On August 8, Mr. MATSUMOTO, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call by Mr. Toufik Milat, Ambassador-Designate of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Japan. The overview is as follows.
At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto welcomed the arrival of Ambassador-Designate Milat who has extensive experiences. He then expressed his will to continue discussion to further strengthen bilateral relations to develop bilateral economic cooperation in various areas, based on the first meeting of the Japan-Algeria Intergovernmental Joint Economic Committee held in May.
In response, Ambassador-Designate Milat expressed his aspiration to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economy.
Both sides concurred to continue actively exchanging high-level visits between the two countries, and to cooperate in advancing Japan-Algeria relations in various fields, including economy and diplomacy.
He also expressed his desire to continue discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, building on the multifaceted development of economic cooperation, including the first Joint Economic Committee held in May.
– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Gen.Jeje Odongo Abubakhar held a meeting with H.E Lisa Chesney, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Uganda at the Ministry Headquarters in Kampala.
The meeting focused at bilateral issues of mutual interest between the two governments, including peace and security developments in the Great Lakes region. They also discussed Uganda’s level of preparedness for the upcoming 2026 general elections
– on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An official reception was organized for Olympian athlete Biniam Girmay upon his return home after participating in the 2025 Tour de France. The ceremony was held yesterday, 7 August, at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers Hall.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Zemede Tekle, Commissioner of Culture and Sports, congratulated Biniam for his outstanding performance at the Tour de France and said that he is following in the footsteps of professional athletes such as Daniel Teklehaimanot and Merhawi Kudus in shining at international cycling competitions. Ambassador Zemede also expressed his expectation that young cyclists will continue the legacy and place their country at the center stage.
He further announced that, as a result of the significant influence Biniam has created at both African and global levels—and in recognition of his potential to promote the country’s development programs internationally and positively inspire youth—the United Nations Development Programme has appointed him as its Honorary Ambassador in Eritrea.
Olympian athlete Biniam Girmay, for his part, expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded to him, saying it will strengthen his dedication to achieving even better performances on the international stage.
Biniam Girmay has made history by becoming the only African cyclist to participate in the Tour de France for three consecutive years.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a grant of $5.3 million to implement the Project to Strengthen the Public-Private Partnership Environment for the Promotion of Private Investment in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar and Togo.
The project, approved in Abidjan on 27 June 2025, will be financed by the Bank’s Transition Support Facility (under Pillar III: support for critical capacity building and technical assistance interventions). Created in 2008, the Facility provides additional concessional resources to countries in fragile and conflict situations.
The project aims to strengthen the public–private partnership (PPP) environment in four countries, with the goal of catalysing private investment.
It is structured around three components:
1. Strengthening the PPP environment – This component seeks to create a more coherent and attractive framework for the private sector, operationalise the institutional setup for PPPs, and build the capacity of stakeholders. The aim is to equip contracting authorities to structure and negotiate more balanced contracts.
2. Enhancing private sector participation – Focusing particularly on local businesses, this component will provide a practical case study for PPP stakeholders. It will familiarise them with the different stages of a project cycle, using the tools developed under the first component.
3. Establishing an effective project management unit – This will ensure a stable, well-managed implementation environment, enabling strategic and operational oversight by the authorities. It will also ensure the project’s achievements are capitalised upon and its results made visible.
“The project will enable the African Development Bank to build on its ongoing efforts to strengthen the business environment and promote the private sector in the four countries through previous operations. It aligns with the three pillars of the strategic framework for public–private partnerships, contributing to its operationalisation,” said Solomon Quaynor, Vice President of the African Development Bank Group for the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation.
– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communications and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s leading development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Special Fund for Nigeria (SFN). Represented in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment forum, is delighted to announce Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), a pan-African infrastructure and industrial development enterprise that designs and operates large-scale industrial ecosystems across Africa, as an official Premier Partner. The Fair is scheduled to take place from 4-10 September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria.
IATF2025, organised by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Secretariat, and hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, is set to welcome over 2,000 exhibitors from across Africa and beyond. The biennial event aims to boost intra-African trade and spotlight investment opportunities across the continent, with projections of over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals. This edition will feature a strong presence of production and service companies, alongside a dedicated investment and trade forum focused on advancing Africa’s economic integration.
Arise IIP, a joint venture between Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Equitane, and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), a subsidiary of Afreximbank, identifies industrial gaps in African countries and designs tailor-made solutions to enable the sustainable and local transformation of raw materials, boost exports, and promote trade. Its mission is to accelerate industrialisation in Africa by creating industrial parks (Ips), and processing zones that are tailored to local needs and opportunities.
Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank said: “We are pleased to welcome Arise IIP as a Premier Partner of IATF2025. Arise IIP and Afreximbank have established a collaborative strategic partnership over the past few years aimed at driving industrialisation and trade development across Africa. This partnership is built on shared goals of promoting intra-African trade, facilitating industrial growth, and strengthening Africa’s position in global value chains.”
Mr Amit Agrawal, Chief Operating Officer, Arise IIP: “We are honoured to once again partner with the intra-African Trade Fair. IATF provides a unique and powerful platform for connecting key stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s industrialisation and economic integration. Our participation in IATF2023 allowed us to spotlight the immense potential of local manufacturing through our Country Day, and we look forward to building on that momentum. At Arise IIP, we believe that intra-African trade is essential to unlocking the continent’s full industrial potential. IATF2025 offers an unparalleled opportunity to forge new partnerships, attract investments, and accelerate the development of sustainable, inclusive industrial ecosystems across Africa.”
Arise IIP operates in multiple countries across Africa through the following flagship projects; the Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) in Gabon, Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin, Plateforme Industrielle d’Adétikopé (PIA) in Togo, Bugesera Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) in Rwanda, Industrial Platform Remo Free Zone (IPRFZ) in Nigeria, among others.
To participate in IATF2025, please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.
– on behalf of Afreximbank.
Media contact:
media@intrafricantradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com
About ARISE IIP:
ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is a pan-African developer and operator of world-class industrial parks. ARISE IIP identifies opportunities in commercial and industrial value chains across Africa, designs, finances, builds and operates the necessary infrastructure, playing a catalytic role in supporting countries in their transition to an industrial economy. Driven by the pursuit of green growth, ARISE IIP’s ambition is to support the development of the continent’s industrial potential while offsetting its carbon emissions and climate impact.
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.
The African Development Bank (https://www.AfDB.org/) reaffirmed its strong support for Zambia’s private sector-led transformation by hosting a strategic side event during the inaugural Invest in Zambia International Conference (IZIC). The high-profile session, themed “Catalyzing Private Sector Growth: Unlocking AfDB’s Financing Toolkit in Zambia,” successfully engaged private companies, financial institutions, development partners, and government representatives.
In his opening remarks, the Country Manager for Zambia, Raubil Olaniyi Durowoju, emphasized the Bank’s growing focus on private sector operations, both at the institutional level and within Zambia’s strategic development priorities.
“Across the Bank, from the President’s office to every Regional and Country Strategy, there is a deliberate shift toward private sector development as the engine for economic transformation,” he stated. “Our Zambia Country Strategy Paper (2024–2029) is fully aligned with the Government’s Eighth National Development Plan, with one of its key pillars focused on boosting private sector development through catalytic investments in infrastructure and agricultural value chains.”
The event featured presentations from sectoral and financial experts across key Bank departments, providing participants with actionable insights into the Bank’s extensive capabilities.
The Financial Solutions Department presented the Bank’s comprehensive range of non-sovereign instruments, including senior and subordinated loans, equity participation, trade finance, guarantees, risk participation agreements, and innovative blended finance options.
Sector specialists from Agriculture, Transport Infrastructure Industry and Services, and outlined the Bank’s intervention priorities in their respective areas, highlighting opportunities for private sector engagement.
After moderating the side event, which aimed at exploring how the Bank could better support Zambia’s private sector and accelerate investment in key sectors, Bleming Nekati, the Bank’s Regional Head for Private Sector Operations in Southern Africa, concluded: “We are now well on our way to building a strong, diversified, and impactful pipeline of private sector operations in Zambia for delivery over the next 12 months and beyond”
“This is a defining moment for Zambia and the Bank as we accelerate private sector growth to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and build a more prosperous and inclusive future,” he added.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, enabling participants to address sector-specific challenges and financing needs directly with experts from the Bank.
In addition to the side event, the Bank team held targeted bilateral meetings with multiple companies and financial institutions to explore opportunities for collaboration and advance pipeline development. These engagements reinforced the Bank’s commitment to partnering with Zambia’s private sector to deliver inclusive and transformative growth.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media contact:
Communication and External Relations Department media@afdb.org
Ammat Global Resources is participating as a Gold Partner at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – Africa’s premier event for the energy sector, scheduled for September 29–October 3, 2025 in Cape Town. The company’s participation underscores its commitment to driving Africa’s oil and gas market transformation, aligning its growth trajectory with the event’s core mission to eradicate energy poverty and accelerate industrialization.
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.
Ammat Global Resources’ growth strategy includes an ambitious exploration and production strategy in the Republic of Congo, aiming to increase the company’s oil and gas output by 70% over the next five years. The expansion plan targets the company’s offshore Loango and Zatchi fields and supports the Republic of Congo’s national objective of raising oil and gas production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd). The strategy includes revamping production platforms at Zatchi field and reactivating wells as well as replacing outdated pumps to bolster productivity at Loango field. In 2024, Ammat Global Resources modernized three production platforms at Loango and increased production at both the Loango and Zatchi fields by 75%, with output rising from 4,000 bpd to 7,000 bpd since the launch of the company’s comprehensive development plan in 2024.
Central to Ammat Global Resources’ Congolese energy strategy is infrastructure modernization and gas utilization, with a strong focus on maximising production and enhancing the value of gas for self-consumption by its turbogenerators from the Loango field. The strategy aligns with a goal set by the Republic of Congo to double power generation capacity to 1,500 MW by 2030 through optimal exploitation of the country’s 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. Ammat Global Resources’ expansion strategy also places the company at the forefront of the Republic of Congo’s emerging Gas Master Plan – an integrated strategy centered on infrastructure expansion, own gas valorization and sustainable economic growth.
AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the contributions made by companies such as Ammat Global Resources and the role they play in ensuring sustainable development, local content and long-term value creation in Africa’s energy sector. The event offers an opportunity for independent exploration and production firms to gain insight into emerging opportunities across the investment prospects in other countries on the continent where AMMAT has focused its investment interest in multicultural development and growth.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Traditional Affairs are diligently working to find alternative ways to protect traditional and Khoi-San leaders, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said on Friday.
Speaking at a dialogue between government and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL), he said that this includes the possibility of opening mobile client service centres to better reach rural communities that are located far from police stations.
The killing of traditional leaders was also an area of concern for those gathered at the dialogue held at Tshwane House in Pretoria on Friday.
“Another major issue that is of concern is the killing of traditional and Khoi-San leaders. In this regard, the Provincial Task Teams were established to work on this aspect. The South African Police Service and the Department of Traditional Affairs are exploring alternative options in terms of the protection of traditional and Khoi-San leaders,” said the Deputy President.
WATCH | Deputy President addresses traditional leaders dialogue
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He further added that the SAPS is implementing the traditional policing concept in four provinces, namely Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga.
“The SAPS also provides services on wheels using mobile client service centres to reach out to rural communities that are far from police stations
“As we work towards addressing your needs, I urge you, Amakhosi, to never forget your mandate as leaders in our communities. Your commitment to promoting national unity, peace, stability, and community cohesion must be unwavering. “In addition, you must build, protect, and promote community culture and customs,” he added.
As the backbone of communities, the country’s second-in-command said traditional and Khoi-San leaders play an important role in establishing a capable and developing state.
“Your knowledge, expertise, and deep relationships with the communities make you invaluable collaborators in furthering our country’s development objectives.
“Your direction and leadership are critical to ensuring that government policies and programmes are effectively implemented and reach those who require them the most.”
He stressed that government wants traditional leaders to participate in integrated planning, programme delivery and service delivery initiatives meant to benefit traditional communities.
“Across all spheres of government, we must promote collaborative partnerships between government and traditional leaders.”
He believes that the traditional leaders play an important role in addressing societal issues in communities.
“Your influence and authority can help address issues such as sexual offences, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and crime in our communities.”
Gender-based violence
As the country commemorates Women’s Month and Women’s Day on Saturday, 09 August, and remembers those who fought tirelessly against the pass laws, he urged traditional and Khoi-San leaders to stand against current challenges, including abuse of women and children.
“We must never tolerate anyone using the name of culture as a justification for mistreating women. To eliminate negative elements of traditional culture and promote gender equality in our communities, we must all support positive features of traditional culture.”
Partnerships
The Deputy President believes that dialogue is essential for strengthening the government’s partnership with traditional leadership.
He said this relationship serves as a direct link between the government and local communities, particularly those in rural and communal areas.
The Deputy President said government cannot make decisions that affect the leaders and their people without their involvement.
“As voices of your communities and guardians of tradition, we, as government, have to integrate you into the process of decision-making, ensuring your views are respected, especially in the areas of land, inadequate infrastructure, customary law, the fight against poverty, and community development.”
TKLB
In addition, he announced that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) will soon be engaging Traditional and Khoisan Leaders on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB) before it is approved by Cabinet for introduction to Parliament.
He described the TKLB as a critical piece of legislation that seeks to formally recognise the Khoi and San communities and their leadership structures, while also addressing the deficiencies of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, No. 41 of 2003.
“Once enacted, the Bill will provide a legal framework to recognise and regulate traditional and Khoi-San leadership institutions, clearly outlining their roles, responsibilities, and engagement with government. This demonstrates both our commitment and responsibility as government to promote inclusive governance,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for nominations for Commissioners to serve on the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC).
The term of office of the current commissioners expires at the end of this year.
In a statement, the Presidency described the PCC as an advisory body “established to facilitate social dialogue and provide advice on South Africa’s response and development pathways, which ensures a just transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy and society, and national transformation goals”.
“The primary object of the Commission is to enable and inspire an action-oriented process towards a long-term just transition.
“In doing its work, the Commission must meaningfully and effectively engage in an inclusive and transparent public participation process and make recommendations informed by the best available science and the principles of a just transition,” the Presidency said on Friday.
Sections 10(4)(a) and 12(1)(a) of the Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No. 22 of 2024) of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint commissioners following public nominations.
“The Chairperson of the Commission is the President, and he appoints the Commissioners for a five-year term, from among eligible fit and proper persons, with relevant experience in climate change, environmental policy, sustainable development, economic development, energy, or social justice and representative of broader sections and interests of our society.
“President Ramaphosa calls on South Africans, social partners and communities to seize this opportunity and nominate the best among themselves to ensure that their interests and voices are not left out of this crucial journey as we transition to an inclusive and sustainable economy and society that is fair and just,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has announced the appointment of an Interim Board for the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for a period of six months, or until a new board is appointed or whichever comes first.
Last month, the board was dissolved due to persistent governance and operational challenges that beset the fund and significantly undermined its ability to discharge its statutory mandate.
“Some of you will recall that the previous board was dissolved on 15 July 2025, due to its failure to act in the best interests of the entity and to fulfil its fiduciary duties.
“It therefore became urgent and necessary to close the governance vacuum in the RAF leadership. It is for this reason that Cabinet has approved the appointment of an Interim Board,” the Minister said on Friday in Pretoria at a media briefing.
The Interim Board will provide strategic direction to the entity and enable it to deliver on its mandate. It will also help ensure financial and governance stability of the RAF.
The RAF is responsible for providing appropriate cover to all road users within the borders of South Africa; rehabilitating and compensating persons injured as a result of motor vehicles in a timely and caring manner; and actively promoting the safe use of all South African roads.
“The Interim Board must help address deficiencies in governance and control systems, including frequent incurrences of default judgments against the RAF.
“The interim Board will have to initiate a process of filling executive positions that are critical to the mandate of the Fund. It will also cooperate with the current and future Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigations.
“As the Ministry, we have already established a panel of independent experts to advise the shareholder and the board on the views of RAF stakeholders on how to develop a sustainable RAF operational and governance model, and to review the RAF’s business processes and propose actionable recommendations,” Creecy said.
The Department of Transport will also continue to pursue all necessary measures to restore institutional stability and enhance the RAF’s capacity to fulfil its statutory obligations to the public by finalising the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill.
The bill proposes legislation in South Africa aimed at overhauling the current Road Accident Fund (RAF) system. It intends to introduce a new no-fault based comprehensive social security scheme that would allow for expanded access to benefits for all road users.
The interim board Chairperson is Kenneth Brown and Nonhlanhla Mabusela-Aikhuere is the Vice-Chairperson. Other interim board members are as follows:
Ntswaki Kutumela,
Innocentia Mmule Pule,
Richard Dyantyi,
Mpontshane Alfred Mkhipheni,
Alfredina (Ntina) Themba, and
Neeshan Balton.
South African Airways
Cabinet has also approved the appointment of the Board of Directors for the South African Airways (SAA).
The Chairperson is Sedzani Faith Mudau who is a Chartered Accountant by profession and former SAA employee.
The Deputy Chairperson is Fathima Gany who served on the Interim Board which has just completed its term.
Other board members are the following:
Theunis Potgieter.
Mongezi India.
Dennis Dlomo.
Pamela Bulelwa Yako.
Bongiwe Pityi.
Dr Salome Chiloane-Nwabueza.
Dr Prittish Dala.
Lisa Mangcu.
Bongiwe Mbomvu.
Siphumelele Dlungwane.
Advocate Johannes Collen Weapond.
“This team of men and women have collective experience in aviation, air services and airport administration; business, logistics and commercial operations; governance and public policy, law, tourism, security and financial administration and public accounts.
“The new board will lead an entity that is currently focused on stabilizing its operating model following a return to profitability over the last two years.
“The board will bolster SAA’s governance processes by improving responses to audit findings and ensuring that the airline’s financial independence is maintained,” the Minister said.
The Minister thanked the outgoing interim Board who led SAA from business-rescue exit in 2021 to becoming a stable flag carrier, operating seventeen routes, including three intercontinental city-pairs.
“We trust that the new board will use the debt-free balance sheet and ring-fenced liquidity to ensure a fleet expansion plan which lifts the SAA capacity from twenty to fifty-plus aircraft by 2030.
“To do this the shareholder expect the new board to embark on a capital-raising programme, supported by internally generated cash, operating leases and market funding, which enables fleet modernisation without new sovereign guarantees,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
