English – Page 923 – MIL Africa Engine

July 2, 2025

R410.9bn allocated to local govt and service delivery programmes

Source: South Africa News Agency

In a move aimed at enhancing service delivery, government has announced a substantial budget allocation for Cooperative Governance, amounting to R410.9 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, announced that a staggering 96.7% of this budget is earmarked for intergovernmental transfers and support to various entities.

“This significant investment will enable us to implement critical initiatives that deliver tangible and measurable improvements in the lives of our people,” he said during the budget announcement on Wednesday.

He announced that the budget allocation is focused on ensuring that every South African benefits from this allocation, particularly in underserved communities.

In addition to the allocations for Cooperative Governance, Vote 15: Traditional Affairs, will see an appropriated budget of R195 530 million for the fiscal year 2025/26.

Within this allocation, Hlabisa said 24%, which is approximately R46.927 million, is specifically designated for transfers and subsidies, including a dedicated fund for the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities.

The Minister recognised the vital role that traditional leadership plays in cultural preservation and community cohesion.

He believes that the budget reflects government’s commitment to supporting this crucial sector and ensuring that their voices are part of the national discourse.

The budget presentation and engagement form part of Parliament’s oversight function, providing a platform to transparently present the department’s financial allocations and strategic direction for the 2025/26 financial year.

The budget vote presentation detailed key areas of expenditure, offering a comprehensive breakdown of how the department’s resources will be allocated to drive impactful governance.

The Minister highlighted that a key component of the government’s reform agenda is the comprehensive review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, initiated on 19 May 2025.

This review is part of a strategy to modernise local governance structures and improve service delivery amid challenges like urban growth and youth unemployment.

“Through this review, we are committed to creating a local government system that is responsive to the needs of all South Africans and that delivers quality services to our communities.”

The Minister explained that the review’s importance extends beyond governance and embodies a commitment to socio-economic development, emphasising inclusivity in community engagement.

Empowering communities

He announced that government aims to rectify historical imbalances by providing a platform for the voices of informal traders, women, youth, and rural communities.

In response to the high demand for broader community engagement on the discussion document concerning the Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG), the submission deadline for the review has been extended to 31 July 2025.

In addition to governance reforms, government is advancing targeted interventions in distressed municipalities, focusing on infrastructure maintenance and development support.

As part of this initiative, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) is dedicated to 10 distressed municipalities, addressing fundamental issues such as outstanding debt resolution and improving governance structures.

“We reiterate that for us to make an impact in addressing the challenges at the local government sphere, we should eradicate working in silos, as espoused by the District Development Model (DDM),” said Hlabisa.

He said the DDM remains government’s flagship intergovernmental planning, coordination, and service delivery strategy, bringing all three spheres of government around one table to address the specific challenges across the 52 districts and metros.

In addition, he announced that the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is set to accelerate infrastructure delivery, with an allocation of R493.8 million to support critical projects in priority municipalities.

Hlabisa stated that the reallocation of R244.7 million from the MIG to the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG) will promote integrated urban planning and development in growth areas.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Systems Improvement Grant (MSIG) is increasing from R151.1 million in 2025/26 to R165.3 million in 2027/28 to strengthen municipal systems and improve intergovernmental planning and budgeting under the DDM.

The Minister said collaboration with National Treasury is underway to establish a municipal debt relief framework, aimed at assisting municipalities in managing debt and enhancing financial sustainability.

With these substantial budget allocations and a renewed focus on local governance reforms, he stressed that government is positioning itself to create a responsive and effective local government system for all South Africans.

Hlabisa said the overarching goal remains clear, which includes delivering quality services that foster community development and resilience in democracy. – SAnews.gov.za

July 2, 2025

Ghana and India: Narendra Modi’s visit rekindles historical ties

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Pius Siakwah, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana

Narendra Modi’s trip to Ghana in July 2025, part of a five-nation visit, is the first by an Indian prime minister in over 30 years. The two countries’ relationship goes back more than half a century to when India helped the newly independent Ghana set up its intelligence agencies. Ghana is also home to several large Indian-owned manufacturing and trading companies. International relations scholar Pius Siakwah unpacks the context of the visit.

What is the background to Ghana and India’s relationship?

It can be traced to links between Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, and his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1957. It is not surprising that the Indian High Commission is located near the seat of the Ghana government, Jubilee House.

Nkrumah and Nehru were co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of states not formally aligned with major power blocs during the cold war. Its principles focused on respect for sovereignty, neutrality, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution. It was also a strong voice against the neo-colonial ambitions of some of the large powers.

The movement emerged in the wave of decolonisation after the second world war. It held its first conference in 1961 under the leadership of Josip Bros Tito (Yugoslavia), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt) and Sukarno (Indonesia) as well as Nehru and Nkrumah.

The relationship between Ghana and India seemingly went into decline after the overthrow of Nkrumah in 1966, coinciding with the decline of Indian presence in global geopolitics.

In 2002, President John Kufuor re-energised India-Ghana relations. This led to the Indian government’s financial support in the construction of Ghana’s seat of government in 2008.

Though the concept of the Non-Aligned Movement has faded this century, its principles have crystallised into south-south cooperation. This is the exchange of knowledge, skills, resources and technologies among regions in the developing world.

South-south cooperation has fuelled India-Ghana relations. Modi’s diplomatic efforts since 2014 have sought to relaunch India’s presence in Africa.

In recent times, India has engaged Africa through the India–Africa Forum Summit. The first summit was held in 2008 in New Delhi with 14 countries from Africa. The largest one was held in 2015, while the fourth was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19. The summit has led to 50,000 scholarships, a focus on renewable energy through the International Solar Alliance and an expansion of the Pan-African e-Network to bridge healthcare and educational gaps. Development projects are financed through India’s EXIM Bank.

India is now one of Ghana’s major trading partners, importing primary products like minerals, while exporting manufactured products such as pharmaceuticals, transport and agricultural machinery. The Ghana-India Trade Advisory Chamber was established in 2018 for socio-economic exchange.

Modi’s visit supports the strengthening of economic and defence ties.

The bilateral trade between India and Ghana moved from US$1 billion in 2011-12 to US$4.5 billion in 2018-19. It then dipped to US$2.2 billion in 2020-21 due to COVID. By 2023, bilateral trade amounted to around US$3.3 billion, making India the third-largest export and import partner behind China and Switzerland.

Indian companies have invested in over 700 projects in Ghana. These include B5 Plus, a leading iron and steel manufacturer, and Melcom, Ghana’s largest supermarket chain.

India is also one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment to Ghana. Indian companies had invested over US$2 billion in Ghana by 2021, according to the Ghana Investment Promotion Center.

What are the key areas of interest?

The key areas of collaboration are economic, particularly:

energy
infrastructure (for example, construction of the Tema to Mpakadan railway line)
defence
technology
pharmaceuticals
agriculture (agro-processing, mechanisation and irrigation systems)
industrial (light manufacturing).

What’s the bigger picture?

Modi’s visit is part of a broader visit to strengthen bilateral ties and a follow-up to the Brics Summit, July 2025 in Brazil. Thus, whereas South Africa is often seen as the gateway to Africa, Ghana is becoming the opening to west Africa.

Modi’s visit can be viewed in several ways.

First, India as a neo-colonialist. Some commentators see India’s presence as just a continuation of exploitative relations. This manifests in financial and agricultural exploitation and land grabbing.

Second, India as smart influencer. This is where the country adopts a low profile but benefits from soft power, linguistic, cultural and historical advantages, and good relationships at various societal and governmental levels.

Third, India as a perennial underdog. India has less funds, underdeveloped communications, limited diplomatic capacity, little soft power advantage, and an underwhelming media presence compared to China. China is able to project its power in Africa through project financing and loans, visible diplomatic presence with visits and media coverage in Ghana. Some of the coverage of Chinese activities in Ghana is negative – illegal mining (galamsey) is an example. India benefits from limited negative media presence but its contributions in areas of pharmaceuticals and infrastructure don’t get attention.

Modi will want his visit to build on ideas of south-south cooperation, soft power and smart operating. He’ll want to refute notions that India is a perennial underdog or a neo-colonialist in a new scramble for Africa.

In 2025, Ghana has to navigate a complex geopolitical space.

– Ghana and India: Narendra Modi’s visit rekindles historical ties
– https://theconversation.com/ghana-and-india-narendra-modis-visit-rekindles-historical-ties-260281

July 2, 2025

How far is your closest hospital or clinic? Public health researchers explain why Africa needs up-to-date health facility databases

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Peter M Macharia, Senior postdoctoral research fellow, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp

The lack of reliable information about health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa became very clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid a surge in emergency care needs, information was lacking about the location of facilities, bed capacity and oxygen availability, and even where to find medical specialists. This data could have enabled precise assessments of hospital surge capacity and geographic access to critical care. Peter Macharia and Emelda Okiro, whose research focuses on public health and equity of health service access in low resource settings, share the findings of their recent study, co-authored with colleagues.

What are open health facility databases?

A health facility is a service delivery point where healthcare services are provided. The facilities can range from small clinics and doctor’s offices to large teaching and referral hospitals.

A health facility database is a list of all health facilities in a country or geographic area, such as a district. A typical database should assign each health facility a unique code, name, size, type (from primary to tertiary), ownership (public or private), operational status (working or closed), location and subnational unit (county or district). It should also record services (emergency obstetric care, for example), capacity (number of beds, for example), infrastructure (electricity availability, for example), contact information (address and email), and when this information was last updated.

The ideal method of compiling this list is to conduct a census, as Kenya did in 2023. But this takes resources. Some countries have compiled lists from existing incomplete ones. Senegal did this and so did Kenya in 2003 and 2008.

This list should be open to stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners and researchers. Health facility lists must be shared through a governance framework that balances data sharing with protections for data subjects and creators. In some countries, such as Kenya and Malawi, these listings are accessible through web portals without additional permission. In others, such facility lists do not exist or require extra permission.

Why are they useful to have?

Facility listings can serve the needs of individuals and communities. They also serve sub-national, national and continental health objectives.

At the individual level, a facility list offers a choice of alternatives to health seekers. At the community level, the data can guide decisions like where to place community health workers, as seen in Mali and Sierra Leone.

Health lists are useful when distributing commodities such as bed nets and allocating resources based on the health needs of the areas they serve. They help in planning for vaccination campaigns by creating detailed immunisation microplans.

By taking account of the disease burden, social dynamics and environmental factors, health services can be tailored to specific needs.

Detailed maps of healthcare resources enable quicker emergency responses by pinpointing facilities equipped for specific crises. Disease surveillance systems depend on continuously collecting data from healthcare facilities.

At the continental level, lists are crucial for a coordinated health system response during pandemics and outbreaks. They can facilitate cross-border planning, pandemic preparedness and collaboration.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these lists informed where to put additional resources such as makeshift hospitals or transport programmes for adults over 60 years of age.

The lists are used to identify vulnerable populations at risk of emerging pathogens and populations that can benefit from new health facilities.

They are important when it comes to making emergency obstetric and newborn care accessible.

What goes wrong if you don’t have them?

Many problems arise if we don’t know where health facilities are or what they offer. Healthcare planning becomes inefficient. This can result in duplicate facility lists and the misallocation of resources, which leads to waste and inequities.

We can’t identify populations that lack services. Emergency responses weaken due to uncertainty about where best to move patients with specific conditions.

Resources are wasted when there are duplicate facility lists. For example, between 2010 and 2016, six government departments partnered with development organisations, resulting in ten lists of health facilities in Nigeria.

In Tanzania, over 10 different health facility lists existed in 2009. Maintained by donors and government agencies, the function-specific lists didn’t work together to share information easily and accurately. This prompted the need for a national master facility list.

What needs to happen to build one?

A comprehensive list of health facilities can be compiled through mapping exercises or from existing lists. The health ministry should take responsibility for setting up, developing and updating this list.

Partnerships are crucial for developing facility lists. Stakeholders include donors, implementing and humanitarian partners, technical advisors and research institutions. Many of these have their own project-based lists, which should integrate into a centralised facility list managed by the ministry. The health ministry must foster a transparent environment, encouraging citizens and stakeholders to contribute to enhancing health facility data.

Political and financial commitment from governments is essential. Creating and maintaining a proper list requires significant investment. Expertise and resources are necessary to keep it updated.

A commitment to open data is a necessary step. Open access to these lists makes them more complete, reliable and useful.

– How far is your closest hospital or clinic? Public health researchers explain why Africa needs up-to-date health facility databases
– https://theconversation.com/how-far-is-your-closest-hospital-or-clinic-public-health-researchers-explain-why-africa-needs-up-to-date-health-facility-databases-259190

July 2, 2025

Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global

Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city, police reports suggest motorcycles were involved in 80% of all road-crash deaths registered in Kampala in 2023.

Promising to solve the safety problem while also improving the livelihoods of moto-taxi workers, digital ride-hail platforms emerged a decade ago on the city’s streets. It is no coincidence that Uganda’s ride-hailing pioneer and long-time market leader goes by the name of SafeBoda.

Conceived in 2014 as a “market-based approach to road safety”, the idea is to give riders a financial incentive to drive safely by making digital moto-taxi work pay better. SafeBoda claimed at the time that motorcyclists who signed up with it would increase their incomes by up to 50% relative to the traditional mode of operation, in which riders park at strategic locations called “stages” and wait for passengers.

In the years since, the efforts of SafeBoda and its ride-hail competitors to bring safety to the sector have largely been deemed a success. One study carried out in 2017 found that digital riders were more likely to wear a helmet and less likely to drive towards oncoming traffic. Early press coverage was particularly glowing, while recent academic studies continue to cite the Kampala case as evidence that ride-hailing platforms may hold the key to making African moto-taxi sectors a safer place to work and travel.

Is it all as clear-cut as this? In a new paper based on PhD research, I suggest not. Because at its core the ride-hail model – in which riders are classified as independent contractors who do poorly paid “gig work” rather than as wage-earning employees – undermines its own safety ambitions.

Speed traps

In my study of Kampala’s vast moto-taxi industry – estimated to employ hundreds of thousands of people – I draw on 112 in-depth interviews and a survey of 370 moto-taxi riders to examine how livelihoods and working conditions have been affected by the arrival of the platforms.

To date, there has been only limited critical engagement with how this change has played out over the past decade. I wanted to get beneath the big corporate claims and alluring platform promises to understand how riders themselves had experienced the digital “transformation” of their industry, several years after it first began.

One of the things I found was that, from a safety perspective, the ride-hail model represents a paradox. We can think of it as a kind of “speed trap”.

On one hand, ride-hail platforms try to moderate moto-taxi speeds and behaviours through managerial techniques. They make helmet use compulsory. They put riders through road safety training before letting them out onto the streets. And they enforce a professional “code of conduct” for riders.

In some cases, companies also deploy “field agents” to major road intersections around the city. Their task is to monitor the behaviour of riders in company uniform and, should they be spotted breaking the rules, discipline them.

On the other hand, however, the underlying economic structure of digital ride-hailing pulls transport workers in the opposite direction by systematically depressing trip fares and rewarding speed.

Under the “gig economy” model used by Uganda’s ride-hail platforms, the livelihood promise hangs not in the offer of a guaranteed wage but in the possibility of higher earnings. Crucially, it is a promise that only materialises if riders are able to reach and maintain a faster, harder work-rate throughout the day – completing enough jobs that pay “little money”, as one rider put it, to make the gig-work deal come good. Or, as summed up by another interviewee:

We are like stakeholders, I can say that. No basic salary, just commission. So it depends on your speed.

We already know from existing research that the gig economy places new pressures on transport workers to drive fast and take risky decisions. This is especially the case for workers on low, unsteady pay and without formal safety nets.

And yet, it is precisely these factors that routinely lead to road traffic accidents. Extensive research from across east Africa has shown that motorcycle crashes are strongly associated with financial pressure and the practices that lead directly from this, such as speeding, working long hours and performing high-risk manoeuvres. All are driven by the need to break even each day in a hyper-competitive informal labour market, with riders compelled to go fast by the raw economics of their work.

Deepening the pressure

Ride-hail platforms may not be the reason these circumstances exist in the first place. But the point is that they do not mark a departure from them.

If anything, my research suggests they may be making things worse. According to the survey data, riders working through the apps make on average 12% higher gross earnings each week relative to their analogue counterparts. This is because the online world gets them more jobs.

But to stay connected to that world they must shoulder higher operating costs, for: mobile data (to remain logged on); fuel (to perform more trips); the use of helmets and uniforms (which remain company property); and commissions extracted by the platform companies (as much as 15%-20% per trip).

As soon as these extras are factored in, the difference completely disappears. The digital rider works faster and harder – but for no extra reward.

Rethinking approaches to safety reform

Ride-hail platforms were welcomed onto the streets of Kampala as an exciting new solution to unsafe transport, boldly driven by technological innovation and “market-based” thinking.

But it is important to remember that these are private enterprises with a clear bottom line: to one day turn a profit. As recent reports and my own thesis show, efforts to reach that point often alienate and ultimately repel the workers on whom these platforms depend – and whose livelihoods and safety standards they claim to be transforming.

A recent investment evaluation by one of SafeBoda’s first funders perhaps puts it best: it is time to reframe ride-hailing as a “risky vehicle” for safety reform in African cities, rather than a clear road to success.

– Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed
– https://theconversation.com/ugandas-ride-hailing-motorbike-service-promised-safety-but-drivers-are-under-pressure-to-speed-259310

July 2, 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) actively responds to anthrax epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Download logo

In mid-May, 57-year-old Pierre* was admitted to a health centre in the Lubero area after suffering from severe itching on his right hand, followed by pruritus and a swelling of his forearm. He was treated and, given the unusual symptoms, samples were collected and sent for analysis at the laboratory of the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Goma.

An alert was previously issued at the end of March 2025 following the death of dozens of buffalo and hippopotamuses in Virunga National Park in North Kivu. Samples taken on 29 March from a recently deceased hippopotamus and examined at the Goma veterinary laboratory revealed the presence of spores of the bacillus responsible for anthrax.

Anthrax is a bacterial zoonosis (disease transmissible from animals to humans) that generally affects ruminants (cows, sheep and goats). Humans can become infected through contact with a sick animal or contaminated products (such as meat, blood, wool, hides and bones). All forms of human anthrax (cutaneous, gastrointestinal and respiratory) require hospitalization and medical treatment.

To ensure a multi-sectoral response to this concerning health situation, the national departments of health, environment, fisheries and livestock, with support from partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, FAO and CDC Africa, have put the “One Health” approach into practice. The close collaboration between the human, animal and environmental health services is designed to protect lives in response to health emergencies.

A delegation from these departments and organisations visited the Binza and Rutshuru health zones from 25 to 28 May 2025 to strengthen surveillance and the response to outbreaks of suspected cases of anthrax in the Binza and Lubero health zones.

“One of the high-impact measures led by the national authorities with the support of partners was the development of the national multi-sector anthrax preparedness and response plan. Through this common approach to the response, we can ensure a comprehensive response, from prevention activities to the clinical management of patients. We are confident that this health threat will soon be over,” said Dr Aline Katerekwa Ntamushigo, Medical Supervisor at the National Programme for Emergencies and Humanitarian Action (NPEHA). “Our discussions with those involved on the ground are helping us to manage this risk effectively to protect people, animals and the environment.”

Since the announcement of the epidemic, WHO has supported the response on several levels. Dr Célestin Ndaliko, epidemiologist in charge of surveillance at the WHO Office in the DRC, was a member of the response team that went to Binza. “There are major challenges in terms of disease detection. So, every anthrax investigation becomes an act of resilience, a glimmer of hope to prevent the spread of this devastating disease.”

As of 26 May 2025, 24 suspected human anthrax cases had been reported, alongside the deaths of 9 goats, one cow, 60 hippopotamuses and 27 buffalo reported in four health zones in the eastern province of North Kivu.

“Our support has been provided at several levels, and we are particularly keen to provide appropriate care for those affected. In most cases, the disease can be cured with antibiotics, which must be prescribed by a health professional,” explained Dr Leopold Ouedraogo, Emergency Manager in the provinces of North and South Kivu.

WHO has made more than four tonnes of medicines available to 12 health facilities, a large quantity of which has been handed over to the authorities in the Binza health zone in Rutshuru territory.

“So far, even if our Binza health zone has not yet recorded any human cases, we have what it takes to prevent and be ahead of what could happen,” said Dr Bernard Kakule, Chief Medical Officer for the Binza health zone.

WHO has played a central role in cross-border coordination between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, facilitating communication and collaboration between the two countries in response to the re-emergence of anthrax in humans and animals. Surveillance has thus been strengthened, notably by activating the “One Health” unit in Rutshuru, to ensure early detection and rapid response in high-risk health zones by integrating the human, animal and environmental dimensions of health.

To build local capacity, the WHO has also supported the training of community relays, the development of awareness-raising materials and the conduct of public and door-to-door awareness-raising campaigns on disease prevention measures. The Organisation also donated prevention kits (chlorine, hand sanitizers), essential medicines and medical equipment for treatment, and encouraged collaboration with technical partners such as INRB to improve epidemiological surveillance.

Despite security and logistical challenges, WHO’s support has enabled the foundations to be laid for a coordinated response, while highlighting the need for greater commitment to community awareness-raising, the safe management of carcasses and the vaccination of animals at risk.

Since the epidemic was announced, 24 people have been treated in health facilities in the Binza and Lubero health zones, including Pierre, who has been discharged from the hospital and resumed his life.

On the ground, our teams are still working hard to continue protecting people and their herds, working together in the face of a common threat.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Democratic Republic of Congo.

July 2, 2025

Stats SA moves into digitally powered future

Source: South Africa News Agency

Statistics South Africa has now commenced with the development of its digital business transformation strategy, which will guide the institution going forward.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, outlined the institution’s plans when she tabled its Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

“This strategy aligns with South Africa’s Roadmap for Digital Transformation of government that aims to, amongst others, enhance data exchange for improved access to information for improved service delivery.

“Stats SA’s digital transformation journey commenced with the Household Survey programme, transitioning from a paper-based data collection approach to a computer assisted methodology, thereby streamlining survey operations, resulting in significant cost savings,” Ntshavheni said.

She revealed that the institution will, over the next five years, “reinvent its statistical products and processes”.

Key initiatives over the medium-term include:

Researching the use of artificial intelligence in producing official statistics.
Introducing web-based data collection methods in economic statistics programmes.
Applying data science and modern methods to big data and alternative data sources.
Exploring the use of cloud technology in Stats SA.

“The shift to digital platforms is designed to streamline survey operations, making it more efficient and user friendly,” she said.

Ntshavheni said Stats SA’s allocation is R2.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, rising to R2.91 billion in 2026/27 and reaching R3.04 billion in 2027/28.

“In a world defined by rapid change, complex challenges and competing narratives, official statistics provides us with one constant: the truth told in numbers.

“They serve as a mirror through which a nation sees itself not just as it is but how its evolving. From economic performance and health outcomes to education levels and environmental conditions, statistics are the evidence base upon which sound decisions are made.”

The Minister urged Parliamentarians to support the budget vote to equip Stats SA to help government navigate ever changing global dynamics.

“It is important to support this budget vote because we are navigating a path in a world that is undergoing rapid and profound changes, and this is equally true in the realm of statistics.

“Global fundamental shifts are reshaping every aspect of human life from the escalating impact of climate change to the swift advancements in artificial intelligence, the rise of digital economies, changing social dynamics and global political tensions.

“By accurately capturing and analysing these trends, we can better equip ourselves to respond to the challenges and opportunities they present – ensuring that our nation remains resilient and forward thinking in this ever-evolving landscape,” Ntshavheni emphasised.

She assured that the institution remains “unwavering in its commitment to the strategy of improving lives through data economic systems”.

“As the landscape of information technology and data analytics continues to transform, our focus is on harnessing the power of data to enhance the wellbeing of our citizens,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

July 2, 2025

The Republic of Korea supports food security for vulnerable communities in northern Mozambique

Download logo

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes generous contributions from the Republic of Korea for the second consecutive year, totalling US$ 7.6 million to improve food security for communities affected by multiple shocks in northern Mozambique.

The contributions, comprising more than 5,000 metric tonnes of high-quality rice, will enable WFP to deliver life-saving food assistance to over 233,000 vulnerable people in Cabo Delgado Province.

The Republic of Korea has been a key partner to WFP in Mozambique, providing critical support at a time marked by protracted internal conflict, recurring climate shocks, and growing funding gaps. During the 2024-2025 cyclone season, northern Mozambique was hit by three cyclones in as many months, affecting more than 1.4 million people — many of whom were already reeling from the effects of the ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado province.

This generous contribution from the Republic of Korea will help prevent a further deterioration in food and nutrition security for the most vulnerable groups in the north.

“This support comes at a crucial time — it’s more than a donation, it’s a lifeline that helps protect people’s dignity and restore hope in a region that has endured far too much,” said Antonella D’Aprile, WFP Country Director in Mozambique.” Thanks to the continued solidarity of the Republic of Korea, we can reach the most fragile communities in Cabo Delgado with food assistance.

“This contribution reflects the strong partnership between the Republic of Korea and Mozambique, and our shared commitment to humanitarian values. In the face of conflict and climate shocks, it is essential to act with urgency and compassion. The ROK will continue to stand by Mozambique on the path to recovery and resilience,” referred Bok Won KANG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Mozambique.

The Republic of Korea has been a long-standing partner of WFP in Mozambique. Since 2019, it has contributed more than US$ 16.3 million to support the country’s most vulnerable populations with lifesaving assistance and restoration of livelihoods.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

July 2, 2025

The European Union (EU) and World Food Programme (WFP) enhance self-reliance and food security for refugees and host communities in Uganda

Download logo

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of EUR 5 million from the European Union (EU) to support income-generating activities to enhance self-reliance and food security for refugees and host communities in Uganda.

Uganda hosts 1.9 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. The Government of Uganda’s national refugee policy allows refugees to work and move freely, but economic opportunities remain scarce in and around refugee settlements, meaning that humanitarian and development assistance are a lifeline for refugee families as they seek to build a self-reliant life in safety.

“Empowering refugees in Uganda to become self-reliant has never been more important,” said Genevieve Chicoine, WFP’s Acting Country Director in Uganda. “This vital contribution from the European Union will enable WFP to support thousands of refugees and host communities with the skills they need to earn a living and put food on the table.”

WFP supports 660,000 refugees in Uganda with cash transfers and in-kind food assistance, as well as programmes to increase self-reliance and improve the nutrition of mothers and their children.

This contribution from the EU will support the food security for 12,600 refugees in the Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements and 5,400 host community members. It includes training on best farming practices like regenerative agriculture, financial literacy skills for business management and resource growth, and nutrition assistance for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

“This partnership reflects a shift from delivering aid to delivering opportunity,” said Guillaume Chartrain, European Union Deputy Head of Delegation to Uganda. “Refugees and host communities are gaining the tools they need to shape their own futures. By investing in people’s skills and potential, we are supporting more stable, self-reliant communities—and that benefits everyone.”

This initiative is part of the European Union’s Action for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions for Displaced Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa (EUPADS), supporting efforts to address the root causes of displacement while reinforcing national policies for displaced people living in countries like Uganda.

WFP’s food assistance programmes in Uganda are facing critical funding shortfalls. In May, the agency was forced to halt food assistance for nearly one million refugees and reduce food rations for others to an unprecedented low of 22 percent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

July 2, 2025

CORRECTION: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Wins Global Trade Review (GTR) Best Deals of 2025 for Türkiye Earthquake Response Financing

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has been recognized with a GTR (Global Trade Review) Best Deals of 2025 for its innovative US$150 million Murabaha financing facility, to support Türkiye’s post-earthquake economic recovery.

Executed in close partnership with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye, the Industrial Development Bank of Türkiye (TSKB), and the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye (TKYB), this landmark Shariah-compliant financing was the first Islamic trade finance facility designed for post-disaster recovery.

The financing was developed in response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February 2023, resulting in an estimated US$100 billion in damages and disrupting over 220,000 businesses. The facility delivered working capital support and laid the foundation for sustainable economic revival in key sectors including food security, agriculture, and trade.

Commenting on the award, Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer, ITFC highlighted, “This award is a testament to our continued commitment to support trade-driven resilience. By partnering with Türkiye’s public sector and key development banks, we have introduced an Islamic finance solution that strengthens recovery and supports long-term trade sustainability.”

Ms. Sedef Aydaş Head of Department the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Treasury and Finance, stated that ITFC is one of the first financing organizations showing its willingness to support Türkiye’s post-earthquake economic recovery and added that: “We as Ministry of Treasury and Finance are delighted and thankful to receive GTR Best Deal of 2024 with the first transactions with ITFC for its financing support to Türkiye regarding food security, agriculture and SME trade financing in the earthquake region. I hope the deals we had with ITFC will be one of the landmark projects for future transactions in various areas.”

The project has also accelerated the adoption of Islamic trade finance solutions in Türkiye’s public sector. TSKB and TKYB utilized the opportunity to develop new Shariah-compliant frameworks with strategic impact across other sectors like renewable energy, climate resilience, employment and inclusive development. It also opened new avenues for Islamic financing in Türkiye’s public sector, paving the way for future Murabaha based financing from international players.

Commenting on the award, Ms. Meral Murathan, Executive Vice President & Sustainability Leader of TSKB, said: “As Türkiye’s first privately-owned development and investment bank, we have been committed to supporting sustainable and inclusive development for the past 75 years. In the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquake, we placed the sustainable redevelopment of the affected regions at the core of our mission. The US$ 150 million Murabaha-based agreement we signed with ITFC in August 2024 marks the first cooperation between TSKB and ITFC. We are pleased to have structured this partnership to support trade-driven recovery and resilience in the earthquake-impacted areas by addressing the urgent needs of local businesses.”

The award was presented at the GTR Best Deals 2025 ceremony, where ITFC representative alongside officials from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye and TSKB.

İbrahim H. Oztop, the CEO of the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye commented “We are very pleased to be involved in this transaction, executed in collaboration with ITFC, our partner institution. This financing not only represents a step forward in strengthening our corporate financing structure but also helps us to achieve our strategic goals. We consider this award as a recognition of our institution’s vision and mission on an international level.”

This recognition reinforces ITFC’s leadership in Islamic trade finance solutions and its contribution to achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Contact Us:
Tel: +966 12 646 8337
Fax: +966 12 637 1064
E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

Social Media:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/449UUsq
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3G6J6hv
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/40Ac5AZ

About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$83 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, enabling them to successfully compete in the global market.

Media files

Download logo

July 2, 2025

United Kingdom (UK) Reinforces Commitment to Ethiopia’s Economic Growth and Reform, Eyeing Key Investment Sectors

Download logo

The United Kingdom has significantly reinforced its commitment to boosting Ethiopia’s economic landscape, with Baroness Jane Ramsey of Wall Health, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia, leading a crucial meeting with H.E. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister at the Ministry of Finance. As one of only 32 global Trade Envoys, Baroness Ramsey expressed her profound honor in her role and her eagerness to cultivate strong ties with Ethiopian partners and investors. The UK is keen to help Ethiopia expand and grow business and investment, aligning its support for Ethiopia’s economic reform efforts with both multilateral and bilateral development initiatives.

Discussions during the meeting centered on Ethiopia’s evolving business environment, with Baroness Ramsey acknowledging notable improvements in the investment climate. H.E. Semereta Sewasew stressed the vital need for regulatory reforms, especially within the banking sector, alongside reforms in foreign exchange and governance, to foster a more open and competitive investment environment.

The UK’s interest in Ethiopia spans several key sectors that are ripe for collaboration and investment. In telecommunications, the UK considers the potential introduction of a third operator to be “very, very important,” recognizing Ethiopia’s vast population and the opportunity to serve up to 200 million users. This development could significantly enhance connectivity across the country.

In the creative industries, a substantial investment of £120 million was discussed, aimed at supporting sustainable creative ventures. The goal is to help these industries expand and thrive, thereby promoting economic diversification and creating new jobs. The agro-industry sector also features prominently in the UK’s investment plans. A notable example is a $300 million project focused on advancing crop production for dairy processing. The discussion highlighted that this initiative is currently assessing its environmental and social impacts and will begin with the development of processing plants in its pre-production phase. The UK is actively investing in this sector, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and add value through processing.

Mining remains another key area, with gold mining specifically identified as a significant sector. This reaffirms the UK’s ongoing commitment to investing and collaborating within Ethiopia’s mining industry. In financial services, the UK expressed strong enthusiasm about engaging with Ethiopia’s newly opened financial sector. Emphasizing the importance of a competitive regulatory framework, particularly within banking, the UK sees great potential for growth and modernization.

Finally, progress was reviewed on major infrastructure projects, including new airports and Ethiopia Electric Power initiatives on the country’s east side. Updates on the approval processes for these projects underscored the ongoing efforts to advance Ethiopia’s infrastructure development.

H.E. Semereta Sewasew acknowledged that these sectors represent vital opportunities for strengthening UK-Ethiopia partnerships, driving economic growth, and fostering sustainable development. Baroness Ramsey reiterated the UK’s unwavering commitment to working closely with the Ethiopian government and stakeholders. She emphasized the importance of unlocking further investment and fostering a strong, mutually beneficial economic partnership, with the UK looking forward to continuing these vital discussions and collaborating on these important initiatives to support Ethiopia’s economic development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia.