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South Africa has chosen a risky approach to global politics: 3 steps it must take to succeed

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor, SOAS, University of London

South Africa finds itself in a dangerous historical moment. The world order is under threat from its own primary architect. The US wants to remain the premier global political power without taking on any of its responsibilities.

This dangerous moment also presents opportunities.

South Africa’s response has been one of strategic autonomy. This involves taking independent and non-aligned positions on global affairs, to navigate between competing world powers. But South African policymakers lack the political acumen and bureaucratic ability required to navigate this complex global order and to exploit the new possibilities.

Strategic autonomy is not the norm in global affairs. It is very rare for small countries to succeed at it without at least some costs.

Drawing from our expertise – as a political scientist and an economist working on the international economy – we conclude that if South Africa is to succeed in its strategic autonomy ambitions the country must do three things. First, its economic and foreign policy priority must be the African continent. Second, it must pursue bureaucratic excellence, especially in its diplomatic and security apparatus. Third, it must prepare for reprisals that are likely to follow its choice of an independent path to global affairs.

Strategic autonomy

A handful of countries have been able to pursue strategic autonomy in navigating the international system. They include Brazil, India and the Republic of Ireland.

These countries have four necessary assets: global economic importance; leverage; bureaucratic capability; and political will and agency manifested in foreign policy cohesiveness and agility.

India’s size – over 1.4 billion people and the fourth largest market in the world – makes it a location of both production and consumption. This has become more important given the US and western desire to create a counter balance to China as a low-cost producer and a market for exports.

Brazil’s assets are its geographic size, its mid-size population (three times South Africa’s), its mineral wealth, and its political importance to South America. It is also the tenth largest economy in the world.

Ireland is a small country, but it uses its strategic location in the European Union to influence global affairs.

South Africa is currently lacking on all these fronts. But, with strategic planning and reforms, and in partnership with other African countries, it is possible to enhance the country’s strategic importance to the global economy.

Where to from here?

If South Africa is to succeed as a nation, become globally relevant, and have autonomy in the global economy, it must recognise its challenges, understand their drivers and address them pragmatically.

So what should it do?

First, it’s important to recognise that South Africa is a small country. Its economy is marginal to the rest of the world. The continent of Africa has a population of around 1.5 billion people, which is likely to double by 2070 – the only part of the global economy in which demographic growth will occur.

Purely in terms of population size, Africa will be more important than ever before.

This can only be a strategic lever if countries across the continent integrate their economies more strongly. Thus, South Africa’s economic and foreign policy should focus on Africa and on building the African Continental Free Trade Area. Without this, its long-term economic development is in danger and it can’t develop the political leverage that enables independence in global affairs.

With its African partners, South Africa should be rebalancing its international trade. It should shift from being an exporter of raw materials to being a manufacturing and service economy.

Many countries across Africa have deposits of minerals that are strategically important to the global economy, especially as the climate transition shapes relations. This must be used to build integration across the continent so the region engages with powerful economies as a regional bloc.

Second, professional excellence must be taken seriously. South Africa’s political stewardship of the economy has been poor, and driven by narrow political objectives of the ruling party-linked elite. For example, policy in the important mining sector has been chaotic, at best. It has not served as a developmental stimulant or as a political lever for strategic autonomy.

Specific to international affairs, South Africa has to professionalise the diplomatic corps. It has been significantly weakened and its professional capability eroded through political appointments. These make up the vast majority of ambassadorial deployments.

There should be limits to the political appointments of ambassadors from the cohort of former African National Congress politicians and their family members.

In addition, South Africa should have fewer embassies, located in more strategic countries, with appropriate budgets to their job. It is embarrassing that embassies in places like London don’t have enough budget to market the country, undertake advocacy and advance the country’s national agenda.

But professional excellence needs to be extended far beyond the diplomatic corps.

South Africa cannot continue to be compromised by incompetent municipal and national governance. And this is not solely the result of corruption and cadre deployment. It’s also tied to a transformation agenda that eschews academic and professional excellence.

In addition, South Africa cannot pretend to be leading an independent path in global affairs without having the security apparatus that goes with such leadership. On this score, the country is sadly lacking.

Its security apparatus – the South African National Defence Force, police and intelligence service – needs attention. The defence force is poorly funded and, like the police and intelligence, largely a “social service” for former ANC operatives combatants.

Third, South Africa needs to prepare for the reprisals that are likely to follow if it charts an independent path in global affairs, such as the current response from the Trump administration to discipline South Africa for taking an autonomous position on Gaza.

This requires understanding the form that such reprisals could take and their consequences and being prepared for them. This would require diplomatic agility to proactively seek new markets, alternative sources of investment and additional political allies.

In contrast, South Africa’s responses have largely been reactive.

Dangers, as well as opportunities

While it’s a dangerous and uncertain world, it is also full of new possibilities. A new bipolar or multipolar world could enable South Africa and Africa to play off global powers against each other, to maximise opportunities for national economic development and independence.

This will only happen if South Africans collectively become agents of their own change. It will require developing leverage which others take seriously, and a government and public administration that works for the people of the country.

– South Africa has chosen a risky approach to global politics: 3 steps it must take to succeed
– https://theconversation.com/south-africa-has-chosen-a-risky-approach-to-global-politics-3-steps-it-must-take-to-succeed-262370

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Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? International court will take years to decide, but states have a duty to act now

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Magnus Killander, Professor, Centre for Human Rights in the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria

South Africa instituted a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague in late December 2023, claiming Israel was violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide through its actions in Gaza, and requesting provisional measures. Human rights law scholar Magnus Killander explains the process and why it’s so slow. International law, including the ICJ’s provisional measures, are binding on states. However, international law does not enforce itself and all states have an obligation to attend to the situation.

Why could it take until 2028 to get a final decision?

On 5 April 2024, the ICJ set two deadlines. It wanted to receive memorials, that is the full arguments related to the case, from South Africa by 28 October 2024 and counter-memorials from Israel by 28 July 2025. Following a request by Israel, the court on 14 April 2025 extended the time for submission of Israel’s counter-memorials to 12 January 2026.

It is likely that Israel, in a bid to delay the proceedings, will file preliminary objections, such as dealing with the jurisdiction of the ICJ to hear the case. South Africa would then have a few months to respond. Then an oral hearing on preliminary objections would be held, probably towards the end of 2026 or early 2027.

A few months after the hearing, the ICJ would deliver a judgment on the preliminary objections. Preliminary objections are unlikely to be successful, so the ICJ would then set a new deadline for Israel’s counter-memorial on the merits, which might again be extended. When Israel’s counter-memorial has been submitted, there may be a request from South Africa for a reply and from Israel for a rejoinder.

Read more: South Africa’s genocide case against Israel: expert sets out what to expect from the International Court of Justice

At some point, the court would consider requests from states to intervene, and set timelines for their submissions.

So far, the following states have filed requests to intervene: Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Türkiye, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia, Ireland, Cuba and Belize. Nicaragua subsequently revoked its request.

After the written submissions, the ICJ will schedule an oral hearing. Following this the judges will write the final judgement on the merits of the case. The judgment will be hundreds of pages of detailed factual and legal analysis with separate opinions from many of the 16 judges. The court has 15 permanent judges (including South Africa’s Dire Tladi) and an Israeli ad hoc judge in the South Africa v Israel case.

It is this final judgement that will decide whether Israel breached the Genocide Convention through its actions in Gaza.

Given these lengthy procedures, it is unlikely that the final judgement in the case will be handed down before 2028.

Does it usually take this long?

Yes.

The South Africa v Israel case can be compared to the Gambia v Myanmar case. In November 2019 The Gambia brought the case that Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya constituted genocide.

The ICJ handed down a judgment on preliminary objections on 22 July 2022. A hearing on the merits is yet to be scheduled. The case is likely to be concluded in 2026.

The first case brought to the ICJ under the Genocide Convention, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Serbia and Montenegro, was submitted in 1993. The final judgment was delivered in 2007.

The second case, Croatia v Serbia, was submitted in 1999 and the final judgment was delivered in 2015.

The ICJ has so far held a state accountable for genocide in one case.

In its 2007 case, it held Serbia and Montenegro responsible for the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. The ICJ case had limited impact. However, it should be noted that Ratko Mladić, a Bosnian Serb military leader, was arrested in Serbia in 2011 and transferred to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia as called for in the ICJ judgment. In 2017 he was convicted by the tribunal for the genocide in Srebrenica, a judgment which was confirmed on appeal in 2021, 26 years after the Srebrenica massacre.

In the two cases against Serbia, the court held that, apart from the Srebrenica massacre, the mens rea, the “specific intent” to destroy a group or part of a group, had not been proven. The main difference with the Myanmar and Israel cases is that the state of Serbia did not participate itself directly in the conflict.

In both the Gambia v Myanmar and the South Africa v Israel final judgments, the main discussion will likely be in relation to whether the mens rea requirement has been met.

In my view most of the ICJ judges will find that both acts of genocide and incitement to genocide have taken place.

What’s the point then?

The orders of the ICJ are binding on states, but are often ignored. This is in line with the general difficulty of enforcing international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Only political pressure from outside and inside Israel will bring about change, as it is clear that the Israeli government considers only itself as the judge of its actions. In addition, enforcement measures by the UN security council are not possible given the position of the United States. It is a permanent member of the council, with veto power, but does not want to criticise Israel and is its main supplier of weapons.

The issue of Palestine has also been raised in a case before the ICJ that does not directly involve Israel. In March 2024, Nicaragua instituted a case against Germany in relation to its export of weapons to Israel, which it argued facilitated genocide in Gaza. On 30 April 2024, the court decided not to issue provisional measures against Germany since it had shown the measures it had taken to restrict weapons exports to Israel following the invasion of Gaza.

It was only in August 2025, however, that Germany declared it would suspend the export of weapons that could be used in the war in Gaza.

Another international court based in The Hague is also trying to hold violators of international crimes to account. The International Criminal Court (ICC) deals with international criminal responsibility as opposed to state responsibility – the purview of the ICJ. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant have been indicted by the ICC. The three Hamas leaders against whom the ICC prosecutor sought indictments have been killed by Israel.

It is unlikely that we will see Netanyahu in the dock in The Hague since he avoids travelling to countries that are parties to the ICC Statute and would thus be obliged to surrender him to the ICC.

Of course, the ICC is not the only possibility in relation to criminal accountability. For example, prosecutors in Sweden are investigating war crimes in Gaza.

The wheels of international justice grind exceedingly slowly and will never be sufficient on their own to bring about lasting change.

And the latest developments?

The provisional measures issued by the ICJ on 26 January 2024, 28 March 2024 and 24 May 2024 remain in force and are binding. These included the provision of

urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.

Clearly this measure and and others have not been complied with.

South Africa has not requested any additional provisional measures since the last ones were issued in May 2024. However, advisory proceedings provide another way to address the situation.

On 23 December 2024, the UN general assembly requested an advisory opinion on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organisations and third states in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Hearings were held from 28 April to 2 May 2025. The advisory opinion is likely to be delivered soon and address the issue of access to humanitarian aid.

This is the third advisory opinion proceedings dealing with Palestine. In December 2003, the UN general assembly requested an advisory opinion on Israel’s construction of a wall separating it from the occupied territories in the West Bank. The advisory opinion of the ICJ was delivered on 9 July 2004, finding that the construction of the wall was in violation of international law. On 19 January 2023, the UN general assembly requested an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. The court delivered its advisory opinion on 19 July 2024, confirming its view that the occupation was illegal and that Israel had an obligation to leave the occupied territory.

– Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? International court will take years to decide, but states have a duty to act now
– https://theconversation.com/is-israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza-international-court-will-take-years-to-decide-but-states-have-a-duty-to-act-now-263076

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Maponya Mall shooting a threat to public transport system stability

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has met with all public transport operators in Soweto as part of efforts to find lasting solutions to issues affecting the sector.

Stakeholders included local taxi associations, e-hailing service operators and law-enforcement officials.

This comes in the wake of resurging violence which left one person dead and two others injured near the Maponya Mall, in Soweto, on Wednesday night.

The MEC described the attack as “senseless, unacceptable, and a direct threat to the safety and stability of our public transport system”.

She said such acts undermined public safety, tarnished the image of the transport sector, and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

Thursday’s meeting resolved that all public transport operators must be allowed access and operate inside the mall and that the mall will remain operational to protect jobs.

The meeting also called for law-enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation into Wednesday night’s incident and bring those involved to book.

Stakeholders agreed that no operator or passenger should endure intimidation or fear of any form.

The department will set up a temporary office to assist operators with licensing issues.

Lastly, the gathering agreed that a meeting will be convened with industry leaders to discuss all issues affecting the sector.

The MEC urged the public transport sector – minibus taxi and e-hailing operator associations – to resolve disputes through platforms facilitated by the department.

The Public Transport Crisis Committee, chaired by the MEC, was initially formed to collaborate with the taxi industry and support the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE) to clear the operating license backlog. 

It has since expanded to include all public transport stakeholders. This inclusive approach ensures representation from all public transport operators including learner transport, e-hailing services, bus and meter taxi operators. 

Local government and various provincial sister departments are also represented in the committee. – SAnews.gov.za

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Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the First National Convention of the National Dialogue, University of South Africa, Tshwane

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director,
Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa,
Members of the Eminent Persons Group,
Distinguished delegates,
Representatives of civil society,
Traditional leaders,
Faith-based organisations,
Business and labour leaders,
Youth and women’s movements,
Leaders and representatives of political parties, 
Esteemed guests and, most importantly,
Fellow South Africans 

I welcome you all to this historic gathering. 

I have called this first National Convention in my capacity as the Head of State. 

I have done so in line with Section 83 of our Constitution, which requires the President, as the Head of State and head of the national executive, to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance the Republic. 

I should thank everyone here today for accepting this invitation.

Today marks the first sitting of the National Convention of the National Dialogue, a space where we confront our realities openly, respectfully and constructively.

This is not a partisan platform. This is a national platform. 

Here, no voice is too small and no perspective is too inconvenient to be heard. 

We are gathered to listen to each other, to understand one another and to chart a common path forward for our country.

We meet at a time of profound challenges: economic hardship, unemployment, inequality, growing poverty and a crisis of confidence in our institutions. 

We also meet at a time when the world is rapidly changing and our ability to adapt and renew ourselves will define the next generation.

But history teaches us that nations are not defined solely by their difficulties; they are defined by how they respond to challenges they face. 

Our own struggle for freedom from the nightmare of apartheid proved that unity in diversity is not an abstract slogan. It is a powerful force for transformation. 

Gathered in this hall are people from all across our land, people from all walks of life, people of all races, all classes, all languages and cultures. 

Gathered here, at this National Convention, are farmers and informal traders, civic activists and policy makers, traditional leaders and waste pickers, industrial workers, unemployed men and women, unemployed young people, unemployed graduates, religious leaders, business people and public servants. 

There are young people and older persons, men and women, people from informal settlements and rural villages. There are people with disabilities. There are survivors of various forms of violence. There are artists, sports people and cultural activists. 

In this National Convention has gathered the rich diversity of the people of this country. 

Yet, although we are different in many ways, although we represent different experiences and hold different views, there is one thing we have in common. 

We are all South Africans. 

We are, each one of us, sons and daughters of the same soil. 

We share a common past. 

We share the same inheritance of division, of inequality and of injustice. 

We share the same pride at ending the crime of apartheid and establishing a constitutional democracy. 

We also share a common future. 

And that is why we have chosen to gather here today. 

Because each one of us, regardless of our differences, is committed to work together to build the future of which we all dream. 

We have chosen to be here because we believe in the power of dialogue and united action. 

We believe that if we share our concerns and fears, we can conquer them. 

If we understand the challenges we face, we can overcome them. 

If we know what hurts us, we can heal. If we know what divides us, we can unite. 

We gather here today, in all our diversity, to launch a National Dialogue. 

We are embarking on a process that will launch a million conversations. 

Across the length and breadth of South Africa, people will and must meet to talk of what worries them, what gives them hope and how they think their lives and our country can be better. 

This initiative is about what all South Africans must do – together – to make our lives and country better. 

Through this process we want our people to meet in homes and community halls. We want them to meet in churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. Our people must meet in schools and lecture halls, in boardrooms and on the shopfloor, on the pathways of our villages and the streets of our townships and our cities. 

We will meet online. We will call into radio stations. We will debate on television. 

We will share our views and make our suggestions without hesitation. We will be direct and honest. 

We will need to have difficult conversations about many issues, including: 

Why do South African women have to live in fear of men? 

Why do so many people live in abject poverty and so few live lives of opulence? 

Why, after decades of democracy, are the prospects for a white child so much better than those of a black child? 

Why do women get paid less than men for the same work? 

Why, when we have a Bill of Rights, are LGBTQI+ people still discriminated against, stigmatised and harassed? 

Why do clinics run out of medicine? Why do taps run dry? 

These are some of the questions that we must be willing to ask and which we must be prepared to answer. 

But more than that. 

These are the challenges that we must be ready to do something about – as individuals, as organisations, as communities, as parents, as elected representatives, as public officials. 

The National Dialogue is a call to debate and to discuss. 

More importantly, the National Dialogue is a call to action. 

It is a call to all South Africans to seize this moment for change and progress. 

It is a call to build a society in which there is a place for everyone, where the country’s wealth is shared by all. A South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it. 

We have come together in this National Convention not to have the dialogue, but to start the dialogue. 

Gathered here are more than 1,000 people from over 200 organisations across all sectors of society. 

Our task is to prepare for the thousands of public dialogues that will happen in communities across the country over the next six to eight months. 

We are here to consider some of the themes that may arise in these discussions, understanding that it is ultimately the people of this country that will determine the issues that should be discussed. 

We are here to reflect on how we should approach these public dialogues, what methods we should use to ensure that everyone has a say and that the discussions take place in an environment that promotes understanding and that encourages healing. 

Through this National Convention we seek to equip delegates to be champions and enablers of these public dialogues. 

We seek to ensure that we give the space to South Africans to define the outcome of the National Dialogue process – so that these thousands of conversations can be drawn together into a clear vision for the country and an agreed programme of action into the future. 

Through the National Dialogue process, we hope to arrive at a social compact that will outline the role and responsibilities of all of us – as citizens, as the arms of the state, as business, labour, traditional leaders, religious bodies, civil society, activist and civic organisations. 

This National Dialogue must be about citizens taking responsibility for their future. 

Through the dialogues, people must be able to attend to the challenges where they live or work or study. 

They must be able to hold their public representatives accountable and ensure that all public institutions fulfil their responsibilities. 

This National Convention is the moment at which the people of South Africa take over the National Dialogue. 

For more than a year, various formations of civil society have been working to conceptualise and champion the National Dialogue. 

Central to this effort have been a number of legacy Foundations established by and named for stalwarts of our liberation struggle. 

We express our gratitude and appreciation for the work of these Foundations in giving life to the National Dialogue. 

We also thank all those from civil society, government departments, provincial governments, state owned enterprises and business who have worked tirelessly to bring this National Convention together. 

We are extremely grateful to the Vice Chancellor, leadership and staff of UNISA for hosting this National Convention and providing the facilities and services that have made it possible. 

I wish to thank the members of the Eminent Persons Group, all of whom graciously and enthusiastically accepted my invitation to serve as the champions and guarantors of the National Dialogue.

These esteemed South Africans are:

– Dr Brigalia Bam, former Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson,
– Mr Robbie Brozin, entrepreneur and business person,
– Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge,
– Mr Manne Dipico, former Northern Cape Premier,
– Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana coach and football legend,
– Ms Ela Gandhi, peace activist and stalwart,
– Ms Nomboniso Gasa, researcher and rural activist,
– Mr Bobby Godsell, business leader,
– Dr John Kani, award-winning actor,
– Mr Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain and world champion,
– Ms Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024,
– His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, leader of the Zion Christian Church,
– His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane, leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church,
– The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town,
– Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Chairperson of the National Planning Commission,
– Dr Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and stalwart,
– Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Member of Parliament,
– Mr Roelf Meyer, former Minister and constitutional negotiator,
– Ms Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, writer and actor,
– Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, former Member of Parliament,
– Ms Kgothatso Montjane, Grand Slam tennis champion, 
– Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, former activist and educationist,
– Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali, unionist and former COSATU General Secretary,
– Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa, traditional leader,
– Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders,
– Dr Gloria Serobe, business leader,
– Bishop Sithembile Sipuka, President of the South African Council of Churches,
– Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers,
– Prof Derrick Swartz, academic,
– Ms Lorato Trok, author and early literacy expert,
– Mr Sibusiso Vilane, mountaineer and adventurer,
– Mr Siyabulela Xuza, award-winning scientist and entrepreneur.

Since their appointment, they have provided valuable guidance and support to me and to all those involved in this work. 

Lastly, I wish to thank all of the delegates to the National Convention and everyone who is followings these proceedings around the country. 

You have taken upon your shoulders a historic task. 

You have taken upon your shoulders the responsibility to launch a conversation among South Africans that will reach every corner of our country and that will determine the future of our nation. 

Let this National Convention be a call to every South Africa to participate, to be heard and to be counted.

This Convention should not be remembered for fine speeches alone, but for the process it begins towards a new roadmap — a framework for political stability, economic renewal, social cohesion and a capable, ethical state.

We must aim to emerge from this process with a shared national vision: one that is bold enough to inspire, yet practical enough to implement

Let us speak with courage, listen with humility and negotiate with goodwill. 

Let us be reminded that our disagreements are small compared to the magnitude of what we can achieve together.

In the words of the Freedom Charter, “The people shall govern.” 

That governance starts here, with a dialogue that belongs to the nation.

I declare the first National Convention of the National Dialogue of South Africa officially open. 

May our work here be guided by wisdom, grounded in truth and blessed with the spirit of ubuntu — for ourselves and for generations to come.

I thank you.
 

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Bank of Algeria joins Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) network, accelerating financial integration in Africa as Algeria prepares to host Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025)

Source: APO

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) launched by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has officially welcomed the Bank of Algeria into its growing network. Algeria now becomes the 18th country of presence for PAPSS, marking a significant step in advancing Africa’s journey towards deeper financial integration. This development is expected to further support cross-border payments and enhance the regulatory framework governing intra-African trade.

Algeria’s accession to PAPSS comes at a moment when the nation prepares to host the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) from 4th to 10th September 2025 in Algiers. This premier event, another flagship initiative of Afreximbank, is projected to bring together over 35,000 participants from more than 140 countries, creating an unrivalled platform for business, investment, and the realization of the AfCFTA vision.

Mike Ogbalu III, Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, celebrated this landmark event, stating: “We are delighted to welcome the Bank of Algeria to the PAPSS network. Algeria’s entry not only strengthens our presence in North Africa but also demonstrates the continent’s rising confidence in our system as the engine for Africa’s payment transformation. So far, PAPSS has reduced intra-Africa cross-border transaction costs among participating countries and enabled savings of up to 27% for end users, while helping banks experience transaction volume surges of over 1000% through digital channels integration. As our network grows, we’re making African payments faster, more affordable, and accessible, catalysing economic growth and unlocking new opportunities for businesses and communities across Africa.”

Mohamed Benbahane, Deputy Governor of Bank of Algeria, remarked: “In support of Algeria’s commitment to contribute to accelerating African economic integration, the Bank of Algeria has joined the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS). This membership, which aims in particular to improve payment efficiency and facilitate intra-African trade, represents an essential lever for strengthening Algeria’s role within the African financial ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic development in Africa.”

Since its debut in West Africa in 2022, PAPSS has rapidly expanded its reach, with significant momentum in Northern Africa, with Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and now Algeria on board. Today, PAPSS connects 18 countries across four African regions, more than 150 commercial banks, and 14 switches, evidence of growing trust in a solution that is revolutionizing how money moves within Africa and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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About PAPSS:
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System – PAPSS is a centralised Financial Market Infrastructure that enables the efficient flow of money securely across African borders, minimising risk and contributing to financial integration across the regions. PAPSS collaborates with African central banks to offer payment and settlement solutions that commercial banks and licensed payment service providers (switches, fintechs, aggregators, etc.) across the continent can connect to, making these services accessible to the public. To date, PAPSS has developed and launched 3 payment solutions: PAPSS Instant Payment System (IPS), PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), and the PAPSSCARD.

Afreximbank and the African Union (“AU”) first announced PAPSS at the Twelfth Extraordinary Summit of the African Union held on July 7, 2019, in Niamey, Niger Republic, therefore adopting PAPSS as a key instrument for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Further, in its thirteenth (13th) extraordinary session, held on December 5, 2020, the assembly of the African Union directed Afreximbank and the AfCFTA secretariat to finalise, among others, work on the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (PAPSS). The 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU further directed the AfCFTA and Afreximbank to deploy the system to cover the entire continent. PAPSS was officially launched in Accra, Ghana, on January 13, 2022, thus making it available for use by the public.

For more information, visit: www.PAPSS.com.
 

Media files

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La Banque d’Algérie rejoint le réseau système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS), accélérant l’intégration financière en Afrique au moment où l’Algérie s’apprête à accueillir l’Foire commerciale intra-africaine 2025 (IATF2025)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) lancé par la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) en collaboration avec la Commission de l’Union africaine (CUA) et le Secrétariat de la zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), a officiellement accueilli la Banque d’Algérie dans son réseau croissant. L’Algérie devient aujourd’hui le 18e pays à adhérer au PAPSS, marquant une étape importante la dans la marche de l’Afrique vers une intégration financière plus approfondie. Cette évolution devrait permettre de soutenir davantage les paiements transfrontaliers et renforcer le cadre réglementaire régissant le commerce intra-africain.

L’adhésion de l’Algérie au PAPSS intervient au moment où la nation se prépare à accueillir la Foire commerciale intra-africaine 2025 (IATF2025) du 4 au 10 septembre 2025 à Alger. Cet événement de premier plan, autre initiative phare d’Afreximbank, devrait réunir plus de 35 000 participants de plus de 140 pays, créant ainsi une plateforme inégalée pour les affaires, l’investissement et la réalisation de la vision de la ZLECAf.

Mike Ogbalu III, Directeur général du PAPSS, a salué cet évènement historique, en ces termes : « Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir la Banque d’Algérie dans la famille du PAPSS. L’entrée de l’Algérie renforce non seulement notre présence en Afrique du Nord, mais démontre également la confiance croissante du continent dans notre système en tant que moteur de la transformation des paiements en Afrique. À ce jour, le PAPSS a réduit les coûts des transactions transfrontalières intra-africaines entre les pays participants et permis aux utilisateurs finaux de réaliser des économies pouvant atteindre 27 %, tout en aidant les banques à connaître une augmentation de plus de 1 000 % du volume des transactions grâce à l’intégration des canaux numériques. À mesure que notre réseau se développe, nous rendons les paiements africains plus rapides, plus abordables et plus accessibles, catalysant la croissance économique et ouvrant de nouvelles opportunités pour les entreprises et les communautés à travers l’Afrique ».

Mohamed Benbahane, vice-gouverneur de la Banque d’Algérie, a fait remarquer : « Dans le cadre du soutien à l’engagement de l’Algérie à contribuer à l’accélération de l’intégration économique africaine, la Banque d’Algérie a adhéré au Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS). Cette adhésion, qui vise notamment à améliorer l’efficacité des paiements et à faciliter le commerce intra-africain, représente un levier essentiel pour renforcer le rôle de l’Algérie au sein de l’écosystème financier africain et soutenir le développement économique durable en Afrique ».

Depuis son lancement en Afrique de l’Ouest en 2022, le PAPSS a rapidement étendu sa portée, enregistrant un élan significatif en Afrique du Nord, avec la Tunisie, l’Égypte, le Maroc et désormais l’Algérie à bord. Aujourd’hui, le PAPSS connecte 18 pays répartis sur quatre régions africaines, plus de 150 banques commerciales et 14 systèmes de compensation, preuve de la confiance croissante envers une solution qui révolutionne la manière dont l’argent circule en Afrique et au-delà.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

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À propos du PAPSS :
Le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS) est une infrastructure centralisée des marchés financiers qui permet la circulation efficace de l’argent en toute sécurité à travers les frontières africaines, en minimisant les risques et en contribuant à l’intégration financière dans les régions. Le PAPSS collabore avec les banques centrales africaines afin de proposer des solutions de paiement et de règlement auxquelles les banques commerciales et les prestataires de services de paiement agréés (commutateurs, fintechs, agrégateurs, etc.) à travers le continent peuvent se connecter, rendant ainsi ces services accessibles au grand public. À ce jour, PAPSS a mis au point et lancé 3 solutions de paiement : PAPSS instant Payment System (IPS), PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM) et PAPSSCARD.

Afreximbank et l’Union africaine ( « UA ») ont annoncé pour la première fois le PAPSS lors du douzième sommet extraordinaire de l’Union africaine qui s’est tenu le 7 juillet 2019 à Niamey, en République du Niger, adoptant ainsi le PAPSS comme un instrument clé de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord sur la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf). En outre, lors de sa treizième (13e) session extraordinaire, tenue le 5 décembre 2020, la Conférence de l’Union africaine a demandé à Afreximbank et au Secrétariat de la ZLECAf de finaliser, entre autres, les travaux sur le Système panafricain de paiement et de règlement (PAPSS). La 35ème session ordinaire de la Conférence de l’UA a en outre demandé à la ZLECAf et à Afreximbank de déployer le système pour couvrir l’ensemble du continent. Le PAPSS a été officiellement lancé à Accra, au Ghana, le 13 janvier 2022, permettant ainsi au public de l’utiliser.

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter : www.Intracen.org
 

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The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Officially Partners with African Energy Week 2025 in Historic Alliance Set to Elevate Africa’s Role in Global Energy Dialogue

Source: APO – Report:

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African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is proud to announce that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has joined as an Official Partner of the continent’s leading energy event, taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3. This milestone marks a decisive step forward in positioning Africa not only as a supplier but as a strategic partner in global energy decision-making. With OPEC now fully engaged in AEW 2025, Africa’s priorities – from oil and gas to development and energy access – will be shaped on its own terms.

OPEC’s participation comes at a pivotal moment for African energy. Countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Libya – as well as emerging producers like Senegal and Namibia – already play central roles in OPEC’s global agenda. The partnership further extends to African OPEC+ members like South Sudan and observing participants such as Egypt, forming a powerful bloc of African producers with the potential to shape upstream policy, mobilize investment and drive regional integration. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s deepening energy ties with Africa – from infrastructure and renewables investments like Egypt’s Kom Ombo solar plant to South Africa’s Project DAO hybrid facility, alongside strategic partnerships through ACWA Power – underscore a broader, long-term commitment to the continent’s energy future.

A critical dimension of Africa’s energy agenda is clean cooking. Nearly one billion Africans still lack access to clean cooking solutions, posing a major health, environmental and gender equity challenge. For African OPEC and OPEC+ producers, expanding access to cleaner fuels like LPG represents both a development imperative and an untapped market opportunity. As the continent ramps up gas production and infrastructure, prioritizing clean cooking access can create jobs, reduce deforestation, improve public health and drive inclusive growth.

In strategic alignment with AEW 2025, OPEC’s involvement is also set to catalyze critical dialogue on unlocking upstream investment across Africa while bolstering global advocacy against bans on fossil fuel financing – policies that have long stunted the continent’s development. As the African Energy Chamber has emphasized, OPEC members can play a constructive role in pressing institutions like the World Bank to reconsider restrictive financing frameworks and support equity-based development agendas across African producer states.

“Having OPEC officially partner with AEW 2025 is a game-changer – not just for the event, but for the entire continent,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “At a time when global markets are navigating deep uncertainty and rising demand, this partnership sends a clear message: Africa is ready to lead, ready to produce and ready to take its rightful place at the center of global energy discussions. AEW 2025 will be the platform where Africa’s energy priorities are aligned with global dynamics, and where African voices don’t just participate – they lead.”

With OPEC and Saudi Arabia now deeply invested in Africa’s energy trajectory – both through fossil fuel and clean energy channels – AEW 2025 presents a strategic opportunity to convert policy influence into capital, regional development, clean cooking access and energy security. From high-level ministerial participation to deal‑signing and dialogue on the sidelines, this collaboration will elevate AEW into a true continental showcase for African energy ambition.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About 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.

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General Maphwanya’s Iran visit "ill-advised"

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, August 15, 2025

Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says President Cyril Ramaphosa did not sanction Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya’s visit to Iran.

At a media briefing on Thursday, Magwenya said the SANDF was enabled by bilateral and multilateral frameworks to forge ties with other military forces around the world. 

“The exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of professional military to military cooperation is encouraged within our system of government, this includes joint training drills with other countries, cooperation on peacekeeping and rescue mission during natural disasters.

“However, senior military officers do not engage outside of their military purview and they do not represent the country on foreign policy matters neither are they delegated to perform such functions.”

Magwenya said the President did not sanction the visit, as the General’s travel approval “starts and ends” with the Minister.

“As much as the President is the appointing authority and the Commander-in-Chief, he does not get involved in supervising the General’s travel. That process sits with the Minister. So the President did not know [about it],” said Magwenya.

The spokesperson said the issue was indeed a concern. 

“In the spirit of heightened geopolitical tensions as well as conflict in the Middle East, one can say the visit was ill-advised.”

He said the General should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments that he made which delve in to the area of foreign policy “that only the President as well as the Department in International Relations and Cooperation are responsible for”.

“We are in a process of managing a very delicate exercise of … resetting diplomatic relations with the United States, but more importantly balancing the trade relationship in such a manner that that trade relationship is mutually beneficial and therefore it is indeed not helpful you then have senior government or military officials making statements that will further inflame the situation,” said Magwenya. – SAnews.gov.za

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National Convention kicks off in Pretoria

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, August 15, 2025

The long-awaited National Convention, which paves the way for the National Dialogue, has kicked off this morning at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria.

The two-day National Convention, in which stakeholders and representatives from all quarters of society will participate, aims to outline and agree on key themes for the National Dialogue. The National Dialogue has been described by the Presidency as a call to action for citizens to lead an inclusive dialogue on the challenges facing the country.

The Convention is also intended to agree on the approach and modalities for the nationwide public dialogues at sectoral and community level. It will also outline and agree on the key themes for discussion in the National Dialogue and establish a Steering Committee.

The Convention brings together representatives from government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others, to chart a way forward for the commencement of the National Dialogue.

In preparation for the first National Convention of the National Dialogue process, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with representatives of the interim Preparatory Task Team (PTT) on 7 August 2025. 

READ | Call to make use of National Dialogue platform 

The task team has been given the responsibility of organising the convention and preparing for the public dialogues that will take place thereafter. 

Since April 2025, a Preparatory Task Team has been responsible for preparing for the first National Convention.

It was established as an interim structure pending the establishment of a broadly inclusive Steering Committee representing all sectors. It has been composed of members of the foundations of struggle stalwarts and representatives of the President. – SAnews.gov.za

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Leaders to attend SADC Summit in Madagascar

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government this weekend.

The summit is a historic moment for Madagascar, following the country’s membership of SADC in August 2005.

The summit will focus on accelerating regional integration through key pillars: strengthening industrial capacity and regional value chains, modernising agriculture, and promoting an inclusive energy transition, all aimed at building a resilient, sustainable, and cohesive SADC region.

Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, said during the summit, Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, will officially assume the SADC Chairpersonship, succeeding Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

“The summit will review progress on the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, consider the report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and review achievements under the 44th Summit theme:  ‘Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC’,” he said.

He was briefing media on Thursday on the President’s upcoming engagements.

This weekend’s summit, taking place at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, will also see South Africa formally accepting its Chairship of SADC for 2026-2027. 

TICAD9

Meanwhile, the President will lead South Africa’s High Level delegation participation to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan next week.

The 9th TICAD Summit will convene in Yokohama from 20–22 August 2025 under the theme “People, Planet, and Prosperity in a Changing World”.

Launched by Japan in 1993, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD is co-hosted with the UN, UNDP, World Bank, and African Union Commission and has become a premier forum for African development.

“Grounded in African ownership and international partnership, TICAD has steadily evolved from conflict prevention and human security (TICAD I–III) to economic transformation, innovation, and universal health coverage (UHC) (TICAD VI–VIII),” said Magwenya.

The President will address a South Africa-Japan Business Engagement in Yokohama. 

“Bilateral trade between Japan and South Africa had been expanding since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992. Japan is one of the major investors in the South African economy and has a presence in South Africa of 273 companies, sustaining over 200 000 local jobs,” said the spokesperson.

TICAD 9 will gather over 20 African Heads of State and Government, senior AU, UN, World Bank, and AfDB leadership, philanthropic actors, and bilateral partners including the G7, G20, and BRICS. – SAnews.gov.za