Category: MIL-OSI

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President Ramaphosa appoints Minister Godongwana as Acting President

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, as Acting President from today, 21 October until Monday, 27 October 2025.

President Ramaphosa has made this appointment in view of consecutive international visits the President is undertaking in the coming days.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paul Mashatile will be on leave during this period.

President Ramaphosa travels to Indonesia today for a Working Visit on Wednesday, 22 October.

This will be followed by a State Visit to Vietnam on Thursday, 23 and Friday, 24 October.

Thereafter, President Ramaphosa will undertakes a State Visit to Malaysia from 24 to 27 October, during which the President will also participate in a Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

From 29 to 30 October, President Ramaphosa will undertake a State Visit to Switzerland.

These visits will advance South Africa’s bilateral relations with the respective host countries, particularly in trade and investment.

The visits will also enable South Africa to strengthen cooperation with partner states in global forums, and contribute to the President’s preparations for his chairing of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November 2025.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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European Union (EU)/Egypt: First summit should not ignore human rights violations

Source: APO


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As the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa hold the “first ever” EU-Egypt summit with Egypt’s President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi on 22 October, the undersigned organizations urge the leaders to recognize the central role of human rights to the summit’s objectives of “shared stability and prosperity”.

Since the March 2024 announcement of the new EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, the Egyptian authorities’ policies of systematic repression and continued intolerance for peaceful dissent, as well as violations of Egyptians’ economic and social rights have continued without serious course correction.

“EU leaders should not ignore the many human rights abuses Egyptian people have been suffering under Sisi’s rule”, said Claudio Francavilla, EU Associate Director at Human Rights Watch. “Europe should use its leverage to secure concrete, overdue reforms to ensure the Egyptian government is accountable to its people and committed to respect and fulfill their rights.”

Egyptian authorities have recently taken limited, symbolic measures in the past month. These include the release of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdelfattah after six years of unjust imprisonment for his peaceful activism, and President al-Sisi’s referral of the Code of Criminal Procedures bill to Parliament for a limited review, which in turn largely failed to introduce amendments that would bring the bill in line with international law. While such gestures are welcome, the authorities have continued to subject critics to arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and harsh prison sentences.

They recently referred around 6,000 people to trial in connection with terrorism-related offences in 2025, many solely for exercising their human rights. Enforced disappearance, torture and extrajudicial executions by security forces continue unabated in near-complete impunity; further concerns have arisen over reports of mass graves in a militarized zone in North Sinai, with no official investigation to date. Egypt’s transnational repression tactics have escalated to weaponization of Egyptian diplomatic missions against peaceful protesters, including in some EU member states. Egyptian security forces, funded by the EU, have arbitrarily detained and refouled refugees and asylum seekers solely for their immigration status.

While the Egyptian government received pledges of financing for well over $50 billion from international donors, creditors and investors in 2024-2025, most of which has already been disbursed, the government has still refused to prioritize meeting its constitutional obligations for spending on essential public services such as health and education. As the rising cost of living continues to weigh heavily on tens of millions who live in or near poverty, the government’s austerity measures continue, and inadequate social security leaves millions of people in poverty unsupported.

“While Egypt’s critical challenges are many, the knowledge and skills of the Egyptian people are even more numerous. If Egyptian leaders halt their repression and respect the human rights of Egypt’s population to freely and critically discuss their nation’s needs, they are fully capable of identifying and advancing the solutions Egypt needs to build a more promising future that reverses decades of crises, poverty, and emigration,” said Timothy Kaldas, Deputy Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

The co-signing organizations urge the EU leaders to use the opportunity of the Strategic Partnership with Egypt to push for the structural reforms necessary to protect, respect and fulfil the economic, social, civil and political rights of people in Egypt, including by tackling widespread human rights violations, corruption and lack of transparency, and lack of domestic scrutiny over the government’s policies, which hinder meaningful economic reform and accountability.

“Egypt cannot afford to wait another two years until the next summit to engage reforms in hopes of averting both another cycle of economic and financial crisis, and the persistent risk of upheaval in response to brutal, widespread repression and hardship. Egypt’s allies need to urge President Al-Sisi to give people space to debate State policies: open the public sphere by lifting restrictions on the media, civil society, free speech and political parties, end arbitrary arrests and fast-track a mass release of political prisoners based on human rights criteria,” said Samar Elhusseiny, Director of the Egyptian Human Rights Forum.

Background:

After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU for a €1 billion macro-financial assistance (MFA) operation on 29 June 2024, the Egyptian authorities failed to take “concrete and credible steps towards respecting effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system, and the rule of law, and guaranteeing respect for human rights”, which the EU set as preconditions  for the MFA. Yet Egypt still received those funds by the end of 2024. The second, €4 billion MFA operation was approved by the EU Council and Parliament in June 2025, followed by negotiations over the related MoU; as of October 2025, it is reportedly finalized.

SIGNATORIES

  1. ANKH Association
  2. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
  3. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  4. Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
  5. Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR)
  6. EgyptWide for Human Rights
  7. EuroMed Rights
  8. Human Rights Watch
  9. Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)
  10. Refugees Platform in Egypt (RPE)
  11. The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

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President El-Sisi Heads to Brussels to Participate in the First European Union (EU)-Egypt Summit

Source: APO


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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi heads to the capital of Belgium, Brussels, leading the delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the first EU-Egypt summit on October 22nd.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the convening of this historic summit, the first ever between Egypt and the European Union, marks the culmination of the comprehensive strategic partnership, which was launched officially in Cairo in March 2024. During the visit, President El-Sisi will hold a series of meetings with senior European Union officials, as well as a number of European leaders. Additionally, the President will meet with His Majesty the King of Belgium.

The visit aims to strengthen the frameworks of political cooperation and coordination with the European side as well as with Belgium on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit will also have a significant economic dimension, with a major economic forum on investment opportunities in Egypt being held on the sidelines, featuring broad participation from leading European companies and business sector leaders. Furthermore, discussions will focus on Egypt’s vision for combating illegal migration, and a multitude of key issues of common concern.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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Godongwana appointed as Acting President

Source: Government of South Africa

Godongwana appointed as Acting President

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, as Acting President.

Godongwana’s acting period starts on Tuesday, 21 October and will conclude on Monday, 27 October 2025.

The President made this appointment in view of consecutive international visits that he will be undertaking in the coming days. 

Deputy President Shipokosa Paul Mashatile will be on leave during this period.

President Ramaphosa is travelling to Indonesia on Tuesday for a Working Visit taking place on Wednesday, 22 October 2025. This will be followed by a State Visit to Vietnam on 23 and 24 October 2025.

Thereafter, President Ramaphosa will undertake a State Visit to Malaysia from 24 to 27 October 2025, during which the President will also participate in a Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

From 29 – 30 October 2025, President Ramaphosa will undertake a State Visit to Switzerland.

“These visits will advance South Africa’s bilateral relations with the respective host countries, particularly in trade and investment.

“The visits will also enable South Africa to strengthen cooperation with partner States in global fora and contribute to the President’s preparations for his chairing of the Group Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November 2025,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

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La Banque africaine de développement et l’Angola lancent un projet de 125 millions de dollars pour stimuler l’entrepreneuriat des jeunes

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (https://AfDB.org), en partenariat avec le gouvernement de l’Angola et l’Union européenne, a lancé un Projet pour l’emploi des jeunes (Youth Employment Project – Crescer Project) de 125 millions de dollars pour stimuler l’entrepreneuriat et la création d’emplois au sein de la jeunesse angolaise.

Ce projet permettra de créer plus de 112 000 emplois indirects, de soutenir la croissance de plus de 10 000 micros, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) et start-ups, et d’élargir le développement des compétences dans des secteurs clés, notamment l’agriculture, l’aquaculture, les transports et les énergies renouvelables.

Le ministre de la Planification, Victor Hugo Guilherme, a souligné l’alignement stratégique du projet sur la « Vision Angola 2050 » et le « Plano de Desenvolvimento Nacional 2023-2027 » (Plan national de développement 2023-2027), qui contribue à la réalisation des Objectifs de développement durable (ODD).

S’exprimant lors du lancement, l’administrateur pour l’Angola, le Mozambique, la Namibie et le Zimbabwe de la Banque africaine de développement, Eugénio Maria Paulo, a salué l’engagement du gouvernement en faveur de l’autonomisation des jeunes.

« Nous félicitons le gouvernement angolais d’avoir pris une mesure aussi décisive en faveur de l’investissement dans la jeunesse. En plaçant la jeunesse au centre du développement national, le gouvernement envoie un message puissant : que ce sont les jeunes qui bâtiront l’avenir de l’Angola », a-t-il déclaré, ajoutant que soutenir les MPME et les start-ups dirigées par des jeunes le long du corridor de Lobito stimule les économies locales et réduit la pression de l’exode rural.

Le projet sera cofinancé par la Banque africaine de développement (qui fournit un crédit souverain de 79,08 millions de dollars), le gouvernement angolais (qui participe à hauteur de 29,06 millions de dollars) et l’Union européenne (qui apporte une contribution de 16,08 millions de dollars).

Le projet Crescer renforcera le système national de planification, les partenariats public-privé et les investissements publics, qui sont tous des moteurs essentiels de la croissance économique.

Le projet s’appuie sur les progrès réalisés dans le cadre des programmes phares du gouvernement visant à soutenir l’entrepreneuriat et la formalisation de l’économie, notamment le Programme d’appui à la production, à la diversification des exportations et à la substitution des importations.

Il permettra de créer 149 720 emplois (37 430 directs et environ 112 290 indirects), de former 97 569 jeunes (dans les domaines des technologies numériques, de l’agriculture climato-intelligente et des transports), de développer et d’accélérer la croissance de 10 400 MPME, de fournir des services de développement des entreprises à 385 MPME et à 97 start-ups, de renforcer les capacités de 40 organisations de soutien aux entreprises et d’injecter jusqu’à 15 millions de dollars pour améliorer l’accès au financement. Au moins 50 % des bénéficiaires seront des femmes.

Le projet Crescer comporte trois composantes clés : le développement de compétences axées sur la demande, l’accélération des affaires et l’amélioration de l’accès au financement, ainsi que de l’environnement propice et des capacités institutionnelles. Ces composantes renforcent l’environnement opérationnel et développent la capacité des institutions concernées à fournir des services efficaces.

Cette intervention complète le projet en cours de Parc scientifique et technologique (achèvement prévu en novembre 2025), développé grâce à un partenariat entre la Banque africaine de développement et le gouvernement angolais, dont l’objectif est de contribuer à la diversification économique du pays, à travers l’innovation scientifique et technologique. Ce parc scientifique sera renforcé par le financement de bourses d’études d’enseignement supérieur jusqu’au niveau du doctorat dans des matières scientifiques et technologiques pour les jeunes Angolais.

Cet effort renforce l’engagement de la Banque africaine de développement et du gouvernement angolais à stimuler la diversification économique du pays grâce à des investissements stratégiques dans la jeunesse, l’employabilité et l’entrepreneuriat.

Le portefeuille de la Banque africaine de développement en Angola comprend 16 opérations en cours, pour un engagement total de 1,45 milliard de dollars, couvrant les secteurs suivants : énergie (36,4 %), eau et assainissement (17,08 %), transport (0,17 %), agriculture (14,1 %), finance (20,15 %), social (11,63 %), et environnement (0,3 %).

Les engagements cumulés de prêts et de dons approuvés par la Banque africaine de développement depuis le début de ses opérations en Angola, en 1980, s’élèvent à 3,36 milliards de dollars.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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President Cyril Ramaphosa to undertake a three-nation visit to Southeast Asia

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a three-nation visit to Southeast Asia from 22 to 28 October 2025, reflecting South Africa’s commitment to deepening strategic ties with this dynamic region. The visit will include a state visit to Indonesia (22–23 October), a state visit to Vietnam (23–24 October), and a working visit to Malaysia (25–28 October), where President Ramaphosa will also participate as Guest of the Chair at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

INDONESIA STATE VISIT
On Wednesday, 22 October 2025, President Ramaphosa commences in Indonesia with a state visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Prabowo Subianto. President Ramaphosa will observe the Welcome Ceremony at the Merdeka Presidential Palace in Jarkata. The two leaders will hold a tête-à-tête, priming the subsequent official bilateral talks with respective ministerial delegations in support.

President Ramaphosa will deliver opening remarks at the bilateral talks to encapsulate relations with Indonesia and further strengthen cooperation in areas of trade, agriculture, tourism and defence. This engagement aims to diversify trade in the face of global dynamics.

SA-Indonesia relations go back more than 350 years – when the first people of Indonesian descent arrived in the Cape in the mid-1600s. Starting with the Bandung Conference of 1955, Indonesia became one of the fiercest critics of apartheid and supported the anti-apartheid struggle throughout. Formal diplomatic relations between Indonesia and SA were established in 1994. 

President Ramaphosa will join His Excellency President Prabowo Subianto for a joint media briefing following official bilateral talks. The state visit will be preceded by a SA- Indonesia Business Forum taking place on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. Indonesia is the third largest trading partner of South Africa in the Southeast Asia region. President Ramaphosa will on the margins of the state visit connect with leading Indonesian business leaders to expand trade and investment. 

Both countries continue playing leading roles in developing and enhancing South-South Cooperation and continue to be locomotives of South-South Cooperation. Contemporarily they are member states of the BRICS. 

INDONESIA MEDIA PROGRAMME
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2025

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA OBSERVES WELCOME CEREMONY AS GUEST OF HONOUR OF PRESIDENT PRABOWO SUBIANTO
Time: 06:00 SAST 
Venue: Merdeka Presidential Palace, Jakarta

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA DELIVERS OPENING REMARKS AT THE SOUTH AFRICA – INDONESIA BILATERAL TALKS ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT
Time: 06:30 SAST 
Venue: Merdeka Presidential Palace, Jakarta

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE MEDIA BRIEFING FOLLOWING BILATERAL TALKS ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA 
Time: 7:30 SAST 
Venue: Merdeka Presidential Palace, Jakarta

VIETNAM STATE VISIT
On Thursday, 23 October 2025, President Ramaphosa proceeds to, Hanoi, on a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is both timely and symbolic, reaffirming the importance South Africa accords to its bilateral relations with Vietnam, as well as its broader engagement with the Southeast Asian region. 

The visit will coincide with several significant developments in Vietnam’s political landscape, including a generational transition in leadership, the conclusion of key domestic planning and reform cycles, and the country’s increasing prominence in regional and global economic affairs. This year, Vietnam is commemorate 80 years of Independence, a milestone that holds deep historical significance. 

Vietnam’s expanding consumer market presents promising opportunities for South African exporters, particularly in the context of the country’s strategic efforts to diversify trade destinations

The state visit to Vietnam by President Ramaphosa reflects the deepening ties between the leaders of South Africa and Vietnam, underpinned by mutual respect and growing cooperation. The decision to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership marks a significant milestone, signalling shared commitment to long-term collaboration across key sectors. 

Vietnam’s dynamic economy and strategic position in Southeast Asia make it a vital partner in South Africa’s efforts to diversify markets and expand trade opportunities. Strengthening this partnership aligns with South Africa’s broader economic diplomacy goals, particularly in enhancing access to high-growth regions and fostering inclusive, sustainable development

MALAYSIA WORKING VISIT
The President’s tour to South East Asia will conclude in, Kuala Lumpur, on a  working visit to Malaysia from 25-28 October ,where the President will be a Guest of the Chair at the 47th ASEAN Summit and the East Asian Summit. 

The President’s participation in the ASEAN Summits follows South Africa’s recognition as a Sectoral  Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 2023, marking a significant milestone in advancing South-South  cooperation and fostering inclusive, sustainable development throughout enhanced political, economic and multilateral collaboration. 

South Africa and Malaysia enjoyed exceptionally warm and dynamic relations in the decade following 1994, marked by close collaboration on multilateral platforms such as the Non-Aligned Movement, South-South Cooperation and Dialogue Partnerships. 

The relations with Malaysia and by extension Southeast Asia and ASEAN are of strategic importance to South Africa’s Foreign Policy. They offer a gateway to dynamic regional markets, emerging technologies and help reinforce South Africa’s position as a proactive and globally engaged partner in the Global South.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Smooth start to NSC exams in Gauteng 

Source: Government of South Africa

The first day of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in Gauteng proceeded smoothly, said Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane.

“We are encouraged by the level of preparedness and commitment displayed across our examination centres on the first day of the NSC exams. Our teams acted swiftly where challenges arose, ensuring that every learner was able to write under fair and conducive conditions. 

“We are satisfied that these minor incidents did not compromise the integrity of the examination. The Department will continue to monitor all centres across Gauteng closely to ensure the smooth administration of this crucial assessment,” said MEC Chiloane.

In a statement on Tuesday, the provincial government said that all districts commenced their examinations as scheduled, without any disruptions or irregularities. 

“A total of 16 968 candidates sat for the 3-hour Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical examination at 09:00 in the morning session. Only four centres recorded minor incidents, all of which were reported before any examination was in session and were promptly managed to ensure that no candidate was disadvantaged.”

According to the department, the Letsibogo Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation in Meadowlands, Soweto, reported a power outage in the area since Monday afternoon. 

The school swiftly implemented contingency measures by using a generator, allowing examinations to proceed without interruption. Accordingly, PJ Simelane Secondary School, also in Soweto, utilised a generator to mitigate similar power supply challenges in the area. Examinations proceeded smoothly at the centre as well.

At Liberty Community School in Bramley, a brief power delay made examinations to start slightly later than scheduled. However, the centre swiftly switched to solar backup, and all candidates completed their practicals successfully. 

At the Falcon Educational Centre in Dawn Park, 21 candidates were safely transported to a neighbouring examination centre to complete their practicals. This precautionary measure was implemented after a technical server challenge was detected before the start of the session.

The department further recorded minor absenteeism from both full-time and part-time candidates; however, the figures are not significant and do not detract from the overall successful start of the examination period in Gauteng. 

READ | Gauteng MEC calls for honesty ahead of start of NSC exams
–SAnews.gov.za 

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R147m waterfront project to boost East London tourism, jobs

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has officially broken ground on the R147 million Latimer’s Landing redevelopment at the Port of East London — a flagship project set to revitalise the city’s waterfront and inject fresh energy into the Eastern Cape’s tourism and economic landscape.

The redevelopment marks a major milestone in the long-anticipated transformation of Latimer’s Landing into a vibrant mixed-use precinct. Once a purely operational marine quay, the site has evolved into a key recreational hub, and the new quay structure is expected to unlock further business, tourism and leisure opportunities.

TNPA Acting Chief Executive Phyllis Difeto said the investment forms part of Transnet’s broader Reinvent for Growth Strategy, aimed at stabilising the business while driving regional economic growth.

“This development charts a new course for the Eastern Cape economy by supporting value-adding industries. It aligns with our strategic goal of positioning the port within the tourism sector by integrating port operations with the leisure market.”

The upgraded facility will pave the way for new commercial ventures, including restaurants, leisure outlets and tourism centres designed to attract consistent visitor traffic to the area.

Beyond infrastructure, the project is already generating tangible community benefits. As of October 2025, 44 local jobs have been created, with approximately 55 total employment opportunities expected over the 24-month construction period, which concludes in April 2027.

Main contractor Stefanutti Stocks has also committed to partnering with local Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to create further business opportunities and drive inclusive growth within the region.

TNPA said the project reinforces its strategy to optimise its real estate assets, attract private sector investment and position the Port of East London as a catalyst for sustainable economic development. – SAnews.gov.za

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Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento e Angola lançam iniciativa de 125 milhões de dólares para impulsionar o empreendedorismo juvenil

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (https://AfDB.org), em parceria com o Governo de Angola e a União Europeia, lançou um Projeto de Emprego Juvenil (Projeto Crescer) no valor de 125 milhões de dólares para estimular o empreendedorismo e a criação de empregos entre os jovens angolanos.

O projeto irá criar mais de 112 mil empregos indiretos, apoiar o crescimento de mais de 10 mil micro, pequenas e médias empresas (MPME) e startups, e expandir o desenvolvimento de competências em setores-chave, incluindo agricultura, aquicultura, transportes e energias renováveis.

O ministro do Planeamento, Victor Hugo Guilherme, sublinhou o alinhamento estratégico do projeto com a Visão Angola 2050 e o PDN 2023-2027, que contribui para a concretização dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS).

Ao discursar no lançamento, o Diretor Executivo do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento para Angola, Moçambique, Namíbia e Zimbábue, Eugénio Maria Paulo, elogiou o compromisso do governo com o empoderamento dos jovens.

“Elogiamos o governo angolano por dar um passo tão decisivo no sentido de investir nos jovens. Ao colocar a juventude no centro do desenvolvimento nacional, o governo envia uma mensagem poderosa: que os jovens construirão o futuro de Angola”, afirmou, acrescentando que o apoio às MPME e startups lideradas por jovens ao longo do Corredor do Lobito estimula as economias locais e reduz a pressão da migração das áreas rurais para os centros urbanos.

O projeto será cofinanciado pelo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (79,08 milhões de dólares em crédito soberano), pelo Governo angolano (29,06 milhões de dólares) e pela União Europeia (16,08 milhões de dólares).

O Projeto Crescer irá reforçar o sistema nacional de planeamento, as parcerias público-privadas e o investimento público, fatores-chave para o crescimento económico.

O projeto baseia-se nos progressos alcançados no âmbito dos programas emblemáticos do governo para apoiar o empreendedorismo e a formalização da economia, nomeadamente o Programa de Apoio à Produção, Diversificação das Exportações e Substituição das Importações.

Criará 149.720 postos de trabalho (37.430 diretos e aproximadamente 112.290 indiretos); formará 97.569 jovens (em tecnologias digitais, agricultura climaticamente inteligente e transportes); expandirá e acelerará o crescimento de 10.400 MPME; prestará serviços de desenvolvimento empresarial a 385 MPME e 97 startups; reforçará a capacidade de 40 organizações de apoio às empresas; e injetará até 15 milhões de dólares para aumentar o acesso ao financiamento. Pelo menos 50% dos beneficiários serão mulheres.

O Projeto Crescer compreende três componentes principais: desenvolvimento de competências orientadas para a procura, aceleração empresarial e melhoria do acesso ao financiamento, juntamente com um ambiente propício e capacitação institucional. Estes componentes reforçam o ambiente operacional e desenvolvem a capacidade das instituições relevantes para prestar serviços eficientes.

Esta intervenção complementa o projeto em curso do Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, desenvolvido através de uma parceria entre o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento e o Governo de Angola, cujo objetivo é contribuir para a diversificação económica do país, através da inovação científica e tecnológica, com a construção do Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia (com conclusão prevista para novembro de 2025) e o financiamento de bolsas de estudo em disciplinas científicas e tecnológicas, desde o ensino superior até ao doutoramento, para jovens angolanos.

Este esforço reforça também o compromisso do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento e do Governo de Angola de impulsionar a diversificação económica do país através de investimentos estratégicos na juventude, empregabilidade e empreendedorismo.

O Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento tem uma carteira de 16 operações em curso em Angola, com um compromisso total de 1,45 mil milhões de dólares, abrangendo os seguintes setores: energia (36,4%); água e saneamento (17,08%); transportes (0,17%), agricultura (14,1%), finanças (20,15%), social (11,63%) e ambiente (0,3%).

Desde o início das suas operações em Angola, em 1980, o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento aprovou compromissos acumulados de empréstimos e subvenções no valor total de 3,36 mil milhões de dólares.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contacto para os media:
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas
media@afdb.org

About O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org/pt

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African Development Bank and Angola launch $125 million drive to boost youth entrepreneurship

Source: APO

The African Development Bank Group (https://AfDB.org), in partnership with the Government of Angola and the European Union, has launched a $125 million Youth Employment Project (Crescer Project) to spur entrepreneurship and job creation among young Angolans.

The project will create more than 112,000 indirect jobs, support the growth of over 10,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, and expand skills development in key sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, transport, and renewable energy.

Minister of Planning Victor Hugo Guilherme underscored the strategic alignment of the project with the “Angola Vision 2050” and the “PDN 2023-2027” which contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking at the launch, the African Development Bank’s Executive Director for Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, Eugénio Maria Paulo, praised the government’s commitment to youth empowerment.

“We commend the Angolan government for taking such a decisive step toward investing in young people. By placing youth at the center of national development, the government sends a powerful message: that young people will build Angola’s future,” he said, adding that supporting MSMEs and startups led by young people along the Lobito Corridor stimulates local economies and reduces the pressure of rural-urban migration.

The project will be co-financed by the African Development Bank ($79.08 million in sovereign credit), the Angolan Government ($29.06 million), and the European Union ($16.08 million).

The Crescer Project will strengthen the national planning system, public-private partnerships, and public investment, all of which are key drivers of economic growth.

The Project builds on the progress achieved under the government’s flagship programs to support entrepreneurship and the formalization of the economy, namely the Program to Support Production, Diversification of Exports, and Substitution of Imports.

It will create 149,720 jobs (37,430 direct and approximately 112,290 indirect); train 97,569 young people (in digital technologies, climate-smart agriculture, and transportation); expand and accelerate the growth of 10,400 MSMEs; provide Business Development Services to 385 MSMEs and 97 startups; strengthen the capacity of 40 business support organizations; and inject up to $15 million to increase access to finance. At least 50 percent of the beneficiaries will be women.

The Crescer Project comprises three key components: demand-driven skills development, business acceleration, and enhanced access to finance, along with an enabling environment and institutional capacity. These components strengthen the operational environment and develop the capacity of relevant institutions to deliver efficient services.

This intervention complements the ongoing Science and Technology Park project, developed through a partnership between the African Development Bank and the Government of Angola, the objective of which is to contribute to the country’s economic diversification, through scientific and technological innovation, with the construction of the Science and Technology Park (with completion scheduled for November 2025) and the financing of scholarships in scientific and technological subjects from higher education up to doctorate for young Angolans.

This effort reinforces the commitment of the African Development Bank and the Government of Angola to boost the country’s economic diversification through strategic investments in youth, employability, and entrepreneurship.

The African Development Bank has a portfolio of 16 ongoing operations in Angola, with a total commitment of $1.45 billion, covering the following sectors: energy (36.4 percent); water and sanitation (17.08 percent); transportation (0.17 percent), agriculture (14.1 percent), finance (20.15 percent), social (11.63 percent), and environment (0.3 percent).

Since beginning its operations in Angola in 1980, the African Development Bank has approved cumulative loan and grant commitments totaling $3.36 billion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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