Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

The Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program has launched a strategic initiative in Mauritania to develop national capacity for wheat seed multiplication, enhance agricultural productivity, and fortify the wheat value chain. Implemented in partnership with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org), this high-impact project emphasizes The Program’s commitment to advancing food security and sustainable development across Arab and African member countries. 

The project was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and is being executed in partnership and coordination with Mauritania’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. It leverages ACSAD’s technical expertise and The Program’s financial support to reduce Mauritania’s dependence on wheat imports by increasing the availability of high-yield, locally produced wheat seeds. 

The project aims to establish a comprehensive national wheat seed multiplication program in Mauritania to enhance local production of certified ACSAD wheat varieties, promote the adoption of improved hard and soft wheat strains, and reduce reliance on imported seeds. By producing high-efficiency, disease-free seeds locally, the initiative seeks to mitigate agricultural risks while encouraging the development of high-yield, climate-resilient wheat varieties suited to local conditions by implementing a national wheat breeding program to be launched this season. 

Additionally, the project supports improving agricultural practices along the wheat value chain, as well as harvest and post-harvest management, to reduce losses and enhance productivity. It also aims to supply quality seeds for broader agricultural use, reduce genetic contamination in cultivation, and modernize institutional frameworks governing wheat production and marketing, ultimately strengthening Mauritania’s food security and agricultural value chain. 

During the 2023–2024 agricultural season, ACSAD supplied improved wheat varieties for cultivation on a 20-hectare site in the Arkez region. The first harvest yielded over 16 tons of soft and hard wheat, which were used for seed multiplication in the second season (2024–2025). The project’s steering committee, comprising representatives from ACSAD, ITFC, and the Ministry, held its first meeting in September 2024 and second meeting in May 2025, to review progress and approve the next phase. This includes plans to expand cultivation to additional provinces, launch a national wheat-breeding program to develop new high-yield varieties tolerant to abiotic stresses (drought and high temperatures) and adapted to local environments in light of climate change, and to build technical capacity at the national level. 

This initiative exemplifies the AATB Program’s mission to support transformative, cross-border projects that foster economic resilience, strengthen regional integration, and promote long-term self-reliance and sustainable development among member countries. By facilitating regional technical cooperation and advancing sustainable agricultural practices, the Program is not only addressing immediate development needs but also laying a solid foundation for long-term food security in Mauritania. Moreover, it sets a replicable model for other countries facing similar challenges, reinforcing the Program’s role as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth across the Arab and African regions.” 

– on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Contact us:  
E-mail: aatb@itfc-idb.org

Social Media: 
Twitter: @ aatb_program  
Facebook: @ aatbprogram

About the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program:
The AATB Program is a multi-donor, multi-country, and multi-organization program supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Islamic Development Bank, the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).  The Program aims to promote and increase trade and investment flows between African and Arab OIC Member Countries; provide and support trade finance and export credit insurance, and enhance existing capacity-building tools relating to trade. The Program specifically focuses on supporting the key sectors of agriculture and related industries, including textiles, the health industry, including pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and transport, and petrochemicals, construction materials, and technology.  

Source: APO – Report:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the Guest of Honour at the Forum Invest in Senegal 2025 (Fii Senegal), scheduled for October 7–8 at the CICAD, in Diamniadio. Held under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye and organized by the Senegalese Agency for Investment Promotion and Major Works (APIX) (https://InvestInSenegal.sn/), the Fii Senegal whose theme is connecting opportunities, building the future aims to position Dakar as a premier gateway for investment in West Africa.

Heads of State and Government, global investors, financial institutions, policy makers, and business leaders are expected at this high-level event to explore new strategic partnerships. Senegal stands out as a premier investment destination, combining political stability, investor-friendly policies, world-class infrastructure such as the Port of Ndayane and Blaise Diagne International Airport, dynamic special economic zones, and access to a thriving ECOWAS market of 400 million consumers.

Senegal’s partnership with Saudi Arabia is already yielding tangible results. Saudi ACWA Power is currently developing an $800 million renewable-powered desalination plant in Dakar, alongside new ventures in agriculture, real estate, and logistics.

“Senegal is shaping the future of investment in Africa. Fii Senegal 2025 will serve as a global platform to showcase our ambition and reaffirm our role as a strategic partner for Gulf investors seeking sustainable, high-growth opportunities across the continent,” Mr. Bakary Séga Bathily, Director General of APIX highlighted.

With Saudi Arabia as Guest of Honour, Senegal is committed to making Fii Senegal 2025 a landmark event—solidifying its position as a trusted destination for international capital and a dynamic gateway to Africa.

Be part of Africa’s next chapter — join global leaders, investors, and innovators at Fii Senegal 2025. Secure your place today by registering at https://apo-opa.co/46mijrD .

– on behalf of APIX Senegal S.A.

Source: APO

This year’s World Maritime Day theme: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, highlights how the ocean provides for us, and in turn, the responsibility we have to care for it. Few stories capture this dynamic better than that of Emmanuel, a 34-year-old Nigerian maritime officer on board the Global Mercy™. For him, the ocean is more than a route for transporting goods; it connects the world. With 40% of the global population living along coastlines (https://apo-opa.co/46Jhw31), the ocean is vital not only for trade, but also for reaching people in need.  

“95% of world trade is dependent on the maritime industry, and I was fascinated by the amount of wealth a nation stands to gain if they have a properly developed maritime system.”  

Emmanuel gained most of his experience working on tankers in the oil and gas industry. He was part of rigorous ship-to-ship operations, oil transfer operations, and maneuvering operations. “I learned a lot about navigation, cargo handling, seamanship, and bridge watch.”  

But he felt compelled to redirect his skills toward a higher purpose, which was using his maritime expertise in humanitarian service. In his search, he connected with Mercy Ships, turning his maritime skills into a lifeline for the vulnerable.  

Emmanuel’s first experience with Mercy Ships was on board the Africa Mercy® where he served for three months in 2024. “Speaking as a sailor, it was totally different from what you would find on a commercial vessel,” he said. “Mercy Ships made me really see the need in Africa. It was mind blowing to see that in just one field service, the ship carries out over a thousand surgeries. “I’m happy this is happening in Africa, and I get to be a part of it.”  

Yet, just as the ocean sustains this mission, it also demands something in return. 

That is why Mercy Ships is committed to protecting the marine environment, with sustainable practices woven into daily life on board. Bio-reactor sewage plants, supported by green cleaning products, ensure that only clean water leaves the ships. To protect biodiversity, ballast water treatment systems prevent invasive marine species from spreading across oceans.  

“Our ships sail because the ocean allows them to,” Emmanuel says. “It is our responsibility to respect the waters we navigate, because they are alive, and they connect us all.” 

Helping shoulder this responsibility, the Global Mercy was designed for efficiency, using 15% less energy thanks to advanced air-conditioning systems, recycling up to half of its water, and promoting a “two-minute shower” guideline. Daily habits also make a difference. Coffee and tea are served in mugs, and each volunteer receives a reusable water bottle to reduce plastics. Waste is managed with equal care. Medical waste is incinerated safely on board, while electronic equipment is stored until it can be recycled in Europe.  

“I definitely recommend serving on Mercy Ships to other seafarers,” Emmanuel asserted. “Even if it’s just one time. It has a way of changing your outlook on how the maritime industry should operate.”  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

Email: International.media@mercyships.org   

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with nations in Africa for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.  

Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal.  

For more information, visit www.MercyShips.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.