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The Select Committee on Social Services received briefings last week from the Eastern Cape, Free State and Western Cape provincial departments of health on their implementation of the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) and action plans to address the findings of the Auditor-General for the 2023/24 financial year.

The Eastern Cape reported 98% progress in its implementation rate of the HPRS across its healthcare facilities in spite of the challenges the province faces particularly in rural areas where there is poor technological connectivity. The Eastern Cape MEC for Health who led the provincial health delegation, Ms Ntandokazi Capa said: “While we have made substantial progress, the reality is that our rural facilities struggle with connectivity, which affects service delivery.”

The committee expressed concern over the impact of connectivity issues on data integrity, with members asking, the strategies that are in place to ensure that the collected data is accurate, especially when facilities are unable to connect to the system.

The Free State provincial department of health reported a successful registration of 3.8 million patients on the provincial HPRS. The delegation highlighted areas in which there are challenges regarding the implementation of the HPRS. The areas included immovable asset register and financial governance.

The Western Cape provincial health department told the committee about their IT capabilities and integration of the HPRS with existing systems. The province has been sending daily updates from its Patient Master Index to the national system since June 2020.

The Acting Head of the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health, Dr Saadiq Karim told the committee that their IT infrastructure is among the most advanced in the country, allowing them to leverage data effectively for patient care. He highlighted the critical role of interoperability with national systems to ensure a seamless flow of information.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Desery Fienies, said the engagement with the provinces highlighted encouraging achievements and challenges faced by the provinces. She called for more improvements in the work that the provincial departments of health reported. She said: “The implementation of HPRS is a significant step forward, but we must address the existing challenges to realise its full potential.”

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

• Smarter Mobility Africa summit is a product of VUKA Group (www.WeAreVuka.com)

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has been announced as an official Association Partner for the Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) summit 2025, taking place from 30 September to 3 October 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

This strategic partnership positions SANTACO at the forefront of continental discussions on smarter mobility solutions, with a particular focus on advancing public transport and accelerating the transition to new energy vehicles (NEVs) across South Africa and the broader African continent.

As the largest mover of people in South Africa, the taxi industry plays a pivotal role in the country’s transport ecosystem. SANTACO’s participation in SMA 2025 underscores the organisation’s commitment to mobility leadership, industry transformation, and innovative transport solutions that serve millions of South Africans daily.

Leading the Conversation on Smarter Mobility

SANTACO President Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe will deliver a keynote address on 1 October 2025, representing the voice of the public transport sector and outlining the organisation’s vision for a cleaner, more efficient mobility future. President Tsebe will also participate in key roundtable discussions alongside government officials, NEV experts, and global mobility innovators.

Secretary General Daki Qumbu will join President Tsebe as part of SANTACO’s VIP delegation, engaging with stakeholders to build trust and cooperation between government, operators, and the private sector.

Driving Policy and Innovation

The partnership enables SANTACO to actively influence NEV policy frameworks and funding mechanisms, ensuring that the taxi industry’s unique needs and challenges are considered in South Africa’s transition to sustainable transport. This collaborative approach is essential for creating inclusive mobility solutions that work for all South Africans.

Speaking about the industry’s transformation potential, President Tsebe emphasised the importance of changing perceptions through action. “If we formalise, professionalise, and invest in our people,” he says, “then this industry can finally be seen for what it already is: the backbone of South Africa’s mobility system.”

“We are proud to welcome SANTACO as our Association Partner for SMA 2025,” said Olivia Modisakeng, Event Manager. “Their leadership in transforming public transport is essential to building an inclusive and sustainable mobility future for Africa.”

About the Partnership

SANTACO’s involvement in SMA 2025 demonstrates the organisation’s progressive stance on cleaner mobility and infrastructure development. The partnership creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue between industry leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators, fostering the collaborative relationships necessary to drive meaningful change in Africa’s transport sector.

The Smarter Mobility Africa summit 2025 brings together key stakeholders from across the continent to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in mobility, with SANTACO’s participation ensuring that the voice of South Africa’s public transport sector remains central to these critical conversations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

Additional information:
Full article on SANTACO: https://apo-opa.co/4kdpje1
Official event page: https://apo-opa.co/44qTyrX

For more information about SANTACO’s participation in SMA 2025, please contact:
General Media Enquiries
mobilitymarketing@wearevuka.com

About SANTACO:
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) is the leading representative body for the taxi industry in South Africa, serving millions of passengers daily and playing a crucial role in the country’s public transport system.

About Smarter Mobility Africa Summit 2025:
The Smarter Mobility Africa summit is the continent’s premier gathering for advancing public transport and transitioning to new energy vehicles (NEVs), bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and technology innovators to shape the future of African mobility.

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“In the past, we used to keep our money in metal boxes. Now, with support from UN Women, the Central Bank of Liberia, and the Orange Foundation, we manage our money through Orange Money. This has made it easier for us to save, access credit, and grow our businesses,” shares Musu Nana, a Buy from Women Champion from Gbartala, Bong County.

In 2022, UN Women Liberia, in partnership with the Orange Foundation, launched the ‘Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE)’ project. The initiative partnered with the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to empower rural women farmers in Bong and Nimba Counties by linking them to the formal financial system and improving access to disaster risk reduction resources.

Since its launch, significant progress has been made. Through collaboration with CBL, 15 women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have been integrated into the formal financial system, benefiting 400 rural women farmers who now have mobile phones and formal bank accounts at the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI). Plans are in progress to connect these accounts to their Orange Money mobile wallets, providing these women with the financial services they need to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

The project also introduced a social protection scheme, enabling VSLA members to save, borrow, and invest using digital platforms, which has promoted financial security among rural women. As a result, women now have greater control over their finances and can make informed decisions for their economic well-being.

“We are pleased with this new way of handling our Village Savings and Loan Association group. Going digital with our savings and loans has made things simpler and safer for us. Now, we can keep an eye on our money and loans using our phones. It’s made everything clearer and smoother for us,” says Diana Davis, Community-based Facilitator at Liberia Rural Women Network Empowerment Incorporated.

In early August 2024, UN Women Liberia, in partnership with CBL and Orange Foundation Liberia, conducted a four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop in Monrovia for 22 women-led farming cooperatives and agribusiness owners from Bong, Nimba, and Lofa Counties.

The training aimed to strengthen women’s capacities by providing digital literacy skills and access to employment opportunities. Participants were introduced to the Buy from Women platform and Orange Money services, helping them connect with broader markets and access financial resources.

“By enabling these women to become community-based facilitators, we’re enhancing their income-generating activities through both traditional and digital innovations,” explained Ms. Aisha Kolubah, National Program Officer for Women Economic Empowerment at UN Women Liberia.

The workshop covered digital marketing strategies, effective use of social media, and financial management using digital tools. Participants learned how to create engaging content, leverage platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp for business promotion, and streamline financial transactions through mobile banking.

Ms. Alana Pradhan, UN Women Liberia’s Knowledge Management Specialist, served as a facilitator, providing insights on leveraging social media for business growth. “Regular and strategic use of social media not only allows you to engage with a broader audience but also empowers you to position your products and services competitively in the market,” Ms. Pradhan emphasized.

The participants responded enthusiastically to the training, recognizing the potential for expanding their businesses and improving their livelihoods. The Liberia Rural Women Network for Employment expressed their excitement on social media:

“We are excited to learn how digital marketing can transform our businesses. This training has opened new avenues for growth and development. We now see the potential to reach larger markets and strengthen our financial independence through digital tools.”

The success of the TOT workshop and the broader initiative underscores the importance of digital and financial literacy in empowering rural women and fostering economic development. By equipping women with the necessary skills and tools, UN Women Liberia, alongside its partners, is paving the way for sustainable growth and gender equality in the agricultural sector.

Caption: UN Women and partners conducted TOT workshop at the Central Bank in Monrovia for 22 women-led farming agribusiness owners.

“This training has not only taught us how to use digital tools but has also connected us to bigger markets and financial services we never had access to before,” reflects Musu Nana. “We are now more confident and equipped to grow our businesses and support our families.”

As these empowered women return to their communities, they carry with them the knowledge and skills to train others, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and economic advancement across Liberia’s rural regions. The continued collaboration between UN Women, CBL, and Orange Foundation hopes to further expand these opportunities, ensuring that more women can harness the power of digital technology to transform their lives and communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has successfully completed upsizing its reserve-based lending facility in favour of Oando Oil Limited to US$375 million. The company’s pay down of the original US$525-million facility, secured in 2019, to US$100 million in 2024 created significant headroom for refinancing and enhancing Oando’s financial flexibility.

The upsizing, led by Afreximbank, with support from Mercuria Asia Resources PTE Limited (Mercuria), which marks a key milestone in Oando’s strategic capital management, will support Oando’s ambition to achieve production of 100,000 barrels of oil per day and 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day by the end of 2029, effectively boosting Nigeria’s oil output and reinforcing the country’s position in the global energy market. The upsizing is further expected to drive local economic growth by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and fostering technological advancements in the oil and gas sector.

Commenting on the development, Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC and Executive Chairman, Oando Energy Resources said:

“We are pleased to have completed the upsizing of our RBL facility, a strategic milestone that reinforces our commitment as Operator of the Oando-NEPL JV to maximizing the value of our expanded asset portfolio. Our Joint Venture holds extensive reserves with the potential to generate over $11 billion in net cash flows to Oando over the assets’ life. This working capital facility is a critical enabler towards efficiently extracting and monetizing these resources. We appreciate the continued partnership of Afreximbank and Mercuria, whose unwavering support underscores their alignment with our long-term focus on maximizing production, optimizing asset performance, and delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders”.

In his own comments, Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, described the transaction as a critical step in advancing Afreximbank’s strategy for promoting local content in Africa’s oil and gas sector.

“Afreximbank remains a longstanding financial partner to Oando PLC and its affiliates and has consistently supported the company’s growth and expansion initiatives. We are delighted that Mercuria, one of the world’s largest independent energy and commodities groups and one of our partners, has brought its global expertise and financial backing to the transaction, further strengthening Oando’s ability to execute its production growth strategy.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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“Cuts in aid from major donors are close to crippling the humanitarian response in some of the world’s most dire displacement crises. It is hard to articulate the depth of donors’ abandonment. Compared to this point last year, just two-thirds of the humanitarian funding has been received, which itself was dramatically lower than the previous year,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC. “These cuts are costing lives and must be reversed.”

As of the end of June, 6 billion US Dollars have been provided globally for the humanitarian response, down from 9 billion US Dollars at the same point in 2024. In total, 44 billion US Dollars has been requested for 2025.

Last month the United Nations announced a ‘hyper-prioritised’ plan to try and ensure the most vulnerable were able to receive support. This plan aims to reach 114 million of the 300 million people in need, with 29 billion US Dollars. This prioritisation leaves almost 200 million people who need assistance beyond the focus of the humanitarian response.

“Given the funding levels so far in 2025, even many of those targeted by the ‘hyper-prioritised’ plan are likely to be left with their needs unmet. Alongside traditional humanitarian donors, we need to see other step up to bridge this gap, including a wider group of donor countries and the private sector. Development actors, including development banks, must also step up their investments in fragile and conflict-affected countries so that displaced people and host communities can access the support they need,” said Egeland.

The consequences of aid cuts can be clearly seen across the world. In Mozambique, where Japan is so far this year’s largest humanitarian donor country, aid agencies are being forced to scale down their support due to the abrupt ending of their United States (US) funding.

“I witnessed first-hand the consequences in Mozambique, where I saw water tanks that can no longer be refilled due to the overnight cancellation of US funding. Families are left without a safe supply of drinking water. This is not only devastating lives but means that good investments already made with taxpayers’ money are getting lost. Our NRC teams too have been forced to scale down their support due to this halt in funding, and are now no longer able to provide safe housing for families made homeless by the recent cyclones. This is truly gut-wrenching,” said Egeland.

In Afghanistan, the US has drastically cut its aid work. Last year it supported 45 per cent of the humanitarian response in country. 

“Our teams in Afghanistan remain on the ground and committed to the communities we have been working with for over two decades, but having lost our largest donor in the country our teams are being compelled to make heartbreaking choices on who and where we can help. We are not alone in this challenge. Many humanitarian organisations are being forced to reduce their support at a time when we are seeing more and more families returning to the country in need of urgent assistance,” said Egeland.

“This picture is being repeated time and time again around the world as international solidarity is being forced to cede to other priorities. Wealthy nations should step up funding before more lives are lost. If we can afford to host World Cups and global summits, and if NATO members can afford to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, we can afford to maintain support to the most vulnerable in their hour of greatest need.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

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Zambia’s economy grew by 4% in 2024, displaying resilience despite experiencing a historic drought and frequent power outages. According to the latest edition of the Zambia Economic Update (ZEU) launched by the World Bank Group (WBG) today, titled: Leveraging Energy Transition Minerals for Economic Transformation, this growth is driven by a strong recovery in the mining sector and expansion in services.

The ZEU highlights that agriculture—the cornerstone of Zambia’s employment and heavily dependent on rainfed farming—faced significant headwinds. However, its minimal contribution to GDP allowed overall growth to continue. Despite economic growth, GDP per capita growth slowed to 1.2% in 2024, and poverty remains pervasive, with 63.1% of the population living below the $2.15 poverty line.

“Notwithstanding these challenges, it is commendable how the government of Zambia has stayed fiscally disciplined amidst increasing financing needs caused by the drought, within the framework of ongoing debt restructuring and an IMF program,” said Albert Pijuan, World Bank Senior Country Economist for Zambia. “Revenues increased thanks to expanded copper production—although they remain below potential— and investment spending was significantly reduced, allowing for a large primary surplus in 2024.”

The ZEU report highlights that exchange rate depreciation, combined with rising food and energy prices due to the drought, led to sticky double-digit inflation. The Zambian kwacha depreciated against major currencies because of sporadic foreign exchange supply and increased import demand during the drought. Despite monetary policy tightening to restrain inflation, prices continued to drift, and the policy stance remains accommodative as high supply-driven inflation results in negative real rates.

The outlook is optimistic, driven by robust momentum in the mining sector, a rebound in agriculture, and improvements in tourism. Still, significant risks persist due to lower global growth, uncertainties in trade policies, and frequent climatic events. While mining will remain a major driver of economic growth and government revenues, Zambia must diversify its economy to accelerate economic transformation.

The ZEU  recommends (i) unleashing agricultural productivity by fully transitioning to the e-voucher system, improving targeting, and shifting toward private-sector-led financing to limit public liabilities; (ii) raising productivity through greater competition in the energy sector; (iii) closing tax gaps by strengthening revenue administration; and (iv) maintaining monetary policy tightening to anchor inflation expectations and protect policy credibility, to achieve positive real rates.

Over a year ago, recognizing the importance of Zambia’s mining sector for its economic growth in the foreseeable future, the WBG, together with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), started preparing a practical roadmap: Repositioning Zambia to Leverage Energy Transition Minerals for Economic Transformation. This roadmap is guiding GRZ and its minerals sector stakeholders on realizing GRZ’s vision to maximizing benefits for the country and expanding Zambian participation in the entire ETM value chain, including through value addition.

The roadmap’s analytical work has been supported by the Resilient and Inclusive Supply Chain Enhancement Partnership (RISE) initiative, which supports countries undertaking reforms in their mining sector and along the minerals value chain. Key recommendations of the roadmap have recently been presented by the GRZ to a select group of stakeholders at the WBG Spring Meetings 2025. The roadmap is part of larger WBG diagnostic work looking at the development potential for WBG client countries in its Eastern and Southern Africa region and how those countries can benefit more from the minerals and metals demand boom, driven by the global energy transition.

“Zambia’s economy needs to diversify, but concurrently making the most of Zambia’s green mineral deposits would provide a major boost to the economy and must also be leveraged for economic transformation,” said Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia. “Zambia has the potential to use its energy transition mineral (ETM) endowments—increasingly sought after for the global energy transition—for growth, economic development, and shared prosperity.”

In its focused chapter on ETMs, the ZEU argues that to maximize this potential, Zambia should focus on:

1. Scaling ETM production: Implementing comprehensive reforms to boost ETM production, including identifying mineral resources, ensuring a reliable and cost-competitive clean power supply, transport, and logistics services, upskilling the workforce, and strengthening environmental and social risk management.
2. Maximizing fiscal potential: Strengthening ETM revenue management and allocation to support fiscal sustainability and broader inter-generational development objectives.
3. Adding value to mineral resources: Developing the copper value chain and addressing barriers to greater value-adding activities, including the lack of access to raw materials and finance, enhancing the inefficient investment climate, augmenting the electricity supply, and reducing trade and transport time and costs.   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

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Delivering a keynote speech at the #FID4 event in Seville on “Leveraging Private Business & Finance,” AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for urgent reforms to the global financial system to unlock Africa’s full potential. He emphasised that private business & finance are not merely complementary, but catalytic for inclusive growth, job creation, and the green transition.

He noted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a game-changer for the continent and urged greater support for MSMEs, sustainable finance, & foreign direct investment.

“Africa is young, resource-rich, and ready,” he concluded. “Let’s align capital with our development priorities and build a 21st-century financial architecture that works for all.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

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The African Union (AU), through its Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), delivered a significant presentation on the continental policy direction for fisheries and aquaculture at a side event during the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Conference held in Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda, from June 24 to 27, 2025. The presentation, led by Simon Owani Olok, Senior Policy Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture at AU-IBAR, highlighted the essential role that fisheries and aquaculture play in the lives of over 10 million Africans, most of whom are among the rural poor. 

These sectors are crucial for ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and enhancing the livelihoods of individuals. However, they are currently under severe threat due to weak and uncoordinated institutions, ineffective governance, and policies that have led to the over-exploitation of commercially important fish stocks. This has limited the sector’s sustainability and reduced its contribution to food security, poverty alleviation, and wealth creation. Despite the rapid growth of aquaculture in Africa, the sector faces numerous challenges that must be addressed for it to fill the gap left by declining capture fisheries effectively.

Recognizing the urgent need for reform, the AU has made several high-level political commitments to restore fisheries to their maximum sustainable yields and to promote the sustainable development of aquaculture. Notable among these are the commitments made at the 2015 World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Abuja Declarations of 2014, and resolutions from the Conference of African Ministers of Fisheries and Aquaculture. These initiatives led to the development of the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), which serves as the continent’s blueprint for the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The PFRS aims to realise the full potential of the aquaculture sector to generate wealth, provide social benefits, and contribute to Africa’s economic development through market-led, sustainable strategies. Implementation is guided by a continental 10-year plan of action, which aligns with the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and key political declarations.

The AU’s approach to reform has involved increasing awareness among policymakers about the actual value of fish resources, creating an enabling environment for investment, and developing practical strategies to unlock the sector’s socio-economic potential. The PFRS was endorsed by African Union Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in 2014, and provides a structured guide for national and regional policy coherence. Its main objectives include sustainable management, increased productivity and profitability, wealth generation, improved social welfare, enhanced nutrition and food security, and strengthened regional collaboration.

Several key milestones have been achieved since the introduction of the PFRS. The African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM) was established as the delivery mechanism for reforms, and platforms such as the African Platform of Regional Institutions for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Systems (APRIFAS) and the Policy Research Network for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PRNFAA) were created. A pan-African strategy for data collection and dissemination was developed, and research networks were established to support evidence-based policy. Sixteen AU Member States have fully aligned their fisheries and aquaculture policies with the PFRS, and support continues for others to do the same.

The responsibility for implementing the PFRS lies primarily with Member States. Ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for the sector are expected to regulate, promote, and coordinate reforms through broad stakeholder engagement. They are also tasked with integrating fisheries and aquaculture into national development plans, mobilizing resources, investing in capacity development, and fostering both vertical and horizontal partnerships. National priorities should be continually reviewed to address emerging issues, and progress should be reported to AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD.

The AU remains committed to providing leadership and technical support to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture become central pillars of Africa’s economic transformation. For more information on the AU’s fisheries and aquaculture policy direction and ongoing reforms, visit AU-IBAR’s official website.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).