Léandre Bassolé, the new Director General of the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) Regional Office for Development, Integration, and Business Delivery for Central Africa, officially took office on 27 August 2025, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Bassolé presented his letters of introduction to Oumarou Chinmoun, Secretary General of the Cameroonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella. Discussions between the two figures highlighted the Bank’s strategic role in the development of Cameroon and the sub-region.
“We understand that you are here as a son, as a brother, and as a friend,” said Chinmoun. “I must tell you how pleased our government is that the Bank has chosen our country to host its headquarters in the sub-region.”
He added: “At the sub-regional level, we welcome your support in the implementation of economic and financial programmes. Given the challenges posed by the crisis in the global financial architecture, the support of the African Development Bank represents added value that helps to strengthen the resilience of our countries when confronted with various shocks.”
The day after taking office (28 August), Bassolé was officially welcomed by Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, and Governor of the Bank for Cameroon. Their discussions focused on the state of cooperation, the progress of existing projects, and the prospects for new commitments in support of the National Development Strategy 2030.
“I greatly appreciate the quality of our cooperative relationship with the Bank Group,” said Mey. “We have 24 active projects in priority development-related sectors, with a focus on implementing integrated projects that will have a real impact on the economy and the quality of life of our population.”
Bassolé, meanwhile, emphasised the Bank’s priority to strengthen its operational presence, accelerate project implementation, and increase the impact of said projects in the seven countries covered by the regional office (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, DRC and Chad).
“The African Development Bank’s strategy is to roll out all our regional operations from Cameroon and make Yaoundé a centre of excellence,” he said. “Our commitments in the country now amount to around $2.2 billion, with nearly 50 per cent in transport, followed by energy and agriculture.”
He concluded: “We will work hand-in-hand to develop projects and programmes that meet the aspirations of the Cameroonian authorities and contribute, in a sustainable way, to improving the living conditions of the population.”
As of 30 June 2025, the African Development Bank Group’s portfolio in Cameroon comprised 24 projects worth $2.2 billion. Across the Central Africa region, it represents 130 operations, including around 40 regional and multinational projects, totalling over $5 billion.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Along the coast and in south-western regions of Cameroon, fish ponds have become not only centres of production but also hubs of opportunity and economic transformation. A new dynamic is bringing hope to fish farmers, including young people and women, thanks to the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP in the French acronym), financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to the tune of 84 million euros and implemented by Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries.
This transformation has been driven by a strain of the African catfish (clarias), which has the advantages of rapid growth, low fat content, and low mortality. The strain was developed by Cameroon’s Agricultural Research Institute for Development. The fish are superior to earlier varieties in several ways: they reach a harvest weight of 350–500 grammes in just five to six months, compared to eight or nine months for earlier strains; the fry have a survival rate of 80 to 85%, compared to around 60% previously; and each female can produce 15,000 to 20,000 fry per cycle, with up to three cycles per year.
A total of 2,600 broodstock fish were delivered to 50 hatcheries selected for the pre-extension phase of the Project. The aim is to improve the genetic quality of the fish, strengthen the autonomy of fish farmers, and respond to food security challenges.
The pilot hatcheries have used the broodstock to produce and sell more than 115,000 fry since October 2024, mainly to be grown to full size. Results in the pre-extension phase have been very encouraging. Most of the hatcheries have reported satisfactory performance. Some of the broodstock, which were still immature when received, required a period of about three months for further growth, which was incorporated into the production schedule.
“The support given by the Project is encouraging us to go further. We have real motivation to continue what we’ve started. We thank all the partners who have made this progress possible. Today, I feel better equipped to make a profit from fish farming,” says Fanta Njifondjou Oumarou, a woman fish farmer in Limbé, a coastal town in north-western Cameroon.
The project goes far beyond the provision of broodstock. It is part of an integrated vision for the development of fish farming. A total of 280 fish farmers from different regions of Cameroon have received comprehensive training in all aspects of the value chain, from floating cage farming to reproduction, hatchery management, aquaculture feed, and business management. The aim is to strengthen the technical capacities of stakeholders, their economic resilience, and the quality of products offered on the local market.
The strategic objective of the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project is to increase annual national fish production by 10,000 tons by 2027, reducing dependence on imports and improving food security. To achieve this ambition, an AfDB mission in April 2025 recommended accelerating the supply of improved clarias and tilapia broodstock to enrich the gene pool. A total of 15,000 broodstock (12,000 clarias and 3,000 tilapia) are to be delivered under an agreement signed with the Agricultural Research Institute for Development.
A tripartite system involving the Institute, the Project, and the Ministry works closely with regional fish farming associations to ensure rigorous monitoring of the use and performance of broodstock. Quarterly technical reports, supported by a digital data collection system, enable monitoring of production levels, beneficiary satisfaction, and training effectiveness.
“We have received certified broodstock with very good yields. These are reliable strains that grow faster and avoid many of the problems associated with the irregularity and lack of traceability of the old strains. This will transform our production,” explains Hermine Kemedeu Tchuileu, a beneficiary based in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital.
Market demand is also undergoing a transformation. Market traders and restaurants appreciate the improved quality and taste of the fish produced from the new clarias broodstock.
“The flesh stays firm after grilling because it contains less fat than older strains. The flavour appeals to customers and my income has increased significantly,” says Ms. Moukoudi Mbappé Dolie, who sells grilled fish in Douala.
A field visit to the Deïdo and Dakar markets in Douala highlighted the difficult working conditions of fishmongers in Cameroon. This led to the inclusion in the Project of an upgrading plan for sales facilities, including the installation of hygienic counters, access to ice and running water, and proper security.
“The project gives us hope. Working in better conditions isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Clean and secure counters will help us to preserve the fish better and to sell with dignity,” says Marthe Epoko, a vendor at the Deïdo market.
In the longer term, ongoing improvements to fish farms in Bamenda, Yaoundé, and Foumban will significantly strengthen the national supply of quality fish fry. These regional hubs will become strategic supply centres for hundreds of fish farmers across the country.
As can be seen, the PD-CVEP is more than a one-off support project. It is a genuine local development ecosystem, rooted in resilience, training, innovation, and inclusion. It is fully in line with Cameroon’s national policy for rural transformation.
“We will provide close support to the beneficiary hatcheries. It is essential that traceability, broodstock performance, and the quality of the fry are guaranteed. This project is crucial for the future of our aquaculture sector,” emphasizes Victor Viban Banah, regional delegate of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries for Cameroon’s coastal region.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity, support girl education and break infertility stigma in Nigeria during their high-level meeting with H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The discussion was led by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelejexpressed, “It was a privilege to meet my dear sister H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officially appoint her to be the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. During our meeting, we discussed the beginning of our long-term partnership and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care landscape by providing scholarships for local Nigerian doctors in 42 critical and underserved specialties. We also discussed about addressing critical social and health issues in the country including breaking the infertility stigma and supporting girl education.”
“It gives me great pleasure to share that till today, 63 scholarships have been provided for doctors in Nigeria and affirm our commitment towards enhancing healthcare delivery by providing scholarships for local doctors in Nigeria.” Dr Rasha Kelej added.
H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeriaand Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet the Chairman and CEO of Merck Foundation in our country. I am truly pleased to learn about their impactful and highly beneficial programs, particularly Educating Linda program to support girl education and scholarship program for advancing healthcare capacity. It is encouraging to know that Merck Foundation has provided 63 scholarships to our local doctors in critical medical specialties. I am fully committed to scaling up all their programs to benefit our people.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT shared, “It was a great pleasure to meet H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to reinforce our shared commitment to advancing healthcare capacity in Nigeria and across Africa.
Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program. Till today, we have provided more than 2282 scholarships for young doctors from 53 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.”
Merck Foundation has provided 63 scholarships for Nigerian doctors, out of which 8 scholarships have been provided for Fertility, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology and Women’s Health.
Moreover, 38 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Obesity & Weight Management. After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities.
Additionally, 17 scholarships have been provided for other critical and underserved specialties like Oncology Research, Clinical Psychiatry, Dermatology in Clinical Practice, Pain Management, Respiratory Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Critical Care, Rheumatology, and more.
Moreover, As a part of their ‘Educating Linda’ program, Merck Foundation has also sponsored the education of 20 high performing but underprivileged Nigerian schoolgirls.
Merck Foundation has also conducted three edition of OnlineHealth Media Training for the Nigerian journalists, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels; to underscore the importance of Empowering Girls and Women in Education and to understand the social and psychological impact of infertility stigma and other social issues like GBV, Child Marriage, FGM etc. over women and their families and communities.
Moreover, to raise awareness of early detection and prevention of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Nigeria has also launched their 8 important Merck Foundation Awards for Media, Musicians & Singers, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, and students & new potential talents in these fields.
“I invite the young Nigerian talents to share their creative and inspiring work with us. We have celebrated many winners from Nigeria in the previous years and look forward to celebrating winners this year too,” concluded Senator Dr. Kelej.
Details of the Awards:
Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: All Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Film Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: All Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Song Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension”2025: All Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Entries for the above awards can be submitted to us at:
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 (http://apo-opa.co/4lTBIEH), X (http://apo-opa.co/3VszrWm), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3I62X15), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4lXLKVt), Threads (http://apo-opa.co/3JNx0uR) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/3HUyZ04).
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.
Eric Williams, former Minister of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad & Tobago, will join African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town to speak on gas monetization, local content frameworks and energy project structuring across Africa.
As President and Principal Consultant at Royal Triangle Energy Solutions, Williams has advised governments and private investors on strategies to maximize the economic and social impact of energy projects. His work spans key African markets, including Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Mozambique, where he has provided guidance on LNG strategy, local workforce participation, and regulatory compliance. At the Congo Energy & Investment Forum earlier this year, Williams offered strategic input on local-participation frameworks under evolving regulatory regimes, highlighting his hands-on approach to aligning government and industry priorities.
Williams’ experience in Trinidad & Tobago – a country with a mature gas and LNG sector that has successfully balanced resource monetization with local economic development – provides valuable lessons for African markets. His expertise in designing policies that encourage domestic participation, attract private investment and foster sustainable growth offers a blueprint for African governments aiming to maximize the impact of their gas and energy resources.
“Eric Williams brings a rare combination of deep governmental experience and practical private sector insight. He understands the challenges of balancing resource development with local economic growth, and his perspective on aligning policy, regulation, and investment is invaluable. AEW 2025 attendees will benefit tremendously from his insights on how African nations can structure their energy sectors to be both profitable and inclusive,” said Ore Onagbesan, Program Director at AEW: Invest in African Energies.
Williams’ participation at AEW 2025 underscores the growing emphasis on sustainable, locally inclusive energy development in Africa. He will participate in high-level discussions on policy frameworks, project structuring, and public-private collaboration, helping stakeholders navigate complex regulatory landscapes while unlocking local economic benefits.
AEW – Africa’s premier energy gathering – will convene industry leaders, policymakers and investors to explore opportunities across the continent’s energy sector, from oil and gas to renewables and energy transition initiatives. Williams’ contribution promises to deepen understanding of how strategic advisory and policy alignment can accelerate Africa’s energy growth while fostering inclusive development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
About AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Israeli occupation’s attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), viewing it as a grave violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Qatar’s unequivocal rejection of any aggression targeting UNIFIL, which plays a crucial role in maintaining security and stability in Lebanon. It calls for an urgent investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be held accountable.
The Ministry also expresses Qatar’s full solidarity with the sisterly Lebanese Republic and supports its efforts to safeguard national security and stability. Furthermore, it reiterates Qatar’s backing of UNIFIL in carrying out its mandate under relevant UN resolutions.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Victoria Gibbon, Professor in Biological Anthropology, Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, University of Cape Town
Cape Town has consistently been one of the metropolitan regions in South Africa with the highest murder rates. It has more than double the national average, and is currently ranked second overall and 16th worldwide. Many victims are discovered only after their bodies have decomposed, burned, or been exposed to the elements. That makes identification difficult and delays justice.
Each year, more than 3,500 unnatural deaths, including murders and accidents, are handled by the city’s Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute. Around 9% remain unidentified. That’s hundreds of families left without answers. We asked Victoria Gibbon and colleagues about their work in forensic taphonomy.
What is the role of forensic taphonomists?
In death, we all decompose in the same general way. But understanding the nuances, especially those introduced by unnatural deaths, requires forensic taphonomy – the science of understanding how bodies break down. Every decomposition process is unique. It is shaped by everything around us: what we’re wearing, how we’re buried and what animals and insects might find us first.
Forensic taphonomists study all these variables and more, specialising in the recovery and analysis of human remains in the context of their environment. They play a vital role in death investigations involving unidentified persons, which requires specialised expertise in the human body and environment. There is a close working relationship with police and pathologists who hold the responsibility for identification and circumstances of death.
Imagine: a body is uncovered amid the sand and scrub of Cape Town’s coastline. By the time it’s found, the remains are in an advanced state of decomposition – identity unclear, the timeline murky. Understanding decomposition helps to determine how long someone has been dead, which can support identification, narrow down missing persons lists, or confirm (or contradict) witness accounts. It’s essential, delicate and some could say, grim work.
Forensic taphonomists’ expertise lies in understanding how bodies decompose under different conditions and how that process can reveal time-since-death, potential trauma, and ultimately, identity. Forensic taphonomists answer questions like: Who was this person? How long have they been there? And what happened to them? Their work sits at the intersection of science, justice and innovation. Because in the end, forensic science is about justice, not just science.
One of the main challenges in forensic taphonomy is that many of the global standards were developed in countries with very different climates and ecological systems. So, they are not representative of South Africa. Cape Town’s internationally unique microclimates, soil types and scavenger populations don’t align neatly with existing models.
To produce locally relevant data, researchers need to observe how decomposition actually happens in these settings. In South Africa, the legislation does not allow forensic taphonomists to study the decomposition of human bodies donated to medical science for research, as happens elsewhere in the world. Therefore they most frequently study the decomposition of adult domestic pigs as internationally accepted models for human decomposition. Pigs have numerous biological similarities to humans that are important for decomposition.
Initial decomposition studies in the Western Cape more than a decade ago began by examining unclothed bodies to establish baseline data. But as it turns out, that’s not what most cases look like. In reality, most deceased persons are clothed, and usually discovered alone. This mismatch prompted a shift.
What have you done differently in your research?
More realistic, single-body, clothed studies were needed. That meant smaller sample sizes, longer timelines, and greater data accuracy. But it leads to findings that are actually applicable in local forensic work.
We innovated, creating a world-first automated data collection machine to tackle the challenge of consistency and cost-effective, reliable long-term monitoring. It tracks decomposition in real-time, continuously and remotely. As bodies lose mass (due to water evaporation, insect activity, or tissue breakdown), the machine logs the weight changes, providing high-resolution data on the progression of decomposition. This removes the subjectivity of human observation. It allows researchers to collect standardised information across multiple cases and environments, simultaneously. It is solar-powered and transmits data remotely via cell phone networks, meaning it can be deployed anywhere we need to establish data for.
Our system has tracked in detail how tissues dry out beneath the skin. This can help reconstruct the time since death by linking drying patterns to environmental conditions and weather.
In addition to weighing decomposing bodies, our system provides continuous power to two motion-activated infrared trail cameras.
One camera trap is positioned directly above the body; the other is alongside the body. Together, these cameras record photos and videos of the decomposition process, giving us detailed insight into the activities of the animals that come to eat and otherwise interact with the decomposing body.
Cape grey mongoose scavenging pig body during summer 2022 experimental deployment.K Adams and Cape4Taph UCT research group
This machine offers precision, reliability and adaptability. It transforms how decomposition can be studied.
What’s next?
This technological innovation isn’t just a local solution. The team aims to provide a means by which researchers from different countries can share results that are directly comparable. These will form the basis for a global taphonomic data network: a collaborative platform for researchers to gain insights into decomposition as it plays out across geographies, environments and case types.
The hope is that this network will allow forensic anthropologists to adapt decomposition estimates to local contexts while contributing to an international evidence base.
Collectively, our research innovations may help produce more accurate case outcomes, that are admissible in court, and capable of providing justice for victims. Assistance with case resolution means restoring the identities of those who might otherwise have been lost to justice and history.
– How do bodies decompose? Cape Town forensic scientists are pushing frontiers of new detection methods – https://theconversation.com/how-do-bodies-decompose-cape-town-forensic-scientists-are-pushing-frontiers-of-new-detection-methods-262832
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adeline Morez Jacobs, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Padova (Italy); visiting lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University (UK), University of Padua
A group of scientists has sequenced the genome of a man who was buried in Egypt around 4,500 years ago. The study offers rare insight into the genetic ancestry of early Egyptians and reveals links to both ancient north Africa and Mesopotamia, which includes modern day Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey and Iran.
Egypt’s heat and terrain made it difficult for such studies to be conducted but lead researcher Adeline Morez Jacobs and team made a breakthrough. We spoke to her about the challenges of sequencing ancient remains, the scientific advances that made this discovery possible, and why this genome could reshape how we understand Egypt’s early dynastic history.
What is genome sequencing? How does it work in your world?
Genome sequencing is the process of reading an organism’s entire genetic code. In humans, that’s about 3 billion chemical “letters” (A, C, T and G). The technology was first developed in the late 1970s, and by 2003 scientists had completed the first full human genome. But applying it to ancient remains came much later and has been far more difficult.
DNA breaks down over time. Heat, humidity and chemical reactions damage it, and ancient bones and teeth are filled with DNA from soil microbes rather than from the individual we want to study. In early attempts during the 1980s, scientists hoped mummified remains might still hold usable DNA. But the available sequencing methods weren’t suited to the tiny, fragmented molecules left after centuries or millennia.
To sequence DNA, scientists first need to make lots of copies of it, so there’s enough to read. Originally, this meant putting DNA into bacteria and waiting for the colonies to grow. It took days, demanded careful upkeep and yielded inconsistent results. Two breakthroughs changed this.
In the early 1990s, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) allowed millions of DNA copies to be made in hours, and by the mid-2000s, new sequencing machines could read thousands of fragments in parallel. These advances not only sped up the process but also made it more reliable, enabling even highly degraded DNA to be sequenced.
Since then, researchers have reconstructed the genomes of extinct human relatives like Neanderthals, and more than 10,000 ancient people who lived over the past 45,000 years. But the work is still challenging – success rates are low for very old remains, and tropical climates destroy DNA quickly.
What’s exceptional about the sequencing you did on these remains?
What made our study unusual is that we were able to sequence a surprisingly well-preserved genome from a region where ancient DNA rarely survives.
When we analysed the sample, we found that about 4%-5% of all DNA fragments came from the person himself (the rest came from bacteria and other organisms that colonised the remains after burial). The quantity of DNA of interest (here, human) is usually between 40% and 90% when working with living organisms. That 4%-5% might sound tiny, but in this part of the world, it’s a relatively high proportion, and enough to recover meaningful genetic information.
We think the individual’s unusual burial may have helped. He was placed inside a ceramic vessel within a rock-cut tomb, which could have shielded him from heat, moisture and other damaging elements for thousands of years.
Rock cut tombs at Nuwayrat enclosing the pottery vessel containing the pottery coffin burial.Image courtesy of the Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool. As in Morez Jacobs, A. et al. (2025). Nature
To make the most of this rare preservation, we filtered out the very shortest fragments, which are too damaged to be useful. The sequencing machines could then focus on higher-quality pieces. Thanks to advanced facilities at the Francis Crick Institute, we were able to read the DNA over and over, generating about eight billion sequences in total. This gave us enough data to reconstruct the genome of what we call the Nuwayrat individual, making him the oldest genome from Egypt to date.
Does this open new frontiers?
We did not develop entirely new techniques for this study but we combined some of the most effective methods currently available into a single optimised pipeline. This is what palaeogeneticists (scientists who study the DNA of ancient organisms) often do: we adapt and refine existing methods to push the limits of what can be recovered from fragile remains.
That’s why this result matters. It shows that, with the right combination of methods, we can sometimes retrieve genomes even from places where DNA usually doesn’t survive well, like Egypt.
Egypt is also a treasure trove for archaeology, with remains that could answer major questions about human history, migration and cultural change.
Our success suggests that other ancient Egyptian remains might still hold genetic secrets, opening the door to discoveries we couldn’t have imagined just a decade ago.
What was your biggest takeaway from the sequencing?
The most exciting result was uncovering this man’s genetic ancestry. By comparing his DNA to ancient genomes from Africa, western Asia and Europe, we found that about 80% of his ancestry was shared with earlier north African populations, suggesting shared roots within the earlier local population. The remaining 20% was more similar to groups from the eastern Fertile Crescent, particularly Neolithic Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq).
This might sound expected, but until now we had no direct genetic data from an Old Kingdom (2686–2125 BCE) Egyptian individual. The results support earlier studies of skeletal features from this period, which suggested close links to predynastic populations, but the genome gives a far more precise and conclusive picture.
This genetic profile fits with archaeological evidence of long-standing connections between Egypt and the eastern Fertile Crescent, dating back at least 10,000 years with the spread of farming, domesticated animals and new crops into Egypt. Both regions also developed some of the world’s first writing systems, hieroglyphs in Egypt and cuneiform in Mesopotamia. Our finding adds genetic evidence to the picture, suggesting that along with goods and ideas, people themselves were moving between these regions.
Of course, one person can’t represent the full diversity of the ancient Egyptian society, which was likely complex and cosmopolitan, but this successful sequencing opens the door for future studies, building a richer and more nuanced picture of the people who lived there over thousands of years.
– We decoded the oldest genetic data from an Egyptian, a man buried around 4,500 years ago – what it told us – https://theconversation.com/we-decoded-the-oldest-genetic-data-from-an-egyptian-a-man-buried-around-4-500-years-ago-what-it-told-us-262061
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Claudia Christowitz, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stellenbosch University
Cancer treatment is becoming more personalised. By considering a patient’s unique genetic and molecular profile, along with their lifestyle and environmental factors, doctors can make more accurate treatment decisions. This approach, known as personalised or precision medicine, has been increasingly used in South Africa and has expanded to other African countries in recent decades. It requires doctors to rely more on genetic tests to guide decisions. But these tests don’t always give clear answers. Functional genomics may offer a way to improve the interpretation of unclear genetic test results. We spoke to physiological scientist Claudia Christowitz about it.
Is cancer a genetic disease and what is personalised medicine?
Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease. It arises when changes in a person’s DNA (referred to as variants or mutations) disrupt normal cell functions such as cell growth and division. It eventually leads to tumour formation. These changes can be inherited from families or acquired during a person’s lifetime. This can be due to lifestyle and environmental risk factors such as smoking, ultraviolet radiation and infectious agents, among others.
Over the past few decades, we’ve entered the era of personalised medicine. As a result, the role of genetics in cancer treatment has become more prominent. Personalised medicine involves tailoring cancer treatment to each patient’s unique characteristics.
For example, even if two people are diagnosed with the same type and stage of cancer, their treatment outcomes may differ. This is because factors such as their genetic and molecular make-up, overall health status, age, body composition, lifestyle habits, and use of other medication can all influence how well a treatment works for them.
How have advances in genetic testing helped in treating cancer?
Advances in DNA sequencing technologies have made it possible to detect genetic variants more quickly and accurately. The tests can look for just a few genes linked to certain medical conditions, or they can describe the entire genome of an individual, or just the protein-coding regions of the genome (the exome).
DNA sequencing has revolutionised cancer care. Doctors can use it to improve prevention in people who are at risk of cancer, detect cancer early, and select the most appropriate treatment.
Africa’s first high-throughput Genomics Centre was launched in 2019 by the South African Medical Research Council. Cancer patients can now undergo whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing locally for around R10,000 (about US$566) to R20,000 (about US$1,132). This is sometimes covered by medical insurance. These services are also available at research facilities like the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research or the Centre for Epidemiological Research and Innovation at Stellenbosch University.
These facilities strengthen the capacity to sequence, analyse and store human genomes, particularly for the diverse gene pool in Africa. But routine genome sequencing, especially in the public health sector, remains limited due to high costs, limited awareness and the need for trained personnel.
What are the shortcomings of genetic testing?
Genetic testing doesn’t provide all the answers. Unfortunately, not all genetic results are clear-cut. In many cases, patients receive results showing changes in their DNA that cannot be confidently classified as either harmful (pathogenic variants or mutations) or harmless (benign variants). These unclassified variants are known as variants of uncertain significance. The uncertainty often leaves both patients and their oncologists (cancer doctors) unsure of the way forward.
With the advancement of sequencing technologies, rare or novel variants are more frequently detected. But without a clear understanding of whether the variant affects gene function, clinicians are often forced to wait – sometimes for years – until more information emerges.
When patients undergo genetic testing – often as part of a hereditary cancer screening or in response to early-onset or familial cancers – the hope is to find a variant that clearly explains their condition. But sequencing may yield variants of uncertain significance, raising questions about its usefulness in patient care and whether the tests are worth the cost.
What is functional genomics and how can it make genetic test results clearer?
Functional genomics is a growing field that could transform how we interpret these unresolved genetic results and make it possible to improve clinical care for cancer patients.
Functional genomics goes beyond simply reading the DNA code. It investigates how genetic variants behave in biological systems. By examining how a variant alters gene expression, protein function, cell behaviour, or response to treatments, scientists can determine whether it is likely to be benign or pathogenic.
This information is crucial for making timely medical decisions. Importantly, cells derived from patients can be used to mimic real biological conditions more accurately. By using cells carrying such a variant and comparing them to cells without the variant, scientists can determine whether the variant is influencing the response of cells to certain treatments or not.
In short: genetic testing is like reading the “instruction manual” of a cell. Functional genomics is like testing the effects of changes to these instructions.
My study, using patient-derived cells, investigated the effects of a rare TP53 variant that was identified for the first time in germline (inherited) DNA through whole exome sequencing in a South African family with multiple cancers. I found that this variant made cells resistant to the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. Instead of undergoing cell death as expected, the cells went into a kind of “sleep mode” called senescence, where damaged cells stop dividing.
Although this prevents the growth of damaged cells, senescent cells can release signals that may inflame and harm nearby healthy cells. The variant also reduced how well immune cells can move, which may affect their ability to go to cancer cells and attack them. This study, supervised by Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht, Prof Maritha Kotze, and Dr Daniel Olivier from Stellenbosch University, highlighted how functional genomics can unravel the impact of a variant of uncertain significance, which may guide medical decisions.
In a world where personalised medicine is rapidly evolving, functional genomics represents a critical step forward, offering more clarity, better care, and renewed hope to those facing cancer.
– Genetic tests for cancer can give uncertain results: new science is making the picture clearer to guide treatment – https://theconversation.com/genetic-tests-for-cancer-can-give-uncertain-results-new-science-is-making-the-picture-clearer-to-guide-treatment-262545
Equatorial Guinea will launch its highly anticipated EG Ronda 2026 licensing round at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. The licensing round takes place Monday 29 September and forms part of the country’s broader strategy to revitalize its upstream sector, attract new investment and unlock exploration and production opportunities offshore. The licensing round will be officially unveiled during a high-level session – Equatorial Guinea’s New Exploration Drive – at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, led by Antonio Oburu Ondo Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mining Development, Equatorial Guinea. During this session, detailed geological data will be presented, offering investors insight into the structure, stratigraphy and prospectivity of Equatorial Guinea’s offshore basins.
In preparation for EG Ronda 2026, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mining Development has partnered with U.K.-based Searcher Seismic on a $60 million program to acquire and reprocess 2D and 3D seismic data across uncharted acreage. The initiative aims to provide prospective investors with high-quality datasets, de-risking exploration and highlight frontier potential across Equatorial Guinea’s offshore basins. By offering robust technical data packages, the government seeks to boost competitiveness, restore investor confidence and strengthen long-term energy security.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
The licensing round comes at a pivotal moment for Equatorial Guinea, with a series of recent developments underscoring renewed international interest in the country’s oil and gas sector.
In June 2025, energy major ConocoPhillips transported its inaugural LNG cargo from the Punta Europa facility, advancing the country’s flagship Gas Mega Hub initiative. Following its 2024 acquisition of Marathon Oil, ConocoPhillips now holds interests in the Alba Unit and Block D, securing long-term participation in both gas and liquid development. This company is also undergoing an infill drilling campaign in Alba Block, Independent operator Trident Energy continues to deliver strong results from Block G – home to the Ceiba and Okume fields – where it holds a 40.375% operated stake. In late 2024, the company brought online its first infill well and is enhancing subsea integrity through a digital twin solution developed with Canadian technology firm Enaimco. Upstream oil company Kosmos Energy, a partner in Block G with a 40% participating interest, recently completed an exploration drilling campaign and is reprocessing seismic data with advanced technology to high-grade future opportunities. Both companies are focused on sustaining production while de-risking future development, reinforcing Equatorial Guinea’s status as a hub for upstream investment.
Oil and gas company Panoro Energy has also expanded its footprint with the signing of a production sharing contract (PSC) for Block EG-23, in partnership with Equatorial Guinea’s national oil company (NOC) GEPetrol. The shallow-water block covers 600km2 and holds an estimated 104 million barrels of oil and condensate and 215 billion cubic feet of gas in contingent resources. Panoro Energy is initially undertaking subsurface studies before moving into exploration drilling, highlighting the untapped potential of Equatorial Guinea’s offshore acreage.
Meanwhile, hydrocarbon exploration company Vaalco Energy is advancing development of Block P, which holds the Venus discovery and over 20 million barrels of recoverable oil. With a final investment decision expected soon, the project is targeting first oil in 2026 and peak output in 2028. The entry of Vaalco Energy to Equatorial Guinea marks another milestone in the country’s drive to restore production growth.
Multinational energy corporation Chevron entered Equatorial Guinea by acquiring Noble Energy. This major recently signed two new PSCs for Blocks EG-06 and EG-11, representing a $2 billion investment with GEPetrol. Located near the Zafiro field, the blocks include deepwater acreage and a prior discovery at Avestruz-1. The agreements underscore the renewed confidence of international majors in Equatorial Guinea’s resource base and fiscal environment, as the country positions itself for a new era of exploration-led growth.
As the country’s NOC, GEPetrol is driving the transformation of Equatorial Guinea’s upstream sector through strategic partnerships, deepwater field redevelopments and targeted operational advancements. By optimizing legacy assets, accelerating exploration and implementing technical innovations, the company is aiming at boosting production, strengthening operational efficiency and reinforcing its position as a premier national operator. Equatorial Guinea’s offshore geology is characterized by deepwater and shallow-water sedimentary basins rich in hydrocarbons. The region features a mix of Tertiary and Cretaceous reservoirs, with proven structural traps and complex stratigraphic plays. Significant potential exists in both proven fields and underexplored frontier acreage, particularly in the deepwater areas, where high-quality reservoirs and source rocks create exploration targets for oil and gas development.
On the regulatory side, Equatorial Guinea is focused on being highly competitive on a global scale. Essential regimes have just gone or are going under a revision for optimization. The oil and gas companies were very instrumental to the recent reform of the Tax Regime, as well as the reform of the Labor Regime. The reform of the Petroleum Regime is said to be active by the end of the year 2025.
“EG Ronda 2026 represents a major step in unlocking Equatorial Guinea’s offshore and onshore potential. It will attract leading investors, drive exploration and stimulate sustainable growth. We are committed to offering world-class fiscal and regulatory terms to support this development” states Minister Ondo.
“Against this backdrop of heightened activity, EG Ronda 2026 will serve as the official platform to unlock the next wave of investment and exploration success in Equatorial Guinea. The licensing round offers new acreage opportunities to explore proven and innovative plays in modest water depths, with world-class fiscal packages and increasingly attractive terms. By offering improved and competitive fiscal frameworks alongside high-quality exploration potential, EG Ronda 2026 will launch the next era of exploration success when Equatorial Guinea will become, again, a global exploration and commercial hotspot for the industry.”
Cairo set to welcome global AI leaders, enterprises, and experts at the inaugural Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com), from 10-12 February 2026, organised by GITEX GLOBAL
Event hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA)
Egypt is accelerating its leadership in artificial intelligence across the African continent and beyond, backed by a national roadmap for AI-driven transformation. Ranked among the top 10 countries globally in AI and Machine Learning – and the only African nation in that tier, according to the 2024 GBS World Competitiveness Index – Egypt is embedding AI across vital sectors under its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030).
This momentum now converges on a focused global ecosystem platform with the launch of Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com), set to take place from 10–12 February 2026 in Cairo. Organised by GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech, AI, and startup event network across continents, Ai Everything MEA is positioned as the Middle East and Africa’s most empowering global AI tech week.
Hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) (https://MCIT.gov.eg/) and held in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) (https://ITIDA.gov.eg/), Ai Everything MEA convenes leading AI enterprises, startups, thought-leaders, and decision-makers from over 60 countries.
The event will spotlight AI use cases and frontier technologies across priority sectors aligned with Egypt’s national AI agenda and sector leadership unique to the country, including outsourcing and shared services, semiconductor design, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, manufacturing, digital health, fintech, energy, education, and digital public services.
By hosting Ai Everything MEA, Egypt reinforces its role as a regional nexus for AI collaboration, connecting global expertise with national priorities to fast-track deployment. Backed by strategic investments in digital capabilities, the country is advancing its digital economy mission and attracting international deep-tech investment.
Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology stated: “Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the architecture of global competitiveness, and Egypt is determined to not only adapt to this shift – but to shape it. Our National AI Strategy reflects a bold vision: to position Egypt as a leading force in responsible AI adoption, policy innovation, and inclusive digital development.
Egypt is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing AI for public good across our region. Ai Everything Middle East & Africa offers a timely platform to align global expertise with national priorities — and to accelerate meaningful deployment of AI across sectors that matter most to our citizens.”
Additionally, Eng. Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of ITIDA, commented: “The launch of Ai Everything MEA marks a strategic milestone in our journey to position Egypt as a regional AI leader and a hub for innovation and co-creation. This event embodies our commitment to placing Egypt at the heart of the global tech conversation – by attracting deep-tech investments, empowering local startups, and nurturing an ecosystem where transformative ideas turn into real-world solutions. Hosting this global summit in Cairo reinforces Egypt’s ambition to be a key contributor in shaping the future of AI, forging impactful partnerships that scale technology from our region to the world.”
Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre, global organizer of GITEX, further added: AI has leveled the digital playing field, and new opportunities are emerging for countries. Egypt is intent on harnessing this tech phenomenon to regenerate its social fabric and economic landscape, forging a future where innovation uplifts its citizens and redefines the nation’s global stature. Ai Everything MEA shall be the force multiplier to support Egypt’s most strategic AI mission to build empowering outcomes at scale.”
Egypt’s AI Transformation: From Strategic Mission to Global Marketplace
The event opens with a high-level summit in a two-day immersive exhibition designed to accelerate collaborative AI research and development, industry applications, startup scaling, global investment inflows, and digital capacity-building. Tech giants driving AI progress in the region and worldwide, such as Atos, Cyshield, HPE, and IBM, shall join the flagship AI event in Egypt.
Over 200 venture capitalists from the GITEX network, managing more than US$1 trillion in assets, are expected to explore investment opportunities in Egyptian and regional startups. One of the region’s largest youth-tech academy will also be launched, channeling fresh engineering talent into pilot projects and mentorship programs – empowering Egypt’s annual pool of over 750,000 university graduates.
Ai Everything MEA marks a defining chapter in accelerating responsible AI development, scalable innovation, and inclusive digital progress across 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.
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About Ai Everything Middle East & Africa 2026:
The inaugural Ai Everything Middle East & Africa, taking place in Cairo from 10-12 February 2026, 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.
