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Gaming and Betting Tax Bill to boost KZN revenue

Source: Government of South Africa

Gaming and Betting Tax Bill to boost KZN revenue

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has tabled the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Tax Bill, 2026, before the Provincial Legislature, proposing a modernised tax framework aimed at strengthening revenue collection, enhancing transparency and advancing transformation within the gaming and betting sector.

The proposed legislation seeks to align the province’s gaming and betting tax regime with national legislation, while introducing a structured system of taxes and levies for licensed operators.

Revenue generated through the framework will be channelled into the Provincial Revenue Fund and support targeted transformation initiatives through the Gaming and Betting Transformation Fund.

Presenting the Bill on Thursday, Rodgers said the proposed levies are expected to generate between R50 million and R100 million annually, which will be used to advance inclusive participation and sustainable sectoral development within the industry.

The Bill also makes provision for the reinvestment of horse racing tax revenue into the development of the equine sector, with a specific focus on traditional horse racing, commonly known as “Umtelebhelo”.

According to Rodgers, the initiative will be implemented alongside the KwaZulu-Natal Equine Industry Development Masterplan, which aims to stimulate growth, create opportunities and strengthen participation within rural communities.

“This Bill represents a critical step in strengthening our revenue framework, while promoting fairness, transformation and inclusive economic growth. It ensures that key sectors, including the equine industry, are supported in a manner that benefits all communities of KwaZulu-Natal,” Rodgers said.

The provincial government also called on national authorities to expedite the finalisation of legislation regulating online gambling, citing the sector’s growing revenue potential.

KwaZulu-Natal believes that revenue generated from online gambling could play a significant role in alleviating the pressure of prevailing socio-economic challenges facing both the province and the country. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cold conditions expected in the Western Cape and Northern Cape

Source: Government of South Africa

Cold conditions expected in the Western Cape and Northern Cape

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says very cold conditions are still expected over the Central Karoo District in the Western Cape and the southern parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape on Friday.

“As the cut-off low-pressure system exits the country, daytime temperatures are expected to remain below 10°C in some places,” SAWS said.

These conditions are likely to result in the loss of vulnerable livestock and crops, disrupt outdoor activities, and increase the risk of hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to very cold weather.

In addition, a Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for disruptive snowfall that could lead to icy roads and traffic disruptions over the north-eastern high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape.

The Weather Service has also warned of damaging waves in the Eastern Cape.

A Yellow Level 4 warning has also been issued for wind and waves, which could make navigation at sea difficult and cause small vessels to take on water between Plettenberg Bay and East London.

Meanwhile, the weekend weather outlook indicates partly cloudy and cold conditions, with isolated showers expected along the country’s east and south-west coasts. –SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy President hails SA rollout of HIV prevention injection as major milestone

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President hails SA rollout of HIV prevention injection as major milestone

With government officially rolling out the injection for both HIV treatment and prevention on Friday, Deputy President Paul Mashatile says this milestone represents one of the most significant scientific advances in HIV prevention in recent years.

“Lenacapavir provides us with a powerful new opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts, particularly among populations that continue to experience high rates of new infections,” Mashatile said on Thursday in Johannesburg during an engagement with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), Private Sector Forum and Captains of Industry.

Lenacapavir injection can be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection in HIV-negative people, as well as for the treatment of HIV in adults for whom other HIV medicines have not worked.

“For decades, researchers, healthcare workers, governments and communities have worked tirelessly to develop more effective tools to prevent HIV transmission.

“Its introduction demonstrates the value of science, innovation and partnership in addressing some of the world’s most complex public health challenges.

“However, we must remember that scientific breakthroughs alone do not change lives. Their success depends on access, affordability, public trust and effective implementation,” the Deputy President said.

He said the rollout of Lenacapavir will require strong collaboration across all sectors of society. 

“It will require awareness campaigns, community mobilisation, healthcare worker training, effective supply chains and sustainable financing.

“Most importantly, it will require us to ensure that no vulnerable community is left behind. The private sector thus has an important role to play in supporting this effort through workplace education, logistics support, investment and public awareness initiatives,” the Deputy President said.

Call for private sector to invest in youth

Mashatile has called on the private sector to invest in the future of young people, as adolescent girls and young women continue to carry a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections in South Africa.

“This remains one of the most urgent challenges in our national response. We must also pay particular attention to the needs of young people. 

“Young people require more than healthcare services alone. They need education, economic opportunities, skills development, safety and hope for the future. They need access to accurate information, prevention services and supportive environments that empower them to make informed choices,” Mashatile said.

He said the private sector can make a meaningful contribution through bursaries, internships, skills development programmes, workplace-linked initiatives and partnerships with schools, universities and community organisations.

“Investing in young people is not only the right thing to do; it is one of the smartest investments we can make in our country’s future.

“Additionally, the close relationship between public health and gender-based violence and femicide should not be ignored. Violence against women and girls is not only a social justice issue. It is a public health issue,” the Deputy President said.

He added that gender-based violence contributes to HIV vulnerability, poor mental health outcomes, family instability and economic insecurity.

“Addressing this challenge requires action across all sectors of society. Business leaders can contribute by strengthening workplace policies, supporting survivor referral systems, promoting gender equality and creating environments free from harassment and discrimination.

“Together, we must send a clear message that gender-based violence has no place in our homes, in our communities or in our workplaces,” Mashatile said.

Response to tuberculosis 

While HIV remains a major public health challenge, Mashatile said South Africa must not lose focus on Tuberculosis (TB).

“TB continues to claim thousands of lives each year and remains one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV.

“Although South Africa has made encouraging progress in reducing TB incidence and improving treatment outcomes, we cannot afford to become complacent,” he said.

The Deputy President underscored the importance of continuing to strengthen screening programmes, improve access to diagnostics, support treatment adherence, and find those individuals who remain undiagnosed and untreated.

“In this regard, we are encouraged by plans to introduce near-point-of-care TB diagnostic services, bringing testing closer to communities and reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment.

“We urge the private sector to support these efforts by integrating TB screening into workplace health programmes and supporting community-based initiatives that increase awareness and access to care. Early detection saves lives!” Mashatile said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Launch of Lenacapavir a game-changer

Source: Government of South Africa

Launch of Lenacapavir a game-changer

It is often said that health is wealth and South Africa’s launch of the game changing Lenacapavir injectable today, Friday, 5 June 2026, provides a shot in the arm that will boost South Africa’s fight against HIV and AIDS.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will launch the injectable at the Lilian Ngoyi Stadium at Secunda, in Mpumalanga.

Making the HIV prevention medicine available to South Africans was one of the commitments the Presdent made in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February.

At the time, President Ramaphosa said: “In support of our programme to prevent and ultimately, eliminate HIV, we will be undertaking a massive rollout of Lenacapavir, a six-monthly injection that has proven highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV.”

In an advisory ahead of the launch of the drug, the Presidency said the groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to fight against HIV/AIDS and aims to enhance prevention of new HIV infections.

“Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly long-acting injectable option for HIV prevention, and the rollout highlights the collaboration between the government, civil society, and private sector, and development partners amongst the stakeholders committed to ending HIV as a public health threat in South Africa,” it said.

The launch of the medicine comes a few days after the anniversary of the passing of the HIV/AIDS activist Nkosi Johnson on 1 June 2001. Johnson passed away at the age of 12. 

The launch is evidence that the country which launched the world’s biggest HIV counselling, testing and treatment campaign in 2010, is making headway in the fight against the disease.

Since the launch of the campaign, the Department of Health (DoH) in its 2026 Budget Vote said that the country has increased life expectancy to 66.9 years, by 2025 from a low of 54 years in 2010 and reduced maternal mortality to 89 deaths per 100 000 live births by 2020, from a high of 240 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2010.

According to Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Mid-Year Population Estimates 2025, an estimated 8.15 million people in South Africa were living with HIV, accounting for approximately 12.9% of the total population. Among adults aged 15 to 49 — the most affected group — the HIV prevalence rate stood at an estimated 18.1%.

“Despite these numbers, South Africa has made progress in reducing deaths linked to HIV and AIDS, thanks to expanded access to treatment and care,” the report which stated that the country’s population stood at an estimated at 63,1 million,”Stats SA noted.

In his Budget Vote delivered last month, Minister Motsoaledi said that stocks of the medicine were being delivered to depots and health facilities ahead of the launch. Government would start with 360 health facilities in “the high burden districts of the country.”

According to the Budget Vote, government has prioritised adolescent girls and young women up to the age 24 years, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, female sex workers, men-having- sex-with-men, transgender people and injecting drug users in distributing the injectable.

This as the first batch of the 37 920 doses of the medicine, which is a new, long-acting antiretroviral drug – specifically an HIV-1 capsid inhibitor arrived in the country in early April 2026.

New chapter 
The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) which in April welcomed the arrival of the drug, this week said the launch signals a “new chapter in HIV prevention.”

The DoH has previously described the injectable as a preventive medicine, not a vaccine. The medicine has the potential to overcome many of the barriers South Africa has experienced with daily oral PrEP.

This as it offers greater discretion, convenience, and likely better adherence for users, especially for people who struggle with taking a pill every day or making frequent clinic visits.

The launch also comes at a time when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to hold a High-Level Meeting on AIDS from 22-23 June 2026 in New York.

According to the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), the meeting, which is held every five years since 2001, reinforces the role of the UN as the primary political mechanism for accountability and commitment in the global HIV response.

“This meeting will review progress against HIV since the 2021 High-Level Meeting and produce a new UN Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. UN Member States will negotiate the text of the 2026 Political Declaration and consider its adoption.”

South Africa is a Member State of the of UN.

Ahead of the launch, UNAIDS South Africa in a post on social media platform, X,  said it is “excited” to join President Ramaphosa, the Department of Health and SANAC and other stakeholders for the launch of the drug.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) become the first African regulatory authority to approve Lenacapavir on 27 October 2025.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines on Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, the organisation recommends offering the injectable as an additional HIV prevention choice.

Among the benefits of the drug is that it need not be discontinued during pregnancy and breastfeeding for HIV-negative women with a high likelihood of exposure to HIV, said the WHO.

Other work done by government to fight HIV/AIDS includes the February 2025 launch of the Close the Gap campaign in partnership with the WHO, UNAIDS and other stakeholders.

“The Close the Gap campaign is a focused, multi-pronged initiative aimed at accelerating South Africa’s response to the HIV epidemic by targeting high-burden districts, communities, and health facilities. The campaign pays special attention to underserved and vulnerable sub-populations, including men, youth, children, and key populations, to improve HIV-related outcomes and close existing service gaps,” SANAC said of the campaign.

The Minister said the country is in a position “where we dare say we can eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.”

“All we have to do is to work hard and work hard together as South Africans motivated and bound together by a common destiny,” said the Minister. –SAnews.gov.za

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Africa: UNAIDS calls for renewed global solidarity as UN Secretary-General’s report warns that AIDS is not over and fragile gains are at risk

Source: APO


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UNAIDS welcomes the release of the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on HIV/AIDS, issued ahead of the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS taking place in New York on 22–23 June 2026. In the report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers a clear message that the world has made historic gains against HIV, but that the gains are increasingly at risk unless governments urgently recommit to the global AIDS response. 

“The global HIV response is at a critical juncture. Progress is real and measurable, but it is increasingly vulnerable to converging crises,” said Mr Guterres, citing declines in external funding, rising debt burdens, humanitarian emergencies and regression in human rights. 

The Secretary‑General highlights that 31.6 million of the 40.8 million people living with HIV were on treatment in 2024, the highest number ever recorded and that AIDS‑related deaths have fallen by 54% since 2010, reaching their lowest level since the early 1990s. 

The report outlines that countries in eastern and southern Africa—home to the majority of people living with HIV—have led the way. Seven countries in the region achieved the global 95‑95‑95 testing and treatment targets in 2024. 

“These achievements are a shining testament of the progress to end AIDS when political leadership, community action and sustained investment come together,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. 

However, the report underscores that the world is far off track from the 2025 targets set in the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. Some 9.2 million people still lack access to HIV treatment, around 630,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2024—double the 2025 target of 250,000 and 1.3 million people became infected with HIV in 2024—3.5 times the 2025 target of 370,000 by 2025.  

The report outlines that progress remains uneven. New HIV infections have risen sharply in the Middle East and North Africa (up 94% since 2010) and have increased in Latin America as well as in eastern Europe and central Asia. 

The report also warns of the need to confront the structural inequities that undermine access to HIV services, close funding gaps and accelerate the expansion of HIV services in sustainable ways. Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa continue to acquire HIV at three to four times the rate of their male peers.  

Key populations and their partners account for 74% of new infections outside sub-Saharan Africa. The Secretary-General warns in the report that declines in external financing for health are projected to drop by up to 40%, with HIV prevention and community-led services most at risk. In western and central Africa, 90% of treatment funding comes from external donors. Prevention programmes in sub-Saharan Africa rely on 80% external funding. 

“Without urgent action to close the funding gap, millions of lives are at stake,” said Ms Byanyima. “We cannot allow financial shocks, backlashes against human rights or political backsliding to reverse decades of progress.” 

The report lays out some of the major opportunities to accelerate progress. Long-acting HIV prevention tools, including injectable HIV prevention medicines, are becoming more accessible, with generic versions expected at US$ 40 per person per year, however progress on roll-out is slow.  

Community-led organizations, proven to improve testing, treatment adherence and viral suppression, must be protected, funded and integrated into country ownership plans. New national sustainability roadmaps, developed together with UNAIDS, in more than 30 countries are strengthening domestic ownership of HIV responses. 

The UN Secretary-General calls on Member States to endorse bold new 2030 HIV targets in the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS due to be adopted at the upcoming High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The targets will build on the 2025 commitments and aim to ensure continued progress towards the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and sustaining it into the future.  

“The pathway to end AIDS by 2030 exists and remains open,” concludes Mr Guterres. “But only if we act together.” 

UNAIDS urges all governments to use the upcoming High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS to recommit to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, to protect and expand funding for HIV prevention, treatment and community-led services particularly by increasing domestic resources for HIV, to remove punitive laws and policies that fuel stigma and block access to HIV services and to ensure equitable access to innovations, including long-acting HIV prevention and treatment.  

“Ending AIDS is a political choice,” said Ms Byanyima. “With courage, solidarity and investment, we can finish the job.” 

The report of the UN Secretary-General is an instrumental reference to inform negotiations by member states on the new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS in the lead up to the High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS on 22-23 June 2026. More information including this report and the Civil Society Statement for the High-Level Meeting are available on the special UNAIDS web page United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

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Eritrea: Vocational training provided to college students

Source: APO


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The Sawa and Higher Education Institutions branch of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students has provided three months of vocational training to over 400 students of the College of Business and Social Science and the College of Engineering and Technology. The training included 236 students, including 123 female students, from the College of Business and Social Science, and 180 students, including 93 female students, from the College of Engineering and Technology.

Accordingly, 37 students from the College of Business and Social Science were provided training in sign language, 41 in solar energy installation, 37 in computer technology, 21 in electronics, 44 in satellite dish installation, and 56 in graphics.

Speaking at the conclusion event of the training, Dr. Estifanos Hailemariam, Dean of the college, noting that youth equipped with the necessary knowledge and organization play a leading role in the overall development of a country, called for the sustainability of the training program.

In the College of Engineering and Technology, 36 students were provided training in sign language, 79 in ideology, 22 in Arabic language, and 43 in graphics.

Mr. Meron Abraham, head of projects of the union branch, called on the trainees to practically develop the knowledge they gained from the training and transfer it to their peers.

Similarly, the Eritrean Police provided training in computer maintenance, photocopier and printer maintenance, as well as computer networking, to its members.

Lt. Col. Debesai Teklu, head of general service at the Eritrean Police Headquarters, said that the trainees came from all police stations across the country, as well as from the Police Headquarters.

Mr. Abraham Bitew, head of maintenance, said that the training will make a significant contribution to effectively and timely facilitating daily activities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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World Bank Group Launches Ten-Year Strategy to Drive Jobs and Prosperity in Uganda

Source: APO – Report:

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The World Bank Group (WBG) Board of Executive Directors today endorsed a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Uganda, a 10-year strategy (2026-2035) designed to accelerate a private sector-led economic transformation and expand opportunities for the country’s rapidly growing population.

The CPF, developed in collaboration with the Government of Uganda and in consultation with other stakeholders, aligns with the country’s Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan. It reflects a shared commitment to turning Uganda’s strong growth potential, young population, and natural endowments into sustained improvements in productivity, incomes, and livelihoods.

The creation of more and better jobs is at the core of the new strategy because jobs present the most effective pathway out of poverty and the strongest foundation for shared prosperity. With 600,000–700,000 young people entering the labor market each year, Uganda’s development challenge and opportunity lie in accelerating productivity and expanding access to higher‑quality employment across the economy.

“Uganda has extraordinary assets: a young population full of potential, abundant natural resources, and a government committed to long-term transformation,” said Francisca Ayodeji (Ayo) Akala, World Bank Country Manager for Uganda. “The CPF is our commitment to walk alongside Uganda over the next decade by investing in its people, infrastructure, and institutions that will power prosperity and translate growth into jobs and better living standards. When Ugandans work, families thrive and communities grow.”

The CPF is organized around four mutually reinforcing outcomes: strengthened economic governance, healthier and better-skilled people, better-connected communities, and a more productive and inclusive private sector.

A defining feature of the new CPF is its emphasis on the One WBG approach – bringing together International Development Association (IDA) financing, International Finance Corporation (IFC) investments and advisory services, and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) guarantees in a coordinated and strategic way. This method is designed to make WBG support more impactful, more efficient, and more responsive to Uganda’s evolving needs.

Over the next decade, the WBG will mobilize significant resources in support of Uganda’s development priorities. Key targets include:

  • doubling energy access to reach 50 million people by 2035, up from 25 million today;
  • providing 22 million people with quality health, nutrition, and population services;
  • supporting 10 million students with better education and skills;
  • improving transport infrastructure to benefit 20 million people;
  • extending access to financial services to 14 million people and businesses, including 9 million women; and
  • 100% increase in agricultural yields in targeted value chains.

On the financial side, the WBG anticipates an indicative lending program of approximately $2 billion per IDA three-year cycle, building on an existing portfolio of $4 billion. The strategy also aims to catalyze up to $1.3 billion in private investment and mobilize an additional $2.5 billion from private capital markets.

A strong private sector is the engine of lasting economic growth. Whereas IFC will support targeted private sector investments in a series of sectors, MIGA will leverage the WBG Guarantee Platform to complement these efforts by expanding its guarantees to help mitigate risks for foreign investors. Mitigating risks will strengthen investor confidence and unlock long‑term private capital for Uganda.

This CPF provides the continuity needed to support complex reforms, strengthen institutions, and sustain impact, while retaining flexibility through periodic reviews to adapt to evolving circumstances.

– on behalf of The World Bank Group.

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Prof Oramah’s appointments to the Royal African Society Patronage and Kenya’s National Infrastructure Fund herald continued recognition of his global leadership and pan-African impact

Source: APO – Report:

Following a transformative decade at the helm of Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, GCON, former President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has received a number of distinguished appointments and recognitions reflecting his continuing impact and the broad demand for his expertise across finance, health, and pan-African development.

Members of the Royal African Society unanimously elected Professor Oramah as the Society’s second Patron at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Founded in 1901, the Royal African Society is the United Kingdom’s leading organisation dedicated to building understanding, engagement and partnerships across Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world, convening policymakers, business leaders, academics and civil society through events, research and advocacy. The appointment comes as the Society marks its 125th anniversary and deepens its focus on Africa’s economic transformation, creative industries, and global partnerships. Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society, noted that Professor Oramah’s election reflects the Society’s commitment to engaging with leaders who are shaping Africa’s economic future, and that his experience, global perspective, and longstanding commitment to pan-African cooperation will significantly strengthen the organisation’s work and broaden its impact.

Additionally, in April 2026, Kenyan President H.E. William Ruto appointed Professor Oramah as an independent member of the Governing Council of Kenya’s newly established National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) for a three-year term. The NIF represents a strategic pivot towards investment-led growth, designed to crowd in private capital and reduce Kenya’s dependence on sovereign borrowing. Professor Oramah sits alongside statutory members including the Central Bank of Kenya Governor, Attorney-General, top financial leaders and other experts as one of four independent experts appointed to the council.

Professor Oramah has also been appointed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as Senior Advisor on Strategic Financing, alongside senior advisors on international cooperation, strategic partnerships and debt swaps. The appointment is intended to support the acceleration of Africa CDC’s Africa Health Security and Sovereignty agenda by strengthening its ability to mobilise capital, shape high-level policy and build strategic partnerships across the continent. It also reflects Professor Oramah’s continued engagement in health sovereignty, an area in which he played a central role in during his tenure at Afreximbank through initiatives including the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja.

These appointments build on recognition that accompanied Professor Oramah’s departure from Afreximbank. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), the nation’s second highest national honour, in recognition of his contributions to Africa and to Nigeria, which received over US$52 billion in financing support from the Bank during his tenure. The Woodhall Capital dinner reception hosted at its Lagos headquarters in March 2026, which brought together distinguished figures from finance and industry to celebrate his contributions to African trade and economic development, was one of several such receptions held across the continent in recognition of Professor Oramah’s legacy.

Commenting on his latest appointments and continued engagement, Professor Oramah said: “Africa’s development is a multigenerational endeavour, and those of us who have been privileged to serve in leadership have a responsibility to remain in the arena. Whether through strengthening health financing systems, building the infrastructure that drives inclusive growth, or championing the institutions that tell Africa’s story to the world, the work continues. I am deeply honoured by each of these recognitions, and I remain committed to contributing wherever I can to Africa’s journey towards sovereignty and self-reliance.”

Professor Oramah served as President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank from 2015 to 2025, playing a central role in its evolution into one of Africa’s most influential financial institutions. Under his leadership, Afreximbank helped advance several continental initiatives, including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), and programmes aimed at strengthening manufacturing and creative industries across African economies. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of both the Fund for Export Development for Africa (FEDA) and the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE).

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

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SA, Kenya work towards deeper economic integration to unlock Africa’s growth potential

Source: Government of South Africa

SA, Kenya work towards deeper economic integration to unlock Africa’s growth potential

South Africa and Kenya are deepening trade, investment and industrial cooperation, as the two countries position themselves to drive Africa’s economic transformation.

Speaking at the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenyan President William Ruto called for stronger collaboration between the continent’s leading economies, saying that Africa’s future growth depends on integrated value chains, infrastructure development and increased intra-African trade.

President Ruto was in South Africa on a State Visit.

President Ramaphosa said Kenya remains one of South Africa’s largest trading partners on the continent outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with bilateral trade continuing to show solid growth.

“Since 2022, total trade between South Africa and Kenya has grown by an average of 3.5% a year,” the President said.

He noted that South Africa continues to import products, services, technology and skills from Kenya, while investment flows between the two countries have strengthened.

According to President Ramaphosa, Kenyan companies have invested in 11 projects in South Africa worth US $283 million, while South African companies have invested in 96 projects in Kenya valued at more than $2 billion.

Beyond private-sector investment, South Africa’s development finance institutions have also played a significant role in supporting Kenya’s development.

“The Development Bank of Southern Africa was one of the funders of a 350km pipeline replacing the Mombasa-to-Nairobi petroleum and crude oil products line. Our development finance institutions are keen to do more to fund catalytic infrastructure in Kenya,” Ramaphosa said.

The President said the Business Forum had highlighted the significant untapped potential in both South Africa and Kenya’s economies, as they pursue structural reform, industrialisation and diversification.

“By unlocking this potential, we can advance inclusive growth, meaningful employment and shared prosperity,” he said.

President Ramaphosa welcomed discussions on financing infrastructure and strengthening regional value chains, saying investment should be accompanied by technology transfer and skills development to create sustainable jobs and build local capacity.

He also highlighted proposals aimed at strengthening food security, including the use of technology for climate-smart agriculture and improved livestock management to combat Foot and Mouth Disease.

The President said both governments are committed to creating enabling environments for growth by removing barriers to trade and investment.

“We are facilitating trade through enabling physical and digital infrastructure,” he said.

Among the initiatives under consideration is funding for the Kenya Roads Board Securitisation Programme, which aims to support transport infrastructure development.

President Ramaphosa added that South Africa and Kenya are also updating information and communications technology agreements to keep pace with advances in industrial innovation, technology transfer, digital trade and artificial intelligence.

“These are a few examples of how we are closing infrastructure gaps, lowering costs and keeping our products and services competitive against imports from outside the continent,” he said.

Driving transformation

Echoing President Ramaphosa’s sentiments, President Ruto said the two countries have the combined economic strength needed to drive Africa’s transformation.

“Kenya and South Africa stand among our continent’s foremost economic anchors.” 

He described South Africa as one of Africa’s leading industrial and financial powerhouses, while Kenya serves as a gateway to East and Central Africa through its dynamic private sector, expanding digital innovation ecosystem and strategic infrastructure.

President Ruto noted that the partnership between the two countries continues to grow across trade, investment, tourism, aviation, financial services, manufacturing, ICT and logistics.

“Today, more than 60 South African companies operate in Kenya in banking, insurance, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications, infrastructure and real estate,” he said.

The Kenyan President said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents one of the greatest opportunities for economic growth on the continent by creating a single competitive market capable of attracting investment, creating jobs and accelerating industrialisation.

“We must move beyond conventional trade and deliberately build integrated regional value chains in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, logistics, pharmaceuticals, energy, digital services and green industrialisation,” he said.

President Ruto commended the cooperation that takes place through the Joint Commission for Cooperation and the Joint Trade Committee, saying their outcomes must now be fully implemented to deliver tangible benefits for businesses and investors.

He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining, chemicals and steel — sectors where South Africa’s industrial strengths complement Kenya’s emergence as a regional production and logistics hub.

On agriculture, President Ruto called for greater investment in agro-processing, irrigation, cold-chain logistics and supply chains that connect African producers to African markets.

“Africa cannot keep spending billions importing food while our own farmers and agro-industries stand ready to feed the continent,” he said.

South Africa regards Kenya as a key strategic partner in East Africa, while Kenya remains South Africa’s largest trading partner on the continent outside SADC.

The two countries have concluded numerous agreements covering agriculture, education, tourism, transport, defence, water and sanitation, and trade.

The South Africa-Kenya Business Forum brought together government and business leaders to strengthen economic cooperation, facilitate partnerships and identify new opportunities for trade and investment across the continent. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa Finance Corporation Raises Record US$2 Billion Syndicated Loan in Landmark Show of Confidence in Transformational Infrastructure Strategy

Source: APO

Africa Finance Corporation (www.AfricaFC.com), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has successfully raised a record US$2 billion syndicated loan, underscoring strong global investor support for AFC’s rapid buildout of integrated infrastructure and industrial platforms shaping Africa’s next phase of economic growth.

The transaction was initially launched at US$1.6 billion before being upsized to US$2 billion. Participation from banks across Asia Pacific (35%), Europe (35%), the Middle East (25%) and Africa (5%) reflects broad international support for AFC’s differentiated investment model and long-term strategy, achieved against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility.

The facility materially enhances the Corporation’s capacity to continue scaling investments in critical sectors and industrial ecosystems driving trade, growth and jobs. AFC’s financial strength is reinforced by progressively higher investment-grade credit ratings, including ‘A’ / A-1 with a Positive Outlook assigned by S&P Global Ratings this year, building on its long-standing A3 ratings from Moody’s and A+ from Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR).

Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, said: “This transaction reflects growing recognition that Africa’s next phase of growth will be driven not by isolated projects, but by integrated infrastructure systems that connect energy, transport, logistics, industry and technology. As global capital seeks resilient long-term growth opportunities, AFC has positioned itself at the centre of Africa’s transformation by developing the platforms and ecosystems that convert infrastructure into industrialisation, jobs and economic competitiveness.”  

The transaction comes at a period of expansion for AFC, which recently announced plans to open its first regional office outside Lagos in Nairobi during its flagship The Africa We Build Summit, as the Corporation’s assets surpassed a record US$19 billion and membership expanded to 48 African countries. This syndicated facility complements growing pools of African institutional funding, aligning with AFC’s mission – set out in the State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2026 – to help mobilise domestic pension capital for priority infrastructure.

The debt facility was led by Barclays, Commerzbank, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, and FirstRand Bank, acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division (London Branch), as Global Coordinators and Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. Additional Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners included Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Bank of China (Johannesburg and London Branches), Emirates NBD, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (London Branch), Mashreqbank PSC, Mizuho Bank, SMBC Bank International, Société Générale Côte d’Ivoire, Société Générale S.A, Société Générale Sénégal, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, and the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (P.S.C). Others lenders include Export-Import Bank of India (London Branch), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Bank of Communications (Johannesburg and London Branches), China Construction Bank (Johannesburg Branch), Doha Bank Q.P.S.C, Hua Nan Commercial Bank (Hong Kong Branch), Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China, Qatar National Bank Q.P.S.C, The Gunma Bank, Chang Hwa Commercial Bank (London Branch), Banka Kombetare Tregtare sh.a and Industrial Bank of Korea (Hong Kong Branch). .

“Closing AFC’s largest-ever syndicated loan facility in a complex global environment is a defining milestone, one that reflects the unwavering confidence our lending partners place in AFC’s credit strength, strategic relevance and execution capabilities”, said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services. “The strong support from a broad group of international financial institutions reaffirms sustained investor conviction in AFC’s mission to deliver transformative infrastructure and industrial projects with lasting economic impact across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure deficit and challenging operating environment.

Nineteen years on, AFC has established itself as the partner of choice for investing in and delivering high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested over US$19 billion across 36 African countries since inception.

www.AfricaFC.com

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