Category: MIL-OSI

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AFRICA24 GROUP – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2025 Exclusive interview – Firmin Édouard Matoko, Africa’s candidate for the position of Director-General

Source: APO

Africa24 (www.Africa24TV.com), the official channel for Africa’s transformation, takes you behind the scenes of the election of the next Director-General of UNESCO. In an exclusive interview, Congolese national Firmin Édouard Matoko, Africa’s candidate, presents himself as the voice of a collective and inclusive vision for universal education.

Broadcast schedule of the exclusive interview (GMT):

  • Saturday, October 4, 2025: 18:15 // 23:15
  • Sunday, October 5, 2025: 01:15 // 08:15 // 14:15
  • Monday, October 6, 2025: 09:15

With 30 years of experience at UNESCO, where he currently serves as Assistant Director-General for External Relations, Firmin Édouard Matoko will represent the African continent during the October 6, 2025 vote before the Executive Board, a decisive step ahead of the official appointment of the new Director-General on November 6, 2025 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan).

Through Firmin Édouard Matoko’s candidacy, Africa asserts itself with the ambition to promote an inclusive international governance founded on education, cultural diversity, and global solidarity.

An exclusive interview on Africa24

In this unprecedented conversation, Firmin Édouard Matoko reflects on his career, outlines his vision for the future of UNESCO, and shares his ambition to make the organization a true platform at the service of people and future generations.

Also available on:

  • AFRICA24 in French (Channel 249)
  • myafrica24, the first HD streaming platform dedicated to Africa
  • www.Africa24TV.com, offering full access to all programs
     

With the Africa24 Group: Together, let’s transform Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.

Contact:
Communications Department – Africa24 Group
Gaëlle Stella Oyono
Email: onana@africa24tv.com
Tel.: +237 694 90 99 88

Follow Africa24:
@ africa24tv 

ABOUT AFRICA24 GROUP:
As the continent’s leading audiovisual brand, the Africa24 Group operates four full HD television channels, each a leader in its field:

  • AFRICA24 TV: The leading African news channel in French, published by AMedia
     
  • AFRICA24 English: The leading African news channel exclusively in English
     
  • AFRICA24 Infinity: The creative talents channel dedicated to music, arts, and culture
     
  • AFRICA24 Sport: The first channel dedicated to African sports news and competitions
     

The Africa24 Group also operates myafrica24 (available on Google Play Store and App Store), the world’s first HD streaming platform on Africa, accessible on all screens (television, tablet, smartphone, computer).

www.Africa24TV.com

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GROUPE AFRICA 24 – Organisation Des Nations Unies Pour l’Education, La Science et La Culture (UNESCO) 2025 Interview exclusive – Firmin Édouard Matoko candidat de l’Afrique pour la Direction Générale

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Africa24 (www.Africa24TV.com), la chaîne officielle de la transformation de l’Afrique, vous ouvre les coulisses de l’élection du prochain Directeur Général de l’UNESCO. Interview exclusive Congolais Firmin Édouard Matoko, candidat de l’Afrique, se présente comme le porte-voix d’une vision collective et inclusive pour l’éducation universelle.

Diffusions de l’interview exclusive (heure GMT) :

  • Samedi 4 octobre 2025 : 18h15 // 23h15
  • Dimanche 5 octobre 2025 : 01h15 // 08h15 // 14h15
  • Lundi 6 octobre 2025 : 09h15

Fort de ses 30 années d’expérience à l’UNESCO où il occupe actuellement le poste de Sous-Directeur général des Relations extérieures, Firmin Édouard Matoko portera les couleurs du continent africain lors du scrutin du 6 octobre 2025 devant le Conseil Exécutif, étape décisive avant la désignation officielle du nouveau Directeur Général le 6 novembre 2025 à Samarcande (Ouzbékistan).

À travers la candidature de Firmin Edouard Matoko, l’Afrique s’affirme, avec la volonté de promouvoir une gouvernance internationale inclusive, fondée sur l’éducation, la diversité culturelle et la solidarité mondiale.

Une interview exclusive sur Africa24

Dans cet entretien inédit, Firmin Édouard Matoko revient sur son parcours, expose sa vision pour l’avenir de l’UNESCO et partage son ambition de faire de l’organisation une véritable plateforme au service des peuples et des générations futures.

Retrouvez également l’interview exclusive sur :

  • AFRICA24 en français (chaîne 249)
  • myafrica24 la première plateforme de streaming HD de l’Afrique.
  • www.Africa24tv.com qui vous offre accès intégral à tous les programmes  

Avec le Groupe Africa24, Ensemble, transformons l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour AFRICA24 Group.

Contact :
Direction de la Communication – Groupe Africa24
Gaëlle Stella Oyono
Email : onana@africa24tv.com
Tél. : +237 694 90 99 88

Suivre Africa24 :
@ africa24tv 

A PROPOS DU GROUPE AFRICA24 :
Première marque audiovisuelle du continent, le Groupe AFRICA24 dispose de 4 chaînes de télévisions en full HD chacune leader dans son segment :

  • AFRICA24 TV : Leader de l’information Africaine en Français, édité par AMedia
  • AFRICA24 English : Leader de l’Information Africaine exclusivement en Anglais
  • AFRICA24 Infinity : La chaîne des talents créatifs dédiée à la Musique, l’art, la culture.
  • AFRICA24 Sport : Première chaîne d’information sportive et des compétitions

Le Groupe AFRICA24 édite myafrica24 (Google store et App Store), la première plateforme de streaming HD mondiale sur l’Afrique disponible sur tous les écrans (Télévision, tablette, smartphone, ordinateurs)

www.Africa24tv.com

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Senegal to Review Oil, Gas Codes Ahead of MSGBC 2025

Source: APO – Report:

Birame Souleye Diop, Minister of Energy and Mines of Senegal, has announced the country will review its oil and gas codes ahead of the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition – taking place in Dakar from December 9-10.

The announcement was made during a press briefing at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town on Thursday.

“Senegal is currently reviewing all of its codes, as well as developments in the electricity sector, in order to create a framework for industrialization,” Minister Diop stated.

According to the Minister, the revisions will emphasize transparency, local content and ensuring that revenues more directly benefit Senegalese citizens.

Meanwhile, Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy of The Gambia, announced that the country is in advanced stages of negotiations for well licenses.

“By the time we get to the MSGBC conference, we will announce that we have signed licenses for our oil wells,” Camara stated, adding, “We are in the advanced stages of negotiation, which we expect to complete before this conference.”

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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United States (U.S.) Political Will, African Reforms Signal New Era for Energy Investment

Source: APO – Report:

U.S. political momentum and African regulatory reforms are converging to create what leaders at African Energy Week 2025 described as a strategic opening for U.S. investment in Africa’s energy sector.

“This administration is unleashing opportunities,” said Mark Menezes, President & CEO of the U.S. Energy Association, pointing to the lifting of restrictions on the Export-Import Bank and other U.S. financing agencies. “Africa is resource-rich, and we see long-term partnerships not just for oil and gas but also for critical minerals.”

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted the Petroleum Industry Act and recent Executive Orders as landmark reforms designed to streamline Nigeria’s regulation, making the market more attractive to U.S. capital. “We are reducing bottlenecks and contracting timelines, as well as improving fiscal terms,” he said. Ekpo also pointed to the creation of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, established to boost investment in gas infrastructure by de-risking projects and drawing in private investors.

“Difficult issues around foreign exchange, repatriation of profits, regulatory uncertainty – those are being addressed,” said Jude Kearney, Managing Partner of Asafo & Co., commenting on the evolution of investor confidence in Africa. “African governments have also increased their capacity to do PPPs.”

As stakes rise, panelists cautioned that good policy itself does not guarantee results. Andrew Inglis, CEO of Kosmos Energy, contrasted Ghana’s Jubilee project, which went from license award to production in six years, with today’s average of 20 years. “It takes more than just regulatory clarity – it takes drive from the top to get things done,” he said. “As U.S. companies, we bring finance, technology and deepwater expertise. It’s great to be supported now by an administration that believes in our industry.”

“We’re seeing a new era not only of energy dominance, but of African energy opportunity,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “But we need to back it with finance and remove the bottlenecks. There’s so much more Americans can do. We have a moment right now – seize it.”

Ayuk added that African governments also have a role to play in reinforcing investor confidence. “We need to see free markets, limited government and personal responsibility. Money flows where it’s welcome. Our job in 2026 is to make Africa the most attractive destination for oil and gas investment. It also takes African ministers speaking up – when they do, it strengthens companies seeking capital to invest and expand across the continent.”

Kola Karim, Group CEO of Shoreline Energy, argued that the real value U.S. companies bring is in solving infrastructure challenges. “The oil is there,” he said. “The problem is facilities, and that means financing. That’s where U.S. companies, with technology and support from DFC and EXIM, can add real value. If you can manufacture onshore in America, you can export into our markets and help us deliver faster, better projects.”

From the U.S. government side, Andrew Rapp, Senior Adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy, affirmed that Washington sees Africa’s energy future as integral to global prosperity. “Energy addition is a priority for the DOE, and nowhere can it be more impactful than here in Africa.  This is our goal as an agency and it has support from the highest levels of the administration.”

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Home Affairs welcomes conviction of former employee

Source: Government of South Africa

Home Affairs welcomes conviction of former employee

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has welcomed the conviction of a dismissed official, Dawn Pieterson, who has been found guilty on nine counts of fraud and two counts of contravening the Births and Deaths Registration Act.

Pieterson was formerly employed at the Department of Home Affairs office in Calvinia in the Northern Cape, where she abused her access to departmental records to commit fraud and corruption between February 2019 and September 2022. 

She did this by opening funeral policies on clients’ identity numbers, nominating herself as the beneficiary, then falsely declaring the holders of the ID numbers as deceased in order to access the payouts.

The department said it would continue to monitor the case as Pieterson is scheduled to be sentenced on 26 January 2026.

“This latest successful conviction is another step forward in our ongoing work to clean up Home Affairs. It is the ninth conviction secured through the collaboration between the department and law enforcement agencies. It also follows the dismissal of 37 officials since July 2024. 

“I applaud the department’s Counter Corruption unit for this conviction, as well as our partners in the Hawks and other entities.”

The Minister said the modus operandi used in this case confirmed the fundamental importance of the digital transformation agenda. 

“By fully automating and digitalising all departmental processes, as we are doing through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visas and through Digital ID for civics services, we will eliminate the space for human discretion and interference exploited by criminals like Pieterson. 

“We are absolutely determined to both put criminal officials behind bars, while simultaneously using technology to close the loopholes they exploit. This is how we can defeat the scourge of corruption once and for all,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Ethical leadership key to local government in SA

Source: Government of South Africa

Ethical leadership key to local government in SA

The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has called for a renewed focus on ethical leadership as the foundation for turning around the decline in municipalities across South Africa.

Speaking at the Local Government Indaba in Gauteng, the MEC said that without ethical leadership, no number of new laws or revised frameworks will improve service delivery.

“South Africa has enough resources in the system to meet the needs of our people. The real problem is corruption, theft and poor management. Ethical leadership is the only way we can restore dignity, trust and delivery in our municipalities,” said Bredell.

The MEC outlined several key interventions to turn local government around in South Africa.

“We need a new financial model that aligns national, provincial and local responsibilities with sustainable funding. If the national government takes a top slice first, other spheres of government will not receive their rightful allocation.” 

He said the country needs stronger consequence management, such as automatic intervention when councils fail to pass funded budgets. 

“In this manner, we will spend much less time in court fighting with municipalities and more time supporting them at the early onset of challenges. Also, make it a law that municipalities should spend a minimum of 8% of their budget on infrastructure maintenance of critical infrastructure.”

In addition, he is of the view that the creation of independent auditors employed by the National Treasury within municipalities can act as a shield for professional officials subjected to political interference. 

“We are struggling to attract and keep qualified and experienced municipal managers and financial officers. We require reform in legislation to enable and attract suitable and qualified senior managers.

“As government, it is our responsibility to support people to have a dignified life. Research we conducted in the Western Cape shows that the current indigent support provided to vulnerable people is not enough.”

According to the MEC, the legislation provides for 6 kilolitres of water and 50 kWh of electricity per household, but this should be at least 10 kilolitres of water and at least 150 kWh of electricity.

“I believe that an investment in dignity will yield positive results. Electricity in a home means children can safely do homework at night, improving our education outcomes. 

“Access to clean water will lessen the burden on our clinics and hospitals. The question should not be if we can afford to increase basic services to indigent households. The question should be, can we afford not to invest in our people?”

During a keynote address at the Local Government Indaba, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa said that although significant progress has been made since 2000 in improving democratic governance and service delivery, municipalities still face challenges.

These include institutional weaknesses, poor financial management, governance failures, and a decline in public trust.

He stressed that improved accountability, ethical leadership, professionalisation, and inclusive public participation are central to revitalising municipalities and ensuring that “every municipality must work.”

“The culture of no accountability, lack of transparency, political interference, and no consequence management is a major weakness in our communities, especially the underperforming municipalities. This culture must be stopped,” Hlabisa added. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile

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Western Cape tackles traffic gridlock as Mobility Month kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

Western Cape tackles traffic gridlock as Mobility Month kicks off

With Cape Town now ranked the ninth most congested city in the world, Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku has warned that traffic gridlock is more than an inconvenience – it is undermining livelihoods, businesses, and the environment.

Launching Mobility Month on Wednesday with a panel discussion in Cape Town, Sileku brought together major transport players to confront one of the province’s biggest challenges: easing congestion and improving public transport.

The discussion included representatives from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS), the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and academics. Together, they stressed that while congestion cannot be eliminated, it can be better managed through coordinated solutions.

Among the issues raised was the heavy reliance on private vehicles, with 60% of cars during peak hours carrying just one passenger. 

PRASA Regional Manager Raymond Maseko said rail must once again become the backbone of the system.

“We aim to move one million passengers a day. Passenger rail must anchor public transport, supported by other modes,” he said.

SANTACO Provincial Chairperson Mandla Hermanus said taxi operators are beginning to adopt higher-occupancy vehicles, such as 23- and 25-seaters, which carry more people, while cutting operating costs.

Sileku said the province’s strategy rests on three pillars: strengthening public transport, expanding non-motorised options like cycling and walking, and shifting travel behaviour through carpooling, flexible working, and technology.

“We cannot build our way out of congestion.

“We must manage it with innovative and practical solutions. That means enabling public transport to be the first choice for commuters and ensuring rail, buses, taxis and e-hailing can coexist effectively.”

The Department of Mobility outlined several interventions already underway, including:

  • Rail recovery: Restoring services on the Central Line, rolling out new trains, expanding park-and-ride facilities and deploying the Rail Enforcement Unit.
  • Bus services: Golden Arrow carries more than 230 000 passengers daily, alongside the expansion of MyCiTi and the N2 bus lane.
  • Taxis: with 75% of commuters relying on minibus taxis, initiatives are being rolled out to improve efficiency and safety.
  • Non-motorised transport: safe cycling and walking projects, as well as the distribution of over 400 bicycles annually.

Sileku said Mobility Month is about more than transport logistics. 

“At the heart of Mobility Month is one simple goal – to keep goods and people moving safely and efficiently across the Western Cape. We want to reclaim lost hours, unlock economic growth, and restore dignity in how people move.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile

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Baseload Power Vital to Drive Industrial Ambitions Says Zimbabwe Energy Minister

Source: APO

July Moyo, Minister of Power and Energy Development, Zimbabwe has indicated that Africa’s push for industrial growth will require a balanced energy mix, stressing that renewable sources alone cannot sustain the continent’s heavy industries.

“Recent years have witnessed an increasing trend – the rise of renewable energy technologies,” Minister Moyo stated, adding, “However, steel, mining and manufacturing require constant and high-capacity electricity. Herein lies Africa’s challenge – how to strike the right balance between scaling up renewables and maintain the current baseload,” he said during a keynote speech at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025.

While renewables are expanding rapidly and offer cleaner, locally produced power, the Minister highlighted, conventional baseload generation remains vital. He called for renewable energy to be reframed as complementary rather than replacement technologies. Ensuring this balance, he said, will be key to securing long-term socioeconomic growth

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at African Energy Week 2025

Source: APO


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Wale Tinubu CON, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC (https://OandoPLC.com/), has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to building Oando into one of Africa’s foremost integrated energy companies.

The award, one of the most coveted accolades at AEW, is presented annually to industry leaders whose careers have demonstrated extraordinary vision, resilience, and a lasting impact on Africa’s energy landscape. Past recipients have included trailblazers such as Professor Benedict Okey Oramah GCON, President of Afreximbank, who received the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024; H.E. Hage Geingob, Former President of Namibia, and H.E. Macky Sall, Former President of Senegal, awarded in 2023; and H.E. Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Republic of Congo, in 2022.

In conferring the award, the African Energy Chamber cited Tinubu’s “dedication to advancing Africa’s energy security, his bold leadership in navigating Oando through periods of uncertainty and transformation, and his pivotal role in demonstrating the power of indigenous companies in driving industrial growth and energy sovereignty across the continent.”

Throughout his career, Tinubu has been a steadfast champion of Africa, charting its own destiny by harnessing its abundant resources for the benefit of its people. A firm believer that anyone can achieve greatness with vision, determination, and the right team around them, he has led Oando from its modest beginnings as a local downstream operator into a multinational integrated energy player with a robust portfolio spanning exploration and production, power, and renewables. His leadership has not only positioned Oando as a continental leader but also symbolized African ambition, ingenuity, and resilience.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence at AEW, reserved for leaders whose contributions have left an indelible mark on Africa’s energy sector. It recognizes individuals whose sustained, more than decade-long careers embody remarkable achievements and enduring contributions to the oil, gas, and energy industries. Tinubu’s recognition was a fitting and well-deserved tribute to a leader who has consistently inspired others to believe in the promise of Africa and the power of its people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Oando PLC.

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Angola Seeks to Award 60 Concessions by Year-End through Licensing Drive

Source: APO

On the back of its multi-year licensing round launched in 2019, Angola is positioned to award 60 concessions by the end of 2025. Speaking at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025, Alcides Andrade, Executive Administrator at the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG), explained that the country has already reached its target of awarding 50 concessions through its annual licensing drive and direct negotiation program and is now pursuing additional licenses to drive production. 

“Since 2024, we have awarded more than 20 blocks. This has amounted to more than 50 blocks. We see the potential to award up to 60 concessions by the end of this year. This has been a result of licensing rounds and direct negotiation,” he explained.

Backed by a six-year licensing strategy and strengthened fiscal policies, the ANPG is steering Angola into a new phase of investment and growth. The regulator has positioned the country as a top African destination for upstream spending, with $70 billion in capital expenditure anticipated over the next five years.

“We have acted to bring additional reforms to incentivize investment in exploration. We are working with the investment community to progress exploration onshore. There are a few operators who have either drilled wells or working towards drilling next year. Over the next five year, Angola is expecting to see up to $70 billion invested in the country,” Andrade stated.

With a goal to sustain production above one million barrels per day, Angola has seen a wave of project milestones in 2025 as operators move to maximize resources across offshore basins. Andrade shared that “Agogo, Begonia and CLOV Phase 3 all started production this year.”

Meanwhile, on the gas front, ANPG is advancing the country’s Gas Master Plan to unlock non-associated reserves. The New Gas Consortium is set to bring Angola’s first non-associated gas project – Quiluma and Maboqueiro – online in late-2025, laying the foundation for a diversified energy mix. A new discovery at Block 1/14 further underscores the potential of Angola’s offshore gas resources, highlighting the growing importance of gas in the country’s energy future.

“We have seen a lot of progress on our first non-associated gas project, set to deliver first gas at the end of the year. We believe that we have more than 38 trillion cubic feet of gas potential in the country. We have a lot of studies ongoing to evaluate that potential. We are also delivering on associated gas. There is a lot of potential in currently producing oil blocks, so we are looking at how can incentivize operators to monetize that gas,” Andrade added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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