Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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A woman living with disabilities in a camp for displaced people in Nigeria is demonstrating why it is essential that people like her are included in society and how dignity can be protected even in the harshest places.

“Sometimes, it feels like the world isn’t made for people like me,” said Shiminenge, her voice steady despite the weight of the words. In Gbajimba, north-central Nigeria, the 32-year-old navigates daily life in a camp for displaced people that offers little space, safety, or accessibility for people living with disabilities.

Around her, tents stretch across dry, uneven ground. Paths turn muddy and difficult when it rains. Toilets and water points sit farther than she can reach without help. Yet every morning, she pushes through the same obstacles, determined not to disappear in a place that was never designed for her.

Shiminenge is one of more than 480,000 people displaced by intercommunal conflict in Benue State.

She fled her village in Guma in 2018 and has since lived in a camp for internally displaced persons in Gbajimba. Like many others, she left with little more than the hope of finding safety.

But her journey began long before displacement.

At just nine months old, her parents were told she would never be able to walk after a diagnosis that shaped the course of her life. Growing up with a mobility impairment meant constant adjustments and an early understanding of what it means to move through the world without accessible support.

Today, life in the camp has added another layer of daily challenge: poor shelter conditions, no accessible sanitation, and a landscape that is nearly impossible to navigate.

Speaking ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities marked annually on 3 December, she said: “In the camp, every step outside my tent was a struggle.” It’s not just the physical obstacles; it’s the feeling of being invisible, of being forgotten in a place where survival is already so hard.”

Barriers to services and dignity

The sense of invisibility that Shiminenge describes is shared by many people with disabilities in displacement settings. They are often among the most marginalized within internally displaced populations, facing unique barriers to shelter, healthcare, sanitation, and essential services.

In these environments, inaccessible infrastructure and limited targeted support can heighten risks of neglect, exclusion, and abuse. As these barriers add up, they make displacement even more difficult and put the rights and dignity of people with disabilities at greater risk.

Despite these limitations, Shiminenge refused to give up. Resourceful and determined, she began selling mosquito repellent in the camp, earning a small income while also helping protect other camp residents from malaria.

Her resilience soon grew into advocacy. She helped form a disability association in Gbajimba, bringing together 18 other people living with disabilities to push for mobility aids, fair access to resources, and more inclusive facilities.

Camp upgrade

In August 2024, a team with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) visited the camp to assess the living conditions of displaced persons. After years of feeling unseen in a crowded place, the visit felt different. “For the first time here, I felt someone was listening,” she said.

Responding to the association’s requests, IOM with the support of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, led a total camp redesign to ensure that the specific needs of people living with disabilities were addressed with dignity and respect.

As part of this redesign, nearly 4,000 upgraded emergency shelters were constructed in Gbajimba, each built to withstand the region’s seasonal rains and offer safer living conditions for displaced families.

The redesign also introduced a dedicated section for people living with disabilities, offering disability-friendly toilets, accessible water points, and kitchens designed for ease of use.

Throughout the area, gently sloped ramps and communal social spaces were added, allowing residents to move independently and participate more fully in daily camp life.

“These changes mean more than convenience; they give us a sense of dignity and belonging,” she said.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org/).

Africa stands at a crossroads in the flow of global energy dynamics — a pivotal moment where the continent can leverage its abundant fossil fuel resources for equitable development. To ensure this outcome, stakeholders must concentrate investment on key areas like refining capacity, trading networks, and adoption of cleaner fuels if Africa is to be prepared for the 2050 projections covered in the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) 2026 Outlook Report, “The State of African Energy.”

Africa’s need for refined products is set to surge, driven by demographic and economic forces. According to our report, Africa’s refined product demand is projected to climb from approximately 4 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2024 to over 6 million bbl/d by 2050.

While many advanced economies are moving to reduce their dependence on oil and gas, Africa is next in line to benefit from its own — and has every right to do so, just as the developed nations of the world already have. This situation highlights both the opportunities for energy security and the challenges that lie ahead regarding infrastructure development.

A Unique Trajectory

While many other regions around the world are expected to follow the same path toward green alternatives as Europe and North America in the coming years, Africa’s oil demand shows no sign of waning anytime soon. However, Africa’s trajectory is markedly different: Per capita consumption remains the lowest globally, particularly in sub-Saharan African nations, leaving substantial room for expansion as populations and GDPs rise.

Forecasts suggest that the continent’s population could swell by more than 930 million people, reaching nearly 2.4 billion by 2050. This would account for 25% of the world’s population and 63% of global population growth between now and then.

Economic projections are equally substantial, with Africa’s 2050 GDP expected to nearly triple from what it is now to around USD7.8 trillion after growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8-3.9% in the coming decades. Smaller, less developed markets will lead this charge, amplifying demand for energy-intensive activities.

Currently, despite representing 18% of the global population, Africa consumes less than 5% of the world’s oil products and contributes just 3% to global GDP.

This disparity indicates untapped potential.

As the 2026 Outlook Report emphasizes, Africa’s oil demand will continue growing to 2050 and beyond, fueled by population growth, industrialization, and urbanization. Furthermore, while sub-Saharan Africa’s per capita oil demand is the world’s lowest, there is a dire need for an increased supply of oil and gas products, positioning the region as an engine for long-term growth.

Gasoline: Global Growth Will Be African

Africa is poised to become the primary driver of worldwide gasoline demand growth over the long term, offsetting declines in China and member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Our report projects that Africa’s gasoline consumption will exceed 2.2 million bbl/d by 2050, with Nigeria and emerging markets at the forefront.

Nigeria already dominates continental gasoline demand, yet its per capita usage is still comparatively low. In established markets like Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, demand is expected to stagnate in the early 2040s due to overall improving fuel economy, the rise of compressed natural gas (CNG)/liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles in Egypt and Algeria, and electric vehicle (EV) adoption in South Africa.

The spotlight on the transportation sector in our 2026 Outlook Report reveals that the continent’s overall gasoline needs will still rise over the next 25 years as the prevalence of gasoline-powered light-duty vehicle fleets is not expected to wane. Though alternative powertrains like EVs will penetrate the market, they’ll do so slowly due to the inadequate electricity supply and the scarcity of a charging infrastructure. Therefore, gasoline will remain the backbone of personal and commercial mobility, especially in the less developed regions where economic activity requires road transport.

Diesel/Gasoil: Fueling Industrial and Extractive Expansion

Diesel/gasoil will see even more pronounced growth, with consumption expected to increase by about 880,000 bbl/d by 2050, nearly 50% from current levels, and growing to just under 2.7 million bbl/d. This positions Africa as the top growth region for the product, surpassing Latin America.

Beyond road transport, demand will be propelled by the extractive industries. Investments in critical minerals that support energy transition (e.g., lithium, cobalt, and nickel) are accelerating in mineral-rich Central and Southern Africa. Much of the growth in demand for diesel/gasoil will come from countries like Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Development in the Copperbelt region between Zambia and the DRC, with initiatives like the Lobito Corridor project, will intensify diesel needs for mining operations and power generation.

Private and commercial trucking will further contribute, as population and GDP growth will necessitate an increase in the transportation of goods in general. Unlike gasoline, diesel’s versatility in heavy-duty applications will ensure a sustained demand, even as cleaner alternatives emerge in other sectors.

Aviation Fuels: Recovery and Long-Term Ascent

Jet fuel and kerosene demand is on the verge of a strong rebound in Africa with expectations that it will surpass its pre-COVID levels in 2025. Inter- and intra-regional air travel is regaining momentum, with consumption projected to top 280,000 bbl/d this year and increase 65% by 2050, reaching a rate of 465,000 bbl/d.

Along with population expansion, this growth will stem from tourism, business travel, the gradual growth of an urban middle class, and infrastructure investments. Projects like Ethiopia’s new airport southeast of Addis Ababa and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will enhance connectivity, increasing passenger air travel and freight transport.

A Cleaner Cooking Solution with Untapped Potential

Amid rising demand for refined products, LPG as a cooking fuel is the standout opportunity for cleaner energy. Our 2026 Outlook Report identifies LPG as the most abundant and practical alternative to traditional biomass and coal for African households as it offers health and environmental benefits as well as a means of reducing emissions.

Today, over 900 million Africans lack access to clean cooking solutions, relying on wood, dung, coal, or paraffin — fuels that cause toxic indoor pollution, deforestation, and high greenhouse gas emissions. The switch to LPG would reduce particulate matter by 98% and save 1.2 million hectares of forest annually (a quarter of global deforestation). More importantly, this would also reduce the number of deaths and the prevalence of the devastating health conditions that these particulates cause. The conversion to LPG cooking would also cut black carbon emissions by 117 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year. Overall, CO2 reductions could reach 279 million tonnes per year, an amount comparable to the total emissions of mid-sized nations like Taiwan or Malaysia.

Despite these advantages, LPG use remains low at under 20 million tonnes per year. Our report, based on S&P Global Commodity Insights data as of June 2025, predicts only modest growth, with Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and others contributing to a slight rise as we head toward 2050.

Barriers and Pathways Forward

The modest projections in our report can be attributed to persistent policy and infrastructure hurdles. Regulatory frameworks, consumer financing plans, and distribution networks in rural and low-income areas would all need development. Without targeted investments, demand will remain suppressed.

The upside potential is significant, however. Countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire demonstrate that, with supportive policies, LPG adoption can accelerate. As our report suggests, if the latent demand for LPG was unleashed, projected consumption in 2050 could more than double from current forecasts.

Africa’s surge in demand for refined products is a multifaceted issue that will require proactive planning. Over USD20 billion in downstream infrastructure investment is needed by 2050 to handle imports and distribution. Flagship projects like Nigeria’s Dangote refinery are vital but insufficient on their own, and the smaller initiatives we are seeing in Angola and Uganda won’t bridge the gap.

As our 2026 Outlook Report illustrates, Africa’s energy future is one of tremendous growth. To ensure that this future will be prosperous and support the growing needs of all Africans, policymakers, investors, and international partners must prioritize efficient trading, local refining, and a transition to fuels like LPG to maximize value for the continent’s 2.4 billion people by mid-century.

“The State of African Energy: 2026 Outlook Report” is available for download. Visit https://apo-opa.co/3MuIyV8 to request your copy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator (DSRSG/RC) in Libya, accompanied by the Ambassador of Italy, visited Misratah on 23 November to assess efforts to remove remaining hazards from the site of the 31 August explosion.

“The United Nations stand with the families and communities affected by this tragic incident,” said DSRSG/RC Ulrika Richardson.

The blast originated from an ammunition depot located in a populated area, where unstable munitions ignited and triggered a large secondary explosion. It affected a three-to-four-kilometre radius, injuring 16 people and damaging multiple commercial buildings and homes.

The Libyan Mine Action Centre led the emergency response, with support from five national and international non-governmental organisations. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s (UNSMIL) Mine Action Service (UNMAS) provided technical support and coordination.

Italy is funding the ongoing clearance operation. To date, teams under Italy-funded projects have safely disposed of 8,702 UXO items, and 7,419 m² of contaminated land have been cleared within an 18,367 m² hazardous area.

“Strengthening ammunition management systems is urgent to prevent further harm and loss of life,” DSRSG/RC Richardson said, stressing the need to move storage sites away from residential areas. “Additional investment and strong national leadership at all levels will be key to addressing future challenges concerning explosive remnants of war and promote long term peace and security across Libya.”

The DSRSG and the Italian Ambassador also met with the Municipal Council and mine action partners at the Libyan Mine Action Centre’s regional office. They visited the National Centre for Artificial Limbs, where dedicated staff walked them through the essential prosthetic and rehabilitation services provided to survivors of conflict and unexploded ordnance incidents.

DSRSG/RC Richardson and Ambassador Alberini praised the centre’s commitment to nationalising care.

“Restoring the functionality and dignity of all victims of explosive remnants of war must remain a collective priority,” DSRSG/RC Richardson said.

The Municipal Council and Brigadier General Khalil Al-Shibli, the director of the Libya Mine Action Centre, expressed appreciation for support in decontaminating the area, noting the positive impact on community safety and calling for additional assistance to address remaining hazards.

DSRSG/RC Richardson thanked Italy and other donors, and reaffirmed UNSMIL’s commitment to support national efforts to secure and effectively manage weapons stockpiles, clear explosive ordnance, and protect civilians.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: APO – Report:

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Finance Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the meeting reviewed the key features and details of the second tax facilitation package, titled supporting and stimulating tax compliance. This package is part of a broader tax facilitation strategy that includes four packages; the first aims at opening a new chapter and building trust between the Tax Authority and taxpayers, and the second aims at stimulating tax compliance while continuing to support and simplify procedures, enhance automation, expand the base, and ensure tax compliance in future packages.

The Minister of Finance noted that the second package targets all segments of the tax-compliant community and aims to support compliant taxpayers through tax benefits and facilitations that enhance trust, promote voluntary compliance, help businesses grow, support their competitiveness, and guarantee the rights of taxpayers while ensuring liquidity for both taxpayers and companies. He also presented efforts to complete the tax reform process to encourage investment, within the framework of a “Trust Partnership” with the business community, through the launch of the tax facilitation initiative, which has proven successful in the first package.

Mr. Kouchouk pointed out that this initiative had presented a successful model for the desired change for the benefit of the business community and the Egyptian economy. A total of 400,000 cases in which old files were voluntarily closed, and 650,000 taxpayers filed new or amended returns with additional taxes of around 78 billion Egyptian pounds. Additionally, new and additional business volumes totaling about one trillion pounds were reported.

The Minister of Finance also highlighted the second package’s focus on improving the efficiency of the Value Added Tax (VAT) refund system, launching premium tax service centers, and introducing a series of incentives for tax-compliant individuals, along with several other reforms addressing requests from the business community, taxpayers, accountants, and tax experts.

The President gave directives to launch the second tax package, while emphasizing the importance of continuously developing the tax system, building new relationships based on trust, credibility, and certainty, improving all tax services, providing additional facilities, and fostering trust with investors.

The Minister of Finance also reviewed developments in the preparation and implementation of property tax facilitation measures. He explained that the tax vision aims to reduce the tax burden, considering both the social and economic aspects, simplify tax procedures, implement digital transformation, and address the cons identified through practical application. The facilitations offered by the state include simplifying tax returns, extending the assessment and collection period to seven years, raising the exemption threshold for private housing, suspending or waiving taxes in times of crisis, eliminating tax debts and late fees in specific cases, improving the tax appeal process, introducing electronic tax payments, and setting a cap on late fees not exceeding the principal tax amount.

The meeting reviewed the financial and economic performance and efforts to regain investor confidence, in line with a comprehensive and consistent economic vision to increase the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy. The Minister confirmed that economic activity is moving in a positive direction, with private investments growing by 73% in the last fiscal year, noting balanced and encouraging indicators that help restore investor confidence in the Egyptian economy. He emphasized the commitment to maintaining a large primary surplus to increase spending on human development and social protection programs, and to effectively contribute to stimulating manufacturing and exports.

The Minister of Finance reviewed the plan to develop the customs system, which was prepared in full cooperation between the Ministry of Finance (Customs Authority) and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. The plan reflects the needs of production projects and business chambers, aiming to address the challenges faced by the business community and implement policies that support and encourage investors. This will contribute to increasing exports and enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy through simplifying procedures and developing the customs system.

The Minister outlined three key areas of the customs development plan: reducing customs release times, facilitating and automating the customs system, and strengthening control measures to limit smuggling. He mentioned plans to apply a unified and fast inspection system, expand pre-clearance procedures, accept electronic payments, and train customs staff to improve their technical capabilities.

The Minister of Finance presented efforts to reduce the budgetary debt-to-GDP ratio as a national priority, stressing the continued implementation of the budget debt management strategy. He added that the private sector has shown strong confidence in the potential of the Egyptian economy and investment climate, leading to major investment deals such as the “Ras El-Hekma” and “Alam El-Roum” projects.

President El-Sisi emphasized the need to build on the current improvement in economic indicators and work towards increasing private investments to confirm the private sector’s ability to drive growth and development. The President also stressed the importance of investing in human resources through innovative programs and initiatives, alongside training, to ensure performance improvements that serve the economy. Furthermore, President El-Sisi underscored the importance of taking necessary measures to implement digital transformation in the Ministry of Finance’s operations, including in customs and taxes, while stressing continued governance in all procedures.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

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• Joint African Action is the Only Way to Face Challenges and Conflicts and Build a Development Model Based on the Exchange of Expertise
• The Egyptian Private Sector Plays a Pivotal Role in Infrastructure Development in Many Countries… We are Open to Transferring Our Development Expertise and Experience
• Integration with African Countries is an Extension of Egypt’s Historical Role in Supporting the Continent’s Interests
• Maximizing the Benefit from South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation to Expand the Scope of Development Solutions and Build Cross-Border Partnerships

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held an expanded meeting with 7 African country ambassadors, including Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Cameroon, Uganda, and Senegal. This took place during the activities of the First Egyptian-African Economic Conference, organized by “Al-Ahram Hebdo” newspaper under the theme “The Africa We Want: Integration and Partnership for the Future.”

The meeting discussed efforts to achieve development in the continent and the joint relations between Egypt and sisterly and friendly countries to face the challenges confronting African nations, strengthen interconnectedness through joint infrastructure projects, increase trade exchange rates and joint investments, and create effective partnerships between the private sectors.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, reaffirmed that H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, regularly emphasizes boosting cooperation and integration with the continent’s countries to create a joint economic future. She clarified that joint African action is the only way to face challenges and conflicts and build a development model based on the exchange of expertise.

Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that achieving development in the African continent depends on strengthening ties and integration among the continent’s countries, which constitute an economic bloc rich in resources, capable of playing a pivotal role in the global economy. She noted that Egypt is keen to exert every effort to halt the disputes and conflicts that impede development in the continent’s countries.

Minister Al-Mashat reiterated that the relations linking Egypt with its African partners are not merely diplomatic messages but an effective commitment to boosting joint action, through the entry of the Egyptian private sector into the continent via important infrastructure projects and the implementation of connectivity projects like the Cairo-Cape Town project. This is in addition to continuous cooperation to exchange expertise with the continent’s countries in preparing feasibility studies for projects, and maximizing benefit from Egypt’s expertise in the field of international cooperation and development finance.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat indicated that Joint Committees are considered one of the innovative mechanisms for strengthening relations, with the Egyptian-Algerian Joint Committee recently convened. These committees contribute to enhancing priorities and exploring areas of joint cooperation.

Minister Al-Mashat also referred to the green transition file and the resources the continent possesses to become a center for renewable energy in light of its unique natural resources. In this regard, Egypt and the continent’s countries are enhancing their partnership with the World Bank to implement its initiative to make renewable energy accessible to 300 million people on the continent.

Dr. Al-Mashat underscored the role of the African Development Bank and other international institutions in advocating for enhanced private sector participation.

The Minister said: “As Egypt’s Governor at the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and other institutions, there is a growing global interest in fostering cooperation with Africa. The EBRD recently added Sub-Saharan African countries to its countries of operation, which reflects the global trend toward the continent.”

Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation launched a South-South and Triangular Cooperation Strategy in 2024 to maximize the benefit from South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation to expand the scope of development solutions and build cross-border partnerships. She mentioned that integration with African brothers is an extension of Egypt’s historical role in supporting the continent’s interests.

During the meeting, the African ambassadors reaffirmed their appreciation for the efforts undertaken by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to promote joint African action, attempt to establish fundamental solutions to the challenges facing the continent, and achieve interconnectedness and integration among countries at various levels, particularly given the continent’s rich natural and human potential.

The participating ambassadors also expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation through economic diplomacy and coordination in international forums to raise the continent’s voice and demands.

The African ambassadors proposed a number of initiatives and suggestions, most notably enhancing inter-African tourism by linking Egyptian tourism networks with tourism channels in the continent’s countries to create new routes, including eco-tourism and forest and natural areas tourism, and benefiting from Egypt’s ability to attract foreign tourists to redirect part of the tourist movement towards other African countries, in addition to enhancing cooperation in the fields of: “education, health, communications, and the exchange of expertise between governmental institutions and the private sector in the continent’s countries.”

– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.