Category: MIL-OSI

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Invictus Investment Enters Into Agreement With Helios Investment Partners for Minority Stake in Merec Industries

Source: APO

  • Helios to acquire a significant minority stake in Merec Industries, Mozambique’s largest flour milling company
  • Partnership combines Invictus Investment’s sector knowledge and operational capabilities with Helios’ extensive experience across Africa to support Merec Industries’ growth in Mozambique and the wider region
  • Transaction expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals

Invictus Investment (ADX: INVICTUS) (https://InvictusInvestment.ae), a leading holding company specialised in agro-food commodities across the Middle East and Africa, and Helios Investment Partners (“Helios”), a leading Africa-focused private investment firm, today announced that Helios Fund V (“Helios V”) has entered into an agreement to acquire up to a 49% interest in Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, the Mauritius-incorporated holding company of Merec Industries (“Merec”), from Invictus Investment.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, after which Invictus Investment will remain the majority shareholder.

Founded in 1998, Merec is Mozambique’s largest flour milling company, processing wheat and corn into an integrated product portfolio spanning flour, pasta, biscuits and animal feed. Its mills, production facilities and silos are strategically located in each of Mozambique’s three principal port regions: Beira, Maputo and Nacala – making it the only miller with manufacturing facilities in all three. Merec also owns a grain terminal at the port of Maputo. This footprint supports a nationwide distribution network serving wholesalers, retailers, bakeries, feed producers and distributors, underlining Merec’s important role in the production and supply of essential food products across Mozambique.

Invictus Investment acquired Merec in January 2025 through the purchase of its holding company, Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, as part of its strategy to expand its agro-food business in high-potential African markets and strengthen its capabilities across the value chain. Since the acquisition, Merec’s operating performance has improved significantly, and this has prompted a more ambitious growth strategy to expand the business beyond its core operations into new food categories in Mozambique and across the wider Southern African Development Community (“SADC”) region.

The new partnership will support these plans by combining Invictus Investment’s expertise across the agro-food value chain with Helios’ track record of investing in and supporting market-leading businesses across Africa. Together, the shareholders will also work on furthering Merec’s governance framework, leadership capabilities, ESG practices and broader development impact.

Commenting on the announcement, Amir Daoud Abdellatif, CEO of Invictus Investment, said: “We welcome Helios, one of Africa’s leading private equity investors, as our partner in the expansion of Merec. With its strong focus on high-growth sectors across the continent, Helios’ regional expertise will be instrumental in accelerating Merec’s next phase of growth. Since Invictus Investment’s acquisition of Merec, its position as Mozambique’s largest flour milling company has been strengthened and consolidated, and now, our shared ambition with Helios is to build on the business’s contribution to food security and local employment in Mozambique and develop it into a regional food platform for Southern Africa. This partnership aligns perfectly with our strategic approach to acquisitions, which has always been to build strong businesses alongside high-calibre partners that support our long-term vision of building a fully integrated agro-food enterprise.”

Tope Lawani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, added: “Merec has built a distinctive position in Mozambique, with a nationwide footprint, strong brands and an important role in the country’s staple foods market. The consumer non-discretionary sector is a key strategic focus for Helios, and we bring a proven track record of investing in and scaling resilient businesses that serve essential consumer needs across Africa. We see significant opportunity to build on Merec’s strengths and are pleased to partner with Invictus Investment and the management team to support the company’s next phase of growth.”

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is acting as legal counsel to Helios, with GDA Advogados as Mozambican counsel. Freshfields is acting as legal counsel to Invictus Investment.

*Please refer to heliosinvestment.com/news and invictusinvestment.ae/investor-relations/ for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invictus Investment Company PLC.

For further information, please contact:
Invictus Investment
Tales & Heads
E: InvictusInvestment@talesandheads.com 
M: +971 (50) 694 4650

Helios Investment Partners
Teneo
E: heliosmedia@teneo.com
M: +44 207 260 2700

About Invictus Investment:
Invictus Investment Company PLC (ADX: INVICTUS), is a leading holding entity specialised in agro-food commodities. Invictus has expanded its business model to include grain trading, commodity exports, logistics and value addition with a portfolio that now spans over 31 product categories, among them barley, corn, sesame, soya bean, sugar and wheat and operating across 66 countries. Alongside its existing business, Invictus is targeting midstream and downstream acquisitions in the value chain, with the aim of becoming a fully integrated agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa. For more information about Invictus Investment, including its financial performance, investor updates and independent analyst coverage, visit the company’s website:

https://apo-opa.co/4BmtcHf

About Helios Investment Partners:
Helios Investment Partners is a leading Africa-focused private investment firm managing funds totalling over US$ 3 billion. Established in 2004, Helios is led and managed by a predominantly African team, with offices in London, Paris, Lagos and Nairobi, combining deep knowledge of the African operating environment with extensive local and global networks. Helios partners with leading businesses and entrepreneurs to build market-leading companies, bringing capital, operational expertise and a highly engaged approach to value creation.

Since 2004, Helios has applied its investment capabilities, entrepreneurial business-building expertise and local and global connectivity to generate competitive returns and positive impact across Africa. The firm is a certified B Corp, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.

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United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) visits Malakal, emphasizes that peace begins with collective action

Source: APO

This week’s visit by Anita Kiki Gbeho, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), to Malakal underscored a simple but essential truth: UN Peacekeeping is ultimately about the communities we serve.

It was an action-packed two days. From meetings with the caretaker governor and the inauguration of a new police station in Hai Luakat, to a visit to Hai Matar and engagements with humanitarian partners and UNMISS staff, SRSG Gbeho focused on a broad picture of the challenges facing Upper Nile State and the progress being made.

“Our main objective for this visit is to listen. Not about affected communities but from them,” she explained upon arrival.

The SRSG prioritized meeting community members, such as Tereza Nyagak, who moved from the former UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) site to the Hai Matar settlement area. Tereza and other residents were eager to share their experiences of rebuilding their lives.

“I was the first one to settle here with my family and I have no regrets. Of course there are small challenges, but I finally feel at peace and comfortable,” said the proud mother of nine.

For SRSG Gbeho, engaging with South Sudanese such interactions are central to her role.

“It is always emotional for me when I come to the field, and the best part is always to talk to community members such as the women that settled in Hai Matar. They told me that they now had houses that they had built together with international support and that communities had organized themselves to patrol areas across Malakal to keep each other safe.”

The delegation also met caretaker Governor James Koang Chuol, who highlighted the growing humanitarian needs facing host communities, including those supporting roughly 6,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan.

“All of us know you and have witnessed what you have done for this country over the years, offline and online,” he said, referring to the SRSG’s previous appointment as Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, which has helped foster open exchanges with authorities, communities and humanitarian partners.

For their part, humanitarian partners highlighted several pressing concerns, including the implementation of the Akoka-Fashoda peace agreements, access challenges along the Sobat River corridor, the protection of civilians affected by violence, and reconciliation efforts in conflict-affected areas such as Baliet, Ulang and Nasir.

Yet, amid these challenges, SRSG Gbeho urged people to look beyond the negatives and recognize the progress being made. She recalled a metaphor her daughter often uses to make the point:

“Most people know situations where we only focus on the negative, on the small tea stain that found its way on a dress, instead of seeing the beautiful patterns around it.”

In Malakal, those patterns are visible in the resilience of communities rebuilding their lives after years of conflict, including the devastating violence that affected the region in 2016 and beyond.

Hai Matar is one example. What was once undeveloped and uninhabitable land due to scattered explosive hazards has become a settlement where families are rebuilding their lives, supported by the collective efforts of communities, local authorities, UNMISS, UNMAS, and humanitarian partners.

“When I last came here, Hai Matar was still a dream. It was something we all felt would be a good initiative. To come and see what communities, together with authorities and our support, have been able to achieve is truly moving,” said SRSG Gbeho.

Upper Nile State still faces significant challenges in building a safer and more stable future. But the visit also offered a reminder of how far communities have come, and of what can be achieved when their voices are heard, and efforts are united around their needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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Lesotho’s Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Samuel Matekane, had been Elected as the Incoming Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Community Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

Source: APO

Lesotho’s Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Ntsokoane Matekane had duly been elected incoming Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

This was done during the virtual meeting of the SADC Extraordinary Summit. An Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations revealed that the election represents not only a significant milestone for Lesotho but also an opportunity for Lesotho to contribute meaningfully to advancing the objectives of the SADC Treaty and the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.Amongst others, the Agency established that the central role of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation is to ensure a peaceful, secure and stable region amongst others.

Meanwhile, this election comes after the 45th SADC Summit in Madagascar last year, whereby Lesotho was officially removed from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika watch list and security agenda.

SADC is an organisation of member states established in 1980 with the mission to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth as well as socio economic development.

This was done through cooperation and good governance, durable peace and security so that the region becomes competitive and efficient player in international relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.

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Lesotho and Eswatini are on a Mission to Strengthen Longstanding Bonds, Solidarity and Cooperation to Revive Education and Expand Trade

Source: APO

A delegation from Eswatini parliament has arrived at Lesotho parliament premises for a three – day official visit aimed at fostering the exchanging expertise on the role of Parliament regarding labour migration issues, border security and socioeconomic development as well as to revive Lesotho Members of Parliament on Commonwealth Parliament Association.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.

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Parle votre langue, sans connexion internet : VoxNexus apporte intelligence artificielle (IA) vocale embarquée dans plus de 100 langues aux appareils Android abordables

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

VoxNexus (www.VoxNexus.ai) a lancé VoxEdge, une suite de technologies vocales embarquées qui apporte la reconnaissance vocale, la traduction et la synthèse vocale aux appareils Android abordables, entièrement hors ligne. VoxEdge prend en charge la reconnaissance vocale dans 36 langues, la traduction dans 103 langues et la synthèse vocale dans 45 langues. Toutes ces fonctionnalités s’exécutent sans connexion, sans forfait de données et sans facturation de jetons dans le cloud.

L’IA devrait être au service de tous, et pas seulement des locuteurs d’une poignée de langues dominantes. Pourtant, dans une grande partie de l’Afrique, les progrès de l’IA vocale ont été freinés par la rareté des données d’entraînement et le manque d’ajustement fin ciblé. Les conversations quotidiennes comportent aussi des alternances entre langues et des variations dialectales, tandis que les coûts d’inférence dans le cloud peuvent rendre les déploiements à grande échelle onéreux.

Les solutions de VoxNexus fonctionnent entièrement sur l’appareil, et chaque requête est gratuite une fois le modèle installé sur celui-ci. Son modèle de reconnaissance vocale peut ne compter que 65 millions de paramètres et atteint un taux d’erreur sur les mots inférieur à celui de modèles open source près de dix fois plus volumineux.

« Les langues peu dotées en ressources ne sont pas de petites langues. Des centaines de millions de personnes les parlent. Jusqu’à présent, les modèles d’IA ne les ont tout simplement pas encore apprises », déclare Charles Shi, directeur général de VoxNexus.

VoxNexus a également lancé VoxSense, une solution d’écoute ambiante embarquée qui consomme seulement 162 mAh pour 12 heures d’écoute continue, soit environ 2,5 % d’une batterie de téléphone de 6 500 mAh. En exécutant tous les traitements sur l’appareil, VoxSense rend l’écoute continue utilisable au quotidien sans épuiser la batterie et sans transmettre la moindre donnée audio au cloud. Les développeurs et les fabricants d’appareils peuvent facilement l’intégrer au moyen d’une licence et d’un simple SDK. Les développeurs peuvent demander un essai gratuit ici : www.VoxNexus.ai.

VoxSense et VoxEdge ont été dévoilés lors du lancement du MediaTek Dimensity 9600 à Madrid, le 19 octobre.

Distribué par APO Group pour VoxNexus AI.

À propos de VoxNexus :
VoxNexus développe une IA qui entend et qui parle, pour tous, partout et à tout moment. Son intelligence audio fonctionne entièrement sur l’appareil, offrant une faible latence, une confidentialité intégrée et aucun coût lié aux jetons, sur tout appareil doté d’une puce. Le siège de VoxNexus se trouve à Singapour. Site web : www.VoxNexus.ai. Contact : public@voxnexus.ai

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Helios Investment Partners Conclut Avec Invictus Investment Un Accord de Prise de Participation Minoritaire dans Merec Industries

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

  • Helios va prendre une participation minoritaire significative dans Merec Industries, première entreprise meunière du Mozambique
  • Ce partenariat associe la connaissance du secteur et les capacités opérationnelles d’Invictus Investment à la vaste expérience d’Helios à travers l’Afrique, ce qui permettra d’appuyer la croissance de Merec Industries au Mozambique et dans la région
  • La finalisation de l’opération est attendue d’ici la fin de l’année 2026, sous réserve des conditions habituelles de clôture, notamment les autorisations réglementaires

Invictus Investment (ADX : INVICTUS) (https://invictusinvestment.ae), holding de premier plan spécialisée dans les matières premières agroalimentaires au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique, et Helios Investment Partners (« Helios »),  société de capital-investissement de premier plan centrée sur l’Afrique, annoncent ce jour que le fonds Helios V (« Helios V ») a conclu un accord en vue d’acquérir jusqu’à 49 % du capital de Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, holding constituée à Maurice et détenant Merec Industries (« Merec »), auprès d’Invictus Investment.

La finalisation de l’opération est attendue d’ici la fin de l’année 2026, sous réserve des conditions habituelles de clôture, dont l’obtention des autorisations réglementaires.

À l’issue de l’opération, Invictus Investment demeurera l’actionnaire majoritaire. Fondée en 1998, Merec est la première entreprise meunière du Mozambique, transformant le blé et le maïs en une gamme intégrée de produits comprenant farine, pâtes alimentaires, biscuits et alimentation animale. Ses moulins, unités de production et silos sont stratégiquement implantés dans chacune des trois principales régions portuaires du Mozambique: Beira, Maputo et Nacala, ce qui en fait le seul meunier disposant d’une présence industrielle dans les trois zones. Merec possède également un terminal céréalier dans le port de Maputo. Cette implantation est complétée par un réseau de distribution à l’échelle nationale au service des grossistes, détaillants, boulangeries, provendiers et distributeurs, soulignant le rôle essentiel de Merec dans la production et l’approvisionnement en produits alimentaires de première nécessité dans l’ensemble du Mozambique.

Invictus Investment a acquis Merec en janvier 2025 par l’achat de sa société holding, Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, dans le cadre de sa stratégie de développement de ses activités agroalimentaires sur les marchés africains à fort potentiel et de renforcement de ses compétences tout au long de la chaîne de valeur. Depuis cette acquisition, les résultats d’exploitation de Merec se sont nettement améliorés, ce qui permet une stratégie de croissance plus ambitieuse d’extension de ses activités au-delà de son cœur de métier, vers de nouvelles catégories de produits alimentaires au Mozambique et dans l’ensemble de la Communauté de développement de l’Afrique australe (« SADC »).

Le nouveau partenariat appuiera ces projets de développement en associant l’expertise d’Invictus Investment sur l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur agroalimentaire au savoir-faire d’Helios dans l’investissement et l’accompagnement d’entreprises de premier plan en Afrique. Ensemble, les actionnaires œuvreront également au renforcement de la gouvernance, du management, et des pratiques en matière environnementale, sociale et d’impact.  

S’exprimant à l’occasion de cette annonce, Amir Daoud Abdellatif, Directeur général d’Invictus Investment, a déclaré : « Nous accueillons Helios, l’un des investisseurs en capital-investissement de référence en Afrique, comme partenaire dans le développement de Merec. Grâce à son orientation marquée vers les secteurs à forte croissance sur le continent, l’expertise régionale d’Helios sera déterminante pour accélérer la prochaine étape de croissance de Merec. Depuis l’acquisition de Merec par Invictus Investment, sa position de première entreprise meunière du Mozambique a été renforcée et consolidée. Notre ambition commune avec Helios est désormais de nous appuyer sur la contribution de l’entreprise à la sécurité alimentaire et à l’emploi local au Mozambique pour en faire une plateforme alimentaire régionale pour l’Afrique australe. Ce partenariat s’inscrit pleinement dans notre approche stratégique des acquisitions, qui a toujours consisté à bâtir des entreprises solides aux côtés de partenaires de grande qualité soutenant notre vision de long terme de constituer une entreprise agroalimentaire pleinement intégrée ».

Tope Lawani, cofondateur et associé gérant de Helios Investment Partners, a ajouté : « Merec s’est forgé une position unique au Mozambique, avec une présence sur tout le territoire, des marques fortes et un rôle majeur sur le marché des produits alimentaires de base du pays. Le secteur des biens de consommation de première nécessité constitue un axe stratégique essentiel pour Helios : Nous apportons une expérience éprouvée en matière d’investissement et de développement d’entreprises résilientes dans le secteur des besoins essentiels des consommateurs en Afrique. Nous voyons un potentiel important de développement en capitalisant sur les atouts de Merec et nous nous réjouissons de nous associer à Invictus Investment et à l’équipe de direction pour accompagner la prochaine phase de croissance de l’entreprise ».

Le cabinet Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld est intervenu en qualité de conseil juridique d’Helios, avec GDA Advogados comme conseil en droit mozambicain. Le cabinet Freshfields est intervenu en qualité de conseil juridique d’Invictus Investment.

*Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter heliosinvestment.com/news et invictusinvestment.ae/investor-relations/

Distribué par APO Group pour Invictus Investment Company PLC.

Pour tout complément d’information, contacter :
Invictus Investment
Tales & Heads
Courriel: InvictusInvestment@talesandheads.com 
Tél. +971 (50) 694 4650

Helios Investment Partners
Teneo
Courriel: heliosmedia@teneo.com
Tél.: +44 207 260 2700

À propos d’Invictus Investment :
Invictus Investment Company PLC (ADX : INVICTUS) est une société de référence spécialisée dans les matières premières agroalimentaires. Invictus a élargi son modèle d’affaires pour y inclure le négoce de céréales, l’exportation de matières premières, la logistique et l’intégration dans la chaine de valeur, avec un portefeuille couvrant désormais plus de 31 catégories de produits, dont l’orge, le maïs, le sésame, le soja, le sucre et le blé, et des activités dans 66 pays. Parallèlement à ses activités existantes, Invictus vise des acquisitions en milieu et en aval de la chaîne de valeur, dans le but de devenir une entreprise agroalimentaire pleinement intégrée au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique. Pour plus d’informations sur Invictus Investment, y compris ses résultats financiers, ses communications aux investisseurs et les analyses d’analystes indépendants, consulter le site internet de l’entreprise :

https://apo-opa.co/4BmtcHf

À propos de Helios Investment Partners :
Helios Investment Partners est une société de premier plan d’investissement privé centrée sur l’Afrique, gérant des fonds totalisant plus de 3 milliards de dollars américains. Créée en 2004, Helios est dirigée et gérée par une équipe majoritairement africaine, avec des bureaux à Londres, Paris, Lagos et Nairobi, alliant une connaissance approfondie de l’environnement opérationnel africain à de vastes réseaux locaux et mondiaux. Helios s’associe à des entreprises et à des entrepreneurs de référence pour bâtir des sociétés de premier plan, en apportant capitaux, expertise opérationnelle et une démarche fortement engagée en matière de création de valeur.

Depuis 2004, Helios met ses capacités d’investissement, son savoir-faire entrepreneurial en matière de création d’entreprises et ses réseaux locaux et mondiaux au service de la production de rendements compétitifs et d’effets positifs à travers l’Afrique. L’entreprise est certifiée B Corp, reflet de son engagement de longue date en faveur de la durabilité et des pratiques commerciales responsables.

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A Invictus Investment Celebra um Acordo com a Helios Investment Partners para a Aquisição de uma Participação Minoritária na Merec Industries

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

  • A Helios irá adquirir uma participação minoritária significativa na Merec Industries, a maior empresa de moagem de farinha de Moçambique
  • A parceria combina o conhecimento setorial e as capacidades operacionais da Invictus Investment com a vasta experiência da Helios em toda a África, com vista a apoiar o crescimento da Merec Industries em Moçambique e na região em geral
  • Prevê-se que a transação esteja concluída até ao final de 2026, sujeita às condições habituais de conclusão, incluindo as aprovações regulamentares

Invictus Investment (ADX: INVICTUS (https://invictusinvestment.ae), uma holding líder especializada em matérias-primas agroalimentares no Médio Oriente e em África, e a Helios Investment Partners (“Helios”), uma empresa líder de investimento privado com foco em África, anunciaram hoje que o Helios Fund V (“Helios V”) celebrou um acordo para adquirir até 49% de participação na Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, a holding da Merec Industries (“Merec”) constituída nas Ilhas Maurícias, à Invictus Investment.

Prevê-se que a transação esteja concluída até ao final de 2026, sujeita às condições habituais de conclusão, incluindo aprovações regulamentares, após as quais a Invictus Investment continuará a ser o acionista maioritário.

Fundada em 1998, a Merec é a maior empresa de moagem de cereais de Moçambique, transformando trigo e milho num portefólio integrado de produtos que inclui farinha, massas, bolachas e rações para animais. As suas fábricas, instalações de produção e silos estão estrategicamente localizados em cada uma das três principais regiões portuárias de Moçambique: Beira, Maputo e Nacala – o que a torna a única empresa de moagem com instalações de produção nas três cidades. A Merec é também proprietária de um terminal de cereais no porto de Maputo. Esta presença apoia uma rede de distribuição a nível nacional que serve grossistas, retalhistas, padarias e produtores e distribuidores de rações, sublinhando o importante papel da Merec na produção e fornecimento de produtos alimentares essenciais em todo o Moçambique.

A Invictus Investment adquiriu a Merec em janeiro de 2025 através da aquisição da sua sociedade gestora de participações, a Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, no âmbito da sua estratégia para expandir a sua atividade no setor agroalimentar em mercados africanos de elevado potencial e reforçar as suas capacidades ao longo de toda a cadeia de valor. Desde a aquisição, o desempenho operacional da Merec melhorou significativamente, o que levou à adoção de uma estratégia de crescimento mais ambiciosa, com vista a expandir a atividade para além das suas operações principais, abrangendo novas categorias alimentares em Moçambique e em toda a região da Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral (“SADC”).

A nova parceria irá apoiar estes planos, combinando a experiência da Invictus Investment em toda a cadeia de valor agroalimentar com o historial da Helios em matéria de investimento e apoio a empresas líderes de mercado em toda a África. Em conjunto, os acionistas irão também trabalhar no reforço do quadro de governação da Merec, das suas capacidades de liderança, das práticas ESG e do seu impacto mais alargado no desenvolvimento.

Ao comentar o anúncio, Amir Daoud Abdellatif, diretor executivo da Invictus Investment, afirmou: “Damos as boas-vindas à Helios, um dos principais investidores de capital de risco de África, como nosso parceiro na expansão da Merec. Com o seu forte foco em setores de elevado crescimento em todo o continente, a experiência regional da Helios será fundamental para acelerar a próxima fase de crescimento da Merec. Desde a aquisição da Merec pela Invictus Investment, a sua posição como a maior empresa de moagem de cereais de Moçambique foi reforçada e consolidada e, agora, a nossa ambição comum com a Helios é aproveitar a contribuição da empresa para a segurança alimentar e o emprego local em Moçambique e transformá-la numa plataforma alimentar regional para a África Austral. Esta parceria está em perfeita sintonia com a nossa abordagem estratégica em matéria de aquisições, que sempre consistiu em construir negócios sólidos em colaboração com parceiros de alto calibre que apoiem a nossa visão a longo prazo de construir uma empresa agroalimentar totalmente integrada.”

Tope Lawani, cofundador e sócio-gerente da Helios Investment Partners, acrescentou: “A Merec consolidou uma posição diferenciada em Moçambique, com uma presença a nível nacional, marcas fortes e um papel importante no mercado dos alimentos de base do país. O setor dos bens de consumo não discricionários constitui um eixo estratégico fundamental para a Helios, e contamos com um historial comprovado de investimento e expansão de empresas resilientes que satisfazem necessidades essenciais dos consumidores em toda a África. Vemos uma oportunidade significativa para tirar partido dos pontos fortes da Merec e estamos satisfeitos por estabelecer uma parceria com a Invictus Investment e a equipa de gestão, a fim de apoiar a próxima fase de crescimento da empresa.”

A Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld está a prestar assessoria jurídica à Helios, sendo a GDA Advogados a assessora jurídica moçambicana. A Freshfields está a atuar como consultora jurídica da Invictus Investment.

*Para mais informações, consulte heliosinvestment.com/news e invictusinvestment.ae/investor-relations/.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Invictus Investment Company PLC.

Para mais informações, consulte:
Invictus Investment
Tales & Heads
E: InvictusInvestment@talesandheads.com 
M: +971 (50) 694 4650

Helios Investment Partners
Teneo
E: heliosmedia@teneo.com
M: +44 207 260 2700

Sobre a Invictus Investment:
Invictus Investment Company PLC (ADX: INVICTUS é uma holding líder especializada em matérias-primas agroalimentares. A Invictus expandiu o seu modelo de negócio para incluir o comércio de cereais, a exportação de matérias-primas, a logística e a valorização, com um portefólio que abrange atualmente mais de 31 categorias de produtos, entre os quais a cevada, o milho, o sésamo, a soja, o açúcar e o trigo, e que opera em 66 países. A par das suas atividades atuais, a Invictus tem como objetivo realizar aquisições nos segmentos intermédio e a jusante da cadeia de valor, com vista a tornar-se uma empresa agroalimentar totalmente integrada no Médio Oriente e em África. Para obter mais informações sobre a Invictus Investment, incluindo o seu desempenho financeiro, atualizações para investidores e análises de analistas independentes, visite o website da empresa:

https://apo-opa.co/4BmtcHf

Sobre a Helios Investment Partners:
A Helios Investment Partners é uma empresa líder no setor do investimento privado com foco em África, gerindo fundos num valor total superior a 3 mil milhões de dólares. Fundada em 2004, a Helios é liderada e gerida por uma equipa predominantemente africana, com escritórios em Londres, Paris, Lagos e Nairobi, combinando um profundo conhecimento do contexto operacional africano com extensas redes locais e globais. A Helios estabelece parcerias com empresas e empreendedores de renome para criar empresas líderes de mercado, contribuindo com capital, experiência operacional e uma abordagem altamente empenhada na criação de valor.

Desde 2004 que a Helios tem vindo a aplicar as suas capacidades de investimento, a sua experiência empreendedora na criação de negócios e a sua rede de contactos a nível local e global para gerar rendimentos competitivos e um impacto positivo em toda a África. A empresa está certificada como B Corp, o que reflete o seu compromisso de longa data com a sustentabilidade e com práticas empresariais responsáveis.

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République centrafricaine – Bangassou : Des acteurs locaux s’engagent à intégrer les droits de l’homme dans la prévention des conflits

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Vingt acteurs locaux de Bangassou, dans la préfecture du Mbomou, au sud-est de la RCA, se sont engagés à promouvoir une approche fondée sur les droits de l’homme dans les initiatives locales de développement durable et de consolidation de la paix. Cet engagement a été pris à l’issue d’un atelier sur l’Approche Basée sur les Droits de l’Homme (ABDH), organisé par le Forum local des droits de l’homme avec l’appui de la MINUSCA. L’activité visait à renforcer les capacités des participants afin qu’ils intègrent davantage les droits humains dans la planification du développement, la prise de décision et les mécanismes de prévention des conflits.

Cette rencontre tenue les 14 et 15 octobre 2026, visait également à favoriser l’implication active des participants dans la promotion des droits fondamentaux et la consolidation de la paix au niveau communautaire.

Selon Magloire Agoua, coordonnateur de la Section Droits de l’Homme de la MINUSCA, cette formation doit permettre aux participants de devenir des acteurs de changement au sein de leurs communautés. « À la fin de cet atelier, ils doivent être capables d’influencer les planifications au niveau local pour tout ce qui relève des différents aspects de la vie sociale, notamment en ce qui concerne la prise en charge des personnes les plus vulnérables », a-t-il expliqué.

La formation s’adressait notamment aux membres du Comité préfectoral de mise en œuvre de l’Accord politique pour la paix et la réconciliation, du Comité local de paix et de réconciliation, du Forum local des droits de l’homme, des organisations de la société civile ainsi qu’aux leaders communautaires.

Durant les deux jours d’échanges, les participants ont été sensibilisés à leur rôle dans la promotion des droits humains, la prévention et la gestion pacifique des conflits, ainsi qu’à leur responsabilité dans l’identification des facteurs susceptibles d’alimenter les tensions au sein des communautés.

Les discussions ont également mis en évidence les nombreux défis auxquels les populations restent confrontées. Malgré les efforts de sensibilisation déjà menés, une partie de la population continue de méconnaître ses droits fondamentaux. Les participants ont relevé un accès encore limité aux services sociaux de base et aux opportunités de développement, notamment pour les groupes les plus vulnérables, qui demeurent insuffisamment représentés dans les processus de décision.

Un état des lieux de la situation des droits de l’homme dans la région a également été présenté. Si des avancées sont observées à Bangassou, notamment en matière de protection des civils, des préoccupations subsistent concernant certains comportements signalés au niveau des barrières de contrôle, dans le traitement des dossiers judiciaires ainsi que dans la prise en charge des personnes gardées à vue ou détenues.

Pour Berth Fenengai, participante à l’atelier, l’intégration de l’ABDH dans toutes les initiatives communautaires constitue désormais une nécessité. « Tout ce que nous ferons comme activités dans les jours à venir doit inclure automatiquement cette notion d’ABDH pour le développement de notre localité. C’est une excellente formation qui a renforcé mes connaissances. Dans toutes mes actions de sensibilisation, je veillerai à prendre en compte cette approche en impliquant toutes les couches de la société », a-t-elle indiqué.

À travers cette initiative, les organisateurs entendent contribuer au renforcement de la cohésion sociale, à l’amélioration de la gouvernance locale et à la consolidation durable de la paix dans la préfecture du Mbomou. Pour les participants, l’intégration systématique de l’approche basée sur les droits de l’homme dans les projets communautaires apparaît désormais comme un levier essentiel pour prévenir les conflits et favoriser un développement inclusif.

Distribué par APO Group pour United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

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Chikunga launches campaign to engage men in the fight against GBVF

Source: Government of South Africa

Chikunga launches campaign to engage men in the fight against GBVF

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has called on men and boys to challenge harmful gender norms and take an active role in preventing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Speaking at the launch of National Positive Masculinity Programme in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, on Friday, Chikunga said the campaign aims to promote responsible male leadership, respect for women and girls, and non-violent ways of resolving conflict.

Held under the theme: “Real Men and Boys Build, Protect and Transform”, the programme seeks to address attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender inequality and violence.

“Positive masculinity means the opposite of violence and control. A good man is not measured by how much fear he creates, but by how much safety he creates,” Chikunga said.

She urged men and boys to use their strength, authority and influence to protect, support and care for others, while showing respect and taking responsibility for their actions.

The Minister said the fight against GBVF requires a collective response including government, civil society, faith and traditional leaders, employers, educators, parents and communities.

Chikunga said the programme was informed by the Human Sciences Research Council’s first South African National Gender-Based Violence Study, published in 2024. The study found that one in three women, aged 18 and older, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.

It also found that 29.3% of women with disabilities have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, compared with 21.7% of women without disabilities.

According to Chikunga, the programme will use evidence-based interventions at individual, interpersonal, community and societal levels to address the drivers of violence.

These include improving access to mental health services and substance-use interventions for men, strengthening family support programmes and addressing childhood exposure to violence.

The programme will also introduce age-specific anti-violence initiatives in schools, places of worship, sporting organisations and traditional councils, while linking GBVF prevention to alcohol-abuse prevention, HIV prevention and women’s economic empowerment.

Chikunga said the rollout will build on an initial engagement in KwaZulu-Natal’s uMzinyathi District in March 2026, with structured pilot programmes planned for Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and the Free State before expansion to all nine provinces.

She said government is also strengthening its broader response to GBVF through the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, the National Council on GBVF, and the President’s Four-Point Plan announced on 29 September 2026.

The plan includes a 60-day audit of unresolved sexual offences and violent crimes against women and children, measures to reduce forensic backlogs, safety audits of high-risk public spaces and stronger enforcement against illegal liquor outlets.

Strengthening prevention and support services

Chikunga highlighted that additional funding has been allocated to strengthen prevention and support services. This includes R3.8 billion to employ more than 3 500 social workers and R186 million to strengthen forensic and investigative capacity.

Government is also expanding sexual offences courts from 55 to 101 and increasing the number of Thuthuzela Care Centres from 72 to 80 by 2028/29. A further R157.4 million has been allocated to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to strengthen coordination and oversight of the national response to GBVF.

“These commitments and allocations demonstrate that government is not paying lip service to the fight against GBVF,” the Minister said.

However, Chikunga emphasised that funding and policy commitments need to be matched by effective implementation, accountability and measurable improvements in the safety of women and girls.

The Minister said positive masculinity must be demonstrated in everyday life, including when men challenge sexist behaviour among their peers, support women’s leadership, share caregiving responsibilities and hold perpetrators of abuse accountable.

The campaign also draws on the legacy of the 1956 Women’s March, which marked its 70th anniversary this year. Chikunga said engaging men and boys in changing harmful attitudes is part of the work needed to advance the equality for which women have fought.

“The war on GBVF cannot be won by one institution or one individual. It requires all of us. We are declaring that South African men and boys are ready to carry their share of that war.

“We are declaring that this government is resourcing the fight, that the evidence is informing our programming, and that the Positive Masculinity Programme we launch today will travel to every province, every district, every school, every workplace, and every household in this country,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za

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KZN launches fibre pre-provisioning project in Empangeni

Source: Government of South Africa

KZN launches fibre pre-provisioning project in Empangeni

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has launched a fibre pre-provisioning pilot project in Empangeni aimed at integrating digital connectivity infrastructure into new housing developments from the outset.

The Fibre Pre-Provisioning Proof of Concept (POC), launched in Richards Bay on Thursday, is a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, Huawei and Openserve.

The project is being implemented at the Empangeni Phase 1A Housing Development, where 405 households are under construction and are being equipped with infrastructure to enable future high-speed fibre connectivity.

The initiative uses a “Pipe and Box” method to incorporate fibre infrastructure during construction, alongside essential services such as water, electricity and roads. This approach is intended to reduce the cost of installing connectivity later and could provide a model for similar housing developments across South Africa.

Ntuli described the project as a step towards building digital connectivity into new human settlements rather than introducing it after communities have been established.

“We are constructing pathways to opportunity, to connectivity, and to inclusion. We are laying the groundwork for a future in which no community is left behind,” Ntuli said.

He said reliable digital infrastructure is increasingly important for residents to access education, employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, information and government services.

The Premier said the initiative forms part of the province’s broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that residents, particularly those in historically underserved communities, can participate in the digital economy.

He welcomed the partnership with Huawei and Openserve, stressing the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector to accelerate infrastructure development and translate technological progress into tangible benefits for communities.

The initiative builds on other connectivity interventions undertaken through the provincial government’s GovConnect programme, including public Wi-Fi installations in uMlazi Township and uMsinga.

uMhlathuze Local Municipality Mayor Xolani Ngwezi said the project is an important milestone in the city’s efforts to become more connected and inclusive.

“A connected city is a competitive city. A connected resident is an empowered resident,” Ngwezi said.

KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements Chief Director Lindani Khoza said the project represents a shift in how infrastructure is planned and delivered.

“Just as roads connect people physically, fibre infrastructure connects communities digitally. Instead of treating connectivity as an afterthought, we are integrating it into the earlier stages of planning and development,” Khoza said.

Chief Director for Digital Government at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Rendani Musetha said the project aligns with the need to plan for broadband connectivity alongside housing development.

“Why should we build houses today and only think about connectivity tomorrow? A fibre cable has little meaning on its own. Its value comes from what it enables,” Musetha said.

Openserve Executive for Enterprise and Public Sector Pearl Schrimpton said the company is helping plan the network infrastructure needed for future connectivity.

“When government builds a home, a connection to the digital economy should be built in, just like water, just like electricity, just like the road,” she said.

Schrimpton said the partners will assess the project and share their findings to inform future decisions on fibre pre-provisioning.

“Our commitment to this project is simple: we build it properly, we measure it openly, and we will share what we learned with our partners in government, so that the country can decide on facts rather than assumptions,” Schrimpton said.

Huawei South Africa representative Charles Cheng said the partnership demonstrated how public-private collaboration could advance digital inclusion. He said fibre pre-provisioning should be considered for integration into municipal building codes and the national housing strategy.

Huawei Solution Manager Li Yanbang said installing fibre infrastructure during or before road construction can reduce costs and prevent roads from being damaged by later excavation.

“We want to find a way that we can get more affordable connectivity to every South African household,” Yanbang said.

Ntuli said the provincial government remains committed to expanding digital access through partnerships and infrastructure projects that can be replicated in other communities, with the aim of ensuring that geography or socio-economic circumstances did not prevent residents from benefiting from technological advancement. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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