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World Mental Health Day focuses on mental health and substance abuse

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa’s mental health system is currently facing an increasing challenge due to substance abuse, which is putting immense pressure on public health facilities, emergency services, and mental health professionals. 

This situation often leads to complex diagnoses that require multidisciplinary care.

The Department of Health said addressing substance abuse challenges necessitates enhanced prevention, rehabilitation, and health promotion interventions at all levels of the health system.

To this end, the department has decided to observe World Mental Health Day in 2025 by bringing together various stakeholders and individuals who share a common goal to improve mental health and address substance abuse issues. 

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October and serves as a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health.

The event will focus on sharing information, best practices, and providing feedback on the impact of current interventions, allowing for necessary adjustments to achieve the desired outcomes.

Today, the department is holding a media and mental health stakeholder engagement session to discuss the burden of mental health in South Africa, including the leading contributing factors and recommendations for improving mental healthcare.

“Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of disability globally and also impose high costs on households, employers, and economies,” the department said. 

According to new data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than one billion people are living with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. However, most do not receive adequate care. 

“This has the potential to inflict huge human and economic tolls requiring a greater investment and action to scale up services to protect and promote people’s mental health.” 

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, along with Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, and other provincial MECs for Health, will participate in a panel discussion on mental health.

They will be joined by representatives from key organisations, including Shenaaz El-Halabi from the WHO, Cassey Chambers from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, and Professor Solomon Rataemane, who represents the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Mental Health. 

Health professionals and individuals with lived experiences of mental health conditions and drug dependency will also contribute to the discussion.

This session is part of this year’s World Mental Health Day commemorative activities, which will be held under the theme: “Together for Mental Health.” 

This theme emphasises the importance of collective support and connection in promoting mental health, highlighting how collaboration fosters a sense of belonging.

“The theme also highlights the importance of stakeholders working together further to strengthen access to mental health services across the country,” the department explained. 

The WHO urges all countries to speed up the implementation of their action plans aimed at improving mental health for their populations. 

This includes integrating mental health services into primary healthcare and general hospital care. 

The department said the goal is to enhance access to care, reduce the treatment gap, combat stigma, and promote overall mental well-being.

The day will start with a walkabout in selected areas within the health facility to showcase some of the progressive interventions and investments that strengthen mental health and substance abuse service provision. 

The walk-about will also include interactions with frontline health workers who manage substance abuse patients, affected patients to better understand the challenges that they are experiencing, and to collaboratively find solutions. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Government notes operations by law enforcement agencies in Gauteng

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 10, 2025

Government has noted the ongoing operations by law enforcement agencies and the subsequent public interest they have generated. 

“These operations fall within the normal scope of their mandate to investigate matters and recover assets.  The public is reminded that such activities are a standard and essential part of government’s fight against corruption, ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law,” said Deputy Government spokesperson William Baloyi. 

Baloyi said law enforcement agencies should be afforded the space to conduct their work without disruption or interference. 

“Government is confident that law enforcement agencies will at all material times act in full compliance with the law,” he said. 

This follows a raid at the home of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya. A task team raided Sibiya’s home in Centurion on Thursday, seizing cellphones and a laptop as part of an ongoing investigation into criminal syndicates in the province, to which Sibiya is allegedly linked.

The raids were also conducted at the home of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s Chief of Staff, Cedrick Nkabinde.

In Johannesburg, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) carried out a raid on a luxury mansion of Hangwani Maumela, a central figure in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.

Sibiya is expected before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee next week; he will also testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Both bodies are probing allegations of criminal and political interference within the SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government launches MzansiXchange to improve evidence-based policy

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has taken a significant step towards transforming the management of its data through the launch of the MzansiXchange – an initiative that will enable evidence-based policymaking and real-time data verification between departments.

The pioneering data exchange initiative is led by the National Treasury that seeks to address the data landscape, which has been characterised by fragmentation, siloed systems, and limited interoperability.

“These challenges have constrained our ability to make evidence-based decisions, deliver integrated services, allocate resources efficiently, and build public trust in government systems. MzansiXchange addresses these gaps by enabling secure, structured, and coordinated data sharing across government,” National Treasury Director-General (DG), Dr Duncan Pieterse said on Thursday.

The launch of South Africa’s Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of Government in May 2025, paved the way for this initiative.

The roadmap forms part of Operation Vulindlela Phase II, a joint National Treasury and Presidency initiative. It provides the strategic direction for government to modernise services, break down data silos, and build the digital public infrastructure (DPI) required for inclusive growth. 

The roadmap has four key pillars: Data Exchange, Digital Identity, Digital Payments and Digital Services.

“MzansiXchange is not a central data repository. It does not store any data. Instead, it acts as a secure bridge – a structured and governed exchange that allows departments to retain ownership of their data, while sharing their data with other authorised entities, when needed. 

“This approach balances departmental data sovereignty with secure, cross-government data sharing through a structured and governed framework,” Pieterse said

Addressing the launch of the MzansiXchange Pilot Launch in Pretoria, the DG said the prototype has been built with X-road as the foundational technology for the MzansiXchange, supporting flexible mechanisms and enhancing resilience with robust design, ensuring standards harmonisation, digital inclusion and long-term sustainability. 

MzansiXchange will have governance frameworks, standardised data protocols and will set clear expectations for metadata standards, data quality, and interoperability. It will provide standardised legal instruments – such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) – to guide secure and compliant data sharing.

The initiative will provide four distinct data access components, each designed to meet the needs of different users. 

The first pillar is data sharing for regulation, compliance, and verification. 

“This provides authorised public entities with real-time access to identifiable data for verification and compliance purposes. For instance, the data exchange can be used to securely verify key information when enrolling citizens into public programmes or grants – helping ensure accuracy while simplifying the process for applicants,” Pieterse said.

The second pillar is data sharing for evidence-based policy, planning, and research.

“MzansiXchange enables bulk sharing and integration of de-identified data from government institutions to a secure data facility. For example, de-identified administrative data – such as education outcomes, tax records, or social protection information – can be securely shared with a secure data facility,” he said.

This enables researchers and policymakers to generate insights that support more targeted, evidence-based decision-making and planning.

The third pillar is data sharing for operational analytics. 

This facilitates bulk transfers of both de-identified and identifiable data between public sector institutions to support service delivery and the fulfilment of operational mandates.

“For example, MzansiXchange can support the bulk sharing of financial and procurement data between public sector institutions – helping improve coordination and strengthening planning and oversight. Finally, the fourth pillar is open access data sharing.

“It enables users to explore data catalogues, dashboards, data stories, download aggregated datasets and view metadata through secure protocols. For example, the spatialised tax data housed within the National Treasury Secure Data Facility, local data and other insights will be shared via MzansiXchange,” the DG said.

This one-year pilot will test the MzansiXchange in real-world conditions, strengthening the foundations for a broader national rollout.

“MzansiXchange is a national commitment to harnessing data for the public good. It is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and transformation. The success of MzansiXchange depends on how each of us commits to supporting and using it. Ensuring that all departments work towards integrating and being able to fully leverage the potential of the MzansiXchange,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government to announce major nuclear energy expansion plans

Source: Government of South Africa

Government will soon make an announcement on plans to expand South Africa’s foray into nuclear energy.

This according to Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who delivered the opening address at the G20 Nuclear Energy Ministerial Conference held in Durban.

“[We] will be making big announcements next week, post-Cabinet. We are close to that. Our ambition is to build a new job program [of] at least initially the size of 5000 megawatts, and we think that we can derive the benefits of industrialisation and ensuring that there is exponential increase of the skills that are required to support that build program.

“Necsa [South African Nuclear Energy Corporation] is a big part of the conversation. As we know, we are running a 60-year-old research reactor. We are looking for suitors or partners to help us to take it to another level. We have seen that there is an insatiable appetite from across the globe to partner and work with us,” he said.

The Minister highlighted that small modular reactors [SMR] present a “pristine opportunity” for expansion going into the future.

“They are rapid deployment and the fact that they can be the production can be standardised, and therefore, reducing the long lead times. But most importantly, is to power the requirements of the artificial intelligence complex. 

“I think the prospect of locating data centres across various geographies is something that is particularly attractive, and we think that small modulary actors will help us,” he said.

Turning to the African continent, the Minister noted that the continent is an important producer of uranium – used for nuclear reactors – at 14% of global production with further untapped reserves.

Countries including Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana are either building, planning for, or considering nuclear power as a source of power.

“Africa’s time is now and given them huge endowments that we have, especially on uranium. Energy demand is going to grow exponentially on the continent as people experience upward social and economic mobility, as we bring people out of poverty and I think, nuclear to power is going to be a big part of the African story.

“A long-term view must be such that we are able to build infrastructure that will be a precondition for such enrichment to happen on the continent. We possess all the necessary apparatus that is required for us to participate meaningfully in the nuclear fuel cycle,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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In Zambia, African Development Fund reshapes the country’s agriculture and education landscape

Source: APO

Concessional financing from the African Development Fund (ADF) has been transformative for Zambia’s agriculture and education sectors, while “anchoring peace, prosperity, and regional competitiveness.”

ADF deputies, who are gathered in Zambia’s capital for a meeting on the Fund’s 17th replenishment, visited two project sites on Tuesday, 7 October – the new Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) fertilizer blending plant in Kafue; and upgraded facilities at the University of Zambia in Lusaka.   They were joined by government sector ministers who commended the Fund for its tangible impact.

The African Development Fund, the concessional financing window of the African Development Bank Group, has played a leading role in advancing Africa’s development. Established in 1972, the Fund supports 37 low-income countries, nearly half of which are fragile and conflict-affected

At Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri described the African Development Bank Group as a critical ally of the country, noting its support in helping the country shift from drought to surplus.

He commended the African Development Fund’s investment in the new blending and granulating facilities as “not merely financial but an investment in our farmers, in our economy, and in our future.”

“This achievement represents a significant leap forward in our capacity to meet the fertilizer requirements of the Zambian farming community,” the minister stated. “Beyond serving our domestic needs, Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia is positioning itself to penetrate export markets between 2025 and 2030, thereby contributing to Zambia’s role as a competitive player in the regional fertilizer industry.”

Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank Group, outlined the transformative results: “In the 2024/25 season, Zambia produced over 3.7 million metric tons of food—well above its national need of 2.5 million. That’s not just food security, that’s food surplus.”

The Zambia Emergency Food Production initiative has supported nearly 5,900 farmers—over half of whom are women—with subsidized, certified seeds and fertilizer through the digital platform ZIAMIS (http://apo-opa.co/4h72ZD9). Over 9,000 farmers are expected to benefit from approximately $35 million in financing this season.

A critical $1.3 million injection from the African Development Fund is setting Zambia on course toward fertilizer self-sufficiency with an expected 40% reduction in fertilizer costs—a game-changer for smallholder farmers. The Fund’s support provided the initial raw materials for the plant’s take-off.

At the University of Zambia, Vice Chancellor Professor Mundia Muya highlighted the impact of the Support to Science and Technology Education Project, another ADF-funded initiative, which is transforming higher education in Zambia.

“The University of Zambia has benefited immensely from our collaboration with the African Development Fund,” Muya told the visiting Deputies. “Before the project, many of our lecture theatres and laboratories were in a deplorable state, but they have now been fully modernised, providing a conducive environment for learning and research.”

Minister of Technology and Science Felix Chipota Mutati captured an even deeper significance of ADF investments across the country, emphasising how they have expanded access to tertiary and technical education to 250,000 students.

“When you are being lectured in a conducive environment, even your brain power becomes transformative,” Mutati told the visiting deputies. He underscored the social impact: “When you do that, you create peace in society. You create harmony. So, it’s not just about the investment—it’s anchoring peace and democracy through the transformation of Africa.”

Ms Akin-Olugbade framed the ADF-funded Zambia Emergency Food Production Facility’s achievements within the broader Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, as a continent-wide initiative supporting 20 million farmers and targeting the production of 37 million tons of food across Africa.

“While it was launched in response to a crisis, the Zambia Emergency Food Production Facility is about more than emergency relief. It’s laying the foundation for a more resilient, private sector–driven agricultural system—one that reduces dependence on imports and empowers Zambian farmers to feed the nation,” she explained.

The ADF-17 replenishment meeting is taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 7 to 9 ahead of a final pledging session scheduled to take place in December 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:  
Emeka Anuforo,
Communication and External Relations Department;
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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Forum for Resilience in Africa 2025: farmers must become providers of food aid, not recipients, say experts

Source: APO

Agricultural experts attending the 6th edition of the Africa Resilience Forum (https://apo-opa.co/4h4wohb), held in Abidjan from 1–3 October, have urged African governments to place greater value on farmers — transforming them from recipients of food aid into providers.

“Agriculture is a dominant activity in crisis zones. And we are told that without peace, there can be no development. But without food, there is no peace. It’s time to involve farmers in discussions on agriculture. Very often policies are drawn up without the farmers. We need to reach out to them and discuss solutions that concern them,” said Roland Fomundam, CEO of Greenhouse Ventures, a Cameroonian company specializing in greenhouse production.

Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) echoed this view: “Farmers are the private sector. They invest; they find solutions. We need to do better together. If we want to have a better impact on our populations, we need new matrices. For example, knowing how much we’ve improved producers’ incomes over a period of time.”

Both were speaking during a panel discussion titled “Achieving resilient and transformative impact for large-scale food security in Africa” on the Forum’s second day.

Also on the panel were Abdilhakim Yusuf Ali Ainte, Director of the Food Security and Climate Department in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia; Martin Fregene, Director of the Agriculture and Agribusiness Department of the African Development Bank Group; Rania Dagash-Kamara, Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships and Resource Mobilization of the World Food Programme; and Felista Nyakio, an agripreneur from Kenya.

Drawing on Somalia’s experience, Ainte noted that Somalia had relied on its private sector, mobilising $6 billion, to boost its human capital and save lives. “The most important resource is the private sector. We need a dynamic private sector invited around the table to provide sustainable solutions,” he declared.

Martin Fregene emphasized that rebuilding Africa’s food systems does not require reinventing the wheel.

“Above all, we need to build on the existing production system. Small and medium-sized enterprises produce all the food we eat. We need to see how we can get them to double their production and ensure their survival,” he declared.

He pointed out that the Bank Group involves agricultural producers in the implementation of its agricultural program through direct financing, support for innovation, development of climate-resilient infrastructure and facilitating their access to agricultural inputs. The Bank also focuses on training, extension and networking for farmers, he added.

Felista Nyakio called for a change in perception towards the farming world. “Farming is perceived as degrading work. We need to start showing farmers that they are part of the nation and make children aware of the benefits of farming. Let’s get children to love agriculture,” she said.

The sixth edition of the African Resilience Forum (ARF), organised by the African Development Bank Group on the theme of “Prevention for better action: financing peace in a context of development cooperation in transition”, is a high-level event bringing together policy-makers and practitioners from the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

The forum provides an opportunity to explore strategies for intensifying prevention efforts and stimulating peace-promoting investments on the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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United Kingdom to host African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment pledging session, reaffirming strong support

Source: APO


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The United Kingdom has announced that it will host the 17th Replenishment pledging session of the African Development Fund (ADF)in December. The session will bring together development partners to agree on contributions for the ADF’s 2026-2028 cycle.

The UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa, Baroness Jenny Chapman, made the announcement during her recent meeting with African Development Bank Group President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Baroness Chapman said the UK intends to make a strong pledge and encouraged all development partners to consider ambitious contributions to the 17th replenishment of the Fund.

“The replenishment is an opportunity to signal our collective commitment to Africa’s growth and development, its institutions, and to innovative, modern approaches to development finance in a challenging global environment,” said Baroness Chapman.

The ADF is the African Development Bank’s concessional financing window for 37 of Africa’s low-income countries. It serves as a critical source of multilateral development finance, offering grants, low-interest loans, and guarantees tailored to countries with limited fiscal space. Since its establishment in 1972, the Fund has provided more than $45 billion in concessional financing to support African countries in expanding opportunity and resilience.

Baroness Chapman noted that the UK remains a key contributor to the Fund, providing substantial financial commitments and strategic engagement that help sustain development impact, even amid a tighter aid budget.

Dr. Ould Tah said: “The African Development Bank Group welcomes United Kingdom’s announcement to host the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment pledging session.”  He added: “It is a rallying call for a strong ADF-17 replenishment, which is both an investment in Africa’s development as well as in shared global prosperity.”

Ahead of the London meeting, development partners are working to advance the Fund’s financial innovations, notably the Market Borrowing Option, which for the first time will allow the Fund to leverage its equity to access capital markets and expand its resource base.

Several African countries have also pledged to the Fund, underscoring Africa’s commitment to investing in its own development and future.

Baroness Chapman also welcomed Dr. Ould Tah’s proposal for the UK to host a Private Sector Day for private companies and development finance institutions to explore approaches to foster investment opportunities across Africa. This is an initiative aligned with the African Development Fund’s objective of expanding private sector engagement in ADF countries.

Against a backdrop of economic strain and geopolitical uncertainty, concessional resources remain essential to safeguarding development gains and preventing reversals in fragile environments.

Over the past decade, the African Development Fund has connected more than 18 million people to electricity and enhanced agricultural productivity for 11 million farmers. It has improved access to water and sanitation for 48 million people and to transport for more than 87 million.

In 2021, the Centre for Global Developlment recognised the quality of the Fund’s development assistance, ranking it second among 49 bilateral and multilateral development agencies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Raquel Wilson
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

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En Zambie, le Fonds africain de développement remodèle le paysage agricole et éducatif du pays

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le financement concessionnel du Fonds africain de développement a transformé les secteurs de l’agriculture et de l’éducation en Zambie, tout en « ancrant la paix, la prospérité et la compétitivité régionale ».

Les plénipotentiaires du Fonds africain de développement, qui se trouvent dans la capitale de la Zambie pour une réunion dans le cadre de la 17e reconstitution des ressources du Fonds, ont visité, le 7 octobre, deux sites de projets : la nouvelle usine de mélange d’engrais de Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) à Kafue, et les installations modernisées de l’université de Zambie à Lusaka.   Des ministres se sont joints à eux et ont salué le Fonds pour son impact concret.

Le guichet de financement concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement a joué un rôle majeur pour faire progresser le développement du continent. Créé en 1972, le Fonds africain de développement soutient 37 pays à faible revenu, dont près de la moitié sont fragiles et touchés par des conflits.

Dans les locaux de Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, le ministre de l’Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo Phiri, a décrit le Groupe de la Banque comme un allié essentiel du pays, soulignant son soutien pour aider le pays à passer d’une situation de sécheresse à une situation d’excédent.

M. Mtolo Phiri a salué l’investissement du Fonds africain de développement dans les nouvelles installations de mélange et de granulation comme étant « non seulement un investissement financier, mais aussi un investissement dans nos agriculteurs, notre économie et notre avenir ».

« Cette réalisation constitue un bond en avant significatif dans notre capacité à répondre aux besoins en engrais de la communauté agricole zambienne », a déclaré le ministre. « Au-delà de la satisfaction de nos besoins nationaux, Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia se positionne pour pénétrer les marchés d’exportation entre 2025 et 2030, contribuant ainsi à faire de la Zambie un acteur compétitif de l’industrie régionale des engrais. »

Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, première vice-présidente du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, a présenté les résultats transformateurs : « Au cours de la saison 2024-2025, la Zambie a produit plus de 3,7 millions de tonnes de denrées alimentaires, ce qui est bien supérieur à ses besoins nationaux s’élevant à 2,5 millions de tonnes. On ne parle pas seulement de sécurité alimentaire, il s’agit là d’un excédent alimentaire. »

La Facilité africaine de production alimentaire d’urgence de la Zambie a soutenu près de 5 900 agriculteurs, dont plus de la moitié sont des femmes, en leur fournissant des semences subventionnées et certifiées ainsi que des engrais par l’intermédiaire de la plateforme numérique ZIAMIS (http://apo-opa.co/4h72ZD9). Plus de 9 000 agriculteurs devraient bénéficier d’un financement d’environ 35 millions de dollars cette saison.

Une injection cruciale de 1,3 million de dollars du Fonds africain de développement a placé la Zambie sur la voie de l’autosuffisance en engrais, avec une réduction attendue de 40 % de leur coût d’approvisionnement, ce qui change la donne pour les petits exploitants agricoles. Le soutien du Fonds a permis de fournir les matières premières nécessaires au démarrage de l’usine.

Le vice-chancelier de l’université de Zambie, Mundia Muya, a souligné l’impact du Projet d’appui à l’enseignement des sciences et de la technologie, une autre initiative financée par le Fonds, qui transforme l’enseignement supérieur en Zambie.

« L’université de Zambie a énormément bénéficié de notre collaboration avec le Fonds africain de développement », a déclaré M. Muya aux plénipotentiaires du Fonds venus en visite. « Avant le projet, nombre de nos amphithéâtres et de nos laboratoires étaient dans un état déplorable, mais ils ont été entièrement modernisés, offrant un environnement propice à l’apprentissage et à la recherche. »

Le ministre de la Technologie et des Sciences, Felix Chipota Mutati, a mis en évidence un aboutissement encore plus important des investissements du Fonds africain de développement à travers le pays, soulignant comment ils avaient permis d’élargir l’accès à l’enseignement tertiaire et technique pour 250 000 étudiants.

« Lorsque vous suivez des cours dans un environnement propice, même la puissance de votre cerveau devient transformatrice », a affirmé M. Mutati aux plénipotentiaires en visite dans le pays. Avant de souligner l’impact social : « En agissant de la sorte, vous apportez la paix dans la société. Vous créez l’harmonie. Il ne s’agit donc pas seulement d’investir, mais d’ancrer la paix et la démocratie à travers la transformation de l’Afrique. »

Mme Akin-Olugbade a placé les réalisations de la Facilité de production alimentaire d’urgence de la Zambie, financée par le Fonds, dans le cadre plus large de la même Facilité créée à l’échelle du continent pour soutenir 20 millions d’agriculteurs et produire 37 millions de tonnes de denrées alimentaires en Afrique.

« Bien qu’elle ait été lancée en réponse à une crise, la Facilité de production alimentaire d’urgence de la Zambie va au-delà de l’aide d’urgence. Elle pose les bases d’un système agricole plus résilient, piloté par le secteur privé, qui réduit la dépendance à l’égard des importations et permet aux agriculteurs zambiens de nourrir la nation », a-t-elle expliqué.

Cette troisième réunion pour la 17e reconstitution des ressources du Fonds (FAD-17) se tient du 7 au 9 octobre à Lusaka, en Zambie. Elle a lieu en amont de la dernière session, prévue en décembre 2025, au cours de laquelle les donateurs annonceront le montant de leurs contributions au Fonds africain de développement.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact médias :
Emeka Anuforo,
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures ;
media@afdb.org

À propos du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement :
Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement est la principale institution du financement du développement en Afrique. Il comprend trois entités distinctes : la Banque africaine de développement (BAD), le Fonds africain de développement (FAD) et le Fonds spécial du Nigeria (FSN). Représentée dans 41 pays africains, avec un bureau extérieur au Japon, la Banque contribue au développement économique et au progrès social de ses 54 Etats membres régionaux. Pour plus d’informations : www.AfDB.org

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Forum pour la résilience en Afrique 2025 : les agriculteurs doivent devenir des pourvoyeurs d’aide alimentaire et non des bénéficiaires, préconisent des experts

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Au deuxième jour de la 6e édition du Forum pour la résilience en Afrique (https://apo-opa.co/4h4wohb), tenue du 1er au 3 octobre 2025, à Abidjan, des experts ont invité les gouvernants africains à accorder plus de valeur à leurs agriculteurs pour faire d’eux des producteurs d’aides alimentaires et non des bénéficiaires.

« L’agriculture est une activité dominante dans les zones en crise. Et on nous dit que sans la paix, il n’y a pas de développement. Or sans la nourriture, il n’y a pas de paix. Il est temps d’impliquer les agriculteurs dans les échanges sur l’agriculture. Très souvent les politiques sont élaborées sans les paysans. Il faut aller vers eux et discuter avec eux des solutions qui les concernent », a déclaré Roland Fomundam, président-directeur général de Greenhouse Ventures, entreprise camerounaise spécialisée dans la production sous serre.

« Les agriculteurs, c’est le secteur privé. Ils investissent, ils trouvent des solutions. Nous avons besoin de faire mieux ensemble. Si nous voulons de meilleurs impacts sur nos populations, il nous faut de nouvelles matrices. Par exemple, savoir de combien nous avons amélioré le revenu des producteurs sur une période », a déclaré Beth Bechdol, directrice générale adjointe de l’Organisation des Nations unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO).

Roland Fomundam et Beth Bechdol participaient à une discussion du panel intitulé « Obtenir un impact résilient et transformateur pour une sécurité alimentaire à grande échelle en Afrique » organisé au deuxième jour du Forum. Figuraient également dans ce panel : Abdilhakim Yusuf Ali Ainte, directeur du Département de la sécurité alimentaire et du climat au cabinet du Premier ministre du gouvernement fédéral de la Somalie, Martin Fregene, directeur du Département de l’agriculture et de l’agro-industrie du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, Rania Dagash-Kamara, directrice exécutive ajointe pour les partenariats et la mobilisation des ressources du Programme alimentaire mondial et Felista Nyakio, agripreneuse du Kenya.

Prenant l’exemple de son pays, M. Ainte a noté que la Somalie s’était appuyée sur son secteur privé, en mobilisant six milliards de dollars américains, pour relancer son capital humain et sauver des vies. « La ressource la plus importante est le secteur privé. Il faut un secteur privé dynamique invité autour de la table pour apporter des solutions durables », a-t-il déclaré.

Martin Fregene, a souligné qu’il n’y avait pas besoin d’inventer la roue pour reconstruire le système alimentaire. « Il faut surtout s’appuyer sur le système de production existant. Les petites et moyennes entreprises produisent toute la nourriture que nous consommons. Nous devons voir comment les emmener à doubler leurs productions et assurer leur survie », a-t-il déclaré.

Il a précisé que le Groupe de la Banque implique les producteurs agricoles dans la mise en œuvre de son programme agricole par le biais de financements directs, de soutien à l’innovation, de développement d’infrastructures résilientes au climat tout en facilitant leur accès aux intrants agricoles. La Banque se concentre également sur la formation, la vulgarisation et la mise en réseau des agriculteurs, a-t-il ajouté.

Felista Nyakio a plaidé pour un changement de perception à l’égard du monde paysan. « L’agriculture est perçue comme un travail dégradant. Il faut commencer à montrer aux agriculteurs qu’ils font partie de la nation, sensibiliser les enfants sur les bienfaits de l’agriculture. Emmenons les enfants à aimer l’agriculture », a-t-elle lancé sous l’acquiescement des participants.

La sixième édition du Forum pour la résilience en Afrique (ARF), organisé par le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement sur le thème « Prévenir pour mieux agir : financer la paix dans un contexte de coopération au développement en transition » est un évènement de haut niveau réunissant décideurs politiques et praticiens issus du nexus humanitaire-développement-paix. Le forum permet d’explorer des stratégies visant à intensifier les efforts de prévention et à stimuler les investissements favorables à la paix sur le continent.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Le Royaume-Uni accueillera la 17e session d’annonces des contributions pour la reconstitution des ressources du Fonds africain de développement, réaffirmant son ferme soutien au Fonds

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le Royaume-Uni accueillera en décembre prochain, la 17e session d’annonces des contributions pour la reconstitution des ressources du Fonds africain de développement. Cette session réunira les partenaires au développement pour convenir des contributions pour le cycle 2026-2028 du Fonds.

La ministre d’État britannique chargée du Développement et de l’Afrique, la baronne Jenny Chapman, a fait cette annonce lors de sa récente rencontre avec le président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, M. Sidi Ould Tah, à New York, en marge de l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies.

La baronne Chapman a déclaré que le Royaume-Uni avait l’intention de s’engager fermement et a encouragé tous les partenaires au développement à envisager des contributions ambitieuses pour la 17e reconstitution des ressources du Fonds.

« Cette reconstitution des ressources [du Fonds africain de développement] est l’occasion de marquer notre engagement collectif en faveur de la croissance et du développement de l’Afrique, de ses institutions et d’approches innovantes et modernes du financement du développement dans un environnement mondial difficile », a-t-elle souligné.

Le Fonds africain de développement est le guichet de financement concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement. Il intervient dans 37 pays africains à faible revenu. Il constitue une source essentielle de financement multilatéral du développement, offrant des dons, des prêts à faible taux d’intérêt et des garanties adaptées aux besoins des pays disposant d’une marge de manœuvre budgétaire limitée. Depuis sa création en 1972, le Fonds africain de développement a octroyé plus de 45 milliards de dollars de financements concessionnels pour aider les pays africains à accroître leurs opportunités et leur résilience.

La baronne Chapman a souligné que le Royaume-Uni demeurait un contributeur clé du Fonds, fournissant des engagements financiers substantiels et un engagement stratégique qui aident à soutenir l’impact sur le développement, même dans un contexte de resserrement du budget de l’aide.

« Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement salue l’annonce par le Royaume-Uni de sa volonté d’accueillir la 17e session d’annonces des contributions pour la reconstitution des ressources du Fonds africain de développement », a déclaré M. Ould Tah, ajoutant : « C’est un appel à la mobilisation pour une solide reconstitution du FAD-17, qui constitue à la fois un investissement dans le développement de l’Afrique et dans une prospérité mondiale partagée. »

En amont de la réunion de Londres, les partenaires au développement s’efforceront de faire progresser les innovations financières du Fonds, notamment l’option d’emprunt sur les marchés, qui permettra pour la première fois au Fonds de faire jouer l’effet de levier sur ses ressources propres afin d’accéder aux marchés des capitaux et élargir sa base de financement.

Plusieurs pays africains se sont également engagés à contribuer au Fonds, montrant ainsi l’engagement de l’Afrique à investir dans son propre développement et son avenir.

La baronne Chapman a également salué la proposition de M. Ould Tah d’organiser au Royaume-Uni une Journée du secteur privé à l’intention des entreprises privées et des institutions de financement du développement afin d’explorer des approches permettant de favoriser les opportunités d’investissement à travers l’Afrique. Cette initiative est alignée sur l’objectif du Fonds africain de développement d’accroître l’engagement du secteur privé dans les pays bénéficiaires.

Dans un contexte de tensions économiques et d’incertitudes géopolitiques, les ressources concessionnelles restent essentielles pour préserver les acquis du développement et prévenir les revers dans les environnements fragiles.

Au cours de la dernière décennie, le Fonds africain de développement a permis de raccorder plus de 18 millions de personnes à l’électricité et à 11 millions d’agriculteurs d’améliorer la productivité agricole. Il a amélioré l’accès à l’eau et à l’assainissement pour 48 millions de personnes et des transports à plus de 87 millions.

En 2021, le Centre for Global Development a salué la qualité de l’aide au développement fournie par le Fonds en le classant deuxième parmi 49 agences de développement bilatérales et multilatérales.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact média :
Raquel Wilson
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures
Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement
media@afdb.org