MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

Ethiopia’s ambition to build a new international airport that will rival some of the world’s biggest, took off on Monday with a monumental signing ceremony marking the African Development Bank’s role (www.AfDB.org) as the initial mandated lead arranger, global coordinator and book runner to mobilize nearly $8 billion of the $10 billion needed for the mega project.

The Bank plans to provide financing of $500 million, subject to Board approval.

The mandate letter was signed by Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Commercial Officer Lemma Yadecha and the President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in the presence of Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Ahmed Shide.

Other guests at the ceremony included Ethiopian Airlines Group Board Chair Hon. Lt General Yilma Merdessa, Malawi’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola, South Sudan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Boutros Thok Deng, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Chargé d’affaires in Ethiopia Exkael Kabongo, his Togolese counterpart Thomas Deji, and Zambia’s Nawa Sibongo.  

Located 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, the new greenfield Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) will have an initial capacity of 60 million passengers, eventually expanding to 110 million, and transport 3.73 million tons of cargo annually.

“The African Development Bank is proud to partner with Ethiopia in its vision to expand the operational and fleet capacity of the Ethiopian Airlines,” Adesina said, praising Ethiopia for putting “Africa at the top in global aviation.”

 “With its 75 years of operational history, Ethiopian airlines is Africa’s oldest and best airline. It is critical for regional economic integration, connecting capitals, people and markets, with its globally rated cargo facilities,” the Bank Group chief said.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew, who was represented at the signing ceremony by Chief Commercial Officer Yadecha said, “The signing of this mandate letter marks a decisive step toward realizing a world-class pan-African gateway that will boost intra-African trade, regional integration, tourism, and global connectivity.”

Groundworks are expected to begin late 2025, with Phase I expected to be completed by November 2029. The multi-billion-dollar project will include an airport city with facilities such as shopping malls, hotels, recreation areas, as well as direct rail and expressway links to Addis Ababa.

Adesina, making his last official visit to Ethiopia, praised the “visionary leadership” of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, who he noted is transforming the country “every hour, every day, every week, at scale. Speed and scale are now the hallmarks of Ethiopia.”

He summed up the financing partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and the Bank as a fitting one between Africa’s largest airline—with an especially noteworthy record of supporting the global response to the Covid19 pandemic—and the continent’s biggest infrastructure financier, to deliver a “game changer” for African and global aviation.

“In the past ten years under my Presidency, the Bank has financed over $55 billion in infrastructure,” Adesina said, pledging to “do all we can to support Ethiopia to achieve its dream.” He noted that the African Development Bank in 2016 extended a $160 million corporate loan to support the modernization and expansion of Ethiopian Airline’s fleet. 

“I wish to assure you that the African Development Bank will deliver, so that this project can be delivered by Ethiopia for its people,” said Adesina.

The Ethiopian Airlines Group and the African Development Bank signed a Letter of Intent on 24 March 2025 to partner for the financing of this flagship project.

The Bank has a track record of responsibly structuring and mobilizing financing from commercial banks, development finance institutions, and institutional investors for structured projects across the continent.

It supports several transformative infrastructure projects as a mandated lead arranger, including the Aysha Wind Power Project in Ethiopia and the Tanzania-Burundi-DR Congo Standard Gauge Railway Project.

Over the years, the Bank has successfully executed debt-raise mandates for limited-recourse infrastructure projects as well as state-owned transport companies such as Transnet, Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique, and Ghana Airports Company.

The Bishoftu International Airport will serve international passenger and cargo traffic, complementing Bole International Airport, which will retain Ethiopian’s domestic operations.

Ethiopian Airlines hub-and-spoke network, with subregional hubs, is driving connectivity across Africa and with the rest of the world.  With the planned airport, the speed, frequency and scale of connections for people, goods, and services is set to increase significantly. The expansion is also in line with one of the African Development Bank’s High 5 priorities, which is to Integrate Africa by breaking down barriers, building cross-border links, and enabling African economies to trade, travel, and thrive together in a globally competitive environment.

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s most successful airline, with more than 75 years of operational history, is the seven-time consecutive winner of Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline’ in Africa’ award. In the fiscal year ending 30 June 2025, the airline reported record revenues of $7.6 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year growth. It transported 19.0 million passengers, with 15.1 million on international routes and 3.9 million within the country.

The company has allocated a total of $350 million for livelihood restoration and resettlement of communities that will be affected by the construction.

To read President Adesina’s speech, click here (https://apo-opa.co/3UtVYBL).

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

Media contact:
Christin Roby
Regional Communication Officer for East Africa
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

Source: APO – Report:

Nigeria has risen to the forefront of Africa’s digital economy with a powerful ecosystem that is both homegrown and resilient – fuelled by government initiatives, global tech enterprises, and a thriving startup ecosystem; propelling Nigeria’s future with tech opportunities in talent development and digital infrastructure to help achieve the goal of US$1 trillion economy by 2030.

Central to Nigeria – and Africa’s – ambitions of digital sovereignty lie in the opportunity to upskill, operate and expand grassroots talent and organisations. Perfectly timed to support these ambitions is the inaugural edition of GITEX NIGERIA which will act as a convergence point for key local and international decision makers, not only in tech but across multiple sectors embracing digital transformation.

Held under the patronage of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, GITEX NIGERIA premieres across Abuja and Lagos from 1-4 September 2025. It is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The event is endorsed by Lagos State Government, and organised by KAOUN International, the global organiser of GITEX events.

A high-level Government Leadership & AI Summit in Abuja takes place on the opening day on 1 September to forge a united future for international leaders driving the growth of digital infrastructure, AI, and innovation.

Hon. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said: “Building and deploying AI infrastructure and solutions for Nigeria and Africa is not only a technological advancement, but also a chance to redefine our place in the global digital economy. Our success in delivering on this will ensure that we evolve from being passive consumers of AI to becoming net producers of talent and solutions that can compete and thrive internationally. As the global tech community turns its attention to Nigeria at GITEX NIGERIA, we must seize this opportunity to demonstrate what is possible in our tech ecosystem, showcase the depth of our innovation and the boldness of our ideas.”

The GITEX NIGERIA programme then transitions to Lagos, headlining across two locations from 3-4 September. The Eko Hotel Convention Centre hosts the GITEX NIGERIA Tech Expo & Future Economy Conference, while the Landmark Centre welcomes the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival. Combined, it will be West Africa’s largest gathering of technology visionaries, industry leaders, and decision-makers overseeing digital transformation of non-tech sectors.

H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State Federal Republic of Nigeria, said: “Lagos is and continues to be a city that facilitates progress. As we collectively build our city into the preferred destination for innovation and digital solutions, GITEX NIGERIA’s shared ambition will place Lagos at the heart of Africa’s digital future.”

Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency, said: “We are committed to cultivating a Nigerian digital ecosystem that becomes a global benchmark for equitable Al advancement; one that is synonymous with inclusive access to Al technologies, infrastructure, and solutions. GITEX NIGERIA is more than an event, it is the cornerstone for Africa’s digital renaissance and a catalyst for developing world-class Al infrastructure which promotes scalability, sovereignty & global competitiveness.”

Global Tech Giants Converge in Nigeria to Enable Digital Growth Opportunities

With a burgeoning big tech landscape, international names have flocked to Nigeria and other African markets to nurture talent, support with infrastructure or provide localised solutions for existing services. Whether driven by African diaspora or the promise of opportunity, international presence is expanding, often in the form of multi-sector, public-private partnerships.

As IBM operated by MIBB affirms its presence in West Africa, it continues to build on IBM’s long-standing legacy of enabling Nigeria’s digital transformation. Through local engagement and ecosystem-driven growth, the focus remains on delivering impactful solutions across key sectors such as banking, telecoms, government, and education.

Vishnu Taimni, General Manager of IBM operated by MIBB said: “Nigeria is a strategic priority for IBM operated by MIBB, anchored in decades of trusted partnerships across public and private sectors. As the country accelerates its digital agenda, GITEX NIGERIA offers a valuable opportunity to deepen collaboration and reaffirm our commitment to co-creating technologies that empower industries and communities for the future.”

A hub for international investors to discover African startups

Already Nigeria’s undisputed innovation hub, Lagos – home to 23 of the country’s 28 fastest-growing companies, according to the Financial Times – simultaneously hosts the GITEX NIGERIA Startup Festival. It will be Nigeria’s largest and most globally diverse investor programme and curated meetings between startups, investors, corporates, industry leaders, and prospective partners.

To capitalise on the transformative impact of GITEX NIGERIA on Lagos’ startup ecosystem, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will present its pan-African timbuktoo initiative at the event. The largest of its kind in the world, timbuktoo brings public and private capital together at a global scale to support and empower startups solving macro challenges facing the planet, and humanity.

The event runs with support from partners AWS, Cisco, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Kaspersky, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Space42. For more information, news and updates on GITEX NIGERIA, please visit GITEXNIGERIA.ng.

– on behalf of GITEX NIGERIA.

Notes to editors:
It is GITEX NIGERIA not Gitex Nigeria   

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Useful links:
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Press office contact press@gitexnigeria.ng

Source: APO – Report:

The Global Mercy™, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, docked once again in Freetown marking the start of its third consecutive field service in Sierra Leone. Operated by the international NGO Mercy Ships (https://MercyShips.Africa/), the vessel’s return deepens its partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and expand access to safe, free surgeries.  

Following a brief maintenance period in Cádiz, Spain, the ship will remain in Sierra Leone for ten months, providing specialized surgical care and training in collaboration with national and local authorities.  

Welcoming the ship for the third time, Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health in Sierra Leone, reaffirmed the significance of this collaboration: “Mercy Ships is doing two critical things for us: number one, it’s delivering a much-needed surgical service for the people of this country. Number two, it’s helping train our healthcare workers in the core principles of patient care, patient life, and surgeries. When you have those, you’re not only providing a critical service today, but you’re also leaving a legacy behind. As a government, we’re extremely pleased. We’re extremely grateful for it.”  

Since 2023, the Global Mercy has provided more than 3,630 free surgeries for 3,240 individuals. The Mercy Ships Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) programs are also helping to strengthen surgical systems in Sierra Leone.  

Suzanne Thomas, Director of Education, Training, and Advocacy for Mercy Ships, emphasized the long-term vision of the program: “We are delighted to offer more learning opportunities on board the Global Mercy and look forward to continuing our support for service development at Connaught Hospital and accredited training for essential professions through the University of Sierra Leone.”  

To date, Mercy Ships has delivered more than 63,000 hours of training to over 290 Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals. The extended stay will allow for continued collaboration with local hospitals and healthcare professionals, supporting surgical and anesthetic system strengthening aligned with national healthcare priorities.  

Dr. Sandra Lako, Mercy Ships Country Director for Sierra Leone, reiterates Mercy Ships’ commitment to the country: “The much-anticipated return of the Global Mercy reflects a shared vision between Mercy Ships and the Ministry of Health to bridge the gap in surgical capacity in Sierra Leone. In addition to delivering free, safe surgeries on board the ship, we are deeply committed to strengthening surgical care systems in Sierra Leone through training and collaboration. Together with our partners, we are investing in local healthcare professionals who will continue to transform lives and create sustainable change.”  

The ship’s international volunteers and Sierra Leonean national crew, are preparing to begin a new phase of free surgical programs, including maxillofacial/head and neck, pediatric, orthopedics, plastic reconstructive, general, and ophthalmic surgery.  

– on behalf of Mercy Ships.

Contact:
Sierra Leone Ministry of Health:  
Abdul S. Brima/James T. Kallay  
Email: communications@mohs.gov.sl 
Website: https://MOHS.Gov.sl/  

Mercy Ships:  
Email: International.media@mercyships.org   
Website: https://apo-opa.co/4fKdbAD/  

Visit www.MercyShips.org for more information.  

Source: APO

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The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the Treaty on Plastics is currently being held in Geneva, Switzerland, with over 170 nations meeting to discuss the implementation of a legally-binding instrument on plastic pollution. If signed, the treaty would cut the production levels of single-use plastics, posing significant economic damages to hydrocarbon-producing countries – particularly those in Africa.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) strongly opposes the proposed Treaty on Plastics. While the intentions behind such a treaty may stem from environmental concerns in the developed world, its implementation would devastate the petrochemical industry in Africa. This treaty would effectively stifle the growth of Africa’s oil and gas industry, leading to increased energy poverty, hindered manufacturing, stalled industrialization and a decline in vital investments for the chemicals sector.

African countries, particularly Gabon, Ghana, Angola and Senegal, would bear the brunt of this impact. These are nations which have long-faced economic challenges, yet they possess significant deposits of oil and gas resources. Gabon holds 2 billion barrels of oil and 1.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas; Ghana has 1.1 billion barrels of oil and 2.1 tcf of gas; Senegal has 1 billion barrels of oil and 120 tcf of gas; while Angola has 9 billion barrels of oil and 11 tcf of gas.

These resources promise to turn Africa’s economy around, primarily through opportunities in petrochemical production. The rise in petrochemical manufacturing in Africa brings with it a wave of economic benefits – from employment opportunities to the introduction of essential materials and supply chains to global trade and innovation. Petrochemicals will catalyze development across strategic sectors, including healthcare, agriculture and transportation. Faced with both an energy and food crisis, Africa requires petrochemicals to improve livelihoods and ensure inclusive growth.  

By opposing the Treaty on Plastics, African nations can protect their path to energy security, industrial growth and economic prosperity. Gabon, for example, is making significant strides towards alleviating energy poverty through investments in oil and gas projects. Targeting 220,000 barrels per day (bpd), the country seeks to diversify its economy through the expansion of petrochemicals, LNG and LPG processing. Major projects include the $2 billion Cap Lopez LNG terminal – starting in 2026 – the Batanga LPG plant and the SOGARA refinery, which targets 1.5 million tons by 2030.

The Treaty on Plastics would disrupt this growth, impacting Gabon’s efforts to strengthen its economy. Ongoing oil and gas projects in Senegal would also be jeopardized by the Treaty. Following the start of operations at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project in 2025 and the Sangomar oilfield in 2024, Senegal is advancing efforts to improve domestic fuel security, facilitate the development of new industries and spur economic development. GTA has a capacity of 2.3 million tons per annum (mtpa), with subsequent phases increasing output to 5 mtpa. Sedin Engineering plans to build a refinery and petrochemical plant in the country leveraging offshore resources to produce high-value plastics and chemicals. The Treaty on Plastics would restrict this.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s ambitious petrochemical park would suffer significantly, undermining the country’s industrial development. The country plans to develop a $12 billion petroleum hub in Jomoro, which, following the completion of all phases, will incorporate three 300,000 bpd refineries, five petrochemical plants, storage facilities and port infrastructure. The Treaty on Plastics would impact this project, which has the potential to drastically improve energy and food security across the West African region. Angola – sub-Saharan Africa’s second biggest oil producer – plans to enhance petrochemical production under efforts to diversify the oil-reliant economy. Under the Gas Master Plan – aimed at attracting $30 billion in investment and generating over $150 billion in economic benefits through the natural gas sector – Angola aims to bolster petrochemical and fertilizer production, thereby supporting the creation of new industries. The Treaty on Plastic could see a dramatic decline in oil, gas and plastic demand, impacting Angola’s progress to diversify and grow its economy.

Tanzania – home to upwards of 57 tcf of gas reserves – is also pursuing several petrochemical and natural gas projects. Through the development of the $42 billion Tanzania LNG project, the country seeks to accelerate industrialization, positioning itself as a global hub for oil, gas and associate by-products. Projects such as the Tanzania Mbolea and Petrochemicals Company Kilwa Complex – a proposed project that targets a capacity of 3.8 mtpa – are central to this goal. Once completed, the plant will be the largest fertilizer-manufacturing factory in Africa producing a variety of petrochemical products, including urea and ammonia. The complex is expected to commence commercial operations in 2028, but if the Treaty on Plastics is signed, it could significantly impact the project’s ability to secure financing and reach completion.

“The AEC calls on African nations, specifically Gabon, Ghana, Angola, and Senegal, to reject support for this treaty. We urge these countries to prioritize their energy and industrial needs over external environmental agendas that do not align with Africa’s developmental priorities. Supporting this treaty would amount to shooting yourselves in the foot, making no sense for Africa’s future,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.