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United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) report: 20 million more children in Sub-Saharan Africa now receive government-led school meals

Source: APO – Report:

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Twenty million more children in Sub-Saharan Africa are now receiving school meals through government-led programmes than in 2022, according to the latest edition of the State of School Feeding Worldwide, a flagship global biennial report released today by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The African continent has seen the most significant rise of any region, with the number of children receiving school meals rising by over 30 percent from 66 million in 2022 to 87 million in 2024. Chad, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Rwanda have increased the number of pupils receiving school meals by up to six times.

Government investments in school meals in Sub-Saharan Africa have also increased, signalling a significant shift from reliance on foreign aid to recognising school meals as a strategic public investment in children’s education, health, and broader national development.

In countries like Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zambia, school meal programmes are mainly funded through national budgets. Other governments, such as Ethiopia and Burundi, have doubled and tripled their respective contributions since 2022, while still receiving some funding from external sources.

“We are proud that the majority of school meal programmes are funded through domestic budgets. WFP is dedicated to helping national governments expand state-funded school meals, ensuring that no child is left behind,” said Margot van der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “We need to work together with partners and communities in feeding the future of our children, giving them the chance to grow and thrive.”

Beyond education and children’s wellbeing, sustainable school meal models, such as home-grown school feeding programmes, also have far-reaching benefits for smallholder farmers, agricultural economies and climate-smart food production.

  • In Benin, where the government primarily funds school meals, purchasing local food for these programmes contributed over US$23 million to the economy in 2024. Direct purchases from smallholder farmers increased by 800 percent, benefiting more than 23,000 people.
  • In Burundi, WFP’s local food procurement for school meals resulted in a 50 percent increase in farmers’ incomes in 2024 and created employment opportunities across 67 cooperatives with 20,000 members.
  • In Malawi, every US$1 spent on school meals generates US$8 in economic benefits.
  • In Sierra Leone last year, 40 percent of food for school meals came from smallholder farmers – mainly women and youth – providing a varied diet with rice, pulses, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.
  • In Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, WFP, The Novo Nordisk Foundation, The Grundfos Foundation and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs are supporting diverse, eco-friendly diets for children by creating 1,300 school gardens, training 61,500 smallholder farmers in climate-smart agriculture, and supplying schools with fuel-efficient cooking equipment.

“A meal at school is more than just giving food to a child; it is also an investment in the family, the community, and ultimately a country’s future. Sourcing food locally provides healthy, culturally appropriate meals for children while supporting smallholder farmers, driving economic growth and national development,” said Eric Perdison, WFP’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

However, millions of children, especially in low-income African countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, and South Sudan, still lack access to school meals due to low domestic funding and a reliance on decreasing external donor support. WFP will continue prioritising children in these fragile settings for direct delivery of school meals to safeguard their access to learning and nutrition amid global uncertainty and reduced funding.

The report comes out the week before the second School Meals Coalition Global Summit in Brazil, on 18-19 September, where leaders will meet to assess progress and mobilise further action.

– on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

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Intensifying Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Source: APO – Report:

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Following the declaration of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province, World Health Organization (WHO) is intensifying efforts to support the government to scale up measures to halt the spread of the virus as swiftly as possible.

Soon after the alert about the outbreak was received, WHO mobilized experts who joined an advance team of first responders from the Ministry of Health being deployed to Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province. WHO also provided two tonnes of emergency health supplies and equipment that were delivered as the advance team deployed.

Additionally, within 48 hours of the declaration of the outbreak on 4 September 2025, the Organization airlifted 12 tonnes of outbreak control materials including personal protective equipment, patient isolation materials, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies to support clinical care and protect frontline health workers. More supplies are being shipped to the country to strengthen the response.

“The affected localities are hard to reach. We are working round the clock to rapidly roll out response measures to ensure robust outbreak control to stop the virus from spreading further and save lives,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.  

On 7 September, teams of frontlines responders were vaccinated against Ebola in Kinshasa ahead of their deployment in the field thanks to a stockpile of vaccines that had been preposition in the country’s capital with support from WHO and partners.

As the outbreak response is scaled up, efforts are also underway to strengthen health emergency coordination, with WHO working with partner organizations to rally efforts, resources and expertise to support the national authorities mount an effective response.

WHO is working with the national authorities in 10 priority countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo to initiate readiness assessments and contingency planning.

In Tanzania, for example, disease surveillance is being enhanced in localities bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo to swiftly detect any cases and respond in a timely manner to halt any further transmission of the virus. In Angola, WHO is supporting the national authorities step up preparedness, especially in Lunda Norte Province, which borders Kasai Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The ongoing outbreak is the country’s 16th since Ebola was identified in 1976. The outbreak is occurring in a complex epidemiological and humanitarian context. The Democratic Republic of the Congo country is currently facing several outbreaks, including mpox, cholera and measles.

WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by the ongoing outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans. Human-to-human transmission is through direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, objects that have been contaminated with body fluids from a person sick with Ebola or the body of a person who died from Ebola.

However, with the currently available effective treatment, patients have a significantly higher chance of survival if they are treated early and given supportive care.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Democratic Republic of Congo.

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South Africa’s student debt trap: two options that could help resolve the problem

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Michele Van Eck, Associate professor in the School of Law at University of the Witwatersrand, who specialises in the areas of contracts, legal ethics and education. , University of the Witwatersrand

Education is widely regarded as the road to a better life. Yet the rising cost of tertiary education means many students can only go to university if they get financial aid, bursaries or loans.

South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers students bursaries or loans which provide allowances for tuition and registration fees, books, travel and accommodation. But this type of funding applies only under specific and limited conditions. Many students fall outside its scope.

Students who are not enrolled for a qualification that is approved by the Department of Higher Education, or who wish to study for a second undergraduate qualification, or who are studying at private institutions, don’t qualify to get the funding.

The result is that many students can’t keep up with paying their university fees. In 2025 South African universities collectively held about R9.3 billion (US$528 million) in student debt that had remained unpaid since 2023.

Universities have been trying different methods to pressure students and graduates to pay outstanding student debts. This has included withholding of degree certificates, academic transcripts and marks.

Universities require funding to operate effectively, pay staff and maintain infrastructure. But withholding academic documents from indebted students may prevent them from securing employment – the very means by which they could repay their debts. These practices, while commercially defensible, often have the opposite effect. According to Unesco, “student loans generally have catastrophic effects for students and families across the world”.

It seems reasonable to conclude that student debt collection practices may entrench poverty and make it harder for graduates to get jobs.

From recent court cases, it appears that this issue is especially pronounced in the legal profession. Law graduates face additional scrutiny, as admission to the profession requires not only academic qualifications but also proof of moral character. The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 mandates that candidates be “fit and proper” individuals, embodying values such as honesty, integrity and reliability. Outstanding debt may be seen as a contrast to the values of honesty and integrity.

Fulfilling financial obligations can indeed have a bearing on ethics (a field I study as a legal scholar). But as I argue in a recent paper, it’s necessary to distinguish between graduates who are unwilling to pay and those who are genuinely unable to.

I also propose a couple of ways this could be achieved so that universities get their money and graduates get their start in working life.

How universities collect debt

Unlike South Africa, some countries have taken steps to deal with the impact of student debt.

My paper highlights that, in the United States, several states don’t allow universities and colleges to withhold degree certificates and transcripts (records of academic activity) over unpaid fees. They recognise that those debt-collection practices hinder employment and make inequality worse. Instead, they promote other strategies, like repayment plans related to income, or policies for how to treat students who are experiencing hardship.

In the United Kingdom, universities are advised not to use academic sanctions to recover non-academic debts, such as accommodation fees. Consumer protection laws treat students as consumers, allowing them to challenge unfair contractual terms. If a university’s contract includes provisions to withhold degrees for unpaid fees, students may contest these clauses as unjust.

South Africa lacks similar legal safeguards. Each university sets its own rules. These range from students not being able to graduate unless all fees are paid, to the withholding of certificates from students not in good financial standing, and even preventing students from viewing their examination scripts if they owe money. Some examples may be found at the University of the Free State (page 27), University of Pretoria (page 16) and University of the Witwatersrand.

Law students face additional hurdles

In the legal profession, financial responsibility is often tied to ethical conduct. Lawyers manage trust accounts, client funds and sensitive legal matters. Integrity is non-negotiable.

However, the inability to pay student debts is not inherently dishonest. Some students fall into debt due to circumstances beyond their control, like family obligations, socio-economic conditions, unemployment or the sheer cost of education.

South African courts have grappled with outstanding student debts when it comes to admitting law graduates to the profession. The courts’ approach has been inconsistent.

In Ex Parte Tlotlego the court emphasised that poverty should not bar entry into the legal profession. It said courts should not require proof of debt repayment arrangements, which would be unfair to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

But in Ex Parte Makamu the court found that a law graduate must still demonstrate how they intend to settle their debts to satisfy the ethical standards of honesty and integrity.

More recently, Ex Parte Galela reinforced this view. The court declined the application for admission because it wasn’t clear why the law graduate hadn’t paid off their debt. It suggested that financial irresponsibility could reflect poorly on the graduate’s character.

The courts’ approach and general student debt-collection practices often fail to differentiate between students who cannot pay and those who choose not to. This distinction is vital. A student who ignores their debt without justification may raise ethical concerns. But a student who is willing to pay yet lacks the financial means should not be penalised.

Solutions

The solution lies in balancing the financial interests of universities with the socio-economic realities of students. Student debts must be repaid, but repayment mechanisms must also be fair and sustainable.

There have been attempts to find a solution, such as the draft Student Relief Bill, which proposes setting up a Student Debt Relief Fund. But that might place unsustainable pressure on the economy.

I have another proposal: allowing graduates to receive their degree certificates regardless of outstanding debt, along with two legislative interventions. These are:

  1. Automatic garnishee orders: upon graduation, an automatic garnishee order (a court order directing an employer to deduct a certain amount from an employee’s income) could be placed on future salaries of a graduate. This would ensure that student debt is repaid over time.

  2. Amendment to the Prescription Act 68 of 1969: This could exclude student debt from prescribing (becoming too old to collect). Normally, such a debt would prescribe after three years. An amendment would allow universities to recover debts for the duration of graduates’ employment, not just within three years.

These measures would uphold the financial sustainability of universities while protecting the dignity and future employment prospects of graduates.

– South Africa’s student debt trap: two options that could help resolve the problem
– https://theconversation.com/south-africas-student-debt-trap-two-options-that-could-help-resolve-the-problem-262555

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SAPS members encouraged to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing

Source: Government of South Africa

SAPS members encouraged to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, says the organisation continues to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of its members on a daily basis.

He said in-house employee health and wellness (EHW) is available 24/7 and 365 days a year to all police officers as well as for their family members.

This follows the hostage incident in Mamelodi in which a SAPS Constable held his family members hostage for more than 15 hours following an alleged family dispute.

The Constable fatally shot his nephew and turned the gun on himself. 

His 69-year-old mother was released through the assistance of the SAPS Special Task Force negotiators.

Masemola said the organisation was doing all it can to ensure members mental health and well-being is prioritised, including:

  • Counselling and trauma debriefing are available to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all provinces.
  • The SAPS Employee Health and Wellness follows an integrated approach utilising psychology professionals, social workers, chaplains and medical administration practitioners to provide support and assistance to employees of SAPS and their families.
  • Pro-active programs are presented to members on an ongoing basis. Examples of these programs include: Choose Life which is a suicide prevention programme focusing on suicide warning signs, stress reactions and management and more. Depression and Bipolar awareness programs focus on signs, symptoms and recovery strategies.
  • Multiple stressor workshops are presented to members in order to assist with vicarious trauma. Mental health and employee health and wellness related topics and articles are also shared on internal communication platforms regularly.
  • Standby duties are made available to all members 24 /7. SAPS employees are continuously made aware of EHW and the support in proactive and reactive services that can be provided. These awareness drives occur on a continuous basis during station lectures, parades, awareness days such as Mental health month, World AIDS day, international day for People with disabilities, 16 days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign and many more.
  • SAPS partners with POLMED and GEMS to ensure its employees have access to external specialists and services that will be able to cater for their needs.

“I encourage all our SAPS members across the country to prioritise their health and mental wellbeing by undergoing health screenings and check-ups regularly as well as attending debriefing sessions. 

“This is vital for early detection of potential health issues, allowing for timely intervention and avoiding complications by managing conditions more effectively, resulting in better overall health and well-being. As management we are here to support you,” Masemola said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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Zikalala to address 2nd National Contractor Development roadshow

Source: Government of South Africa

Zikalala to address 2nd National Contractor Development roadshow

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala is set to address the 2nd National Contractor Development roadshow in the Northern Cape.

To be held in Kimberly, the roadshow is aimed at supporting emerging contractors to break through the lower level Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading, by providing business growth and opportunities, funding, mentorship and skills development.

The roadshow is a response to concerns that many contractors remain in the 1 to 4 CIDB grading which limits their participation in multi-million-rand construction projects. 

The roadshow will go to different parts of the country, making sure that no contractors are left behind.
Led by the Deputy Minister, the National Contractor Development roadshow is a countrywide initiative to supercharge contractor development. 

The campaign aims to advance economic transformation by reaching contractors across all nine CIDB grades, creating a platform for real, lasting change in the construction sector.

In collaboration with the board, client departments and development agencies, the roadshow brings opportunities directly to contractors’ doorsteps – whether in rural towns or urban centres. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Blended finance proves game-changer for WC farmers

Source: Government of South Africa

Blended finance proves game-changer for WC farmers

The Western Cape Government’s MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has hailed the blended finance catalyst for agriculture as a “game-changer” for emerging and smallholder farmers.

Spearheaded by the national Department of Agriculture in partnership with financial institutions including Land Bank and ABSA, the Blended Finance Scheme is designed to reduce financial risk while increasing access to capital.

It targets historically disadvantaged individuals, particularly women, youth and people with disabilities, and supports investments in infrastructure, mechanisation, and value-adding enterprises.

“This model is about unlocking opportunity. It combines the strength of government grants with the discipline of private sector finance to empower our farmers to grow, compete, and thrive,” Meyer said. 

The MEC was addressing over 250 farmers and stakeholders at the national Department of Agriculture’s Blended Finance Roadshow, held in Paarl in the Drakenstein Municipality. 

The event, held on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, marked a significant milestone in the Western Cape Government’s ongoing efforts to support the commercialisation of Black producers and transform the agricultural sector.

Meyer emphasised the Western Cape’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, and rural development. 

“We are not just investing in farms; we are investing in people, in communities, and in the future of our province.”

The roadshow brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including 122 farmers from across the province’s eight districts, commodity organisations, extension practitioners, and representatives from the private sector. 

The event also featured a welcome address by Drakenstein Executive Mayor, Stephen Korabie, and showcased the province’s key agricultural commodities aligned with the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), including deciduous fruit, wine grapes, citrus, grains, poultry, and red meat.

Meyer concluded by encouraging farmers to seize the opportunity presented by the scheme. 

“This is your time. Let us walk this journey together – government, financiers, and farmers – to build a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural sector.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile

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Changing gear: Eskom introduces first electric vehicle fleet

Source: Government of South Africa

Changing gear: Eskom introduces first electric vehicle fleet

In a move that marries its energy mandate with a vision for a sustainable future, state-owned power utility Eskom has officially plugged into the future of transport with the introduction of its inaugural fleet of electric vehicles.

The initiative is supported by the installation of some 10 charging stations on five sites aimed at supporting the adaptation of electric transportation.

The state-owned power utility described the move as “a major milestone” on the journey toward “sustainable transport and a cleaner energy future for all South Africans”.

“Eskom is driving South Africa’s shift to a cleaner, low-carbon future. Through e-mobility, we are cutting emissions, boosting innovation, and showing how sustainable energy solutions can create real benefits for communities and the economy. 

“We see ourselves as more than just an electricity provider – we are enablers of progress,” Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane said.

The power utility’s Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, described the move as transformational.

“Eskom is taking steps to transform how South Africans move in a world where climate change is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality. 

“The launch of these vehicles is not only about mobility; it is about reimagining the energy landscape, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring every community benefits from the transition to sustainable transport,” Mlambo said.

To date, the power utility has taken delivery of some 20 electric vehicles.

These vehicles range from light delivery vehicles to light trucks with another 100 planned for the near future. 

“These vehicles will be deployed primarily in the Distribution and Generation Divisions, supporting operations while demonstrating the practicality and benefits of e-mobility in South Africa.

“Eskom’s vision for e-mobility extends beyond vehicles. The organisation has committed to gradually transitioning its entire fleet to EVs, with the Distribution Division, which has the largest vehicle footprint, targeting full electrification by 2035.

“To enable this shift, Eskom will expand charging infrastructure across its sites and roll out 55 public EV charging stations over the next two years, creating opportunities for broader adoption,” the power utility said.

Furthermore, Eskom is also “prioritising grid readiness for e-mobility”.

EV load forecasting is integrated into long-term planning to ensure that increased electricity demand is managed effectively. 

Smart charging systems and time-of-use tariffs are being developed to optimise energy use, making EV ownership more affordable and sustainable for the public.

“Since 2021, Eskom has engaged with government, automotive manufacturers, petroleum companies, and research institutions to build a strong and integrated e-mobility framework for South Africa.

“Through e-mobility. Eskom is not only reducing emissions but also driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to a cleaner, healthier future for all South Africans. By embracing electric mobility, we are delivering tangible benefits to communities and the economy, while also pivoting into new revenue streams by this offering for our customers,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

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Tax revenues are the catalyst for more inclusive growth in Côte d’Ivoire

Source: APO – Report:

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Côte d’Ivoire’s economic growth is solid and remarkably resilient in the face of global shocks, according to the World Bank’s latest economic update. However, to accelerate its economic transformation and sustainably reduce poverty, it will need to strengthen its domestic resource mobilization. The 15th edition of the report, entitled “Tax Revenue Mobilization: A Catalyst for Productivity and Economic Transformation”, highlights the country’s recent economic progress, while providing an in-depth analysis of the tax reforms underway and their potential impact on development.

With economic growth of 6% in 2024, above the global (2.8%) and regional (3.2%) averages, Côte d’Ivoire continues to show resilience, supported by private investment, dynamic services and inflation contained at 3.5%.

The country also improved its fiscal deficit from 5.2% in 2023 to 4% in 2024 and its public debt remains sustainable at around 60% of GDP. Although poverty has declined, reducing from 36.5% to the 20% target by 2030 calls for more inclusive growth. Côte d’Ivoire will have to rely on a more equitable growth model, focused on productivity, creating more jobs, and stronger tax revenue mobilization.

“Côte d’Ivoire has a unique opportunity to turn its recent successes into more inclusive, productive and resilient growth. To achieve this, the mobilization of tax resources is essential to finance public services, infrastructure and investments in human capital, which are key to achieving upper-middle-income status,” said Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, Division Director of the World Bank for Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea and Togo.

The report highlights recent progress in revenue mobilization, with the tax-to-GDP ratio rising from 11.9% in 2019 to around 14% in 2024 – one of the largest increases recorded in the region. However, this effort remains below the 20% target set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), or the 21.7% target set for a country at this stage of development.

According to the report, raising the level of tax mobilization beyond 15% of GDP could increase the country’s annual economic growth by 1 to 2 points, thus ensuring another decade of strong growth, averaging 7 to 8% per year. This would finance critical investments in education, health, infrastructure, and social programs.

The medium-term economic outlook remains favorable, with growth expected to reach 6.2% in 2025 and 6.4% on average through 2027, driven by hydrocarbons, services, and private investment sectors. But significant risks remain, including geopolitical instability, climate change, trade tensions, and developments in development assistance.

The report calls for a transformation of the growth model based on productivity, human capital, private investment, and efficient taxation to build a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable economy.

– on behalf of The World Bank Group.

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China: Ambassador GAO Wenqi Meets Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda

Source: APO

On September 9, Amb. GAO Wenqi called on Hon. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda.

They exchanged views on the agriculture cooperation between China and Rwanda, and expressed commitment to further expanding trade in agriculture, enhancing cooperation in technology, promoting business exchanges,and building China-Rwanda community with a shared future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Rwanda.

Media files

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Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Discusses Preparations for the Upcoming Session of the Egypt–Azerbaijan Joint Committee with Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan

Source: APO


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Convening the Egypt–Azerbaijan Business Forum to create close ties Between the Private Sectors of Both Countries

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, received Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to discuss enhancing avenues of economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat affirmed the depth of the historical relations between Egypt and Azerbaijan, noting the joint efforts to increase private sector investments in both countries and to leverage the vital role of the Egyptian and Azerbaijani economies within their regional environments, thereby advancing joint development objectives.

The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation also highlighted the successful visit of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to Egypt from 7–8 June 2024, which witnessed the signing of seven documents in various fields, confirming the depth and strength of relations between the two countries and the opportunities available to enhance bilateral cooperation, including economic development, digital transformation, youth and sports, electricity, oil and gas, and investment promotion, in addition to the agreement on other areas of cooperation, most notably the establishment of joint projects in pharmaceutical manufacturing within the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) in Azerbaijan and other industrial zones, while working to increase the production of finished medicines, and transferring Egyptian expertise to the Azerbaijani side in the fields of green hydrogen and ammonia, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of power plants, as well as electricity interconnection.

The two sides discussed preparations for the 6th session of the Egyptian-Azerbaijani Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, to be held in Cairo next October, co-chaired by H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat on the Egyptian side and Mr. Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport, on the Azerbaijani side. The session aims to advance economic, trade, and tourism cooperation to broader horizons and achieve tangible achievements on the ground that will benefit the peoples of both countries, explaining that the upcoming session will include opportunities for cooperation in several fields, including renewable energy, oil and gas, tourism, culture, higher education, health, youth and sports, trade, and investment. H.E. praised the efforts made by both sides to finalize negotiations on the various bilateral documents.

During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also highlighted the importance of convening the Egyptian-Azerbaijani Business Forum and representatives of Egyptian and Azerbaijani companies, which will be held during the meetings of the Joint Economic Committee between Egypt and Azerbaijan, to learn about investment opportunities available in both countries, as well as the advantages of investing in Egypt, in order to attract more Azerbaijani investments to Egypt, within the framework of ensuring that the private sector has the opportunity to play its role in implementing the government’s development plan and accessing promising markets. She also referred to the efforts of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation to coordinate with various entities to organize the business forum.

Al-Mashat underscored that trade, tourism, and investment sectors between the two countries are witnessing continuous growth, pointing out the importance of expanding efforts within the framework of the capabilities enjoyed by the Egyptian and Azerbaijani economies.

Al-Mashat also pointed to the Ministry’s launch of the “Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development: Reforms for Growth, Jobs & Resilience,” a comprehensive framework that integrates the government’s work program for the period 2024/2025 – 2026/2027, and Egypt’s Vision 2030, in light of the rapid changes imposed by regional and international developments, with the aim of transition towards an economic model that consolidates macroeconomic stability, focuses on the most productive sectors with higher export potential (tradables), taking advantage of the advanced infrastructure that has been achieved and redefining the role of the state in the economy, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy and stimulates private sector participation. This comes as a continuation of the economic reform process.

The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the COP29 climate conference, hosted by Azerbaijan, and its conclusions supporting the efforts of developing countries to address climate change.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.