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Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Leaders Converge in Cairo to Set Momentum Towards Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (Ai Everything MEA) Egypt 2026

Source: APO

Following the show’s announcement last week, Ai Everything Middle East & Africa Egypt (https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com) marked its first milestone moment in Cairo with an exclusive launch event at the iconic Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace. Organised by GITEX GLOBAL and hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the launch event served as a precursor to the region’s most empowering global AI tech week, set to take place from 11-12 February 2026.

The invite-only launch event convened senior government officials, global tech executives, and the nation’s most dynamic AI innovators, alongside media, tech, and startup ecosystem guests, underscoring Egypt’s ambition to unlock $42.7 billion in annual AI value by 2030 while positioning Cairo as the global hub of AI collaboration. The discussions explored the pivotal role of Ai Everything MEA Egypt in aligning international expertise with Egypt’s National AI Strategy 2025-30, spotlighting the country’s competitive strengths in outsourced digital services, semiconductors, electronic design manufacturing, public sector transformation, startup innovations and attracting global investments.

Opening the event, Eng. Ahmed Elzaher, CEO, ITIDA stated: “AI today is no longer a trend; it is a core driver of economic and societal transformation. Hosting Ai Everything MEA Egypt is part of Egypt’s mission to remain at the forefront of the global technology revolution. This summit cements our position as a regional hub for innovation and trusted global partner in the AI era.”

Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre, CEO of KAOUN International, and global organiser of GITEX and Ai Everything, further added: “AI is going to be the backbone of economic transformation, human capital growth and supremacy for Egypt, and this AI renaissance has brought Ai Everything MEA here. The show’s mission is very clear. We are here to empower the stakeholders, be it the private or public sector, as well as the youth, the talent and the startups. We are very honoured to work with the stakeholders in Egypt, giving us the chance to co-create and curate the AI future for the young talent, the businesses, the SMEs and the industries of Egypt.”

H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, shared: “Egypt’s selection to host AI Everything Middle East & Africa Egypt reflects the international community’s recognition of our country’s rapid progress and leapfrogging steps in artificial intelligence.”

“This momentum stems not only from the efforts of the Ministry, but from the collective contributions of Egypt’s entire ICT community. Since launching our first National AI Strategy in 2019, Egypt has advanced 46 places in the global AI Readiness Index. Earlier this year, we launched the second edition of the National AI Strategy, built on six key pillars: expanding access to computing resources for startups and SMEs; ensuring robust data governance; developing AI-powered systems to drive sectoral growth; building digital skills as the cornerstone of the strategy; raising public awareness around AI opportunities and risks; and establishing the regulatory and legislative framework to enable a thriving AI ecosystem.”

The evening concluded with a panel discussion on ‘Egypt’s AI Future’, where industry leaders from IBM, HPE, Deloitte Innovation Hub, Widebot AI, Intella and Plug & Play Tech Centre explored the opportunities and challenges facing Egypt’s AI ecosystem, from scaling startups to strengthening public–private partnerships.

Marwa Abbas, GM and Technology Leader Northeast Africa, IBM, shared, “IBM is pleased to be part of Ai Everything MEA Egypt, where we are showcasing how IBM watsonx and our AI and hybrid cloud capabilities are helping clients in Egypt and across the region to accelerate their digital transformation. Through real-world use cases and industry collaboration, we are demonstrating how AI can drive productivity, innovation, and sustainable growth” 

Mohamed Wasfy, Country Manager, Egypt, HPE, reiterated: “At HPE, our engineers are focused on designing very energy efficient AI systems. Among the top ten most energy efficient systems in the world, three are from HPE. We bring to the market ready-made, ready-to-deploy AI systems that can generate ROI in days, not months or years.”

Ahmed Salem, COO & Engineering, AI & Data Lead, Deloitte Innovation Hub, said: “We’ve rolled our AI platforms across 200,000 users. We started to look at alliances, partnerships, other platforms, hyperscalers for reinventing software driven AI.”

Mohamed Nabil, CEO of WideBot AI, creator of the most accurate Large Language Model (LLM) in Arabic; and Nour Taher, CEO of Intella, the groundbreaking AI startup that recently made headlines for its $12.5 million Series A funding; both shared insights on raising the global competitiveness of Egyptian startups as well as the recent successes in attracting funding and scaling business. The insightful discussions were moderated by Karima El Hakim, Country Director in Egypt and Director in Africa, Plug & Play Tech Centre, Cairo’s leading startup hub.

A Global AI Tech Week Accelerating Egypt’s AI Ambitions

Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026, hosted by Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in strategic partnership with ITIDA and powered by GITEX GLOBAL, will convene leading AI enterprises, startups, investors, and policymakers from 60 countries at the NCIEC in Cairo.

The event features a line-up of acclaimed international AI experts and leaders sparking thought-provoking discussions on building next-gen AI infrastructures and responsible scaling, alongside frontier showcases in AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, digital health, fintech, and more. The show also hosts one of the largest startup and investor gatherings, setting the stage to accelerate global tech partnerships, attract investment, and announce Cairo’s role as the epicentre of AI innovation in the Middle East and Africa.

For more information, access the website: https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ai Everything Middle East & Africa.

Media Contact:
Tayce Marchesi
PR Manager
DWTC & KAOUN International 
tayce.marchesi@dwtc.com 
+ (971) 58 552 3994

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About Ai Everything Middle East & Africa Egypt 2026:
The inaugural Ai Everything Middle East & Africa Egypt, taking place from 11-12 February 2026 at NCIEC, Cairo, is organised by GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech, AI, and startup show, and hosted by the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT) in Egypt, in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). Positioned as the Middle East and Africa’s most empowering global AI tech week, the event convenes the international tech ecosystem including leading tech and AI enterprises, startups, investors, academia, and public–private sector leaders to explore the potential of groundbreaking AI research, use-cases and applications that transform industries and accelerate Egypt towards accomplishing its objectives under the National AI Strategy 2025-2030.

More information on the website: https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com

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4 Female Students Receive Petroleum Scholarship at Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025

Source: APO

Four students received scholarships to attend the Instituto Nacional de Petróleos (INP) in Sumbe at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 Conference and Exhibition last week. The scholarships were awarded under the Albina Faria de Assis Pereira Africano INP Scholarship for Girls initiative, which aims to support female petroleum students complete their studies in Angola.  

Championed by Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas and the African Energy Chamber, the scholarship program covers the entire four-year duration of the student’s studies. The selected students had the top results from the 2025/2026 entrance exams.  

Emanuela Gizela Calombe Sazanga was selected for achieving 20 out of 20 for the electromechanics course. Paula Vasco Madureira Muxinga was also selected for achieving 19.5 out of 20 for the electromechanics course, while ⁠Lúcia Nanjele Joaquim Huque achieved 17.75 out of 20 for the refining and gas course and ⁠Sabino Loureiro Panzo was selected for achieving 17.25 out of 20 for the chemistry laboratory course.  

The program aligns with the government’s broader ambitions to foster greater inclusion by youth and women in the petroleum industry. The scholarships were awarded in the presence of José Barroso, Secretary of State for Oil and Gas in Angola during the AOG 2025 conference on Thursday, 4 September.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Presidential Youth Employment Initiative surpasses 5 million young people reached

Source: Government of South Africa

Since its inception in 2020, as an endeavour to address the country’s youth unemployment challenge, the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) has exceeded its target of reaching 5 million young people and has provided 1.5 million earning opportunities.

Briefing the media on PYEI results for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, in Johannesburg, on Thursday, Deputy Minister in The Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli highlighted that more than 234 000 opportunities were accessed by young people through the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), between April and June 2025.

“These results reflect the collective efforts of government, private sector, and civil society partners to link young people to meaningful pathways into the labour market. A major highlight of the quarter was the launch of Phase 4 of the Revitalised National Youth Service (NYS), which will provide 40 000 paid service opportunities to young people across the country,” the Deputy Minister said.

Implemented by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) under the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the NYS promotes active citizenship by engaging young people in structured service opportunities that contribute to their communities while building their skills, work readiness, and sense of agency.

Since its revitalisation, the NYS has placed more than 84 000 young people in paid service roles, contributing both to community development and individual growth.

The PYEI is an intervention aimed at addressing youth unemployment through innovative partnerships and programmes such as Jobs Boost and skills development initiatives.

With a R300 million innovative funding mechanism designed to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa, the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund is South Africa’s largest formal sector employment outcomes fund.

The fund uses a pay-for-performance model to partner with skills providers to equip previously excluded young people to access high-quality jobs.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that by the end of June 2025, over 8 100 young people had been enrolled, with 5 436 placed into quality jobs, and more than R115 million disbursed to 12 implementation partners for verified outcomes. 

“The programme is already exceeding expectations in job retention rates, with thousands of young people sustaining employment beyond three and six months,” the Deputy Minister said.

She noted that Jobs Boost achieved a milestone this quarter, when it was selected as one of ten global recipients of the Outcomes Finance Alliance’s Outcomes Accelerator, from over 500 applications. 

The prestigious award recognises Jobs Boost as a pioneering example of outcomes-based financing, demonstrating how public-private collaboration can drive measurable impact in youth employment.

“The grant provides funding and technical support to scale the initiative beyond its pilot phase—enabling the programme to reach thousands more excluded young people and deepen its work in linking funding directly to quality, sustained jobs. As we scale Jobs Boost, this support will help us reach thousands more excluded young people with life1] changing employment opportunities,” Mhlauli said. 

Looking ahead, the Deputy Minister said the PYEI remains committed to unlocking opportunities in priority growth sectors, strengthening the systems that connect young people to work, and scaling innovative interventions that deliver measurable, lasting impact. – SAnews.gov.za

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Manamela sets up stabilisation team at College of Cape Town

Source: Government of South Africa

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has announced the establishment of a stabilisation team to address governance and management disputes at the College of Cape Town for TVET.

Briefing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, on Wednesday, Manamela said disputes involving the principal, the council chairperson, and two deputy principals had destabilised the college, undermining staff morale, student welfare, and the institution’s reputation.

While the college continues to perform well in certain areas, such as unqualified audits, improved student certification rates, and strong industry partnerships, the Minister said the governance environment has become “untenable.”

The intervention is being implemented under Section 46 of the Continuing Education and Training Act, which empowers the Minister to act where a public college is mismanaged or unable to perform its functions effectively.

The stabilisation team will be chaired by a respected retired judge or senior advocate, supported by experts in labour relations and higher education governance experts.

Its mandate includes:
•    Conducting a fact-finding process into governance and leadership disputes;
•    Mediating between the Principal, Council, and Deputy Principals; and
•    Recommending corrective steps to the Minister, including possible sanctions, redeployments, or reforms to strengthen governance.

“The team will begin its work within seven days and is expected to conclude within 45 days. Pending its recommendations, all new disciplinary processes involving the principal, the council chairperson, and the deputy principals will be suspended to prevent further escalation,” Manamela said.

He stressed that the intervention was not about “taking sides” but restoring stability, protecting the institution, and ensuring that students are not the collateral damage of leadership conflicts.

Manamela is expected to report back to the portfolio committee within two months on the progress and outcomes of the intervention.

Committee Chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, has welcomed the department’s decisiveness on the matter, saying it was evident that the principal regarded the institution as his own “until we called him to order.”

“Such attitudes have no place in government institutions that are funded by the taxpayers of this country. As the committee we are hopeful that the Minister will remain firm in his decision and report back within two months on the progress and outcomes of the stabilisation team, as promised,” Letsie said.

Over 20 charges brought against principal

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, clarified that the principal is facing 21 charges, not 300 as alleged.

Sishi also noted that the department’s attempts at consequence management have been frustrated, as the principal is often unavailable to respond when required.

The committee reiterated its position that the ongoing instability at CCT cannot be allowed to compromise the academic success of students and called for urgent steps to restore stability, good governance, and accountability at the institution. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Africa Sets its Economic Agenda: The BIG Push to Build, Lead, and Transform

Source: APO

Africa is taking charge of its economic future as long-standing trade agreements deteriorate and global markets become more volatile. This is the driving force behind the Global Africa Business Initiative’s (https://GABI.UNGlobalCompact.org) Unstoppable Africa conference this year, which has as its theme “The Big Push: Africa Shapes the Markets”.

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, today described GABI’s Unstoppable Africa 2025 event as coming at a crucial time for Africa to act decisively. She stressed that the decisions made will influence not just Africa’s future, but the destiny of global markets: “The markets will be defined by Africa’s trajectory,” she said at an online briefing for media.

“Africa is unstoppable. The continent is at the centre of so many opportunities. Global business and investors should look at Africa as a partner and come to do business with Africa, not in Africa,” she added.

Unstoppable Africa, which is organized by the United Nations Global Compact and co-convened by the United Nations and the African Union Commission, will take place in New York on September 21-22 on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. Hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Unstoppable Africa is the premier African business forum outside Africa. It brings together heads of state, global business leaders, investors, policymakers, creatives and other stakeholders to drive Africa’s economic transformation.

Positioned as a rallying call, this year’s theme, “The Big Push: Africa Shapes the Markets”, focuses on how Africa can use its natural resources, increasing youthful demography, and innovation to become a major engine of global economic growth. The agenda is geared towards accelerating investment into key sectors, including infrastructure, digital connectivity, renewable energy, and regional trade integration.

Africa’s wealth is not in doubt: critical minerals like cobalt and lithium, vast unexploited land, huge solar and wind power, and the youngest workforce in the world. But the resources need to be harnessed on the ground, locally and regionally. Africa needs to climb up the value chain, manufacture its own products, and build robust industries that serve both local and global markets.

At the centre of this vision is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Projected to increase intra-African trade by 45% by 2045, AfCFTA offers a road map for reducing dependence on third-party markets and creating an African market.

This year’s edition of Unstoppable Africa will be one of the most visionary to date, with a focus on presenting insights on how Africa can use global disruption as a strategic advantage. Whether redefining trade and increasing innovation or exploiting the potential of youth and creative industries, all sessions and discussions will inform constructive debate and analysis, and be solution-driven.

Confirmed speakers include Presidents Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia), Duma Boko (Botswana), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), and João Lourenço (Angola), and business leaders, such as Peter Ndegwa (Safaricom), Luol Deng, Selim Bora (SUMMA), Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem (DP World), James Manyika (Google), James Mwangi (Equity Group), Olivier Laouchez (Trace), Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa (Naspers), Mpumi Madisa (Bidvest), chef Marcus Samulesson, and Strive Masiyiwa (Econet and Cassava). Actor and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha will host the gala dinner.

Unstoppable Africa is sponsored by a diverse network of organizations, including Platinum Sponsors Afreximbank, Bidvest, Middle East Green Initiative, Sustainable Energy for All Mission 300, Pepsico. Gold Sponsors Africa CEO Forum, African Development Bank Group, Africa Finance Corporation, Democratic Republic of Congo, Meta, Safaricom & U.S Chamber of Commerce. Silver Sponsors include Africa 50,  Climate Works Foundation, FMN Group, Helios Towers, Rockefeller Foundation.

Official Media partners include African Business, Arise News, Business Day, E & M, Electrify Video, SDG News, Nation Media Group, News Central TV & Wall Street Africa.

In the lead-up to the event, GABI is inviting all participants to join its What Makes Africa Unstoppable (https://apo-opa.co/46wPVTI) campaign. One recent example is this entry from UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed (https://apo-opa.co/4622Gp6).

Working in partnership with Electrify Video Partners Foundation, GABI has also launched an  Unstoppable Africa YouTube channel (https://apo-opa.co/48ceIxz) which will host a livestream broadcast to audiences around the world.

“Africa is home to some of the world’s youngest, most creative, and most entrepreneurial minds. We are excited to bring our expertise in YouTube to shine a light on those informative and inspirational stories so that audiences everywhere can see the potential of Africa,” said Ian Shepherd, Co-CEO, Electrify Video Partners.

While the New York event is by invitation only, registration is open for virtual participation: Unstoppable Africa 2025 The Big Push: Africa Shapes The Market (https://apo-opa.co/48dp1kV)

Media registration to attend Unstoppable Africa – https://apo-opa.co/4m9iivO

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.

For Media Enquiries:
Rosemary Otalor
Rosemary.otalor@apo-opa.com
Phone: +2348027171405

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Social Development makes progress on 2023/24 Audit Action Plan

Source: Government of South Africa

Stabilising and strengthening systems within the Department of Social Development (DSD) and its entities is a goal that the department is striving for.

This is according to Social Development Minister who presented a progress report to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development in Parliament on Wednesday.

The Minister was accompanied by representatives from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA). 

The briefing covered the implementation of the 2023/24 Audit Action Plan in response to the Auditor-General’s findings.

“Our goal has been to stabilise and strengthen the systems within the department and its entities. I am pleased to inform the Committee and Parliament that Cabinet has approved the appointment of three Regional Executive Managers for SASSA in Limpopo, Free State, and Northern Cape,” Tolashe said. 

Minister Tolashe reported that the DSD had successfully implemented 81% of its 2023/24 corrective actions (45 of 55 findings). She reassured the committee that unresolved matters would be carried over into the 2024/25 financial year to ensure continuity. 

“We are committed to achieving clean audits under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. Anything not accomplished in 2023/2024 will be integrated into the 2024/2025 action plans, which will be minimal.”

Similarly, the NDA had addressed 89% of its audit findings, while SASSA had resolved 98%, with only four issues still outstanding. These, she noted, related to ICT systems and Grants Administration, areas central to beneficiary service delivery.

The Minister further emphasised that oversight at this stage is crucial as Parliament prepares to receive the Auditor-General’s 2024/25 audit outcomes. 

“We will not allow the department to sink below acceptable standards. Our goal is to achieve sustainable, clean audits that reflect the values of accountability, dignity, and integrity,” Tolashe said. 

Outcomes

Chief Financial Officer, Thandeka Ngcobo, presented the department’s audit outcomes. While financial statements remained unqualified, confirming proper use of resources, the overall audit opinion regressed from a clean audit in 2022/23 to an unqualified audit with findings in 2023/24.

The regression was primarily due to material misstatements in the annual performance report, particularly in Programme 4 indicators.

These included establishing at least one gender-based violence (GBV) shelter per district, establishing at least one Khuseleka Centre per district, providing Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY) with a core package of services in targeted districts, supporting OVCY who know their HIV status and assisting HIV-positive OVCY in adhering to treatment.

Ngcobo confirmed that these programme areas remain priority interventions because of their direct impact on vulnerable groups. Corrective steps have been incorporated into the 2024/25 Audit Action Plan, with strengthened oversight from both management and the Auditor-General’s office.

Strengthening accountability, service delivery

Director-General, Peter Netshipale, detailed the measures being taken to improve internal controls and prevent repeat audit findings. These include:
•⁠ ⁠Enhanced monitoring and evaluation systems.
•⁠ ⁠Regular performance reviews to validate reported outcomes.
•⁠ ⁠Improved coordination across DSD, SASSA, and NDA to address cross-cutting issues.
•⁠ ⁠Targeted interventions in ICT and grants management to close existing gaps.

Netshipale stressed that beyond compliance, these reforms aim to restore public trust and ensure that every rand spent contributes to tangible improvements in social protection services.

Looking ahead

The department underscored its determination to embed a culture of accountability across the portfolio. 
Minister Tolashe emphasised that corrective actions will be monitored continuously and sustained over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), ensuring long-term improvements in governance and service delivery.

“The audit process is an opportunity to strengthen our systems, not an obstacle. We remain committed to ensuring that audit outcomes translate into better services for children, youth, families, and the most vulnerable in our society,” she concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Israeli Attack Targeting Residential Headquarters in Doha is State Terrorism

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | September 10, 2025

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani expressed his belief that the Israeli attack on a residential headquarters in Doha “killed any hope” for hostages remaining in Gaza.

His Excellency added, in an interview with American news media company CNN that “I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages.”

“I have no words to express how enraged we are from such an action.This is state terror,” His Excellency also said.

HE the Prime Minister said that it isn’t possible to predict what Hamas’ response would be to the latest US ceasefire proposal, but expressed his belief that Israel and Hamas will “run out of chances” to secure a ceasefire.

“I was meeting one of the hostage’s families the morning of the attack,” His Excellency said before that adding that “They are counting on this (ceasefire) mediation, they have no other hope for that.”

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani called on bringing the Israeli Prime Minister to justice.

“He’s the one who’s wanted at the (International Criminal Court.),” His Excellency said before adding “he broke every international law.”

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Netanyahu was trying to undermine “any chance of peace,” following the blatant attack on Hamas leadership in Doha. His Excellency noted that it was publicly known that he was meeting with Hamas leadership, as part of Qatar’s role as mediator in the Middle East.

“Everything about the meeting is very well known to the Israelis and the Americans. It’s not something that we are hiding,” His Excellency said.

During his interview with CNN, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said that Qatar hopes there will be “collective response” from the region to the Israeli attack on Hamas in Doha.

“There is a response that will happen from the region. This response is currently under consultation and discussion with other partners in the region,” His Excellency said.

He said that an Arab-Islamic summit will be held in Doha in the coming days, where participants will decide on a course of action. He noted that Qatar will not ask its regional partners to respond in any particular way.

HE the Prime Minister stressed that Netanyahu was just wasting time over the past weeks during negotiations in Qatar.

“I’ve been rethinking, even about the entire process for the last few weeks, that Netanyahu was just wasting our time,” HE the Prime Minister said.

He added that Qatar was “reassessing everything” around their involvement in any future ceasefire talks and added Qatar was in a “very detailed conversation” with the United States government on how to proceed.

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Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and First Lady of Central African Republic celebrate 13-year journey of their development programs and 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 recently. It was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative and H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, First Lady of Central African Republic and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” along with First Ladies of Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. 

Speaking about Merck Foundation’s initiatives in Central African Republic, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I am glad that my dear sister, H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, First Lady of Central Africa and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” joined us for the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative 2025. Our partnership with her started in 2015, and we have come a long way since then. We have provided scholarships for young doctors from CAR in Oncology and Diabetes. Moreover, together we are supporting the education of 40 schoolgirls who are deserving yet under privileged through our Educating Linda program.”  

H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, First Lady of Central African Republic & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” shared “I greatly value our partnership with Merck Foundation that is since 2015, to support us to advance and build the healthcare capacity in our country by providing scholarships to our local doctors in various medical specialties. Together, we have worked on “Empowering Berna” program where we established small businesses for infertile and childless women and trained them to run their businesses so they can have income and become independent and have purpose life. Also, as a part of Merck Foundation’s Education Linda program, we are providing scholarships to 40 under-privileged schoolgirls from our country to support girl education.” 

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Central African Republic & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/42rjN1f

On day 2 of the Summit, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African and Asian First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed. 

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://apo-opa.co/42rjPpT

During the Summit, a strategy meeting between The First Lady of Central African Republic and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej to discuss their on-going programs and define strategies to further build healthcare and media capacity in CAR to address a wide range of social and health issues. 

Watch video of the meeting here: https://apo-opa.co/4nmLaBF

“Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We have so far provided 2280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. We will be together enrolling more local doctors from CAR for the scholarship program”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. 

Merck Foundation, in partnership with The First Lady of Central African Republic also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields. Through these awards, the aim is to encourage young talents and youth in Central Africa to create and innovate messages in their art and daily work to create awareness about sensitive issues like Break Infertility Stigma, Support Girl Education, Stop Gender Based Violence, End Child Marriage, End FGM, and Women Empowerment at all levels and raise awareness about early detection & prevention of Diabetes & Hypertension. 

Moreover, to address these critical issues, Merck Foundation together with the office of The First Lady of Central African Republic, has also conducted 3 editions of their Online Health Media Training to encourage media to be the voice of the voiceless and raise awareness.  

Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of Central African Republic, Merck Foundation has also launched seven children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, and “Mark’s Pressure”. The storybooks launched in French language, address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, diabetes and hypertension awareness.  

The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation: 

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4njbvRg), X (https://apo-opa.co/4perfXz), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3VbIScI), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4p9jzFQ). 

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/47DFkHG), X (https://apo-opa.co/41MxuaU), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46vTRnD), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4pd3wH3).  

Link to the YouTube live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/4mRGxje

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through: 

  • 2280+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through: 

  • 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues 
  • 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs 
  • Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa 
  • 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages – English, French, and Portuguese 
  • 7 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education. 
  • Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community 
  • 950+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls to empower them to complete their studies 
  • 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
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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/4njbvRg), X (https://apo-opa.co/4perfXz), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3VbIScI), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4p9jzFQ), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4pj6Sbu) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/466B4he). 

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. 

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President Ramaphosa to engage North West leadership on accelerating service delivery

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa to engage North West leadership on accelerating service delivery

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday lead an engagement between the National Executive and the Provincial Executive of North West at the Municipal Chambers of the Rustenburg Civic Centre.

The President will meet with North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and members of the Provincial Government Executive to strengthen cooperation between national and provincial structures.

The joint National and North West Provincial Executive engagement, held under the theme: “A Nation that Works for All”, forms part of a series of provincial engagements, aimed at enhancing intergovernmental coordination and improving service delivery in line with the priorities of the 7th Administration.

“This meeting will be the seventh engagement between the National Executive and Provinces following interactions between the President and the Provincial Governments of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape,” The Presidency said.

The Rustenburg engagement will deliberate on various approaches to accelerate service delivery, with particular focus on interventions at the local government level.

The North West Provincial Executive Committee is expected to table its newly adopted Growth and Development Strategy, designed to address persistent challenges of unemployment and poverty. 

The provincial leadership will also present its Accelerated Service Delivery initiative, Thuntsha Lerole, aimed at supporting municipalities in tackling service delivery constraints that affect governance and development.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM

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South Africa deeply concerned about civilian attacks in Ukraine

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa deeply concerned about civilian attacks in Ukraine

Government has expressed deep concern over indiscriminate attacks on civilians following the strike in the village of Yarova in Eastern Ukraine, which reportedly killed more than 20 people, many of them elderly civilians waiting to collect pension payments.

This follows a Russian air strike on a Ukrainian village predominantly inhabited by pensioners on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. 

Amid rising and intensifying armed conflicts, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said South Africa not only calls for a de-escalation and ceasefire, but urges all parties involved to respect international law, including obligations under international humanitarian law. 

“We continue to see attacks against civilians and civilian installations in breach of the principle of distinction,” the department said. 

According to the department, international humanitarian law requires all parties to armed conflict to distinguish at all times between combatants and civilians, as well as between military and civilian targets. 

“The deliberate targeting of non-combatants is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights laws and principles. Such breaches of international law escalate current global tensions,” the department added. 

In the meantime, the department reaffirmed South Africa’s support for the efforts of the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations in working towards the diplomatic resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and peaceful negotiation. 

According to UN News, the World Health Organisation’s latest Health Needs Assessment conducted in Ukraine in April found that seven in ten people reported mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and severe stress over the past year, directly linked to attacks on civilian infrastructure. 

“South Africa remains committed to playing a constructive role in advancing peace and stability globally, and calls on all nations to work together to prevent further suffering and bloodshed, prioritising the protection of civilians.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile

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