Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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In a bid to strengthen institutional capacity for legislation, oversight and representation, Parliament will start an e-Parliament project.

This is contained in Parliament’s Strategic Plan for the financial years, 2025/2026-2029/2030 that was launched at Parliament on Friday, 26 September 2025.

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among in her speech delivered for her by the Zombo District Woman Representative, Hon. Esther Afoyochan, said that the Parliamentary Commission will support the implementation of the plan through an enabling legal and policy framework and mechanisms for transformation such as digitisation and digitalisation of processes, among others. 

“Together, let us build a Parliament that is people-centred, efficient, innovative, and accountable; a Parliament that truly reflects the aspirations of Ugandans today and for generations to come,” said Among.

She said that the plan will strengthen the independence and effectiveness of Parliament, improve the quality of legislation, deepen oversight of public resources, enhance citizen participation and promote transparency and accountability in governance.

Parliament’s Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Racheal Emaasit said that the e-Parliament project will entail investment in modern information technology and staff, and robust cyber security protocols.

According to the Strategic Plan, Parliament systems will be automated and contingency plans established, in case of infrastructure failures.

Emaasit added that Parliament will establish a secretariat responsible for streamlining the tracking of the institution’s contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Emaasit said that the SDG Secretariat will ensure that there is a mechanism in place to track and report implementation of SDGs. 

“In order to streamline the tracking of Parliament’s contribution to the SDGs, it is paramount to put in place a dedicated SDGs Secretariat and a mechanism of tracking and reporting the implementation of SDGs by Parliament,” she said.

She added that it is aligned to the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) with the overall goal of becoming a people centred Parliament. 

“We want to strengthen citizen participation in our processes, strengthen the capacity of Parliament to scrutinise and approve budgets and develop physical infrastructure,” she said.

By so doing, Emaasit said that Parliament will improve the legislative process from 62 per cent to 85 per cent, improve budget alignment to NDP IV from 71.4 per cent to 90 per cent and improve responsiveness of Parliament to the needs of the citizenry from 57 per cent to 75 per cent.

The Clerk to Parliament, Hon. Adolf Mwesige made a reassurance that Parliament’s Strategic Plan is responsive to the guidelines of NDP IV. 

“We have a shared commitment to strengthening the capacity, performance and relevance of Parliament in delivering its constitutional mandate,” said Mwesige.

The Deputy Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, Charles Oleny said that the planning body expects Parliament’s Strategic Plan to deliver tangible results that are effective, timely and development-oriented legislation. 

“Parliament should adopt Information Communication Technology, enhanced research capacity and a professional well-resourced Parliamentary Service to ensure institutional efficiency and digitisation,” said Oleny.

He added that parliamentary committees ought to deepen scrutiny of public expenditure and government performance guided by data, facts and fairness, as well as ensure inclusive and citizen centered representation.

“This therefore, ensures that the voices of all Ugandans, especially, women, youth and the marginalised groups are heard and acted upon,” Oleny said.

The Deputy Head of Public Service, Mary Wanene, who represented the Head of Public Service, Lucy Nakyobe said that the Ministry of Public Service will collaborate with Parliament to ensure that the national development agenda is efficiently and effectively implemented. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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In a powerful address at the Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference, Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs called on Liberians across the globe to unite under the banner of reconciliation, national healing, and shared prosperity. The conference, held in Washington, D.C., convened diaspora leaders, government officials, and development partners to explore collaborative pathways for Liberia’s future.

During her remarks, Minister Nyanti drew parallels between the conference theme— “Building the Future Together”—and the global theme at this year’s UN General Assembly, “Better Together.” She highlighted the growing trend of isolationism worldwide and contrasted it with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision of inclusivity and unity. “While others are walking away, President Boakai wants us to embrace each other,” she said. “This is not just about us—it’s about the generations unborn.”

The Minister emphasized that Liberia’s progress is inseparable from its diaspora. She acknowledged the widespread perception that diaspora engagement is centered in the United States, but clarified that the vision extends globally. “Liberians are everywhere—on every continent—and they are all essential to our national agenda,” she stated.

She praised the unquantifiable love and support Liberians abroad continue to show through medical missions, scholarships, and community projects. However, she stressed the need for structure and visibility: “We must know who is doing what. That has to change.”

To address this gap, Minister Nyanti announced a strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco to develop a comprehensive diaspora database. This system will empower Liberian embassies and consulates to track diaspora locations, skill sets, and contributions. “We cannot manage what we cannot measure,” she declared. “This data will serve not just the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also the Ministry of Health, Education, Commerce, and the National Investment Commission.”

She illustrated the urgency by citing examples of other nations—India, Israel, Ethiopia—whose organized diasporas play measurable roles in national development. Liberia, she said, must follow suit.

Minister Nyanti underscored the Ministry’s dual responsibility: to engage the diaspora in development and to protect their rights abroad. “We need you, but you also need us,” she said. “This is about protection and partnership—working together under the leadership of President Boakai to build a stronger Liberia.”

In a moment of national pride, Minister Nyanti announced Liberia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the first time in its history. She recounted Liberia’s previous partial term in 1961 and emphasized that this time, Liberia earned the full mandate. “This is a testament to the credibility and integrity of our leadership,” she said. “We bring to the international stage our collective experiences—our resilience, our voice, and our commitment to a just and peaceful world.”

The Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference was not merely a gathering—it was a declaration of purpose. Under the leadership of President Boakai and the stewardship of Minister Nyanti, Liberia is forging a path of unity, discovery, and global partnership. The nation is ready to build its future together—with every Liberian, everywhere.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Source: APO

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors has approved a $10 million trade finance transaction guarantee facility for Exim Bank Tanzania Limited to unlock and de-risk trade deals.

The facility will provide up to 100 percent guarantees to international confirming banks against risks of non-payment. This support will release trade finance lines for Exim, expand access to essential imports, and strengthen Tanzania’s private sector.

The new facility is expected to support up to $60 million in trade transactions over three years. The support will help Exim reduce its dependence on scarce foreign exchange collateral required by international banks, thus freeing resources for more productive lending to local businesses active in intra-African and international trade.

Supporting trade is a key priority of the African Development Bank, the Head of Trade Finance, Lamin Drammeh said, following the approval. “Trade finance is essential for Africa’s economic development, facilitating both domestic and international trade, boosting economic growth and promoting regional integration.”

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up over 90% of Tanzanian businesses and account for a third of GDP. However, a $1.3 billion annual trade finance gap limits progress and continues to hold them back.

“SMEs and corporates are vital engines of industrialization, innovation, and job creation, and this facility will remove barriers to cross-border trade while opening doors for new partnerships with global and regional financial institutions,” Jaffari Matundu, Chief Executive Officer of Exim Bank Tanzania Limited said.

Key sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and manufacturing will benefit by supporting the imports of essential goods such as fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, and farming equipment, as well as the export of Tanzanian commodities like coffee, cashew, and cotton.

Exim Bank is Tanzania’s fourth largest bank, with operations in Uganda, Djibouti, and Comoros. The facility will be implemented through agreements with Exim and participating confirming banks.

This project aligns with the African Development Bank’s 2024-2033 Ten-Year Strategy, the 2021-2025 Tanzania Country Strategy Paper which prioritizes improved private sector business environment for job creation through improved private sector access to finance, and the government’s Tanzania Vision 2025, which emphasizes a strong, competitive economy.

“This partnership with Exim Bank Tanzania demonstrates the African Development Bank Group’s commitment to reducing Tanzania’s trade finance gap, empowering local businesses to compete globally and create more jobs across the country,” Drammeh said.

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

Media contact:
Christin Roby,
Communication and External Relations Department,
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Represented in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO – Report:

The African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) has released a “Review of African Inland Fisheries,” calling for urgent investment in restoring aquatic habitats and integrating fisheries into broader water resource management to safeguard livelihoods for millions of Africans.

The report highlights the sector’s critical role beyond nutrition, stressing its contribution to resilience, income diversification, and social cohesion. It estimates that Africa has around five million full- or part-time fishers with more than 10 million people — half of them women – dependent on inland fisheries when subsistence fishing is included.

“Realising this potential is crucial to meeting the food and nutritional demands of Africa’s growing population,” the Review warns. “However, this cannot be achieved without a harmonised and integrated approach to other activities that are necessary for development, from energy production to agriculture and industrial activities.”

While inland fisheries have shown natural resilience to climate change, their sustainability depends on the health of aquatic ecosystems and sound water governance. The report urges investment in restoring habitats in modified landscapes, such as reservoirs, adopting nature-based solutions like reconnecting floodplains, reducing pollution and rehabilitating riparian zones. Such measures would not only boost fish production but also improve water quality and provide flood protection.

Protecting critical habitats, particularly in degraded areas such as Lake Victoria’s marshes and Senegal’s heavily polluted Falémé River, is identified as a priority. The report also notes opportunities to combine energy and fisheries development by restoring artificial floods downstream of hydroelectric dams, which has been attempted on Kenya’s Tana River or on the Senegal River.

The publication builds on a joint appeal made in Dakar in September 2024 by the African Development Bank Group and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) (http://apo-opa.co/4mGkFXc), which urged greater recognition of the economic and social contributions of inland fisheries.

Read the Review of African Inland Fisheries (here: http://apo-opa.co/4npAEKB) 

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

Contact:
Alexis Adélé,
Communications and External Relations Department,
African Development Bank,
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Represented in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org