Government dissolves Ingonyama Trust Board amid governance concerns
Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has dissolved the Ingonyama Trust Board following a series of resignations of several board members before the expiry of their terms of office.
The move comes after the Minister consulted with the Ingonyama and the KwaZulu-Natal Premier due to concerns about the resignations of several board members.
This reduced composition has raised serious questions about governance and operational stability.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister said due to the resignations, the board now has only four serving members alongside the Ingonyama, King Misuzulu Zulu, who serves as Chairperson in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Act.
“The administrative regulations issued under the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Act provide that five members of the accounting authority constitute a quorum for a meeting of the board.
“The regulations further provide that where a quorum is not present at the first meeting, a further meeting may be convened, and the members present at that later meeting may form a quorum for that meeting,” Nyhontso said.
Nyhontso has, however, concluded that the present circumstances have created a governance position that is no longer sustainable for the effective administration of the trust.
The Minister has taken this view, having regard for the current composition of the board, the practical difficulty of ensuring stable and effective governance under the present arrangements, and the need to secure continuity in the lawful administration of the trust and the management of trust land for the benefit of the communities for whom such land is held in trust.
In terms of this arrangement, the Minister said an administrator will be designated in terms of section 49(3) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
“The administrator will oversee the day-to-day operations of the trust, ensuring administrative stability and continuity during the transition period,” the Minister explained.
The department confirmed that the process to reconstitute the Board will proceed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the applicable consultation requirements.
Additionally, the Minister is satisfied that this course of action is necessary to protect the continuity of the lawful administration of the trust and to safeguard the interests of the communities for whose benefit the trust land is held.
Further details regarding the implementation of the transitional administrative arrangement and the process to reconstitute the board will be communicated in due course. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Dereje Melese Liyew, Lecturer, Political Science, Debre Markos University,
Ethiopia launched a national dialogue process in 2022 to address deep political divisions and help steer the country towards stability.
In theory, such dialogues can help societies move beyond war, rebuild trust and agree on new political rules. This has happened in countries such as Kenya, Tunisia and Yemen.
Ethiopia’s process involved setting up a national dialogue commission. It stated it wanted to build national consensus, strengthen nation building and support democratic transition.
The working mandate of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has been extended twice. First for six months in February 2025 and then for eight months in February 2026.
However, the dialogue is not on the right track. I have researched Ethiopia’s political landscape and peace efforts for nearly a decade, and in a recent paper, I examined why the dialogue process is facing a crisis.
I found that Ethiopia’s national dialogue is struggling due to legitimacy deficits, limited inclusion and weak process design. Four years after the process launched, it has produced limited tangible outcomes.
Mesfin Areaya, chief commissioner, Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission.ENA
National dialogues are most effective when they are broadly inclusive, trusted by key actors and conducted in a relatively stable political environment.
Ethiopia’s current context raises doubts on all three fronts.
The process has excluded influential political and armed actors. Opposition groups and civil society actors have also raised concerns about the commission’s independence from the ruling party. Ongoing conflicts further undermine the conditions needed for sustained negotiation.
These issues risk undermining the dialogue before it delivers meaningful results. This matters because national dialogue was meant to resolve Ethiopia’s political disputes peacefully. If it fails, the country risks missing a chance to manage conflict without violence.
Inclusivity
Inclusiveness is a defining feature of successful national dialogues. Key political forces, including armed groups, must see the process as a legitimate forum for negotiation.
In Ethiopia, several influential actors are absent.
Armed groups such as the Oromo Liberation Army, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Amhara Fano have not been part of the process. Yet these groups are central to ongoing conflicts in Oromia, Tigray and Amhara regions. Holding a national dialogue while major armed confrontations continue – and without the participation of those directly involved – raises practical and political concerns.
Exclusion weakens ownership. Without ownership, implementation becomes unlikely.
Trust
A national dialogue is usually convened during political crises or transitions. Its purpose is to bring together political forces, civil societies and non-state armed groups to negotiate fundamental questions about the state.
Ethiopia’s political tensions are rooted in unresolved questions about state structure, identity, historical narratives, the constitution and the balance between unity and self-determination.
A genuine dialogue could provide a platform to address these foundational disputes. However, the way the process has been designed and implemented has generated resistance.
One of the most contested issues has been the selection of commissioners.
The 11 members of the commission were appointed by parliament. Critics argue that the ruling party, which holds a majority of seats, dominated the process. Several opposition parties questioned the way the commission was set up.
When major political actors doubt the neutrality of conveners, the credibility of the entire process suffers. In divided societies, even the perception of bias can discourage participation.
In Ethiopia’s case, some opposition leaders have described the dialogue as a government-driven project rather than a nationally owned process. That perception alone is a serious obstacle.
Dialogue requires a minimum level of trust before it can change anything.
Instability
National dialogues can occur during fragile transitions. But they rarely succeed in the middle of active and expanding armed conflicts.
Ethiopia continues to experience violence in multiple regions. In Tigray and parts of Amhara and Oromia, insecurity limits even basic state functions. Under such conditions, it’s difficult to set an agenda and get broad participation.
Ethiopia’s position in the Horn of Africa adds another layer of complexity.
National dialogues are domestically driven. However, external geopolitical competition can shape internal dynamics through diplomatic pressure, economic leverage or security alignments. A fragile domestic process becomes even more vulnerable in such an environment.
Experiences with national dialogues from Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya offer mixed lessons for Ethiopia.
In Sudan, dialogue initiatives lacked genuine political openness and failed to create an environment for talks. In South Sudan, there were questions about government interference, and key opposition actors weren’t included. Kenya’s 2008 dialogue, by contrast, succeeded in halting violence and led to constitutional reform. This was largely because it included major political rivals and was supported by mediation that was accepted.
The core lesson is consistent: inclusion, neutrality and timing matter.
Is a reset necessary?
Some Ethiopian scholars and political actors argue for pausing and rethinking the dialogue.
In my view, a reset should involve:
re-examining how commissioners are selected to ensure the process is seen as fair
expanding engagement with opposition parties and civil society
exploring ways to include or at least negotiate with influential armed groups
taking parallel steps to reduce violence and build confidence.
A national dialogue is not a magic solution. It cannot, on its own, resolve deep ideological disagreements. But it can help manage them if the process is widely seen as legitimate.
If Ethiopia’s dialogue continues without addressing concerns over trust, inclusion and ongoing conflict, it risks becoming another missed opportunity in the country’s long political transition.
The stakes are high. A credible process could help stabilise the political landscape. A flawed one may deepen scepticism and polarisation.
– Ethiopia’s national dialogue was meant to heal the nation, but divisions are deepening – https://theconversation.com/ethiopias-national-dialogue-was-meant-to-heal-the-nation-but-divisions-are-deepening-278321
Constitution brought “profound transformation” to South Africa
The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, has described the Constitution as a path altering legal document that has “profoundly transformed” South Africa.
The Deputy Minister addressed the National Council of Province’s debate on Human Rights Day on Wednesday afternoon.
This year, South Africa commemorates the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution as the country’s superior legal authority.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the basis for the transformation of our society into a united, non-racial, non-sexist democratic state founded on the values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancements of human rights and freedoms.
“The Constitution has, over the past three decades, profoundly transformed South Africa’s political and legal landscape into a constitutional democracy. [It’s] progressive because it not only recognises the injustices and the inequalities of the past, but it places an obligation on government and citizens, women and men, young and old to work to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights,” he said.
The Deputy Minister described the Constitution as “both revolutionary and transformative”.
“It advances the objective of building a South African nation united in its diversity, of building a democratic and developmental state which meets the needs of the people, of building a transformed, inclusive and thriving economy that works for all South Africans and of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society based on the best of human values,” Nel said.
Furthermore, he called on members of the House to consider reciting the Preamble of the Constitution every time they gather.
“We appeal to you, the Chairperson and the members here present, to consider making the reciting to the Preamble of the Constitution a standard practice when we meet as the freely elected representatives of the people of South Africa to discharge our duties and responsibilities in terms of the Constitution which we have all sworn an oath to uphold.
“It is a powerful reminder of where we come from, who we are and the values that inform what we seek to become as a nation,” the Deputy Minister explained.
This year also ushers in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1976 student uprisings and the 70th anniversary of the 1956 women’s march where more than 20 000 women marched against the apartheid state’s laws.
“As we celebrate the rights that have been enshrined in our Constitution, we also recall the events at Sharpeville on that day in 1960 when the apartheid police opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing 69 people and injuring many more.
“Human Rights Day reminds us of the sacrifices of our past, the struggles of our present and the hopes of our future,” Nel said. – SAnews.gov.za
SA Innovation Week highlights gains of investing in research and development
Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Dr Nomalungelo Gina says innovation is the lifeblood of any forward-looking country and industrialisation.
“…All fast-growing economies are driven by strong investments in research and development (R&D) and a robust system for commercialising prototypes,” Gina said at the opening of the South African Innovation Week (SAIW) 2026 held at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
Further, the Deputy Minister said all countries that innovate, rather than import technology solutions, are “the strongest”.
“The department’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Decadal Plan (2022-2032), a government strategic roadmap to place innovation at the heart of the country’s socio-economic development, sets an ambitious target to increase funding for research and innovation to a Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) of 1.5% of the GDP, an improvement from the current 1%,” Gina said.
Gina said R&D has been under-funded and industries have not been investing enough in R&D to develop new technologies.
“Another hurdle we face is that agencies like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and universities host many technology demonstrators as prototypes that have not been translated into the economy.
“In other words, the private sector is not taking up these technologies, which are ready for diffusion into the economy. It is these innovation gaps that we seek to address through industry partnership engagements as the DSTI. The Decadal Plan further defines key priority areas as grand challenges to be addressed through our efforts,” she said.
Gina said another challenge the country faces is that the future economy, driven mainly by new technologies, including AI, is confronted with a skills deficit.
“We have a skills mismatch as a country. More graduates are unemployed because they have skills that this gig economy doesn’t really need, yet we need to develop these skills and capabilities very quickly to be critical players in this emerging economy.
“At the heart of our efforts is building the new pipeline of STEM-related professionals, who will be key players in the new economy, including future innovators.”
Gina told delegates that innovation is an engine of industrialisation and development, and that government is making a call for a coordinated approach, instead of different players functioning in silos.
“Part of this coordination is pooling funding instruments to support research, development, and commercialisation, including the registration of Intellectual Property (IP). Ecosystem-wide coordination is fundamental to the system’s success.
“Our adopted mantra is ‘Placing Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Industry and Science’.”
The SAIW26 brings together the energy, talent and capital of the innovation ecosystem into one shared showcase, networking and dialogue platform. It is designed as a week-long national programme to feature provincial innovation engagements across South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
Government has welcomed a further easing of the annual consumer price inflation (CPI) to 3.0% in February 2026, down from 3.5% in January 2026, indicating sustained progress in stabilising prices.
The monthly change in the CPI was 0.4%, reflecting contained price pressures across the economy.
The lower inflation outcome was supported by several key factors, including a notable decline in fuel prices, which recorded a month-on-month decrease of 3.1% and contributed to a significant annual drop of 10.1% in the fuel index.
“Encouragingly, food inflation slowed for the first time in four months, easing to 3.7% from 4.4% in January. Consumers benefited from lower prices across a range of essential food items, including cereals, meat products, and cooking oils, providing some relief to household budgets.
“Government notes that while certain categories, such as alcoholic beverages, recorded moderate increases, the overall inflation outlook remains contained and within a manageable range,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Wednesday.
Government will continue to monitor price developments closely and remains committed to implementing measures that support economic stability, protect consumers, and promote inclusive growth. –SAnews.gov.za
A Academia do Afreximbank [Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) (https://apo-opa.co/4bgB4zc) anunciou a abertura das inscrições para o seu Certificado de Financiamento Comercial em África (COTFIA) de 2026, um dos seus programas emblemáticos concebido para reforçar a capacidade de financiamento comercial de África, melhorando as competências relacionadas com o comércio e resolvendo à lacunas críticas em termos de capacidade, permitindo assim que o continente concorra de forma mais eficaz nos mercados globais.
De acordo com a AFRACAD, as inscrições para o programa, que está aberto a profissionais do sector bancário e outros especialistas interessados na área do financiamento do comércio, encerram a 31 de Maio de 2026.
Desenvolvido pela AFRACAD, em parceria com a Factors Chain International, a American University in Cairo (AUC) e o Quarter Bank, o programa foi concebido para aprofundar a compreensão dos participantes sobre todos os aspectos do financiamento do comércio internacional e é constantemente actualizado para se adequar às melhores práticas. Aborda igualmente vários aspectos da implementação da Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (ZCLCA) que se prevê ter um impacto significativo na melhoria do comércio intra-africano.
À semelhança do grupo de 2025, o programa COTFIA de 2026 será ministrado num formato misto, com cinco módulos ministrados em linha em sessões virtuais orientadas por formadores, um módulo em sessões presenciais no campus da AUC em New Cairo, no Egipto, e o módulo final em linha de forma assíncrona.
Ao comentar sobre o programa, o Sr. Stephen Kauma, Director-Geral de Recursos Humanos do Afreximbank, “sublinhou a sua importância estratégica na formação de uma nova geração de profissionais altamente qualificados em financiamento comercial, capazes de impulsionar a agenda comercial de África e reforçar a capacidade do continente de competir de forma eficaz no mercado global.”
O Sr. Kauma instou os profissionais africanos do sector bancário e outros profissionais da área do financiamento comercial a tirarem partido do programa, anunciando que a AFRACAD vai oferecer bolsas de estudo que cobrem 50% das propinas aos primeiros sete candidatos deste ano, reforçando ainda mais o compromisso do Banco em expandir o acesso à capacitação de alta qualidade em financiamento comercial em toda a África Global.
A AFRACAD foi reconhecida pelo programa COTFIA em Outubro de 2025, tendo ganho o Prémio de Prata na categoria de Desenvolvimento Profissional nos Prémios de Excelência na Prática de 2025 da Fundação Europeia para o Desenvolvimento da Gestão (EFMD), entregues durante uma cerimónia em Estocolmo, Suécia. Estes prémios celebram parcerias de aprendizagem e desenvolvimento de grande impacto e alta qualidade nas áreas de desenvolvimento executivo, profissional, de talentos e organizacional.
O programa COTFIA foi lançado em 2016, inicialmente como Certificado de Finanças no Comércio Internacional (COFIT), mas foi reestruturado em 2021, com a AFRACAD a estabelecer uma parceria com a Onsi Sawiris School of Business da AUC para reforçar o seu rigor académico e relevância regional.
O programa já formou, até ao momento, mais de 150 profissionais de todo o continente, dotando-os das competências técnicas, regulamentares e práticas necessárias para reforçar o panorama de financiamento do comércio africano e abrir novas oportunidades para o comércio intra-africano e global.
Os profissionais interessados no programa COTFIA 2026 podem inscrever-se através da seguinte hiperligação: https://apo-opa.co/471Rqt6
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.
Contacto para a Imprensa:
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com a Imprensa)
Correio Electrónico: press@afreximbank.com
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 dólares para apoiar os países que participam de forma efectiva na ZCLCA. No final de Dezembro de 2024, o total de activos e contingências do Afreximbank ascendia a mais de 40,1 mil milhões de dólares e os seus fundos de accionistas a 7,2 mil milhões de dólares. O Afreximbank tem notações de investimento atribuídas pela GCR (escala internacional) de “Estável”, pela Moody’s (Baa2), pela China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA) e pela Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). O Afreximbank evoluiu para uma entidade de grupo que inclui o Banco, a sua subsidiária de fundo de impacto de acções, denominada Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), e a sua subsidiária de gestão de seguros, AfrexInsure (em conjunto, “o Grupo”). O Banco tem a sua sede em Cairo, Egipto.
Para mais informações, visite: www.Afreximbank.com.
O Instituto do Desporto e da Juventude e 15 federações desportivas nacionais e as Forças Armadas de Cabo Verde assinaram, terça-feira, 17 de março, contratos-programa, visando o financiamento das atividades desportivas a desenvolver ao longo do ano de 2026.
O montante global, de cerca de 170 milhões de escudos cabo-verdianos, será distribuído entre federações olímpicas, paralímpicas e as Forças Armadas, assegurando melhores condições de funcionamento, preparação e participação competitiva.
A medida enquadra-se na política de apoio contínuo ao movimento associativo desportivo, permitindo reforçar a organização interna das federações e a sua presença em competições nacionais e internacionais.
O ato foi testemunhado pelo Ministro da Juventude e Desporto, Carlos Monteiro, que destacou o compromisso do Governo com o financiamento do setor.
“O financiamento anual vai além do contrato-programa assinado no início do ano, permitindo responder à crescente participação de Cabo Verde nas competições internacionais”, afirmou o governante.
O ministro sublinhou ainda a melhoria contínua na relação entre o IDJ e as federações, destacando que esta articulação tem contribuído para o fortalecimento de todo o ecossistema desportivo nacional.
O Governo de Cabo Verde tem vindo a reforçar, de forma consistente, o investimento no desporto, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento das modalidades, a valorização dos atletas e o fortalecimento do sistema desportivo nacional.
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.
A Ministra da Justiça presidiu a cerimónia de lançamento oficial da Plataforma Empresa Online (PEO), uma nova solução digital que visa simplificar e modernizar os processos de criação e gestão de empresas no país.
Na ocasião, Joana Rosa lembrou que “esta iniciativa não constitui um ato isolado, resulta, antes, de uma visão estratégica plasmada no Programa do Governo que consagra a modernização e a transformação digital da Administração Pública como objetivos centrais deste mandato. Este Governo sempre entendeu ser necessário que os serviços públicos assumam o papel de impulsionadores do progresso.”
Para a Ministra, “a Plataforma Empresa Online marca uma nova etapa na transformação digital da Administração Pública e na forma como o Estado se relaciona com os cidadãos, com as empresas e com os investidores. Esta plataforma traduz, de forma concreta, o compromisso do Governo de Cabo Verde, e em particular do Ministério da Justiça, com a simplificação administrativa, a eficiência dos serviços públicos e a criação de condições cada vez mais favoráveis ao desenvolvimento do setor privado. O Ministério da Justiça desempenha um papel central neste processo, uma vez que os serviços de registos, notariado e identificação constituem pilares fundamentais da segurança jurídica, da confiança nas instituições e do funcionamento da economia”
A finalizar, a governante enalteceu que “ao disponibilizar estes serviços num ambiente digital seguro, estamos a dar um passo decisivo para reduzir burocracias, encurtar prazos e diminuir custos administrativos, criando melhores condições para quem quer empreender, investir e gerar emprego em Cabo Verde.”
O evento contou com a presença de membros do Governo, representantes institucionais e parceiros do ecossistema empresarial, e assinala um passo importante no reforço da modernização administrativa, da competitividade económica e da transformação digital em Cabo Verde.
A Plataforma Empresa Online (PEO) permitirá aos cidadãos e investidores realizar, de forma simples, rápida e digital, diversos procedimentos relacionados com processos de atendimento e prestação de serviços públicos às empresas contribuindo para um ambiente de negócios mais eficiente, transparente e acessível.
Com esta iniciativa, o Governo reforça o compromisso com a facilitação do investimento, o apoio ao empreendedorismo e a aproximação dos serviços públicos aos cidadãos e à diáspora cabo-verdiana.
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.
The Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) (https://apo-opa.co/4bgB4zc) has announced the opening of registration for its 2026 Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA), one of its flagship programmes designed to strengthen Africa’s trade finance capacity by enhancing trade-related skills and addressing critical capacity gaps, enabling the continent to compete more effectively in global markets.
According to AFRACAD, registration for the programme, which is open to banking professionals and other practitioners interested in the area of trade finance, will end on 31 May 2026.
Developed by AFRACAD, in partnership with Factors Chain International, the American University in Cairo (AUC), and Quarter Bank, the programme is designed to enhance participants’ understanding of all aspects of international trade finance and is continuously updated to conform to best practices. It also addresses various aspects of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which is expected to have a significant impact on improving intra-African trade.
Similar to the 2025 cohort, the 2026 COTFIA programme will be conducted in a blended format, with five modules delivered online in instructor-led virtual sessions, one module in face-to-face sessions at the AUC campus in New Cairo, Egypt, and the final module asynchronously online.
Commenting on the programme, Mr. Stephen Kauma, Managing Director, Human Resources, Afreximbank, “underscored its strategic importance in building a new generation of highly skilled trade finance professionals capable of advancing Africa’s trade agenda and strengthening the continent’s ability to compete effectively in the global marketplace.”
Mr. Kauma urged African banking professionals and other practitioners in trade finance to take advantage of the programme, announcing that AFRACAD will offer scholarships covering 50 per cent of tuition fees to the first seven applicants this year, further reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality trade finance capacity building across Global Africa.
AFRACAD was recognised for the COTFIA programme in October 2025, earning the Silver Award in the Professional Development category at the 2025 European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Excellence in Practice Awards, presented during a ceremony in Stokholm, Sweden. This Awards celebrates impactful and high-quality learning and development partnerships in the executive, professional, talent, and organisational development areas.
The COTFIA programme was launched in 2016, initially as the Certificate of Finance in International Trade (COFIT) but was restructured in 2021 with AFRACAD partnering with the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at the AUC to strengthen its academic rigour and regional relevance.
The programme has, so far, trained more than 150 professionals from across the continent, equipping them with the technical, regulatory, and practical competencies required to strengthen Africa’s trade finance landscape and unlock new opportunities for intra-African and global trade.
Professionals interested in the 2026 COTFIA programme can register at this link: https://apo-opa.co/471Rqt6
– on behalf of Afreximbank.
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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 stalwart 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 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) at “Stable”, Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
Government has called on the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and their members to significantly increase the rate of waste diversion, especially of plastics and composite packaging.
“The PROs and their members are well-positioned to drive this shift — not only through recycling targets, but by closing material loops and designing products with end-of-life in mind,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said on Wednesday.
South African cities are facing a significant landfill capacity challenge, with some expected to run out of landfill space within the next six years if drastic measures are not taken to significantly reduce waste generation and accelerate recycling efforts.
“Our country still sends over 60% of its waste to landfills, a figure we cannot afford if we are serious about achieving our climate and development goals.
“Through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, we aim to significantly increase the rate of waste diversion, especially of plastics and composite packaging. But this requires bold action,” Swarts made these remarks during thedepartment’s Waste Khoro Conference held in Bloemfontein, Free State.
She urged PROs to support Buy-Back Centres, increase materials recovery facilities (MRFs) across all provinces, invest in post-consumer recycling technologies, market development for secondary materials, and better integration of the informal and formal waste sectors.
“The department strongly encourages PROs and industry to actively integrate waste pickers into their value chains.
“This includes offering fair compensation, formalised working conditions, access to equipment and protective gear, and training opportunities. Inclusive EPR is not a favour — it is an imperative for justice, efficiency, and long-term sustainability,” the Deputy Minister said.
She emphasised that waste pickers are not beneficiaries — they are central players in the waste economy.
“For decades, they have recovered materials and diverted waste from landfills without formal recognition or support. We also expect producers and PROs to meet their responsibilities fully and with urgency. Waste picker integration is key.
“We urge all producers and PROs to embed education into their programmes — to help consumers understand separation-at-source, responsible disposal, and the value of recyclable materials.
“Awareness drives should be localised, multilingual, and responsive to community dynamics. An informed public is not only a better participant in recycling schemes — it becomes a driving force for innovation and accountability,” Swarts said.
She reaffirmed that the government remains committed to enabling conditions that support innovation, transparency, and inclusive growth within the waste sector to recognise waste as a resource and waste as an input material to manufacturing other products and job creation in the process.
The Waste Khoro Conference is an annual event organised and coordinated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), attended by waste management officers from the three spheres of government, as well as representatives from the private sector.
They convene for three days to discuss key issues relating to waste management in South Africa, focusing on several waste management priorities, including addressing the growing crisis of landfill space in the country. –SAnews.gov.za
