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Advancing Healthcare and Social Change: Dr. Rasha Kelej Honored on the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” List by ABCD Africa

Source: APO

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), has been recognized among the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa, a prestigious recognition celebrating influential women of African descent who are using their platforms to inspire change, amplify important social conversations, and drive meaningful impact across communities. The list features prominent women leaders and changemakers from 54 African countries and also includes the President of Tanzania. The list came out on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026.

This latest recognition adds to a series of international accolades received by Dr. Rasha Kelej for her leadership and impactful social initiatives. She was recently named among the “100 Most Influential Africans 2025” by New African Magazine and has also been recognized among the “100 Most Influential African Women” by Avance Media for the seventh consecutive year, alongside Africa’s prominent leaders including Presidents, First Ladies, and Prime Ministers. These recognitions highlight her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa.

Expressing her gratitude, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and to be included in the ‘100 Most Impactful Voices 2026’ list. I sincerely thank ABCD Africa for acknowledging my work over the past 14 years to build healthcare capacity, transform the patient care landscape, break infertility stigma, empower women, and support girl education in Africa and beyond. This recognition is truly very special to me, and it inspires me to continue my efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people.

I also congratulate all the deserving women who have been recognized on this list. Together, we will continue to use our voices to inspire positive change and create a better future for our communities.”

Under Dr. Kelej’s leadership, Merck Foundation has transformed the patient care landscape and built healthcare capacity across Africa and other developing regions.

“We have provided over 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from more than 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, helping to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare,” shared Dr. Kelej.

Dr. Rasha Kelej is also the creator of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, a pioneering movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education, health and change of mindset. Dr. Kelej works closely with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies who are the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” to lead Merck Foundation programs in their countries. “I really enjoy working with dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, we are not just partners, we are more than friends, I enjoy our sisterhood and respect it,” Dr. Kelej emphasized.

Moreover, Dr. Kelej is a strong advocate for education as one of the most critical areas of women’s empowerment. Therefore, in partnership with African First Ladies, Merck Foundation has provided, year to date, more than 1200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their potential. The program is actively running across several African countries, including Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others.

Dr. Rasha Kelej has established the “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community to address critical health and social issues, including breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending female genital mutilation and child marriage, stopping gender-based violence, and raising awareness about diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. She has launched several community awareness programs including Health Media Trainings, Songs, Children Storybooks, Animation Films, Awards for best Media, Song, Film and Fashion design, and also a Pan-African TV program “Our Africa”.

Overview of Merck Foundation’s initiatives and impact under the leadership of Dr. Rasha Kelej:

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

• 2500+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for healthcare providers from 52 Countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

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

• 4000+ Media Representatives from more than 42 countries trained by Merck Foundation to better raise awareness about different social and health issues

• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best Media coverage, Song, Films, and Fashion.

• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa in English, French, Portuguese, and local languages.

• 9 Children’s Storybooks in four languages – English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili

• 6 Awareness Animation Films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education and prevention and early detection of Diabetes, Hypertension & Cancer.

• Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community.

• 1200+ Scholarships provided annually to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, to help them to complete their studies and empower them to reach their full potential.

  • 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
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Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4fpshgh

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4y6Yws9), X (https://apo-opa.co/4yhSMMj), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4yfuGBS), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3QWAdwj), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4vNFc1r) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4vjziUQ).

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

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Cassim to engage Unisa over NSFAS payment delays

Source: Government of South Africa

Cassim to engage Unisa over NSFAS payment delays

Newly appointed Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim will on Thursday undertake his first official public engagement with a visit to the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) in Pretoria, where he will engage stakeholders on delays in National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowance payments.

The visit follows numerous complaints received through the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk from students regarding delays in the payment of NSFAS allowances and the discontinuation of data allowances for distance-learning students.

During the visit, Cassim will meet with student leaders and Unisa management to discuss the reported causes of the payment delays, assess their impact on students and receive an update on measures being implemented to resolve the challenges.

Cassim reaffirmed his commitment to the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, established by his predecessor, Dr Mimmy Gondwe. The Helpdesk serves as a “helping hand”, providing swift and personalised support to students by escalating queries and grievances and driving meaningful solutions.

“Deputy Minister Cassim has long championed student access and success in higher education, dating back to his student leadership days. Therefore, as his first public engagement, he felt it is important to gain a firsthand understanding of the NSFAS allowances issue and the measures taken to address the challenges effectively,” the department said in a statement.

The Deputy Minister will be accompanied by senior officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training and NSFAS.

The department said the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk is being migrated to an online platform to provide faster, digitally enhanced support. In the meantime, students requiring assistance can submit queries via email to: Dmsdesk@dhet.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy President to launch multi-stakeholder anti-crime council

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President to launch multi-stakeholder anti-crime council

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to officially launch the uMgungundlovu District Municipality’s Multi-Stakeholder Anti-Crime Council on Thursday, as government steps up efforts to tackle crime through stronger community partnerships.

The launch, taking place in Caluza, Pietermaritzburg, will see the inauguration of 300 Anti-Crime Councillors who will work alongside government, law enforcement agencies, business, traditional leaders and community structures to strengthen crime prevention across the district.

According to the Presidency, the initiative forms part of the Deputy President’s delegated responsibility to support the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM), which aims to improve coordination across the three spheres of government and address challenges including crime, poor service delivery, unemployment and poverty.

The invitation was extended by uMgungundlovu District Mayor, Councillor Mzi Zuma.

The uMgunglovu District comprises the Msunduzi, uMngeni, Mpofana, uMshwati, Impendle, uMkhambathi and Richmond local municipalities.

The Multi-Stakeholder Anti-Crime Council brings together stakeholders from government, the private sector, traditional leadership and local communities in a coordinated effort to combat crime and support law enforcement.

The Presidency described the launch as an important milestone in building a collaborative approach to crime prevention, with the newly appointed Anti-Crime Councillors expected to play a key role in mobilising communities and strengthening partnerships against criminal activity.

“The Deputy President has welcomed this multi-agency approach where all relevant departments, community stakeholders and the business community view crime prevention as a shared responsibility and collective priority, with government departments, traditional leaders, faith communities, families, schools, labour markets, retail establishments and law enforcement authorities working together to confront and ultimately defeat the scourge of crime,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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eThekwini approves host city agreement with Cricket South Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

eThekwini approves host city agreement with Cricket South Africa

eThekwini Municipality has taken a major step towards hosting matches during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 after Council approved the signing of a Host City Agreement with Cricket South Africa.

The agreement paves the way for Durban to host matches during one of international cricket’s premier tournaments, reinforcing the city’s position as a leading destination for major sporting events, tourism, and investment.

Council authorised City Manager Musa Mbhele to sign the Host City Agreement on behalf of the municipality.

The tournament is expected to attract thousands of international visitors, cricket supporters, commercial partners and global media, providing an opportunity to showcase Durban’s tourism attractions, cultural heritage, world-class sporting facilities, and investment potential.

The municipality said hosting the event is expected to stimulate economic activity across the hospitality, accommodation, transport, retail and entertainment sectors, while creating opportunities for local businesses, employment and skills development.

The Executive Director for Community Services, Dr Vusi Mazibuko has been designated as the lead executive responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Host City Agreement within the municipality.

“An allocation of R600 000 has been provided in the 2026/27 financial year budget to support preparatory and implementation activities linked to Durban’s Host City obligations.

“The full scope of municipal responsibilities and related operational requirements will be finalised during the implementation process and will be incorporated into future budgeting and approval processes,” the council said.

Durban, Portugal explore stronger ties

Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality and Portuguese cities are set to explore closer cooperation in culture, trade and tourism following discussions between eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba and Portuguese Ambassador to South Africa, Carlos Costa Neves.

Neves and his delegation met with Xaba in Durban on Monday to discuss areas of collaboration, with a focus on preserving shared cultural heritage and exploring strategic socioeconomic partnerships.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting was an agreement to explore formal sister-city partnerships between Durban and the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto.

Xaba said the proposed partnerships will strengthen cooperation and promote mutual growth in key sectors including maritime trade, tourism, municipal infrastructure, and knowledge exchange.

“As a city, we view these developments as a significant step towards enriching Durban’s cultural landscape while unlocking new opportunities for international trade, investment, and tourism,” Xaba said.

Xaba also announced plans to relocate the statue of renowned Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa from the Durban Central Business District to the Durban Botanic Gardens.

He said the proposed relocation will preserve the monument while placing it in a safer, more accessible tourism and heritage destination.

“Fernando Pessoa occupies a unique place in Durban’s history. He lived in the city during his formative years from 1895 to 1905 and attended Durban High School. It was here that he mastered the English language, a skill that profoundly influenced his early literary works and contributed to his international acclaim,” Xaba said.

Neves welcomed the municipality’s decision to relocate the Fernando Pessoa statue and expressed support for strengthening collaboration between eThekwini and Portuguese cities. – SAnews.gov.za

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Keynote Address by His Excellency Deputy President, Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, at the occasion of the Chery International Factory Acquisition Celebration

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, Ms Joanne Joseph;
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi Premierand the Executive Mayor City of Tshwane, Cllr Nasiphi Moya;
Chairman of the Chery Holding Group, Mr Yin Tongyue;
President of Chery International, Mr Charlie Zhang;
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Ambassador Wu Peng;
Industry Leaders and Business Partners;
Government Leadership, Organised Labour, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Members of the Media;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Afternoon, Dumelang!
For me, Rosslyn and the automotive sector carry a personal affinity that goes back many years, including the period when I served in the leadership of Gauteng.

It was during that time that we came to appreciate, in very practical terms, that the future of this industrial precinct is inseparable from the livelihoods of workers, the confidence of investors and the aspirations of surrounding communities.

When concerns arose about the possible exit of BMW from Rosslyn, we intervened because we understood that losing such a strategic anchor would have weakened not only Gauteng’s industrial base but also South Africa’s standing as a serious automotive manufacturing destination.

That experience remains a reminder that government must be close to industry, close to workers and close to communities when the future of production and jobs is at stake.

I also wish to appreciate the leadership of the Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Tshwane and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition for their continued investment in the expansion of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone, right at the doorstep of Mamelodi township.

This matters profoundly because industrialisation must not happen far away from the people it is meant to uplift. By locating new factories, supplier opportunities, training platforms and enterprise support so close to Mamelodi, Nellmapius, Eersterust and surrounding communities, we are making a clear statement that township residents must be direct participants in the economy of the future.

This is how we turn industrial policy into household income, how we convert investment into skills, and how we ensure that young people from our townships can see opportunity not as a distant promise, but as something being built within reach of their homes.

This afternoon we gather to celebrate a new chapter for Chery and another milestone in the journey of South Africa’s industrial and economic development.

I express appreciation to the Department of Trade and Industry for expediting the facilitation of this process, which has reached fruition less than three years after our November 2023 Working Visit to China.

To provide context, during that visit, we engaged with the leadership of Chery International, focusing on promoting South Africa as a prime investment hub and enhancing local automotive manufacturing and supply chains.

This moment stands as a living testament to the confidence in our nation’s future, reinforcing the optimism that drives our developmental path. It is a testament to South Africa’s participation in and shaping of global industrialisation with resilience, vision and shared purpose.

The automotive industry in our country has been constantly evolving from the establishment of assembly plants in the middle of the last century, through the Motor Industry Development Programme of 1995 and the Automotive Production and Development Programme, which positioned our country as a hub for the continent.

Since then, the relevance of this sector has notdissipated with time but continues to shape our present and future.

The sector has consistently contributed to national growth, accounting for a significant share of GDP, driving exports across Africa and beyond, and anchoring our balance of trade.

It is a sector that creates employment for hundreds of thousands, directly and indirectly, while nurturing skills development, creating jobs and building technical expertise that empowersour youth and artisans.

Consequently, each investment, each new plant, and each innovation strengthen the foundation of industrial growth, ensuring that South Africa remains a competitive hub for automotive excellence.

It has become evident that South Africa’s automotive sector is undergoing a noticeable shift in its trade and market structure.

Import penetration has increased; Chinese brands have expanded rapidly in recent years, increasing their share of the domestic market.

Today, as Chery joins this proud lineage by establishing its first vehicle assembly plant in South Africa, we recognise that this milestone is not only about vehicles on our roads but about livelihoods, knowledge, and renewal that fuel our nation’s developmental journey.

This journey is especially remarkable given global uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and rising competition. Yet this sector continues to actively support transformation.

Transformation with a purpose.

Transformation with results.

Through the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) real progress is being made to develop a more inclusive and competitive sector. AITF empowers Black-owned businesses, strengthens local supply chains and furthers sustainable industrialisation.

Since its launch in 2021, the AITF has provided support to more than 80 Black-owned businesses in the South African automotive value chain.
This is also another success story of the power of policy frameworks.

Transformative industrial policy has led the way since the dawn of democracy. With a vision of increased value addition, we have pursued an industrial trajectory that places South Africa firmly within global value chains while strengthening our domestic base.

Through support programmes and theAutomotive Master Plan, we have strived to ensure that the sector is stronger, globally competitive, and transformed.

The Master Plan sets bold targets aimed at increasing domestic production to 1.4 million units, which is 1% of global output; boosting local content to 60%; doubling employment; transitioning to New Energy Vehicles by 2035; and bringing new companies into the value chain.

These are commitments to deeper valueaddition, broader participation, and greater resilience.

It is in this context that the acquisition of the Rosslyn factory by Chery International is a powerful signal to global investors that South Africa remains a trusted destination for industrial investment.

It is a vote of confidence in our people, our institutions, our infrastructure, our long-term future. It reinforces South Africa’s role as the automotive gateway to Africa.

Government values this investment, as it is anticipated to positively impact the lives of many ordinary people in the surrounding communities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Government welcomes Chery’s presence in Rosslyn precisely because it offers thepossibility for industrialisation to be rooted in local communities, for jobs to be created where they are most needed, and for young South Africans to see themselves not only as workers but as owners, innovators, and leaders in the automotive sector.

This factory is therefore a beacon of hope, skills and future opportunities for the youth of Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Hammanskraal!

I believe that this investment will also reinforce the social fabric through the co-operation of organised labour, local suppliers and township entrepreneurs in one value chain.

It is important to separate basic assembly from the more advanced localisation of components and supply chains. Assembly by itself may provide only shallow employment, but prospects are better with localisation because it creates significant job multipliers, broadens industrial ripple effects, and promotes skill development across generations.

Localisation enables township businesses to become engines of inclusive growth, and it ensures that innovation flows beyond the factory floor and into the broader economy.

With the understanding that a strong automotive sector depends on a strong supplier base, Government calls upon Chery to work hand in hand with us in identifying and promoting local suppliers, especially those led by our youth.

For it is in the strength of our supply chains that the resilience of our industry is secured, and it is in the creativity of our young entrepreneurs that the future of our economy is written.

Bringing township suppliers into the automotive value chain will not only strengthen Chery’s own operations but also brings transformation into the communities where opportunity is most needed.

Together as partners, we must ensure that local suppliers receive capacity building, mentorship, and market access. We should provide opportunities for youth-owned enterprises to participate in logistics, components, services, and technology.

In doing so, we will create a value chain that is inclusive, competitive, and sustainable.

Furthermore, local supplier development creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and strengthens resilience. Government encourages collaboration between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and local suppliers to expand participation across the value chain.

We must also bear in mind that the global automotive industry is shifting rapidly towards new energy vehicles (NEVs). We stand to lose important export markets by 2035 if there isn’t a transition in South Africa. We appreciate that Chery is leading this charge in Africa with NEV options across its range.

South Africa is well positioned to serve the continent with vehicles through the African Continental Free Trade Area. South Africa will open this door by working with global manufacturers and establish itself as a premiere manufacturing hub for Africa.

Our Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investment. Shared success requires a shared commitment between Government, labour, communities and industry.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The current state of South Africa’s industrial landscape is marked by an increasing trend of foreign companies acquiring local industrial firms.

While such acquisitions are beneficial as they bring in crucial capital and advanced technology, they also raise significant issues regarding de-industrialisation. The concerns are centred on the potential erosion of local ownership within the manufacturing sector and supply chains, posing challenges for maintaining a robust domestic industrial base.

South Africa is addressing the challenges of de-industrialisation through a state-led strategy that emphasises the need to balance foreign investment with robust domestic safeguards. This approach includes the enforcement of local procurement rules and competition laws to protect local supply chains.

To facilitate this transition, the Government is focused on improving infrastructure in energy, rail, and ports, utilising trade measures such as tariffs. Additionally, we strongly encourage foreign-owned companies to source materials and utilise local factories instead of relying on imports while also providing funding and training to help local firms adopt new technologies.

Our people are absolutely the greatest asset. It is critical to invest in training, apprenticeships and technical education, thereby empowering young South Africans to recognise opportunities within advanced manufacturing and technology driven industries.

South Africa needs to be at the forefront of the technologies that will shape the future of mobility.
Chery’s investment will pave the way for technology transfer, automation, digitalisation and advanced manufacturing systems.

These developments will beef up our industrial capacity and put South African engineers and technicians at the cutting edge of innovation.

The future of Rosslyn, and the greater promise of our country, rests heavily on the shoulders of our youth. Every skill they gain, every apprenticeship they take on and every innovation they master is a vital part of the infrastructure that will support the renewal of our country.

Today, we celebrate Chery’s confidence in South Africa and reaffirm our commitment to industrialisation, investment attraction, and economic growth.

As I mentioned when I met with Chery Automobile’s leadership in China a week ago as part of my working visit to enhance bilateral trade and industrial investment, South Africa is open for investment, ready for innovation, and committed to building an economy that offers opportunities for all.

Together, we can shape a future defined by growth, industrial excellence, and shared prosperity.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you forget everything else said today, remember this: the Chery Rosslyn Plant must not only be about the vehicles that roll off its production line but also about the lives it touches and transforms in the communities nearby and South Africa as a whole.

Let me conclude by wishing you a more prosperous future with prospects of future expansion to other parts of the country.

I Thank You, Inkomu.

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La justice britannique ne peut pas décider de l’avenir énergétique de l’Ouganda ; laissons l’Ouganda et les Africains faire leurs propres choix en matière d’énergie

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Quatre agriculteurs ougandais ont intenté une action en justice devant la Haute Cour du Royaume-Uni contre l’East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), cherchant à faire appliquer le droit constitutionnel, environnemental et climatique ougandais à EACOP Ltd., la société d’exploitation du projet enregistrée au Royaume-Uni. Intentée quelques mois seulement avant que l’oléoduc ne commence, selon les prévisions, à acheminer les premières exportations de pétrole brut ougandais, cette action fait valoir que cet oléoduc de 1 445 km enfreint les protections juridiques de l’Ouganda et demande au tribunal anglais d’empêcher la mise en service du projet.

Il ne s’agit clairement là que du dernier exemple en date de litige soutenu par des acteurs étrangers visant des projets énergétiques africains d’importance stratégique par le biais de tribunaux étrangers. Et cela survient à un moment où l’Ouganda et la Tanzanie se trouvent à l’aube d’une opportunité économique transformatrice.

La Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) soutient que les décisions concernant l’avenir énergétique de l’Ouganda doivent être prises en Ouganda – et non à Londres.

Et le moment choisi n’est pas une coïncidence.

Après des années de procédures d’autorisation, de financement et de construction, l’EACOP s’apprête à franchir l’une de ses étapes les plus importantes. Or, alors même que l’Ouganda s’apprête à devenir un pays producteur de pétrole, un nouveau recours judiciaire a été introduit – demandant cette fois à un tribunal britannique de déterminer si l’un des projets d’infrastructure les plus importants d’Afrique doit se poursuivre.

« C’est du colonialisme 2.0 », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’AEC. « Pendant des générations, on a dicté à l’Afrique quelles ressources elle pouvait exploiter et comment elle devait se développer. Aujourd’hui, certaines de ces mêmes pressions se présentent sous une nouvelle forme, à travers des actions en justice financées par des fonds étrangers et des campagnes idéologiques qui cherchent à dicter les choix énergétiques de l’Afrique à des milliers de kilomètres de distance. Ce ne sont pas les tribunaux britanniques qui devraient décider de l’avenir énergétique de l’Ouganda. Ce sont les Ougandais. »

La Chambre avertit depuis longtemps que les campagnes juridiques menées contre des projets tels que l’EACOP deviennent un outil de plus en plus courant pour retarder le développement énergétique africain. Qu’il s’agisse de recours judiciaires répétés en Afrique de l’Est, de litiges visant le projet de GNL au Mozambique ou de batailles juridiques ayant bloqué l’exploration en Afrique du Sud, cette tendance devient difficile à ignorer.

Chaque action en justice peut avoir un fondement juridique différent, mais l’effet cumulatif est le même : une plus grande incertitude pour les investisseurs, des retards dans la mise en place des infrastructures et un ralentissement de la croissance économique pour les pays cherchant à monétiser leurs ressources naturelles.

L’EACOP est l’infrastructure qui permettra d’exploiter les ressources pétrolières de l’Ouganda, estimées à 6,5 milliards de barils, de relier la production du pays aux marchés internationaux et de créer des opportunités pour des milliers de travailleurs, d’entreprises locales et de fournisseurs à travers l’Ouganda et la Tanzanie. Développé par certaines des plus grandes entreprises mondiales – TotalEnergies et CNOOC – en collaboration avec l’Uganda National Oil Company et la Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, ce projet renforcera le contenu local, générera des recettes publiques, développera les infrastructures et soutiendra un développement industriel plus large dans toute l’Afrique de l’Est.

Les militants affirment que le projet a affecté plus de 100 000 personnes en raison de l’expropriation de terres, tout en soulevant des inquiétudes concernant les réseaux d’eau douce et les habitats protégés. TotalEnergies a toujours soutenu que le projet avait mis en place des garanties environnementales et sociales étendues, des mesures de protection de la biodiversité et des normes internationales destinées à minimiser les impacts tout en apportant des avantages à long terme aux communautés d’accueil.

Retarder ces avantages a des conséquences.

Chaque année où des projets énergétiques stratégiques sont bloqués par des litiges prolongés est une année supplémentaire où la création d’emplois est reportée, où les décisions d’investissement deviennent plus difficiles et où les gouvernements se heurtent à des obstacles plus importants pour lutter contre la précarité énergétique. Pour de nombreux pays africains, l’exploitation responsable du pétrole et du gaz reste l’une des rares voies réalistes pour financer des écoles, des hôpitaux, des routes, des réseaux électriques et de futurs investissements dans les énergies renouvelables.

La Chambre fait également valoir que ce procès soulève une question plus large de souveraineté. Les institutions africaines ont déjà examiné les contestations juridiques liées à l’EACOP, et l’Ouganda dispose de ses propres mécanismes constitutionnels et judiciaires pour résoudre les litiges. Demander à un tribunal britannique d’intervenir risque de créer un précédent dont la portée s’étend bien au-delà d’un seul projet. Cela revient en effet à inviter des juridictions étrangères à influencer les priorités de développement nationales à travers tout le continent.

«Le moment est venu pour l’Ouganda d’exploiter ses ressources immensément précieuses. L’Afrique ne cédera pas à la coercition internationale visant à empêcher le continent de se dynamiser et d’apporter la prospérité à ses populations. L’Afrique ne succombera pas aux pressions visant à l’obliger à adhérer à la transition énergétique selon les conditions imposées par autrui. Nous savons ce qui est bon pour l’énergie africaine et nous ferons tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir pour veiller à ce que les ressources du continent profitent à ses populations », a conclu M. Ayuk.

Le débat autour de l’EACOP n’a jamais porté uniquement sur un oléoduc. Il s’agit de savoir si les Africains conservent le droit souverain de développer leurs propres ressources, en vertu de leurs propres lois et au profit de leurs propres populations, ou si ces décisions seront de plus en plus contestées dans les capitales étrangères par des intérêts très éloignés des communautés qu’ils prétendent représenter.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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One Street Studios a été désignée par Afreximbank et le Fonds pour le développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA) comme associée générale du Fonds panafricain du cinéma, qui vise à mobiliser jusqu’à 1 milliard de dollars US

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La Banque Africaine d’Export-Import (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), par le biais de sa branche dédiée à l’investissement à impact, le Fonds pour le développement des exportations en Afrique (FEDA), a annoncé aujourd’hui la nomination de One Street Studios en tant que co-associée générale (co-General Partner) du Fonds panafricain du cinéma et de l’audiovisuel. Ce Fonds vise à mobiliser jusqu’à 1 milliard de dollars US en faveur des industries cinématographiques et créatives africaines.

Lancé en mai 2025 dans le cadre du programme Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) d’Afreximbank, le Fonds panafricain du cinéma et de l’audiovisuel mobilisera des capitaux pour soutenir la croissance des industries africaines du cinéma, de la télévision et des médias immersifs, positionnant ainsi le continent comme un pôle mondialement compétitif en matière de production audiovisuelle et de narration.

Le Fonds soutiendra un portefeuille diversifié couvrant la production de contenus, les infrastructures et la distribution, grâce à une combinaison de prises de participation, de quasi-fonds propres et de solutions de financement structurées adaptées aux projets des industries créatives. Il donnera la priorité aux projets axés sur l’exportation et présentant un fort potentiel de distribution mondiale, soutenus par des partenariats avec des studios, des plateformes de streaming et des distributeurs afin de garantir un flux solide d’opportunités rentables.

Outre le financement, le Fonds contribuera à lever les contraintes structurelles du secteur en investissant sur l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur du secteur audiovisuel. Cela inclut le soutien au développement et à la production de contenus cinématographiques et télévisuels, le renforcement de la distribution mondiale des contenus produits en Afrique, l’expansion des plateformes de streaming numérique et de diffusion ainsi que le développement des studios de production et des infrastructures de post-production. Grâce à cette approche intégrée, le Fonds vise à mettre en place un écosystème cinématographique compétitif à l’échelle mondiale, capable d’assurer une croissance à long terme et de positionner la narration africaine sur la scène internationale.

Le FEDA et One Street Studios agiront en tant que co-associés généraux du Fonds. Ce partenariat stratégique allie capacités financières et expertise sectorielle afin de créer une plateforme d’investissement évolutive, en phase avec l’économie créative du continent en pleine expansion. En tant que partenaire stratégique, One Street Studios apporte un modèle intégré qui allie capitaux et vision créative, finançant, développant et produisant des contenus de la conception à la diffusion, tout en créant un pont entre la diaspora et l’Afrique afin de soutenir les récits d’origine africaine. En tant que studio entièrement financé, One Street Studios investit dans des histoires audacieuses et des créateurs insuffisamment représentés, réunissant sous un même toit le financement de projets, l’édition et l’adaptation à l’écran, afin de proposer des récits originaux au public mondial.

Dr George Elombi, Président d’Afreximbank et Président du conseil d’administration de la Banque, a déclaré : « Le partenariat entre le FEDA et One Street Studios arrive à point nommé et revêt un caractère stratégique. Il sert de pont essentiel reliant la diaspora à l’Afrique géographique, tout en permettant également à notre économie créative de s’approprier pleinement nos récits. Il nous permet ainsi de produire ce que nous consommons et de consommer ce que nous produisons ».

Lavaille Lavette, Directrice générale du Fonds panafricain du cinéma et associée gérante à One Street Studios / JVL Media, a souligné : « Les industries créatives africaines entrent dans une phase décisive. Grâce au Fonds panafricain du cinéma, nous mobiliserons des capitaux à long terme en appui aux créateurs, renforcerons les capacités de production et mettrons en place des circuits de distribution mondiaux durables pour les récits africains ».

Emmanuel Assiak, Directeur général du FEDA, a ajouté : « Les récits africains possèdent une profondeur culturelle extraordinaire et une pertinence universelle. Grâce au Fonds panafricain du cinéma, le FEDA permet aux créateurs de produire des contenus de classe mondiale tout en les mettant en relation avec des publics internationaux et des capitaux d’investissement à long terme ».

Cette annonce marque une étape importante dans la stratégie plus large d’Afreximbank, baptisée « Creative Africa Nexus » (CANEX), et renforce son engagement à transformer les industries créatives africaines en un secteur compétitif à l’échelle mondiale, capable de stimuler la croissance économique, la création d’emplois et l’influence culturelle à travers le continent.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

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À propos du FEDA :
Le Fonds de développement des exportations en Afrique (« FEDA ») est la filiale d’investissement à impact d’Afreximbank (www.afreximbank.com), créée pour fournir des capitaux propres, des quasi-fonds propres et des capitaux d’emprunt afin de financer le déficit de financement de plusieurs milliards de dollars (en particulier en capitaux propres) nécessaire pour transformer le secteur du commerce en Afrique.

Le FEDA poursuit une stratégie d’investissement multisectorielle le long de la chaîne de valeur du commerce intra-africain, du développement des exportations à valeur ajoutée et de la fabrication, qui comprend les services financiers, la technologie, les biens de consommation et de détail, l’industrie manufacturière, le transport et la logistique, l’agro-industrie, ainsi que les infrastructures auxiliaires d’appui au commerce, telles que les parcs industriels.

À propos d’Afreximbank :
La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) est une institution financière multilatérale panafricaine dédiée au financement et à la promotion du commerce intra et extra-africain. Depuis 30 ans, Afreximbank déploie des structures innovantes pour fournir des solutions de financement qui facilitent la transformation de la structure du commerce africain et accélèrent l’industrialisation et le commerce intrarégional, soutenant ainsi l’expansion économique en Afrique. Fervente défenseur de l’Accord sur la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), Afreximbank a lancé les le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) qui a été adopté par l’Union africaine (UA) comme la plateforme de paiement et de règlement devant appuyer la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf. En collaboration avec le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf et l’UA, la Banque a mis en place un Fonds d’ajustement de 10 milliards de dollars US pour aider les pays à participer de manière effective à la ZLECAf. À la fin de décembre 2025, le total des actifs et des garanties de la Banque s’élevait à environ 48,5 milliards de dollars US et les fonds de ses actionnaires s’établissaient à 8,4 milliards de dollars US. Afreximbank est notée AAA par China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), A par GCR, A- par Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) et Baa2 par Moody’s. Moody’s (Baa2) et S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). La Banque a son siège social au Caire, en Égypte. 

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter www.Afreximbank.com

À propos de One Street Studios :
One Street Studios est une société de production avant-gardiste qui révolutionne la narration en alliant capitaux et vision créative. Nous finançons, développons et produisons des projets ambitieux, donnant vie à des récits variés, de leur conception jusqu’à leur diffusion à l’écran. En tant que studio entièrement financé, nous soutenons les histoires et les créateurs que d’autres négligent, en investissant dès le départ dans des contenus de classe mondiale. Notre modèle intégré réunit sous un même toit le financement de projets, l’édition et l’adaptation à l’écran, offrant à chaque projet les moyens financiers, l’attention et la créativité dont il a besoin pour toucher un public international. Nous nous engageons à faire entendre des voix uniques et à produire des contenus qui captivent, inspirent et émeuvent le monde.

À propos de JVL Media :
JVL Media est une société de production et de conception de projets médiatiques offrant une gamme complète de services, ainsi qu’un éditeur indépendant fondé par Viola Davis, Julius Tennon et Lavaille Lavette. La société se consacre à la production de contenus exceptionnels qui célèbrent et amplifient un large éventail de voix et d’expériences. Outre ses projets indépendants, JVL collabore avec des médias de premier plan et des entreprises pour sélectionner et proposer un éventail éclectique de propriétés intellectuelles de haut niveau. En défendant l’inclusivité et l’innovation, JVL Media vise à inspirer, éclairer et divertir un public international.

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O tribunal do Reino Unido não pode decidir o futuro energético do Uganda; que o Uganda e os africanos tomem as suas próprias decisões em matéria de energia

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Quatro agricultores ugandeses interpuseram uma ação judicial no Supremo Tribunal do Reino Unido contra o Oleoduto de Petróleo Bruto da África Oriental (EACOP), procurando aplicar a legislação constitucional, ambiental e climática do Uganda à EACOP Ltd., a empresa operadora do projeto registada no Reino Unido. Interposto apenas alguns meses antes da data prevista para o oleoduto começar a transportar as primeiras exportações de crude do Uganda, o processo alega que o oleoduto de 1 445 km viola as proteções legais do Uganda e solicita ao tribunal inglês que impeça o projeto de entrar em funcionamento.

Este não passa, claramente, do mais recente exemplo de litígio apoiado por entidades estrangeiras que visa projetos energéticos africanos estrategicamente importantes através de tribunais no estrangeiro. E surge numa altura em que o Uganda e a Tanzânia se encontram à beira de uma oportunidade económica transformadora.

A Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC) defende que as decisões sobre o futuro energético do Uganda devem ser tomadas no Uganda — e não em Londres.

E o momento não é coincidência.

Após anos de licenciamento, financiamento e construção, o EACOP aproxima-se de um dos seus marcos mais importantes. No entanto, precisamente quando o Uganda se prepara para se tornar uma nação produtora de petróleo, surgiu mais um desafio jurídico — desta vez, solicitando a um tribunal britânico que determine se um dos projetos de infraestruturas mais importantes de África deve avançar.

«Isto é colonialismo 2.0», afirma NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da AEC. «Durante gerações, foi dito a África quais os recursos que podia explorar e como se devia desenvolver. Hoje, algumas dessas mesmas pressões estão a ser reformuladas através de litígios financiados por estrangeiros e de campanhas ideológicas que procuram ditar as escolhas energéticas de África a milhares de quilómetros de distância. Não devem ser os tribunais do Reino Unido a determinar o futuro energético do Uganda. Devem ser os ugandeses.»

A Câmara há muito que alerta para o facto de as campanhas jurídicas contra projetos como o EACOP se estarem a tornar uma ferramenta cada vez mais comum para atrasar o desenvolvimento energético africano. Seja através de repetidas contestações judiciais na África Oriental, de litígios que visam o GNL de Moçambique ou de batalhas jurídicas que paralisaram a exploração na África do Sul, o padrão está a tornar-se difícil de ignorar.

Cada processo judicial pode diferir na sua base jurídica, mas o efeito cumulativo é o mesmo: maior incerteza para os investidores, atrasos nas infraestruturas e um crescimento económico mais lento para os países que procuram rentabilizar os seus recursos naturais.

O EACOP é a infraestrutura que permite o acesso aos recursos petrolíferos estimados em 6,5 mil milhões de barris do Uganda, liga a produção do país aos mercados internacionais e cria oportunidades para milhares de trabalhadores, empresas locais e fornecedores em todo o Uganda e na Tanzânia. Desenvolvido por algumas das maiores empresas do mundo — a TotalEnergies e a CNOOC — em conjunto com a Uganda National Oil Company e a Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, o projeto irá reforçar o conteúdo local, gerar receitas para o Estado, expandir as infraestruturas e apoiar um desenvolvimento industrial mais abrangente em toda a África Oriental.

Os ativistas argumentam que o projeto afetou mais de 100 000 pessoas através da aquisição de terrenos, ao mesmo tempo que suscitou preocupações relativamente aos sistemas de água doce e aos habitats protegidos. A TotalEnergies tem defendido consistentemente que o projeto implementou amplas salvaguardas ambientais e sociais, medidas de proteção da biodiversidade e normas internacionais concebidas para minimizar os impactos, ao mesmo tempo que proporciona benefícios a longo prazo às comunidades anfitriãs.

Adiar esses benefícios acarreta consequências.

Cada ano em que projetos energéticos estratégicos ficam paralisados em litígios prolongados é mais um ano em que os empregos são adiados, as decisões de investimento se tornam mais difíceis e os governos enfrentam maiores obstáculos na luta contra a pobreza energética. Para muitos países africanos, o desenvolvimento responsável do petróleo e do gás continua a ser um dos poucos caminhos realistas para financiar escolas, hospitais, estradas, redes elétricas e futuros investimentos em energias renováveis.

A Câmara argumenta ainda que o processo judicial levanta uma questão mais ampla de soberania. As instituições africanas já analisaram os desafios jurídicos relacionados com o EACOP, e o Uganda dispõe dos seus próprios mecanismos constitucionais e judiciais para a resolução de litígios. Solicitar a intervenção de um tribunal do Reino Unido corre o risco de criar um precedente que se estende muito além de um único projeto. Na prática, isso convida jurisdições estrangeiras a influenciar as prioridades de desenvolvimento nacionais em todo o continente.

«O momento de Uganda explorar os seus recursos imensamente valiosos é agora.  África não cederá à coação internacional para impedir que o continente se dinamize e traga riqueza ao seu povo. África não sucumbirá à pressão para aderir à transição energética nos termos de outrem. Sabemos o que é bom para a energia africana e faremos tudo o que estiver ao nosso alcance para garantir que os recursos do continente beneficiem o seu povo», concluiu Ayuk.

O debate sobre o EACOP nunca se centrou apenas num oleoduto. Trata-se de saber se os africanos mantêm o direito soberano de desenvolver os seus próprios recursos, ao abrigo das suas próprias leis e em benefício do seu próprio povo, ou se essas decisões serão cada vez mais contestadas em capitais estrangeiras por interesses muito distantes das comunidades que afirmam representar.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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Withholding municipal equitable shares corrective, not punitive, says Treasury

Source: Government of South Africa

Withholding municipal equitable shares corrective, not punitive, says Treasury

National Treasury says it does not expect the recently announced withholding of July 2026 equitable share transfers to 69 South African municipalities to impact service delivery.

High-ranking department officials briefed the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, following Tuesday’s announcement.

Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Intergovernmental Relations at the department, Ogalaletseng Gaarekwe, explained that portions of the share are released once municipalities submit signed payment plans with their creditors.

“This time last year, we had withheld for 75 [municipalities], but I can assure [you] that by early August, we had already released the money for everyone. So, it depends on how fast the municipalities sort out the payment plans and send us those payment plans.

“Once the portions are released, they pay [creditors]. Once they have done that, we release the whole amount. We are not expecting it to impact service delivery because… the majority of the funding at local government level is raised from own revenue,” Gaarekwe said at the briefing held in Pretoria.

The portion withheld amounts to some R13.5 billion from this year’s total R100 billion equity share.

The DDG was quick to emphasise that withholding funds is not punitive but corrective and also preventative, as non-compliance could lead to unintended real-world consequences.

“In our view, we are correcting the behaviour in municipalities. We need to get into the habit of paying our creditors. There are instances where pension fund monies are taken from salaries, but they are not paid over. So, if something happened… families are not able to claim because the municipality did not pay. 

“We are trying to make sure that people do not get used to not paying,” Gaarekwe explained.

The affected municipalities were given notice ahead of the withholding of funds and were also encouraged to furnish reasons to the department why funds should not be withheld. 

“The first set of letters were sent to municipalities on the 22nd of June and the 23rd. At that time, we wrote to 99 municipalities [and] 30 responded in a way that we have not withheld their money.

“This… is a last resort and we do not want to do it all the time. We are expecting that behaviour will change and we don’t have to do it again.

“We are really serious about compliance legislation so it’s important that municipalities…all three spheres of government comply with the legislation that we have,” Gaarekwe said.

Ripple effect

Chief Director of Local Government Budget Analysis at Treasury, Jan Hattingh, highlighted that continued non-payment by municipalities has a ripple effect that eventually leads to hamstrung service delivery.

“As a result of this action, jointly with the Department of Water and Sanitation, two water boards that were on the brink of being closed… are still operational. If a water board cannot proceed and provide services, the impact of that is much more negative, and that means communities cannot get water.

“There’s certainly a linkage [to the Auditor General South Africa’s 2024/25 Consolidated General Report on Local Government Audit Outcomes] but what we are trying to solve is when the Auditor General’s report is released, it’s after the event. What we have observed is that many councils adopt a budget that is not funded.

“So, part of our work and support… is to help them to table a funded budget and help them to deal with the planning problems upfront. If you don’t plan well and you overspend your budget, that portion is regarded as unauthorised expenditure,” Hattingh explained.

He added that the work National Treasury has been doing to guide municipalities has been “extensive”.

“We have even developed a framework for them to deal with consequence management. Ultimately, the councils make the final decisions, and therefore, they make the final choices.

“We are concerned that services are not rendered to communities. This is one of the issues that we are grappling with. [However], the real concern… is the fact that if municipalities don’t use grants productively and from time to time, the money gets surrendered back to the revenue fund.

“That is not the desired effect that we want because those services and that funding are meant to facilitate service delivery. Hence, we are working with provincial Treasuries and partners to equip municipalities to improve their planning [and] budgeting systems so that they can use this money properly, and citizens benefit from allocated resources,” Hattingh said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The United Kingdom (UK) Court Cannot Decide Uganda’s Energy Future; Let Uganda and Africans Make Their Energy Choices

Source: APO


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Four Ugandan farmers have launched a legal challenge in the UK High Court against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), seeking to apply Ugandan constitutional, environmental and climate law to EACOP Ltd., the project’s UK-registered operating company. Filed mere months before the pipeline is expected to begin transporting Uganda’s first crude exports, the case argues that the 1,445-km pipeline breaches Uganda’s legal protections and asks the English court to prevent the project from becoming operational.

This is clearly nothing but the latest example of foreign-backed litigation targeting strategically important African energy projects through overseas courts. And it comes at a time when Uganda and Tanzania stand on the threshold of transformational economic opportunity.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) maintains that decisions about Uganda’s energy future should be made in Uganda – not in London.

And the timing is no coincidence.

After years of permitting, financing and construction, EACOP is approaching one of its most important milestones. Yet just as Uganda prepares to become an oil-producing nation, another legal challenge has emerged – this time asking a British court to determine whether one of Africa’s most important infrastructure projects should proceed.

“This is colonialism 2.0,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “For generations, Africa was told what resources it could exploit and how it should develop. Today, some of those same pressures are being repackaged through foreign-funded litigation and ideological campaigns that seek to dictate Africa’s energy choices from thousands of kilometres away. UK courts should not determine Uganda’s energy future. Ugandans should.”

The Chamber has long warned that legal campaigns against projects such as EACOP are becoming an increasingly common tool for delaying African energy development. Whether through repeated court challenges in East Africa, litigation targeting Mozambique LNG or legal battles that have stalled exploration in South Africa, the pattern is becoming difficult to ignore.

Each lawsuit may differ in its legal basis, but the cumulative effect is the same: greater uncertainty for investors, delayed infrastructure and slower economic growth for countries seeking to monetize their natural resources.

EACOP is the infrastructure that unlocks Uganda’s estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil resources, connects the country’s production to international markets and creates opportunities for thousands of workers, local businesses and suppliers across Uganda and Tanzania. Developed by some of the world’s largest companies – TotalEnergies and CNOOC – alongside the Uganda National Oil Company and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, the project will strengthen local content, generate government revenues, expand infrastructure and support broader industrial development across East Africa.

Activists argue the project has affected more than 100,000 people through land acquisition while raising concerns about freshwater systems and protected habitats. TotalEnergies has consistently maintained that the project has implemented extensive environmental and social safeguards, biodiversity protection measures and international standards designed to minimize impacts while delivering long-term benefits to host communities.

Delaying those benefits carries consequences.

Every year that strategic energy projects are tied up in prolonged litigation is another year that jobs are postponed, investment decisions become more difficult and governments face greater obstacles in addressing energy poverty. For many African countries, responsible oil and gas development remains one of the few realistic pathways to financing schools, hospitals, roads, electricity networks and future renewable energy investments.

The Chamber also argues that the lawsuit raises a broader question of sovereignty. African institutions have already examined legal challenges related to EACOP, and Uganda possesses its own constitutional and judicial mechanisms for resolving disputes. Asking a UK court to intervene risks setting a precedent that extends well beyond one project. It effectively invites foreign jurisdictions to influence domestic development priorities across the continent.

“The time for Uganda to exploit its immensely valuable resources is now. Africa will not give in to international coercion to prevent the continent from energizing and bringing wealth to its people. Africa will not succumb to pressure to adhere to the energy transition on anyone else’s terms. We know what is good for African energy and we will do everything in our power to ensure that the continent’s resources benefit her people,” Ayuk concluded.

The debate over EACOP has never been about a pipeline alone. It is whether Africans retain the sovereign right to develop their own resources, under their own laws and for the benefit of their own people, or whether those decisions will increasingly be contested in foreign capitals by interests far removed from the communities they claim to represent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.