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Republic of Congo – Local businesses are better informed about procurement procedures and ready to seize business opportunities with the African Development Bank

Source: APO

Employees of over 100 Congolese companies received training in the African Development Bank’s rules (www.AfDB.org) and procedures during an information and awareness seminar held in Brazzaville on 24 September 2025. The event forms part of the preparations for the Bank Group’s Annual Meetings scheduled to take place in Brazzaville in May 2026.

“The main objective of the seminar is to raise awareness among companies operating in the Republic of Congo about the Bank’s rules and procedures. This will help prepare them for contract opportunities with the Bank in the context of the Annual Meetings and even beyond,” said Olivier Beguy, Country Economist at the Bank’s Liaison Office in Congo, speaking on behalf of the Bank’s Director-General for Central Africa, Léandre Bassolé.

The meeting aimed to familiarise local businesses with procurement and contract management procedures, while identifying new service providers and expanding the Bank’s supplier database. The Bank also sought to gather feedback from local stakeholders to help tailor its procedures to the country context and optimize its internal systems.

The Bank’s institutional procurement volume for 2024 was estimated at around $103 million, of which only 0.09 percent was allocated to Congolese companies.

In his introductory remarks, Ludovic Ngatsé, Congolese Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Integration, and the Bank’s Governor for the country, said: “The Bank’s projects and programmes represent considerable contract volumes, and our collective ambition is for Congolese companies to be able to capture a significant share of them.”

Following the seminar, more than 100 companies across various sectors were added to the Bank’s supplier database, an important step before the opening of the service procurement contracts for the Annual Meetings.

“The seminar identified a pool of more than 105 companies with expertise in various sectors. The quality of the companies represented reinforces our belief that we will have competent suppliers for our next Annual Meetings, where their services will be in high demand,” concluded Marcelle Akposso, Head of the Bank’s Institutional Procurement Division.

The Bank has been active in the Republic of Congo since 197 and has financed projects totalling $1.27 billion in value. As of 30 June 2025 it had an active portfolio of nine sovereign operations in various sectors, valued at approximately $223.3 million.

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

Media contact:
Solange Kamuanga-Tossou
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

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Mauritania signs $300 million Independent Power Producer (IPP) deal for hybrid solar-wind plant under Desert to Power initiative

Source: APO – Report:

Mauritania has signed its first independent power producer contract, a $300 million agreement with Iwa Green Energy to develop a 60-megawatt hybrid solar-wind power plant.

The project marks a milestone in the country’s drive to expand electricity generation through private financing while accelerating its transition to renewables. The facility, scheduled to come onstream in September 2026, will boost Mauritania’s installed capacity of about 450 megawatts.

“This project with private actors demonstrates their confidence in the Mauritanian government’s commitment to diversifying the production base and providing sustainable energy sources to serve the economy,” said Economy and Finance Minister Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh at the signing ceremony in Nouakchott.

With fewer than 10 percent of rural households connected to electricity, Mauritania relies heavily on imported fuels despite its vast renewable energy potential. The government has set ambitious goals under President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani’s energy transition plan, targeting universal electricity access and 70 percent renewable generation by 2030.

The project was one of the first to be developed under the Desert to Power (https://apo-opa.co/48JQ3Rc) initiative’s Independent Power Producer Joint Protocol, a regional framework backed by the African Development Bank to attract private capital through standardised investment terms across 11 Sahel countries.

Energy Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled stressed that the fully private financing model will allow the country to expand supply without adding to public debt.

Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, commended Mauritania for taking this important step in applying the Desert to Power Joint Protocol, illustrating its relevance as a tool for accelerating the implementation of IPP projects in the Sahel.

“This project will contribute to the goals of the Desert to Power Initiative and Mauritania’s  Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/3VNOgmz) Energy Compact,” Schroth stated.

The project is part of a continent-wide shift in which African governments are increasingly turning to independent power producers to mobilise investment and scale renewable projects while reducing pressure on public finances.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact: 
Department of Communications and External Relations 
media@afdb.org

About the Desert to Power Initiative: 
Launched in 2019 by the African Development Bank Group, the Desert to Power Initiative aims to harness the solar potential of 11 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan) through investments in solar power generation and access to electricity.

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Renaissance Seeks Partners to Unlock Nigeria’s Oil, Gas Potential

Source: APO – Report:

Renaissance Africa Energy – a consortium of five energy companies – has announced it is seeking partners to help grow its portfolio and drive oil and gas development in Nigeria.  

The announcement was made by Tony Attah, Managing Director and CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy during a briefing at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025.   

“We are born in Nigeria and made for Africa,” Attah stated, adding, “We strive to be Africa’s leading energy company, enabling energy security and industrialization in a sustainable manner.” 

During the presentation, Attah highlighted a strong portfolio of investment opportunities for companies to partner with Renaissance Africa Energy in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He noted that extensive infrastructure supports the company’s portfolio of 18 blocks – 15 onshore and 3 offshore – 46 producing fields, 643 active conduits, 29 flow stations and five gas plants. 

Meanwhile, Attah also announced Renaissance Africa Energy’s growth ambitions to support its ambitions to become a pan-African oil and gas company. The company has set a target to increase liquid production to 500,000 barrels per day by 2030 and 1 billion cubic feet per day of domestic gas supply.  

In March 2025, Renaissance Africa Energy – a consortium comprising ND Western, Aradel Holdings, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, Waltersmith Group and Petrolin Group – completed a $1.3 billion acquisition of energy major Shell’s offshore subsidiary the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.  

The company stated that its vision is to be Africa’s leading energy company, enabling energy security and industrialization across the continent in a sustainable way. 

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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New internship programme to boost youth opportunities in hospitality sector

Source: Government of South Africa

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube, in partnership with Diageo South Africa, the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality, and the Youth Employment Service (YES), has launched a new internship programme aimed at empowering young South Africans in the hospitality sector.

The initiative, unveiled on Thursday at the University of Johannesburg, seeks to open pathways to skills training, internships, and job opportunities for young people in the sector.

Speaking at the launch, Dube-Ncube said the collaboration between government, business, and academia shows South Africa and the world that collaboration can change lives.

“This is about producing chefs, creators, innovators and entrepreneurs. It is about building careers, not just filling jobs,” Dube-Ncube said.

She added that last year, the YES Programme achieved a 100% absorption rate; with all trained youth either placed in employment or supported to start a youth-led business.

The Deputy Minister also noted that while South Africa faces high youth unemployment, the hospitality industry presents unique challenges: rapid growth but slow transformation, with many disadvantaged young people confined to low-paying entry-level jobs without pathways to grow into leadership.

“To develop a skilled chef takes more than a job; it requires education, mentorship, and opportunity. Our vibrant tourism industry, which contributes nearly 4% of GDP, cannot yield its full potential while so many remain excluded.

“That is why programmes like Learning for Life matter are about much more than cooking, but about economic inclusion, transformation, and nation-building,” the Deputy Minister said.

She highlighted government’s broader role in creating an enabling environment for youth employment through investment in infrastructure, reducing red tape, and supporting skills development.

“One of our key tools has been the establishment of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in 2000, under the Skills Development Act of 1998. These 21 SETAs, each serving different industries, were designed to tackle skills shortages and fund training.

“In hospitality, this responsibility lies with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). In May this year, CATHSSETA proudly graduated 164 learners from the Occupational Chef Qualification Programme (NQF 5). That milestone reflects progress, but it also tells us we must do even more” Dube-Ncube said.

  • Looking ahead, Dube-Ncube outlined government’s priorities, which include:
    Expanding access. We are exploring satellite training hubs in townships and rural areas, so that geography is no longer a barrier to opportunity.
  • Simplifying access. Many talented youth are excluded by complicated application systems and a lack of digital tools. We must make the process easier and more inclusive.
  • Guaranteeing opportunities. Training must lead to internships in reputable kitchens, apprenticeships, and meaningful work.
  • Supporting entrepreneurship. Beyond employment, we must provide seed funding, mentorship, and business development support to those who want to start their own businesses.
  • Tracking outcomes. Alumni tracking will allow us to refine training, showcase success, and scale what works best.

“This is how we will ensure that today’s beneficiaries are not just employees but become employers, innovators, and leaders,” Dube-Ncube said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Every municipality must work, urges Hlabisa

Source: Government of South Africa

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has delivered a stark warning on the state of local government, saying while progress has been made in many areas, a number of municipalities still battle poor financial management and eroding public trust.

Speaking at the Local Government Indaba in Midrand on Thursday, Hlabisa said too many municipalities leave citizens “with a sense of despair, where almost everything is upside down”, highlighting widespread governance failures.

He cautioned that the culture of “no accountability, lack of transparency, political interference and no consequence management” is crippling service delivery — particularly in underperforming municipalities — and insisted this must come to an end.

Despite the bleak assessment, the Minister pointed to municipalities that are thriving, adopting funded budgets consistently, using grants effectively, delivering services, and earning clean audits. 

“There are municipalities that render services at an above-satisfactory level and give clean accountability to the Auditor-General,” he noted, describing them as examples to follow.

Hlabisa outlined key reforms needed to restore confidence, including professionalising local government, strengthening ethical leadership, ensuring inclusive public participation and driving accountability at every level. 

“Every municipality must work,” he stressed.

Underscoring the economic importance of metros – which house 62% of South Africa’s population and control the largest budgets – Hlabisa warned that “if they are not functional, our country’s economy cannot grow.”

He also highlighted ongoing reforms, such as the proposed Coalitions Bill and the review of the White Paper on Local Government, both aimed at stabilising councils and reconfiguring municipal structures.

READ | Hlabisa engages with business on review of White Paper on Local Government

Looking ahead, Hlabisa presented his vision for municipalities that are ethical, capable, climate-resilient, transparent, and centred on community needs. 

He urged delegates to treat the Indaba as “a golden opportunity to confront challenges affecting our communities where they live” and to emerge with actionable resolutions for rebuilding effective, accountable, developmental municipalities.

The two-day Indaba continues at the Gallagher Convention Centre. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government condemns anti LGBTQIA remarks by Ngizwe Mchunu

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has condemned hateful remarks made against the LGBTQIA+ community by artist Ngizwe Mchunu.

In a video circulated on social media, Mchunu denounced same-sex marriages and called for queer people to leave South Africa.

Deputy Minister Steve Letsike warned that the remarks are not only deeply offensive but also undermine the hard-won constitutional freedoms that guarantee dignity, equality, and non-discrimination for all people in the country.

“South Africa’s democracy is anchored in the values of equality, human dignity, and freedom. Attacks on queer persons are attacks on the very heart of our constitutional promise,” Letsike said in a statement.

Letsike stressed that the South African Constitution is an intersectional document, born at the intersection of race, gender, class and culture.

“It promises not only formal equality but substantive equality that takes account of history, of context, and of the deep wounds of apartheid and patriarchy. As government, we affirm that marriage equality is not a privilege but a constitutional right.

“The Civil Union Act [of 2006], passed nearly two decades ago, remains a testament to South Africa’s commitment to justice and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation,” the Deputy Minister said.

She said the Ministry has formally referred the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for investigation. The Commission, a Chapter 9 institution, plays an important role in protecting and advancing human rights in our country.

Letsike also called on all faith leaders, including traditional leaders, artists, educators, politicians and community leaders, to use their voices to dismantle systems of oppression, rather than reinforce it.

“Silence is complicity, and we must all refuse to be complicit in hate. Soft violence the words, jokes and comments that demean, exclude, and incite hatred is never harmless. It is violence that corrodes dignity, which normalises discrimination, and that lays the foundation for physical violence.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by Mr Mchunu, because they are not only reckless, [but] also dangerous. They endanger the lives of LGBTI [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex] persons who already live under constant threat,” Letsike said.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to all efforts that foster equality for all and building a South Africa, “where no one is left behind, and where equality is lived in every home, school, workplace and cultural space.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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SAPS boosts crime-fighting arsenal with new helicopters and vehicles

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has strengthened its fight against serious and violent crime with the addition of two state-of-the-art helicopters and 12 armoured vehicles to its fleet.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the new resources – two H125: ZT-REC and ZS-HGA helicopters, along with 12 Marshall vehicles – will significantly enhance operational capacity, improve response times and bolster national security.

“This additional fleet will play a critical role in enhancing the SAPS’ operational capacity and capability, as well as strengthening national security,” Masemola said at the official handover ceremony on Friday.

He said the helicopters and vehicles will boost the work of specialised SAPS units, including the Special Task Force, Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Public Order Policing and Visible Policing.

“This new fleet will play a critical role in responding to organised crime incidents such as cash-in-transit heists, hijackings, armed robberies and other violent crimes. The helicopters will enable us to respond rapidly to crime scenes and serve the people of South Africa timeously and effectively,” Masemola said.

The Commissioner also linked the new equipment to the intensification of Operation Shanela II, a nationwide campaign targeting violent crime hotspots through raids, roadblocks and stop-and-search operations.

“Just this week, we arrested more than 17 247 suspects for various offences including the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs. This is the result of the tireless work of the men and women in blue across the country,” he said.

Masemola thanked officers for their perseverance despite resource constraints, saying the new fleet was procured to ease their work and improve service delivery.

“We are striving to provide all necessary tools of trade to enable our members to perform their functions optimally. These resources should give you hope that management is doing its utmost to support you,” he told officers.

He reminded members who will operate the new equipment to exercise maximum care. The helicopters and vehicles will be distributed to specialised units across the country. – SAnews.gov.za

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Rhino Resources Strikes Gas Condensate at Volans-1X

Source: APO

Rhino Resources has made a significant discovery at the Volans-1X well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, CEO Travis Smithard confirmed on Wednesday at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025. The well encountered a 26-meter reservoir with high-quality fluid measuring approximately 40° API, indicating a rich gas condensate accumulation.

Smithard described the find as “incredible,” noting that it further enhances Namibia’s appeal as an oil and gas destination.

The Volans discovery follows Rhino’s earlier successes at the Sagittarius-1X and Capricornus-1X wells, both located in the Orange Basin. The company is now planning to drill at least one appraisal well in Q1 2026 to further evaluate the Volans prospect. Smithard emphasized the importance of collaboration with joint venture partners on the license, which includes Azule Energy, Namibia’s state-owned oil company NAMCOR and local partner Korres Investments.

The announcement underscores Namibia’s growing prominence as a frontier oil and gas nation, attracting increasing interest from international exploration and production companies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Development Bank Group’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption partners with Special Investigations Unit of South Africa to combat financial crime and strengthen anti-corruption efforts in Africa

Source: APO

The African Development Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption (PIAC) (www.AfDB.org) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for cooperation between the two organizations for information sharing and capacity building.

The agreement was signed on 3rd July 2025, in Pretoria, South Africa, at the premises of the Special Investigations Unit. The signing ceremony was attended by high-level SIU staff as well as PIAC staff.

The agreement specifies key areas of collaboration: technical assistance, research, capacity building and training programs.

Paula Santos Da-Costa, the Director of PIAC, represented the African Development Bank and Advocate Andy Mothibi, represented SIU. 

In remarks, Mrs. Da-Costa said the agreement was an opportunity for both organizations to ensure that resources are used for intended purposes, thereby enhancing developmental goals in the continent. She further stated that there are areas of collaboration where both organizations can learn from each other, recognizing the strides that SIU has made on asset recovery.  

Mrs. Santos Da-Costa spoke about the work that PIAC has been doing on project integrity reviews in collaboration with the AfDB project managers and the Project Implementation Units of ministries in Regional Member Countries.

She stated the positive reviews and impact of this prevention approach and its potential to enhance the integrity of infrastructure projects in the continent. Mrs. Da- Costa hailed this as an area that can be considered for immediate collaboration.

Mr. Mothibi stated his enthusiasm for the SIU and AFDB collaboration to enhance accountability and the effective use of public funds. Advocate Mothibi emphasized the importance of operationalization of the MOU, through workplans that recognize the partnership. Advocate Mothibi stated that the Agreement comes at a time where the current chair of the G20 governance framework is South Africa, which holds the G20 Presidency for 2025. This therefore gives the SIU and the AfDB an opportunity to discuss public integrity, asset recovery and management, inclusion of other sectors in the fight against corruption such as border management and immigration, and integrity in the health sector. Both leaders agreed that specific collaboration is required in the protection of whistleblowers.

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

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African Employers Welcome a Fresh Start with the African Development Bank Group

Source: APO

Key representatives of Africa’s private sector welcomed the prospects of a fresh start with the African Development Bank Group (https://AfDB.org/) in Abidjan on Tuesday, at a groundbreaking meeting with its President, Sidi Ould Tah.

“We would like to take this opportunity to express our satisfaction at this renewed relationship with the African Development Bank Group. We hope that this dialogue will rapidly develop into a strategic partnership with African employers’ organizations,” declared Ahmed Cissé, President of the Confédération générale des entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI).

The meeting with the African business leaders took place a day after the opening of the 13th CGECI Academy event, which was attended by private-sector representatives from West, Central and North Africa, including Morocco.

“For the private sector, the meeting itself represents a paradigm shift with the African Development Bank,” commented Célestin Tawamba, President of the Groupement des Entreprises du Cameroun (GECAM).

In his strategic “vision” as President of the Bank Group (the manifesto on which he was elected), Mr Ould Tah called on the institution to mobilize a wider range of investments, from private-sector partners to multilateral institutions and regional development banks, with the aim of significantly reducing Africa’s current funding gap of over $400 billion a year. “Through innovative financial instruments and enhanced risk mitigation strategies, I am convinced that the African Development Bank’s goal should be to multiply every dollar of capital, converting each dollar raised into a productive and transformative investment of $10 or more,” he notably wrote in his manifesto.

Dr Ould Tah who took office on 1 September as the head of Africa’s leading development finance institution, told the private-sector leaders that the Bank Group intends to provide leadership in defining the new African financial architecture. “In the years to come, the role of the private sector will be important in the work of the Bank Group,” he explained, because “Africa will either develop with the private sector, or it will not develop at all”.

During the meeting, the new Bank Group’s president took time to listen to the concerns and expectations of the of the African captains of industry, as well as their ideas for developing partnerships with the Bank Group.

Support for African champions, access to financing, capacity-building for the African private sector, guarantee mechanisms to boost national and regional banks were among the topics discussed.

The business leaders agreed to maintain dialogue, and open channels of communications with the Bank Group’s country offices.

Dr Ould Tah is scheduled to meet with key stakeholders of the African private sector at the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) organized by the African Development Bank Group and several other partners in Rabat, Morocco, from 26 to 28 November 2025.

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

Media contact:
Romaric Ollo Hien
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

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