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Western Cape Mobility reports a rise in road fatalities

Source: Government of South Africa

The Western Cape Mobility Department is deeply concerned about a significant rise in road fatalities during the first 11 days of August 2025. 

In this period, the provincial department said 52 people have lost their lives, compared to 28 fatalities in the same timeframe last year.

According to the department, fatalities have occurred across urban and rural areas. 

There were 37 deaths on municipal roads, with 15 more recorded on provincial routes. Meanwhile, the pedestrians remain the most vulnerable, with 28 fatalities. 

In addition, the department said passenger and driver deaths have also risen sharply, and motorcycle-related fatalities on municipal roads have been reported for the first time this year.

“The main causes are speeding, alcohol use, unsafe pedestrian crossings, and poor visibility at night. These behaviours put all road users at risk,” the statement read. 

According to the department, from 1 and 11 August, provincial traffic officers conducted 394 integrated checkpoints and roadblocks on high-risk routes. 

They stopped and inspected 60 226 vehicles, which included 3 770 public transport vehicles, and arrested 195 drivers for driving under the influence, with one driver registering a blood alcohol level nearly six times the legal limit.

During this period, the team also recorded a total of 15 824 offences, which included speeding, reckless driving, cellphone use while driving, and seatbelt violations. 

In addition, they discontinued 341 vehicles from use and impounded 46 due to roadworthy issues.

“Fifty-two lives lost in eleven days – that’s 52 families shattered. These aren’t numbers, they’re our neighbours, friends, and loved ones. I’m asking every driver, passenger, and pedestrian – slow down, stay sober, and make the choices that keep us all alive. Let’s make sure no more families must get that devastating call,” Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku. 

The department has since urged drivers to slow down, stay alert, and obey traffic laws, and pedestrians to cross roads only at safe points, stay visible at night, and avoid alcohol near traffic. 

The province is also encouraging all road users to avoid walking on freeways and use safe and legal routes. 

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Every choice matters, and every life is precious.” – SAnews.gov.za

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In the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Slop, Trust is a Human Advantage (By Bas Wijne)

Source: APO

By Bas Wijne, CEO, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com)

AI-generated content is flooding the internet, and much of it is low-quality and misleading. Editors call it ‘AI slop’: hallucinated quotes, fake press releases, and algorithm-chasing headlines. In an era where content is cheaper and faster than ever, trust has become the rarest commodity. That’s where professional public relations – once accused of ‘spin’ – is playing a new, unexpected role: safeguarding credibility in a post-truth landscape. 

AI has a place, but it doesn’t replace people 

Let me be clear: AI isn’t the enemy. It’s a powerful tool for information analysis, workflows, and insight. But it has limits. Besides the slop factor, the phenomenon of model collapse – AI models producing increasingly inaccurate results as they are trained on the outputs of earlier models – is a looming risk. In this context, two pillars of PR – direct executive access and verified press releases – are lifelines for journalists and the public. 

AI can mimic a CEO’s tone. It can generate a passable quote. It can even create a fake press release that looks real on first glance. But it cannot replicate what matters most: 

  • A real interview, with real stakes 
  • A direct connection to a decision-maker 
  • A verified statement backed by accountability 
  • A local voice who understands the nuance, not just the keywords 

Delivering news you can trust 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is proud to be the largest pan-African PR and communications consultancy and Africa’s only dedicated press release and media content distribution provider, through our proprietary newswire Africa Newsroom (www.Africa-Newsroom.com). 

In the absence of a pan-African regulatory authority equivalent to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, Africa Newsroom serves as the de facto Primary Information Provider for Africa: an outlet trusted to deliver official, verifiable corporate and public sector communications across the continent. Every piece of content distributed by Africa Newsroom is reviewed, optimised, and traceable by our team.  

On the PR side, when our team arranges an interview between a journalist and an African minister or facilitates a press briefing with the CEO of a global firm expanding into Nairobi or Abidjan, we’re doing something AI can’t: building trust through human access. 

In just the past month, we’ve facilitated over 200 executive interviews for brands like Coca-Cola and Canon – connecting journalists to real decision-makers rather than AI-generated personas. That’s not automation. It’s deep relationship work. 

Press releases still matter – when they’re done right 

Too many people write off the press release as an outdated format. But when done well – fact-checked, compliant, attributed, and distributed to the right people at the right time – a press release becomes something else entirely: a verified signal in a noisy, synthetic world. 

The trust cascade: PR → Journalists → Public 

The recent fallout from OpenAI’s indexing scandal – where shared ChatGPT conversations were found discoverable via Google Search – is a stark reminder of what happens when content is detached from context, consent and control. Public confidence took a hit, and brands using shared links for internal communications or published content are still scrambling to contain the damage.  

When information ecosystems break down, trust becomes a chain reaction. PR plays a key role in this cascade: 

  • We provide credible inputs: real people, real quotes, real data 
  • Journalists vet and amplify those insights 
  • The public consumes the final story with confidence it came from somewhere accountable 

Without that initial layer of professional PR, we risk a content ecosystem built on synthetic sand. 

Why this matters even more in Africa 

AI-generated misinformation is a global issue, but its effects are sharper in emerging markets, especially across Africa. 

Here, independent media outlets are often underfunded, and institutional trust is fragile. The damage from fake news – amplified by generative AI – can be reputational, political, financial. Even existential. 

This is why APO Group exists: to bridge the gap between credible African stories and the global media ecosystem. 

Human truth is the competitive edge 

The future of communications isn’t human or AI. It’s both. But right now, only one side builds relationships. Only one side is accountable. Only one side engages with intent when the story matters. 

At APO Group, we’ll keep investing in technology. But our core belief won’t change: the most trusted content still starts with real people. 

Our combination of professional PR and trusted, continent-wide media distribution offers something rare: scale and trust. Reach and rigour. The ability to connect journalists to real sources – in all 54 African countries – at a time when bots are flooding inboxes with synthetic noise. 

That’s our commitment to our clients, to the media, and to the public. And in the age of AI slop, that’s what makes the difference. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group Insights.

About APO Group:   
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.     

Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award, and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm in Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024.  Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards.   

APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.   

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African Development Bank Group Commits $40 Million to Catalyze the Alliance for Green Infrastructure – Project Development Fund

Source: APO

  • Bank’s investment anchors first close of $118 million for Africa’s leading green infrastructure initiative
  • The Fund, managed by Africa50, seeks to raise $400 million of blended, early-stage development capital to deliver a pipeline of investment-ready green infrastructure projects in Africa

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has announced $40 million in blended capital to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa – Project Development Fund, anchoring the Fund’s first close of $118 million. This milestone marks a new era towards mobilizing blended capital in project development, to unlock a robust pipeline of investment-ready green infrastructure projects across the continent.

The AGIA-PD’s strong alliance of development finance institutions, public agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private investors includes KfW (the German development bank), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Three Cairns Group, and the Soros Economic Development Fund.

The African Development Bank’s strategic investment in the Fund — comprising $20 million in grants, $10 million in commercial equity, and $10 million in junior equity from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, which the Bank administers— underscores the Bank’s leadership in de-risking early-stage projects and catalyzing private investment into infrastructure.

“Through this $40 million spanning grants, junior equity, and commercial equity, the African Development Bank is pioneering a comprehensive approach that will unlock Africa’s vast green infrastructure potential,” said Solomon Quaynor, the Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization. “This investment represents more than capital. It is a bold declaration that the Bank stands ready to share early-stage risk alongside our partner. The resources will be deployed for co-development with both emerging and established developers, ensuring a diverse and scalable pipeline. Our blended-finance model is designed to mobilize billions in private-sector investment for Africa’s low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure.”

The Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa – Project Development Fund is part of the AGIA initiative, led by the African Development Bank, the African Union Commission, and Africa50. The initiative aims to raise $500 million, with $100 million in grants for project preparation overseen by the Bank and $400 million for project development through the Fund, to unlock a $10 billion investment pipeline in strategic areas, including energy, sustainable transport, and ICT.

“Since the unveiling of the initiative at COP27, the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa has moved from ambition to execution, and this first close of the AGIA Project Development Fund is a powerful testament to that progress”, Africa50, Alain Ebobissé, CEO.

He added. “We are deeply grateful to our founding partners and investors for their trust and commitment. By unlocking early-stage capital, AGIA will help accelerate the development of bankable green infrastructure projects, strengthen local capacity, and pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Africa. Africa50 is proud to serve as fund manager and drive this vital initiative forward.”

Minister of State for Development of the United Kingdom, Jenny Chapman, said, “We are partnering with countries to unlock private investment in the places hardest hit by climate change. This is good news for local communities, helping create growth, and for the UK. Today’s UK investment will support African-led projects like solar farms and water treatment plants, helping build stronger economies which can deal better with the effects of climate change.”

Christine de Barros Said, Head of Cooperation, German Embassy in Maputo underscored the  German government’s commitment to support Africa on its path to a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Christine de Barros Said remarked: “Through KfW, we are providing €26 million to promote more private and public investment in green infrastructure. AGIA identifies and develops projects until they reach creditworthiness and then sells them to investors. This generates important investments in renewable energy, transport, water, and digitalization, which the continent urgently needs to foster economic growth and job creation.”

Commenting on the first close, President and Chairman of West African Development Bank, Serge Ekue, said: “BOAD’s commitment to supporting Africa50 in implementing AGIA reaffirms our dedication to closing Africa’s infrastructure gap and fostering private sector investment in innovative projects. This contribution is poised to drive sustainable development across the West African Economic and Monetary Union member states and the continent at large.”

Mark Gallogly, co-founder of Three Cairns Group, described the AGIA’s first close as “a significant milestone in tackling persistent barriers to scaling clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure across Africa. We are proud to support this effort and to see catalytic capital flow into early-stage project development — a critical enabler for unlocking economic vitality on the continent.”

The CEO of the Soros Economic Development Fund, Georgia Levenson Keohane, said: “The Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) is proud to support the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, a critically important Africa-led partnership to catalyze transformative green infrastructure projects that enhance climate resilience, accelerate a just energy transition, and drive inclusive, sustainable development across the continent.”

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

Media Contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations 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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DIRCO clarifies remarks on foreign policy after SANDF Chief’s Iran visit

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, August 14, 2025

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has clarified that any statements made by individuals or departments that are not responsible for foreign policy should not be considered the official stance of the South African Government.

This is after media reports have surfaced regarding comments made by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, during a visit to Iran. 

According to these reports, Maphwanya expressed his solidarity with Iran following a meeting with the country’s army Commander in Tehran on Tuesday.

Press TV reported that the Iranian commander emphasised that both sides share common anti-colonial, anti-arrogant, and justice-driven principles. 

He highlighted that the African nation has been given a “prioritised” position in the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy.

The publication reported that Maphwanya relayed greetings from South Africa’s President and Defence Minister. 

The General then affirmed that “the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran share common goals and will always support the oppressed and defenceless people of the world.“

However, the department has since distanced itself from these remarks and clarified that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy is the responsibility of the Presidency, with support from DIRCO.

“Consequently, any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African Government. The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance.” 

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, will seek further clarification, according to the department. – SAnews.gov.za

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Stats for a better life: More than just numbers

Source: Government of South Africa

By Morapedi Sibeko

As per Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), population trends: “are never just numbers; they reflect the shifting values, aspirations, and challenges of society at a given moment.”

South Africa’s population data for 2025 tells an intriguing story about how our families are changing. According to Stats SA, the country’s total fertility rate has dropped from an average of 2.78 children per woman in 2008 to just 2.21 in 2025. In plain terms, if current patterns are anything to go by, today’s average South African woman will have just over two children in her lifetime.

The change has been  gradual.

Around 2016, official birth registration records show a notable decline in births.  

The numbers have been declining since 2020. It is a part of a global trend, not limited to South Africa, as several nations record fewer births annually.

The consistent decline in birth rates is no coincidence.  It is a reflection of the economic and social realities shaping people’s choices.

Bringing up a child is a significant financial commitment. Between the cost of healthcare, education, housing, and even the price of nappies, the lifetime expense of parenting can be daunting.

The primary cause of declining birth rates worldwide, according to the UN Population Fund’s State of World Population report, is economic obstacles. 

It warns that an increasing number of people are being denied the freedom to start families because of high living costs, persistent gender inequality, and uncertainty about the future.

This is where constitutional rights matter, says Jacques van Zuydam, who leads the Population and Development Directorate.

South Africa’s Constitution protects women’s reproductive rights, meaning fertility trends should be the outcome of unhindered individual choices by the country’s roughly 30 million women, choices about whether to have children, when to have them, and how many to have.

“If the result of these choices adds up to a decline in the total birth rate, society has to adjust itself thereto.

Social and cultural shifts are also part of the picture.  The typical marriage age is currently in the early 30s in the majority of countries, including South Africa, according to Our World in Data. More people are putting off getting married and starting a family to concentrate on their education and professions.

With better access to family planning and healthcare, women have more control over whether and when they become mothers.

Even as these changes have an impact on demographics, they also represent personal preference and the growth of options for women, something Van Zuydam says should be embraced as part of social progress.

And then there’s the myth that refuses to retire, the idea that the Child Support Grant (CSG) encourages women to have children. The evidence tells a very different story. Research such as Common Concerns and Misconceptions: What Does the Evidence Say? shows that the grant has improved women’s financial independence and decision-making power, but there is no sign it drives higher birth rates.

In fact, with birth rates declining, it’s clear that social grants cannot be the reason women fall pregnant. Supporting this, The Role of Social Grants in Economically Enabling South African Women notes that pregnancies among young women have not been increasing over the past two decades, even as the grant expanded.

Van Zuydam also highlights that lower fertility rates present opportunities: the chance to reap the so-called demographic dividend, if the right investments are made into children and youth; the potential to lower unemployment. If young people are equipped with the skills to join the mainstream economy; and rapid technological advancement, particularly in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. More economic opportunities for women, he says, should also accelerate gender equality and equity.

This tendency has complicated repercussions. Although fewer births would relieve some of the strain on the healthcare and education systems, they also bring up issues with economic growth, the future workforce, and how to care for an aging population.

These are concerns for today, not tomorrow, and they necessitate new approaches to planning, policy, and community support.

South Africa’s declining birth rate should be seen less as a crisis and more as a reflection of changing priorities, economic realities, and an evolving approach to family life.

The real challenge and opportunity is in how we adapt to these changes while ensuring that people have the genuine freedom to decide the size and timing of their families.

*Morapedi Sibeko is Acting Director: Content Development and Events management at the Department of Social Development

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Home Affairs collaborates with banks to expand services

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, August 14, 2025

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA), First National Bank (FNB) and Standard Bank have launched a new partnership that will enable South Africans to apply for their smart card IDs and passports at the banks and at a later state on mobile applications.

FNB will be taking a phased approach to the rollout of these services. The bank is committing to rolling out 15 branches immediately, 240 branches over the next year, and more announcements to follow as the project plan unfolds.

Similarly, Standard Bank will be adopting a phased approach, with 20 branches going live this year and 300 over the next year with more to come by 2027. 

Both banks will avail these services to all South Africans, including those who are not clients.

This partnership was launched on Wednesday. 

“I am delighted that FNB and Standard Bank are the latest banks to partner with Home Affairs to expand the offering of our services across the entire country. 

“This new digital partnership model that harnesses the power of technology, will dramatically increase Home Affairs’ footprint and thereby bring us closer than ever before to delivering our vision of Home Affairs at home. 

“I am grateful to them for committing to demonstrate how we can resolve long-standing problems when we work together,” Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said.

CEO of FNB Public Sector Banking, Sipho Silinda, welcomed the partnership with the department that spans over a decade. 

“We have always believed that financial inclusion is directly linked to safe and secure documentation, and we are delighted to take our partnership with the DHA to the next level, by scaling our solution with more branches and reissuing via our App. 

“We commend the Minister and his department for the vision they have shown and look forward to continuing to serve South Africans with professionalism and simplicity,” Silinda said.

Standard Bank Personal and Private Banking CEO, Funeka Montjane, the bank is proud to be part of this forward-thinking collaboration that will save clients time and make it easier to access essential identity services. – SAnews.gov.za

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Investing that protects people and the planet is growing: new study maps the progress in South Africa

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kara Nel, Contract lecturer in Business Management, Stellenbosch University

Institutional investors who invest on behalf of others are increasingly considering environmental conservation and safe working conditions as investment criteria.

Sustainable investment has gained momentum in the last 20 years as asset managers – people who manage the day-to-day activities of institutional investors – have accepted the need to include sustainability criteria in their decision-making. In particular environmental, social and governance factors.

A study done in 2023 in North America, Europe and Asia reported that 80% of asset managers had sustainable investment policies. Five years earlier it was only 20%.

In South Africa, this trend has been particularly marked since 2011 following changes to pension fund legislation. The amendments require pension funds to take environmental, social and governance issues into account in their investment decisions.

Nevertheless, the momentum of investment decisions based on sustainability criteria has been slower in South Africa compared with other countries.

As part of my PhD research, I investigated the views of 26 asset managers about sustainable investing. I asked them to define what corporate social responsibility meant to them.

They identified specific corporate social responsibility practices they focus on. Human rights and stakeholder relationships were the most prominent. Most interviewees (15 of the 26) believed that the companies they invest in should have sound sustainability practices.

The research also highlighted a number of barriers to asset managers applying sustainability criteria. These included the fact that the South African equity market is quite small, and shrinking as the number of companies delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange grows. There are therefore fewer companies to invest in. There is also limited client demand for such investments.

These barriers make it harder for investors to make a significant social investment impact.

Sustainable investment matters because asset managers control vast amounts of capital. In the absence of suitable impact-oriented investment opportunities, capital can’t be directed to solving pressing problems. These include poverty, inequality and climate change.

The barriers

The interviewees said it was challenging to integrate corporate social responsibility practices into institutional investment decision-making. They listed a number of reasons.

Seven commented that the local equity market was too small to make a significant social investment impact.

One interviewee said that if, for example, an asset manager wanted to build a fund with only environmental performers, it was not possible, since

you are not exactly spoiled for choice.

The already limited local investable market continues to shrink. Companies are delisting at a disconcerting rate. This means that there are limited sustainability-focused investment opportunities in the country.

Another challenge is low client demand for sustainable investment products. The interviewees mentioned that a limited number of asset owners and beneficiaries are requesting such products.

In addition, many companies don’t provide sufficient data on their sustainability practices. This makes it difficult for corporate role-players to make informed decisions.

Another complicating factor is that there isn’t consistency among data providers on how sustainability performance of companies should be measured. In South Africa this is further complicated by unique aspects of the country’s laws. For example, interviewees mentioned that popular global environmental, social and governance databases didn’t take into account broad-based black economic empowerment legislation. This was introduced after the end of apartheid to improve economic transformation and inclusion.

What needs to happen

Education is key to ensure real impact. Fund managers and their clients should thus be better informed about sustainable investing.

Here the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa could play an important role. This association aims to ensure that savings and investment in the country remain relevant and sustainable. Workshops and resources are provided to various role-players in the investment process.

In addition, having consistent, country-specific metrics for sustainability would make it easier to evaluate and compare companies. Some of the interviewees thought that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange 2022 Sustainability Disclosure Guidance was a step in the right direction. The document provides a step-by-step guide to get companies going in their sustainability reporting. It’s also designed to help locally listed companies clarify current global best practices. An example is climate-related disclosures.

Reporting standards put out in 2023 by the International Sustainability Standards Board have been another important development. These include requirements for sustainability-related financial information and climate-related initiatives.

The standards encourage more consistent, complete, comparable and verifiable information about sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

Another useful intervention would be the development of a social impact metric. This could include country-specific social considerations. A local example would be including broad-based black economic empowerment when measuring social impact.

In our view the focus for South African asset managers should be on investments that align with sustainable development. These include investing in infrastructure projects that address pressing challenges. Unemployment is one example.

Fund managers should also take advantage of tools like the Responsible Investment and Ownership guide. This provides actionable steps to improve responsible investment practices.

These resources can help asset managers integrate corporate sustainability into their decision-making. They can also be used to educate clients on the benefits of sustainable investing.

– Investing that protects people and the planet is growing: new study maps the progress in South Africa
– https://theconversation.com/investing-that-protects-people-and-the-planet-is-growing-new-study-maps-the-progress-in-south-africa-248022

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La Banque africaine de développement et ses partenaires organisent un atelier de formation sur la norme Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) et la plateforme ODP 2.0 pour une gestion plus efficace des données en Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le Département des statistiques de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) a organisé, en collaboration avec l’Institut de statistique de l’Union africaine (STATAFRIC), le Centre africain de statistique de la Commission économique des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique (CEA) et d’autres partenaires internationaux, un atelier régional d’une semaine sur la norme SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata exchange) et la Plateforme de données ouvertes 2.0 (Open Data Plateform, ODP 2.0) de la Banque. 

Cet atelier, qui s’est tenu à Addis-Abeba du 21 au 25 juillet 2025, a réuni plus de 40 participants originaires de 16 pays, ainsi que des délégués du Fonds monétaire international, de la Banque mondiale, de l’Organisation des Nations unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture, de Paris21 et de quatre institutions régionales. Les participants ont pu suivre une formation pratique sur l’utilisation de la norme SDMX afin d’améliorer la gestion et la diffusion des données devant appuyer l’élaboration de politiques fondées sur des données factuelles.

La norme SDMX est maintenant la référence mondiale en matière d’échange de données statistiques, permettant une meilleure efficacité, automatisation et intégration des systèmes statistiques nationaux, régionaux et mondiaux. Son adoption par les pays africains devrait conduire à renforcer la fiabilité et la comparabilité des statistiques officielles sur l’ensemble du continent.

Des séances techniques approfondies sur la plateforme ODP 2.0 ont également été offertes au cours de l’atelier : il s’agit de la version originale SDMX améliorée de la plate-forme de données ouvertes de la Banque africaine de développement, développée dans le cadre de l’initiative « Africa Information Highway ». L’ODP 2.0 facilite l’interopérabilité des systèmes de données des pays, en les rendant plus accessibles et adaptés aux technologies émergentes, en particulier l’intelligence artificielle. 

Dans leurs allocutions d’ouverture, les représentants de la Banque, de la CEA et de STATAFRIC ont réaffirmé leur engagement à accélérer l’adoption de SDMX en Afrique, promettant une collaboration plus étroite avec les Communautés économiques régionales dans le but d’assurer une mise en œuvre efficace dans tous les pays membres. 

La rencontre a également permis de mettre en avant les progrès de l’Afrique concernant la promotion des pratiques dans le domaine des données ouvertes grâce au soutien de la Banque, comme en témoigne le dernier rapport 2024-2025 sur l’inventaire des données ouvertes (ODIN), publié en avril 2025 et couvrant 197 pays : 

  • Dix pays africains ont obtenu un score supérieur à 60 sur 100, contre seulement deux en 2020. 
  • Pour la première fois, trois pays africains – le Maroc (77,3), le Burkina Faso (76,8) et le Sénégal (75,3) – ont dépassé le score de 70 sur 100, se classant ainsi parmi les 35 pays les plus performants au monde. 
  • Entre 2022 et 2024, même si toutes les régions ont enregistré des améliorations, l’Afrique affiche la plus forte progression avec une hausse de 23 % des scores ODIN moyens.

Cet atelier qui fera date, est le reflet de l’élan qui existe dans les pays et les institutions de l’Afrique engagés dans la modernisation des écosystèmes de données, le renforcement des capacités statistiques et la promotion d’un développement inclusif s’appuyant sur des données plus accessibles et de meilleure qualité.

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

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African Development Bank and partners drive data transformation in Africa with Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) and Open Data Platform 2.0 training

Source: APO


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The Statistics Department of the African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org), in collaboration with the African Union Institute of Statistics (STATAFRIC), the Africa Centre for Statistics of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and other international partners held a week-long Regional Workshop on Statistical Data and Metadata exchange (SDMX) and the Bank’s Open Data Platform 2.0 (ODP 2.0). 

The workshop, held in Addis Ababa from 21 to 25 July 2025, brought together more than 40 participants from 16 countries, alongside delegates from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, Paris21, and four regional institutions. Participants engaged in hands-on training on leveraging SDMX to enhance data management and dissemination in support of evidence-based policymaking.

SDMX has emerged as a leading global standard for statistical data exchange, enabling greater efficiency, automation, and integration across national, regional, and global statistical systems. Its adoption by African countries is set to boost the reliability and comparability of official statistics across the continent.

The workshop also offered in-depth technical sessions on ODP 2.0, the upgraded SDMX-native version of the African Development Bank’s Open Data Platform, developed under the Africa Information Highway initiative. ODP 2.0 enables countries to make their data systems more interoperable, accessible, and ready for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. 

In their opening remarks, representatives from AfDB, UNECA, and STATAFRIC reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate the adoption of SDMX in Africa, pledging closer collaboration with Regional Economic Communities to ensure efficient implementation across member countries. 

The event also highlighted Africa’s progress in advancing open data practices with the support of the AfDB, as reflected in the latest Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024-2025 report, covering 197 countries and published in April 2025: 

  • Ten African countries scored above 60 out of 100, up from just two in 2020. 
  • For the first time, three African countries — Morocco (77.3), Burkina Faso (76.8), and Senegal (75.3) — exceeded 70 out of 100, placing them among the world’s top 35 performers. 
  • Between 2022 and 2024, all regions showed improvements, with Africa recording the highest regional increase of 23% in average ODIN scores.

The milestone workshop demonstrates the growing momentum among African countries and institutions to modernize data ecosystems, strengthen statistical capacity, and drive inclusive development through better, more accessible data.

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

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Gabon to Bring New Exploration, Gas Opportunities to African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Stage

Source: APO


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As Gabon accelerates efforts to reposition itself as a leading upstream player in Africa, the “Invest in Gabon” Roundtable at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies will present a detailed overview of the country’s most promising investment opportunities across the oil and gas value chain. The session will feature Sosthène Nguema Nguema, Minister of Petroleum; Philippe Tonangoye, Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy; and Marcellin Simba Ngabi, CEO of Gabon Oil Company (GOC) – who will outline Gabon’s roadmap for upstream growth, regulatory modernization and new investor incentives. 

With a production history spanning over five decades and estimated reserves of more than two billion barrels, Gabon is laying the groundwork for a new phase of growth. Recent upstream momentum has been fueled by the Bourdon discovery in the offshore Dussafu License in March 2025, alongside production increases led by Perenco, BW Energy and VAALCO Energy. The government aims to boost national output to 200,000 barrels per day, unlocking additional value from both mature fields and frontier acreage. 

A central focus is Gabon’s underexplored deepwater acreage, which remains largely untapped despite significant geological potential. The Ministry of Petroleum has launched a concerted push to attract new entrants, particularly independent and mid-cap operators, through flexible PSC terms, streamlined permitting, and data accessibility. As noted by Minister Nguema Nguema in recent statements, Gabon’s deepwater drive forms a critical part of its strategy to remain competitive in a shifting global energy landscape. 

At the same time, Gabon is placing greater emphasis on natural gas development through its Gas Master Plan, which aims to strengthen domestic infrastructure and diversify energy exports. A major highlight is the $983 million investment recently committed by Perenco and GOC in a new LNG facility in Port-Gentil – a flagship project aimed at reducing flaring, boosting gas monetization and supporting clean fuel markets. This builds on Perenco’s existing $2 billion investment in the Cap Lopez LNG terminal, which will deploy a FLNG vessel and is expected to begin production in 2026. Broader efforts are also underway to scale gas use in power generation and industry, reinforcing Gabon’s commitment to energy security and sustainable growth.  

“Through robust policy reform, improved transparency and strong leadership from institutions like GOC, the country is laying the foundation for long-term investment. AEW 2025 offers a platform for operators, financiers and service providers to engage directly with Gabonese officials and explore avenues for entry and expansion in one of Africa’s most revitalized energy markets,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About AEW:
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.