Category: MIL-OSI

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Talks to postpone naval exercise with Russia, China amid G20 Summit preparations

Source: Government of South Africa

Talks to postpone naval exercise with Russia, China amid G20 Summit preparations

In light of the activities of South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency, the Department of Defence has announced that it is in discussions regarding the postponement of the joint naval exercise scheduled for November 2025, involving South Africa, Russia, and China. 

According to reports, the upcoming naval exercise was set to coincide with the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which will take place on 22 and 23 November 2025, in Johannesburg.

“In consultation with the Presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the Department of Defence is engaging its counterparts in the People’s Republic of China on a postponement of the exercise to a mutually suitable date.

“This is to ensure that the exercises do not impact the logistical, security and other arrangements associated with South Africa’s G20 Presidency,” the statement read. 

The Department of Defence said this is the third iteration of the exercise, which takes place every two years between these BRICS partners, with China as the host for this year’s exercise.

The department believes that South Africa’s participation in military exercises of this nature with various countries is part of the furtherance of sound multilateral and bilateral relations. 

“As it has in the past, South Africa continues to hold joint military exercises with a broad range of countries. In the last few years, the SANDF [South African National Defence Force] has conducted joint and multinational military exercises with countries such as Brazil, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.” 

A naval exercise is a military drill intended to evaluate tactics, enhance interoperability, and foster cooperation among navies. 

These exercises typically incorporate both simulations and real-world scenarios, including tactical manoeuvres, search and rescue operations, and anti-piracy drills. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile

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Justice department taps into AI to improve its work

Source: Government of South Africa

Justice department taps into AI to improve its work

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has begun work with the Law Reform Commission and other agencies to assess how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact South African laws and how the technology can enhance the work of the department.

This, according to Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who participated in a webinar on intellectual property, artificial intelligence, justice and rights on Thursday afternoon.

“This will help us to review and suggest possible amendments of our policies and legislation.

“We currently do not have a policy as a country, [however] we are in the process of making the policy through the Department of Communication and Digital Technology, and the document has been released again in July this year for final comments and therefore going to cabinet and should be adopted,” she said.

The Minister reflected on how there are “many areas” within which AI can enhance and support the department’s work and boost service delivery. 

“For example, part of our work includes the work of the Masters office, which deals with millions of South Africans on daily basis… giving them information on how the Masters office can assist them. In this area we can introduce bots that are now very popular in the private sector.

“These robots are able to interact, offer services, give information, and so on. I believe this is how this is the low-hanging fruit that as a department, you can be able to exploit,” she said.

Kubayi cited the SA Revenue Service’s (SARS) use as how this technology can be seamlessly integrated.

“SARS is already using bots that are powered by ChatGPT and I visited the offices in Centurion and I was actually impressed. We are working with them to be able to assist us in terms of our services but also to be able to automate and provide responses to some of the questions that people are having.

“Also AI can assist automating our IT system so that our work can be more efficient and effective,” Kubayi said.

The Minister highlighted that the technology is also being looked at as a tool to proactively detect corruption and in the process of undertaking lifestyle audits.

“AI can detect patterns and can collect data about individuals at a rapid rate and be able to detect unusual behaviour that suggests corruption or fraud activities. 

“So if we look at this one…whether it’s within the work that is done by [Special Investigating Unit] or the IDAC  [Investigating Directorate Against Corruption], we believe this is one of the critical areas utilisation of AI, and that’s why we’ve taken a decision to train quite a number of our investigators in this area and prosecutors.

“[We] do believe that this will be able to assist us to pick up lifestyle patterns, to pick up where there are issues to be able to spot areas of concern and individuals of interest so that they can be able to cap corruption [at source]…because we do believe that prevention would be more better than having to react,” Kubayi explained. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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Mashatile to officiate annual SAPS Commemoration Day

Source: Government of South Africa

Mashatile to officiate annual SAPS Commemoration Day

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to join the families of police officers and reservists who lost their lives in the line of duty at the annual South African Police Service (SAPS) Commemoration Day on Sunday, 7 September 2025.

This poignant event will be held at the SAPS Memorial Site, located at the Union Buildings, in Pretoria.

According to the Presidency, this year’s commemoration will honour 27 members of the SAPS who have tragically fallen while serving in the twelve months from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Every year, on the first Sunday of September, the nation pays tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service and protection of its citizens.

Last year, the country honoured the 39 women and men in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 to March 2024. 

Their names have been engraved on the SAPS memorial wall at the Union Buildings as a symbol of gratitude for the sacrifices made in serving and protecting the nation.

Speaking at last year’s commemoration day, the Deputy President said an attack on the SAPS is an assault on the state itself and that those responsible for such acts, equivalent to treason, must face decisive action.

“National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, police officers must not die with their service firearms in their holsters when criminals refuse to surrender and start firing at police. When a shootout ensues between police and criminals, police have a duty to protect their lives, as well as those of their colleagues and all community members,” he said then. 

He also took the time to acknowledge that being a police officer was one of the most dangerous occupations, and one may feel anxious knowing that they may leave their family for work and never return.

The Deputy President emphasised the urgent need for a collaborative approach to tackle internal challenges within the SAPS. 

This includes addressing low morale among officers, the involvement of some members in criminal activities, and the issues related to ageing infrastructure.

He believes that such measures are essential to empower the police force to effectively fulfil their constitutional obligations and serve the community. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile

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Top legal minds meet in G20 gathering

Source: Government of South Africa

Top legal minds meet in G20 gathering

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has urged judiciaries around the globe to “step forward and affirm the enduring power of the law” in an ever increasingly challenging environment.

The Chief Justice was addressing the J20 Summit of Constitutional and Supreme Court leaders in Johannesburg.

The summit is held under the engagements of the Group of 20 (G20), which South Africa is chairing.

“This summit is for us more than a mere diplomatic courtesy. It is a historical convergence, a deliberate and necessary assembly of the judicial guardians of the free world at a time when the pillars of democracy and human dignity are under unprecedented strain and the very foundations of justice are being tested and reshaped by global change.

“In the grand tapestry of human progress, there are moments that demand not just reflection, but resolution; moments that call upon the stewards of justice to step forward and affirm the enduring power of the law in an imperilled world. This is one of those moments,” Maya said.

She described the judiciary as the “sentinel of society”, where the powerful are held liable and the voiceless are heard.

“The Judiciary [is]… the neutral ground upon which the powerful are held to account and the vulnerable find their voice. We are the custodians of the social contract, entrusted with the sacred duty to interpret not only the letter of the law but also its spirit – the timeless pursuit of fairness, equity, and truth. 

“And on our watch, the instruments of justice upon which humanity relies to maintain social order and prosperity of her nations are most ruthlessly tested by a new and alien class of challenges, challenges that are amorphous, borderless, and are evolving at a pace that often outstrips the deliberate cadence of the law. 

“It is now not so unusual for our courtrooms to adjudicate cases that involve interests straddling continents. Our court rolls abound with disputes born in the digital realm and difficult social dysfunction and our precedents must wrestle realities which those who came before us could never have imagined,” she said.

Judicial independence

Maya told the summit, which was attended by heads of judiciary from all over the world, that South Africa’s judiciary is in the process of becoming fully independent.

She described this independence as of “utmost importance for the courts to effectively play their crucial role and conserve an impartial judicial process”.

“[Currently] the Executive still maintains control over the budget and financial management of the Judiciary, which is the heart of the power and ability to meaningfully run anything at all.

“The Judiciary has limited control over key components of court administration, such as the establishment of magistrates’ courts, the appointment of magistrates and support staff, security and Information Technology with many of our court buildings, especially the magistrates’ courts that serve as courts of first contact, in poor condition due to years of underfunding and neglect. 

“These systemic challenges adversely affect the lives of the communities we serve and ultimately impede the delivery of justice,” she said.

The Chief Justice reflected on a meeting held with President Cyril Ramaphosa and the national executive to discuss reforms which are expected to pave way for full independence.

“That meeting highlighted the importance of cooperation among the branches of government, whilst maintaining a delicate balance and ensuring that they do not overstep the relevant boundaries and encroach into each other’s terrain and proved that it is possible under the principle of separation of powers for the arms of the State to support one another, as they must, to uphold the Constitution.

“It gives me great delight to announce that the South African Judiciary is finally on the path to full institutional independence, and that the technical teams of the Executive and the Judiciary are working feverishly to bring this constitutional imperative to reality,” Maya said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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L’Africa Oil Week rencontre des obstacles au Ghana pour des frais de service impayés

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Sankofa Advisory Group et Paul Sinclair, propriétaire de l’Africa Oil Week (AOW), sont poursuivis en justice par l’Africa Prosperity Network (APN) (https://AfricaProsperityNetwork.com/), organisateur des Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), pour non-paiement de frais de service d’un montant de 300 000 dollars pour des travaux non rémunérés au Ghana et pour avoir exploité sa réputation et ses ressources au profit de l’AOW.

L’APN s’est associé au Sankofa Advisory Group pour transférer l’AOW du Cap, en Afrique du Sud, à Accra, au Ghana, en 2024. L’accord de partenariat, signé en juillet dernier, prévoyait une collaboration sur l’AOW et l’Africa Mining Week, le Sankofa Advisory Group apportant son soutien aux Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) de l’APN.

APN accuse Sankofa Events d’avoir résilié son accord de partenariat avec AOW et de ne pas avoir payé les frais de service pour le travail effectué en 2024 et 2025.

La société affirme que Sankofa Advisory Group a non seulement manqué à ses obligations en vertu de l’accord, alors qu’elle bénéficiait de la réputation et des ressources d’APN, mais qu’elle a également résilié l’accord de mauvaise foi en mai dernier. La plainte déposée par APN indique également que Paul Sinclair et Sankofa Advisory Group ont induit APN en erreur en affirmant à tort que de hauts responsables gouvernementaux ghanéens avaient fait pression sur M. Sinclair pour qu’il rompe ses liens avec APN.

En plus des 300 000 dollars correspondant aux frais de service impayés, APN réclame également des intérêts sur ce montant à compter de mai 2025 jusqu’au paiement, 50 % des sponsors présentés à AOW par APN, des dommages-intérêts généraux pour rupture de contrat et les frais d’avocat.

APN est une organisation à but non lucratif qui se consacre à la promotion de l’Agenda 2063 de l’Union africaine, axé sur la prospérité et l’intégration économique de l’Afrique. Elle gère les Africa Prosperity Dialogues, une plateforme de partenariat entre les dirigeants africains, la société civile et le monde universitaire, qui favorise le partage des connaissances et propose des solutions axées sur les résultats. APN soutient la promotion et la mise en œuvre de politiques grâce à des partenariats stratégiques, en proposant des politiques concrètes et des projets bancables.

Distribué par APO Group pour Africa Prosperity Network.

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Africa Oil Week Hits Speed Bumps in Ghana for Unpaid Service Fees

Source: APO

Sankofa Advisory Group and Paul Sinclair – the owner of Africa Oil Week (AOW) – is being sued by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) (https://AfricaProsperityNetwork.com/), organizers of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) for unpaid service fees for $300,000 for unpaid work in Ghana and exploiting its reputation and resources for AOW’s own benefit.

APN partnered with Sankofa Advisory Group to relocate AOW from Cape Town, South Africa to Accra, Ghana in 2024. The partnership agreement, signed in July last year, included collaboration on AOW and Africa Mining Week, with Sankofa Advisory Group supporting APN’s Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD).

APN is accusing Sankofa Events of terminating its partnership agreement with AOW and unpaid service fees for work carried out in 2024 and 2025.

The company alleges that Sankofa Advisory Group not only failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreement – despite benefiting from APN’s reputation and resources – but also terminated the agreement in bad faith in May this year. The lawsuit brought forward by APN also states that Paul Sinclair and Sankofa Advisory Group misled APN – falsely stating that senior government officials in Ghana had pressured Sinclair to cut ties with APN.

Additional to $300,000 for unpaid service fees APN is also claiming interest on the amount from May 2025 until payment; 50% from sponsors introduced to AOW by APN, general damages for breach of contract and costs for solicitor’s fees.

APN is a non-profit organization focused on advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, focused promoting Africa’s prosperity and economic integration. It runs the Africa Prosperity Dialogues – a platform for partnerships among African leaders, civil society and academia, providing knowledge sharing and results-oriented solutions. APN powers advocacy and implementation through strategic partnerships, delivering actionable policies and bankable projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Prosperity Network.

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Senator Rasha Kelej received Zimbabwe First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to discuss the strategy to reshape patient care in Zimbabwe and celebrate the success of their joint programs

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 recently. It was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative and H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” along with First Ladies of Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé & Príncipe and Senegal.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “It gives me great joy to have the presence of my dear sister, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit. It has been an incredible journey since we began our partnership with my dear sister in 2019. I am proud that together we have provided 130 scholarships to young Zimbabwean doctors across 44 critical and underserved specialties to transform healthcare access in the country. Through our partnership, we are building a strong and self-reliant healthcare workforce in Zimbabwe that will be capable of delivering specialized and equitable care to communities in need.”

H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, the First Lady of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” shared, “Through our long-term partnership, we have made unprecedented progress in building healthcare capacity and driving community awareness. I am happy that 130 scholarships have been provided for our local doctors in vital specialties such as Diabetes, Fertility, Oncology, Psychiatry, Neurology, and more. I am also proud of ‘Educating Linda’ initiative, through which we are supporting 40 underprivileged Zimbabwean schoolgirls, ensuring they complete their education and have the opportunity to realize their dreams. Through our partnership with Merck Foundation, we are not only shaping a healthier but more empowered Zimbabwe.”

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Zimbabwe& Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/3I8EesZ

Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, the First Lady of Zimbabwe, and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”: https://apo-opa.co/4mj4b7r

On day 2 of the Summit, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African and Asian First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed.

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://apo-opa.co/4gboIJx

Together with Zimbabwe First Lady, Merck Foundation has provided 130 scholarships for local doctors in Zimbabwe in many critical and underserved specialties. Out of 130 scholarships:

  • 56 scholarships have been provided to doctors in Diabetes, Endocrinology, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Obesity & Weight Management. These specialists will thus gain the expertise to establish dedicated clinics in hospitals and health centres, significantly enhancing the prevention and management of diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases for the benefit of people in the country.
  • 34 scholarships have been awarded in Fertility, Embryology, and the one-year diploma and two-year master’s degree programs in Sexual & Reproductive Care. This will not only help in breaking the stigma surrounding infertility but also in advancing women’s health.
  • 40 scholarships have been awarded in critical yet underserved specialties, including Oncology and Cancer Care, Respiratory Care, Acute Medicine, Pain Management, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Neuroimaging for Research, Pediatrics, Critical Care, Care for Older Person and Rheumatology. These fields are essential for strengthening the country’s healthcare system and improving patient care nationwide.

“We have been working persistently since 2012 to build healthcare capacity in Africa and beyond. We have provided total of 2280 scholarships to young doctors in Africa and Asia across 52 countries till date. We are honored to have Zimbabwe First Lady and their Health Ministry as a committed partner with us”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation has also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Zimbabwe for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields. The objective of these awards is to inspire young talents in the country to create work that can help spread messages on social and health issues like Break Infertility Stigma, Support Girl Education, Stop Gender Based Violence, End Child Marriage, End FGM, and Women Empowerment at all levels and raise awareness about early detection & prevention of Diabetes & Hypertension.

Moreover, to address these critical issues, Merck Foundation together with the office of The First Lady of Zimbabwe, has also conducted 5 editions of their Online Health Media Training to encourage media to be the voice of the voiceless and raise awareness.

Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of Zimbabwe, Merck Foundation has also launched seven children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, and “Mark’s Pressure”. The storybooks address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, diabetes and hypertension awareness.

The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/47YreAC), X (http://apo-opa.co/4g41rck) , Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/42cdrCM), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3JM8oTt).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3V0aHoo), X (http://apo-opa.co/4pcxnzE), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/4neJyKi), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4n7djwo).

Link to the Facebook live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/47WEANS

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

• 2280+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

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

• 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues

• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs

• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa

• 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages – English, French, and Portuguese

• 7 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.

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

• 950+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls to empower them to complete their studies

  • 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/47YreAC
X: https://apo-opa.co/4g41rck
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3JM8oTt
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/42cdrCM
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/42c0wRp
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4lVrVxV
Website: http://www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4g4O5MV

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/46j7CWG), X (https://apo-opa.co/4g7fjCJ), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/45O3jmc), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/46krOHH), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4pc2mfa) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4ni2wji).

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

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How to Drive Africa’s Energy Transition (By Anibor Kragha)

Source: APO

By Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary, African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) (https://ARDA.Africa/).

External expectations have framed Africa’s role in the energy transition for years. Despite facing different realities, such as limited infrastructure, restricted access to capital, and less influence in global energy policy, it has been assumed that Africa will follow the same decarbonisation path as developed economies.

This way of thinking is misaligned with today’s realities. Africa’s priorities—improving access, promoting industrial growth, and building resilience—must be reflected in its energy strategy. The continent is actively involved in the global shift. It is, however, doing this on its own terms.

At the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), we believe the continent’s energy transition must be designed in Africa, for Africa, balancing three urgent imperatives: expanding energy access, driving industrial growth, and prioritising energy security for the continent That means shaping policies, financing mechanisms, and partnerships that work for Africa rather than copying models that do not.

Across Africa, governments and private sector players are investing in diversified energy portfolios that reflect both local needs and global sustainability goals. In Angola, construction is progressing on a 35MW solar project, part of a broader pipeline exceeding 3GW of planned solar, wind, and hydropower developments.

In Uganda, the 250MW Bujagali hydropower plant continues to play a vital role in stabilising the national electricity supply. Meanwhile, South Africa is advancing a 316MW solar PV installation paired with 500MWh of battery storage.

These projects indicate a significant move toward energy independence and long-term resilience. The continent is not only catching up with global energy trends but also accelerating them, with locally-led solutions and designed with long-lasting impact.

Bold vision, however, is not enough. To scale Africa’s energy transition, there will need to be structural follow-through. Three crucial factors will determine if the continent can move from prospective projects to transformative change: sustainable finance, regional integration, and investor-friendly policy frameworks.

1. Sustainable Finance

The African Development Bank estimates that Africa’s energy transition will cost around $100 billion per year between 2020 and 2040.

Current capital flows fall significantly short, and the financing that does exist often comes with higher risk premiums, shorter loan terms and limited flexibility.

ARDA is championing innovative financing models that blend public and private capital, lower investment risks, and align global climate finance with Africa’s development priorities. To attract serious investment, Africa needs to utilise smart financing strategies that utilise public and private money, reduce risks for investors, and encourage global institutions to support energy projects. This approach can minimise risks for investors and encourage institutions to back energy projects. It’s also vital to prioritise initiatives that merge renewable energy with storage systems. Not only do these projects help cut down emissions, but they also ensure a steady electricity supply, support various industries, and ultimately, strengthen the economy.

2. Regional Integration

Many African countries remain reliant on fragmented, underpowered national grids that struggle to attract large-scale investment. Regional integration is essential, and it depends on harmonised regulations, cross-border infrastructure, and shared power resources. Initiatives like the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) lay the groundwork for collaboration. What we need now is political unity and focused investment to transform these initiatives into platforms for energy security and economic growth.

3. Policy Frameworks

Africa is catching the eye of global investors, but what it needs is predictability. Governments must consider implementing policies that simplify the process of permitting, financing, and running energy projects. Whether it’s through feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, or local regulations, the aim remains the same: to cut down on uncertainty, reduce costs and attract long-term investments. ARDA works with policymakers to design frameworks that enable private participation, ensuring that energy projects are not only bankable but also deliver lasting local value.

The countries that will lead the continent’s energy shift are those that provide a stable and transparent environment, allowing both public and private players to collaborate with confidence. Most importantly, this energy transition must create local value. It should focus on building skills, transferring technology, and sparking new industries, from battery production to green hydrogen. Every megawatt generated should be viewed not just as electricity produced, but as a job created, a business empowered, and a supply chain bolstered.

Africa’s energy transition is about making smart choices. Cleaner fuels like natural gas will continue to play a vital role in the short to medium term, particularly in replacing high-emission diesel and fuel oil in power generation and transport. Mozambique, through its significant gas reserves and ongoing LNG initiatives, plays an increasingly important role in shaping Africa’s transitional energy future. These transition fuels are essential to maintaining reliability while building capacity for a low-carbon future.

The investments we make today must be forward-thinking, aimed at speeding up the transition to a diverse, low-emission energy economy that promotes inclusive growth and progress. The global community stands to gain immensely from the continent’s transition. The real question isn’t whether Africa will make this shift; it’s about how quickly and decisively the world is ready to back that journey.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA).

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KZN Finance commends uMkhanyakude municipality’s commitment on financial discipline

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, September 4, 2025

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has commended an undertaking by uMkhanyakude District Municipality leadership to improve consequence management and enforce accountability against officials implicated in financial misconduct.

Rodgers met with uMkhanyakude mayor Siphile Mdaka and senior officials this week at the provincial Treasury offices in Pietermaritzburg to address financial management concerns flagged by the Auditor-General.

Among the key issues raised included non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), overspending, incurring of unauthorised expenditure, and poor debt collection.

Mayor Mdaka assured that both the political and administrative leadership at the municipality were committed to turn around the situation and requested KZN Treasury to help improve financial management.

Mdaka also announced that the municipality has since appointed its own internal audit and risk committees, a function that was previously outsourced.

The municipality further welcomed the return of KZN Treasury’s support to its supply chain management function.

Rodgers described the move by the municipality to have its own audit risk committee, as an important step, urging the municipality to act on the committees’ findings.

“You must now make sure that their findings and recommendations are heeded and corrective measures taken so the municipality achieves compliance with financial management laws and regulations,” Rodgers said.

The MEC emphasised his focus on building a capable and ethical state.

“As agreed by both institutions, we look forward to clearly defined action plans and turnaround strategies, with time frames. Our Treasury team is on hand to guide this process [but] as the political leaders of our institutions, it then becomes our mandate to monitor this process to ensure success,” Rodgers said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Police recover R3 million worth of copper cable belonging to Transnet

Source: Government of South Africa

Transnet has welcomed the arrest of five suspects for allegedly being in possession of copper cable worth approximately R3 million at an unregistered scrapyard in Gauteng.

The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation by a multidisciplinary team, which led them to a scrapyard in De Deur. 

The team discovered large quantities of copper cable and seized homemade stoves, reportedly used to burn the copper. Preliminary investigations further established that the copper cable belonged to Transnet.

The five suspects will soon appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of stolen infrastructure, dealing with second hand goods without a license and contravening the Immigration Act

In a seperate incident, 21 individuals suspected of critical infrastructure theft with an estimated value of about R350 000 were arrested on Monday at a Transnet depot in Swartkops, Gqeberha.

The suspects were found in possession of several bags filled with copper bus bars, transformers, electrical switches, copper cables and electrical cables.

When Transnet security personnel at the depot spotted trespassers on the premises, they alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS). 

The Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips, applauded these arrests as a demonstration of the success of the collaboration between Transnet security personnel and law enforcement agencies. 

“Our work is beginning to make serious inroads in dismantling the destructive criminal syndicates targeting essential infrastructure. We will continue to focus on fighting crimes which are responsible for the destruction of our essential infrastructure,” Phillips said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Transnet also welcomed the successful conviction and sentencing of three cable theft criminals. 

These convicts were prosecuted and sentenced by the Molteno Regional Court in the Eastern Cape on 27 August 2025, for theft of copper cables, possession of stolen copper, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The case was linked to an incident that occurred in December 2021, when police and Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) security received intelligence-driven information regarding vehicles transporting stolen copper cable theft in the Stormberg area.

The court handed down sentences of 15 years of jail time for the theft and possession of copper cables and a further three months imprisonment for breach of the Immigration Act to each of the suspects. 

The investigation was led by the Komani-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) of the Hawks.

Transnet said these successes illustrate the impact of collaboration with SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), State Security Agency (SSA), Eskom, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), and other state entities, including the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. –SAnews.gov.za