Category: English

Source: APO

Nearly four decades of poetry, reflection and creative expression were brought to State House today as renowned Seychellois poet Tony ‘Raspyek’ Joubert presented his book, Verses in Dialogue, to President Dr Patrick Herminie during a courtesy call.

President Herminie commended Mr Joubert for his longstanding dedication to poetry and his contribution to Seychelles’ literary and cultural heritage. 

Sharing his own passion for poetry, the President reflected on his experience as a writer and spoke about A Path to Utopia, a work particularly close to him. Their exchange highlighted a shared appreciation of poetry as a powerful means of expression, reflection, and dialogue.

Verses in Dialogue is a poetic celebration reflecting on 25 years of Raspyek’s poetry recitals and 38 years of writing. Written in Seychelles Creole, French and English, the book reflects the multilingual character of Seychelles while drawing on everyday life, social issues, and the experiences of the Seychellois people.

Mr Joubert, who was accompanied by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mrs Amanda Bernstein, shared the inspiration behind the publication and reflected on the journey that has shaped his work over the years.

The President highlighted the significant role of poets, writers, and artists in capturing the experiences of a nation, giving expression to its people, and preserving its identity and heritage for future generations.

Beyond his own writing and performances, Raspyek has played an active role in promoting poetry in Seychelles. He was a founding member of the Bling Bling Poetry Association and was instrumental in the organisation of Bling Bling Nod, Seychelles’ first poetry festival, in 2017.

Born in Lebanon in 1977 and brought to Seychelles as an infant, Mr Joubert grew up in Takamaka, where his interest in poetry developed from an early age. 

He wrote his first poem while in Primary Five and has since established himself as a recognised voice in Seychellois poetry, building a body of work that reflects on society, culture and everyday life while contributing to the growth and appreciation of poetry in Seychell

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO – Report:

• The Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force (COS ESF), Brigadier General Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, General OO Oluyede on the 3rd of September, 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.
• The COS ESF was accompanied by staff officers from the ESF Core Task Force Headquarters and the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) of the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), of the ECOWAS Commission.

The COS ESF and his entourage were received by the CDS and his Principal Staff Officers of the Defence Headquarters. During the meeting, the COS ESF expressed his appreciation to the CDS for receiving the delegation and conveyed the gratitude of ECOWAS for Nigeria’s continued leadership, commitment, and support towards regional peace and security.

The COS ESF also sought the continued support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly in advancing rapid support to the ECOWAS Standby Force and the establishment and operationalization of the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Brigade.

In his remarks, the CDS thanked the COS ESF and his entourage for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to supporting the ECOWAS Standby Force and other regional peace and security initiatives.

As a testament to Nigeria continues commitment and support, the CDS on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria promise to donate an 18-seater bus to the ECOWAS Standby Force to enhance their administrative, logistical, and operational activities.

The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and coordination between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the ECOWAS Standby Force, particularly in support of regional peace and security objectives.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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From 2 until 4 September 2026, the European Union (EU) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) convened the Voices for Peace Forum: Analysing Concerns About Democracy and Upcoming Elections in The Gambia. The forum brought together key national and regional stakeholders to reflect on electoral risks and strengthen collective efforts towards peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in The Gambia. 

The forum was part of ongoing efforts to support early warning, risk analysis and mitigation in the lead-up to The Gambia’s 2026–2027 electoral cycle. The forum provided an inclusive platform for state institutions, election management bodies, security agencies, civil society, the media and regional actors to share concerns, analyse potential triggers of tension and violence, and identify practical measures to help safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. 

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Raphaël Brigandi, Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Delegation to The Gambia, said: 

“The Gambia’s is undergoing a significant democratic journey. The country has made important progress in consolidating its democratic space, encouraging civic participation and creating room for dialogue and reform. While The Gambia is establishing itself as a beacon of democracy in the region, these gains and status need continuous attention and should not be taken for granted.”  He added: “Sustaining peace during elections is a shared responsibility and the EU’s role as a partner is to support a nationally led process.” 

In his goodwill message, Mr. Samuel Atuobi, Representative of the African Union, stressed the need for intelligence data gathering to ensure an adequate response. Reflecting on experiences from other West African countries, he underscored the importance of civil society focusing on the hidden, underlying issues that can trigger electoral violence, noting that regional and continental bodies can only act effectively when reliable and timely data is available.

Dr. David Tommy, the Chairman of the National Election Response Group (NERG) underscored that: 

‘‘Effective early warning and early response is a shared responsibility. No single institution can prevent electoral violence alone. It requires sustained collaboration and information-sharing among electoral management bodies, state institutions, security agencies, political parties, civil society, the media, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth organisations, development partners and regional institutions.’’

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Salama Njie, National Network Coordinator of WANEP-The Gambia, noted that:

‘‘Democracy is not a static achievement. It is a continuous journey that requires constant nurturing, vigilance, and dialogue. Elections are the cornerstone of a democratic society, but they can also strain social cohesion if not managed with transparency, fairness, and mutual respect’’

The forum generated practical and actionable recommendations contributing to reinforced partnerships, a stronger culture of dialogue, prevention and democratic resilience in The Gambia. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union External Action: The Diplomatic Service of the European Union.

Source: APO

Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Musalia Mudavadi held talks with the visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr. Frank Garcia, who is in Kenya for an official visit.

The discussions focused on expanding trade and investment, building on the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) upto 2028 and ongoing reciprocal trade negotiations.

The two sides further discussed health cooperation, including efforts to reduce the cost of cancer treatment, as well as cooperation in critical minerals, defence, peace and regional security.

The talks also looked ahead to the Fourth Kenya–U.S. Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, which Kenya  will host in December 2026.

The engagement was followed by the signing of a Bilateral Work Agreement by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’oei and Assistant Secretary Garcia, witnessed by PCS Mudavadi.

The Agreement provides a framework for eligible dependants of diplomats from both countries to seek employment in the receiving country, subject to applicable laws and regulations. The arrangement will apply to eligible dependants of Kenyan diplomats serving in the United States and dependants of United States diplomats serving in Kenya. The Agreement replaces an Agreement signed in 2021 for five years which has lapsed .

Kenya remains committed to translating its strong diplomatic partnership with the United States into greater opportunities, investment, stronger businesses, better health outcomes and enhanced security for its people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Kenya.

Source: APO

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Abel Manumbu, Founder and Managing Director of UR Energy Limited, has been confirmed as a speaker at the African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 conference, taking place from October 14–16 in Cape Town.  

Manumbu will participate in the Enabling Africa’s Value Addition Corridors panel discussion, sponsored by the Africa Finance Corporation. The session will examine how reliable energy infrastructure can support mineral processing hubs and downstream manufacturing investment across Africa.  

His participation comes as UR Energy advances power projects across Southern and Eastern Africa, with a focus on renewables, flexible generation, grid integration and project finance. In Malawi, the company is advancing the 75 MW AZA gas-to-power independent power producer project in Salima, located near the ESCOM Nanjoka substation.  

The project is designed to strengthen electricity supply in a region hosting several mineral developments, including the Kasiya rutile-graphite, Kangankunde rare earths, Kanyika niobium, Kayelekera uranium and Salima titanium projects.  

UR Energy is also developing the 65 MW Kanawa Kishapu Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System project in Tanzania under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tanzania Electric Supply Company. The project forms part of the company’s broader strategy to develop power infrastructure supporting industrial and mining demand. 

Across the Nacala Corridor connecting Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, UR Energy is working to develop LNG supply chains aimed at providing baseload and captive power solutions for industrial and mineral processing projects. 

Manumbu’s participation at AMW 2026 will bring an energy infrastructure perspective to discussions around Africa’s mineral value addition corridors, as governments and industry seek to expand domestic processing while addressing the power requirements associated with new mining and industrial developments.  

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

Source: APO

Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body for rugby in Africa, announced today that its President, Herbert Mensah — who also serves as an Executive Board Member of World Rugby and as Chairman of World Rugby Regions — has accepted an invitation from Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and CEO of the UN Global Compact, to speak at the fifth edition of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) — Unstoppable Africa 2026, taking place in New York City on 20–21 September 2026, alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

On the afternoon of Monday, 21 September, Mr. Mensah will take part in the session “Real Value from the Field: Protecting and Profiting from Africa’s Talent Pipeline” — a discussion of how transparent contracts, smarter scouting, and stronger regional leagues can enable Africa to retain more of the value its sporting talent generates, and channel that value back into the communities and institutions that produce it.

“African sporting talent has long been a global asset. What has too often been missing is the framework to ensure that its value flows back to the continent, the schools, and the communities that produce it,” said Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa. “I am honoured to bring rugby’s perspective to Unstoppable Africa 2026, and to make the case that Africa can — and must — build the institutions and the industrial base to keep more of what it creates.”

Convened by the United Nations Global Compact, GABI has grown since its inception in 2022 into the premier global platform for African business, trade, and investment outside the continent. The 2026 edition is expected to bring together some 4,000 participants, including Heads of State, Fortune 500 CEOs, global investors, and leading entrepreneurs, against the backdrop of an African market whose potential is now estimated to exceed USD 3 trillion.

Previous editions of Unstoppable Africa have featured, among many others, UN Secretary-General António Guterres; UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed; H.E. William Ruto, President of Kenya; H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group; Mo Ibrahim, Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Melinda Gates, Founder of Pivotal Ventures; and Grammy-winning artist and activist Angélique Kidjo.

Rugby Africa welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this conversation and to place sport, and rugby in particular, firmly within the agenda of Africa’s economic transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.

Media Contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Manager
nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com

About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organises various competitions, including qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby has identified Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.

Source: APO

A new SANAS-accredited Water Meter Verification Laboratory strengthens Conlog’s growing smart water offering, building on the company’s established capabilities across electricity, manufacturing and utility technology services.

As an established manufacturing and technology services provider, Conlog has built decades of capability around electricity metering and the technologies that support smarter utility management. Now, the company is extending that expertise into smart water solutions, broadening the way it supports municipalities and utilities facing increasingly complex infrastructure, revenue and resource-management challenges.

Central to this expansion is Conlog’s smart water metering offering, supported by the company’s newly opened SANAS-accredited Water Meter Verification Laboratory. The facility complements Conlog’s existing electricity laboratory capability and represents an important extension of the testing, verification and quality-assurance infrastructure already embedded within the business.

Developing Conlog’s Water Meter Verification Laboratory

Officially opened on 20 July 2026, following several months of operation since December 2025, the Water Meter Verification Laboratory enables Conlog to test and verify water meters in accordance with applicable national standards. Its establishment gives the company greater control over the quality, performance and regulatory compliance of its growing water metering portfolio while reducing reliance on external testing facilities.

For Conlog, this capability is closely connected to the evolution of its smart solutions offering. As the company expands further into smart water metering, access to accredited in-house testing supports faster product validation, stronger quality assurance and more responsive product development. It also provides Conlog’s research and development teams with performance data that can inform the continued development and improvement of smart water solutions.

The laboratory is accredited to perform water-meter testing in accordance with applicable SANS requirements and has been specifically configured to support smart and prepayment water-meter technologies. Advanced automation and digital data capture further enhance the facility’s ability to conduct testing efficiently while maintaining the consistency and accuracy required by South Africa’s legal metrology framework.

These capabilities strengthen the smart water solutions Conlog brings to municipalities and utilities. Accurate, independently verified metering can support more reliable consumption data, greater billing integrity, improved revenue protection and the identification of water losses and consumption anomalies. In a market where utilities are under increasing pressure to manage scarce water resources more effectively, dependable metering forms an important part of more intelligent water management.

Developing the laboratory was a multi-year undertaking involving engineering, quality assurance, operations, facilities, procurement, project management and executive leadership. Conlog designed and equipped the facility, developed compliant testing procedures and quality-management systems, trained personnel and completed the rigorous assessment processes required for SANAS accreditation.

Key milestones included the construction and commissioning of the facility, the procurement, manufacture and calibration of specialised test equipment, and the successful completion of SANAS assessments and NRCS designation. Together, these investments have created an advanced local testing capability that supports both Conlog’s current smart water portfolio and the continued development of future solutions.

Team recognition in contributing to skills and technology advancements  

The official opening brought together government, industry and Conlog stakeholders to recognise the teams behind the project and demonstrate how the new capability fits into Conlog’s broader utility offering.

Honourable Premier Tami Ntuli officiated at the opening in recognition of the laboratory’s contribution to local economic development, skills advancement and technological innovation. The programme included leadership presentations, an address by Honourable Premier Tami Ntuli, a guided tour and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

During the visit, Honourable Premier Tami Ntuli and other guests toured Conlog’s manufacturing operations and the new Water Meter Verification Laboratory. Conlog showcased its smart electricity and water metering solutions, prepayment technology, local manufacturing capabilities and quality-assurance processes, demonstrating how its established electricity expertise is being complemented by a growing smart water proposition.

Particular interest was shown in the laboratory’s automated testing systems and in the strong representation of women across Conlog’s manufacturing lines. Honourable Premier Tami Ntuli also commended Conlog’s investment in advanced technology and highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and industry in strengthening infrastructure and supporting economic growth.

The new laboratory therefore represents more than an additional testing facility. It strengthens the technical infrastructure behind Conlog’s expansion into smart water while building on capabilities the company has already established through electricity metering, manufacturing, technology and laboratory services.

As African utilities work to reduce water losses, protect revenue and manage resources more sustainably, Conlog is extending its smart utility expertise to address both electricity and water. Its SANAS-accredited Water Meter Verification Laboratory provides an important layer of assurance behind that broader offering, supporting the development of compliant, reliable and increasingly intelligent water solutions for the market.

The full ESI Africa article can be read here: https://apo-opa.co/4ykEA4c

Conlog CEO Logan Moodley recently spoke with ESI Africa about his journey from computer sciences and physics to a leadership role driving changes in the smart and prepayment electricity and water metering industry. The full podcast can be accessed here: https://apo-opa.co/4ii555z 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa is a leading multimedia platform serving Africa’s power, energy, water and utility sectors. Through industry news, analysis, interviews, digital content and specialist insights, ESI Africa connects utilities, policymakers, investors, technology providers and other stakeholders shaping the continent’s energy and infrastructure landscape. ESI Africa forms part of VUKA Group’s portfolio of industry media and events. www.ESI-Africa.com

About Conlog:
Conlog is a South African manufacturer and provider of smart metering solutions for electricity and water. With decades of experience in utility metering, the company designs, develops, manufactures and delivers solutions supporting demand management, revenue enhancement and utility operations. www.Conlog.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group is an Africa-focused media and events business that connects people and organisations with the information, relationships and opportunities needed to support industry growth. www.WeAreVuka.com