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Dr Jennifer Glennie described as an advocate for education and social justice

Source: Government of South Africa

Dr Jennifer Glennie described as an advocate for education and social justice

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has joined the nation in mourning the passing of Dr Jennifer Anne Glennie.

Glennie passed away in a car accident on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, at the age of 75. She was born in Johannesburg and graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a first-class Honours degree in pure mathematics in 1971.

According to Nzimande, Glennie, who trained as a mathematician, was not only a distinguished and lifelong progressive educationalist but also a tireless advocate for social justice. 

The Minister praised the late mathematician for her immeasurable contribution to ensuring equal access to education for all and to the transformation of society.

“At the height of the anti-apartheid struggle, she initiated and participated in the formation of a number of progressive education initiatives and projects.” 

Through Khanya College, which was popularly known as the “people’s college”, Nzimande said she contributed to empowering black young people from marginalised communities and preparing them for university education.

According to the Minister, her intervention laid the basis for future policy thinking on the transformative power of people’s education and fed into and deeply informed the formation of the National Education Crisis Committee (NECC) in 1986 and its declaration for a radically new people’s education system.

In later years, as the founding Director of the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), she championed innovative and inclusive solutions, including the African Storybook initiative, which promotes home-language literacy for African children.

In her roles as a member of the Council for Higher Education (CHE), Council and Broad Transformation Forum Member at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Council Member at Sol Plaatje University, she made a significant contribution to shaping and strengthening higher education policy and governance in our country.

Owing to her lifelong commitment to educational development and social justice, the Minister said Glennie was a recipient of a number of prestigious national and international honours.

These include being appointed as a Fellow of the International Commonwealth of Learning, the Chancellor’s Medal from the University of Pretoria for her contribution to education and the African Council for Distance Education Legacy Service Award for her exceptional contribution to the field of open distance and e-learning.

“It is also worth pointing out that her work in the field of education contributed to significant advances in related areas such as reading for meaning, technology for education, mother tongue-education and decolonisation.

“Her indefatigable and visionary educational activism over the past five decades also intersected with the various grassroots interventions that were implemented by the liberation movement during the dark days of apartheid, under the vision of ‘A People’s Education for People’s Power.’” 

Nzimande believes that the totality of her work contributed to a much larger goal, building South Africa into a country where all its citizens can realise their potential, regardless of their race, gender, class, religion, or area of residence.

“The passing of Dr Glennie constitutes an incalculable loss to our country’s education and science fraternity.

“Those of us who worked with her will remember her as an irrepressible activist and ethical public servant, who dedicated her knowledge and skills to the building of a humane and just country and world.”– SAnews.gov.za

 

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Three persons of interests identified in “Witness D” murder case

Source: Government of South Africa

Three persons of interests identified in “Witness D” murder case

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola says the police have identified three persons of interest that they believe can assist in solving the murder case of Marius Van Der Merwe.

“We are closing in on these suspects as our investigations reach a very advanced and sensitive stage,” General Masemola said on Monday.

Addressing the media after visiting the family of Van der Merwe in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni, Masemola said linked to the murder of Van Der Merwe, the police are investigating two other cases which is the murder case in Duduza and the attempted murder of Van Der Merwe in September 2025 in which he indicated that there were two white males that were following him in a Mahindra Bakkie.

“We are still looking for the murder weapon that was used in the commission of this crime,” the Commissioner said.

The possible motive for the murder is still under investigation. Additionally, the police have found a vehicle they believe was used in the commission of the crimes.

“At this stage, we do believe that the white Chevrolet bakkie that was abandoned in Alexandra township, right here in Johannesburg fits the description of the vehicle that we have been looking for,” he said.

According to a police preliminary investigation, the vehicle was abandoned on Saturday morning by two men, just hours after Van Der Merwe was shot and killed on Friday evening.

“Our crime scene experts as well as our vehicle crime investigation unit were at the scene in Alexandra where the car was found. The car was found on a gravel dead end road, amongst shacks. We have taken the car to our forensic laboratory for further analysis.” 

Van der Merwe was a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official. He was shot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home.

Van der Merwe had testified at the Madlanga Commission as Witness D.

Prior to visiting the Van der Merwe family, Masemola visited the Saulsville mass shooting scene west of Pretoria.

READ | Police Commissioner to visit Saulsville mass shooting scene

Masemola said the investigating team is confident that there will soon be a breakthrough in the case. 

“We are still investigating the motive of this incident, we do have an idea of what may have led to this incident, however intelligence is still gathering and analysing information that has been received.

“We have registered 12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder cases. We have also charged the owner of the room who is one of the injured and is in hospital for operating a tavern without a valid liquor license,” he said.

In the Saulsville incident, police confirmed that 11 of those shot suffered fatal injuries, with the latest victim having succumbed to injuries while being treated at Kalafong hospital where all the victims had been taken to.

Among the dead are a three-year-old and a 12-year-old child. The 14 others that were injured and are being treated in hospital. 

The Commissioner said three suspects are still at large, but the detectives and uniformed police are working around the clock to find the killers.  – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Nzimande meets with department’s entities 

Source: Government of South Africa

Nzimande meets with department’s entities 

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande has held one-on-one meetings with the leadership of his department’s entities as part of efforts to enhance the impact and visibility of the department.

Held last week, the discussions followed a special meeting held in August with the Chairpersons and CEOs of the entities under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).

At the meeting in August, Nzimande emphasised the importance of upholding good governance among the leaders of these entities. This includes combating corruption, minimising waste, and promoting transformation within the department’s organisations.

The Minister also stressed the need for continuous improvement in the relationship and communication between the department and its entities.

He highlighted that the National System of Innovation (NSI) must be adaptable to the evolving domestic economic and geopolitical landscape.

After the commitments made during the August meeting, and with the support of DSTI Director-General Dr Mlungisi Cele and the senior management team, the Minister met last week with the boards and executives of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

“Guided by the White Paper and the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as the ever-changing external environment, we will continue to make bold and decisive shifts in the focus areas of our department and its entities,” Nzimande said.

He further emphasised the need to continually redefine the role of the DSTI and its entities to combat the perception of elitism and to enhance the national impact of their work.

“As part of this strategic repositioning, we have recently adopted a new departmental mantra: ‘Placing Science, Technology, and Innovation at the centre of Government, Education, Industry, and Society.’ The realisation of our mantra relies on several critical enablers, including the need to significantly elevate the scale and profile of our work.”

These ministerial engagements with DSTI entities aim to address key issues identified in various performance reports, including the 2020-2025 end-term assessment, the 2024/25 annual reports, and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation’s 2024 online self-assessment tool.

The outcomes of these meetings are intended to provide feedback to the entities for developing the 2026/27 annual performance plans (APPs) and, if necessary, revising the 2025-2030 strategic plans.

The outcomes will also be incorporated into the second draft of the APPs, which are due for submission to the department by 16 January 2026.

Further ministerial engagements will occur with other DSTI entities during the first half of 2026.

“More broadly, these engagements are part of Minister Nzimande’s long-term goal of empowering the DSTI and its entities to make bold, impactful changes that will enhance the role of science, technology, and innovation in improving the well-being of our society,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento aprova quase 160 milhões de dólares para a República Democrática do Congo reforçar a conectividade do parque agroindustrial de Ngandajika

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Conselho de Administração do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (www.AfDB.org) aprovou um empréstimo de 159,50 milhões de dólares para o Projeto de reforço da conectividade do parque agroindustrial de Ngandajika, na República Democrática do Congo (RDCongo). 

O custo total do projeto ascende a 177,16 milhões de dólares, cofinanciados pelo Governo congolês.

Este projeto estratégico visa abrir o parque agroindustrial de Ngandajika (PAIN) e reforçar a sua integração nas principais vias económicas da região central. Prevê a construção das estradas Nkuadi-Ngandajika-PAIN e Lukalaba-Ngandajika, bem como a melhoria das ligações entre a Estrada Nacional 1 (RN1) e a Estrada Nacional 2 (RN2). O projeto inclui também o prolongamento da pista do aeroporto de Mbuji-Mayi, para apoiar o transporte de mercadorias agroindustriais.

“Este projeto constitui um marco estratégico importante para a integração económica da África Central e para a industrialização agrícola da RDCongo. Ao reforçar o acesso ao parque agroindustrial de Ngandajika, não estamos apenas a melhorar uma estrada: estamos a consolidar uma cadeia de valor essencial, a abrir novos corredores de comércio e a criar uma alavanca poderosa para a competitividade, o emprego e a inclusão económica – em particular para as mulheres e os jovens. Este projeto ilustra plenamente o nosso compromisso com infraestruturas ao serviço de uma transformação sustentável e soberana das economias da região», afirmou Léandre Bassolé, diretor-geral do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento para a África Central.

As obras beneficiarão diretamente os agricultores, os operadores de transporte e as agroindústrias das províncias de Kasaï Oriental e Lomami, reduzindo os custos logísticos e facilitando o acesso aos mercados. Os jovens e as mulheres, amplamente envolvidos nas atividades agrícolas e comerciais locais, beneficiarão de novas oportunidades económicas graças a melhores infraestruturas.

A intervenção insere-se na implementação do Programa de Transformações Agrícolas (PTA) e complementa o Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento da Zona Especial de Transformação Agroindustrial de Ngandajika (PRODAN) (https://apo-opa.co/4pQPBpE). Contribui igualmente para os objetivos da Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (AfCFTA), melhorando a conectividade e as capacidades comerciais.

“Este projeto irá eliminar um dos principais obstáculos à competitividade do parque agroindustrial de Ngandajika: a falta de infraestruturas fiáveis para o transporte de insumos e a distribuição da produção. As novas vias rodoviárias e a melhoria dos serviços aéreos permitirão reduzir significativamente os custos logísticos e acelerar a integração dos produtores nas cadeias de valor agroindustriais”, afirmou o líder do projeto, Johnny Makwela.

Em consonância com o Documento de Estratégia Nacional 2023-2028 para a RDCongo, o projeto apoia o desenvolvimento das cadeias de valor agrícolas, reforça a segurança alimentar e estimula a competitividade das produções locais.

Com esta nova operação, o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento reafirma o seu compromisso em apoiar a transformação económica sustentável da RDCongo

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

Contacto para os media:
Solange Kamuanga-Tossou 
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas 
media@afdb.org

Sobre o Grupo 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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L’Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) appelle à une plus grande coopération entre les pays du Sud lors du troisième dialogue des think tanks du Sud

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Une coopération plus étroite entre les pays du Sud devient de plus en plus urgente, alors que ces pays cherchent de nouvelles voies pour accélérer leur développement, développer leurs échanges commerciaux et renforcer leur résilience économique à long terme. Pour l’Afrique, le renforcement des liens entre les pays du Sud est particulièrement précieux, car il offre une solution viable pour exploiter les richesses naturelles et minérales du continent et lui permettre de dépasser une croissance fragmentée pour s’orienter vers des stratégies coordonnées qui produisent des résultats tangibles.

La Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC), représentée par Leoncio Amada NZE, président exécutif de l’AEC pour la CEMAC et vice-président du Conseil national du développement économique et social de la Guinée équatoriale, a souligné la nécessité d’une approche plus inclusive et coopérative entre les pays du Sud lors du troisième Dialogue des think tanks du Sud, qui s’est tenu à Shanghai du 2 au 4 décembre 2025. Au cours de cet événement, M. Amada NZE a souligné comment le renforcement des réseaux commerciaux, des partenariats et des transferts de technologie peut débloquer une croissance durable et à long terme sur tout le continent, le passage de l’aide au commerce constituant la pierre angulaire du développement futur du continent.

Bien qu’ils constituent l’une des régions les plus riches en énergie et en minerais du continent, les pays de la CEMAC ont longtemps eu du mal à attirer les investissements étrangers nécessaires, en grande partie à cause de politiques fiscales inefficaces, de réglementations strictes en matière de change et d’obstacles au commerce régional. On peut citer comme exemple la mise en œuvre de règles plus strictes en matière de transferts de devises et de paiements par la Banque des États de l’Afrique centrale en 2022. Ces difficultés ont non seulement dissuadé les investissements étrangers, mais ont également eu un impact sur le commerce régional de l’énergie, les projets transfrontaliers et les échanges commerciaux multilatéraux. Cela intervient alors que de nombreux pays de la région mettent en œuvre des objectifs de production ambitieux dans le but d’utiliser le développement énergétique comme catalyseur de la croissance économique. Dans le secteur pétrolier et gazier, le Gabon vise 220 000 barils par jour (bpj), la République du Congo vise 500 000 bpj, la Guinée équatoriale poursuit la monétisation du gaz tandis que le Cameroun poursuit le développement de nouveaux gisements. Les pays poursuivent également le développement accéléré de l’énergie et de l’électricité, s’efforçant d’améliorer la sécurité énergétique et la sécurité d’approvisionnement en carburant.

Des cadres commerciaux renforcés, des normes harmonisées et des systèmes logistiques améliorés aideront les pays africains à atteindre ces objectifs en favorisant la libre circulation des services et des personnes, en renforçant les liens économiques et en mettant en place des systèmes énergétiques plus résilients à travers le continent. Cela servirait également de vecteur pour les investissements directs étrangers, en encourageant les incursions des acteurs internationaux et en faisant avancer les projets dans les domaines de l’énergie, des mines et du développement des infrastructures. À ce titre, Amada NZE a appelé à la suppression des barrières structurelles qui entravent la croissance, soulignant l’importance de la coopération régionale en matière d’énergie comme pilier central de la stratégie de développement de l’Afrique. En favorisant les plateformes d’affaires, de recherche et d’échanges culturels, Amada NZE a souligné que les pays du Sud peuvent accélérer leur trajectoire de développement et parvenir à une prospérité partagée.

Amada NZE a également souligné la nécessité d’aller au-delà des modèles traditionnels axés sur l’aide, en soulignant l’importance de construire des économies autonomes fondées sur le commerce, la participation du secteur privé, l’innovation et les capacités industrielles locales. Pour l’Afrique, cela signifie passer à des cadres de développement qui favorisent l’esprit d’entreprise, la création de valeur régionale et la croissance tirée par l’investissement. Parallèlement, alors que les pays du Sud augmentent leur part dans la production économique mondiale, les partenariats avec des alliés mondiaux restent essentiels. Les fournisseurs de technologies, les institutions financières et les investisseurs stratégiques jouent un rôle essentiel dans le soutien aux pays africains qui élargissent l’accès à l’énergie, diversifient leurs sources de revenus et modernisent leurs bases industrielles. Une collaboration plus étroite entre les pays africains et leurs partenaires mondiaux contribuera à faire avancer les projets d’infrastructure à grande échelle, à améliorer les capacités techniques et à accélérer la transformation numérique, autant d’éléments essentiels pour combler les écarts de développement et renforcer la stabilité à long terme.

« L’engagement de l’AEC à Shanghai reflète sa volonté constante de garantir à l’Afrique une voix forte dans l’élaboration des programmes de développement mondiaux. En défendant la coopération, l’expansion du commerce et l’intégration énergétique régionale, la Chambre continue de plaider en faveur de réformes qui ouvriront des opportunités, renforceront la résilience et soutiendront l’émergence du continent en tant que force économique compétitive au sein du Sud », déclare Amada NZE.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Nigeria’s Smartgenix Crowned Grand Prize Winner of the 15th Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year (COY) Competition in Abuja

Source: APO

Junior Achievement (JA) Africa (https://JA-Africa.org) successfully concluded the 15th edition of the JA Africa COY Competition, held from December 3–5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together Africa’s brightest young entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business solutions aligned with the theme “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” The continental finals convened student companies from across Africa who had progressed through national JA Company Program competitions to compete across six innovation tracks: Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Media & Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy & Sustainability.

Following three days of dynamic pitching, mentorship engagement, exhibitions, and rigorous judging, Nigeria’s Smartgenix was crowned the overall Company of the Year 2025 for demonstrating exceptional innovation, execution strength, and high-impact potential. Mauritius’ Plantura claimed Second Place, while Uganda’s Renewablock secured Third Place, rounding out the podium with solutions focused on sustainability and inclusive development. As the continental champion, Smartgenix will proceed to represent Africa at the global finals of the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, where it will compete against winning teams from other regions for a grand prize of US $15,000.

Additional recognitions were distributed among other deserving teams, thanks to the generous support of various sponsors, including FedEx, PMIEF, FirstBank Nigeria, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Kuda Microfinance Bank, Boeing, and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Summary of Signature Award Winners:

  • FedEx Global Possibilities Award: XeroLabs, Ghana
  • PMIEF Best Application of Project Management Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, Eswatini
  • FirstBank Nigeria CEO Entrepreneurship Award: Plantura, Mauritius

Summary of Branded Award Winners:

  • Delta Air Lines Girls LEAD! Award: 16 girls awarded: Matse Takitsi, Fakudze Temantolo Siphesihle, Dlamini Gcinile Lenhle, Dhristi Gooroochurn, Ameydee Shalinee Chocken, Yezhilly Gopaulen, Lashna Gungabissoon, Ihimbazwe Niyikora Kevine, Uwayo Ange Kevine, Abarurema Hirwa Emma Reponse, Kendy Neilla Gisa, Atuhaire Gabriella Kusiima, Comfort Musukuma, Grace Chilinda, Ndanji Nanyangwe, and Wana Sanyikosa
  • Bank of America Best Financial Performance Award: Renewablock, Uganda
  • Kuda Young Entrepreneurs Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, Eswatini
  • Boeing Sustainable Innovation Award: XeroLabs, Ghana
  • Entrepreneurs’ Organizations Rising Leader Award: Ameydee Chocken, CEO of Plantura, Mauritius

Reflecting on the success of COY 2025, Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, said, “The creativity, courage, and solution-driven mindset we witnessed at COY 2025 remind us why Africa’s youth are our greatest asset. Through entrepreneurship education, we are not just preparing young people for the future of work; we are empowering them to lead climate action, create jobs, and build resilient communities across the continent.”

The competition concluded with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening held on December 5 in Abuja under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Youth Dividend: Radical Pathways for Inclusive Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Systems.” The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, educators, private sector leaders, philanthropic institutions, and development partners to catalyze strategic collaborations aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education, expanding skills pathways, and scaling youth employment systems across Africa.

COY is anchored in the JA Company Program, which equips young people aged 14–17 with hands-on experience in business creation, financial management, teamwork, leadership, and venture pitching. As youth unemployment continues to pose a major development challenge across the continent, programs such as COY remain essential in bridging education to enterprise creation, equipping young people not only to seek employment but to become job creators and innovators within their communities. Alumni of the program across Africa have gone on to establish registered businesses, secure international scholarships and fellowships, and lead social and technology ventures.

The 15th edition of the JA Africa COY was made possible through the generous support of its partners: Headline Sponsors – FedEx, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), and FirstBank Nigeria; Platinum Sponsors – Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, and Kuda Microfinance Bank; Gold Sponsors – Boeing and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO); and Media Partner – What Media Group

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Junior Achievement (JA) Africa.

Media Contact:
Ellen Ukpi
Director, Marketing & Communications
Junior Achievement Africa
Email: ellen.ukpi@ja-africa.org

JA Africa:
Junior Achievement (JA) Africa is one of the largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs on the continent, reaching over 1.5 million young people annually across 23 countries. Through hands-on learning experiences in entrepreneurship, work readiness, financial literacy, and STEM education, JA Africa equips young people with the skills and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. JA Africa’s mission is to prepare and inspire Africa’s youth to become ethical leaders, job creators, and agents of change who drive sustainable development across the continent.

FedEx Corp:
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. With annual revenue of $89 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions utilizing its flexible, efficient, and intelligent global network. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit Fedex.com/about.

PMIEF (Project Management Institute Educational Foundation):
For 35 years, PMIEF has helped put youth on the path to success by incorporating project management skills into their daily lives. Our goal is to forge partnerships with nonprofit organizations that support and prepare youth for success by offering project management expertise, resources, and volunteers to aid them in making their dreams a reality. www. PMI. org/pmi-educational-foundation (http://apo-opa.co/3MOeLa7)

Delta Air Lines:
Delta Air Lines is a major United States airline headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operating nine hubs, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport serving as its largest. Together with its regional subsidiaries under the Delta Connection brand, the airline operates more than 5,400 flights daily and serves 325 destinations in 52 countries across six continents. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, expanding its global network, and is the second‑oldest operating commercial airline in the U.S. The airline ranks first globally in revenue and brand value among major airlines and consistently leads industry performance rankings, including The Wall Street Journal’s 2022–2024 airline rankings and Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Airlines in the U.S.

Delta Air Lines is committed to empowering young people around the world through education and global citizenship programs. Its long-standing partnership with JA Africa expands access to STEM learning, leadership development, and real-world career exposure for Africa’s youth. https://www.Delta.com/MEA/en/about-delta/overview

First Bank Nigeria:
FirstBank of Nigeria Limited is the premier commercial bank in Nigeria, with a history of over 130 years of providing dependable and reliable financial services. As a leading financial services provider in Sub-Saharan Africa, FirstBank has consistently supported inclusive economic development by enabling individuals, businesses, and communities to achieve their financial goals. It offers a comprehensive range of retail and corporate banking services, backed by an extensive network of branches and digital channels that ensure seamless banking experiences for millions of customers across Africa and beyond. FirstBank is a member of the FBN Holdings Plc group.  www.FirstBankNigeria.com/

Bank of America:
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Visit BofA Fast Facts for more information about the company.

Kuda Microfinance Bank:
Kuda Microfinance Bank is a CBN-licensed subsidiary of Kuda Technologies, a fintech company on a mission to make financial services accessible, affordable, and rewarding for every African on the planet.

Founded in 2019 by Babs Ogundeyi and Musty Mustapha, Kuda offers a modern alternative to traditional finance by delivering free money transfers, instant credit, savings tools, and business banking through digital channels.

The company has raised over $90 million from institutional investors, including Valar Ventures and Target Global, and it serves more than 7 million customers across Nigeria. Kuda.com/

Boeing:
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Boeing’s relationship with the Middle East extends back to 1945. Since then, Boeing has established a number of offices across the region, first in Riyadh in 1982, then a dedicated Boeing Defense, Space and Security office in Abu Dhabi in 1999, a regional headquarters in Dubai in 2005, an office in Doha in 2010, and a new office in Kuwait City in 2021. In addition, Boeing has field service teams across the region and two distribution centers for airplane spare parts in Dubai. For further information, please visit: www.Boeing.com

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO):
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is the world’s largest membership network created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, everywhere. Since 1987, EO has been supporting the world’s leading builders of business to realize more of their potential by fostering connection, strengthening leadership, and creating belonging across industries and borders. EO exists with a clear purpose: to move the world forward by unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurs.

Its mission is engaging entrepreneurs to learn and grow, and its vision is to build the world’s most influential community of entrepreneurs.

Nearly 20,000 members across more than 220 chapters in 80 countries make up EO’s global network. EO members are founders and owners of thriving businesses with a median revenue of over US $5 million, representing diverse industries and regions around the world. They connect through local and global experiences that go beyond business to holistically support the whole entrepreneur.

For more information or to get involved, please visit: EONetwork.org.

What Media Group:
What Media Group is a holding company focused on strategic investments in Africa’s media and entertainment sectors. The group identifies high-growth opportunities across the continent’s rapidly expanding media landscape and provides financial investment, strategic guidance,- and operational support to innovative companies. With a commitment to both commercial growth and social impact, What Media Group prioritizes brands that elevate local talent, strengthen cultural expression, and contribute to the sustainable development of Africa’s creative industries. www.WhatMediaGroup.com/
 

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Calls for Greater Global South Cooperation at Third Global South Think Tanks Dialogue

Source: APO

Stronger cooperation among Global South nations is becoming increasingly urgent as countries seek new pathways to accelerate development, expand trade and strengthen long-term economic resilience. For Africa, strengthened ties among Global South nations is particularly valuable, offering a viable solution to unlocking the continent’s natural and mineral wealth and allowing the continent to move beyond fragmented growth and toward coordinated strategies that deliver tangible results.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – represented by Leoncio Amada NZE, Executive President of the AEC for CEMAC and Vice President of Equatorial Guinea’s National Council on Economic and Social Development – underscored the need for a more inclusive and cooperative approach among Global South nations during the Third Global South Think Tanks Dialogue, held in Shanghai from December 2-4, 2025. During the event, Amada NZE highlighted how strengthened trade networks, partnerships and technology transfer can unlock long-term and sustainable growth across the continent, with the shift from aid to trade serving as a cornerstone of the continent’s future development.

Despite being one of the continent’s richest energy and mineral regions, CEMAC countries have long-struggled with attracting the requisite foreign investment, largely due to ineffective fiscal policies, strict forex regulations and barriers to regional trade. Examples include the implementation of stricter rules on currency transfers and payments by the Bank of Central African States in 2022. These challenges have not only served as a deterrent to foreign investment but impacted regional energy trade, cross-border projects and multi-lateral business exchange. This comes as many regional nations implement bold production goals with a view to using energy development as a catalyst for economic growth. In the oil and gas sector, Gabon targets 220,000 barrels per day (bpd), the Republic of Congo is aiming for 500,000 bpd, Equatorial Guinea is advancing gas monetization while Cameroon is pursuing new field developments. Nations are also pursuing accelerated energy and power developments, striving for enhanced energy and fuel security.

Enhanced trade frameworks, harmonized standards and improved logistics systems will help African nations achieve these goals by promoting free movement of services and people, strengthening economic ties and building more resilient energy systems across the continent. This would also serve as a vehicle for foreign direct investment, promoting forays by international players and driving projects forward in energy, mining and infrastructure development. As such, Amada NZE called for the dismantling of structural barriers that hinder growth, stressing the importance of regional energy cooperation as a core pillar of Africa’s development strategy. By fostering platforms for business, research and cultural exchange, Amada NZE emphasized that Global South countries can accelerate their development trajectories and achieve shared prosperity.

Amada NZE also highlighted the need to move beyond traditional aid-driven models, underscoring the importance of building self-reliant economies anchored by trade, private-sector participation, innovation and homegrown industrial capabilities. For Africa, this means transitioning toward development frameworks that promote entrepreneurship, regional value creation and investment-driven growth. Meanwhile, as the Global South increases its share of global economic output, partnerships with global allies remain essential. Technology providers, financial institutions and strategic investors play a critical role in supporting African nations as they expand energy access, diversify revenue streams and modernize industrial bases. Stronger collaboration between African countries and global partners will help advance large-scale infrastructure projects, improve technical capabilities and accelerate digital transformation – elements vital to bridging development gaps and strengthening long-term stability.

“The AEC’s engagement in Shanghai reflects its ongoing commitment to ensuring Africa has a strong voice in shaping global development agendas. By championing cooperation, trade expansion and regional energy integration, the Chamber continues to advocate for reforms that will unlock opportunity, enhance resilience and support the continent’s rise as a competitive economic force within the Global South,” says Amada NZE.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Media files

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Durban ready for holiday season

Source: Government of South Africa

Durban ready for holiday season

eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba says the city is prepared to welcome more than a million visitors and deliver a safe, vibrant, and memorable festive season.

Xaba unveiled the city’s Festive Season Management Plan, which outlined major improvements in service delivery, strengthened safety measures, and a robust tourism programme designed to deliver what the city has branded an “Endless Waves of Tranquillity” festive experience.

Xaba said this year’s festive season comes at a time of renewed optimism for Durban, especially following significant progress in water and sanitation services. For the first time in five years, all major bulk water reservoirs, including Durban Heights, Wiggins, and Midmar Treatment Works, are operating at full capacity.

“This means that communities in the north, south, and central regions will enjoy uninterrupted water supply during this period and beyond,” Xaba said.

Xaba reported strong improvements in coastal management, noting that water quality tests confirmed all 23 of Durban’s bathing beaches are safe for swimming.

“We reiterate to our visitors and residents that all our beaches are open and safe. Since the 2022 floods, we have worked diligently to repair and upgrade sewer infrastructure, particularly systems affecting our coastline.

“We continue to monitor beach water quality through weekly testing, and we are confident that this progress puts us firmly on the path toward achieving Blue Flag status. We are also pleased to report that more than 40 swimming pools will be open to the public, including the popular Children’s Amusement Centre pool,” Xaba said.

Misinformation

The Mayor condemned what he described as ongoing “smear campaigns” aimed at discouraging tourists from visiting Durban, including the spread of misinformation about beach water results.

“Let me state categorically: we are fully transparent with our beach water results, which we publish regularly on our website. We also welcome collaboration with independent laboratories for joint testing to verify and compare results,” he said.

Over one million visitors expected

Xaba said the city expects to welcome 1.3 million visitors this summer, generating a direct spend of more than R341 million and contributing a total contribution of R845 million to gross domestic product (GDP).

“This economic activity will help create over 15 000 jobs and generate more than R630 million in taxes. Tourism continues an upward economic trajectory. Recent data from South African Tourism shows exceptional growth across both domestic and international markets.

“Domestic tourism spend increased by 28%, reaching R8.4 billion between January and October 2025, driven by a growing demand for experience-led activities. International visitor spend rose by 29% to R1.1 billion, supported by high-growth markets such as Australia, the UAE, and Botswana,” Xaba said.

A festive programme “like no other”

This year’s festive season features a packed entertainment line-up, including the Durban Jazz Festival, Fact Durban Rocks New Year’s Celebration, Ladysmith Black Mambazo Christmas Special, and the “Anywhere In Your City” programme.

“We will also host a series of precinct activations during the festive season, including the City Street Carnival, Christmas lighting displays, the revival of major hotel celebrations, and New Year’s Eve fireworks at the beachfront. With the cruise season having officially commenced in November, Durban is welcoming a spectacular lineup of vessels and a diverse influx of international tourists.”

Enhanced law-enforcement visibility

The Mayor further assured all visitors that there will be enhanced law-enforcement visibility across the city, with increased policing in entertainment areas.

“Multidisciplinary operations, including roadblocks, focusing on reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and drinking and driving, will be conducted. Over 2 000 officers will be deployed for day and night-time patrols on freeways, the beachfront, shopping centres, and crime hotspots. These efforts are supported by our network of more than 500 CCTV cameras.

“To further strengthen safety, our newly established Coastal and Tourism Policing Unit will patrol 100 kilometres of coastline, from Umkhomazi in the south to Westbrook in the north. This unit underscores our commitment to ensuring that both residents and visitors enjoy a safe environment in our beaches,” the mayor said.

To increase beachfront safety and service capacity, the city has hired 650 seasonal staff, including 78 lifeguards, 135 litter pickers, 67 beach guides, 70 pool supervisors, 113 pool attendants, 43 childminders, and 135 security guards

Additional measures include seven tents for separated children, an overnight facility at Ellis Brown Primary School, and 200 000 armbands to help identify lost children.

With strengthened infrastructure, expanded safety measures, and an extensive holiday entertainment programme, Xaba expressed full confidence in the city’s festive season readiness.

“With all these measures in place, we are confident that we will deliver a safe, vibrant, and memorable festive season. Durban is ready.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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Guinea-Bissau coup: election uncertainty has triggered military takeovers before

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Salah Ben Hammou, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Rice University

Guinea-Bissau has had nine attempted coups and five successful ones since its independence in September 1973. Salah Ben Hammou, a researcher with a focus on the politics of military coups, explains that the coup on 26 November 2025 appears to have followed earlier patterns of military intervention. It undermines Guinea-Bissau’s already fragile efforts to stabilise democratic governance.

How does the latest coup fit into Guinea-Bissau’s history of military takeovers?

This latest episode fits into a pattern of electoral coups that the country has experienced in the last two decades. In 2003 and 2012 the armed forces intervened at moments of electoral uncertainty.

The 26 November coup followed the same logic. It came just one day before the electoral commission was due to release the results of the 23 November presidential election, a contest already mired in controversy. Major opposition parties had been barred from running and President Umaro Sissoco Embaló faced accusations of overstaying his mandate. Both candidates claimed victory before any official results were announced.

Given this backdrop, the coup’s timing strongly suggests that the intervention was intended to preempt or nullify one potential outcome: the victory of opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa.

Many observers suspect that Embaló may have helped instigate or tacitly approved the military’s move to prevent an opposition victory.

There is still no definitive evidence of Embaló’s role. But incumbents have, in some cases, instigated coups against their own governments to void unfavourable election outcomes or preempt mass unrest. Sudan’s 1958 coup and Bolivia’s 1951 episode are classic examples.

What are the implications of the coup?

The coup undermines Guinea-Bissau’s already fragile efforts to stabilise democratic governance in two key ways.

First, it entrenches the military as the ultimate arbiter of political power, privileging the barracks over the ballot box. Once the armed forces are viewed – by incumbents, opposition forces, or the public – as a legitimate referee in political disputes, incentives shift. Instead of resolving conflicts through elections or courts, political competitors are more likely to seek military intervention when outcomes appear uncertain or unfavourable. This dynamic has long plagued Guinea-Bissau, and the latest coup reinforces it.

Second, and closely related, by effectively vetoing a core democratic process, the coup deepens the institutional backsliding already underway. In the months leading up to the vote, Guinea-Bissau had seen the exclusion of major opposition parties, disputes over term limits, and allegations of presidential overreach. The military’s intervention now entrenches these anti-democratic practices.

Whether or not Embaló played a direct role, the signal is clear: electoral rules and constitutional procedures can be overridden by force when they are inconvenient. The new junta’s reliance on Embaló’s allies to staff the new government further suggests continuity, not rupture, from the previous administration.

Economically, the coup is unlikely to benefit the general population. Nearly 70% live below the poverty line, making it one of the poorest countries in the world. Instability deters foreign investment, disrupts trade and stalls development projects. Even recent gains in the cashew industry, around 5.1% this year, risk being undermined.

What are the regional implications of the coup?

For anyone following developments in west Africa, and the continent more broadly, over the last five years, Guinea-Bissau’s latest coup will come as no great surprise. It joins a growing roster of countries under military rule. Each successful takeover in this so-called coup wave sends a clear signal: such interventions are possible and, in some contexts, tolerated.

Yet the broader impact will hinge on the junta’s next moves. It is not just the initial seizure of power that matters. Jonathan Powell and I have highlighted a pattern in which military rulers now remain in power for long periods compared with coups in the early 2000s. Transitional timelines, like the one-year promise announced by Guinea-Bissau’s junta, are increasingly symbolic rather than binding.

As I noted earlier this year in Foreign Policy, efforts to consolidate power, from delaying elections to manipulating them, also embolden other junta leaders across the region.

Guinea-Bissau’s military leaders are likely to study the strategies of their counterparts in west Africa and adopt them. In turn, the tactics they employ will provide a template for others. This type of learning is what will continue to solidify the return to military rule.

What should Ecowas and the African Union do?

Coups are rarely isolated events; they are usually symptoms of deeper political challenges. In Guinea-Bissau, the environment leading up to the coup, marked by Embaló’s efforts to undermine the electoral process, largely went unchecked. That created conditions that made military intervention more likely.

Regional organisations like Ecowas also face real constraints in addressing these challenges. Embaló threatened to expel Ecowas mediators attempting to negotiate a resolution to the electoral timeline. The same constraints are usually present after coups take hold.

That said, Ecowas and the African Union cannot afford to look away from post-coup developments. Every step the junta takes, whether shaping electoral timelines or managing opposition activity, must be scrutinised.

Both organisations should coordinate a unified diplomatic approach alongside other regional actors to secure clear, credible commitments to free and fair elections. Any attempts to delay the transition, manipulate political competition, or suppress dissent must be met with swift and meaningful consequences.

A key component of this strategy should be a ban on electoral participation for anyone involved in the coup. Existing mechanisms already allow for such measures, but their effectiveness depends on consistent application. Regional organisations have yet to do that.

Without such consistency, coups carry minimal consequences. And those who orchestrate them continue to profit from their actions.

– Guinea-Bissau coup: election uncertainty has triggered military takeovers before
– https://theconversation.com/guinea-bissau-coup-election-uncertainty-has-triggered-military-takeovers-before-271368

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Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Stresses Need to Develop New Mediation Model

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha|December 08, 2025

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed the need for cooperation among all parties, including states, international organizations, and civil society, in order to develop a new mediation model that is more compatible with current challenges in conflict resolution.
Speaking at the closing session of the Qatar Mediation Forum held on the sidelines of the Doha Forum 2025, Dr. Al Ansari highlighted the significant transformations taking place in the field of mediation to resolve conflicts. 
He pointed to the increasing role played by states in this area, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and those in the region.
In his remarks during the session, Dr. Al Ansari noted that the current mediation model is shifting towards cooperation among countries from different geographical regions, such as Qatar’s mediation between the Government of Colombia and the self-designated EGC, with the participation of the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Swiss Confederation, as part of joint efforts aimed at achieving effective and sustainable solutions.
He pointed out that mediation has increasingly come to take cultural and religious values into account, stressing the importance of understanding conflicts’ local contexts in order to achieve tangible progress, as seen in certain disputes in which interventions considered cultural and religious factors.
Dr. Al Ansari added that mediation is no longer limited to traditional frameworks, rather, they now also include non-governmental actors, such as humanitarian organizations, which have become influential participants in mediation processes.
Regarding current challenges in the field, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that mediation today is often directed toward harm-reduction and temporary conflict resolution. This, he noted, requires putting in greater efforts in order to reach comprehensive and lasting solutions.
He also emphasized the importance of re-empowering international non-governmental organizations and the United Nations to reinforce their roles in mediation efforts.