Category: English

Source: APO

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Col. Solomon Seium, head of follow-up of national federations and the Olympic and Paralympic committees at the Commission of Culture and Sports, announced that Asmara Marathon 2026 will be held on 7 June on the streets of Asmara.

Col. Solomon said that the Asmara Marathon will be held for the seventh time and that athletes from five countries, namely Eritrea, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda, are expected to take part.

Indicating that a 21 km race for female athletes will be organized for the first time, Col. Solomon said that competitions for disabled citizens and a three-kilometer mass sport event will also be part of Asmara Marathon 2026.

Col. Solomon also said that the East African half marathon, which Eritrea is organizing, is officially recognized by the International Athletics Federation, marking a new stage in the development of athletics in the country.

Mr. Efrem Tekeste, President of the Athletics Federation of Eritrea, said that the racing route has been measured by the International Athletics Federation and that records will be documented starting from this competition.

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

Source: APO

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“Peace doesn’t happen by chance. It is a shared responsibility.”

This is the simple but powerful message on the importance of investing in peace issued by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

Speaking at an official commemorative ceremony in Juba, Anita Kiki Gbeho, stressed the immense harm caused by persistent conflict in South Sudan, with many lives lost and millions of people displaced from their homes.

“Peace requires commitment, collective action, and continuous investment. It means choosing dialogue over division, cooperation over competition, and cohesion over conflict,” she stated.

“That is why it is so important that South Sudan’s leaders resolve differences through inclusive dialogue and political compromise and cease all hostilities to deliver the peace their people so richly deserve.”

In a demonstration of partnership and solidarity, the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Albino Akol Atak emphasized the Government’s commitment to working closely with UNMISS to ensure that peacekeepers are accorded the necessary cooperation, protection and operational support to carry out their mandate.

He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to securing sustainable peace.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan remains committed to the implementation of the peace agreement, national reconciliation, political dialogue, democratic transition, and the creation of conditions necessary for peace and prosperity in our country,” he said.

“We believe that investing in peace today is an investment in the future of our children and generations to come.”

Tribute was paid to the 50,000 peacekeepers serving with courage and commitment in some of the world’s most complex and dangerous environments, and the 4,500 personnel who have given their lives while serving under the UN flag since peacekeeping began.

The 13 UNMISS personnel who passed away in the past year were also remembered, including the late Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom.

At a ceremony in New York, the late Sergii Prykhodko, who served as an aviation contractor will be awarded the Captain Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage after he was killed during an attack on an UNMISS helicopter in Nasir in March 2025.

To honor these colleagues, the UN and South Sudan flags were lowered to half-mast as the Last Post was played at the ceremony.

The efforts of peacekeepers to save and change lives for the better in South Sudan were also highlighted.

Examples included peacekeepers providing sanctuary to more than 2,300 civilians under live gunfire; securing airdrop zones for humanitarian actors and providing escorts to convoys carrying vital supplies to the most vulnerable people in conflict-affected Jonglei; rolling out mobile courts across the country to give victims of crime the justice they deserve; and working alongside partners to progress the country’s transition towards sustainable peace.

UNMISS is facing mounting challenges in carrying out this important work, including the impact of the UN-wide financial crisis which has required a significant reduction in peacekeepers and the closure of bases.

While these financial constraints are likely to continue, Ms. Gbeho said the guiding principle remains clear: “people must come first in all that we do”.

“We pay tribute to the people of South Sudan, who we serve, and who inspire us with their resilience and persistence in the pursuit of peace,” she said.

“Rest assured that we remain committed to helping South Sudan realize its shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation where no one is left behind.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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More than 1,000 runners and fitness enthusiasts turned up for the Rwenzori Marathon Activation Run in Mombasa, underscoring the growing popularity of the annual marathon and strengthening ties between Uganda and Kenya through sports and tourism.

The event was graced by Ambassador Charles Ssentongo from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was warmly welcomed by the Consul General, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli. The activation run forms part of a series of promotional activities aimed at mobilizing participants ahead of the 2026 Rwenzori Marathon, scheduled to take place in Uganda this August.

Addressing participants, Amb. Ssentongo encouraged the Mombasa community and the wider Kenyan public to take part in the Rwenzori Marathon as a means of promoting regional integration, exploring the beauty and diversity of East Africa, and fostering cultural exchange between Uganda and Kenya.

He emphasized that sports have the power to strengthen people-to-people connections, enhance mutual understanding, and contribute to deeper cooperation among East African nations.

Speaking on behalf of the Mombasa County Government, the County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Trade and Culture, Mr. Mohamed Osman Ali, called on the gathering to embrace East African tourism and cultural integration as a driver of economic growth and development.

He noted that countries within the region should view one another as partners rather than competitors, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to promote East Africa as a single tourism destination. According to Mr. Ali, increased cultural and tourism exchanges between Uganda and Kenya can create new economic opportunities, strengthen regional unity, and improve livelihoods across the region.

The activation run highlighted the growing enthusiasm for the Rwenzori Marathon and reinforced its role as a platform for promoting sports tourism, healthy lifestyles, and regional cooperation. Participants expressed excitement about the upcoming marathon, which continues to attract runners from across East Africa and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

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The World Health Organization (WHO) actively participated in the 2nd Summit on Health Care Integration in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), held from 13 to 15 May 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a meeting that brought together policymakers, experts and partners to promote the integration of healthcare in CPLP countries. 

The focus of this Summit was the sharing of experiences, evidence and best practices to address the current challenges facing health systems, with an emphasis on the integration of care, a person-centred approach and coordination between sectors. 

WHO Cape Verde participated at various stages, presenting topics in technical panel discussions, taking part in parallel sessions, and undertaking field visits, amongst other activities.

During her address, the WHO Representative in Cape Verde, Ann Lindstrand, who was part of the panel discussion on ‘The Impact of Health Determinants’, highlighted the impact of social, economic and environmental determinants on the demand for healthcare. During her speech, she also emphasized that health inequalities require multisectoral responses and stressed the need to build increasingly integrated, equitable and person-centred health systems. She also noted that the ‘health in all policies’ approach creates synergies and aims to improve the health of the population and health equity.  

Edith Pereira, the expert responsible for health promotion and social determinants of health, took part in the panel on ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People) and Healthy Ageing, where she highlighted Primary Health Care (PHC) as the foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving the population’s health outcomes, in conjunction with the approach to integrated care in the context of healthy ageing. His presentation was based on the ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People) strategy, which aims primarily to reorient health systems towards continuous, older-person-centred care, to promote functional capacity and autonomy throughout life, and to integrate health and social care, with a strong community-based foundation. 

It is also worth noting that there were high-level contributions from the WHO Regional Director for Europe during the opening session, as well as presentations by experts from this region on topics related to quality healthcare and health management, and the integration of care.  

The WHO office in Cape Verde also participated in the CineCuidado session with the screening of the video ‘Implementation of Integrated Health Care for Older People in the City of Assomada’, which was shown and recognized as a pioneering initiative using audiovisual media to disseminate good practices and share experiences in the field of integrated care. 

This Summit reinforced the importance of promoting cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries to address common challenges, of developing evidence-based policies to reduce health inequalities, and of investing in more integrated, resilient and sustainable health systems.

The Summit also served as a platform for the development of a collaborative network for integrated care within the CPLP, where countries reaffirmed the principles and commitments set out in the 2025 Lisbon Charter and renewed their commitment to accelerating the transformation of health and social protection systems in the Portuguese-speaking world, with the signing of the 2026 Rio de Janeiro Letter of Commitment. The Cape Verdean delegation also included experts from the National Health Directorate and the National Institute of Public Health.

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

Source: APO

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Experts at a high-level African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) panel on Wednesday, 27 May, said stronger, more integrated financial systems will be critical to helping Africa mobilise development finance at scale in a fragmented global environment.

Moderated by Hassatou N’Sele, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the African Development Bank Group, the session brought together heads of financial institutions, supervisory and regulatory authorities, central bankers, and legal and development finance experts from Africa and beyond.

The session was one of four knowledge events organised as part of the African Development Bank’s 2026 Annual Meetings, taking place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Under the theme, “Strengthening and Consolidating Africa’s Financial Systems and Agency in the Changing World,” panelists examined how to unlock more domestic and development finance for the continent.

N’Sele invited Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, to open the discussion with lessons from Asia’s experience. “Japan is a consistent and long-term partner for development in Africa,” she said.

Hayashi said Japan’s post-Second World War financial recovery and Asia’s recovery from the 1990s financial crisis underscored the importance of regional financial integration, strong domestic markets, and local-currency bond markets, supported by credit guarantee mechanisms.

“We are doing a lot of financial integration, because (it is) the real driver of sustained economic growth within the Asian countries,” Hayashi said.

The discussion focused on how development partners can help build integrated domestic financial systems, how insurance and guarantee instruments can unlock long-term capital, and how legal and regulatory reforms can strengthen Africa’s financial architecture.

Panelists also pointed to the African Development Bank’s New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD) as a timely initiative to help address Africa’s annual development financing gap, estimated at $400 billion.

The panel: Dieudonné Fikiri Alimasi, First Deputy-Governor of the Central Bank of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Michel Dzombala, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC); Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee and Economic Cooperation Fund (FAGACE); Manuel Moses, Chief Executive Officer, African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), Kalidou Gadio, Co-Chair of US-Africa Practice, DLA Piper, USA; Cedrick Motetcho, Chief of Business Development, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA); and Carlos Lopes, Honorary Professor, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town.

Key takeaways:

On stabilising the macroeconomic framework:

Dieudonné Fikiri Alimasi said restoring trust in local currencies depends on macroeconomic stability, including exchange-rate stability, alongside faster adoption of technology to improve banking penetration and accelerate financial inclusion.

On the role of Central Banks:

Michel Dzombala said central banks in the CEMAC region can play a catalytic role in helping mobilise finance for regional financial institutions.

On changing risk perception:

Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye said African institutions must work more closely together to change investor perceptions of risk, noting that existing African guarantee funds still cover only a small share of financing needs.

On The New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD):

Manuel Moses said Africa has significant resources that can be better mobilised, and that NAFAD offers a framework for organising those efforts more effectively from within the continent.

On removing barriers:

Kalidou Gadio called for reforms to remove legal and regulatory constraints that limit the use of capital, including sovereign wealth funds, and said deeper, more unified markets will be essential to scaling investment.

On partnerships:

Cedrick Motetcho said partnerships must be treated as a practical way of working rather than an aspiration, enabling institutions to move more quickly and deploy available financing tools more effectively.

On policy reform to support resource mobilisation:

Carlos Lopes said macroeconomic and financial policies must do more to support structural transformation and make better use of long-term domestic capital, including pension funds.

In closing, N’Sele asked panelists to identify the most important actions to advance before the next Annual Meetings. They agreed that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of resources, but the urgency of mobilising them more effectively.

“Africa has what it takes, all the assets needed to transform its economies,” Alimasi said.

To recap or catch part of the session you missed, click here (https://apo-opa.co/430tdAX).

For more information on the 2026 Annual Meetings and to follow the sessions click here (https://AM.AfDB.org).

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

Contact:
media@afdb.org

Source: APO

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An Eritrean delegation led by Mr. Negasi Kassa, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the European Union and Benelux countries, participated in the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Group and the Africa-European Union Parliamentary Assembly meetings that were convened in Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini.

The main priority of the meetings, which were conducted separately and in groups, was to ratify and strengthen the Samoa Agreement, which replaced the Cotonou Agreement. Experts also provided briefings regarding the new agreement.

After hearing the report of the Secretary General, the participants discussed the upcoming Ministerial Council of the Parliamentary Group, the African Region, and the European Union, and adopted recommendations on the draft resolution.

At the meeting with the European Union, the Eritrean delegation underlined the importance of giving due attention to the values of African countries.

The participants also discussed the role of regional organizations and parliaments in ensuring peace and security in Africa.

The meeting also ratified the recommendations presented by the African and European Union Ministerial Council.

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

Source: APO

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The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has released its 2025 Annual Report, showcasing another year of strong development results and reaffirming its commitment to advancing a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and integrated Africa.

Despite a challenging global environment marked by slower growth, tighter financial conditions, and increasing climate and debt pressures, Africa continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience in 2025, with growth reaching 4.2 percent and many African economies ranking among the fastest growing in the world.

Beyond the numbers, the report tells a deeper story: the story of Africa’s people – especially its young people – creating, building, and redefining the future across the continent.

In 2025, the Bank delivered at scale, approving more than $11 billion in financing and reaching a record  $7.1 billion in disbursements, supporting 200 projects across 50 countries.

These investments translated into tangible results for millions of Africans:

• 1.5 million people gained access to electricity, powering homes, schools, farms, and businesses.
• 6.9 million farmers adopted climate-resilient technologies, strengthening food security and livelihoods.
• 8.1 million people gained improved access to transport, connecting them to jobs, markets, and opportunity.
• Thousands of entrepreneurs – including many women and young people – gained access to finance to grow their businesses and unlock economic opportunity.

New Strategic Four Cardinal Points Compass to foster faster, more responsive operations

The year also marked a significant leadership transition for the institution with the election of Dr Sidi Ould Tah as ninth president of the Bank Group, ushering in a renewed focus on delivery, impact, and results.

The report also outlines how the Bank is transforming the way it works – becoming faster, more effective, and more responsive to the priorities and ambitions of its regional member countries.

Dr Ould Tah has outlines a new strategic framework – the Four Cardinal Points – designed to accelerate implementation of the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy with sharper focus and greater ambition. The framework prioritizes unlocking Africa’s capital, strengthening financial systems, creating opportunities for young people, and investing in resilient infrastructure and competitive value chains.

In the report’s foreword,  Dr Ould Tah emphasized the Bank’s long-term vision for the continent:

“This report documents what the Bank achieved in 2025. What it does not yet capture is what we will build together from here. A continent where capital flows to where it is needed most. Where African financial institutions anchor their own economies. Where a young person can access the financing, training, and markets to turn ambition into prosperity. Where infrastructure connects people, goods, and ideas across borders. That is the Africa we are working to build. The African Development Bank Group will not waver in that mission.”

Download the Annual Report Highlights and full report here (https://apo-opa.co/3PtujSI) to discover how the African Development Bank Group is helping shape Africa’s future – driven by its people and powered by its youth.

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

Media Contact:
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: media@afdb.org

Nancy Beke:
Principal Policy and Strategy Officer

Source: APO

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The National Animal and Plant Health Laboratory (NAPHL) of the Ministry of Agriculture has registered remarkable achievements over the past 35 years of independence in laboratory diagnosis, animal vaccine production, and the strengthening of laboratory infrastructure. The report was made by the Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the report, before independence, the National Laboratory operated with very limited sections, focusing only on diagnosing a few animal diseases. At that time, the report indicated, no more than 600 samples were analyzed annually. Currently, however, the laboratory diagnoses up to 16,000 samples per year, while its operational capacity has reached more than 12,000 samples per month.

The report further stated that the laboratory’s main responsibilities currently include the diagnosis of animal diseases, the diagnosis of plant diseases and pests, animal feed and food safety and quality testing, the production of animal vaccines, and the establishment and strengthening of regional animal and plant health laboratories.

Since 2023, the National Animal and Plant Health Laboratory has produced more than 3 million doses of vaccines, including Newcastle disease vaccine, Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) vaccine, and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) vaccine. In addition, relying on its internal capacity and following the required procedures and standards, the laboratory has succeeded in producing vaccine seeds for Gumboro and Infectious Bronchitis vaccines and conducts quality control testing for some imported vaccines. It is also currently preparing vaccine seed for Infectious Laryngotracheitis, and continuous trials are underway to produce other priority vaccines.

At present, the National Animal and Plant Health Laboratory employs a total workforce of 183 staff members, of whom 58 percent are women, and possesses relatively adequate infrastructural facilities.

The National Animal and Plant Health Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture was established in 1903 during the Italian colonial period and is recognized as one of the oldest laboratories in Africa. Until 1973, the laboratory provided relatively effective laboratory services. However, from 1974 until Eritrea’s independence, much of its infrastructure and equipment was destroyed, and the laboratory operated with very limited capacity and services.

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

Source: APO

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Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the Mayor of London and FirstBank UK are pleased to announce a joint Closing Reception marking the conclusion of The Africa Debate 2026, taking place on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at The Crypt, Guildhall, London, from 18:00.

The reception will bring together delegates from The Africa Debate 2026 – the UK’s foremost platform for high-level dialogue on Africa’s economic future – and participants from the London-Africa Business Forum, ahead of the Mayor of London’s inaugural London-Africa Business Summit. The event will offer leaders from across government, finance, and industry a unique opportunity to reflect on the day’s discussions, deepen connections, and look ahead to the conversations continuing in the days that follow.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that the first London-Africa Business Summit will be hosted in London, with the aim of tapping into the economic opportunities that a strong, mutual relationship with the continent can bring. The Summit builds on Sadiq’s trade mission to Africa in July 2025, visiting Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to champion London as a place to invest in. 

The event will convene entrepreneurs and investors, government officials and trade groups from across Africa’s 54 nations, with the goal of attracting foreign direct investment to the capital and boosting trade links. Africa currently accounts for 1.25% of foreign direct investment into London, and the Mayor has identified expanding ties with Africa as key to delivering London’s international trade ambitions and creating thousands of jobs in the years ahead.

The Closing Reception marks a natural bridge between The Africa Debate and the Mayor’s broader Africa engagement agenda. Remarks will be delivered by Olukorede K.O. Adenowo, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank UK, and Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth and Chair of London & Partners, who will attend on behalf of the Mayor of London.

The Africa Debate 2026 convenes over 800 senior leaders under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, examining how African economies and their international partners can accelerate investment, unlock growth, and strengthen development outcomes in a rapidly changing global order. The event features H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as Guest of Honour, alongside ministerial keynotes, high-level plenaries, and sessions on trade, finance, energy, critical minerals, and digital transformation.

Chantelé Carrington

Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa, commented:

“The Africa Debate has always been about more than dialogue – it is about building the relationships that drive real investment and lasting impact. This Closing Reception, hosted alongside the Mayor of London and FirstBank UK, is a fitting culmination to a day of ambitious conversation. By bringing together delegates from The Africa Debate and the London-Africa Business Forum, we create a moment of genuine connection – where the leaders shaping Africa’s economic future can engage, exchange and continue building the partnerships that matter.”

Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, said: “London is a global gateway for African businesses and investors, which is why Sadiq Khan last year led a successful trade mission to the continent – the first by any Mayor of London.

Following the Mayor’s historic visit, we are hosting the first ever London-Africa Business Summit – underscoring just how central Africa is to London’s international trade and investment strategy. By bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at the summit and The Africa Debate, we are creating connections that turn ambition into action, as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

Olukorede K.O. Adenowo, Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank UK, added:

“FirstBank UK is proud to co-host this Closing Reception in partnership with Invest Africa and the Mayor of London. As a financial institution with deep roots across the Africa–UK corridor, we remain firmly committed to connecting the continent with global capital markets. Moments such as these, which bring together senior leaders from government, business and finance, play an important role in fostering the partnerships needed to drive meaningful progress. We look forward to welcoming delegates and to continuing the important conversations that will help shape the future of Africa–UK economic relations.”

The Closing Reception is by invitation only and open to delegates of The Africa Debate 2026 and the London-Africa Business Forum.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Fiona Hannig
Marketing & Communications Manager
Invest Africa
T: +44 2037 305 035
E: fiona.hannig@investafrica.com

About The Africa Debate:
The Africa Debate is London’s premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment, and economic transformation. Now in its 12th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa’s evolving role in the global economy.

About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform that drives trade and investment across the continent. With over seventy years’ experience in Africa, we provide our network with trusted market insights, tailored business support, and platforms for meaningful engagement. Our network includes more than 400 multinational corporations, investors, policy makers, and entrepreneurs, united by a shared commitment to building sustainable opportunity across Africa.

About FirstBank UK:
FirstBank UK is the UK subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest and most established financial institutions. With a history spanning over 130 years, FirstBank UK provides a broad range of financial services connecting African and international markets, supporting trade, investment, and economic development across the continent.

About the Mayor of London:
Who We Are | London City Hall (https://apo-opa.co/434mRjX)