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Ghana: Government to invest GH¢13.9 Billion ‘Big Push’ Infrastructure Drive—Deputy Finance Minister

Source: APO


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Government has made known plans to allocate billions of cedis towards large-scale infrastructure projects under what it calls the ‘Big Push’ initiative, aimed at bridging the country’s critical infrastructure deficit and stimulating long-term growth.

Speaking at the KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow in Accra, Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, revealed that government plans to invest GH¢13.9 billion in 2025 on priority infrastructure projects. This figure is expected to increase to GH¢21.2 billion by 2028.

The funding will be drawn primarily from petroleum revenues under the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) and mineral royalties, which are being restructured to focus on key areas such as, Roads and transport, Energy and power generation, Digital infrastructure, Urban and rural development.

“This is not a small nudge or a patch-up job. It’s an economic reset, powered by a US$10 billion Big Push for infrastructure development,” Mr. Ampem emphasized.

Urgent Infrastructure Needs

Ghana’s infrastructure demands remain substantial. Estimates suggest the country needs US$37 billion annually for the next 30 years to meet development goals across sectors. Maintaining existing infrastructure alone is expected to cost an additional US$8 billion annually.

The Deputy Minister cited Ghana’s low score of 47 out of 100 on the Global Infrastructure Hub index, below the average for lower-middle-income countries, as a sign of chronic underinvestment.

“Our cities need better transport. Our industries require dependable energy. Our farmers need modern irrigation. And our youth demand digital highways for the future,” he said.

Emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

While public investment is being scaled up, Mr. Ampemstressed that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) will be essential to closing the infrastructure gap.

“The public purse alone cannot meet these needs. The fiscal space is limited, and the demands are vast. PPPs are not just helpful — they are indispensable.”

He noted that the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) will be key in setting up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to attract private capital, blended finance, and international development funding.

Call to Investors

The Deputy Minister urged both local and international investors to explore opportunities in sectors such as transport, energy, digital infrastructure, and urban development, describing them as “vast and transformative.”

“The framework is in place. The vision is clear. The government’s commitment under President Mahama’s leadership is unwavering. Your innovation, capital, and expertise are not only welcome, they are crucial,” he told investors.

He concluded by calling for strong collaboration between government and the private sector, emphasizing that sustainable infrastructure transformation will require a united effort.

The KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow, held under the theme “Unlocking Ghana’s Public Private Partnership Potential: Bridging Reform and Results,” brought together policymakers, investors, engineers, and business leaders to explore strategies for accelerating infrastructure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance – Republic of Ghana.

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African leaders, African Development Bank (AfDB) push for governance reforms, regional integration for Africa’s transformation at Nigerian Economic Society Conference

Source: APO

African leaders, experts, the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and development partners have called for urgent reforms to strengthen governance, deepen regional integration, and drive inclusive growth across the continent.

Opening the Nigerian Economic Society’s (NES) 66th Annual Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima stated that Nigeria’s youthful population — on average aged 16.9 years — could either drive prosperity or deepen poverty depending on policy choices.

The 2025 NES conference has drawn more than 2,500 delegates from 22 African countries, including economists, policymakers, academics, and international partners. Discussions are focusing on structural vulnerabilities amid global disruptions ranging from climate change and geopolitical tensions to debt sustainability and demographic pressures.

Comparing India’s $100 billion annual outsourcing industry with Nigeria’s peak oil revenues of $25 billion in 2011, the vice-president urged diversification into knowledge-based sectors.

“Africa’s 1.5 billion people should represent a formidable economic force, yet the continent accounts for just 16 percent of global trade,” Shettima said. “We slept through the first three industrial revolutions. Now in the fourth, Africa stands at a crossroads.”

The continent’s failure to marry politics with sound economic management has left it trailing in global trade and industrial progress, Shettima said, addressing the theme “Rethinking Africa’s Development: Pathways to Economic Transformation and Social Inclusion in a Changing Global Economic Landscape.”

Shettima elaborated on the Nigerian government’s removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and tax reforms, conceding the hardship of inflation and high living costs but stressing that investor confidence was returning.

“These are tough times, but the recovery will be permanent,” he said, crediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration with showing political will to confront long-ignored structural weaknesses.

Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, underscored the continent’s financing challenges, noting that individual countries in Europe and Asia carry larger debt markets than Africa as a whole. He called for greater access to capital and more investment in social inclusion and infrastructure.

“Our experience over the past two years shows that bold, even risky, reforms are necessary,” he said. “To reach Nigeria’s goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030, and to lift Africa as a whole, we must embrace paradigm-shifting policies at all levels.”

In his goodwill message at the opening session of the event, the Director of the African Development Institute at the African Development Bank, Eric Ogunleye, reaffirmed the African Development Bank’s commitment to supporting Africa’s wider development agenda.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Strategic Framework on Key Actions to Achieve Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, the Public Service Delivery Index, and specialized training platforms, including the Public Finance Management Academy for Africa and the Macroeconomic Policy Management Academy for Africa.

“These tools are available at no cost to member countries and are designed to accelerate structural transformation and inclusive growth,” he told delegates.

Speaking later on “Rethinking Governance Models in Africa for Sustainable Economic Growth” during a plenary panel session, Ogunleye said governance and leadership remain decisive in separating successful economies from struggling ones.

“Governance is not just an end in itself; it is an economic imperative,” he said. “Where governance is weak, whether overly centralized, fragmented, or reactive, countries fail to respond effectively to shocks.”

Other panelists stressed that Africa’s transformation depends on deeper regional integration. Wale Ogunkola of the University of Ibadan argued that the African Continental Free Trade Area must go beyond tariff reduction to build value chains, boost infrastructure, and integrate services into manufacturing.

 “If you don’t produce, what are you going to trade?” he asked, calling for stronger private sector involvement.

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

Media Contact:
Kwasi Kpodo,
Communication and External Relations
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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Nigeria: African Development Bank and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) partner to support inclusive, resilient water services in Maiduguri

Source: APO

The Government of Borno State, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have convened a partnership roundtable to accelerate access to safe, sustainable, and inclusive water services in Maiduguri.

The event held on Tuesday 10 September, coincided with the first anniversary of devastating floods in Borno, aggravated by the collapse of the Alau Dam, which severely impacted Maiduguri and Jere local government areas.

Borno State, located in Nigeria’s Lake Chad region, has faced over a decade of conflict, displacement, and rapid urban growth. Between 2006 and 2021, Maiduguri’s population more than doubled and is projected to exceed 2.5 million by 2030, placing immense pressure on water infrastructure. Public water systems currently meet only part of the demand, forcing many households to rely on unsafe and costly sources, with women and children most affected.

The roundtable brought together senior representatives from the Borno State Government, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, AfDB, ICRC, World Bank, Agence Française de Développement, development partners, UN agencies, diplomats, and technical experts.

Mallam Bukar Tijani, Secretary to the State Government of Borno, emphasized the State’s commitment: “Ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location or socio-economic status, has access to safe and affordable water is a top priority for Borno State. We are committed to working with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the African Development Bank, ICRC, and other partners to bridge the gap between need and provision through technology, expertise, and sustainable financing.”

Dr. Abdul Kamara, the Bank’s Director General for Nigeria, in his remarks stated: “Water, resilience, and peace are deeply interconnected. Investing in water is central to the African Development Bank’s Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa. Through initiatives like the Inclusive Basic Services Delivery Program and strong partnerships with the Nigerian government and institutions like the ICRC, we are helping northern Nigeria move from recurring crises to a future of stability, resilience, and sustainable development.”

Doris El Doueihy, head of the ICRC Delegation in Nigeria, added: “The humanitarian–development link is not just a concept; it is a lifeline. We must meet urgent needs while investing in long-term resilience to prevent future crises and setbacks to development.”

Joseph Terlumun, Babarinde Segun Mukaila, Director of Water Supply and Support Services representing the Water and Sanitation minister, highlighted the Federal Government’s role: “The Federal Government has developed a National Action Plan to revitalize water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services across the country. As one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate impacts, we must harness innovation and technology to manage our water resources sustainably and ensure access for all Nigerians.”

Over the past decade, the African Development Bank has invested over $805 million in water and sanitation projects across Nigeria, improving access for at least 8 million people. In Borno State, Bank programs have benefited 1.6 million people, including 417 interventions in Maiduguri, enhancing water access, healthcare, education, and livelihoods.

The roundtable concluded with a strong call to action, with the Borno State Government committing to establish a steering committee and work closely with development partners to implement the project. Participants also endorsed the Maiduguri Urban Water Supply Masterplan as the guiding framework for expanding access to safe water and improving resilience. They also agreed that providing safe, reliable, and affordable water for Maiduguri is critical for public health, resilience, and lasting peace across northeast Nigeria.

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

Contact:
Nkiruka Ugoh,
African Development Bank Nigeria Country Department
email: 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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Celebrating this Year’s 20 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars

Source: APO

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) proudly announces this year’s 20 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars, celebrating the visionaries shaping Africa’s energy future. The 20 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars represent the full spectrum of the energy industry across Africa – from oil to natural gas and renewables – and have emerged as the drivers of the African energy sector. Representing both public and private companies, these women have demonstrated that their commitment to the industry goes beyond their job scope, to empower others, uplift communities and create lasting change across the African energy sector.

In alphabetical order:

Annie Cyrielle Okouma, Production Chemistry Engineer, SLB – Gabon

Annie Cyrielle Okouma is a trained chemical engineer, working for global technology company SLB in Gabon. Since joining the company, she rose the ranks, starting as a trainee laboratory technician and field engineer and now working as a production chemistry engineer.

Ashanti Kutala Mbanga, Program Manager, SANEDI – South Africa

Ashanti Kutala Mbanga, Project Manager at South African National Energy Development Institution, leads South Africa’s energy efficiency labelling program. She advocates for women and youth inclusion, serving as Vice-Chairperson of the Association for Females in Energy Efficiency.

Carolina Ana da Graça, Business Analyst, Chevron – Angola

Angolan professional Carolina Ana da Graca, a Chevron Angola Business Analyst, holds a degree in maritime transportation. An award-winning researcher, she is pursuing a master’s in transportation planning, specializing in maritime cybersecurity challenges.

Chisom Okolie, Senior Associate, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie – Nigeria

Nigerian lawyer Chisom Okolie, Senior Associate in energy and finance, advises multinational clients on complex transactions. Recognized as a Rising Star, she co-authors legal publications and champions women’s advancement in business law.

Elisangela Neto Fernandes, Global Asset Manager: Production Systems, SLB – Angola

Angolan geologist Elisangela Neto Fernandes began offshore as a Field Engineer in 2012. Rising through technical, global coordination and leadership roles, she now manages Surface Production Systems across Angola and Central East Africa.

Fiona Magomere, Power System Control Engineer, Kenya Power & Lighting Company – Kenya

Kenyan engineer Fiona Magomere, Power Systems Control Engineer at Kenya Power & Lighting Company, champions sustainability and clean energy access. A STEM mentor and storyteller, she advocates for collaboration to advance Africa’s inclusive energy transition.

Hunadi Nkabonwa Mahlanyane, Acting Line Manager, Coal & Civil Department, Eskom – South Africa

A trained technician, Hunadi Nkabonwa Mahlanyane is currently the Acting Line Manager in the Coal & Civil Department at South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom. Having studied electrical engineering at Witbank Technical College, she now plays a central role within Eskom.

Jakobina Junias, Founding Partner & CEO, Amperra Charging Company – Namibia

Namibian entrepreneur Jakobina Junias, CEO of Amperra Charging Company, pioneers sustainable EV solutions. A University of Namibia graduate, she champions environmental sustainability and innovation, positioning ampperra as a trusted African electric mobility brand.

Jesupelumi Ajibola, Training Business & Service Delivery Manager, SLB – Cameroon

Jesupelumi Ajibola, Training Business & Service Delivery Manager at SLB, is a petroleum engineer with international experience. Holding a master’s from Imperial College London, she has worked for some of West Africa’s leading energy companies.

Joy Nancy Ogechi, Energy and Project Engineer, Kenya Power & Lighting Company – Kenya

Joy Nancy Ogechi, Energy and Project Engineer at Kenya Power, has over seven years’ experience managing development projects. She enhances healthcare, infrastructure, and socio-economic productivity through multilateral and government-financed energy initiatives.

Justina Erastus, Founder, Youth in Oil and Gas Summit – Namibia

Namibian lawyer-in-training Justina Erastus, Founder of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit, champions youth inclusion. She empowers young professionals through advocacy, education and engagement in Namibia’s evolving energy landscape.

Kavenamuua Kgosiemang, Field Engineer, SLB – Namibia

As Field Engineer at SLB, Kavenamuua Kgosiemang manages operations, data acquisition and reporting for well development projects. Her technical role supports decision-making critical to sustainable, long-term oilfield success.

Keleadile Ruda, Founder, Women in Energy – Botswana

Botswana’s Keleadile Ruda, Co-Founder of Women in Energy, is a solar PV specialist with five years’ experience. She leads projects from design to commissioning while mentoring women and youth in STEM.

Lydia Kapangila, Founder & CEO, Africa Youths in Energy Network – South Africa

Lydia Kapangila, Founder and CEO of Africa Youths in Energy Network, is dedicated to collaboration, sustainable growth and youth empowerment. She drives continental change through business acumen, advocacy and strategic leadership.

Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, Head: Integrated Gas Ventures, Asharami Energy – Nigeria

Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, Head of Integrated Gas Ventures at Asharami Energy, is a respected energy leader. With expertise in operations optimization and cross-functional leadership, she drives revenue growth and champions innovative business strategies.

Nancy Murithi, Green Growth & Climate Change Officer, Kenya Association of Manufacturers – Kenya

Nancy Murithi, Green Growth and Climate Change Officer at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, advances energy efficiency and climate policy. An award-winning trainer and advisor, she empowers organizations and youth across Africa.

Nisia Ingles Pinto, Fluids Construction Engineer, SLB – Angola

Angolan engineer Nisia Pinto, Well Construction Fluids Engineer at SLB, specializes in cementing operations. With strong field expertise, she ensures drilling safety, reliability and innovation across Angola’s oil hubs in Soyo and Luanda.

Ololade Olubi, Division Manager Economics, Oando Energy Resources – Nigeria

Ololade Olubi, Division Manager of Economics at Oando Energy Resources, is a petroleum economist with 12+ years’ experience. She leads project economics, strategy and new ventures, shaping upstream development across Africa.

Rana Badi, CSR Project Lead, TotalEnergies – Libya

Rana Badi, CSR Project Lead at TotalEnergies, has over a decade’s experience in CSR, communications and digital transformation. She leverages dual master’s degrees to drive impactful social investment and sustainability programs.

Yetunde Margret Sorinola, CFO, Egbin Power Plc – Nigeria

Yetunde Margret Sorinola, CFO of Egbin Power Plc, is a governance-focused finance leader in power generation. She specializes in compliance, risk management, tariff modeling and financial stewardship of capital-intensive energy projects.

“The AEC believes that these 20 women represent the future and we look forward to having many more women on the list in years to come. These women are not only recognized for their amazing careers, but for their work and commitment across their respective communities. This is a testament to what happens when women are given opportunities to lead in the industry – going beyond executing their jobs to championing communities and mentoring others to become part of the larger African energy family” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Grain under pressure: the Bunge-Viterra merger could cost farmers and consumers $2,5 billion a year

Source: APO

Researchers warn of critical losses for grain producers and price increases for consumers worldwide. According to the study “From Farm to Futures: Competition, Financialization, and Digitalization in Global Grain Value Chains” prepared by a group of experts, total losses are estimated at no less than $2.5 billion per year for the main BRICS grain exporters (www.BRICSCompetition.org).

The research findings were presented by the HSE BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre during the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference held in Cape Town. The study offers an innovative approach to analysis from the perspective of global processes. Traditional antitrust analysis of the grain market has focused primarily on horizontal competition—interaction at the same level of the supply chain. However, to gain a deeper understanding of market dynamics in the BRICS countries, an analysis of vertical competition is being conducted, which involves examining the relationships between different levels of the supply chain, including producers, traders, infrastructure operators, and financial intermediaries—from the field and port to the consumer. Researchers are paying particular attention to the activities of global grain traders through the prism of the economic and technological changes that markets are undergoing today.

According to the authors of the study, the global grain market has long been controlled by an oligopoly of major agricultural traders known as ABCD+ (ADM, Bunge, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus Company + COFCO, Olam, etc.). This concentration of market power, as well as certain structural features of this market, make it vulnerable to price fluctuations and various types of speculative behavior, which negatively affects both grain producers and consumers.

The merger of Bunge and Viterra in one of the world’s most competitive agricultural markets—Canada—has created an empirically sound precedent for assessing the global risks of the new deal. An antitrust investigation conducted in Canada found that the consolidation of control over grain transshipment rates in Vancouver led to a 15% increase in the cost of grain passing through this hub, or a loss of $412 million annually for shipping producers. It is important to note that this is a non-market price increase. A 15% “monopoly markup” on logistics and trading, applied to 20% of the volume, could cost Russia and Brazil an additional $2.5 billion per year.

In addition, the study highlights several key trends that are currently having a direct impact on farmers, consumers and the grain trade worldwide.  Firstly, there is financialisation, i.e. the close integration of financial and trading infrastructure. Secondly, traders’ financial activity is made possible by information asymmetry access to exclusive data that other market participants do not have. Thirdly, there is a new type of interaction co-opetition (cooperation in a competitive environment). Despite the struggle for profit and market share, traders jointly invest in infrastructure and coordinate control of supply chains. The report presents for the first time unique schemes of corporate relations and the participation of strategic investors in the structure of ABCD+ traders’ work and management. In addition, digital platforms such as Covantis and TRACT are already helping ABCD+ traders coordinate economic activity and limit competition from national and regional players often outside the purview of BRICS antitrust authorities.

Researchers suggest that BRICS antitrust authorities could conduct their own large-scale market analysis and use it as a basis for developing coordinated antitrust response measures. Among such measures are structural prescriptions. First and foremost, the report proposes involving the antitrust regulators of the BRICS countries in the design of the BRICS Grain Exchange as a single platform where pricing will be more transparent and, most importantly, hedging mechanisms will be more transparent. The grain exchange has already been initiated by the leaders of the BRICS countries, and if implemented correctly, it could be a step towards reducing price volatility, increasing pricing transparency, and improving the quality of market competition in the global grain market.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre.

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Líderes africanos e Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento defendem reformas na governação e integração regional para a transformação de África na Conferência da Sociedade Económica Nigeriana

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Líderes africanos, especialistas, dirigentes do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (www.AfDB.org) e parceiros de desenvolvimento defenderam reformas urgentes para fortalecer a governação, aprofundar a integração regional e impulsionar o crescimento inclusivo em todo o continente.

Ao abrir a 66.ª Conferência Anual da Sociedade Económica Nigeriana (SEN) em Abuja na terça-feira, o vice-presidente da Nigéria, Kashim Shettima, afirmou que a população jovem do seu país, com uma idade média de 16,9 anos, poderia impulsionar a prosperidade ou aprofundar a pobreza, dependendo das escolhas políticas.

A conferência da SEN de 2025 atraiu mais de 2500 delegados de 22 países africanos, incluindo economistas, decisores políticos, académicos e parceiros internacionais. As discussões estão centradas nas vulnerabilidades estruturais num contexto de perturbações globais que vão desde as alterações climáticas e tensões geopolíticas até à sustentabilidade da dívida e pressões demográficas.

Comparando a indústria de outsourcing da Índia, com um valor anual de 100 mil milhões de dólares, com as receitas máximas do petróleo da Nigéria, de 25 mil milhões de dólares em 2011, o vice-presidente instou à diversificação para setores baseados no conhecimento.

“Os 1,5 mil milhões de habitantes de África deveriam representar uma força económica formidável, mas o continente representa apenas 16% do comércio global”, afirmou Shettima. “Estávamos a dormir durante as três primeiras revoluções industriais. Agora, na quarta, África encontra-se numa encruzilhada”, acrescentou.

O fracasso do continente em aliar a política a uma gestão económica sólida deixou-o para trás no comércio global e no progresso industrial, afirmou Shettima, abordando o tema ‘Repensar o desenvolvimento de África: caminhos para a transformação económica e a inclusão social num panorama económico global em mudança’.

Shettima falou sobre a remoção dos subsídios aos combustíveis, a unificação da taxa de câmbio e as reformas fiscais do governo nigeriano, reconhecendo as dificuldades da inflação e do alto custo de vida, mas enfatizando que a confiança dos investidores está a regressar.

“Estes são tempos difíceis, mas a recuperação será permanente”, disse, elogiando o governo do presidente Bola Ahmed Tinubu por mostrar vontade política para enfrentar as fraquezas estruturais há muito ignoradas.

O ministro do Orçamento e Planeamento Económico da Nigéria, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, sublinhou os desafios financeiros do continente, observando que há vários países na Europa e na Ásia com mercados de dívida maiores do que África como um todo. Apelou a um maior acesso ao capital e a mais investimento na inclusão social e nas infraestruturas.

“A nossa experiência nos últimos dois anos mostra que são necessárias reformas ousadas, mesmo arriscadas”, afirmou. 

“Para atingir a meta da Nigéria de uma economia de 1 bilião de dólares até 2030 e elevar África como um todo, devemos adotar políticas de mudança de paradigma em todos os níveis”, defendeu.

Na sua mensagem na sessão de abertura do evento, o diretor do Instituto Africano de Desenvolvimento do BAD, Eric Ogunleye, reafirmou o compromisso do Banco em apoiar a agenda de desenvolvimento mais ampla da África.

Destacou iniciativas como o Quadro Estratégico de Ações-Chave para Alcançar o Crescimento Inclusivo e o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, o Índice de Prestação de Serviços Públicos e plataformas de formação especializada, incluindo a Academia de Gestão das Finanças Públicas para África e a Academia de Gestão da Política Macroeconómica para África.

“Estas ferramentas estão disponíveis gratuitamente para os países membros e foram concebidas para acelerar a transformação estrutural e o crescimento inclusivo”, disse aos delegados.

Falando depois sobre ‘Repensar os Modelos de Governação em África para o Crescimento Económico Sustentável’ durante uma sessão plenária, Ogunleye disse que a governação e a liderança continuam a ser decisivas para separar as economias bem-sucedidas das economias em dificuldades.

“A governação não é apenas um fim em si mesma; é um imperativo económico”, afirmou. “Quando a governação é fraca, seja por ser excessivamente centralizada, fragmentada ou reativa, os países não conseguem responder eficazmente aos choques”, alertou.

Outros participantes salientaram que a transformação de África depende de uma integração regional mais profunda. Wale Ogunkola, da Universidade de Ibadan, argumentou que a Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana deve ir além da redução de tarifas para construir cadeias de valor, impulsionar infraestruturas e integrar serviços na indústria transformadora.

“Se não produz, o que vai comercializar?”, questionou, apelando a um maior envolvimento do setor privado.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contacto para os media:
Kwasi Kpodo,
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas,
media@afdb.org

Sobre o Grupo do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org/pt

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Nigéria: Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento e Comité Internacional da Cruz Vermelha (CICV) estabelecem parceria para apoiar serviços de água inclusivos e resilientes em Maiduguri

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Governo do Estado de Borno, em colaboração com o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (www.AfDB.org) e o Comité Internacional da Cruz Vermelha (CICV), convocou uma mesa redonda de parceiros para acelerar o acesso a serviços de água seguros, sustentáveis e inclusivos em Maiduguri.

O evento, realizado na terça-feira, 10 de setembro, coincidiu com o primeiro aniversário das inundações devastadoras em Borno, agravadas pelo colapso da barragem de Alau, que afetou gravemente as áreas governamentais locais de Maiduguri e Jere.

O estado de Borno, localizado na região do Lago Chade, na Nigéria, enfrentou mais de uma década de conflitos, deslocamentos e rápido crescimento urbano. Entre 2006 e 2021, a população de Maiduguri mais do que duplicou e prevê-se que ultrapasse os 2,5 milhões em 2030, colocando uma pressão imensa nas infraestruturas hídricas. Os sistemas públicos de água satisfazem atualmente apenas parte da procura, obrigando muitas famílias a depender de fontes inseguras e dispendiosas, sendo as mulheres e as crianças as mais afetadas.

A mesa redonda reuniu representantes seniores do Governo do Estado de Borno, do Ministério Federal dos Recursos Hídricos e Saneamento, do BAD, do CICV, do Banco Mundial, da Agência Francesa de Desenvolvimento, de parceiros de desenvolvimento, de agências da ONU, de diplomatas e de especialistas técnicos.

Mallam Bukar Tijani, Secretário do governo do Estado de Borno, enfatizou o compromisso do Estado: “Garantir que todos os cidadãos, independentemente da localização ou do estatuto socioeconómico, tenham acesso a água potável e a preços acessíveis é uma prioridade máxima para o estado de Borno. Estamos empenhados em trabalhar com o Ministério Federal dos Recursos Hídricos e Saneamento, o BAD, o CICV e outros parceiros para colmatar a lacuna entre a necessidade e o fornecimento através de tecnologia, conhecimentos especializados e financiamento sustentável”.

O Dr. Abdul Kamara, Diretor-Geral do Banco para a Nigéria, afirmou: “A água, a resiliência e a paz estão profundamente interligadas. Investir na água é fundamental para a Estratégia do BAD para Combater a Fragilidade e Construir Resiliência em África. Através de iniciativas como o Programa de Prestação de Serviços Básicos Inclusivos e de parcerias sólidas com o governo nigeriano e instituições como o CICV, estamos a ajudar o norte da Nigéria a passar de crises recorrentes para um futuro de estabilidade, resiliência e desenvolvimento sustentável”.

Doris El Doueihy, chefe da delegação do CICV na Nigéria, acrescentou: “A ligação entre ajuda humanitária e desenvolvimento não é apenas um conceito; é uma tábua de salvação. Temos de satisfazer necessidades urgentes, investindo simultaneamente na resiliência a longo prazo para prevenir futuras crises e retrocessos no desenvolvimento”.

Joseph Terlumun, Babarinde Segun Mukaila, diretor de Abastecimento de Água e Serviços de Apoio, em representação do ministro da Água e Saneamento, destacou o papel do Governo Federal: “O Governo Federal desenvolveu um Plano de Ação Nacional para revitalizar os serviços de abastecimento de água, saneamento e higiene em todo o país. Sendo um dos setores mais vulneráveis aos impactos climáticos, devemos aproveitar a inovação e a tecnologia para gerir os nossos recursos hídricos de forma sustentável e garantir o acesso a todos os nigerianos”.

Ao longo da última década, o BAD investiu mais de 805 milhões de dólares em projetos de água e saneamento em toda a Nigéria, melhorando o acesso para pelo menos 8 milhões de pessoas. No estado de Borno, os programas do Banco beneficiaram 1,6 milhões de pessoas, incluindo 417 intervenções em Maiduguri, melhorando o acesso à água, os cuidados de saúde, a educação e os meios de subsistência.

A mesa redonda terminou com um forte apelo à ação, com o Governo do Estado de Borno a comprometer-se a criar um comité diretor e a trabalhar em estreita colaboração com os parceiros de desenvolvimento para implementar o projeto. Os participantes também aprovaram o Plano Diretor de Abastecimento de Água Urbana de Maiduguri, que será o quadro orientador para expandir o acesso à água potável e melhorar a resiliência. Concordaram também que o fornecimento de água potável, fiável e acessível a Maiduguri é fundamental para a saúde pública, a resiliência e a paz duradoura em todo o nordeste da Nigéria.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contacto para os media:
Nkiruka Ugoh,
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas,
media@afdb.org

Sobre o Grupo do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org

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Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Doha to Host Emergency-Arab-Islamic Summit Monday

Source: Government of Qatar

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Doha to Host Emergency-Arab-Islamic Summit Monday

Doha, September 13, 2025

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari announced that Doha will host the emergency Arab-Islamic summit next Monday, which is being held in light of recent developments in the region.
Dr. Al Ansari told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the summit will discuss a draft resolution on the Israeli attack on the State of Qatar, submitted by the preparatory meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, which will be held tomorrow Sunday.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the convening of the Arab-Islamic Summit at this time has its significance, as it reflects the broad Arab and Islamic solidarity with the State of Qatar in confronting the cowardly Israeli aggression that targeted the residential headquarters of several Hamas leaders, and these countries’ categorical rejection of the state terrorism practiced by Israel. 

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets US Vice President, Secretary of State

Source: Government of Qatar

Washington, September 13

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with HE Vice President of the United States of America JD Vance and HE Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington today.
The meeting addressed the close strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the United States of America and ways to advance them, in addition to discussing developments in the region.
During the meeting, HE the US Vice President affirmed his solidarity with the State of Qatar, noting that diplomatic solutions are capable of resolving outstanding issues in the region.
He appreciated the State of Qatar’s tireless mediation efforts and its effective role in bringing peace to the region, emphasizing that the State of Qatar is a reliable strategic ally of the United States of America.
For his part, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the State of Qatar will take all measures to protect its security and safeguard its sovereignty in the face of the blatant Israeli attack.
His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar’s appreciation for its close partnership with the United States of America and its support for Qatar’s sovereignty and its efforts to achieve peace in the region. 

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Prime Minister to UN Security Council: Israeli Treacherous Attack on Qatar Carried Out by Extremist Leadership Far Removed from Behavior of Civilized Countries That Believe in Peace

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 12, 2025

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani took part today in an emergency UN Security Council session on developments in the Middle-East, convened in response to the Israeli attack on Qatar.
The session was requested by Algeria, Somalia, Pakistan, France, and the United Kingdom.
In his remarks, HE the Prime Minister thanked the Council presidency and member states for their swift response to Qatar request for the emergency meeting, particularly Algeria, Somalia, Pakistan, France, and the United Kingdom, which formally submitted the request on the State of Qatar behalf. He also expressed appreciation for the Council adoption of a press statement and for the solidarity shown by member states in condemning the Israeli strike on Doha on Sep. 9. His Excellency noted that the statement recognized the attack as having taken place on the territory of a key mediator and reaffirmed support for Qatar sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter.
Addressing the Council, the Prime Minister described the attack as an extremely dangerous escalation that directly threatens regional peace and security and therefore falls squarely within the Council mandate. His Excellency said that at 3:46 pm on Sep. 9 an Israeli airstrike targeted a state-designated residential complex used to house negotiating delegations. The compound was known to all parties involved in the mediation process, and even to the media and diplomats who had met Hamas delegation members there, as the residence of Hamas negotiators and their families.
His Excellency reported that after Qatari security services completed forensic procedures and verified identities, it was confirmed that the strike caused multiple casualties, including the death of Qatari national Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed Al Humaidi Al Dosari, aged 22, who was killed in the line of duty. Several civilians and members of the Qatari Internal Security Force assigned to protect the compound were also injured, with wounds ranging from moderate to severe. All are receiving medical care, while investigations and efforts to identify the missing continue.
His Excellency added that the attack terrorized civilians, including children, in a residential neighborhood filled with schools, nurseries, and diplomatic missions.
HE the Prime Minister said the incident was a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of a full UN member state, carried out by an extremist leadership far removed from the behavior of civilized nations committed to peace. His Excellency warned that violating the sovereignty of a country actively working to broker a ceasefire and save lives places the entire international system to a serious test. His Excellency accused Israel leadership of crossing all limits set by international law, diplomatic norms, and even basic human ethics, creating a situation in which its next moves are impossible to predict.
His Excellency questioned how Israeli officials could visit the State of Qatar for negotiations while their leadership planned and then executed an airstrike on the very site of the talks only days later. His Excellency asked whether the world had ever witnessed a state attacking the mediator territory during an active negotiation and attempting to kill members of the opposing delegation in their meeting location, only for the Israeli prime minister to later issue sham justifications and misleading comparisons in an attempt to legitimize an act condemned worldwide.
HE the Prime Minister said that the Israeli Prime Minister should have recalled the State of Qatar previous mediation efforts, recalling the example of the Taliban political office in Doha, which served as a channel for engagement with the world and ultimately produced the peace agreement that ended decades of war in Afghanistan.
His Excellency noted that the United States never targeted Taliban negotiators, but instead worked with the State of Qatar, under President Donald Trump administration, to help end in 2020 the longest war in US history. His Excellency stressed that this was the constructive approach that Israel prime minister is now seeking to undermine with cheap and emotional pretexts.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani addressed the UN Security Council in an emergency session on developments in the Middle-East, and stressed that the ongoing violations of international law and its disregard for basic norms of human conduct reveal only one conclusion, and that is that the current Israeli leadership is intoxicated by power and arrogance because it believes it can act with complete impunity.
He pointed out that, in addition to the genocide in Gaza and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe there which the international community has failed to deter, the Israeli destructive hand was now reaching sovereign states and destabilizing the region without accountability. His Excellency added that the arrogance had reached the point where they openly spoke to their domestic audiences about reshaping the region by force, driven by messianic motives and extremist ideology, assuming that no one beyond their own supporters was listening. He stressed that the nations and peoples of the region would never accept such behavior or the rhetoric that accompanies it.
HE the Prime Minister reaffirmed the State of Qatar full belief in mediation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, noting that this role enjoys broad regional and international recognition. His Excellency highlighted that the State of Qatar mediation, carried out in partnership with Egypt and the United States, had already produced tangible results, including the release of 148 Israeli and foreign hostages, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. His Excellency added that despite Israel use of starvation as a weapon, these achievements served as a rare glimmer of hope in a bloody conflict.
His Excellency said that the attack on Qatari soil while mediation was underway clearly revealed the premeditated Israeli intent to derail any peace effort and prolong the suffering of the Palestinian people, whose ordeal defies description. He added that the strike showed that the extremists now governing Israel do not care about the lives of hostages or their release, and that it was impossible to explain the timing and location of the attack, which targeted a meeting convened to discuss the latest US ceasefire proposal while the Hamas negotiating delegation was gathered to prepare its response.
HE the Prime Minister called on the UN Security Council to shoulder its historic responsibility, warning that silence in the face of such law-of-the-jungle tactics and the targeting of a sovereign state in broad daylight undermines the foundations of international order and threatens the future of any peace process in the region. His Excellency stressed that these attacks are not aimed at the State of Qatar alone but represent a direct threat to every state working for peace, eroding confidence in the UN system itself.
His Excellency affirmed that under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State of Qatar will continue its humanitarian and diplomatic role wherever it offers a path to saving lives, but will not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty or security and reserves its legitimate right to respond in accordance with international law. He emphasized that Qatar is a nation of peace, not war, and has chosen peace as a guiding principle despite the provocations of those who seek conflict and destruction.
HE the Prime Minister concluded by reminding the Council that the attack on Qatar was also an assault on all diplomatic efforts aimed at peaceful solutions. His Excellency stressed that the only path to peace lies through negotiations, beginning with a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, and the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the lifting of the blockade. Speaking on behalf of peace advocates everywhere, His Excellency expressed cautious optimism, urging the international community not to yield to the arrogance of extremists and to continue striving for a lasting peace based on a two-state solution, establishing an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state on its national territory in accordance with international legitimacy, where two states and two peoples can coexist in peace.