Category: MIL-OSI

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Regional cooperation in agriculture key to food security

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger collaboration between South Africa and Zimbabwe to boost food security, climate resilience and agricultural trade in the region.

Speaking at the official opening of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare on Friday, President Ramaphosa said agriculture remained central to both countries’ economies and vital to addressing unemployment and poverty.

He commended Zimbabwe for its reforms in irrigation, mechanisation and farmer support, noting the sector’s importance in driving economic recovery.

“We congratulate the government of Zimbabwe for the measures it is taking to revive the country’s agricultural sector,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Harare at the invitation of Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for a working visit. The President participated as a guest of honour in the official opening of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

The President stressed that climate change posed a growing threat to agriculture, with droughts already reducing yields across the region. He said countries needed to adapt through innovation, technology and joint initiatives.

“Collaboration among countries is critical,” the President said.

He also highlighted biosecurity as an area requiring regional cooperation, citing recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and bird flu. He said investment in research, seed provision, irrigation, training and agro-processing would help strengthen resilience and expand trade opportunities.

He urged the private sector in both countries to use the agriculture show as a platform to build partnerships and leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, agriculture accounts for between 60% and 80% of employment in the region. President Ramaphosa said creating a more enabling environment for small and medium-scale farmers, especially women and youth, was essential.

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is an annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society to facilitate and promote agricultural development in the country. Now in its 130th year, it continues to be a platform for promoting innovation, investment and cooperation in the agricultural sector. – SAnews.gov.za

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LEKOIL Named Silver Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025, Highlighting Growth and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Leadership

Source: APO


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Africa-focused exploration and production company LEKOIL will participate as a Silver Partner at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025, underscoring its commitment to scaling oil production, advancing ESG principles and aligning with Nigeria’s energy transition and reform agenda. 

LEKOIL is pursuing a medium-term goal of reaching 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), driven by a portfolio of marginal and offshore assets. Growth will be achieved through rapid project execution, technical innovation and strategic partnerships designed to maximize efficiency and production. 

Earlier this year, the company entered a strategic partnership with the Kwa Ibom State government to catalyze investment across the oil and gas value chain, while also promoting agricultural, infrastructure and community-based initiatives. This collaboration reflects LEKOIL’s long-term vision to integrate energy production with socioeconomic empowerment, creating jobs and driving development in host communities. 

ESG remains central to LEKOIL’s strategy. The company actively promotes environmental stewardship, social investment and governance best practices across Africa’s energy sector. By minimizing environmental footprints, empowering local communities, and ensuring operational transparency, LEKOIL is strengthening investor confidence and supporting sustainable growth. 

Operationally, the company has established a track record of efficiency. The Otakikpo field in Rivers State – acquired in 2014 – was brought into production within 18 months, setting a benchmark for indigenous operators. Today, it remains a cornerstone of LEKOIL’s production base. Meanwhile, OPL 310 offshore Lagos – one of Nigeria’s largest recent offshore discoveries, with estimated recoverable resources exceeding 700 million barrels of oil equivalent – offers significant long-term growth potential. 

These activities align with Nigeria’s broader energy sector reforms, including new executive orders and fiscal measures aimed at boosting competitiveness, attracting investment and enhancing transparency. LEKOIL’s production ambitions and governance commitments position it as a key partner in achieving national energy targets and advancing regional economic growth. 

“LEKOIL’s operational record, ESG focus and alignment with Nigeria’s reform agenda showcase how indigenous oil companies can deliver both commercial growth and socioeconomic impact. By combining technical expertise with strong local partnerships, the company is creating a blueprint for sustainable upstream development in Africa,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. 

LEKOIL executives Edward During, Chief Financial Officer, and Sam Olotu, Chief Technical Officer, will speak at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies, offering insights into the company’s ongoing projects, growth trajectory and ESG-driven approach. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week (AEW):
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

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Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Official Opening of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Agricultural Show Grounds, Harare

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency and Dear Brother, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe;
First Vice President Honourable General Chiwenga;
Second Vice President Honourable Colonel Mohadi;
Ministers,;
Mayor of Harare, Cllr Jacob Mafume;
President of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, Mr Ngoni Kudenga;
Representatives from business and agriculture in Zimbabwe and South Africa;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Good morning.

It is a great pleasure to be here. 

Mr President, allow me to congratulate you on the opening of this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

Over the 130 years since its founding, the value and importance of this agricultural show has endured and grown. 

This premier event has weathered strong headwinds: political, economic and increasingly ecological. 

Even amidst these challenges, a constant feature of this show has been the commitment to use agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth, sustainable development and historical redress. 

On independence in 1980, the new democratic government of Zimbabwe had to take on the momentous task of dismantling colonial-era patterns of land ownership. 

Most of the country’s commercially productive land and large-scale commercial farms were owned by whites. The black majority was confined to communal lands and all but completely excluded from commercial farming. 

This mirrored our own experience in South Africa. 

It was therefore essential – for both historical redress and food security, development and economic growth – that the government embarked on ambitious reforms to facilitate the entry of black Zimbabweans into productive agriculture, including support to small-scale farmers. 

Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Zimbabwean economy.

We congratulate the government of Zimbabwe for the measures it is taking to revive the country’s agricultural sector through policy reforms, investment in irrigation and mechanisation, and empowering large- and small-scale farmers. 

We know that the agricultural sector has been heavily affected by the growing impacts of the changing climate. 

Severe drought has impacted crop yields in recent years. 

Adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change are an imperative for all nations. Collaboration among countries is critical to the success of these efforts. 

Biosecurity is another area in which we must step up our cooperation. 

Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, avian or bird flu, crop infections and others, call on us to pool our resources and strengthen our collaboration, including through our respective research institutions. 

Technological trends in agriculture must be fully embraced to increase output and conserve resources. 

By way of example, geo-spacial agriculture using earth observation and Artificial Intelligence has started to feature in some sectors of agriculture in South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Such innovation will be key as we collectively build resilience in pursuit of food security. 

It will also help to make our industries more competitive in the global trading market and to make use of the substantial opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

President Mnangagwa and I recently attended the SADC Summit in Madagascar, where agricultural transformation in the region was a major point of discussion. 

The hosting of this Agriculture Show resonates with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, which seeks to improve domestic production and marketing as well as the facilitation of regional trade in food staples. 

Agricultural cooperation is key to sustaining jobs. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, agriculture accounts for between 60 and 80 percent of employment in the region. 

We must therefore work towards a more enabling regulatory environment to further boost this sector. 

We need increased investment in small and medium farming entities, particularly those owned and run by women and the youth. 

I call on the private sectors in both Zimbabwe and South Africa to use this show to explore avenues for great collaboration that will result in more trade and investment across our borders. 

We need investment in the provision of seeds, training, irrigation schemes, storage facilities and in agro-processing. 

The development of road, rail and aviation infrastructure is a key catalyst to take agriculture to an even higher level. 

Your Excellency, Mr President, 

As I conclude, I wish to once again thank you and the people of Zimbabwe for the warm welcome you have accorded us. 

I extend my warmest congratulations to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for successfully organising this edition of the agricultural show and to everyone present here today for ensuring that the show is a resounding success. 

I thank you. 

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Ramokgopa advocates for just transition that will leave no community behind

Source: Government of South Africa

Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has outlined an ambitious plan to restructure the nation’s energy landscape, emphasising a balanced approach to decarbonisation that prioritises economic stability and community welfare.

Ramokgopa was speaking at the official launch of the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk and National JET Skills Advisory Forum.

Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday, the Minister told delegates that government aims to dramatically shift its energy mix, targeting 60% renewable energy by 2042, transitioning from the current 78% fossil fuel dependency.

“And then, as we do that, we need to ensure that we domesticate the benefits.” 

The Minister said a key strategy involves repurposing existing power infrastructure, particularly in Mpumalanga, to create new green energy opportunities.

“Our view is that this is a diversified mix with a dynamic relationship.”

According to the Minister, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will add 11 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic and 9 GW of wind power by 2030, with an additional 74 GW planned between 2030-2042. 

The IRP aims to address energy sovereignty, economic impact, and environmental harm, projecting a significant increase in renewable energy sources by 2042. 

Meanwhile, the Minister said the Energy Action Plan (EAP) has improved electricity availability from 48% to over 70%. 

Importantly, the Minister said the transition prioritises “just transition” principles, ensuring communities are not economically decimated.

“As we transition, you must not leave anyone behind. We must design interventions to ensure the net employment benefit is positive.”

In addition, the plan includes massive transmission infrastructure investments, estimated at R440 billion and focuses on creating skills aligned with emerging green economy needs.

“That is because we want to transition. Otherwise, if you didn’t want to, we were not going to spend that money… and could be redirecting it to other sectors of the economy. I’m just saying it’s not free, but we know that the benefit outweighs the upfront cost and then the repurposing options of these power stations.”

In addition, he said the focus is on repurposing power stations and developing local skills to support the transition, ensuring a balanced approach that includes all energy sources and benefits communities.

The Minister said government’s message was clear, which is action over perfection. 

“Our biggest problem is seeking a perfect solution… Act, and in the course of doing that, we’ll make mistakes and get it right.”
Meanwhile, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, who delivered a keynote address on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, highlighted that the energy transition is “not just about megawatts” but is fundamentally about people, communities, and equity.

“It must be about ensuring that women, youth and vulnerable groups are not left behind,” Manamela said. 

READ | South Africa launches critical skills initiatives for Just Energy Transition

Today’s launch saw the unveiling of the JET Skills Desk and the National Jet Skills Advisory Forum, two pillars of South Africa’s JET Skills Portfolio. 

Manamela announced that the JET Skills Desk, located within his department, will coordinate the reskilling and upskilling of workers, while focusing on preparing them for opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industries.

“It will drive reskilling and upskilling of adult workers. It will anticipate skills needs through labour market intelligence. It will strengthen curricular and educator readiness and align training with industry.” – SAnews.gov.za

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China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), Chinese leading rating agency affirms Afreximbank’s AAA/Stable rating

Source: APO

China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) has affirmed African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) AAA issuer credit rating with a stable outlook.

Download report: https://apo-opa.co/47lLSKY

The high rating reflects CCXI’s assessment of Afreximbank’s strengths including high strategic positioning, sound risk management system, flexibility in business development, very strong profitability, prudent liquidity management and very high coverage ratio of current assets on short-term debts.

The rating agency further said that it believed that Afreximbank’s ratings would remain stable over the next 12 to18 months, even after consideration of downside credit risks to the macroeconomic and operating environments affecting the Bank.

Reacting to the rating announcement, Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, noted that the rating affirms the Bank’s systemic relevance to Africa and its prudent risk management. He noted it will enhance funding diversification opportunities, particularly in China’s Panda bond market, supporting Afreximbank’s development mandate and trade facilitation between Africa and China.

He reiterated Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting trade finance in Africa and the Caribbean, even during challenging times. He noted the Bank’s commitment to its member states and all clients was unwavering and this resilient track record had significantly contributed to its formidable rating. He said the Chinese rating affirmed the Bank’s preferred creditor status among its 53 member states in Africa and 13 in the Caribbean.

Mr. Denya said: “CCXI’s rating is a remarkable achievement amid a challenging operating environment, and it is a demonstration of Afreximbank’s systemic relevance to Africa and the Caribbean, our key focus regions.” Mr. Denya added that the rating exemplified the Bank’s resilience and would enable it to leverage the breadth and depth of the Panda market as it diversifies its funding sources globally.

The CCXI rating is expected to galvanise greater support for Afreximbank’s funding plans in the Chinese market and enhance the Bank’s market presence and credit position.

In April this year, Afreximbank successfully issued its landmark inaugural Panda bond in the China Interbank Bond Market, raising RMB 2.2 billion (US $ 303 million). The issuance was a significant success, being oversubscribed and attracting high-quality investors, which underscored strong market confidence in the Bank’s credit profile. This pioneering transaction not only provides Afreximbank with a new source of diversified funding in Chinese Renminbi but also establishes a crucial benchmark for other African borrowers and marks a key step in deepening financial cooperation between Africa and China.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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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) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). 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.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), la principale agence de notation chinoise confirme la notation AAA/stable d’Afreximbank

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) a confirmé la note de crédit émetteur « AAA » de la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), avec une perspective stable.

Télécharger le rapport : https://apo-opa.co/47lLSKY

La note élevée reflète l’évaluation par CCXI des atouts d’Afreximbank, notamment un positionnement stratégique élevé, un système de gestion des risques solide, une flexibilité dans le développement des affaires, une rentabilité très forte, une gestion prudente des liquidités et un ratio de couverture très élevé des actifs courants sur les dettes à court terme.

L’agence de notation a en outre déclaré qu’elle s’attend que les notations d’Afreximbank restent stables au cours des 12 à 18 prochains mois, même après examen des risques de crédit à la baisse pour les environnements macroéconomiques et opérationnels affectant la Banque.

Réagissant à l’annonce de la notation, M. Denys Denya, Premier Vice-Président Exécutif d’Afreximbank, a souligné que la notation confirme la pertinence systémique de la Banque pour l’Afrique et sa gestion prudente des risques. Il a également noté que cette notation améliorera les opportunités de diversification du financement, en particulier sur le marché obligataire chinois de Panda, soutenant le mandat de développement d’Afreximbank et la facilitation du commerce entre l’Afrique et la Chine.

M. Demya a réitéré l’engagement d’Afreximbank à soutenir le financement du commerce en Afrique et dans les Caraïbes, en dépit du contexte difficile. Il a réaffirmé l’engagement indéfectible de la Banque envers ses États membres et tous ses clients ajoutant que la solide expérience de la Banque a grandement contribué à cette formidable notation. Il a déclaré que la notation chinoise confirmait le statut de créancier privilégié de la Banque auprès de ses 53 États membres en Afrique et de ses 13 États membres dans les Caraïbes.

M. Denya a poursuivi en ces termes : « La notation de CCXI est une réussite remarquable dans un environnement opérationnel difficile, et elle démontre la pertinence systémique d’Afreximbank pour l’Afrique et les Caraïbes, nos régions prioritaires ». M. Denya a ajouté que cette notation illustrait la résilience de la Banque et lui permettrait de tirer parti de l’ampleur et de la profondeur du marché Panda tout en diversifiant ses sources de financement à l’échelle mondiale.

La notation de la CCXI devrait stimuler un soutien accru aux plans de financement d’Afreximbank sur le marché chinois et renforcer la présence de la Banque ainsi que sa position de crédit

En avril de cette année, Afreximbank a émis avec succès son tout premier emprunt obligataire Panda sur le marché obligataire interbancaire chinois, levant 2,2 milliards de RMB (soit 303 millions de dollars US). Cette émission a constitué un succès majeur puisqu’elle a été sursouscrite et a attiré des investisseurs de premier plan, ce qui témoigne de la forte confiance du marché dans le profil de crédit de la Banque.  Cette opération pionnière offre non seulement à Afreximbank une nouvelle source de financement diversifiée en renminbi chinois, mais elle établit également une référence essentielle pour les autres emprunteurs africains et constitue une étape clé dans l’approfondissement de la coopération financière entre l’Afrique et la Chine ».

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact Presse :
Vincent Musumba
Responsable de la communication et de la gestion événementielle (Relations presse)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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À propos d’Afreximbank :
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) est une institution financière multilatérale panafricaine dédiée au financement et à la promotion du commerce intra et extra-africain. Depuis 30 ans, Afreximbank déploie des structures innovantes pour fournir des solutions de financement qui facilitent la transformation de la structure du commerce africain et accélèrent l’industrialisation et le commerce intrarégional, soutenant ainsi l’expansion économique en Afrique. Fervente défenseur de l’Accord sur la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), Afreximbank a lancé les le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) qui a été adopté par l’Union africaine (UA) comme la plateforme de paiement et de règlement devant appuyer la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf. En collaboration avec le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf et l’UA, la Banque a mis en place un Fonds d’ajustement de 10 milliards de dollars US pour aider les pays à participer de manière effective à la ZLECAf. À la fin de décembre 2024, le total des actifs et des garanties de la Banque s’élevait à environ 40,1 milliards de dollars US et les fonds de ses actionnaires s’établissaient à 7,2 milliards de dollars US. Afreximbank est notée A par GCR International Scale, Baa2 par Moody’s, AAA par China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), A- par Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) et BBB par Fitch. Au fil des ans, Afreximbank est devenue un groupe constitué de la Banque, de sa filiale de financement à impact appelée Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA), et de sa filiale de gestion d’assurance, AfrexInsure, (les trois entités forment « le Groupe »). La Banque a son siège social au Caire, en Égypte.

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter www.Afreximbank.com

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Let us all support the Class of 2025  

Source: Government of South Africa

With the end of August marking the start of the matric class of 2025’s preliminary examinations, we all have a responsibility to give them the extra support they need, as they take the next step towards becoming responsible adults of tomorrow.

Exams come with heightened levels of fear and anxiety around mathematical formulas and the like, and all parents, guardians, siblings and society at large, should chip in to ease these fears.

Learners sitting for the prelims across the country, will likely share similar fears as these exams are a step closer to the all-important October/November final exams that mark the end of the Class of 2025’s high school career.

These prelims are a litmus test of what is to come when our Matrics sit for their finals, and it should be seen as just as important.  

Caregivers can extend an encouraging word or two to their beloved matrics who will be sitting for various papers. A pep talk, for example, on how the exams are going, can be helpful to relieve some of the pressure and a care pack of their favourite treats will also likely put a smile on their dial. Reducing their daily chores will also demonstrate thoughtfulness, as they burn the midnight oil in earnest.

To help learners prepare for the exams, schools often have revision, and extra lessons are often held over weekends to assist learners with their studies. The Department of Basic Education also has the Mind the Gap study Guides for learners. The study guides are aimed at improving the academic performance of Grade 12 candidates and are available for various subjects including Accounting, Life Sciences and Economics.

Additionally, the department also has Practical Assessment Tasks guidelines for those registered for subjects like Agriculture: Agricultural Management Practices and Agricultural Technology; and Life Orientation among others.
Learners can also use previous exam papers to revise and prepare for the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams that begin in October.

The papers as well as the guidelines and study guides are accessible on the department’s website (https://www.education.gov.za).

While exams provide plenty a dish of nervousness, learners should walk into the various exam halls with confidence that they have prepared sufficiently when they put pen to paper.

This is despite the hardships they may have had in getting to grips with the subject matter or learners who were at the mercy of mother nature’s adverse weather that battered parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape, not so long ago.

While government has been assisting flood-ravaged communities, we take our hats off to leaners and their teachers who have kept track of their academics in the midst of challenging times.

Our support in helping them to reach their academic goals will help our country in producing the leaders and captains of industry of tomorrow. Education is an important item in any society’s toolbox.

Addressing the current challenges the country faces, including poverty, inequality and the materialising effects of climate change, requires innovation and foresight that will also help anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.
The learners of today and tomorrow are a crucial part of that toolbox if South Africa is to overcome challenges and move towards a better life for all.

And yes, many wonder whether the learners who are about to complete their schooling and become graduates in many a field will be able to find work given the high unemployment rate.

And while unemployment is a very real challenge, learning cannot come to a halt if the country has ambitions of being progressive. The future world requires education, and the country needs young, innovative people, who will acquire coding and other skills that the future demands. Employment and entrepreneurship will have to be a part of the future South Africa. 

In June, Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced that the country has ratified the Protocol for Women and Youth in Trade, under the African Continental Free Trade Area, as a way of fostering inclusive growth. Speaking at the High-Level G20 Intergenerational Roundtable, hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Deputy President said the milestone is not just a symbolic gesture, but a move that operationalises the inclusion of woman-led and youth-led enterprises in regional and global value chains. 

This it does by the removal of  structural trade barriers, prioritising access to information, finances, and markets, as well as requiring state parties to create enabling legal and policy environments for inclusive economic participation.

Government has also put in place measures such as the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative which has to date provided over 190 000 young people with year-long work experience opportunities as a means of addressing unemployment.
As society, we need to support the dreams of not only the Grade 12 learners who will step into the exam rooms to face their prelims, but all learners across the country.  They need to know that we believe in them and are hopeful of a bright future for them.

In the same vein, we need responsible learners who will not take up cheating in any of their exams or bully other learners to do their exam preparation for them. If a learner does not do well in this round of exams, they must not give up hope – but realise they can up the ante in the final exam.

The country does not need leaked papers either, but a mutual respect between learners, teachers and those working across the various exam halls.

The country stands fully behind the matric class of 2025. –SAnews.gov.za 

*Neo Semono is a Features Writer/Editor at SAnews.gov.za 

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Angola: Calumbo reinforces national polio vaccination effort

Source: APO


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Surrounded by the wide Kwanza River, the municipality of Calumbo is known for the resilience and hard-working spirit of its people. Between August 15 and 17, the municipality joined the rest of the country in the First Round of the National Polio Vaccination Campaign, a large-scale operation that mobilized 1,000 health workers to administer 1.5 million doses of vaccine to 100,000 children. 

Between August 15 and 17, the municipality joined the rest of the country in the First Round of the National Polio Vaccination Campaign, a large-scale operation that mobilized more than 50,000 health professionals and volunteers to protect around 7 million children under the age of five in all 326 municipalities of Angola. 

In Calumbo, dozens of teams visited homes, markets, churches, and taxi stands to ensure that no child was left without receiving the two drops of the oral polio vaccine. Among the faces of this mobilization is Francisco Manuel, 26, a physical education and sports student who started as a community mobilizer and is now a vaccination team supervisor. 

“What motivates me to be a supervisor is being able to teach my colleagues how to work and also talk to the population to protect the lives of our children,” he says. 

For Francisco, each training session is a weapon against misinformation. “Thanks to the training we have received, we have been able to change mindsets. Today, the community understands that vaccines save lives and that no child should go without being vaccinated.” 

Francisco has become a role model for young people and families in the municipality. In addition to the fight against polio, he is involved in volunteer work at the Municipal Hospital of Icolo and Bengo. 

At his side is Rosa Joaquim, the municipality’s Child Health Supervisor and coordinator of the Calumbo Vila area, where the goal was to vaccinate 9,002 children. A nurse with over 20 years of experience in pediatrics, Rosa is intimately familiar with the challenges and achievements of this mission. 

“The areas that previously rejected the vaccine now accept it. We changed our strategy: we recruited local people, respected leaders in the neighborhoods, who helped mobilize families. We also carried out a pre-campaign to raise awareness, which greatly facilitated acceptance,” she explains. 

Rosa’s experience and Francisco’s passion show how the fight against polio is carried out by ordinary people, motivated by love for their community, working for a polio-free future. But this mobilization is not just local: it is part of a national and global effort to eradicate polio once and for all. 

From house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood, vaccinators across the country are giving hope to millions of families. Only with everyone’s collaboration will it be possible to ensure that no child in Angola is left behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

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President Hakainde Hichilema, African Union (AU) Cholera Champion, Joins Partners to Unveil Africa’s New Continental Cholera Plan

Source: APO


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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a six-month 1.0 continental preparedness and response plan against cholera under the leadership of H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema, the African Union Cholera Champion, in Lusaka, Zambia, on 26 August.

President Hichilema has led the rallying call for African political leaders as key actors and champions of change. In June 2025, he rallied African Heads of State to commit to accelerating investment, cross-border coordination, and vaccine access to eliminate cholera by 2030. That commitment has now led to the new plan.

The plan is built around seven priorities: strengthened coordination, enhanced surveillance, expanded laboratory capacity, effective case management, WASH interventions, vaccination, and community engagement. It will be driven by the Continental Cholera IMST, integrated with the Mpox IMST, and co-led by Africa CDC and WHO to deliver rapid, coordinated responses while leveraging technical expertise and logistics support.

In parallel, Africa CDC and WHO will support the AU Cholera Champion in establishing the African Continental Task Force on Cholera Control. This body will bring together Member States and key partners to align with the 2030 Global Cholera Elimination targets, create National Presidential Task Forces, and mobilize resources, including vaccines, to accelerate elimination across Africa.

Africa CDC notes that cholera is a major public health challenge on the continent, accounting for 82% of global cases and nearly 94% of cholera-related deaths. Between September 2025 and February 2026, Africa is projected to face more than 200,000 cholera cases and 6,020 deaths — a 42% surge in cases and a 98% rise in deaths compared to 2024, if current interventions remain unchanged.

The new plan requires $231.7 million for supplies and response, plus $100 million to scale African Oral Cholera Vaccine production.

“Today’s launch of the Continental Cholera Outbreak Response Plan marks a major milestone, a turning point in how political leaders engage alongside technical experts to address Africa’s public health challenges,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, at the launch.

“Their leadership, matched with Africa CDC’s technical guidance and the solidarity of our partners, will move us closer to a continent free of epidemics, free of cholera, and resilient against future threats,” he added.

In a joint foreword to the plan, Dr Kaseya and Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, Regional Director, WHO-Afro, emphasized: “We have learned that only through solidarity, shared responsibility, and regional collaboration can we effectively respond to complex health emergencies like cholera.”

“To efficiently respond to this outbreak, leveraging the successful model of the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) is critical. The IMST has proven effective in coordinating multi-country responses to mpox with its ‘4-One’ principle — one team, one plan, one budget, and one monitoring framework — which ensures strategic coherence, operational efficiency, and accountability across Member States and partners,” they noted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supports Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau in domestication and implementation of community fiscal directives

Source: APO


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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of Customs Union and Taxation, conducted consultative missions to Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau from 16 to 23 August 2025 to follow up on the domestication and implementation of regional fiscal directives.

Led by Mr. Salifou Tiemtore, Director of Customs Union and Taxation, and Mr. Darlingston Y. Talery, Principal Programme Officer for Domestic Taxes, the ECOWAS delegation held high-level consultations with the Ministers of Finance of Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau, Honourable Dr. Olavo Avelino Garcia Correia and Honourable Ilídio Vieira Té, as well as senior officials from the Directorate-General of Contributions and Taxes.

The missions focused on assessing the progress made by the two countries in aligning their national fiscal frameworks with eight ECOWAS Community Directives and two Supplementary Acts, including measures on Value Added Tax (VAT), Excise Duties, Transfer Pricing, Beneficial Ownership, and Double Taxation. The discussions also addressed the establishment of institutional mechanisms to monitor fiscal transition processes.

In Guinea-Bissau, the delegation commended the implementation of a VAT regime in January 2025, which has already contributed to increased revenue collection. The team also welcomed the establishment of a dedicated unit preparing the country’s first Tax Expenditure Report for 2024 and 2025, as a step towards greater transparency and regional compliance.

In Cabo Verde, the mission noted the strong political commitment to fiscal integration and applauded the ongoing reforms at the Ministry of Finance, which align with ECOWAS regional objectives.

Despite progress, the delegation identified persisting challenges affecting full implementation of the fiscal instruments, notably limited human and technical capacity, financial constraints, political instability in Guinea-Bissau, and the need for enhanced institutional coordination.

At the conclusion of the mission, the ECOWAS Commission and the two Member States agreed to reinforce efforts through an Aide Mémoire that outlines steps for the domestication and implementation of regional tax instruments. ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to provide continued technical and financial assistance to support Member States in strengthening national fiscal systems in accordance with regional standards.

The delegation expressed appreciation to the Honourable Ministers and their technical teams for their collaboration, and reiterated ECOWAS’ determination to promote transparent, harmonized, and efficient tax systems that advance regional integration and sustainable revenue mobilization.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).