Category: MIL-OSI

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Merafong, Eskom enter distribution agreement

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom and the Merafong City Local Municipality have concluded the official signing of a Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA).

The municipality has become the third local authority in the country to enter into a DAA with the power utility following Maluti-a-Phofung in the Free State and Emfuleni, in Gauteng. 

“The agreement forms a key part of Merafong City’s broader turnaround strategy aimed at stabilising electricity infrastructure, improving financial management, rebuilding public trust, and supporting local economic development.

“Merafong City entered into this agreement which represents a strategic and transitional intervention designed to stabilise electricity distribution, strengthen governance, and improve revenue collection while ensuring consistent and reliable power supply for residents and businesses,” the municipality and Eskom said in a joint statement.

The agreement states that:

  • Electricity distribution and certain retail functions will be jointly managed in a structured framework.
  • Billing and revenue collection will be ring-fenced and administered through Eskom systems.
  • Merafong will remain the electricity licence holder, with Eskom providing technical expertise, operational support, and skills transfer.
  • Free basic electricity will be disbursed directly by Eskom to qualifying indigent households.
  • Long-term structural reforms will continue through National Treasury to support municipal fiscal sustainability.

Furthermore, the DAA introduces “key improvements to strengthen the resilience and accountability” of the municipality’s electricity distribution system, including:

  • Strengthened operational coordination between Eskom and the Municipality.
  • Improved maintenance processes and fault-response times.
  • Enhanced infrastructure planning and investment readiness.
  • Clearer responsibilities, reporting lines, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Greater reliability and predictability of electricity supply.
  • Protection of existing jobs and structured training for municipal employees.
  • Capacity-building and skills transfer to support long-term municipal sustainability.

Municipal manager, Dumisani Mabuza, said: “Today represents more than the signing of a document. It represents a shared commitment to strengthening our electricity network, enhancing technical support, and ensuring that our residents receive the stable and reliable services they deserve. This agreement reinforces our vision of building a sustainable, responsive city centred on accountability and progress.”

Eskom acting Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, described the DAA as a “critical step” towards enabling the municipality to stabilise electricity provision for citizens.

“This partnership demonstrates Eskom’s commitment to work collaboratively and proactively with municipalities to restore operational efficiency and ensure sustainable service delivery for communities with the focus on capacitation and skills transfer,” she said.

In the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, National Treasury explained that DAAs are an interim measure to support municipalities that are battling to pay debt owed to Eskom.

Municipalities owe the power utility some R94 billion as at the end of March this year.

“Under these agreements, Eskom will operate municipal electricity services for a defined period, support cost-reflective tariff setting and loss reduction, and assist with collections. During this period, municipalities will be required to select the most appropriate service delivery mechanism, phase in cost-reflective tariffs and limit rebates.

“The DAA pathway is intended to stabilise cash flows, improve payment discipline and create a bridge to longer-term structural reforms in the local government fiscal framework.

“The interim measure does not rule out stronger interventions where failures persist,” National Treasury said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento aprova 10 milhões de dólares para grande projeto de hidrogénio verde na Namíbia

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Conselho de Administração do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (www.AfDB.org) aprovou um empréstimo de 10 milhões de dólares à Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, uma empresa namibiana de desenvolvimento de hidrogénio verde, para apoiar um projeto de amoníaco verde avaliado em mais de 10 mil milhões de dólares e com potencial para posicionar a Namíbia como pioneira na economia global de hidrogénio verde.

O empréstimo, proveniente do Fundo de Energia Sustentável para África (SEFA), apoiará estudos de engenharia de projeto para geração solar e eólica, sistemas de armazenamento de energia em baterias e capacidade de eletrolisadores e infraestrutura de dessalinização, reduzindo assim os riscos do projeto e atraindo o financiamento necessário para a sua realização.

O SEFA é um Fundo Especial com vários doadores que fornece financiamento catalítico para desbloquear investimentos do setor privado em energia renovável e eficiência energética. O SEFA oferece assistência técnica e instrumentos financeiros concessionais para remover barreiras de mercado, construir um pipeline de projetos mais robusto e melhorar o perfil de risco-retorno de investimentos individuais.

O projeto está pronto para aproveitar os recursos de energia solar e eólica de classe mundial do país. A primeira fase inclui 3,75 GW de geração de energia renovável, armazenamento em baterias, 1,5 GW de capacidade de eletrolisadores e infraestrutura de apoio, como instalações de dessalinização, gasodutos, linhas de transmissão e instalações portuárias melhoradas – tudo desenvolvido de acordo com os mais altos padrões ambientais e sociais.

Uma vez concluído, o projeto deverá produzir 2 milhões de toneladas de amoníaco verde por ano para exportação para mercados-chave, contribuindo ao mesmo tempo para o desenvolvimento económico local, ao abrigo de um plano de desenvolvimento socioeconómico abrangente, integrado no contrato de concessão de 40 anos do projeto.

Além disso, evitará emissões anuais de 5 milhões de toneladas de CO2 – o equivalente a retirar mais de um milhão de carros das estradas –, ao mesmo tempo que implantará 7,5 gigawatts de capacidade de geração de energia renovável, mais de 10 vezes a capacidade instalada atual da Namíbia. Adicionalmente, o projeto fornecerá 3 milhões de litros de água potável por dia através da dessalinização à região de Lüderitz, no sul da Namíbia, que sofre com a escassez de água.

Moono Mupotola, representante do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento na Namíbia e vice-diretor-geral para a África Austral, disse: “Isto é muito mais do que infraestrutura energética. Trata-se de demonstrar a capacidade da África de liderar a transição energética global, criar empregos de qualidade para os nossos jovens e construir prosperidade, ao mesmo tempo que protegemos o nosso planeta. A Namíbia está a mostrar ao mundo que África não está apenas a participar na economia verde – está a defini-la”.

“A aprovação deste mecanismo de pré-investimento pelo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento representa um forte voto de confiança no projeto da Hyphen e nas amplas ambições da Namíbia de desenvolver um dos projetos de hidrogénio verde mais transformadores do mundo”, afirmou Marco Raffinetti, CEO da Hyphen Hydrogen Energy. “Estamos profundamente gratos ao Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento por se associar a nós no desenvolvimento deste projeto transformador; este mecanismo será utilizado para financiar parcialmente a fase de conceção técnica do projeto na nossa jornada até à decisão final de investimento”, acrescentou.

“A intervenção do SEFA é catalisadora”, afirmou Daniel Schroth, diretor de Energias Renováveis e Eficiência Energética do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento. “Ao apoiar estas atividades essenciais de pré-investimento, estamos a desbloquear milhares de milhões em financiamento para o projeto. Este é um projeto de desenvolvimento estratégico e de grande impacto”, salientou.

O projeto deverá gerar 15 mil empregos na construção e 3.000 postos de trabalho permanentes, 90% dos quais reservados a cidadãos namibianos e 20% especificamente destinados a jovens, num país onde o desemprego juvenil ultrapassa os 38%.

O projeto Hyphen é considerado um dos principais projetos da Iniciativa de Desenvolvimento do Corredor Sul do governo. Espera-se que tenha um efeito demonstrativo em toda a África, particularmente em países que possuem recursos abundantes de energia renovável.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contacto para os media:
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas
media@afdb.org

Sobre o Grupo do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org/pt

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Afreximbank afirma que África deve aumentar os volumes de cessão financeira (factoring) para pelo menos 240 mil milhões de euros para apoiar a transformação liderada pelas Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PMEn)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com) destacou a importância crítica da cessão financeira (factoring) e do financiamento da cadeia de abastecimento (SCF) para reduzir o défice de financiamento das Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PME) africanas e construir cadeias de valor resilientes em todo o continente.

Ao discursar no Workshop anual sobre Cessão Financeira (Factoring) do Afreximbank, em Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, a Sr.ª Kanayo Awani, Vice-Presidente Executiva para o Comércio Intra-Africano e Desenvolvimento das Exportações (IAED) do Afreximbank e membro do Comité Executivo da FCI, observou que, embora os volumes de cessão financeira (factoring) em África tenham mais do que duplicado nos últimos anos, passando de 21,6 mil milhões de euros em 2017 para 50 mil milhões de euros em 2024, e com quase 200 empresas de cessão financeira (factoring) a operar actualmente em todo o continente, a actividade actual continua significativamente abaixo do potencial transformador de África.

Afirmou ainda que: “Embora as PME representem mais de 90% das empresas africanas e mais de 60% do emprego e do PIB, continuam a enfrentar um défice de financiamento estimado em 300 mil milhões de dólares americanos por ano.

Para catalisar o crescimento liderado pelas PME, África deve aumentar os volumes de cessão financeira (factoring) para, pelo menos, 240 mil milhões de euros, o equivalente a cerca de 10% do PIB do continente. Para tal, será necessário aumentar o financiamento, aprofundar as reformas jurídicas, expandir a formação e estabelecer parcerias sólidas com a indústria.”

Ao intervir igualmente no workshop, o Sr. Neal Harm, Secretário-Geral da FCI, afirmou que a cessão financeira (factoring) e o financiamento da cadeia de abastecimento são fundamentais para desbloquear o crescimento das PME em África, apelando a soluções práticas, parcerias sólidas e acções colaborativas para transformar as discussões de hoje em transacções de amanhã.

Em representação do Dr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, Governador do Banco Central dos Estados da África Ocidental (BCEAO), o Sr. Charlie Dingui, Conselheiro Especial do Director Nacional, salientou a importância do financiamento das PME para impulsionar o desenvolvimento socioeconómico nos Estados-Membros da UEMOA.

“Ao permitir que as empresas convertam as suas contas a receber em liquidez imediata, a cessão financeira (factoring) melhora o fluxo de caixa e estimula o crescimento, especialmente em ambientes marcados por longos atrasos nos pagamentos e desafios de cobrança”, afirmou o Sr. Dingui.

A Côte d’Ivoire apresenta uma oportunidade significativa para impulsionar o desenvolvimento económico através da expansão do seu mercado de cessão financeira (factoring). Estima-se que o sector de cessão financeira (factoring) e financiamento da cadeia de abastecimento do país tenha um potencial de 5 mil milhões de dólares, uma perspectiva notável numa economia em que só o sector do cacau sustenta milhões de meios de subsistência. No entanto, apenas 12% das PME procuram actualmente capital de exploração junto de instituições financeiras formais, dependendo em vez disso de fontes informais, em grande parte devido aos elevados custos de financiamento, ao risco associado das PME, aos requisitos rigorosos de empréstimo e aos processos de aprovação lentos.

O workshop anual sobre cessão financeira (factoring) faz parte do compromisso de longa data do Afreximbank e da FCI no sentido de aumentar a sensibilização e reforçar os conhecimentos técnicos sobre cessão financeira (factoring) e financiamento da cadeia de abastecimento, factores essenciais para promover a implementação da Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (ZCLCA).

Até à data, mais de 5000 delegados receberam formação através de mais de 25 iniciativas de reforço das capacidades. A formação está disponível através do Certificado de Financiamento Comercial em África (COTFIA), da Academia Afreximbank (AFRACAD), dos programas de formação em linha e personalizados da FCI em matéria de cessão financeira (factoring) e do Programa de Mentoria da FCI

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto para a Imprensa:
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com os Meios de Comunicação Social)
Correio Electrónico: press@afreximbank.com

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Sobre o Afreximbank:
O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) é uma instituição financeira multilateral pan-africana com mandato para financiar e promover o comércio intra e extra-africano. Há mais de 30 anos que o Banco utiliza estruturas inovadoras para oferecer soluções de financiamento que apoiam a transformação da estrutura do comércio africano, acelerando a industrialização e o comércio intra-regional, impulsionando assim a expansão económica em África. Apoiante firme do Acordo de Comércio Livre Continental Africano (ACLCA), o Afreximbank lançou um Sistema Pan-Africano de Pagamento e Liquidação (PAPSS) que foi adoptado pela União Africana (UA) como plataforma de pagamento e liquidação para sustentar a implementação da ZCLCA. Em colaboração com o Secretariado da ZCLCA e a UA, o Banco criou um Fundo de Ajustamento de 10 mil milhões de dólares para apoiar os países que participam de forma efectiva na ZCLCA. No final de Dezembro de 2024, o total de activos e contingências do Afreximbank ascendia a mais de 40,1 mil milhões de dólares e os seus fundos de accionistas a 7,2 mil milhões de dólares. O Afreximbank tem notações de grau de investimento atribuídas pela GCR (escala internacional) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) e Fitch (BBB-). O Afreximbank evoluiu para uma entidade de grupo que inclui o Banco, a sua subsidiária de fundo de impacto de acções, denominada Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), e a sua subsidiária de gestão de seguros, AfrexInsure (em conjunto, “o Grupo”). O Banco tem a sua sede em Cairo, Egipto.

Para mais informações, visite: www.Afreximbank.com.

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Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Chiefs Honored at MSGBC 2025 for Driving Regional, Global Energy Cooperation

Source: APO

The Secretary Generals of intergovernmental organizations the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) were awarded the Gas Market Development and & Innovation Award and Regional Energy Collaborator Award, respectively, at this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition. 

The awards were given to Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General, GECF and Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, APPO during the opening ceremony of the event on December 9.  

Eng. Hamel was bestowed the award in recognition of his efforts to enhance global gas cooperation during a key turning point for the MSGBC basin. Through his guidance, the GECF has promoted policy alignment, market transparency and data-drive analysis, enabling new LNG-producing nations such as Senegal and Mauritania to integrate more effectively into global markets.  

“As global energy systems evolve, natural gas will remain essential for industrialization, economic growth and stability. The GECF is committed to supporting emerging producers with data-driven insights, dialogue and collaboration. Together, we can ensure that the region’s gas resources become a catalyst for long-term, inclusive prosperity,” stated Eng. Hamel.  

Meanwhile, in recognition for his pivotal role in advancing African-led energy development at a time of accelerated industry growth across the continent, Dr. Ibrahim’s leadership at APPO has served to bolster policy harmonization, nurture joint initiatives among member states and champion the establishment of the African Energy Bank – an emerging financial instrument expected to unlock significant capital for oil, gas and associated infrastructure. 

“For too long, our industry has relied heavily on external financing, technology and markets,” Dr. Ibrahim stated, adding, “That model is no longer sustainable. We are working to build African capacity, strengthen regional centers of excellence and ensure our resources drive development at home. The path forward is one of cooperation, self-reliance and strategic unity across the continent.” 

Together, these awards underscore the strategic importance of regional and international collaboration as West Africa enters a new phase of energy expansion.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Le Forum des pays exportateurs de gaz (GECF) et les chefs de Organisation des producteurs africains de pétrole (APPO) récompensés lors du MSGBC 2025 pour leur contribution à la coopération régionale et mondiale dans le domaine de l’énergie

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Les secrétaires généraux des organisations intergouvernementales Forum des pays exportateurs de gaz (GECF) et Organisation des producteurs africains de pétrole (APPO) ont respectivement reçu le prix du développement et de l’innovation du marché du gaz et le prix du collaborateur régional dans le domaine de l’énergie lors de la conférence et exposition MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 de cette année. 

Les prix ont été remis à M. Mohamed Hamel, secrétaire général du GECF, et au Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, secrétaire général de l’APPO, lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture de l’événement, le 9 décembre. 

M. Hamel a reçu ce prix en reconnaissance de ses efforts visant à renforcer la coopération mondiale dans le domaine du gaz à un moment charnière pour le bassin MSGBC. Sous sa direction, le GECF a favorisé l’harmonisation des politiques, la transparence des marchés et l’analyse fondée sur les données, permettant ainsi à de nouveaux pays producteurs de GNL, tels que le Sénégal et la Mauritanie, de s’intégrer plus efficacement aux marchés mondiaux. 

« À mesure que les systèmes énergétiques mondiaux évoluent, le gaz naturel restera essentiel à l’industrialisation, à la croissance économique et à la stabilité. Le GECF s’engage à soutenir les producteurs émergents grâce à des informations fondées sur des données, au dialogue et à la collaboration. Ensemble, nous pouvons faire en sorte que les ressources gazières de la région deviennent un catalyseur de prospérité inclusive à long terme », a déclaré M. Hamel. 

Par ailleurs, en reconnaissance de son rôle central dans la promotion du développement énergétique mené par l’Afrique à une époque où l’industrie connaît une croissance accélérée sur tout le continent, le leadership du Dr Ibrahim au sein de l’APPO a contribué à renforcer l’harmonisation des politiques, à encourager les initiatives conjointes entre les États membres et à promouvoir la création de la Banque africaine de l’énergie, un instrument financier émergent qui devrait débloquer des capitaux importants pour le pétrole, le gaz et les infrastructures associées. 

« Pendant trop longtemps, notre industrie a fortement dépendu des financements, des technologies et des marchés extérieurs », a déclaré le Dr Ibrahim, ajoutant : « Ce modèle n’est plus viable. Nous nous efforçons de renforcer les capacités africaines, de consolider les centres d’excellence régionaux et de veiller à ce que nos ressources stimulent le développement chez nous. La voie à suivre est celle de la coopération, de l’autonomie et de l’unité stratégique à travers le continent. » 

Ensemble, ces récompenses soulignent l’importance stratégique de la collaboration régionale et internationale alors que l’Afrique de l’Ouest entre dans une nouvelle phase d’expansion énergétique. 

Distribué par APO Group pour Energy Capital & Power.

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Reports highlights importance of secure ecological infrastructure

Source: Government of South Africa

Reports highlights importance of secure ecological infrastructure

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Bernice Swarts, has called for swift and decisive action to protect and restore ecological infrastructure as a critical step toward strengthening South Africa’s water security.

“Our vital aquatic ecosystems including those in our strategic water source areas – the mountain catchments, wetlands and rivers that only constitute 10% of our land area yet supply over 50% of our water – continue to face severe pressure from pollution, invasive species, and altered water flows,” the Deputy Minister said on Tuesday.

Addressing the launch of the 2025 National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA), Swarts said these challenges have been highlighted consistently over the past 20 years of the NBA. 

“While important progress has been made, it is clear that much more urgent action is required to secure the ecological infrastructure that underpins our water security. 

“Furthermore, improving the vital flow of freshwater into the sea is important for ecosystem services such as marine fisheries and coastal resilience,” she said.

According to the report, terrestrial and marine ecosystems are vast – and pressures on these systems are concentrated in particular areas. 

“This reinforces the importance of spatial prioritisation, ensuring that every rand we invest in restoration is directed where it has the greatest impact — particularly in degraded landscapes, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems.

“For our species, we can see that again our aquatic systems are at risk, as the most threatened species groups are freshwater and cartilaginous fishes. Several terrestrial groups, including reptiles, birds, mammals and plants, are showing concerning declines,” the Deputy Minister said.

For the first time, the NBA reported a significant decline among species in Namaqualand, driven by the intersection of escalating pressures from unsustainable land-use, illegal harvesting and climate change impacts.

“On a positive note, some of our species are showing an improvement in their protection level status, reflecting the strong conservation foundation built through our protected areas and stewardship programmes.

“The NBA introduces global genetic indicators for the first time. These reveal early signs of genetic erosion even in species that appear stable. South Africa is rapidly building scientific capacity in this field and will be among the first countries globally to report on genetic indicators in our 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, we will need sustained investment to secure this essential part of our natural heritage,” Swarts said.

She said the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) remains one of the most important ways in which SANBI fulfils its legislative mandate under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act — to report on the status of the country’s biodiversity and to provide the evidence that guides sound environmental governance.

“The NBA is not just a report. It is a reflection of who we are as a country that treasures its natural heritage; it is a mirror that shows both our achievements and our challenges; and it is a compass that guides the difficult choices we must make for a sustainable future,” the Deputy Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Significant progress being made in delivering water and sanitation projects

Source: Government of South Africa

Significant progress being made in delivering water and sanitation projects

The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has announced significant progress in delivering water and sanitation projects across the province through the effective implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).

According to the provincial government, several water supply projects are at various stages of construction in different municipalities, aimed at addressing water shortages and ensuring consistent water provision to communities.

Notably, the R131 million Bulk Water Augmentation Project in Ipelegeng, Schweizer-Reneke, has reached 95% completion, representing a major step towards resolving long-standing water challenges in the area.

This project includes the refurbishment of the Schweizer-Reneke Water Treatment Works, valued at R14.8 million.

In the City of Matlosana, the department said the refurbishment of critical water pump stations in Jouberton, Ellaton, Loraine, Kanana and Khuma valued at R39.5 million is nearing completion and will stabilise supply across the area.

In addition, the Mahikeng Local Municipality continues to benefit from major water and sanitation investments, including projects in Madibe A Tau, Lonely Park, Setlopo, and the Mahikeng Rural Sanitation initiative, together valued at R385 million.

In Rustenburg, the R58 million Tlhabane Bulk Internal Water Reticulation Project is now 96% complete. 

In Lethabong, the Internal Sewer Reticulation and Waste Water Treatment Works Upgrade – worth over R140 million – is at 82% completion.

MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Molapisi, said the MIG projects, which are implemented through municipalities, demonstrated government’s willingness to resolve water shortage and augment water supply to the ever-growing communities.

“These achievements reflect CoGTA’s commitment to strengthening the provision of basic services such as water to improve the quality of life of our communities. The success in project implementation and monitoring done through quarterly forums has improved our performance in implementing MIG projects,” said Molapisi.

Other projects are implemented through Operation Bulela Metsi, which was launched in the province, in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation, as a water and sanitation intervention programme to ensure access to water for all households.

Among the key achievements is the R106 million Dinokana Water Supply Intervention, which is currently underway in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, aimed at boosting water security for residents.

In JB Marks Local Municipality, the department said construction of the 25 megalitre (ML) reservoir in Ikageng is progressing well and will soon supply water to several extensions, including Potch Industria and Mohadin. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Dongfeng Motor Successfully Completes Official Transportation Support Mission for G20 Summit in South Africa, Green Fleet Earns International Acclaim

Source: APO – Report:

Recently, as the official designated vehicle partner for the 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa, Dongfeng Motor (https://Dongfeng-Global.com/) delivered an outstanding performance, successfully completing all transportation support tasks for the summit held in Johannesburg. The specialized green fleet, comprising multiple new energy vehicle models such as the Dongfeng BOX, Dongfeng 007, provided efficient, safe, and reliable high-quality transportation services for national delegations and working staff during the conference. Its excellent operational coordination and stable product performance earned high praise and recognition from all participating parties. This not only demonstrated Dongfeng Motor’s capabilities on the international stage of premier political and economic events but also successfully tested its comprehensive ability to deliver systematic transportation solutions in complex and demanding scenarios.

This collaboration stemmed from the joint efforts of Dongfeng and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, aiming to provide a high-standard green mobility solution for the summit. The fleet’s zero-failure stable operation during the event visually showcased Dongfeng Motor’s latest achievements in electrification technology, intelligent manufacturing, and high-end quality control to the world. It represents a significant practice of Dongfeng’s long-term commitment to innovation and sustainable development. Through its successful debut on the international stage, Dongfeng Motor has demonstrated with concrete actions that its new energy vehicles are fully capable of meeting the high-end and rigorous transportation demands globally, both in terms of capability and reliability.

The success of serving as an official partner for the G20 Summit has significantly enhanced Dongfeng’s brand reputation and influence in South Africa and across the broader African region, laying a solid foundation of trust for future market expansion. This collaboration epitomizes and highlights Dongfeng’s deep cultivation of the African market in recent years through localized production, technological exchanges, and other initiatives.

Looking ahead, Dongfeng Motor will seize this opportunity to translate the experience refined during this service support mission into momentum for continuously improving its products and services. The company will continue to uphold an open and cooperative global approach

– on behalf of China Dongfeng Motor Industry Imp. & Exp. Co. Ltd.

Company: China Dongfeng Motor Industry Imp. & Exp. Co. Ltd
Contact: Liao Qingli 
E-Mail: liaoqingli@dfmc.com.cn
Website: https://Dongfeng-Global.com/

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Dr. Rasha Kelej and Cabo Verde First Lady sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to underscores their long-term partnership to strengthen healthcare capacity

Source: APO – Report:

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany sign MoU to underscored their long-term partnership to strengthen healthcare capacity in Cabo Verde during a high-level meeting held between Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and The First Lady of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO who is also the Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. The meeting was held during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) expressed, “It was great meeting my dear sister H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and the Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025. Together we have started to provide scholarships for young doctors in the fields of Oncology and Fertility, and they will soon begin their programs. This marks an important milestone for us in building healthcare capacity in Cabo Verde.

We also signed an MoU to underscore our long-term partnership and to continue our programs in the country.”

H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother stated, “It was indeed a great pleasure to be a part of the prestigious conference together with my dear sisters, First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and hearing from them about the impact of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries. I am proud to share that we have initiated the Merck Foundation Scholarships Program and have enrolled our doctors for Oncology and Fertility Training programs.

Moreover, I am very happy that we have also started the Educating Linda program in our country, through which we have awarded scholarships to 42 of our students nationwide, enabling them to complete their education and unlock their full potential. I believe that education is the foundation of every thriving nation. Hence, these scholarships are of great importance to us.”

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/48JzL9C

Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”: https://apo-opa.co/3XMkU9c

On day 2 of the Summit, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African and Asian First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed.

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://apo-opa.co/3KlRiMZ

During the Summit, a strategy meeting between The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej was also held to sign the MoU to underscore their long-term partnership and continue their on-going programs and define strategies to further build healthcare and media capacity in Cabo Verde to address a wide range of social and health issues.

Watch video of the meeting here: https://apo-opa.co/4oMWGXw

“Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We have so far provided 2400 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. We will soon be enrolling more doctors from Cabo Verde in various medical specialties in partnership with the First Lady and Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde“, added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation together with the office of The First Lady of Cabo Verde has also conducted 2 editions of Online Health Media Training to emphasize on the critical role of media in addressing critical social and health issues.

Merck Foundation also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde, Merck Foundation has also launched seven children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, and “Mark’s Pressure”. The storybooks launched in Portuguese language, address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, diabetes and hypertension awareness.

The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3YilfAA), X (http://apo-opa.co/3XIZARX), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/48Q8iTM), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/48IW3bp).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4oMm3sz), X (http://apo-opa.co/4pXla0X), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/48GSO43), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3KFGjxK).

Link to the Facebook live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

  • 2400+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

  • 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues
  • 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs
  • Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
  • 9 Children’s Storybooks in three languages – English, French, and Portuguese
  • 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.
  • Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
  • 1040+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to help them to complete their studies and empower them to reach their full potential.
  • 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers.

– on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3XMkZtw 
X: https://apo-opa.co/4oHDpXc
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3YhjiEA
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4azNKRK
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4oK6gKH
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4oIWAjA
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4pVhIUH

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3XMkZtw), X (https://apo-opa.co/4oHDpXc), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3YhjiEA), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4azNKRK), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4oK6gKH) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4oIWAjA).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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The Self-Service Revolution Reaches Employee Onboarding

Source: APO – Report:

Only 12% of employees think their organisation does a great job onboarding new people, according to Gallup (https://apo-opa.co/44PhYwk). Manual onboarding processes create many problems for the overall onboarding experience, such as incomplete information, time-sapping back-and-forth between people, and limited visibility of the enrolment journey.

E-onboarding changes this completely as employee enrolment joins the self-service era.

ESS for onboarding

Employee self-service (ESS) is a $2.5 billion market (https://apo-opa.co/44lS8zT) that has become crucial to companies. It provides employees with access to services like payslips and leave management. Administrators value ESS because it reduces rote tasks like manual data capturing and calculations, freeing them to focus on more engaging activities.

Now ESS is transforming the laborious and intensive process of enrolling a new employee, says Mignon Wolmarans, Product Manager – HR from Deel Local Payroll, which recently launched e-onboarding workflows on its platform.

“Employee onboarding is typically slow and complicated because of manual data capturing and processing, and constant back-and-forth between new employees, payroll, and HR. It consumes time and leads to errors and delays. Our customers really appreciate our payroll ESS features, so we wanted to provide the same value for onboarding.”

Faster onboarding with fewer errors

E-onboarding is an integrated workflow where new employees use a secure portal to enter their details. HR staff monitor progress on a dashboard with real-time tracking and engage with crucial sections, and records are moved seamlessly to payroll systems. E-onboarding reduces administrative time, ensures data accuracy, and provides HR teams with full visibility over every new hire from start to finish.

However, such a workflow requires more than automation and self-service. Important features include a dedicated HR workspace to initiate and manage new hires, branded welcome messages with scheduled delivery, adjustable onboarding forms, review and approval tools, and visible role ownership for different enrolment sections.

“Self-service should be part of a larger feature suite. Otherwise, you just create more work for someone further down the process. You want a service that integrates with HR and payroll workflows, which is how you get proper automation and reliable oversight,” says Wolmarans.

Why e-onboarding matters

Inefficient onboarding is a recipe for talent churn. Around 20% of employees leave a position within the first 45 days (https://apo-opa.co/4aIaor3), a trend that is especially common among ambitious young professionals. Very often, their departure resulted from tedious and poorly executed onboarding that prevented them from jumping into their new responsibilities.

E-onboarding has a lasting impact. It is a multi-faceted process that includes enrolment, orientation, provisioning office space and equipment, training, and introduction to processes. Improving onboarding speed and accuracy has a direct impact on productivity. Under normal circumstances, it can take up to a year for new employees to reach the output levels of established workers. Numerous studies and surveys indicate that e-onboarding improves that timeline between 25% and 50%.

“Positive onboarding has an enormous impact. It improves retention and engagement, it helps teams include newcomers in their culture, and it creates long-term job satisfaction. The trick is to integrate it with your HR and payroll workflow, automate what you can, and provide maximum self-service and management visibility to everyone involved. This is why we added e-onboarding as a standard feature to our platform, because this stuff really should be a standard in all businesses,” says Wolmarans.

Businesses of all sizes are enjoying the value and productivity improvement from self-service and automation. These features are already crucial for effective HR and payroll management. Now the same advantages have arrived for onboarding, and it’s such a baseline improvement that Deel Local Payroll makes it available as a standard feature.

“We debated if e-onboarding should be offered separately. But it’s such a fundamental improvement to HR and payroll that we realised it should be a stock feature for all our users. E-onboarding is something every company should use.”

– on behalf of Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.

For media queries please contact:
Victoria Lindsay
victoria@innocomm.co.za

About Deel Local Payroll:
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, revolutionises payroll management. It offers online, multi-country payroll and HR management for businesses from start-ups through to enterprise in over 40 African countries, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Brazil.

Cloud-native, Deel Local Payroll, is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use—delivering anytime, anywhere access. It features payroll automation, self-service features, automatic legislation and feature updates, customised reporting, and more.

Since 2024, Deel Local Payroll has been part of Deel, operating as an independent subsidiary, serving its customers through the PaySpace platform. 

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