Category: Africa

Source: APO

The 2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the GIABA Ministerial Committee (GMC) concluded in Accra, Ghana on the 19th of July, 2025, with a decision to allow the three Sahel countries that have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) as Non-ECOWAS Members.

The Ministers present at the high-level meeting unanimously considered the importance of dealing with insecurity in the region in a collaborative manner. The decision will be transmitted to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the Authority of Heads of State and Government for consideration.

During the session,Nigeria’s Minister of Justice handed over the chairmanship of the GMC to the Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone, who assumes the role as the new Chair of the Committee.

The meeting was officially declared open by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

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

Source: APO

The Ambassador of Ireland to Sierra Leone, Aidan Fitzpatrick, paid a farewell courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, marking the end of his two-year diplomatic mission in the country.

In his remarks, Ambassador Fitzpatrick expressed his sincere gratitude to President Bio for receiving him and used the opportunity to congratulate the President on his recent election as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Reflecting on his time in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Fitzpatrick commended the significant progress made under President Bio’s leadership, particularly in advancing women’s rights. He also praised the warmth and hospitality of the Sierra Leonean people and acknowledged the increasing international recognition the country has gained under President Bio’s tenure.

He further revealed that Ireland is exploring opportunities to expand investment in Sierra Leone, underscoring the deepening of bilateral relations between the two nations.

In response, President Bio thanked Ambassador Fitzpatrick on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone for his service, dedication, and unwavering support throughout his mission.

He noted that Sierra Leone recently established an embassy in Ireland, reflecting the long-standing and cordial relations between the two countries.

“Your leadership and diplomatic style will be missed. You were always present and supportive at diplomatic meetings,” the President recalled. “I wish you success in your future endeavors.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

Source: APO

.

On July 17, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Chen Mingjian met Mohamed Babiker, Head of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Juba Cluster with Lucia Pande, Secretary General of Tanzania Red Cross Society at the Embassy. They exchanged views on expanding humanitarian cooperation and improving Tanzanian people’s well-being.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Source: APO

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org), is tackling charcoal dependence in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia with a $4 million reimbursable grant. This grant will fund the Burn Electric Cooking Expansion Program (BEEP), deploying 115,000 Burn ECOA Electric Induction Cookers to provide clean cooking solutions for low-income, grid-connected households currently relying on charcoal.

Burn, a Kenya-based clean cookstove company and carbon developer with operations in over 10 African countries, will implement BEEP. This program makes clean cooking appliances more affordable and accessible by prefinancing induction cookers and recovering costs through carbon credit sales in the voluntary market. This innovative model combines carbon-backed subsidies with pay-as-you-go payment plans, significantly lowering upfront costs for end-users.

Capitalised through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the Program is funded by a $5 million senior loan from the Spark+ Africa Fund, a $4 million reimbursable grant from SEFA, and $1 million in equity from Burn Manufacturing Company. This SPV will partner with Burn to manage sales, distribution, and servicing of the cookers. The appliances will generate carbon credits, owned by the SPV, with revenues shared among investors.

Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank Group, stated, “This marks the Bank’s first carbon finance transaction of its kind, with SEFA playing a critical role in mitigating carbon market risks and enhancing the Program’s financial sustainability.”

The program aligns with SEFA’s thematic area on Energy Efficiency, catalysing private sector investments in efficient appliances and promoting scale-up of clean cooking technologies. It also supports the Mission 300 Initiative and the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aim to deliver universal energy access through low-carbon solutions.

“We are honoured to receive this catalytic investment from the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa—their first-ever investment in carbon projects focused on electric cooking. This milestone enables BURN to rapidly scale our IoT-enabled induction stove across Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, providing low-income households with a zero-emission, digitally monitored alternative to charcoal and wood,” said Peter Scott, Founder and CEO, BURN. “By integrating cutting-edge technology, carbon financing, and mobile-enabled Pay-As-You-Cook models, we are demonstrating that electric cooking can be clean, affordable, and scalable across the continent.” 

In addition to environmental and health benefits, the program will stimulate job creation and fortify local supply chains within the three target countries, paving the way for a cleaner, more prosperous future for communities across Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.

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

Media contact: 
Alexis Adélé
Communications and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

ABOUT SEFA:
SEFA is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments to remove market barriers, build a more robust pipeline of projects and improve the risk-return profile of individual investments. The Fund’s overarching goal is to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, in line with the New Deal on Energy for Africa and the M300.

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s leading development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Represented in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member countries. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO

.

On 16 July 2025, Mr. Emad Said, Senior Managing Director of Japan Food Solutions (J.F.S.) S.A.E., paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thanawat Sirikul, Ambassador of Thailand to Egypt, at the Royal Thai Embassy. Mr. Emad reported on his visit to Thailand to attend the annual Thaifex 2025 to meet with Thai entrepreneurs with whom the Embassy had matched the company. In addition, both parties discussed opportunities and potential for business cooperation between Thai and Egyptian entrepreneurs in the future, especially in the areas of food security and supply chain. Both sides agreed that products that Thailand has the potential to increase exports to Egypt include seasoned poultry and halal products, as well as investment in the hospitality, wellness and spa businesses. Meanwhile, products that Egypt is increasingly interested in exporting to Thailand include strawberries, broccoli, dried fruits and concentrate fruit juices. In addition, J.F.S. is interested in exchanging knowledge on Thai edamame cultivation techniques.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.

Source: APO

.

On 20 July 2025, Mr. Ahmed Mustafa, CEO of Hassan Allam, together with Mr. Mahmoud Seliman, Marketing Advisor, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thanawat Sirikul, Ambassador of Thailand to Egypt, at the Royal Thai Embassy. Both parties discussed cooperation in promoting trade and investment between the two countries in the residential construction, infrastructure and construction materials businesses. The company is interested in working with Thai partners to assemble products for export to Europe and Africa, where Egypt enjoys special tax privileges and is located near both major markets. The company also believes that Thailand has potential to invest in Egypt in the hospitality and tourism sectors, and is ready to enhance awareness of the potential and economic opportunities in Egypt, as well as provide advice on investment loans to Thai entrepreneurs. Hassan Allam, which is over 89 years old, is one of the largest companies in Egypt and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SCG International, a Thai conglomerate, to enter the Middle East and Africa markets in 2023.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.

Source: APO

.

On July 21, Ambassador Yin Chengwu attended the Liberia Technology Summit 2025 and delivered a speech. The event was also attended by Hon. Haja Mamaka Bility, Acting Minister of States, Hon. Augustine K. Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Sekou M. Kromah, Minister of Post and Telecommunications. Representatives from relevant UN agencies and diplomatic missions in Liberia.

Yin highlighted the outcomes of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and China’s achievements in science and technology. He pointed out that China will establish a global scientific research fund and increase science and technology assistance to developing countries, making technological progress benefits all humanity. He expressed China is willing to strengthen scientific and technological innovation cooperation with Liberia, so as to make it a new engine of China-Liberia strategic partnership.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.