Category: English

Source: APO

The best way to resolve tensions is through dialogue and trust-building.

That’s why the United Nations Mission in South Sudan brought together community members from areas around Nyirol County, not just to address long-standing disputes, but also to identify peaceful solutions.

“Our differences should not destroy our relationships. Dialogue, forgiveness and cooperation can rebuild trust,” highlighted women representative Nyakoang Lam Bath, during the forum involving around 50 community members.

She further emphasized that sustainable peace requires, not just individual, but collective efforts carried forward by authorities, traditional leaders, women, youth, and other groups alike.

Echoing her view, youth leader, Tut Maluok Chop appealed to his fellow youth as well as elders to reject violence, cattle theft, and road ambushes and participate in peacebuilding activities so their communities can unite.

During his appeal, he also offered concrete solutions:

“For us to be in peace, we need to come together as communities to protect our own civilians, especially children, women and elderly, from violence by responding to early warnings, upholding the law and supporting accountability for ourselves.”

The establishment of early warning systems was one of the priority topics.

“In order to properly protect ourselves, we need to prevent violence before it starts by listening to each other’s concerns, report them to authorities and security forces, and engage those on the verge of conflict in peaceful conversation,” stressed Matuom Majuet Thoan, cattle camp youth representative.

Illustrating an example of a conflict prevention mechanism, Paramount Chief, Mabil Hoth, referred to a recently formed peace committee within his Gaatbal community that coordinates peace-building activities, monitors tensions, facilitates dialogue, and follows up on reported incidents.

“We decided to commit to dialogue instead of violence, reconciliation instead of revenge, and unity instead of division,” explained Hoth.

He proposed forming similar committees in neutral places such as Majok, Nyambor or Uror County, where conflict-prone parties from all over the State could come together in a safe space and benefit from impartial peace mediations.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Beverly Mac-Ocloo, reiterated the mission’s commitment to supporting such initiative while stressing the importance of the primary responsibility resting with the Government and affected communities:

“We are not here to tell the people of Pading or anywhere what type of solutions they are supposed to pursue. Rather, peace must be owned by the people themselves to make it sustainable. Our role is to provide a platform where you can speak, listen to one another, identify common interests, and develop practical ways forward.”

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

Source: APO

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met Lord Krish Raval OBE, a Member of the United Kingdom House of Lords, at State House Entebbe during his recent visit to Uganda.

The meeting provided an opportunity for discussions on strengthening the longstanding relations between Uganda and the United Kingdom, including areas of mutual interest and cooperation.

Lord Raval’s visit to Uganda was arranged by Uganda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E. Nimisha Madhvani, and her team, following an invitation extended by the Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda.

The engagement is part of Uganda’s continued efforts to deepen diplomatic, parliamentary and people-to-people relations with the United Kingdom.

Uganda and the United Kingdom maintain longstanding bilateral relations, with cooperation spanning trade and investment, education, health, governance, development and other areas of mutual interest.

The visit also highlights the important role of parliamentary and political diplomacy in complementing traditional diplomatic engagements and creating new opportunities for stronger Uganda–UK cooperation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Uganda High Commission, London – United Kingdom (UK).

Source: APO

Six African startups have been selected as winners of the 2026 FINCA (https://FINCA.org/ )Ventures Prize Competition (https://apo-opa.co/4zgFQFQ), receiving a combined $400,000 in catalytic funding to accelerate their impact in key resilience sectors. The competition, a flagship initiative of FINCA’s impact investing arm (https://apo-opa.co/4zimrEA), spotlights the depth and potential of entrepreneurial talent developing practical, scalable responses to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

“Africa’s future will be shaped by entrepreneurs who see opportunity where others see market failure,” said FINCA Global CEO Andrée Simon. “One of the most important ways we can support these founders is by backing them early and helping them build the credibility and traction to attract additional investment and achieve meaningful scale.”

Now in its third year, the FINCA Ventures Prize Competition drew more than 700 applications in two categories: fintech for financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture & food systems. First-place winners in each category — VunaPay, co-founded by Gatwiri Njogu-Mokaya and Koya Matsuno, and Kumbatia Seafood, co-founded by Bernard Iha Thoya, Will Gertler, and Nelson Ondego Mumata — received a $100,000 grant, while second- and third-place winners received $60,000 and $40,000, respectively.

A Case for Early Investment

The companies recognized through the FINCA Ventures Prize Competition illustrate the vast opportunity emerging across Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Too often, promising founders struggle to tap into traditional investment networks, despite strong potential, proven track records, and innovative business models.

“Entrepreneurship remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic progress across the continent, but early-stage businesses can’t do it alone,” said FINCA Ventures Managing Director Winnie Mwangi. “Catalytic capital is what allows founders to reach the scale where both financial returns and social impact compound. Investors and partners willing to act early play an essential role in supporting startups through critical growth stages and drawing attention to opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.”

Advancing Africa’s Startup Ecosystem

The six finalist companies of the 2026 competition, three of which are led or co-led by women, pitched their ventures to a panel of distinguished judges on October 6 in San Francisco at an event hosted by Cisco, and the winners were announced later that evening at an award celebration. The judging panel comprised leaders from across impact investing, venture capital, fintech, and sustainable development.

The award will help first-place winner VunaPay scale its model designed to expand access to timely payments and financing for smallholder farmers through agricultural cooperatives. As co-founder Koya Matsuno explained: “There are about 54,000 cooperatives across Africa, and each of them has between 500 and 10,000 farmers. This equates to millions of smallholder households that we can serve.”

Kumbatia Seafood’s co-founder Will Gertler shared that the team will use the funding to expand the company’s operations to increase impact for small-scale fishers on the Swahili Coast: “The FINCA Ventures Prize will go towards working capital and expansion financing to build out our first sales department and scale our intervention to a dozen more communities by 2030.”

Second-place winners are nesti, co-founded by Christabel Ojuok and David Kimani, in fintech for financial inclusion, and eAgro, co-founded by Tafadzwa Chikwereti and Golden Nhunhama, in sustainable agriculture & food systems. Third-place winners are ChatCash, co-founded by John Josiah Sakala, Leon Kanamugire, Edgar Erick, and Jude Egbokwu, in fintech for financial inclusion, and Pollen Patrollers, co-founded by Margaret Wanjiku, Julieta Wanjohi, and Charity Maina, in sustainable agriculture & food systems.

“The FINCA Ventures Prize is an opportunity to spotlight emerging African entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and building financial and social resilience across the continent,” said FINCA International Board Chair David Weisman. “Their ingenuity and determination are remarkable, and their impact deserves far greater visibility.”

Winners of the 2026 FINCA Ventures Prize Competition

Category: Fintech for Financial Inclusion

FIRST PLACE – $100,000

VunaPay

Website: www.VunaPay.com

Location: Kenya

Founders: Gatwiri Njogu-Mokaya (https://apo-opa.co/4i7JDzD) and Koya Matsuno (https://apo-opa.co/4zboAC6)

In Kenya, VunaPay (www.VunaPay.com) builds last-mile payment and credit infrastructure for agricultural value chains across Africa, enabling instant payments to smallholder farmers through cooperatives. COO Koya Matsuno explained how the company’s digital finance platform is improving transparency, efficiency, and access to formal financial services.

SECOND PLACE – $60,000

nesti

Website: https://nesti.Africa/ 

Location: Kenya

Founders: Christabel Ojuok (https://apo-opa.co/4ekj2Ns) and David Kimani (https://apo-opa.co/3VUtFjH)

In Kenya, nesti (https://nesti.Africa/) is turning rent into a credit-building tool by converting regular, on-time payments into a trusted financial identity that unlocks fair credit and home ownership. CEO David Kimani explained that the company’s mission is to help African renters build generational wealth and achieve financial freedom.

THIRD PLACE – $40,000

ChatCash

Website: https://ChatCash.africa/ 

Location: Rwanda, Zimbabwe

Founders: John Josiah Sakala, (https://apo-opa.co/3U7xfqe) Leon Kanamugire (https://apo-opa.co/4AX9FgE), Edgar Erick, and Jude Egbokwu (https://apo-opa.co/3VQRetJ)

In Rwanda and Zimbabwe, ChatCash (https://ChatCash.africa/) is an AI conversational operating system that turns WhatsApp into automated digital storefronts with native, interactive payment buttons for African micromerchants. CEO John Josiah Sakala explained that the platform helps merchants double their conversion rates while building transaction trails that can unlock access to financial services.

Category: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

FIRST PLACE – $100,000

Kumbatia Seafood

Website: www.KumbatiaSeafood.com

Location: Kenya

Founders: Bernard Iha Thoya (https://apo-opa.co/4ARW5e9), Will Gertler (https://apo-opa.co/4zp9k4J), and Nelson Ondego Mumata (https://apo-opa.co/3VUDiyS)

Kumbatia Seafood (www.KumbatiaSeafood.com) sources, finances, and distributes sustainably caught, artisanal fish from small-scale fishing communities along Kenya’s Swahili Coast. CEO Will Gertler explained how the company combines financing, cold chain logistics, export-grade processing, and full digital traceability to connect coastal fishers to premium markets while protecting the marine ecosystems they depend on.

SECOND PLACE – $60,000

eAgro

Website: https://eAgro.co.zw/ 

Location: Zimbabwe

Founders: Tafadzwa Chikwereti (https://apo-opa.co/4zgFuPD) and Golden Nhunhama (https://apo-opa.co/3VReyHO)

In Zimbabwe, eAgro builds AI infrastructure that works without internet, enabling farmers in rural communities to access real-time agricultural guidance through basic mobile phones. CEO Tafadzwa Chikwereti explained how the company’s digital tools combine AI, satellite analytics, soil science, and local advisory systems to improve yields, reduce losses, and strengthen climate resilience across Africa.

THIRD PLACE – $40,000

Pollen Patrollers

Website: www.PollenPatrollers.com 

Location: Kenya

Founders: Margaret Wanjiku (https://apo-opa.co/4zjwAB5), Julieta Wanjohi (https://apo-opa.co/4i54LXg), and Charity Maina

In Kenya, Pollen Patrollers uses solar-powered IoT technology and AI-driven pollination services to help smallholder farmers and beekeepers increase crop yields and reduce bee colony collapse. CEO Margaret Wanjiku explained how the company is building more resilient food systems across East Africa and creating green jobs for women and youth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FINCA.

Media Contact:
Aeriel Emig
Director, Strategic Engagement and Communications, FINCA
aeriel.emig@finca.org

About FINCA:
FINCA is an international organization committed to creating pathways out of poverty through sustainable, scalable solutions rooted in the needs of the people it serves. With a presence in more than 45 countries, FINCA provides innovative tools that help individuals and communities build resilience, generate income, and invest in their children’s education. FINCA’s work is driven by the belief that all people should have the opportunity to leverage their wisdom, talent, and effort to determine their own destiny, and aims to directly serve and support 40 million people by 2028 with proven solutions that spark lasting impact. Learn more at https://FINCA.org/.

About FINCA Ventures:
FINCA Ventures is a pilot impact venture fund launched in 2018, leveraging FINCA’s balance sheet and local networks to invest in early-stage businesses solving challenges faced by communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more at https://FINCAVentures.

Source: APO

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Supporting persons living with disabilities requires more than medical care. It calls for early intervention, sustained rehabilitation, strong family support and an inclusive environment that enables every individual to live with dignity and realise their potential.

This message resonated across the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) as military families, healthcare professionals, caregivers and welfare personnel marked World Cerebral Palsy Day through activities at the Defence Forces Wellness Centre (DFWC) in Lang’ata Garrison, Lanet Regional Hospital (LRH) and Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe.

Observed annually on 6 October, World Cerebral Palsy Day raises awareness of the condition, promotes inclusion and advocates for equal opportunities for persons living with cerebral palsy. The commemorations across KDF establishments provided platforms to highlight the experiences of affected families, address stigma and strengthen awareness of available healthcare and rehabilitation services.

At DFWC, the commemoration, organised by the Military Wives Association of Kenya (MWAK), brought together KDF families, caregivers, senior officers and healthcare professionals under the theme, “Together Stronger.” A colourful procession led by the Kenya Army Band set the tone for a day centred on solidarity, dignity and collective responsibility.

Chief Guest and Lang’ata Barracks Commandant Brigadier Balata emphasised that supporting persons living with cerebral palsy is a shared responsibility. He urged society to recognise their individual abilities, aspirations and potential while removing barriers that limit their participation and development.

Brigadier Rodha Mkavita, Chief of Compensation and Welfare at Defence Headquarters, acknowledged the resilience of parents and caregivers who provide daily support to children living with disabilities. She reaffirmed the Welfare Branch’s commitment to ensuring that military families requiring specialised assistance can access available support services.

DFWC Commandant Colonel Bii highlighted the Centre’s growing rehabilitation capability, including its operational workshop providing external prostheses and orthotic services for neuromusculoskeletal and other rehabilitation needs.

Speaking on behalf of MWAK Chairperson Mrs Grace Kahariri, Mrs Rose Ng’ang’a highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at bringing specialised services closer to military families. She announced plans to establish an Educational Assessment and Resource Centre (EARC) at Thika Garrison Primary School through collaboration involving MWAK, the Kenya Institute of Special Education and the World Bank.

The planned centre will provide services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and access to assistive devices, reducing the need for families to travel to Nairobi for assessments. MWAK has also equipped a therapy room at the Kahawa Special Unit in accordance with Kenya Institute of Special Education and Ministry of Education guidelines.

Mrs Ng’ang’a urged parents and communities to reject stigma and ensure children living with disabilities are registered, assessed and given opportunities to participate fully in family, school and community life.
Chief Physical Medical Officer Colonel Omar underscored the importance of multidisciplinary and continuous care, explaining that cerebral palsy is a complex neurodevelopmental condition requiring coordinated interventions involving medical specialists, therapists, nurses, caregivers and families.

At Lanet Regional Hospital, healthcare providers, caregivers and other stakeholders similarly used the commemoration to promote early identification, appropriate intervention and inclusive healthcare. Hospital leadership emphasised the importance of creating supportive environments where persons living with cerebral palsy can access quality healthcare and participate meaningfully in society.

The Kenya Navy marked the day at Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe under the theme, “Unique and United.” Deputy Commander Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe Colonel Stephen Kimani encouraged families and caregivers to focus on the abilities and progress of children rather than allowing the condition to define them.

He emphasised early identification, timely intervention and consistent rehabilitation as critical to improving functional abilities and independence. He also commended the Kenya Navy Hospital, Welfare Department and MWAK for supporting affected children and their families.

Through physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mobility assistance and other rehabilitation interventions, the Kenya Navy Hospital and Welfare Department continue to support children in developing mobility, independence and greater participation in everyday activities.

The commemorations across KDF establishments demonstrated a broader approach to military family welfare—one that combines healthcare, rehabilitation, education, awareness and psychosocial support. By strengthening access to specialised services and confronting stigma, the KDF continues to foster an environment where children and families living with cerebral palsy and other disabilities are supported with dignity, care and opportunity.

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

Source: APO

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Finance Minister Hon. Henry Musasizi has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening Uganda’s partnership with the European Union to mobilise investment, expand trade, support private-sector growth and accelerate economic transformation.

Musasizi made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the European Union led by the EU Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Jan Sadek.

“We value the European Union’s longstanding partnership with Uganda and look forward to strengthening cooperation that translates into investment, jobs, exports and sustainable economic growth,” said the Minister.

The engagement comes as Uganda and the EU mark 50 years of partnership, with cooperation increasingly moving beyond traditional development assistance towards investment, infrastructure, trade, energy, climate finance and private-sector development.

Ambassador Sadek reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Finance, which he described as the EU’s primary counterpart for development cooperation.

He said the EU–Uganda bilateral development cooperation envelope for 2021–2027 stands at €539 million, while Team Europe delivers more than €750 million annually in development assistance to Uganda.

According to Sadek, EU–Uganda cooperation is centred on sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs, governance and social inclusion, and connectivity, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.

He said the partnership is also evolving towards a broader financing relationship involving grants, lending, guarantees and blended finance to mobilise private investment.
The Ambassador said the EU’s portfolio is also supporting productive sectors and value chains with potential to drive Uganda’s long-term growth, including coffee, forestry, tourism and critical raw materials, alongside investments in energy, transport and digital connectivity.

“Our portfolio is broad and designed to deliver practical results while supporting Uganda’s own priorities,” Sadek said.

Energy was another key area of discussion, with the rehabilitation of the Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower plants highlighted as a flagship Team Europe initiative.
The project has a €170 million financing package, comprising €30 million in EU grant funding and concessional loans from the European Investment Bank and the French Development Agency. It is intended to extend the life of the strategic renewable energy assets for at least another 30 years.

“The rehabilitation of the Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower plants is one of our flagship Team Europe initiatives in Uganda,” Sadek said.

The meeting also focused on climate finance, including Uganda’s preparations to issue its first sovereign green bond. The EU expressed interest in supporting Uganda’s readiness and exploring how the planned issuance could mobilise international private capital for sustainable investments.

On trade, Sadek noted that Uganda’s exports to the EU grew from €377 million in 2015 to €1.8 billion in 2025, while Uganda recorded a trade surplus of about €950 million with the EU in 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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Liberia will showcase its 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town. Organized by Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) in partnership with the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), the investment-focused campaign will present 16 offshore blocks, over 80,000 km² of seismic data, and a growing pipeline of corporate interest to international investors during Africa’s largest energy event.

The LPRA’s formal presentation follows months of preparation led by Director General Marilyn T. Logan, including an August 19 investor day in Houston and the August 28 opening of prequalification. Companies are now able to establish their technical and financial eligibility ahead of expressions of interest and block-specific negotiations.

Liberia’s offshore offering spans the Liberia and Harper basins, with available acreage targeting a range of Cretaceous structures, deepwater basin-floor fans and structural closures, with the wider petroleum system sharing geological characteristics with prolific plays across the Atlantic margin.

The round is backed by a substantial subsurface data package comprising more than 50,000 line-km of 2D seismic and over 31,000 km² of 3D seismic. TGS and Core Laboratories have supported the technical program, while additional gravity, magnetic, well-log and multi-client datasets provide further information for companies evaluating the acreage.

 TGS has reprocessed 12,000 km of 2D seismic using Pre-Stack Depth Migration, alongside 5,100 km² of reprocessed 3D data from a 26,000-km² volume. The wider TGS library includes more than 24,000 km of legacy 2D data, strengthening imaging across an offshore frontier where subsurface definition remains central to exploration decisions.

The available Liberia Basin acreage includes LB-1, LB-2, LB-3, LB-7, LB-8, LB-12, LB-13, LB-14, LB-18, LB-19, LB-20, LB-21 and LB-23, while Harper Basin opportunities include LB-25, LB-28 and LB-33.

The Harper Basin’s geological setting is also attracting attention because of its relationship to neighboring Ivory Coast’s offshore petroleum system. Eni’s Baleine and Calao discoveries have demonstrated the wider prospectivity of the regional margin, while companies including Petrobras and Murphy Oil are pursuing comparable Upper Cretaceous deepwater plays elsewhere in the region.

Liberia’s licensing process uses a direct negotiation model, allowing qualified companies to advance individual technical and commercial prospects. The process operates under Liberia’s 2014 Petroleum Exploration and Production Act and its 2019 amendments, while resulting PSCs require signatures from both the LPRA and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Companies are assessed on technical capability, financial strength and offshore experience before progressing into negotiations over proposed exploration programs.

With prequalification now open and valid for five years, companies can establish their eligibility ahead of the licensing round and be prepared to move quickly when new opportunities are launched.

The Launch of the Liberia 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round – organized by Energy Capital and Power – will take place at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 on October 14 at The Orchid, CTICC 2. Visit, https://apo-opa.co/4j4ECsE for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

Africa’s infrastructure opportunity is growing, but so is the need for capital, innovation and stronger project delivery. Against this backdrop, ConstructAfrica Summit & Awards 2026 (https://Summit.ConstructAfrica.com/) will bring together the people financing, developing, building and shaping the continent’s infrastructure from 26–28 November 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi, Kenya.

Held under the theme “Constructing Africa’s Future Through Collaboration, Innovation & Excellence,” the three-day Summit will explore the forces shaping Africa’s built environment, including infrastructure development, sustainable construction, digital transformation, smart cities and project delivery.

More importantly, the Summit is designed to bring together government decision-makers, infrastructure investors, developers, contractors, engineers, consultants, financiers, technology companies, and project owners looking to understand where the market is heading and identify opportunities to collaborate.

For delegates, the value extends beyond conference sessions. The Summit offers an opportunity to meet potential clients and partners, engage investors and policymakers, discover emerging technologies, gain insight into major infrastructure projects and build relationships across African markets.

Registration for ConstructAfrica Summit & Awards 2026 is now open (https://apo-opa.co/3VRbk7a), with early-bird rates available until 26 October 2026. Organisations registering three or more delegates receive a 10% discount.

Confirmed speakers include Hon. Ndiritu Muriithi, Chairman, Kenya Revenue Authority; Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria; Dhruv Jog, Managing Director, Advent Construction Ltd, Tanzania; Dr. Nelson Ogunshakin, OBE, Chairman, ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board; Prof. Dr Khumbulani Mpofu, Vice-Chancellor, Solusi University, Zimbabwe; and Dr. Olubukola Tokede, Founder, African LCA Society and Senior Lecturer at Deakin University, Australia.

The Summit will also host the ConstructAfrica Excellence Awards on 27 November, recognising outstanding projects, organisations and professionals contributing to Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Categories include Africa Infrastructure Project of the Year, Innovation in Construction Technology, Excellence in Green & Sustainable Design, Innovation in Infrastructure Funding & Finance, Contractor of the Year, Consultant of the Year and Client of the Year.

Organisations with eligible projects completed in Africa within the last three years can submit an Excellence Award nomination (https://apo-opa.co/3VRbk7a). Nominations close 12 October 2026.

Companies across construction, infrastructure, engineering, finance, technology, energy, and real estate can also participate as sponsors, exhibitors, or strategic partners, with opportunities to increase visibility, demonstrate expertise, and engage senior decision-makers. Explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities (https://apo-opa.co/470m9Gx).

For those shaping Africa’s infrastructure future, ConstructAfrica Summit & Awards 2026 offers a platform to meet the market, understand the opportunity, and build the partnerships needed to deliver it.

Register for the Summit (https://apo-opa.co/3VRbk7a)
Submit an Excellence Award Nomination (https://apo-opa.co/4zhtrl4)
Explore Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities (https://apo-opa.co/470m9Gx)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ConstructAfrica.

For Group ticket bookings: tolulope.abiodun@constructafrica.com

For Sponsorships/Partnerships: sponsorships@constructafrica.com

For General Enquiries: hello@constructafrica.com