Category: English

Source: APO

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With participation confirmed from 24 African countries and 45 countries globally, CMAS 2026 will bring together more than 100 speakers, over 50 investors, buyers and financiers, 20 African governments and more than 40 project developers in Kigali from 13 to 15 October.

The diversity of participation reflects growing engagement with African carbon markets from governments, project developers, financiers and credit buyers. The international presence will bring African policymakers and projects into direct contact with organisations active across carbon markets globally.

For Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement for the Government of Nigeria, the Carbon Markets Africa Summit 2026 represents an opportunity for continental participants to play a central role in determining how the market develops.

“This gathering of the leading players in African carbon markets represents a continental ownership in driving the future of carbon markets shaped by Africans, for the benefit of Africa.”

Investor and buyer participation will add an important commercial dimension to the gathering. Dedicated Investor Roundtables will provide focused opportunities for capital providers, buyers and project developers to engage directly, while meetings across the summit will allow participants to identify potential partnerships and areas for further engagement.

More than 40 project developers and project representatives working across sectors including nature-based solutions, agriculture, waste, clean cooking and carbon removals will also participate, providing investors and buyers with direct exposure to projects from across the continent.

For Maggie Kinyanjui, Sourcing Manager, Africa, Climate Impact Partners, greater engagement between project developers, buyers and investors is essential to building a stronger African carbon market.

“Africa should not just participate in carbon markets. We should help shape them. The opportunity is to build a market that attracts capital, rewards integrity and ensures that value reaches the countries and communities delivering climate impact.”

The timing also coincides with an active period for international carbon markets. These discussions will take place at a time when key international carbon market rules and mechanisms continue to evolve. The Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, which oversees the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, is holding its 23rd meeting this week in Bonn, immediately ahead of CMAS 2026.

Amy Rhoades, Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Carbon Standards, says meaningful engagement across the carbon value chain is critical to the growth of credible carbon removal solutions on the continent.

“Africa isn’t waiting for global carbon markets to mature; it’s actively building them. At Carbon Markets Africa Summit, we’re not just sponsoring a conference, we’re engaging the policymakers, entrepreneurs, and buyers who are building the carbon removal ecosystem in Africa. That engagement is the future of credible CDR and that’s why Carbon Standards is in Kigali this October.”

Against that international backdrop, discussions in Kigali will provide an opportunity for African governments and market participants to consider what developments in the global market mean in practice for the continent, while investors, buyers and project developers explore opportunities for greater cooperation.

CMAS 2026 is hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Rwanda, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and African Development Bank (AfDB) as host organisations, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as host partner and AUDA-NEPAD as strategic institutional partner.

With the summit now days away, Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director, says the breadth of participation has been particularly encouraging.

“The real opportunity lies in bringing decision-makers, financiers, buyers and project developers into the same room. Those conversations can help unlock investment, strengthen project pipelines and accelerate the partnerships needed to scale African carbon markets.”

The scale and diversity of participation heading to Kigali reflect a market increasingly attracting attention from governments, investors, buyers and project developers alike. As these groups come together over three days, the focus will shift from market ambition to the partnerships and transactions needed to move implementation forward.

CMAS 2026 takes place from 13 to 15 October 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Source: APO

Effective welfare service delivery depends on sound institutional governance, operational efficiency, accountability and the adoption of proven management practices. Inter-agency collaboration and knowledge exchange provide valuable opportunities for institutions to leverage existing expertise, improve service delivery and develop sustainable welfare systems that respond to the needs of their beneficiaries.

On 8 October 2026, Defence Forces Welfare Services (DEFWES) hosted a multi-agency delegation at Defence Headquarters, Nairobi, for a benchmarking engagement aimed at informing the proposed establishment of commissaries for members of the diplomatic community.

The delegation, led by the Commandant of the Diplomatic Police Unit (DPU), Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr Resila Onyango, comprised representatives from the DPU, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Office of the Attorney General and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

The engagement was hosted by the Managing Director of DEFWES, Major General Edward Rugendo, who briefed the delegation on the organisation’s mandate, governance structure, operational framework and welfare service delivery model. Discussions focused on institutional management practices, inventory control, financial accountability, risk management, internal controls and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing DEFWES operations.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of transparent governance, effective oversight and robust operational systems in ensuring the sustainability, integrity and efficiency of welfare institutions.

Colonel Erick Ketter of DEFFWES further outlined the systems and procedures through which the organisation delivers welfare services to its designated beneficiaries, including KDF personnel, their families and veterans. He highlighted the mechanisms employed to regulate access, maintain accountability and ensure that services remain exclusively available to eligible beneficiaries.

The delegation subsequently toured the DEFWES Shopping Complex at Defence Headquarters, where members gained firsthand insights into its retail operations, inventory management systems and service delivery processes. The visit provided a practical understanding of how institutional governance, operational controls and customer-focused services are integrated to support an effective welfare model.

The benchmarking exercise offered the visiting agencies an opportunity to draw lessons from the DEFWES operational framework as they explore the establishment of a structured, accountable and sustainable commissary system for the diplomatic community.

Beyond the exchange of institutional experiences, the engagement highlighted the broader value of leveraging established public sector capabilities to inform policy development, institutional reforms and service delivery innovations.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of inter-agency cooperation, knowledge transfer and the adoption of proven institutional practices in developing efficient, transparent and sustainable welfare systems that meet the evolving needs of their intended beneficiaries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

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President John Mahama will begin a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region on Friday. During the visit, dubbed the “Resetting Ghana Tour,” the President will inspect ongoing projects, receive status briefings, and engage the region’s people in Goaso on key policy interventions designed to drive local economic growth.

Key stops on his itinerary include a poultry, meat, and feed processing facility in Bechem, Tano South Municipality; the Tepa–Goaso Road project, being executed under the Big Push Programme; and the Ntontroso Bridge connecting Acherensua, one of the region’s primary food baskets.

President Mahama will be joined by Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku, Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Agbodza, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga, Ahafo Regional Minister Charity Gardiner, and other government officials.

The President will conclude his tour on Saturday with an interactive town hall meeting, the “#ResettingGhana Citizens Engagement with President Mahama,” at the Victory Centre Assemblies of God Church in Goaso.

Mr Mahama and his delegation will brief local chiefs and residents on regional development projects, gather public feedback on national initiatives, and address community concerns.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

The Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States of America, His Excellency Momodou Lamin Bah, held discussions with the Governor of the State of Maryland, the Honourable Wes Moore, on the margins of the 55th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre.

During the engagement, the two leaders explored opportunities for collaboration and reflected on the historical significance of Maryland as the entry point for enslaved Africans who first arrived in the United States through the state’s port. The dock in Annapolis, Maryland, which hosts the memorial of Alex Haley, remains a powerful symbol of shared heritage and collective memory.

His Excellency Ambassador Bah underscored that collaboration with the Governor’s Office “could open doors for trade, investment, education, cultural diplomacy and diaspora engagement,” noting that such partnerships would further strengthen ties between The Gambia and communities across the State of Maryland.

The Ambassador indicated that the Embassy is committed to advancing cultural and economic cooperation while honouring the enduring legacy of African American history and its deep connections to The Gambia.

The Governor of the State of Maryland, the Honourable Wes Moore, stated his interest to invite Ambassador Bah to Annapolis to visit the Alex Haley Memorial, and to discuss possible areas of collaboration.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the republic of the Gambia – United States of America.

Source: APO

More than 200 researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and finance leaders gathered at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) on 23–24 September for “Values for Impact 2026: Solidarity, Authenticity and Prosperity,” a conference co-organized by the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and IUS. Across two days of discussions, participants explored a central question: can finance be both profitable and principled?

In his remarks during the opening of the conference, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, emphasized that Islamic finance matters more for its ideas than for its market size.

“Islamic finance, above all, is an idea, and we should never underestimate the power of ideas,” Dr. Al-Suwailem said, noting that the underlying fundamentals of Islamic finance, such as risk-sharing, resilience, and stronger links between finance and the real economy, are increasingly being embraced by regulators and policymakers beyond the industry.

Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS, reiterated the importance of integrating ethical values with economic and social advancement. He said, “The challenge is not to choose between values and progress. It is to build forms of progress that are economically productive, socially responsible and intellectually authentic”. He also underscored the role of universities in transforming talent into knowledge, knowledge into innovation, and innovation into sustainable value creation.

The conference began a day earlier with a masterclass titled “Islamic Finance for the 21st Century,” delivered by Dr. Al-Suwailem and organized by the IUS Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation and Sustainability.

The session brought together academics, professionals, and students to examine some of the most pressing questions facing the industry, including the risks associated with excessive debt, the balance between risk-sharing and risk transfer, and the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in preserving the ethical foundations of Islamic finance.

The main conference opened with a panel on technoparks and talent retention, moderated by Dr. Migdat Hodžić of ARTI Analytics. The panel featured representatives from BH Telecom’s BHTech Lab, the Christian Michelsen Institute in Norway, the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, and Technopark Istanbul.

A second panel explored whether Islamic finance can offer a more effective model for startup-financing. Moderated by Dr. Šejma Aydin of IUS, the discussion brought together Dr. Al-Suwailem, Dr. Natalia Jiménez Arroyo of IE University, Dr. Zlatan Mujak of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Economy, and Dženan Šarić of the Mozaik Foundation.

The conference also featured keynote addresses by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Asutay of Durham University, Dr. Afan Kalamujić, Minister of Finance of Sarajevo Canton, and Semih Sel of Kuveyt Türk.

Beyond the panel sessions, more than 200 research papers were presented across 12 academic sessions, covering green waqf donations in Indonesia, cryptocurrency inheritance in Malaysia, AI ethics through a Maqāṣid lens, climate risk and bank stability, gamification in Islamic crowdfunding, and waqf governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Across these discussions, a common theme emerged: how to build environments where innovation takes root and talent chooses to stay.

The conference concluded with a forward-looking forum focused on the future of Islamic finance. Participants reflected on the changes needed by 2030, the practices that require reform, and the measurable outcomes that should demonstrate genuine impact over the coming years.

Dr. Al-Suwailem returned to first principles. “At its core, Islamic finance is a grand idea. It is moral, rational, and universal,” he said.

Rector Kuşakcı turned that idea into a challenge for everyone in the room: “We should move from values to institutions, from institutions to action, and from action to measurable outcomes.” He also reaffirmed the long-term partnership between IUS and IsDBI: “We value IsDBI not simply as a partner for these two days, but as a partner in the future we hope to build.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

About the IsDB Institute: 
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. For more information, visit: https://IsDBInstitute.org/

Source: APO

The Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development (a.i.), Professor FUH CALISTUS Gentry, is participating in the 10th Global Conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), taking place on 8 and 9 October 2026 in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme “Transparency for Shared Prosperity.”The first day of the conference featured the official opening ceremony, attended by Mrs Maria van der Hoeven, the new Chair of the EITI Board. The Minister also participated in the Leaders’ Forum, which focused on commitments to strengthening transparency and good governance in the extractive sector.On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister held discussions with Mr Ahmed ZOUARI, Advisor for Francophone Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the EITI International Secretariat, who is responsible, among other duties, for supporting EITI implementation in Cameroon. He also visited the EITI Cameroon stand, which showcases the country’s experience in promoting transparency in the extractive industries.

Cameroon’s participation underscores its commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and responsible governance of its extractive resources in support of sustainable development and shared prosperity.​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministère des Mines, de l’Industrie et du Développement Technologique, Cameroun.

Source: APO

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The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Nairobi conducted a briefing session on Sri Lanka Expo 2027 on 2 October 2026 at the Sapphire Hotel in Mombasa, bringing together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to explore opportunities to strengthen trade, investment, tourism and business partnerships between Sri Lanka and Kenya.

The event was organised as part of the High Commission’s efforts to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which will provide a platform for international businesses and investors to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse products, services and investment opportunities.

The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya, Ruvini De Silva, followed by presentations and discussions on opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Representing the County Government of Mombasa, County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism and Culture, Mohammed Osman, participated in the event and highlighted the importance of Mombasa’s strategic position as a gateway connecting East Africa with international markets, including Asia.

The event was also attended by Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka to Mombasa, Prageeth Senevirathne, who has supported the promotion of Sri Lanka–Mombasa relations, particularly in trade, investment, tourism and consular engagement.

The briefing also featured a presentation on “Kenya and the Asian Trade Corridor: Unlocking Opportunity Through Sri Lanka” by Managing Director of the East African Tea Trade Association, George Omuga, while discussions on the digital corridor examined the role of technology partnerships in facilitating trade between Africa and Asia.

Two panel discussions were held under the themes “Moving the Corridor”, focusing on tea, freight, ports and finance, and “Beyond the Cup”, focusing on capital, enterprise and wellness. The panels brought together representatives from the logistics, shipping, tea, finance, business, wellness and private sectors.

The Acting High Commissioner emphasised the importance of strengthening Sri Lanka–Kenya economic relations and encouraged Kenyan businesses, investors and other stakeholders to explore opportunities available through Sri Lanka Expo 2027.

The Sri Lanka Expo 2027 Briefing Session in Mombasa formed part of the High Commission’s broader economic diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting Sri Lankan products and services, attracting investment and creating new avenues for business-to-business engagement between Sri Lanka and Kenya.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka looks forward to welcoming Kenyan businesses and stakeholders to Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which will provide an important platform to further develop commercial and economic partnerships between the two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism – Sri Lanka.

Source: APO

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The Political Affairs Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission organised the second edition of its ‘Brown Bag’ seminar on Wednesday 7th of October 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, on the theme: ‘The New Has Not Yet Been Born: Global Africa in the Era of Chimerica’. 

The aim of the seminar was to promote knowledge-sharing and to deepen reflection on the emerging world order, characterised by the dynamics of cooperation and competition between China and the United States, as well as on its implications for Africa and West Africa.

The Guest Speaker was Professor Adekeye Adebajo, a Senior Researcher at the Centre for the Promotion of Research at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, who was the guest of honour at the event. In his address, he analysed Africa’s interests and priorities within a rapidly changing world order, whilst calling on the continent’s stakeholders and think tanks to promote a strategic positioning for Africa in the face of current geopolitical shifts.

Participants included serving and retired Diplomats, personnel of multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, various ECOWAS Directorates, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the West African Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), the Nigerian National Defence College, and renowned scholars and practitioners.

In his welcome address, the ECOWAS Director of Political Affairs, Dr Babatunde Afolabi, welcomed the participation of the various stakeholders. He emphasised the importance of strengthening knowledge-sharing and understanding of contemporary geopolitical dynamics in order to better address the challenges affecting West Africa and Africa in general.

This Brown Bag seminar was the second iteration of the series convened by the ECOWAS Directorate of Political Affairs. It is aimed at promoting dialogue, institutional learning and strategic reflection on the political and geopolitical issues shaping the region’s future.

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

Source: APO

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The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, presided over the swearing-in of five new Judges of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a four-year, non-renewable term in Abuja, Nigeria, on 6 October 2026.

The ceremony brought together H.E. General Birame Diop, President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Hadja Mémounatou IBRAHIMA, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, H.E. Cheikh NIANG, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of Senegal, Hon. Justice Mouhamadou Mansour Mbaye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President and Judges of the Community Court of Justice, members of the Judicial Council, representatives of Member States and other distinguished guests.

In his address, President Faye urged the newly sworn-in Judges to remain guided by their oath of office throughout their tenure, stressing the responsibility entrusted to them in upholding the credibility of the Community justice system. He underscored that “the reputation of the Court depends on the quality of its decisions and the trust it inspires.”

President Faye further called on the new Judges to consolidate the achievements of the Court and contribute to its continued modernisation in line with the evolving realities of the Community. He stressed the need for Community justice to be increasingly effective, accessible and people-centred, particularly in the face of the political, economic, security and environmental challenges confronting the region.

The five new Judges, Hon. Justice Désiré Henri AIHOU of Benin, Hon. Justice Awa BAH of The Gambia, Hon. Justice Charlyne M. BRUMSKINE of Liberia, Hon. Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka DIDIGU of Nigeria and Hon. Justice Yaouza OURO-SAMA of Togo, took their oath of office, solemnly committing themselves to discharging their responsibilities with independence, impartiality and integrity.

Congratulating the new Judges, Hon. Justice Mouhamadou Mansour Mbaye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council and First President of the Supreme Court of Senegal, emphasised the weight of the responsibility entrusted to them and the fundamental importance of judicial independence, impartiality and integrity in the administration of justice.

He recalled that the independence of the judge is not a privilege, but a fundamental guarantee owed to the litigant, stressing that the independence of the new Judges must remain constant, their impartiality beyond question and their integrity beyond reproach.

In his welcome address, H.E. General Birame Diop, President of the ECOWAS Commission, paid tribute to the outgoing Judges for their contribution to the development of Community jurisprudence, access to justice and the protection of human rights.

He described the oath of office as a solemn commitment to serve the Community and its citizens with integrity, impartiality and conscientiousness. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the Community Court in the discharge of its mandate and called for strengthened cooperation among ECOWAS institutions, Member States and national courts.

The President of the Commission urged the new Judges to uphold the highest standards of judicial conduct and to place the interests of the Community and its citizens at the heart of their responsibilities.

The swearing-in ceremony marks an important step in the continued strengthening of the ECOWAS Community justice system. It reaffirms the central role of the Community Court of Justice in upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights and consolidating the Community legal order, while strengthening public confidence in regional justice.

At a time when West Africa continues to face complex political, economic and security challenges, the effective functioning of Community institutions remains essential to advancing the principles and objectives of regional integration. The new Judges therefore assume office with a renewed responsibility to contribute, through independent, impartial and credible justice, to peace, stability, the protection of rights and the consolidation of the ECOWAS Community.

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

Source: APO

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A General Court Martial conducted in Wau has found a soldier serving with the South Sudan Peoples’ Defense Forces guilty of the abduction and murder of a United Nations Mission in South Sudan national staff member, while he was on official duty in Hai Masna, Western Bahr-el-Ghazal, on 15 December 2025.

The Court Martial sentenced the accused to ten years’ imprisonment, ordered a reduction in rank and dismissal from the SSPDF, and awarded compensation of 51 head of cattle to the victim’s family. The judgment provides for a right of appeal.

“This judgment is a milestone in efforts to ensure accountability for crimes against United Nations personnel in South Sudan,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Anita Kiki Gbeho. “We appreciate the participation of our deceased colleague’s family in the case and express our deepest sympathy for their loss.”

UNMISS also appreciates the witnesses who gave evidence in the pursuit of justice for his death and recognizes the efforts of national authorities to advance accountability in this case.

Since UNMISS was established on 9 July 2011, 19 peacekeepers have been killed and 32 injured due to malicious acts.

In total, the General Court Martial in Wau heard 10 cases and delivered judgements in eight cases, resulting in the conviction of four members of the SSPDF and four acquittals. Additional cases remain under investigation and consideration for trial.

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