MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

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The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has achieved its second consecutive clean audit report from the Auditor-General, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen financial management and good governance.

A clean audit outcome confirms that the department’s financial statements are free from material misstatements and that it has fully complied with relevant legislation, reflecting sound accountability and transparency in its operations.

Minister Chikunga and Deputy Minister Lestsike welcomed the Audit outcome, describing it as a vital step forward towards building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. In a joint statement, they commended the department’s unwavering commitment to good governance, ethical standards, and strengthened internal controls, noting that the achievement reflects consistent dedication to accountability and service delivery.

As detailed in the Auditor General’s engagement letter, the following programmes were presented in the annual performance report for the year ended 31 March 2025 for auditing.

• Advocacy and Mainstreaming for the Rights of Women:
• Monitoring, Evaluation,
• Research and Coordination; and
• Rights of Youth.

The Department has strengthened its audit approach to ensure that irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures (IFWE) are subjected to audit to confirm the validity, accuracy and completeness of the amounts recorded, even though they have been removed from the annual financial statements. 

The AGSA’s favourable opinion is based on critical areas, which include the Timely Submission of Annual Financial Statements. This clean audit, defined as an unqualified opinion with no material findings, demonstrates the department’s dedication towards good governance, ethical standards, and stronger internal controls.

Although a clean audit doesn’t necessarily mean responsive service delivery, the department will continue with the clarion commitment and a call to ensure that women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities are mainstreamed in public and private sector services.

– on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO – Report:

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ECOWAS and the Republic of Guinea enhance prevention and response to gender-based violence and sexual harassment through national training workshop.

The ECOWAS Gender Development Center (EGDC), in partnership with the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children, and Vulnerable Persons of the Republic of Guinea, organised a four-day national training workshop on ECOWAS tools for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual harassment in workplaces and educational settings, from the 20th to 23rd of August 2025 in Conakry.

The national training workshop forms part of the implementation of action plans arising from ECOWAS regional policies on the prevention of and response to GBV and sexual harassment in workplaces and educational settings, adopted in 2021. The training brought together participants from the Ministry responsible for Women, Children and Vulnerable Groups; the Ministry of Health (including medical and paramedical professionals); the Ministry of Justice (notably judicial actors such as judges and lawyers); the Ministry of Youth; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Labour; judicial police officers; and social actors including civil society organisations working on the issue.

In his welcome address, the Director of the ECOWAS National Office, Ambassador Elhadj Ibrahim Diallo, who is also the Director of African Integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Guineans Abroad, emphasized that GBV remains one of the most widespread and persistent violations of human rights, significantly impacting the dignity, health, and well-being of survivors, most of whom are women and girls. He also noted that, beyond their social effects, GBV hampers economic development, erodes social cohesion, and threatens peace and security within communities.

For his part The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea, Ambassador Louis-Blaise AKA-BROU, praised the efforts of the Guinean government, which, through the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons, has marked a decisive turning point in the fight for zero tolerance of gender-based violence and sexual harassment. In his view, the various strategies, preventive measures and support for survivors developed by the Republic of Guinea fit perfectly into ECOWAS’ regional fight to address the major challenges of gender inequality. He also urged participants to work together to address the many challenges and eradicate flagrant violations against women and girls.

Speaking at the opening, General Roger Yassy Klönon, Secretary-General of the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children, and Vulnerable Persons, thanked the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) for hosting the training in Guinea. He emphasized the timeliness of the initiative, given recent incidents of violence in the country and stated that the workshop would enhance the capacities of stakeholders in preventing and responding to gender- based violence and sexual harassment. He then officially declared the National Training programme open.

This capacity-building forms part of the priority actions of the ECOWAS regional strategy to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence and to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, as well as the ECOWAS policy on sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions and the related action plans.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

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Fousseni Togola, President of the Chamber of Mines of Mali, will participate as a speaker at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders.

Togola will feature in the Unlocking Value: Scaling Up Gold Refining and Processing in Africa panel, where he is expected to highlight efforts by Mali to expand gold production and drive economic growth through local value addition.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

As Africa’s second-largest gold producer, Mali is taking bold steps to sustain and grow its mining sector, collaborating with global investors on exploration, production maximization and infrastructure development. In July 2025, the country granted a permit for Canada’s B2Gold to begin underground mining at the Fekola Mine. The project will boost Mali’s output by 25,000 to 35,000 ounces annually. Similarly, Canada’s Robex Resources and Australia’s Toubani Resources finalized agreements with Mali to kickstart the construction of new gold production facilities.

As the leading platform for advancing local beneficiation strategies, AMW represents the ideal venue for Togola to outline Mali’s value addition roadmap. In July 2025, the country began constructing a gold refinery in partnership with Russia. With a capacity of 200 tons per year, the facility is expected to increase Mali’s revenue from monetization of value-added products and processing of gold from regional producers. Mali has also introduced five new funding facilities aimed at boosting investment across key areas of the mining sector. These include empowering small-scale miners, advancing geological research and exploration and improving the transport and energy infrastructure essential for mining operations. Against this backdrop, AMW presents a strategic platform for Togola to engage global investors and spotlight emerging opportunities within the country’s burgeoning gold industry.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

(www.IAEGOS.com) is proud to announce that Africa’s premier investment platform IAEOGS will return for its fourth edition from October 6-9 at in Windhoek Namibia, this year.

Uniting global financiers, high-profile project developers, and key players from both in Africa and global energy landscape, the IAEOG Summit and exhibition proudly takes place with the full support and endorsement of the Nigerian Ministry of Petroleum, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and several others, as well as the key players in the private sector.

The 4^th Edition of the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (IAEOGS)Namibia 2025, would feature panel discussions, presentations, exhibitions, Presidential dinner, golf tournament, award presentations, tours, Energy Concert and a host of others. The venue for Charity Golf Tournament is the 18th Hole Championship Golf Course of the prestigious Windhoek Golf & Country Club.

According to APM Chairman (www.AfricanPeace.org) Hon Justice Suleiman Galadima JSC rtd., OFR CFR, “expanding on the success of previous editions, IAEOGS 2025 will be bigger and better as we bring together industry leaders and foster collaboration for a more resilient African Energy, oil and gas landscape.”

Noah Ajare, Group CEO, notes that “Africa’s energy sector is ripe for investment and the IAEOGS 2025 summits and Exhibition serves as a bridge connecting foreign companies and their African counterparts.’’

The theme of IAEOGS 2025 is “Getting it Right“, reflecting on the urgent need to get Africa’s energy issues right. Natural resources must translate into socio economic development and poverty alleviation. It focuses also on Africa’s defining moment to accelerate energy access, localize value chains, and fast-track just and inclusive energy transitions.

Hosting the IAEOGS again, Namibia is emerging as a significant frontier for oil and gas, marked by major offshore discoveries by companies like Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp in the Orange Basin starting in 2022. Despite challenges, including Shell’s recent decision to write down some discoveries due to commercial viability concerns, the country is attracting considerable investor interest and aims to fast-track development for first oil production by the end of the decade. TotalEnergies is targeting a final investment decision for its Venus discovery by late 2026, with first oil projected for 2029, while Galp continues to progress development of its Mopane field

Time to Invest is Now?

Africa’s energy, oil, and gas industry is experiencing unprecedented momentum and the time to invest is now.

In 2024 alone, the African energy sector attracted over $120 billion in investments, with $75 billion directed toward oil and gas development. These record-breaking inflows reflect surging global demand, untapped reserves, and the steady rise of indigenous players reshaping the continent’s energy narrative from within.

Today, Africa stands as one of the last frontiers for large scale energy exploration and expansion. From new natural gas discoveries in Mozambique and Senegal to oil rich fields in Namibia and Nigeria, the region is drawing renewed global interest from financiers, supermajors, EPC contractors, and independent producers alike.

Meanwhile, local companies are no longer spectators. Indigenous oil and gas firms now account for 35% of operational control across the continent—up from just 20% ten years ago. This shift reflects not only improved technical capacity but also stronger regulatory backing for African-led development and ownership.

WHY NOW?

Africa is home to more than 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. These resources are increasingly vital as global markets seek diversified, stable, and lower-emission supply chains. Yet, paradoxically, over 600 million Africans still lack access to reliable electricity a gap that offers both a moral and economic imperative for accelerated investment.

As countries build frameworks under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is projected to unlock a $3.4 trillion market, energy infrastructure stands at the heart of Africa’s economic future.

IAEOGS aims to attract international attention to Namibia’s investment opportunities and contribute to the continued development of its national energy, oil and gas sector.

IAEOGS 2025 will be larger than previous editions. A record number of participants are expected, with attendees from over 45 countries. The event will feature more than 1,000 delegates, 250 exhibitors, and 200 speakers. The conference serves as a key platform for businesses, policymakers, and industry experts to exchange insights, foster partnerships, and shape the future of the energy sector.

Registration for participants is already open. To encourage local participation, companies headquartered in Namibia receive a 50% discount on the standard rate. This initiative offers local businesses the opportunity to showcase themselves to the world and connect with investors, policymakers, and other players in the energy industry.

Local Content?

Local oil producers in Nigeria have significantly increased their contribution to national production, now accounting for over 50% of the country’s crude oil output compared to approximately 40% before international majors began divesting onshore operations. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission data shows indigenous firms are key to achieving the government’s additional one million barrels daily production target by next year.

Recent milestones include Green Energy International’s launch of Nigeria’s first fully indigenous onshore crude export terminal at Otakikpo, with 360,000 barrels-per-day capacity. The facility is expected to unlock stranded reserves across 40 marginal fields in the Niger Delta region.

Green Energy International Ltd is the gold sponsor of IAEOGS 2025.

IAEOGS is a major gathering for the oil and gas industry, drawing participants from various sectors. High-level delegates, including government officials, industry leaders, and international representatives, attend the summit. The event focuses on discussions, networking, and deal-making opportunities, fostering collaboration and sustainable development within the oil and gas sector.

Early bird extended to 30^th August 2025.

Register now and be a part of a transformative experience that promises to shape the future of African Energy landscape.

Participants can look forward to business to business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) meetings, policy dialogues, sector-focused panels, investment showcases, gain access to financing facilities, high-level panel discussions, exhibitions, business network session, and explore trade and investment opportunities.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF IAEOGS 2025

– $1 billion+ in investment deals projected during summit week
– 500+ curated, pre-vetted B2B meetings for deal facilitation
– 1,000+ exhibitors spanning oil, gas, renewables, hydrogen, storage, infrastructure, and finance
– 8 high-impact thematic tracks, including:
   – Energy Transition Strategies
   – Local Content Development
   – Infrastructure & Grid Expansion
   – Climate Finance & ESG
   – Regulatory Reforms & Investment Protection
   – Gas Monetization & LNG
   – Downstream & Midstream Value Chains
   – Digitalization & Emerging Technologies
– African Energy Excellence Awards honoring innovation, leadership, and sustainable development
– Charity Golf Tournament supporting youth entrepreneurship and technical education

DON’T MISS OUT

Whether you are a multinational, indigenous operator, fund manager, tech innovator, or policymaker IAEOGS 2025 is where Africa’s energy future takes shape. Meet the decision-makers, secure bankable deals, and join the community powering the next energy revolution.

SECURE YOUR PARTICIPATION

Sponsorships, keynote speaking, exhibition space, and partnerships are now open but slots are limited.

“Africa is not just rich in resources it is rich in possibilities. The time to act is now.”

– on behalf of African Peace Magazine.

Contact:
Sandra Chia
Phone:  +44 7407 399 766
Email: info@iaeogs.com
Visit: www.IAEGOS.com

Source: APO – Report:

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and Aerosense Inc have signed an agreement to advance cooperation and projects in drone technology in Africa. Aerosense Inc. is a leading Japanese company engaged in drone manufacturing.

Representatives of both institutions signed a Letter of Intent on Thursday 21 August, on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan. The agreement was signed by Mr. Solomon Quaynor, Vice President  for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, AfDB and Mr. Kohtaro Sabe, President & CEO, Aerosense Inc.

The agreement formalizes a relationship of mutual co-operation, assistance, information and knowledge sharing between the two institutions, exploring co-financing and deal opportunities and appropriate coordination of actions between them and their respective teams, specifically concerning the promotion of sustainable infrastructure solutions in Africa.

Aerosense Inc.’s drone solution was selected through a call for proposals under the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA) in June 2025.

Under the agreement, the Bank will facilitate coordination with the public sector, lead awareness-raising campaigns, support capacity building for local partners, and explore possible debt (and/or equity) financing support for projects related to the deployment of drone solutions.

Aerosense Inc. on its part, would conduct demand studies for drone solution in target African markets, perform technical feasibility studies for the application of drone solution, considering local geographical conditions, and explore possible deployment opportunities upon positive feasibility study results.

“The program is a bold response to Africa’s growing infrastructure challenges. By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote efficient road management but also consider promoting other unique solutions such as disaster management, river/flooding control, agricultural sensing, and medical equipment delivery,” Quaynor said.

Mr. Sabe stated: “It is a great honor to serve the people in Africa with our Japanese technology for enhancing their quality of life. We are looking forward to collaborating with AfDB to build a better future together in a concrete manner”.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: media@afdb.org

About Aerosense Inc.:
Established in 2015. With the mission of “bringing about change and contributing to society with drone technology”, we are developing unique hardware and software solutions created from high technological capabilities in the fields of surveying, inspection, monitoring, and logistics. We make full use of our in-house development system, from hardware design to cloud data analysis, and provide a “One push solution” that allows on-site people to easily proceed with their work with the touch of a button.

Website: Aerosense Inc. HP: https://Aerosense.co.jp/

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

Source: APO – Report:

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Multilateral financial institution the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has joined this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference as a Diamond Partner amid a growing push to advance access to financing across the continent’s energy sector. As one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, the organization plays a critical role in driving African energy and infrastructure projects forward. Afreximbank’s participation is expected to support new transactions across the continent as the continent strives to make energy poverty history by 2030. 

Under a mission to stimulate the consistent expansion, diversification and development of African trade, Afreximbank has supported key projects across the continent. Recent investments reflect this mission and are poised to transform regional economies. In August 2025, Afreximbank committed to funding energy projects in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, signing a series of agreements aimed at unlocking $1 billion. Agreements include a $300 million deal with NBS Bank of Malawi to de-risk multiple sectors – including energy, transport and logistics -; a Heads of Terms deal with Green Hybrid Power Private Limited to mobilize $4.4 million for a 1 GW hybrid solar project in Zimbabwe; and a deal with Proton Energy featuring a $4 million facility for a 500 MW Sapele Gas Power Plant in Nigeria.

Afreximbank has also played an instrumental part in financing Africa’s largest crude oil refinery: the Dangote facility in Nigeria. Since the refinery’s start in 2024, the organization has provided key financing solutions, with the most recent transaction including a $1.35 billion financing facility to refinance capital expended on constructing the facility. The facility is part of a larger $4 billion syndicated financing arrangements for Dangote Industries Limited, with Afreximbank serving as the Mandated Lead Arranger. Afreximbank was also mandated as the financial advisor to raise capital for the $4.5 billion EG-27 LNG project, developed by Equatorial Guinea’s state-owned gas corporation Sociedad Nacional de Gas de Guinea Ecuatorial. Afreximbank will leverage its financial structuring expertise and investor network to mobilize capital, thereby supporting the development of the facility.

Beyond project financing, a cornerstone of Afreximbank’s strategy is the Africa Energy Bank (AEB), a strategic institution that brings new sources of financing for African energy projects. Established in partnership with the African Petroleum Producers Organization, the AEB is expected to address the continent’s investment gap – estimated between $31 billion and $50 billion. With an initial capitalization of $5 billion, the bank offers tailored funding solutions to meet Africa’s energy needs. To date, the partners have selected Abuja, Nigeria as the headquarters of the institution. Consulting firm PWC has been hired as project management consultants while Angola, Ghana and Nigeria have fulfilled their commitments to funding the bank. As the AEB prepares for launch, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will serve as a vital platform for fostering engagement between project developers and financiers.

“Afreximbank’s track record of providing financing for African energy projects has yielded positive results for Africa’s energy sector. These financing structures are expected to support the development and expansion of critical oil and gas infrastructure in Africa, underscoring the instrumental role organizations such as Afreximbank play in strengthening Africa’s energy sector. These transactions reflect a broader commitment by Afreximbank to mobilizing capital, spurring development and facilitating cross-border trade across the continent,” states NJ Ayuk, executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energies:
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.

Source: APO – Report:

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• Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: Our joint strategy with the World Bank is based on national priorities and aims to support economic and structural reform.
• Continued implementation of several ongoing projects to strengthen social protection, food security, and create more job opportunities.
• World Bank Report: 201 projects financed in Egypt since 1959 worth USD 27.5 billion.
• 6.3 million people benefited from joint projects and programs in food security and health services.
• “Takaful and Karama” program is one of the priority projects under the partnership with Egypt to protect and empower low-income groups.

The World Bank has issued a recent report on the developments of the strategic partnership with the Arab Republic of Egypt, within the framework of implementing the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the period 2023–2027, which aims to enhance the state’s efforts in achieving comprehensive and sustainable economic development, whether through concessional development financing, technical support, diagnostic reports across various sectors of the economy, or development policy financing.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Egypt’s Governor at the World Bank Group, affirmed that Egypt is one of the founding countries of the World Bank and its affiliated institutions, and that the decades-long partnership has contributed to reinforcing national priorities and priority areas, especially in terms of investing in human capital, food security, and private sector empowerment. The partnership with the World Bank is based on national ownership and aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Government Action Program.

The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation pointed out that the Ministry is keen to develop the aspects of partnership with the Bank to support Egypt’s economic and structural reforms and improve governance of public investment spending, noting that empowering the private sector and enhancing its participation in leading development efforts is one of the priorities of the partnership with the World Bank Group in the current period.

Diversified Partnership Portfolio

The report highlighted the evolution of the Egypt–World Bank partnership portfolio, noting that Egypt is the third largest shareholder in the Bank in the Middle East and North Africa region. Since the World Bank began supporting Egypt’s development program in 1959, it has financed more than 201 projects worth $27.5 billion, focusing on infrastructure, human capital development through health and education, economic reforms, and private sector development.

The report outlined the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which is being implemented for the period 2023-2027, between Egypt and the World Bank Group, to support development efforts and foster conditions for green, resilient, and inclusive growth, explaining that the framework focuses on enhancing job creation in the private sector, improving human capital outcomes, and strengthening resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

Over the past years, joint projects between the government and the World Bank have contributed to providing health and food services to around 6.3 million people. These efforts also contributed to improving access to quality education for 3.6 million primary and secondary students, supporting food security for 2.2 million people, and extending financial services to about 750,000 people. 

According to the report, around 1.1 million people benefited from improved sanitation services, 30.3 million people gained access to improved services and safe rail transport, and 8 million people in Upper Egypt benefited from improved infrastructure services.

Investing in Human Capital

The report reviewed joint efforts to strengthen investment in human capital and social protection through health and education projects, noting that the “Takaful and Karama” program is one of the most prominent joint programmes implemented with Egypt, which has contributed over the past years to providing cash support and protection to millions of families, As of June 2025, the program had reached 5.2 million households representing approximately nearly 17 million individuals, 75% of whom are women. These transfers help create greater resilience to shocks such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic impacts of regional and global crises.

The report also referred to cooperation with the government in implementing presidential health initiatives, including the nationwide campaign “100 Million Healthy Lives” to eliminate Hepatitis C.

Job Creation

According to the report, through the “Catalyzing Entrepreneurship for Job Creation” project, economic opportunities have been expanded for Egyptians, particularly women and youth, by providing financing to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), innovative startups, and high-growth companies. The project has created more than 400,000 jobs and supported over 200,000 beneficiaries — 43% of whom are women and 43% youth.

Diagnostic Reports

According to the World Bank report, economic analyses and diagnostic reports are one of the most prominent areas of cooperation with the government, as they contribute to improving government policies and enhancing evidence-based decision-making, and several reports have been completed in this regard, including the “Public Expenditure Review for Human Development Sectors in Egypt.”

Renewable Energy Sector

The report presented the partnership between the government and the World Bank in the field of renewable energy, explaining that collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) supported the the establishment and implementation of the “Feed-in Tariff” policy, which opened the market for private sector participation in energy production and led to the establishment of the Benban Solar Park with a solar generation capacity of 1,465 MW.

The partnership between Egypt and the World Bank Group has resulted in significant achievements in Egypt’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While much has been achieved, more remains to be done. The World Bank Group remains committed to continuing its support for Egypt’s journey towards improving the lives of its people.

It is noteworthy that the current Egypt–World Bank partnership portfolio includes 13 ongoing projects with total financing of $6.5 billion.

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