Category: English

Source: APO

.

The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries has noted the Policy Framework on Internationalisation of universities as presented by the Department of Higher Education and Training on Tuesday.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Makhi Feni, called on the department to provide updated statistical information, that will help the committee to act from an informed perspective on issues in the sector. He said: “We appreciate this initiative but we call on the department to ensure that it empowers black South Africans, the previously disadvantaged and other vulnerable groups.

“Keeping up with international standards is ideal but such move must empower South Africans. We must not be swallowed up in convenient phrases, but we want South Africans to equally influence the world through research output that does not regurgitate international models.”

Minister Nobuhle Nkabane led the departmental delegation in the meeting with the committee this morning. She informed the committee that the policy will serve as a guideline to South Africa’s institutions of higher education.

Mr Feni said the policy is urgent and that in the era of indigenous knowledge systems and decolonised knowledge, we should be able to make conditions conducive for black South African scholars at home and abroad. “But in the absence of relevant and reliable information, we are unable to do anything. Even the swirling complaints about foreign nationals uprooting Black South Africans from their system will continue,” Mr Feni said.

Mr Feni said the development of a policy framework must not be delayed as Black South Africans legitimately feel they are being substituted by foreign nationals. “There will be claims of xenophobia, when in fact this was something that could have easily been avoided.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

A dirt road in Kenya. Heavy heat shimmers over the surrounding savannah. A loan officer approaches a herd of cattle and pulls out a smartphone. Standing next to the owner, a woman with a proud yet cautious gaze, he photographs an animal. Hundreds of miles away, an artificial intelligence algorithm transforms that animal into a bankable asset.

This scene illustrates the quiet revolution led by Jenny Ambukiyenyi Onya. A young Congolese engineer, she is tackling a paradox that traps millions of women living in rural areas in precarious conditions. The challenge is staggering. Sub-Saharan Africa has around 200 million smallholder farmers, a significant proportion of whom raise livestock. Women account for up to 60 percent of these farmers, representing an economic force of 80-120 million rural female livestock keepers.

Yet, this force remains virtually invisible to the financial system. Studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) show that women receive only 10 percent of smallholder-targeted loans and barely 1 percent of all agricultural loans. The result? An estimated between 70-115 million women are effectively excluded from formal financing.

Their livestock is their savings account. But without a reliable way to document their herds, how can they prove ownership of 10 cows? Traditional methods, such as ear tags, are fragile and easy to falsify, making verification by a banker nearly impossible and turning a woman’s most valuable asset into an invalid guarantee.

“It was by combining these two realities – a need for reliability in the field and in-house technical expertise – that the idea emerged: why not apply AI to recognizing assets such as livestock?” explains Jenny.

Her solution, Halisi Livestock, works like facial recognition for animals. “A loan officer can take a photo of a cow’s face using a simple smartphone,” she explains. “Using biometric recognition algorithms, our AI analyses each animal’s unique features and generates a digital identity that cannot be falsified.”

This innovation is the key to unlocking financing. First, the digital identity provides farmers with a reliable, indisputable way to count and value their herds. Next, the digital inventory serves as irrefutable proof of ownership, transforming a moving asset into a verifiable guarantee. Finally, this collateral, which can be verified remotely, gives financial institutions the confidence to approve loans.

“For a financial institution, it is no longer a rough estimate, but concrete and reliable data. We are no longer talking about an ‘informal’ profile, but a digital asset that is registered, verified, and integrated into a structured portfolio,” summarizes Jenny. Trust, built on data, finally opens the doors to credit.

The transition from promising innovation to large-scale solution was achieved thanks to the “Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship for Africa” programme, supported by Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) (https://apo-opa.co/4nKHta9), the African Development Bank’s initiative for financing women in Africa. “Joining the programme marked a turning point in our journey,” Jenny acknowledges. “The support provided allowed us to benefit from strategic guidance to strengthen our vision and above all, to refine our product in order to achieve a better fit between the product and the market.” Thanks to this support, the company she founded, Neotex.ai, has rolled out its services in new rural areas in Kenya, registering more than 1,250 head of livestock and proving the viability of its model.

Beyond facilitating access to loans, Jenny Ambukiyenyi Onya’s vision is to redefine the role of rural economies in Africa. She believes technology makes the livestock sector “visible, measurable and able to be modelled” for investors and policymakers.

Her message is twofold. She calls on financial institutions to invest “in high-potential local economies, often led by women.” To young African women dreaming of innovating, she offers her own journey as proof. “Dare to create. Even in sectors where you are not expected to. If I can build disruptive solutions from a cell phone and a herd of cows, you too can reinvent what no one has yet dared to imagine.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Editor’s note:
15 July 2025 marks the 10^th anniversary of the United Nations World Youth Skills Day. This year’s theme focuses on empowering young people through artificial intelligence and digital skills.

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

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender, mark ‘International Women’s Day 2025’, through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 – 2024) expressed, “Happy International Women’s Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world!

Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.

Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women’s Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as ‘More Than a Mother’, ‘Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement’, ‘Educating Linda’, and ‘STEM Program’.”

“Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.

“I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,282 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1046 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders.

I am especially proud that we have awarded over 680 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women’s health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.”

Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment.

“I am happy to share that through our “Educating Linda” Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are contributing to the future of over 700 girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more.

Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children’s storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film & fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women’s empowerment tomorrow”, emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence.

“Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,” emphasized Dr. Kelej.

Watch the Episodes of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” TV program on Supporting Girl Education:

Episode 2: https://apo-opa.co/4mfjkXN

Episode 11: https://apo-opa.co/46OtJ7Y

Episode 14: https://apo-opa.co/4eOnPpH

Listen to Merck Foundation song about Supporting Girl Education here:

1. Watch, share & subscribe to the “Girl Can” song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: https://apo-opa.co/4eWbPm8
2. Watch, share & subscribe the “Like Them” song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda: https://apo-opa.co/4lo4Wfy
3. Watch, share & subscribe “Take me to School” song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls’ education: https://apo-opa.co/4ePQxWU
4. Watch share & subscribe “Tu Podes Sim” Portuguese song, which means “Yes, You Can” in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English here: https://apo-opa.co/46GXwPY  
5. Watch, share & subscribe “Brighter day” song by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng from Namibia and Ghana respectively: https://apo-opa.co/3GInicb

Watch the Merck Foundation Animation Films to Support Girl Education :

Ride into to Future: https://apo-opa.co/4lRcDdZ

Jackeline’s Rescue: https://apo-opa.co/3Gqi1pF

Read the Merck Foundation storybook addressing the importance of Girl Education:

1. To read Educating Linda Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/46tUZJ9

2. To read Jackline’s Rescue Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/44ulKeY

3. To read Ride into the Future Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/3Io25ox

4. To read Not Who You Are Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/4lCn71q

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4lZ2dt8
X: https://apo-opa.co/44O0H5M
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4lFl8sQ
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/466ZGIB
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4lXSrqZ
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4f9GJaN
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4lu67dm

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4lZ2dt8), X (https://apo-opa.co/44O0H5M), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/466ZGIB), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4lFl8sQ), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4lXSrqZ) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4f9GJaN).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

Source: APO

.

Twenty-two young men and women from Murqub District and the surrounding area joined UNSMIL officials in an online consultation Monday to share their thoughts on the Advisory Committee’s proposals to take Libya to elections and unify state institutions.  

“The transitional phases have resulted in a loss of trust from the public in the institutions,” said one participant. “All options have pros and cons, but the national dialogue must be linked to the electoral track,” they added. 

Participants were briefed on the four options put forward by the Advisory Committee in May. As outlined in the  Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s report,  the options include:    

1. Holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, then adopt a constitution;    

2. Holding parliamentary elections followed by adopting a permanent constitution, followed by presidential elections;    

3. Adopting a permanent constitution before national elections; or    

4. Dissolving existing institutions and forming a new dialogue forum that appoints an executive and selects a 60-member constituent assembly to adopt a temporary constitution and electoral laws for national elections.  

Many of the participants favoured option four; however, others discussed the importance of holding presidential elections and stressed the need for a constitution. Others said Libya already had one dialogue forum and a referendum would be needed to launch a second. 

“The government must be elected by the people,” said one participant, noting that some of the current leaders have been in power seven years. “Transitional governments must end.” 

Many participants raised their frustration with those who have acted as spoilers in the past to prevent elections. They highlighted that this would likely happen again and that the UN Security Council needed to be more robust with sanctions to prevent this. 

“Option four with amendments is the best option,” said another participant, adding that there needed to be strict conditions such as timeframes and limited tasks. 

A youth council member from Al Khums highlighted the need for transitional justice, reparations and fact finding, saying that very little has been achieved on national reconciliation. Without this, they said, the country would be unable to move forward. 

“Preventing hate speech and educating the public to build a political culture should be something that UNSMIL focuses on in partnership with the media,” said another participant, with others agreeing that hate speech has a damaging effect on society and political discussion. 

All participants were encouraged to complete UNSMIL’s poll requesting formal feedback from the public on the political process to ensure that their voices were heard. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: APO

.

Egypt values the statement by President Donald Trump, which demonstrates the seriousness of the United States—under President Trump’s leadership—in exerting efforts to resolve conflicts and end wars.

Egypt reaffirms its confidence in President Trump’s ability to address complex challenges and to advance peace, stability, and security across the globe, whether in Ukraine, the Palestinian territory, or Africa.

Egypt also appreciates President Trump’s keenness on reaching a just agreement that safeguards the interests of all parties regarding the Ethiopian Dam, as well as his recognition of the Nile as a source of life for Egypt. 

Egypt reaffirms its support for President Trump’s vision of establishing just peace, security, and stability for all countries in the region and around the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, delivered an opening speech at the National Workshop of the UN “Convergence” Initiative, which focuses on linking health and food systems with climate action.

This initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General during COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, aiming to align the transformation of food systems with climate action to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub is responsible for its implementation.

In her speech, delivered via video, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt’s keenness to enhance its leadership in linking food systems, nutrition, and the climate agenda, within the ambitious vision of the UN initiative.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the UN Secretary-General’s statement, which indicated that while the midpoint towards 2030 has been reached, more than half of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are still lagging. She added that despite this, the future of food systems and the future of climate action are not parallel paths but are deeply interconnected.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted that Egypt has chosen a different path based on integration, innovation, and investment. Egypt has taken bold steps to become one of the first in the region to conduct a comprehensive national dialogue on food systems, bringing together government, private sector, civil society, and academia to reimagine how food systems function. This dialogue formed the foundation for the national pathway.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also underscored the launch of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which reflects Egypt’s belief that food security and climate resilience are two sides of the same coin. She also noted the launch of the “NWFE” platform (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy), not merely as a tool for development, but as a genuine investment tool linking planning with capital.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat mentioned that through “NWFE,” Egypt is mobilizing over $14.7 billion in climate-aligned investment opportunities, clarifying that the United Nations and various institutions have praised the platform as a model for converting national climate commitments into investable projects, particularly in the areas of food and water security. She affirmed that Egypt is currently transitioning from the planning stage to partnerships, and from policies to implementation.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated that through the UN initiative for the convergence of food systems and climate action, further steps will be taken on the path of integration. When food policies align with climate goals, and when nutrition is treated as a foundation for development rather than a secondary matter, it strengthens resilience in national policies and the economy.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out that according to global estimates, every dollar invested in reducing malnutrition can yield a return of up to $16 through improved health, productivity, and economic growth. She referred to the “Golden Thousand Days” initiative, which represents a crucial window for achieving human development, ensuring that today’s investments bear fruit for decades to come.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined the vital role of the private sector in this process, noting that with agriculture contributing 11% of Egypt’s GDP and 28% of total employment, this sector remains a key pillar for both economic growth and rural livelihoods. She stressed that opening up to private investment and innovation across food value chains will be key to achieving long-term sustainability.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat concluded by referencing the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) estimates showing that food and agriculture systems account for one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions, yet receive less than 10% of climate finance. She explained that through “NWFE” and initiatives like the current workshop, Egypt is working to bridge this gap by advancing the ability of projects that achieve development and climate goals to attract investment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

Source: APO

.

On July 13, 2025, on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sergei Terentiev, met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt for European Affairs, Wael Hamed.

The interlocutors noted the dynamics of the development of Belarusian-Egyptian contacts at various levels, emphasised the need to hold the planned political and economic events and implement the outlined agreements as soon as possible.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

Source: APO – Report:

.

The island of Mauritius was once the native habitat of the dodo—a striking, flightless bird that went extinct in the face of unsustainable hunting by sailors. Today, the dodo is a national symbol for the country, representing the importance of conservation and sustainability efforts.  

Economies are also shaped by human action, including fiscal policy. Mauritius has a strong policy track record that has engendered a transition from an agricultural economy to a diversified upper-middle-income country. 

However, Mauritius now faces challenges from high public debt, significant public investment needs, low productivity, and an ageing society. To address them, fiscal policy would need to be recalibrated to preserve today’s dodo: inclusive economic prosperity.

Fiscal sustainability measures 

The Mauritian authorities recently announced their 2025-26 budget, which prioritizes reforms to support sustainable fiscal policy. These reforms aim to increase tax revenue by over two percent of GDP in 2025-26, while reducing government spending by over one percent of GDP in the same period. Overall, the authorities expect to reduce government debt from 87 percent of GDP in 2024 to 75 percent in 2030.  

Our recent annual economic health check of the island nation—our Article IV Staff Report and Selected Issues Papers—offers policy options to achieve sustainable fiscal policy in Mauritius, including (i) strengthening revenue mobilization, (ii) reforming the pension system, and (iii) increasing spending efficiency. The announced budget is in line with many of our proposed policy options. 

Increasing fiscal revenue 

Given that tax exemptions are high—they accounted for 4.6 percent of GDP in 2024-25—the new budget aims to discontinue selected exemptions from VAT and excise duties, such as those for construction, real estate, and electric vehicles. The budget also lowers tax payment thresholds and raises new taxes. The implementation and sequencing of these reforms would need to limit any potential adverse impact on economic growth, while also protecting the most vulnerable.  

Reforming pensions 

On the expenditure side, there is room to make pension spending more sustainable. Benefits paid to individuals through the Basic Retirement Pension program (BRP)—received by all Mauritians aged 60 and older—have more than doubled since 2019. On top of higher benefits, fiscal pressures are mounting from a relative increase in the number of pensioners. As society ages, Mauritius is expected to face a doubling in the old-age dependency ratio over the next thirty years, resulting in a fast-growing pension bill.  

Maintaining the present system would imply significant intergenerational redistribution from younger to older generations, as the (relatively small) younger cohort would likely face higher taxes to finance pensions for the (larger) older one. An option to help contain the growing cost of the BRP is a gradual alignment of the eligibility age from 60 to the official retirement age of 65. Given demographic trends, the alignment in the BRP eligibility age would help make the pension system more sustainable, while containing intergenerational inequalities and protecting the most vulnerable. The announced budget is a step in this direction.

Spending efficiently 

There is also scope for streamlining broadly targeted and regressive fiscal transfers. Social subsidies in Mauritius, in many cases, reach relatively few poor individuals. For example, only 11 percent of beneficiaries of the social aid program are defined as poor. The announced budget proposes savings by gradually unwinding some broadly targeted subsidies. The resulting savings will help create fiscal space to finance targeted schemes for the most vulnerable, while making fiscal policy more sustainable.  

Unlike the dodo, now extinct, Mauritius’ economy will continue to thrive so long as fiscal sustainability is secured.

– on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).