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Afreximbank supports Dangote Group as it targets US$100 billion annual revenue by 2030

Source: APO

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) is proud to announce that it is supporting Dangote Group, as it seeks to expand its operations and grow its turnover to US$100 billion by 2030.

The Group’s leadership presented its long-term growth strategy “Vision 2030: Supercharging Dangote Group for Long Term Success” to the Afreximbank Board of Directors and its executive team on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. The strategy outlines a two‑phase expansion programme spanning 2025–2028 and 2028–2030.

During the presentation, Dangote Group outlined plans to scale and optimise its existing platforms and expand capacity across all active sectors. Key initiatives include increasing the capacity of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd. Additionally, the Group intends to quadruple its Fertiliser production from 3 million tonnes per annum to 12 million tonnes per annum, a move that would position the Group as the world’s largest producer of urea fertiliser.

The expansion strategy encompasses rapid growth across other business lines, including cement, rice, and broader food production. Beyond its current portfolio, the Group identified new investment opportunities in infrastructure — including ports and pipelines — as well as gas, mining (as a gateway for semi‑processed and value‑added mineral exports), data centres to support Africa’s digital transformation and enterprise resilience, and power, described as the engine of Africa’s industrial transformation.

To drive the growth over the five years, the Dangote Group predicts that it will require at least $40 billion in new investments to realise its continental ambitions.

Recognising the strategic value of the partnership with Afreximbank, Mr. Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited said: “Our partnership with Afreximbank is more than financial support; it is about a shared dream for the continent. When we set out to build a 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery—the largest of its kind in Africa—the Bank believed in our vision when others were sceptical. Without their leadership and trust, the development of the African continent would not be where it is today. We are joined at the hip with the bank because we share the same mission: to drive local capacity, eliminate our dependence on imports, and ensure Africa’s industrial growth is led by Africans.”

On his part, Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, noted that the engagements demonstrated a strong convergence of purpose to free Africa from dependency and to ensure the continent’s resources are used to the benefit of its people. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to “a formidable bond of partnership to make large-scale investments that will accelerate the changes we desire,” changes that have gained urgency amid increasing global fragmentation and protectionism.

Dr. Elombi recalled that at the onset of COVID 19 pandemic in 2020, Africa struggled to secure even the basic protective materials due to limited production capacity, adding that “even when financing was available, we could not access these essential items.”

He further pledged the readiness of Afreximbank and its Board of Directors to support the realisation of Dangote Group’s aspirations. “This is the very purpose for which our institution was created. As is deeply rooted in our DNA, we do not only listen—we execute and convert aspiration into action,”

The event also featured the signing of the agreement for US$2.5-billion facility underwritten by Afreximbank as part of a US$4-billion senior syndicated term loan in favour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact: 
Vincent Musumba 
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations) 
Email: press@afreximbank.com 

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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Qatar Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Wide Areas in Lebanon

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, April 08 2026 

The State of Qatar condemns the series of heinous Israeli airstrikes that targeted wide areas in Lebanon and resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs deems the strikes a serious escalation and a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly Republic of Lebanon, international humanitarian law, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

The Ministry calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities by compelling the Israeli occupation authorities to halt their brutal massacres and repeated attacks on Lebanon, and to ensure their compliance with international laws and charters.

It also expresses the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the Republic of Lebanon in the measures it takes to preserve its security and stability, while reaffirming Qatar’s firm position on Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

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Qatar Welcomes US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | April 08, 2026

The State of Qatar welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, considering it an initial step towards de-escalation, and stressing the need to build on it urgently to prevent the spread of tension in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, particularly the efforts of HE Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and HE Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Marshal Asim Munir, and all parties who undertook the mediation and good offices that contributed to reaching the ceasefire agreement.

The ministry stresses the importance of full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, which would ensure the consolidation of the truce and create conditions for dialogue. The ministry emphasizes the need for the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately cease all hostile acts and practices that undermine regional stability, and to respect the sovereignty of states, in order to ensure that such violations are not repeated.

The ministry also stresses the importance of ensuring the security of maritime routes and the freedom of navigation and international trade in accordance with the rules of international law, which contributes to maintaining the stability of the region and global supply chains.

The ministry reiterates the State of Qatar’s unwavering support for all diplomatic efforts and peaceful endeavors, stressing that serious and responsible dialogue and adherence to the principles of international law and good neighborliness are the fundamental pillars for resolving crises and avoiding serious repercussions on the region and the world.

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Credit and credibility: rating agency errors come with a cost

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Misheck Mutize, Post Doctoral Researcher, Graduate School of Business (GSB), University of Cape Town

The rating agency S&P Global’s Africa Credit Rating Trends 2025 reviews the past year’s rating activities and analyses the continent’s prospects for 2026. It is an important document because it interprets underlying drivers of creditworthiness. It shapes how global investors and policymakers understand risk, opportunity and reform dynamics across the continent.

But the document had some serious flaws in it. As someone who has been researching Africa’s capital markets and the institutions that govern them for decades, I believe they are worth commenting on because mistakes like this can influence investor perceptions. In turn, this can reinforce existing biases and affect how African economies are priced in global financial markets.

Firstly, there were several basic errors. Burundi was mislabelled as Uganda. Sudan and South Sudan were merged into a single country despite being separated since 2011.

The report also displayed a non-existent lake in the Great Lakes region and the Republic of the Congo was casually referred to by its unofficial name, Congo Brazzaville. The agency also presented the continent as having 54 countries, excluding the Sahrawi Republic, which is recognised by the African Union.

At first glance, these errors may seem like minor technical mistakes or editorial lapses in a document focused on financial analysis. But that reading misses the deeper issue. These are not just errors on a map. Errors like this raise questions about the accuracy, depth and rigour of the research and analytical processes behind the credit rating reports that move billions of dollars across the globe.

Systematic risk overestimation is what has led to African countries being penalised with higher interest rates and limited financing options. In effect, seemingly small errors have translated into real economic costs for African economies.

Moody’s made such errors in the past. It issued speculative downgrades for Kenya and Nigeria that it reversed within six and 12 months, respectively. One speculative commentary by Moody’s cost Kenya over US$150 million in a derailed bond buyback programme.

The gaps

At the core of these research shortcomings is a simple but consequential reality – limited presence on the ground.

S&P Global has an office in South Africa from which the team is expected to cover the whole continent. In addition, most of its rating analysts are based in Europe and Asia. These analysts visit the countries they rate for a maximum of two weeks in a year. These short visits and inadequate consultations have resulted in risk assessments based on conservative assumptions, desktop research and publicly available information.

S&P Global has been rating Uganda since December 2008. Yet its researchers still confuse the country’s location on the map.

This matters because global investors who engage Africa from a distance often operate with a cautious instinct. They still, erroneously, perceive Africa as a single, homogeneous risk bloc rather than 55 distinctive sovereigns with different risk dynamics.

Such geographical inaccuracies inadvertently validate this flawed narrative and risk perception, feeding into the misperceptions that distort capital allocation and inflate borrowing costs.

Another flaw the mistakes in the report illustrate is weak internal controls.

In global institutions like S&P Global, it is assumed that every publication undergoes multiple layers of quality assurance and editorial scrutiny. If such fundamental inaccuracies can pass through these filters, what about an analyst’s own assumptions that are embedded in sovereign risk models?

Is it possible that such errors escape scrutiny?

What is also worrying is how S&P Global responded to this issue when it was raised. The errors were flagged repeatedly on S&P Global’s social media platforms after the report was published, yet they remained uncorrected for nearly two weeks.

That delay was telling. It is fair to argue that these inaccuracies did not trigger the required urgency or institutional reflex because they concerned Africa. The corrections would most likely have been immediate, accompanied by formal apologies and internal reviews, if they had involved more powerful or closely watched regions. For example, if such a report had a map combining North and South Korea as one country or mislabelled Germany as France.

The reputational stakes would have been too high for the rating agency to ignore.

Way forward

Africa should not remain on the sidelines while its narrative is being driven by institutions that keep demonstrating a superficial understanding of its fundamentals.

One clear solution, in my view, is the establishment of an African credit rating agency to rebalance the narrative.

Read more: Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how

But more needs to be done. Here are three solutions.

First, African governments must move from being passive recipients of ratings to active engagement with analysts. Where justified, they must contest assumptions, methodologies and errors. Engagement should not begin after a downgrade. It must be continuous, technical and evidence-based with credible and timely data about their economies.

Second, global institutions such as S&P Global must recalibrate their approach in dealing with Africa. Credibility is derived from consistent accuracy and timely responsiveness. They must invest in permanent senior research and analytical presence on the continent, not episodic visits. It means expanding consultation beyond a narrow set of stakeholders to include local economists, market practitioners and independent researchers. More important, strengthening internal quality controls so that basic errors do not undermine the integrity of complex analytical outputs.

Perception continues to move faster than data, and negative narratives travel further than positive fundamentals. That is why African countries must insist on analytical rigour, demand accountability and build their own capacity to interpret risk.

– Credit and credibility: rating agency errors come with a cost
– https://theconversation.com/credit-and-credibility-rating-agency-errors-come-with-a-cost-279672

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Countries suffer when credit rating agencies lack data: how to fix the problem at source

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Daniel Cash, Senior Fellow, United Nations University; Aston University

Some developing country governments spend years making the reforms that international financial institutions want – only to find that their efforts are not rewarded.

They may make budgets more transparent, publish their debt obligations, set up independent bodies to monitor government spending, and complete an International Monetary Fund programme, but still receive the same ratings from credit agencies. Borrowing costs remain high.

The gap between what countries have built and how that progress is reflected in credit ratings and market pricing is persistent and has consequences. It translates into higher borrowing costs, tighter fiscal space, and fewer resources for public investment.

The standard explanation points to bias in method – that credit rating agencies undervalue developing country institutions or rely on indicators that favour the global north.

There is some truth in this observation, and reformers have tried solutions like more agencies, methodology reviews and transparency codes. But these don’t tackle a deeper structural problem.

Based on my work as a researcher on the working of rating agencies, it’s clear that in practice, assessments of developing countries are often made on the basis of incomplete or fragmented information. Data sits in different institutions across the country, is not always produced to a common standard, and is frequently assembled under time pressure ahead of rating reviews. What reaches external assessors is therefore, at best, a partial view of the country’s institutional and fiscal position.

The issue was a major point of discussion at the United Nations in late March 2026 when delegates convened for the inaugural special meeting on credit ratings.

A recurring theme across the discussions was the need to look upstream – at what needs to exist before the rating process actually begins. Then assessments might more accurately reflect the infrastructure that developing countries have built.

That is a meaningful shift. It moves away from demanding that credit rating agencies behave differently, and towards asking what the system as a whole needs to provide. Upstream is where the problem originates and where the most concrete action is possible.

The debate suggests a shift in how key actors, including the United Nations, multilateral development banks and sovereign borrowers themselves, are approaching the problem. This could begin to change how institutional progress is translated into credit assessments and, over time, into borrowing costs.

Constructing a country’s credit story

A sovereign credit rating is not solely formed inside a credit rating agency. It takes shape in the months and years before an analyst arrives. It happens across finance ministries, central banks, statistical offices, debt management offices and audit institutions. It’s a process of data assembly, verification and presentation that most developing country governments have never had the capacity to manage systematically.

Before a rating is issued, a country’s credit story must be constructed. Fiscal data must be gathered, reform trajectories documented, institutional changes verified and contingent liabilities disclosed. A debt management office holds one part of the picture. A central bank holds another. A statistical office holds a third.

When those parts are properly coordinated, the credit story arrives at the assessment stage in verifiable form. When they are not, documentation has to be pulled together reactively before a rating deadline, and the story arrives incomplete.

Put simply, the analyst cannot reconstruct what was never assembled. Facing incomplete information, even where the core data required is broadly similar across countries, the rational response is often conservative assessment. The uncertainty premium stays elevated, and any reforms go unrecognised – not because they did not happen, but because the system required to make it visible was never built.

This upstream process can be understood as sovereign credit formation. If it’s weak, and external assessors can’t see what genuine progress has been made, there’s a formation gap. The formation gap does not mean that all low ratings are unwarranted. It simply means the system currently has no reliable way to tell the difference between a sovereign with weak fundamentals and one with strong yet largely invisible institutions.

No actor in the current system has the mandate or the incentive to build that upstream infrastructure on behalf of the countries that need it most. That is the problem.

On top of this, developing country governments are being asked to reform in ways that will take sustained investment in institutional capacity. Better data systems; coordinated institutions; clearer evidence. That investment takes years, diverts scarce resources, and demands political commitment across electoral cycles. It is being asked of governments that don’t have the fiscal space to do it – because their borrowing costs are high.

They are being asked to solve a problem they did not necessarily create, using resources that the problem itself is consuming.

The intervention that fits

Multilateral institutions, including the United Nations and multilateral development banks, cannot change what credit rating agencies do inside their own methodologies. Assessments are made independently. Interfering with the way they do it would undermine that independence.

Recent evidence in the multilateral development bank system shows that coordination is the prerequisite to movement.

Coordination across multilateral development banks and their shareholders led first to the creation of an emerging markets credit risk database, then to the formal review of multilateral development bank lending by an expert panel appointed during Indonesia’s presidency of the G20, and then to major credit rating agencies changing their methodological processes.

The infrastructure that makes governance reforms legible to credit markets is a public good. Public goods require public investment. This is not a call for a new institution. It is a reorientation of existing ones towards a gap that nobody is currently filling.

Every sovereign that has undertaken genuine reform and watched its credit conditions remain unchanged knows the problem this article describes. They are being assessed before a full appreciation of their credit worthiness is possible. Building the upstream infrastructure to close this gap is the multilateral system’s most important contribution to sovereign credit reform.

– Countries suffer when credit rating agencies lack data: how to fix the problem at source
– https://theconversation.com/countries-suffer-when-credit-rating-agencies-lack-data-how-to-fix-the-problem-at-source-279671

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Africa’s top-ranked Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Training Partner launches 15th cohort of globally recognized sustainability reporting certification

Source: APO

Impact Africa Consulting Limited (IACL) (www.ImpactingAfrica.com), Africa’s top-ranked certified GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) training partner has announced the launch of its 15th cohort of the GRI Certification Training program. This intensive three-week virtual course is set to begin on 11th May 2026 and is open to professionals across Africa and the global diaspora seeking internationally recognized credentials in sustainability reporting.

Speaking during the announcement, the Lead Trainer and Global Sustainability Expert Dr. Edward Mungai said that The GRI Certification program combines rigorous technical instruction with practical, Africa-contextualized applications, enabling participants to design, implement, and interpret sustainability reports that meet global standards while reflecting local realities.

“Sustainability reporting is no longer a peripheral activity for African organizations,” Dr. Mungai added. “Investors, development finance institutions, and global supply chain partners are demanding transparent ESG data. Impact Africa’s GRI Certification program is a direct response to this demand. We are training the professionals who will produce those reports, lead those conversations, and position African organizations to compete on the global stage.”

The GRI Certification Training Program is accredited by The Global Reporting Initiative (www.GlobalReporting.org); The World’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework, applied by over 10,000 organizations across more than 100 countries. Participants who complete the program and pass the certification examination earn the globally recognized designation of GRI Certified Sustainability Practitioner.

Since its first cohort, IACL has trained hundreds of sustainability professionals across East Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa and beyond, building a growing community of GRI-certified practitioners driving transparent, accountable reporting from the continent.

Madikizela Otieno, a seasoned legal professional, encourages professionals across fields to take the certification. She explains that the program helped her pivot from traditional legal practice to ESG-focused legal advisory, enabling her to integrate sustainability into governance and operations. Through the training, she deepened her understanding of the GRI framework, discovered the strategic value of sustainability, and is now applying her expertise in real-world projects, including supporting a developer navigate carbon market policy across eight African countries. Her story highlights how the certification equips professionals to adopt a sustainability lens and unlock new opportunities in their careers.

The core learning outcomes for the certification program include developing a thorough understanding of the structure and application of GRI Standards for sustainability reporting, conducting materiality assessments and engaging stakeholders in meaningful ways, and designing and producing a GRI-compliant sustainability report from the ground up. Participants will also learn to interpret how sustainability reporting connects to and supports long-term organizational value.

Impact Africa Consulting expert trainers will deliver the program virtually through live training sessions. The program consists of five days of interactive coursework, three hours per day. It will further be supported by a two-week refresher course that includes five full-length mock examinations, case studies from African industries, and interactive group sessions. Participants are also set to receive unlimited access to course materials beyond the training period.

The 15th cohort is designed for sustainability analysts, ESG officers, corporate communications teams, external auditors, EHS managers, investor relations professionals, NGO program staff, government officials, consultants, and students pursuing careers in sustainability. Organizations sponsoring team members benefit from group enrolment arrangements and a unified reporting capability across their sustainability functions.

Applications are being received on a rolling basis until the class is full. The application form can be accessed via https://apo-opa.co/4tF3MQO

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Impact Africa Consulting Limited.

Media Enquiries:
Impact Africa
Email: contact@impactingafrica.com
Call/WhatsApp: +254 701201985

About Impact Africa Consulting Limited:
Impact Africa Consulting Limited is a leading development consulting firm headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with regional offices in Lusaka, Abidjan, and Dakar. The firm specializes in sustainability and climate advisory, organizational capacity building, Enterprise support services, social sector and private sector development, Impact assessment and M&E and operates as a certified GRI training partner across Africa. The organization also offers a growing portfolio of professional development programs in sustainability, governance, health security, resource mobilization, and now the FSA® Credential preparation course, equipping financial professionals to integrate sustainability considerations into financial analysis

Impact Africa’s GRI training program has produced over 350 certified sustainability practitioners in sectors including financial services, manufacturing, floriculture, legal services, infrastructure, public sector, marketing, PR/communications and development, making it the most operationally diverse GRI training program in Africa.

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Thabiso Lucas Thiti appointed as FIC Director

Source: Government of South Africa

Thabiso Lucas Thiti appointed as FIC Director

The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has appointed Thabiso Lucas Thiti as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) for a period of five years, effective on 15 April 2026. 

Thiti is expected to continue and deepen the vital work the FIC has done to combat illicit financial flows, organised crime, money laundering, and terrorism financing. 

He takes on this role after South Africa successfully implemented reforms to address anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, which resulted in a decision to delist the country from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist last October.

“Thiti steps into this role at a pivotal time. We believe he has the requisite skill and experience to lead this critical institution. South Africa’s successful exit from the FATF greylist demonstrated the strength of collaboration between government, regulators, and the financial sector. 

“Sustaining this momentum is paramount, and the FIC has a key role to play to ensure that South Africa’s financial system remains trusted, transparent, and globally competitive,” Godongwana said on Wednesday.

South Africa’s recent exit from the FATF greylist provided a key test for the FIC and the ecosystem of law enforcement agencies and government bodies tasked with safeguarding the integrity of the country’s financial system. 

“SA’s exit from the watch list, in less than three years, provided proof of the rapid reforms that can be achieved when regulators, policymakers, law-enforcement agencies and members of the financial sector cooperate to achieve a clear objective. 

“However, with a mutual evaluation by FATF due later this year, the country must continue to demonstrate progress in the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions, and sanctions,” the Ministry of Finance said.

The Minister has thanked Advocate Pieter Smit, who has been Acting FIC Director since September 2023, for his diligent stewardship. 

Thiti’s appointment follows a rigorous recruitment process undertaken since 2025 that culminated in a selection panel chaired by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition,  Zuko Godlimpi, recommending him as the preferred candidate. 

He brings over 20 years of senior executive experience in public service, spanning the trade and industry advisory, the Justice Cluster, national security and intelligence operations, strategic management, and government leadership. 

He is currently the Deputy Director General: Institutional Development and Support at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, a position he has held since April 2023. 

He also served as Head of the Office of Interception at the State Security Agency (SSA), from 2020 to 2023. 

Prior to that, he held several senior roles within the SSA for over 11 years from 2006 to 2018.

During this time, he was directly involved in strategy, operations, and coordination in the broader criminal justice system. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

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New era of digital government in North West

Source: Government of South Africa

New era of digital government in North West

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi says the provincial government is now operating on a “modern digital foundation built for the future”.

He said this when he outlined progress in the province’s digital transformation programme at a media briefing at Mmabatho Palms Hotel, on Tuesday.

Mokgosi said the province had delivered on commitments made during the State of the Province Address earlier this year, confirming that key digital systems became operational on 1 April 2026. 

He described the shift as a transition from manual, paper-based processes to a fully integrated and automated administrative system anchored by the SmartGov platform, now live across all provincial departments.

Departments are currently undergoing a structured onboarding process that includes training officials and aligning internal workflows with the new system. 

This phased rollout, he explained, is designed to ensure stability while gradually eliminating manual processes and embedding digital operations into daily government functions.

SmartGov will automate a range of administrative and procurement processes, including submissions, approvals, invoice tracking and contract management. 

Mokgosi said this would improve efficiency, enhance transparency and accountability, and create a more predictable environment for businesses, particularly small and emerging enterprises seeking to participate in government opportunities.

He highlighted the introduction of a real-time monitoring and evaluation capability within the Office of the Premier, which will integrate reporting across provincial departments, state-owned entities and municipalities. 

The system will provide live performance data through interactive dashboards, enabling quicker decision-making, improved oversight and early identification of risks.

Mokgosi said the transformation extends beyond administrative systems to the province’s broader digital infrastructure, including the migration from legacy platforms to Microsoft 365 and the adoption of the Microsoft Azure cloud environment.

These changes, he noted, support a more collaborative and mobile workforce while ensuring scalability and resilience for future demands.

Cybersecurity has also been strengthened through advanced endpoint protection measures, while all implementations have been carried out under State Information Technology Agency frameworks to ensure compliance with national regulations.

Beyond government operations, Mokgosi said the initiative aims to drive economic inclusion and skills development through partnerships with Microsoft and Boxfusion. These partnerships will deliver training programmes for public servants, support for local ICT businesses and digital skills development for young people at no cost to the province.

Looking ahead, the next phase will focus on expanding broadband infrastructure to connect government institutions, schools, healthcare facilities and communities. Mokgosi said this would extend digital transformation beyond government systems and into the broader society, forming the backbone of a “Smart Province.”

He described the initiative as the foundation of a North West Digital Government Platform, integrating systems, data, infrastructure and connectivity into a unified ecosystem aimed at improving service delivery and responsiveness.

“The North West Provincial Government is not only envisioning a digital future, we are actively building it, we are implementing it, and we are delivering it,” Mokgosi said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Janine

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Western Cape allocates R22m for livestock drought relief

Source: Government of South Africa

Western Cape allocates R22m for livestock drought relief

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has approved R22 million in risk reduction funding to provide fodder support to livestock farmers affected by ongoing dry grazing conditions linked to climate variability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the department said extended periods of limited rainfall have placed significant pressure on grazing veld across several regions, negatively affecting livestock conditions and threatening farm sustainability.

Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, said livestock farmers are under real pressure because of prolonged dry conditions.

“This intervention is about acting early to protect herds, livelihoods and grazing resources. We cannot allow short-term climate shocks to undermine the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the Western Cape,” Meyer said.

Meyer said the department is implementing this intervention to reduce immediate pressure on natural grazing resources and stabilise production systems ahead of the winter season.

He said the fodder support forms part of the department’s broader risk reduction strategy.

“By easing pressure on natural grazing now, we help farmers bridge difficult conditions while safeguarding the veld so that it can recover when rains return. Climate variability is no longer a future threat; it is already shaping farming conditions across our province,” the MEC said.

While stressing the need for a decisive government response, Meyer also highlighted the importance of collaboration with farmers to build “resilience into our production systems”.

The department has encouraged livestock farmers to apply for the available relief and to continue implementing sustainable grazing and veld management practices, as part of long-term climate resilience planning. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Intervenes in Landmark Climate Case to Defend Africa’s Energy Future

Source: APO


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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) has formally submitted its application to be admitted as amicus curiae in a landmark advisory proceeding before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, marking a strategic step to ensure Africa’s energy priorities are represented in a case with far-reaching implications for the continent.

The case, initiated by the Pan African Lawyers Union, seeks to clarify the legal obligations of African states in addressing climate change under regional human rights frameworks. While the request underscores Africa’s vulnerability to climate impacts, it also raises critical questions about how such obligations could be interpreted in practice – particularly in relation to energy development, industrialization and economic growth.

The request asks the Court to clarify a range of issues, including state obligations to address climate impacts, protect vulnerable populations, implement mitigation and adaptation measures, and ensure accountability in energy policy and development decisions. Engagement from African states and stakeholders has been uneven, raising concerns that outcomes may not fully reflect the continent’s priorities.

For the AEC, the stakes are significant. Across the continent, there is growing concern that climate-related litigation and advocacy – often funded or guided by foreign NGOs – has sought to block financing or development of African energy projects. Recent examples include lawsuits challenging funding for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, gas development in Mozambique by Total Energies and aggressive litigation in South Africa targeting oil and natural gas exploration. The Chamber believes African voices must lead the conversation.

“We would have preferred a dialogue led by Africans on this matter,” says NJ Ayuk, AEC Executive Chairman. “Africa must not be a passive participant in decisions shaping its energy future. Our application ensures the voices of African countries, their industries and citizens are heard. Climate policy must reflect not only environmental priorities, but also the fundamental right to development and energy access.”

Africa accounts for a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet remains the most energy-poor region in the world. More than 600 million people still lack access to electricity, while clean cooking solutions remain out of reach for hundreds of millions more. In this context, the AEC maintains that oil and gas resources will continue to play a vital role in enabling industrialization, job creation and economic resilience.

Through its submission, the Chamber aims to provide the Court with sector-specific insights on the intersection of climate change, human rights and energy development. In particular, the AEC emphasizes the importance of a balanced and inclusive energy transition, incorporating hydrocarbons alongside renewable energy solutions.

The advisory opinion comes amid a broader global trend of climate-related litigation, reinforcing the need for African institutions to actively engage in shaping legal frameworks. Ensuring that African perspectives and priorities are central to these debates is critical to achieving outcomes that are fair, equitable, and aligned with the continent’s development ambitions.

“As a continent, we must lead this debate with clarity and conviction,” Ayuk added. “Decisions made today will shape Africa’s energy future for generations. Africa deserves a framework that protects its right to develop, ensures energy access and addresses climate challenges in a fair, pragmatic way – without undue influence from foreign actors or NGOs.”

The Chamber’s engagement marks the start of a broader effort to inform, mobilize and align stakeholders across the continent, helping to safeguard Africa’s right to responsibly and sustainably develop its energy resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.