Category: English

Source: APO

.

Recognizing the critical role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in driving the implementation of continental fisheries policies and addressing region-specific priorities, AU-IBAR is hosting the Fifth Annual Dialogue with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) from 30th July to 1st August 2025 in Naivasha, Kenya. This critical gathering has brought together fisheries experts, policymakers and development partners to review progress on the Fisheries Governance Project Phase 2 (FishGov2) and chart the way forward for sustainable fisheries management across the continent.

In her opening address, the Director of AU-IBAR, Dr Huyam Salih (represented by Mrs Hellen Guebama, AU-IBAR Fisheries Officer), emphasized the pivotal role of RECs in implementing continental fisheries policies while addressing regional priorities. She acknowledged the European Union’s continued support through FishGov2, which is currently in its final extension phase running until October 2026. The Director highlighted the project’s achievements in policy harmonization, capacity building, and the development of regional Blue Economy strategies, while stressing the need to modernize outdated legal frameworks that still govern fisheries in some member states.

Participants at the dialogue are focusing on key recommendations to strengthen fisheries governance, including deeper involvement of RECs in decision-making processes, adaptation of continental policies to local contexts, and sustained financial and technical support for regional initiatives. The discussions are laying the groundwork for a potential third phase of the FishGov project, with RECs advocating for continued investment in Africa’s fisheries sector.

The meeting is reinforcing the African Union’s commitment to collaborative governance, recognizing RECs as essential platforms for coordinating fisheries management across the continent. As the Director notes, this annual dialogue serves not only as a procedural requirement but also as a vital space for joint reflection and planning to ensure Africa’s fisheries are governed sustainably and equitably.

Looking ahead, stakeholders focus on finalizing the FishGov2 extension phase, developing proposals for a potential third phase and scaling up regional Blue Economy initiatives to enhance food security and coastal livelihoods. The dialogue will conclude with a renewed commitment to transforming Africa’s fisheries sector through strengthened regional cooperation and governance. This gathering marks another important step in Africa’s journey toward sustainable fisheries management and blue-economic development.

The dialogue is part of annual meetings held with RECs to strengthen project implementation on Fisheries Governance issues. Read about similar meetings on AU-IBAR’s work with Regional Economic Communities on fisheries governance:

https://www.au-ibar.org/resources/dialogue-regional-economic-communities-recs-implementation-fisheries-governance-project
https://www.au-ibar.org/news/latest-news/dialogue-recs-held-strengthen-implementation-fisheries-governance-2-project

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

Source: APO

.

Members of Parliament have backed a motion thanking President Yoweri Museveni for the State of the Nation Address, delivered to the House and country on June 5, 2025.

Hon. Faith Nakut (NRM, Napak district) who moved the motion during the House sitting on Thursday, 31 July 2025, highlighted the President’s achievements, including support for small businesses and increased national revenue. Legislators including Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa (NRM, Sheema Municipality) and Hon. Jane Avur (NRM, Pakwach district), seconded the motion, citing economic growth, job creation, and macroeconomic stability.

Annually, Parliament debates and passes a motion appreciating the President for the clear and precise exposition of government policy as contained in the address.

The members praised the government’s initiatives, such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, for transforming lives and boosting the economy. The MPs also commended the President’s efforts in promoting women’s leadership and stabilizing fuel prices.

“These interventions increased Ugandan participation in production and trade. More Ugandans are into business now,” Nakut said.

She added that national revenue has grown from Shs5 billion in 1986 to Shs31.9 trillion, while electricity generation has increased from 156 to 2,052 megawatts. She also praised the stabilisation of fuel prices and investment in mineral processing, which she said had created jobs and boosted the economy.

Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa (NRM, Sheema Municipality), highlighted the country’s economic growth.

“In 1986, our economy was US$3.92 million. It is now projected to hit US$ 60.4 billion,” he said, noting that Uganda is expected to grow at 7 percent in the coming financial year.

He credited the government’s wealth creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Project for transforming lives.

“Some people have touched a million shillings for the first time in their lives,” he said. On tourism, he cited growth in receipts from US$ 562 million in 2020 to US$ 1.4 billion in 2024, attributing the improvement to peace, infrastructure, and Uganda Airlines’ new international routes.

Hon. Jane Avur (NRM, Pakwach District Woman Representative) also seconded the motion, commending the President for maintaining macroeconomic stability.

“The Ugandan shilling has appreciated by 6.1 percent over the past year, and inflation is under control. Uganda has Africa’s second-lowest inflation rate over the past decade,” she said.

Avur emphasised the importance of price stability, calling it a “crucial enabler of investment and economic predictability.”

She also applauded export growth, noting a 26 percent increase to US$ 9.3 billion, and highlighted the impact on sectors like cosmetics, which employ over two million Ugandans, mostly women and youth.

Speaker Anita Among welcomed the contributions, saying, “We have a stable economy. We have peace. And when you look at the development that is coming up, it is out of the exports and services that are creating jobs.”

Hon. Hope Grania Nakazibwe (NRM, Mubende District) thanked the President for his role in promoting women’s leadership, noting that many women now hold key positions in government. “That came as a result of affirmative action,” she said, prompting applause from female MPs.

Speaker Anita Among welcomed the contributions, emphasizing the importance of a stable economy and peace in driving development.

The debate on the motion was deferred pending a statement in response to the President’s address from the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, notes and welcomes the report issued by the Health Ombudsman into the treatment and deaths of psychiatric patients at two Northern Cape hospitals.

Dr Dhlomo said, the report tabled on Wednesday by the Health Ombud, Dr Taole Mokoena is concerning and disturbing as it reveals a deep lack of care at Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital, and Robert Sobukwe Hospital. “The findings of the report are unacceptable, they exposed patients did not receive the quality care that they duly deserve,” said Dr Dhlomo.

Mental healthcare is of paramount importance and must always remain under public scrutiny, especially in the light of the tragic event at Life Esidimeni, stated Dr Dhlomo. The report highlights the necessity of ensuring that mental health should always be placed under the microscope as it affects vulnerable people.

The committee commends the proactive steps initiated by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi who lodged a complaint to the Health Ombud. “This demonstrates a commitment of accountability by the Minister and the department to uncover challenges within psychiatric hospitals and the healthcare system,” added Dr Dhlomo.

In ensuring that the committee provides adequate oversight, the committee will schedule a meeting and invite the Department of Health so that Members of the committee receive a comprehensive briefing. “The transformation of mental health needs to be safeguarded so that patients are treated with dignity,” emphasised Dr Dhlomo

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

.

Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards strengthening its agricultural resilience and soil management capacity through the launch of a new project titled “Capacity Development on Sustainable Soil Management in the Global South.”

Following the successful high-level launch of the project this week, Zimbabwe has taken a decisive step forward with a two-day inception meeting that built momentum by defining the strategic direction and technical roadmap for project implementation.

This initiative, supported by the People’s Republic of China under the South-South Cooperation framework is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe.   

“This meeting provided a critical platform to align our shared vision and technical priorities. It allowed us to present the strategic foundations of the project, define synergies among national institutions and key stakeholders, while collectively endorsing a clear roadmap for implementation,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.

“This process marks a strategic, co-created and coordinated start to delivering sustainable soil management solutions for Zimbabwe,” added Talla.

The meeting brought together key directorates and departments from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD). The Agricultural Research, Innovation and Specialist Services (ARISS) was represented by the Chemistry and Soil Research Institute (CSRI) whilst the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) was represented by the department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX), Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) and international partners including the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

Defining technical priorities and implementation framework

The inception meeting was strategically structured to align technical dialogue with policy priorities. The meeting featured expert presentations on the distribution and management of red soils in Zimbabwe, the current state of soil laboratories and information systems, and comparative insights from China’s red soil management practices.

These sessions laid the technical foundation for the project, ensuring that all stakeholders had a shared understanding of the scientific context and implementation framework. The meeting transitioned into a participatory planning phase, where stakeholders engaged in group discussions to define workplans for site identification, soil mapping, laboratory analysis, field trials, and farmer trainings through the Global Soil Doctor Programme.

“This collaborative approach ensured that the project’s implementation plan was not only technically sound but also nationally owned and contextually relevant. The structure of the meeting strategically contributed to the project’s overall objectives, clarifying roles, and setting a clear, actionable roadmap for effective implementation of the project,” said Emmanuel Chikwari, Head of the CSRI.

As the project moves into its implementation phase, the focus now shifts to delivering on three strategic priority areas: upgrading soil laboratories and developing digital soil maps; demonstrating sustainable soil and fertilizer management practices through field trials and extension training; and facilitating international knowledge exchange through workshops and technical cooperation. These actions will operationalize the project’s vision and deliver tangible outcomes for Zimbabwe’s soil health and agricultural resilience.

Harnessing the power of South-South Cooperation and learning

“This project is a powerful demonstration of how South-South Cooperation can drive innovation and capacity development in sustainable agriculture. As an implementing partner, Marondera University is proud to contribute to the rollout of this initiative by applying research, training, and field-evidence-based learning to improve soil management,” said Esther Masvaya, from MUAST.

“The inception meeting has set a clear, co-owned and co-created direction for implementation, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s soil economy benefits from inclusive planning, shared expertise, and a strong culture of learning that will drive lasting impact,” said Sibongile Mangena-Chikore, Chief Agronomist, AGRITEX.

FAO and its implementing partners will continue to refine the project’s strategic direction, monitoring progress and learning through regular workshops and field implementation activities.

“Sustainable soil management is a pivotal activity towards enhanced agricultural production and productivity in the context of climate change. This project is a game changer, especially in the management of red soils in Zimbabwe, which have not received much attention in the past,” said Obert Maminimini, FAO Project Coordinator.

Through its strong foundation in South-South Cooperation, the project also creates a platform for Zimbabwe to share its experiences, innovations, and lessons learned with other project countries in the Global South, fostering mutual learning and advancing sustainable soil management across regions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

.

In the crowded gathering site at Al-Zaeem Al-Azhari School in Port Sudan, 41-year-old Marwa Hassan Saeed holds her daughter close—both weary from a long, painful journey of displacement. Once a teacher at an international school in Khartoum, Marwa’s life was upended by conflict and crisis. A divorced mother of four, she has faced each challenge alone, including the daily struggles of caring for her youngest daughter, who lives with cerebral atrophy. 

Life was already difficult, but the outbreak of violence in mid-April 2023 turned it into a series of desperate moves. From Khartoum to Northern State, then to Madani, and finally to Port Sudan, Marwa and her children fled time and again to seek safety. Each step of the way, resources grew scarcer, hope harder to hold onto. Since the start of the current conflict, which has persisted for two years now, large numbers of civilians have been forced to flee, including people who were already internally displaced. As of 5 June 2025, over 7.7 million people have been internally displaced across Sudan, many of them uprooted multiple times as the conflict continues to escalate (Sudan situation). In Madani, Marwa’s family had found a fragile sense of stability—until fighting erupted again. Displaced for the third time, Marwa arrived in Port Sudan with little more than her determination to keep her children safe. Her daughter, who typically gained only one kilogram per year due to her condition, lost half her body weight during the journey—her small body weakened by stress, malnutrition, and the complete absence of medical care. 

In Port Sudan, the family finally found a moment of relief, a much-needed support with kitchen ware. In February and March, right before the holy month of Ramadan, Marwa received essential kitchen supplies through a distribution led by UN Women in a partnership with SCEFA and with funding from the Government of Japan. This support enabled her to cook meals for her family and participate in communal food-sharing traditions—an especially important practice during Ramadan, when families and neighbors gather around large, shared plates to break their fast together. For Marwa, the distribution restored not just her ability to feed her children, but also her sense of dignity and connection to her community. Before the intervention, Marwa struggled to prepare proper meals for her children due to a complete lack of basic cooking utensils. With only limited items available in the overcrowded gathering site, preparing and sharing food, especially in a culturally appropriate way, was nearly impossible 

“The cooking utensils I received made such a difference,” Marwa shared. “When you are a mother trying to care for children in a place that is not your home, even the smallest support helps you stand again. I’m not the only one. There are so many women here who have lost everything and still wake up every morning to provide for their families. We just need a little more help to keep going.” 

Despite all she has endured, Marwa continues to show remarkable resilience. Her story is a testament to the courage of displaced women across Sudan who, even in the face of unimaginable hardship, continue to care for their children and rebuild their lives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

Source: APO

The African Development Bank’s 2025 Country Focus Report for Burkina Faso (www.AfDB.org), the national version of the African Economic Outlook, was officially launched on 18 July 2025 in Ouagadougou.

The ceremony was chaired by Souleymane Nabolé, Technical Advisor, representing the Minister of Economy and Finance, in the presence of Daniel Ndoye, the Bank Group’s Country Manager for Burkina Faso. Run virtually, the session brought together more than 80 participants from the public administration, technical and financial partners, the research community and the private sector, as well as Bank executives.

In a video message, Professor Kevin Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management at the African Development Bank, reiterated that Country Focus Reports are designed to inform national policies and foster dialogue between states and their partners.

The 2025 edition of the report focuses on the theme: “Making Burkina Faso’s Capital Work Better for its Development.” It analyses the country’s recent macroeconomic performance amid a complex security and humanitarian crisis, while presenting medium-term prospects and strategic directions to accelerate economic transformation.

According to the Bank, the Burkinabe economy continued to expand in 2024, despite persistent security, humanitarian, and climate-related challenges. Burkina Faso is blessed in terms of natural, human, entrepreneurial, and financial capital, which if fully taken advantage of could bridge the country’s financing gap.

The Burkinabe government concurs with this analysis. According to Nabolé: “Macroeconomic indicators are improving, with growth estimated at five per cent in 2024. To have a significant impact on the social front, we need to think about how the transformation of the Burkinabe economy can be achieved by drawing on human, natural, and financial resources, socio-economic infrastructure, and governance.”

To bridge the financing gap, the report proposes several courses of action, including:

• Improving agricultural productivity and promoting agro-industrial development
• Strengthening mining revenue collection mechanisms and combating illicit financial flows
• Enhancing access to education, health care, and vocational training
• Building the capacities of the tax and customs administrations and the Ministry of Mines
• Enhancing state oversight bodies, modernising the judicial system, and improving forest management.

Abdoulaye Diop, President of the West African Economic and Monetary Union Commission, praised the Bank’s holistic approach stating that it “maximises the conditions for success and improved performance of national economies.”

He also highlighted the resilience of the Burkinabe economy, which has remained robust despite a difficult security environment. “In terms of domestic resource mobilisation, Burkina Faso is currently the best performer in our Union with a tax ratio of nearly 19 per cent. In addition, for several years now, it has been one of the countries most committed to implementing Union legislation. That deserves the attention of partners.”

Specific presentations focused on the need to strengthen the harnessing of domestic resources to offset the decline in external aid and financing, to make better use of human capital, to develop mineral resources to fund development, and to improve governance in the way in which various forms of capital are managed.

At the end of the session, Ndoye expressed his delight at the elevated level of participation and the quality of the discussions. “We commend the country’s performance, particularly in terms of harnessing resources,” he said, concluding, “We noted a convergence between the report’s conclusions and recommendations and the strategies currently being implemented in Burkina Faso, particularly those with a focus on human capital.

In parallel, Nabolé reiterated the Burkinabe government’s satisfaction with the quality of its cooperation with the African Development Bank.

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

Media contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

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

Source: APO

.

Held under the High Patronage of His Excellency President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the “Rumba Route for Peace” Festival (16-18 July) brought together representatives from across the globe to celebrate the power of music to heal, connect, and inspire across borders—an approach deeply echoed in UN Tourism’s advocacy for using culture as a bridge between people and nations. The event was also in full alignment with UN Tourism’s “Agenda for Africa: Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.

Where Rhythm Meets Global Leadership

At the Opening Ceremony, the Festival was inaugurated by President Tshisekedi, following keynote remarks by the Honorable Didier M’Pambia Musanga, Minister of Tourism; the Honorable Yolande Elebe Ma Ndembo, Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage; and UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

With the participation of government leaders, private sector giants like Sony Music Entertainment and Spotify (virtually), and institutions such as the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), UNESCO, Sound Diplomacy, ConcertsSA, and the University of La Plata in Argentina, panel sessions explored bold ideas and practical solutions.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism can be a channel for establishing peace and understanding. In Kinshasa, we showcased the power of music to bring people together, as well as the power of tourism to create opportunities, protect and celebrate unique cultures and embrace positive transformation through innovation.”
His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said: “By uniting the rhythms of the world and the treasures of our territories, this gathering reflects the ambition to build bridges between peoples through art, exchange, and discovery.”

Panels Centre Youth, Innovation and Culture

The four high-level panels delved into music tourism’s power to drive peace, protect artists’ rights, boost economic development, and harness the digital revolution to amplify cultural heritage. From “Transatlantic Rhythms for Peace” to “From Vinyl to Viral,” each session reinforced the critical role of youth, innovation, and fair ecosystems in shaping the future of creative industries.

A standout moment of the Congress was the “Fair Play” Masterclass, led by ARIPO, which underscored the critical importance of copyright and related rights protection. The session empowered 100 artists and creative entrepreneurs with practical tools to build fairer, more sustainable music economies across Africa and beyond.

The Festival also featured performances by artists from across Africa, including Angola, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and offered hands-on experiences such as an immersive rumba initiation, inviting participants to connect with heritage through movement, flavor, and sound.

Hon. Didier M’Pambia Musanga, Minister of Tourism, Democratic Republic of the Congo said: ““This festival is a platform for exchange, sharing and discovery that crosses races and generations, embodying the spirit of a modern DRC open to the world.”

Presidential Audience as UN Tourism Supports Education

In Kinshasa, UN Tourism reaffirmed its strong commitment to a creative, youth-led, and sustainable future, notably through the awarding of 100 scholarships in Destination Marketing via its UN Tourism Academy. This initiative reflects a long-term investment in empowering the next generation of African tourism professionals and innovators.

An audience with President Tshisekedi further reflected the high-level national support for leveraging culture and tourism as strategic pillars of development. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).

Source: APO

Namibia’s newly formed Upstream Petroleum Unit is currently in the process of conducting a review of the country’s existing regulatory framework with a view to propose policies for the governance of the rapidly evolving petroleum industry. Speaking during the second edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Walvis Bay last week, Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor & Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the Namibian Presidency, explained that these reviews seek to establish an effective and efficient upstream petroleum sector, while paving the way for greater participation by Namibian youth.

Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) fully supports the Namibian government as it strives to position the petroleum industry as a driving force in economic development. The AEC has long-advocated for the vital role the youth play in Africa’s energy industry and commends the proactive approach by the Namibian Presidency to position youth at the forefront of the sector. Having endorsed the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit, the AEC also commends its Founder Justina Erastus for her commitment to empowering youth.

The review comes as Namibia pursues first oil production from its Orange Basin discoveries by 2029 and is geared towards strengthening the competitiveness of investing in the country’s upstream petroleum sector. Major discoveries made by international companies such as TotalEnergies, Shell, Galp, Eni and more have positioned the country as one of the world’s most promising frontiers, with ongoing drilling campaigns led by Rhino Resources, BW Energy, Chevron and more setting the country up for future upstream success. With TotalEnergies targeting a final investment decision for the Venus field in 2026 and Galp advancing its Mopane development, Namibia is on track to become a global oil producer by the end of the decade.

These developments offer strategic benefits for the country and the Upstream Petroleum Unit has committed to ensuring that Namibia’s upstream potential provides several opportunities for its youth. As such, a strategic component of the ongoing reviews – as well as any proposed policies – is youth inclusivity and empowerment. According to Shilunga, “under Namibia’s 8^th administration, youth empowerment is a national imperative, not a secondary concern.”

She explained: “By 2024, a total of 28 offshore oil and gas exploration wells and 15 appraisal wells had been drilled, alongside 10 exploratory wells onshore. The country boasts an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil and approximately 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, making Namibia a key emerging player in the global energy sector. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these discoveries benefit our people, especially our youth.”

The imminent production of offshore oil offers significant opportunities for youth in Namibia, ranging from petroleum engineering to geosciences to offshore operations, environmental and regulatory compliance and logistics and support services. As an industry largely in its infancy stage, Namibia’s petroleum sector requires innovation, infrastructure and adaptive policies to ensure offshore resources are developed in both a productive and sustainable manner. Moreso, the country is uniquely positioned to establish an industry that is geared towards the local market from the get-go – and upcoming regulatory restructuring will play an instrumental part in achieving this goal.  

Namibia’s youth represent a large share of the country’s population, with approximately 71% of the country’s three million residents under the age of 35. This figure is expected to grow even further, with preliminary estimates showing Namibia’s population exceeding six million by 2050. Therefore, it becomes imperative to ensure current policies reflect anticipated growth trends while positioning the petroleum sector as a driver of economic development and job creation. As such, Namibia’s Upstream Petroleum Unit has challenged stakeholders across the country to collaborate and position youth at the forefront of the industry’s development.

“I call for shared responsibility in this endeavor and challenge us all. I challenge industry players to invest in capacity building. I challenge the academia to align curricula with current and future energy needs. I challenge we, the government, to accelerate youth-focused reforms and policies. And I also challenge you, our youth, to proactively seek knowledge, ask questions and to build networks,” Shilunga said.

Through collaboration, the Namibian petroleum industry stands to unlock long-term economic opportunities while leveraging petroleum as a catalyst for sustainable development.

“This oil and gas revolution must be powered by integrity, led with courage and anchored in inclusion. The youth are not only the future of this industry- but they are also its present momentum,” she noted.

The AEC believes that youth are essential in Africa’s petroleum industry and the Namibian government recognizes the instrumental role they will play in unlocking innovation, economic growth and inclusive development.

“By restructuring its regulations and implementing policies that support youth empowerment, Namibia is setting a strong standard for domestic oil and gas development in Africa,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

African countries have made bold pledges to address the continent’s maternal and child mortality crisis, as a challenging health landscape, shrinking resources, climate change and conflict threaten to reverse decades of progress in child survival.

Nearly five million children (https://apo-opa.co/44TWUFA) die from preventable causes before the age of five every year. Close to 60 per cent of these deaths occur in Africa, many of them caused by infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and meningitis. This is despite the existence of proven interventions such as vaccines, which have saved 154 million lives (https://apo-opa.co/4l6542n) over the past 50 years

As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline looms, African governments are now doubling down on their commitments to end preventable deaths of children under five as envisioned by the global goals over the next five years.

Speaking during the just concluded Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025 (www.ChildHealthForum2025.com), which took place in Maputo, Mozambique, representatives from various African countries joined the co-hosting Governments of Mozambique and Sierra Leone and partners including the Government of Spain, the “la Caixa” Foundation, the Gates Foundation and UNICEF in sharing their commitments to prioritize child survival.

Addressing participants during the official opening ceremony, H.E Daniel Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique, said: “The Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes that all children have the right to survive and grow up healthy. Mozambique has made notable progress in safeguarding these rights, reducing child mortality from 201 to 60 per 1,000 live births between 1997 and 2022. These gains are the result of decades of structural investments in maternal and child health – one of the key pillars of our Government’s Five-Year Plan 2025–2029.”

Despite such promising progress, Africa is still home to the majority of countries that are off-track to meet the SDGs. Noting this, government representatives and partners called for bold action to strengthen regional leadership; establish robust accountability; address inequities and mobilize sustainable financing.

“This is a defining moment for Africa; one of the greatest opportunities for resilience and strong African leadership. This forum brought us together not to discuss challenges, but to inspire action and save children’s lives. We have the tools, the science, the vaccines, diagnostics and treatments. What we need now is political commitment, suitable access, timely care and sustained investments across the continuum of care to enable us to accelerate progress toward the future we envision,” Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, Sierra Leone.

Stakeholders at the three-day forum also advocated for deeper, more effective multistakeholder collaboration to enhance resourcing of primary health care and integration of child survival services.

“We are calling on stakeholders to prioritize high-impact, high-return interventions alongside mobilizing resources for child survival to build sustainability and efficiency within health systems. This will translate into significant gains not just for families and communities, but for economies and the continent as a whole,” said Hon. Dr. Ussene Isse, Minister of Health of Mozambique.

Acknowledging the urgent need to prioritize reaching the most vulnerable and marginalized communities with the full range of maternal health and child survival interventions across primary health care, immunization, nutrition, and disease prevention programs, countries and partners united in a joint Call to Action and commitments to:

• Strengthen regional leadership: Foster partnerships between national and regional health organizations including the African Union, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), West African Health Organization (WAHO), East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), and other stakeholders with capacity to contribute to child survival.
• Establish robust accountability: Ensure governments, partners, and civil society are held accountable for their child survival commitments at national, regional, and global levels, and report progress regularly.
• Address inequities: Focus on the most vulnerable children, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, by removing barriers to care, improving maternal education, and addressing risk factors such as malnutrition, lack of access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, and air pollution, especially household.
• Mobilize sustainable financing: Increase domestic and international funding for child survival, prioritizing cost-effective interventions and life-saving commodities that strengthen health systems, and securing sustainable financing solutions for reaching the most vulnerable groups, including in fragile and conflict affected states. Ensure these resources are flexible, to reduce fragmentation and direct funds where and when they’re needed most.
• Invest in Primary Health Care (PHC): Increase domestic investment in resilient PHC systems, including at the community level. This includes securing continuum of care, appropriate referral systems, and quality of care at primary and referral level; equipping health facilities with diagnostic tools and essential medicines for pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea, as well as sustainable energy sources and internet to support diagnostics, therapeutics, and data sharing; strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, and training health workers to promptly diagnose and treat childhood infections and malnutrition.
• Invest decisively in prevention, preparedness, and response to public health emergencies, especially cholera, as a strategic priority. This includes strengthening multi-sectoral coordination, domestic financing, WASH infrastructure, critical supplies, community engagement, and humanitarian access. Without such investment, routine health services will remain vulnerable to repeated and severe disruptions.
• Accelerate vaccine coverage: Achieve and sustain >90% coverage of life-saving vaccines, including pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP), measles, rotavirus, malaria, meningitis, and typhoid vaccines, prioritizing zero-dose children and integrating vaccine delivery with nutrition and other high-impact child health services—with partnerships facilitating cross-sectoral collaboration—to reach the most vulnerable.
• Integrate the delivery of child survival services to improve access, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness: Explore opportunities to deliver child survival interventions and innovations through existing community-based platforms, and identify where continuous care can occur across maternal, newborn and child health care provisions.
• Enhance surveillance and innovation: Leverage data from initiatives like the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network to anticipate and respond to epidemiological trends, inform targeted interventions and accelerate the development and deployment of new tools.

“We have a shared responsibility to ensure that every child has a chance to live and thrive. As we make these promises to Africa’s children, we must—governments, partners and civil society— hold each other accountable for these child survival commitments at national, regional, and global levels, report progress regularly, and act decisively to close gaps in child survival so that no child dies from a preventable infectious disease,” said Theo Sowa, Chairperson of the Forum.

For the detailed Call to Action and 13 Country Commitments, click here (https://apo-opa.co/44VOOfD).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025.

For interview requests, please contact:
For Mozambique-based media:
maider.mavie@ins.gov.mz

For regional and international media:
wgaitho@globalhealthstrategies.com and wkariuki@globalhealthstrategies.com

About the Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025:
The Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025 brought together stakeholders across selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions including senior health ministry officials, development agencies, donors, academia, civil society, and the private sector. It focused on new and underutilized tools to deliver progress on child survival, more effective infectious disease risk mitigation and surveillance strategies, more efficient models of service delivery, the need for robust prioritization exercises including for routine immunization systems and new vaccine introductions, and innovative child survival financing options.

The forum was co-hosted by the Governments of Mozambique and Sierra Leone, and partners including the Government of Spain, the ”la Caixa” Foundation, the Gates Foundation and UNICEF.

For more information on the forum, visit: www.ChildHealthForum2025.com

Source: APO

.

At least 27 major road and bridge projects across Uganda have been suspended or drastically slowed down due to a crippling government funding shortfall, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has told Parliament.

The Minister, who presented to Parliament a statement on the state of roads in the country, on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, attributed this to delayed payments and land acquisition issues, affecting projects like the Masindi-Biiso and Kabale-Kiziranfumbi oil roads, Kampala-Mpigi Expressway, and Kampala-Jinja Highway.

“As of July 2025, 27 projects have been affected by either full suspension or significant reduction in progress. These include 18 fully funded by the Government of Uganda, where contractors have suspended or slowed down works due to delayed payments, and nine externally financed projects, where delays are primarily attributed to the Government’s inability to provide timely counterpart funding,” he said.

The funding shortfall is attributed to a massive gap of Shs2.472 trillion in the financial year 2025/2026 where only Shs682 billion of the required Shs3.153 trillion was provided. The government is also carrying over Shs1.071 trillion in arrears from previous years, accumulating commercial interest and monthly cost claims from contractors.

The situation is further complicated by land acquisition issues, with Shs443 billion needed for compensation and enabling access to sites, which has grounded externally funded projects. 

“The cumulative effect of these suspensions and delays has led to slow absorption of project resources, exposure to financial claims, risk of asset deterioration, and reputational concerns,” he stated.

The minister said that Uganda’s road infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly, with 1,993 kilometers requiring urgent periodic maintenance and 260 kilometers needing rehabilitation.

“If not implemented, these roads degrade and instead require rehabilitation which costs about Shs2.59 billion per kilometer three times the periodic maintenance cost,” he warned adding that “This could result in a preventable fiscal loss of up to Shs180 billion.”

Gen. Katumba warned that if not urgently addressed, these disruptions will compromise Uganda’s ability to deliver critical national infrastructure and maintain the existing network.

The minister called for urgent financial intervention, emphasizing the importance of the road network to economic growth, regional integration, and service delivery.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Parliament was unable to hold a substantive debate on the matter after it emerged that none of the ministers from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development were present to respond to the funding concerns raised in the report.

Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua informed the House that the responsible ministers were all away on official engagements.

Speaker Anita Among insisted that the Chief Whip must take responsibility. 

“That is your role as Government Chief Whip; you are the one supposed to ensure members are in the House. This is not for debate. Whip, we shall hold you accountable,” she said.

The Speaker deferred the debate on the statement to Tuesday, 05 August 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.