Category: English

H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, represented President William Samoei Ruto at 13th Kultaranta Talks held on 16–17 June 2025 in Naantali, Finland. Hosted by President Alexander Stubb, this year’s talks focused on “The Changing World Order – Old Meets New,” convening global leaders to address shifting power dynamics and international cooperation.

Kenya participated in the high-level panel “Accumulation of Shocks at the Global Level – What the West Should Understand,” moderated by Fareed Zakaria. Dr. Mudavadi addressed the rising fragmentation of the global system, noting that multilateral diplomacy is weakening as nationalism and unilateralism grow. He highlighted how regional disruptions, particularly in Africa, now have undeniable global implications.

He underscored the continent’s complex duality—persistent conflict affecting nearly 500 million people, alongside the growing momentum of African agency. Dr. Mudavadi called for Africa’s full representation in global institutions, especially the UN Security Council, where it remains the only region without a permanent seat. Citing Africa’s young and growing population, he stated: “Make space—the future is African.”

On the sidelines of the Talks, Dr. Mudavadi met with Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to review bilateral progress, building on the May 2025 State Visit of President Stubb to Kenya. The two countries reaffirmed cooperation in peace mediation, education, climate action, and trade. Kenya acknowledged Finland’s developmental support—particularly through Finn fund—in areas such as health, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.

Dr. Mudavadi called for deeper collaboration in conflict resolution, including support for Kenya’s initiative to develop a treaty on international mediation. Kenya also sought Finland’s endorsement of Nairobi as the host of the Global Plastics Treaty Secretariat, strengthening global environmental governance.

As global uncertainties mount, the Kenya-Finland partnership demonstrates the value of principled diplomacy and inclusive dialogue. Kenya’s voice at Kultaranta signalled Africa’s growing influence in shaping a more just, peaceful, and cooperative global order.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya.

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The Republic of Panama considers the autonomy initiative as “the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving the regional dispute” over the Moroccan Sahara.

This position was expressed in a Joint Communiqué signed, on Monday in Rabat, following talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom on June 16.

The Panamanian minister also stated during a press briefing following the meeting that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 “should be the only solution for the future,” emphasizing his country’s clear support for the autonomy plan as a means to advance toward a lasting resolution of the dispute.

Panama’s support for the autonomy initiative proposed by the Kingdom to resolve the Moroccan Sahara dispute comes after its decision to sever all ties with the so-called “sadr” in November 2024.

In the same Joint Communiqué, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Panama reaffirmed their commitment to the sanctity of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, received, on Monday in Rabat, the Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, who delivered a written message to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, from the President of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency José Raul Mulino.

The message from the Panamanian President reflects the shared will of the Heads of State of both countries to strengthen the positive momentum in relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Panama and to elevate them to broader horizons of cooperation and complementarity in the service of the two friendly nations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

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H.E. Biniam Berhe, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Eritrea, paid a courtesy call on the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

During the meeting, Mr. Berhe conveyed his Government’s congratulations on the Chairperson’s assumption of office and expressed appreciation for the deepening engagement between the AU Commission & the State of Eritrea.

The Chairperson reaffirmed Eritrea’s valued and active role in the affairs of the African Union.

The Chairperson also noted Eritrea’s strategic location & potential contribution to advancing regional cooperation, development, & stability.

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

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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) is calling on the World Bank to end its ban on financing upstream oil and gas projects, urging the institution to align with Africa’s urgent need to eradicate energy poverty and achieve sustainable development. Lifting this ban is essential to unlocking the continent’s hydrocarbon resources, delivering reliable and affordable electricity to millions, and generating the revenues required to support Africa’s long-term energy transition.

While the AEC welcomes the World Bank’s decision to review its 2017 ban on financing upstream oil and gas development, the time for reassessment is over. Decisive action is needed. Today, around 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity – a number that is not only staggering but growing. The International Energy Agency notes that gains made in expanding electricity access were reversed during the pandemic, with up to 30 million people who previously had access no longer able to afford it. This deepening energy poverty undermines Africa’s industrialization, economic growth and social development.

The AEC maintains that Africa must be empowered to grow its energy mix pragmatically, using both fossil fuels and renewables – not forced into an “all or nothing” approach that risks leaving hundreds of millions in the dark. Natural gas offers a scalable, affordable and lower-carbon solution that can help meet the continent’s immediate power needs while enabling a just, inclusive energy transition. Yet climate panic and fearmongering – often directed disproportionately at Africa, a continent responsible for just 3% of global CO₂ emissions  – threaten to block this path.

“The green agenda and the World Bank’s ban on upstream financing ignore the fact that natural gas can bring life-changing prosperity to Africa through jobs, business growth and monetization,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “We are proposing a logical, sustainable path: using our natural gas to meet current needs, generate revenue and fund our transition to renewables. Given that universal access to affordable, reliable electricity is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the growing number of Africans without power is morally wrong and must not be ignored.”

Upstream oil and gas development is already demonstrating its capacity to advance energy access. In Mozambique, domestic gas fuels the 450 MW Temane gas-to-power project, delivering electricity to communities and industries. Senegal’s gas-to-power efforts, Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan and Egypt’s expanded gas-fired generation highlight how these resources are driving regional electrification and economic growth. Future upstream projects hold transformative potential: Mozambique’s gas reserves could generate over $100 billion in revenue; Namibia’s oil discoveries could deliver $3.5 billion annually at peak production, which can fund infrastructure, education, healthcare and clean energy investments.

Meanwhile, global financial trends are shifting. Major banks, particularly in the U.S., are easing ESG-related restrictions and resuming oil and gas financing, recognizing that natural gas remains a vital bridge fuel. The World Bank must do the same – not as a concession, but as a commitment to its mandate to promote shared prosperity and reduce poverty.

The AEC urges the World Bank to turn its policy review into meaningful action. Supporting upstream oil and gas development is not only an economic necessity – it is a moral imperative if we are serious about ending energy poverty and enabling a sustainable, equitable future for Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Schoolchildren are calling on the government to prioritize education to secure their future as they met to commemorate the Day of the African Child in Juba, South Sudan.

At an all-day jamboree hosted by Radio Miraya, operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, 20 schoolchildren from two schools took over programs and hammered home the message that quality education is paramount to the future of the country’s young population.

“If South Sudan is to become as developed as Uganda and Kenya, then our government needs to invest in training for our teachers and provide resources for our schools,” says 12-year Torosa Addisan from the Bishop Mazzoldi Memorial Basic School.

“That way, we can all learn the best education methods and improve our examination scores,” he says to nods from the other three children who, together with him, hosted the Miraya Breakfast Show.

Over in another studio, 11-year-old Naima Alex from the Juba Parents School is one half of a duo reading out the news in English to listeners.

Although still an adolescent, Naima thinks for a while before saying that she is very concerned about the future and has her heart set on becoming a doctor when she grows up.

But for now, English is her favorite subject at school.

“I like English because it allows me to read more and to learn new things and to understand about the world. I want to become a doctor so that I can save lives in South Sudan and take care of people when they become sick,” says Naima.

The Day of the African Child honors South African school children who lost their lives in 1976 while leading a revolt against the Apartheid government to seek a better education.

Every year, UNMISS commemorates this day by giving school children a platform on Radio Miraya to speak about their challenges and to suggest solutions in their own words.

Children in South Sudan face overwhelming challenges as the country grapples with some of the lowest indicators on the continent for children’s health, nutrition, and education.

A report from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicates that over 70% of South Sudanese children are out of school due to a combination of factors, including conflict, displacement, and natural hazards such as seasonal flooding.

This is compounded by the lack of educational facilities and poorly trained teachers.

Fourteen-year-old Intisar Faisal from Juba Parents School is one of the most fluent Arabic speakers in her class. Today she reads out the news in Arabic alongside Radio Miraya’s anchor, Abraham Malek, who commends her calmness after they complete the broadcast.

Asked about the significance of the day and why it matters to her, she is quiet at first. Naturally shy, she thinks for a while and then says: “African children need to be provided with more education opportunities, and I want to tell all the girls that we must complete school if we want to have a bright future.”

Today’s rendition of The Beat programme was led by 13-year-old Irvei Deng and four other children who take listeners through an hour of upbeat music, a snapshot of the day’s newspaper headlines, a reading of the weather, and even calls from listeners.

“I loved the experience,” says Irvei, her eyes twinkling with joy. “At first, I was a little nervous, but it felt so nice to be connected and to get those live calls from people.” Her co-hosts could not match her enthusiasm, but they all looked equally pleased to have been a part of the show to commemorate the Day of the African Child.

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

Mukuru (https://www.Mukuru.com), a leading next-generation financial services platform, has once again been recognised among the world’s most influential cross-border payment companies, earning a spot on the 2025 FXC Intelligence Cross-Border Payments 100 list for the sixth consecutive year. Mukuru joins an elite group of global fintechs shaping the future of financial services, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted and resilient force in the industry.  

As a global authority in cross-border payments data and analysis, FXC Intelligence has highlighted Mukuru’s impact on digital finance in emerging markets. In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, this recognition reaffirms Mukuru’s vital role in enabling Africans to participate in the global financial economy through provision of secure, accessible, reliable and affordable payments solutions.  

Andy Jury, Group CEO of Mukuru, says; “Mukuru’s continued inclusion on the FXC Intelligence list is both an honour and a validation of our mission to drive financial inclusion at scale. Being recognised six years in a row highlights the value we bring to the growing cross border payments market as a proudly African business with expertise in bridging the gap in formal and informal economies across the continent and beyond”. 

Since Mukuru’s inclusion in the FX Intelligence list in 2024, the company is expanding its digital financial solutions to over 17 million customers across Africa, Europe, and Asia. As part of this growth, Mukuru now has 5 wallets/cards in 5 markets including South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and, most recently, Zambia. These solutions enable users to send and receive funds locally and globally, store, and spend money seamlessly via mobile or card, promoting financial inclusion for both urban and rural communities. 

In addition to individual solutions, Mukuru has strengthened its business offerings through MPAY (Mukuru Pay) and EPP (Enterprise Payment Platform). These platforms provide flexible payment solutions for e-commerce, payroll management, aid disbursements, and bulk transactions, ensuring efficient financial services for organisations across various sectors. 

With a regulatory footprint spanning more than 50 financial licenses across multiple countries, Mukuru has also taken a significant step toward expanding its financial services in Zimbabwe, with the recent issuing of its Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institution (DTMFI) license by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). This milestone enables the company to provide banking-like and regulated financial services to underserved segments, including women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural communities, in one of its most established markets. 

“This recognition is not just a moment of pride – it’s a signal to keep pushing boundaries, as Mukuru rapidly evolves beyond a remittance-led business to a trusted financial services partner for consumers, businesses and organisations. We remain dedicated to driving financial inclusion and shaping the future of cross-border financial services by delivering simple, innovative and trusted solutions globally”, concludes Jury. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

For Media Enquiries, please contact:
Kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com   

About Mukuru: 
Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 17 million+ across Africa, Asia and Europe. With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we’ve developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 70 countries and across over 570 remittance corridors. 

We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network. 

Mukuru has been listed among the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses globally for the sixth consecutive year in the 2025 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies. In 2024, Mukuru won the IAMTN Payments Network Customers Experience Excellence Award for exceptional customer satisfaction and was accredited as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2024 and 2025 by the Top Employers Institute. In 2023, Mukuru ranked sixth on the LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa. We aso received the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards for its role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion.  

Further information can be found at https://www.Mukuru.com.