Category: English

Posted on

South Africa’s gig economy workers set to get more protection under planned labour law reforms

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ruth Castel-Branco, Senior lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa’s minister of employment and labour has published a sweeping set of proposed amendments to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act and the National Minimum Wage Act.

The aim is to

modernise key labour laws and introduce practical measures aimed at improving job security, promoting fairness, and extending fundamental rights to vulnerable and previously excluded categories of workers.

For workers on digital labour platforms, who access task-based work opportunities through an app, one amendment is particularly significant. Amendment 50A introduces expanded definitions of employer and employee that could extend labour and social protections to platform workers. These include minimum wages, paid leave, social security, occupational health and safety coverage, and the right to collectively bargain.

Until now, platform companies have largely avoided national regulations by presenting themselves as intermediaries rather than geographically tethered service providers. But the tide is turning as governments and international standard-setting institutions move to regulate the platform economy.

South Africa’s labour law amendment is a part of this broader global effort. Propelled by platform worker organising, several countries, including Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria, have introduced regulations for ride-hailing services. At the international level, member states of the International Labour Organization are expected to adopt new standards for platform work later this year. However, as one of the South African negotiators recently remarked, “the discussion about the platform economy … {is} like a battlefield”.

For the last five years the Future of Work(ers) research group at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies has studied how digital labour platforms are restructuring the world of work and emerging efforts to regulate platform companies across Africa. Kenya has taken a sectoral route targeting e-hailing. South Africa’s approach is broader, but has the potential to exclude those who are in fact self-employed.

Our latest paper, Who counts as a worker?, explores the tensions inherent in regulating a sector defined by diverse and shifting work arrangements.

Why definitions matter

How workers are classified determines what rights they can claim, who they can claim them from and what kinds of benefits they can access.

South African labour law establishes minimum standards for employees. These include:

  • minimum wages and deductions

  • working hours and overtime pay

  • paid leave and parental benefits

  • health and social protections

  • disciplinary procedures

  • collective bargaining.

But platform companies have got around minimum standards by classifying workers as independent contractors rather than employees. The result is that working conditions are precarious. Platform workers work long hours, for low and unpredictable pay, with no health and social protections. And they bear the brunt of operational costs and risks. All while paying commissions to the company.

Platform companies insist that workers are self-employed. Yet the companies exercise high levels of control over the labour process through task-based work allocation and algorithmic management. Through a punitive system of ratings, suspensions and deactivations, platforms unilaterally shape the terms of work. In a recent survey conducted by the International Labour Organization, platforms argued that although workers were self-employed, they should not be allowed to refuse tasks or disconnect from the app.

The battlefield of definitions

It is likely that platform companies will challenge attempts to reclassify workers as employees. After all, calling workers self-employed has been integral to their business model. In Kenya, for instance, platform companies launched multiple legal challenges against new regulations. They have argued their cases on the grounds that:

  • the government lacked jurisdiction over their operations

  • labour minimum standards infringed on competition law

  • the regulations discriminated against migrant workers.

These challenges were shot down by the courts.

How will this amendment affect workers’ lives?

The proposed amendment to South Africa’s law does not regulate platform companies directly. Instead, it says that unless proven otherwise, a person who provides services to another is an employee, regardless of the employment contract. This is in accordance with the National Minimum Wage Act.

The employer has to prove that workers are genuinely self-employed. To qualify as self-employed, a worker must be able to exercise autonomy over the labour process and operate independently from the organisation of the employer.

Labour protections can be extended to platform workers in at least two ways.

The first is through sectoral determinations, made by the labour minister. These are useful in sectors where unionisation and collective bargaining is weak. They can be tailored to the specific dynamics of a sector, so that regulations improve conditions for vulnerable workers.

However, the existing sectoral determinations are not well suited to the reality of platform work. For example, workers may earn rates that appear to exceed the national minimum wage. Yet, their take-home pay may fall well below minimum levels, once investment and operational costs are factored in.

Similarly, conventional conceptions of ordinary hours of work may not reflect how the work is organised on a platform. And existing sectoral determinations don’t address questions like:

  • the term of algorithmic management

  • the ownership, governance and use of the vast amounts of data generated by workers

  • the integration of third parties, such as fintechs, on the platforms

  • the regulation of deductions, including commissions and service charges.

A second way to regulate platform work is to establish a bargaining council for the platform economy. This model would give greater voice to workers and employers in shaping the conditions of work in this emerging sector.

Given that governments are still trying to catch up to digitalisation, collective bargaining may offer more innovative and appropriate regulatory responses. Governments can then extend bargaining council agreements to all firms in the sector.

Workers’ voices

Regulations must be designed carefully to ensure that they strengthen rather than undermine platform workers’ power and agency. As our latest working paper notes, the platform economy encompasses diverse forms of work and varying degrees of subordination. As we recently discussed in a webinar, it is critical that platform workers’ organisations be included at the negotiating table. As our working paper argues, these definitional questions are more political than technical.

– South Africa’s gig economy workers set to get more protection under planned labour law reforms
– https://theconversation.com/south-africas-gig-economy-workers-set-to-get-more-protection-under-planned-labour-law-reforms-277858

Posted on

Iran war could add to Nigeria’s security troubles. What to watch out for

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Al Chukwuma Okoli, Reader (Associate Professor) Department of Political Science, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria, Federal University Lafia

The war between Iran and Israel and the US may have far-reaching regional and global implications.

By mid-March, there were signs that it could last longer than many had expected.

The longer it lasts, the greater the effects on the global landscape will be.

Barely three weeks into its outbreak, the violence caused disruptions to the flow of oil, resulting in a spike in oil prices.

But that’s not the only way Nigeria may feel its impact.

I am a security scholar and analyst who has researched and written extensively on aspects of Nigeria’s security challenges. These include insurgency, terrorism and counter terrorism.

This work has informed my view that the Iran-Israel-US war poses three fundamental threats to Nigeria’s national security. There could be:

  • heightened attacks by terrorists affiliated with Iranian Islamists

  • increased violence between Christians and Muslims

  • arms flows into Nigeria from Iran and its ideological allies, such as Hezbollah.

These possibilities stand to add to the country’s present security woes, which have been complicated by external jihadist proxies.

The threat of heightened terror attacks

Iran is believed to be a major sponsor of Islamic radicalism and extremism in Nigeria. Iran has suspected links with the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a sect which has been accused of stoking anti-state militantism.

With the escalation of the conflict, agents and militants sympathetic to the Iranian cause may align with terrorists to orchestrate attacks on the US or western targets in Nigeria. Some of the terrorist organisations operating in the country are alleged to have links with extremist groups based in or associated with Iran.

Already, the US embassy and other strategic western interests in Nigeria have been placed on high alert.

There have been protests by the Shia brotherhood in Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) since the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protesters have been condemning violence against Iran and the global Muslim populace.

Inter-faith tensions

The war may also rupture the delicate and volatile inter-faith and sectarian balance in Nigeria, pitting Christians against Muslims. The Nigerian population is split in nearly even portions between adherents of Islam and Christianity. There have in the past been incidents of religious violence between the groups, especially in the northern region of the country.

The solidarity protests by Muslims affiliated with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria are a predictor of violence. The sect, which wants an Islamic state in Nigeria, has been involved in a series of religious disturbances in the country over the Middle East crisis. It has often engaged the government security personnel in violent confrontations.

The arms trade

Lastly, the war could lead to an influx of arms into Nigeria.

The Nigerian authorities have, in the past, accused Iran of shipping arms into Nigeria, ostensibly for terrorists, based on some authoritative sources.

Given that Iran counts among the leading illicit arms suppliers to Nigeria, the escalation of violence in the country and the wider Middle East may lead to an influx of arms. Extremist groups in Iran might consider using their franchises in the Sahel to transfer arms to their terrorist affiliates and proxies in Nigeria.

The way forward

Nigeria’s national security apparatus needs to take steps to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

Firstly, its defence and intelligence arsenals need to stay alert. They must be able to detect and respond to threats in a timely and sustainable manner.

Secondly, the country’s borderlands and frontiers need to be protected and policed to avoid the inflow of arms and militants. Tensions in some parts of northern Nigeria, such as Kaduna and Kano, should be carefully addressed. This should not be done with excessive military force, or it could provoke violent backlash.

Importantly, Nigerians should avoid inciting ethno-religious or sectarian violence. Citizens should conduct themselves in a manner that enables peace to prevail.

– Iran war could add to Nigeria’s security troubles. What to watch out for
– https://theconversation.com/iran-war-could-add-to-nigerias-security-troubles-what-to-watch-out-for-278462

Posted on

Eritrea’s Football National Team arrived in Morocco

Source: APO


.

Mr. Dirar Fesehaye, member of the Public Relations office of the Commission of Culture and Sports, indicated that the Eritrean Football National Team has arrived in Meknes, Morocco, to play its first-leg match against Eswatini’s National Team in the qualifiers for the 2027 African Nations Cup.

Upon arrival in Casablanca, the National Team was welcomed by Mr. Paulos Weldehaimanot, President of the National Football Federation of Eritrea and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations, along with officials of the Moroccan Football Federation.

The national team includes 12 players from inside the country, as well as 14 Eritreans currently playing in football leagues in the UK, Egypt, Germany, Sweden, and Australia.

The players of the National Team from inside the country have already conducted their first training session as part of the preparation program, while the remaining Europe-based players are expected to join the team in the coming days ahead of the much-awaited first-leg match scheduled for 25 March.

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

Posted on

Bogotá : Entre diplomatie bilatérale et enjeux africains, deux audiences majeures du Président Evariste Ndayishimiye

Source: APO – Report:

.

A Bogotá, en marge du forum de haut niveau CELAC–Afrique, le Président Burundais et Président en exercice de l’Union Africaine, Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, a mené une intense activité diplomatique marquée par deux audiences majeures : un entretien avec son homologue Colombien, Son Excellence Gustavo Petro, axé sur le renforcement des relations bilatérales entre l’Union Africaine et la Colombie, ainsi qu’un échange avec Patrice Emery Trovoada autour de la situation en Guinée-Bissau.

Le Président de la République du Burundi, Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, a rencontré ce vendredi 20 mars 2026 au palais présidentiel son homologue Colombien, Son Excellence Gustavo Petro, en vue de renforcer les relations entre l’Afrique et la Colombie.

Au cours des échanges, le Président Colombien, Son Excellence Gustavo Petro, a reconnu sans ambiguïté que les relations avec le continent africain ont longtemps manqué de dynamisme. Il a expliqué que cette situation s’explique notamment par des tensions héritées du passé, ainsi que par des revendications internes concernant les descendants africains en Colombie.

Le Président Colombien, Son Excellence Gustavo Petro a souligné qu’aujourd’hui, le pays est engagé dans un processus de réconciliation de son peuple profondément marqué par les conflits.

Par ailleurs, la Colombie affiche une volonté claire de se rapprocher de l’Afrique et de renforcer ses liens avec le continent. Parmi les pistes envisagées, l’organisation d’un sommet avec l’Union Africaine, visant à créer un partenariat concret, fondé sur des intérêts communs et des projets partagés.

Le Président Colombien a également salué le leadership de son homologue Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, Chef de l’Etat Burundais soulignant le rôle clé qu’il pourrait jouer dans l’impulsion de cette nouvelle dynamique.

Les deux Chefs d’Etat ont souligné la nécessité de dépasser les héritages du passé afin de les transformer en opportunités concrètes, notamment à travers des accords mutuellement bénéfiques dans les domaines socio- économique et culturel.

Le Président Ndayishimiye a adressé une invitation à son homologue colombien pour effectuer une visite d’Etat au Burundi en vue de renforcer durablement les relations bilatérales et d’ouvrir un nouveau chapitre dans la coopération Afrique–Colombie.

Toujours en marge du forum de haut niveau CELAC–Afrique tenu à Bogotá, Patrice Emery Trovoada, Envoyé spécial de l’Union Africaine pour la Guinée-Bissau, a été reçu en audience par le Numéro Un Burundais Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, également Président en exercice de l’Union Africaine.

Les échanges ont porté sur la conduite du processus de transition en Guinée-Bissau, avec une volonté commune de le consolider et de le rendre plus inclusif, en perspective des élections prévues en décembre 2026.

– on behalf of Présidence de la République du Burundi.

Posted on

Tanzania Accelerates Progress Toward Universal Health Coverage at 25th Annual Health Sector Technical Review Meeting

Source: APO – Report:

.

The 25th Joint Annual Health Sector Technical Review Meeting (JAHS‑TRM) took place from 17–18 March 2026 in Dodoma, bringing together Government leaders, development partners, non‑state actors and the private sector to review health sector performance for 2025 and set priorities for the 2026/27 financial year. The meeting was held under the theme “Accelerating achievement of Universal Health Coverage through Transformative Leadership, Accountability and Digital Innovation in Ensuring a Healthy Society.” It was chaired by Prof. Tumaini Nagu, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Health in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG).

In her remarks, Prof. Nagu reaffirmed Government commitment to expanding access to essential services through the national rollout of the Universal Health Insurance (UHI). She noted progress in infrastructure expansion, strengthened local governance, and rapid digital transformation, including 97.8% installation of GoTHOMIS across public facilities. Key challenges highlighted included shortages of Human Resources for Health (HRH), commodity constraints and the need to strengthen preparedness for emerging diseases. She called for enhanced coordination to ensure policy priorities are effectively implemented.

Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alex Magesa, emphasized the importance of evidence‑based decision‑making to drive accountability and measurable improvements. He noted gains in specialized services, improved sector reporting, increased utilization of Primary Health Care (PHC) and reductions in maternal mortality. However, he underscored persistent HRH shortages, rising Non‑Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the need to fully integrate digital systems to improve efficiency and data use.

The Development Partners Group for Health, represented by Chairperson Ms. Melissa McNeil‑Barret, reiterated their commitment to supporting Government priorities, including UHI rollout, development of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP 2026–2031) and strengthening local production of essential commodities. Development partners emphasized the importance of coordinated multisectoral engagement and improved interoperability of digital health systems.

Non‑State Actors – Health, represented by Dr. Anthony Mwendamaka, acknowledged improvements in health information systems, availability of medicines and community‑level accountability. They noted that HRH shortages at PHC level, fragmented digital platforms and inconsistent financing for community health workers continue to impede service delivery. They reaffirmed their commitment to community‑based monitoring, UHI enrolment mobilization and supporting behaviour change initiatives.

Private sector and faith‑based representatives including APHTA, BAKWATA and CSSC, represented by Dr. Samwel Ogillo, commended Government recognition of their role in service delivery. They observed increased demand linked to expanding insurance coverage and stressed that HRH and infrastructure investments must match sector growth. They expressed readiness to contribute to the development of the HSTP and encouraged further strengthening of local manufacturing and expansion of specialized training, especially for critical cadres such as anaesthesia providers.

The WHO Representative in Tanzania, Dr. Alex Gasasira, commended the improved performance of Tanzania’s health system as evidenced by positive indicator trends in immunization, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), disease surveillance and digital transformation. He underscored the importance of maintaining PHC as the foundation of the health system, improving accountability through better data use and leveraging digital innovation to support equitable and efficient service delivery.

Stakeholders reviewed evidence from major sector reports, including the Annual Health Sector Performance Profile, National Health Accounts, Public Expenditure Review, Mid‑Term Review of the Health Basket Fund and the Joint Field Visits Report. Synthesis of these reports highlighted common challenges: rising NCD prevalence, HRH gaps, systemic fragmentation, declining external financing and the need to increase sustainable domestic health financing. Based on this analysis, participants developed priority policy recommendations for FY 2026/27 aligned with WHO’s six health system building blocks: service delivery; quality of care and infrastructure; health workforce; medicines, medical devices and medical technology; health financing and social protection; and health information systems and governance. They also identified priority policy issues for inclusion in the forthcoming five‑year HSTP (2026–2031), aligned with Vision 2050.

Concluding reflections emphasized shared responsibility for sector performance. The private sector called for timely integration into the UHI framework. Development partners stressed the need to strengthen the Sector‑Wide Approach (SWAp) to maximize efficiency and value for money. The Ministry of Health noted that accountability is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring effective implementation and confirmed that the recommendations would inform policy commitments and annual action plans. Prof. Nagu reaffirmed Government commitment to strengthening governance across all levels, improving information systems for better planning and increasing budget allocations from local to national levels. She called on all partners to support implementation of the agreed priorities.

The Policy Recommendations will be reviewed and approved as Policy Commitments for FY 2026/27 at the Joint Annual Health Sector Policy Meeting to be held later in March 2026, co‑chaired by the Ministers of Health and PMORALG. WHO, serving as Secretariat to the Government and the Development Partners Group for Health, will continue to provide technical support and coordination to ensure effective planning, alignment and execution of the Joint Annual Health Sector Review process.

– on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.

Posted on

South Africans urged to embody values of Constitution

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africans urged to embody values of Constitution

President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a rallying call to all South Africans to embody the spirit of the Constitution through “action, thought, word and deed”.

The President delivered the keynote address at the national celebrations of Human Rights Day held in Kimberley.

This year marks 30 years since the Constitution was adopted by South Africa.

“Our Constitution is our moral compass. It does not change direction for individuals. It does not move for political parties or for the government of the day. No matter how turbulent the journey, advancing human dignity is the Constitution’s true north.

“In 1996, when the Constitution became law, we made a break with a divided past. Today, we work for a shared future. We have not yet reached the end of that journey. On this Human Rights Day, I call on each of us to rededicate ourselves to fulfilling the promise of the Constitution in action, thought, word and deed,” he said.

Former President Nelson Mandela signed the Constitution into law at Sharpeville – the site of the Sharpeville Massacre of the 21st of March 1960.

“It is significant that President Nelson Mandela chose to sign the Constitution into law in Sharpeville, the site of one of the apartheid regime’s worst acts of brutality.

“Today, on the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre of the 21st of March 1960, we honour the memories of all those who were killed in the struggle for human rights. It is fitting that the place that had known so much suffering and tears should be the site from which a new South Africa would rise,” he said.

A new democratic dawn

The Constitution’s adoption and signing into law was one of the final marks that South Africa had transitioned from the depravity and brutality of apartheid to freedom for all and democracy.

“Signing the Constitution into law was the most significant act of our democratic era. It was a clear moral commitment to build a society rooted in equality, freedom and human dignity.

“It set the coordinates for a journey towards a just, inclusive and united future for all South Africans. This is a journey that we remain on to this day. The Constitution is our greatest source of national pride not only because of what it contains, but because of how it was written,” President Ramaphosa noted.

The Constitution is a product of collective negotiations with several politicians, legal scholars, intellectual architects and negotiators participating in its formulation.

Often overlooked is the mass public participation that saw some 1.7 million submissions from individuals and civil society organisation – making it an inclusive body of legal work.

“For nearly a year and a half, we travelled through cities and villages, suburbs and townships, factories and farms to gather people’s contributions to the Constitution. We engaged with men and women, and with black, white, Indian and coloured South Africans alike. We met with young people with little experience of apartheid and with older people who still carried its painful wounds.

“We listened to the hopes, dreams and fears of middle-class and working-class South Africans, with the employed and the unemployed. We held community meetings, met with people at their places of work and study, and shared their views, concerns and proposals on the airwaves.

“Everyone who took part in these discussions had a deep understanding of why human rights mattered. In many cases, their views were born of their own personal experiences of injustice. Today we have a People’s Constitution, which every South African citizen of the time had a hand in writing,” President Ramaphosa reflected.

A constitution at work

President Ramaphosa stated that since its adoption, government and South Africans have worked “together to restore the dignity of all those who were denied this fundamental right” of human dignity and restoration.

“More than nine million learners in schools across this country are being fed through the National School Nutrition Programme. More than 29 million indigent, unemployed and vulnerable South Africans are receiving old age, disability and child support grants and other forms of social assistance.

“More than 80 percent of the population now have access to clean water and adequate sanitation, and more than two million poor households across this country receive free basic services.

“Our commitment to advancing the right to dignity enabled more than 800,000 students from low-income households to study for free at universities and colleges across the country last year alone,” President Ramaphosa said.

However, he added, that restitution is the “unfinished business of our democracy”.

“There can be no peace, no progress without justice. There are some who will say bygones should be bygones. There are some who say that there is no longer a need for affirmative action and employment equity targets, for land reform and restitution.

“Yet we say that restitution is not merely about compensation or redress. It is central to building a just society that upholds human dignity. If we are to give effect to the promise of our Constitution, we must continue to pursue policies of restitution and redress until our workplaces, our economy and the ownership of this country’s land truly reflect the diversity of the people of this country.

“We must continue until we fully deliver the social justice our people deserve,” he said.

The President called on all of society to join hands with government to join hands in fulfilling the promise of the Constitution.

“Addressing the gap between constitutional promise and lived reality is central to the legitimacy and vitality of South Africa’s democracy. Government cannot do this alone. We need to deepen partnerships between government, business, labour and civil society to create more jobs, uplift people from poverty and improve their material conditions.

“We must work together to combat social ills like gender-based violence, criminality and substance abuse. We need civil servants who are loyal to the constitution and treat people with dignity. Each and every one of us must be the champions of the Constitution.

“The faith that moved the drafters of the Constitution – the people of South Africa – lives on today. Let us continue along our journey, one and all, towards a South Africa of true equality where the dignity of all is not an aspiration, but a reality,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

14 views

Posted on

Upgrades to special needs school demonstrates commitment to inclusive education

Source: Government of South Africa

Upgrades to special needs school demonstrates commitment to inclusive education

The Re Tlameleng Special Needs School in Kimberley is a testament of government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all people.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered remarks at the school on Saturday morning ahead of the official Human Rights Day programme held at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley.

“The Constitution commits all of us to work together for a shared future that upholds the rights and dignity of every South African.

“This school is a testament to that enduring commitment. For 33 years, Re Tlameng Special Needs School has been serving and supporting visual and hearing-impaired learners to receive a dignified, quality education,” he said.

The President reflected on former President Nelson Mandela’s appreciation for children, noting that he advocated for their protection.

“President Mandela said that there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.

“Madiba recognised, as we do now, that equipping our young people for their future calls for partnerships between government, business, labour and civil society,” he said.

The President went on a guided tour of the school, where, thanks to government and private sector initiatives, they have received upgrades to the library and computer laboratory, as well as the installation of the multipurpose court.

“I would like to thank all the partners who continue to support the school’s work. This support has made the impressive upgrades that we have seen today possible, including a multi-purpose combi court and upgrades to the library and computer laboratory. We welcome the donation of books in English and Setswana and laptops to support digital learning.

“We call on those who have made these contributions to remain involved with the school and to continue to help where needed. This initiative is a powerful demonstration of what it means to translate constitutional values into real change in the lives of people,” he said.

The President acknowledged that South Africa still has “far to go to ensure access to education for children with special needs”.

He noted that Statistics South Africa indicates that between 500 000 and 900 000 children with special needs remain out of formal education.

“There are not enough facilities to meet the need. This goes beyond physical infrastructure to include the support services needed for learning and development. That is why partnerships are so vital.

“When government, the private sector and public institutions work together, we are able to unlock resources, innovation and solutions that no single entity can achieve alone. This school is a beacon of hope for the community, for the province and for the country. It is an example of what is possible with the support of all our social partners.

“With these partners, with the teachers and educators – and most importantly, with these remarkable learners – I am certain that Re Tlameng will continue to grow from strength to strength,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

129 views

Posted on

Seychelles Locks in International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deal as Final Reviews Near Completion

Source: APO


.

A staff level agreement between Seychelles and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been reached following a mission to Victoria from 4 to 19 March 2026, with the outcome conveyed during a courtesy call on Vice President Sebastien Pillay at State House.

The IMF delegation was led by Mission Chief Mr Todd Schneider and included Minister Pierre Laporte, Ms Farayi Gwenhamo, IMF Resident Representative to Seychelles, and Mr Brian Commettant, First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS). The engagement focused on the conclusion of the mission, ongoing reforms, and the country’s economic outlook.

The discussions formed part of the final reviews of two IMF arrangements, the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. A final decision by the IMF Executive Board is expected in May 2026.

Mr Schneider confirmed that IMF staff and the Seychellois authorities have reached agreement on the policies required to complete the final reviews. He indicated that Seychelles will receive about 45 million US dollars upon approval, bringing total IMF support to approximately 105.1 million US dollars since May 2023.

The IMF noted that Seychelles’ economy performed strongly in 2025, with growth estimated to have reached 5.1 percent, supported by high tourist arrivals. Inflation remained just below zero, while the government recorded a primary surplus of 2.5 percent of GDP, contributing to a reduction in public debt to 53.6 percent of GDP.

Tourism earnings also helped narrow the current account deficit to 6.5 percent of GDP and strengthened foreign exchange reserves to just over four months of import cover.

Looking ahead, the IMF projects that growth will slow to around 1.5 percent in 2026. Inflation is expected to rise to 2.6 percent, driven by higher global prices for oil and food, as well as increased shipping costs. Lower tourism income and higher import costs are also expected to widen the current account deficit, reduce foreign exchange reserves, and place pressure on government revenue, potentially increasing the fiscal deficit.

The IMF emphasised that these projections remain subject to uncertainty given evolving global conditions.

While most programme targets have been met, two reform areas will require additional time. These include establishing systems to enable banks to purchase government securities and completing reviews of key government ministries, which are now expected to be finalised by the end of 2026.

Progress has also been made on climate related reforms, although some components remain ongoing.

The IMF advised that the government should prepare measures to respond to possible economic changes, ensuring that support is targeted toward vulnerable groups and remains temporary. It also highlighted the importance of maintaining exchange rate flexibility alongside continued reforms.

Mr Schneider said the IMF will continue to support Seychelles. “The IMF remains committed to supporting Seychelles in maintaining macroeconomic stability in the face of new shocks,” he said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Posted on

South Africa: President Ramaphosa wishes the Muslim community Eid Mubarak

Source: APO


.

President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes South Africa’s Muslim community Eid Mubarak in the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadaan.

President Ramaphosa wishes individuals, families, and communities a joyous and reflective time of prayer, gratitude, unity and sharing.

The President also invites the Muslim community to reflect, on Human Rights Day, on the constitutional provisions that pertain to religious and cultural practices.

President Ramaphosa said: “Our nation shares in this celebration of Eid, in the spirit of goodwill and appreciation of our diversity.

“For most Muslims, this is a time of faith, family, festivity and bringing joy to less fortunate members of our communities.

“Sadly, this is not the case for all Muslims around the world as some are engulfed in devastating conflict and unending wars.

“May the spirit of Ramadaan and Eid prevail and bring peace, security and a hopeful future for all of humanity.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Posted on

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission President Meets with the African Union Commission’s Commissioner for Infrastructure

Source: APO


.

The visit paid on Wednesday 18 March 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation of the African Union Commission, Ms Lerato Mataboge, to the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, provided an opportunity for the two leaders to review inter-institutional cooperation and infrastructure development at regional and continental levels.

Dr Omar Alieu Touray welcomed the close cooperation between the African Union and ECOWAS, one of Africa’s Regional Economic Communities, specifically that of West Africa. “We are pleased to be working under the leadership of the continental organisation,” he said.

He briefed his host on major infrastructure projects in West Africa, the completion of which, he said, would transform both the lives of West African citizens and the landscape of ECOWAS member states. Among these projects, he cited the 1,028-kilometre Abidjan-Lagos corridor motorway, linking Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, and accounting for over 60% of West Africa’s commercial activity.

Dr Omar Alieu Touray also mentioned the Praia-Dakar-Abidjan multimodal transport corridor project, including its Praia-Dakar maritime component.

In his view, the completion of these various infrastructure projects will facilitate the free movement of people and goods within the West African sub-region, strengthen trade cooperation, reduce transport costs, promote economic development and stimulate regional trade.

After praising ECOWAS’s progress in road infrastructure, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation at the African Union Commission expressed her conviction that these developments should help accelerate intra-African trade, facilitate the free movement of goods and people across the continent, and improve the well-being of Africans.

In addition to infrastructure projects, the President of the ECOWAS Commission discussed with Ms Lerato Mataboge the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA); the African Union’s flagship programme aimed at accelerating regional and continental infrastructure development in support of its Agenda 2063.

Of the 433 PIDA projects in the fields of transport, telecommunications, water and energy, ECOWAS is responsible for coordinating the implementation of those to be carried out in West Africa. These projects formed the basis for the drafting of the ECOWAS Infrastructure Development Master Plan for the period 2020–2045.

The ECOWAS Commission also hosted the 1st meeting of the PIDA Steering Committee on 16 and 17 March 2026 in the Nigerian capital.

“We must explore ways to deepen collaboration between the African Union Commission and ECOWAS in the areas of PIDA, transport, energy, digital technology and transboundary water,” said Ms Lerato Mataboge.

In the field of air transport, she welcomed the adoption in October 2025 by the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with its member states, of the decision to implement a regional framework to reduce air taxes, charges and fees by 25 per cent.

The African Union Commission remains committed to deepening its partnership with the ECOWAS Commission in order to advance shared priorities in the areas of infrastructure, energy and mobility, she said.

“By working hand in hand, we can accelerate the implementation of transformative projects, strengthen regional integration and foster sustainable growth for the benefit of our citizens and the continent as a whole,” concluded Ms Lerato Mataboge.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).