Category: MIL-OSI

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South Africa’s Shale Gas Awakening Could Redefine Its Energy Future

Source: APO

The decision by South Africa to lift its long-standing moratorium on shale gas exploration represents a decisive moment for the country’s energy future. After more than a decade of uncertainty, the Karoo Basin – estimated to hold up to 200 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable gas – may finally be positioned to transform from potential into production. For the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/), this development marks a crucial step towards unlocking South Africa’s onshore gas potential, diversifying its energy mix and advancing a just and inclusive energy transition.

For years, South Africa’s gas strategy has been constrained by limited domestic supply and reliance on imports from Mozambique through the ROMPCO pipeline. The lifting of the moratorium offers a pathway to change this trajectory – one that aligns with the country’s Integrated Resource Plan and the AEC’s advocacy for a stronger, self-sustaining African gas economy. Onshore development presents a distinct advantage over offshore production, particularly in proximity to key industrial and power generation hubs. By harnessing shale gas domestically, South Africa can stabilize its power system, supply feedstock to local industries and catalyze job creation across the value chain.

The Chamber firmly believes that developing South Africa’s onshore shale resources can also accelerate the expansion of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market. LPG represents a clean, affordable alternative for residential and commercial use – from cooking to heating – and can significantly reduce dependence on biomass and heavy fuels. By integrating shale gas development with LPG production and distribution, South Africa can deliver tangible benefits to households and small businesses while contributing to its broader energy transition goals.

Environmental and social considerations must remain at the forefront of this process. The Karoo Basin is a geologically and ecologically sensitive area, and responsible development must be guided by transparency and robust regulation. Lessons from the United States demonstrate that technological innovation, sound policy and market alignment can coexist with environmental stewardship. Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling – when executed with modern standards and oversight – have proven capable of delivering transformative energy outcomes while mitigating impact.

The U.S. shale revolution provides an instructive roadmap. In just over a decade, the United States evolved from an energy importer to the world’s largest producer of oil and gas. This transformation was not driven by resource endowment alone, but by the combination of technological innovation, clear property rights, strong infrastructure and free market access. South Africa now stands at a similar crossroads. By ensuring regulatory clarity, fiscal competitiveness and infrastructure readiness, the country can attract the investment and expertise necessary to translate geological potential into long-term economic benefit.

“Africa must stop watching others define the future of energy,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “The United States didn’t wait for perfect conditions to unleash its shale revolution – it acted. South Africa can and must do the same. Lifting this moratorium is not just a regulatory step; it’s a statement of intent that South Africans are ready to power their own future.”

According to the AEC’s State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, Africa’s energy transition will depend not only on large offshore discoveries but also on the responsible development of onshore resources – including shale, tight gas and associated gas. The Karoo Basin embodies this future. Developing these resources will enhance domestic energy security, strengthen regional integration and create new opportunities for local content and industrialization. The Chamber’s analysis underscores that gas will remain a central pillar of Africa’s energy growth, supporting cleaner power generation, manufacturing and LPG expansion across the continent.

For South Africa, time is of the essence. The longer shale development remains on hold, the greater the risk of missed opportunities in investment, job creation and energy security. The Chamber encourages swift action to finalize environmental guidelines, streamline permitting and facilitate partnerships between government, local stakeholders and the private sector. The objective is clear: to ensure that South Africa’s shale potential contributes meaningfully to its energy transition and national development agenda.

The AEC stands ready to work alongside South African authorities, investors and communities to ensure that shale gas development is conducted responsibly, transparently and for the benefit of all South Africans. With the right policies and partnerships in place, South Africa’s onshore gas can become a cornerstone of its just energy transition and a catalyst for sustainable growth across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Le réveil du gaz de schiste en Afrique du Sud pourrait redéfinir son avenir énergétique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La décision de l’Afrique du Sud de lever son moratoire de longue date sur l’exploration du gaz de schiste représente un moment décisif pour l’avenir énergétique du pays. Après plus d’une décennie d’incertitude, le bassin du Karoo, qui recèlerait jusqu’à 200 000 milliards de pieds cubes de gaz techniquement récupérable, pourrait enfin être en mesure de passer du stade du potentiel à celui de la production. Pour la Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/), cette évolution marque une étape cruciale vers l’exploitation du potentiel gazier terrestre de l’Afrique du Sud, la diversification de son mix énergétique et la promotion d’une transition énergétique juste et inclusive.

Pendant des années, la stratégie gazière de l’Afrique du Sud a été limitée par un approvisionnement national restreint et une dépendance vis-à-vis des importations en provenance du Mozambique via le gazoduc ROMPCO. La levée du moratoire offre une voie pour changer cette trajectoire, qui s’aligne sur le plan intégré de ressources du pays et le plaidoyer de l’AEC en faveur d’une économie gazière africaine plus forte et autonome. Le développement onshore présente un avantage certain par rapport à la production offshore, en particulier à proximité des principaux pôles industriels et de production d’électricité. En exploitant le gaz de schiste au niveau national, l’Afrique du Sud peut stabiliser son système électrique, fournir des matières premières aux industries locales et catalyser la création d’emplois tout au long de la chaîne de valeur.

La Chambre est fermement convaincue que le développement des ressources schisteuses terrestres de l’Afrique du Sud peut également accélérer l’expansion du marché du gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL). Le GPL représente une alternative propre et abordable pour un usage résidentiel et commercial, de la cuisine au chauffage, et peut réduire considérablement la dépendance à la biomasse et aux combustibles lourds. En intégrant le développement du gaz de schiste à la production et à la distribution de GPL, l’Afrique du Sud peut apporter des avantages tangibles aux ménages et aux petites entreprises tout en contribuant à ses objectifs plus larges de transition énergétique.

Les considérations environnementales et sociales doivent rester au premier plan de ce processus. Le bassin du Karoo est une zone sensible sur le plan géologique et écologique, et son développement responsable doit être guidé par la transparence et une réglementation solide. Les enseignements tirés des États-Unis démontrent que l’innovation technologique, une politique saine et l’alignement du marché peuvent coexister avec la gestion responsable de l’environnement. La fracturation hydraulique et le forage horizontal, lorsqu’ils sont réalisés selon les normes modernes et sous surveillance, se sont avérés capables de produire des résultats énergétiques transformateurs tout en atténuant leur impact.

La révolution du schiste aux États-Unis fournit une feuille de route instructive. En un peu plus d’une décennie, les États-Unis sont passés du statut d’importateur d’énergie à celui de premier producteur mondial de pétrole et de gaz. Cette transformation n’a pas été uniquement motivée par la richesse en ressources, mais par la combinaison de l’innovation technologique, de droits de propriété clairs, d’infrastructures solides et d’un libre accès au marché. L’Afrique du Sud se trouve aujourd’hui à un carrefour similaire. En garantissant la clarté réglementaire, la compétitivité fiscale et la disponibilité des infrastructures, le pays peut attirer les investissements et l’expertise nécessaires pour transformer son potentiel géologique en avantages économiques à long terme.

« L’Afrique doit cesser de regarder les autres définir l’avenir de l’énergie », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’AEC. « Les États-Unis n’ont pas attendu que les conditions soient parfaites pour lancer leur révolution du schiste – ils ont agi. L’Afrique du Sud peut et doit faire de même. La levée de ce moratoire n’est pas seulement une mesure réglementaire, c’est une déclaration d’intention qui montre que les Sud-Africains sont prêts à prendre en main leur propre avenir. »

Selon les perspectives énergétiques de l’AEC pour 2026, la transition énergétique de l’Afrique dépendra non seulement des grandes découvertes offshore, mais aussi du développement responsable des ressources onshore, notamment le schiste, le gaz de réservoirs compacts et le gaz associé. Le bassin du Karoo incarne cet avenir. Le développement de ces ressources renforcera la sécurité énergétique nationale, consolidera l’intégration régionale et créera de nouvelles opportunités pour le contenu local et l’industrialisation. L’analyse de la Chambre souligne que le gaz restera un pilier central de la croissance énergétique de l’Afrique, soutenant une production d’électricité plus propre, la fabrication et l’expansion du GPL à travers le continent.

Pour l’Afrique du Sud, le temps presse. Plus le développement du schiste reste en suspens, plus le risque de manquer des opportunités en matière d’investissement, de création d’emplois et de sécurité énergétique est grand. La Chambre encourage une action rapide pour finaliser les directives environnementales, rationaliser les procédures d’autorisation et faciliter les partenariats entre le gouvernement, les parties prenantes locales et le secteur privé. L’objectif est clair : veiller à ce que le potentiel du schiste sud-africain contribue de manière significative à la transition énergétique et au programme de développement national.

L’AEC est prête à travailler aux côtés des autorités sud-africaines, des investisseurs et des communautés pour garantir que l’exploitation du gaz de schiste se fasse de manière responsable, transparente et dans l’intérêt de tous les Sud-Africains. Avec les bonnes politiques et les bons partenariats en place, le gaz terrestre sud-africain peut devenir la pierre angulaire de sa transition énergétique équitable et un catalyseur de croissance durable à travers le continent.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Qatar Stresses Importance of Strengthening Cybersecurity, Expanding Cooperation Between Developed and Developing Countries to Ensure Benefits of Digital Gains

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, October 28, 2025

The State of Qatar emphasized the importance of the international community continuing to intensify its efforts to enhance cybersecurity and expand avenues of cooperation, particularly between developed and developing countries, in order to ensure the utilization and preservation of digital gains.

Qatar stressed that cyberspace and its related uses provide vast opportunities for promoting economic development and achieving human well-being.

This came in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani before the UN General Assembly’s First Committee at its 80th session on Other Disarmament Measures and International Security, held at UN headquarters in New York.

Sheikh Abdulrahman explained that progress in the digital and technological fields has offered smart and low-cost solutions to many development-related issues, while also enhancing social communication through modern and advanced networks.

He noted that while such progress offers wide-ranging opportunities in various areas of technology, it also brings increasing cybersecurity risks, which now pose threats to all forms of digital activity – including attacks targeting vital telecommunications and digital infrastructure, resulting in serious material and moral damage, privacy violations, and obstacles to economic development efforts.

He added that information security and cybersecurity have become major concerns for the international community – particularly for governments, public institutions, banks, financial bodies, and private sector entities. He pointed out that growing global awareness of these threats led to the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrimeآ which Qatar signed during the official ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Oct. 25, 2025.

He further added that, as part of its efforts to exchange expertise and knowledge in the field of information and communications technology at both regional and international levels, the State of Qatar has continued its active participation in the meetings of the Open-ended Working Group on the Security of Information and Communication Technology (2021-2025), whose work concluded in July 2025, pointing out that the State of Qatar welcomed the group’s consensus-adopted final report, expressing hope that its recommendations would be implemented to strengthen cybersecurity and international cooperation in the safe use of ICTs – including the future permanent mechanism on ICT security in the context of international security.

He also noted that, reaffirming the State of Qatar’s commitment to promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace, the National Cyber Security Agency organized a side event titled “Qatar’s Successful Experience in Implementing the UN Norms for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace” on July 7, 2025, during the Eleventh Substantive Session of the Open-Ended Working Group. The event, he said, aimed to highlight Qatar’s successful model in adopting UN cybersecurity standards through its achievements and implemented initiatives.

The Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani referred to Qatar’s participation in the Fourth Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity, held on Sept. 8, 2025, in the sisterly State of Kuwait, during which the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy, as well as the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states in the field of cybersecurity were approved.

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Film Africa 2025 celebrates the best of African cinema across the continent (14 – 23 Nov)

Source: APO

Presented by the Royal African Society (https://RoyalAfricanSociety.org/), Film Africa 2025, the UK and Europe’s leading film festival celebrating African and African diaspora cinema, returns to London from 14–23 November. For 10 days, the festival will showcase the richness, diversity, and inventiveness of African filmmaking, with over 50 films and special events including features, documentaries, and shorts from more than 20 countries: from Morocco to South Africa, Nigeria to Congo. Other highlights include a tribute to the late Souleymane Cissé, the legendary Malian filmmaker whose groundbreaking work redefined African cinema; a BAFTA masterclass with Nigerian director Kunle Afolayan, exploring his pioneering role in shaping contemporary Nollywood; and the Symposium: African Cinema and Liberation, a landmark conversation between Sir John Akomfrah and Billy Woodberry on the power of cinema to reclaim agency and resist colonial narratives.  

“African cinema is entering a period of tremendous creative expansion. We are seeing bold experimentation in form, genre, and distribution, with filmmakers blending realism, mythology, and futurism in entirely new ways. Film Africa’s role is to support this evolution, not only as a showcase but as a network that connects artists, institutions, and audiences. We aim to foster dialogue, collaboration, and visibility for African filmmakers on a global scale.” said festival curator Keith Shiri. 

Opening & Closing Films 

Opening Film Africa (BFI Southbank, 14 Nov) is My Father’s Shadow (2025, Nigeria/UK) (https://apo-opa.co/47dXQpt), the UK’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. This bold and poetic feature debut, directed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother Wale Davies, is set in Lagos during the turbulent 1993 Nigerian election crisis. The semi-autobiographical story follows a father, estranged from his two young sons, as they navigate a city on the brink of political unrest while attempting to return home. Starring Sope Dirisu (Slow Horses, Gangs of London) and real life brothers Chibuike Marvellous Egbo and Godwin Egbo, the screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Akinola Davies Jr. 

Macbeth has inspired generations of filmmakers, including Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa and Roman Polanski, and now its timeless story of ambition and fate finds new expression in Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions (2025, Burkina Faso) (https://apo-opa.co/43xS3Zq), which closes the festival with its UK premiere (BFI Southbank, 23 Nov). Reimagining Shakespeare’s tragedy in an African kingdom, the film follows a general appointed by his king after a failed coup, only to be haunted by a prophecy that he will seize the crown or die trying. Shot in black and white, Katanga explores loyalty, ambition, and the fragility of human nature by blending Shakespearean drama with the mythic spirit of West African storytelling. Directed by acclaimed Burkinabé filmmaker Dani Kouyaté, the film is one of the continent’s few Shakespeare adaptations for the screen. Kouyaté will join the BFI premiere for a post-screening Q&A. Katanga has topped the list of nominees at the African Movie Academy Awards with 10 award nominations. 

Spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo  

This year’s Film Africa spotlight is on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), celebrating a nation with a powerful cinematic voice with a mix of features and shorts. The Tree of Authenticity (2025, DRC/Belgium) (https://apo-opa.co/47IGzoq), the debut feature by acclaimed visual artist and photographer Sammy Baloji, excavates the colonial legacies embedded in the Congo Basin, the world’s second largest tropical forest. Drawing on century-old archives, the film unfolds through three voices:  Paul Panda Farnana – who is known as the first Black Belgian Colonial civil servant – Abiron Beirnaert, who worked between 1910 and 1950, and finally, an ancient tree – The Tree of Authenticity – that bears witness to it all. Through these voices, the film looks at how colonialism harmed both people and the environment, and how that damage is still felt today (Riverside Studios, 15 Nov).  

Also rooted in Congo’s landscape is Jean-Gabriel Leynaud’s Of Mud and Blood (2025, DRC/France/Germany) (https://apo-opa.co/3L9GTnv), a raw, unflinching portrait of life in the mountain village of Numbi, where miners dig by hand for coltan, the grey gold that powers our modern world. Sensitive and deeply moving, the documentary captures the human cost of global consumption, revealing a story of exploitation, endurance, and fragile hope that we cannot look away from (Riverside Studios, 20 Nov). 

Lobito Bound: A journey to Africa’s new frontier (2025, DRC/UK) (https://apo-opa.co/4htGZlU) follows British-Jamaican explorer Dwayne Fields on a 4000km journey across Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania to investigate the Lobito Corridor, a vast new trade route set to reshape Africa’s role in the global economy. As Fields meets the communities poised on the edge of transformation, the film exposes the human face of a project that intertwines environmental promise, geopolitical ambition, and the future of the planet itself (Ritzy Picturehouse Brixton, 19 Nov).  

Throughout the festival, The Africa Centre will be holding Congo RE-Vue, a free digital photo exhibition showcasing the bold vision of emerging Congolese photographers who are redefining how their country is seen.  

Films about women  

Promised Sky (2025, France/Tunisia/Qatar) (https://apo-opa.co/47uMMD4) by French-Tunisian filmmaker Erige Sehiri, follows an Ivorian pastor, Marie, who has built a refuge in Tunis for two women: Naney, a young mother seeking a better future, and Jolie, a determined student carrying her family’s hopes. When a shipwreck survivor joins their fragile household, tensions rise in a society marked by xenophobia and inequality, testing the women’s faith, resilience, and solidarity (Rich Mix, 17 Nov). The film premiered in Un Certain Regard at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.  

In NAWI (2024, Kenya/Germany, dir. Toby Schmutzler/Kevin Schmutzler/Vallentine Chelluget/Apuu Mourine) (https://apo-opa.co/47deeq9) a young girl sold for livestock by her father escapes her impending marriage and embarks on a perilous journey toward Nairobi, determined to reclaim her dream of going to school. Set in the striking landscapes of northern Kenya’s Turkana region, the film confronts the realities of child marriage and celebrates a girl’s courage to rewrite her destiny (Riverside Studios, 19 Nov). 

Based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, Embeth Davidtz’s Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (2024, South Africa) (https://apo-opa.co/3X19wWu) captures the childhood of eight-year-old Bobo on her family farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence in 1980. Conflicted by her love for people on opposing sides, she tries to make sense of her life in a magical way, as the film traces Rhodesia’s final days and the deep scars war leaves on those who survive it (Riverside Studios, 17 Nov). 

Aicha (2024, Tunisia/France/Italy/Saudi Arabia/Qatar) (https://apo-opa.co/4nl3E57) – which means ‘alive’ in Arabic – is inspired by a news story from 2019 that shook public opinion in Tunisia and intrigued director, Mehdi M. Barsaoui.  Aya, in her late twenties, still lives with her parents in southern Tunisia and feels trapped in a life without prospects. One day, the minibus that takes her between her town and the hotel where she works, crashes. As the sole survivor, she realises this could be her chance to start a new life. She flees to Tunis under a new identity, but everything is soon turned upside down when she becomes the main witness to a police blunder (Ritzy Picturehouse Brixton, 15 Nov).  

Films about Sudan 

Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa’s directorial debut Aisha Can’t Fly Away (2025, Egypt/Sudan/Tunisia/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France/Germany) (https://apo-opa.co/4oEQUYb) tells the story of a 26-year-old Sudanese caregiver living in a neighbourhood in the heart of Cairo where she witnesses rising tensions between her fellow African migrants and local gangs (Ritzy Picturehouse Brixton, 16 Nov). The film had its world premiere at Un Certain Regard in Cannes this year. 

Khartoum (2025, Sudan/Germany/UK/Qatar) (https://apo-opa.co/4qEbZE7) brings together the perspectives of five Sudanese citizens, a civil servant, a tea vendor, a resistance volunteer, and two street boys whose lives are turned upside down as war overtakes their city. Filmed on donated iPhones by Sudanese filmmakers Anas Saeed, Rawia Al Hag, Ibrahim Snoopy and Timeea M. Ahmed in collaboration with Phil Cox, the film combines street realism, animation, and reconstructed dreamscapes to portray both the resilience and the dislocation of a nation in turmoil (Riverside Studios, 18 Nov, Rich Mix, 21 Nov). 

Shorts  

The festival will celebrate the best of Africa’s short films with over 20 being showcased. Here is a taste of some of them. In Adinkra (2025, UK), the directorial debut of Golda Kesse, a young British-Ghanaian woman, Samira, is reunited with an old friend, Karim, who draws her into a web of mystery surrounding her family history and helps her reconnect with the power of her cultural identity. Kesse explores the lasting wisdom of heritage within diasporic communities, with a score that fuses West African and English sounds to mirror the film’s themes of belonging and identity. 

In Aïcha (2025, Morocco) (https://apo-opa.co/432Kbir), Sanaa El Alaoui examines the strained bond between a 17-year-old girl and her emotionally distant mother in the aftermath of a tragedy. Seeking to process her grief, the mother turns to rituals and spiritual practices, uncovering paths to healing. Building on the success of her award-winning short Icarus (2020), El Alaoui aims to challenge stereotypes and bring Moroccan stories to light in new, authentic ways. 

Forty Days Road (2025, Morocco/Germany), by Moroccan director and animal activist Ali Ziani, exposes the brutal conditions endured by camels transported from the Sudanese border to a sprawling market near Cairo. Following two men accompanying the animals on their 24-hour journey, the film continues Ziani’s mission to reveal the cruelty of the global animal trade across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. 

In Why the Cattle Wait (2024, South Africa), Phumi Morare of South Africa reimagines a Nguni myth about a goddess who urges her human lover to join her in the eternal world before she destroys the earth. Morare, winner of an NAACP award and Oscar-shortlisted for When the Sun Sets, explores the Black female gaze and the quiet heroism of ordinary women. 

Baratani (2025, Botswana) (https://apo-opa.co/47pLCsv), by Botswana writer-director Moreetsi Gabang, offers a contemporary retelling of the folktale Lentswe la Baratani following a young man’s desperate attempt to convince the woman he loves to flee with him on the day of her arranged marriage. 

Tribute to Souleymane Cissé 

Souleymane Cissé, the legendary Malian filmmaker who died in February 2025 aged 85 redefined African cinema and brought it global recognition with his groundbreaking films. The festival will screen a restored copy of his celebrated film Yeleen (The Light) that won the Jury Award at Cannes 1987, making him the first film-maker from sub-Saharan Africa to win an award at the prestigious festival. His first feature film, Den Muso (1975) was banned by the Malian authorities, and Cissé was jailed for having accepted French funding. He wrote the screenplay for his second film, Baara, while in prison. The tribute will take place at the University of East Anglia on 20 November.  

Kunle Afolayan Masterclass  

On 17 November, Film Africa together with BAFTA is hosting a special masterclass with Kunle Afolayan, whose work embodies the energy, ambition, and artistry of contemporary African cinema. Afolayan redefined Nollywood by fusing local narratives with universal themes and technical innovation, demonstrating that African popular cinema can be both commercially successful and artistically ambitious. In conversation with film and television executive Tendeka Matatu, Afolayan will discuss his distinctive storytelling approach, his Netflix collaborations (Swallow, 2021; Aníkúlápó, 2022; and Ijogbon, 2023) and his mission to inspire the next generation of African filmmakers. His breakthrough feature The Figurine (2009) will be screened at the festival. 

Beyond the Screen  

Film Africa is a hub for dialogue, and the festival thrives on conversations. Q&A sessions and panels will bring audiences face-to-face with filmmakers, offering insights into creative processes and thematic choices.  

The intellectual centrepiece of the festival will be the Symposium: African Cinema and Liberation at London School of Economics (22 November, 1-5pm) featuring a landmark conversation between celebrated artist-filmmaker Sir John Akomfrah and pioneering American filmmaker Billy Woodberry. Both are giants in their fields: Akomfrah has used the moving image as a form of historical reparation, transforming archives into poetry, while Woodberry, a founding figure of the L.A. Rebellion and director of Bless Their Little Hearts and Mário, has dedicated his career to portraying Black experience and anti-colonial struggle through the lens of Third Cinema. Together, they will explore the role of cinema in resisting colonial narratives, reimagining freedom, and advancing African cultural sovereignty. 

FULL PROGRAMME AND TRAILER HERE : https://apo-opa.co/4oH7AhR

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal African Society.

Additional Photos: https://apo-opa.co/432Ktpx

Please note the programme may be subject to change 

Media Contact: 
Sophie Toumazis at tpr media consultants 
sophie@tpr-media.com 
(+44 7974 428858) 

Marcello Aisoni
marcello@tpr-media.com

About Film Africa:
Film Africa is London’s biggest biennial festival celebrating the best African cinema from across the continent and diaspora brought to you by the Royal African Society. Established in 2011, the festival brings diverse London and UK audiences a high-quality and wide-ranging film program accompanied by a vibrant series of events, including director Q&As, talks, and panel discussions; workshops and masterclasses; Film Africa Young Audiences school screenings and family activities; and Film Africa LIVE! music nights. Film Africa also recognises and supports new film-making talent through the Baobab Award for Best Short Film and the Audience Award for Best Feature Film. 

About The Royal African Society:   
The Royal African Society, established in 1901, is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected institutions dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and fostering stronger relations between the UK, Africa, and the wider world. Through conferences, cultural festivals, publications, and policy dialogues, the Society brings together business leaders, artists, academics, policymakers and civil society to showcase Africa’s achievements and address its challenges. 

About Keith Shiri, Lead Curator of Film Africa 2024:  
Keith Shiri is a Zimbabwean film curator and programme advisor to several film festivals, including the London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou and Tampere Film Festival. 

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)-Backed Infinity Power Achieves Financial Close on 200MW Ras Ghareb Wind Farm Project in Egypt

Source: APO

  • Africa’s largest renewable energy company, AFC-backed Infinity on track to reach 10GW target
  • Follows US$700m raise by AFC investee company Arise IIP and record $1.5bn AFC syndicated loan as global capital flows to African-led infrastructure

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced that its portfolio company, Infinity Power—Africa’s largest independent renewable energy provider—has achieved financial close on its 200MW Ras Ghareb Wind Farm in Egypt. Coming within a month of the US$700 million capital raise for another of the Corporation’s investee companies, Arise IIP, and a record US$1.5 billion syndicated loan for AFC, the new financings together show growing momentum in the mobilisation of large-scale global investment into African-led infrastructure projects.

Infinity Power secured US$153 million in senior debt for Ras Ghareb from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Paris-based Proparco, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), reflecting strong international confidence. Construction began last month at the site in the Gulf of Suez, led by the Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA) as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. Once operational in 2027, Ras Ghareb will generate approximately 810,000 MWh of clean electricity per year—enough to power over 300,000 homes and avoid around 390,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

“The funding for Ras Ghareb exemplifies AFC’s collaborative role as an originator, developer and long-term investor, driving international capital into transformative African infrastructure. Since 2022, AFC has been successfully backing Infinity Worldwide in partnership with Masdar and EBRD to create Africa’s largest renewable energy platform.” said Sameh Shenouda, Executive Board Member and Chief Investment Officer at AFC. “Coming on the heels of the landmark global capital raise for Arise and our own record syndicated loan, this reinforces our conviction in providing African-built, globally bankable platforms capable of crowding in institutional capital at scale.”

Infinity Power has 14 operational wind and solar assets with an installed capacity totalling 1.3GW. The platform is expanding towards a targeted 10GW by 2030, with advanced developments underway in South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Senegal. To date, Infinity has delivered clean power to 1.2 million homes and businesses, invested US$3.5 million in community initiatives, and directly improved the lives of more than 39,000 people through local development initiatives.

“The Ras Ghareb project reinforces Infinity Power’s position as Africa’s leading renewable energy company, made possible by the strong backing of our shareholders AFC, EBRD and Masdar,” said Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman of Infinity Power. “Together, we are scaling a pipeline of projects that combine commercial viability with deep impact and long-term sustainability.”

The Ras Ghareb financial close follows another milestone for AFC backed pan-African developer and operator of integrated industrial zones, Arise IIP, welcoming Saudi Arabia’s Vision Invest as a new shareholder. The deal— managed by AFC and the largest Africa capital raise from global investors in recent times—enabled a successful partial exit for AFC, freeing up capital to reinvest in transformative infrastructure projects in line with its operating model. AFC intends to replicate this successful capital raise in the Power sector within Africa. AFC’s record syndicated loan completed earlier this month further reinforces its position as Africa’s leading originator and developer of scalable, de-risked platforms.

AFC has been backing Infinity in partnership with Masdar and EBRD since 2022, supporting its vision to build Africa’s largest independent renewable energy platform. The Corporation’s renewable energy strategy is anchored in bankable, large-scale projects that expand access to affordable, reliable electricity while accelerating decarbonization. AFC’s renewables investments span wind, solar and hydro power, positioning the institution as a key driver in Africa’s energy transformation and prosperity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
​Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 46 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since its inception. 

www.AfricaFC.org

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Court interpreters key to democratic access to justice

Source: Government of South Africa

Court interpreters key to democratic access to justice

The role played by court interpreters in facilitating access to justice for the entire nation cannot be overstated, says Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

“Court interpreters are not merely linguistic facilitators. They are guardians of constitutional rights, ensuring that every person, regardless of language, background or ability, has meaningful access to justice,” Kubayi said.

Speaking at the launch of the Court Interpreters’ Robes Programme at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Tuesday, Kubayi said it was the first of its kind in the world.

This initiative is aimed at professionalising the role of interpreters and affirming their status as critical enablers of justice.

The ceremonial robing of court interpreters marks a transformative moment in the justice system, underscoring their essential role.

“Your services are an integral part of the functioning of our courts, without which justice would not be served,” Kubayi said.

Kubayi said universal access to justice can only be attained when every citizen in the country can access justice and participate in court processes in the language of their choice.

“Properly utilised, language interpretation in our courts can transform our language diversity from being a barrier to an instrument for empowerment, social cohesion and a creation of a more just society.

“As part of the justice system, court interpreting must also be practiced in manner that demonstrates a shift from language interpretation under the unjust system of apartheid to language interpretation in a democracy that embraces human rights and diversity.

“The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, through Justice College, will continue to provide foundational training for interpreters.”

Kubayi said government’s decision to take this important step of robing court interpreters is motivated by the recognition of the responsibility they carry as language interpreters in the courts.

“Equally, it behoves you to carry out your tasks professionally, ethically and without prejudice. Faced with the challenge of huge case backlogs, our courts cannot afford to have court interpreters who do not understand the importance of pulling their weight to improve court efficiency. 

“As interpreters, you need to understand that you are at the coal face of our judiciary and the justice system in general. You must be the embodiment of the Batho Pele principles of public service,” the Minister said.

As part of the launch, court interpreters will adopt a new professional standard that includes the wearing of official gowns and a black-and-white dress code. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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President Ramaphosa arrives in Switzerland for significant State Visit

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa arrives in Switzerland for significant State Visit

By Dikeledi Molobela

Bern, Switzerland – President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning arrived in Switzerland for a two-day State Visit at the invitation of President Karin Keller-Sutter of the Swiss Confederation. 

The President was received at Zurich International Airport by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; South African Ambassador to Switzerland, Phaswana Moloto; and Ambassador Terrence Billeter of the Swiss Confederation. 

The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, and advance partnerships in science, technology, arts and culture, and youth skills development. 

Speaking on the significance of the visit, the Presidency highlighted that the engagement will promote mutually beneficial cooperation and inclusive growth between the two countries.

Tomorrow, President Ramaphosa will hold official talks with President Keller-Sutter on a range of bilateral issues, including South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency. 

The programme will include the signing of two agreements – a Cooperation Agreement in Arts, Culture and Heritage and a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Peace Mediation and Democracy Resilience. 

“The agreements will strengthen cultural ties, explore new cooperation initiatives under domestic law and promote joint efforts in peace-making and mediation within multilateral organisations,” the Presidency said. 

As part of the visit, the South African Government will receive a number of heritage artefacts of the Nkuna Royal Family from the Government of Switzerland, reinforcing the shared cultural and historical ties between the two nations.

On Thursday, Presidents Ramaphosa and President Keller-Sutter will visit an industrial firm in eastern Switzerland and a vocational school, highlighting the importance of vocational education and training. 

The school offers dual education and apprenticeship programmes with hands-on workshops, specialised training rooms, and open learning spaces that support practical, connected learning. The visit forms part of a youth cooperation initiative aimed at equipping young people with skills for the modern economy.

The President will also engage with Swiss business leaders, promoting economic development and collaboration across key sectors. 

Switzerland remains one of South Africa’s key European trading partners. Total trade volume amounted to R18.2 billion in 2024 – exports R5.7 billion and imports R12.5 billion – which places Switzerland as the 30th largest export market for South Africa and Switzerland as the 35th largest source of imports. 

However, Swiss statistics include South Africa’s gold exports and these show that total trade had reached R159.5 billion (exports R85.4 billion and imports R74.1 billion). 

This has positioned Switzerland as South Africa’s sixth largest trading partner. South Africa’s primary exports to Switzerland include precious metals and stones – particularly gold, machinery and agricultural products such as wine, fruit and nuts as well as base metals. 

While major imports comprise pharmaceutical products, machinery, and medical equipment. 

The President is accompanied by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande; Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperation, Zuko Godlimpi. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM

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DWYPD commends swift arrest in Mamelodi double murder case

Source: Government of South Africa

DWYPD commends swift arrest in Mamelodi double murder case

The Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has commended the swift arrest of a suspect linked to the brutal killing of two young women in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.

The victims, cousins Tshiamo Moramaga (22) and Baleseng Moramaga (21), were found with gunshot wounds in Mamelodi East Extension 17 on Sunday, 26 October 2025.

According to police reports, witnesses alleged that the two women were seen arguing with a man believed to be known to them, shortly before the shooting. Both were later discovered lying next to each other on the side of the road, with gunshot wounds to the head.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that a 38-year-old man was arrested on Monday in connection with two counts of murder and one attempted murder.

“The police investigation revealed that a third victim, who was shot during the incident, is receiving medical treatment at hospital. Acting on this information, a joint team consisting of detectives from Gauteng Provincial Serious and Violence Crime Unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East Detectives arrested the suspect at a filling station in Pretoria,” Sibeko said.

DWYPD Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga condemned the killings, calling them a “senseless act of violence that has once again robbed families, communities, and our nation of young lives filled with promise.”

“We commend the South African Police Service for its rapid response and urge the criminal justice system to ensure that justice is served without delay. These heinous acts of violence against women cannot and will not be tolerated. Communities must continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to ensure that no perpetrator of gender-based violence and femicide escapes accountability.” Chikunga said.

She said the arrest represents a crucial step towards justice for the victims and their families and serves as a reminder that accountability remains non-negotiable in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

The Ministry reiterated that eradicating GBVF requires a whole-of-society approach, involving families, communities, faith leaders, civil society, and the private sector in daily collective efforts to protect women and children.

As South Africa approaches the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, the Ministry called on citizens to reaffirm their commitment to building safe, just, and dignified communities for all.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Moramaga family and friends during this time of unbearable grief. The lives of two young women have been cut short. Justice must be served — and our nation must never grow numb to such cruelty,” Chikunga said.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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Government announces TAC for abalone fishery

Source: Government of South Africa

Government announces TAC for abalone fishery

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has determined the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the South African abalone fishery for the 2025/26 season at 12.01 tons. 

This decision was grounded on the advice of the Abalone Scientific Working Group, which considered Catch-Per-Unit Effort (CPUE) indices, fishery-independent survey data, and updated estimates of illegal catches up to 2025. 

The evidence was unequivocal, said the department, the abalone resource remains critically low, with densities in Zones A–D at 0.02–0.07 abalone per m², requiring the TAC to remain at zero there and be significantly reduced in Zones E–G.

“This precautionary reduction is not taken lightly. It reflects our legal and moral duty to act on the best scientific advice and to prevent the complete collapse of this resource,” said Minister Dion George,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George said on Tuesday.

The Minister emphasised that the TAC reduction underlines the urgent need to combat the scourge of abalone poaching, with illegal catches in 2023 exceeding 13.85 million abalone, directly undermining legal fisheries and recovery efforts.

“This is why we will move to specifically list dried abalone on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Poaching syndicates thrive on the illegal international trade in dried abalone, and this listing announced will close critical loopholes in global enforcement,” the Minister said.

This means that all international trade in dried abalone will require CITES export permits, with shipments subject to strict monitoring, verification, and reporting. 

It will enable better tracking of trade flows, empower customs authorities worldwide to seize illegal consignments, and facilitate international cooperation to dismantle poaching networks.

By regulating this high-value product, we aim to reduce demand for illicit abalone, protect our marine biodiversity, and support the long-term viability of coastal communities dependent on sustainable fisheries. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

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Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Arrives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Participate in the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) Conference

Source: APO


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H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the Ninth Edition of the “Future Investment Initiative” (FII9) Conference. The conference is held at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh under the theme “The Key to Prosperity” and will continue until October 30.

During its activities, the conference will discuss the challenges hindering investments, the role of modern technologies in accelerating growth through breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, and other topics related to global economic developments at this time.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat is scheduled to participate in a number of events, including a main panel discussion titled “Board of Change-Makers: Public-Private Powerbrokers,” which will discuss global challenges encompassing geopolitical tensions, economic fluctuations, and climate change, as well as the importance of effective, trust-based partnerships in facilitating global growth trajectories and shared prosperity.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat will also hold multiple bilateral meetings with the private sector during the conference. The conference is expected to see wide participation of more than 8,000 government and private sector officials and 650 speakers, as well as representatives from 20 countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.