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Generation fleet is building momentum – Eskom

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom says its generation fleet is showing ongoing momentum with more than half of coal-fired power stations operating with an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) exceeding 70%.

Some three stations are operating at an EAF of more than 90%.

“The power system continues to operate reliably, supported by an improved Energy Availability Factor, which reflects progress in plant performance and enables Eskom to meet winter electricity demand effectively. 

“When system constraints do arise, they are managed through the targeted use of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods,” the power utility said.

South Africa has not experienced load shedding since May this year.

“With 30 days of Eskom’s winter outlook period still remaining, the system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and meet demand effectively.

“As of [Friday], unplanned outages stand at 8 525MW, the lowest level in recent history, narrowly surpassing the 8 258MW recorded on 28 October 2024. The available generation capacity currently stands at 30 882MW,” Eskom said.

The power utility is expected to return some 3075MW back to the grid over the next week.

“Between 1 April and 31 July 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor, which reflects the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unplanned outages, further decreased to 28.58%. 

“This represents a week-on-week improvement of approximately 0.4%, although it remains about 2.3% higher than the 26.28% recorded during the same period last year.

“As of [Thursday], the UCLF had dropped below the 20% mark, reaching 19.94%, signalling a significant and consistent improvement in generation performance.

“The Winter Outlook…covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Report on South African Veterinary Council election process

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has requested a full report on the recent election process of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

According to the department, concerns have been raised about the transparency and procedural integrity of the process.

“These include inconsistent and conflicting communications to registered veterinary professionals regarding voting deadlines that created confusion and may have resulted in the exclusion of some eligible participants.

“In addition, questions have emerged about the eligibility of certain candidates, the fairness and independence of the verification process, and the overall credibility of the selection panel tasked with overseeing the elections. 

“Stakeholders have also alleged that the process lacked sufficient clarity and accessibility, potentially undermining the representativity and legitimacy of the council,” said the department in a statement.

The Minister has, said the department, emphasised that where there is credible concern about the legitimacy or procedural fairness of a statutory body’s governance processes, it is the duty of the Executive to intervene decisively to uphold public trust and institutional integrity.

The Minister has now:

  • requested a full report from the Department of Agriculture, including legal advice on the validity and procedural soundness of the SAVC election;
  • informed the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture in Parliament of the concerns raised, in the interest of full transparency and to enable appropriate legislative oversight; and
  • formally requested the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture to initiate a process to restart the SAVC election, should legal advice not conclusively endorse the validity of the current process.

Steenhuisen said: “Good governance is not optional; it is foundational. Public confidence in statutory regulatory bodies such as the SAVC rests on transparent, credible and procedurally fair processes. My actions are intended to ensure that these standards are upheld without compromise.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Treasury addresses inflation targeting reports

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, August 3, 2025

National Treasury has dismissed reports that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will make a pronouncement on inflation targeting during the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.

This after the South African Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee announced that it prefers to target inflation at some 3%.

“As a result of this announcement, an expectation has been created that the Minister of Finance will make an announcement at the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) confirming this move to a 3% target. Minister Godongwana has no plans to do this.

“It is well-established that policy making responsibility in this area resides with the Minister of Finance, working with the President and Cabinet, who sets the inflation target in consultation with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The SARB then operates independently in its pursuit of the inflation target,” the department said in a statement.

Godongwana emphasised that any adjustments to the inflation targeting framework will “follow the established consultation process”.

“This means comprehensive consultation between National Treasury, the Reserve Bank, Cabinet, and relevant stakeholders – not unilateral announcements that pre-empt legitimate policy deliberation.

“Any changes to the target, if necessary, will follow this process that I have outlined above,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za

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BMA nabs nearly 10 000 illegal border crossers in first quarter

Source: Government of South Africa

The Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted and deported nearly 10 000 people attempting to cross the border illegally during the first quarter of the financial year.

This is according to BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato who briefed the media on the first quarter performance of the agency on Sunday.

“Of the 9 954 persons, 5 826 were undocumented, 2 127 were inadmissible and 2 001 were undesirables. In this instance, the majority of the intercepted and deported individuals were Basotho, Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.

“Incrementally since July 2022, the Border Guards have been able to stop about 496 622 people who attempted to enter South Africa illegally. In this quarter, our border law enforcement team also intercepted and handed over to SAPS a total of 15 high-powered suspected stolen vehicles for further handling,” he said.

Some 349 vehicles, which were meant to be smuggled out of the country, were intercepted.

“Additionally, in dealing with the illicit trade which negatively affects our economy, the Border Guards seized about 32 bales of counterfeit clothing and 201 pairs of counterfeit footwear with an estimated value of R1 098 000.00. 

“In terms of document fraud, 14 passports bearing fraudulent immigration stamps were identified and confiscated, further illustrating ongoing attempts to undermine national security and immigration controls,” he said.

Keeping children safe

The BMA also intercepted over ten children at borders across the country.

“[We] intercepted about 13 children across the various ports, of which 5 were unaccompanied and were therefore handed over to the officials of the Department of Social Development for further process. 

“The remaining 8 who were with their parents were refused entry as they did not meet the entry requirements into the country,” he said.

Masiapato reiterated some of the conditions required for travelling with children.

“A child who is under alternative care must produce a certified copy of an authorisation letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development prior to departure. Without this letter, the BMA immigration officer will refuse departure.

“Secondly, parents travelling with a child must produce the unabridged birth certificate of the child showing both parents’ details. If only one parent is travelling, an affidavit from the other parent authorising the travel, or a court order granting full parental rights, or a death certificate of the other parent would be required. 

“In cases where both parents are deceased and the child is travelling with a relative or another adult, approval from the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs must be obtained to permit such travel,” Masiapato said.

Furthermore, when an individual is traveling with a child who is not their biological child, the following is required:

  • the child’s unabridged birth certificate
  • an affidavit from the child’s parents or legal guardian granting them permission to travel with the child
  • copies of the parents’ identity documents or passports, and contact details of the parents or guardian

“This is to ensure that all travel involving minors is lawful and in the best interests of the child. 

“As for unaccompanied minors at a port of entry, the minor must present a letter or affidavit showing consent from one or both parents or legal guardians. If only one parent grants consent, a court order giving full parental responsibilities must also be provided,” Masiapato explained. – SAnews.gov.za

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Nigeria Expands Agro-Industrial Footprint with New Processing Hub in Oyo State

Source: APO – Report:

  • Oyo SAPZ will host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers.
  • A great honour to do this on my last official visit to Nigeria as President of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) – Adesina

Nigeria has launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oyo State, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to boost agricultural transformation, job creation and rural industrialization.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held in the Ijaiye community near Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by national and international dignitaries, including the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who was making his final official visit to Nigeria in that role. Also in attendance were the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

The Oyo site is the third to be developed under the national SAPZ program, and the first in southwest Nigeria. It follows earlier launches in Kaduna and Cross River States in April 2025.

According to Dr. Adesina, “I believe that Nigeria can and must be a global powerhouse in agriculture. But you need investments to be able to do that. You also need industrial platforms that will connect primary agricultural production all the way to how you store products, how you process and add value, and how you ship to be able to sell. And that is what the special agro-industrial processing zones are really about.”

The program is financed by the African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Nigeria’s federal and state governments. Together, they have committed $538 million to the first phase of the program, covering seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Covering 3,000 hectares, with 300 hectares designated for immediate development, the Oyo SAPZ is expected to host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers.

Oyo State Governor Makinde hailed the launch as a fulfilment of promises made: “Today is about promises kept. It is a strategic step on the journey of sustainable development. These hubs bring producers closer to processors and link farms to markets. They reflect our government’s belief that agriculture is not just about food, it is about infrastructure, enterprise and national relevance. We’re building a future where agriculture feeds not just homes, but industries; where it doesn’t just sustain families but entire economies.”

Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari highlighted the SAPZ initiative’s alignment with national priorities: “Today’s event exemplifies the spirit of partnership and shared vision that is vital to our nation’s progress. The SAPZ initiative is one of the cornerstones of the renewed hope agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a vision rooted in restoring Nigeria’s dignity, unlocking our vast potentials and creating opportunities for every citizen.”

Dr. Adesina underscored the transformative vision behind SAPZs, calling them essential to unlocking agricultural value chains and lifting millions out of poverty.

“The export of primary commodities is the door to poverty. The export of value-added commodities and products is a highway to wealth. It doesn’t really matter what you have in terms of agricultural commodities, whether it is cocoa or coffee, or grains; if you’re not adding value to it, it’s actually going to make you poor. So, what we’re doing here is to be able to unlock that value,” Adesina stressed. “Our goal is very clear. It’s to reduce massive post-harvest losses, develop logistics, and improve linkages between farm production, agro-processing, and value addition, transform rural economies, and, of course, to create jobs.”

He outlined three critical pillars for the success of the SAPZs: political will, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. “What we are witnessing today would not have happened without intense collaboration,” he noted.

Reflecting on his 10-year tenure as President of the African Development Bank, Adesina highlighted milestones achieved under his leadership, including the Bank’s capital increase from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024, and the two-time ranking of its sovereign portfolio as the most transparent among multilateral development banks globally

The SAPZ initiative is a flagship of the Bank’s ‘Feed Africa’ strategy, launched by Adesina in 2015. The zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigerian program being the largest.

The chairperson of the Ijaiye Farm Settlers Association, David Olatunji, described Saturday’s groundbreaking ceremony as “a memorable opportunity” for the community and the state. “We have a lot of unbroken forests around us, and the farmers are ready to work!” he declared.

Dr. Adebowale Adeyeye, an agripreneur specializing in soyabean and cashew production and processing, said: “The SAPZ project in Ijaiye is a strategic boost for businesses like ours. With targeted government support in areas like power, road access, and security, it creates the kind of enabling environment we need to scale operations, reduce costs, and attract long-term investment. It’s a move that will strengthen agribusiness value chains and enhance overall competitiveness.”

The SAPZ Programme is working to transform Nigeria’s rural economy into zones of prosperity, by facilitating industrial processing, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment. The Zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigeria program being the largest.

Dr. Kabir Yusuf, National Coordinator of SAPZ Nigeria, announced plans to expand the program to an additional 10 states from September 2025, marking the beginning of the second phase that will cover the remaining States in the country.

Adesina was accompanied by senior Bank officials, including the Director General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara; Senior Special Adviser on Industrialization, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka; and Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department, Richard Ofori-Mante.

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

Media Contact:
Tolu Ogunlesi
Communication and External Relations
African Development Bank
Email: media@afdb.org

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Le Nigeria étend son empreinte agro-industrielle avec une nouvelle zone de transformation dans l’État d’Oyo

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

  • La SAPZ d’Oyo pourra accueillir jusqu’à 40 industries de transformation agricole, créer plus de 100 000 emplois directs et indirects et bénéficier à un demi-million d’agriculteurs.
  • « C’est un grand honneur de réaliser cela lors de ma dernière visite officielle au Nigeria en tant que président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement » (www.AfDB.org) – Akinwumi Adesina.

Le Nigeria a inauguré une nouvelle Zone de transformation agro‑industrielle spéciale (SAPZ, sigle en anglais pour Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones) dans l’État d’Oyo, marquant une étape majeure dans ses efforts de transformation agricole, de création d’emplois et d’industrialisation rurale.

La cérémonie de pose de la première pierre s’est tenue samedi 02 août 2025 à Ijaiye, dans la localité d’Ibadan. Elle a réuni de hauts responsables nationaux et internationaux, notamment le président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, Akinwumi Adesina, qui effectuait sa dernière visite officielle au Nigeria en tant que président du Groupe de la Banque. Étaient également présents le gouverneur d’Oyo, Seyi Makinde et le ministre nigérian de l’Agriculture, le sénateur Abubakar Kyari.

Le site d’Oyo est la troisième SAPZ développée dans le cadre du programme national, et la première dans le Sud-Ouest du Nigeria. Les Zones de transformation agro‑industrielle spéciales ont été lancées en avril 2025 dans les États de Kaduna et de Cross River.

« Je suis convaincu que le Nigeria peut – et doit – devenir une puissance agricole mondiale. Mais cela nécessite des investissements. Il faut aussi des plateformes industrielles qui relient la production agricole primaire jusqu’à la manière de stocker, de transformer, de valoriser et d’exporter les produits. C’est exactement ce à quoi servent ces zones agro‑industrielles spéciales », a déclaré M.  Adesina.

Le programme de Zones de transformation agro‑industrielle spéciales est financé par la Banque africaine de développement, en partenariat avec la Banque islamique de développement (BID), le Fonds international de développement agricole (FIDA), le gouvernement fédéral du Nigeria et les États fédérés bénéficiaires. La première phase du programme couvre sept États et le Territoire de la capitale fédérale pour un financement total de 538 millions de dollars mobilisé par l’ensemble des parties prenantes.

La SAPZ d’Oyo est un site qui s’étend sur 3 000 hectares, dont 300 hectares destinés au développement immédiat. Il devrait accueillir jusqu’à 40 industries de transformation, générer plus de 100 000 emplois (directs et indirects) et profiter à 500 000 agriculteurs.

Le gouverneur Seyi Makinde a salué le lancement comme l’accomplissement de promesses électorales :

« Aujourd’hui est la concrétisation des promesses. C’est une étape stratégique vers un développement durable. Ces hubs rapprochent les producteurs des transformateurs et relient les fermes aux marchés. Ils incarnent notre conviction : l’agriculture, ce n’est pas seulement nourrir, c’est bâtir des infrastructures, des entreprises et renforcer notre importance nationale. Nous construisons un avenir où l’agriculture nourrit non seulement les foyers, mais aussi les industries ; où elle soutient non seulement des familles, mais toute l’économie », a-t-il souligné.

Le ministre nigérian de l’Agriculture, le sénateur Abubakar Kyari qui représentait le vice‑président Kashim Shettima, a souligné l’alignement de l’initiative SAPZ avec les priorités nationales : « L’événement d’aujourd’hui illustre l’esprit de partenariat et de vision partagée essentiels à la progression de notre pays. Le programme SAPZ est l’un des piliers de l’Agenda de l’« espoir renouvelé » lancé par le président Bola Ahmed Tinubu, une vision fondée sur la restauration de la dignité du Nigeria, la libération de notre immense potentiel et la création d’opportunités pour chaque citoyen. »

M. Adesina a souligné la vision transformatrice des SAPZ, essentielles pour valoriser les chaînes de valeur agricoles et sortir des millions de personnes de la pauvreté.

« L’exportation de produits agricoles bruts fait entrer dans la pauvreté. L’exportation de produits à valeur ajoutée ouvre la voie à la richesse. Peu importe le type de cultures – cacao, café, céréales – sans valeur ajoutée, elles enrichissent peu. Ce que nous faisons ici, c’est libérer cette valeur », a-t-il insisté.

« Notre objectif est clair : réduire les pertes post-récolte, développer la logistique, améliorer la filière de la production agricole, de la transformation et de la valorisation, transformer les économies rurales et, bien sûr, créer des emplois », a détaillé le président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement.

Il a souligné trois piliers essentiels au succès des SAPZ : volonté politique, mobilisation des ressources et partenariats stratégiques.

« Ce que nous célébrons aujourd’hui n’aurait pas été possible sans une collaboration intense », a-t-il observé.

Revenant sur ses dix années à la tête du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, M. Adesina a rappelé des réalisations marquantes, notamment l’augmentation du capital de la Banque, passée de 93 milliards de dollars américains en 2015 à 318 milliards de dollars en 2024, et le classement à deux reprises du portefeuille souverain du Groupe de la banque comme le plus transparent parmi les banques multilatérales de développement au monde.

L’initiative SAPZ est une composante phare de la stratégie « Feed Africa » (Nourrir l’Afrique), lancée par M. Adesina en 2015. Ces zones sont en développement dans 28 sites répartis dans onze pays africains, le programme nigérian étant le plus important.

Le président de l’Association des installés agricoles de Ijaiye, David Olatunji, a qualifié la cérémonie de « moment mémorable » pour la communauté et l’État : « Nous avons beaucoup de forêts intactes autour de nous, et les agriculteurs sont prêts à travailler ! »

« Le projet SAPZ à Ijaiye est un coup de pouce stratégique pour des entreprises comme la nôtre, a déclaré Adebowale Adeyeye, agripreneur spécialisé dans la production et la transformation de soja et de cajou. Avec un soutien ciblé de l’État (électricité, voirie, sécurité), il crée un environnement propice pour étendre nos activités, baisser les coûts et attirer des investissements à long terme. C’est une initiative qui renforce les chaînes de valeur de l’agrobusiness et améliore la compétitivité globale. »

Le programme SAPZ vise à transformer l’économie rurale nigériane en zones de prospérité en facilitant la transformation industrielle, en élargissant l’accès aux marchés et en attirant l’investissement privé.

Le coordonnateur national du programme SAPZ du Nigeria, Kabir Yusuf, a annoncé l’extension du programme à dix États supplémentaires à partir de septembre 2025, marquant le lancement de la seconde phase couvrant les États restants du pays.

M. Adesina était accompagné de hauts responsables du Groupe de la Banque. Il s’agit notamment du directeur général pour le Nigeria, Abdul Kamara, de son conseiller spécial principal à l’industrialisation, Oyebanji Oyelaran‑Oyeyinka et du directeur du Département de la finance agricole et du développement rural, Richard Ofori‑Mante.

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

Contact médias :
Tolu Ogunlesi
Département de la communication et des relations externes
media@afdb.org

Media files

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Private sector commits to help women participate in economy

Source: Government of South Africa

As South Africa marks the beginning of Women’s Month, private sector institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to work with government to ensure women’s full participation in the economy.

The commitment was made by representatives from various institutions during the official launch of Women’s Month 2025, held in Johannesburg on Friday.

Absa Group’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Punki Modise, emphasised the importance of building on the legacy of iconic women leaders, such as struggle stalwart Charlotte Maxeke and the women of the 1956 march.

“Every step forward for one woman should be a path easier for the next woman. It would be a missed opportunity for Absa not to build on the legacy they left. As we think about solutions, particularly for women, we make sure we don’t forget where we are coming from,” Modise said.

In 2024 alone, Absa spent approximately R3.8 billion procuring goods and services from women-owned businesses. However, she noted that the financial system was not originally designed with women in mind.

“We still continue to challenge the status quo, because the [financial] institutions that we work in today were not built for women [but] under completely different dispensation. As we go forward, government should open the policies and ensure that women can be effectively supported,” Modise said.

Modise stressed that unlocking economic value, measured in trillions, depended on giving women access to opportunity and right spaces.

She said partnering with government was a stepping stone to ensure that women’s opportunities are unlocked in the right way.

Access to global market and finance

Dr Sindiswa Mzamo, Co-Chairperson of the Women20 (W20) Presidency, agreed there was a need for tangible economic inclusion, especially through access to finance and international markets.

Mzamo noted that women remain significantly underrepresented in global trade, with only about 50% participating in the export markets.

She said technology was a game-changer, which breaks down trade barriers and provides a platform where women can trade, and showcase their products directly.

“Once you actually put these products in the marketplace, there is no issue about trade barriers because everything is already in the platform. Women can trade amongst each other [and] can showcase their products with other women across the board,” Mzamo said.

She stressed the importance of supporting women in rural and township communities by ensuring that their businesses are being registered and protecting their intellectual and artistic work.

“These beads that we see, we see them in New York, and some of them [artists] are exploited, because they don’t know the numbers and how much it is costing. They [buyers] go and buy beadwork in places like Ingwavuma [located in Umkhanyakude District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal] for R2 and resell them in New York for $700. We need to make sure that in this platform, we cut that,” Mzamo said.

Standard Bank’s Executive Head of Strategic Partnerships, Lindeka Dzedze, reaffirmed the financial sector’s dedication to women’s economic advancement.

“You are not alone. We are with you,” Dzedze told the businesswomen.

Tackling gender-based violence through economic inclusion

The speakers acknowledged the enduring legacy of the 1956 women’s march and the critical link between economic empowerment and the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

It was noted that GBVF thrives in environments of poverty, which is exacerbated by women’s exclusion from economic opportunities.

Pillar 5 of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide aims to address the economic dimensions of GBVF, including economic dependence and abuse, by enabling women, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community to participate fully in the economy, – SAnews.gov.za

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Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Receives Report on the Implementation Status of Projects of Information Infrastructure Center for Egyptian Planning System

Source: APO – Report:

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Development of 380 technology centers in local municipalities, villages, cities, and new urban communities has been completed.

156 government services are available through the fixed “Khadamat Masr” centers in Sharm El Sheikh, Mokattam, Aswan, and Alexandria; citizens have completed over 300,000 transactions as of the end of June 2025.

The development and delivery of 276 centers within the Mobile Technology Centers project for providing government services to citizens has been completed.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, received a report on the implementation status of projects for the Ministry’s Information Infrastructure Center for the Egyptian Planning System. 

The center is executing several projects, including the integration of spatial information infrastructure to develop the Egyptian planning system, projects for developing health services and initiatives (sustainability of births, deaths, and vaccinations), the project for developing financial and banking information systems at the National Investment Bank, and improving government performance in cooperation with the Administrative Prosecution Authority. 

Other projects include the development of technology centers in districts, cities, and new urban communities, improving the operational efficiency of real estate registry offices, as well as the mobile technology centers and fixed “Misr Services” centers.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the pivotal role of the Information Infrastructure Center for the Egyptian Planning System, in light of the significant importance the state places on digital transformation and developing services provided to citizens. This is aimed at the comprehensive development of government policies and performance, to keep pace with the aspirations and challenges of the next phase, and to continue the path of structural and institutional reform. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the Ministry is working to advance economic development efforts and close sectoral development gaps by relying on data-driven policies, which reflects the importance of digital transformation in the state’s vision.

_*Technology Centers in Local Municipalities*_

The report highlighted the project to develop technology centers in local municipalities and new city authorities. This project aims to provide citizens and investors with civilized, fast, accurate, and integrated services by coordinating with governorates to establish technology centers. 

These centers provide services to citizens and send them through a smart system to back-end departments, linking them with participating government bodies. This enhances performance efficiency, tightens control, and improves monitoring methods using information technology at the level of governorate general offices, centers, cities, districts, rural units (Haya Karima), and new city authorities. 

The development of service delivery locations in local municipalities (general offices, cities and centers, districts, and new city authorities) for 380 centers has been completed. This includes 316 centers in cities and districts, 30 centers in rural units, and 34 centers in the New Urban Communities Authority to improve the level of services provided to citizens.

Moreover, development efforts have contributed to reducing the time for service delivery to citizens by 60% and decreasing crowding rates at fixed technology centers by supporting governorates with 37 mobile technology center vehicles, which had a positive impact on increasing citizen satisfaction.

_*”Khadamat Masr” Center Project*_

The report highlighted the “Khadamat Masr” project, which aims to enhance financial and digital inclusion, reduce the time and effort required to obtain government services, and provide a package of government services from a single location. 

Fixed “Khadamat Masr” branches have been opened in Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria, Aswan, and Mokattam in Cairo, with a number of other branches in other governorates nearing completion for opening.

According to the report, new services have been added, bringing the total number of government services provided in “Khadamat Masr” centers to around 156 by the end of the fourth quarter of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It is expected that these services will reach about 200 in the next fiscal year, ranging from real estate registration and notarization services, civil affairs, the Egyptian Public Prosecution, social solidarity services, the General Department for Passports, Immigration and Nationality, the General Department of Traffic, social insurance, and electronic payment, among other services.

The report revealed that the number of transactions citizens have completed at “Khadamat Masr” centers reached over 300,000 by the end of the fourth quarter of 2024-2025, with an average service time of 30 minutes. The goal is to reduce this average service time to about 20 minutes.

The report mentioned that the project for integrating the spatial information infrastructure to develop the Egyptian planning system is a comprehensive national project aimed at improving the efficiency of developmental investment decisions, increasing the efficiency of government spending, optimizing resource utilization, and directing state investments in an efficient and effective manner. This is achieved by using the latest technologies and advanced satellite and aerial imaging to produce unified base maps for the state and all spatial reports.

_*Mobile Technology Service Centers*_

The report reviewed the progress of the Mobile Technology Centers project, which aims to provide government services to citizens in a civilized and dignified manner, reduce crowding at government service offices, and improve the business environment. This is achieved by providing digitized services that ensure citizen satisfaction. It was noted that 276 mobile technology centers were delivered by the end of last March, out of a total target of 326 centers, comprising 198 centers for government agencies and 78 mobile centers as part of the “Khadamat Masr” project, in cooperation between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation and various government entities.

_*Health Projects Information Infrastructure Project*_

Regarding the Health Projects Information Infrastructure Project (sustainability of birth and death systems and development of the vaccination systems’ information infrastructure), it aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the health system and improve the quality of healthcare services. This is done by developing an integrated information infrastructure that supports the accurate and efficient registration of vital statistics. The project also contributes to enhancing the state’s capacity for sustainable health planning, rationalizing spending, and improving vaccination registration mechanisms. The number of health offices linked electronically is 4,666, and the operational capacity of 2,000 health offices has been increased (providing devices and equipment). All vaccination offices have also been linked and are operating on the electronic system. The number of electronically linked vaccination offices has reached 5,434, and the number of vaccination offices supported with devices as part of the 2024/2025 plan has reached 2,000.

_*Government Performance Improvement Project*_

The report also covered the project to improve government performance in cooperation with the Administrative Prosecution. This project aims to improve the performance of public facilities nationwide and enhance the quality of life for Egyptian citizens by evaluating and measuring government performance. It also supports decision-makers with accurate data that contributes to improving the performance of public employees and government entities. The project aims to link 273 administrative prosecution offices to the complaints system, and by the end of June 2025, 22,946 complaints had been registered through the system.

_*Electronic Voting Project*_

The report outlined the electronic voting project, which aims to establish the first electronic voting system in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in cooperation with the Administrative Prosecution Authority, and to create an integrated digital platform for managing and operating the electoral system electronically.

_*Supporting the Operational Capacity of Real Estate Registry Offices*_

The report referred to the project to support the operational capacity of the Real Estate and Notarization Authority’s offices. This project contributes to the rapid entry of data for registration and publicity requests for properties in accordance with Law No. 9 of 2022, and the quick completion of property registration procedures for citizens. This leads to an increase in the state’s public treasury revenues due to the rise in accepted registration requests and collected fees. The operational capacity of 28 offices, 293 sub-offices, and one main office of the Real Estate and Notarization Authority has been improved.

_*Supporting the Operational Capacity of Public Prosecution Offices*_

Regarding the project to support the operational capacity of Public Prosecution offices, it aims to facilitate litigation procedures and ensure that stakeholders can obtain their rights without hardship, within a framework of constitutional and procedural legitimacy. This is achieved by automating 640 offices over four years from the start of the project and converting 50 million documents into digital documents that are easy to access and store. The number of offices targeted for the first year, 2024-2025, is 123 public prosecution offices (19% of the total number of offices), and the number of digitally converted documents has reached 2,375,000.

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

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Tanzania: Ambassador Chen Mingjian Attends the Official Launch of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center

Source: APO – Report:

On August 1, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Chen Mingjian attended the official launch of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center (EACLC) in Dar es Salaam. President H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Minister of State in President’s Office Planning and Investment Hon. Kitila Mkumbo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Hon. Mahmoud Kombo, Minister for Trade and Industrial Development Zanzibar Hon. Omar Shaaban, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Hon. Albert Chalamila and over 4,000 people were present at the event.

The EACLC is invested by China’s Weihai Huatan Company, with a total investment of over 170 million US dollars. It is expected to create over 50,000 local jobs, generate significant tax revenue and reduce regional trade costs by a large margin.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania.

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Côte d’Ivoire – Protection sociale : le Ministère célèbre 20 millions d’enrôlés a la Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU) et renforce son action sociale

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

En prélude à la célébration du 65ᵉ anniversaire de l’indépendance de la Côte d’Ivoire prévue se tenir à Bouaké, le ministère de l’Emploi et de la Protection sociale a célébré, ce vendredi 1er août 2025 au terrain Ndakro de la ville, 20 millions d’enrôlés à la Couverture Maladie universelle (CMU), tout en renforçant son action sociale. Placée sous le signe de la solidarité et de la protection sociale, cette rencontre a été marquée par trois temps forts.

D’abord, la célébration du cap historique de 20 millions d’enrôlés à la Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU), le vendredi 18 juillet dernier, représentant près de 70 % de la population. Cette avancée illustre la volonté du Gouvernement de rendre effectif le droit à la santé pour tous. Dans ce cadre, le ministre Adama Kamara a rappelé l’importance de la mesure exceptionnelle de CMU sans cotisation, ouverte du 1er mai au 31 août 2025, qui a déjà permis de quadrupler l’accès aux soins pour les populations, en particulier celles du secteur informel.

Ensuite, la cérémonie a été marquée par un important don de 2 500 matériels orthopédiques — fauteuils roulants, cannes blanches, béquilles, pommades et machines à coudre — destinés aux personnes en situation de handicap. Cette initiative, portée au nom du Président de la République, vise à bâtir une société plus inclusive et respectueuse de la dignité de chacun.

Enfin, cette activité s’inscrit dans une dynamique de proximité et de décentralisation de l’action sociale, à travers le « Village Protection sociale » installé à Bouaké, qui permet de rapprocher les services de l’État des citoyens.

À travers cette journée, la ville de Bouaké devient un symbole de la Côte d’Ivoire solidaire, où protection sociale, justice et équité sont au cœur de l’action publique.

Distribué par APO Group pour Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

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