Category: Africa

Posted on

African health ministers call for urgent action as progress against malaria stalls

Source: APO


.

Progress against malaria in the African region has significantly slowed down, with cases declining by just 5% since 2015 and mortality by 16%, far short of the 75% reduction target that was to be achieved by 2025. Without intensified efforts, the region risks missing the 2030 targets under the Global Technical Strategy for malaria.

The Global Technical Strategy for malaria 2016–2030, adopted in 2015, sets the target of reducing global malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030.

Weak health systems characterized by poor and delayed access to quality health services; impacts of conflicts and natural disasters; inadequate domestic financing; and climate change are among the factors hindering progress against malaria. Widespread insecticide resistance; and resistance to diagnostics and antimalarial drugs; as well as insufficient coordination also contribute to the stagnation.

Few African governments have met their commitments to increase domestic financing to end malaria due to constrained economic environment and conflicting national priorities. In 2023, a total of US$ 4 billion was invested globally in the malaria response, compared with against the US$ 8.3 billion needed. About 63% of malaria funding came from international sources. Recent funding cuts and the global funding shifts could further undermine the gains made so far but present an opportunity for rethinking the financing model of malaria programmes.  

Meeting for the Seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, Zambia from 25 to 27 August 2025, African health ministers called for urgent action to accelerate malaria prevention and control.

The health ministers agreed on a range of urgent actions including strengthening local institutional capacity to drive health system resilience, training and retaining skilled health workers, including community health workers; strengthening supply chains for malaria commodities through pooled procurement systems and local manufacturing ; improving the use of data analytics to sustain and expand coverage in cost-effective interventions including the roll out of malaria vaccination; as well as increasing domestic funding, coordination and accountability of Governments and stakeholders .

“Progress has been made, but it is not nearly enough. Cases and deaths are not falling fast enough. We must do more, and we must do it faster,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Ending malaria is not only about saving lives. It is about unlocking human potential, driving economic growth and securing Africa’s stability and future. Together, governments, partners, civil society and communities can consign malaria to the history books.”

Over the past two decades, the gains made in malaria control and elimination have led to about 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths averted thanks to scaled up malaria control efforts.

There have been increases in the coverage of malaria control measures. Insecticide-treated net use rates increased from 46% in 2021 to 59% in 2023; the number of children accessing seasonal malaria chemoprevention increased from 200 000 in 2012 to 53 million in 2023 across in 18 countries, and by July 2025 close to 6 million children had received malaria vaccines by in 20 countries.

We are also seeing some progress in malaria elimination, and since 2015, two countries in the Region, Algeria in 2019 and Cabo Verde in 2024, have been certified malaria-free.

Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe are on track to meet the 2025 targets, Rwanda for reducing case incidence, and Sao Tome and Principe for lowering mortality, underscoring that tailored, data-driven strategies can deliver lifesaving results.

With sustained commitment, it is possible to end malaria.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Posted on

Deputy Minister calls for investment in SA

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has called on business leaders to invest in the South African economy.

“We invite business leaders to invest in South Africa for the long-term. I believe that the partnership between India and South Africa has the potential to drive economic growth, investment and job creation. We look forward to working with Indian investors and businesses to enable the realisation of our mutually beneficial priorities and unlock new opportunities for cooperation and growth,” he said.

The Deputy Minster was speaking at the 20th edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Africa India Conclave in India on Wednesday.

“I am delighted to be here today at the CII Africa India to share South Africa’s G20 priorities. The partnership between India and South Africa is a vital one, with both countries sharing a deep history and cultural ties. We believe that our countries can learn from each other and benefit from increased trade and investment. India is a key player in the global economy, and we are eager to tap into its expertise and investment opportunities,” the Deputy Minister said. 

In his address, the Deputy Mnister said that with South Africa heading the Presidency of the G20 in 2025, the country recognises and appreciates India’s 2023 G20 leadership “for leading from the front in how to elevate Global South priorities within the G20”.

Morolong commended the strides made by India in digital transformation, climate finance, and deepened engagement with Africa and the Global South. 

“South Africa builds on that legacy with an African lens. As a key player in the global economy, India’s growing influence and investment opportunities make the country an ideal partner for South Africa, perhaps more so now, as we navigate the G20 toward real outcomes. South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, under the banner of ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. This moment is historic. It brings power – and responsibility – for Africa’s voice in global leadership.”

He further said that South Africa has identified several key priorities that it believes are essential for promoting economic growth, investment and job creation. These include investment in infrastructure, which is critical for driving economic growth and development. Other priorities include investments in transportation, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure. 

“We recognise the importance of trade facilitation in promoting economic growth and investment. This includes streamlining customs procedures, reducing bureaucracy, and improving logistics. We believe that digitalisation is a key driver of economic growth and development.”

South Africa was also committed to promoting sustainable development and addressing the challenges of climate change. 

“As a country, we offer infrastructure, talent, and connectivity under the AfCFTA [African Continental Free Trade Area]. Our country is optimally positioned as an enabler to springboard into Africa’s 1.4 billion consumers and $3 trillion economy.

“Our G20 Presidency is both a platform and a promise. We stand for fair global systems. We stand for action, not words. We stand for Africa at the centre of development. We call on business, investors, and partners to join us, not just for November [when the country hosts the Leaders’ Summit], but for the long haul. South Africa is open. Africa is open. Let us build together,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

South Africa’s service delivery crisis: why protesters are using more militant tactics

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kenny Chiwarawara, Senior Lecturer, University of Johannesburg

Post-apartheid South Africa is characterised by frequent public protests. On average, between 2007 and 2013, there were over 11 protests daily. Research shows that protests almost doubled in the 20 years after 1997.

Service delivery protests – over basic services such as housing, electricity, refuse removal, water and sanitation – feature most prominently in these protests.

These protesters employ diverse tactics at different times: marching to government offices, barricading roads, destroying property and attacking unpopular individuals.

Often people ask why protesters resort to destroying public and private property and attacking people.

I have researched poor people’s struggles for housing and basic services in South Africa since 2012.

This article draws from a study involving 20 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions in Gugulethu and the same number in Khayelitsha. These are low-income black townships in Cape Town.

The study investigated three inter-related questions: the reasons for protests, the tactics used by protesters, and the character and organisation of the protests. This article focuses on when, how and why different tactics are used in these protests.

It may be easy to blame protesters for barricading roads, vandalising property and attacking people. However, as my study shows, protesters often initially engage in peaceful and orderly marches. They resort to more radical tactics only when peaceful tactics fail to yield results.

Rather than placing the blame squarely on protesters, there is a need to consider the seriousness of their grievances (such as lack of water), and the failure by the authorities to respond speedily and adequately. Genuinely acknowledging and addressing the grievances discourages more militant protest tactics.

Findings

There is often a perception that communities have an appetite to engage in violent protests. But my research shows that this is not the case.

Aggrieved communities often engage in protests to push for the delivery of basic services.

Usually, poor communities first engage in rounds of orderly and peaceful means of engagement with government officials to alert them to their grievances.

These means of engagement – which are less reported by the media – include holding meetings with the officials responsible for addressing their challenges, and handing them written demands.

When all these means of engagement fail to yield fruit, communities resort to more dramatic means of engagement. These include barricading roads to pressure the government to meet their demands. Even when they turn to dramatic tactics, they first exhaust less dramatic ones.

As the scholar-activist Trevor Ngwane has rightly remarked,

When people start hitting the streets, they should have a banner saying: ‘All protocols observed’, because they’ve gone through all the channels … People feel that the only way to be heard, to get attention, is to burn tyres and engage in some of protest.

My research in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha found that a lack of response, or a poor or unsatisfactory response, led to more radical tactics.

For example, a pastor I interviewed explained the rationale for more radical protest tactics with a compelling metaphor. He explained that pain was necessary in order for someone to take action. He gave an example of a person with a sore arm, but who did nothing to address the source of the pain. He reasoned that if someone else pinched the sore arm, this would compel the patient to take necessary steps to ensure that the arm was healed.

In the same way, he explained that the government knew about the “sore arms”, or poor conditions that impoverished communities endured, but chose to ignore them.

To pressure the government to address their grievances, communities sometimes employ radical protest tactics (pinching). For communities enduring appalling service delivery, the momentary inconveniences ensuing from the “pinching” pale in comparison to the ignored service delivery challenges (sore arms).

My research, for example, highlights the precariousness of living in shacks, lacking a bathroom, toilet, running water and electricity.

It is these challenges that residents episodically protest against using primarily orderly means of engagement and sometimes more radical protest tactics to pressure (or pinch) the government to address the challenges.

What should be done?

Tactics such as the destruction of property and attacks on people that sometimes accompany protests should be discouraged. At the same time, it is important to condemn the circumstances that necessitate such radical tactics.

A more responsive government would try to make it unnecessary for people to turn to militant protests to air their grievances. The government should proactively address service delivery challenges and swiftly respond to the complaints raised by communities.

– South Africa’s service delivery crisis: why protesters are using more militant tactics
– https://theconversation.com/south-africas-service-delivery-crisis-why-protesters-are-using-more-militant-tactics-241045

Posted on

Indice Chandler de bonne gouvernance 2025 : les pays africains avec la meilleure gouvernance dévoilés

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Selon le classement de l’Indice Chandler de bonne gouvernance (CGGI) (www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com)2025, Maurice est le gouvernement le plus performant d’Afrique, suivi du Rwanda et du Botswana. Le score moyen des pays d’Afrique est le plus bas de toutes les régions, malgré une légère amélioration entre 2024 et 2025.

Telles sont les conclusions présentées par Dinesh Naidu, directeur (Connaissances) du Chandler Institute of Governance, lors du récent lancement régional de l’indice à Pretoria. Cet événement a réuni des décideurs politiques, des universitaires, des chercheurs et des praticiens pour mener des réflexions sur le parcours de l’Afrique en matière de gouvernance et les enseignements tirés des dernières recherches.

Cet indice, qui en est à sa cinquième édition, offre l’une des mesures mondiales les plus complètes des capacités et de l’efficacité des gouvernements. Pour l’Afrique, l’édition 2025 de l’indice présente un tableau mitigé mais porteur d’espoir.

Dinesh Naidu déclare : « Dans l’ensemble, la région Afrique a encore beaucoup à faire pour améliorer la qualité de sa gouvernance. Toutefois, les progrès récents enregistrés suggèrent une trajectoire ascendante. En dépit du contexte mondial difficile, les pays africains performants réalisent des avancées en matière de gouvernance qui peuvent inspirer leurs pairs sur tout le continent ».

Couvrant 120 pays selon sept piliers de capacités et de résultats, l’indice offre aux gouvernements des repères pratiques pour suivre les progrès, déterminer les lacunes et renforcer les institutions publiques. Si nombre des 28 pays africains classés par l’indice sont confrontés à des défis budgétaires et institutionnels, plusieurs se démarquent par leurs progrès et leur résilience.

Pays d’Afrique avec la meilleure performance

Dans le classement 2025, l’île Maurice (51), le Rwanda (59), le Botswana (61), le Maroc (75) et l’Afrique du Sud (77) se classent parmi les cinq premiers pays de la région. L’île Maurice est restée le pays le mieux classé du continent pour la cinquième année consécutive, mais le Rwanda se distingue comme le pays à faible revenu le plus performant au monde, démontrant ainsi que la richesse nationale n’est pas nécessairement une condition préalable à un gouvernement efficace.

Ces dernières années, le Botswana a amélioré son système judiciaire grâce à des réformes de numérisation, tandis que le Maroc a réalisé des progrès notables en matière de transparence des données et d’infrastructures numériques. L’Afrique du Sud, malgré les pressions budgétaires, demeure l’un des pays les plus performants du continent et une référence incontournable en matière de capacités institutionnelles.

Et Dinesh Naidu de continuer : « L’Afrique du Sud continue de démontrer de réels atouts en matière de lois et de politiques rigoureuses, ainsi que d’institutions fiables, ce qui lui permet de se maintenir parmi les cinq pays africains les plus performants. Parallèlement, les pressions budgétaires persistantes et les tensions sociales soulignent la nécessité de renforcer les résultats dans des domaines tels que l’emploi et la répartition des revenus. L’Afrique du Sud a mis en place les cadres nécessaires ; elle doit maintenant s’attacher à transformer ces compétences en résultats plus inclusifs et tangibles pour les citoyens ».

Tanzanie : la plus forte amélioration en cinq ans

La Tanzanie ne figure pas parmi les cinq premiers pays du continent, mais elle a enregistré la plus forte amélioration de tous les pays africains depuis la première publication de l’indice en 2021, passant de la 82e à la 78e place mondiale. Ces dernières années, le gouvernement tanzanien a élargi ses initiatives de gouvernance numérique et introduit des réformes structurelles pour améliorer l’efficacité administrative et la prestation de services. Le projet gouvernemental Digital Tanzania pose les bases de solutions de gouvernance axées sur la technologie, tandis que de nouveaux cadres réglementaires, tels que la loi sur la protection des données, visent à renforcer la sécurité dans l’espace numérique.

Dinesh Naidu déclare : « Une bonne gouvernance se construit sur plusieurs décennies, mais chaque avancée compte. Les progrès que nous constatons aujourd’hui dans ces pays africains : de la numérisation aux réformes des institutions publiques, constituent les piliers d’une transformation à long terme ».

Une région de contrastes

L’indice montre que le score moyen de l’Afrique en matière de gouvernance reste le plus bas de toutes les régions du monde. Seuls deux pays : la Tanzanie et le Rwanda, ont amélioré leur classement entre 2021 et 2025. La gestion financière demeure une préoccupation majeure, dans une conjoncture où les enveloppes budgétaires se resserrent et le fardeau de la dette publique pèse lourdement sur l’ensemble de la région.

Parallèlement, la forte dynamique démographique du continent offre des opportunités prometteuses. Avec 70 % de la population d’Afrique subsaharienne âgée de moins de 30 ans, les gouvernements capables de garantir l’emploi, l’éducation et une croissance inclusive sont en mesure de dégager un dividende considérable.

Dinesh Naidu explique : « Ce qui est encourageant, ce sont les progrès réalisés dans des domaines tels que la fiabilité des institutions et la gouvernance numérique. Partout en Afrique, nous observons des exemples de gouvernements qui innovent pour améliorer la prestation de services et renforcer la redevabilité. Ces réformes montrent que, même dans un contexte mondial difficile, des progrès sont possibles ».

Un outil pratique pour les gouvernements

Les gouvernements sont sous pression pour offrir de meilleurs services et une meilleure gouvernance. L’indice leur fournit des repères concrets autour de sept piliers : leadership et prospective, qualité des lois et politiques publiques, robustesse des institutions, gestion des finances publiques, attractivité économique, influence mondiale, et capacité à favoriser l’ascension sociale. Conçu par des praticiens pour des praticiens, l’indice offre un outil de diagnostic que les gouvernements peuvent utiliser pour définir les pistes d’amélioration et s’inspirer des bonnes pratiques de leurs pairs.

« L’Indice Chandler de bonne gouvernance vise à reconnaître les progrès, à favoriser l’apprentissage entre pairs et à inspirer des améliorations. Nous le considérons comme un guide pratique pour les gouvernements déterminés à renforcer leurs capacités à long terme et à améliorer la prestation de services », souligne Dinesh Naidu.

Et de conclure : « Le Chandler Institute of Governance reste déterminé à travailler aux côtés des gouvernements africains, à partager leurs idées et à renforcer les institutions publiques pour construire un avenir plus résilient et plus inclusif ».

Distribué par APO Group pour Chandler Institute of Governance.

À propos du Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG):
Le Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) est une organisation à but non lucratif qui œuvre avec les gouvernements du monde entier pour bâtir un secteur public résilient et efficace. Nous sommes une équipe de praticiens gouvernementaux chevronnés, forts d’une expérience concrète, qui se concentrent sur les aspects essentiels de la gouvernance dans le cadre de nos partenariats avec les gouvernements afin de renforcer les institutions et les systèmes, de former les dirigeants et de partager les connaissances. En nous appuyant sur des pratiques qui ont fait leurs preuves à Singapour et dans le monde entier, nous adaptons nos solutions aux besoins spécifiques de chaque pays, car le contexte est essentiel en matière de gouvernance. Nous n’avons d’affiliation avec aucun gouvernement national, ni avec aucun parti politique, et nous ne représentons aucun intérêt partisan ou commercial.  

Pour plus d’actualités et d’informations, visitez  https://www.ChandlerInstitute.org ou suivez le CIG sur Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4mHkNqs), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4mTAsT8) et LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3Jz9d1G) @ ChandlerINST 

À propos de l’Indice Chandler de bonne gouvernance (CGGI):
L’Indice Chandler de bonne gouvernance (CGGI) (www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com) un indice annuel qui mesure les capacités et l’efficacité de 120 gouvernements à travers le monde. Élaboré par des praticiens pour des praticiens, cet indice se veut un outil de diagnostic pratique pour aider les gouvernements à évaluer leurs performances et à déterminer les domaines de développement de leurs capacités.

Pour plus d’informations sur le CGGI, visitez www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com

Media files

Posted on

African health ministers commit to strengthen emergency preparedness and response

Source: APO


.

Across the African continent, fragile health systems are often the first to falter when crisis strikes, with profound impacts on lives and, livelihoods and health, and often times causing long-term socio-economic disruptions.

Renewing efforts to protect communities from the growing threat of health emergencies, health ministers meeting for the Seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, agreed to take urgent steps to reinforce national capacities to anticipate, respond to, and recover from public health threats.

A central focus of the discussions was the development of a robust and equitably distributed health workforce. Countries pledged to expand recruitment, ensure fair deployment between urban and rural areas, and invest in continuous training to prepare health workers for both routine care and emergency response. Educational institutions will be engaged more closely to align training programmes with national strategies and evolving health security needs.

In 2025, WHO and partners have responded to more than 21 public health emergencies across the continent, ranging from mpox, cholera, measles, and dengue outbreaks to complex humanitarian crises driven by conflict and displacement. Each response has required rapid mobilization of experts, supplies, and funding, often in multiple countries at once, underscoring the relentless nature of emergency work in the region.

“We can no longer afford to be caught unprepared,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our region has made significant progress in recent years, but every emergency that disrupts health systems and upends people’s health and well-being is an important lesson to learn from. We must build resilient systems to cope with health emergencies and at the same time deliver routine services effectively.”

Ministers also underscored the need to integrate resilience into the core of health service delivery, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas. They emphasized the importance of empowering leadership, improving coordination mechanisms, and ensuring infrastructure and services can withstand future shocks. Past experiences will be used to guide system-wide improvements and reinforce preparedness at every level.

The ministers also deliberate on closely involving communities in preparedness planning, co-developing early warning systems with frontline actors, and strengthening grassroots organizations with the tools and training necessary to respond effectively when emergencies arise. This shift toward localized readiness is seen as critical to improving trust, accelerating response times, and ensuring no community is left behind.

The ministers acknowledged that these commitments must be backed by sustainable resources. To this end, they agreed to mobilize domestic funding to ensure that preparedness and response efforts are not dependent solely on external emergency appeals. Resources will be directed where they are needed most, at the frontlines to support both immediate needs and long-term capacity building.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Posted on

Seychelles: Outgoing Indian High Commissioner pays farewell call on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism

Source: APO


.

India-funded projects, cooperation in defence and maritime security, as well as tourism were among the highlights of the farewell call paid by H.E. Mr. Kartik Pande, the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde on Wednesday 27th August 2025, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

The two diplomats took stock of the key achievements during High Commissioner Pande’s tenure. Minister Radegonde conveyed his appreciation for High Commissioner’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing ties between the Republic of India and the Republic of Seychelles. He also noted that Seychelles and India will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Minister Radegonde expressed gratitude to the Indian Government for its continued support towards safeguarding the Indian Ocean against illicit maritime activities, and for assisting the Seychelles Defence Forces in their endeavour to preserve maritime security.

Another milestone highlighted was the introduction of flights by Indian low-cost airline IndiGo, which is expected to further stimulate visitor arrivals from India and contribute to the growth of Seychelles’ tourism industry.

Minister Radegonde and High Commissioner Pande concluded by expressing confidence that the close partnership between Seychelles and India will continue to deepen under the leadership of his successor.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.

Posted on

Africa’s hybrid energy edge: Where risk can be turned into resilience and sustainability (By Edith Kikonyogo)

Source: APO

By Edith Kikonyogo, Managing Director – Africa, at Aggreko (www.Aggreko.com). 

The cost of electricity in sub-Saharan Africa is 3,188% of income per capita making it the highest globally and nearly 3.5 times the cost of the next highest region, South Asia [1]. While precise continent-wide gross domestic product (GDP) loss figures aren’t universally agreed on, the World Bank and a variety of academic institutions agree that unreliable and expensive energy supply is a significant inhibitor of competitiveness and economic growth [2] [3]. For industrial operators across mining, manufacturing, and oil and gas, reliable and cost-effective energy is both a development challenge and a risk multiplier – manufacturing enterprises experience an average of 56 days a year in power outages [4].

Energy instability increases downtime, inflates costs, and reduces competitiveness, and with grid unreliability and fuel price volatility becoming the norm rather than the exception, companies want options that give them both a sustainable foothold and a strategic advantage.

Hybrid systems, as a result, have become increasingly popular. They combine solar energy, battery storage and thermal generation to deliver a flexible, reliable and cost-effective energy supply. They allow companies to generate power independently of the grid while smoothing out the intermittency challenges often associated with renewables.

Solar energy provides near-zero marginal cost electricity once installed with batteries storing surplus generation while helping to balance the load. Diesel and gas generators then act as fast-response backup solutions in the event solar is not sufficient. Combined, these three solutions provide operators with the agility to manage costs and guarantee uptime in even the harshest or most remote environments.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global weighted average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from utility-scale solar PV fell by approximately 90% between 2010 and 2023, with a further 12% drop in 2023 alone [5]. In high-irradiance African countries, recent studies and project data show that the LCOE for utility-scale solar PV can reach as low as $0.04 per kWh, particularly in regions with strong solar resources and favourable financing, such as northern Ghana and parts of Botswana and Namibia.

For industrial operators, the financial upside of a hybrid system reliant on solar and with stable backup is clear. Clients switching to solar-plus-battery configurations can potentially save fuel costs of up to 15%, depending on irradiance, contract length and generator runtime. When the solution is extended across a multi-site operation, those savings can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

Beyond fuel, hybrid systems also reduce maintenance costs and fewer generator hours mean less wear and tear, longer service intervals and a lower chance of unplanned outages. Battery storage smooths power delivery which allows thermal units to run at optimal loads rather than inefficient partial loads. The payoff is lower operational expenditure, more predictable cost curves and significantly improved uptime.

Uptime is Africa’s real competitive advantage. Uptime equals revenue, whether this is pumping water, refining ore or processing crops – the difference between 98% and 85% uptime is significant. Hybrid systems directly improve this percentage and energy resilience. During peak solar hours, battery charging maximises renewable usage. At night or in overcast conditions, stored energy is dispatched first with thermal generators providing final backup, providing a layered architecture that ensures power continuity even during generator failures or sudden weather shifts.

In the context of Africa’s often fragile grids which are prone to loadshedding and voltage dips, control over energy is a lifeline, and an asset.

The climate case for hybrid power is also strong. Africa contributes just 3.9% of global carbon emissions but is among the hardest hit by climate shocks [6]. As companies face increased scrutiny over their Scope 1 and 2 emissions, hybrid solutions provide a tangible way of decarbonising without compromising operational goals.

Aggreko’s hybrid model ensures that companies achieve measurable emissions reductions by replacing diesel with solar and implementing smart controls that optimise generator loading and avoid inefficient idling. Introducing systems-level thinking, Aggreko helps companies manage costs and climate responsibilities with solutions that are scalable, modular and adaptable to Africa’s varied terrain and operational requirements.

Unlike pure renewables which can be vulnerable to intermittency, or standalone thermal which is exposed to fuel price shocks, hybrid systems offer a practical middle ground. From mining in the DRC to agriculture in Zambia, hybrid energy installations are helping African operators move away from reactive energy spending and towards forward-planned, performance-driven power systems. And while many providers support this shift, success depends on hardware, systems design, local experience and the ability to manage complex energy flows in real-time – and that’s where Aggreko’s expertise makes the difference.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aggreko plc.

Link to additional information: https://apo-opa.co/4p0rSE0

Media files

.

Posted on

Inclusive growth at the forefront: South Africa’s G20 Presidency champions socio-economic empowerment

Source: Government of South Africa

Inclusive growth at the forefront: South Africa’s G20 Presidency champions socio-economic empowerment

By Nomonde Mnukwa

South Africa is the first African country to lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies, known as the G20. South Africa’s G20 Presidency provides global visibility in all provinces as the country prepares to give world leaders an ubuntu welcome to this premier forum in November.

As we host the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which will be convened under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, we seek to build the nation, continent and the world we dream of, through equal opportunities for growth that will impact generations to come.

The G20 features major economies, comprising two-thirds of the global population which represents 85 percent of global GDP and 75 percent of international trade. The grouping holds major influence in the world and remains key in ensuring that all nations can develop based on solidarity, equity and sustainability, which is also the theme for the G20 in South Africa.

G20 provides a platform for world leaders to work together to identify solutions for global challenges and formulate pathways for global economic stability and development.

Over and above the obvious vast economic benefits, the G20 is more than just a global economic forum. It presents a crucial opportunity to ignite social transformation across the globe, including South Africa. This is a historic moment for South Africa as we preside over the G20 Presidency this year. We are a nation known for its transformation story and the platform will provide us with an opportunity to share our knowledge and stories with a view to inspiring change throughout the world.

Equal opportunities and fair treatment are particularly imperative for nations in Africa and the global South, who are still grappling with the devastating consequences of centuries of deprivation from socio-economic opportunities, culminating in underdevelopment, hunger and unemployment.

Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind is high on the G20 agenda and is integrated into key discussions, as we endeavor to mobilise inclusive growth and support for developing countries.

The G20 deliberations involve global leaders, government officials, businesses, researchers, women, youth and experts, pooling together a wealth of experience, knowledge and best practices from every nation. This collaborative approach brings us closer to attaining a global partnership for sustainable development and overcoming our obstacles to development.

The inner workings of the G20 are geared to finding solutions to the world’s most pressing socio-economic matters via established engagement and working groups. There are 15 working groups in the Sherpa track alone, which primarily focuses on addressing global social issues and some of these working groups include the digital economy, employment, and empowerment of women working group, energy, climate, education and health, among others.

The digital economy working group aids in bridging the digital divide, given the rapid waves of digitization, which has seen Artificial Intelligence (AI) being infused into many aspects of our lives, from healthcare and transportation to education and many other areas. Discussions with AI experts continues to unfold on digital skilling, digital public infrastructure, the digital economy, and enhancing connectivity to ensure inclusive digital development of the global South.

Cybersecurity in South Africa is a growing priority which requires requisite skills, investment in security infrastructures as well as private and public partnerships to address cybersecurity challenges.

Untapping the potential of the digital economy as well as interventions of the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) opens a world of opportunities for everyone, the latter of which (EWG) strives to advance youth employment and gender equality goals in particular.

There is also a Youth 20 (Y20) working group that provides young people with a chance to shape global policy on pivotal matters such as climate change, whilst the empowerment of women working group is also making waves in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Gender equality and empowerment of women is a global Sustainable Developmental Goal (SDG 5) that forms part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Beijing Platform for Action- adopted in 1995.

With only five years remaining to reach some of these global and national targets, much work remains in creating more developed nations and societies. In light of this, new engagement groups have also been formed, including the Township20 engagement group which will showcase the cultural, financial and innovative capabilities of South Africa’s townships.

As we tap into the vast potential of our nation, South Africa will utilise the G20 to contribute to solutions towards our domestic challenges, which extends far beyond economic matters. By working together with other nations through the G20 we will overcome the barriers that hinder domestic development and contribute towards creating a more sustainable world and future for everyone.

*Nomonde Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General at the the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

 

Neo

31 views

Posted on

Japan’s Credit Rating (Agence japonaise de notation de crédit) confirme la note A-/stable d’Afreximbank

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

L’agence Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR) a confirmé la note de crédit émetteur « A- » de la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), avec une perspective stable.

Cette notation reflète l’évaluation par JCR du solide positionnement stratégique d’Afreximbank, de son cadre robuste de gestion des risques, de sa rentabilité constante, de ses politiques de liquidité prudentes et de sa base de capital résiliente. JCR a également noté le rôle important de la Banque dans le soutien au financement du commerce et au développement économique en Afrique et dans les Caraïbes.

L’agence de notation a déclaré qu’elle s’attend à ce que la note d’Afreximbank reste stable au cours des 12 à 18 prochains mois, malgré les défis macroéconomiques externes et les pressions potentielles dans son environnement opérationnel.

Réagissant à cette annonce, M. Denys Denya, Premier Vice-Président Exécutif d’Afreximbank, a affirmé que cette confirmation renforce la crédibilité de la Banque sur les marchés mondiaux et met en évidence son importance systémique pour l’Afrique. « La notation de JCR souligne nos fondamentaux solides et nos pratiques prudentes de gestion des risques », a-t-il déclaré. «« Elle renforce notre capacité à diversifier nos sources de financement, notamment en accédant aux marchés de capitaux japonais, afin de poursuivre notre mandat de promotion et de financement du commerce intra- et extra-africain ».

M. Denya a réaffirmé l’engagement indéfectible d’Afreximbank envers ses États membres, ses partenaires et ses clients, soulignant que sa performance régulière, même en période difficile, a été un moteur clé de sa solidité de crédit. « Cette notation témoigne de la résilience et de l’orientation stratégique de la Banque, qui nous permettent de mobiliser des ressources pour stimuler le commerce et le développement en Afrique et dans les Caraïbes », a-t-il ajouté.

La confirmation de JCR devrait renforcer la confiance des investisseurs et des parties prenantes, soutenant les efforts continus d’Afreximbank pour élargir sa base mondiale de financement et accroître sa présence sur le marché.

Dans ce cadre, Afreximbank a mené à bien son émission inaugurale d’obligations Samurai au Japon en 2024, levant 81,3 milliards de yens (soit 530 millions de dollars US). Cette opération, qui a attiré une forte participation d’un large éventail d’investisseurs institutionnels japonais, a mis en évidence l’attrait croissant de la Banque sur les marchés de capitaux internationaux et sa capacité à mobiliser des ressources au-delà de ses zones géographiques traditionnelles. Le succès de l’émission démontre une fois de plus la crédibilité et la capacité d’Afreximbank à trouver des solutions de financement innovantes à l’appui de son mandat. 

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact Presse :
Vincent Musumba
Responsable de la communication et de la gestion événementielle (Relations presse)
Courriel : press@afreximbank.com

Suivez Afreximbank sur :
X : https://apo-opa.co/47Lk6aH
Facebook : https://apo-opa.co/4fW7kIF
LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/4nn9q71
Instagram : https://apo-opa.co/4fStPhu

À propos d’Afreximbank :
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) est une institution financière multilatérale panafricaine dédiée au financement et à la promotion du commerce intra et extra-africain. Depuis 30 ans, Afreximbank déploie des structures innovantes pour fournir des solutions de financement qui facilitent la transformation de la structure du commerce africain et accélèrent l’industrialisation et le commerce intrarégional, soutenant ainsi l’expansion économique en Afrique. Fervente défenseur de l’Accord sur la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), Afreximbank a lancé les le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) qui a été adopté par l’Union africaine (UA) comme la plateforme de paiement et de règlement devant appuyer la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf. En collaboration avec le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf et l’UA, la Banque a mis en place un Fonds d’ajustement de 10 milliards de dollars US pour aider les pays à participer de manière effective à la ZLECAf. À la fin de décembre 2024, le total des actifs et des garanties de la Banque s’élevait à environ 40,1 milliards de dollars US et les fonds de ses actionnaires s’établissaient à 7,2 milliards de dollars US. Afreximbank est notée A par GCR International Scale, Baa2 par Moody’s, AAA par China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), A- par Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) et BBB par Fitch. Au fil des ans, Afreximbank est devenue un groupe constitué de la Banque, de sa filiale de financement à impact appelée Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA), et de sa filiale de gestion d’assurance, AfrexInsure, (les trois entités forment « le Groupe »). La Banque a son siège social au Caire, en Égypte.

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter www.Afreximbank.com

Media files

Posted on

Afreximbank’s A-/Stable rating confirmed by Japan’s Credit Rating Agency

Source: APO

Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR) has affirmed African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) A- issuer credit rating with a stable outlook.

The rating reflects JCR’s assessment of Afreximbank’s strong strategic positioning, robust risk management framework, consistent profitability, prudent liquidity policies and resilient capital base. JCR also noted the Bank’s important role in supporting trade finance and economic development across Africa and the Caribbean.

The rating agency stated that it expects Afreximbank’s rating to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months, despite external macroeconomic challenges and potential pressures in its operating environment.

Reacting to the announcement, Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, said the affirmation reinforces the Bank’s credibility in global markets and highlights its systemic importance to Africa. “JCR’s rating underscores our strong fundamentals and prudent risk management practices,” he said. “It strengthens our ability to diversify our funding sources, including tapping into Japan’s capital markets, to further advance our mandate of promoting and financing intra- and extra-African trade.”

Mr. Denya reaffirmed Afreximbank’s unwavering commitment to its member states, partners and clients, noting that its consistent delivery, even in challenging times, has been a key driver behind its strong credit standing. “This rating is a testament to the Bank’s resilience and strategic focus, enabling us to mobilise resources to drive trade and development in Africa and the Caribbean,” he added.

The JCR affirmation is expected to bolster confidence among investors and stakeholders, supporting Afreximbank’s ongoing efforts to expand its global funding base and enhance its market presence.

In line with this, Afreximbank successfully completed its inaugural Samurai bond issuance in Japan in 2024, raising JPY 81.3 billion (US$530 million). The transaction, which attracted strong participation from a diverse pool of Japanese institutional investors, underscored the Bank’s growing appeal in international capital markets and its ability to mobilise resources beyond traditional geographies. The success of the issuance further demonstrates Afreximbank’s credibility and capacity to secure innovative funding solutions in support of its mandate. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Follow Afreximbank on:
X: https://apo-opa.co/47Lk6aH
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4fW7kIF
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4nn9q71
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4fStPhu

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Media files

.