Category: English

Source: APO

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The Right Honourable, the Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane visited Mokhotlong district where he surveyed progress made on the rehabilitation of an eight kilometers long road from Ha Kotsia to Mokhotlong Hospital.

He was taken on a road tour by the Green Energy and Logistics Consulting, a company supervising UNIK Construction which was awarded contract by Road Directorate to rehabilitate the road.In his brief remarks during inspection, He said the progress made so far on the rehabilitation project is impressive adding that there should be a clear maintenance plan to enhance sustainability when projects have been implemented.

UNIK Construction was introduced to Mokhotlong community in December last year with allocated budget of M155,715,224.56 to do the rehabilitation work on Kotsia -Mokhotlong hospital road.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.

Source: APO

The African Energy Week (AEW) (https://AECWeek.com) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, Africa’s largest energy gathering taking place October 12-16, is preparing to bring the full spectrum of Africa’s energy industry to Cape Town. With just one month to go, the platform is gearing up to unlock a new wave of billion-dollar deals and energy partnerships, with over 400+ high-level speakers, 9,000+ delegates, five conference stages, targeted dealmaking and roundtable discussions positioning African energy at the forefront of international investment.  

Five Stages, One African Energy Agenda

AEW 2026 covers the entire energy sector and its value chain, with panel discussions, technical workshops, presentations and fireside chats taking place across five strategic conference stages. Key platforms include the Upstream E&P Forum; Energy Finance Forum; Energy Additions Forum; AEW Townhall; and Downstream and Petrochemicals Forum, all of which offer unique insight into the projects reshaping Africa’s energy sector and the companies making it happen.

Country spotlights will put market opportunities directly before global capital, while dedicated roundtables will further examine local content, US-Africa energy investment, OPEC-Africa cooperation and NOC-IOC partnerships. The Drill Room will bring geology, exploration and subsurface intelligence into focus, while the Innovation Hub will examine the technologies reshaping the competitiveness of Africa’s energy industry.

Power, AI and the Industries of Tomorrow

Two dedicated conferences will expand the AEW conversation beyond conventional energy. Renegade Intel will explore the intersection of AI, natural gas, power generation, data centers, data sovereignty and infrastructure financing, connecting energy producers with technology companies, financiers and digital infrastructure developers.

Meanwhile, Power Africa Today will convene ministers, utilities, regulators, investors and developers for three days of discussions covering generation, grids, gas-to-power, renewables, nuclear energy, regional power trade, electrification and project finance. Under a mandate to make energy poverty history, Power Africa brings Africa’s biggest energy challenge – and opportunity – to a global audience.

Deals Take Center Stage

AEW 2026 is designed not only to discuss investment, but to facilitate it. Sponsored by Premier Invest, the Deal Room will connect project sponsors, developers and promoters with investors and lenders, enabling active oil, gas, power and infrastructure opportunities to secure financing and strategic partners.

The African Farmout Forum – organized in partnership with Moyes & Co, Farmout Angel and Envoi Ltd – will provide another route to transactions. Featuring available blocks and acreage from across Africa, the forum will connect companies seeking partners with investors looking for upstream entry opportunities.

Beyond the Conference Floor: JET and Networking  

AEW 2026 is more than a conference; it is an energy movement centered on collaboration, connections and capital. The Just Energy Transition concert kickstarts the week by bringing delegates together to celebrate music, culture and arts, while a calendar of networking receptions, power lunches and side events will run throughout the week, creating additional opportunities to build partnerships.

Celebrate Excellence at the AEW Awards Ceremony  

On Tuesday, October 13, the AEW 2026 Gala Dinner & Awards will celebrate companies and individuals driving progress across the continent’s energy industry. Featuring 12 categories spanning the full energy value chain, the awards celebrate the achievements shaping the continent’s energy future.

Connect with Leading Brands at the AEW Exhibition

Complementing the conference is a major exhibition showcasing leading brands, technologies, services and projects from across the global energy industry. As one of AEW’s central business platforms, the exhibition gives companies direct access to thousands of decision-makers, investors, policymakers and potential partners, providing a high-visibility space to showcase capabilities, launch solutions, develop commercial relationships and pursue new business across African markets.

“AEW 2026 is where Africa’s energy ambitions become transactions. Over one week, we will unite governments with acreage, companies with projects, investors with capital and technology providers with solutions. Whether you are looking for a license, a farm-in partner, project finance, a power opportunity or your next market, Cape Town is where those conversations will happen,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Visit https://AECWeek.com for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

In Peace Support Operations, leadership and training are essential for building capable and disciplined security forces. At the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Sector 2, Sergeant Anthony Mutua is playing a key role in preparing troops and mentoring Somali security forces through training and instruction.

Serving as a Senior Platoon Officer and Instructor under AUSSOM, Sgt Mutua brings over two decades of military experience to the mission. His responsibilities range from operational planning to troop preparedness and tactical instruction.

“I have served the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for over 20 years,” he said.

For Sgt Mutua, military service was deeply rooted in his upbringing. Growing up in a military family shaped his admiration for the profession and inspired him to follow the same path.

“My father was a soldier, and I used to see how passionate he was about the job,” he explained. “I came to admire it, and when I reached the required age, I enrolled in the KDF.”

That early inspiration evolved into a long and dedicated military career focused on leadership, discipline, and mentorship.

Within AUSSOM Sector 2, Sgt Mutua’s role involves coordinating platoon-level duties alongside the platoon commander while ensuring troops always remain mission-ready.

“I am responsible for planning platoon operational duties together with the platoon commander,” he explained. “I am also in charge of training, making sure that my troops are well rehearsed and continue revising the skills we trained on back in Kenya. A good soldier relies on muscle memory.”

Beyond training KDF personnel, Sgt Mutua has been actively involved in enhancing operational effectiveness and professionalism among Somali Security Forces (SSF).

“I have had the privilege to train Somali security forces in areas such as VIP escort protocols, tactical shooting, discipline, and how to conduct different missions effectively,” he said.

Reflecting on his deployment, Sgt Mutua says one of his proudest achievements was helping build the SSF.

“I am proud that I have been given the opportunity to train Somali Security Forces,” he said. “I have trained over 200 soldiers during the short period I have been here, and I will go back home knowing that I contributed to helping them perform their duties effectively.”

His work reflects one of AUSSOM’s broader objectives – strengthening local security institutions and helping Somali forces build the skills necessary to maintain long-term peace and stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Source: APO

Arua Regional Referral Hospital is operating with only 23 percent of its approved staffing structure, a shortage its acting director says is constraining the hospital’s ability to provide services as demand continues to rise.

The hospital’s acting director, Dr Gilbert Aniku, a senior paediatrician, made the disclosure when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, chaired by Deputy Chairperson Sarah Lwansasula, to respond to audit queries for the financial year ended 2025 on Monday, 14 September 2026.

Dr Aniku told the committee that the hospital serves a catchment population of about 2.5 million people in the West Nile region, including Ugandans, refugees and people crossing the border.

On an annual basis, the hospital handles about 130,000 outpatients and 22,000 inpatients, putting further pressure on its limited human resources and infrastructure.

“Right now, our staffing using the new structure is at 23 percent of the establishment, and this has placed a constraint on our ability to deliver on the services to an optimum level,” Dr Aniku said.

The staffing gap is particularly significant in maternity services. Of the 22,000 inpatients recorded in the year under review, about 7,000 were deliveries, equivalent to approximately 22 deliveries every day.

Dr Aniku said about 40 per cent of the deliveries were by caesarean section, a situation he said was putting strain on the hospital’s already limited infrastructure.

However, he says the hospital expects some relief after Parliament allocated it additional wage funding in the current financial year.

According to Dr Aniku, the funding will allow the hospital to recruit 127 additional staff, raising staffing levels to at least 32 per cent of the approved establishment.

The additional personnel are also expected to support the expansion of specialised services, including intensive care, dialysis and improved emergency care.

The committee also questioned the hospital over medicines worth about Shs148 million that had expired, including antiretroviral drugs and laboratory controls.

Hon. Lwansasula asked the director about the condition of the hospital’s medicine store, which had reportedly experienced high temperatures.

Dr Aniku acknowledged the expiry of medicines and said some of the supplies, particularly the ARVs and antimalarial medicines, had been donations.

He said the hospital had initially responded to the temperature problem by installing fans, but was now putting in place air conditioners to maintain acceptable temperatures in the store.

“The challenge is about the ambient temperature in the store, and we are installing ACs to maintain the temperature,” he said, adding that the work was ongoing after funding became available in the current financial year.

The committee also turned its attention to cancer care, dialysis and other specialised services at the regional referral hospital.

Hon. Karim Masaba (Ind., Industrial Division) said cancer has become a burden affecting even children. He tasked the hospital to explain their response to cancer.

Dr Aniku said cancer was a growing concern in the region, affecting both children and adults. Among children, he said the hospital commonly encounters blood cancers such as leukaemia, as well as cancers affecting organs such as the kidney and liver and cases involving the brain.

The hospital’s ability to diagnose and treat cancer remains limited, forcing it to refer patients to the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago or the cancer facility in Gulu.

Dr Aniku said the planned cancer facility in West Nile would eventually help address the gap, although he could not provide a specific date for the start of the project.

On other specialised services, Dr Aniku told the committee that the hospital has an operational oxygen plant and a functional CT scan facility.

Dialysis services, however, are still being developed. He said a facility under the UCREP project is being constructed to accommodate both an intensive care unit and dialysis services.

The hospital has also engaged Kiruddu National Referral Hospital to support the establishment of its dialysis unit, with staff training scheduled to begin in November.

The committee further revisited concerns raised in an earlier audit over inadequate mortuary services and the disappearance of an ambulance worth Shs300 million.

Dr Aniku said the existing mortuary was built when Arua was still a general hospital and does not meet the hospital’s desired standards.

The hospital wants to construct a modern facility with a cold room, pathology facilities and space for post-mortem services, as well as facilities that could support medical students from the nearby university.

However, he said the project had not yet started because of its capital-intensive nature.

On the lost ambulance, Aniku said the matter was still under investigations.

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

Source: APO

President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, today witnessed the official handover of three containerised desalination plants donated by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), delivering a tangible outcome from his first overseas mission just days after taking office.

The three plants will provide Seychelles with an additional 3,000 cubic metres of water-production capacity per day, strengthening the country’s ability to respond to water shortages and prolonged dry periods and providing greater resilience to the water supply system. The three containerised desalination plants are valued at approximately USD 2.5 million.

President Herminie’s first overseas mission to the UAE, undertaken shortly after his election, placed Seychelles’ key national priorities at the centre of discussions with the UAE leadership. Water security was among the issues raised, with the President highlighting the need for practical support as Seychelles continues to face increasing pressure on its water resources.

The plants will be operated by the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) and stationed at key PUC facilities where additional water-production capacity is particularly needed. Two plants are earmarked for Anse Royale on Mahé, where they will strengthen water production for the southern and eastern parts of the island. The third is earmarked for Grand Anse, Praslin, in the Anse Kerlan–Anse Corbiseau area, providing additional support to the water supply serving communities in the area.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Environment Ms Marie-May Jeremy said water security remains a major concern for Seychelles, particularly during prolonged dry periods when pressure increases on rivers, reservoirs and existing water-supply infrastructure.

She said President Herminie “very quickly recognised this as a priority and followed up closely to secure support adding that the Government was pleased to see that this resolve had paid off.

Minister Jeremy said the three plants would give PUC greater flexibility during dry periods, maintenance works and at times when other water-production facilities are under pressure. She highlighted the particular importance of the additional capacity for Praslin, where maintaining a reliable water supply during dry periods has remained a concern for residents and businesses for several years.

“Ultimately, the value of this donation will be seen in the support it provides to households, businesses and communities when our water system is under the greatest pressure. That is the outcome we are working towards,” Minister Jeremy said.

While the desalination plants will provide immediate and practical support, Minister Jeremy stressed that desalination is only one part of the Government’s wider response to water security. Government will continue to invest in water storage, improve the distribution network, reduce water losses and strengthen the infrastructure required to secure Seychelles’ water supply over the long term.

Speaking on behalf of the UAE, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Seychelles, His Excellency Ahmed Alneyadi, said that the UAE recognised that water security was an increasingly important challenge for island nations such as Seychelles, particularly as changing climatic conditions contribute to longer and more frequent periods of drought.

“The United Arab Emirates takes this matter very seriously and remains committed to supporting Seychelles in addressing these challenges,” Mr Alneyadi said, expressing the hope that the plants would ease pressure on the country’s water supply and make a practical and long-lasting contribution to Seychelles’ water security.

He added that the plants would support communities on both Mahé and Praslin while providing PUC with additional capacity to ensure a more reliable water supply during periods of drought and other water-related challenges.

The UAE Chargé d’Affaires described the handover as another important chapter in the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries, built on mutual respect, trust, close cooperation and a shared commitment to sustainable development and the wellbeing of their peoples.

A commitment raised during President Herminie’s first overseas mission has now resulted in tangible support for communities across Seychelles, adding much-needed water-production capacity and strengthening the country’s resilience for the future. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

State House hosted a special luncheon in honour of its women housekeeping staff, as part of activities marking Housekeeper Week, with President Patrick Herminie joining the 14 women to celebrate their contribution to the institution.

The luncheon, held today, brought together the State House family in a gesture of gratitude for the housekeepers whose daily work keeps the presidential residence and offices running smoothly. In a touch that added warmth to the occasion, the tables were turned for the day: the women were served by their male coworkers from all departments, a small but symbolic gesture of appreciation and camaraderie.

Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Administration, Mrs Doreen Zelia, commended the housekeepers for their unwavering dedication.

“These women are the heartbeat of State House. Their commitment, discipline and quiet excellence do not always make the headlines, but they make everything else possible. Today, we simply wanted them to feel seen, valued and celebrated,” said Mrs Zelia.

President Herminie, accompanied by PS Zelia, personally handed each housekeeper a bouquet of flowers and a token of appreciation, thanking them individually for their services and the pride they bring to their work.

The luncheon forms part of a series of activities under Housekeeper Week, an initiative aimed at recognising the often-unseen contributions of housekeeping and support staff across institutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO – Report:

African digital infrastructure convener, Hyperscalers Convergence Africa (HCA) (https://ConvergenceAfrica.Hyperscalers) 2026 concluded with a clear action agenda for accelerating Africa’s digital infrastructure development. The conference also honoured twelve pioneers whose work helped shape the continent’s digital economy and recognised 100 women leading innovation across telecommunications, cloud, data centres, policy, finance and technology.

Held under the theme “Africa’s Great Digital Buildout (https://apo-opa.co/4hqmkAL),” the third edition brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, development finance institutions, technology companies, infrastructure operators and enterprise leaders from across the continent.

Participants included Dr Talkmore Chidede of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, representing Secretary-General Wamkele Mene; Sulaiman Cisse of Africa Finance Corporation; Opuiyo Oforiokuma of the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund; Amine Idriss Adoum of AUDA-NEPAD; Wole Abu of Equinix; Kanwulia Okafor of GSMA; Lars Johannisson of Rack Centre; Alma Nurshaikhova of the World Bank; Bill Kleyman of Data Center World and Apolo.us; Snehar Shah of IXAfrica Data Centres; Atinuke Runsewe of Bayobab/MTN; Dr Ayotunde Coker of Open Access Data Centres; and Nonye Ujam of Microsoft.

Across five panel sessions and two keynotes, speakers examined how data centres, cloud, fibre, power and artificial intelligence can support Africa’s digital transformation and economic growth.

From isolated projects to connected systems

A central conclusion was that Africa must move beyond isolated infrastructure projects towards coordinated, cross-border digital systems. While new data centres, subsea cables, cloud platforms and fibre networks are expanding capacity, their economic impact will remain limited without reliable power, harmonised regulation, affordable connectivity and stronger links to enterprise demand.

The conference identified seven priorities:

• Create incentives for internet service providers to peer across borders, reducing the cost and complexity of routing African traffic.
• Align regulatory processes, fiscal models, technical standards and tariffs across markets. Alignment does not require identical national laws, but it should make cross-border investment and operations more predictable.
• Fund early-stage project preparation and coordination to help viable infrastructure projects become investment-ready.
• Connect pension funds, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and infrastructure developers to mobilise more African institutional capital.
• Extend subsea capacity inland through terrestrial and metropolitan fibre, open interconnection and resilient cross-border routes.
• Support local cloud and artificial intelligence workloads by investing in computing capacity, power, data centres, skills and responsible data governance.
• Ensure infrastructure reaches micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through affordable broadband, cloud services, reliable power and accessible digital devices.

Participants also highlighted major projects that could support wider regional transformation, including Nigeria’s proposed 90,000-kilometre fibre backbone under the BRIDGE initiative, cross-border peering incentives and the development of an Oracle cloud region in Nigeria.

HCA will consolidate the conference findings into an Africa Digital Infrastructure Delivery Agenda 2026, covering regulation, capital, power, connectivity, data centres, cloud, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and regional integration.

Recognising Africa’s digital pioneers

The inaugural HCA Digital Infrastructure Pioneers Awards (https://apo-opa.co/4xm7Neg) honoured twelve individuals whose work helped establish the foundations of Africa’s digital economy: Andile Ngcaba, Funke Opeke, Strive Masiyiwa, Alan Knott-Craig Sr, Chris Wood, Sam Darwish, Ernest Ndukwe, Michuki Mwangi, President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Khaled Bichara Brian Herlihy and Mohamed Nasr.

The recognition celebrated contributions ranging from telecommunications reform and private-sector investment to fibre deployment, internet exchange development, undersea cable systems and the expansion of affordable connectivity.

Celebrating 100 women shaping Africa’s digital future

HCA 2026 also released an inclusion report and recognised 100 women making significant contributions across the continent’s digital ecosystem (https://apo-opa.co/4xrS39I). The initiative was created to address the persistent visibility gap surrounding women leading telecommunications companies, infrastructure projects, technology businesses, regulatory institutions and investment platforms.

Honourees from East Africa included Judy Nguru of Google, Rayana Choudhary of Wingu Africa, Frehiwot Tamiru of Ethio Telecom, Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi of Safaricom, Catherine Muraga of Microsoft Africa Development Centre, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire, and Angela Wamola of GSMA.

North African honourees included Lobna Helal of Telecom Egypt, Doha Ammour of N+ONE Datacenters and Adeela Mahmood of Raxio Group. Pan-African and global leaders recognised included Vibhuti Jain of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Nene Maiga of Orange Botswana, Beauty Apleni of Openserve, Yolanda Cuba of MTN South Africa and Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani of South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

West Africa accounted for 44 per cent of the list. Honourees included Nikki Popoola of WIOCC Group, Patricia Obo-Nai of Telecel Ghana, Dr Judith Yah Sunday of CAMTEL, Josephine Awatefe Sarouk of Bayobab Nigeria, Funke Opeke of MainOne, Adaora Ikenze of Meta, Thelma Quaye of Smart Africa, Jana Kunicová of the World Bank, Ayaan Adam of Africa Finance Corporation, Mavis A. Ampah of Ghana’s National Communications Authority, Togo’s Minister Cina Lawson, Rimini Haraya Makama of the Nigerian Communications Commission and Aisha Mumuni of MTN Nigeria.

In his opening keynote, Temitope Osunrinde, Executive Director of Africa Hyperscalers, said “Africa’s digital future depends on the infrastructure choices we make today. Delivering reliable power, resilient connectivity, secure data centres and affordable computing will require governments, investors and industry to work together. Bilateral agreements are valuable, but multilateral alignment on policy, regulation and investment is essential to build interconnected infrastructure at the scale Africa requires.”

Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2026 was delivered with the support of IHS Towers, Open Access Data Centres, the National Information Technology Development Agency, Rehiko, Vertiv, Rack Centre, Equinix, Nokia, smartcomply, The Littlesteps Group, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Xalam Analytics and Nina Jojer as knowledge partner.

Evening Cocktail reception for Development Partners

Africa Hyperscalers also hosted leaders from Africa’s business and enterprise community at an evening cocktail reception welcoming Brandon Hudspeth, the new U.S. Consul General in Lagos; Amine Idriss Adoum, Director of Infrastructure, Energy, Industrialisation, Trade and Regional Integration at the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD); and Dr Talkmore Chidede, Senior Digital Trade Expert at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

Extending the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa Conversation at International Telecoms Week Africa

Africa Hyperscalers extended the digital infrastructure conversation to International Telecoms Week Africa in Nairobi, where Temitope Osunrinde, Director, Africa Hyperscalers, chaired two sessions. The first, “Regulation That Builds: Aligning Policy and Digital Infrastructure Investment Priorities,” examined how regulatory frameworks can enable digital infrastructure investment across Africa. Speakers included Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Data Protection Commission; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, National Information Technology Development Agency; Tony Emoekpere, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria; Mercy Ndegwa, Public Policy Director, East and the Horn of Africa, Meta; and Engr. Dennis Chepkwony, Director, Universal Service Fund, Communications Authority of Kenya.

The second session, “Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure Opportunity,” showcased the connectivity and data-centre opportunities in one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital markets. Discussions covered Project BRIDGE and new regulatory guidelines designed to stimulate local demand for data centre, cloud and computing capacity. Speakers included chief host and lead presenter Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, National Information Technology Development Agency; Jay Katatumba, Senior Investment Director, Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund; Lanre Kolade, Chief Executive Officer, Koltronics Nigeria, and Adviser, Project BRIDGE; Gbenga Adegbiji, Chief Executive Officer, Geniserve, and Technical Adviser, Project BRIDGE; Niraj Shah, General Manager, Data Centre Programme, Bayobab Africa; Ike Nnamani, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Realty Nigeria; Wole Abu, Managing Director, West Africa, Equinix; and Cherotich Kiereini, Senior Infrastructure Strategy Adviser, Oracle.

– on behalf of Africa Hyperscalers.

Media enquiries:
projects@thehyperscalers.com

About Hyperscalers Convergence Africa:
Hyperscalers Convergence Africa is an annual platform convening policymakers, investors, infrastructure providers, technology companies and enterprises to advance the development of Africa’s digital economy. It is hosted by Africa Hyperscalers, a specialist digital infrastructure media and intelligence platform that provides industry news, research and strategic insights while facilitating the partnerships needed to accelerate investment and infrastructure development across the continent.