Category: English

Source: APO

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The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, paid a courtesy call on the Secretary of State of the Holy See, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The meeting formed part of President Ramkalawan’s official visit to the Vatican City, during which he was received in the audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

During cordial discussions, President Ramkalawan conveyed his gratitude for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation since their arrival in Vatican City. He noted with honour that this visit marked his second papal audience—following his meeting with the late Pope Francis in March last year—and his second meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Parolin.

He further expressed appreciation for the excellent working relationship with H.E. Monsignor Tomasz Grysa, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to the Republic of Seychelles. “The bilateral relationship between Seychelles and the Holy See continues to grow from strength to strength, anchored in mutual respect and shared priorities,” said President Ramkalawan. “We are committed to deepening our cooperation in service of the common good and the wellbeing of our people.”

The two sides discussed key areas of collaboration, including societal progress such as Ferme de L’Espoir, education, youth empowerment, pastoral outreach, and community state collaboration with the church.

They agreed to continue to foster this partnership and engagement through existing diplomatic channels to translate shared goals into practical outcomes.

Other important issues discussed were environmental conservation, climate change, family values, young generation of priesthood, and Seychelles’ foreign policy.

President Ramkalawan was accompanied by  the Principal Minister, Mr Jean-François Ferrari, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde and Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles to the Holy See, Ms Beryl Samson.

As part of the official visit, the delegation also visited various key sites including the Sistine Chapel, the Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Saint Mary Major) which is also the burial ground of His Holiness Pope Francis, followed by the Sanctuary of Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso (Lady of Perpetual Help).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), concluded a successful participation and engagements at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held from August 20–22, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan. His engagement reaffirmed Africa’s strategic vision for a dynamic partnership with Japan and underscored TICAD as a cornerstone for advancing shared prosperity, peace, and sustainable development.

Keynote Call for Bold, Innovative Partnerships

At the opening ceremony, Chairperson Youssouf delivered a keynote speech highlighting the enduring partnership between Africa and Japan, anchored in mutual respect and shared priorities. He emphasized the need to co-create transformative solutions in line with Agenda 2063 and TICAD9’s central themes of peace, growth, and inclusivity.

He described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a “catalyst of energy, opportunity, and investment,” calling for the mobilization of private capital, acceleration of digital transformation, and expansion of infrastructure and innovation ecosystems.

Strategic Bilateral Engagements

The Chairperson held high-level discussions with Japanese Prime  Minister Ishiba Shigeru, commending Japan’s long-standing role as a trusted partner for Africa’s development. Prime Minister Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s support for Africa’s strategic priorities, particularly following the African Union’s accession to the G20. Both leaders committed to strengthening cooperation in trade, technology, and knowledge exchange, and to advancing policy dialogues under the TICAD framework.

In talks with the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Chairperson Youssouf explored avenues for enhanced collaboration in peace and security, infrastructure, innovation, and human capital development, stressing the importance of leveraging Japan’s technical expertise for Africa’s transformation.

The AUC Chairperson also met with Muktar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Their discussions cantered on the role of private capital in Africa’s economic transformation, including investments in infrastructure development, agriculture, green transition, and digital innovation. Both leaders agreed to intensify AU–IFC collaboration to unlock financing for African entrepreneurs and scale up opportunities in priority sectors.

Throughout TICAD9, AU Commissioners and senior officials took an active role in side events, showcasing Africa’s priorities in food systems transformation, climate resilience, energy access, youth empowerment, peace and security, and digital inclusion. These interventions highlighted Africa’s ambition not only to transform the continent but also to contribute solutions to global challenges.

Chairperson Youssouf welcomed the adoption of the Yokohama Declaration, which reaffirms Africa–Japan cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, trade, digital transformation, agriculture, peace and security, knowledge transfer, and technology. He stressed that the Declaration reflects the spirit of TICAD: mutual respect, practical collaboration, and shared responsibility for shaping a more equitable global order.

In his closing remarks, Chairperson Youssouf recalled his personal participation in every TICAD since its inception, positioning himself as a custodian of this unique partnership. He underscored that TICAD’s legacy is one of trust and consistency and expressed confidence that TICAD9 has opened a new chapter of pragmatic cooperation between Africa and Japan.

Chairperson Youssouf reaffirmed the African Union’s determination to advance Africa’s Agenda 2063 through strengthened partnerships with Japan and international financial institutions. He called for sustained political will, innovation, and inclusive collaboration to drive Africa’s prosperity, noting that the TICAD process remains a vital bridge between Africa and Asia in the pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment platform, is pleased to welcome Tropical General Investment Group (TGI) as an Official Premier Partner.

As a leading multinational conglomerate, TGI is driving value addition and promoting inclusivity through manufacturing and strategic investments across emerging markets. TGI will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of IATF2025 which aims to boost trade and investment in Africa. The event is scheduled to take place in Algiers, Algeria from 4-10 September 2025.

The fourth edition of IATF2025 organised by Afreximbank in partnership with African Union Commission and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is being hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. It promises to connect more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the continent and globally, who will be showcasing their goods and services to the visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. This is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals. Since its inception in 2018, the Fair has brought together an average of over 4,500 exhibitors, attracted more than 140,000 participants from across 130 countries, and facilitated trade and investment deals exceeding US$118billion.

TGI Group began as a small chemical importing company in Lagos, Nigeria, in the early 1980s and has since grown into a formidable multinational conglomerate with operations spanning over 13 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. With a diversified portfolio that includes fast moving consumer goods, agricultural inputs, industrial chemicals, homecare products, and pharmaceuticals.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said: “We are delighted to welcome TGI Group as an Official Premier Partner for IATF2025. Industrial manufacturing and agribusiness are focal areas of the event, and with TGI being an important player within the investment ecosystem Africa in, they are uniquely positioned to help us achieve our shared goal of driving intra-African trade and promoting sustainable economic growth across the continent.”

Vice Chairman of TGI Group, Farouk Gumel noted: “TGI’s ethos is all about creating value and enhancing wellbeing. To achieve this, we consistently seek new opportunities and partnerships from within and outside the continent. The opportunities within Africa are limitless. IATF gives us the platform to identify and pursue these new ideas, resources and partnerships. We commend Afreximbank’s vision for creating and sustaining the IATF and are indeed very excited to collaborate with them as a premier partner for IATF2025.”

To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact:
media@intrafricantradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

About Tropical General Investments:
Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is a global conglomerate with majority of its investments based in emerging markets across Africa, Middle East and Asia. TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets.

Across markets including Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and the UAE, TGI Group owns over a hundred leading brands in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Agricultural Inputs, Industrial Chemicals, Homecare Products and Pharmaceuticals.

About the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF):
Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities on the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries who bring investment goods as well as those interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development. 

Source: APO

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Young entrepreneurs in Senegal are bringing their business ideas to life, using two new digital service centres that offer free computers, high-speed internet, and other tools.

The centres supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) are housed at universities in the northern city of Saint-Louis and the southern city of Ziguinchor. Through training, networking, and mentorship, the centres are helping new founders launch and grow their ventures.

Here are two of their stories:

Djiby Diop: Discovering his entrepreneurial path in agritech

When Djiby Diop joined the Saint-Louis Service Centre at Gaston Berger University, he had no idea that he would bring his ideas to life and become an innovative entrepreneur.

The 32-year-old IT graduate is now the founder of Dior Bi, a company specializing in the production of organic fruits and vegetables.

‘I found out about the Centre thanks to a friend. When I arrived, I lacked practical skills, but I had one thing: the will to become an entrepreneur. The Centre gave me the tools to make it happen,’ he says.

Among his flagship achievements is a prototype for an automatic irrigation system, designed to optimize water use and increase agricultural yields. He refined the concept with mentorship provided at the centre, which also set him up with the tools need to create the prototype.

Diop is among the 501 people who have tapped into the centre’s resources.

Ousmane Traoré: A modern innovation for livestock

Ousmane Traoré, 27, a master’s student in forestry, has always been passionate about farming and business.

In 2021, during a youth employment forum at Assane Seck University, he discovered the Ziguinchor Service Centre. For Ousmane, it was a golden opportunity to bring his ideas to life.

With mentoring and tools from the Centre, Ousmane launched Gaynako in 2021, a startup that produces livestock feed from agricultural waste and bulrush, which thrive in the region’s wetlands. Three years later, with Gaynako 2.0, he incorporated a digital platform that helps manage livestock.

He didn’t stop there. He also created Yaralma, which allows people in the city to use their phones to invest in livestock that are raised by professional ranchers.

‘With increasing urbanization, many people can no longer keep livestock at home. Thanks to Yaralma, they can buy livestock on the platform and entrust it to professional breeders while receiving real-time updates on their animals,’ explains Ousmane.

Today, Ousmane and his team of six connect breeders and livestock investors, creating jobs and modernizing ranching in Senegal.

The Ziguinchor centre worked with 241 project holders in 2024.

Through these centres, supported by the ITC West Africa Competitiveness Support Programme – Senegal Component (PACAO-Senegal), simple ideas are transformed into bankable businesses. Young people become entrepreneurs who positively impact their communities. Djiby and Ousmane have seen their dreams come true. Now they plan to make full use of the knowledge gained from the Service Centres to take their businesses to the next level.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: APO

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Angolan oil producer Etu Energias has joined this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference as a Silver Partner. The company’s participation comes as it pursues accelerated oil production in Angola, with advancements in onshore exploration and offshore development positioning it to achieve its 80,000 barrel per day (bpd) goal. Etu Energias’ Chairman and CEO Edson dos Santos is also speaking at the event, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding its portfolio and working with regional partners.

Etu Energias is pursuing an ambitious exploration and production strategy in Angola, with eight exploration projects, 10 development projects and seven redevelopment projects in the pipeline. This strategy follows a successful year in 2024, whereby the company reported its strongest financial results to date. During the year, Etu Energias achieved a 53% increase in net profit compared to 2023, increased its portfolio of operated and non-operated assets from 6 to 15 and grew its oil reserves 2.5 times to reach 106 million barrels. Looking ahead, the company plans to reach 387 million barrels in oil reserves by 2030, with its participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 supporting this goal.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

In 2025, Etu Energias has made several key advancements across its oil and gas portfolio. These include the start of production at the Begonia field development in Block 17/06 – achieved in collaboration with TotalEnergies (operator), Sonangol and Falcon Oil. The project adds 30,000 bpd to Angola’s production capacity and represents the first inter-block development in the country. The development follows Etu Energias kickstarting drilling operations at Block 2/05 – situated in the shallow waters of the province of Zaire – in July 2025. The company is advancing the redevelopment of the block through an extensive drilling program, which includes three development wells, one exploration well and five technical interventions across existing wells. Etu Energias increased its stake in Block 2/05 in 2024 from 30% to 36%, cementing its position as an offshore producer.  

Meanwhile, Etu Energias is also leading exploration in the onshore Angolan market. The company signed a Risk Service Contract for Block CON 4 in May 2025, granting it a 25-year operating license for the block. Five years are dedicated to the exploration phase while 20 years is allocated for production. In addition to Block CON 4, Etu Energias is the operator of Block CON 1. The first phase of studies for CON 1 has been completed and a seismic survey has been defined – targeting 430 km of 2D data in the first phase. At Block FS/FST, Etu Energias continues its 3D seismic campaign. The company plans to spud the first exploration well at the block later this year. These efforts align with both Etu Energias’ goals to increase production as well as Angola’s broader ambitions to revitalize onshore production.

To support its exploration and production strategy, Etu Energias plans to make an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2026. Supporting debt reduction and capital raising, the IPO will increase the company’s capacity to accelerate development activities and take on new projects. For investors, the IPO represents a strategic opportunity to participate in Angola’s oil and gas development through a competitive local upstream company.

“Etu Energias represents the kind of company that Africa needs. As an Angolan firm with deep-rooted experience in the sector, the company understands the market, is eager to work with upstream partners and is instrumental in supporting the country’s industry goals. With a clear production target of 80,000 bpd and plans for an IPO, Etu Energias is reaffirming its position as a major player in Angola’s oil and gas sector,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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Diaspora nationals on vacation in their country visited historical and developmental sites in the Adi-Keih sub-zone on 19 August. The tour was organized by the PFDJ Central Office.

Upon arrival at the Adi-Keih College of Business and Social Science, they were warmly welcomed by the residents of Adi-Keih and the college community.

They also visited the historical sites of Kohaito, Ishga, Safira Dam, and the ancient Egyptian tomb, where they received briefings from knowledgeable guides about the background and history of the sites.

Indicating that such tours to historical and developmental sites have been conducted for the third time, Mr. Solomon Tareke, from the PFDJ office, said that nationals from various countries participated in the tour.

Expressing satisfaction for visiting the historical and developmental sites and receiving the briefings, the participants conveyed their gratitude for the warm welcome extended to them by the residents of Adi-Keih.

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

Source: APO

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For many inhabitants of the Cape Verde archipelago, the night of 10-11 August 2025 will never be forgotten. Never before had they faced such devastation. In just a few hours, torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin turned streets into raging torrents, triggered landslides, and destroyed vital infrastructure.

Countless homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and the livelihoods of hundreds of families were wiped out. At least nine people lost their lives, and thousands were forced to seek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters after losing everything.

“My house collapsed in just a few hours. My children lost everything… and so did I,” says Alcídia dos Reis Fortes, a mother of five now sheltering in a school converted into a reception centre managed by the Red Cross.

In the face of such destruction, the government declared a state of emergency and two days of national mourning. The islands of São Vicente and São Antão have been the hardest hit. 

Red Cross volunteers in Cape Verde were mobilized as soon as the first warnings were issued.

“We immediately informed communities and helped evacuate families at risk,” explains Jamilson José Dos Santos Rodrigues, a volunteer, youth representative and currently head of operations for the local committee in São Vicente. He has been on the ground with a Red Cross team since the first hours of the disaster.

The floods also caused the collapse of the central water supply system, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. In a country already weakened by drought and food insecurity, this disruption poses a serious additional threat: the spread of waterborne diseases.

“Many families have nothing left to drink or cook with. We are distributing emergency kits, drinking water, and clothing, as well as providing psychosocial support. But the needs are far greater than what we can cover,” says Jamilson. 

“Today, every vital sector is affected—shelter, water, health, and food. International support is essential to meet the scale of this crisis,” stresses Sadrack Matanda, an emergency preparedness and response specialist deployed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross.

As an initial response, the IFRC plans to release emergency funds to assist affected families by providing shelter, water and sanitation services, and livelihood support. Shelter and water and sanitation specialists will also be deployed to strengthen the response.

“We are continuing our assessments and do not rule out launching an emergency appeal to help communities overcome this unprecedented crisis,” Sadrack added.

On 13 August, the Cape Verde Red Cross launched the national campaign #ReconstruirComEsperança to support affected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Source: APO

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Africa is set to add 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of new refining capacity by 2030, marking one of the fastest downstream expansions globally, according to the newly released 2025 OPEC World Oil Outlook. This medium-term growth – led by landmark projects in Nigeria, Angola and Uganda – signals a turning point for the continent’s energy sovereignty and investment attractiveness.

At the forefront of Africa’s refining expansion is Nigeria’s 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery, which began operations in 2024 and is already reshaping regional fuel trade dynamics. Further developments include the 200,000-bpd Akwa Ibom Refinery, also in Nigeria, and Angola’s state-driven push to bring online the 200,000-bpd Lobito Refinery and 100,000-bpd Soyo Refinery by 2030.

Uganda’s refining ambitions are taking shape with a 60,000-bpd facility in Hoima, part of the country’s broader Lake Albert basin development plan. Meanwhile, modular refinery projects in Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, the Republic of Congo and additional sites in Nigeria are enabling incremental but scalable capacity builds in markets where infrastructure and financing hurdles persist. In North Africa, Algeria (Hassi Messaoud), Libya (Ubari) and Egypt (Soukhna) are all advancing refinery projects aimed at capturing higher margins, improving domestic supply security and reducing dependency on imports of refined petroleum products.

According to OPEC, Africa will need over $40 billion in refining investments by 2030 to meet its mid-decade objectives. Beyond 2030, the figure climbs steeply – requiring an additional $60+ billion for refinery construction, modernization and secondary processing capacity upgrades. This opens a $100 billion investment window for project developers, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and energy-focused private equity. With nearly 86% of global refinery additions through 2050 concentrated in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, Africa is increasingly seen as a high-growth frontier.

The 2025 edition of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies in Cape Town will provide a platform for governments, operators and financiers to align on next-phase refinery projects, policy incentives and deal pipelines. As host countries seek to reduce costly imports and capture more value from domestic crude, AEW offers an ideal venue for matchmaking capital with opportunity.

Additionally, Africa’s rising domestic consumption of crude – forecast to reach 4.5 million bpd by 2050 from just 1.8 million bpd in 2024 – further underlines the case for investing in downstream infrastructure. This consumption shift, in turn, is expected to reduce Africa’s crude exports by over one million bpd by 2050, emphasizing a structural pivot toward internal value chains.

Africa’s medium-term refining expansion reflects both a technical development and strategic inflection point. If the continent seizes this momentum, it can move beyond being a raw crude exporter to becoming a competitive, resilient and integrated energy producer. With $100 billion in refining investment needs projected through 2050 and billions in trade deficits to reverse, the time to bet on the African downstream sector is now.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.