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SA reaffirms commitment to sustainable fuels

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina,  has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to advancing sustainable fuels and hydrogen energy.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels, Gina highlighted the country’s strides in decarbonising its economy, despite its historically carbon-intensive profile.

The Deputy Minister, who is currently on an official visit to Japan, stressed the importance of international collaboration.

“The intention is, therefore, to utilise this meeting platform to enhance our efforts, in line with the global momentum on sustainable fuels, in collaboration with the relevant countries and international organisations,” Gina said on Monday.

She recognised the pivotal role of sustainable fuels in climate action, stressing that they are essential to South Africa’s decarbonisation drive, which is aimed at powering industries, transport systems and the wider economy, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the country’s climate commitments.

The Deputy Minister pointed to robust policy frameworks, such as the Biofuel Regulatory Framework (BRF), and support for research and innovation as central to South Africa’s strategy.

“One of the key drivers of expanding the scale-up, production and utilisation of sustainable fuels is the creation of robust policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as promoting the support and collaboration in research, development and innovation aimed at cost reduction and deployment of key technologies and infrastructure for sustainable fuels, including carbon capture, use and storage,” she explained.

Hydrogen

In addition to sustainable fuels, Ginq told those attending high-level ministerial meetings
that South Africa is expanding its focus to include hydrogen.

“By building global supply chains and forging cross-border projects, we can ensure that sustainable fuels flow seamlessly across regions, strengthening both energy security and economic resilience.”

At the 7th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting, Gina addressed delegates under the theme, ‘Demand Creation’ and underscored the need to build both supply and demand for hydrogen.

“While supply chains for hydrogen and its derivatives are advancing at remarkable speed, their long-term success will depend on our collective ability to generate and sustain demand,” she said.

South Africa’s efforts include establishing hydrogen valleys and hubs and supporting projects like the Platinum Valley Initiative (PVI).

“Within this corridor, hubs have been identified to support decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as chemicals, steel, and cement; to drive hydrogen mobility through mining haul trucks and buses; and to introduce hydrogen into the power sector”, the Deputy Minister said.

Tax incentives

To further stimulate demand, she cited the introduction of tax incentives for manufacturing new energy vehicles, including hydrogen-powered vehicles.

One such example is the PVI, the South African version of the Hydrogen Valley, stretching from the north of the country to the east coast at the Port of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.

“South Africa has introduced tax incentives through the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No. 42 of 2024 for the manufacturing of new energy vehicles, including hydrogen-powered vehicles, aimed at stimulating local production and creating a strong market for both battery electric and hydrogen mobility,” Gina said.

She also called for an inclusive transition, saying the creation of a sustainable fuel future must also incorporate just, inclusive and transformative principles.

“Training, reskilling, and knowledge transfer will ensure that the transition creates jobs, builds industries, and uplifts communities across the globe.”

The Deputy Minister is currently in Japan until Thursday to engage with Japanese officials on international collaboration, demand stimulation, and supply chain development between the two nations.  

READ | Gina heads to Japan to advance relations on hydrogen, sustainable fuels

The Ministerial Meetings are held in collaboration with Expo 2025 Osaka, an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world to address global issues and showcase Japan’s technological capabilities in achieving a hydrogen-powered society.

From 16 – 18 September, the Deputy Minister will engage in discussions with representatives from the Japanese government, academic institutions, and commercial entities.

The discussions will focus on science, technology and innovation-related matters, such as nanotechnology, carbon recycling, astronomy and space science technologies. – SAnews.gov.za

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Afreximbank and South African Government sign landmark Joint Project Preparation Facility Agreement to accelerate infrastructure development

Source: APO – Report:

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has marked a significant milestone in infrastructure development in Africa with the signing of a landmark Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) Facility Agreement with the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

The agreement was formalised during a ceremony on the margins of the just concluded Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria. It aims to expedite the preparation of vital infrastructure projects by the Government’s Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) Programme within the National Department of Public Works And Infrastructure.  

The JPPF is designed to co-finance preparation and delivery of high-quality, bankable projects across several critical sectors, including energy, transport and logistics, and digital infrastructure. This transformative partnership is expected to unlock investments totalling to at least US$ 750 million, significantly contributing to the country’s economic development.  

By combining Afreximbank’s financial expertise with strategic oversight of ISA, the partnership seeks to create a robust pipeline of bankable projects essential for closing South Africa’s infrastructure gap. This initiative is expected to stimulate industrialisation and attract both public and private sector investments.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr. Kenny Molong, Deputy Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating: “The slow progression of project concepts into fully implemented projects often stems from insufficient vigour in the project preparation phase. This partnership with Afreximbank positions us to transform concepts into viable infrastructure projects that will attract private sector financing and deliver socio-economic benefits. Collaboration is key; no single nation or organisation has all the answers.” 

Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Afreximbank’s Managing Director of Export Development expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating: “We are pleased to partner with Government of South Africa, a pivotal regional economic powerhouse, to address its infrastructure challenges. Our goal is to establish a cohesive and interconnected infrastructure ecosystem that will elevate South Africa’s competitiveness and spur economic development, extending benefits beyond its borders into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region thereby promoting Intra-African trade and regional integration. Through this partnership, we aim to mobilise essential funding and technical expertise to de-risk projects at a critical stage in their development, enhancing the quality and speed of infrastructure delivery.”

Ms Doherty emphasised Afreximbank’s commitment to collaborating with government entities and welcomed the opportunity to partner with other governments to maximise the impact of this strategic intervention in Global Africa.

Ms Mameetse Masemola, Acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa welcomed this partnership as long overdue, she said: “This is a huge milestone for ISA that will go a long way in developing a credible infrastructure pipeline as mandated by H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa.”

The just ended IATF2025 was a huge success, exceeding all its initial projections. The event drew over 112,000 participants, both in person and virtually, and generated more than $48 billion in trade deals. It featured over 2,100 exhibitors and was attended by 20 Heads of State and Government representatives, along with several ministers and other senior government officials and leading businesspeople. It was hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and organised by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

Introduced in 2018, IATF is a platform for businesses to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. It aims to tap into opportunities from AfCFTA’s single market of over 1.4 billion people and GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.

For more information, please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact:
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development.

Media files

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UNHRC Unanimously Adopts Resolution to Hold Emergency Debate on Israeli Attack on Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Geneva, September 15, 2025

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution to hold an emergency debate Tuesday, on Israel’s September 9 attack against the State of Qatar.

This emergency debate was requested during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva by HE Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva Bilal Ahmad, on behalf of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Group and HE Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait Naser Al Hayen, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

In his speech, HE Permanent Representative of Algeria to the UN Office and International Organizations in Geneva Rachid Bladehane, explained the Arab Group’s support for the call by the GCC and the OIC to hold an emergency discussion session.

During the session, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, emphasized that holding this emergency discussion represents an opportunity for peace-loving countries to demonstrate their condemnation of this barbaric act and outdated arrogance, and an opportunity for the Human Rights Council to fulfill its duty to promote universal respect for all human rights values ​​and principles, as stipulated in General Assembly resolution 60/251, which established it.

She expressed her hope that this emergency discussion would demonstrate the seriousness, cohesion, and unity of the Human Rights Council in confronting the repercussions of this treacherous military attack on human rights, which represents yet another episode in a continuing pattern of violations and crimes committed by Israel in the region amid the international community’s inability to hold it accountable.

Her Excellency said that Qatar, an active member of the Human Rights Council, the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has been subjected to this blatant attack because of its role as a mediator working to host negotiations, facilitate dialogue to reach a ceasefire, and promote the language of negotiation over the barbaric logic of force, from which the world has reaped nothing but genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and gross violations of human rights.

HE Al Muftah emphasized that this treacherous attack on a country hosting negotiations and negotiators is a clear message from the party that carried it out that it does not recognize peaceful dialogue or negotiation, and does not care about the lives of others, not even the lives of its own people, whom we have been striving to find a peaceful settlement from which they can benefit.

Her Excellency noted that the Israeli Prime Minister is pushing Israel toward international isolation and transforming it into a rogue state. His attack on the State of Qatar confirms that he was not negotiating in good faith, but rather was tampering with the security and stability of the region.

Israel should know that arbitrary force, devoid of legitimacy and wisdom, has only created graveyards and more victims and prisoners in human history, she added.

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Qatar Denounces Israeli Strike on Doha as Brazen Violation of Sovereignty at UN Rights Council

Source: Government of Qatar

Geneva, September 15, 2025

Qatar has strongly condemned the recent Israeli attack on a residential area in Doha as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and international law.

The remarks were delivered by HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, during an interactive dialogue within the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC60).

Dr. Al Muftah was referring to the September 9 attack on the residences of Hamas’ negotiating team – an assault, which occurred near schools, mosques, and diplomatic missions, and esulted in civilian casualties.

Her Excellency warned that the attack not only breached the UN Charter and human rights treaties, but also directly undermined diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.

Qatar was attacked for its role as a mediator, Dr. Al Muftah said. Instead of being recognized for facilitating peaceful dialogue, Doha was treacherously targeted by the very party it was engaging with to promote human rights and peace, she added.

Her Excellency described the attack as armed, cowardly, and treacherous, adding that it represents a dangerous precedent — one that threatens any future peace negotiations and disregards the principles of diplomatic immunity and international norms.

Despite the aggression, Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to its mediating role, pledging to continue working as a neutral and credible international partner in pursuit of peace and regional stability.

Dr. Al Muftah called on the international community and the Human Rights Council to take a clear stand against such criminal acts and ensure accountability.

She emphasized that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Charter — a reminder, she said, of the fundamental global commitment to reject the use of force in international relations.

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South Africa’s Department of International Relations & Cooperation Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Partner

Source: APO


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South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has officially joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference as a partner. Taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, the event is the largest energy event on the continent, convening global and regional stakeholders to discuss strategies for making energy poverty history. DIRCO’s participation reflects its commitment to engaging global partners and promoting South Africa’s energy interests and is expected to unlock new opportunities for collaboration.

DIRCO’s participation comes as South Africa advances a just energy transition, striving to establish its own approach to addressing both the energy and climate crises. Rich in a variety of natural resources – from oil and gas to solar and wind to green hydrogen, nuclear and coal – the country seeks to facilitate greater investment across these industries. By strengthening bilateral relations through agreements that focus on attracting foreign investment and technology transfer across the entire energy value chain, DIRCO is at the forefront of South Africa’s global energy engagement. The department’s AEW: Invest in African Energies partnerships reflects its continued support for transforming the country’s energy systems through global ties.

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

South Africa offers a suite of bankable energy projects, and DIRCO has been making strides to engage foreign investors on these opportunities. In the oil and gas space, the country represents a promising frontier, with identified resources across both onshore and offshore basins demonstrating the potential for major discoveries. Driven by the newly-established state-owned oil company – the South African National Petroleum Company – the country is spearheading fresh exploration efforts and promoting frontier acreage to global companies. Ongoing projects include a five-well drilling campaign by Shell in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep block, a two-well campaign by TotalEnergies in the Orange Basin and the onshore Virginia Gas Project, led by Renergen. With a Gas Master Plan currently review and plans to promote licensing opportunities, South Africa is gearing up to welcome a surge of foreign investment across the oil and gas market.

South Africa’s energy opportunities for beyond oil and gas, with critical reforms being implemented across the broader energy market. Faced with power generation and transmission challenges, the country has sought to entice greater private sector investments across the renewable energy and power value chains. Recent efforts to achieve this include unbundling the state-owned utility Eskom, opening transmission infrastructure to independence power producers, fast-tracking project approvals and advancing its Integrated Resource Plan and Renewable Energy Masterplan – both of which pave the way for expanded solar, wind and battery storage deployment. These reforms aim to bring new generating capacity online while enhancing the penetration of renewable energy across the energy matrix.

Global partnerships have become a cornerstone for achieving these goals. The country signed on to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) in 2021, striving to tap into a diverse capital pool to fund its transition. Under the JET-P, pledges were made by the European Union, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, with subsequent pledges made by The Netherlands and Denmark. According to the South African Presidency, the country requires $100 billion to facilitate its JET Investment Plan, with $13.8 billion – comprising grants, concessional loans and commercial debt – pledged by international partners as of February 2025. Yet, the country still faces a significant investment gap, highlighting a strategic opportunity for foreign partners and project developers.

“DIRCO’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is expected to bridge the gap between foreign companies and South Africa’s energy opportunities. By facilitating global cooperation across strategic sectors, the department will support the country’s energy goals by serving as a vehicle for improved foreign relations,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Kenya Delegation to Join Smarter Mobility Africa in Partnership with GIZ

Source: APO

We’re delighted to confirm our continued partnership with GIZ Kenya’s Promotion of e-mobility project, who will coordinate a diverse delegation of transport professionals to attend Smarter Mobility Africa 2025 in Johannesburg this 30 Sept – 2 Oct.

The delegation will include senior representatives from Nairobi City County, the Ministry of Roads & Transport (State Department for Transport), the Ministry of Energy & Petroleum (State Department for Energy), Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC), and the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) – a cross-section of institutions driving Kenya’s fast-growing e-mobility ecosystem.

Kenya: Africa’s e-Mobility Hub

Kenya has emerged as one of the continent’s most dynamic e-mobility markets – on both the manufacturing and adoption fronts.

  • Manufacturing & value chains: Local assembly of e-motorcycles (e.g Roam), buses (e.g. BasiGo), and charging hardware is scaling, building jobs, skills, and supplier networks.
  • Policy-led adoption: Progressive guidelines, pilots, and national frameworks are catalysing real-world deployment and consumer uptake.

From nationwide charging-deployment studies to EPRA’s regulatory work and Nairobi City County’s EV framework, Kenya shows how public policy and private innovation can move in step. GIZ Kenya’s Promotion of E-mobility project continues to build bridges between policy, technology, and finance.

Why This Matters at SMA 2025

At Smarter Mobility Africa, the Kenyan delegation will:

  • Share experiences and lessons from charging-infrastructure and grid-integration work.
  • Showcase progress on policy, standards, and regulation that other markets can adapt.
  • Explore regional collaboration opportunities across East, Southern, and West Africa.
  • Contribute to dialogues on job creation, skills development, and local manufacturing.

Ben Pullen, Group Director for Mobility at VUKA Group (Smarter Mobility Africa), added:

“Having an organisation like GIZ and a strong delegation from Kenya is really important for Smarter Mobility Africa. This summit is a meeting place for African cities working hard to improve how we move people and goods. Sharing insight, knowledge, plans and projects is essential to accelerating progress.

Not only that – bringing these cities together creates a powerful platform for global and African solution providers and investors to connect with those shaping real change in the transport sector.”

Connect & Learn: Delegation Objectives

Beyond sharing insights, the delegation is coming to learn and build partnerships. Key targets include:

  • Solution providers: Charging, energy, software, vehicles, and data/telematics.
  • Public sector peers: City leaders, transport authorities, utilities, and regulators from across Africa.
  • Investors & financiers: Development partners, banks, funds, and project financiers.
  • Researchers & academia: Research, pilots, and training models for capacity building.

They’ll leverage conference sessions, curated networking, the SMA app’s delegate connections, site visits, and workshops to accelerate practical collaboration.

Michael Schuster, Team Lead Sustainable Mobility, GIZ Kenya shared that:

“Kenya is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s e-mobility transition, not only through progressive policies but also by ramping up real solutions on the ground. At Smarter Mobility Africa 2025, we look forward to showcasing Kenya’s progress while also learning from our peers across the continent.

For GIZ, it is an honor to facilitate this exchange and support our partners in government to connect with innovators, financiers, and regulators who are shaping the future of clean and inclusive transport.” 

A Platform for Africa’s Future

SMA is about more than technology – it’s about connecting leaders, speeding up learning cycles, and turning ideas into bankable projects. Through GIZ’s partnership, Kenya’s successes and challenges will contribute to shaping a continent-wide push toward cleaner, more inclusive mobility.

Smarter Mobility Africa 2025

30 Sept – 2 Oct | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. For more information about the Smarter Mobility Africa, visit: https://apo-opa.co/4n5QwBO

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Additional Links: 

Attached in the below

  1. Video interview with Ibrahim Auma, County Minister, Mobility & Works Sector, at Nairobi City County (http://apo-opa.co/4nxYxPJ) – Ahead of the event, Ben Pullen also interviewed the Ibrahim Auma, County Minister, Mobility & Works Sector, at Nairobi City County, to hear more about the city’s progress and priorities in advancing smarter mobility – including insights that will be shared as part of the summit experience.

    1. Raw File Version – https://apo-opa.co/3K4YWur

  2. Event Logos & Artwork: http://apo-opa.co/3K1wDwZ

  3. Photos from SMA 2024: http://apo-opa.co/3VCXzWB

For media and press inquiries:
contact Marketing Manager,
Timothy Adrigwe,
Timothy.Adrigwe@wearevuka.com

Follow and connect: 
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/47KDV26
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About Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA):
Smarter Mobility Africa is the leading pan-African platform dedicated to accelerating the transition to cleaner, more inclusive and efficient transport systems across the continent. Hosted annually, this year it is in Johannesburg, SMA brings together policymakers, innovators, industry leaders, and investors to explore smarter solutions for moving people and goods. The event is a space for connection, collaboration and action across public transport, e-mobility, infrastructure, and urban planning.

www.WeAreVUKA.com/mobility/SMA-summit

Media files

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Le ministère sud-africain des Relations internationales et de la Coopération rejoint African Energy Week (AEW) en tant que partenaire

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le ministère sud-africain des Relations internationales et de la Coopération (DIRCO) a officiellement rejoint l’African Energy Week (AEW) : Invest in African Energies en tant que partenaire. Se déroulant du 29 septembre au 3 octobre au Cap, cet événement est le plus grand événement énergétique du continent, réunissant des acteurs mondiaux et régionaux pour discuter des stratégies visant à éliminer la pauvreté énergétique. La participation du DIRCO reflète son engagement à impliquer des partenaires mondiaux et à promouvoir les intérêts énergétiques de l’Afrique du Sud. Elle devrait ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives de collaboration.

La participation du DIRCO intervient alors que l’Afrique du Sud poursuit une transition énergétique juste, s’efforçant d’établir sa propre approche pour faire face à la fois à la crise énergétique et à la crise climatique. Riche en ressources naturelles variées – du pétrole et du gaz à l’énergie solaire et éolienne, en passant par l’hydrogène vert, le nucléaire et le charbon –, le pays cherche à faciliter davantage les investissements dans ces secteurs. En renforçant les relations bilatérales grâce à des accords axés sur l’attraction des investissements étrangers et le transfert de technologies tout au long de la chaîne de valeur énergétique, le DIRCO est à l’avant-garde de l’engagement énergétique mondial de l’Afrique du Sud. Le partenariat AEW : Invest in African Energies (AEW) du département reflète son soutien continu à la transformation des systèmes énergétiques du pays grâce à des liens internationaux.

AEW : Invest in African Energies est la plateforme de choix pour les opérateurs de projets, les financiers, les fournisseurs de technologies et les gouvernements, et s’est imposée comme le lieu officiel pour la signature d’accords dans le domaine de l’énergie en Afrique. Visitez le site www.AECWeek.com pour plus d’informations sur cet événement passionnant.

L’Afrique du Sud offre une série de projets énergétiques bancables, et le DIRCO a fait des progrès pour inciter les investisseurs étrangers à saisir ces opportunités. Dans le domaine du pétrole et du gaz, le pays représente une frontière prometteuse, avec des ressources identifiées dans les bassins onshore et offshore qui démontrent le potentiel de découvertes majeures. Sous l’impulsion de la nouvelle compagnie pétrolière publique, la South African National Petroleum Company, le pays mène de nouveaux efforts d’exploration et promeut les terres frontalières auprès des entreprises mondiales. Parmi les projets en cours, citons une campagne de forage de cinq puits par Shell dans le bloc Ultra Deep du Cap Nord, une campagne de deux puits par TotalEnergies dans le bassin d’Orange et le projet gazier onshore Virginia, dirigé par Renergen. Avec un plan directeur pour le gaz actuellement en cours de révision et des projets visant à promouvoir les opportunités d’octroi de licences, l’Afrique du Sud se prépare à accueillir une vague d’investissements étrangers sur le marché du pétrole et du gaz.

Les opportunités énergétiques de l’Afrique du Sud au-delà du pétrole et du gaz, avec la mise en œuvre de réformes cruciales sur l’ensemble du marché de l’énergie. Confronté à des défis en matière de production et de transport d’électricité, le pays a cherché à attirer davantage d’investissements du secteur privé dans les chaînes de valeur des énergies renouvelables et de l’électricité. Les efforts récents pour y parvenir comprennent la scission de la société publique Eskom, l’ouverture des infrastructures de transport aux producteurs d’électricité indépendants, l’accélération des procédures d’approbation des projets et la promotion de son plan intégré de ressources et de son plan directeur pour les énergies renouvelables, qui ouvrent tous deux la voie à un déploiement accru de l’énergie solaire, éolienne et du stockage par batterie. Ces réformes visent à mettre en service de nouvelles capacités de production tout en renforçant la pénétration des énergies renouvelables dans le mix énergétique.

Les partenariats mondiaux sont devenus une pierre angulaire pour atteindre ces objectifs. Le pays a adhéré au Partenariat pour une transition énergétique juste (JET-P) en 2021, s’efforçant de puiser dans un pool de capitaux diversifié pour financer sa transition. Dans le cadre du JET-P, des engagements ont été pris par l’Union européenne, la France, l’Allemagne et le Royaume-Uni, suivis par les Pays-Bas et le Danemark. Selon la présidence sud-africaine, le pays a besoin de 100 milliards de dollars pour faciliter son plan d’investissement JET, dont 13,8 milliards de dollars – comprenant des subventions, des prêts concessionnels et des dettes commerciales – ont été promis par des partenaires internationaux en février 2025. Cependant, le pays est toujours confronté à un déficit d’investissement important, ce qui représente une opportunité stratégique pour les partenaires étrangers et les développeurs de projets.

« La participation du DIRCO à l’AEW : Invest in African Energies 2025 devrait combler le fossé entre les entreprises étrangères et les opportunités énergétiques de l’Afrique du Sud. En facilitant la coopération mondiale dans les secteurs stratégiques, le département soutiendra les objectifs énergétiques du pays en servant de vecteur pour l’amélioration des relations étrangères », déclare Tomás Gerbasio, vice-président commercial et engagement stratégique de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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CEO de la Fondation Merck rencontre la Première Dame du Kenya et 13 Premières Dames d’Afrique lors de la 7ème Édition du Sommet de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck afin de discuter de leurs programmes conjoints visant à transformer le paysage des soins aux patients et à répondre aux enjeux sociaux et sanitaires cruciaux

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Fondation Merck (www.Merck-Foundation.com), branche philanthropique de Merck KGaA Allemagne, a récemment organisé la 7ème Édition du Sommet MFFLI 2025 de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck. Elle a été inaugurée par le Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman du Conseil d’Administration de la Fondation Merck, et la Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck et Présidente de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck, et S.E. Mme RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., Première Dame de la République du Kenya et Ambassadrice de la Fondation Merck « Plus Qu’une Mère » aux côtés des Premières Dames d’Angola, Cap-Vert, République Centrafricaine, Gabon, Gambie, Ghana, Libéria, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigéria, São Tomé-et-Principe, Sénégal, et Zimbabwe.

Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej a déclaré : « J’ai été ravie de rencontrer ma chère sœur, S.E. Mme RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., Première Dame de la République du Kenya et Ambassadrice de la Fondation Merck « Plus Qu’une Mère » pour la 7ème Édition de notre Sommet de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck. Je suis fière d’annoncer que 244 bourses ont été octroyées à des médecins kenyans locaux dans de nombreuses spécialités essentielles et mal desservies telles que la Fertilité et Embryologie, Oncologie, Diabète, Endocrinologie, Médecine Cardiovasculaire Préventive, Cardiologie, Soins Sexuels et Reproductifs, Gastroentérologie, Médecine Respiratoire, Médecine Aiguë, Psychiatrie, Médecine Interne, Dermatologie, Médecine Néonatale, Urologie, Prise en Charge de la Douleur, Soins Intensifs, Rhumatologie, etc. Environ 50 % de ces bourses sont accordées à des femmes prestataires de soins de santé, ce qui constitue une étape importante dans l’autonomisation des femmes. »

S.E. Mme RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., Première Dame de la République du Kenya et Ambassadrice de la Fondation Merck « Plus Qu’une Mère », a souligné : « Je suis très fière de notre partenariat avec la Fondation Merck. Ensemble, nous renforçons et transformons notre système de santé publique, grâce aux 244 bourses accordées à nos médecins. Il s’agit d’une étape importante qui aura un impact durable sur la qualité et l’accessibilité des soins de santé dans tout notre pays.

De plus, nous soutenons l’éducation des filles grâce au programme « Éduquer Linda » en parrainant l’éducation de 47 écolières kenyanes défavorisées mais brillantes, jusqu’à l’obtention de leur diplôme. »

Regardez le discours de la Première Dame du Kenya et Ambassadrice de la Fondation Merck « Plus Qu’une Mère » lors du Sommet de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck 2025 ici : https://apo-opa.co/4nt1nVZ

Regardez la vidéo de la CEO de la Fondation Merck, Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej, recevant S.E. Mme RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., Première Dame de la République du Kenya et Ambassadrice de la Fondation Merck « Plus Qu’une Mère » :  https://apo-opa.co/46skWaf

Le deuxième jour du Sommet, une réunion du comité de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck – MFFLI a eu lieu entre les Premières Dames d’Afrique et le Chairman et la CEO de la Fondation Merck. Au cours de cette réunion, les Premières Dames d’Afrique et d’Asie ont partagé le rapport d’impact des programmes de la Fondation Merck dans leurs pays respectifs et ont discuté de la stratégie future.

Regardez la vidéo de la réunion du comité MFFLI : https://apo-opa.co/42yNcGT

En collaboration avec la Première Dame du Kenya, la Fondation Merck a octroyé 224 bourses à de jeunes médecins dans de nombreuses spécialités essentielles et mal desservies. Parmi les 244 bourses :

  • 123 bourses ont été accordées pour des Diplômes Post-Universitaires d’un an et des Masters de deux ans sur le Diabète, Médecine Cardiovasculaire Préventive, Cardiologie et Endocrinologie à des médecins kenyans de différentes provinces du pays. À l’issue de leur formation, de nombreux anciens étudiants de la Fondation Merck ont ouvert leurs propres cliniques spécialisées. Ces experts fournissent non seulement des soins indispensables, mais jouent également un rôle crucial dans la sensibilisation à la prévention et aux signes précoces du diabète.
  • 10 bourses ont été accordées en Oncologie afin de développer et de renforcer les capacités de prise en charge du cancer dans le pays, une spécialité essentielle compte tenu du nombre croissant de patients atteints de cancer dans le pays et sur le continent.
  • 46 bourses ont été accordées en Fertilité, Embryologie et Diplômes Post-Universitaires d’un an et Masters de deux ans en Médecine Sexuelle et Reproductive, dans le cadre de la campagne « Fondation Merck Plus Qu’une Mère ».
  • De plus, 64 bourses d’études en ligne d’un an pour les Diplôme Post-Universitaire et Master de deux ans ont été accordées dans de nombreuses autres spécialités essentielles et mal desservies telles que la Gastroentérologie, Médecine Respiratoire, Médecine Aiguë, Psychiatrie, Médecine Interne, Dermatologie, Médecine Néonatale, Urologie, Prise en Charge de la Douleur, Soins Intensifs, Rhumatologie, etc., dans le cadre de son Programme de Renforcement des Capacités.

Au total, la Fondation Merck a jusqu’à présent accordé 2 280 bourses à des médecins de 52 pays dans 44 spécialités médicales mal desservies.

« Nous avons toujours cru en l’importance du renforcement des capacités en matière de soins de santé et nous y travaillons depuis 2012. Nous continuerons à renforcer et à améliorer les capacités en matière de soins de santé au Kenya, dans le reste de l’Afrique et au-delà », a ajouté la Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

La Fondation Merck a également organisé 3 éditions de sa Formation des Médias sur la Santé En Ligne, afin de souligner le rôle important des médias pour aborder ces questions sociales et sanitaires cruciales et être la voix des sans-voix.

En outre, La Fondation Merck a également lancé un Appel à Candidatures pour ses 8 prix importants, en partenariat avec la Première Dame du Kenya, destinés aux médias, aux musiciens, aux créateurs de mode, aux cinéastes, aux étudiants et aux nouveaux talents potentiels dans ces domaines.

De plus, en partenariat avec la Première Dame du Kenya, la Fondation Merck a également lancé sept livres d’histoires pour enfants : « Plus Qu’une Mère », « Éduquer Linda », « Le Secours de Jackline », « Pas Qui Vous êtes », « Une Balade vers le Futur », « Jude Sans Sucre » et « La Tension de Mark ». Ces livres abordent diverses questions sociales et sanitaires, telles que la lutte contre la stigmatisation liée à l’infertilité, le soutien à l’éducation des filles, la lutte contre la violence sexiste, la sensibilisation sur le diabète et l’hypertension. Ces livres seront bientôt disponibles en swahili.

La 7ème édition de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck a été diffusée en direct sur les réseaux sociaux de Merck Foundation et Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck :

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4pnFIR1), X (https://apo-opa.co/3K1Byhw), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46CeFd8), et YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3VeEXvN).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4nwu30f), X (https://apo-opa.co/47JG2TH), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3IoMQf4), et YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4ppFQzc).

La Fondation Merck transforme le paysage des soins aux patients et écrit l’histoire avec ses partenaires en Afrique, en Asie et au-delà, à travers :

• Plus de 2280 Bourses offertes par la Fondation Merck pour les médecins de 52 pays dans 44 spécialités médicales critiques et mal desservies.  

La Fondation Merck crée également un changement de culture et brise le silence sur un large éventail de problèmes sociaux et sanitaires en Afrique et dans les communautés mal desservies grâce à :

• Plus de 3700 Journalistes de plus de 35 pays formés pour mieux sensibiliser sur les différents problèmes sociaux et sanitaires.

• 8 Prix Différents lancés chaque année pour la meilleure couverture médiatique, les créateurs de mode, les films et les chansons.

• Environ 30 chansons pour aborder les problèmes sanitaires et sociaux par des chanteurs locaux à travers l’Afrique.

• 8 livres de contes pour enfants en trois langues – anglais, français et portugais.

• 7 Films d’Animation de Sensibilisation en cinq langues : Anglais, Français, Portugais, Espagnol et Swahili pour sensibiliser sur la prévention et le dépistage précoce du diabète et de l’hypertension et soutenir l’éducation des filles.

• Programme Télévisé Panafricain « Notre Afrique par la Fondation Merck » abordant les problèmes sociaux et sanitaires en Afrique à travers la communauté « Mode et L’Art avec un But ».

• Plus de 950 bourses accordées à des écolières africaines brillantes mais défavorisées pour leur permettre de terminer leurs études.

  • 15 chaînes de réseaux sociaux avec plus de 8 millions de d’abonnés.

Distribué par APO Group pour Merck Foundation.

Contact :
Mehak Handa
Responsable du programme de sensibilisation communautaire
Téléphone : +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
E-mail : mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Rejoignez la conversation sur nos plateformes de réseaux sociaux ci-dessous et faites entendre votre voix :
Facebook : https://apo-opa.co/4pnFIR1
X : https://apo-opa.co/3K1Byhw
YouTube : https://apo-opa.co/3VeEXvN
Instagram : https://apo-opa.co/46CeFd8
Threads : https://apo-opa.co/4gts4HY
Flickr : https://apo-opa.co/3VeER7p
Site Web : www.Merck-Foundation.com
Télécharger l’Application de la Fondation Merck : https://apo-opa.co/42wgWEe

À propos de la Fondation Merck : 
La Fondation Merck, créée en 2017, est la branche philanthropique de Merck KGaA Allemagne, vise à améliorer la santé et le bien-être des populations et à faire progresser leur vie grâce à la science et à la technologie. Nos efforts sont principalement axés sur l’amélioration de l’accès à des solutions de soins de santé de qualité et équitables dans les communautés mal desservies, à renforcer les capacités de recherche sur les soins de santé et la recherche scientifique, l’autonomisation des filles à travers l’éducation et l’autonomisation des personnes en STEM (Science, Technologie, Ingénierie et Mathématiques) avec un accent particulier sur les femmes et les jeunes. Tous les communiqués de presse de la Fondation Merck sont distribués par e-mail en même temps qu’ils deviennent disponibles sur le site Web de la Fondation Merck. Veuillez visiter www.Merck-Foundation.com pour en savoir plus. Pour en savoir plus, contactez nos réseaux sociaux de la Fondation Merck : Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4pnFIR1), X (https://apo-opa.co/3K1Byhw), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46CeFd8), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3VeEXvN), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4gts4HY) et Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/3VeER7p).

La Fondation Merck se consacre à l’amélioration des résultats sociaux et sanitaires pour les communautés dans le besoin. Bien qu’elle collabore avec divers partenaires, y compris des gouvernements, pour atteindre ses objectifs humanitaires, la fondation reste strictement neutre sur le plan politique. Elle ne s’engage pas et ne soutient pas d’activités, d’élections ou de régimes politiques, se focalise uniquement sur sa mission d’élever l’humanité et d’améliorer le bien-être tout en maintenant une position strictement apolitique dans toutes ses activités.

Media files

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Ansaru terror leaders’ arrest is a strategic change for Nigeria: what could happen next

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Saheed Babajide Owonikoko, Researcher, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University of Technology

Attacks by non-state armed groups are a security challenge in the Sahel, including Nigeria.

In northern Nigeria, the activities of Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (also known as Boko Haram), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) contribute to the instability of the Nigerian state.

On 16 August 2025, Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s national security adviser, announced the arrest of two leaders of Ansaru: Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri.

They appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 11 September. Usman pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal mining activities and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. They are currently facing a 32-count charge including engagement in acts of terrorism, and other violent crimes.

As a scholar of security studies, I can offer some thoughts about the importance of the arrest, possible responses from Ansaru and how Nigeria should respond.

Who are the two men arrested?

Mahmud Muhammed Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri are two key leaders of Ansaru, a terrorist organisation that formed as a breakaway faction of Boko Haram in 2012 in Kano state. Boko Haram is a Salafi Jihadist militant group operating in north-east Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. It’s known for its efforts since 2010 to establish an Islamic state governed by Islamic law.

Ansaru functioned until 2013 before it appeared to fizzle out. Its operations included a prison break in November 2012, an attack on a Nigerian military convoy heading to Mali in January 2013 and the kidnapping of seven expatriates working with Setraco Construction Company in Bauchi in February 2013.

Since 2013, not much has been heard about the group. Some linked its silence to the death of its leader Abubakar Adam Kambar in 2012. Others said it had been forced back into mainstream Boko Haram by that group’s then leader Abubakar Shekau.

But Ansaru revived between 2018 and 2020 and has been recruiting and involved in rising banditry and kidnapping in North West and North Central.

The arrested leaders are prominent figures in Ansaru. An official statement revealed that Mahmud Muhammad Usman is the amir (leader) and Mahmud al-Nigeri serves as the deputy and chief of staff.

Both have undergone extensive training from al-Qaeda in the Maghreb region. Al-Qaeda is a pan-Islamic militant group leading a global Islamist revolution aimed at uniting the Muslim world. It was established by Osama Bin Laden in 1988 and he remained its leader until 2011, when he was killed.

Strategic significance of the arrest

Arresting leaders is known in counterterrorism as “leadership decapitation” or “snakehead strategy”. This involves capturing or killing the leaders or high-ranking commanders of terrorist organisations.

Not all policymakers and academics agree about the effectiveness of that tactic. States facing terrorism challenges, such as Israel, the United States and Russia, often use it, but most research shows it is not that effective.

It may temporarily incapacitate the group, but the group may bounce back even more brutally.

The targeted killing of Osama Bin Laden decimated al-Qaeda but paved the way for the rise of the Islamic State as a global caliphate. Islamic State has been lethal in its operations, particularly in the Sahel.

And the 2009 killing of Muhammed Yusuf, the former leader of Boko Haram, led to the emergence of Abubakar Shekau. Under him, Boko Haram became more formidable until he died in 2021.

The case of the Ansaru leaders is different, however. It is target arrest and incarceration.

This strategy has advantages for Nigeria and the broader Sahel region.

Incarceration of the two leaders means Ansaru won’t be able to take key decisions for some time. And it will deny the group some key technical know-how. Terrorist organisations seldom get new leaders while others are still alive.

Al-Nigeri is not only deputy and chief of staff, he is an expert in planning and implementing attacks and kidnapping in Nigeria and Niger. He underwent training in the Maghreb in handling weapons and making explosive devices.

It’s possible that lack of access to their expertise and authority will drastically reduce the activities of Ansaru.

Shortly after their arrest, Abduraham Yusuf, son of the Boko Haram founder, who is also a leader of one of ISWAP cells in the region, was arrested in Chad. Similarly, Boko Haram leader Ibrahim Mahamadu, also known as Bakura, was reportedly killed in Niger Republic on 20 August.

I believe these two incidents may be related to intelligence obtained following the arrest of the two Ansaru leaders.

Likely responses from the group

Considering the importance of the two leaders to Ansaru, there are two likely responses from the group.

  • breaking them out of prison – the group carried out prison breaks in 2012 and 2022

  • high-profile kidnapping and hostage taking, a trademark of Ansaru.

The March 28 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train bombing incident was believed to have been carried out by Ansaru with the support of some bandits as a retaliation for the Nigerian Police raid of Ansaru Camp in Kaduna State in which two commanders of the group were killed.

Even the parent group, Boko Haram, possibly executed the Chibok kidnapping in 2014 in retaliation for some of its commanders under incarceration of Nigerian government. Given these antecedents, the arrest of their prize leaders may trigger retaliation from the group.

Although the group’s ability to retaliate largely depends on whether it can still function effectively without the inputs of its two leaders in incarceration, the current cordial relationship between Ansaru and some bandits operating in the North West may make this possible.

Responses from the state

The Nigerian government and security forces must brace for likely retaliation from Ansaru. I expect that these two leaders should not be kept together in the same prison facility, and there is a need to adequately fortify prison facilities where they are kept to fend off any possible attack.

Furthermore, security needs to be provided for key places, especially schools, communities, and other vulnerable people that Ansaru may attack in the North West and North Central regions.

– Ansaru terror leaders’ arrest is a strategic change for Nigeria: what could happen next
– https://theconversation.com/ansaru-terror-leaders-arrest-is-a-strategic-change-for-nigeria-what-could-happen-next-264921

Posted on

Inequality in Africa: what drives it, how to end it and what some countries are getting right

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Imraan Valodia, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Climate, Sustainability and Inequality and Director, Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand

The relationship between inequality and economic growth is a complex one, especially in Africa. Inequality is the result of a host of factors, including policy choices, institutional legacies and power structures that favour elites. Professor Imraan Valodia, director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies spoke to Ernest Aryeetey, emeritus professor of Development Economics at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana about the issues.

What policy choices have African governments made that have worsened inequality?

Firstly, structural adjustment policies. Many African countries undertook these during the late 20th century, often encouraged by international financial institutions. These policies included public sector retrenchments, the removal of subsidies, and reduced social services. They disproportionately affected the poor by weakening the state’s role in redistributing public goods, and limiting access to essential services.

The programmes also increased income inequality by choosing free markets over social protection. Later efforts to address the consequences were often “too little, too late.”

Secondly, taxation and fiscal policies. Most tax systems in Africa have relied on indirect taxes (such as VAT or consumption taxes) rather than progressive, direct taxes on income and wealth. As a result, poorer households often bear a heavier relative tax burden while the wealthiest benefit from exemptions or evasion.

Early post-independence taxation rarely did much to redistribute wealth, and efforts to tax the informal sector have been minimal or poorly designed. They have failed to capture significant resources for social spending.

Thirdly, education and healthcare investment. Policy choices have often perpetuated access gaps between urban and rural populations and among socioeconomic classes. Investments tended to favour cities and privileged groups, so that not everyone had the same opportunities. This “urban bias” in public spending reinforced existing inequalities. Rural people’s needs remained unmet.

Fourthly, weak social protection. Until the expansion of more comprehensive schemes in the 2000s, many Africans were left poor and vulnerable, without adequate safety nets.

Fifth, economic structures favour elites. African governments have often maintained or even reinforced economic structures that concentrate wealth and opportunity for just a few. Examples include policies favouring extractive industries or resource sectors controlled by politically connected groups. Land tenure, trade policies and access to state contracts and licences have frequently favoured the powerful.

Sixth, limited regional and gender inclusion. Early public policies rarely met the needs of women, youth, rural areas, or marginalised regions. Exclusion from land ownership or financial services, and limited emphasis on affirmative action, reinforced systemic inequalities. Only in recent decades have some governments begun to address these gaps, but progress remains uneven.

Are these choices linked to the capture of public policy by elites?

Yes. Privileged groups have often shaped or manipulated state policies in ways that protect their interests and reinforce inequality.

Colonial and postcolonial legacy. Policies and institutions established during and after colonialism often allocated resources and power to a narrow elite, either colonial settlers, expatriates or local collaborators. Today’s elites inherited and sustained many of these structures. They still control wealth, land, and market opportunities.

Economic structure and resource control. Many African economies remain oriented around extractive industries and primary commodities such as oil and minerals. Policies around resource extraction, trade and land tenure have often favoured elites through preferential access, tax exemptions and regulatory loopholes.

Policy design and fiscal choices. The design of tax systems has typically favoured indirect taxes (like VAT). These do not affect elite wealth. Efforts to tax high incomes, property or capital gains are underdeveloped or easily evaded.

Read more: Tax season in South Africa: the system is designed to tackle inequality – how it falls short

Social protection and service delivery. Safety nets and public goods (like quality education, healthcare, or infrastructure) often target formal sector workers or urban residents (where elites reside). They neglect the informal sector, rural poor and marginalised groups.

Political patronage and governance. State resources, positions and contracts go to loyalists, family members, or ethnic/regional networks.

What have been the 3 biggest inequality drivers?

Firstly, regressive fiscal policies. These include broad based taxes such as transaction levies and VAT. They take a larger share of low income earners’ cash flows. Wealthier groups benefit from exemptions or low tax rates.

Secondly, rapid, elite led privatisation and market liberalisation. Selling state assets or opening key sectors (energy, telecoms and transport) to politically connected investors concentrates profits and market power. Informal workers and small firms are left with reduced earnings.

Patronage, corruption and political capture keep things that way.

Thirdly, under-investment in universal social services. Cuts to health, education and social safety nets limit upward mobility for the poor and maintain regional and gender gaps.

Lastly, resource dependence and economic structure. Many African economies focus on industries like oil, minerals and cash crops. These benefit political and business elites but don’t diversify industries or create jobs. The benefits of growth go mostly to the already privileged. Most citizens and entire regions are excluded.

Which countries have managed best to change this?

Rwanda has a progressive income tax structure. Low value mobile money transactions are exempt from tax. Key utilities such as electricity and water remain largely public, which has reduced the impact of taxes on the poor.

Rwanda has also made efforts towards inclusive governance. Examples include quotas for women, investments in health and education, and a focus on rural inclusion.

Botswana has pursued a cautious privatisation agenda. The state retains majority ownership in diamonds, telecoms and banking. Revenues were channelled into universal primary education and health.

Despite its dependence on diamonds, it does well at channelling resource wealth into national savings, infrastructure and public services. This while maintaining relatively high institutional quality and political stability.

Ethiopia, pre 2020 reforms which saw the role of the private sector being broadened.

Before then, the country had focused on massive public investment in primary education, health extension services and rural road networks. At the same time it avoided large scale privatisation of basic utilities. This limited the social service gap.

In addition, it has invested in manufacturing and export-led growth. This has generated jobs and gradually shifted the economy away from depending on primary commodities. Inequality has reduced compared to resource-dependent peers.

Have technology advances affected inequality differently on the continent?

Yes.

Technology has the potential to reduce inequality by expanding access to markets, services, information and financial inclusion. But gaps in digital infrastructure, affordability and skills have caused technology to sometimes reinforce, rather than alleviate, disparities in African countries.

  • Digital divide and urban-rural gaps. Access to digital technologies is highly uneven. Rural areas, the poor, women and less-educated groups are less likely to use the internet or benefit from digital services. This divide is much starker in Africa than in advanced economies, where technology adoption is nearly universal. As a result, new technologies can benefit urban, educated and higher-income groups the most. This widens inequalities if not accompanied by robust, inclusive policies.

  • Mobile leapfrogging, but patchy inclusion. Africa’s rapid leap to mobile phone use has often skipped fixed-line infrastructure. This has brought financial inclusion and new markets to millions, such as M-Pesa in Kenya. Still, large parts of the continent remain excluded due to affordability, lack of electricity, limited digital skills and language barriers.

  • Economic structure and global value chains. Limited integration into global value chains and a small high-tech sector mean most jobs on the continent remain in low-productivity informal work.

Why do the effects differ?

Firstly, late, unequal adoption. The industrial revolution and subsequent technological advances arrived late and unevenly. Colonial and postcolonial legacies left Africa behind in both education and infrastructure. This made it harder for broad segments of the population to benefit from new technologies.

Infrastructure scarcity forces societies to adopt mobile solutions directly, bypassing legacy banking but also making them vulnerable to policy shocks.

Secondly, policy and market failures. Inadequate regulation, weak competition and high costs of devices and data are brakes on digital transformation. Digital public goods, such as e-government and online education, reach only connected groups. And digital skills gaps further entrench the social digital divide.

– Inequality in Africa: what drives it, how to end it and what some countries are getting right
– https://theconversation.com/inequality-in-africa-what-drives-it-how-to-end-it-and-what-some-countries-are-getting-right-265265