Category: English

Source: APO

The consortium comprising Nareva, Kanadevia Inova and Itochu Corporation, through its 33.5-year concession agreement with the Municipality of Casablanca, has entrusted BUTEC (www.BUTEC.com) with a major Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for Casablanca’s landmark Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project, leveraging BUTEC’s multidisciplinary engineering and contracting capabilities for one of Morocco’s most significant waste management and energy recovery developments.

For the delivery of this landmark project, BUTEC has joined forces with the Switzerland-based Kanadevia Inova, a global leader in Waste-to-Energy and renewable gas solutions.

Located northwest of the Mediouna landfill in the Casablanca-Settat region of the Kingdom of Morocco, this ultra-large waste incineration facility will process approximately 1.5 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually, significantly reducing reliance on landfill.

By diverting the waste from landfill and converting it into energy, this plant is expected to prevent up to 1.0 tonne of CO₂-equivalent emissions per tonne of waste while generating 126 MWe of baseload electricity.

Serving a population of more than 4.2 million people across Greater Casablanca, this project represents a significant step in the region’s transition towards a more sustainable and circular approach to waste management, while supporting Morocco’s broader energy transition and long-term decarbonization ambitions.

BUTEC’s Scope of Work:

While Kanadevia Inova is responsible for the technology and the process part of the EPC works, as well as operations support, long-term maintenance, and financing of the facility, BUTEC will be responsible for civil works for the whole facility and for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of Non-Process buildings, facilities, and associated works, including all civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works, as well as the external infrastructure works required for the Project.

Commenting on the significance of the award, Raymond Daou (SVP Strategy & Business Development) stated:

“Building on our affiliates’ long-standing presence in Morocco, where BUTEC has established itself as one of the country’s leading players in Electromechanical Solutions, the Group is reinforcing, through this landmark contract, its contribution to the Kingdom’s sustainable development ambitions.

Furthermore, with three consecutive large-scale Waste-to-Energy projects across the geographies in which it operates, BUTEC is establishing itself as the generalist EPC contractor of choice in this strategic sector. This latest award confirms once again our ability to combine multidisciplinary engineering expertise, strong local execution capabilities and close cooperation with world-leading process technology partners to deliver complex energy and environmental facilities.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BUTEC Group.

Source: APO – Report:

The President made the remarks today while officiating at the grand inauguration and key handover ceremony of the Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments Kampala in Nsambya, Makindye Division, Kampala.

President Museveni congratulated the Chairman of Capital Shoppers Ltd, Mr. Ponsiano Ngabirano, for transforming what started as a small grocery business in Nakasero into a major investment that has now expanded into the hospitality industry through the Marriott-branded development.

He cited Mr. Ngabirano’s business journey as an example of the transition Uganda needs—from dependence on imports to increased national production.

“Many of the African economies have not grown because of the mistakes of the leaders. They fail to distinguish between development and wealth,” President Museveni said.

He explained that while development is often associated with infrastructure such as roads, sustainable development must be supported by wealth creation.

According to the President, wealth creation in Uganda should be driven by four key sectors: commercial agriculture, services, ICT and manufacturing.

President Museveni commended Mr. Ngabirano for starting as an importer of milk at a time when Uganda did not have sufficient local production and eventually transitioning into a distributor of locally produced milk.

“I want to congratulate Mr. Ngabirano, from being an importer to now an internal distributor,” he said, describing the transition as a positive shift from importing to supporting national production.

The President also cited Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote as another example of an entrepreneur who started by importing cement before developing into a major manufacturer and later expanding into the petroleum industry.

“Importers, provided you are clear with our strategy, you will progress well,” President Museveni said.

He said Uganda should continue encouraging investors to move from importing finished products to manufacturing them locally, noting that this would create jobs, expand the tax base and contribute to the growth of the national economy.

President Museveni also welcomed the decision by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to invest in the hotel, saying such investments are more beneficial to Uganda’s economy than investing workers’ savings in foreign bonds.

“I am also glad to hear that NSSF has woken up and invested in this hotel, instead of investing that money in foreign bonds which do not add anything to our GDP,” he said.

The President further congratulated Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala for recognising the value of the investors and making land available for the development of the project.

He welcomed Marriott International’s decision to expand its presence in Uganda, noting that Africa’s rapidly growing population presents significant opportunities for investors in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“I am very glad to see that Marriott is beginning to see where the market potential is, because the African population is growing rapidly,” he said.

Marriott investment expands Uganda’s hospitality sector:

The Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments Kampala comprise a dual-branded hospitality development featuring 181 hotel guestrooms and suites and 96 fully serviced apartments.

The hotel has six restaurants and bars, wellness and business facilities, and 1,293 square metres of meetings and events space, including the Kampala Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 985 guests.

The investment has already created more than 350 direct employment opportunities, with approximately 95 percent of employees being Ugandan nationals. More than 120 women are employed across the two properties, while about 90 percent of procurement is locally sourced, supporting Ugandan businesses and suppliers.

The opening marks the debut of the Marriott Hotels and Marriott Executive Apartments brands in Uganda and expands Marriott International’s presence in the country to seven properties across five brands.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, described the opening of the Marriott Hotel as a testament to Uganda’s growing position as an investment and tourism destination.

Minister Musasizi said the Government provides a 10-year tax holiday for qualifying new investments, clarifying that corporate income tax applies once an investor begins making profits.

He said investments such as the Marriott Hotel contribute to Uganda’s economy through tourism, employment and increased revenue.

The Minister noted that the hotel and serviced apartments, with more than 250 accommodation units combined, would contribute significantly to tourism and job creation.

He also identified skills development as an important area requiring greater attention in the hospitality industry.

Minister Musasizi said he was concerned about the limited number of specialised training facilities for hotel workers and pledged to work towards establishing more training opportunities, while encouraging private-sector investors to invest in hospitality training.

He commended Capital Shoppers Ltd, under the leadership of Mr. Ngabirano, for undertaking what he described as a major investment contributing to the transformation of Kampala.

He also thanked Marriott International for partnering with Capital Shoppers Ltd to establish and manage the facility according to international standards.

“Establishing such an investment in Uganda shows a vote of confidence in Uganda,” Minister Musasizi said, calling on more investors to consider Uganda as an investment destination.

The Regional Vice President of Marriott International for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Johan Cronjé, said Marriott had witnessed tremendous growth since establishing its presence in Kampala.

He commended the Government of Uganda for its commitment to promoting tourism and the hospitality industry.

Mr. Cronjé said Marriott’s philosophy is centred on caring for people, noting that the company is also committed to giving back to communities where it operates, including supporting school infrastructure and other community initiatives.

He attributed the successful opening of the Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments to the partnership between the different stakeholders.

“Uganda’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate strong momentum, supported by growing visitor demand, investment and infrastructure development,” Mr. Cronjé said.

He added that the new development expands internationally branded hospitality capacity in Uganda, creates employment opportunities and strengthens Kampala’s ability to host business events, conferences and international meetings.

On his part, Mr. Ngabirano thanked President Museveni for officiating at the opening, describing the hotel as a product of Uganda’s peace, stability and conducive investment environment.

He credited President Museveni with creating an environment in which Ugandan businesses could grow.

“What started as a small grocery in Nakasero turned into a supermarket and now we are opening a big franchise. It was because of your clean leadership, Your Excellency,” Mr. Ngabirano said.

He said the hotel currently employs about 400 people and is expected to employ more than 1,000 people by the end of the year.

Mr. Ngabirano also commended the President and the Ministry of Finance for their support during the construction of the project and thanked NSSF for investing 30 percent in the development.

However, he raised concerns about what he described as high taxes imposed on hotels, saying the issue remains one of the challenges affecting Uganda’s hospitality industry.

Presenting the concerns on behalf of the Uganda Hotels Association, Mr. Ngabirano appealed to the Government to review taxes affecting hotels to enable the industry to become more competitive.

He also called for increased investment in training facilities for hospitality workers, noting the need to develop a skilled workforce to support the sector.

Mr. Ngabirano further appealed for more land for hotel development and asked President Museveni to consider allocating land along the Kampala-Entebbe corridor for additional hospitality investments.

He said approximately 97 percent of the people employed at the Marriott are Ugandans, further demonstrating the contribution of the investment to local employment.

The opening of the Kampala Marriott Hotel comes as Uganda’s tourism industry continues to expand.

According to the Uganda Tourism Statistical Abstract 2025, the sector generated Shs5.8 trillion (US$1.62 billion) in tourism earnings in 2025, contributed an estimated 5.9 percent to national GDP and supported more than 876,000 jobs.

The two properties are also working with Ugandan universities, hospitality colleges and technical institutions to provide internship and training opportunities for future hospitality professionals.

– on behalf of State House Uganda.

Source: APO – Report:

On 26 August 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted luncheon for academics from the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), a think thank and research institution in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Deputy Prime Minister received a briefing on the theme “The Future of Africa: How Partnership with Thailand Can Move the Continent Forward” and exchanged views on Africa’s economic outlook, development challenges, and policy recommendations to advance Thailand – Africa cooperation in trade and investment. He also underscored Thailand’s commitment to development cooperation, with a view to positioning Thailand as a complementary and demand-driven partner for Africa.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to advancing the Thailand – Africa Initiative (TAI) and exchanged views on ways to promote comprehensive cooperation with Africa. He stressed the importance of further collaboration with CSEA in conducting research and exchanging knowledge to identify and expand opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere, between Thailand and Nigeria in areas of mutual interests. He also highlighted the importance of supporting Nigeria in scaling up and commercialising knowledge, technologies and innovation to create greater value and deliver tangible benefits for both countries.

The CSEA was founded in 2008 by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, as an independent, non-profit research institute focusing on Nigeria and Africa’s economy and public policy.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Source: APO

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Every day, governments make decisions that affect the health and well-being of millions of people, from responding to disease outbreaks and improving maternal and child health services to planning the health workforce and investing in stronger health systems. Yet these decisions are often made using information scattered across multiple systems, making it difficult to obtain a complete and timely picture of population health.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa launched the Regional Health Data Hub, a new digital platform that brings together fragmented health data and transforms it into actionable intelligence for better health decision-making across the African Region.

The consequences of fragmented data are practical. Efforts to reduce maternal deaths, for instance, depend on combining information on antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services, health workforce availability and medicine supplies, data that are often stored in separate systems. By bringing these datasets together, the Regional Health Data Hub helps decision-makers identify underserved populations, target resources where they are needed most and make more informed decisions that improve health outcomes.

The Regional Health Data Hub is a shared digital platform that supports all 47 Member States of the WHO African Region. It enables governments, public health institutions, researchers, development partners, and other stakeholders to access harmonized health information, monitor trends, compare progress and generate the evidence needed to make informed decisions. Through a secure web platform, users can access integrated data while countries retain full ownership of their information.

“No health decision in our region should be taken in the dark. Every policy, every investment and every action to improve people’s health should be guided by reliable evidence. The Regional Health Data Hub reflects our commitment to ensuring that countries have timely access to the evidence they need to anticipate challenges, direct resources where they are needed most and improve the health and well-being of their populations,” said Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The Hub integrates information from multiple health programmes, including maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, noncommunicable diseases, infectious diseases and health systems, into a single interoperable platform. Through interactive dashboards, maps and analytical tools, it enables users to explore trends, monitor progress towards universal health coverage and generate insights that support timely, integrated and evidence-informed decision-making.

The Regional Health Data Hub complements existing national health information systems rather than replacing them. Countries retain ownership of their data while benefiting from common standards that improve interoperability, strengthen data quality and support secure information sharing. A regional governance framework under development will further promote transparency, accountability and responsible data stewardship, helping to build trust in the use of health information across the Region.

The platform also incorporates advanced analytics and artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities that support forecasting, trend analysis and evidence generation. As additional datasets, indicators and analytical tools are introduced through a phased approach, the Hub will continue to expand its ability to support proactive planning, better resource allocation and more resilient health systems across the Region.

Better data alone do not improve people’s health—better decisions do. By giving countries faster access to reliable, integrated and actionable health information, the Regional Health Data Hub will help transform data into evidence, evidence into action, and action into better health outcomes for millions of people across the African Region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, has conveyed Kenya’s condolences to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China following the loss of lives and destruction caused by devastating floods in the Xizang Autonomous Region.

Dr. Mudavadi expressed his deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones and to all those affected by the disaster. He reaffirmed the solidarity of the Government and people of Kenya with the Government and people of China, and conveyed his wishes for strength, comfort and hope to all those affected.

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

Source: APO

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In Mali, an estimated nine out of ten women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). And for years, Sidi Haidara, a father and recognized leader in his community, believed the practice was simply part of life.

Like many people in his community in central Mali, he saw it as a tradition passed down through generations – one that should be preserved.

Today, he walks from village to village with a very different message: No tradition should come at the expense of a girl’s health, rights, or future.

His story goes beyond one man’s personal transformation. Across parts of West and Central Africa, FGM remains deeply rooted – with Mali having one of the highest rates in the region and no laws that specifically criminalize the practice. Even recently, some men in Mali have launched an all-male pro-FGM campaign on the grounds of protecting tradition.

In places where social norms are deeply entrenched, change often begins with trusted voices from within the community – voices like Haidara’s.

How UN Women and partners are shifting mindsets and empowering new anti-FGM advocates in Mali

“I used to believe that this practice was part of our traditions and needed to be preserved”, says Haidara.

Nothing suggested that he would one day become one of the people advocating for its abandonment.

His perspective began to change after taking part in training sessions, workshops, and community dialogues organized through the Men and Boys as Agents of Change project, implemented by UN Women with financial support from the Government of Germany.

As he listened to different experiences and learned about the consequences of FGM, he began questioning his beliefs – beliefs he had never challenged before. He also came to understand that lasting change cannot simply be imposed – it grows through dialogue, trust, and community ownership.

How to end FGM in Mali: Begin with listening, questioning, and conversing

“Today, I regularly organize awareness-raising sessions with families, religious leaders, young people, and women”, he explains.

Rather than telling people what to think, he encourages conversations about what it means to protect girls and challenges long-held beliefs through dialogue.

Little by little, those conversations are making a difference. “I can see change: more parents are asking questions, several families are abandoning female genital mutilation, and discussions about protecting girls have become more open.”

People can change – and so can social norms

Haidara’s journey is part of a broader movement taking place across the regions of Mopti and Gao in Mali.

With support from the Government of Germany, UN Women works alongside religious and traditional leaders, women, young people, and men like Haidara who are committed to community-driven initiatives that prevent violence against women and girls and challenge harmful social norms.

To date, 50 community initiatives have been implemented across the two regions, while eight community-dialogue platforms provide spaces for people to discuss girls’ rights, their protection, and ways to prevent gender-based violence.

For Haidara, abandoning a harmful practice is about more than leaving a tradition behind. It is about giving girls the opportunity to grow up safely, stay in school, and shape their own futures.

His journey shows that some of the most meaningful changes happen when those who once upheld harmful social norms become the people helping to transform them.

Haidara knows traditions do not change overnight. But every conversation creates an opportunity for reflection. Every family that chooses to protect its daughters helps write a different future from the one that generations before them inherited.

In Mopti and Gao, these conversations are showing that lasting change does not necessarily begin with a new law or policy. More often, it begins when communities themselves decide to imagine a different future for their girls.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women.

Source: APO

On August 27, the 10th Japan-Nigeria Special Partnership Forum (bilateral policy consultation), was held in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Japanese side was represented by Ms. TAKAHASHI Misako, Director-General for African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Nigerian side was represented by Dr. Dunoma Umar AHMED, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

At the meeting, consultations were held about bilateral relations, including business, development cooperation, and culture and sports. The two sides also exchanged views on a range of issues, including cooperation in international fora, such as UN Security Council reform, as well as regional situations in Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.