Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Ghana Advances Adolescent Health with New Regional and Global Guidance

Source: APO


.

Adolescents and young people make up a quarter of Ghana’s population and represent the country’s greatest potential for growth and transformation. Yet many face barriers that undermine their health, education, and future opportunities, including early pregnancy, limited access to family planning, mental health challenges, and high exposure to violence and HIV. Recognizing these challenges, Ghana joined countries across Western and Central Africa in committing to invest in adolescents’ well-being to ensure they are educated, healthy, and thriving.

Building on this commitment, Ghana convened a two-day national meeting to disseminate the Western and Central Africa (WCA) Commitment for Educated, Healthy, and Thriving Adolescents and Young People, and to orient stakeholders on the updated the Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!2.0) Guidance.

Opening the meeting on behalf of the Minister of Health, the Chief Director, Mr. Desmond Boateng, described the WCA Commitment as a pledge to place young people at the centre of policy and service delivery. 

“This meeting provides us with the platform to disseminate our commitment and orient key stakeholders on tools, strategies, and approaches. Together, this will guide us to improve service delivery, enhance coordination, and ensure the voices and needs of young people remain central.”.

Dr. Katherine Attoh, the National Professional Officer for Reproductive Maternal Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Healthy Ageing at WHO Ghana, highlighted the importance of the updated AA-HA!2.0 guidance, which integrates lessons learned over the past six years and reflects the voices including experiences during COVID-19. 

“WHO remains committed to supporting the Government of Ghana in ensuring that adolescents are healthy, educated, and thriving,” she said.

The meeting highlighted progress and challenges in adolescent health. School completion rates are improving and nearing gender parity, yet setbacks remain. Adolescent pregnancies account for 10% of all pregnancies, while unmet need for family planning among unmarried young women stands at 44%. Mental health concerns affect 26.6% of adolescents, drug use 5.7%, and physical inactivity 82%. Violence, unintended injuries, and HIV/AIDS also remain major risks, with young people accounting for 31% of new HIV infections in 2024.

Speakers underscored the importance of youth engagement in shaping solutions. “Young people must be meaningfully involved in every stage of planning and implementation,” stressed Mrs. Selina Dussey, Head of Quality at the Ministry of Health. A dynamic youth and adult panel further echoed this, with youth representatives calling for accountability, and traditional and religious leaders highlighting the role of culture and community-based approaches.

The discussions also focused on the AA-HA!2.0 guidance. Dr. Prerna Banati from WHO Headquarters explained that the tool is designed to help countries identify priorities, strengthen in-country engagement, and support collaborative implementation. Participants further explored evidence-based interventions, health-promoting schools, and practical approaches to needs assessments and landscape analyses, led by Dr. Geoffrey Bisoborwa, WHO Regional Advisor for Child and Adolescent Health.

Workgroup discussions enabled stakeholders to prioritize adolescent health needs and refine Ghana’s draft action plans developed at the Lomé regional meeting. A key outcome was the agreement to conduct  regional-level dissemination and joint planning with WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, and the Ministries of Health and Education, to accelerate implementation of Ghana’s national plan for adolescent health and education. 

By advancing the WCA Commitment and adopting the AA-HA!2.0 guidance, Ghana has taken another decisive step toward ensuring that adolescents are not only healthy and educated, but also empowered to thrive.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.

Posted on

Ambassador Chen Mingjian Attends “China-Tanzania Friendship Cup” Table Tennis Competition 2025

Source: APO


.

On September 6, the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania hosted “China-Tanzania Friendship Cup” Table Tennis Competition 2025 successfully in Dar es Salaam, with China Cultural Center as organizer. H.E. Ambassador Chen Mingjian and Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports of Tanzania attended the event.

Amb. Chen stated in her remarks that the scale and influence of “China-Tanzania Friendship Cup” Table Tennis Competition have continued to expand, which makes it a brand event for China-Tanzania people-to-people exchanges. It is hoped that everyone present here will make new friends, exchange table tennis skills and further deepen China-Tanzania friendship.

Hon. Prof. Kabudi said that sports connect the hearts of the two peoples. Tanzania stands ready to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in sports with China to enhance bilateral friendship.

Nearly 130 competitors of 15 teams from Tanzania Table Tennis Association and all walks of life, Chinese institutions and overseas Chinese community, as well as friends from other countries participated in the competition. Tanzanian mainstream media like Daily News, The Citizen, The Guardian and The Channel Ten covered the event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Posted on

United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (MONUSCO) Anti-fire Unit: An essential bulwark to save lives in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Source: APO

Two fires broke out on Thursday, September 4, in the afternoon in the city of Goma. The first ravaged two vehicles, five offices, a wooden house, and a gas station in the Katoyi neighborhood, Karisimbi commune. The second consumed three wooden residential houses. Material damage occurred but no human casualties were recorded, notably thanks to the rapid and coordinated intervention of numerous firefighters from different teams: MONUSCO’s anti-fire section, Indian Blue Helmets, and civil protection from the city of Goma. In total, nine trucks were deployed to the scene to control the fire which, otherwise, could have caused more significant damage.

As in Goma, MONUSCO’s anti-fire unit is regularly called upon to intervene in several regions of the country where the Mission is present. Since the beginning of 2025, this specialized unit has intervened in often complex, sometimes dangerous contexts, to fight fires in about twenty major incidents in Kinshasa, Goma, and Bunia. Each time, human lives were at stake. A mission to protect people and their property that it fulfills tirelessly day and night.

Of the twenty-two cases recorded since January 2025, Goma remains the most affected area with 14 interventions. The city experiences a high rate of fires in commercial and residential structures, representing nearly 60% of cases. In Kinshasa, seven interventions were recorded, mainly in government installations and residential neighborhoods, while Bunia recorded one major incident affecting private property. A report that demonstrates the importance of close collaboration between all actors.

The most critical period extended from June to August 2025, marked by a notable increase in the frequency of interventions and the severity of fires. These figures underscore the importance of increased presence and constant vigilance by the anti-fire unit.

Difficult Intervention Conditions

The origins of fires prove to be diverse. The most frequent causes include electrical failures, criminal fires, civil unrest as well as domestic carelessness in homes built mainly of wood, particularly flammable during the dry season.

Teams often have to deal with heavy logistical difficulties. Degraded roads, traffic jams, and security problems in certain neighborhoods considerably slow down interventions. “We face major challenges, notably difficult access to certain neighborhoods, but our commitment remains total,” confides Archille Mwana Zaïre, firefighter based in Goma.

MONUSCO’s anti-fire unit operates with a high level of organization and rigor. Every day, teams prepare meticulously. As attested by Maguy Madede Akan Labi based in Kinshasa, one of the few women in charge of a firefighter team: “I ensure that all personnel are ready and that equipment functions perfectly. We receive alerts from different agencies, embassies and even from the government, which requires great responsiveness.” And she continues, highlighting the difficulty of her work: “Faced with danger, everyone flees, but we firefighters advance. Our task requires compassion and a heart full of humanity.“

In Goma, firefighters can be ready to deploy in less than two minutes. This preparation speed is often hampered by external factors such as road congestion or blocked routes. Despite everything, their determination to save lives does not weaken.

Being a firefighter at MONUSCO is perceived as a noble commitment. “For me, it’s an honor to be a firefighter. We save lives and bring comfort in panic situations. It’s work that requires courage, dedication, and a lot of love for others,” explains Archille Mwana Zaïre with pride.

Strengthened Links with the Local Population

Collaboration between MONUSCO, local civil protection services and communities is an essential aspect of firefighting. In Goma, residents express their gratitude. Bauma Shabade testifies: “When the fire broke out, we immediately alerted MONUSCO. Their rapid arrival and perseverance prevented the fire from spreading throughout the neighborhood, especially in this dry season when wooden houses catch fire easily.” Despite the visible fatigue of firefighters after long hours of intervention, the population shows them sincere support, aware of the risks to which they expose themselves.

While the firefighters’ commitment is total, the reality on the ground remains complex. The lack of water constitutes a major obstacle, particularly in Goma where supply sources are far from intervention zones. “Sometimes, our trucks run out of water during intervention, which endangers fire control and therefore lives,” deplores the head of the anti-fire unit, Manuel Taracena.

Limited personnel and precarious security conditions in certain neighborhoods also complicate interventions. Furthermore, incivility and lack of cooperation from road users can sometimes worsen delays. Manuel Taracena makes an appeal: “Every second lost in traffic jams can cost a life. We ask drivers to give us passage without hesitation.“

MONUSCO firefighters must also sometimes face misunderstandings, even aggressions from certain residents. Wrongly accused of slowness, they must nevertheless remain focused on their mission. Fabien Mwingwa, from the Goma section, reminds: “Our priority is to save lives. We are a united and determined team, even in a difficult context like that of the DRC.“

Despite exhaustion, dangers and constant challenges, these men and women remain united in their mission: saving lives and protecting communities throughout the DRC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

Media files

.

Posted on

Gender equality is the goal, but how to get there? Case study of South Africa and Australia shows that context matters

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Roula Inglesi-Lotz, Professor of Economics, University of Pretoria

It will take an estimated 131 years for the world to achieve gender parity, defined as equal access, opportunities and outcomes for women and men across economic, political, educational and health dimensions. That’s according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023.

Most of us alive today will never see it happen.

Gender parity matters because women make up more than half of the world’s population, and excluding them from full participation has economic and social costs. Closing the gap is not only a matter of fairness. It’s a condition for sustained growth, innovation and societal wellbeing.

The slow pace of progress raises a question about what more needs to be done. Are countries pursuing the right kind of policies? It’s tempting to look for “best practices” and replicate them. But a closer look at how different nations approach gender equality shows there is no universal path.

Our research team of economists examined how different countries design gender equality policies. In our paper, we set out to compare South Africa and Australia to understand how context shapes approaches.

The two countries have very different histories, economies and institutions. Nevertheless, both aspire to gender equality.

We found that South Africa represents an equity-based approach, rooted in redress after apartheid. Australia has an equality-focused strategy that emphasises workplace reforms, reporting and institutional mechanisms. Equality can be defined as access to the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities for each citizens. Equity refers to providing social justice by assisting the most disadvantaged members of society. Equality implies treating all individuals similarly while equity involves differentiated treatment.

Our analysis shows why context matters more than copying models. What works in one place may not translate elsewhere. Importing Australia’s corporate gender strategies into South Africa without tackling issues that matter most in the country would miss the core issue.

Similarly, Australia does not need South Africa’s equity-based affirmative action framework in the same way. Instead, Australia aims to dismantle persistent gender inequalities in pay, workforce participation and leadership representation.

The better approach is to share lessons rather than adapt strategies. South Africa can learn from Australia’s corporate and fiscal gender mainstreaming. Australia can take note of South Africa’s insistence that equity requires actively putting things right when past discrimination lingers.

South Africa’s equity-based path

South Africa’s gender policies are deeply connected to its post-apartheid transformation. This sought to dismantle the structures of racial segregation and inequality.

Apartheid not only excluded the majority population from political, social and economic participation, it also compounded gender inequalities. Black women in particular faced a “double exclusion,” denied rights and opportunities both as Black citizens and as women.

After the first democratic elections in 1994 gender measures were therefore framed as part of the broader project of redress, seeking to dismantle these intersecting structures of racial and gender disadvantage.

With this history of exclusion and structural injustice, the country had to focus on equity and redress.

South Africa has prioritised laws and frameworks addressing gender-based violence and reproductive rights. It has also introduced employment equity legislation, gender-sensitive budgeting initiatives, and affirmative action measures to improve women’s representation in the workplace and politics.

The approach recognises that simply treating everyone “equally” on paper is not enough in a society historically hurt by systemic discrimination.

Yet progress across these areas – from reproductive rights and workplace participation to tackling gender-based violence – has been uneven.

South Africa continues to face very high unemployment, deep income inequality and persistent workplace discrimination on both racial and gender grounds.

The Gender Social Norms Index (2023) found that 97.3% of South Africans hold at least one gender bias. For example, many respondents agreed with statements such as “men make better political leaders than women” or “men have more right to jobs when jobs are scarce”.

This is among the highest rates globally. It shows how policy targets often are not in synch with cultural and social norms.

Australia’s equality-oriented path

Australia pursued a more institutional and corporate-focused route. Its stable liberal democracy and high-income economy provided the foundation for a series of workplace equality reforms. Beginning in the 1980s it introduced successive laws, including the Sex Discrimination Act and, later, the Workplace Gender Equality Act.

This focus stemmed from long-standing advocacy for women’s workplace rights and recognition that gender gaps in pay and leadership positions persisted despite overall prosperity.

Such workplace reforms are not absent in South Africa. But in Australia they have been at the centre of the strategy, supported by strong corporate governance structures and economic stability.

Australia has also used fiscal tools. It reintroduced the Women’s Budget Statement in 2013 after it was discontinued in the mid-1990s. It requires government budgets to assess how spending and tax measures affect women differently. This ensures that economic policy is evaluated through a gender lens.

A Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce was also set up in 2022 to advise the government. This approach prioritises equality in participation and opportunity, ensuring women have the same access to jobs, pay and leadership roles.

The results show measurable progress. Australia improved its position in the Global Gender Gap Index, ranking 13th in 2025.

But challenges remain, particularly in narrowing the wage gap and achieving parity in leadership positions.

Cultural change has proven slower than institutional reform.

What the comparison shows

On paper, both countries are relatively high performers in terms of gender parity. In the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, South Africa ranked 33rd and Australia 13th out of 146 countries. Yet their policy emphases and challenges differ sharply.

Using indicators such as the Global Gender Gap Index, Gender Inequality Index, and employment-to-population ratios, our study shows that while both South Africa and Australia rank relatively high in global comparisons, their challenges diverge sharply.

In South Africa, women’s labour force participation – defined as the share of women aged 15 and older who are either employed or actively seeking work – remains low at 35.4% in 2022 compared to 59.1% in Australia. By contrast, men’s participation rates were 55.5% in South Africa and 69.5% in Australia.

This means the gap between men and women is much larger in South Africa.

Australia performs better on participation and pay gap reforms, but progress is slower in shifting underlying cultural attitudes.

Closing the gap

Our findings confirm that gender equality advances through different pathways, shaped by each country’s social, historical and institutional context. And that no universal model can address such diverse realities.

Gender equality is not just about ticking boxes in international rankings. It is about recognising that different societies need different tools – and that tailored, evidence-based policies are our best hope to close the gap in less than 131 years.

– Gender equality is the goal, but how to get there? Case study of South Africa and Australia shows that context matters
– https://theconversation.com/gender-equality-is-the-goal-but-how-to-get-there-case-study-of-south-africa-and-australia-shows-that-context-matters-264202

Posted on

GITEX NIGERIA puts a global spotlight on West Africa as government and global tech leaders back Nigeria’s digital future

Source: APO

The debut of GITEX NIGERIA (www.GITEXNIGERIA.ng) brought a global spotlight to Nigeria’s digital economy, with international exhibitors and investors confirming strong engagement and immediate business opportunities.

Held under the patronage of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GITEX NIGERIA ran from 1-4 September across Abuja and Lagos. The event was supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), endorsed by the Lagos State Government, and organised by KAOUN International, global producer of GITEX events.

The Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, Commissioner, Innovation, Science & Technology, Lagos State, said: “In three short days, GITEX NIGERIA has already had a meaningful impact on our nation, from startups seeking funds and exposure with global investors to international organisations discovering the vast growth opportunities within our digital economy. This annual event will continue to grow, have a long-term contribution to Nigerian digitalisation, and show the world the power of international collaboration.”

International participants highlighted the quality of engagement with decision makers and the value of Nigeria as a market. Abdelaziz Saidu, Country Leader at Cisco Nigeria & Ghana, said: “GITEX NIGERIA has been amazing – the crowd has been overwhelming, not just in size but in the quality of people coming to our stand, including the Lagos State Governor and the Minister, who were impressed with our AI and cyber security showcases. From day one we’ve generated strong leads, some already converting into opportunities, and engaged with organisations like the African Union. The brand reputation of GITEX has pulled in the right crowd locally, regionally and internationally, making this inaugural edition truly impactful.”

The event hosted dual platforms in Lagos – the GITEX NIGERIA Tech Expo & Future Economy Conference at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre and the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival at the Landmark Centre. Together, these platforms provided an international stage for Nigerian startups, investors, and corporates to connect, build partnerships, and explore the country’s digital growth potential.

As West Africa’s largest tech and startup show, GITEX NIGERIA also featured the country’s most internationally diverse investor programme, facilitating meetings between startups, corporates, investors, and government stakeholders to advance cross-border collaboration.

The event was supported by international tech companies and organisations, including AWS, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), IBM, Meta, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kaspersky, Space42, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.

For more information, news and updates on GITEX NIGERIA, please visit www.GITEXNIGERIA.ng. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX NIGERIA.

Notes to editors:
It is GITEX NIGERIA not Gitex Nigeria

Useful links:
To access our digital press kit click here (https://apo-opa.co/4nrHcYO)

Press office contact:
press@gitexnigeria.ng

Social Media:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4nnJKaf
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/41NjkGC
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3V4X7jx
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4noq06q
Hashtag: #GITEXNIGERIA

Media files

.

Posted on

Qatar: His Highness (HH) the Amir Receives Written Message from Congo’s President

Source: APO


.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE President of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) Denis Sassou Nguesso, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi received the message during his meeting on Tuesday with HE Minister of International Cooperation and Public-Private Partnership Promotion of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, who is visiting the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Posted on

Qatar Strongly Condemns Israeli Strikes on Several Sites in Syria

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha – September 9, 2025

The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Israeli occupation forces’ bombardment of several sites in Syria’s Homs and Latakia provinces, describing the attacks as a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty, a clear breach of international law, and a serious threat to regional security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the international community to take immediate action to compel the Israeli occupation to comply with international legitimacy and to cease its repeated attacks on Syrian territory, in order to prevent further escalation and tension in the region.

The Ministry reaffirms Qatars full support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as the aspirations of the Syrian people for security and stability.

Posted on

Karavan Press Remporte le Prix de la Fabrique de Livres du Nexus de l’Afrique Créative (CANEX) pour l’Édition en Afrique 2025

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Karavan Press, une maison d’édition indépendante basée à Cape Town, en Afrique du Sud, est la lauréate de l’édition 2025 du Prix de la Fabrique de Livre pour la publication en Afrique, qui célèbre et récompense les contributions exceptionnelles des éditeurs et Auteurs Africains au monde littéraire.

Karavan Press a été récompensé pour son livre In Silence My Heart Speaks (En silence, mon cœur parle) de Thobeka Yose, remportant le premier prix d’une valeur de 20 000 dollars. Le prix a été remis par le Ministre Algérien de la Culture et des Arts, Azzedine Mihoubi, lors d’une cérémonie de remise des prix qui s’est tenue dans le cadre de la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine 2025 (IATF2025) à Alger. Les finalistes ont reçu chacun 2 000 dollars.

Ce prix est une initiative conjointe du Nexus de l’Afrique Créative (CANEX), une intervention de la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) en partenariat avec Narrative Landscape Press Limited. Il vise à mettre en valeur la chaîne de valeur littéraire et éditoriale en Afrique et à développer les talents littéraires à travers le continent et la diaspora.

« Grâce au Prix de la Fabrique de Livre pour la publication en Afrique, nous continuons à renforcer l’économie créative Africaine en mettant en avant les éditeurs et en diffusant les récits Africains auprès d’un public international. Outre ce prix, nous organisons un atelier d’écriture Panafricain et publions une newsletter électronique mettant en avant la Littérature Africaine, afin de mettre en lumière et de valoriser la chaîne de valeur du livre Africain », a déclaré Temwa Gondwe, Directeur du Département Commerce Intra-Africain et Développement des Exportations (Créativité et Diaspora) d’Afreximbank.

Pour sa deuxième édition, le prix a attiré plus de 80 candidatures provenant de tout le continent, reflétant la diversité et la vitalité de la narration Africaine. Les éditeurs ont soumis des ouvrages commerciaux destinés au grand public et largement disponibles dans les bibliothèques et les librairies. Les candidatures comprenaient des ouvrages de fiction, des essais et des recueils de poésie, en version reliée ou brochée, l’accent étant mis sur les œuvres imprimées et publiées sur le continent et rédigées dans des langues indigènes. Les candidatures pouvaient être rédigées dans une ou plusieurs des langues officielles de l’Union Africaine : Arabe, Anglais, Français, Portugais, Espagnol, Swahili et toute autre langue Africaine. Les candidatures ont été jugées sur la qualité de l’écriture, de l’édition et de la production.

Le jury était composé du Dr Boukenna Abdelaziz, Professeur d’histoire à l’université d’Alger, de Lavaille Lavette, Président de JVL Media, et du Professeur Egara Kabaji, Professeur de Communication Littéraire à l’université des sciences et technologies Masinde Muliro. Le jury a salué la qualité exceptionnelle de l’écriture, de l’édition et de la production.

Ce prix s’inscrit dans le cadre des activités de la Fabrique de Livres du CANEX, un programme annuel d’événements organisé dans le cadre de l’initiative CANEX de l’Afreximbank, qui culmine avec la cérémonie de remise des prix. L’année dernière, Cassava Republic Press (Nigeria) a remporté le premier prix lors de la première édition du Prix de la Fabrique de Livre CANEX pour la publication en Afrique pour le livre Female Fear Factory: Unveiling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence de Pumla Dineo Gqola.

CANEX à l’IATF est présenté comme le plus grand rassemblement de créatifs d’Afrique et de la diaspora à travers les chaînes de valeur de diverses industries créatives et culturelles, du cinéma, de la musique et de la mode aux arts culinaires, aux sports et aux arts visuels, entre autres. Ce sommet d’une semaine a réuni des acteurs continentaux et mondiaux afin de présenter et d’exposer leurs produits et services, et d’explorer les opportunités commerciales et d’investissement au sein d’une économie créative en pleine expansion. Il se tient dans le cadre de l’IATF2025, organisé par la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire et co-convoqué par Afreximbank, la Commission de l’Union Africaine et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf). Cet événement d’une semaine devrait faciliter la conclusion d’accords commerciaux et d’investissement d’une valeur totale de plus de 44 milliards de dollars Américains.

L’IATF est une plateforme permettant aux entreprises de présenter leurs produits et services aux visiteurs et aux acheteurs tout en explorant les opportunités et en échangeant des informations. L’IATF vise à exploiter les opportunités offertes par le marché unique de la ZLECAf, qui compte plus de 1,4 milliard d’habitants et un PIB de plus de 3 500 milliards de dollars Américains. L’IATF2025, qui se tient actuellement, en est à sa quatrième édition. Les trois dernières éditions de l’IATF ont généré au total plus de 118 milliards de dollars de transactions commerciales et d’investissements et ont attiré plus de 70 000 visiteurs et 4 500 exposants.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter le site www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact médias :
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

À propos de la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine :
Organisée par la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank), la Commission de l’Union Africaine (CUA) et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine (IATF) a pour objectif de fournir une plateforme unique facilitant l’échange d’informations sur le commerce et l’investissement afin de soutenir l’augmentation du commerce et des investissements Intra-Africains, en particulier dans le contexte de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de Libre-Échange Continental Africain (ZLECAf). L’IATF rassemble des acteurs continentaux et mondiaux afin de présenter et d’exposer leurs produits et services et d’explorer les opportunités commerciales et d’investissement sur le continent. Elle fournit également une plateforme pour partager des informations sur le commerce, l’investissement et les marchés avec les parties prenantes et permet aux participants de discuter et d’identifier des solutions aux défis auxquels sont confrontés le commerce et l’investissement Intra-Africains. Outre les participants Africains, la Foire est également ouverte aux entreprises et aux investisseurs de pays non Africains intéressés par les affaires en Afrique et désireux de soutenir la transformation du continent par l’industrialisation et le développement des exportations.

Media files

Posted on

GDP bounces to 0.8% growth in Quarter 2

Source: Government of South Africa

GDP bounces to 0.8% growth in Quarter 2

South Africa’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has improved by some 0.8% in the second quarter of 2025.

This is following a marginal increase of some 0.1% in the first quarter.

“The mining and quarrying industry increased by 3.7%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. 

“The largest positive contributors were platinum group metals, gold and chromium ore,” Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Tuesday.

The country’s manufacturing industry also increased by some 1.8% over that period – contributing 0.2% to the GDP.

“Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates. The largest positive contributions were reported for the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division.

“The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 1.7%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for retail trade, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverages,” the institution said.

On the downside, the transport, storage and communication industry decreased by 0.8%.

“Decreased economic activities were reported for land transport and transport support services.

“The construction industry [also] decreased by 0.3%. Decreases were reported for residential buildings and non-residential buildings,” Stats SA said.

Expenditure on GDP

South Africa’s Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) also rose – increasing by some 0.8% and contributing 0.6 of a percentage point to the total growth.

“Positive growth rates were reported for durable goods, semi-durable goods and services.

“The main positive contributors to the increase in HFCE were expenditures on ‘other’ [2.6% and contributing 0.3 of a percentage point], restaurants and hotels [4.8% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point], clothing and footwear (3.4% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point], transport [0.7% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point] and communication [1.1% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point].

“The negative contributors were expenditures on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics,” Stats SA revealed. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

247 views

Posted on

Water dept refutes report on board governance

Source: Government of South Africa

Water dept refutes report on board governance

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has moved to correct what it describes as a misleading portrayal of water boards and their governance in a Sunday Times article published on 7 September 2025. 

The article headlined, “Splashing out, Dry Taps as Water Boards drown in excess”, alleged excessive remuneration and questionable expenditure by board members of the country’s seven water boards and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA).

In a statement on Tuesday, the department emphasised that the report not only misrepresented the facts but also created a distorted impression of how board members are remunerated and how governance structures function within the water sector. 

The department clarified that no board member earns anywhere near the R50 million figure suggested in the article. 

“The article gives the impression that individual senior board members may be earning up to R50 million a year in board fees. This is incorrect. The maximum amount earned by a board member in the last financial year was R1.7 million,” the department said. 

Claims that board members “pocket” R100 000 per meeting were also dismissed as misleading, with DWS explaining that figures provided to Parliament included both hourly meeting fees and fixed board fees for research, preparation, and other official work beyond meetings.

Board fees, the department stressed, are determined according to an independently benchmarked remuneration policy, approved annually by the Minister of Water and Sanitation and aligned to the Consumer Price Index. Hourly rates range from R1 150 for members of smaller boards to R1 818 for chairpersons of large boards, significantly lower than private sector equivalents.

Responding to allegations that board members claim fees for attending events such as funerals, gala dinners or izimbizo, the department said these gatherings often form part of stakeholder engagement, oversight, and statutory obligations, and are therefore necessary for effective governance. International travel, meanwhile, is subject to ministerial approval and is often curtailed to ensure cost savings.

“Board members are frequently required to attend meetings organised by the Minister, as well as meetings with provincial and municipal governments, including izimbizo. Such meetings are required for purposes of monitoring, accounting, oversight, and stakeholder engagement and are necessary to fulfil the statutory mandates of the water boards. Board members may also occasionally be required to attend a “gala dinner” or a funeral of a staff member or a meeting with trade unions,” the department said. 

DWS further highlighted that the total combined cost of board fees is less than 0.1% of the water boards’ operational budgets. Despite the article’s insinuations of poor governance, the department noted that the boards and TCTA consistently receive unqualified audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa, reflecting sound financial management.

In the 2023/24 financial year, water boards collectively reported revenue of R38.9 billion, exceeding projections of R33.2 billion and their combined asset base surpassed R90 billion.

Rand Water and Umngeni-uThukela Water remain the sector’s largest players, underlining their central role in South Africa’s water infrastructure.

“This improvement in revenue collection can be attributed to better credit control measures, particularly by the larger Water Boards,” the department said. 

The department emphasised that the resolution of South Africa’s water service delivery challenges requires a wide range of actions, including by DWS, municipalities which are water services authorities, the private sector and the public. 

“It is for this reason that the Department of Water and Sanitation held a National Water Indaba in March this year, bringing together all role players to develop a plan of action (see the Indaba declaration https://www.dws.gov.za/wsindaba/declaration.aspx),” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

173 views