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July 2, 2026

Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo’s (SNPC) Maixent Raoul Ominga to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

Source: APO

Maixent Raoul Ominga, Director General of Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), has been named the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026. The honor recognizes more than two decades of service to Congo’s national oil company and a leadership career that has helped transform SNPC into a stronger, more diversified and increasingly influential energy company.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest distinction presented during the African Energy Awards, held annually as part of AEW. The non-voting category recognizes individuals whose careers have left a lasting mark on Africa’s energy industry through sustained leadership, institutional development, investment promotion and contributions to regional cooperation.

Few leaders know SNPC as intimately as Ominga. Joining the company in 2001 in the finance and accounting department, he steadily rose through the ranks before being appointed Director General in 2018. Reappointed in 2022 and again in 2025 following the adoption of SNPC’s revised corporate statutes, his continued tenure reflects sustained confidence in a leadership style centered on long-term institutional growth, operational discipline and continuity.

Under Ominga’s leadership, SNPC has evolved from a traditional national oil company into a broader energy player with an expanding upstream portfolio and growing regional profile. The company continues to hold interests in many of the Republic of Congo’s largest producing assets while participating in new discoveries that have reinforced the country’s long-term exploration potential.

A defining feature of Ominga’s tenure has been a strategic shift toward long-term value creation through gas monetization. Under his direction, SNPC has played a central role in supporting the Congo LNG project, helping position the Republic of Congo among Africa’s emerging LNG exporters and accelerating the country’s transition toward large-scale gas development.

Institutional transformation has been equally central to his leadership. Ominga has overseen organizational restructuring, strengthened corporate governance and placed greater emphasis on operational performance, while steering SNPC toward increased use of domestic capital markets to reduce reliance on international lenders and strengthen local financial capacity. He has also prioritized workforce development, greater gender inclusion in leadership and the development of internal capabilities supporting gas and new energy initiatives.

His influence has extended well beyond SNPC. A longstanding advocate for stronger collaboration among Africa’s national oil companies, Ominga has consistently promoted regional partnerships, African financing solutions and energy sovereignty as essential to unlocking the continent’s long-term investment potential. This vision has helped elevate both SNPC’s regional profile and the Republic of Congo’s role in Africa’s evolving energy landscape.

Ominga’s leadership has also been recognized beyond the energy sector. In 2026, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Ligue universelle du bien public, recognizing his leadership, commitment to the public good and contributions to economic and social development. The distinction reflects a leadership philosophy that extends beyond commercial performance, emphasizing institution-building, human capital development and the role of energy in supporting national progress.

“Maixent Raoul Ominga represents the kind of steady, visionary leadership that has helped transform SNPC into a more resilient and forward-looking national oil company,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “His commitment to building local capacity, strengthening governance and positioning Congo’s energy sector for the future makes him a deserving recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. We congratulate him on this well-earned recognition.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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July 2, 2026

Presidente do Afreximbank apela à soberania económica africana através da industrialização, do comércio e da mobilização de recursos internos

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Presidente do Conselho de Administração do Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), Dr. George Elombi, afirmou que a soberania económica de África só será alcançada quando o continente se industrializar em grande escala, processar os seus próprios recursos e garantir um acesso justo ao capital para financiar as suas prioridades de desenvolvimento – nos seus próprios termos.

Em declarações proferidas durante uma conferência de imprensa em Abuja, Nigéria, o Dr. Elombi afirmou que África já não pode continuar a depender de um modelo de desenvolvimento assente na extracção e exportação de matérias-primas e na importação de produtos acabados. Referiu que a próxima fase de crescimento do continente deve ser orientado pela criação de valor acrescentado, pela indústria transformadora, pelo comércio regional e por instituições financeiras africanas mais fortes, capazes de mobilizar capital e recursos internos para a transformação. “A soberania de África não será garantida pela exportação de mais daquilo que não transformamos. Será garantida quando construirmos as indústrias que transformam os recursos africanos em valor africano. Mas a industrialização requer capital, e esse capital deve ser acessível em condições justas, com base em dados concretos e que reflictam o verdadeiro potencial de África.”

O Dr. Elombi afirmou que o mandato do Afreximbank se centra em ajudar o continente a efectuar essa transição – da dependência das matérias-primas para a capacidade industrial, de mercados fragmentados para o comércio integrado e da vulnerabilidade externa para uma maior resiliência africana.

Directamente através do financiamento da dívida e indirectamente através do seu veículo de capital próprio, o Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), e em colaboração com parceiros industriais como a ARISE IIP, o Afreximbank está a facilitar o desenvolvimento de parques industriais multifuncionais e zonas económicas especiais, dedicados a apoiar o processamento de minerais, a transformação agrícola, a indústria automóvel, têxtil e farmacêutica. O Banco está a ampliar estes investimentos estratégicos com o objectivo de construir pólos de produção competitivos e aprofundar as ligações de produção regionais em todo o continente.

O Dr. Elombi afirmou que, para que África se industrialize, o continente deve igualmente abordar a questão do custo e da disponibilidade de capital. Segundo ele, as notações de crédito influenciam o montante que as instituições pagam para angariar fundos, os investidores a quem têm acesso e, em última análise, o custo a que podem financiar o comércio, as infra-estruturas e a indústria.

“Uma avaliação justa do crédito faz parte da agenda de soberania de África”, afirmou, acrescentando que “quando as instituições africanas são avaliadas de forma adequada, conseguem angariar capital de forma mais competitiva. Quando angariam capital de forma mais competitiva, podem financiar o crescimento industrial de África e acelerar o comércio africano e a criação de emprego.”

Afirmou que a recente notação de grau de investimento atribuída ao Afreximbank pela S&P Global Ratings, que atribuiu ao Banco uma notação de crédito de emitente de longo prazo BBB+ e de curto prazo A-2, demonstrou a importância de avaliar as instituições africanas no seu contexto adequado. A avaliação da S&P surge na sequência do sólido desempenho do Afreximbank no primeiro trimestre de 2026, com os activos totais e contingências a atingirem 49,4 mil milhões de dólares, fundos próprios de 8,6 mil milhões de dólares, um rácio de adequação de capital de 23% e um rácio de crédito em incumprimento de 2,40%.

O Dr. Elombi afirmou que as agências de notação devem reconhecer devidamente a estrutura do Afreximbank, assente num tratado, o seu Estatuto de Credor Preferencial, o apoio dos accionistas e o papel central no financiamento do comércio africano. Acrescentou que a percepção que os accionistas têm do Banco é motivada pela sua convicção e confiança na instituição que criaram e não apenas pelas percepções das notações. Afirmou ainda que as instituições multilaterais africanas devem ser avaliadas com base em evidências verificadas, nas suas estruturas institucionais reais e no papel de desenvolvimento que desempenham em todo o continente. Apesar de um ambiente global complexo, o Afreximbank continuou a demonstrar uma forte confiança por parte dos investidores, nomeadamente através de emissões bem-sucedidas de obrigações Samurai e Panda e de uma linha de crédito sindicada de duas tranches, no valor equivalente a 2 mil milhões de dólares americanos, angariada no primeiro trimestre de 2026 junto de 31 entidades credoras da Europa, Médio Oriente, Ásia e África.

O Dr. Elombi acrescentou que a industrialização só garantirá a soberania se os produtos africanos puderem circular pelos mercados africanos. Afirmou que o Afreximbank continuará a apoiar infra-estruturas que facilitem o comércio, sistemas de pagamento, corredores logísticos e a implementação da ZCLCA, a fim de reduzir as barreiras que dificultam o comércio entre as empresas africanas.

“O capital, a indústria e o comércio devem trabalhar em conjunto”, afirmou. “África deve financiar a sua produção, transformar os seus recursos e fazer circular os seus produtos nos seus próprios mercados. É assim que criamos valor, retemos valor em África e construímos uma soberania que seja prática, não teórica.” Acolheu com agrado a ideia de uma Nova Arquitectura Financeira Africana (NAFA) e a urgência de reforçar as capacidades para mobilizar recursos do continente com vista a apoiar o seu desenvolvimento.

Numa análise prospectiva, o Dr. Elombi afirmou que o Afreximbank continuaria focado no financiamento dos sistemas de que África necessita para se afirmar com mais firmeza sobre as suas próprias bases, incluindo a capacidade industrial, a criação de valor acrescentado, o processamento de minerais estratégicos, as infra-estruturas que facilitam o comércio, os pagamentos digitais, a segurança energética e o comércio intra-africano.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto para a Imprensa:
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com a Imprensa)
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 2025, o total de activos e passivos contingentes do Afreximbank atingiu mais de 48,5 mil milhões de USD, e os seus fundos próprios totalizaram 8,4 mil milhões de USD. O Afreximbank tem notações de grau de investimento atribuídas pela China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), pela GCR (A), pela Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) e pela Moody’s (Baa2) e pela S&P Global Ratings (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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July 2, 2026

Maixent Raoul Ominga, da Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), vai receber o Prémio de Mérito ao Longo da Carreira na African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Maixent Raoul Ominga, Diretor-Geral da Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), foi nomeado vencedor do Prémio pelo Conjunto da Obra na African Energy Week (AEW) 2026. A distinção reconhece mais de duas décadas de serviço prestado à empresa petrolífera nacional do Congo e uma carreira de liderança que ajudou a transformar a SNPC numa empresa energética mais forte, mais diversificada e cada vez mais influente.

O Prémio de Conquistas ao Longo da Vida é a mais alta distinção atribuída durante os African Energy Awards, realizados anualmente no âmbito da AEW. Esta categoria, sem direito a voto, reconhece indivíduos cujas carreiras deixaram uma marca duradoura no setor energético africano através de uma liderança sustentada, do desenvolvimento institucional, da promoção do investimento e de contribuições para a cooperação regional.

Poucos líderes conhecem a SNPC tão intimamente como Ominga. Tendo ingressado na empresa em 2001 no departamento de finanças e contabilidade, subiu progressivamente na hierarquia antes de ser nomeado Diretor-Geral em 2018. Renomeado em 2022 e novamente em 2025, na sequência da adoção dos estatutos corporativos revistos da SNPC, a continuidade do seu mandato reflete a confiança sustentada num estilo de liderança centrado no crescimento institucional a longo prazo, na disciplina operacional e na continuidade.

Sob a liderança de Ominga, a SNPC evoluiu de uma empresa petrolífera nacional tradicional para um interveniente no setor energético mais abrangente, com um portfólio de atividades a montante em expansão e uma presença regional crescente. A empresa continua a deter participações em muitos dos maiores ativos produtores da República do Congo, ao mesmo tempo que participa em novas descobertas que reforçaram o potencial de exploração a longo prazo do país.

Uma característica marcante do mandato de Ominga tem sido uma mudança estratégica no sentido da criação de valor a longo prazo através da monetização do gás. Sob a sua direção, a SNPC desempenhou um papel central no apoio ao projeto Congo LNG, ajudando a posicionar a República do Congo entre os exportadores emergentes de GNL de África e acelerando a transição do país para o desenvolvimento de gás em grande escala.

A transformação institucional tem sido igualmente central na sua liderança. Ominga supervisionou a reestruturação organizacional, reforçou a governação corporativa e deu maior ênfase ao desempenho operacional, ao mesmo tempo que orientou a SNPC para uma maior utilização dos mercados de capitais nacionais, com vista a reduzir a dependência de credores internacionais e a reforçar a capacidade financeira local. Também deu prioridade ao desenvolvimento da força de trabalho, a uma maior inclusão de género na liderança e ao desenvolvimento de capacidades internas de apoio às iniciativas no domínio do gás e das novas energias.

A sua influência estendeu-se muito para além da SNPC. Defensor de longa data de uma colaboração mais forte entre as empresas petrolíferas nacionais de África, Ominga tem promovido consistentemente as parcerias regionais, as soluções de financiamento africanas e a soberania energética como elementos essenciais para desbloquear o potencial de investimento a longo prazo do continente. Esta visão ajudou a elevar tanto o perfil regional da SNPC como o papel da República do Congo no panorama energético em evolução de África.

A liderança de Ominga também foi reconhecida para além do setor energético. Em 2026, foi-lhe atribuída a Medalha de Ouro da Ligue universelle du bien public, em reconhecimento da sua liderança, do seu empenho no bem público e das suas contribuições para o desenvolvimento económico e social. Esta distinção reflete uma filosofia de liderança que vai além do desempenho comercial, enfatizando a consolidação institucional, o desenvolvimento do capital humano e o papel da energia no apoio ao progresso nacional.

«Maixent Raoul Ominga representa o tipo de liderança firme e visionária que ajudou a transformar a SNPC numa empresa petrolífera nacional mais resiliente e voltada para o futuro», afirmou NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia. «O seu empenho na capacitação local, no reforço da governação e no posicionamento do setor energético do Congo para o futuro faz dele um merecido vencedor do Prémio pelo Conjunto da Obra deste ano. Felicitamo-lo por este reconhecimento bem merecido.»

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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July 2, 2026

Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and Centre of Islamic Finance, Compliance and Advice (CIFCA) Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Islamic Finance in Tanzania

Source: APO

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (www.IsDBInstitute.org) and the Tanzania-based Centre of Islamic Finance, Compliance and Advice (CIFCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in advancing Islamic finance, capacity development, professional certification, research, and knowledge dissemination.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings, held from 16-19 June in Baku, Azerbaijan. The partnership seeks to leverage the complementary strengths of both organizations to promote excellence in Islamic finance education and professional development in Tanzania, while contributing to the broader objectives of sustainable and inclusive economic development beyond IsDB Member Countries.

As Tanzania is not an IsDB Member Country, the MoU allows the IsDBI and CIFCA to explore cooperation on a range of human capital programs that serve the Muslim community and contribute to the progress of the Tanzanian economy at large.

CIFCA plays an important role in accelerating financial inclusion and driving the development of Shariah-compliant financial systems across Tanzania. Endorsed by the Government of Tanzania as an Islamic finance advisory body, CIFCA collaborates with key entities like the Bank of Tanzania, and the Capital Markets and Securities Authority. It facilitated the launch of landmark projects, including checking and certifying major public Sukuk listings on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. Furthermore, CIFCA also offers professional certifications and training programs to build local academic and professional capacity.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, emphasized the importance of investing in talent and knowledge as key enablers of a vibrant Islamic finance ecosystem. He said, “Human capital remains one of the most critical pillars for the sustainable growth of Islamic finance. Through this partnership, we look forward to working closely with CIFCA to promote knowledge, professional excellence, and innovation that can enhance the developmental impact of Islamic finance.”

Mr. Aref Mbarak Nahdi, Chairman of CIFCA highlighted the significance of the collaboration in fostering globally recognized professional standards and competencies within the industry. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to nurturing future leaders and practitioners who can contribute meaningfully to the continued advancement of Islamic finance and its role in addressing contemporary economic and social challenges,” he noted.

The collaboration aligns with the strategic priorities of both institutions to support the development of robust, ethical, and inclusive financial systems grounded in the principles and values of Islamic finance.

As Islamic finance continues to expand across diverse markets, the partnership is expected to contribute to the development of skilled professionals, enhanced institutional capacity, and greater knowledge exchange that will ultimately strengthen the industry’s ability to serve society and promote sustainable prosperity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on www.IsDBInstitute.org

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July 2, 2026

Le Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale et Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED) annoncent de nouveaux engagements en faveur de l’apprentissage fondamental multilingue lors de la Conférence du Prix Yidan 2026 à Dakar

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Conférence du Prix Yidan 2026, placée sous le thème « Libérer le potentiel de l’Afrique : le rôle de l’éducation dans une nouvelle ère de développement », s’est conclue aujourd’hui par une annonce conjointe de ARED (https://ARED-Edu.org) et du Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale du Sénégal visant à renforcer l’apprentissage multilingue.

Co-organisée par la Fondation du Prix Yidan, Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED) et l’Association pour le développement de l’éducation en Afrique (ADEA), sous les auspices du Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale du Sénégal, la Conférence du Prix Yidan a réuni plus de 280 délégués venus de 35 pays. Ministres, éducateurs, chercheurs, praticiens et partenaires philanthropiques se sont réunis à Dakar pour des discussions axées sur l’action, faisant de l’éducation un moteur essentiel du développement durable dans le monde.

Au cours de la Conférence de trois jours, une série de réunions de haut niveau entre responsables gouvernementaux et experts en éducation a été organisée afin de faciliter les échanges intercontinentaux et d’approfondir la collaboration transfrontalière. Cela comprenait une réunion bilatérale entre le Premier ministre du Sénégal, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, et le Ministre en chef de la Sierra Leone, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, rejoints par des représentants de la Fondation du Prix Yidan et de la Gates Foundation.

L’Afrique au cœur des conversations mondiales sur l’éducation

Cette Conférence a réuni la communauté éducative mondiale pour s’inspirer des innovations africaines et de leurs priorités en matière de financement. À travers des sessions stratégiques — y compris des tables rondes sur les approches fondées sur des données probantes, les solutions ancrées localement et la recherche locale — l’événement a souligné la valeur des approches menées par l’Afrique. Les discussions menées par le Groupe international des bailleurs de fonds pour l’éducation (IEFG) et le Partenariat mondial pour l’éducation (GPE) ont en outre souligné l’impact de ces principes et modèles.

« Partout sur le continent africain, des innovations éducatives émergent. Des acteurs du changement et des communautés s’unissent pour soutenir les priorités nationales et continentales. Et la transformation se produit à grande échelle. Accueillir notre toute première Conférence du Prix Yidan en Afrique est à la fois une étape importante et un choix délibéré. Le leadership et l’innovation de l’Afrique sont vitaux pour la conversation mondiale sur l’éducation », a déclaré Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, fondateur du Prix Yidan, dans son discours de bienvenue.

Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, Ministre de l’Éducation Nationale du Sénégal, a souligné : « L’Afrique ne vient pas à cette Conférence comme un continent attendant une solution. Elle vient en tant que partenaire de la réflexion mondiale. Notre expérience et notre solidarité, notre richesse linguistique, notre tradition de transmission intergénérationnelle, our capacité à favoriser le dialogue entre les savoirs générationnels et les savoirs scientifiques — tout cela constitue une contribution que nous souhaitons partager avec la communauté internationale. »

L’éducation comme un système connecté

Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Ministre en chef et Directeur de l’innovation en chef de la Sierra Leone, a encouragé les acteurs de l’écosystème éducatif à être assez audacieux pour passer des îles d’excellence à des systèmes d’excellence connectés. Il a déclaré que : « Nous devons passer de l’accès à l’apprentissage, de l’apprentissage aux compétences, des compétences à la confiance, de la confiance à l’opportunité, et de l’opportunité à la dignité. »

Les partenaires stratégiques de la Conférence se sont réunis autour d’une vision commune d’efforts conjoints et d’expertise pour faire progresser le développement de l’éducation. Cette vision a guidé cinq groupes de travail thématiques dirigés par la Gates Foundation, Imaginable Futures, la Fondation Mastercard, le GPE, l’IEFG, Echidna Giving et l’Institut international de planification de l’éducation de l’UNESCO (IIPE-UNESCO). Les groupes ont exploré l’apprentissage fondamental, l’enseignement secondaire et les transitions vers l’emploi, la recherche pour l’impact, le leadership scolaire et le développement professionnel des enseignants, ainsi que l’IA et les technologies éducatives.

Dr Peter Materu, Directeur de programme en chef de la Fondation Mastercard, a déclaré : « Le premier rapport sur l’enseignement secondaire en Afrique publié en 2020 montre que l’enseignement secondaire est la principale voie vers le travail pour la plupart des jeunes en Afrique et la principale plateforme pour bâtir le capital humain de l’Afrique. Pour rendre cela possible, nous avons besoin que davantage de jeunes en Afrique terminent leurs études secondaires avec les connaissances et les compétences adéquates qui les préparent à un travail digne et épanouissant. Grâce à des partenariats authentiques, des solutions nationales et un engagement à placer les jeunes au centre des systèmes conçus pour les servir, nous avons vu ce qui devient possible. C’est l’avenir que nous construisons ensemble. »

L’impératif de l’éducation fondamentale multilingue

L’éducation fondamentale multilingue reconnaît la langue comme un vecteur d’apprentissage, d’identité et de dignité. Enseigner aux enfants dans une langue qu’ils comprennent les aide à apprendre plus rapidement, à maîtriser les compétences fondamentales et à acquérir les connaissances et la confiance nécessaires pour s’épanouir. Cela favorise également l’équité et jette les bases d’un développement économique plus solide.

Le dernier jour de la Conférence a mis en lumière les avancées dans ce domaine. Un panel de haut niveau, modéré par Albert Nsengiyumva, Secrétaire exécutif de l’ADEA, a réuni des représentants des Ministères du pays hôte, le Sénégal, de la Côte d’Ivoire, du Ghana et de la Mauritanie. Le panel a présenté les progrès régionaux et exploré comment l’éducation multilingue peut générer de meilleurs résultats d’apprentissage pour tous les enfants.

La clôture s’est soldée par un engagement commun de ARED et du Ministère de l’Éducation nationale du Sénégal en faveur d’un apprentissage fondamental multilingue. Grâce aux fonds alloués au projet du Prix Yidan, ARED a lancé un nouveau programme de soutien scolaire, intitulé « Amélioration des Apprentissages par la Remédiation » (AAR), destiné à aider les enfants rencontrant des difficultés en classe.

Mamadou Amadou Ly, directeur exécutif de ARED et lauréat du Prix Yidan 2025, a déclaré : « Nous espérons que, grâce aux ressources issues du Prix Yidan et en partenariat avec le Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale, nous pourrons venir en aide à 150 000 enfants en difficulté scolaire au cours des trois prochaines années, dans trois régions et six circonscriptions scolaires du Sénégal. »

La Gates Foundation a également réaffirmé son engagement en faveur de la réforme bilingue du MOHEBS, en s’associant à ARED et au Ministère de l’éducation nationale pour fournir une assistance technique qui contribuera à étendre cette réforme à l’ensemble de l’enseignement primaire et à soutenir son institutionnalisation.

Distribué par APO Group pour Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED).

Téléchargez ici les photos de la Conférence (https://apo-opa.co/3QRWF9O).

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À propos de la Fondation Yidan Prize :
La Fondation Yidan Prize est une fondation philanthropique mondiale dont la mission est de créer un monde meilleur grâce à l’éducation. À travers son prix et son réseau d’innovateurs, la Fondation du Prix Yidan soutient des idées et des pratiques éducatives qui ont le potentiel de transformer positivement des vies et la société.

Le Prix Yidan est la plus haute distinction mondiale en matière d’éducation. Il récompense des individus ou des équipes qui ont apporté des contributions significatives à la théorie et à la pratique de l’éducation. Il se compose de deux récompenses complémentaires : le Prix Yidan pour la recherche en éducation et le Prix Yidan pour le développement de l’éducation.

Pour maximiser leur impact, chaque lauréat reçoit 15 millions de HK$ en fonds de projet sur trois ans pour soutenir la mise en œuvre ou la mise à l’échelle du programme. Une médaille d’or et un prix en espèces supplémentaire de 15 millions de HK$ sont également décernés, à partager également dans le cas d’une équipe.

Pour plus d’informations, visitez https://YidanPrize.org

À propos d’Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED) :
ARED est une organisation non gouvernementale à but non lucratif basée à Dakar, au Sénégal. Fondée en 1990, ARED œuvre pour la promotion d’une éducation de qualité ancrée dans les langues nationales. L’organisation se consacre à la formation des enseignants et des acteurs de l’éducation, au développement de programmes et de matériel pédagogique, ainsi qu’à la publication et à la diffusion d’ouvrages en langues nationales. Par ses initiatives, ARED vise à renforcer l’apprentissage fondamental, à promouvoir les langues et les cultures locales et à contribuer à des systèmes éducatifs plus inclusifs, équitables et efficaces en Afrique.

À propos de l’Association pour le développement de l’éducation en Afrique (ADEA) :
L’Association pour le développement de l’éducation en Afrique (ADEA) est un forum panafricain de dialogue politique et la voix principale de l’éducation en Afrique. Elle est hébergée en tant que projet spécial par le Groupe de la Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) à Abidjan, en Côte d’Ivoire. ADEA aide les pays africains à transformer l’enseignement en un apprentissage significatif en mutualisant les données probantes, les expériences et les connaissances par le biais de partenariats connectés à l’échelle mondiale pour favoriser un changement systémique aux niveaux national, régional et continental.

La vision de l’ADEA est celle d’un système d’éducation et de formation de haute qualité au service du développement durable accéléré de l’Afrique. Sa mission est d’agir en tant qu’organisation panafricaine ouverte et flexible, qui éclaire et facilite la transformation des systèmes d’éducation et de formation en faveur de la résilience, du développement du capital humain et de l’autonomisation des jeunes, grâce à un secrétariat qualifié et à un réseau de pôles d’excellence inter-pays (ICQN) pilotés par les pays eux-mêmes.

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July 2, 2026

Ministry of National Education and Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED) announce new commitments to multilingual foundation learning at 2026 Yidan Prize Conference in Dakar

Source: APO

The 2026 Yidan Prize Conference, themed “Unleashing Africa’s potential: the role of education in a new era of development,” concluded today with a joint announcement by ARED (https://ARED-Edu.org) and Senegal’s Ministry of National Education to strengthen multilingual learning.

Co-convened by the Yidan Prize Foundation, Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED), and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), under the auspices of the Ministry of National Education of Senegal, the Yidan Prize Conference gathered over 280 delegates from 35 countries. Ministers, educators, researchers, practitioners, and philanthropic partners convened in Dakar for action-driven conversations, centering education as a key driver for sustainable development worldwide.

During the three-day Conference, a series of high-level meetings between government officials and education leaders was held to facilitate intercontinental exchange and deepen cross-border collaboration. This included a bilateral meeting between Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, and Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, joined by representatives from the Yidan Prize Foundation and the Gates Foundation.

Africa at the heart of global conversations on education

This Conference brought together the global education community to learn from African innovations and funding priorities. Through strategic sessions — including roundtables on evidence-based approaches, locally rooted solutions, and home-grown research — the event highlighted the value of Africa-led approaches. Discussions led by the International Education Funders Group (IEFG) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) further underscored the impact of these principles and models.

“Across the African continent, education innovations are emerging. Changemakers and communities are coming together to support national and continental priorities. And transformation is happening at scale. Hosting our first-ever Yidan Prize Conference in Africa is both a significant milestone and a deliberate choice. Africa’s leadership and innovation are vital to the global education conversation,” said Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, Founder of the Yidan Prize, in his welcome remarks.

Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, Minister of National Education of Senegal, emphasized, “Africa does not come to this Conference as a continent awaiting a solution. It comes as a partner in global reflection. Our experience and solidarity, our linguistic richness, our tradition of intergenerational transmission, our ability to foster dialogue between generational knowledge and scientific knowledge — all of these constitute a contribution that we wish to share with the international community.”

Education as a connected system

Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer of Sierra Leone, encouraged actors in the education ecosystem to be bold enough to move from islands of excellence to connected systems of excellence. He said that, “We must move from access to learning, from learning to skills, from skills to confidence, from confidence to opportunity, and from opportunity to dignity.”

Strategic partners of the Conference gathered around a shared vision of joint efforts and expertise to advance education development. This vision guided five thematic working groups led by the Gates Foundation, Imaginable Futures, the Mastercard Foundation, GPE, IEFG, Echidna Giving, and the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO). The groups explored foundational learning, secondary education and employment transitions, research for impact, school leadership and teacher professional development, as well as AI and edtech.

Dr Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer of the Mastercard Foundation, shared: “The first Secondary Education in Africa report released in 2020 shows that secondary education is the main pathway to work for most young people in Africa and the main platform for building Africa’s human capital. To make this possible, we need more young people in Africa to complete secondary education with the right knowledge and skills that set them on a path to dignified and fulfilling work. Through genuine partnerships, country-owned solutions, and a commitment to placing young people at the centre of the systems designed to serve them, we have seen what becomes possible. That is the future we are building together.”

The imperative of multilingual foundational education

Multilingual foundational education recognizes language as a vehicle for learning, identity, and dignity. Teaching children in a language they understand helps them learn faster, master foundational skills, and build the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive. It also promotes equity and lays the foundation for stronger economic development.

The final day of the Conference highlighted advancements in this field. A high-level panel moderated by Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary of ADEA, brought together ministry representatives from the host country Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Mauritania. The panel showcased regional progress and explored how multilingual education can drive stronger learning outcomes for all children.

The closing session culminated in a joint commitment to multilingual foundational learning between ARED and Senegal’s Ministry of National Education. Using the Yidan Prize project funds, ARED launched a new remedial education program Amélioration des Apprentissages par la Remédiation (AAR) to support children experiencing difficulties in the classroom.

Mamadou Amadou Ly, Executive Director of ARED and Yidan Prize laureate, stated, “We hope that, with the resources we have from the Yidan Prize and in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, we will reach 150,000 children struggling academically over the next three years, covering three regions and six school districts in Senegal.”

The Gates Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to MOHEBS’s bilingual reform, partnering with ARED and the Ministry to provide technical assistance that will help scale it across primary education and support its institutionalization.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED).

Download images of the Conference here (https://apo-opa.co/3QRWF9O).

Media Contacts:
Fredy WIDA BIYE
projets.com@globalmindconsulting.com
+221 77 393 07 03
+221 33 864 49 22

Yidan Prize Foundation:
media@yidanprize.org

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About the Yidan Prize Foundation:
The Yidan Prize Foundation is a global philanthropic foundation with the mission of creating a better world through education. Through its prize and its network of innovators, the Yidan Prize Foundation supports educational ideas and practices that have the potential to positively transform lives and society.

The Yidan Prize is the world’s highest education accolade. It rewards individuals or teams who have made significant contributions to education theory and practice. It consists of two complementary awards: the Yidan Prize for Education Research and the Yidan Prize for Education Development.

To maximize their impact, each laureate receives HK$15 million in project funds over three years to support program implementation or scaling. A gold medal and an additional HK$15 million cash prize are also awarded, to be shared equally in the case of a team.

For more information, visit https://YidanPrize.org

About Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED):
ARED is a non-profit non-governmental organization based in Dakar, Senegal. Founded in 1990, ARED works to promote quality education rooted in national languages. The organization is dedicated to the training of teachers and educational stakeholders, the development of curricula and teaching materials, as well as the publishing and dissemination of works in national languages. Through its initiatives, ARED aims to strengthen foundational learning, promote local languages and cultures, and contribute to more inclusive, equitable, and effective education systems in Africa.

About the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA):
The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is a pan-African forum for policy dialogue and the leading voice for education in Africa. They are hosted as a special project by the African Development Bank Group in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. ADEA supports African countries in transforming schooling into meaningful learning by pooling evidence, experiences, and knowledge through globally connected partnerships to foster systemic change at national, regional, and continental levels.

Their vision is a high-quality education and training system that serves Africa’s accelerated sustainable development. Their mission is to act as an open and flexible pan-African organization that informs and facilitates the transformation of education and training systems in favor of resilience, human capital development, and youth empowerment, thanks to a qualified Secretariat and a network of country-led Inter-Country Quality Nodes (ICQNs).

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July 2, 2026

South Africa reaffirms commitment to strong ties with US

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa reaffirms commitment to strong ties with US

South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its longstanding bilateral relationship with the United States, describing dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation as the foundation for advancing shared economic and development goals.

Speaking on behalf of the South African Government ahead of the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States’ Independence on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga congratulated the American Government and its people on the historic milestone, while reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to deepening cooperation between the two countries.

Chikunga said South Africa regards the United States as a strategic partner and valued friend, adding that the bilateral relationship remains mature, multifaceted and resilient, despite occasional policy differences.

She said the high-level engagements between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump demonstrated the importance both countries attach to maintaining open channels of communication and working constructively to strengthen bilateral relations.

The engagements also provided a platform for expanding cooperation in trade and investment, technology, innovation, education, security cooperation and cultural exchanges.

“Our bilateral relationship is mature, multifaceted and resilient. While friends may occasionally differ, true partnerships endure because they are anchored in shared values, strong institutions and deep people-to-people ties,” Chikunga said.

She said South Africa believes disagreements between sovereign nations should be addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement rather than confrontation, adding that mutual respect remained central to the country’s diplomatic approach.

The Minister said people-to-people relations continue to strengthen ties between the two countries through tourism, education, business, and cultural exchanges.

She noted that hundreds of thousands of Americans visit South Africa, making the United States one of South Africa’s most important overseas tourism markets, while many South Africans study, work and invest in the United States, strengthening the bonds that connect the two societies.

“These visitors contribute significantly to our economy, support jobs and businesses, and, most importantly, return home with a deeper appreciation of South Africa’s people, culture and natural beauty. Through educational exchanges, sister-city partnerships, cultural programmes, sporting exchanges and business networks, our peoples continue to build bridges that transcend politics and geography.”

Chikunga also highlighted sport as an important instrument of diplomacy, wishing the United States success as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and expressing confidence that the tournament will further strengthen international goodwill and create lasting memories for millions around the world.

Trade and investment remained a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, she said, noting that the United States is one of South Africa’s largest trading and investment partners.

More than 600 American companies operate in South Africa, employing over 130 000 South Africans and contributing to skills development, innovation, and economic transformation.

“These investment relationships demonstrate the confidence that businesses from both countries have in each other’s economies and the mutual benefits that arise from closer economic cooperation.

“As our economies adapt to technological change, evolving supply chains and new global challenges, there remains considerable potential to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, energy, digital innovation, agriculture, health sciences and infrastructure development.”

Chikunga said South Africa, now in the second year of the Government of National Unity, remains focused on advancing inclusive economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, with strong international partnerships playing an important role in achieving those objectives. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 07/02/2026 – 14:49

July 2, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group launches hospitality industry-leading Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered real-time price matching technology

Source: APO – Report:

Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) has launched a leading AI-powered real-time hotel price matching technology, redefining how travelers book direct online.

The new feature automatically detects lower publicly available rates for Radisson Hotel Group properties on third-party booking platforms and instantly matches them on RadissonHotels.com — removing the need for guests to submit claims, screenshots, or wait for manual approval. Unlike traditional best-rate guarantee programs, which require customers to identify lower rates and complete a manual claims process, price matching verifies and applies eligible lower rates automatically and in real time. The launch marks a major milestone in the Group’s digital transformation strategy, establishing a new benchmark for price transparency and easy direct booking across the hotel industry.

“Today’s travelers expect speed, simplicity and confidence when they book,” says Gianni Di Fede, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Radisson Hotel Group. “Price matching is our commitment to ensuring that guests who choose to book directly with us never have to wonder whether they could have found a better deal elsewhere. By automating the process in real time, we are making direct booking simpler and more transparent while delivering greater value to both guests and hotel partners.”

Real-time pricing

When a guest discovers a lower rate for a Radisson Hotel Group property on an online travel agency (OTA) or a search engine such as Google Hotels, the AI-powered system automatically verifies the discrepancy, and matches eligible lower publicly available rates, redirecting the user to the hotel’s website without the need for any further interaction.

The feature is live across all Radisson Hotel Group properties worldwide and currently covers rates from leading OTAs including Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Agoda, Priceline, Trip.com, Makemytrip, and several others.

Benefits for guests and hotels

For guests, price matching offers the confidence of knowing that booking direct through RadissonHotels.com always delivers the best available price, saving time and effort. For hotel teams, the fully automated process removes the administrative burden of managing price match claims manually, freeing staff to focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences. The automated model also provides greater visibility into pricing performance and customer behavior, making it easier to measure impact and optimize direct booking strategies.

Price matching forms part of Radisson Hotel Group’s broader digital innovation strategy focused on creating smarter, more seamless guest experiences through automation, AI integration, and enhanced direct booking capabilities. By replacing a legacy, reactive Best Online Rate Guarantee process with a proactive and fully automated solution, the launch reinforces the Group’s continued investment in technology that simplifies travel planning while strengthening direct relationships with guests worldwide.

Visit www.RadissonHotels.com to find out how Price Match makes booking easier and effortless.

– on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.

Media Contact: 
Amber April, Manager
Global Corporate PR
Amber.april@radissonhotels.com

Connect with Radisson Hotels on:
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About Radisson Hotel Group:
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with more than 1,600 hotels in operation and under development in +100 countries. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.

The Radisson brand portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson — brought together under one commercial umbrella brand, Radisson Hotels.

Radisson Rewards (https://apo-opa.co/4oVD1WQ) is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 28 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Radisson Meetings (https://apo-opa.co/4gT3h25) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions, placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional, and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated.

At Radisson Hotel Group, we care for people, communities, and planet (https://apo-opa.co/4eLmPTm) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as carbon-compensated Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.

For more information, visit our corporate website (www.RadissonHotels.com)

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July 2, 2026

Africa Finance Corporation Returns to Global Capital Markets with US$500 Million Eurobond, Achieving Record-Tight Pricing and Central Bank Participation

Source: APO – Report:

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has successfully raised US$500 million through a 5-year Reg S Only senior unsecured Eurobond, achieving the tightest pricing ever secured by the Corporation on a 5-year US dollar benchmark transaction. The issuance reached a new segment of institutional investors, with central banks, including an African one, participating in an AFC bond for the first time. This milestone speaks to AFC’s growing appeal among global reserve managers seeking high-quality investment-grade assets with strong developmental impact.

The notes were issued at a coupon of 5.375%, representing AFC’s narrowest spread over US Treasuries for a benchmark 5-year issuance and a significant improvement over the Corporation’s previous Eurobond transaction completed in 2024. The landmark outcome reflects AFC’s strong credit fundamentals, disciplined financial management, and growing recognition among global investors as a premier investment-grade issuer focused on Africa’s infrastructure and industrial development.

The issuance attracted strong demand from high-quality institutional investors across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East. The order book closed approximately two times oversubscribed, underscoring sustained investor confidence in AFC’s investment-grade credit profile. The notes are rated A by S&P Global Ratings and A3 by Moody’s Ratings, in line with AFC’s long-term issuer ratings.

Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC said, “This transaction reflects the strong confidence global investors continue to place in AFC, our strategy, and our role in advancing Africa’s economic transformation. Achieving our tightest-ever pricing on a US dollar benchmark issuance demonstrates the strength of our credit profile, the consistency of our financial performance, and the trust we have built with investors over time. As we continue to scale our impact across the continent, access to efficient and diversified sources of capital remains critical to delivering the infrastructure and industrial assets that drive long-term growth and competitiveness.”

Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC, said, “The success of this transaction underscores AFC’s ability to consistently access international capital markets on increasingly competitive terms, even amid a dynamic global environment. The participation of an African central bank for the first time further diversifies our funding base and advances AFC’s strategy of mobilizing African institutional capital to finance the continent’s development. The exceptional quality and geographic diversity of investor participation, together with record-tight pricing, reflect strong market confidence in AFC’s disciplined funding strategy, prudent balance sheet management and proven track record of delivering transformative infrastructure across Africa.”

Issued under AFC’s US$5 billion Global Medium-Term Note Programme, the proceeds will support the Corporation’s general funding requirements and continue to strengthen its capacity to finance critical infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa. The transaction was led by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, Goldman Sachs International, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Mizuho International plc, MUFG Securities EMEA plc, Standard Chartered Bank and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited as Joint Lead Managers.

– on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

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

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

Nineteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested US$19 billion across Africa since inception.

www.AfricaFC.org

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July 2, 2026

The rhythms that broke Bashir: how Sudan’s music shaped a revolution

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Cathy Wilcock, Research Fellow, University of Manchester

The revolution in Sudan in 2019 has been eclipsed by the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023.

But the events of 2019 demand greater attention as they hold lessons for a post-war Sudan.

Music was central to the protests in 2019. The camp outside military headquarters in Khartoum, where demonstrators gathered for weeks to demand civilian rule, became known as Sudan’s largest ever arts festival.

Protesters sing along to one of the biggest anthems of the 2019 sit-in.

My research on resistance movements has led me to believe that music is not only a cosmetic accessory to protests. In Sudan, it was an integral part of the revolutionary movement that ousted the Omar al-Bashir regime. For decades, music helped cultivate anti-government sentiment and forge the networks and communities that would sustain the revolution in 2019.

I’ve explored this idea in a recent paper, drawing on interviews with protesters and musicians.

Sudanese music and resistance

Music in Sudan has historically been intertwined with popular resistance. First against colonial rulers and then – following independence in 1956 – against post-colonial despots. The patriotic anthems of the 60s and 70s expressed the sentiment that Sudan was being built by the people, not the government.

As one music fan who was a young teenager in the early 1970s said:

There were different ideas, of course, about what sounded good, but if you were making music, you were against the government, that was for sure.

One after the other, however, authoritarian regimes sought to crush all creativity – and especially music – through censorship laws and the systematic intimidation of artists.

Gigs had to be held as private events in people’s homes and even these were regularly broken up by a morality monitoring unit. Many popular musicians left for careers abroad.

But underground music scenes kept anti-government sentiment alive.

My research shows that the exodus of musicians, producers and fans under the Bashir regime did not weaken popular resistance. Instead, this displacement helped build strong transnational social networks, enabling musicians to record music outside Sudan. This was then distributed back to communities inside the borders. Later, these same social networks supported the 2019 revolution.

Throughout recent history and across various genres and scenes, music has helped the Sudanese imagine alternatives to authoritarian rule and build the relationships needed for collective action.

Given the close historical ties between resistance movements and music scenes, examining the music of the revolution provides insight into the values, identities and visions of democratic change that shaped Sudan’s revolutionary movement.

Music, gender and class

In my paper I analyse the most prominent revolution songs – collected in a shareable YouTube playlist – to explore what protesters’ choices reveal about the movement itself. The songs point to a growing openness towards gender and class.

At the 2019 protests, the revolutionaries honoured a canon of anti-oppression anthems. These included traditional Sudanese staples, hip-hop classics and contemporary pop sing-a-longs.

Not all revolutionary anthems are lyrically political, however, and there are gendered reasons for this.

In Sudan’s decades of patriarchal autocracy, speaking openly about politics through song lyrics was often far riskier for women than for men. As a result, women-led genres, such as tumtum and aghani albanat, typically centred on romance and everyday life, accompanied by handclapping and rhythms played on the doolka drum. Among highbrow creatives, these vocal and percussive genres are considered artistically subordinate to male-dominated genres. These include haqeeba, which features instrumental accompaniment on the more technically demanding oud.

However, tumtum and aghani albanat were popular with protesters in 2019. This was not because their lyrics were directly political (they were not). Rather, they represented the defiance of women who continued to create and perform music despite decades of state restrictions on women’s artistry.

Despite their lyrical playfulness and political neutrality, Sudanese society celebrated these genres in the revolution. This sends a powerful political message about a rising cultural openness towards feminine creativity, which had been inhibited by the state.

Zenig is a new Sudanese genre of music. It emerged in the early 2010s from the poor and peripheral neighbourhoods in Khartoum. It takes its rhythmic base from tumtum, and mixes this with retro keyboards, low-fi synths and improvised vocals. It is fundamentally a Khartoumian invention, and is deliberately defiant of conservative gender and class hierarchies.

Zenig contributed to the cacophony of sounds during the 2019 sit-in. One protester remembered “its fast-paced rhythmic style worked well in energising crowds”. The most likely place to hear Zenig at the sit-in was in intimate circles and small stages where friends could dance together. Before the revolution, Zenig was known in Khartoum as the music of poor outcasts.

The significance

By elevating female leadership in the music of the revolution, Sudanese revolutionaries deliberatively negotiated what an alternative ideal Sudanese society would be like; one with more empowerment for women, as both creative and political forerunners.

The inclusion of genres like Zenig at the 2019 sit-in demonstrates that Sudan’s revolution was not only about changing the regime.

For many young Sudanese, it was also an expression of yearning for broader societal change and an upending of societal power relations.

The revolution in 2019 was a unique time for openness, experimentation and future-making facilitated by music.

Music and rebuilding

The war has prevented Sudanese civilians from continuing these important social negotiations.

The resistance movement and its musicians have been displaced within Sudan and to regional hubs like Cairo (Egypt) and Nairobi (Kenya). Many have tragically lost their lives. Some have remained in Khartoum and continue to make hopeful music against the odds.

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Even as Sudan’s future remains uncertain, music will be surely be central in the rebuilding of civilian lives that will come.

– The rhythms that broke Bashir: how Sudan’s music shaped a revolution
– https://theconversation.com/the-rhythms-that-broke-bashir-how-sudans-music-shaped-a-revolution-284963