A Conferência Económica Africana de 2026 acolheu também os Encontros Anuais da Rede Global de Economistas-Chefes de Instituições de Desenvolvimento e Financiamento. O evento ficou ainda marcado pelo lançamento da Rede Africana de Economistas-Chefes (Rede ACE).

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contacto para os media:
Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento
Alexis Adélé, media@afdb.org

Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento 
Eve Sabbagh, eve.sabbagh@undp.org

Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Económico 
Eleanor Carey, Eleanor.CAREY@oecd.org

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La Conférence économique africaine 2026 lance le Réseau africain des économistes en chef pour renforcer le leadership du continent en matière de politiques publiques

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Des décideurs africains, des institutions de développement et des économistes de premier plan ont lancé dimanche le Réseau africain des économistes en chef (ACE-Network), une plateforme continentale conçue pour renforcer l’élaboration de politiques fondées sur des données probantes et promouvoir des solutions africaines coordonnées face à des défis économiques mondiaux de plus en plus complexes.

Ce lancement, qui constitue l’une des principales retombées de l’édition 2026 de la Conférence économique africaine (CEA), intervient à un moment où les pays africains sont confrontés à une montée des tensions géopolitiques, à la fragmentation du commerce mondial, aux chocs climatiques, à l’aggravation de la dette et à l’évolution rapide de l’architecture internationale du financement du développement.

Organisée par le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, le Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD) et l’Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE), la conférence de trois jours a réuni des ministres, des responsables de banques centrales, des économistes en chef, des universitaires, des praticiens du développement, des dirigeants du secteur privé et des chercheurs venus d’Afrique et d’ailleurs.

Placée sous le thème « Renforcer l’influence géopolitique de l’Afrique et sa résilience commerciale dans un monde multipolaire », la conférence s’est achevée après avoir mobilisé plus de 4 000 participants connectés virtuellement pendant les trois jours, témoignant de l’intérêt croissant pour la recherche de réponses africaines plus fortes et adaptées à une économie mondiale en rapide mutation.

S’exprimant au nom du président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, la vice-présidente principale Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, a qualifié le lancement du réseau ACE d’accomplissement majeur qui renforcera la capacité de l’Afrique à élaborer des solutions politiques pratiques fondées sur des données probantes.

Elle a souligné que la forte participation et l’engagement des parties prenantes issues de secteurs et d’institutions variés démontrent la pertinence, l’actualité et l’importance du thème de cette année pour l’avenir du continent. Elle a exhorté les membres du nouveau réseau à transformer les résultats de la recherche en politiques et en actions concrètes améliorant les conditions de vie des Africains.

« Une lourde responsabilité repose désormais sur vos épaules, et nous attendons de voir des résultats tangibles sous la forme de décisions très efficaces et, par conséquent, d’actions qui changent véritablement la vie des hommes et des femmes de notre magnifique continent », a insisté Mme Akin-Olugbade.

Répondre aux mutations de l’économie mondiale

La création du réseau ACE reflète une prise de conscience croissante de la nécessité pour les pays africains de renforcer la coordination entre leurs principaux experts économiques afin d’aider les décideurs à faire face à des crises mondiales de plus en plus interconnectées.

Le réseau vise à combler cette lacune en créant une communauté informelle, accessible uniquement sur invitation, réunissant des économistes en chef et des conseillers politiques de haut niveau afin d’échanger sur des analyses, coordonner la recherche, identifier les risques émergents et élaborer conjointement des recommandations de politiques publiques destinées aux gouvernements africains.

Parmi ses membres figureront des économistes en chef d’institutions africaines de financement du développement et d’organisations multilatérales, des conseillers économiques auprès de présidents et de Premiers ministres africains, des vice-gouverneurs de banques centrales chargés des politiques économiques, des responsables de groupes de réflexion de premier plan, des doyens de facultés d’économie et des économistes expérimentés du secteur privé.

Plutôt que de créer une nouvelle institution formelle, le réseau fonctionnera comme une plateforme de collaboration, se réunissant chaque année dans le cadre de la Conférence économique africaine, tout en organisant des sessions virtuelles trimestrielles et des réunions de réaction rapide lors de chocs économiques majeurs à l’échelle régionale ou mondiale.

Renforcer la souveraineté de l’Afrique en matière de connaissances

Présentant la vision stratégique du réseau, l’économiste en chef et vice-président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement chargé de la Gouvernance économique et de la Gestion des connaissances, le professeur Kevin Urama, a affirmé que l’Afrique doit renforcer ses systèmes de production de connaissances si elle veut contribuer à façonner le nouvel ordre financier et économique mondial.

Selon lui, le continent dispose d’une fenêtre d’opportunité limitée pour influencer les réformes de l’architecture financière internationale. Une meilleure coordination entre les économistes africains aiderait ainsi les gouvernements à prendre des décisions plus éclairées dans un contexte inédit d’incertitude.

Parmi les priorités du réseau figurent le renforcement de la souveraineté intellectuelle de l’Afrique, l’accroissement des investissements dans la recherche et l’innovation, l’amélioration de la coordination des politiques publiques, la réduction des duplications institutionnelles, le renforcement des systèmes d’alerte précoce face aux risques émergents et une meilleure prise en compte des réalités africaines dans l’analyse économique.

Le professeur Urama a également plaidé pour des investissements plus importants dans ce qu’il qualifie d’« infrastructures immatérielles » — recherche, systèmes de données et institutions du savoir — afin de compléter les investissements croissants du continent dans les infrastructures physiques, notamment les transports et l’énergie.

Combler le fossé entre recherche et politiques publiques

L’économiste en chef du Bureau régional du PNUD pour l’Afrique, Dr Raymond Gilpin, a décrit le réseau comme « une force unifiée d’intellectuels africains », capable de réduire l’écart entre la recherche économique et les politiques publiques.

Selon lui, cette initiative aidera les pays africains à mobiliser davantage de capitaux nationaux, à renforcer la mise en œuvre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), à développer des réponses innovantes aux défis climatiques et budgétaires et à transformer la croissance démographique du continent en moteur de prospérité durable.

« Le Réseau africain des économistes en chef sera un véritable moteur de conception de solutions innovantes dont l’Afrique a besoin pour atteindre les Objectifs de développement durable ainsi que l’Agenda 2063 de l’Union africaine », a déclaré M. Gilpin.

Pour sa part, la secrétaire exécutive adjointe et économiste en chef de la Commission économique des Nations unies pour l’Afrique (UNECA), Dr Hanan Morsy, a estimé que les crises de plus en plus interdépendantes exigent une intelligence économique collective renforcée à travers le continent.

« Aucun pays, quelles que soient sa taille ou ses ressources, ne peut naviguer efficacement seul dans cet environnement », a-t-elle affirmé, ajoutant que le succès du réseau sera finalement mesuré à sa capacité d’améliorer les politiques publiques, de renforcer la résilience et de contribuer à une croissance plus rapide et plus inclusive en Afrique.

Représentant l’OCDE, Ida McDonnell, responsable de l’Unité de recherche sur le développement, a souligné que les défis mondiaux actuels nécessitent des approches intégrées en matière de commerce, de dette, de financement climatique, de politique industrielle et d’investissement, plutôt qu’un traitement séparé de chaque problématique.

Elle a ajouté que le nouveau réseau ACE permettra de réduire les chevauchements d’initiatives tout en renforçant la contribution de l’Afrique aux débats mondiaux sur les politiques publiques.

Pendant trois jours dans la capitale économique ivoirienne, les participants ont examiné les moyens pour l’Afrique de renforcer son influence géopolitique tout en améliorant sa résilience commerciale, en mobilisant davantage de ressources nationales, en développant les chaînes de valeur régionales, en accélérant l’industrialisation et en attirant davantage d’investissements dans un monde de plus en plus multipolaire.

Les sessions ont également porté sur l’avenir du financement du développement, l’efficacité de l’investissement public, l’intelligence artificielle, la transformation numérique, la résilience climatique, l’intégration régionale et les réformes institutionnelles nécessaires pour positionner l’Afrique comme un acteur plus influent de la gouvernance économique mondiale.

Les participants ont convenu que l’Afrique dispose d’atouts comparatifs majeurs — notamment la population la plus jeune du monde, d’importantes ressources en énergies renouvelables, des minerais critiques, des marchés numériques en expansion et la plus grande zone de libre-échange au monde grâce à la ZLECAf — mais que des institutions plus solides, une meilleure coordination des politiques publiques et des analyses économiques de plus grande qualité seront indispensables pour transformer ces atouts en une croissance durable.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact médias :
Banque africaine de développement
Kpodo, Wilberforce Kwasi, media@afdb.org

Programme des Nations unies pour le développement
Eve Sabbagh, eve.sabbagh@undp.org

Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques 
Eleanor Carey, Eleanor.CAREY@oecd.org