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Water constraints become a defining economic and infrastructure risk

Source: APO

Water resources, when left unchecked, are a constraint on economic growth, public health and social stability. For utilities, municipalities, industry and investors, the implications extend beyond resource availability to infrastructure performance, revenue, financing and long-term operational continuity.

These issues are examined in ESI Africa’s Water Security & Infrastructure Industry Insights Volume, published in partnership with Conlog and the STS Association. ESI Africa, a long-standing media brand within VUKA Group, brings together analysis of the pressures changing how water is managed, financed and valued.

Download the Water Security & Infrastructure Volume (https://apo-opa.co/4dr8xYs)

From water crisis to system risk

The volume examines water security through operational, environmental and financial lenses. Its content considers whether the hydrological chain is breaking, how intensive water users are exposed to risk and how demand from data centres is adding another dimension to competition for available resources.

It also addresses:

  • the connection between non-revenue water and blended finance,
  • the influence of tariff politics on water security, and
  • the role metering can play in improving how existing supplies are managed.

Together, these subjects point to a central industry concern. New supply and large infrastructure projects remain necessary, but stronger management of existing resources, networks and revenue is equally significant.

The volume’s argument is grounded in the principle that the smartest litre may be the one already available within the system.

Technology must support service outcomes

Smart infrastructure can improve visibility, measurement and operational decision-making, but technology must be linked to service delivery and climate resilience.

The ESI Africa webinar Smart infrastructure for climate resilient water service develops this theme by considering how infrastructure and digital capabilities can support more robust water services.

Watch Smart infrastructure for climate resilient water service (https://apo-opa.co/4jHVVjs)

Agro-industrial futures: Scaling alternative water solutions in agriculture examines alternative approaches for a sector in which water availability is closely linked to production and food security.

Watch Agro-industrial futures on-demand (https://apo-opa.co/4hK0F5r)

Water resilience for private sector business: The business case for water security considers why organisations need to treat water as an operational and commercial concern.

Watch the business case for water security (https://apo-opa.co/4j3VUGn)

Taking the discussion from analysis to implementation

Water Security Africa provides an in-person continuation of the discussion. The Johannesburg platform focuses on industrial water resilience, while Water Security Africa at Enlit Africa brings water and energy stakeholders together at the CTICC in Cape Town from 11 to 13 May 2027.

Explore Water Security Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4hQiDDv)

Projects will also play a central role in improving water security. The Project & Investment Network, in partnership with the African Infrastructure Elites: Projects and People annual print magazine, connects project owners with investors, financiers and solution providers around opportunities that require capital, partnerships and support to move towards implementation.

Submit a project to the Project & Investment Network (https://apo-opa.co/4e0ia0n)

Continuing the water security conversation

The next Water Security & Infrastructure Volume 2027 will continue examining the infrastructure, policy, technology and investment decisions affecting the sector.

The volume’s content is relevant to public and private stakeholders because water risk cuts across municipal services, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, data infrastructure, public health and wider economic development.

Future progress will depend on linking resource management with accountable operations, viable projects and the capital required to deliver them.  

Join the Water Security & Infrastructure Volume 2027 waiting list (https://apo-opa.co/3TFdPcb)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa is a leading multimedia platform serving Africa’s power, energy, water, transport and utility sectors. Through industry analysis, interviews, webinars, special reports and multimedia content, ESI Africa connects sector professionals with the people, projects, technologies and developments shaping infrastructure across the continent. ESI Africa forms part of VUKA Group. www.ESI-Africa.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and each other, creating business opportunities across key industries in Africa. Through events, digital platforms, media and targeted industry networks, VUKA Group brings together decision-makers, innovators, investors and industry stakeholders. www.WeAreVuka.com

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Gauteng launches new digital platform to process transport operating licences

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng launches new digital platform to process transport operating licences

The newly launched digital platform to process transport operating licences will reduce unnecessary administrative delays and make services more accessible to operators, says Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela. 

The Gauteng Public Transport Regulatory Information System (GPTRIS) is a digitally enhanced system aimed at improving access and regulatory compliance, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving transparency and governance.

It also addresses longstanding challenges in the operating licence value chain, including delays associated with information technology infrastructure and administrative processes. 

“Our objective is to build a licensing system that is faster, more transparent and responsive, while ensuring that every application continues to be assessed against the applicable legislative and regulatory requirements,” the MEC said on Tuesday.

She said the GPTRIS aims to ensure regulatory compliance by standardising compliance checks and supporting adherence to legislative prescripts, including the 60-day turnaround time for submitted operating licence applications and the processing of over-the-counter applications.

Fully implemented, the GPTRIS will provide a self-service functionality, enabling applicants to submit applications and track progress from any location. This functionality will greatly help eliminate long queues.

“It will further provide an integrated payment facility for secure and immediate digital payment options, improve process automation and streamline workflows to reduce processing times and the administrative burden associated with paper-based processes.

“Transparency and governance will be strengthened through real-time application tracking and improved management of licensing information. Purification of records, including route information, will contribute towards improved data accuracy and transparency,” the Department of Roads and Transport said.

For the e-hailing sector, the launch represents an important step forward in strengthening the interface between operators and the provincial regulatory system, whilst enhancing compliance and regulatory oversight.

This follows the official recognition of e-hailing services as legal public transport under the National Land Transport Amendment (NLTA) Act and Regulations in 2025. 

The launch is part of the department’s broader digital transformation agenda to leverage technology to address administrative inefficiencies, improve client experience and strengthen the management of operating licence applications.

The department said it is also a testament to its commitment to building a modern, efficient, transparent and accessible public transport regulatory environment. – SAnews.gov.za

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Public servants to be trained on water quality management

Source: Government of South Africa

Public servants to be trained on water quality management

The National School of Government (NSG) and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) have launched a four-day course for public servants on Water Resources Management and Water Quality Management in Pretoria. 

The programme is designed to address the challenges in state capacity related to water management that President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned in February of this year. 

The course is being implemented as part of the cooperation agreement signed by the NSG and RANEPA in November 2025. 

The agreement provides for collaboration in scientific and educational development, including short-term training programmes for public servants, the exchange of scientific materials and publications, faculty visits, joint conferences and research projects. 

The programme brings together experts from RANEPA and leading Russian scientific institutions, including specialists with experience in monitoring water resources, managing pollution, hydrological science, geoinformation technologies and mathematical modelling. 

It also creates an opportunity for South African practitioners to share their experiences and challenges. 

Speaking at the launch of the NSG–RANEPA Water and Environmental Security Programme, Acting Principal of the National School of Government, Phindile Mkwanazi, said the programme represents an important step in translating international cooperation and technical knowledge into practical public-sector capability.

Mkwanazi said the NSG welcomes the opportunity to expose South African public servants to international expertise while ensuring that such knowledge is adapted to the country’s own developmental and institutional context. 

“International cooperation is most valuable when it strengthens our ability to address our own challenges. The NSG’s role is to ensure that the knowledge shared through this programme is translated into practical learning that officials can apply in their respective institutions and spheres of government,” she said.

According to Mkwanazi, the NSG is particularly focused on ensuring that the programme’s benefits extend beyond the participating officials. 

“We want this engagement to contribute to sustained institutional learning. The knowledge gained must ultimately support better planning, better-informed decisions and improved service delivery, particularly for communities that depend on reliable and safe water services,” she said.

Mkwanazi said the NSG would continue to work with its partners to strengthen the capabilities of public servants across the three spheres of government, with a particular focus on officials involved in water services and related areas of public administration.

Also speaking at the launch, the CEO of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), Mapatani Kgomo, said sustainable water services depended on capable municipalities, strong governance and project lifecycle funding. 

Kgomo said the contribution of MISA was to assist municipalities in moving from recurring crisis response to long-term infrastructure reliability. – SAnews.gov.za

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Second suspect in Dube matter to appear in court

Source: Government of South Africa

Second suspect in Dube matter to appear in court

A second suspect arrested in connection with the murder of 44-year-old Monicca Dube, an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party member, is expected to appear in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 7 October.

The 39-year-old suspect was arrested by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in connection with Dube’s.

The former EFF Tshwane Region 2 Secretary was shot and killed in the presence of her family members on 13 June 2026 at her home in Wallmansthal.

READ | Gauteng Political Killings Task Team arrests suspect in Dube murder

“Following an intelligence-driven investigation, investigators positively linked another suspect, a 39-year-old male. The suspect was arrested on Tuesday evening by the PKTT,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The suspect will appear in court on a charge of murder.

This arrest follows the earlier arrest of Sipho Mahlangu in July 2026. Mahlangu has made several appearances before the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court and remains in police custody. – SAnews.gov.za

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Kenya Confirms First Imported Case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease

Source: APO


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The Ministry of Health has confirmed Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease in a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The patient fell ill about a month ago and received treatment at several hospitals in the DRC. He travelled by road to Kampala before boarding Jambo Jet flight 8523 to Nairobi, arriving on Saturday, 3 October, at 1:10 p.m.

After arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he was taken to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated and assessed. He was later transferred to the hospital’s East Wing Isolation Facility. His symptoms included fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, painful swallowing, a sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.

Following assessment of his symptoms and travel history, a sample was collected for testing. The National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute independently confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease.

The patient received supportive treatment but has since died. The Ministry has conveyed its condolences to his family and friends. Arrangements for a safe and dignified burial are underway in line with Ebola burial protocols.

The Ministry has identified 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who attended to the patient. It is also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight. Quarantine arrangements are underway for people considered to be at risk.

Kenya has maintained a heightened alert for Ebola since the outbreak began in May 2026. As of 6 October, health authorities had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories: the National Virology Reference Laboratory, Kenya Medical Research Institute laboratories in Nairobi and Kisumu, and mobile laboratories at the Busia and Lwakhakha border points. One sample has tested positive.

A total of 4,971 health workers at national and sub-national levels have received training in Ebola prevention and management. The Ministry has also notified the World Health Organization in line with the International Health Regulations.

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, reassured the public that systems are in place to respond and urged Kenyans not to panic. He encouraged frequent handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs, avoiding close contact with sick people arriving from countries reporting active Ebola transmission, and seeking care at a recognised health facility if unwell. Members of the public should also report anyone who is unwell to the nearest health facility.

Health workers have been urged to remain vigilant and consistently apply infection prevention and control measures. The public is encouraged to follow official Ministry of Health channels and call the toll-free 719 health information line for updates. The Ministry will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

The Cabinet Secretary was joined at the briefing by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga; Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms Mary Muthoni; Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, World Health Organization Country Director Dr Neema Kimambo; Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Mr Felix Osano; Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Dr Ahmed Idris; and Ministry departmental and divisional heads.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

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Bianchi Gold Deal Signals Broadening Investor Base in South Sudan’s Oil Sector Ahead of South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) 2026

Source: APO


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A strategic investment memorandum signed between South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum and UAE-based Bianchi Gold Trading Investment Company is highlighting the country’s efforts to attract new international partners as it seeks to expand investment across its oil and gas sector ahead of South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) 2026.

Signed in Juba on July 8, the MoU establishes cooperation between the Ministry and Bianchi Gold across petroleum exploration and development, oil and gas infrastructure, refining, storage and distribution, feasibility studies and capacity building. The partnership is intended to mobilize financial and technical resources to support the development and modernization of South Sudan’s petroleum industry.

The agreement comes as South Sudan seeks to expand investment beyond its existing producing assets and attract partners capable of bringing capital, technology and expertise to new developments. The country currently has 14 open concession blocks spanning the A, B, C, D and E areas, building on the five blocks offered in South Sudan’s first-ever oil licensing round in 2021.

The opportunity extends beyond exploration and production. Cooperation covering refining, storage and distribution could support the development of domestic and midstream infrastructure, while technical studies and capacity building could help strengthen local capabilities and service provision across the sector.

South Sudan’s resource base provides a substantial platform for this investment drive. SSOP 2026 highlights 3.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, with nearly 90% described as untapped, and the government targeting production of 230,000 barrels per day in the short term and 450,000 barrels per day over the longer term.

Against this backdrop, the Bianchi partnership offers a timely example of the type of international investment and technical collaboration South Sudan is seeking to attract. The country’s seventh South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) conference, taking place in Juba on November 24–25, will bring together government, investors, financiers, project developers and technology providers to advance partnerships across upstream oil and gas, refining, midstream infrastructure and power.

For South Sudan, the focus now is on converting its resource base into production, infrastructure and wider economic value. As SSOP 2026 approaches, partnerships such as the Bianchi MoU underscore the country’s drive to attract the capital, technology and expertise needed to advance that next phase of development.

To register for South Sudan Oil & Power 2026 in Juba on November 24–25, visit: https://SouthSudanOilPower.com/

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

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South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) 2026 to Showcase Investment Opportunities Across South Sudan’s Energy Sector

Source: APO


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The upcoming South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) conference, taking place November 24–25 in Juba, will bring together government representatives, investors, financiers, operators and technology providers to explore investment opportunities across South Sudan’s evolving energy sector.

Held under the theme “Resource Renaissance – Energy-Fueled Growth for a New Generation,” SSOP 2026 will feature strategic discussions, project showcases and networking opportunities focused on unlocking investment across oil and gas, refining, midstream infrastructure, power and emerging energy projects. The conference is being held in official partnership with South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum.

Upstream opportunities will feature prominently, spanning mature producing assets, brownfield development and exploration. South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum currently lists 14 open blocks for investors: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B4, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1 and E2. Five of these – A1, A4, B1, E2 and D1 – have been offered in the country’s first licensing round.

The licensing opportunities sit alongside efforts to increase recovery from existing fields. South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum currently reports national production of around 170,000 barrels per day, while SSOP 2026 highlights a government target of 230,000 bpd in the short term and 450,000 bpd over the longer term.

Recent production gains underline the potential within the existing asset base. Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), which operates Blocks 1, 2 and 4, reported production of more than 60,000 bpd earlier this year, prompting a government target for the consortium to reach 75,000 bpd by the end of 2026.

Downstream development represents another area of potential investment. The Ministry of Petroleum has a pipeline of refinery projects including the Jemeza Commercial Refinery, Akon Refinery, Bantiu Refinery, Thiangrial Refinery and Trinity Refinery.

More immediately, the ministry has outlined plans involving Superior Process Engineering Company for 60,000 bpd of new refining capacity. Under the proposal, an initial 30,000-bpd refinery would be developed at Tharjiath in Unity State, followed by a further 30,000 bpd, with Thiangrial in Upper Nile and Pagak also identified as potential refinery locations. The projects are intended to increase domestic fuel production and reduce reliance on imports.

Midstream infrastructure is also emerging as a focus for new investment. In July, the Ministry of Petroleum signed a memorandum of understanding with Bianchi Gold Trading Investment Company covering potential cooperation in petroleum exploration and development, oil and gas infrastructure, refineries, storage and distribution facilities, technical and feasibility studies and capacity building.

For South Sudan, expanding infrastructure is closely tied to the wider objective of increasing the value generated from its hydrocarbon resources. The country holds an estimated 3.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, according to SSOP 2026, with nearly 90% described as untapped. The government is seeking investment and technical partnerships to develop those resources while strengthening refining, storage, distribution and related energy infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, SSOP 2026 will provide a platform for investors and industry participants to engage directly with the government and companies advancing projects across South Sudan’s energy value chain. Discussions will cover new financing models, market access, strategic partnerships, technology deployment and opportunities for private-sector participation.

Returning for its seventh edition, the conference will take place in Juba on November 24–25, bringing together the stakeholders involved in South Sudan’s next phase of oil and energy development.

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

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Government brings services closer to the eMbongombongweni community

Source: Government of South Africa

Government brings services closer to the eMbongombongweni community

Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi will lead a community imbizo and government service delivery outreach programme in eMbongombongweni, Louwsburg, in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

During the programme, the Minister will hand over school shoes, school bags and 500 sanitary packs to Manzamhlophe High School, Dwarsrand Primary School and Morresson Primary School. He will also hand over blankets to the elderly.

Residents of eMbongombongweni and surrounding communities will be able to apply for identity documents and birth certificates, access social grants and social development services, and receive health screenings on site.

Youth development will also take centre stage, with Momentum Metropolitan presenting its youth mentorship programmes to young people in the area. 

Participating departments and entities include the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Department of Social Development, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Health, the Government Information Services and local government representatives, among others. 

As the Minister responsible for the Public Service, Buthelezi will see first-hand how frontline services reach citizens in rural communities. 

The imbizo will give residents a direct platform to raise service delivery challenges with the Minister and government representatives, in keeping with the Batho Pele commitment to a responsive, citizen-centred public service. – SAnews.gov.za

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Qatar Renews Commitment to Supporting Counter-terrorism Efforts

Source: Government of Qatar

New York | October 6, 2026

The State of Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to support international efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen multilateral cooperation in a manner that contributes to addressing emerging threats and achieving international peace and security.

This came in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered today by Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Mohammed Khalifa Al Nasr before the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly during its 81st session, under agenda item 112 “Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Al Nasr stressed the importance of continuing consultations under the agenda item on measures to eliminate international terrorism in a manner that contributes to the progressive development of international law in this field.
He reiterated Qatar’s unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its motives or causes, as well as its absolute rejection of any attempt to associate terrorism with any religion, culture or people. He affirmed Qatar’s position that confronting this scourge required a sincere collective commitment to the principles of international law, respect for human rights, refraining from selectivity or politicisation in counter-terrorism efforts, and ensuring that the fight against terrorism was not used as a pretext for violating rights or discriminating against peoples under occupation whose legitimate right to self-determination is guaranteed under international law.

Al Nasr welcomed, on behalf of Qatar, the outcome reached by the General Assembly in its Resolution 80/286 on the implementation of the ninth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, reiterating Qatar’s full commitment to implementing the Strategy’s provisions, objectives and principles.

The Deputy Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations stressed the importance of completing the international legal framework for combating terrorism. He noted that Qatar called for intensified efforts to reach consensus on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in a manner that addresses outstanding issues in accordance with the principles of international law.

Al Nasr said that, at the national level, Qatar had adopted a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to combating terrorism, combining national legislation, capacity-building, and international and regional cooperation.
He noted that Qatar continued to strengthen its legislative and institutional framework, including measures to combat terrorist financing. It had also adopted a comprehensive national strategy to combat terrorism and violent extremism, aligned with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and centred on prevention, protection, prosecution and recovery. The strategy is implemented by the National Counter-Terrorism Committee in coordination with the relevant national authorities.

At the international level, Al Nasr said Qatar was proud to be a key partner of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the largest contributor to the UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism since 2019, with contributions exceeding USD 142 million and accounting for approximately one-third of contributions to the Fund. He noted that this support had enabled the Office to implement long-term projects and distinguished global programmes covering the various pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The Deputy Permanent Representative expressed Qatar’s pride in hosting one of the five programme offices of the UNOCT. He said work was underway to expand the Doha Programme Office to include several programmes and activities, making it the Office’s largest field presence outside UN Headquarters and helping improve the delivery of capacity-building assistance and bring the Office’s activities closer to beneficiaries.

He noted that Qatar actively cooperated with other entities contributing to the implementation of the United Nations counter-terrorism mandate, particularly the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.

Al Nasr said Qatar attached importance to multilateral counter-terrorism forums, continuing its role as an active member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. He added that Qatar also supported regional efforts within the framework of the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council through information-sharing and close coordination to address common terrorist threats.

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Qatar Participates in 113th Session of OPCW Executive Council

Source: Government of Qatar

The Hague | October 6, 2026

The State of Qatar participated in the 113th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), held in The Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Qatar’s delegation to the session was headed by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Netherlands Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani, and its Permanent Representative to the OPCW.

In the State of Qatar’s statement before the Council, HE Al Qahtani said that the continuing challenges affecting international peace and security demonstrated that managing crises through temporary solutions or leaving conflicts without just settlements did not lead to stability.

He stressed that dialogue based on international law, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, mediation and good offices represented the most sustainable means of addressing regional and international conflicts.

He expressed the State of Qatar’s deep concern over the continuing humanitarian tragedy in the occupied Palestinian territories and the widening scope of conflicts and attacks in the region, as well as the accompanying risks to civilians, freedom of navigation and international energy supplies.

HE Al Qahtani said that respect for and application of international law should not be selective. He stressed the need to protect sovereign, vital, industrial, oil and petrochemical facilities from any targeting, as such attacks constituted a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international law.

He reiterated Qatar’s categorical rejection of the use of chemical weapons by any party, anywhere and under any circumstances. He stressed the importance of addressing issues related to their use through the mechanisms of the Chemical Weapons Convention and on the basis of facts and technical evidence, while also preventing the re-emergence of such weapons, countering chemical terrorism and addressing the risks of non-state actors gaining access to toxic or dual-use materials, as well as the potential for artificial intelligence technologies to facilitate their misuse. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the preparedness of States Parties to respond to chemical incidents and protect civilians.

HE Qatar’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW also stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation, promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry and building the capacities of States Parties in accordance with Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

He highlighted the importance of the responsible use of emerging technologies in verification, information management and capacity-building, alongside strengthening education, awareness and a culture of responsible science, in a manner that supports the effective implementation of the Convention and contributes to achieving its universality.