Category: English

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) held its first-ever Civil Society Open Day in Lomé, Togo, on 3 June. The event brought together representatives from the Togolese government, around 30 national and international civil society organisations (CSOs), and Bank staff — all committed to strengthening development partnerships in Togo.

The key personalities at the event all emphasised this shared vision.

Opening the event, Stéphane Akaya, Secretary General of Togo’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, stressed the importance of civil society: “This open day with the African Development Bank reaffirms our joint commitment to inclusive and transparent progress. We are seeking to strengthen a tripartite partnership, where civil society is engaged from conception through to evaluation in order to ensure effective, people-centred development.”

Seconding Mr Akaya’s point, Wilfrid Abiola, Head of the Togo Country Office of AfDB Group, said: “The African Development Bank Group remains committed to strengthening collaboration with Togolese civil society, which is a key player in sustainable development.”

The CSO Open Day in Lomé aimed to strengthen collaboration between the Bank and civil society by sharing information on the Bank’s development operations and projects in Togo. It also sought to encourage dialogue on the role of CSOs throughout the project cycle — from planning and preparation to implementation, supervision, and completion.

“We are keen to strengthen our partnership with civil society organisations in Togo, encouraging open dialogue and promoting their full participation in the projects that we support,” Zeneb Touré, Head of the AfDB’s Civil Society and Community Engagement Division, said.

Minemba Traore, Senior Civil Society Officer for West Africa at the Bank Group, shared information on the institution’s engagement with CSOs, while Ndey Oley Cole, Senior Programme Officer in the AfDB’s Gender, Women and Civil Society Department, presented a summary of the exchanges.

Key outcomes and next steps from the discussions included:

• Greater involvement of civil society: CSOs will be included in all phases of development projects.
• Creation of a formal dialogue platform: The Bank, government, and CSOs will work together to establish a permanent forum for ongoing consultation.
• Capacity building for CSOs: Training will be provided in project monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, and market access strategies.
• Improved communication: The Bank will share information on its activities in Togo in a more dynamic and accessible way, better meeting the needs of partners and the public.
• Promotion of social inclusion and diversity: Efforts will be made to ensure greater participation of young people and women in development initiatives.
• Development of a detailed action plan: Concrete deliverables and clear deadlines will guide follow-up and ensure effective implementation of commitments.

The Open Day laid the foundations for closer partnerships, which can provide spaces for exchange, consultation and collaboration between the Bank, CSOs and other stakeholders in Togo.

Such an approach will enable the AfDB to better understand local priorities, discuss partnership opportunities and receive input from civil society on the projects that it finances in Togo.

The initiative is aligned with the Bank Group’s Civil Society Engagement Action Plan 2024-2028, which was approved last year. Under Pillar 3 of this action plan, particular attention will be paid to strengthening dialogue with civil society organisations in the countries where the Bank works. Holding of civil society open days in regional member countries of the Bank is a key mechanism for operationalising this commitment.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Link to photo album:
https://apo-opa.co/4kMeIrx

Media contact:
Evelia Gadegbeku
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org 

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

Kenya and Senegal have claimed the top spots in the African Development Bank’s 2024 Electricity Regulatory Index (ERI) (www.AfDB.org), demonstrating exceptional progress in power sector governance and regulatory outcomes. The comprehensive assessment, officially unveiled today at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, evaluates regulatory frameworks across 43 African countries. 

Uganda, Liberia and Niger round out the top five performers, with Niger registering one of the biggest gains, underlining the strong impact of sustained reforms and political commitment to power sector development. 

The ERI evaluates three dimensions—Regulatory Governance, Regulatory Substance, and Regulatory Outcomes (ROI). Notably, the ROI, which tracks service delivery and utility performance, recorded the most substantial improvement across the continent. 

Key findings from the 2024 ERI: 

• Kenya and Senegal led with a score of 0.892, reflecting standout progress in tariff reform, regulatory outcomes, and utility performance. 
• A remarkable 41 out of 43 participating countries achieved RGI scores above 0.5, representing a significant increase from 24 countries in 2022.  
• Countries scoring below 0.500 reduced significantly from 19 in 2022 to just 6 in 2024.  
• Even the lowest-performing country tripled its score—from about 0.10 to 0.33. 
• The ROI surged from roughly 0.40 in 2022 to 0.62 in 2024, showing that reforms are delivering tangible service improvements on the ground. 

Now in its seventh edition, the ERI shows strong momentum toward more effective, transparent, and impactful regulation, with real-world results beginning to emerge. 

“The 2024 ERI shows that Africa’s regulators are stepping up. We are now seeing stronger institutions delivering real results for utilities and consumers. This shift is critical if we are to achieve Mission 300 and connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030,” says Dr. Kevin Kariuki, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth. 

For the first time, the 2024 ERI also assessed regional regulatory bodies, recognizing their growing role in harmonizing technical standards and enabling cross-border electricity trade. 

As the backbone of Mission 300, ERI continues to inform the design and implementation of national energy compacts—currently active in 12 countries, with another 20 in development. 

Bridging the Gap – Addressing Ongoing Challenges 

While celebrating regulatory progress, the report calls for greater focus on regulatory independence, the financial viability of utilities, and the integration of off-grid and mini-grid systems into national frameworks. The ERI underscores that regulation must translate into better access, affordability, and reliability, especially for underserved rural populations.  

The report outlines priority areas for enhancing regulatory effectiveness:  

• Strengthening regulatory independence 
• Enhancing accountability mechanisms 
• Promoting transparency and predictability 
• Improving stakeholder participation 
• Deepening economic regulation and advancing cost-reflective tariff methodologies. 

“The ERI 2024 tells a hopeful story. African countries are not just passing laws—they are implementing them. Regulators are transforming from administrative bodies into strategic institutions with measurable influence. However, challenges related to independence, financing, and enforcement persist,” said Wale Shonibare, Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation at the Bank Group. 

Launched in 2018, the ERI is a diagnostic and policy tool used by governments, regulators, and development partners to identify gaps, track progress, and prioritize reform efforts. The 2024 edition incorporates extensive feedback from utilities, regulators, and regional energy bodies.  

The full ERI 2024 report will be available here (https://apo-opa.co/4kPeDmZ). 

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact: 
Gertrude Kitongo
Communication and External Relations Department 

Technical Contact: 
Callixte Kambanda
Manager, Energy Policy, Regulations, and Statistics 
email: c.kambanda@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 44 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. 

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-91, in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals (www.NBA.com). Pascal Siakam (Cameroon) led the Pacers with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Obi Toppin finished with 20 points (4 3PM), 6 rebounds, and 2 steals in the victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 21 points and 4 rebounds for the Thunder in the loss.

The best-of-seven NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers is tied, 3-3. Game 7 will take place on Sunday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET (Monday, June 23 at 2 a.m. CAT) on ESPN, Canal+ and NBA League Pass live from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

– on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

Abidjan hosted the opening of the 16th General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) (http://www.UAR-AUB.org) on June 19, 2025. The ceremony, held under the high patronage of Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, brought together a plethora of distinguished guests, including ambassadors, directors-general, ministers, academics, media professionals, students, and civil society members from around the world.

Under the impactful theme “Developing Media: Strategies for Financial and Technological Resilience, and Innovative Content,“ this assembly promises crucial discussions for the future of the African media landscape.

In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Mambé highlighted the essential role of media in societal transformation: “Media represents a true opportunity for our country. We are counting on you to preserve and strengthen this asset, through the consultation framework offered to you. It is from this dialogue that the right answers to our questions will emerge.” This was a clear call for collaboration and the search for collective solutions.

For Cléophas Barore, President of the AUB Executive Council, the funding challenge is omnipresent: “The financing of production and broadcasting remains a daily struggle. These challenges are marked by resource scarcity, fierce competition from new media, information multinationals, and many others.” This observation underscores the urgent need for innovation in a constantly evolving media environment.

Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, for his part, urged broadcasters to embrace new media to better capture the African audience. “With the AUB, your Union, I urge you to work tirelessly to sustainably retain the African audience, in its diversity, by notably taking into account new communication and broadcasting channels such as social media, streaming, OTT, and podcasts, by innovating and valuing local content, our historical, cultural, tourist, and socio-economic values. I commit you to this!” he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the promotion of local content in the face of information globalization.

The productive first day also featured a visit to the exhibition stands, offering participants the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in content creation and to forge partnerships.

The 16th AUB General Assembly continues on June 20, 2025, with the Union’s statutory proceedings and the Awards ceremony.

Grégoire NDJAKA
Director General

– on behalf of African Union of Broadcasting (AUB).

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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In Niger, West Africa’s largest country by land surface, access to health care services is a major challenge. Just one in two people has access to health services. One of the ways to bridge the gap is through mobile clinics in remote areas and deploying medical teams from health districts to villages. 

Among the main beneficiaries of the initiative are pregnant women. They are now able to receive emergency assistance and care for timely detection of any complications. Mariama, 42, who suffered complications after a fall, is grateful to have received care thanks to a mobile clinic. Ordinarily, she would have had to travel for a whole day to the nearest district health facility in Dosso town from her home in the southwest of Niger. 

“As I was preparing to make the trip, I was informed of a mobile clinic in our area, and I went there the very next day. The team midwife consulted me and discovered that I had premature rupture of membranes,” she recounts. 

Under the initiative “mobile clinic teams visit villages that are hard to reach for health care in general and reproductive health services for women and children in particular,” says Nafissatou Salifou Panga, midwife and Reproductive Health Focal Point for Dosso health district. “It is a huge relief that pregnant women are able to benefit from care that detects risks in time and provides them with appropriate care.” 

Thanks to the care and follow-up she received, Mariama gave birth safely. Like Mariama, 267 pregnant women in Dosso and Filingué districts benefited from mobile clinic consultations in 2024. In all, almost 28 000 people were consulted and 3767 women received reproductive health services. Around 16 000 women were sensitized by community outreach teams on reproductive, maternal and neonatal health in the two districts. In Mariama’s case, the community health teams shared awareness messages that enabled her to be informed in time of the arrival of the mobile clinic.

By reaching populations far from health centres, the mobile clinic initiative also helps to improve health coverage at district and national levels. For example, the maternal mortality ratio fell from 441 per 100 000 live births in 2017 to 350 in 2023, according to World Bank data. 

Dr Aissatou Laouali, in charge of the reproductive health programme with World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger, says the initiative helping to accelerate efforts towards health for all. “For vulnerable populations, rapid access to quality health care is vital. Through these initiatives, we hope to move forward in solving the challenges particularly faced by mothers and children living in remote areas.”
To ensure service quality, the district, in collaboration with WHO, organizes planning meetings and field supervision trips and supports the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene in improving maternal and child health, in particular by providing technical guidelines, standards and protocols for reproductive, maternal and child health. 

Other support includes training health workers and improving the facilities in mother-and-child health centres, regional and district hospitals, and integrated health centres. WHO also supports training of health providers to ensure quality of care and health surveillance to curb maternal mortality.  

Niger has maintained the mobile clinics introduced earlier. In 2024, with support from WHO and donor financing, operational and medical equipment and supply needs of the mobile clinics were catered for. Additionally, 56 health workers and community outreach officers were trained in reproductive health in Dosso and Filingué districts.

“I was very satisfied with the care provided … I encourage the women in my community to come to the mobile clinic for any health problem,” says Mariama. “If I hadn’t gone to the centre after the incident, I would have had an infection with the risk of losing my baby.”

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

Amid Africa’s ongoing exploration and production surge, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will host a dedicated Upstream E&P Track. The track – taking place as part of the main conference agenda from September 29 to October 3 – will tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the upstream oil and gas sector, delving into topics such as deepwater development, onshore prospects, the role of independent firms and balancing African priorities with global supply dynamics. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 represents the platform of choice for Africa’s upstream sector.  

Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector is on the precipice of significant growth, boosted by a $54 billion capital expenditure drive expected by 2030. Across the continent, both established oil and gas markets and frontier players are seeking capital to bolster production while unlocking new basins in deepwater and onshore basins. The continent’s exploration surge is further supported by growing demand in African markets as well as a rise in global gas imports. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track will explore these shifting dynamics, offering a platform for new exploration and production deals to be signed.  

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 http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

To entice greater spending across the upstream sector, many African countries are laying the foundation for new investments by both majors and independent energy companies. A string of licensing rounds is being launched in 2025, offering exploration opportunities across a variety of acreage. Licensing rounds are planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mauritania and South Africa, while Libya, Nigeria, Algeria and Liberia have already launched their respective bid rounds. The Upstream E&P Track will explore the impact of these rounds. Sessions include What’s Next for African Upstream in 2026; Exploration Hotspots; and Basins Without Borders: Unlocking the Full Potential of Cross-Border Basins in the Transform Margin. Additionally, panel discussions will examine emerging prospects in frontier basins, with sessions taking place on Frontier Plays Within Africa’s Mature Basins; Offshore and Deepwater Plays; and Unlocking Africa’s Onshore and Shallow-Water Potential. 

While global energy majors expand their portfolios in Africa, independent oil and gas firms are taking on a more prominent role in exploration and production. International oil company divestment has opened-up new pathways for African independents, and as such, more companies are taking the lead on asset development. AEW: Invest in African Energies will host panel discussions on The Making of an African Independent; Technology and Innovation: Rethinking Asset Development to Accelerate Upstream Success; as well as Crude Value Benchmarking with Ever-Changing Light, Heavy Balance, exploring opportunities for independents in Africa.  

Meanwhile, with global gas demand projected to increase 10% between 2021 and 2030, African countries are strategically positioned to accelerate exploration and play a more central role in global supply chains. With over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves on the continent – most of which remains under-developed – Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its resources to produce low-carbon, cost-effective fuel. Panel discussions on Decarbonizing Pathways for African Oil and Gas; The Outlook for Global LNG; and The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market will address these opportunities, while a session on Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets, will examine how the continent can leverage its resources for domestic growth.  

The track will also feature panel discussions on strategic oil and gas markets in Africa, including Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and more. These sessions are geared towards companies seeking growth opportunities in proven markets and are expected to unlock new deal-signing and partnerships prospects. Beyond panel discussions, the Upstream E&P Track will feature a series of fireside chats, with participating companies including Renaissance Africa Energy, Northern Ocean, Seplat Energy and more.  

“Africa’s upstream oil and gas market is witnessing a surge of investment, as operators seek to expand their portfolios and governments target near-term production. Amid this growth, strategic financing gaps have emerged. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track seeks to address these challenges by bringing together major players from the market to engage and sign deals,” says Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director. 

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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In the heart of Boa Vista, a neighbourhood in Angola’s capital, Luanda, 48-year-old mother of three Maria Teresa da Silva is joining other community members to spread awareness of the ongoing cholera outbreak. When the first cases were reported in her community in mid-January 2025, she joined a group of concerned women eager to contribute to the response.

With support from local authorities, they began educating neighbours, distributing hygiene products and promoting cholera prevention practices. “We live in a community,” she says. “We must find time and support each other to protect our health and save lives.”

Community involvement in this low-income urban neighbourhood has helped to curb the outbreak: no new cholera cases have been reported for four consecutive weeks, since 19 May.

“At first, many families didn’t seek health services. Lack of information was the biggest challenge,” says the municipal administrator of Ingombota, Mika Kaquesse. Local authorities organized 800 community awareness sessions, built water tanks, distributed hygiene products and implemented sanitation sensitization campaigns.

“We know that prevention is key in cholera control ‒ clean water, sanitation and information,” says Dr Genoveva Mafu, clinical coordinator at the Boa Vista cholera treatment centre. “It was frightening at first, but teamwork and partner support made all the difference.”

The Ministry of Health in Angola, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), has trained more than 8000 community mobilizers to support the response and around 4450 community leaders in early detection, oral rehydration solution preparation and household water treatment.

Health authorities have conducted sensitization campaigns with community and religious leaders, community listening sessions, and engaged with multiple sectors such as environment, fisheries, water and energy, youth and the military to ensure a coordinated and culturally appropriate response. This has resulted in more than 8 million people reached with messages on cholera prevention.

“Community-based activities have increased public trust in health services and strengthened local epidemiological surveillance,” says Mateus Mariano Miguel, president of the Boa Vista Residents Committee. “The community responded massively. We continue working, even without new cases, because we know prevention must never stop.”

Health authorities have also trained 1000 health workers and activated almost 140 surveillance teams conducting case management, active case finding, and infection prevention and control. Nationwide, 166 rapid response teams have been deployed and 180 cholera treatment centres have been established to manage and treat cases.

In just over five months, Angola has recorded over 26 000 cases and nearly 750 deaths. This marks the worst cholera outbreak in the country in almost two decades. Thanks to a multisectoral and multipronged approach, the past two weeks have shown encouraging trends. As of 14 June 2025, the number of new weekly cases has dropped to 826 – the lowest levels since March. Weekly deaths have decreased to the lowest levels since January and the weekly case fatality rate has declined to 1.5% from a high of 8.8% in January 2025.

“While the situation remains serious, these improvements demonstrate the impact of the ongoing response and provide hope that the outbreak can be brought under control soon. We must continue to reinforce collaboration because when communities are empowered and engaged, lives can be saved and dignity restored,” says Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.