Category: English

Source: APO

South Africa’s energy landscape is entering a new phase. While the country moves towards a more competitive electricity market, commercial and industrial businesses continue to face rising electricity costs, pressure to decarbonise and the need for greater operational resilience.

With Eskom’s 2026/27 tariff increase and continued reforms to the electricity market, businesses are increasingly looking beyond traditional electricity supply to wheeling, renewable PPAs, onsite generation, battery storage, energy efficiency and demand management.

The key question is no longer simply “How do we keep the lights on?” but “How do we secure reliable power while controlling costs and remaining competitive?”

That question will take centre stage at the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, taking place 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

From energy security to business competitiveness

Under the theme “Business continuity through power security,” the summit will bring together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, investors, financiers, utilities and policymakers to address the practical challenges shaping South Africa’s energy future.

The programme will examine the threats and opportunities facing South Africa’s industrial sector, including rising energy costs, electricity-market reform, decarbonisation and infrastructure constraints.

A key focus will be the growing commercial case for battery storage. The “Energy Storage Beyond Backup Power” session will explore how businesses can use storage for energy arbitrage, peak shaving, demand management, renewable-energy firming and improved power quality – moving batteries from a backup solution to a potential strategic investment.

Practical solutions for South African businesses

The summit will also look beyond new generation, exploring how businesses can reduce energy costs through energy efficiency, operational optimisation, demand response and digital energy management.

For heavy industry, a dedicated session will examine how mining, manufacturing, cement and metals companies can integrate solar, wind and hybrid energy systems while maintaining reliable operations and competitiveness.

The programme will also address one of the biggest challenges facing new energy projects: infrastructure and collaboration between businesses, municipalities and utilities. Discussions will cover shared infrastructure, wheeling agreements, network constraints and how businesses can engage more effectively with public-sector stakeholders.

The conversation has moved beyond keeping the lights on

South Africa’s energy transition is becoming a business strategy. With electricity-market reform, renewable procurement, wheeling and storage creating new opportunities, businesses need to understand not only where their power will come from, but how they can use energy strategically to reduce costs, manage risk and remain competitive.

“The energy transition is about more than adding megawatts; it is about building reliable, responsible energy systems that strengthen competitiveness and resilience,” said Grace Olukune, Head of Engineering at Eskom Green. “Businesses need solutions that combine renewable power, storage, efficiency and partnerships, while ensuring today’s infrastructure does not become tomorrow’s environmental challenge.”

The C&I Energy + Storage Summit 2026 is supported by a growing group of partners committed to advancing South Africa’s energy transition, including NOA Group as Gold Sponsor, Huawei as EIUG Gold Sponsor, Lyra Energy as EIUG Silver Sponsor, and Webber Wentzel, in alliance with Linklaters, as Bronze Water Security Africa Sponsor.

The C&I Energy + Storage Summit 2026 will bring those decision-makers together in Johannesburg to tackle these questions and explore what comes next for South Africa’s commercial and industrial energy market.

28–29 October 2026 | The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Additional Links:
Download the programme: https://apo-opa.co/3T3VwwQ
Register here to attend: https://wearevuka.com/energy/energy-storage-summit/ticket-options/

About C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg: 
In its third year, the C&I Summit is a platform to unlock investment and speed up localisation, helping South Africa’s energy-intensive sectors build resilience through innovation and resource security. https://apo-opa.co/4wWgYBO   

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and each other across Africa’s energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy and technology sectors via events, content and networking. It helps businesses navigate markets, build connections and achieve sustainable success. www.WeAreVUKA.com

Source: APO

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A delegation of senior executives and global thought leaders from S&P Global Energy is to participate in the African Mining Week (AMW), taking place October 14-16 in Cape Town, to share proprietary data and insights shaping the future of Africa’s mining sector.

Aligning with AMW’s 2026 theme, “Mining the Future: Critical Resources, Sustainability and Community Development,” the delegation’s participation coincides with a surge of investment-led growth in Africa. Holding approximately 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, the continent has emerged as a strategic destination for long-term capital, driven by skyrocketing global demand for critical minerals in clean energy technologies, defense applications, and advanced manufacturing.

As the leading independent provider of information, analytics, and benchmark prices for the energy and commodities markets, S&P Global Energy will help shape key discussions on the market forces and exploration trends impacting this vital sector.

 The S&P Global Energy executive delegation at AMW 2026 includes:

• Atul Arya, SVP and Chief Energy Strategist
• Rahul Kapoor, VP, Head of Shipping & Metals
• Vera Blei, Head of Platts
• Fernando Araya Burchard, Critical Minerals Lead
• William Mason, Associate Director, Mining Economics & Emissions
• Malick Diallo, Commercial Lead, EMEA & CIS 

Key S&P Global Presentations and Insights: During the event, S&P Global experts will provide proprietary data on the commercial realities shaping mineral development through their panel moderations and presentations. For example:  

• Dr. Atul Arya will moderate the Ministerial Panel “Regional Policy Alignment: Mining Code Reforms to Unlock Value.”  Rahul Kapoor will guide the conversations of panels, “The New Resource Contract: Balancing Sovereignty, Nationalism, and Investor Certainty” and “Unlocking Refining Investment.” 
• Transition Minerals and Capital Allocation: Fernando Araya Burchard will explore new opportunities across exploration, production, and mineral beneficiation. He will contextualize these trends against staggering demand forecasts—including a projected 350% increase in global lithium demand and a 130% rise in graphite demand by 2040—and discuss how African governments are leveraging international partnerships to expand capacity and modernize infrastructure.
• Bucking the Trend: Africa’s Decade-High Exploration Surge and the Rising Cost of Production: Despite possessing some of the world’s largest reserves of copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, lithium, and rare earth elements, Africa attracts less than 10% of global exploration expenditure. William Mason will unpack this untapped geological potential and the commercial realities of production costs.
• S&P Global Energy will host c-suite roundtable on critical issues facing the mining industry in Africa.

ADVANCING TRANSPARENCY IN CRITICAL MINERALS 

 Africa’s central role in the energy transition benefits from transparent pricing and supply chain visibility. Aiding the market’s need for such transparency, S&P Global Energy’s Platts recently launched a set of spot market price assessments for rare earth elements: first-of-their-kind, for mine-to-industry “alternative supply chains (https://apo-opa.co/3T4yhCT),” reflecting  prices of refined materials originating from Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and other nations and China rare earth elements (https://apo-opa.co/45ZaGq9), on a free-on-board basis.

 Additionally, S&P Global recently published independent reports on Tungsten (https://apo-opa.co/4iD8j3I), Antimony (https://apo-opa.co/4y62qAv), NdPr (https://apo-opa.co/4zI0Bvv), Gallium (https://apo-opa.co/4gHzlEI), and Germanium (https://apo-opa.co/46hrusJ). These reports aim to advance market transparency and foster dialogue among producers, processors, consumers, investors, and policymakers regarding supply chains that are essential to defense, semiconductors, aviation, and other strategic global industries.

Dr. Arya spoke with African Mining Week highlighting the importance of Africa’s mineral wealth and opportunities for African nations and companies: “Global Mineral Race Positions African Producers as Active “Price Setters”, Says S&P Global Energy (https://apo-opa.co/4y8xcZz).”

Organized by Energy Capital & Power, African Mining Week runs alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference (October 12-16 in Cape Town), where S&P Global Energy is an Emerald Sponsor and will also feature an executive delegation.

For more information on African Mining Week, visit: https://African-MiningWeek.com/

For more information on S&P Global Energy, visit: https://www.SPGlobal.com/energy/en.

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

Source: APO

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC) celebrated the graduation of the participants of the Strategic Business Leadership Program, recognizing 30 leaders from 15 IsDB Member Countries and Muslim communities.

Jointly developed by IsDBI and MBSC, the program combines executive education with practical learning to help leaders strengthen strategic execution, innovation, organizational transformation, and sustainable value creation.

The Strategic Business Leadership Program benefited from the support of three IsDB Group entities, namely the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

The graduation ceremony took place on 27 August 2026 at the IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah. It brought together senior representatives from the IsDB Group, MBSC, and program partners, along with the graduating participants.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital, knowledge, and institutional capacity to help Member Countries address emerging challenges and unlock new opportunities. He thanked ICIEC, ICD, ITFC, MBSC and all the team members who contributed to the success of the program.

The ceremony featured keynote remarks from Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of ICIEC and Acting CEO of ICD, and Mr. Nazeem Noordali, COO of ITFC, whose participation underscored the Group’s commitment to strengthening private-sector development, trade, investment, risk mitigation, and economic opportunity across IsDB Member Countries.

Dr. Zeger Degraeve, Executive Dean of MBSC, reflected on the partnership with IsDBI and commended the caliber of the graduating cohort, emphasizing the importance of translating leadership learning into tangible organizational and societal impact.

Dr. Muhammad Azam Roomi, Professor of Entrepreneurship at MBSC and Faculty Director of the program, highlighted the practical dimensions of the learning journey, including entrepreneurial thinking, strategic decision-making, innovation, and opportunity recognition and urged the participants to change lives.

Mr. Yahya Rehman, Head of IsDBI’s Knowledge Leaders Section, highlighted the Institute’s role in developing human capital and providing knowledge-based solutions that contribute to sustainable economic advancement across IsDB Member Countries.

Two representatives of the graduating cohort, Mr. Hesham Ahmed Suqail and Ms. Mahwish Naeem, also shared the participants’ perspective, reflecting on the program’s value, practical learning experience, and opportunity for peer exchange across countries and professional backgrounds. They expressed their gratitude to the IsDBI and MBSC for the life changing experience and learning.

The ceremony concluded with the award of certificates and recognition of program partners. The graduation marks the beginning of the participants’ next stage of leadership, equipping them to contribute to stronger organizations, more innovative businesses, and greater economic and societal impact in their respective countries.

The IsDBI–MBSC partnership provides a continuing platform for developing leadership capabilities across the IsDB ecosystem and empowering a new generation of leaders to translate knowledge into action and learning into sustainable development outcomes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

Social media handles:
X (Twitter): https://apo-opa.co/3V2WrOE
Facebook:  https://apo-opa.co/4d5lqHd
LinkedIn:  https://apo-opa.co/46yeRcC

About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org/

Source: APO

Every month at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ugbor, Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, in southern Nigeria, mothers gather with their babies for routine immunization and growth monitoring services. Among them is Mrs Shegu Ritawaits who arrived one morning with her eight-month-old child expecting a routine clinic visit.

But that day, the interaction went beyond immunization. Alongside routine checks, a health worker demonstrated how simple activities such as talking, singing, playing, smiling and responding to a baby’s cues can support learning and development during the earliest years of life.

“I did not know that talking and playing with my baby could help her learn,” said Mrs Shegu. “Now I try to do it every day, even when I am cooking or washing clothes.”

The early years of life are a critical period for brain development and lay the foundation for lifelong learning, health and productivity. Nurturing care during this period helps children develop the cognitive, language, motor, social and emotional skills they need to thrive. However, poor developmental outcomes continue to affect an estimated two-thirds of children in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the need for stronger support for caregivers and young children.

Investments in nurturing care, including health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, and child protection, are essential to ensure that Nigerian children survive, thrive, and reach their developmental potential. Despite progress, millions of young children remain at risk of developmental delay due to preventable social, economic, and health-related factors.

Primary health care as a platform for nurturing care for early childhood development

This was the focus of discussions during a World Health Organization (WHO)-convened high-level panel on nurturing care at the Africa Primary Health Care Forum (APHCF) 2026 in Abuja. A total of 513 participants from six countries attended the forum
Participants agreed that primary health care is one of the most effective platforms for delivering nurturing care services to pregnant women, caregivers, infants, and young children, while facilitating collaboration with other sectors for coordinated action.

“Primary health care remains the government platform with the widest and most consistent contact with pregnant women, caregivers and young children. Integrated action is needed to promote early childhood development,” said Dr Amina Mohammed, Director, Child Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare 

What implementation can look like: lessons from Osun State
While policy discussions continue at national level, experiences from Osun State illustrate how developmental support can be embedded within health systems.

A partnership between the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK, and founded under the Global Health Workforce Programme, is strengthening the early identification and referral of children with developmental delays and disabilities.

The initiative has trained 278 frontline health workers and established referral pathways linking primary health care centres with specialist services.

According to DrOluwatosin Olorunmoteni, consultant paediatric neurologist at OAUTHC and co-lead of the partnership, earlier identification is beginning to improve referrals.

“With this intervention, children below one year are referred, and for some less than six months.”
Health workers involved in the programme also report greater confidence in assessing children and making appropriate referrals.

Meanwhile, at the Ugbor Primary Health Care Centre, caregivers are reportedly showing greater interest in children’s developmental progress.

According to Caroline Ugbomor Osato, a nurse at the facility:

“Before, many parents came only for immunization. Now some ask what they can do at home to help their child speak, play and learn.”

Supporting caregivers and strengthening families

The Osun State initiative also supports families through ‘Baby Ubuntu’ caregiver groups, which provide opportunities for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities to share experiences, receive peer support and learn how to encourage their child’s development.

Since they were established, the groups have, reached many caregivers.

For Faridat Adegoke, a caregiver of a child with cerebral palsy and a parent support group coordinator, the groups provide encouragement and practical support.

“We share our stories. We share the pains together. We share our success together. It has been a kind of relief.”

WHO’s role in Nigeria
WHO’s role in Nigeria is to provide technical leadership, convene stakeholders and support multisectoral dialogue on nurturing care and early childhood development.

Through APHCF 2026, supported by the European Union funded project SPIN, WHO brought together government leaders, development partners, researchers, health professionals and regional networks to examine how nurturing care can be integrated into existing primary health care services.

WHO continues to advocate for evidence-based approaches that strengthen health systems and improve child development outcomes through coordinated action across sectors.

“Nurturing care for early childhood development is not an extra task for the health system,” said Dr Joy Ufere, WHO Technical Officer. “It is a core component of quality care for every child, delivered through integrated multisectoral action.”
Government leadership remains central to scaling these efforts.

“Our priority is to ensure that every child is seen, supported and given the chance to develop fully,” said Dr Mohammed. “WHO’s support is helping us bring sectors together around a shared goal.”

With Africa’s young population, investing in early childhood development is both a health priority and a smart economic investment, with returns estimated at US$6 to US$17 for every US$1 invested.

Looking ahead
The experience from Osun State demonstrates how earlier identification, stronger referral systems, trained health workers and caregiver support can strengthen services and create a better start for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
As policymakers and partners consider recommendations emerging from APHCF 2026, the focus will be on expanding such evidence-based approaches, strengthening coordination across sectors, mobilizing sustainable investment and ensuring that more children can access the support they need for healthy growth and development.

Attribution
The Osun State example featured in this story is drawn from The Early Childhood Development Initiative, a global partnership between Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK, founded under the Global Health Workforce Programme.  The programme benefits from technical collaboration through State-level WHO representatives but is not directly implemented by WHO. The example is included to illustrate how approaches discussed during the Africa Primary Health Care Forum can be applied in practice within health systems.

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

Source: APO – Report:

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On August 28, Ambassador Gao Wenqi attended the handover ceremony of the Masaka Hospital renovation and expansion project. Hon. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, Director General of the Rwanda Housing Authority, representatives from the Rwandan Prime Minister’s Office and various walks of life, the Chinese medical team to Rwanda were present.

Ambassador Gao noted that the Masaka Hospital renovation and expansion project is a concrete action to implement the consensus reached by the Heads of State of the two countries, an important outcome of the FOCAC “Ten Partnership Actions”. As Rwanda’s largest, best-equipped, and most comprehensive, modern teaching hospital, it will empower Rwanda’s medical tourism industry, and serve as a regional medical hub of Eastern Africa. It will also benefit the African continent, and inject brand-new momentum into Africa’s public health sector. This year marks 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Rwanda, in line with the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, the Chinese side will continue to deepen the China-Rwanda comprehensive strategic partnership, and support Rwanda in its realization of Vision 2050.

Minister Nsanzimana, on behalf of the Rwandan government, expressed sincere appreciation to China.He noted that Masaka Hospital expansion and renovation project serves as the best example of the friendship between Rwanda and China, which  is deeply rooted in the general public and benefits both peoples. Starting from this milestone, Rwanda stands ready to deepen cooperation with China in health sector, and continuously enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the event, the two sides signed the handover certificate and exchanged the symbolic key of the hospital.

The China-aided expansion and renovation project of the Masaka Hospital was launched in 2022. After completion, the hospital’s total floor area increased from 6,398㎡ to 56,957 ㎡, and the number of beds rose from 127 to 837. It now holds the capacity to provide medical services for more than 300,000 local residents.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Rwanda.

Source: APO

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The Delegation of the European Union and the Diplomatic Missions of the EU Member States to Libya welcome the announcement of an agreement signed today by the Libyan representatives participating in the UN-facilitated “Small Convening” on the reconstitution of the Board of the High National Elections Commission and on the electoral framework.

We recognise this agreement as a meaningful milestone towards unifying the institutions and creating the conditions for credible national elections. We commend the Libyan participants for their constructive approach, political responsibility and readiness to find common ground in the national interest.

We call on the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to engage positively with the outcome reached by the “Small Convening” and to take the necessary steps for its implementation without delay. All Libyan institutions and stakeholders should seize this opportunity to build on the progress achieved and embrace compromise to advance the country towards renewed institutional legitimacy and unity.

We remain fully supportive of the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh to facilitate a genuinely Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. We will continue to stand by Libya and its people in support of the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Libya.