Category: English

Source: APO

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Egypt has adopted new initiatives to enhance the attractiveness of its mining sector to global investors and increase the industry’s contribution to GDP to 6% by 2030. As exploration, production, monetization and value addition of Egypt’s mineral resources accelerates, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) will serve as a crucial platform to showcase lucrative opportunities within the mining value chain.

AMW will host Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in the Ministerial Forum, where he is expected to showcase policies transforming the country’s extractive industry. Minister Badawi will also participate in a fireside chat, titled From Policy to Practice: Implementing Egypt’s Vision for Mineral Beneficiation, where he also anticipated to highlight efforts to position the country as a leading global mining investment destination.

Industry Digitalization

Egypt is digitalizing and modernizing its mining sector services to improve operational efficiency and transparency. In June 2025, the country launched a pilot Track License Portal (https://apo-opa.co/4gg6Rkv), a unified electronic platform aimed at streamlining investors’ access to licenses and approvals through a single platform. The initiative aims to reduce license issuance time to a maximum of 20 days. Egypt is also planning the rollout of a dedicated Digital Mining Platform (https://apo-opa.co/4nrRyYB) in 2025 to simplify investors’ access to prospective mining opportunities.

Sustainable Resource Management

A new law introduced in 2025 transformed the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority into the independent Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (EMRA) (https://apo-opa.co/4mZA1qM). The aim is to ensure sustainable management of mineral resources and partnerships with global investors. EMRA is expected to cut red tape for licenses and permits while enhancing the mining sector’s commercial operations. The approved law grants EMRA greater financial and managerial independence, allowing it to operate with enhanced commercial flexibility, manage its own budgets and invest in critical infrastructure.

Investor-Friendly Fiscal Regime

The application of the Model Mining Exploitation Agreement (MMEA) framework – introduced in 2023 – is enabling Egypt to shift away from the traditional profit-sharing agreement model to a more globally competitive royalty and tax-based system. The new framework has also attracted new investments from global players such as Centamin (https://apo-opa.co/4nfr50e) and Barrick Gold. The framework provides firms with long-term resource exploitation licenses and competitive tax rates, including a 5% government net smelter royalty on revenue, a 22.5% corporate tax rate, a 15% government financial net profit interest and a 0.5% community development contribution. The MMEA aligns with Egypt’s commitment to allowing mining firms to recover up to 50% of investment costs through tax deductions over a period of seven years from a project’s commencement.

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

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

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The Sunday Times article “Splashing out, Dry Taps as Water Boards drown in excess”, published on Sunday, 7 September 2025, contains statements that represent a misleading picture of the seven water boards and the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and their governance.

The article stated that: “Senior members of the country’s troubled water boards are earning almost R50m a year in board fees, with some pocketing as much as R100,000 per meeting…. Some of the board members racked up travel and accommodation bills exceeding R200,000 per year…. Some board members claim exorbitant fees for attending events such as staff funerals, ministerial gala dinners, imbizos, and union meet and greets.”

The article is misleading for the following reasons:

• The article gives the impression that individual senior board members may be earning up to R50 million a year in board fees. This is incorrect. The maximum amount earned by a board member in the last financial year was R1.7 million.
• The statement that some board members are “pocketing as much as R100,000 per meeting” is also misleading. This figure is derived from a response by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to a National Assembly question posed by Mr Visvin Reddy, a member of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation. The figures provided included both meeting fees (hourly rate) and fixed board fees (16 hours per month) for preparation, research, and other official functions. Therefore, it is incorrect to calculate a “per meeting” amount from a figure that includes multiple remuneration components.
• Board members attend standard and extraordinary board meetings, often preceded by subcommittee sessions. These meetings are extensive and require substantial preparatory work. Board members are the accounting authorities of the water boards and must perform their duties diligently.
• All board fees are determined according to the DWS remuneration policy, which is developed from an independent study comparing public sector boards and approved by the Minister. The policy is reviewed annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. Hourly rates range from R1818 (chairperson of a large board) to R1150 (member of a small board), which is lower than average rates in the private sector. Most board members are seasoned professionals in finance, engineering, law, or science.
• The reference to remuneration for attending “staff funerals, ministerial gala dinners, imbizos, and union meet and greets” creates a false impression of poor governance. Board members are often required to attend ministerial or intergovernmental meetings, imbizos, and stakeholder engagements as part of their statutory oversight duties. Attendance at such events is sometimes essential to their role.
• Board members may undertake international travel to attend water-related conferences, which helps them stay abreast of global sector developments. All such travel must be motivated and approved by the Minister, who often reduces the delegation size for cost savings.
• The total cost of all board fees combined accounts for less than 0.1% of the Water Boards’ operational budget.
• The water boards and the TCTA have consistently received unqualified audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), reflecting sound financial governance. Actual consolidated revenue collected reached R38.9 billion, exceeding the projected R33.2 billion. This improvement is attributed to enhanced credit control practices, particularly by larger water boards.
• In the 2023/24 financial year, the combined asset value of all water boards surpassed R90 billion, highlighting the scale of investment in South Africa’s water infrastructure. Rand Water and UMngeni-uThukela Water remain the dominant players in terms of asset strength, reinforcing their leadership in the sector.

The resolution of South Africa’s water service delivery challenges requires coordinated action by the DWS, municipalities (as water service authorities), the private sector and the public. This was reinforced at the National Water Indaba held in March 2025, which produced a comprehensive declaration of joint commitments and actions. The Indaba declaration is available at: https://www.dws.gov.za/wsindaba/declaration.aspx.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

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The joint parliamentary oversight delegation concluded its engagements with municipalities in Gauteng on Friday, emphasising the need for cooperation, accountability and consequence management in municipal governance.

The delegation, comprising the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General, conducted oversight last week in North West and Gauteng together with the provincial legislatures. This oversight visit formed part of a broader programme engagement with underperforming municipalities across provinces.

Chairperson of the delegation, Dr Zweli Mkhize, stressed that this oversight process was not only about compliance, but about forging a new model of oversight rooted in cooperative governance. “The spirit we are trying to build is one of partnership between the different spheres of government. This engagement has shown that we must strengthen cooperation across councils, legislatures, provincial executives, and national bodies if we are to achieve real change.”

He acknowledged the presence of the MEC for COGTA in Gauteng, Mr Jacob Mamobelo, who was delegated by the Premier to represent the provincial executive. Dr Mkhize also noted that the delegation felt the Speaker and the provincial legislature could have made a stronger effort to participate in the oversight engagement. “We also believe that their absence has not assisted in strengthening the spirit we are trying to build of cooperative governance and intergovernmental relations, which drive this model of oversight visits. It is something that we need to raise,” he said, adding that the sentiment of working together in monitoring the turnaround of municipalities does need a formal commitment from the Speaker and the provincial legislature.

Dr Mkhize said the oversight visits aim to strengthen the government’s capacity and ensure that it can offer the people of South Africa the services they deserve. The success of what we do will not be measured by whether we can talk among ourselves, but by whether there is a difference in service delivery, he noted.

He reminded those present that oversight is ultimately about improving people’s lives. “The success of what we do will not be measured by whether we issue reports. It will be measured by whether there is a difference in how people experience services and in how we address poverty, local economic development, water supply, sanitation and the daily needs of our communities. All these are important issues,” he said, “and the people will ultimately judge whether we have risen to the occasion.”

Said Dr Mkhize: “Accountability is about outcomes. Whether a document is signed or moved one step further, it is not about an individual or a salary increase. It is about changing somebody’s life. When people voted for this new dispensation, for the end of apartheid, they voted for the kind of society where there is a sense of equality. This would be provided by the efficiency with which we deliver services to them.”

He said the delegation found that capacity and resources are not the primary obstacles facing municipalities. “The real challenge is political will and leadership stability. We must build a culture of cooperation, responsibility, accountability, and consequence management. At the end of the day, these are the issues that determine whether municipalities succeed or fail,” said Dr Mkhize. “Our people did not vote for us to preside over excuses. They voted for a society with equity, delivered through efficient services.”

Dr Mkhize reiterated that the delegation expects provincial and local leaders to monitor and report on commitments made during the engagements. This will ultimately culminate in joint reports that will be tabled in Parliament. The delegation aims to cover two more provinces before the end of the year, as it seeks to inform the next auditing cycle. “So it is important that interventions are timely. The measure of our success will not be in the words we write but in the lives we change.”

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

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to hold his first presidential media engagement in his second term on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.

The encounter, according to the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, will provide journalists with a direct opportunity to question the President on his policy interventions, his “Resetting Ghana Agenda,” and a range of urgent national issues.

A statement issued by the Minister said the platform is designed to enable President Mahama to engage the Ghanaian people through the media on critical national issues, his strategic policies, and ongoing development projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

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Today, we celebrate African Union Day with pride and renewed commitment to our shared vision of a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.

This day commemorates the Sirte Declaration of 9 September 1999, when African leaders agreed to establish the African Union. That historic decision laid the foundation for stronger continental unity, cooperation, and integration.

African Union Day honors our collective journey, the resilience of our people, and the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism that continues to inspire and bind us together.

As we mark this milestone, we recognize the significant progress made across the continent, from advancing peace and stability and progress in conflict resolution efforts in the continent to Africa’s growing economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area. Our continent is making remarkable strides in renewable energy, digital innovation, and youth empowerment, strengthening Africa’s position as a key player on the global stage.

We reaffirm our dedication to the principles of solidarity, integration, and sustainable development. Together, we strive to overcome challenges across peace and security, economic transformation, and social progress, while seizing the immense opportunities that lie ahead under Agenda 2063.

Let us continue to work hand in hand, governments, private sector, civil society, youth, and partners, to build a continent where every African can thrive in dignity and hope.

Happy African Union Day to all!

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

Source: APO

Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.Africa), the international nonprofit operating the world’s largest fleet of civilian hospital ships, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michelle White MB ChB, PhD, DCH, FRCA as its new Chief Executive Officer.  

Dr. Michelle White is a long-standing member of the Mercy Ships family, first volunteering in 2005 and later serving five years on board the Africa Mercy® in leadership roles, including Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medical Capacity Building. She is from the United Kingdom and currently serves as a Trustee of Mercy Ships UK and as a member of the Mercy Ships International Board of Directors.  

Alongside her Mercy Ships service, Dr. White is an award-winning Anesthesiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Europe’s leading children’s hospital, where she leads complex surgical services and has introduced operational hospital improvements. Her career also includes spearheading multi-country health system initiatives in Africa, partnering with Ministers of Health, NGOs, and donors to expand surgical safety and training programs.  

Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. White said:  
“I believe this opportunity represents the culmination of my professional calling and spiritual journey. This is a chance to lead an organization I love into its next season of growth and gospel-shaped impact.”  

With more than 17 years of leadership experience across healthcare, missions, and academia, Dr. White brings a unique blend of clinical excellence, nonprofit governance, and faith-driven servant leadership. She has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and continues to champion operational excellence.

“Dr. Michelle White lives out the values and vision that have defined Mercy Ships for nearly 50 years,” said Board Chair Gary Brown. “As a valued MSI Board member, we have seen her medical expertise, leadership skills, and deep commitment to Jesus. Her long-standing service as a volunteer with our community make her the ideal leader Mercy Ships needs for the years ahead.”  

Dr. White is expected to assume her role as CEO early next year, following her transition from Great Ormond Street Hospital. She succeeds Interim CEO and Board Chair Gary Brown, who has led the organization through this transition period. The firm of CarterBaldwin Executive Search supported Mercy Ships in the selection process.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

If you are a journalist and have seen a story you are interested in about Mercy Ships and would like to request more information, b’roll, or photos email international.media@mercyships.org 

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:  
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.  

Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit www.MercyShips.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.

Source: APO

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Dembe-Sembel and Semaetat high schools in the Central Region presented awards to 253 outstanding students who scored high marks in the national school-leaving and eighth-grade examinations.

Dembe-Sembel High School awarded 60 students who scored a GPA of 3 to 4 in the national school-leaving examination and 74 students who scored over 90 points in the eighth-grade national examination.

Mr. Negasi Woldu, director of the school, congratulated the awardees and their parents, urging the students to work harder for even greater success in their college education.

Mr. Yohannes Solomon, head of secondary school follow-up at the Central Region Education Office, said the achievements were the result of the collective efforts of students, parents, and the school community. He also urged the awardees to continue striving for excellence in higher education.

Similarly, at a ceremony held at the Abraha Bahta School of the Impaired, Semaetat Secondary School awarded 119 outstanding students who scored a GPA of 3 to 4.

Mr. Berhane Woldu, director of the school, reported that out of the students who took the examination from the school, 286 qualified for degree and diploma programs.

Dr. Halima Mohammed, director of evaluation and national examinations, noted that the encouraging results attest to the strong collaboration between students, parents, and teachers. She also congratulated the awardees and their families.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.