Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

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Small agribusinesses in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire are eager to tap into regional markets, but limited digital skills and poor access to online platforms hold them back. Without targeted support, these businesses struggle to embrace e-commerce and expand beyond their local base.

To close this gap, the International Trade Centre trained national advisors and support institutions to help agribusinesses go digital and sell across borders.

Many small agribusinesses in West Africa face barriers to reaching broader markets due to poor digital skills, low online visibility, and little access to e-commerce. These challenges hold back their potential to scale and engage in regional trade.

To help close this gap, the International Trade Centre (ITC), under its ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) programme, organized a regional training of trainers in April in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The five-day workshop brought together six newly appointed e-commerce advisors (three from each country) and eight representatives from business support organizations in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. They received the tools and knowledge to support 30 agribusinesses—15 in each country—to trade online across the region.

The participating advisors were selected for their potential to act as national champions for e-commerce capacity building. They were joined by eight representatives from four partner business support organizations: the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI) and the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire (CNA-CI). This diverse mix fostered strong cross-border peer learning and established the foundation for sustained collaboration between national institutions.

“In my view, agro-processors will need this hands-on training to increase their visibility,” said Ibrahima Bamba, Agricultural Advisor at the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire. 

Anuoluwapo Odubanjo, e-commerce Advisor for Nigeria added: “Thanks to this training, I’m ready to support agribusinesses in developing tailored e-commerce strategies—from choosing the right platforms to managing online sales—so they can scale up their operations.”

The training covered digital marketing, online payment systems, shipping logistics, and customer service. Using interactive tools such as real-life case studies and peer learning, the sessions fostered collaboration and built confidence among participants.

The impact is evident: 11 participants reported a significant improvement in their skills, and many left with action plans to support small businesses in their communities. From training rural entrepreneurs to helping businesses list on e-commerce platforms, the new advisors are ready to make a tangible impact.

Since its launch in 2018, the programme has worked to bridge digital gaps and promote trade-ready agribusinesses in West Africa. By investing in local expertise, ITC’s EAT programme is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and digitally connected agricultural economy in West Africa.

– on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: APO – Report:

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HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi Nancy Tembo, met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar (non-resident) to Malawi Fahad Rashid Al Muraikhi.

The meeting reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries. 

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO

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HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met on Friday with HE Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Africa at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Collins of Highbury.

During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and means to support and enhance them.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the African continent.

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

Source: APO

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The ceremony, chaired by Technical Advisor Georges Kouadio, representing the Minister of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Jacques Assahoré Konan, was held in the presence of representatives of the administration, local authorities, technical partners, sector experts and civil society.

On this occasion, Georges Kouadio argued that the SRIE represents an alert system at the heart of national priorities in terms of environmental monitoring.

“The SRIE is a concrete response to the urgent need for action, to the imperative to better listen to populations and to strengthen collective vigilance in the face of multiple environmental threats. This tool reflects the Ministry’s ambition to build modern environmental governance, based on inclusion, innovation, and accountability,” he said.

The SRIE coordinator, Jean-Yves Kouacou, who is also Director of Information Technology and Documentation, stated that the SRIE represents “an essential operational lever for anticipating, identifying and responding effectively to environmental incidents throughout the country.”

The ceremony also featured a panel discussion on the theme of “Environment and Digitalization: How Does the SRIE Contribute to Improving Environmental Incident Management?” This panel allowed experts to explore the issues surrounding the digitalization of environmental action in greater depth.

Deployed as part of the digitalization of public services, the SRIE also aims to improve coordination between the technical structures involved in the management of environmental alerts and to provide greater transparency on the actions taken.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

Source: APO

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Hon. Odongo Jeje Abubakar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has received copies of Letters of Credence from Ms. Landis Lauren, the incoming Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The ceremony took place in the Minister’s office, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Lauren has been working as WFP Country Director for Kenya and has also previously served in various positions within the United Nations system.

Hon. Odongo commended the efforts of WFP in providing relief assistance to communities especially in Northern Uganda during times of scarcity. The Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to work with WFP to deliver on its mandate in Uganda.

Ms. Lauren expressed appreciation to the Government of Uganda for the commitment to the welfare of refugees. She commended the Ugandan Government for having an exemplary refugee policy, where refugees are given land and other basic services to improve their welfare and maintain family bonds. She pledged to further strengthen cooperation between WFP and the Ugandan Government during her tour of duty. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to give Africa not less than two Permanent Seats with veto power as well as two Non-Permanent Seats in the United Nations Security Council. The call was made during the 6th Summit of the Committee of Ten African Union Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council (C-10) held virtually on Friday 25th July 2025. The President’s statement was delivered by Amb. Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The Summit was convened by H.E Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who is also the coordinator of the C-10. The Summit was also attended by Heads of State of Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Namibia and Zambia. The Heads of State of Algeria, Congo Republic, and Senegal were ably represented by Ministers.

Since 2005, the C-10 has been working to, on behalf of the African Union, champion the Common African Position (CAP) on the reform of the UNSC. The resolutions of the C-10 will form the African position to be discussed at the United Nations General Assembly and other fora.

President Museveni called on the United Nations to consider the African proposals for fair representation to rectify the historical injustice against Africa which was perpetrated by the exploitative colonial powers. He noted that at the time the United Nations was founded in 1945, Africa had only four (4) Independent States (Ethiopia, Liberia, Egypt and the Union of South Africa) and only these were invited to the San Francisco Conference at which the UN Charter and the Statute of the ICJ were adopted. Currently, Africa has 54 independent States, which forms almost 28% of the UN membership. It is therefore imperative to reform the UNSC to reflect the current realities.

The President urged members of the C-10 and the African Union in general to step up building the “Africa We Want” in accordance with the vision of the African Union, united, cohesive and speaking with one voice  in all aspects of the UNSC reforms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

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The annual Eritrean community festival in the Scandinavian countries—Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland—commenced yesterday in Stockholm with patriotic zeal. The festival, which is being attended by a number of nationals from various European countries, America, and elsewhere, was officially opened by Mr. Fesehatsion Petros, Eritrea’s non-resident Ambassador to the Scandinavian countries.

Mr. Alem Teklegergis, Chairman of the Holidays Coordinating Committee, said that Eritrean festivals, beyond being public gatherings, make a significant contribution in strengthening unity and attachment to the homeland, as well as in nurturing nationalism and noble societal values.

Indicating that the Eritrean festival in the Scandinavian countries plays a vital role in preserving national values, Mr. Alem added that the successful implementation of the festivals attests to the strong and committed participation of nationals and the effective organization of the community.

The festival, which will continue until 27 July, features seminars, a photo exhibition depicting national development programs and the activities of the Eritrean community in the Scandinavian countries, children’s and youth programs, exhibitions by villages representing Eritrean ethnic groups and national organizations, as well as cultural and artistic performances by a cultural troupe from Eritrea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.