Category: MIL-OSI

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B20 South Africa: GE Vernova advances global energy security and affordability; supports historic West African grid synchronization

Source: APO – Report:

  • Participating in the B20 Energy Mix & Just Transition Task Force, GE Vernova outlines priorities to help deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.
  • West African Power Pool (WAPP) completes first full regional grid synchronization trial, supported by GE Vernova’s grid software and consulting services expertise.

GE Vernova, Inc. (NYSE: GEV) (www.GEVernova.com) is participating at B20 South Africa as part of the Energy Mix & Just Transition Task Force to help advance practical solutions that scale up more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy, and the grid infrastructure to support it. Alongside B20 participation, the company is highlighting a significant regional integration milestone achieved by the West African Power Pool (WAPP), supported by GE Vernova: WAPP conducted its first full regional electric system synchronization, unifying grid operations across 15 West African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Mauritania. WAPP is a specialized agency of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in charge of promoting and developing power generation and transmission infrastructure, as well as coordinating power exchange among the ECOWAS member states.

 “At this moment, the B20 is a critical avenue to bring the private sector together with the commitments of the public sector to help lift up people through access to sustainable energy – from gas to renewables and a stronger grid – building a stronger future for all. As a member of the Energy Mix & Just Transition Task Force, GE Vernova is advancing practical, context specific solutions to accelerate a just and inclusive transition. And in West Africa, WAPP’s historic electric system synchronization shows what collaboration and technology can deliver,” said Roger Martella, Chief Corporate Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, GE Vernova (https://apo-opa.co/3XEAvHJ).

The electric system synchronization offers several advantages, including enhanced accessibility for countries to tap regional capacity to reduce outages and improve reliability, expand cross-border electricity trading, and better integrate renewables. Building on last year’s deployment of GE Vernova’s GridOS® orchestration software at WAPP’s Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) (https://apo-opa.co/4o1V8bz) in Abomey-Calavi, Benin—the centralized command center for the ECOWAS interconnected grid—GridOS tools support dispatch, stability, and energy-flow forecasting across the network, giving operators real-time visibility to monitor, analyze, and optimize power flows. During the synchronization, GE Vernova’s GridOS® Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) tracked grid dynamics in near real time, while GE Vernova’s Consulting Services provided the technical foundation through Power System Stabilizer (PSS) tuning, governor field testing and settings updates, and coordination of the WAPP network synchronization. GE Vernova’s Grid Automation telecom solution provided the communications backbone linking the ICC to national dispatch centers across West Africa, enabling coordinated regional operations and accurate, real-time data transfer down to the substation level for synchronization decisions. This trial confirms multiple national transmission system operators can operate reliably under ICC coordination and paves the way for an open regional electricity market to enhance cross‑border power exchange across West Africa. This initial synchronization was a trial, with full permanent synchronization targeted for 2026.

At B20 South Africa, GE Vernova is also highlighting talent and skills as critical enablers of the transition. Globally, the GE Vernova Foundation is investing in technical and vocational pathways with a goal to reach 30,000 learners by 2030. In Johannesburg, the Next Engineers program has reached nearly 4,100 learners to date and awarded US$36,000 in scholarships to qualifying graduates. Complementing these efforts, GE Vernova awarded US$83,000 in scholarships to 10 South African graduates through its External Bursary Program, and since 2020 has provided comprehensive bursaries totaling US$7.3 million (R128.5 million) to more than 900 beneficiaries nationwide.

GE Vernova also recently convened the first Mendoza Collective Action Summit, bringing together public, private, and academic leaders to expand access to electricity in underserved communities and establishing the Mendoza Principles to guide future collaboration. “The global efforts underway to electrify the planet should enable all people to share in the benefits of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy – and the economic opportunity it unlocks,” added Roger.

– on behalf of GE Vernova.

For more information, contact:
Abeer Masood
Communications Director – Middle East & Africa
GE Vernova
Abeer.Masood@gevernova.com

Follow GE Vernova:
LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3JQ4fyi)

About GE Vernova​:
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across approximately 100 countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova (www.GEVernova.com), GE Vernova in Middle East & Africa (https://apo-opa.co/3Mfq3nu).

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President notes US “change of mind” on G20 Summit

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa has received notice from the United States indicating a possible change of approach regarding its participation in the G20 Leaders’ Summit, describing the development as a “very positive” sign.

Speaking during a press briefing following his trilateral meeting with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Ramaphosa confirmed that discussions with Washington were ongoing.

READ | President Ramaphosa, EU leaders reaffirm the deepening of partnerships

“We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the Summit,” he said on Thursday evening.

President Ramaphosa noted that the message from the US came just hours before the start of the Leaders’ Summit, prompting urgent engagement to understand the implications and practicalities of its potential participation.

“This comes really at the late hour before the Summit begins, and so therefore we do need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means,” he said. 

Despite the timing, the President struck an optimistic tone, saying South Africa viewed the shift as encouraging. 
“In a way, we see this as a positive sign, very positive because, as I’ve often said, boycott politics never work. It’s always best to be inside the tent than being outside of the tent,” the President said. 

He emphasised the importance of the US presence in global governance structures, saying its engagement strengthens multilateral cooperation.

“The tent is G20, all countries are here and the United States being biggest economy in the world needs to be here. So, it’s pleasing to hear that there is a change of approach, and so we are still discussing how that will manifest,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa is expected to continue high-level engagements with global partners ahead of the commencement of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the weekend.

Earlier in the day the President said the G20 process is moving ahead decisively with or without the United States after US President Donald Trump threatened to block the adoption of any joint declaration under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. 

Speaking to members of the media as he left the G20 Social Summit to address the B20 gathering, President Ramaphosa expressed confidence that negotiations were nearing completion, despite the United States objections.

READ | We will have a declaration, President Ramaphosa says ahead of G20 Summit

He further told journalists he was encouraged by the progress made across multiple G20 tracks, praising the engagements he had held throughout the day.

– SAnews.gov.za

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Un appel à un développement centré sur les personnes et à une justice réparatrice dans les relations Union Africaine (UA)-Union Européenne (UE)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


1. Introduction : l’importance de la voix de l’Église

À l’occasion du sommet UA–UE à Luanda, l’Église catholique en Afrique, représentée par le Symposium des Conférences Épiscopales d’Afrique et de Madagascar (SCEAM) (https://SECAM.org/), adresse un message de préoccupation, de vérité et d’espérance à toutes les personnes de bonne volonté. En tant qu’Église profondément ancrée dans la vie quotidienne des Africains, nous partageons leurs joies, leurs espoirs, ainsi que leurs tristesses et leurs angoisses, en particulier celles des pauvres et des affligés (cf. Gaudium et Spes, n. 1). Notre responsabilité morale repose sur les expériences vécues à travers le continent, dans nos écoles, universités, cliniques, paroisses et communautés.

2. La signification de l’année 2025

L’année 2025 est particulièrement significative, car l’Union Africaine l’a proclamée année de la « Justice pour les Africains et les personnes d’ascendance africaine par le biais de réparations » et lancera la « Décennie des réparations (2026-2036) ». L’Année jubilaire de l’Église catholique appelle à la vérité, au renouveau et à la justice réparatrice. Suite à la COP30 à Belém, où les Églises du Sud Global ont souligné l’urgence de la justice écologique, du financement climatique et du respect des communautés autochtones et locales, le sommet UA–UE doit non seulement négocier, mais aussi écouter, se souvenir et remédier aux injustices historiques.

3. Préoccupations concernant la participation restreinte de la société civile

Le SCEAM souligne les restrictions imposées aux organisations de la société civile dans le processus officiel du sommet. De nombreuses organisations de la société civile africaine, y compris celles prêtes à autofinancer leur participation, ont été exclues. Cela inclut des organisations confessionnelles présentes depuis longtemps sur le terrain, des réseaux humanitaires et judiciaires liés à l’Église, des associations de femmes et de jeunes, ainsi que des organisations d’agriculteurs et d’autochtones. Cette exclusion pose une question morale essentielle : comment un sommet dédié à l’avenir de l’Afrique peut-il ignorer ceux qui soutiennent quotidiennement les communautés africaines ?

4. Le Sommet parallèle des peuples à Luanda

Face à l’incapacité du Sommet officiel à accueillir la société civile africaine, un Sommet parallèle des peuples s’est tenu à l’Université catholique d’Angola à Luanda les 19 et 20 novembre. Il ne s’agit pas d’un acte de rébellion, mais d’une réponse nécessaire à l’insuffisance des canaux de participation, au manque de transparence, aux processus technocratiques descendants et au déséquilibre des pouvoirs entre les institutions et les communautés.

5. Responsabilité historique et appel à la justice réparatrice

L’Église en Afrique attend du sommet UA–UE qu’il fasse preuve d’honnêteté envers l’histoire et d’un engagement sincère en faveur des réparations, en reconnaissant l’impact durable de la traite transatlantique des esclaves, de l’esclavage, du colonialisme, du néocolonialisme et de l’extraction des ressources. Nous sommes préoccupés par le manque d’engagement de l’Union Européenne en faveur de la justice réparatrice pour les Africains et les personnes d’ascendance africaine, alors que certains de ses membres ont bénéficié de la traite transatlantique et de la colonisation. L’héritage de cette exploitation perdure aujourd’hui dans un système commercial injuste et dans le traumatisme transgénérationnel subi par les Africains et les personnes d’ascendance africaine.

6. Développement centré sur les personnes

Guidé par le principe de l’enseignement social de l’Église de la primauté de la personne humaine sur les systèmes, le SCEAM défend un modèle de développement centré sur les personnes. La déclaration conjointe du SCEAM, de la COMECE, de Caritas et du CIDSE met en garde contre le risque que de nombreuses initiatives de l’UA et de l’UE perpétuent des modèles extractifs ; le développement doit bénéficier aux communautés, et non aux intérêts géopolitiques. La justice réparatrice est essentielle, englobant à la fois l’équité structurelle et la guérison réparatrice.

7. Justice économique, dette et justice écologique

La justice économique et la justice en matière de dette sont primordiales, car le fardeau de la dette de l’Afrique, fruit d’injustices historiques, nécessite une réforme sérieuse pour des raisons de justice, et non de pitié. Suite à la COP30 à Belém, il est crucial de respecter la responsabilité écologique, en reconnaissant que la justice écologique est indissociable de la justice sociale. Les forêts, les sources d’eau, les ressources minérales, les zones de biodiversité et les communautés vulnérables d’Afrique ne doivent plus jamais être sacrifiées au profit du profit, de la géopolitique ou d’intérêts extérieurs. Le respect de la souveraineté africaine et de celle de ses peuples est essentiel ; la souveraineté n’appartient pas seulement aux gouvernements, mais aussi aux citoyens.

8. Conclusion : vers un partenariat renforcé entre l’UA et l’UE

L’Église en Afrique espère un partenariat UA–UE renouvelé et renforcé. Cela nécessite toutefois l’inclusion plutôt que l’exclusion et la transparence plutôt que l’opacité. Un partenariat à l’écoute des peuples perdurera ; un sommet véritablement inclusif favorisera la confiance, et un dialogue ancré dans la justice aura le pouvoir de panser les blessures historiques. L’Église en Afrique est prête à accompagner l’Afrique et l’Europe vers un avenir de justice, de paix et de dignité humaine.

Distribué par APO Group pour Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

Contact :
Rév. Père Uchechukwu Obodoechina
Directeur de la Commission Justice, Paix et Développement du SCEAM
secamjpdcdirector@gmail.com
Tél. : +233 55 733 7871

Rév. Père Louison Emerick Bissila Mbila, C.S.Sp.
Chargé de Liaison du SCEAM auprès de l’Union Africaine
secamauliaisonoffice@gmail.com
Tél. : +251 900 485 018

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Um apelo ao desenvolvimento centrado nas pessoas e à justiça reparadora nos compromissos entre a União Africana (UA)-União Europeia (UE)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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1. Introdução: Por que a voz da Igreja é importante

À medida que a Cimeira UA-UE se reúne em Luanda, a Igreja Católica em África, representada pelo Simpósio das Conferências Episcopais de África e Madagáscar (SCEAM) (https://SECAM.org/), dirige-se a todas as pessoas de boa vontade com uma mensagem de preocupação, verdade e esperança. Falamos como uma Igreja profundamente enraizada na vida quotidiana do povo africano, partilhando as suas alegrias e esperanças, bem como as suas dores e ansiedades, particularmente dos pobres e aflitos (cf. Gaudium et Spes, n. 1). A nossa responsabilidade moral é informada pelas experiências vividas em todo o continente, através das nossas escolas, universidades, clínicas, paróquias e comunidades.

2. O significado do ano 2025

O ano de 2025 tem um significado particular, uma vez que a União Africana o declarou o Ano da «Justiça para os Africanos e Pessoas de Ascendência Africana através de Reparações» e irá lançar a Década das Reparações (2026-2036). O Ano Jubilar da Igreja Católica apela à verdade, à renovação e à justiça reparadora. Na sequência da COP30 em Belém, onde as vozes das Igrejas do Sul Global sublinharam a necessidade urgente de justiça ecológica, financiamento climático e respeito pelas comunidades indígenas e locais, a Cimeira UA-UE deve não só negociar, mas também ouvir, recordar e abordar injustiças de longa data.

3. Preocupações com a participação restrita da sociedade civil

A SCEAM é obrigada a destacar as restrições impostas às organizações da sociedade civil no processo oficial da Cimeira. Inúmeras organizações da sociedade civil africana, incluindo aquelas dispostas a autofinanciar a sua participação, foram excluídas. Isso inclui organizações religiosas com uma presença de longa data no terreno, redes humanitárias e de justiça ligadas à Igreja, associações de mulheres e jovens, organizações de agricultores e indígenas, movimentos de desenvolvimento local e órgãos de construção da paz e reconciliação. Esta exclusão levanta uma questão moral crítica: como pode uma cimeira focada no futuro de África excluir aqueles que apoiam diariamente as comunidades africanas?

4. A Cimeira Paralela dos Povos em Luanda

Em resposta à incapacidade da Cimeira oficial de acomodar a sociedade civil africana, foi organizada uma Cimeira Paralela dos Povos na Universidade Católica de Angola, em Luanda, nos dias 19 e 20 de novembro. Esta não é um ato de rebelião; é uma resposta necessária à insuficiência de canais participativos, à falta de transparência, aos processos tecnocráticos de cima para baixo e ao desequilíbrio de poder entre instituições e comunidades.

5. Responsabilidade histórica e o apelo à justiça reparadora

A Igreja em África espera que a Cimeira UA-UE demonstre honestidade em relação à história e um compromisso genuíno com as reparações, reconhecendo o impacto contínuo do comércio transatlântico de escravos, da escravatura, do colonialismo, do neocolonialismo, da dominação económica e da extração de recursos como questões de facto histórico e responsabilidade moral. Estamos profundamente preocupados com o facto de a União Europeia não se ter comprometido totalmente com a justiça reparadora para os africanos e pessoas de ascendência africana, apesar de membros importantes terem beneficiado do tráfico transatlântico de escravos e da colonização. O legado desta exploração persiste hoje num sistema comercial injusto e no trauma transgeracional sofrido pelos africanos e pessoas de ascendência africana.

6. Desenvolvimento centrado nas pessoas

Guiada pelo princípio da doutrina social da Igreja da primazia da pessoa humana sobre os sistemas, a SCEAM defende um modelo de desenvolvimento centrado nas pessoas. A declaração conjunta da SCEAM-COMECE-Caritas-CIDSE alerta que muitas iniciativas da UA-UE correm o risco de perpetuar padrões extrativistas; o desenvolvimento deve servir as comunidades, não os interesses geopolíticos. A justiça reparatória é essencial, abrangendo tanto a equidade estrutural como a cura restaurativa.

7. Justiça económica, da dívida e ecológica

A justiça económica e da dívida são cruciais, uma vez que o peso da dívida africana — enraizado na injustiça histórica — requer uma reforma séria por uma questão de justiça, não de piedade. Na sequência da COP30 em Belém, a responsabilidade ecológica deve ser defendida, reconhecendo que a justiça ecológica não pode ser separada da justiça social. As florestas, as fontes de água, os recursos minerais, os pontos críticos de biodiversidade e as comunidades vulneráveis de África nunca mais devem ser sacrificados em nome do lucro, da geopolítica ou de interesses externos. O respeito pela soberania africana e pela soberania do seu povo é vital; a soberania africana pertence não só aos governos, mas também aos seus cidadãos.

8. Conclusão: Rumo a uma parceria reforçada entre a UA e a UE

A Igreja em África espera uma parceria renovada e reforçada entre a UA e a UE. No entanto, isso requer inclusão em vez de exclusão e transparência em vez de opacidade. Uma parceria que ouve as pessoas perdurará; uma cimeira verdadeiramente inclusiva promoverá a confiança e um diá. enraizado na justiça terá o poder de curar feridas históricas. A Igreja em África está pronta para acompanhar África e a Europa rumo a um futuro de justiça, paz e dignidade humana.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

Contato:
Rev.  Pe. Uchechukwu Obodoechina
Diretor da Comissão Justiça, Paz e Desenvolvimento do SCEAM
secamjpdcdirector@gmail.com
Tel. +233 55 733 7871

Rev. Pe. Louison Emerick Bissila Mbila, C.S.Sp.
Oficial de Ligação do SCEAM na União Africana
secamauliaisonoffice@gmail.com
Tel. +251 900 485 018

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Making Universal Energy Access Africa’s Top Climate Priority (By Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani)

Source: APO

By Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani – CEO, EnergyInc Advisors (www.EnergyIncAdvisors.com) /Global Energy Finance and Strategy Leader 

With COP30 underway in Belém, Brazil, the global community is once again confronted with the urgency of climate action. For Africa however, the conversation must begin with a more fundamental question: how do we power the continent so that climate ambition does not outpace development reality?

While advanced economies frame climate progress around how quickly they can retire fossil fuels, Africa’s challenge is more foundational. Millions still lack reliable electricity. Without power, factories cannot operate, digital economies cannot thrive, and essential services – from hospitals to schools – remain constrained. Energy access is not merely a development aspiration. It is the bedrock upon which climate adaptation, resilience, and long-term economic transformation rest.

A transition that must be sequenced, not rushed

Africa’s clean energy potential is undeniable; abundant solar irradiation, strong wind corridors, hydro resources and world-class geothermal prospects. But potential alone will not close the energy gap. Grid constraints, weak storage systems, and limited industrial-scale capacity mean the transition must be phased and sequenced.

Renewables cannot shoulder the entire burden today. Managed, time-bound use of transitional fuels, including natural gas, remains essential to stabilising grids, supporting industry, and powering cities. This is not a call for indefinite fossil fuel dependence, but for a pragmatic pathway that allows Africa to scale clean energy without undermining growth.

Africa’s priorities at COP30: clarity and ambition

Africa produces less than 4 percent of global emissions but absorbs a disproportionate share of the climate fallout, droughts, floods, food insecurity, and displaced communities. Yet climate finance flows to the continent remain slow, fragmented, and heavily skewed toward mitigation rather than the adaptation Africa urgently needs.

At COP30, Africa’s message is focused and uncompromising (https://apo-opa.co/4psssKd):

  • A new global climate finance target: no less than $1.3 trillion annually by 2030, with a significantly higher share allocated to adaptation, resilience and concessional finance.
  • A fully operationalised Loss and Damage Fund, designed to deliver predictable, timely support without adding to Africa’s debt burdens.
  • A just and inclusive energy transition, one that recognises Africa’s right to industrialise, create jobs and expand access while lowering emissions in a responsible and realistic way.
  • Recognition of Africa’s natural ecosystems –  forests, mangroves, peatlands – as global public goods, deserving of sustained financing and market mechanisms that reward their stewardship.

Universal energy access must be the anchor of Africa’s climate roadmap

African governments and their partners must weave energy access into the heart of climate policy. This means scaling renewable energy investments, strengthening grids, reforming utilities, and designing transition pathways that reflect Africa’s demographics, industrial goals, and financing constraints.

Transitional fuels will continue to play a bridging role, but with transparent timelines and a clear strategy for shifting to cleaner sources as infrastructure matures. What Africa needs is not a binary choice between fossil and renewable, but a plan that delivers power where it is needed most, reliably, affordably, and sustainably.

Because as the world races toward net zero, the continent cannot remain energy-poor. A climate strategy that does not lift African households, clinics and schools out of energy poverty is neither just nor durable.

At COP30, the message must be unmistakable, it is that Africa’s development cannot be deferred, and energy access is central to that vision. A fair global climate future begins with a lit Africa, one where power enables productivity, resilience, and opportunity for all.

Driving Africa’s energy future through homegrown solutions

Africa’s transition will not be unlocked by ambition alone; it will be unlocked by sequencing and by capital. The continent cannot afford a transition model that demands synchronisation with wealthier economies while our grids remain weak and our capital systems under leveraged. With over $900 billion in pension, insurance, and sovereign assets, Africa holds significant pools of domestic capital that remain largely absent from energy infrastructure. The real opportunity now is to finance Africa’s transition with Africa’s money, in the right order: strengthen grids, scale renewables, and phase out transitional fuels as capacity deepens.

A transition that is both sequenced and self-financed is not only more realistic; it is the most sustainable path to universal energy access and long-term climate resilience.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyInc Advisors.

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A Call for People-Centered Development and Reparatory Justice in African Union (AU)-European Union (EU) Engagements

Source: APO


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1. Introduction: Why the Church’s Voice Matters

As the AU–EU Summit convenes in Luanda, the Catholic Church in Africa, represented by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (https://SECAM.org/), reaches out to all people of goodwill with a message of concern, truth, and hope. We speak as a Church deeply embedded in the daily lives of the African people, sharing in their joys and hopes, as well as their griefs and anxieties, particularly for the poor and afflicted (cf. Gaudium et Spes, n. 1). Our moral responsibility is informed by lived experiences throughout the continent, through our schools, universities, clinics, parishes, and communities.

2. The Significance of the Year 2025

The year 2025 holds particular significance, as the African Union has declared it the Year of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” and will launch the Decade of Reparations (2026-2036). The Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year calls for truth, renewal, and reparatory justice. Following COP30 in Belém, where voices from Churches in the Global South underscored the urgent need for ecological justice, climate finance, and respect for Indigenous and local communities, the AU–EU Summit must not only negotiate but also listen, remember, and address longstanding injustices.

3. Concerns Over Restricted Civil Society Participation

SECAM is compelled to highlight the restrictions imposed on civil society organizations in the official Summit process. Numerous African civil society organizations, including those willing to self-finance their participation, have been excluded. This includes faith-based organizations with a long-standing presence on the ground, humanitarian and justice networks linked to the Church, women’s and youth associations, farmer and Indigenous organizations, local development movements, and peacebuilding and reconciliation bodies. This exclusion raises a critical moral question: How can a summit focused on Africa’s future exclude those who support African communities daily?

4. The Parallel Peoples’ Summit in Luanda

In response to the official Summit’s inability to accommodate African civil society, a Parallel Peoples’ Summit has been organized at the Catholic University of Angola in Luanda on 19–20 November. This is not an act of rebellion; it is a necessary response to insufficient participatory channels, a lack of transparency, technocratic top-down processes, and an imbalance of power between institutions and communities.

5. Historical Responsibility and the Call for Reparatory Justice

The Church in Africa expects the AU–EU Summit to demonstrate honesty about history and a genuine commitment to reparations, acknowledging the ongoing impact of the Transatlantic slave trade, slavery, colonialism, neocolonialism, economic domination, and resource extraction as matters of historical fact and moral responsibility. We are deeply concerned that the European Union has not fully committed to reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent, despite the fact that key members benefited from the Transatlantic slave trade and colonization. The legacy of this exploitation persists today in an unfair trade system and the transgenerational trauma suffered by Africans and people of African descent.

6. People-Centered Development

Guided by the Church’s social teaching principle of the primacy of the human person over systems, SECAM advocates for a people-centered development model. The joint SECAM–COMECE–Caritas–CIDSE statement warns that many AU–EU initiatives risk perpetuating extractive patterns; development must serve communities, not geopolitical interests. Reparatory justice is essential, encompassing both structural fairness and restorative healing.

7. Economic, Debt, and Ecological Justice

Economic and debt justice are crucial, as Africa’s debt burden—rooted in historical injustice—requires serious reform as a matter of justice, not pity. Following COP30 in Belém, ecological responsibility must be upheld, recognizing that ecological justice cannot be separated from social justice. Africa’s forests, water sources, mineral resources, biodiversity hotspots, and vulnerable communities must never again be sacrificed for profit, geopolitics, or external interests. Respect for African sovereignty and the sovereignty of its people is vital; African sovereignty belongs not only to governments but also to its citizens.

8. Conclusion: Toward a Strengthened AU–EU Partnership

The Church in Africa hopes for a renewed and strengthened AU–EU partnership. However, this requires inclusion rather than exclusion and transparency rather than opacity. A partnership that listens to the people will endure; a truly inclusive summit will foster trust, and a dialogue rooted in justice will have the power to heal historical wounds. The Church in Africa stands ready to accompany Africa and Europe toward a future of justice, peace, and human dignity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

Contact:
Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina
Director of SECAM – Justice, Peace and Development Commission
secamjpdcdirector@gmail.com
‪Tel: +233 55 733 7871

Rev. Fr. Louison Emerick Bissila Mbila, C.S.Sp.
SECAM Liaison Officer at the African Union
secamauliaisonoffice@gmail.com
Tel: +251 900 485 018

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President welcomes US “change of mind” on G20 Summit

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa has received notice from the United States indicating a possible change of approach regarding its participation in the G20 Leaders’ Summit, describing the development as a “very positive” sign.

Speaking during a press briefing following his trilateral meeting with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Ramaphosa confirmed that discussions with Washington were ongoing.

READ | President Ramaphosa, EU leaders reaffirm the deepening of partnerships

“We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the Summit,” he said on Thursday evening.

President Ramaphosa noted that the message from the US came just hours before the start of the Leaders’ Summit, prompting urgent engagement to understand the implications and practicalities of its potential participation.

“This comes really at the late hour before the Summit begins, and so therefore we do need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means,” he said. 

Despite the timing, the President struck an optimistic tone, saying South Africa viewed the shift as encouraging. 
“In a way, we see this as a positive sign, very positive because, as I’ve often said, boycott politics never work. It’s always best to be inside the tent than being outside of the tent,” the President said. 

He emphasised the importance of the US presence in global governance structures, saying its engagement strengthens multilateral cooperation.

“The tent is G20, all countries are here and the United States being biggest economy in the world needs to be here. So, it’s pleasing to hear that there is a change of approach, and so we are still discussing how that will manifest,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa is expected to continue high-level engagements with global partners ahead of the commencement of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the weekend.

Earlier in the day the President said the G20 process is moving ahead decisively with or without the United States after US President Donald Trump threatened to block the adoption of any joint declaration under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. 

Speaking to members of the media as he left the G20 Social Summit to address the B20 gathering, President Ramaphosa expressed confidence that negotiations were nearing completion, despite the United States objections.

READ | We will have a declaration, President Ramaphosa says ahead of G20 Summit

He further told journalists he was encouraged by the progress made across multiple G20 tracks, praising the engagements he had held throughout the day.

– SAnews.gov.za

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President Ramaphosa, EU leaders reaffirm the deepening of partnerships

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Dr Ursula von der Leyen, have reaffirmed the deepening of the South Africa–European Union partnership at a trilateral meeting held ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. 

Thursday’s engagement in Sandton followed a series of previous meetings between the leaders, including at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the European Union’s (EU) Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur. 

The leaders reviewed progress on the key political and economic outcomes agreed to at the 8th South Africa – EU Summit held in March 2025, in Cape Town.

The meeting also took place ahead of the 7th African Union (AU)–EU Summit scheduled for 24–25 November in Luanda, Angola.

In the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and growing challenges to multilateralism, the leaders reiterated their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, Sudan, and the occupied Palestinian territories. 

WATCH | South Africa–EU trilateral meeting 

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They further recalled the importance of multilateralism, the centrality of the United Nations Charter and the need for a renewed global financing framework for sustainable development.

The leaders welcomed the signature of the EU–South Africa Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP), noting that it will create new trade and investment opportunities while supporting decarbonisation objectives through a tailored, flexible and targeted approach that reflects shared priorities. 
“In addition to facilitating trade and investment in clean supply chains, this partnership will also serve as a forum for regulatory cooperation between the EU and South Africa in areas of mutual interest,” the joint communique of the leaders gathering said.

The trio further welcomed the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding for a Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Minerals and Metals Value Chains, which will promote value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals close to their source of extraction and enhance economic and industrial integration between South Africa and the EU.

Delivering on commitments made earlier this year, South Africa and the EU launched the South Africa–EU Energy Dialogue in September 2025 and agreed that it will be elevated to Ministerial level in 2026. 
The Dialogue will deepen collaboration on transmission infrastructure, clean energy technologies and additional just transition initiatives, and both sides reiterated the commitment to working together on the future export of Sustainable Aviation Fuel to the EU.

Market access
On agriculture and market access, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate bilateral trade in animals, plants and their products. 

“South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to enable [the] trade of poultry, including through a conclusive discussion on regionalisation, as well as further assess and process EU market access applications based on the information to be provided by exporting countries as a matter of priority,” the communique read. 
The EU signalled its readiness to advance the listing of South Africa as eligible to export shelf-stable composite products, and both sides committed to identifying tangible deliverables for the next Trade and Investment Dialogue.

They commended the agreement to facilitate bilateral cumulation of batteries through a temporary derogation from the Rules of Origin under the EU–Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement. The derogation aims to promote battery manufacturing in both markets and will enable South Africa to use batteries made in the EU and South Africa when exporting electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to the European Union.

The EU announced five projects under its nearly €12-billion Team Europe Global Gateway Investment Package for South Africa. These include blended finance and technical assistance facilities on green hydrogen and on minerals and metals in the e-batteries value chain; a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to Transnet to support decarbonisation of the transport sector; and EIB-supported initiatives to boost vaccine manufacturing capacities at Biovac through the Human Development Accelerator.

The leaders acknowledged progress in high-level discussions on environment and water-sector cooperation, and noted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation on peace, security and defence. Work is underway to establish a dedicated dialogue to advance collaboration on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and mediation, while focusing on addressing the underlying drivers of conflict.

The leaders said the meeting was held in the same spirit of partnership and cooperation that characterised the SA–EU Summit in Cape Town and reaffirmed their commitment to redoubling efforts to advance shared prosperity based on equality and mutual benefit. 

The EU confirmed that it looks forward to hosting the 9th South Africa–EU Summit in Brussels on a date still to be agreed upon. – SAnews.gov.za

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Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Invites Energy Stakeholders to MSGBC 2025

Source: APO – Report:

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Birame Souleye Diop, Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines of Senegal, has invited all energy stakeholders to participate in the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference and Exhibition, taking place on December 8–10 in Dakar.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, he emphasized that the conference has become a cornerstone of African energy cooperation and called on institutions, companies and regional partners to join the dialogue shaping the next phase of the MSGBC basin’s development.

Taking place under the theme Energy, Oil and Mining in Africa: Synergies for Inclusive Economic Development, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference and Exhibition will be held under the patronage of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal and in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, the national oil company Petrosen and state-owned COS Petrogaz.

“The MSGBC region–Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry–is not just a geological basin. It is a community of shared destiny, united by one ambition: to transform our resources into drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth,” Minister Diop said, adding that the event is a platform for institutions, companies and international investors to explore new opportunities and forge partnerships across the region.

During his address, Minister Diop highlighted bp and Kosmos Energy’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas projects (GTA) as a key example of cross-border partnership.

“GTA is a symbol of successful cooperation and economic integration,” the Minister said. Phase 1 of the project began producing gas in December 2024, with 20–25% expected to supply domestic power and industrial needs. Plans for Phase 2 could raise production to around 5 million tons of LNG per year, while technical inspections have confirmed stable operations.

He noted Senegal’s Gas-to-X strategy, saying, “Our goal is to transform gas into electricity, industrial inputs, fertilizers and cleaner fuels.” He explained that the strategy supports economic diversification while positioning gas as a complement to renewable energy in the country’s energy transition.

Minister Diop also emphasized strengthening local content. “Every project must benefit our citizens first,” he said.

Recent initiatives in Senegal’s energy sector align closely with this strategy. In November 2025, the Senegalese university INPG partnered with global energy company Woodside Energy (https://apo-opa.co/4rq3rB8) on the Sangomar project to expand local capacity, awarding contracts to Senegalese companies and providing skills development for engineers and technicians. Earlier in April 2025, the INPG (https://apo-opa.co/4rc4zIl) signed a tripartite agreement with the state-owned Vocational and Technical Training Fund and the National Committee for Monitoring Local Content to train and integrate 1,000 young professionals by 2026, with a long-term goal of 15,000 by 2029. 

Sandra Jeque, Project Director at Energy Capital & Power, stated, “MSGBC 2025 will showcase how the region is developing talent, infrastructure and partnerships that place African capabilities at the center of Africa’s energy future.”

Minister Diop concluded, “MSGBC 2025 is a unique opportunity to advance energy access, resource transformation and economic development across the African continent.”

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com. 

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Casablanca to Host the 4th OIC Business Intelligence Center (OBIC) Capacity-Building Programme, Strengthening Credit Information Systems Across Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States

Source: APO – Report:

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The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org), a Shariah-based multilateral insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, announced today that the 4th Capacity-Building Programme for Users of the OIC Business Intelligence Center (OBIC) will be held from 24 to 26 November 2025 in Casablanca.

The programme, sponsored by ICIEC, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), represents a key milestone in advancing the quality, accessibility and integration of credit and business information across the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States.

As ICIEC’s flagship initiative, OBIC provides an essential platform that supports Member States in modernizing their credit-reporting ecosystems, strengthening business intelligence infrastructure and enabling informed trade and investment decisions that reduce risk and foster sustainable development.

The three-day programme will convene senior officials and experts to examine the role of business intelligence in strengthening economic decision-making, beginning with an opening session featuring partner institutions. Discussions will cover OBIC’s contribution to national and cross-border credit ecosystems, the use of reliable credit information in banking, export operations and investment promotion, as well as the relevance of platforms such as the Africa Trade Gateway.

The agenda further includes practical case studies from Tunisia, insights into the AMAN Union shared credit database, and an overview of unique entity identifiers like MANSA and GLEIF. The programme will conclude with success stories on women’s economic empowerment in Africa and a session on enhancing the use of statistical and business intelligence tools by investment promotion agencies, followed by a closing ceremony.

Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Chief Executive Officer of ICIEC, stated: “Strengthening the quality, reliability and accessibility of credit information across our Member States is essential to unlocking sustainable trade and investment flows. Through the OBIC platform and this capacity-building programme, we are empowering institutions with the tools needed to make informed decisions, reduce risks, and accelerate economic opportunities across the OIC region. Our partnership with IsDB, BADEA, Afreximbank and ICDT reflects our shared commitment to building a more transparent, interconnected and resilient economic ecosystem for our Member States.”

– on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

Email:
ICIEC-Communication@isdb.org 

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About The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC): 
As a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States and promote intra-OIC trade and investments by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions. The Corporation is the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world. It has led from the front to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions to counterparts in its 51 Member States. ICIEC, for the 18th consecutive year, maintained an “Aa3” insurance financial strength credit rating from Moody’s, ranking the Corporation among the top of the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) industry. Additionally, S&P has reaffirmed ‘ICIEC’s “AA-“long-term Issuer Credit and Financial Strength Rating for the second year with a stable outlook. ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting, global reinsurance network, and strong risk management policies. Cumulatively, ICIEC has insured more than USD 121 billion in trade and investment. ICIEC activities are directed to several sectors—energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.  

For more information, Visit https://ICIEC.IsDB.org