Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the leading platform for promoting trade and investment across the African continent, is proud to announce a partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its flagship Africa Debate conference, taking place on 30 September 2025 in Dubai. 

Held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the forum will bring together over 500 senior figures from government, finance, and industry under the theme “Shared Markets. Shared Future.” As Africa undergoes a generational shift toward industrialisation, digitalisation, and green transition, the event offers a timely and focused platform to deepen UAE–Africa economic cooperation. 

The UAE’s emergence as Africa’s largest investor—committing over $110 billion between 2019 and 2023, including $72 billion in renewable energy—marks a major shift in global capital flows. The Africa Debate will spotlight some of the headline transactions that illustrate this evolving partnership, including ADNOC/XRG’s entry into Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin, IHC/IRH’s $1.1bn acquisition of Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines, and G42 and Microsoft’s $1bn geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya, amongst others.  

His Excellency Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, commented: “Africa is a vital partner in our economic future. Through The Africa Debate, we look forward to strengthening our ties, building shared prosperity, and showcasing the UAE as a gateway for impactful, long-term investment across the continent. This partnership with Invest Africa reflects our commitment to co-developing opportunities that serve both African development goals and the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and global cooperation.” 

Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Africa, added: “We are delighted to partner with the UAE Government to deliver this years edition of The Africa Debate. Dubai has long been a global epicentre for climate innovation, digital finance, and investment strategy—all of which are central to Africa’s growth story. This forum offers a rare opportunity to connect African and Emirati leaders in a dialogue not just about capital, but about shared vision, co-investment, and transformational outcomes.” 

The conference will feature a series of high-level sessions, including: 

• Capital Meets Strategy – The UAE’s evolving role in Africa’s industrial future 
• Hydrogen Horizons – Unlocking Africa’s potential as a green hydrogen leader 
• Can Africa Leapfrog to Smart Infrastructure? – Co-developing next-generation infrastructure 
• Seeds of Opportunity – Agribusiness as a shared asset in a changing climate 
• Reimagining Capital Flows – Sovereign wealth, blended finance, and regional co-investment 

Taking place just ahead of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings and COP30, the event will contribute to a wider global conversation about how investment in the Global South can be both catalytic and commercially viable. 

– on behalf of Invest Africa.

For media enquiries, please contact: 
Pippa van Breda 
Marketing & Communications Manager, Invest Africa 
T: +44 2037 305 035 
E: pippa.vanbreda@investafrica.com

About The Africa Debate – UAE:
The Africa Debate – UAE is a high-level investment forum hosted by Invest Africa in partnership with the UAE Government. The event brings together public and private sector leaders from across the UAE, Africa, and the global investment community to shape the next generation of UAE–Africa economic partnerships. The forum will focus on real strategy, real transactions, and cross-sector collaboration in infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, digital innovation, and climate finance. 

About Invest Africa: 
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform, connecting global capital with African opportunity. With more than sixty years of experience and a network of over 400 member companies, Invest Africa provides trusted market insight, bespoke support, and curated events across its chapters in the UK, UAE, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States. 

Source: APO – Report:

The World Bank Group has signed on as co-chair of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, joining current co-chairs the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and Mastercard in an initiative to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034.

The MADE Alliance: Africa aligns with the collective efforts of the three major institutions to accelerate digitalization by expanding access to secure, affordable, high-quality broadband and data connectivity, and ensuring different digital services work together seamlessly to benefit users. The World Bank Group will contribute to the initiative its expertise, data driven insights, and experience supporting sustainable digital transformation.

“The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa, and joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate efforts to improve livelihoods, empower communities and drive economic growth across the continent,” said Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank. “By bringing together our digital expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.” 

The MADE Alliance: Africa is prioritizing opportunities in the agriculture sector, where digital technologies can serve as powerful catalysts for development. World Bank-supported “Digital Agriculture Roadmaps,” tailored country action plans, will enable the MADE Alliance to impact more farmers.  

“Two of the African Development Bank Group’s priority areas are to Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The MADE Alliance: Africa brings us closer to achieving those goals by connecting the continent’s smallholder farmers to digital services that lead to greater food production, greater access to markets, financing and farming practices, as well as to increased incomes,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, which has committed $300 million to the first five years of MADE Alliance: Africa’s programming.

“The MADE Alliance: Africa brings complementary partners together to execute and implement programs that target the same regions and communities, allowing us to amplify our impact,” said Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass, Mastercard. “The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture, and we are honored they have joined the alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy.”

Since its May 2024 launch, the MADE Alliance: Africa has made significant progress with projects underway across the continent.

In Tanzania, the alliance is supporting the provision of payment tools to 50,000 sunflower farmers. In Kenya, alliance members have deployed affordable high-speed internet digital skills training for 13 farmers’ cooperatives, reaching approximately 10,000 farmers and their communities. The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation is receiving funding from the African Development Bank Group to build the capacity of 250,000 farmers in Kenya to improve their bankability to financial institutions.

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development also joined as a member in April 2025. Other MADE Alliance members include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, Shell Foundation, Tanzania’s CRDB Bank, and Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contacts:
African Development Bank:
Alphonso Van Marsh,
Chief Digital Content and Events Officer,
African Development Bank,
email: media@afdb.org

World Bank Group:
Kelly Alderson,
Senior External Affairs Officer,
World Bank Group,
email: kalderson@worldbankgroup.org

Mastercard:
Jessica Jeng-Mitchell,
Director, Global Communications,
Mastercard,
email: Jessica.jeng-mitchell@mastercard.com

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund. On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

About the World Bank Group:
The World Bank Group works to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet through a combination of financing, knowledge, and expertise. It consists of the World Bank, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA); the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). For more information, please visit www.WorldBank.org, ida.WorldBank.org/en/home, www.miga.org, www.IFC.org, and www.icsid.WorldBank.org.

About Mastercard:
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payment choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Source: APO – Report:

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), has reaffirmed its commitment to peacebuilding and lasting stability in Africa during a technical workshop to finalize the “Handbook for the African Union Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM)”.

The three-day workshop, which concluded 21 July, was organised by the African Union Commission. Held under the auspices of the Bank’s Joint Secretariat Support Office, it brought together key stakeholders to consolidate lessons learned and best practices to guide the operationalization and institutional strengthening of the AU-MVCM.

The mission was launched in December 2022, in accordance with Article 11 of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed on November 2, 2022, between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

The AU-MVCM is a key peace support mechanism mandated to monitor, verify, and ensure compliance with the end of hostilities agreement. Its implementation marks a historic milestone in AU-led mediation efforts and reflects Africa’s leadership in addressing complex peace and security challenges through home-grown solutions.

In response to a formal request from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Bank initially provided $1 million in 2022 to support the Office of the High Representative for the Horn of Africa in its mediation mandate. In 2023, the Bank further committed roughly $2.4 million in technical assistance to strengthen the AUC’s capacity to respond to regional instability, support the implementation of peace frameworks, and enhance conflict prevention efforts across the Horn of Africa.

“The Bank’s continued engagement reflects its unwavering commitment to strengthening African institutions and mechanisms for conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and long-term resilience,” said Abibu Tamu, Lead Programme Coordinator at the Bank’s Joint Secretariat Support Office. “This Handbook will not only enhance the effectiveness of the AU-MVCM but will also contribute to broader efforts to institutionalise peace processes across the continent.”

The development of the AU-MVCM Handbook is one of the main deliverables of the Bank’s support. It serves as a strategic reference tool for mission personnel, outlining operational procedures, roles and responsibilities, key monitoring and verification protocols, as well as coordination frameworks with national and regional stakeholders. The Handbook also documents key activities and lessons learned from the ongoing implementation of the hostilities agreement, providing a blueprint for future AU-led peace support operations.

The three-day workshop yielded strong consensus among partners on the structure, content, and utility of the Handbook. It represents an important step toward institutionalising the gains made in Ethiopia and ensuring that African-led peace frameworks are adequately equipped to manage complex crises.

Through this initiative, the African Development Bank continues to demonstrate its strategic support for peace, security and development, recognising that sustainable stability is a prerequisite for achieving inclusive growth and transformation across the African continent.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Christin Roby
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO – Report:

Dr Akinwumi Adesina says his passion to mobilize global capital for Africa’s development will continue way beyond his presidency of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), which ends on 1^st September 2025.

In a keynote speech titled “Tilting Global Capital for Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Africa”, delivered at the Standard Chartered Africa Summit on July 31, in Lagos, Adesina said, “Together, let us tilt global capital to unlock Africa’s assets. As I step into a new future, you can be sure this will be my focus! For I will always have Africa in my heart and in my sight.”

The Standard Chartered Africa Summit, with the theme, “Africa to the Globe: Innovation, Resilience, and Growth”, brought together corporate leaders, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders. Attendees included Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman, FSDH Group and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School; and award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie.

Adesina kicked off by alluding to his signature optimism about Africa’s prospects. “When I was approached to consider delivering the keynote speech, I did not hesitate. How can someone known as ‘Africa’s Optimist in Chief’ not accept to speak on Africa!”, he said.

Highlighting the African Development Bank’s focus on bold financial innovation in the last decade, Adesina declared, “The African Development Bank is not just waiting for more capital, we are innovating to do more with the capital we have. Through our balance sheet optimization initiatives, we are stretching every dollar of risk capital further. Our ambition is threefold: free up capital, crowd in investors and amplify development impact.”

He outlined several ambitious and innovative financing solutions pioneered by the African Development Bank, supported by its AAA rating which it has maintained over the last decade:

• Over $102 billion in low-cost financing to Africa since 2015
• Capital raise from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024, the highest in the Bank’s sixty-year history
• Spearheading, in partnership with the Inter-American Development, the rechanneling of the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to multilateral development banks—a move that will of the rechanneled SDRs as hybrid capital, which can be leveraged by 4-8 times.
• The Africa Investment Forum, launched by the Bank in collaboration with strategic partners, has mobilized over $225 billion in investment interest across infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, manufacturing and other critical sectors, since 2018
• The biggest social bond issuance by multilateral development banks, amounting to $14 billion in the past eight years.
• $10 billion of long-term global benchmark bonds issued in 2025 alone to finance projects across Africa
• The first-ever synthetic securitization of a non-sovereign portfolio by a multilateral development bank, involving the transfer of mezzanine risk of a $1 billion portfolio of private sector loans.
• The first-ever private sector hybrid capital transaction by a multilateral development bank, valued at $750 million—with over 275 investors participating with a book order of $5.1 billion, making it the largest ever book order achieved by the African Development Bank.
• A Room to Run Sovereign offering that created an estimated $2 billion in new sovereign lending headroom
• 16 partial credit and partial risk guarantees valued at close to $3 billion, mobilizing $ 5 billion for the continent
• A $250 million partial credit guarantee that allowed Egypt to raise the first ever Panda Bond by an African country on the Chinese capital market, valued at $500 million.

Adesina praised Standard Chartered Bank’s successful partnership with the African Development Bank’s successful partnership, which notably delivered a partial credit guarantee for Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 — a deal that won ‘Sovereign Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year’ at the 2025 Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards in Cape Town, South Africa, in April.

“The Standard Chartered Bank participated as the sole lender in the 2023 Cote d’Ivoire’s sustainable loan partial credit guarantee transaction. The African Development Bank was able to unlock €533 million from the Standard Chartered Bank in support of the country’s financing needs.”

He also congratulated Standard Chartered on being named Best Transaction Bank at the Asset Triple A Treasurise Awards in Hong Kong. “Your record breaking 127 accolades reflects an exceptionally strong track record of excellence in banking and finance, globally.”

Adesina urged global financial institutions to partner more strategically with the African Development Bank and other multilateral development banks, to scale up capital flows to Africa.

He called for greater use of risk mitigation and credit enhancement instruments, mainstreaming of best practices in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and increased collaboration to scale up local currency financing solutions.

Adesina’s delegation included the Bank Group’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization Solomon Quaynor, and the Director General of the Nigeria Country Department, Dr. Abdul Kamara.

The African Development Bank’s current active portfolio in Nigeria is the largest in the Bank, valued at $5.1 billion and comprising 52 operations, equally distributed between the public and private sectors, with 26 projects each. National operations account for 84% of the portfolio, while multinational operations constitute the balance of 16%.

The Bank Group is set to establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank in Nigeria, as part of a pan-African portfolio designed to create and finance entrepreneurship opportunities for young Africans.

The Bank is also rolling out Phase 1 of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across 8 States, including the Federal Capital Territory. Construction has already begun in four States of Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo and Ogun. Phase 2, which will cover the remaining 28 States, is scheduled to take off from September 2025.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Photo (https://apo-opa.co/4fnC7O3)

Media Contact:
Tolu Ogunlesi
Communication and External Relations
African Development Bank
Email: media@afdb.org

Source: APO – Report:

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In a collection of heartfelt letters written by children from River Nile, Red Sea and Gedarif, they are calling for peace and a chance to learn again in Sudan which is facing one of the world’s worst education emergencies with 17 million children out of school. Hundreds of school buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the war in Sudan in April 2023, with over 3,200 schools (17% of all schools) being used as shelters.

After more than two years of brutal conflict in Sudan, children are speaking out about their hopes to return to school and rebuild their futures to become doctors, police officers and teachers, Save the Children said.

In a collection of heartfelt letters written by children from River Nile, Red Sea and Gedarif, they are calling for peace and a chance to learn again in Sudan which is facing one of the world’s worst education emergencies with 17 million children out of school. Hundreds of school buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the war in Sudan in April 2023, with over 3,200 schools (17% of all schools) being used as shelters.

The children, many displaced and out of school for over two years, shared their dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, and other professionals, despite the ongoing crisis, with drawings illustrating their dreams accompanying their letters that will be shared with children outside Sudan.

“I used to love going to school because I enjoy writing and reading. But after the conflict, we had to flee our home and became refugees. Now, we are living in a school building. I really hope we can go back home one day and return to our school,” said Mona*, 12, from Gedarif. 

“Our country was beautiful before the conflict, it was filled with happiness and kindness. I used to go to school to read and write, and then the conflict happened, and the schools were damaged,” said Samreen, from White Nile. 

“I hope that all children can go to school. Every child should have the chance to read and write, in every part of Sudan and in every state,” said Sarah*, 12, from Gedarif.

The United Nations warns that Sudan may become the worst education emergency in the world following nearly two-and-a-half years of conflict that has left more than 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – requiring humanitarian assistance, including an estimated 16 million children.

About 90% of school-aged children, nearly 19 million, now lack formal education, with one million children dropping out in 2023 alone, according to UNICEF. High school students have not been able to take their exams since 2023, leaving two cohorts who have finished their high school education without certification.

Schools across Sudan are being used as makeshift shelters for displaced families, leaving students without safe spaces to learn. At the same time, a lack of pay, resources, and security has led to high teacher turnover and the disruption of vital school exams for more than one million students.

Mohamad Abdiladif, Country Director for Save the Children in Sudan, said:  

“This is not just a crisis of education but it’s a crisis of hope. These letters show us what’s at stake: the future of an entire generation. The world must act now to support Sudan’s children.

“Millions of children continue to face disruptions to their education, with their schools being destroyed by bombs, used to shelter displaced families, or left behind when children are forced to flee.

“We need immediate international support to fund education in emergencies, protect schools from attacks and military use, and ensure safe, quality learning for every child in Sudan.”

Save the Children is calling for the international community to take urgent political action to address this crisis. This conflict demands more than just humanitarian aid – it demands a political solution. There must be concerted action at national, regional and international levels to pressure all parties to the conflict to end the fighting and implement a locally led comprehensive peace process.

Save the Children is currently supporting 400 schools across Sudan and so far, we have supporting over 45,000 children through formal education and about 37,000 children through non-formal education. Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and is currently supporting children and their families across Sudan providing health, nutrition, education, child protection and food security and livelihoods support. Save the Children is also supporting refugees from Sudan in Egypt and South Sudan.

– on behalf of Save the Children.

Source: APO – Report:

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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has suspended all operational activities in Yei River and Morobo counties in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, for a minimum of six weeks following the abduction of an MSF staff member. The abduction occurred just four days after the abduction of a staff member from the Ministry of Health from an MSF ambulance on the same road and location. Our colleague was released some hours later.

The incident occurred during an evacuation of MSF staff from Morobo to Yei, in southern South Sudan, amid deteriorating security conditions. The four-vehicle convoy was stopped by armed gunmen. They ordered the MSF staff member, who was serving as the team leader of the convoy, out of the vehicle and pulled him into the thickets, while allowing the other vehicles and staff to proceed to Yei.

“We are outraged by this targeted attack. Attacks on humanitarian workers serving the most vulnerable members of the society must stop,” says Dr Ferdinand Atte, MSF head of mission in South Sudan. “While we are deeply committed to providing care to those in need, we cannot keep our staff working in an unsafe environment.”

These abductions are part of a disturbing trend of targeted violence on healthcare and aid workers in Morobo and Yei counties. In just three months, several incidents of violence targeting aid workers and healthcare facilities have been reported in Morobo, including forceful abductions, arson, violent looting of hospitals, and damage to medical infrastructure. Seven of these incidents involved the abduction of aid workers. 

“We demand accountability and concrete guarantees from the authorities and all parties involved in the conflict, including armed groups in Morobo and Yei River counties,” says Dr Atte. “It is crucial to ensure safe and unobstructed access to populations in need, and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including healthcare workers, patients, and medical facilities, before we can consider resuming our activities.”

The residents of Yei River and Morobo counties live in remote and hard-to-reach areas, frequently cut off from essential services due to limited infrastructure and armed conflict. As a result, they rely heavily on humanitarian organisations like MSF for essential services. 

This marks the second time MSF has been compelled to reduce our provision of medical services in the area in less than three months. In May, we were forced to reduce activities due to escalating insecurity in the area. We also suspended all activities in camps for internally displaced people due to the relentless violence in Morobo county.

Today, we have had to take the difficult decision to suspend all activities in both counties, until further notice, adding to the growing number of projects and health facilities we have had to close this year as a result of attacks.

“MSF is one of the few medical organisations providing support to various healthcare facilities in this area,” says Dr Atte. “When such attacks occur, it is the local people who suffer the most, as it severely undermines their access to essential healthcare.”  

In Yei River and Morobo counties, MSF provides general healthcare services by supporting four Ministry of Health facilities, offering outpatient consultations, routine vaccinations, and maternal and child healthcare. MSF also conducts mobile clinics and supports community-based healthcare through the Boma Health Initiative programme in the area. Between January and June 2025, our teams conducted 14,500 outpatient consultations, 1,192 antenatal consultations, and assisted in 438 births in this area.

Since the start of the year, MSF has witnessed a worrying increase in attacks targeting healthcare workers and facilities in South Sudan:

·    In January, two clearly marked MSF boats travelling from Nasir to Ulang in Upper Nile state came under attack when unidentified gunmen opened fire, forcing the MSF staff aboard to jump into the river and swim to safety in a nearby village. One staff member sustained an injury while escaping the attack and had to receive medical treatment. 

·    On 14 April, MSF’s hospital in Ulang was violently looted by armed men in broad daylight, destroying property and threatening patients and staff. This attack led to the full closure of all hospital and outreach activities. Ulang hospital was the only functioning hospital in the county, and these events have led to devastating consequences for the population, leaving more than 150,000 people without access to life-saving medical care. 

·    On 3 May, the MSF hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei state, was bombed by two gunship helicopters, destroying the pharmacy and vital medical resources, rendering provision of medical care in the facility impossible. The helicopters also fired on the community, killing at least seven people and injuring 27. A total of four MSF staff were among the wounded.

– on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).