Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

PAC Capital Limited (www.PACCapitalLtd.com), a premier investment banking and financial advisory firm, successfully hosted a high-impact side event on “Bridging Funding Gaps Through Strategic Partnerships” during the Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2025) at the Grenada Room, Radisson Conference Centre, St. George’s.

The event convened over 100 industry leaders, project sponsors, institutional investors, development finance institutions, and policymakers from across Africa and the Caribbean. It featured a dynamic lineup of thought-provoking sessions, including case study spotlights, high-value funding clinics, and networking engagements aimed at catalyzing cross-border project financing opportunities.

Delivering the opening remarks, Mr. Bolarinwa Sanni, Executive Director at PAC Capital, framed the agenda around unlocking the region’s capital potential.

“The Caribbean and Africa may differ in demographics and resource capacity, but both share a common challenge — funding gaps in critical sectors. Our vision is to be the bridge that connects transformative ideas to patient, strategic capital,” he noted.

A major highlight was the fireside chat with PAC Capital’s Managing Director, Mr. Humphrey Oriakhi, who addressed the challenges and opportunities in deal origination across emerging markets.

“At PAC Capital, we do not just close transactions, we build trusted partnerships. What we have seen here in Grenada is affirmation that the appetite for well-structured, impactful investments is alive. The key is alignment, and that’s what we came to foster,” Mr. Oriakhi stated.

The event climaxed with closing remarks from Non-Executive Director, Mr. Sina Alimi, who charged participants to take bold steps from ideas to action.

“This isn’t just another conference conversation. It’s a call to deepen collaboration, to break barriers, and to dare to build together across continents. PAC Capital is ready to walk this journey with you,” Mr. Alimi concluded.

One of the most insightful segments was a 20-minute keynote presentation by Mrs. Maureen Mba, Head of the MANSA Digital Initiative at Afreximbank, who introduced the African Entity Identifier (AEI) as a pivotal tool for streamlining cross-border compliance and trade finance.

“With over 36,000 entities already assigned the AEI, we are reshaping how African businesses gain trust and visibility in global markets. The AEI isn’t just a code; it’s a passport to transparency, trust, and seamless trade,” said Mrs. Mba.

The event successfully initiated over 60 informal connections, facilitated 40 one-on-one funding clinics, and catalyzed multiple pipeline conversations expected to progress into formal expressions of interest in the months ahead.

Attendees received a curated Capital Success Kit and engaged with a vibrant feedback wall themed: “What’s Your Biggest Funding Challenge?” — an activation that helped gather insights for PAC Capital’s post-event intelligence brief.

With significant media presence and enthusiastic participation, the side event reinforced PAC Capital’s reputation as a trusted capital partner across Africa and the Caribbean.

For more information, visit www.PACCapitalLtd.com

– on behalf of PAC Capital Limited.

Follow the conversation:
#BridgingFundingGaps #PACCapital #ACTIF2025

Source: APO – Report:

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Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has outlined the vast critical mineral opportunities available across the country in a report released in collaboration with the British Geological Survey. Covering strategic minerals such as copper, cobalt, manganese and more, the report underscores the instrumental role the country already plays in global supply chains. 

The report comes ahead of African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders. Taking place October 1-3 in Cape Town, the event will feature a dedicated panel on Zambia, titled Zambia: Accelerating Exploration and Development Through License Allocation. The session will unpack the country’s strategy to unlock its full mineral potential, outlining investment prospects, market trends and partnership opportunities. 

Copper 

As the tenth-largest copper producer globally – contributing 3% of total output – Zambia is expected to play a critical role in meeting the anticipated rise in global demand – projected to increase 25% by 2040. With several large-scale projects set to come online by 2026, including Sinomine Resources’ Kitumba Mine, Mimosa Resources’ Kashime Mine and KoBold Metals’ Mingomba Mine, Zambia’s copper sector is primed for expansion. The country has set a target to increase production to three million tons by 2031, highlighting a unique opportunity for mining firms. 

Cobalt 

In 2024, six operations in Zambia were actively producing cobalt from copper. Together with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia holds 58% of the world’s cobalt-bearing copper resources. The commissioning of Africa’s first cobalt sulfate refinery by the end of 2025 in Zambia will expand the country’s cobalt output. The project is led by Kobaloni Energy and backed by a $100 million investment from Vision Blue and the Africa Finance Corporation. U.S.-based Terra Metals is also relaunching a copper-cobalt acid leach plant in the Kabompo Dome area in 2025. 

Manganese 

Zambia’s Luapula Province is the country’s manganese hub. Musamu Resources’ Luongo Open-Pit Mine – Zambia’s first large-scale manganese mine – began operations in 2022 and aims to scale output to one million tons per year by 2027. Kabundi Resources also operates two washing plants in Serenje. 

Nickel 

Zambia hosts two nickel operations: the Enterprise Project owned by First Quantum Minerals and the Munali Mine operated by Mabiza Resources. Annual production rose from 2,500 tons in 2019 to 8,000 tons in 2023, with global demand expected to climb by 70% by 2040. 

Graphite 

Significant graphite prospects have been identified in Petauke, Lundazi and Kapiri Mposhi, with high-grade discoveries at the Mvuvye and Njoka sites. Other known discoveries include the Sasare and Mkonda deposits. As companies such as Malaika Exploration move to commercialize these assets, Zambia is set to contribute to meeting a forecast 130% surge in global graphite demand by 2040, driven by growth in the electric vehicle sector. 

Lithium 

Zambia’s lithium potential is concentrated in the Choma Belt of the Southern Province. UK-based First Africa Metals has confirmed high-grade deposits at its Misika and Kandela projects, with additional exploration ongoing across Tonga, Konayuma and Rock Valley. With global lithium demand set to grow by 350% by 2040, these assets could significantly boost Zambia’s export revenues and job creation. 

Rare Earth Elements 

With global Rare Earth Element demand forecast to rise by 65% by 2040, Zambia is ramping up exploration. Antler Gold is progressing at its Kesya Project, while x-RAM Traws is advancing the Nkombwa Hill discovery. 

Columbite-Tantalite 

Columbite-tantalite – critical in electronics, aerospace and energy – represents an untapped opportunity for Zambia to diversify its mineral base and revenue streams. Exploration is underway by Maamba Collieries in the Southern Province and Malaika Exploration in north-eastern Zambia. With global demand for the mineral projected to increase by up to 525% by 2040, Zambia’s reserves are becoming increasingly strategic in global supply chains. 

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

By Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com).

Strategic communications is in a pressure phase. Regulation is moving faster. Investors are watching harder. And public backlash arrives in hours, not days.

Across industries, communications is no longer just about visibility – it’s about viability. For leaders in Africa’s most dynamic sectors, comms has become a frontline function for managing regulatory complexity, investor expectations, and social trust. It’s no longer optional. It’s operational.

In Africa, where younger regulatory systems can be fragmented and enforcement uneven, this shift is sharper. A missed message doesn’t just weaken reputation but risks investor confidence, compliance, and public trust – making strategic comms no longer optional. It’s operational.

In PRCA Africa and APRA’s 2024 report on the state of PR and ethics in Africa, risk preparedness comes out as a leading communications challenge across the continent. It’s an insight echoed in APO Group’s own client data. In the first half of 2025, demand for reputational crisis support rose significantly. A dipstick poll of our 57,000+ LinkedIn network also flagged energy and sustainability, and tech and digital as sectors in need of attention in Africa. The takeaway: visibility alone is no longer enough.

Here are three sectors where the pressure is most acute.

1. Energy and sustainability: ESG expectations without the guardrails

With COP30 approaching and ESG frameworks being reassessed globally, African energy players are under the pump. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) has been delayed, while the US SEC has scaled back ESG disclosure rules. Meanwhile, the UN’s 2025 SDG Progress Report shows that only 15% of goals are on track.

In this vacuum, the narrative is up for grabs. From Nigeria’s diversification strategy to South Africa’s unbundling reforms and Namibia’s green push, communicators must now translate ambiguity into trust-building messaging. And sustainability communications must stand up to activist, investor, and local scrutiny without the cushion of global consensus.

2. Tech and digital: AI moves faster than the messaging

In Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, AI adoption is racing ahead of legislation. This puts PR teams on the front line: managing deepfake risk, public confusion over AI applications, and the reputational implications of algorithmic bias – all before regulatory frameworks are finalised. Without this certainty, legal and compliance voices are prone to shaping communications more conservatively.

The next frontier is electoral interference: with several African nations holding elections in 2025, concerns are mounting that AI-generated misinformation, including deepfakes, could be used to manipulate public sentiment or discredit political figures. Already, the African Union and Kenya’s National Cohesion and Integration Commission have raised early warnings about AI-driven disinformation campaigns seeded through social media networks. For PR teams, this means that election-year communications strategies must now include real-time fact-checking, media training to counter visual manipulation, and crisis protocols for false attribution.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Data Protection Act and other regional privacy laws are reshaping how companies communicate consent and transparency. Cybersecurity threats are now regular boardroom topics, and PR teams must respond with proactive, trust-driven messaging strategies.

3. Financial services: Rebuilding trust in a high-friction regulatory era

As Africa’s fintech sector matures, communications leaders are navigating not just launch PR, but investor confidence issues and consumer trust erosion. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s mobile money rules and the East African Community’s cross-border payments integration are prompting firms to localise trust messaging in real time.

In Ghana, the Bank of Ghana suspended the operations of several digital lenders in 2024 over breaches of consumer protection rules. This came after a spike in complaints about predatory loan terms and data privacy violations. The fallout damaged public trust and exposed a gap in crisis preparedness: many brands lacked clear communication during enforcement and struggled to rebuild credibility. In 2025, those that recovered best were the ones who treated communications as a regulatory ally, not an afterthought.

What next: Strategy, not sentiment

From image-building to operational discipline, comms leaders across sectors must recalibrate. High-performing teams embed communications into policy forecasts, regulatory roadmaps, and investor dialogues – not just campaigns. And responses must be turned around in hours, not days.

Done well, communications can be an organisation’s operating system for trust, alignment, and action – and in 2025, the difference between proactive and reactive comms is reputational survival.

APO Group’s work across 54 African markets shows: comms delayed is opportunity lost. The question is no longer whether to elevate comms, but whether you’ve waited too long.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group Insights.

About APO Group: 
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.   

Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award, and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm in Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024.  Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards. 

APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.  

Source: APO

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Ethiopia has successfully concluded the second round of its nationwide novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) campaign, reaching more than 16.8 million children across ten regions. Led by the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, and other immunization partners, the campaign was conducted from 30 May to 2 June 2025.

With an administrative coverage of 105%, the campaign integrated essential maternal and child health services to maximize its reach and impact. While the primary target group was children under five, the age range was extended to include children up to ten years in Kellem and West Guji zones of Oromia Region, following localized risk assessments.

“Ethiopia’s leadership and coordination have been exemplary,” said Dr Owen L. Kaluwa, WHO Representative in Ethiopia. “In the first round, over 15.3 million children were vaccinated with nOPV2, achieving 103% coverage. These efforts are vital as the country continues to respond to outbreaks, with 69 cases reported across multiple regions between 2024 and March 2025.”

Throughout the campaign, WHO played a pivotal role in ensuring its success. In close collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and UNICEF, WHO supported pre-campaign preparations, including resource mobilization, training of health workers, and real-time monitoring using tools like the Open Data Kit (ODK). WHO also deployed independent monitors and quality assurance surveyors in nearly half of the selected regions, enabling immediate corrective actions and contributing to higher coverage rates. Additionally, WHO Field Officers and STOP consultants supported preparedness assessments, microplanning, cold chain inventory, and training of team supervisors.

The integrated campaign strategy is central to reducing mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases. During the first round, a total of 104,000 zero-dose (62,000) and under-vaccinated children (42,000) were identified and vaccinated—highlighting the campaign’s success in reaching previously missed populations.

Key Achievements from the Second Round are:

• 48,363 zero-dose children vaccinated, bringing the cumulative total to over 110,000 across both rounds.
• 654 children immunized at official border entry points with Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan.
• 31,253 supervisory visits conducted, resulting in 365 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) alerts, with 81 confirmed cases and samples collected for laboratory analysis.
• Independent monitoring and Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys confirmed high campaign quality, with 98% of 52,120 children verified as vaccinated and 90% of lots passing the quality threshold.

In addition to nOPV2 vaccination, the campaign facilitated catch-up immunizations for zero-dose and under-vaccinated children and supported the identification and referral of women with obstetric fistula for treatment—demonstrating a holistic approach to public health.

WHO remains committed to supporting Ethiopia’s regions, zones, and woredas in achieving high immunization coverage and maintaining robust disease surveillance systems to protect every child.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.

Source: APO – Report:

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Ethiopia has successfully concluded its 2025 nationwide integrated measles campaign, reaching 18,570,244 children—99% of the targeted population. The ten-day campaign began on 14 May 2025 across 12 regions, with Somali Region and Addis Ababa City Administration launching on 21 May and 26 May, respectively. The national launch event, organized by WHO, was held in Bishoftu, Oromia Region, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and supported by partners, community members, and political leaders.

Dr. Owen L. Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, commended the Ministry of Health for its leadership, stating: “I would like to congratulate and commend the Ministry of Health for your leadership and effort undertaken to realize the successful implementation of the 2025 National Integrated Measles Supplementary Immunization (SIA) Campaign, and for marking a significant milestone in delivering life-saving services to vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations nationwide.”

Dr. Kaluwa also reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia in strengthening routine immunization and primary health care systems to reduce child mortality.

WHO provided technical and financial support throughout the campaign, including proposal development, microplanning, training, supervision, and support for the national launch event.

The campaign targeted children aged 9 to 59 months, aiming to protect them against measles—a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease. It was designed to close immunity gaps and prevent outbreaks, in line with global health recommendations and in response to ongoing measles cases in parts of the country.

In addition to measles vaccination, the campaign integrated several health interventions, including:

• Routine Immunization: 191,346 zero-dose and 211,546 under-vaccinated children received vaccines.
• Nutritional Screening: Over 18.9 million children under five were screened; 874,722 were identified as moderately acutely malnourished (MAM), and 122,207 as severely acutely malnourished (SAM).
• Vitamin A Supplementation: More than 15 million children received vitamin A.
• Deworming: 11,095,948 children aged 24 to 59 months received albendazole.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: 206,431 Pfizer doses were administered to high-priority groups.
• Obstetric Fistula Identification: 1,325 suspected cases were identified and referred to health facilities.
• Sick Child Referral: Over 49,312 sick children were identified and linked to appropriate health services.

The campaign’s success was made possible through the full engagement of government ministries, partners, communities, and the media, which played a vital role in raising awareness and increasing demand for the life-saving vaccine. This achievement highlights the power of collaboration and dedicated partnerships in ensuring every child has access to essential health services. 

WHO remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ethiopia in strengthening routine immunization, enhancing primary health care systems, and advancing efforts to reduce child mortality—ensuring that no child is left behind.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.

Source: APO – Report:

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World Breastfeeding Week is being observed from 1 to 7 August with various activities under the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding – Create Sustainable Support System.”

At a national-level ceremony organized today in Asmara, Sister Amleset Hagos from the Ministry of Health stated that breastfeeding protects against various diseases, supports physical and mental development, contains all essential nutrients, and ensures the future health of infants.

Sister Amleset also called on all institutions to establish daycare centers to ease the burden on breastfeeding mothers.

Mr. Abdulah Mohammed Yosuf, UNICEF Representative in Eritrea, noted that according to the 2010 Eritrea Public Health Survey, over 90% of children are breastfed within the first hour, and 69% are exclusively breastfed for six months. These achievements have significantly contributed to reducing neonatal and child mortality, placing Eritrea among the global leaders in breastfeeding practices.

At the discussion forum moderated by the Association of Medical Doctors of Eritrea, female doctors shared their experiences with participants, focusing on the general benefits of breastfeeding, maternity leave, the importance of establishing daycare centers at institutions, and support for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.

Awards were also presented to winners of the general knowledge competitions conducted during the week.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.