Source: Government of Qatar
Munich, February 13, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Friday with HE Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia of the Federal Republic of Germany Hendrik Wust, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations and ways to support and develop them, in addition to a number of topics of mutual interest.
Source: Government of Qatar
Munich, February 13, 2026
HE President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, met today with HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
The meeting dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them. The meeting also dealt with the latest regional and international developments, in addition to topics of common interest.
Source: Government of Qatar
Munich, February 13, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani participated Friday in the opening of the 62nd session of the Munich Security Conference in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The conference, which continues until Sunday, discusses issues of regional stability, human rights, the Ukrainian crisis and its impact on European security, developments in the Middle East, particularly the war in Gaza and its humanitarian and security repercussions, tensions between major powers, the future of the international system, energy security, cybersecurity, and challenges related to technological advancement and artificial intelligence.
Source: APO – Report:
This Valentine’s season, Emirates (www.Emirates.com) invites couples across Africa to let their love soar to new heights. Whether it’s wandering the enchanting canals of Venice, strolling hand-in-hand through the streets of Paris, or relaxing on the sun-kissed beaches of the Maldives, Emirates connects travellers from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Nairobi through Dubai, creating the perfect start to a romantic getaway.
With a comprehensive network and frequent flights, Emirates makes it easy for couples to plan their dream getaway. Travellers can choose from four daily flights from Johannesburg, two from Cape Town, and Nairobi’s service is increasing to three daily from 1 March. Every journey connects smoothly through Dubai, offering opportunities for multi-destination adventures or a 24 to 48-hour stopover to enjoy the city’s vibrant culture, gourmet dining, luxury shopping, and unique experiences before continuing to their next destination.
Emirates connects travellers across Africa to some of the world’s most romantic destinations this Valentine’s season. From Paris to Venice, the Maldives to Dubai, Emirates makes it easy for couples from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Nairobi to plan unforgettable journeys together. With convenient connections, elevated onboard experiences, and thoughtful touches along the way, we ensure that every trip is as special as the destination itself.
Onboard, Emirates sets the mood for romance. On Valentine’s Day, Emirates will set a romantic tone across every cabin with red mood lighting, sweet treats and gift boxes. Emirates First Class customers will be welcomed onboard with a glass of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009, while those in Business Class will be offered Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial.
Passengers can also enjoy themed menus in lounges worldwide and a curated selection of romance films and music on Emirates ice, ensuring the journey feels just as special as the occasion.
To make every moment unforgettable, Emirates also offers generous baggage allowances, Skywards rewards, like celebratory cakes, surprise upgrades, and personalised service – perfect for couples looking to add a little extra magic to their adventure!
With Emirates, love isn’t just found at the destination; it takes flight in the skies, creating memories that last a lifetime.
For bookings and more details, visit www.Emirates.com
– on behalf of The Emirates Group.
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Source: APO – Report:
Nearly 600 million people across Africa still lack access to electricity, with electrification progress barely keeping pace with population growth and leaving the continent far from universal access targets. Achieving full access will require electricity-access investment to scale toward around $15 billion annually, according to the IEA, yet tracked financing commitments remain below $2.5 billion per year, underscoring a profound capital shortfall.
This mismatch – vast, guaranteed demand paired with chronic under-investment – is precisely what creates durable commercial opportunity. Energy demand across Africa is projected to rise sharply through 2030, driven by urbanization, industrialization, electrification and emerging high-consumption sectors such as data centers. Sub-Saharan Africa contains the majority of the global population without electricity, while the continent hosts 20% of the world’s population but receives only about 2% of global clean-energy investment.
In investment terms, this reflects demand certainty combined with supply scarcity – a dynamic that historically underpins strong long-term project economics. Reliable power fuels industrial growth, digital infrastructure and sustained revenue expansion, linking electrification directly to bankable demand. Closing the supply gap is therefore not just a social imperative, but a continent-wide revenue opportunity for investors.
This commercial logic is already reshaping global portfolio strategy. Major oil companies facing reserve pressure and slowing discoveries are increasingly turning toward frontier regions capable of delivering material new volumes, with Africa at the center of this shift. Industry analysis in 2026 suggests some producers could face production declines of hundreds of thousands of barrels per day within the next decade without major discoveries or acquisitions – intensifying the search for scalable new basins.
Developments progressing through 2025–2026 demonstrate how structural demand is translating into commercially viable assets. Mozambique’s $20 billion LNG project, advancing toward production later this decade, is anchored by tens of trillions of cubic feet of recoverable gas and supported by one of the largest financing packages ever assembled for an African energy development – demonstrating how global gas demand, domestic industrialization and long-term state revenue can align within a single project.
Meanwhile, analysis indicates that developing the continent’s gas resources could play a decisive role in closing the electricity access gap for hundreds of millions of people, while contributing only marginally to global emissions – strengthening the investment rationale even within a transition-constrained financing environment.
“Energy poverty is not just a challenge – it is Africa’s greatest investment opportunity. What we are witnessing today is a historic convergence of demand, resources and political will. The companies and investors that choose to partner with Africa now will not only generate long-term returns, but help power industries, create jobs and define the next era of global energy,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
This commercial reality will take center stage at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, where policymakers, operators and financiers will focus on translating structural demand into bankable upstream, LNG, gas-to-power and renewable energy projects. Making energy poverty history will require unprecedented capital deployment – but the investment case is already clear. Vast resources, accelerating demand and a growing pipeline of projects position Africa’s energy gap as one of the defining commercial opportunities of the energy transition era.
– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
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Source: President of South Africa –
Deputy President, Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, Chairperson of the Water Task Team, today convened a meeting with Ministers and government officials to assess the water supply challenges across Gauteng following recent disruptions.
The Water Task Team was briefed that electro-mechanical failures at Rand Water pump stations and a major pipe burst in late January temporarily reduced bulk supply.
Rand Water has since restored full capacity. However, municipal systems — particularly in the City of Johannesburg — remain under pressure due to low reservoir levels, high demand during the heatwave, ageing infrastructure, and water losses averaging 33%.
To accelerate recovery, the following measures are being implemented:
• Controlling system recovery and load shifting;
• Deployment of water tankers to affected areas;
• Technical support to municipalities;
Government expects supply to progressively stabilise over the coming week, subject to reduced demand.
Water security remains a national priority, and the Water Task Team will continue to monitor implementation and enforce compliance where necessary.
A team of Ministers has been on the ground with the leadership of Gauteng and the Municipalities especially Johannesburg where plans are in motion to resolve the water crisis.
The Deputy President will also visit Johannesburg as part of monitoring the interventions in the next week.
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Source: Government of South Africa
Government implements measures to accelerate water recovery
Government has announced a series of measures to fast-track the recovery of water supply in Gauteng following recent disruptions.
According to the Presidency, Rand Water has restored operations to full capacity. However, municipal systems—particularly in the City of Johannesburg—remain under strain due to low reservoir levels, heightened demand during the heatwave, ageing infrastructure, and water losses averaging 33%.
To accelerate recovery, government is implementing several interventions, including controlling system recovery and load shifting, deploying water tankers to affected areas, and providing technical support to municipalities.
The measures follow Friday’s meeting convened by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Water Task Team, with Ministers and senior officials to assess water supply challenges across Gauteng.
The Water Task Team was briefed that electro-mechanical failures at Rand Water pump stations, along with a major pipe burst in late January, temporarily reduced bulk water supply.
“Government expects supply to progressively stabilise over the coming week, subject to reduced demand. Water security remains a national priority, and the Water Task Team will continue to monitor implementation and enforce compliance where necessary,” the Presidency said.
Meanwhile, a team of Ministers has been engaging on the ground with Gauteng provincial leadership and municipalities—particularly Johannesburg—where plans are underway to resolve the water crisis.
The Deputy President is also expected to visit Johannesburg next week to monitor the interventions. — SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Source: APO
The Republic of Congo marked a major milestone earlier this week with first exports from Phase 2 of its Congo LNG project – amplifying investor interest just ahead of Hydrocarbons Minister Bruno Jean‑Richard Itoua’s engagement at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, scheduled for April 22–23, 2026. Operated by Eni, the second phase began exporting from the new Nguya FLNG facility, lifting the country’s liquefaction capacity to 3 million tons per annum and delivering its first cargo in early 2026 following commissioning ahead of schedule.
Phase 2’s start‑up, achieved roughly 35 months after construction began, adds capacity alongside the earlier Tango FLNG unit, reinforcing Congo’s emerging role as a competitive LNG exporter in Africa. The expanded infrastructure draws on gas from the offshore Nené and Litchendjili fields under the Marine XII license, giving the country a stronger foothold in global gas markets at a time when buyers – particularly in Europe – seek diversified supply sources amid a shifting energy landscape.
The timing of Phase 2’s export start-up dovetails with growing international interest in Congo’s broader energy agenda: TotalEnergies recently secured the Nzombo exploration permit with a one-well drilling program, while Perenco is redeveloping its mature Kombi‑Likalala‑Libondo II offshore field with a new platform to extend production and gas recovery.
Minister Itoua, who has been instrumental in advancing upstream, midstream and gas monetization policy in the country, is expected to outline investment opportunities across gas, LNG, marginal fields and exploration at the upcoming forum – providing investors with direct access to Congo’s evolving energy landscape.
Beyond LNG, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons has advanced regulatory reform – including a new gas code nearing adoption that streamlines fiscal terms and clarifies rules for investors – alongside international cooperation to stimulate investment. Past IAE Forum engagements have produced key agreements, such as the 2023 pact with Technip Energies to enhance onshore and offshore capacity and collaborate on decarbonization and energy transition, highlighting Congo’s proactive approach to industry partnerships.
At IAE 2026, investors and policymakers will have the opportunity to engage directly with Minister Itoua and other senior officials on these developments, gaining first‑hand insight into how Congo is balancing gas monetization with broader energy sector growth and unlocking investment opportunities.
Congo’s trajectory – from a mature oil producer to a rapidly evolving LNG exporter – reflects a broader shift in African energy markets toward integrated, export‑oriented gas strategies. By linking robust policy engagement with ambitious infrastructure execution, Congo exemplifies how resource-rich African states can compete for global investment while contributing meaningfully to energy security and economic growth. As Minister Itoua prepares to take the stage in Paris, the Phase 2 LNG milestone serves as concrete evidence of both progress and opportunity for investors prepared to engage with the continent’s expanding energy frontier.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
About Invest in African Energy:
IAE 2026 (http://apo-opa.co/4qANO8e) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com
Source: Government of South Africa
Presidential Golf Challenge proceeds to boost education
Proceeds from this year’s Presidential Golf Challenge will support 622 adopted schools and contribute to improving education infrastructure, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday, as he teed off at the annual fundraising event.
Held a day after he delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the golf challenge was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate and raises funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation through its Adopt-a-School programme, which supports school development initiatives alongside government.
Explaining the purpose of the initiative, the President said it is a long-standing tradition that after the (SONA), every President over the decades has been afforded the opportunity to host a golf day.
“Proceeds thereof go to the charity that the President supports. And in this case, I started a charity called Adopt-a-School with my Chief of Staff about 30 years ago or so, and that charity continues and now that I am a President it is a beneficiary of the work we do.
“It [has] adopted 622 schools and it’s participating in the improvement of education alongside our government. So, the proceeds today as every golfer hits a ball or misses a ball, it is going to contribute to that charity,” he explained.
He said that they were lucky to have sponsors like Sasol and MTN, which are the anchor sponsors for the golf day.
“We’ve always enjoyed their support in everything we do. So, they are not captured, they have not captured us. If anything, they are making a contribution to the success of our education system.”
He added that funds raised from the golf day will go towards improving school infrastructure, including sanitation facilities.
SANDF deployment
Turning to security matters, President Ramaphosa championed his decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support police in gang-affected areas as announced in Thursday’s SONA.
“Well, if you listen to me very carefully, which I hope you did last night, I did say that I have decided to deploy the soldiers, and I have directed the Minister of Police to work with the Minister of Defence to work out the full plan and the timing as well must be worked out in the next few days.
“I also did say I will be approaching Parliament. I’ll be informing Parliament and informing them that this is the step I am taking in terms of our Constitution, and I will also be informing them what it will cost. So, the costings are still to be worked out. They’ll be worked out between now and the next few days,” the President said.
However, operational details would not be disclosed publicly.
“And the interventions, we are not going to tell you, because if we tell you about the type of tactical intervention, those people who are doing wrong things, the gangs will now know in advance what we are going to do. We are going to keep the interventions to ourselves, and the soldiers and the police will make those interventions as effectively as possible.”
He emphasised that soldiers would support, and not replace, the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Our soldiers will act in support of the South African Police Service in troubled areas, particularly here in the Western Cape to deal with gang violence, and also in Gauteng, they have done extremely well whenever they have been deployed alongside the police, and they give confidence to our people, and they are a deterrent force.
“You must know that the soldiers are not police people. Soldiers are trained to kill and to defend the people of South Africa, and in this case, they’ll be defending the peace. They’ll be defending anti criminality, and that is what they will be doing,” the President said.
The President added that the SAPS had been performing well and that the deployment was meant to strengthen ongoing operations.
“The SAPS has been doing extremely well. They’ve been doing very well in various of the projects or missions like [Operation] Shanela. They have done extremely well, our jails are now filled to overcapacity because of the success that they have been recording now with the Western Cape, it’s been persistent.”
He explained that government has set up an anti-gang team, and they’ve been working very well.
“They need support. It should never be looked at from a negative point of view, if anything, we should be very pleased that we are bringing all the might of the state to bear to deal with a persistent problem, gang violence has been going on in the Western Cape for a long time.
“We want to eliminate gang violence once and for all, and the South African National Defence Force will help us in playing that role,” he said.
Water and municipal intervention
On water challenges, President Ramaphosa said national government would step in where municipalities fail to deliver services.
“We have a constitutional situation that devolve the reticulation of water to our local government. Now we allocate money to our local government, and they are supposed to maintain, they’re supposed to ensure that there’s reticulation,” he said.
Referring to previous intervention efforts, the President recalled his visit to Hammanskraal where the waterworks was not well looked after.
“I called on the Tshwane municipality to do their work and when they didn’t, we intervened. We intervened and made sure that water is delivered to the people in Hammanskraal. That process continues now,” he said.
He indicated that legislative mechanisms would now be used more decisively.
“What I said yesterday is that we have now realised that rather than have our people without water and be punished by the lack of activity or delivery by municipalities, we are now going to intervene, and we will use a section in the Water Act to intervene,” the President said.
Foreign policy position
On foreign policy, the President reaffirmed South Africa’s stance on Palestine and peacekeeping.
“Everybody knows what South Africa stance is with regard to supporting the people of Palestine, with regard to their self-determination, and supporting also a two state solution, where Israel will continue to exist as a state and the establishment of Palestine as a state, and the two states living side by side in peace and with Jerusalem being the capital. So, we support that firmly and completely,” the President said.
He confirmed that South Africa had informed the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General of its intention to withdraw troops from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to consolidate and rebuild the country’s defence force for future peacekeeping missions. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
Suite aux pertes en vies humaines et aux dégâts considérables causés par le passage du cyclone tropical Gezaní, le Président de la République des Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, a adressé un message de solidarité et de condoléances au Président de la République de Madagascar, le Colonel Michael Randrianirina.
Dans son message, le Président Herminie écrit :
« C’est avec douleur et tristesse que nous avons appris le passage du cyclone tropical Gezani dans votre grand pays faisant de nombreuses victimes et des dégâts matériels énormes qui ont plongé le pays dans le deuil et l’urgence.
En cette douloureuse circonstance, permettez-moi d’adresser à Votre Excellence, en mon nom personnel et au nom du peuple et du Gouvernement seychellois, et à travers vous aux familles des victimes et à tout le peuple malgache frère, nos plus sincères condoléances et notre totale solidarité.
Je n’ai guère de doute que le courageux peuple malgache saura surmonter cette grave épreuve pour poursuivre sa marche irréversible vers l’accomplissement de son dessein national et international.
Je formule des vœux de prompt rétablissement pour les blessés qui font l’objet de toutes les attentions de la part des secouristes et, sachez que face à cette pénible épreuve, les Seychelles se tiennent aux côtés de Madagascar. »
Distribué par APO Group pour Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Republic of Seychelles.
