Source: APO – Report:
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HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire Robert Beugre Mambe has met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the country Mubarak bin Hussein Al Marri.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Qatar and Cote d’Ivoire.
– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.
Source: APO – Report:
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The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, received in audience H.E. Alfredo Miranda, Ambassador of Mexico, followed by Honourable Minister Jack Chambers, Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalization, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday 18 March 2026.
The meetings form part of the Commission President’s ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, deepening bilateral relations, and enhancing partnerships with international stakeholders.
During discussions with Ambassador Miranda, who is at the end of his mandate, both parties explored avenues for increased collaboration between ECOWAS and Mexico, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, trade, and shared global priorities. The engagement underscored the importance of fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that support regional development and integration.
During the meeting, discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation in public sector reform, infrastructure development, and digital transformation between ECOWAS Member States, Ireland, and the European Union. The dialogue highlighted Ireland’s experience in governance innovation and the potential for knowledge exchange to support ECOWAS Member States in enhancing institutional efficiency and service delivery.
Dr. Touray reiterated the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to promoting regional integration, peace, and security, while strengthening collaboration with both Member States and international partners. He emphasized the strategic importance of sustained diplomatic engagement in addressing shared challenges and unlocking new opportunities for development across West Africa.
The ECOWAS Commission continues to engage with key global partners to advance its mandate of economic integration, stability, and prosperity for the region.
– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Source: APO – Report:
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Trade expansion, institutional cooperation, and the implementation of existing agreements were at the forefront of discussions this morning as the Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Sebastien Pillay, received Hon. Christine Nkulikiyinka, Special Envoy of President Paul Kagame, during a courtesy call at State House.
During the engagement, the Vice President spoke of the strong and longstanding ties between Seychelles and Rwanda, noting the shared values and mutual respect that continue to underpin relations between the two countries.
Discussions centred on advancing cooperation in key sectors, including education, tourism and agriculture. In this regard, the Vice President proposed the establishment of a designated focal point of contact to facilitate coordination and enhance the implementation of joint initiatives.
Trade and export opportunities were also explored, with particular emphasis on opening new avenues for Seychelles’ maritime products in the Rwandan market.
The exchange also addressed collaboration in public service delivery, institutional capacity building, and the sharing of expertise, reflecting a common ambition to strengthen governance and drive sustainable development.
During the 2023 State Visit of President Paul Kagame to Seychelles, a comprehensive framework for cooperation across key sectors, including health, agriculture, tourism, investment and security, was established. Among these was a visa waiver arrangement aimed at facilitating the movement of people between the two countries, alongside strengthened collaboration in law enforcement and institutional capacity building. The ongoing engagement signals a shared commitment to advancing the implementation of these initiatives while exploring new avenues for partnership.
Vice President Pillay conveyed Seychelles’ appreciation for the continued engagement and partnership with Rwanda, noting the importance of sustained dialogue in advancing common development objectives.
Hon. Nkulikiyinka, who is also Rwanda’s Minister for Public Service and Labour, conveyed warm greetings from President Paul Kagame and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and fostering closer cooperation with Seychelles.
The courtesy call reflects the enduring friendship between the two nations and their mutual dedication to promoting good governance and regional collaboration.
Before concluding the visit, the Vice President invited the Minister to take the opportunity to experience Seychelles’ natural beauty and visit key sites of interest during her stay.
– on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Source: APO – Report:
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The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, on Wednesday set the tone for transparency in public office by becoming the first to submit his declaration of assets to the Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles (ACCS), leading a coordinated exercise across the country’s highest offices.
The President’s submission was followed by the Vice President, Mr Sebastien Pillay, and members of the Cabinet ministers, with all 14 completing the process, underscoring a collective adherence to the principles of good governance and ethical leadership.
The move reflects the government’s continued efforts to uphold public trust and strengthen institutional accountability, as senior office holders fulfil their legal obligations under the asset declaration framework.
The legal framework for the declaration of assets in Seychelles was formally established with the enactment of the Public Persons (Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests) Act, 2016, introduced as part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption in public office. The law requires designated public officials to declare their assets, liabilities, and business interests, and establishes a mechanism for oversight.
In the years that followed, the legislation underwent several amendments, reflecting evolving policy priorities. Notably, in 2021, significant changes were introduced, including the transfer of oversight functions to ACCS and the removal of the requirement for public officials to declare the assets of their spouses and immediate family members; a-move that sparked debate over transparency and accountability.
Subsequent reforms have sought to revisit and strengthen aspects of the law. Recent legislative proposals and amendments, including those in 2025, aim to reintroduce provisions relating to the declaration of assets of immediate family members and refine definitions within the Act, signaling a continued effort to enhance the effectiveness of the asset declaration regime.
The coordinated submission of declarations by the country’s leadership highlights a unified approach to reinforcing transparency and ensuring that public office is exercised in the interest of the people of Seychelles.
– on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Source: Government of Qatar
Brussels, March 19, 2026
The State of Qatar has participated in a meeting of the NATO Council with the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries, held at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
The session was chaired by HE NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska. Charge d’Affaires at Qatar’s Mission to the European Union and NATO, Sara bint Ahmed Al Mohannadi, represented the country at the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Al Mohannadi welcomed NATO’s stance condemning Iranian attacks and expressing full solidarity with Qatar. She said Doha had warned, since the start of the war in Gaza, of the risk of escalation leading to wider regional tensions.
She stated that since February 28, Qatar had been subjected to “shocking and unexpected” Iranian attacks, undermining trust particularly as they originated from a neighboring country. She added that the strikes targeted not only military sites but also critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.
The Qatari official reiterated that the attacks threaten global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt international aviation supply chains, with wider economic repercussions.
Qatar reiterated its strong condemnation of Iran’s use of ballistic missiles and drones against its territory, calling it a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a serious escalation threatening regional stability. The country also affirmed its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Al Mohannadi added that Qatar had also condemned attacks targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Lebanon, the Republic of Iraq, the Republic of Turkiye, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Cyprus. She expressed full solidarity with these countries in safeguarding their sovereignty and security.
She stressed that such attacks undermine mediation and dialogue efforts long supported by Qatar and Oman, while welcoming UN Security Council resolution 2817, which condemns the strikes and reaffirms respect for sovereignty and civilian protection.
The diplomat also welcomed a statement by European Union leaders and foreign ministers emphasizing de-escalation, regional security, freedom of navigation, and energy security, and underlined that Qatar’s partnerships with the United States and other allies remain “firm and unquestionable”.
She concluded by reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to working with partners to reduce tensions, end hostilities, and return to diplomatic solutions aimed at strengthening regional stability.
Source: Government of Qatar
London, March 19, 2026
The State of Qatar has strongly condemned Iran’s attacks and threats against commercial shipping and maritime infrastructure, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, as a “clear violation” of international law and the principles of freedom of navigation.
The statement was delivered by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the IMO, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, during the 36th extraordinary session of the IMO council, dedicated to addressing the blatant aggression against Gulf states and its implications for maritime navigation, including the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
His Excellency reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of the attacks targeting its territory, as well as those against the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, noting that such actions represent a violation of state sovereignty and a breach of the principles of the United Nations Charter.
He also welcomed United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, which condemned these attacks, stressing the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and adherence to international law.
The ambassador highlighted that these attacks directly impact the safety and security of maritime navigation, endanger the lives of innocent seafarers, and threaten the stability of one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors. He warned that this could lead to serious repercussions for global trade, supply chains, and energy security.
He further emphasized the need to protect seafarers and safeguard international maritime security and freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international law. He rejected any actions or threats that hinder maritime passage and affirmed Qatar’s support for the efforts of the International Maritime Organization and its member states to enhance maritime safety and security.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
Le Projet d’Appui à l’Entrepreneuriat au Bénin (PAEB) franchit une nouvelle étape dans sa mission de promotion du tissu entrepreneurial national. Après une première phase jugée concluante, ayant permis d’accompagner 160 petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) dans des domaines diversifiés, dont 46 femmes et plus de 3,3 Milliards de FCFA déployés, le programme a procédé au lancement officiel de sa cohorte 2026.
La cérémonie s’est tenue le mardi 17 mars 2026 au Novotel à Cotonou, à l’occasion d’une matinée d’échanges, en présence des acteurs clés de l’écosystème entrepreneurial, ainsi que du Ministre des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises et de la Promotion de l’Emploi, Monsieur Modeste Tihounté KEREKOU.
Mis en œuvre par l’Agence de Développement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (ADPME), avec l’appui technique et financier de l’Agence Française de Développement (AFD) et de l’Union européenne (UE) pour un montant global de 32,2 Millions d’euros sur la période de 2023-2028, le PAEB vise à structurer, et renforcer l’accès aux services techniques et financiers destinés aux MPME béninoises afin d’accroître leur compétitivité et leur résilience.
« Notre ambition désormais est d’aller plus loin en accompagnant davantage les entreprises, en renforçant la présence du programme sur l’ensemble du territoire national et en encourageant davantage l’entrepreneuriat féminin » a indiqué Madame Marlène HOUSSOU, Coordonnatrice du PAEB.
Saluant les progrès enregistrés en deux années de mise en œuvre du Programme, la Directrice de l’Agence Française de Développement au Bénin, Madame Laure WEISGERBER laisse entendre que grâce au PAEB, les entrepreneurs, au delà du financement bénéficient d’un écosystème solide et d’un service d’accompagnement de qualité.
Pour le Directeur Général de l’ADPME, Monsieur Laurent GANGBES, les défis restent nombreux mais les résultats enregistrés sont encourageants et il faut les poursuivre, a-t-il martelé.
« Mon entreprise était risquée mais grâce au PAEB, elle est aujourd’hui derisquée » ont laissé entendre les bénéficiaires saluant un programme bien pensé et bien structuré.
Pour 2026, le PAEB veut changer d’échelle pour toucher plus de PME. Ainsi, après une phase de structuration réussie, le programme entre désormais dans une phase d’accélération avec 365 nouvelles PME à accompagner, 7,7 Milliards de FCFA de ressources mobilisées, 40% de femmes entrepreneurs à impacter et une couverture nationale qui sera étendue.
De quoi réjouir le Ministre Modeste Tihounté KEREKOU qui lance un appel vibrant à tous les PME afin qu’ils puissent candidater jusqu’au 31 mars 2026 afin de bénéficier du PAEB pour la croissance et la compétitivité de leurs entreprises. « Vous êtes les créateurs d’emplois et le Gouvernement continuera de prendre toutes les dispositions pour vous faciliter la tâche. Que les entrepreneurs, surtout féminin qui sont dans la salle et qui ne sont même pas ici prennent l’engagement de ce qu’ils seront parmi les 365 PME de 2026 » a indiqué le Ministre.
Le vœu de Modeste Tihounté KEREKOU est de voir plus de moyennes émergées avant la fin du programme. Un engagement pris par la Coordinatrice du programme ainsi que le Directeur Général de l’ADPME.
Le lancement de la cohorte 2026 du PAEB apparaît ainsi comme une opportunité stratégique pour de nombreuses PME, appelées à jouer un rôle déterminant dans le développement économique du Bénin.
Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –
Baixar .tipo
O Governo de Cabo Verde informa que o Banco Mundial aprovou, no dia 18 de março, o financiamento adicional para o Projeto de Melhoria da Conectividade e das Infraestruturas Urbanas de Cabo Verde (P178644), no montante total de 40 milhões de dólares norte-americanos da IDA, dos quais 30 milhões provenientes da Janela de Recuperação de Crises (CRW).
O presente financiamento adicional permitirá, nomeadamente:
(i) expandir o âmbito dos investimentos prioritários, identificados na sequência da rápida mobilização do financiamento inicial;
(ii) apoiar as necessidades de recuperação pós-desastre e de reconstrução resiliente, na sequência das cheias de agosto de 2025 nas ilhas de Barlavento e das chuvas intensas de novembro de 2025 em Santiago;
(iii) acomodar custos adicionais face às estimativas iniciais, decorrentes de ajustamentos de conceção, incluindo o reforço dos padrões de resiliência climática, bem como de atrasos associados a fenómenos meteorológicos extremos e a constrangimentos logísticos, entre outros fatores.
A concretização deste importante marco foi possível graças ao empenho, profissionalismo e espírito de colaboração dos parceiros envolvidos e dos representantes do Ministério das Finanças, nomeadamente da Direção Nacional do Planeamento (DNP) e da Unidade de Gestão de Projetos Especiais (UGPE), bem como do Ministério das Infraestruturas, Ordenamento do Território e Habitação e das demais instituições participantes.
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –
Baixar .tipo
O Ministério da Educação e a Universidade Estadual de Bridgewater assinaram, nesta quarta-feira (18), um Memorando de Entendimento para criar e implementar um Programa de Desenvolvimento de Liderança e Educação para as Futuras Gerações de Líderes Africanos – Intercâmbio de Líderes Africanos (ALEX), a ser realizado em Cabo Verde.
A parceria enquadra-se na visão estratégica do Governo de Cabo Verde de posicionar o país como um polo de conhecimento regional e global.
Consolidando um percurso de mais de vinte anos de parceria e colaboração entre a Universidade Estadual de Bridgewater (BSU) e diversas instituições em Cabo Verde, o protocolo fundamenta-se na vasta experiência da instituição universitária em acolher o Programa Mandela Washington Fellowship para Jovens Líderes Africanos. Este histórico permitiu o envolvimento com milhares de ex-bolseiros que buscam continuamente oportunidades de networking, aprendizagem e desenvolvimento de recursos.
A assinatura deste Memorando com a Bridgewater State University, segundo o Ministro da Educação, Amadeu Cruz, reveste-se de um profundo simbolismo institucional, sobretudo no contexto de final deste mandato.
“O Governo de Cabo Verde atribui especial relevância a este Protocolo, que terá como motor a inovação, considerando que os nossos jovens líderes beneficiarão de níveis superiores de preparação, alinhados com as exigências internacionais. Trata-se de um instrumento estratégico essencial para aferir a qualidade e orientar a evolução das políticas e das práticas educativas, consolidando as bases de um sistema mais robusto, competitivo e orientado para o futuro”, avançou.
É neste sentido que este governante mostrou disponibilidade para participar ativamente no Programa de Desenvolvimento de Liderança e Educação para as Futuras Gerações de Líderes Africanos – Intercâmbio de Líderes Africanos (ALEX), a ser realizado em Cabo Verde, assegurando o necessário endosso institucional e o apoio político à iniciativa.
“Paralelamente, o Ministério continuará a facilitar a coordenação com os parceiros nacionais, reforçando a articulação interinstitucional para garantir o pleno êxito do programa”, acrescentou.
Não obstante, Amadeu Cruz realçou que as universidades e as instituições de investigação aplicada devem dispor de instrumentos eficazes de avaliação da qualidade das aprendizagens, permitindo-lhes aferir o seu desempenho, estabelecer comparações relevantes entre instituições e considerar os diferentes contextos socioeconómicos.
“Este processo é igualmente fundamental para acompanhar a evolução dos indicadores de uma liderança eficaz, contribuindo para a construção de modelos formativos mais robustos e ajustados às necessidades de desenvolvimento do país.”
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.
Source: Government of South Africa
Parliament welcomes Postbank FSP licence
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, has welcomed Postbank’s milestone achievement of successfully registering as a licensed Financial Services Provider (FSP) with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
This means that Postbank is now authorised and regulated to provide financial services that meet the standards set by the regulator, under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS Act).
Diko described the development as a significant milestone in the ongoing journey to transform Postbank into a fully-fledged State-owned bank, capable of advancing financial inclusion and supporting economic participation for all South Africans.
“This is a moment of great progress and affirmation. The licensing of Postbank as a financial services provider signals that the institution is steadily meeting critical regulatory requirements and strengthening its capacity to operate within South Africa’s financial sector,” said Ms Diko.
She further noted that the achievement reflects sustained efforts by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and Postbank to rebuild governance, enhance compliance and restore public confidence in the institution.
“As the committee, we have consistently emphasised the importance of strong governance, accountability and regulatory compliance. This milestone demonstrates that Postbank is moving in the right direction and lays a solid foundation for its evolution into a fully-fledged state-owned bank,” she added.
Diko highlighted Postbank’s strategic importance in extending affordable and accessible financial services, particularly to underserved and rural communities.
She said that a properly capacitated Postbank has the potential to play a transformative role in deepening financial inclusion, reducing the cost of banking and ensuring that no South African is left behind in accessing essential financial services.
While welcoming the progress, Diko stressed that more work remains to be done to secure a full banking licence and achieve operational readiness.
She commended all stakeholders involved in achieving this milestone and looks forward to further progress in the establishment of a state-owned bank that serves the developmental needs of the country. – SAnews.gov.za
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