Category: MIL-OSI

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Afreximbank e o Centro de Comércio Internacional renovam parceria para o comércio intra-africano

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) (https://Afreximbank.com) e o Centro de Comércio Internacional (ITC) renovaram e expandiram o seu memorando de entendimento (MoU), sublinhando o seu compromisso em fortalecer o comércio intra-africano, a competitividade das pequenas e médias empresas (PME) e a cooperação Sul-Sul.

O MoU foi assinado à margem da recentemente concluída Feira de Comércio Intra-Africana 2025 (IATF2025) pelo Prof. Benedict Oramah, Presidente e Chairman do Conselho de Administração da Afreximbank, e pela Sra. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Diretora Executiva da ITC.

Sob o novo Memorando de Entendimento, o Afreximbank e o ITC promoverão a competitividade das PME, a capacitação relacionada à Área de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (AfCFTA), meios de subsistência sustentáveis através das indústrias criativas, o fortalecimento das parcerias comerciais da África com as regiões do Caribe e do mundo árabe, e o aumento do acesso ao financiamento para empresas, incluindo pequenas empresas.

Comentando a assinatura, o Prof. Oramah disse que o novo Acordo de Cooperação ajudaria a expandir as indústrias criativas de África, aprofundar a cooperação Sul-Sul com o Caribe e fortalecer o impacto do setor privado na AfCFTA.

“A assinatura do memorando de entendimento renovado à margem do IATF2025 é uma forte demonstração da liderança do Afreximbank na promoção do comércio intra-africano e no empoderamento das PME,” disse o Prof. Oramah. “Ao escolher o IATF2025 como plataforma para este anúncio, o Afreximbank e o ITC estão a sublinhar o importante papel do IATF como uma plataforma para desbloquear o potencial das PME para impulsionar o desenvolvimento impulsionado pelo comércio em África.”

Ele disse que a parceria entre o Afreximbank e o ITC os posicionou como líderes conjuntos na garantia de que as PME e os empreendedores criativos de África ganhem visibilidade global e acesso ao mercado, acrescentando que estavam a aumentar a sua colaboração para capacitar as PME e as indústrias criativas, fomentar ligações entre a África e as Caraíbas, e promover a implementação do AfCFTA.

A Sr.ª Coke-Hamilton disse: “A nossa parceria de longo prazo com o Afreximbank baseia-se em fortalecer a forma como a África se relaciona com o resto do mundo em termos de comércio. Com a nossa parceria alargada, continuaremos a trabalhar juntos para tornar o comércio mais fácil, mais acessível e menos dispendioso em todo o continente, para todas as empresas africanas, incluindo as mais pequenas e aquelas lideradas por mulheres e jovens.”

Com mais de 112.000 visitantes de 132 países, a IATF2025, que teve lugar de 4 a 10 de setembro, terminou de forma notavelmente positiva, com 48,3 mil milhões de dólares em negócios de comércio e investimento assinados ao longo dos sete dias da exposição continental. Recebeu 2.148 expositores.

Para mais informações, por favor visite www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contato de Imprensa:
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

Sobre a Feira de Comércio Intra-Africano:
Organizado pelo Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank), Comissão da União Africana (AUC) e Secretariado da Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (AfCFTA), a Feira de Comércio Intra-Africana (IATF) destina-se a proporcionar uma plataforma única para facilitar a troca de informações sobre comércio e investimento em apoio ao aumento do comércio e investimento intra-africano, especialmente no contexto da implementação do Acordo de Livre Comércio Continental Africano (AfCFTA). A IATF reúne agentes continentais e globais para apresentar e exibir os seus bens e serviços e explorar oportunidades de negócios e investimento no continente. Também proporciona uma plataforma para partilhar informações sobre comércio, investimento e mercado com as partes interessadas e permite que os participantes discutam e identifiquem soluções para os desafios que confrontam o comércio e investimento intra-africano. Além dos participantes africanos, a Feira de Comércio também está aberta a empresas e investidores de países não africanos interessados em fazer negócios em África e apoiando a transformação do continente através da industrialização e desenvolvimento das exportações.

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Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Participates in Discussion Panel Titled "Centering Local and Regional Actors in Global Mediation: Lessons from the Gulf"

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 25, 2025

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansariآ participated in a high-level discussion panel titled “Centering Local and Regional Actors in Global Mediation: Lessons from the Gulf,” as part of the Global Citizen Now Summit, sponsored by the Open Society Foundations, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
During the panel, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the State of Qatar will continue its deep commitment to its role as an honest mediator in regional and international conflicts, despite the growing challenges and attempts to disrupt and target.
He indicated that the State of Qatar, despite its small geographical size, embraces a multinational and multicultural society, which gives it a deep understanding of the social, political, and cultural complexities of conflicts around the world. He noted in this regard that Qatar’s history, since its founding, has been built on the principle of balance among major regional powers and the ability to engage effectively with various parties.
Dr. Al Ansari highlighted that since the mid-1990s, Qatar has chosen to transcend its geographical borders and play an active international role in mediation, noting that it has participated in numerous peace efforts, from Lebanon, Yemen, and Sudan to Afghanistan, Iran, and elsewhere.
He also addressed the treacherous Israeli attack that targeted a residential neighborhood in Doha on Sep. 9, saying that for the first time, Qatar finds itself, as mediators, in the line of direct military fire, which is an unprecedented and unacceptable escalation. Despite this, Qatar has not stopped fulfilling its mission and has continued its efforts in several mediations, including hosting peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), and contributing to the reunification of families in Ukraine.
Dr. Al Ansari pointed to what HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said that Qatar does not claim to possess all the solutions, but it provides the platform that enables the parties to come together and choose the path to peace. Qatar will remain committed to this, along with its partners in the United Nations and the international community. 

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Afreximbank et le Centre du Commerce International renouvellent leur Partenariat en faveur du Commerce Intra-Africain

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (https://Afreximbank.com) et le Centre du Commerce International (ITC) ont renouvelé et élargi leur Protocole d’Accord (MoU), soulignant leur engagement à renforcer le Commerce Intra-Africain, la compétitivité des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (PME) et la coopération Sud-Sud.

Le Protocole d’Accord a été signé en marge de la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine 2025 (IATF2025) qui a récemment été conclu , par le Professeur Benedict Oramah, Président  du Conseil d’Administration d’Afreximbank, et Mme Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Directrice Exécutive de l’ITC.

Dans le cadre du Protocole d’Accord renouvelé, Afreximbank et l’ITC s’engagent à promouvoir la compétitivité des PME, le renforcement des capacités liées à la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), des moyens de subsistance durables grâce aux industries créatives, le renforcement des partenariats commerciaux de l’Afrique avec les régions des Caraïbes et du monde Arabe, et un meilleur accès au financement pour les entreprises, y compris les petites entreprises.

Commentant la signature, le Professeur Oramah a déclaré que le Protocole d’Accord renouvelé contribuerait à développer les industries créatives Africaines, à approfondir la Coopération Sud-Sud avec les Caraïbes et à renforcer l’impact de la ZLECAf sur le secteur privé.

« La signature du Protocole d’Accord renouvelé en marge de l’IATF2025 démontre clairement le leadership d’Afreximbank dans la promotion du Commerce Intra-Africain et l’autonomisation des PME », a déclaré le Professeur Oramah. « En choisissant l’IATF2025 comme plateforme pour cette annonce, Afreximbank et l’ITC soulignent le rôle important de l’IATF en tant que plateforme permettant de libérer le potentiel des PME pour stimuler le développement de l’Afrique axé sur le commerce. »

Il a ajouté que le Partenariat entre Afreximbank et l’ITC les positionnait comme des leaders conjoints pour garantir que les PME et les entrepreneurs créatifs Africains bénéficient d’une visibilité mondiale et d’un accès aux marchés, précisant qu’ils intensifiaient leur collaboration afin de renforcer les PME et les industries créatives, de favoriser les liens entre l’Afrique et les Caraïbes et de faire progresser la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf.

Mme Coke-Hamilton a déclaré : « Notre Partenariat à long terme avec Afreximbank repose sur le renforcement des relations commerciales entre l’Afrique et le reste du monde. Grâce à notre partenariat élargi, nous continuerons à travailler ensemble pour rendre le commerce plus facile, plus accessible et moins coûteux sur tout le continent, pour toutes les entreprises Africaines, y compris les plus petites et celles dirigées par des femmes et des jeunes. »

Avec plus de 112 000 visiteurs venus de 132 pays, l’IATF2025, qui s’est déroulée du 4 au 10 Septembre, s’est terminée sur une note remarquablement positive avec 48,3 milliards de dollars Américains d’accords commerciaux et d’investissement signés au cours des sept jours de l’exposition continentale. Elle a accueilli 2 148 exposants.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter le site www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

Contact médias :
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

À propos de la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine :
Organisée par la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank), la Commission de l’Union Africaine (CUA) et le Secrétariat de la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAf), la Foire Commerciale Intra-Africaine (IATF) a pour objectif de fournir une plateforme unique facilitant l’échange d’informations sur le commerce et l’investissement afin de soutenir l’augmentation du commerce et des investissements Intra-Africains, en particulier dans le contexte de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de Libre-Échange Continental Africain (ZLECAf). L’IATF rassemble des acteurs continentaux et mondiaux afin de présenter et d’exposer leurs produits et services et d’explorer les opportunités commerciales et d’investissement sur le continent. Elle fournit également une plateforme pour partager des informations sur le commerce, l’investissement et les marchés avec les parties prenantes et permet aux participants de discuter et d’identifier des solutions aux défis auxquels sont confrontés le commerce et l’investissement Intra-Africains. Outre les participants Africains, la Foire est également ouverte aux entreprises et aux investisseurs de pays non Africains intéressés par les affaires en Afrique et désireux de soutenir la transformation du continent par l’industrialisation et le développement des exportations.

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Afreximbank, International Trade Centre renew partnership for intra-African trade

Source: APO

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (https://Afreximbank.com) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have renewed and expanded their memorandum of understanding (MoU), underscoring their commitment to strengthening intra-African trade, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) competitiveness, and South-South cooperation.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) by Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank and Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC.

Under the renewed MoU, Afreximbank and ITC will promote SME competitiveness, capacity building related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), sustainable livelihoods through the creative industries, strengthening of Africa’s trade partnerships with the Caribbean and Arab regions, and increased access to finance for businesses, including small businesses.

Commenting on the signing, Prof. Oramah said that the renewed MoU would help to expand Africa’s creative industries, deepen South-South cooperation with the Caribbean, and strengthen AfCFTA’s private sector impact.

“The signing of the renewed MoU on the sidelines of IATF2025 is a strong demonstration of Afreximbank’s leadership in driving intra-African trade and SME empowerment,” Prof. Oramah said. “By choosing IATF2025 as the platform for this announcement, Afreximbank and ITC are underlining the important role of the IATF as a platform for unlocking the potential of SMEs to drive Africa’s trade led development.”

He said that the partnership between Afreximbank and ITC positioned them as joint leaders in ensuring that Africa’s SMEs and creative entrepreneurs gain global visibility and market access, adding that they were scaling up their collaboration to empower the SMEs and creative industries, foster Africa-Caribbean linkages, and advance AfCFTA implementation.

Ms. Coke-Hamilton said, “Our long-term partnership with Afreximbank is one built on strengthening the way Africa engages with the rest of the world in terms of trade. With our expanded partnership, we will continue to work together to make trade easier, more accessible and less costly across the continent, for all African businesses, including the smallest and those led by women and youth.”

Attended by more than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, IATF2025, which took place from 4 to 10 September, ended on a remarkably high note with US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed over the seven days of the continental exposition. It welcomed 2,148 exhibitors.

For more information, please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact:
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development.

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Binance and Franklin Templeton to Develop Digital Assets Initiatives and Products

Source: APO


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Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, and Franklin Templeton (www.FranklinTempleton.com), a global investment leader with $1.6 trillion in assets under management, announced a collaboration to build digital asset initiatives and solutions tailored for a broad range of investors.

The firms will explore ways to combine Franklin Templeton’s expertise in the compliant tokenization of securities with Binance’s global trading infrastructure and investor reach. The goal is to deliver innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of investors by bringing greater efficiency, transparency and accessibility to capital markets with competitive yield generation and settlement efficiency.

“As these tools and technologies evolve from the fringes to the financial mainstream, partnerships like this one will be essential to accelerating adoption,” said Sandy Kaul, EVP, Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton. “We see blockchain not as a threat to legacy systems, but as an opportunity to reimagine them. By working with Binance, we can harness tokenization to bring institutional-grade solutions like our Benji Technology Platform to a wider set of investors and help bridge the worlds of traditional and decentralized finance.”

“Investors are asking about digital assets to remain ahead of the curve, but they need to be accessible and dependable. By working with Binance, we can deliver breakthrough products that meet the requirements of global capital markets and co-create the portfolios of the future,” said Roger Bayston, EVP and Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton. “Our goal is to take tokenization from concept to practice for clients to achieve efficiencies in settlement, collateral management, and portfolio construction at scale.”

“Binance has a record of innovating first-in-crypto solutions that unlock access and opportunities for investors. Our strategic collaboration with Franklin Templeton to develop new products and initiatives furthers our commitment to bridge crypto with traditional capital markets and open up greater possibilities,” said Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance.

More details of the collaboration and new product launches will be shared later this year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

Follow Franklin Templeton on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/48v8bhG
X: https://apo-opa.co/481faPk
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4pAtDYF

About Binance:
Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 280 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: www.Binance.com 

About Franklin Templeton:
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of July 31, 2025. For more information, please visit www.FranklinTempleton.com.

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Milken-Motsepe Prize in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Manufacturing Names 10 Semi-finalists

Source: APO

The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/) announced the 10 teams advancing to the semifinalist round of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing (https://apo-opa.co/4pL1QFg), with each team receiving $50,000 in unrestricted funding to drive inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Africa.

Semifinalists will present their innovations at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit, December 4–5, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. A total of $2 million in prizes will be distributed for this prize, along with opportunities for global visibility, mentorship, and investor connections.

The prize highlights companies that are revolutionizing manufacturing value chains in Africa through artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies. In Africa alone, AI is projected to add nearly $3 trillion to the continent’s economy between 2024 and 2033. The prize sought established, scalable companies in the manufacturing sector with a track record of over two years of operation in Africa, demonstrated Series A+ traction, and a clear commitment to advancing job growth and workforce development.

“By focusing on AI and manufacturing, this award identifies and supports visionary teams transforming industry with advanced technologies, which has a multiplying effect by creating economic opportunity for communities across Africa,” said Emily Musil, PhD, managing director at the Milken Institute. “From the semifinalist stage to beyond the prize, we are excited to provide a global platform and network for future-forward entrepreneurs and social impact companies.”

The 10 semifinalist teams will pitch their innovations to a panel of expert judges and investors, who will evaluate them based on commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability in Africa. Five finalists will be selected to advance to the final round. Following the December pitch event, a $1 million Grand Prize will be awarded at the 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, alongside a $250,000 runner-up prize and a $100,000 award for the Most Advanced Use of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies. These teams operate in more than 60 countries on five continents, with innovations that hold the potential to revolutionize manufacturing value chains, drive job creation, and ignite breakthroughs across the globe.

The 10 semifinalists for the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program in AI and Manufacturing:

  1. BleagLee (https://apo-opa.co/46TPaEq)
    Team Lead: Juveline Ngum Ngwa

Based in Cameroon, BleagLee is a waste management and recycling company that uses AI and specialized software to rapidly identify, collect, and transform plastic, agricultural, and electronic waste into high-value inputs like engineered recycled polymers, 3D printing filaments, and bio-based carbon materials.

  1. DataProphet (https://apo-opa.co/46z3wsn)
    Team Lead: Ridwaan Seedat

Based in South Africa, DataProphet is an industrial intelligence technology and advisory company providing production intelligence solutions for machine builders and manufacturers.

  1. Digitech Oasis Limited (https://apo-opa.co/46VjTkk)
    Team Lead: Ayan Mohamed

Based in the United Kingdom, Digitech Oasis is an award‑winning AI and robotics company developing robotic systems and industrial automation platforms to modernize warehouse and fulfillment operations across industries.

  1. Freshpack Technologies (https://apo-opa.co/46ALVAn)​
    Team Lead: Editha Mshiu

Based in Tanzania, Freshpack Technologies is a cold-storage solution company pioneering AI-powered cooling innovation to reduce food waste for Africa’s informal markets.

  1. GreenBDG Africa (https://apo-opa.co/46ka8fu)
    ​Team Lead: Songo Didiza

Based in South Africa, Green Building Design Group Africa (GreenBDG Africa) is a tech-enabled advisory firm offering climate-smart infrastructure solutions and energy optimization strategies for real estate and manufacturing clusters. 

  1. INDOS (https://apo-opa.co/48xciJZ)
    Team Lead: Ahmed Nounou  

Based in Egypt, INDOS is an industrial digitization company transforming labor-intensive manufacturing floors into AI-powered, data-driven environments to boost productivity and drive quality in real-time.

  1. Spiro (https://apo-opa.co/4pEAksT)
    Team Lead: Kaushik Burman 

Based in the United Arab Emirates, Spiro provides accessible and affordable mobility solutions through manufacturing innovative, eco-friendly electric transportation. 

  1. Thola Inc. (https://apo-opa.co/46HHofL)
    Team Lead: Nneile Nkholise 

Based in the United States, Thola is an AI-powered software platform that provides real-time energy monitoring, forecasting, and ESG performance insights to help industrial facilities become insurable, resilient, and grid-conscious. 

  1. Torchit (https://apo-opa.co/46lPvj3)
    Team Lead: Hunny Bhagchandani 

Based in India, Torchit is a social-tech enterprise that designs and manufactures affordable, AI-powered assistive technologies to empower persons with disabilities with mobility, literacy, and digital independence. 

  1. Toto Safi Limited (https://apo-opa.co/3IFrdau)
    Team Lead: Faith Waraga 

Based in Rwanda, Toto Safi is an AI-enabled, circular textile manufacturing platform, enabling women-led tailoring cooperatives to produce reusable hygiene products such as diapers and period pants at scale.

Now in its fourth year, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has brought together visionary thinkers across sectors, from agriculture to financial technology, equipping them with the capital, resources, and network needed to push their ideas forward. Since launching the prize in 2021, the prize community has grown to over 12,000 innovators and entrepreneurs from 136 countries.

For more information about the semifinalists and the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, visit https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/ or contact Sam Roth at sroth@milkeninstitute.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.

Additional link:
https://apo-opa.co/4pL1QFg

Contact:
Ima Peter 
Email:ima.peter@razorpr.co.za
Phone: +27825548513

ABOUT THE MILKEN INSTITUTE:
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit www.MilkenInstitute.org. 

ABOUT THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION:
The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute toward eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed, and marginalized people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Patrice Motsepe and Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife committed to giving half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond. For more information, visit https://www.MotsepeFoundation.org/

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NHLS resumes antivenom production 

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, September 25, 2025

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), via its South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) subsidiary, has announced the successful restart of antivenom production at its newly renovated manufacturing facility. 

This resumption comes in response to significant shortages of snake antivenom that have affected South Africa and much of the world in recent years.

According to the African Snakebite Institute, the only effective treatment for severe snake bite envenomation from potentially deadly snakes is antivenom, which boosts the immune response.

Production of antivenom resumed two weeks ago, with the release of the first batch containing 536 units of polyvalent antivenom.

“Furthermore, new batches are already in production, ensuring that supply will gradually improve in the coming months,” the statement read. 

The organisation has announced the different stages of manufacturing along with estimated release timelines. 

According to the NHLS, polyvalent antivenom, scorpion antivenom, spider antivenom, and boomslang antivenom are expected to be released in November this year.

“The production of antivenom is a complex and time-intensive process that requires extensive in-process inspections to ensure the safety, quality, and effectiveness of every vial produced.”

However, the organisation believes this is a crucial step in restoring the local supply of lifesaving antivenom, which is essential for treating snake, spider and scorpion envenomation. – SAnews.gov.za

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Initiative to bring services closer to the people moves to Mpumalanga

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, September 25, 2025

An initiative to bring services closer to communities will be held in Delmas, Mpumalanga.

The Integrated Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) moves to Mpumalanga on Friday.

“This successful initiative ensures that underprivileged communities access South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) services without travelling long distances and contributes to poverty reduction,” said the agency on Thursday.

Friday’s session at the Simon Gondwe Botleng Sport Centre in Delmas, will be led by the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe and accompanied by the Mpumalanga MEC for social development, Nompumelelo  Hlophe and the Executive Mayor of Victor Khanye Local Municipality.

The ICROP will be rolled out by the Department of Social Development, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and National Development Agency (NDA).

“This programme also assists the social development sector in connecting directly with beneficiaries on the grounds that it assists in improving communication between the Agency and beneficiaries.”

SASSA said the Victor Khanye Local Municipality (Delmas) area is targeted because of multiple social challenges that continue to affect the well-being of community members.

“High levels of unemployment and poverty have led to a rise in social problems such as substance abuse, crime and teenage pregnancy. These challenges are further compounded by limited access to economic opportunities. As a result, a large portion of the population relies heavily on social grants for survival. Estimated statistics of social grant beneficiaries around the area is 18 482.

“During this event, the agency will be rendering services such as grant application, reviews, [and] attending [to] all enquiries. A number of about 14 various government departments, NGOs, State entities and financial institutions will be providing their services to the people,” said the agency. – SAnews.gov.za

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AI in Africa: 5 issues that must be tackled for digital equality

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Rachel Adams, Honorary Research Fellow of The Ethics Lab, University of Cape Town

If it’s steered correctly, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to accelerate development. It can drive breakthroughs in agriculture. It can expand access to healthcare and education. It can boost financial inclusion and strengthen democratic participation.

But without deliberate action, the AI “revolution” risks deepening inequality more than it will expand opportunity.

As a scholar of the history and future of AI, I’ve written about the dangers of AI widening global inequality. There’s an urgent need to develop governance mechanisms that will try to redistribute the benefits of this technology.

The scale of the AI gap is stark. Africa holds less than 1% of global data centre capacity. Data centres are the engines that drive AI. This means the continent has minimal infrastructure for hosting the computing power necessary to build and run AI models.

While only 32 countries worldwide host specialised AI data centres, the US and China account for over 90% of them.

And only about 5% of Africa’s AI talent (innovators with AI skills) have sufficient access to the resources needed for advanced research and innovation.

Read more: One in three South Africans have never heard of AI – what this means for policy

Leaders and policy-makers from around the world must grapple with an uncomfortable truth: AI is not equally distributed, and without deliberate action it will magnify global divides.

But they also still have the chance to set a new trajectory – one where Africa and the global majority shape the rules of the game. One that ensures AI becomes a force for shared prosperity rather than exclusion.

To achieve this, five critical policy areas most be addressed. These are data; computing capacity; AI for local languages; skills and AI literacy; and AI safety, ethics and governance. These are not just African priorities; they’re global imperatives.

1. Compute and infrastructure

Access to computational power has become the defining chokepoint in today’s AI ecosystem. African researchers and innovators will remain on the margins of the AI economy unless there is investment in regional data centres, GPU clusters (a group of computers working together on large-scale AI processing) and secure cloud infrastructure.

Europe, by contrast, has pooled over US$8 billion in establishing the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking to ensure the continent has computing capacity for local innovations.

African countries should press for funding and partnerships to expand local capacity. They will also need to insist on transparency from global providers about who controls access, and ensure regional cooperation to pool resources across borders.

2. Data governance

AI systems are only as good as the data they’re trained on. Much of the continent’s data is fragmented, poorly governed, or extracted without fairly compensating those it’s collected from. Large, diverse and machine-readable datasets are used to teach AI models about the contexts and realities the data reflect.

Where ethical stewardship frameworks exist, locally managed datasets have already driven innovation that has impact. For example, the Lacuna Fund has helped researchers across Africa build over 75 open-machine-learning datasets in areas like agriculture, health, climate and low-resource languages. These have filled critical data gaps, allowing for tools that better reflect African realities. Realities like high-accuracy crop yield datasets for farming. Or voice/text resources for under-served languages.

Robust national data protection and governance laws are needed. So are regional data commons, a shared resource where data is collected, stored, and made accessible to a community under common standards and governance. This would enable collaboration, reuse, and equitable benefits. Standards for quality, openness, interoperability and ethics developed by multilateral organisations must be designed with African priorities at their centre.

3. AI for local languages

Inclusive AI depends on the languages it speaks. Current large models overwhelmingly privilege English and other dominant languages. African languages are all but invisible in the digital sphere. This not only entrenches existing biases and inequalities, it also risks excluding millions from access to AI-enabled services.

Read more: AI chatbots can boost public health in Africa – why language inclusion matters

Take the example of the Cape Town-based non-profit organisation Gender Rights in Tech. It has developed a trauma-informed chatbot called Zuzi that supports survivors of gender-based violence by providing anonymous, accessible guidance in diverse South African languages on their rights, available legal services, and sexual and reproductive health. It helps overcome stigma and bridge gaps in access. Zuzi demonstrates the power of AI technologies in local languages.

Dedicated investment in datasets, benchmarks, and models for African languages is urgently needed, as well as in tools for speech recognition, text-to-speech, and literacy.

4. AI skills and literacy

African infrastructure and data will mean little without human capacity to use them. At present, AI skills supply falls far short of demand, and public understanding of AI’s benefits and risks remains low.

To increase skills, AI and data science will need to be integrated into school and university curricula, and vocational training will need to be expanded. Supporting lifelong learning programmes is essential.

Public awareness campaigns can ensure citizens understand both the promise and perils of AI. This will support deeper public debate on these issues. It can also target support for women, rural communities, and African language speakers to help prevent new divides from forming.

5. Safety, ethics, and governance

Finally, stronger governance frameworks are urgently needed. African countries face unique risks from AI. Among them are electoral interference, disinformation, job disruption, and environmental costs. These risks are shaped by Africa’s structural realities: fragile information ecosystems, large informal labour markets, weak social safety nets, and resource-strained infrastructure. National strategies are emerging, but enforcement capacity and oversight remain limited.

African governments should push for the creation of an African AI safety institute. Safety and ethical audits must be mandated for high-risk systems. Regulations and AI governance instruments must be aligned with rights-based African principles that emphasise equity, justice, transparency, and accountability. Participation in global standard-setting bodies is also crucial to ensure that African perspectives help shape the rules being written elsewhere.

All eyes on the G20

Taken together, these priorities are not defensive measures but a blueprint for empowerment. If pursued, they would reduce the risk of inequality. They would position Africa and other regions across the majority world to shape AI in ways that serve their people and economies.

Digital and technology ministers from the world’s biggest economies will be attending the G20’s digital economy working group ministerial meeting at the end of September.

On paper, it’s a routine meeting. In practice, it may be the most consequential gathering on AI policy Africa has ever hosted.

Read more: Hype and western values are shaping AI reporting in Africa: what needs to change

This is the first time the G20’s digital ministers are meeting on African soil. It’s happening at the very moment AI is being hailed as the technology that will redefine the global economy.

This meeting will not stand alone. It will be followed by the AI for Africa conference, co-hosted by South Africa’s G20 presidency, Unesco and the African Union. Here the AI in Africa Initiative will be launched. It is designed as a practical mechanism to carry forward the G20’s commitments and advance implementation of the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy.

Cape Town could mark a turning point: the moment when African leadership, working in concert with the G20, starts to close the AI divide and harness this technology for shared prosperity.

– AI in Africa: 5 issues that must be tackled for digital equality
– https://theconversation.com/ai-in-africa-5-issues-that-must-be-tackled-for-digital-equality-265611

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Tanzania’s social media clampdown and the elections – what’s at risk

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Leah Mwainyekule, Lecturer, University of Westminster

Social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and X have transformed political dialogue and activism in Tanzania. The democratisation of political expression has especially empowered young voters and activists to challenge government actions and champion causes such as human rights, the release of political prisoners, and electoral reforms.

This is significant in a country politically dominated by one ruling party since independence in 1961. The government has responded by frequently clamping down on social media through arrests, mass content removals and platform-specific shutdowns. This is in addition to direct controls over media outlets. Media and communication scholar Leah Mwainyekule examines Tanzania’s social media landscape ahead of elections in October 2025.

What is the history of Tanzania’s social media curbs?

Tanzania’s political system is dominated by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has held power continuously since independence in 1961. The ruling party has kept in place a political structure headed by a powerful president in a tightly controlled political space. Opposition parties have faced suppression marked by restrictions on rallies, arrests, violence and exclusion from electoral processes. This worsened under former president John Magufuli, who clamped down on political dissent, persecuted opposition figures and imposed legal curbs against media and civic debate.

While President Samia Suluhu Hassan has recently introduced moderate reforms – restoring some rights, easing bans and facilitating dialogue – opposition leaders still confront severe charges or incarceration. The main opposition party – Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) – still can’t contest major elections.

Tanzania’s social media curbs are embedded in this political environment. The government claims to be controlling digital content to maintain political and social stability. This strategy is often justified by concerns about national security, misinformation and public order.

Laws and regulations govern the digital space. The landmark legislation is the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, which introduced provisions about online activities.

  • It’s illegal to share or receive unauthorised information, even if truthful or publicly available.

  • Police have extensive powers to conduct searches and seizures.

  • Secret surveillance and interception of communications can happen without judicial authorisation or proper due process.

The law has been condemned for provisions which limit political expression through blogs, online media and mobile platforms like WhatsApp. People have been arrested for criticising government officials or the president on WhatsApp and Facebook.

Further controls relate to obligations for internet service providers, social media platform owners, and expanded categories of prohibited content. They are contained in another law which was amended in 2025.

Read more: Democracy in Africa: digital voting technology and social media can be a force for good – and bad

Critics highlight provisions that undermine online anonymity. Internet service providers and online content service providers have to be able to identify the source of online content. Internet café operators are required to register users through recognised IDs, assign static IP addresses, and install cameras to monitor users’ activities.

The laws are vague about defining what’s not allowed. It might be:

The lack of clear guidelines enables officials to target critics or unwanted content as they please.

Finally, critics have pointed to unrealistic deadlines for content removal. The 2018 regulations said platforms must remove prohibited content within 12 hours of notification. The 2020 update reduced this deadline to just two hours. This made it one of the most stringent requirements globally.

The two-hour removal window applies mainly to content flagged by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority. But it could also relate to complaints from affected users. Platforms must also suspend or terminate accounts of users who fail to remove prohibited content within this period. This short deadline makes it nearly impossible to check whether content is legal before removal.

These regulations are widely perceived as politically motivated. They appear designed to suppress government critics, media and opposition voices. They stifle legitimate public discourse.

What are the government’s most recent actions?

The most recent example is the government’s suspension of the country’s most popular online forum, Jamii Forums, for 90 days in September 2025. The government cited the publication of content that “misleads the public”, “defames” the president and undermines national unity.

The government has also resorted to blanket bans of platforms like X (formerly Twitter). The most recent followed the hacking of official police accounts in a cyber attack. Although some users access X through virtual private networks, the ban remains officially enforced by internet service providers across the country.

Read more: Twitter in Kenya’s last poll: a great way to reach voters, but not a game-changer

The timing of the shutdown echoes similar action in 2020 in the run-up to the previous general election.

Tools to bypass national network restrictions are illegal and punishable by law.

Traditional media such as radio, television and newspapers face growing government censorship and surveillance pressure.

What is the effect on social and political debates?

Tanzania is set for general elections on 29 October 2025. The restrictions on social media will doubtless be felt. The restrictions reduce the platforms available for open discussion of government policies, political ideas and election choices. This shrinking digital space undermines public participation and limits access to diverse viewpoints critical for democratic debate.

Read more: Africans are concerned about ills of social media but oppose government restrictions

Social media also play another important role. Social media users are known to expose electoral fraud, misinformation and government misconduct.

The scales are tilted against dissent, opposition narratives and minority voices.

At the same time, misinformation and hate speech may grow. This can increase the risks of polarisation and identity-based tensions.

What is the effect of governance?

The expanding restrictions reflect a governance model favouring information control over transparency and accountability. This can normalise censorship, arbitrary detentions and media suppression.

In essence, Tanzania’s social media curbs are likely to weaken governance. They undermine transparency, increase tension, and erode public trust, limiting democratic accountability.

– Tanzania’s social media clampdown and the elections – what’s at risk
– https://theconversation.com/tanzanias-social-media-clampdown-and-the-elections-whats-at-risk-265215