Category: Africa

Source: APO

President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana is open for business, inviting Indian companies to capitalise on expanding opportunities in the country’s pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing sectors.

Speaking during a courtesy call at the Presidency by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, President Mahama pledged continued policy reforms under the government’s #ResettingGhana agenda and the ‘Accra Reset’ initiative to secure health sovereignty across Africa.

Pointing to a rebound in economic fundamentals, Mahama said Ghana is an increasingly attractive destination for global capital.

“Ghana’s economy is doing well. It is stable. Inflation is low, interest rates are going down, and the currency is holding its own,” Mahama said. “I think that this is the best time to invest.”

To underscore this recovery, the President said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ghana rose from US$2.6 billion in 2025, with projections showing it could surpass US$3 billion in 2026.

Turning to healthcare, Mahama noted that Ghana’s new national pharmaceutical framework prioritises domestic production. He cited the partnership between Atlantic Life Sciences and indigenous firm KinaPharma as a working model for indigenous vaccine capacity.

“They are part of our effort to localise vaccine production, but there is still substantial room for expansion,” the President said.

Mahama added that the government will leverage international platforms, including the upcoming U.S.–Africa Summit, further to engage businesses and pitch Ghana’s industrial potential.

Dr Jaishankar’s official visit to Accra builds on strengthening bilateral ties, following the historic state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025.

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

Source: APO

Zambia on October 3rd 2026 hosted American singer, songwriter and dancer Jason Derulo at the Stanbic Music Festival, with Government and industry stakeholders highlighting the event’s potential to promote music, tourism and opportunities for young creatives.

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the festival, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Mr. Kangwa Chileshe said the event reflects the growing potential of the country’s creative industry.

Mr Chileshe said the creative sector goes beyond performance, creating opportunities in production, event management, content creation, technology, marketing and entrepreneurship.

He also noted that major cultural events contribute to tourism by creating business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport providers, vendors and other players within the creative economy.

And Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Mr. Evans Muhanga said the festival supports Zambia’s efforts to attract more international visitors, noting that people travelling to attend major events also spend on accommodation, food, transport and other services.

Stanbic Bank Zambia Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mwindwa Siakalima said the festival is an investment in people, businesses and the future of the creative industry. He noted that Zambia’s inclusion on Derulo’s Last Dance World Tour demonstrates the country’s ability to host international entertainment events.

Mr. Siakalima further disclosed that about 45,000 trees have so far been planted through the festival’s environmental initiative, with another 15,000 expected to be planted this year. A tree is planted for every ticket sold.

National Arts Council Vice Board Chairperson Mr. Tivo Shikapwasha said Derulo’s participation gives Zambian artists an opportunity to learn from an internationally established performer while showcasing the country’s own music and culture.

Derulo thanked Zambians for the warm welcome he has received since arriving in the country. He said he was excited to conclude his Last Dance World Tour in Zambia and promised fans a major celebration at the festival.

The Stanbic Music Festival will feature Jason Derulo alongside Zambian artists, bringing together music, culture, tourism and business while creating a platform for local creatives to connect with an international audience.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Zambia.

Source: APO

Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, Resident Representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Benin, inaugurated on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, two meeting rooms at the Representation, dedicated to the memory of two distinguished figures who left their mark on the history of ECOWAS. They are Marcel de SOUZA, former Chair of the ECOWAS Commission (2016–2018), and Lamine CISSE, founding President of the Union of ECOWAS Nationals. The ceremony was attended by a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a representative from Benin’s National ECOWAS Office at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, representatives of the de Souza and Cisse families, and representatives from UR-ECOWAS and ECOWOMAN.

In his remarks, the Ambassador recalled the context and motivations behind this symbolic act. This dedication stemmed from the desire of His Excellency Amadou DIONGUE, on behalf of ECOWAS, to immortalize the memory of these figures by inscribing their names in the daily life of our institution, so that every meeting, every exchange, and every decision made here may be imbued with the spirit that animated them. This symbolic act sends a message to those who will come after us: there were men who, through their faith in Africa, blazed a trail that we have a duty to follow. The Mission thus affirms that ECOWAS does not forget those who dedicated their lives, their talents, and their vision to the cause of the Community.

The late Marcel De SOUZA, an illustrious son of the Republic of Benin, served as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission from 2016 to 2018. His tenure at the helm of our institution was marked, among other things, by leadership characterized by a clear vision of regional integration, grounded in solidarity among peoples and the primacy of dialogue.

A statesman and a man of conviction, he was one of those rare individuals who combined the grandeur of vision with the humility of service. His memory remains a guiding light for us all.

The late Lamine CISSÉ, founding President of the Union of ECOWAS Nationals, dedicated his life to strengthening the bonds between the communities of our region.

Lamine CISSÉ has left us, but the Union he built, the men and women he brought together, and the bridges he built between our communities—all of this remains alive, active, and fruitful.

Representatives of the SOUZA and CISSE families, deeply moved by this tribute, expressed words of appreciation and profound gratitude to His Excellency Amadou DIONGUE, and through him, to the Chairperson of the Commission and to the entire ECOWAS.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

Government has committed K3 million towards the completion of the Kwilimuna Youth Resource Centre in Mpongwe, with plans to further develop the facility into a space where young people can access skills training, sports, arts and recreational activities.

The investment is expected to support the completion of the Centre and create a stronger foundation for expanding youth services and opportunities in the area.

Speaking on the development, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, said the Centre should, once completed, be enhanced with appropriate spaces for sports and arts.

Mr. Chileshe also proposed that Kwilimuna be developed as a model Youth Resource Centre that could help demonstrate what is possible when government, communities and partners invest in youth facilities.

He said the Centre could provide a practical example of the transformation that can be achieved, showing the situation before investment and the improvements that follow.

The model could also be used to engage potential partners to consider supporting the development of other Youth Resource Centres across the country.

The broader aim is to ensure that Youth Resource Centres provide young people with access to skills development, youth services and safe spaces for recreation and personal development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Zambia.

Source: APO

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has arrived in the Republic of Mauritius to attend the official launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (#AfCRA), scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The Chairperson was received upon arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport by H.E. Ms. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning of the Republic of Mauritius.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, is training statistical leaders from ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania from October 5th to 09th, 2026, in Monrovia, Liberia, to strengthen leadership and management capacity and enhance the effectiveness of National Statistical Systems (NSS) across the region.

As part of the World Bank-funded Project for the Harmonisation and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA), the training aims to strengthen the leadership and management capacities of managers within National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and National Statistical Systems (NSSs) of ECOWAS Member States, Mauritania, the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) and Technical Staff from the ECOWAS Commission.  The workshop will equip participants with modern skills to lead teams effectively, navigate the evolving data ecosystem, and improve the quality and effectiveness of National Statistical Systems.

In his statement, Hon. Richard Fatorma NGAFUAN, the Director General of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) welcomed the regional training as an important step towards strengthening leadership and management within National Statistical Systems. He highlighted the longstanding partnership between LISGIS and ECOWAS in building statistical capacity and stressed the need for leaders who can uphold statistical integrity, drive institutional performance, manage change, embrace digital transformation and the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and communicate effectively with decisionmakers and the public. He emphasised that stronger statistical leadership is essential to building institutions that produce reliable, credible and trusted statistics for evidence-based decision-making and improved development outcomes.

Ambassador Mohammed Kenewui KONNEH, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, at the opening, stressed that effective leadership is essential to building strong, credible and professional National Statistical Systems. He highlighted ECOWAS’ progress in harmonising statistical frameworks and methodologies, while noting persistent challenges in leadership capacity, human and technical resources, data production and accessibility, and the politicisation of official statistics. He emphasised that capable managers are critical to translating regional standards into effective national implementation, protecting the independence and integrity of official statistics, and improving institutional performance.

In his remarks, Sherif TOREY, Director of Research and Statistics at the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI), stressed that reliable, timely and comparable statistics are essential for sound economic policymaking and regional integration. He highlighted the growing responsibilities of National Statistical Offices and the need for managers to combine technical expertise with strong leadership, effective resource management, innovation and adherence to professional standards.

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Dehpue Yenpea ZUO, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Samson Bel-Aube NOUGBODOHOUE, Director of Research and Statistics, underscored the critical role of strong leadership and effective management in building credible, responsive and professional National Statistical Systems across the region. He noted that the growing demand for reliable, timely and comparable data requires statistical leaders to strengthen institutional capacity, embrace innovation and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and safeguard the professional independence and integrity of official statistics.

While emphasising the importance of translating knowledge into action, he called on participants to use the training as a catalyst for institutional improvement, adding that “The success of this workshop will ultimately be measured not only by what we learn here, but by what we do with that knowledge when we return to our institutions.”

In his opening address, Hon. Augustine Kpehe NGAFUAN, Minister of Finance and Development Planning of the Republic of Liberia, represented by Hon. Henry D.Z. YANQUOI, Assistant Minister for Economic Policy, highlighted that the ECOWAS Country Report on Liberia is an important instrument for evidence-based policymaking and regional development. He outlined Liberia’s ongoing efforts under the “ARREST Agenda” for Inclusive Development to strengthen fiscal management, revenue mobilisation, infrastructure, agriculture, governance and human capital, while calling on stakeholders to use the report to guide investment, policy and development support. He stressed that “The launch of this report is only the beginning. Its true value lies in how we use it,” urging all stakeholders to translate its findings and recommendations into concrete actions that advance inclusive and sustainable development in Liberia.”

During the opening ceremony the Republic of Liberia launched its Country Report on Dynamics of Socio-Economic Performance, Food Security, and the Challenges of Regional Integration in ECOWAS.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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This evening, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived at Seoul Air Base at the start of his state visit to the Republic of Korea.

Upon his arrival, the President was received by the Korean Minister of Environment, the Director of Protocol, Egypt’s Ambassador in Seoul Hazem Zaki, along with members of the Egyptian Embassy.

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

Source: APO

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Mr Kangwa Chileshe, is leading a team of Ministry officials on a series of stakeholder engagements on the Copperbelt aimed at strengthening partnerships and supporting the development of Youth, Sport and Arts.

As part of the engagements, Mr Chileshe held discussions with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), focusing on possible areas of partnership and support for the three sectors.

The company also expressed interest in partnering with the ministry in the three sectors.

Mr Chileshe also engaged artistes from Chingola and Chililabombwe, where he encouraged them to recognise the arts as an important avenue for wealth and job creation.

He emphasised the need for artistes to use their work to contribute to the Grow Zambia agenda, particularly by using the arts as a platform for sharing information and promoting national development.

The engagements also included visits to arts and sports infrastructure in Chingola and Kitwe to assess the facilities and identify areas that require attention.

The Permanent Secretary said continued engagement with stakeholders remains important in mobilising support and creating partnerships that can contribute to the growth of Youth, Sport and Arts across the country

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Zambia.