Source: Government of Qatar
Doha, October 04, 2026
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Sunday with HE Mufti of Al Quds and the Palestinian Territories Sheikh Mohammad Ahmad Mohammad Hussein, who is visiting the country.
The meeting discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, and the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to a number of issues of common interest.
Source: Government of South Africa
Police arrest 670 wanted suspects
Police have arrested more than 670 suspects in Gauteng for serious and violent crimes as part of Operation Shanela II, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
The suspects were on the run after committing serious and violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery, rape, fraud, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, housebreaking and theft.
“These suspects were arrested during the first phase of the operation, where the detectives were tracing wanted suspects,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.
They will appear at different Magistrate’s Courts in due course.
In addition, police arrested 14 people during a roadblock in Protea, Soweto.
The operation targeted illegal goods and substances transported by road users. It also searched for stolen, hijacked vehicles and contraband.
“During the roadblock conducted in Protea, 14 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, nine for possession of drugs, and 13 illegal immigrants were taken in to be processed by Immigration officials from the Department of Home Affairs,” the police said.
Meanwhile, other districts also conducted weekend operations that resulted in the arrest of 86 people in Tshwane District, 45 in the West Rand District, 29 in Sedibeng District, and 22 in Ekurhuleni District.
Mthombeni commended the detectives and operational teams for their continued efforts to track down wanted suspects and disrupt criminal activities through intelligence-driven and integrated policing operations. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –
O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) e o Conselho Empresarial da África Oriental (EABC) assinaram o Acordo de Agência do Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), que liga as empresas da região, incluindo as PME e as grandes exportadoras, ao Mercado Comum da Comunidade da África Oriental (EAC), com 300 milhões de habitantes, e ao mercado mais vasto da Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (ZCLCA), com 1,3 mil milhões de consumidores, através do comércio digital.
O acordo foi assinado recentemente no primeiro Fórum de Directores Executivos e Investimento da África Oriental, em Nairobi, Quénia, assinalando um marco significativo na colaboração em curso entre as duas organizações.
O EABC tem promovido activamente o ecossistema digital junto dos seus membros e apoiado a sua integração. Ao fazê-lo, a parceria combina a rede empresarial regional do EABC com os serviços de comércio digital do ATG para ajudar as empresas a encontrar compradores e fornecedores verificados em toda a África e além-fronteiras, aceder a informações sobre parceiros comerciais e estabelecer ligações com soluções financeiras e de pagamento.
A parceria, que reveste grande importância para a África Oriental e para o continente em geral, permite ao Conselho Empresarial da África Oriental (EABC) integrar-se numa rede crescente de instituições de apoio ao comércio em toda África, que trabalham em conjunto para ligar as empresas a oportunidades para além dos seus mercados regionais. O reforço destas ligações ajudará mais empresas a expandirem-se além-fronteiras e a tirar partido das oportunidades criadas pela Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (ZCLCA).
O Sr. Haytham El Maayergi, Vice-Presidente Executivo do Banco de Comércio Global do Afreximbank, comentou: “O comércio assenta nas relações, mas, para muitas empresas, identificar parceiros de confiança e aceder aos serviços adequados para realizar transacções transfronteiriças pode constituir um desafio significativo. O Africa Trade Gateway foi concebido para colmatar essa lacuna, ligando as empresas a compradores, fornecedores e instituições financeiras de confiança, bem como aos serviços de que necessitam para transformar oportunidades em transacções reais. A nossa colaboração com o EABC está a ajudar mais empresas da África Oriental a aceder a novos mercados com maior confiança. Ao tirar partido das redes de confiança e dos serviços digitais disponíveis através do Africa Trade Gateway, as empresas podem estabelecer ligações significativas, desbloquear novas oportunidades e participar mais activamente na crescente economia digital africana. À medida que mais empresas se ligam e comercializam com sucesso, a rede torna-se mais forte, criando um ciclo virtuoso de oportunidades e crescimento em todo o continente.”
Nas suas observações, o Sr. Ahmed Farah, Director Executivo do Conselho Empresarial da África Oriental, afirmou: “O EABC está a capacitar as empresas da África Oriental com conhecimento sobre as oportunidades de mercado da ZCLCA, as Regras de Origem, as concessões pautais, os procedimentos aduaneiros e os requisitos de exportação, complementados por apoio consultivo personalizado sobre a entrada no mercado e a preparação para a exportação. Enquanto parceiro do corredor comercial do Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) do Afreximbank, o EABC está a ligar as empresas ao ecossistema, permitindo o acesso a serviços de estabelecimento de parcerias entre empresas e a soluções de financiamento comercial que podem facilitar o comércio intra-africano no âmbito da ZCLCA.”
O Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) é o ecossistema de comércio digital emblemático do Afreximbank, que liga empresas, instituições financeiras e parceiros comerciais em toda África e além-fronteiras. A partir de uma única plataforma integrada, liga as empresas a contrapartes de confiança e a serviços que facilitam o comércio – financiamento comercial, pagamentos, conformidade, logística e informação de mercado – para facilitar as transacções transfronteiriças.
Lançado em Junho de 2023, o ATG opera actualmente em mais de 45 países africanos, ligando 45 instituições de apoio ao comércio, 110 bancos comerciais e 25.000 empresas verificadas, com uma carteira de oportunidades no valor de 4,5 mil milhões de USD em matérias-primas, minerais, petróleo e gás, bens de grande consumo e outros produtos fabricados em África. Ao consolidar os serviços necessários ao comércio, o ATG ajuda as empresas a comercializar com maior confiança, eficiência e escala.
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.
Contacto para a Imprensa:
Afreximbank
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com a Imprensa)
Correio Electrónico: press@afreximbank.com
EABC
Endereço de Correio Electrónico: communications@eabc-online.com
Siga o Afreximbank em:
X: https://apo-opa.co/4yPnnkh
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4yvWqSt
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4yAjhfA
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4ym5pot
Siga a EABC em:
X: https://apo-opa.co/475VdVN
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4y0Ekqo
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/47xVu3V
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3W6zz1e
Sobre o Afreximbank:
O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) é uma instituição financeira multilateral pan-africana com mandato para financiar e promover o comércio intra e extra-africano. Há mais de 30 anos que o Banco utiliza estruturas inovadoras para oferecer soluções de financiamento que apoiam a transformação da estrutura do comércio africano, acelerando a industrialização e o comércio intra-regional, impulsionando assim a expansão económica em África. Apoiante firme do Acordo de Comércio Livre Continental Africano (ACLCA), o Afreximbank lançou um Sistema Pan-Africano de Pagamento e Liquidação (PAPSS) que foi adoptado pela União Africana (UA) como plataforma de pagamento e liquidação para sustentar a implementação da ZCLCA. Em colaboração com o Secretariado da ZCLCA e a UA, o Banco criou um Fundo de Ajustamento de 10 mil milhões de USD para apoiar os países que participam de forma efectiva na ZCLCA. No final de Dezembro de 2025, o total de activos e passivos contingentes do Afreximbank atingiu mais de 48,5 mil milhões de USD, e os seus fundos próprios totalizaram 8,4 mil milhões de USD. O Afreximbank tem notações de grau de investimento atribuídas pela China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), pela GCR (A), pela Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) e pela Moody’ s (Baa2) e pela S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). O Banco tem a sua sede em Cairo, Egipto.
Para mais informações, visite: www.Afreximbank.com.
Sobre o EABC:
O Conselho Empresarial da África Oriental (EABC) é o órgão máximo de defesa dos interesses das associações do sector privado e das empresas dos oito estados parceiros da Comunidade da África Oriental (EAC) (Quénia, República Democrática do Congo, República Federal da Somália, Tanzânia, Ruanda, Burundi, Uganda e Sudão do Sul). Fundado em 1997, o EABC busca a excelência e é a plataforma regional mais reconhecida para as empresas apresentarem os obstáculos ao comércio e aos investimentos e, em conjunto, traçarem soluções para reduzir os custos de fazer negócios, impulsionar o crescimento do comércio e dos investimentos intra-regionais e promover reformas para uma economia diversificada, competitiva, orientada para a exportação, integrada e sustentável na África Oriental. A razão de ser do EABC é promover mudanças nas políticas públicas, de modo a criar um ambiente propício aos negócios na EAC.
Para mais informações, visite: www.EABC-Online.com
Baixar .tipo
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) et l’East African Business Council [le Conseil des entreprises d’Afrique de l’Est] (EABC) ont signé l’accord d’agence relatif à « Africa Trade Gateway » [Passerelle commerciale africaine] (ATG), qui permet de relier les entreprises de la région, notamment les PME et les grands exportateurs, au marché commun de la Communauté de l’Afrique de l’Est (CAE), fort de 300 millions de consommateurs, ainsi qu’au marché plus large de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), qui compte 1,3 milliard de consommateurs, grâce au commerce numérique.
Cet accord a été signé récemment lors du premier Forum des PDG et de l’investissement d’Afrique de l’Est, qui s’est tenu à Nairobi, au Kenya, marquant ainsi une étape importante dans la collaboration en cours entre les deux organisations.
L’EABC s’emploie activement à promouvoir l’écosystème numérique auprès de ses membres et à les accompagner dans leur intégration. Ce partenariat associe ainsi le réseau régional d’entreprises de l’EABC aux services de commerce numérique de l’ATG afin d’aider les entreprises à trouver des acheteurs et des fournisseurs vérifiés à travers l’Afrique et au-delà, à accéder à des informations sur leurs partenaires commerciaux et à bénéficier de solutions de financement et de paiement.
Ce partenariat, qui revêt une importance particulière pour l’Afrique de l’Est et l’ensemble du continent, permet à l’East African Business Council d’intégrer un réseau grandissant d’institutions africaines d’appui au commerce qui collaborent pour permettre aux entreprises de trouver des opportunités au-delà de leurs marchés régionaux. Le renforcement de ces liens contribuera à permettre à un plus grand nombre d’entreprises de se développer à l’échelle transfrontalière et de tirer parti des possibilités offertes par la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf).
M. Haytham El Maayergi, Vice-président exécutif, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, a déclaré : « Le commerce repose sur les relations, mais pour de nombreuses entreprises, l’identification des partenaires de confiance et l’accès aux services adaptés pour commercer au-delà des frontières peuvent constituer un défi de taille. L’Africa Trade Gateway est conçue pour combler ce fossé en mettant les entreprises en relation avec des acheteurs, des fournisseurs et des institutions financières de confiance, ainsi qu’avec les services dont elles ont besoin pour transformer les opportunités en transactions concrètes. Notre collaboration avec l’EABC aide un grand nombre d’entreprises d’Afrique de l’Est à accéder à de nouveaux marchés avec plus de confiance. En tirant parti des réseaux de confiance et des services numériques disponibles via l’Africa Trade Gateway, les entreprises peuvent nouer des liens fructueux, saisir de nouvelles opportunités et participer plus activement à l’économie numérique africaine en pleine croissance. À mesure que les entreprises parviennent à établir des contacts fructueux et à développer leurs échanges commerciaux, le réseau se renforce, créant ainsi un cercle vertueux d’opportunités et de croissance à l’échelle du continent ».
Dans son allocution, M. Ahmed Farah, Directeur général de l’East African Business Council, a déclaré : « L’EABC donne aux entreprises d’Afrique de l’Est les moyens d’agir en leur fournissant des informations sur les opportunités de marché offertes par la ZLECAf, les règles d’origine, les concessions tarifaires, les procédures douanières et les exigences en matière d’exportation, en plus d’un accompagnement sur mesure concernant l’entrée sur le marché et la préparation à l’exportation. En tant que partenaire du corridor commercial, l’Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) d’Afreximbank, l’EABC met les entreprises en relation avec l’écosystème, leur permettant ainsi d’accéder à des services de mise en relation entre entreprises et à des solutions de financement du commerce susceptibles de faciliter les échanges intra-africains dans le cadre de la ZLECAf. »
L’Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) est l’écosystème de commerce numérique phare d’Afreximbank, qui met en relation des entreprises, des institutions financières et des partenaires commerciaux à travers l’Afrique et au-delà. À partir d’une plateforme unique et intégrée, l’ATG relie les entreprises à des partenaires de confiance et à des services facilitant le commerce — financement du commerce, paiements, conformité, logistique et intelligence de marché — afin de faciliter les transactions transfrontalières.
Lancée en juin 2023, l’ATG est désormais présente dans plus de 45 pays africains, reliant 45 institutions de soutien au commerce, 110 banques commerciales et 25 000 entreprises vérifiées, avec un portefeuille d’opportunités de 4,5 milliards de dollars US couvrant les produits de base, les minerais, le pétrole et le gaz, les produits de grande consommation et d’autres produits fabriqués en Afrique. En regroupant les services nécessaires au commerce, l’ATG aide les entreprises à commercer avec davantage de confiance, d’efficacité et à plus grande échelle.
Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.
Contact Presse :
Vincent Musumba
Responsable de la communication et des événements (relations avec les médias)
Courriel : press@afreximbank.com
Suivez Afreximbank sur :
X : https://apo-opa.co/4yPnnkh
Facebook : https://apo-opa.co/4yvWqSt
LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/4yAjhfA
Instagram : https://apo-opa.co/4ym5pot
Suivez EABC sur :
X : https://apo-opa.co/475VdVN
Facebook : https://apo-opa.co/4y0Ekqo
LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/47xVu3V
Instagram : https://apo-opa.co/3W6zz1e
À propos d’Afreximbank :
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) est une institution financière multilatérale panafricaine dédiée au financement et à la promotion du commerce intra et extra-africain. Depuis 30 ans, Afreximbank déploie des structures innovantes pour fournir des solutions de financement qui facilitent la transformation de la structure du commerce africain et accélèrent l’industrialisation et le commerce intrarégional, soutenant ainsi l’expansion économique en Afrique. Fervente défenseur de l’Accord sur la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), Afreximbank a lancé les le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) qui a été adopté par l’Union africaine (UA) comme la plateforme de paiement et de règlement devant appuyer la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf. En collaboration avec le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf et l’UA, la Banque a mis en place un Fonds d’ajustement de 10 milliards de dollars US pour aider les pays à participer de manière effective à la ZLECAf. À la fin de décembre 2025, le total des actifs et des garanties de la Banque s’élevait à environ 48,5 milliards de dollars US et les fonds de ses actionnaires s’établissaient à 8,4 milliards de dollars US. Afreximbank est notée AAA par China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), A par GCR, A- par Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) et Baa2 par Moody’s. Moody’s (Baa2) et S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). La Banque a son siège social au Caire, en Égypte.
Pour plus d’ informations, veuillez visiter : www.Afreximbank.com
À propos de l’EABC :
L’East African Business Council (EABC) est l’organisme faîtier de défense des intérêts des associations du secteur privé et des entreprises des huit États partenaires de la Communauté de l’Afrique de l’Est (CAE) : le Kenya, la République démocratique du Congo, la République fédérale de Somalie, la Tanzanie, le Rwanda, le Burundi, l’Ouganda et le Soudan du Sud. Créé en 1997, l’EABC vise l’excellence et constitue la plateforme régionale la plus réputée permettant aux entreprises d’identifier les obstacles au commerce et aux investissements et d’élaborer conjointement des solutions visant à réduire le coût des activités commerciales, à stimuler la croissance du commerce et des investissements intrarégionaux et à faire progresser les réformes en faveur d’une économie diversifiée, compétitive, axée sur les exportations, intégrée et durable en Afrique de l’Est. La raison d’être de l’EABC est de promouvoir des changements dans les politiques publiques afin de créer un environnement plus propice aux affaires au sein de la Communauté de l’Afrique de l’Est (CAE).
Pour plus d’ informations, veuillez visiter : www.EABC-Online.com
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
L’Afrique de l’Ouest célèbre cette année, le quinzième anniversaire du Partenariat de Ouagadougou (PO). Lancé en février 2011 à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), ce cadre unique de coopération régionale a permis de placer la planification familiale au cœur des priorités de santé publique dans neuf pays (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinée, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger, Sénégal et Togo) d’Afrique de l’Ouest.
Quinze ans après sa création, le Partenariat de Ouagadougou s’est imposé comme un espace régional de dialogue, de mobilisation et d’action collective, réunissant gouvernements, société civile, jeunes leaders, partenaires de mise en œuvre, bailleurs et acteurs de la recherche autour d’une ambition commune : faire progresser les droits et l’accès à la santé sexuelle et reproductive et à la planification familiale en Afrique de l’Ouest francophone.
En quinze ans, le PO a contribué à des avancées majeures : renforcement des politiques nationales, mobilisation accrue des ressources domestiques et extérieures, amélioration de l’offre de services et plaidoyer constant pour les Droits en Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive / Planification Familiale (DSSR/PF). Grâce à l’engagement des neuf pays membres, le nombre d’utilisatrices de méthodes contraceptives modernes a significativement progressé, créant une dynamique régionale qui doit désormais être accélérée pour atteindre l’ambition de 13 millions d’utilisatrices à l’horizon 2030. (https://apo-opa.co/4hpnahi)
Quelques chiffres cumulés en 15 ans :
Au-delà de ces chiffres, ces avancées traduisent quinze années de mobilisation collective pour permettre à davantage de personnes, notamment des femmes et des jeunes, de disposer de l’information, des services et du choix nécessaires pour décider librement de leur santé reproductive.
« Ces quinze années nous montrent ce qu’il est possible d’accomplir lorsque les pays, la société civile, les jeunes leaders, les chercheurs et les partenaires avancent dans la même direction. Notre responsabilité aujourd’hui est de préserver ces acquis tout en accélérant nos efforts pour que les ambitions de 2030 se traduisent concrètement dans la vie des femmes et des jeunes d’Afrique de l’Ouest. » Marie Ba, Directrice de l’Unité de Coordination du Partenariat de Ouagadougou.
Cette célébration est l’occasion de souligner une dynamique régionale : tous les 9 pays (https://apo-opa.co/4jCRc2q) du PO disposent de Plans d’Action Nationaux Budgétisés en planification familiale (PANB-PF) ou de plans nationaux pour la santé reproductive, maternelle, néonatale, infantile, des adolescents et des personnes âgées (SRMNIA) en cours de mise en œuvre ou en cours de renouvellement, ce qui favorise une meilleure planification et intégration des politiques de planification familiale.
Dans 3 pays (Niger, Burkina Faso et Côte d’Ivoire) sur 9, l’accès aux méthodes de planification familiale est totalement gratuit sur toute l’étendue du territoire et la possibilité de la gratuité est en cours d’évaluation en Guinée. Dans les pays restants, l’accès est rendu possible grâce à des coûts relativement maîtrisés.
Quelques réalisations des pays
|
Bénin (https://apo-opa.co/4rJkb6J) |
Burkina Faso (https://apo-opa.co/4rMlKAV) |
Côte d’Ivoire (https://apo-opa.co/3VrJWg4) |
|
Guinée (https://apo-opa.co/3Vv9wAH) |
Mali (https://apo-opa.co/3ViXlqG) |
Mauritanie (https://apo-opa.co/4jFAjUR) |
|
Niger (https://apo-opa.co/4jCR8zI) |
Senegal (https://apo-opa.co/4rK4b4u) |
Togo (https://apo-opa.co/4hDuQNb) |
En 2022, le PO s’est par ailleurs doté d’un « agenda recherche » visant à éclairer les décisions des autorités nationales et des partenaires avec des évidences produites localement (https://apo-opa.co/4huE0eP); huit projets de recherche, menés par des instituts ouest-africains, ont déjà été financés et leurs conclusions contribuent aujourd’hui à orienter concrètement les politiques publiques en matière de planification familiale.
Cette volonté de rapprocher davantage la recherche de la décision publique constitue également un axe important du PO : produire des connaissances ancrées dans les réalités ouest-africaines et faire en sorte qu’elles puissent nourrir les politiques, les financements et les programmes.
En 2023, la Réunion Annuelle du Partenariat de Ouagadougou, (RAPO) organisée en Côte d’Ivoire a été marquée par une annonce qui a fait date : le Premier Ministre ivoirien a porté le budget national d’approvisionnement en produits de planification familiale de 400 millions à 2,5 milliards FCFA. Cette décision illustre l’importance croissante de la mobilisation des ressources domestiques pour assurer la pérennité des progrès en matière de planification familiale. Au Mali, un fonds Patronat a été mis en place pour soutenir la santé reproductive et la planification familiale. À l’approche de 2030, l’enjeu sera non seulement de mobiliser davantage de financements nationaux, mais également de s’assurer que les engagements pris se traduisent durablement dans les budgets et les politiques publiques. C’est dans cette optique que s’inscrit la table ronde ministérielle du Partenariat de Ouagadougou qui s’est tenue en marge de la 81e Assemblée générale des Nations Unies, à laquelle les ministres de la santé et des finances ont pris part.
Le Partenariat de Ouagadougou, c’est bien plus qu’une initiative régionale : c’est une coalition d’acteurs (gouvernements, société civile et partenaires techniques et financiers) unis autour d’une même cause. Chacun, à son niveau, mobilise son expertise et ses ressources pour faire reculer les besoins non satisfaits en planification familiale en Afrique de l’Ouest. Sa force réside dans cette capacité à réunir les acteurs autour de priorités communes, à favoriser la redevabilité et à transformer les engagements politiques en actions concrètes pour les femmes, les jeunes et les communautés.
À quinze ans, le PO entre ainsi dans une nouvelle étape de son histoire. Alors que des progrès importants ont été réalisés, les besoins non satisfaits en matière de planification familiale persistent et le contexte régional appelle à préserver les acquis tout en accélérant les efforts.
Le cap fixé pour 2030 est clair : atteindre 13 millions d’utilisatrices de méthodes contraceptives modernes, tout en contribuant à l’Objectif de développement durable 3 et à l’accès équitable à des services de santé sexuelle et reproductive de qualité, fondés sur les droits et le libre choix.
Cette ambition nous rappelle que la planification familiale ne relève pas uniquement de la santé. Elle a des effets sur la vie des femmes et des filles, leurs possibilités d’éducation et leur participation à la vie économique et sociale. Elle contribue ainsi plus largement au développement de nos pays, notamment à l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes, à la réduction de la pauvreté, à la gouvernance et au développement durable.
Les cinq prochaines années seront déterminantes. Le Partenariat appelle à renforcer la mobilisation des ressources domestiques, à préserver l’accès aux services dans tous les contextes, à mieux intégrer les besoins des jeunes, à soutenir les organisations de la société civile et à continuer à faire de la donnée et de la recherche des outils au service de la décision publique.
Le PO invite l’ensemble de ses parties prenantes : États, société civile, partenaires de mise en œuvre, bailleurs, médias, jeunes, chercheurs à poursuivre leurs efforts pour que chaque femme et chaque jeune, où qu’il ou elle vive en Afrique de l’Ouest, puisse exercer pleinement ses droits et accéder à des services de qualité répondant à ses besoins et à ses aspirations.
Distribué par APO Group pour Speak Up Africa.
Pour toute information complémentaire, veuillez contacter :
Mme Armelle Nyobe
Responsable Communication – UCPO
anyobe@partenariatouaga.org
Mme Jensiah Ohouo
Chargée de communication – UCPO
johouo@partenariatouaga.org
Source: APO
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), and the East African Business Council (EABC) have signed the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) Agency Agreement, connecting the region’s enterprises, including SMEs and major exporters, to the 300-million-strong EAC Common Market, and the wider AfCFTA market of 1.3 billion consumers, through digital trade.
The Agreement was signed recently at the inaugural East Africa CEO & Investment Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two organisations.
The EABC has been actively promoting the digital ecosystem to its members and supporting their onboarding. In so doing, the partnership combines EABC’s regional business network with ATG’s digital trade services to help businesses find verified buyers and suppliers across Africa and beyond, access information on trading partners and connect with finance and payment solutions.
The partnership which carries significance for East Africa and the continent at large, enables the East African Business Council (EABC) join a growing network of trade-supporting institutions across Africa that work together to connect businesses with opportunities beyond their regional markets. Strengthening these connections will help more businesses expand across borders and capitalise on the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr Haytham El Maayergi, Executive Vice President – Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank commented: “Trade is built on connections, but for many businesses, identifying trusted partners and accessing the right services to trade across borders can be a significant challenge. The Africa Trade Gateway is designed to bridge that gap by connecting businesses with trusted buyers, suppliers, financial institutions and the services they need to turn opportunities into real transactions. Our collaboration with EABC is helping more businesses within East African access new markets with greater confidence. By leveraging the trusted networks and digital services available through the Africa Trade Gateway, businesses can build meaningful connections, unlock new opportunities and participate more actively in Africa’s growing digital economy. As more businesses successfully connect and trade, the network becomes stronger, creating a virtuous cycle of opportunity and growth across the continent.”
In his remarks, Mr. Ahmed Farah, CEO, East African Business Council said: “EABC is empowering East African enterprises with knowledge on AfCFTA market opportunities, Rules of Origin, tariff concessions, customs procedures and export requirements, complemented by tailored advisory support on market entry and export readiness. As a trade corridor partner for the Afreximbank Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), EABC is connecting enterprises to the ecosystem, enabling access to business-to-business matchmaking and trade finance solutions that can facilitate intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.”
Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) is Afreximbank’s flagship digital trade ecosystem, connecting businesses, financial institutions, and trade partners across Africa and beyond. From a single integrated platform, it links businesses to trusted counterparties and trade-enabling services — trade finance, payments, compliance, logistics, and market intelligence — to facilitate cross-border transactions.
Launched in June 2023, ATG now operates in more than 45 African countries, connecting 45 trade-supporting institutions, 110 commercial banks, and 25,000 verified companies, with an opportunity pipeline of USD 4.5 billion across commodities, minerals, oil and gas, FMCG, and other African-made products. By consolidating the services trade requires, ATG helps businesses trade with greater confidence, efficiency, and scale.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
Media Contact:
Afreximbank
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com
EABC
Email: communications@eabc-online.com
Follow Afreximbank on:
X: https://apo-opa.co/4yPnnkh
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4yvWqSt
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4yAjhfA
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4ym5pot
Follow EABC on:
X: https://apo-opa.co/475VdVN
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4y0Ekqo
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/47xVu3V
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3W6zz1e
About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A strong supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com
About EABC:
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the apex advocacy body of private sector associations and corporates from the 8 East African Community (EAC) Partner States (Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Federal Republic of Somalia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan). Established in 1997, EABC strives for excellence and is the most renowned regional platform for businesses to present barriers to trade & investments and jointly chart out solutions to ease the cost of doing business, drive growth on intra-regional trade and investments and advance reforms for a diversified, competitive, export-led, integrated and sustainable economy in East Africa. EABC’s raison d’être is to seek change in public policy to enhance a conducive environment for business in the EAC.
For more information, visit: www.EABC-Online.com
Source: APO
Mosa Mabuza, CEO of South Africa’s Council for Geoscience (CGS), has been confirmed as a speaker at African Mining Week (AMW) (https://apo-opa.co/4iZMEmD) 2026, taking place from October 14–16 in Cape Town.
Mabuza will participate in the Leveraging Advanced Technologies & AI to Transform Mining Practices for Sustainable Growth panel discussion, alongside representatives from technology, mining and market intelligence companies including Moore Global, S&P Global Energy, KoBold Metals, Smart Innovations Ghana and Geolinks Services. The session will examine how technologies spanning AI, remote sensing, drones and digital mining solutions are transforming mineral exploration, mine development and resource management across Africa.
His participation comes as CGS advances a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening South Africa’s geological intelligence, accelerating exploration and unlocking new investment opportunities across the country’s mineral resource base.
In July 2026, CGS strengthened its international cooperation through a partnership with the Geological Survey of the Netherlands, focused on integrated geoscience mapping, critical raw materials research and policy development under the South Africa–European Union Country Window.
A partnership with global mining company BHP will leverage the company’s global experience in advanced geomapping to map South Africa’s geology, unlock new exploration blocks, and attract fresh capital.
CGS is further advancing the digital transformation of South Africa’s geological information through the development of Africa’s first Virtual Core Library. The initiative is digitizing the country’s national drill-core archive, enabling geological material to be accessed remotely and analyzed using modern technologies to support exploration and scientific research.
The council achieved a significant milestone in July 2026 when its Analytical Services laboratory attained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, strengthening the quality and international credibility of its scientific and analytical services.
Its February 2026 partnership with Gabon’s Ministry of Mines and Geological Services aims to capitalize on South Africa’s expertise in mining and geological surveys to support the development of Gabon’s mineral sector.
Coming into this picture, AMW 2026 represents an ideal platform for CGS to highlight emerging, lucrative investment opportunities within South Africa’s mining sector. The event will showcase how data-driven exploration can reduce exploration risk, improve efficiency and accelerate the development of Africa’s mineral resources.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Source: APO
Environmental conservation and community participation remain vital to protecting Kenya’s natural ecosystems while strengthening peaceful coexistence among communities that depend on shared natural resources.
The General Officer Commanding Central Command (CENTCOM), Major General Kamoiro, accompanied by the Commander Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU), Brigadier A. M. Saman, and other senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) commanders, joined local communities and conservation stakeholders during the fifth edition of the Mukogodo Walk Wild event held at Lokusero in Mukogodo Forest.
Mukogodo Forest is Kenya’s largest dryland forest ecosystem and an important wildlife corridor connecting the landscapes of Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu counties. Beyond its ecological significance, the forest supports surrounding communities and wildlife, making its conservation critical to environmental sustainability and harmonious coexistence.
Hosted at Lokusero Secondary School, the annual Mukogodo Walk Wild brought together local communities, conservation partners, corporate organisations, government agencies and multi-agency security personnel to promote environmental awareness and undertake practical conservation activities.
Participants took part in guided forest walks and nature trail experiences designed to deepen their appreciation of the forest ecosystem and its biodiversity. The event also featured tree planting and ecosystem restoration activities, conservation awareness campaigns, cultural performances and exhibitions showcasing local heritage.
The activities provided an opportunity for participating organisations and communities to strengthen collaboration in safeguarding the Mukogodo ecosystem while highlighting the important relationship between conservation, livelihoods and security.
Also present was the Member of Parliament for Laikipia North Constituency, Hon. Sarah Paulata Korere, alongside local community and conservancy leaders.
KDF participation in the Mukogodo Walk Wild highlights the broader contribution of the military to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Through cooperation with communities, conservation organisations and other government agencies, the KDF continues to support initiatives that protect critical ecosystems while fostering trust and peaceful coexistence.
The engagement further demonstrated the value of multi-agency and community partnerships in addressing environmental challenges, strengthening resilience and preserving Kenya’s natural heritage for future generations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.
Source: APO
Advances in specialised medical care are strengthening the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) health system, expanding access to complex treatment while reducing the need to refer patients to external healthcare facilities.
Defence Forces Memorial Hospital (DFMH) has achieved a major medical milestone after successfully conducting its first red blood cell exchange using the newly acquired Spectra Optia® apheresis system.
The procedure, performed at the hospital’s Renal Unit on 2 October 2026, involved a 15-year-old female patient living with sickle cell disease. Its successful completion marks an important expansion of DFMH’s capacity to manage complex blood disorders through specialised and technology-enabled care.
Apheresis is an advanced blood-processing procedure that selectively separates specific components of a patient’s blood while returning the remaining components to the body. The technology enables clinicians to undertake specialised therapeutic procedures tailored to particular medical conditions.
During a red blood cell exchange, abnormal or sickled red blood cells are removed from the patient’s circulation and replaced with compatible donor red blood cells. This reduces the proportion of sickled cells in the bloodstream and can form part of specialised management for patients with sickle cell disease.
The introduction of the capability at DFMH represents more than the successful completion of a single procedure. It expands the hospital’s ability to provide specialised haematological interventions within the KDF healthcare system, enabling eligible patients who require red blood cell exchange to access the service at the facility.
The acquisition of the Spectra Optia® system also provides a platform for the progressive development of other therapeutic apheresis procedures and advanced transfusion support.
As the service develops, it is expected to strengthen multidisciplinary management of patients with complex haematological and other conditions requiring specialised blood-component therapy.
For KDF personnel, their families and other eligible beneficiaries, the new capability enhances access to advanced medical treatment while strengthening continuity of care within the military health system.
The milestone demonstrates DFMH’s continued advancement as a specialised referral facility and highlights the role of modern medical technology, skilled healthcare professionals and sustained capability development in improving patient outcomes.
By integrating advanced therapeutic technologies into clinical practice, DFMH continues to strengthen its capacity to provide comprehensive, specialised and patient-centred healthcare in support of the health and well-being of the Defence community.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.
Source: APO
West Africa is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the Ouagadougou Partnership (OP) this year. Launched in February 2011 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), this unique regional cooperation framework has helped place family planning at the heart of public health priorities in nine West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo).
Fifteen years after its creation, the Ouagadougou Partnership has established itself as a regional space for dialogue, mobilisation and collective action, bringing together governments, civil society, young leaders, implementing partners, donors and researchers around a shared ambition: to advance rights and access to sexual and reproductive health and family planning in French-speaking West Africa.
Over fifteen years, the OP has contributed to major advances: stronger national policies, greater mobilisation of domestic and external resources, improved service provision and sustained advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights / family planning (SRHR/FP). Thanks to the commitment of the nine member countries, the number of female users of modern contraceptive methods has risen significantly, creating a regional momentum that must now be accelerated to reach 13 million female users by 2030. (https://apo-opa.co/4hpnahi)
A few cumulative figures over 15 years:
Beyond these figures, these advances reflect fifteen years of collective mobilisation to enable more people, particularly women and young people, to have the information, services and choice they need to decide freely about their reproductive health.
“These fifteen years show what can be achieved when countries, civil society, young leaders, researchers and partners work hand in hand. Our responsibility today is to preserve these gains while accelerating our efforts so that the 2030 ambitions translate concretely into the lives of women and young people in West Africa.” Marie Ba, Director of the Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination Unit.
This celebration is an opportunity to highlight a regional dynamic: all nine OP countries (https://apo-opa.co/4jCRc2q) can count on National family planning action plans (PANB-PF) or National plans for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and older people health (SRMNIA) under implementation or renewal, which supports better planning and integration of family planning policies.
In 3 of the 9 countries (Niger, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire), access to family planning methods is completely free of charge across the entire national territory, and the possibility of free access is under consideration in Guinea. In the remaining countries, access is made possible through relatively controlled costs.
Some achievements, by country
|
Benin (https://apo-opa.co/4rJkb6J) |
Burkina Faso (https://apo-opa.co/4rMlKAV) |
Côte d’Ivoire (https://apo-opa.co/3VrJWg4) |
|
Guinea (https://apo-opa.co/3Vv9wAH) |
Mali (https://apo-opa.co/3ViXlqG) |
Mauritania (https://apo-opa.co/4jFAjUR) |
|
Niger (https://apo-opa.co/4jCR8zI) |
Senegal (https://apo-opa.co/4rK4b4u) |
Togo (https://apo-opa.co/4hDuQNb) |
In 2022, the OP also adopted a “research agenda” aimed at informing the decisions of national authorities and partners with locally produced evidence (https://apo-opa.co/4huE0eP); eight research projects, led by West African institutes, have already been funded and their findings now help to steer public family planning policies in practical terms.
This determination to bring research closer to public decision-making is also a key focus of the OP: producing knowledge rooted in West African realities and ensuring that it can feed into policies, financing and programmes.
In 2023, the Annual Meeting of the Ouagadougou Partnership, held in Côte d’Ivoire, was marked by an announcement that made history: the Ivorian Prime Minister raised the national budget for the procurement of family planning products from 400 million to 2.5 billion XOF. This decision illustrates the growing importance of mobilising domestic resources to ensure the sustainability of progress in family planning. In Mali, an employers’ fund has been set up to support reproductive health and family planning. As 2030 approaches, the challenge will be not only to mobilise more national financing, but also to ensure that the commitments made translate durably into budgets and public policies. This is the context for the Ouagadougou Partnership’s ministerial round table held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, which was attended by ministers of health and finance.
The Ouagadougou Partnership is much more than a regional initiative: it is a coalition of actors (governments, civil society and technical and financial partners) united around a common cause. Each, at its own level, mobilises its expertise and its resources to reduce the unmet need for family planning in West Africa. Its strength lies in this ability to bring actors together around shared priorities, to foster accountability and to turn political commitments into concrete action for women, young people and communities.
Now in its fifteenth year, the OP is therefore entering a new chapter in its history. While significant progress has been made, unmet need for family planning persists, and the regional context calls for preserving gains even as efforts are accelerated.
The course set for 2030 is clear: to reach 13 million users of modern contraceptive methods, while contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 3 and to equitable access to quality sexual and reproductive health services based on rights and free choice.
This ambition reminds us that family planning is not solely a health matter. It affects the lives of women and girls, their educational opportunities and their participation in economic and social life. It therefore contributes more broadly to the development of our countries, in particular to gender equality, poverty reduction, governance and sustainable development.
The next five years will be decisive. The Partnership calls for strengthening the mobilisation of domestic resources, preserving access to services in all contexts, better integrating the needs of young people, supporting civil society organisations and continuing to make data and research tools serving public decision-making.
The OP invites all its stakeholders — states, civil society, implementing partners, donors, media, young people and researchers — to pursue their efforts so that every woman and every young person, wherever they live in West Africa, can fully exercise their rights and access quality services that meet their needs and aspirations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Speak Up Africa.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Armelle Nyobe
Communications Manager – UCPO
anyobe@partenariatouaga.org
Ms Jensiah Ohouo
Communications Officer – UCPO
johouo@partenariatouaga.org
