Category: MIL-OSI

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SA celebrates Tourism Month to showcase heritage, wildlife, and economic benefits!

Source: Government of South Africa

By Andrea Naicker

September is Tourism Month, and it’s a great time to celebrate the joy and power of travelling the length and breadth of our beautiful country. Tourism opens the door to new cultures, people and experiences, allowing us to see the world from a different perspective.

World Tourism Day, observed on 27th September, highlights the sector’s immense impact on our societies, environments, and economies. Coinciding with this commemorative event, South Africa celebrates Tourism Month which is an ideal time to travel as spring creates a warmer and more inviting environment.

Tourism Month is also observed alongside Heritage Month. This dual celebration provides an opportunity to tell the South African story and highlight our rich history, diverse cultures, and vibrant traditions.

South Africa’s tourism sector is rich in history, natural beauty, and a wealth of indigenous species. From the ancient origins of the Cradle of Humankind, Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape and the Mapungubwe Heritage Site to the powerful stories of struggle at Robben Island and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, our heritage sites tell a story of resilience and transformation.

Our nation is also a delightful destination du e to its world-class wine routes and iconic wildlife, including the Big Five and the Little Five which are the Elephant Shrew, Antlion, Rhino Beetle, Leopard Tortoise, and Buffalo Weaver. These attractions lure local and international travellers. Between January and June this year, South Africa welcomed over five million visitors, reflecting a significant increase in both domestic and international travel.

Tourism is a powerful engine for our economy. It constitutes a significant portion of our Gross Domestic Product and boosts local economies by creating vast opportunities for vendors, tour guides, shuttle drivers, guesthouses, and travel agencies. The sector supports livelihoods and helps uplift our national economy.

It is therefore imperative that we invest in developing this sector and create further opportunities for growth. Programs like the Tourism Monitors Programme target unemployed youth (ages 18-35) with a passion for tourism, providing them with a stipend, training, and practical experience. This programme has uplifted the lives of over 6000 young people who have benefitted from it since the programme’s inception in 2017 and has significantly improved safety and security at tourist sites.

Government remains committed to empowering people in tourism through training opportunities and financial assistance for black owned enterprises. Projects such as the Tourism Equity Fund and the Tourism Transformation Fund aims to drive transformation, equity and growth in the sector.  

Our roadmap for the industry is outlined in the Tourism Sector Masterplan, which aligns with our National Development Plan (NDP) goals and provides strategic interventions to strengthen and sustain the sector.

Further discussions on developing South African Tourism are in progress among members of the G20 Tourism working group. Furthermore, interventions are underway to enrich the travel experience of international delegates and visitors who will attend the G20 summit in November this year.

As we prepare to host nations, all South Africans have a part to play. Let’s take care of our environment and keep our cities clean and free from pollution, litter and environmental harm.

Citizens are also encouraged to explore our beautiful country.  South African National Parks Week, from 22 to 26 September 2025, offers free entry to selected national parks.

Our welcoming nature and spirit of Ubuntu is one of our greatest attractions, ensuring visitors keep coming back for more. This month let’s continue to celebrate our local attractions, diverse culture, and social fabric, and share our proudly South African stories as we work toward a tourism sector that captures the hearts of nations.

* Andrea Naicker is an Assistant Director at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

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Mashatile reaffirms strength of Government of National Unity

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, September 22, 2025

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the recent meeting of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Clearing House Mechanism demonstrates that the GNU is still intact, and committed to the shared goals and objectives of all represented parties. 

These goals include, but are not limited to, promoting inclusive growth, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and addressing the high unemployment rate.

Mashatile chaired the virtual meeting of the GNU Clearing House Mechanism on Friday, 19 September 2025.

In 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the creation of a GNU Clearing House Mechanism to address policy disagreements within the 10-member GNU, appointing Deputy President Mashatile to lead the initiative.

The meeting reviewed the written submissions on the draft terms of reference from the Good Party, Al Jama-Ah, and Democratic Alliance. 

This review was in accordance with the resolution made during the Clearing House meeting in March 2025.

“The Deputy President raised his concern about the time that the Clearing House has taken to finalise the matter,” the Presidency said in a statement. 

The Deputy President has outlined a plan to expedite the process, including forming a task team to review the current draft terms of reference, to report back to the Clearing House in two weeks.

The task team will be led by Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, and will include Thomas Walters from the Democratic Alliance, Makashule Gana from Rise Mzansi, and Apa Pooe from the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. – SAnews.gov.za

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Minister Chikunga to present SA’s Beijing Platform for Action at UNGA80

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, will present South Africa’s Beijing Platform for Action during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York, USA.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted by 189 governments at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, remains the most comprehensive global framework for advancing women’s rights and gender equality.

According to the department, Chikunga is expected to deliver a message of urgency, hope, and possibility in advancing the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, while emphasising the centrality of gender equality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Despite considerable strides towards achieving equality, South Africa emerges as a beacon of hope towards achieving gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum,” the department said in a statement on Sunday.

South Africa, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will participate in UNGA80 under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.” The session will take place from 23–29 September 2025.

South Africa will use this platform to reinforce her commitment to global multilateralism, human rights for all, sustainable development as a collective responsibility, while advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts with special emphasis on the conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sudans, and Palestine.

South Africa will also use the Assembly to promote its G20 Presidency agenda.

The President is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several heads of state and engage with CEOs of major international companies.

On Monday, the President will participate in a High-Level Meeting on the Two-State Solution, convened and co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The meeting aims to reaffirm international commitments to the two-state solution and mobilise support for its implementation. – SAnews.gov.za

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DIRCO committed to supporting South African Hajj pilgrims 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it remains dedicated to providing consular support to South African nationals fulfilling their religious obligations, including Hajj and Umrah, while also striving to maintain South Africa’s positive reputation in Saudi Arabia.

This is after the National Assembly unanimously passed the motion without notice to protect the rights of Hajj pilgrims, tabled by the opposition party last week. 

The party called for urgent intervention in the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) controversy, condemning SAHUC’s alleged attempts to monopolise Hajj travel and highlighting serious allegations of misconduct.

The motion called for DIRCO to intervene to safeguard pilgrims’ rights; the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission (CRL Rights Commission) to investigate allegations of misconduct at SAHUC; transparency in Hajj operations and the implementation of the Nusuk Hajj system, and urgent action to prevent the establishment of a monopoly in Hajj travel, which would raise costs for pilgrims.

DIRCO has acknowledged the National Assembly’s adoption of a motion without notice regarding the “Resolution on the SAHUC controversy”. However, the department reaffirmed the information provided in its previous statement dated 15 August 2025. 

The department said that on 30 June 2025, the Ministerial Committee on Efficient Management of the Annual Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages submitted its final report to DIRCO.

“The department is currently engaging with the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities to ensure alignment with constitutional and community-based principles.” 

Meanwhile, according to the department, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia have announced a new operational framework for the facilitation of Hajj from South Africa, effective from 2026. 

Under this new model, DIRCO explained that the traditional use of licensed tour operators will be discontinued.

“Instead, all service contracts will be signed directly with Saudi service providers, who will assume full responsibility for service delivery within the Kingdom. Coordination will be managed through the Nusuk Masar electronic platform, under the oversight of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.” 

In a statement issued last month, the department said the CRL Rights Commission continues to play a vital role in guiding cultural, religious, and linguistic communities on how to organise and coordinate their affairs. 

The Commission provides support to ensure that these communities operate independently of State interference, while safeguarding their religious rights and freedoms. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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African Refining: A Promising Yet Unexploited Investment Opportunity (By Daniil Moskalev)

Source: APO


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By Daniil Moskalev, International Fellow, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org).

In recent years, the African continent has been characterized by the active commissioning of new refining capacities. However, despite this, there is a problem with the energy infrastructure on the continent, which leads to unavailability of refined products. This unavailability is both a blessing and a curse for the African continent, its people and its quest to make energy poverty history. While insufficient refining capacity creates serious challenges for domestic consumers and industry, it presents an attractive opportunity for foreign investors, many of whom have yet to fully grasp the continent’s unique advantages.

Africa: The World’s Breadbasket of Crude Oil

In 2026, the upward trend of hydrocarbon production is expected to remain positive, with the African Energy Chamber’s The State of African Energy 2026 Outlook showing that petroleum production will level at about 11.4 million barrels per day (MMboe/d), rising to about 13.6 MMboe/d by 2030. An increase in petroleum production should correspond with a rise in refining, however, ongoing capacity constraints continue to impact Africa’s refining market, leading to a reliance on imported petroleum. This impacts countries as they strive to build local industries, create jobs and develop technical expertise in the downstream sector.

Importing refined products costs African countries significantly more than processing crude oil at home, as imports involve added expenses such as shipping, insurance and other costs. With much of the continent’s refining infrastructure either obsolete or idle, there lies a critical investment opportunity for financiers and project developers. 

Increased Population Mean Increased Consumption

Beyond the current challenge of importing refined products, rapidly growing domestic demand must also be considered, as it could increase Africa’s dependence on external energy supplies. Although Africa is home to 18% of the global population, it consumes less than 5% of the world’s oil products. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, has the lowest per capita usage, underscoring the region’s significant potential for future demand growth ( according to information of our report). The expanding African market, driven by population growth and improving living standards, will provoke an increase in consumption. Anticipated demand growth offers strong prospects for new refining facilities. Investment in more advanced processing technologies can deliver higher returns for foreign investors while simultaneously meeting Africa’s urgent and growing demand for refined petroleum products.

Ongoing Challenges: The Case of Dangote

Market size and resource availability does not necessarily guarantee sufficient refining capacity. Take the Dangote oil refinery, for example. Even with its massive scale, this refinery will have only a limited effect on reducing Africa’s fast-rising import reliance. The continent will continue to face shortages of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel over the forecast period. In the short-term, the capacity of Dangote refinery (617,000 bpd) could partially substitute foreign sources of refined products, but the prioritization of exports is more attractive for foreign investors, that’s why commissioning of new refinery plants does not address fuel accessibility challenges on the ground However, net imports for gasoline and gasoil will widen over the long-term against the backdrop of strong growth in demand and limited additions to refining capacity. Furthermore, the commissioning of the Dangote refinery is hugely significant for the Atlantic Basin’s oil trade due to export promotion, but it barely makes a dent in Africa’s growing requirement for imported refined products.

As stated in the African Energy Chamber’s Outlook 2026, gasoil net imports are projected to reach just under 1.8 million bpd by 2050, whereas gasoline net imports are forecast to exceed 1.5 million bpd. Relying on refined imports leaves countries vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, shipping bottlenecks and sharp price swing risks that become even more severe during times of crisis. Therefore, the priority of developing domestic energy sovereignty should be to attract downstream investments to meet domestic demand.

 So, we need to answer the questions: what can attract investors and what should we do? Foreign investments can be attracted if preferential financing conditions, a stable political environment, confidence in profitability and transparency of the terms of the agreements are provided. When these conditions are partially or fully met, large projects such as The Cabinda Oil Refinery or The Dangote Refinery are born..

What’s Next for African Refining

Given the scale of refining projects, mobilizing external financing is vital. There are several prerequisites to attract investment. Specifically, the availability of crude oil and access to a local domestic market. But countries need to look beyond this to strengthen regulatory frameworks; leverage public-private partnerships; simplify processes and reduce red tape; demonstrate openness to foreign investors; and be ready to meet companies’ half-way.

A Timely Opportunity for Strategic Investment

With political stabilization, the resolution of internal challenges and the establishment of a stable regulatory framework, the African refining market emerges as one of the most undervalued – and therefore potentially highly profitable – investment opportunity for global companies. An able workforce, a well-developed oil production system and growing demand are presented as outstanding incentives to attract investors to the continent. Strengthening the trust of external shareholders and investors can lead to an explosive development of the African oil refining industry. This can become one of the engines that drives African industrialization.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About Daniil Moskalev:
Daniil is a 3rd year student at the Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow, specializing in African and MENA studies, global economics, and international relations. He is currently working with the African Energy Chamber and has prior experience as an analyst at the Center for African Studies (HSE) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

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African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Unlocking the Potential of Africa’s Energy Sector through Local Content and Workforce Development

Source: APO


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African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is putting a spotlight on the transformative potential of energy projects beyond resource extraction, emphasizing local content, workforce development and sustainable community impact. A central feature of the conference – the Local Content Roundtable on Day 2, sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) – will explore how energy companies and governments can work together to build African capacity, strengthen local supply chains and create meaningful employment. 

Moderated by Hamlet Morule, Executive Head of Communications & External Affairs at bp South Africa, the roundtable will convene industry leaders and policy experts from across the continent. Speakers include Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB; Alexander Merson, SVP of Asset Operations at Petrofac; Tony Paul, Key Associate for In-Country Value Addition at Future Energy Partners; Bradford Donohue, CEO of IHRDC; Jorge de Morais, General Manager at KAESO Energy Services; Mor Bakhoum, Technical Secretary at ST-CNSL Senegal; and a senior representative from AGL. 

The session will examine practical challenges in local content implementation across Angola, Nigeria and South Africa – including limited technical skills, underdeveloped SME ecosystems and inconsistent policy enforcement – as well as showcase how specific projects are delivering tangible economic benefits. 

In Nigeria, for example, the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Project in Bayelsa State is a $3.5 billion initiative that not only produces petrochemical and gas-based products for export but also generates over 5,000 direct and 35,000 indirect jobs. It reduces routine gas flaring, supplies local industries and power plants and cuts fertilizer imports by nearly 30%, saving the country an estimated $200 million annually. This project exemplifies how energy development can stimulate local supply chains, boost industrial capacity and create lasting employment opportunities. 

In Angola, the Begonia and CLOV Phase 3 offshore projects, which began production in July 2025, are adding 60,000 barrels per day to the country’s output. Begonia is the first project between blocks in Angola with a “significant” component of local content – according to national concessionaire ANPG – demonstrating the country’s commitment to integrating local labor and suppliers into offshore operations. 

“Local content is more than just a compliance requirement. It’s about creating sustainable jobs, developing local supply chains and empowering communities. Every energy project should leave a tangible legacy for the people and economies where it operates,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.  

AEW 2025’s programming underlines that energy development in Africa is shifting from short-term extraction to long-term economic transformation. By embedding workforce development and supplier capacity into core strategies, governments and companies are transferring skills, supporting SMEs and enabling communities to benefit directly from Africa’s energy growth. 

The Local Content Roundtable reinforces that achieving these outcomes requires collaboration, innovation and consistent policy enforcement. Across the continent, from Nigeria’s petrochemical plants to Angola’s deepwater FPSOs, energy initiatives are now creating enduring value for local economies, expanding skills and building resilient supply chains.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About AEW:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

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Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority Chairman to Speak at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

Source: APO


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Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA), has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) (https://African-MiningWeek.com/)– Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, taking place from October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town. Ramadan will participate in a fireside chat titled From Policy to Practice: Implementing Egypt’s Vision for Mineral Beneficiation. AMW 2025 provides an ideal platform for Ramadan to showcase Egypt’s rich mineral potential, spanning gold, potash, phosphate and critical minerals. 

Ramadan’s participation comes at a pivotal moment, as Egypt accelerates mining sector growth through regulatory and institutional reforms (https://apo-opa.co/3Kg0v8U). In early 2025, the government enacted a new law, granting EMRA with the authority to streamline licensing, enhance its financial independence and strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders across the value chain. As a result, EMRA – under the leadership of Ramadan – has secured a series of high-profile partnerships. 

In July 2025, the authority signed an MoU with Elsewedy Capital (https://apo-opa.co/423pwKC) to explore and develop the Sebaia phosphate mines, including feasibility studies for a fertilizer production plant to advance Egypt’s local beneficiation agenda. That same month, EMRA signed agreements with Centamin to expand gold exploration and with Aton Resources to unlock new prospects in the Eastern Desert. Earlier in April 2025, EMRA also concluded a major agreement with AngloGold Ashanti for the exploitation of gold and associated minerals in the region. 

These agreements signal renewed global interest in Egypt’s mining potential and are expected to unlock new opportunities for resource monetization. Against this backdrop, AMW 2025 represents a strategic platform for Ramadan to provide insight into Egypt’s mining reform agenda. Through his participation at the event, Ramadan is expected to provide updates on ongoing projects and connect with global investors as the country pursues new partnerships aimed at unlocking the full potential of Egypt’s mineral sector. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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Le Nigeria accueillera des investisseurs internationaux et des fondateurs de startups pour la stimulation de la prochaine vague d’accords et de débouchés pour les startups africaines

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Des centaines d’investisseurs et de bailleurs de fonds sont attendus à Lagos en octobre prochain pour stimuler la nouvelle vague d’accords et d’opportunités de financement sans précédent pour les startups africaines prometteuses. Lors du Moonshot TechCabal 2025 (https://Moonshot.TechCabal.com/), la conférence phare de l’innovation en Afrique, les participants dialogueront directement avec les fondateurs de startups, interviendront dans des discussions sur les partenariats transfrontaliers et élaboreront des stratégies pour trouver des débouchés afin d’accélérer l’économie axée sur l’innovation en Afrique.

Après un ralentissement du financement mondial entre 2023 et 2024, la tech africaine montre les premiers signes de reprise, le financement des startups atteignant 1,42 milliard de dollars pour (https://apo-opa.co/4nc9Vkh) 243 transactions au premier semestre 2025, soit une hausse de 78 % par rapport à l’année écoulée. Les startups africaines se développent également sur les marchés internationaux et exportent leurs solutions locales pour répondre aux défis mondiaux. Pour poursuivre sur cette lancée, il faudra renforcer le flux de transactions, créer de meilleurs débouchés et renforcer la confiance des investisseurs afin que les capitaux puissent être davantage canalisés vers l’écosystème. Ces priorités, et les défis qu’elles représentent pour l’écosystème seront au centre des discussions à multiples volets entre fondateurs de startups, investisseurs (autant ordinaires que providentiels), capital-risqueurs et commanditaires lors du Moonshot,

Ces discussions seront menées à travers divers panels et présentations par Maxime Bayen, associé opérationnel chez FundCatalyst (www.TheCatalystFund.com); Lexi Novitske, associé commandité chez Norrskken 22 (www.Norrsken22.com); Tito Cookey-Gam, directeur de Partech Africa (https://PartechPartners.com); et Eloho Omame, associé chez TLcom Capital (https://TLcomCapital.com), entre autres. Digital for Development (D4D) (https://D4DHub.eu/), représentant l’Union européenne, sera également présent à Lagos à la tête d’une délégation de plus de 100 investisseurs et leaders de l’écosystème de toute l’Europe. De leur participation sont attendues des discussions cruciales et l’accélération du flux d’accords entre les startups africaines et les capitaux mondiaux. 

S’exprimant à propos de cette conférence, Tomiwa Aladekomo, PDG de Big Cabal Media (https://BigCabal.com/), a déclaré :  « L’écosystème technologique africain connaît un véritable essor et nous constatons que les investisseurs internationaux manifestent un intérêt croissant pour soutenir sa prochaine vague de startups. C’est le moment idéal pour permettre aux fondateurs de startups d’avoir accès aux capitaux adéquats, d’explorer comment de nouveaux débouchés peuvent soutenir la croissance ainsi que de nouer des partenariats véritablement évolutifs. Lors du Moonshot de cette année, nous allons créer un espace pour que ces échanges puissent avoir lieu et transformer cette dynamique en opportunités concrètes pour les fondateurs de startups, les investisseurs et l’écosystème dans son ensemble. Au-delà du financement, nous explorons des secteurs émergents comme l’IA, les infrastructures de paiement, les actifs numériques et les industries créatives, tout en mobilisant les décideurs politiques, les entreprises et les acteurs de l’écosystème ».

Commentant leur participation, Hussein Jaffar , coordinateur adjoint de la branche Afrique de Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, a déclaré : « Le Moonshot est un espace important pour mettre en œuvre Global Gateway en connectant les innovateurs africains aux investisseurs et partenaires européens. Grâce au D4D Hub, l’équipe Europe s’efforce de transformer ces connexions en collaborations concrètes, en présentant des solutions numériques évolutives et en ouvrant de nouvelles perspectives d’investissement qui renforcent les écosystèmes d’innovation africains et font progresser nos priorités mondiales communes ».

Le Moonshot 2025 officiellement parrainé par Sabi (www.Sabi.am), mettra également en lumière l’adoption audacieuse de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) par l’Afrique. Le ministre nigérian du Commerce, Jumoke Oduwole, partagera également ses réflexions sur la manière dont les politiques commerciales progressistes autonomisent les startups, développent les exportations de services numériques et positionnent le Nigeria comme plaque tournante du commerce numérique en Afrique.

Le Moonshot by TechCabal, désormais reconnu comme l’un des rassemblements les plus importants du continent pour les capitaux d’amorçage et de croissance, proposera également une session approfondie sur les moyens de paiement de nouvelle génération en Afrique, explorant comment les interfaces de programmation d’applications (API), les infrastructures numériques, l’adoption de l’argent mobile et l’interopérabilité transfrontalière accélèrent l’inclusion financière et stimulent le développement des échanges commerciaux. Une autre session examinera le rôle des cryptomonnaies et des actifs numériques dans la définition des paiements transfrontaliers et l’ouverture de nouveaux modèles d’accès aux services financiers en Afrique.

Wole Ayodele, PDG de Fincraa déclaré : « Les interfaces de programmation d’applications sont devenues l’épine dorsale du commerce numérique, permettant des règlements en temps réel, des financements intégrés et des transactions transfrontalières fluides. Le Moonshot 2025, nous permet de nous concentrer sur la manière dont ces technologies peuvent stimuler la croissance et l’efficacité des entreprises en Afrique et au-delà ».

Tomi Oduyemi, responsable de la croissance chez Cardtonic a quant à lui déclaré : « Le Moonshot est une plateforme essentielle pour rassembler les personnes et les idées qui stimulent l’économie numérique africaine. Le Moonshot crée les connexions et les perspectives qui permettent le développement de l’innovation et l’impact sur tout le continent, et nous sommes heureux d’y jouer un rôle majeur cette année ».

Soutenu avec fierté par les sponsors platine Fincra, Raenest (www.Raenest.com), Cardtonic (https://Cardtonic.com), Luno (www.Luno.com), Roqqu (https://Roqqu.com), Opay (www.Opayweb.com), Busha (www.Busha.io), Flutterwave (https://Flutterwave.com/), et Interswitch (https://Interswitchgroup.com/) et le rassemblement de deux jours est ouvert aux investisseurs en capital-risque mondiaux et africains, aux fondateurs de startups, aux PDG de grandes entreprises technologiques, aux décideurs politiques, aux créatifs, aux étudiants et aux organisations de soutien qui stimulent l’économie axée sur l’innovation en Afrique.

Avec plus de 120 intervenants, neuf thèmes phares et plus de 4 000 participants attendus, Moonshot 2025 s’appuie sur le succès de l’édition de l’année dernière, qui avait réuni plus de 3 500 participants venus de plus de 15 pays. Les inscriptions restent ouvertes sur https://Moonshot.TechCabal.com/.

Distribué par APO Group pour Big Cabal Media.

Pour plus d’informations ou pour un entretien avec le PDG, Tomiwa Aladekomo, contacter :
bigcabalmedia@wimbart.com

À propos de Big Cabal Media :
Big Cabal Media (BCM) bâtit une entreprise africaine de médias et de technologies nouvelle génération, créant du contenu, des marques et des produits pour la nouvelle génération de consommateurs de contenu numérique en Afrique. BCM regroupe les principales publications de médias numériques TechCabal (https://TechCabal.com/), Zikoko (www.Zikoko.com) ; le studio de création Cabal Creative ; et le cabinet de conseil en économie numérique TC Insights (https://Insights.TechCabal.com/).  

À propos de TechCabal :
De son siège à Lagos, TechCabal (https://TechCabal.com/) se positionne comme la plus importante publication technologique documentant l’impact commercial et humain de la technologie en Afrique. TechCabal couvre les entreprises et les acteurs du paysage technologique africain et fournit le contexte, les rapports, les données et se charge de l’événementiel pour permettre aux fondateurs de startups, PDG, investisseurs et autres décideurs de comprendre comment la technologie transforme l’Afrique.

Media files

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Government committed to ‘safeguarding and supporting’ judiciary independence

Source: Government of South Africa

Government committed to ‘safeguarding and supporting’ judiciary independence

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says “significant progress” has been made on the work to transition the Judiciary towards administrative and operational independence.

The Minister made the remarks during a webinar hosted by judicial monitoring body, Judges Matter.

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with members of the National Executive, hosted a high-level engagement with Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and Heads of Court to kick start the process to entrenching the independence of the Judiciary.

The proposed model will entail structural independence, which includes both financial and operational independence with the vision to establish a single Judiciary, the administration of the Lower Courts, including the Magistrates Commission, will also be transferred the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ).

During the dialogue with Judges Matter, Kubayi outlined the progress made so far with the transfer of functions to be conducted in phases.

“Since the formation of the task team to work on the transition to an administrative and operationally independent Judiciary, significant progress has been made to make this vision a reality.

“Phase 1 will involve the immediate transfer of shared services relating to the Superior Courts from the Department to the OCJ. These shared services are not provided for in any legislative instrument and the transfer could be effected through a directive from the Minister to the Accounting Officers of the Department and the OCJ. Phase 1 transfer will be effective from 01 April 2026.

“Phase 2 involves, amongst others, the operationalisation of legislation aimed at clothing the Judiciary with full institutional independence including the creation of a single Judiciary. With regards to Phase 2, it is envisaged that the team will have the first draft bill before the end of this year,” she said.

Kubayi noted that the transfer of District and Regional courts to the OCJ “may be a complex matter”.

“However, in line with the vision of creating a single judiciary, we believe the transfer of the lower courts to the OCJ will make the judiciary stronger and independent as a third arm of the state.

“To this effect, an audit of court-related functions to be transferred to the OCJ has been conducted which indicated that the magistrate commission and various functions performed in respect of court operations at national and provincial level should be transferred to the OCJ,” she added.

Gaining independence

Kubayi explained that under a dispensation similar to that of Parliament, it will be proposed that secretary general of the judiciary will appear before Parliament to “account for the finances”. 

“The enabling legislation must provide for financial and operational independence of the superior courts administration promoting governance mechanisms and appropriate checks and balances. OCJ should be a permanent independent entity separate from the Executive authority under the aegis of the Judiciary.

“OCJ will be required to administer and provide support to the courts generally, including but not limited to the provision of, information technology services; corporate and logistic services; case flow management; infrastructure services and resource management; operational support; management and maintenance services in respect of court buildings and OCJ offices and premises, including court libraries and other facilities. 

“They also be required to manage human resources; and manage the budgeting and accounting of the courts and the OCJ,” the Minister said.

She reiterated government’s support for the process, stressing that South Africa’s courts, especially the Constitutional Court, have been able to be a steady voice, grounded in reason, compassion and principle without interference from the executive, even in cases where the executive vehemently disagreed with the decisions courts.

“The debate on judicial governance and court administration within the context of an independent Judiciary has been ongoing since the advent of democracy. The principles of the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary lie at the heart of this debate.

“I would like to reaffirm, on behalf of the executive, our commitment to safeguarding and supporting the independence of the judiciary. We also committed to the creation of a single judiciary that is administratively and operationally independent and led by the judiciary,” Kubayi concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Nigeria to Welcome Global Investors and Founders to Drive Africa’s Next Wave of Deals and Exits

Source: APO – Report:

Hundreds of investors and capital providers are expected to converge in Lagos this October to drive the next phase of deal flow and historic funding opportunities for promising African startups. At Moonshot by TechCabal 2025 (https://Moonshot.TechCabal.com/), Africa’s flagship innovation conference, participants will engage directly with founders, lead conversations on cross-border partnerships, and shape exit strategies designed to accelerate Africa’s innovation economy.

After a global funding slowdown in 2023–2024, African tech is showing early signs of recovery, with startup funding climbing to $1.42 billion across 243 deals (https://apo-opa.co/4nc9Vkh) in the first half of 2025 – a 78% increase from last year. African startups are also expanding into global markets, exporting homegrown solutions to address global challenges. Building on this momentum will require strengthening deal flow, creating more robust exit opportunities, and boosting investor confidence so that capital can be further channelled into the ecosystem. These priorities, and the challenges they present for the ecosystem, will guide discussions among founders, investors, venture capitalists, angels, and limited partners (LPs) at Moonshot, across multiple content tracks.

Driving these conversations across diverse panels and keynotes includes Maxime Bayen, Operating Partner at FundCatalyst (www.TheCatalystFund.com); Lexi Novitske, General Partner, Norrskken 22 (www.Norrsken22.com); Tito Cookey-Gam, Principal at Partech Africa (https://PartechPartners.com); and Eloho Omame, Partner at TLcom Capital (https://TLcomCapital.com), among others. Digital for Development (D4D) (https://D4DHub.eu/), representing the European Union, will also lead a delegation of more than 100 investors and ecosystem leaders from across Europe to Lagos, with their participation set to drive critical conversations and accelerate deal flow between African startups and global capital. 

Speaking about the gathering, Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media (https://BigCabal.com/), said: “The African tech ecosystem is gaining real momentum, and we’re seeing a growing appetite from global investors to back its next wave of startups. This is the moment to connect ambitious founders with the right capital, explore how exit opportunities can sustain growth, and build partnerships that truly scale. At this year’s Moonshot, we’re creating the space for those conversations to happen, turning that momentum into tangible opportunities for founders, investors, and the ecosystem as a whole. And beyond funding, we’re exploring emerging sectors like AI, payments infrastructure, digital assets, and creative industries, while also engaging policymakers, corporates, and ecosystem builders.”

Commenting on their participation, Digital for Development (D4D) Hub Africa Branch Deputy Coordinator, Hussein Jaffar, said, “Moonshot is an important space for putting Global Gateway into action by connecting African innovators with European investors and partners. Through the D4D Hub, the Europe team is working to turn these connections into concrete collaborations, showcasing scalable digital solutions and unlocking new investment opportunities that strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystems and advance our shared global priorities.

Headline sponsored by Sabi (www.Sabi.am), Moonshot 2025 will also spotlight Africa’s bold adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). Also, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade Jumoke Oduwole will share insights into how progressive trade policies are empowering startups, expanding digital services exports, and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s hub for digital trade.

Moonshot by TechCabal, now firmly established as one of the most influential convenings of early- and growth-stage capital on the continent, will also feature a deep-dive session on Africa’s Next-Gen Payment Rails, exploring how Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), digital-first infrastructure, mobile money adoption, and cross-border interoperability are accelerating financial inclusion and powering new growth in trade. Another session will examine the role of cryptocurrencies and digital assets in shaping cross-border payments and opening up new models for financial access across Africa.

“APIs have become the backbone of digital commerce, enabling real-time settlement, embedded finance, and seamless cross-border transactions,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO of Fincra. “At Moonshot 2025, we are focusing on how these technologies can unlock growth and efficiency for businesses across Africa and beyond.”

Moonshot is a key platform for bringing together the people and ideas driving Africa’s digital economy,” said Tomi Oduyemi, Growth Lead of Cardtonic. “It creates the connections and insights that allow innovation to scale and deliver impact across the continent, and we are happy to play a major part this year.

Proudly supported by platinum sponsors Fincra, Raenest (www.Raenest.com), Flutterwave (https://Flutterwave.com/), Luno (www.Luno.com), Cardtonic (https://Cardtonic.com), Roqqu (https://Roqqu.com), Opay (www.Opayweb.com), Interswitch (https://Interswitchgroup.com/) and Busha (www.Busha.io), the two-day gathering is open to global and African VC investors, startup founders, top tech CEOs, policymakers, creatives, students, and support organisations driving Africa’s innovation economy.

With more than 120 speakers, nine signature content tracks, and over 4,000 expected participants, Moonshot 2025 builds on the success of last year’s edition, which convened more than 3,500 attendees from over 15 countries. Registration is still open at https://Moonshot.TechCabal.com/.

– on behalf of Big Cabal Media.

For additional information or an interview with CEO, Tomiwa Aladekomo, please contact:
bigcabalmedia@wimbart.com

About Big Cabal Media:
Big Cabal Media (BCM) is building a next-generation African media-tech company, creating content, brands, and products for Africa’s new generation of digital-first content consumers. BCM comprises leading digital media publications, TechCabal (https://TechCabal.com/) and Zikoko (www.Zikoko.com); content studio Cabal Creative; and digital economy consultancy TC Insights (https://Insights.TechCabal.com/).  

About TechCabal:
Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, TechCabal (https://TechCabal.com/) is the most important tech publication documenting the business and human impact of tech in Africa. TechCabal covers the business and players in Africa’s tech landscape and provides the context, reporting, data, and events to help founders, CEOs, investors, and other decision makers understand how tech is changing Africa.

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