MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

.

The African Union Commission’s Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (AUC-WGYD) successfully concluded its inaugural Annual Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Focal Persons (GYFP) Meeting, held from 7-8 October 2025 at the AUC Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The hybrid meeting convened designated GYFPs from across AUC Departments/Directorates, AU Organs, Institutions, and Offices, marking a crucial step towards strengthening institutional coordination and accelerating gender equality and youth empowerment across the Union.

The two-day meeting served as a critical platform to build the technical capacity of Focal Persons to effectively integrate gender and youth perspectives into all phases of policy formulation, programme implementation, and monitoring and evaluation across their respective areas of work.

In her opening remarks, on behalf of Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director of Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD),  Dr. Jeanne Flora Kayitesi, Acting Head of the Women and Gender Policy and Development Division, underscored the need for a coordinated institutional approach, noting that these efforts are firmly anchored in continental policy frameworks.

“To achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, particularly Aspiration 6 on an Africa whose development is people-driven, we must ensure that gender and youth mainstreaming is not an add-on, but a core component of our institutional DNA,” Dr. Kayitesi stated. “This commitment is guided by instruments such as the Maputo Protocol, the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, the African Youth Charter, the AU Strategy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) , and the African Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE).”

Key discussions during the meeting focused on:

1. Policy Frameworks and AU Commitments: Reviewing the alignment of departmental work with the AU’s existing gender and youth frameworks and structures.
2. Implementation Capacity: Providing technical guidance on mainstreaming tools, including the introduction of the AU Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Scorecard for departmental performance tracking.
3. Coordination and Synergy: Defining a structured coordination mechanism between WGYD and the Focal Persons to align ongoing initiatives and enhance inter-departmental synergy.
4. Roadmap Development: Drafting a comprehensive roadmap for the Focal Persons’ reporting process, crucial for contributing input towards the annual AU Chairperson’s Report on Gender and Youth Mainstreaming.

The meeting directly addressed existing gaps in coordination, implementation, and monitoring, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming AU Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Strategy.

The AUC-WGYD reaffirms its dedication to working collaboratively with everybody to ensure that the AU achieves its targets, including the institutional commitment to achieve 50 percent women (50%) and 35 percent youth (35%) representation in the AU workforce.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO – Report:

.

In response to the growing mental health needs triggered by public health emergencies or natural disasters in the African region, World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with countries to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into every stage of emergency response, aiming to have at least 80% of countries with functional mental health and psychosocial support systems by 2030.

In the African region, access to mental health services during emergencies remains critically low. Between 2020 and 2025, only 11 of the 47 countries incorporated MHPSS into their national disaster preparedness and risk reduction plans. Just five countries have implemented comprehensive mental health services at the primary care level, and only 10 have dedicated budget lines for mental health. Government spending remains below US$0.50 per capita—far short of what is needed to meet rising demand and build resilient systems.

Africa records over 100 major public health events annually, including outbreaks of Ebola, cholera, measles, and armed conflict. These emergencies not only strain fragile health systems but also trigger widespread psychological distress. WHO estimates that one in five people affected by emergencies will develop a mental health condition. Without timely support, these conditions can deepen suffering and hinder recovery.

“Emergencies don’t just threaten physical health—they leave lasting scars on mental well-being,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We must ensure that mental health services are available before, during, and after disasters, as these services are a lifeline.”

Efforts are being made to scale up mental health services through training, system strengthening, and community engagement. In Ethiopia, for example, in response to the humanitarian crisis in the north, 1 230 general health workers were trained using the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Humanitarian Implementation Guide. This led to a consistent increase in mental health service uptake in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions within six months of the training.

During the 2023 Marburg outbreak in Tanzania, 72 social welfare officers were trained to provide emergency mental health support, reaching over 1 400 people with counseling and care. In Chad, mental health and psychosocial support is a core pillar of emergency preparedness, benefiting more than 19 000 people as of March 2025.

These examples offer a blueprint for scaling up access and building mental health resilience across the continent.

WHO continues to work closely with governments, partners and communities to ensure that mental health is prioritized—not just in times of crisis, but as a cornerstone of health and well-being for all.

“Access to mental health care is a matter of dignity, resilience, and recovery,” says Dr Janabi. “We are committed to helping countries build systems that protect mental well-being and leave no one behind.”

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

.

Nearly 150 million people in Africa are living with mental health conditions, with limited access to decentralized and integrated care, highlighting the region’s mental health challenges, a new mental health dashboard launched today by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa shows.

Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are widespread in Africa, affecting individuals in every country and community. Despite growing recognition of mental health as a public health priority, services remain severely under-resourced, fragmented and inaccessible, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Suicide is also a major concern, with a regional age-standardized suicide rate of 11.5 per 100 000 population. Alcohol consumption rates exceed 10 liters per capita in some countries, further exacerbating mental health risks.

Despite the scale of the challenge, the dashboard shows that mental health systems remain under-resourced, with only nine countries in the region having dedicated mental health budget lines. Access to care is limited, with many countries lacking national mental health policies and trained professionals. 

The dashboard—launched on World Mental Health Day which is being marked this year under the theme “Strengthening Mental Health Systems before, during and after disasters and emergencies”— allows users to monitor mental health sustainable development goal indicators, assess country alignment with regional frameworks and explore country-specific profiles on mental health systems and resources.

The WHO Africa Mental Health Dashboard, accessible via WHO AFRO Mental Health Dashboard, consolidates key indicators into a single, interactive platform that enables users to track progress, identify gaps and align national efforts with regional and global targets. It is designed to support ministries of health, policymakers, WHO staff, technical partners and the public in making informed decisions and driving action. The dashboard features an AI-powered chatbot that simplifies complex insights for users, making the data more accessible.

This initiative is part of WHO Africa’s broader commitment to strengthening data-driven health systems and promoting equitable access to care. By providing a one-stop shop for mental health data, WHO is helping build a healthier, more resilient future for Africa’s 1 billion people. 

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

In a move that underscores the growing importance of cross-continental collaboration in the digital economy, Equatorial Guinean economist and author Oscar Nchaso has been appointed Ambassador for Africa and China by the Madrid Capital FinTech Cluster (MAD FinTech). The designation reinforces his long-standing commitment to building strategic connections between continents and complements his current responsibilities at Foro ECOFIN, where he represents the organization across both regions.

The appointment comes at a time when the lines between technology, finance, and policy are increasingly blurred — and when emerging economies are repositioning themselves not merely as recipients of innovation, but as active contributors to the global financial narrative. Representatives from MAD FinTech and Foro ECOFIN highlighted Nchaso’s “exceptional ability to connect people and build bridges of understanding,” describing him as a leader whose influence extends beyond borders and institutions.

Until recently, MAD FinTech’s footprint in Africa had been limited to partnerships with Moroccan financial entities and participation in a few entrepreneurship events. Nchaso’s ambassadorship signals a turning point: the beginning of a new phase of structured cooperation designed to weave together the financial and innovation ecosystems of Europe, Africa, and Asia. This expanded vision — which looks ahead to 2026 and beyond — aims to transform the cluster’s role from a European hub into a global connector for sustainable and inclusive digital growth.

A business economist, consultant, and founder of XAPIENS, Dreams Hub, and Africanian News, Nchaso’s career is defined by a rare blend of African pragmatism, European perspective, and deep ties with Asia. From Malabo to Madrid, Beijing to Washington, his work has consistently focused on creating meaningful intersections between innovation and opportunity. Recognized as one of Africa’s 50 Digital Champions in 2020 and serving as one of Ambassador of AfriLabs — the continent’s largest network of innovation hubs — Nchaso has emerged as one of the most articulate advocates for Africa’s innovation ecosystem and its integration into the global economy.

For AfriLabs, which connects more than 500 technology and innovation hubs across 53 countries, Nchaso’s appointment is more than a personal accolade; it is a strategic extension of Africa’s digital diplomacy. By occupying a key role within MAD FinTech, he positions AfriLabs — and, by extension, Africa’s innovators — at the forefront of transcontinental financial cooperation. His role opens new pathways for investment, knowledge exchange, and collaboration that link Madrid’s fintech ecosystem, Africa’s entrepreneurial dynamism, and China’s technological capacity.

Speaking after his appointment, Nchaso described the role as “an opportunity to bridge not only continents, but also mindsets — to move Africa from an aid-based narrative to one defined by innovation, value creation, and self-determination.” Through initiatives such as Dreams Hub in Equatorial Guinea and Africanian News, his message has been consistent: Africa’s growth depends on its ability to tell its own story and to design its own tools of progress.

As part of his new mandate, Nchaso is expected to work on initiatives that bring together capital, technology, and talent across continents. His focus will include facilitating access to European and Asian investment for African-led projects in sectors such as energy, fintech, and sustainable infrastructure; promoting inclusive financial solutions that expand access to digital payments and microfinance; and encouraging the creation of cross-border innovation programs that support young entrepreneurs and the regulatory frameworks that empower them.

For Salvador Molina, President of Foro ECOFIN and MAD FinTech, the appointment “reaffirms Madrid’s role as a bridge between continents and as a laboratory for the future of global cooperation.” He described it as “a decisive step toward transforming collaboration into tangible growth — economic, technological, and human.”

From a broader perspective, Nchaso’s appointment reflects the shifting center of gravity in global innovation. As Africa’s startup ecosystems mature and continental networks like AfriLabs continue to expand, the continent is increasingly seen not as a periphery, but as a catalyst for the next wave of digital transformation. Through figures like Nchaso — equally at ease in the boardrooms of Europe, the innovation labs of Africa, and the corridors of Asia — that transformation gains both structure and voice.

In the intricate geometry of global cooperation, Oscar Nchaso’s new role symbolizes the emergence of a triangular partnership between Africa, Europe, and China — one built on innovation, inclusion, and mutual respect. It is not only a recognition of individual leadership, but also a signal that the world’s financial and innovation ecosystems are, at last, beginning to speak the same language.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africanian News.

Source: APO

.

The joint parliamentary oversight delegation, which was engaging with underperforming municipalities in the Eastern Cape this week, today called for stronger cooperation between municipalities and provincial departments in the province to ensure effective support, oversight and service delivery.

Concluding a week-long engagement with 19 underperforming municipalities, the delegation raised concern about the continuing disconnect between provincial and municipal spheres of government. It emphasised that cooperative governance is a constitutional obligation and that provincial departments must provide timely and targeted intervention where municipalities are underperforming.

The delegation identified widespread weaknesses across Eastern Cape municipalities. Key among them were many municipalities’ dependence on consultants without any transfer of skills, along with poor financial management and persistent unauthorised and irregular expenditure. Other common challenges shared among the municipalities included leadership instability, a lack of much-needed technical skills and underspending on infrastructure maintenance, all of which continue to undermine service delivery. The delegation further noted poor revenue collection, which has an impact on municipalities’ financial sustainability, and limited consequence management.

It was observed that several municipalities continue to receive audit disclaimers year after year, despite having adopted detailed improvement plans. This, the delegation said, reflects weak leadership, poor accountability and a lack of consequence management. The delegation was of the view that many of the challenges identified could have been avoided if officials had carried out their responsibilities effectively. The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) must be used as a tool to enforce accountability and ensure that municipal councils, managers and executives fulfil their statutory and financial responsibilities. Persistent audit failures, the delegation noted, point to a deeper governance crisis that demands decisive corrective action.

The delegation called for stronger political and administrative will to act decisively on reported irregularities and misconduct. Members warned that the reluctance to confront wrongdoing undermines public confidence and perpetuates cycles of poor governance. Ms Dikeledi Direko, a member of the delegation who chaired the sessions, said, “Many of the failures we see are not because people do not know what to do, but because there is no willingness to confront misconduct. This must change.”

The delegation urged the Office of the Auditor-General to strengthen its early-warning systems by engaging with municipalities proactively throughout the financial year, rather than only at its conclusion. Members noted that proactive engagement would enable quicker responses to emerging financial and performance risks. “We need timely systems of reporting and investigation. Action must start early so that accountability follows quickly,” said Ms Direko.

Members also acknowledged that while some municipalities have begun to show progress, the overall pace of improvement remains too slow. “We have seen municipalities that are trying, but the pace of change is too slow,” said Ms Direko. “Municipal leadership must act decisively to implement what has been raised during these sessions.” The delegation urged municipal leaders to take pride and ownership of their institutions. Leaders were urged to prioritise the maintenance of infrastructure and planning and restore credibility through tangible improvements in communities.

Along with representatives from the national and provincial departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury, the Office of the Auditor-General, and the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature’s committees on public accounts and COGTA, who attended proceedings, the delegation reaffirmed the need to restore financial discipline, strengthen institutional capacity and improve consequence management across all municipalities in the province. “The task before us is not easy, but it is necessary,” said Ms Direko. “Accountability begins with leadership that acts.”

The delegation has directed the MECs of Finance and COGTA to closely monitor council decisions, ensure investigations into maladministration are completed, and intervene decisively when municipal leaders and councils fail to act. Detailed reports, including timelines and measurable targets for addressing the issues raised this week, must be submitted to Parliament and the provincial legislature.

Parliament will continue to monitor developments in the Eastern Cape municipalities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

.

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has resolved to seek legal advice from the Parliamentary Legal Services on the report it received from the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe on the processes that are currently underway in the Department of Social Development on appointments and suspensions of officials at the department.

Yesterday, the committee met with the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, who briefed the committee on the current processes around hiring and suspension of officials in the ministry and in the department. The committee noted actions taken by the department of referring the matter of the employment contracts and appointment of officials to the Public Service Commission for investigation, instituting a forensic investigation and seeking legal advice. The Minister undertook to provide periodic reports to the committee on the outcomes of all of these processes.

The committee decided to seek legal advice from the Parliament’s Legal Services on how it can hold the Minister and the department accountable for these actions, without overstepping its mandate.

The department also reported on the international trip to New York to attend the Commission on the Status of Women, which cost taxpayers around R3 million. The committee requested the department to provide a report with a detailed cost breakdown (flights, accommodation, itinerary) per official.

Chairperson Ms Bridget Masango said the committee wants to ensure that public accountability is upheld while respecting due process.

“We take our oversight role very seriously. South Africans deserve to know that their money is being used wisely and that decisions made within the department are transparent and fair. We will seek legal guidance to ensure that we act firmly but fairly within the law,” said Ms Masango.

In the same meeting, the committee also received a briefing on the 2024/25 annual report of the National Development Agency (NDA). The Minister confirmed that the NDA Board has been instructed to urgently fill the key positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. A recruitment panel which includes government and civil society representatives from NEDLAC has been set up to oversee the appointment of a new NDA Board. Once the process is complete, the recommended list of candidates will be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

“Our focus remains on ensuring that the NDA is stable and well-led so that it can deliver effectively on its mandate to support community development,” added Ms Masango.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.