Category: English

Source: APO

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), has been featured by a leading lifestyle media organization, Vogue India (https://apo-opa.co/3Tw023X). The article, titled “Leading with Courage and Conviction: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on empowering women, advancing healthcare, and transforming media in Africa,” highlights the unique approach she adapted by engaging the art, fashion, and media communities to address critical social issues such as Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) & Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child marriage and also health issues like Diabetes & Hypertension Awareness. 

On being featured by Vogue India, Dr Kelej shared, “I have been a long-time Vogue reader, and I am truly delighted to be featured by Vogue India for my creative approach to driving social change. Africa is a continent full of vibrant culture, colour, and creativity, and I’ve always believed that fashion, art, and media can be powerful instruments to inspire positive change—beyond just entertainment. 

This belief led me to develop innovative initiatives such as Our Africa TV program, Songs, Children’s storybooks, Animation Films, and Awards for the best Media, Song, Film and Fashion Designs. These initiatives are aimed at raising awareness about critical and sensitive social and health issues, in a relatable and impactful way. 

I’m proud that this work is being recognized and shared as a meaningful case study with Vogue readers around the world.” 

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej has been recognized as One of 100 Most Influential Africans for six consecutive years from 2019 till 2024. Under her leadership, Merck Foundation has been recognized as the NGO of the Year in 2022 & 2024, the Most Influential NGO Shaping Africa’s Future and also received the ‘Best Health Sector Philanthropy’ Award 2023.  

The Vogue article also highlights Dr. Rasha Kelej’s efforts to establish impactful partnership between Merck Foundation and over 28 African First Ladies, showcasing their collective efforts to transform healthcare across Africa and beyond. Merck Foundation has provided over 2,250 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. The feature also sheds light on the Educating Linda program, which is supporting the education through providing 800 scholarships for high performance and underprivileged African schoolgirls, empowering them to complete their studies and reach their full potential. 

Click here to read the full Vogue India article, which offers deeper insights into Dr. Rasha Kelej’s impactful initiatives and the far-reaching work of Merck Foundation across Africa and beyond: https://apo-opa.co/3Tw023X

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Source: APO

In a significant step toward bolstering financing for Africa’s energy sector, the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) are advancing plans to launch the African Energy Bank (AEB). In April this year, APPO hired consulting firm PWC as project management consultants for the $5 billion development finance institution, which will be headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria and is set to commence operations this year.

The bank will provide tailored financing solutions for African oil and gas projects, addressing long-standing funding gaps and enabling project developers to advance exploration, production and monetization initiatives. In the wake of this major milestone for energy financing on the continent, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, APPO will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

The AEB will feature a three-tiered shareholder structure, including APPO member states, other African nations and their national oil companies, as well as individual and corporate investors from outside the continent. So far, Nigeria, Angola and Ghana have fulfilled their capital commitments to the bank, representing 44% of the required minimum contributions and laying the groundwork for its launch. Additional pledges have been made by Algeria, Benin, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast.

The launch of the AEB comes amid a broader shift in African energy cooperation, with APPO, the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa and the Central Africa Business & Energy Forum signing a MoU in April 2025 to develop the Central African Pipeline System. The system, spanning up to 11 countries, envisions thousands of kilometers of oil, gas and LPG pipelines and associated infrastructure aimed at improving regional energy access and security.

APPO has also established a strong partnership with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The collaboration between the two organizations aims to advance African oil and gas projects through shared expertise, coordinated efforts in market stabilization and investment opportunities. This partnership demonstrates APPO’s commitment to engaging in collaborative action to address Africa’s energy needs as well as advancing sustainable development on the continent.

“Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim’s leadership in establishing the African Energy Bank represents a bold step toward a self-sustained African energy sector. His participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the future of energy financing on the continent and inspire confidence in Africa’s ability to fund its own growth,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

With major oil and gas projects underway in Africa – such as the cross-border Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development, Mozambique LNG, Uganda’s Lake Albert development, Senegal’s Sangomar field development and others – APPO stands ready to support these initiatives by ensuring access to necessary funding. As such, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 serves as the premier platform for stakeholders and policymakers to engage with international and domestic investors to make deals and form partnerships that align with the continent’s energy goals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

• Merck Foundation CEO announced call for application of 2025 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards in partnership with African First Ladies – apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa, proudly announced the Winners of their Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 under the categories “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”.

The Awards Ceremony was conducted virtually to honor and celebrate the outstanding contributions of all the winning media professionals. The winners were warmly acknowledged by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “I am truly happy to announce the winners of our Media Awards, together with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, who are also the Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ Campaign. This year, we are delighted to celebrate 125 outstanding winners from 36 countries. It brings me joy to see such impressive participation not only from across Africa but also from several Asian and Latin American countries. Congratulations to all our incredible winners!

It is a true pleasure to welcome you all as Merck Foundation Alumni. Let’s continue to work together to raise awareness about critical social and health challenges, be the voice of the voiceless, and create culture shift in our communities.”

Merck Foundation Media Awards launched in 2017, are announced annually, with over 640 Winners from 52 countries celebrated to date.

The theme of the “More Than a Mother” Media Awards is to raise awareness about important social issues like: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending Female Genital Mutilation and/or Stopping Gender-Based Violence. The theme of the “Diabetes and Hypertension” Media Awards is to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

The Merck Foundation CEO also launched the Call for Applications for the 2025 Media Awards. “I am pleased to invite entries for the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 – “More Than a Mother” & “Diabetes and Hypertension”, in partnership with the African First Ladies. I look forward to receiving another outstanding round of impactful entries this year as well.” Said Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2024

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Jennifer Ambolley, The Chronicle, Ghana (First Position)
• Mackie Muctarr Jalloh, News Times Daily, Sierra Leone (Second position)
• Alao Abiodun, The Nation, Nigeria (Second position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Dzifa Tetteh Tay, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)
• Laudia Sawer, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (First Position)
• Nyima Sillah, The Voice, The Gambia (Second Position)
• Isatou Ceesay, The Gambia Point, The Gambia (Third Position)
• Abigail Arthur, Citi Newsroom, Ghana (Third Position)
• Odimegwu Onwumere, The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

• Mavis Offei Acheampong, GBC Radio, Ghana (First Position)
• Joyce Kantam Kolamong, GBC Radio, Ghana(Second Position)
• Zainab Sunkary Koroma, Star Radio, Sierra Leone (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun, News Central TV, Nigeria (First Position)
• Alieu Ceesay, QTV, The Gambia (Second Position)
• Mona Lisa Frimpong, Joy News, Ghana (Third Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

• Precious Kumbani, The Nation, Malawi (First Position)
• Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Position)
• Simon Muntemba, Daily Nation, Zambia (Second Position)
• Charlotte Nambadja, The Namibian, Namibia (Third Position)
• Silence Mugadzaweta, The Standard, Zimbabwe (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (First Position)
• Catherine Murombedzi, Freelancer, Zimbabwe (First Position)
• Alick Ponje, The Times, Malawi (second Position)
• Wallace Mawire, Pan African Visions, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
• Hamu Madzedze, 365 Health Diaries, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
• Kundai Michael Magoronga, Chronicle, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
• Mlondi Mkhize, Briefly News, South Africa (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Glendah Fadzai Takachicha, Capitalk FM, Zimbabwe (First Position)
• Tina Nyirenda, Smooth FM, Zambia (Second Position)
• Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio, Malawi (Second Position)
• Nyasha Mandimutsira, Capitalk FM, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
• Perina N. Wahara, PL FM, Malawi (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Keneilwe Pono, YTV, Botswana (First Position)
• Taati Niilenge, The Namibian, Namibia (Second Position)
• Lame Lucas, YTV, Botswana (Third Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

• Elizabeth Angira, People Daily, Kenya (First Position)
• Marco Maduhu, Nipashe, Tanzania (Second Position)
• Margaret Maina, Nation Media, Kenya (Second Position)
• Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian, Tanzania (Third Position)
• Vitus Audax, The Guardian, Tanzania (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Kamau Maichuhie, Nation Online, Kenya (First Position)
• Isabella Maua Chemosit, Freelancer, Kenya (Second Position)
• Anne Robi, Daily News, Tanzania (Second Position)
• Nteza Michael, UG Standard, Uganda (Third Position)
• Benjamin Takpiny, Anadolu Agency, South Sudan (Third Position)
• Ayele Addis Ambelu, Ethiopian Mass Media Action News, Ethiopia (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Caren Waraba Sisya, Radio Citizen, Kenya (First Position)
• Mamer Abraham Kuot, Voice of America, South Sudan, (Second Position)
• Mwanaisha Makumbuli, Highlands FM, Tanzania (Second Position)
• Fatuma Mustapha Mtemangani, Pambazuko FM, Tanzania (Third Position)
• Daniel Byiringiro, Flash FM, Rwanda (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Rose Wangui, NTV Kenya, Kenya (First Position)
• Andrew Juma, TV47, Kenya (Second Position)
• Leonard Kigozi  and Isabel Nakirya, CGTN Africa, Uganda (Third Position)
• Mackriner Siyovelwa, Crown Media, Tanzania (Third Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Issa Moussa, Niger Times, Niger (First Position)
• Koami Agbetiafa, Niger Inter Press Group, Niger (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• AZODODASSI Mêmèdé Ambroisine, Savoir News, Togo (First Position)
• Julio Gada, Global News, Benin (Second Position)
• Boris Esono Nwenfor, Pan African Visions, Cameroon (Third Position)
• Bakari Guèye, Initiatives News, Mauritania (Third Position)
• Frimo Koukou Djipro, Lelus, Côte d’Ivoire (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Remy RUKUNDO, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
• Magnus MFURANZIMA, ISÔKO FM, Burundi (First Position)
• Mame Mbagnick DIOUF, Radio Oxyjeunes, Senegal (Second Position)
• Tanko Worou, Radio SU TII DERA, Benin (Second Position)
• Moussa KONE, Radio Channel 2, Mali (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Matthias KABUYA TSHILUMBA, RTDK, DRC (First Position)

Here are the winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Edisângela Tavares, Expresso das Ilhas, Cabo Verde (First Position)
• Sheilla Ribeiro, Sociedade, Cabo Verde (Second Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Teresa Monteiro Pinto, Rádio Televisão de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Ângelo Semedo, Deutsche Welle, Cabo Verde (First Position)

Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2024

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Agnes Opoku Saprong, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (First Position)
• Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Leadership Newspaper, Nigeria (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Muhammed Lamin Touray, Freelancer, The Gambia (First Position)
• Prince Owusu Asiedu, Adom Online, Ghana (Second Position)
• Lara Adejoro, The Punch, Nigeria (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Godwin Awuni Anafo, Odadee Radio, Ghana (First Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Emmanuel Dzivenu Seyram Abla De-Souza, Joy TV, Ghana (First Position)
• Ezedimbu Karen Ogomegbunem, Africa Independent Television, Nigeria, (Second Position)
• Lois Abba Sambo, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, Nigeria (Third Position)
• Akua Oforiwa Darko, TV3, Ghana (Third Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Nancy Kefilwe Ramokhua, The Patriot, Botswana (First Position)
• Matilda Chimwaza Majawa, Times Group, Malawi (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• June Shimuoshili, Unwrap Online, Namibia (First Position)
• Tendai Chisiri, Sport Way News Net, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
• Shireen van Wyk, Shay Blogger, Namibia (Third Position)
• Prince Kurupati, Pan African Visions, Zimbabwe (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Elvis Howahowa, Times Radio, Malawi (First Position)
• Stella Mlotha, Trans World Radio, Malawi (Second Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Lucy Johnbosco, Mwananchi, Tanzania (First Position)
• Christina Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Joan Mbabazi, The New Times, Rwanda (First Position)
• Leon Lidigu, Nation Online, Kenya (Second Position)
• Namwalo Daniel Absalom, Kenya News Agency, Kenya (Third Position)
• Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Digital, Kenya (Third Position)
• Veronica Mrema, M24 Tanzania, Tanzania (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Kintu Khalid, Radio Simba, Uganda (First Position)
• Asha Bekidusa, Bahari FM, Kenya (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Walter Mwesigye, NTV, Uganda (First Position)
• Edvesta Tarimo, Tumaini Media, Tanzania (Second Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; and The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

• Konan N’Guessan Attoumgbre Joseph, La Retraite Active, Côte d’Ivoire (First Position)
• Nkurunziza Moise, Le Renouveau, Burundi (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal Africa, Burundi (First Position)
• Abdoulaye Ouédraogo, Queen Mafa, Burkina Faso (Second Position)
• Richard Manirakiza, l’Agence Burundaise de Presse, Burundi (Second Position)
• Mapote Gaye, Infomedia27, Senegal (Second Position)
• Atha Menssan Woffa Assan, Focus Infos, Togo (Third Position)
• Catherine Aimée Biloa, Échos Santé, Cameroon (Third Position)
• Nadège Omoladé SANNY, SRTB Online, Benin (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• MVUYEKURE Jean Claude, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
• Abdoul Razak Sani Oumarou, Radio Saraounia Maradi, Niger (Second Position)
• Kabamba Ngalamulume Fabrice, Radio Télévision de l’éducation (RTEDUC), DRC (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Chris IRAMBONA, Radio Television Buntu, Burundi (First Position)

Here are the winners from ASIAN Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Parikshit Nirbhay, Amar Ujala, India (First Position)
• Revathi Murugappan, Star Health, Malaysia (Second Position)
• Pooja Biraia, The Week, India (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Rashe Zoe Sophia B Piquero, Cebu Daily News, Philippines (First Position)
• Roshan Bhandari, Medicoliterature, Nepal (Second Position)
• Crystal Chow, Undark Magazine, China (Third Position)

Here are the winners from LATIN AMERICA Countries:

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Adriana Becerra, Agencia Brunch, Mexico (First Position)
• Rafaela Polo, UOL, Brazil (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Roxana Fabiola Lopresti, Channel 9 Televida, Argentina (First Position)
• Ana Paula Pedrosa, R7, Brazil (Second Position)

Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2025:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2025

Theme for the awards: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

1. Southern African Countries
2. West African Countries
3. East African Countries
4. French Speaking African Countries
5. Portuguese Speaking African Countries

Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.

2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards 2025

Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

1. Southern African Countries
2. West African Countries
3. East African Countries
4. French Speaking African Countries
5. Portuguese Speaking African Countries
6. Latin American Countries
7. Asian Countries

Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.

All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.

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:
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Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3U1RIZQ

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/4lh6O9Q), X (https://apo-opa.co/4nUxlf9), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3Ge6Ikj), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/460DFew), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/3U0B8JS) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/40uz8xp).

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

Government responsiveness and democratic performance, along with unmet socioeconomic needs, are important drivers of citizen engagement in Africa, a new Afrobarometer flagship report (http://apo-opa.co/407Dbzv) reveals.

Citizens are more likely to participate in political and civic activities if they are satisfied with the way their democracy works, believe that their elections are free and fair, and see their local elected officials as responsive to their needs. And contrary to theories and findings from the Global North, Africa’s least-wealthy citizens, and least-wealthy countries, report higher rates of engagement than their better-off counterparts.

The report, the second in an annual series on high-priority topics, draws on data spanning the past decade, including the latest round of nationally representative surveys in 39 countries, representing the views of more than three-fourths of the continent’s population. The analysis focuses on key indicators of citizen engagement: voting, political party affiliation, political discussion, attending community meetings, joining with others to raise an issue, contacting leaders, and protesting.

The findings, based on 53,444 face-to-face interviews, show that most Africans participate in multiple political and civic activities, with voting being the predominant form of engagement and protesting being the least common. But gaps exist, especially among youth and women. Poorer, less educated, and rural Africans tend to participate more in political and civic activities than their wealthier, more educated, and urban counterparts.

The report also shows that across 30 countries surveyed consistently over the past decade, participation levels are declining for attending community meetings, raising issues, and identifying with a political party, but they are increasing for contacting leaders.

The new flagship report is accompanied by country scorecards (http://apo-opa.co/4lIcBoD) on citizen engagement that provide an at-a-glance snapshot of the key indicators of citizen participation at the national level for each of the surveyed countries.

Afrobarometer survey

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Nine survey rounds in up to 42 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 9 surveys (2021/2023) cover 39 countries.

Afrobarometer’s national partners conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice. National samples of 1,200-2,400 yield country-level results with margins of error of +/-2 to +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Key findings

The scope of political and civic participation

• Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Africans voted in their country’s last national election preceding the Afrobarometer Round 9 survey (Figure 1).
  • Four in 10 (41%) “feel close to” a political party.
  • More than six in 10 (62%) “occasionally” or “frequently” discuss politics with family or friends.
  • Almost half (47%) attended a community meeting at least once during the previous year, ranging from 11% in Tunisia to 85% in Madagascar.
  • More than four in 10 (42%) joined with others to raise an issue during the previous year.
  • More than one-third (37%) contacted a traditional leader, 28% a local government councillor, 15% a member of Parliament (MP), and 20% a political party official during the previous year.
  • About one in 10 respondents (9%) participated in a protest or demonstration during the previous year.

Who participates?

• The poorest citizens are more likely than the well-off to identify with a political party, attend a community meeting, join with others to raise an issue, and contact traditional leaders, local government councillors, and political party officials, and are about equally likely to vote, protest, discuss politics, and contact MPs (Figure 2).
• Women continue to engage at substantially lower rates than men across all indicators included in the survey.
• Youth (aged 18-35) are less engaged than older generations on all types of political and civic participation except protest; the disparity is largest for voting, where an 18-percentage-point gap separates youth from elders.
• Compared to citizens with post-secondary education, those with no formal schooling are more likely to vote, to identify with a political party, to attend community meetings, and to contact traditional leaders, and are about equally likely to contact an MP, local government councillor, or political party official.

Drivers of democratic attitudes

• Rates of participation, particularly in attending community meetings and joining with others to raise an issue, are higher in countries with lower levels of economic well-being (Figure 3).
• Countries where citizens perceive local government councillors as responsive to their needs generally have higher rates of contact with these officials. However, this pattern does not hold for national legislators, who are less accessible to ordinary citizens.
• Electoral participation is higher in countries where citizens are satisfied with the way democracy works; believe that elections are free, fair, and effective; and feel free to cast their ballots as they wish. In contrast, when these conditions are not present, protests are more common (Figure 4).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny
Director of Communications
Email: jappiah@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +233 243240933

Social Media:
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X
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Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org.
Follow our releases on #VoicesAfrica.

Source: APO – Report:

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Egyptian authorities must unconditionally and immediately release anyone detained solely for expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amidst Israel’s ongoing genocide, including at least seven Egyptian nationals detained for expressing support for the Gaza March, Amnesty International said today. The organization is also calling on the authorities to investigate allegations of torture and other ill-treatment related to the arrests and deportations of international activists in connection with the planned solidarity march.

Hundreds of international activists travelled to Egypt in June to take part in a global march to the city of Rafah in a bid to break Israel’s illegal blockade on the occupied Gaza Strip, but Egyptian authorities responded by arresting scores of Egyptian and foreign nationals and deporting non-Egyptians.  

Amnesty International documented the arbitrary detention, incommunicado detention, and ill-treatment of three Egyptians and five foreign nationals in connection with the Gaza March between 10 and 16 June. Amnesty International obtained a testimony that at least one Egyptian national was subjected to torture during their detention. The organization is calling for all those still being held solely for expressing solidarity with Palestinians to be unconditionally and immediately released, including those detained for expressing solidarity with Palestinians since October 2023.

“The world has seen a glimpse of the brutality that Egyptian authorities continue to inflict on dissidents. The arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment that these activists have been subjected to represents just a fraction of the ongoing repression faced by virtually anyone who expresses views not condoned by the government,” said Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt and Libya Researcher at Amnesty International.  

“It is unthinkable that Egyptian authorities are arresting and punishing activists for showing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza while Israel is committing genocide against them. Egypt’s authorities should instead be facilitating the right to peaceful assembly and expression, starting by releasing anyone arbitrarily detained for demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinians and investigating all allegations of torture and other ill-treatment.”  

On 11 June, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement that foreign nationals must receive prior authorization to visit areas bordering Gaza through, among other means, submitting a request to Egyptian embassies. Organizers of the Gaza March told Amnesty International that they had submitted authorization requests to over 30 Egyptian embassies abroad, approximately two and a half months ahead of the march’s scheduled date. Embassy officials informed them that the requests had been forwarded to authorities in Cairo, but the organizers never received a response. 

Egyptian security forces later shut down the march by arresting Egyptian and foreign activists upon their arrival at the airport, from hotels or at checkpoints on the way to Rafah, before deporting hundreds of non-Egyptians. 

Arbitrary detention and torture or other ill-treatment of Egyptian nationals 

According to a lawyer at the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF), between 10 and 12 June 2025, security forces arrested three Egyptian nationals (two men and one woman) from their homes in Cairo and al-Sharkia governorates. The three were part of a Telegram group that supported the Gaza March. 

Upon their arrest, they were reportedly held in incommunicado detention at undisclosed National Security Agency (NSA) facilities for periods ranging from nine to ten days. NSA agents then brought the three to the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) in Cairo on 21, 22, and 23 June.  

SSSP prosecutors accused them of charges including “joining a terrorist group [the Muslim Brotherhood],” “publishing false news,” and “funding a terrorist group,” according to the ECRF lawyer. Prosecutors then ordered their pretrial detention for 15 days pending investigations. 

During the SSSP questioning, one of the men said that NSA agents had subjected him to electric shocks on his hands and a sensitive part of his body, and beat him with kicks and slaps to the face. The other man told the prosecutor that NSA agents beat him and forced him to strip naked. These acts constitute ill-treatment and may amount to torture. 

In June, SSSP prosecutors questioned four other Egyptian nationals (three men and one woman) and ordered their detention for 15 days in connection with the same charges pending the same case, according to ECRF’s lawyer. 

Arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment of foreign nationals 

Amnesty International spoke to five foreign nationals who had travelled to attend the Gaza March including Stefanie Crisostomo, a Croatian-Peruvian activist, and Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish national and the Gaza March spokesperson. They told Amnesty that Egyptian police subjected them to severe beatings and other acts of violence when they arrested them. They also said that they had been held in incommunicado detention in police stations, NSA facilities, and Cairo Airport.  

Crisostomo told Amnesty International that on 14 June, plain-clothed NSA agents arrested her and her husband at a hotel in Cairo without providing any reason or allowing them to contact their embassies or anyone else after confiscating their phones. They were then transferred to an undisclosed security facility, where police detained her French husband for 30 hours, while transferring Stefanie to Cairo Airport. At the airport, she refused to be deported until the police released her husband. The police then handcuffed her and grabbed her arms tightly, causing bruising. Amnesty International reviewed photographs of her arms in which the bruises are clearly visible and is concerned that this may amount to ill-treatment. 

One of the other foreign nationals, who chose not to disclose his nationality, said that on 13 June police arrested him, along with approximately 15 others, at a checkpoint in Ismailia Governorate on their way to Rafah. During the arrest, police beat him with batons, striking him on his face and neck. He said that during the arrest, one of the police officers attempted to put their finger in his anus. Police took the group to an Ismailia police station and detained them until the following morning, before transferring him to Cairo Airport for deportation. 

The two other men, both Norwegians, as well as Saif said that on 16 June, plain-clothed police arrested them at a coffee shop in Cairo without showing a warrant. The police then blindfolded them and drove them to an undisclosed security facility in an unmarked van. NSA officers questioned the two Norwegian men, while still blindfolded and handcuffed, about the number of participants in the Gaza March, their identities, and their accommodation. One of the men told Amnesty International that when he refused to answer, an NSA agent slapped him twice on the face and kneed him in the chest. According to the man, the blow caused a minor rib fracture. 

The second man said that when he refused to answer certain questions an NSA agent slapped him on the face and kicked him in the chest.  

Saif Abukeshek said that police deliberately slammed his body into walls and doors while moving him between different rooms at the facility, blindfolded and handcuffed with his hands behind his back. “I could clearly hear them laughing at me crashing into the walls,” he said. 

The three were later transferred to Cairo Airport to be deported after spending between two to 25 hours at the facility. None of the four men were allowed at any point to contact their embassy or anyone else to inform them about their arrest, until their deportation.

– on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO – Report:

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The East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have taken a significant step towards regional financial integration, with the convening of a five-day workshop on payment systems interoperability. The IGAD-EAC-World Bank Joint Workshop, convened from 30th June to 4th July, 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, brought together Central Banks, digital finance experts, and senior policymakers from nine countries with a focus on advancing harmonised legal, regulatory, and supervisory frameworks that will enable faster, safer, and more inclusive cross-border payments across the Eastern Africa region

The workshop was organised under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), a flagship initiative jointly implemented by IGAD and EAC, with support from the World Bank. The EARDIP’s mission is to boost regional digital market integration by expanding broadband infrastructure and strengthening the environment for cross-border digital services, including digital payments, a critical enabler of trade, remittances, and financial inclusion.

At the heart the Addis Ababa discussions was a shared regional challenge of fragmented and non-interoperable payment systems that undermine economic potential. While countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia have made strides in domestic interoperability, regional integration remains stifled by gaps in regulations, technical disparities, and cybersecurity concerns. Against this backdrop, the workshop provided a platform for technical learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and collective visioning.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohyeldeen Eltohami, Director of Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration, IGAD, emphasised that the workshop was not merely a technical convening but a launchpad for transformation. “The collaboration between EAC and IGAD exemplifies the spirit of regional solidarity and shared ambition that Africa needs to build the future it envisions, a future of seamless digital integration, inclusive prosperity, and economic transformation,” he said.

The Director urged participants to seize the opportunity to build a harmonised regional framework and to let cooperation, not fragmentation, define the region’s digital future.

“Digital transformation is no longer a choice but a necessity. Together, IGAD and EAC can build a digitally integrated Eastern Africa, where borders no longer limit opportunity, and where innovation drives inclusion, and prosperity is shared,” said Dr. Eltohami.

Echoing these sentiments, Eng. Daniel Murenzi, Principal Information Technology Officer, EAC Secretariat stressed that digital payments are the backbone of a functioning digital market and that interoperability was no longer a luxury, but a necessity for regional prosperity.

“EAC and IGAD are implementing the EARDIP Project with the objective to advance digital regional integration by strengthening cross-border digital infrastructure, services, policies, and frameworks that promote economic growth, inclusion, and regional collaboration among EAC and IGAD Member/Partner States,” noted Eng. Murenzi.

“Payment systems are an enabler in this digital ecosystem for the region, with their interoperability a critical factor. We therefore need to review national payment processes, harmonise legal and regulatory instruments and facilitate interoperability of the regions payment system,” he noted.

On his part, Mr. Gynedi Srinivas, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, Payment Systems Development Group, World Bank outlined the global relevance of the workshop, noting that its objectives align with the Group of Twenty (G20) roadmap for faster, cheaper, and safer cross-border payments. He applauded the region’s readiness to harness the benefits of fast payment system (FPS) interoperability.

“The benefits of cross-border interoperability of fast payment systems will especially enable safer, faster and low-cost retail payments across borders helping end-users, individuals and Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) to make and receive payments seamlessly,” he noted.

Participants of the workshop engaged in discussions on three strategic areas: digital infrastructure, legal and regulatory frameworks, and regional payment integration. Recommendations from these sessions included the need to invest in shared digital infrastructure, adopt consumer-centric design for FPS, develop regulatory sandboxes to support innovation, and the need to harmonise legal instruments to unlock true cross-border operability.

During the workshop, experts from some Member/Partner States Central/National Banks shared experiences and lessons from their national contexts, thereby providing practical blueprints for other countries aiming to leapfrog barriers and accelerate digital finance inclusion.

Participants also explored emerging technologies, including AI, blockchain, and cross-border Central bank digital currencies, alongside discussions on cyber threats and the role of cybersecurity incident response teams (CIRSTs) in protecting payment ecosystems. The need for a unified cybersecurity legal framework and real-time threat intelligence sharing across borders emerged as a top priority.

The workshop further recommended facilitating peer-to-peer attachments among central banks; anchoring FPS design in user needs; collectively addressing social engineering risks, particularly in mobile payments; and convening annual joint workshops on cross-border payments.

The workshop brought together experts from nine IGAD-EAC Member/Partner States’ National Payment System directorates or departments from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, the Central Bank of Djibouti, the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Central Bank of Kenya, the National Bank of Rwanda, the Central Bank of Somalia, the Bank of South Sudan, the Bank of Tanzania and the Bank of Uganda. The Central Bank of the Democratic Republic of Congo was represented by the Ministry of Regional Integration of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Also in attendance were IGAD and EAC EARDIP Coordinators and key staff as well as World Bank Consultants and a representative from Banco d ’Italia (Bank of Italy).  

– on behalf of East African Community (EAC).