Government has welcomed the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%.
“Government welcomes the decision by the South African Reserve Bank to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%. The move provides much-needed relief for South African households, many of whom continue to face financial pressure due to the rising cost of living,” Acting Government Spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa, said on Thursday.
Addressing a media briefing on the MPC’s decision on the repo rate, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said the decision to reduce the policy rate was unanimous.
Mnukwa said the rate cut is expected to ease the burden on consumers by lowering the cost of borrowing, while also creating conditions more conducive to stimulating investment, supporting businesses, and driving economic activity.
“The decision reaffirms the soundness of South Africa’s monetary policy framework and the importance of coordinated efforts to support inclusive growth. Government continues to implement structural reforms and improving the ease of doing business to unlock the full potential of the economy and create jobs,” Mnukwa explained. – SAnews.gov.za
When historians and the public think about the end of domestic slavery in west Africa, they often imagine colonial governors issuing decrees and missionaries working to end local traffic in enslaved people.
Two of my recent publications tell another part of the story. I am a historian of west Africa, and over the past five years, I have been researching anti-slavery ideas and networks in the region as part of a wider research project.
My research reveals that colonial administrations continued to allow domestic slavery in practice and that African activists fought this.
In one study I focused on Francis P. Fearon, a trader based in Accra, the Ghanaian capital. He exposed pro-slavery within the colonial government through numerous letters written in the 1890s (when the colony was known as the Gold Coast).
In another study I examined the Lagos Auxiliary, a coalition of lawyers, journalists and clergy in Nigeria. Their campaigning secured the repeal of Nigeria’s notorious Native House Rule Ordinance in 1914. That ordinance had been enacted by the colonial government to maintain local slavery in the Niger Delta region.
Considered together, the two studies demonstrate how local campaigners used letters, print culture, imperial pressure points and personal networks to oppose practices that had kept thousands of Africans in bondage.
The methods Fearon and the Lagos Auxiliary pioneered still matter because they show how marginalised communities can compel power‑holders to close the gap between laws and lived reality. They remind us that well‑documented local testimony, amplified trans-nationally, can still overturn official narratives, compel policy change, and keep institutions honest.
Colonial ‘abolition’ that wasn’t
West Africa was a major source of enslaved people during the transatlantic slave trade. The transatlantic trade was suppressed in the early 19th century, but this did not bring an end to domestic slavery.
Accordingly, when the Gold Coast was formally annexed as a British colony in 1874, the imperial government declared slave dealing illegal. And slave-dealing was criminalised across southern Nigeria in 1901. On paper these measures promised freedom, but in practice loopholes empowered slave-holders, chiefs and colonial officials who continued to demand coerced labour.
On the Gold Coast, the 1874 abolition law was never enforced. The British governor informed slave-owners that they might retain enslaved persons provided those individuals did not complain. By 1890, child slavery had become widespread in towns such as Accra. According to the local campaigners, it was even sanctioned by the colonial governor. This led to some Africans uniting to establish a network to oppose it.
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria had a similar experience. The colonial administration enacted the Native House Rule Ordinance to counteract the effects of the Slave-Dealing Proclamation of 1901 which criminalised slave dealing with a penalty of seven years’ imprisonment for offenders. The Native House Rule Ordinance required every African to belong to a “House” under a designated head. It went on to criminalise any person who attempted to leave their “House”. In the Niger Delta kingdoms such as Bonny, Kalabari and Okrika, the word “House” never referred to a single dwelling. Rather, it denoted a self-perpetuating, named corporation of relatives, dependants and slaves under a chief, which owned property and spoke with one voice. By the 1900s, “Houses” had become the primary units through which slave ownership was organised.
Therefore, the Native House Rule Ordinance compelled enslaved people in Houses to remain with their masters. The masters were empowered to use colonial authority to discipline them. District commissioners executed arrest warrants against runaways. In exchange, the House heads and local chiefs supplied the colonial administration with unpaid labour for public works.
African campaigners in Accra and Lagos organised to challenge what they perceived as the British colonial state’s support for slavery.
Fearon: an undercover abolitionist in Accra
Francis Fearon was an educated African, active in the Accra scene during the second half of the 19th century. He was highly literate and part of elite circles. He was closely associated with the journalist Edmund Bannerman. He regularly wrote to local newspapers, often expressing concerns about racism against Black people and moral decay.
On 24 June 1890, Fearon sent a 63-page letter, with ten appendices, to the Aborigines’ Protection Society in London. That dossier would form the basis of several further communications. He alleged that child trafficking continued.
As evidence, he transcribed the confidential court register of Accra and claimed that Governor W. B. Griffith had instructed convicted slave-owners to recover their “property”.
Fearon’s tactics were audacious. He remained anonymous, relied on court clerks for documents, and supplied the Aborigines’ Protection Society with evidence. He pleaded with the society to investigate the colonial administration in the Gold Coast.
Although the society publicised the scandal, subsequent narratives quietly effaced the African source.
Lagos elites organise – and name the problem
Like Fearon, Nigerian campaigners also wrote to the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines’ Protection Society. They denounced the colonial government in Nigeria for promoting slavery, but they did not remain anonymous.
By this time, the Native House Rule Ordinance had prompted some enslaved people to flee the districts in which it was enforced. They sought refuge in Lagos. Through these arrivals, Lagosian elites learned of the ordinance. They unleashed a vigorous campaign against the colonial state.
The principal figures in this movement included Christopher Sapara Williams, a barrister, and James Bright Davies, editor of The Nigerian Times. Others included politician Herbert Macaulay, Herbert Pearse, a prominent merchant, Bishop James Johnson and the Reverend Mojola Agbebi. Unlike Fearon’s lone-wolf strategy, they mounted a coordinated assault on the colonial administration. They drafted petitions, briefed sympathetic European organisations, and inundated local newspapers with commentary.
Their arguments blended humanitarian indignation with constitutional acumen. They insisted that the ordinance contravened both British liberal ideals and African custom.
After years of pressure the law was amended and then quietly repealed in 1914.
Why these stories matter now
Contemporary scholarship on abolition is gradually shifting from asking “what Britain did for Africa” to examining the role Africans played in ending slavery.
Many African abolitionists who fought and lost their lives in the struggle against slavery have long gone unacknowledged. This is beginning to change.
The two articles discussed here highlight the creativity of Africans who, decades before radio or civil-rights NGOs, used transatlantic information circuits. They exposed colonial governments that continued to rely on forced-labour economies long after slavery was supposed to have ended.
They remind us that grassroots documentation can overturn official narratives. Evidence-based advocacy, coalition-building, and the strategic use of global media remain potent instruments.
– The African activists who challenged colonial-era slavery in Lagos and the Gold Coast – https://theconversation.com/the-african-activists-who-challenged-colonial-era-slavery-in-lagos-and-the-gold-coast-261089
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Habib Noorbhai, Professor (Health & Sports Science), University of Johannesburg
If you were to walk through the corridors of some of the world’s leading cricket schools, you might hear the crack of leather on willow long before the bell for the end of the day rings.
Across the cricketing world, elite schools have served as key feeder systems to national teams for decades. They provide young players with superior training facilities, high-level coaching and competitive playing opportunities.
This tradition has served as cricket’s most dependable talent pipeline. But is it a strength or a symptom of exclusion?
My recent study examined the school backgrounds of 1,080 elite men’s cricketers across eight countries over a 30-year period. It uncovered telling patterns.
Top elite cricket countries such as South Africa, England and Australia continue to draw heavily from private education systems. In these nations, cricket success seems almost tied to one’s school uniform.
I argue that if cricket boards want to promote equity and competitiveness, they will need to broaden the talent search by investing in grassroots cricket infrastructure in under-resourced areas.
For cricket to be a sport that anyone with talent can succeed in, there will need to be more school leagues and entry-level tournaments as well as targeted investment in community-based hubs and non-elite school zones.
Findings
South Africa is a case in point. My previous study in 2020 outlined that more than half of its national players at One-Day International (ODI) World Cups came from boys-only schools (mostly private).
These schools are often well-resourced, with turf wickets, expert coaches and an embedded culture of competition. Unsurprisingly, the same schools tend to produce a high number of national team batters, as they offer longer game formats and better playing surfaces. Cricket’s colonial origins have influenced the structure and culture of school cricket being tied to a form of privilege.
In Australia and England, the story is not very different. Despite their efforts to diversify player sourcing, private schools still dominate. Even in cricketing nations that celebrate working-class grit, such as Australia, private school players continue to shape elite squads.
The statistics say as much; for example: about 44% of Australian Ashes test series players since 2010 attended private schools, and for England, the figure is 45%. That’s not grassroots, it could be regarded as gated turf…
Proportion of elite male cricketers by school type.Habib Noorbhai
Yet not all countries follow this route. The West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka reflect very different models. Club cricket, informal play and community academies provide their players with opportunities to rise. These countries have lower reliance on private schools. Some of their finest players emerged from modest public schooling or neighbourhood cricketing networks.
India provides an interesting hybrid. Although elite schools such as St. Xavier’s and Modern School contribute players, most national stars emerge from public institutions or small-town academies. The explosion of the Indian Premier League since 2008 has also democratised access, pulling in talent from previously overlooked and underdeveloped cities.
In these regions, scouting is based on potential, not privilege.
So why does this matter?
At first glance, elite schools producing elite cricketers might appear logical. These institutions have the resources to nurture talent. But scratch beneath the surface and troubling questions appear.
Are national teams truly reflecting their countries? Or are they simply echo chambers of social advantage?
In South Africa, almost every Black African cricketer to represent the country has come through a private school (often on scholarship). That suggests that talent without access remains potentially invisible. It also places unfair pressure on the few who make it through, as if they carry the hopes of entire communities.
I found that in England, some county systems have started integrating players from state schools, but progress is slow. In New Zealand, where cricket is less centralised around private institutions, regional hubs and public schools have had more success in spreading opportunities. However, even there, Māori and Pasifika players remain underrepresented in elite squads.
Four steps that can be taken
1. One solution lies in recognising that schools don’t have a monopoly on talent. Cricket boards must increase investment in grassroots infrastructure, particularly in under-resourced areas. Setting up community hubs, supporting school-club partnerships and more regional competitions could discover hidden talent.
2. Another step is to improve the visibility and reach of scouting networks. Too often, selection favours players from known institutions. By diversifying trial formats and leveraging technology (such as video submissions or performance-tracking apps), selectors can widen their net. It’s already happening in India, where IPL scouts visit the most unlikely of places.
3. Coaching is another stumbling block. In many countries, high-level coaches are clustered in elite schools. National boards should consider optimising salaries as well as rotating certified coaches into public schools and regional academies. They should also ensure coaches are developed to be equipped to work with diverse learners and conditions.
4. Technology offers other exciting possibilities too. Virtual simulations, motion tracking and AI-assisted video reviews are now common in high-performance centres. Making simplified versions available to lower-income schools could level the playing field. Imagine a township bowler in South Africa learning to analyse their technique using only a smartphone and a free app?
Fairness in sport
The conversation about schools and cricket is not just about numbers or stats. It is about fairness. Sport should be the great leveller, not another mechanism of exclusion. If cricket is to thrive, it needs to look beyond scoreboards and trophies. It must ask who gets to play and who never gets seen?
A batter from a village school in India, a wicket-keeper from a government school in Sri Lanka or a fast bowler in a South African township; each deserves the chance to be part of the national story. Cricket boards, policymakers and educators must work together to make that possible.
The game will only grow when it welcomes players from all walks of life. That requires more than scholarships. It requires a reset of how we think about talent. Because the next cricket superstar may not wear a crest on their blazer. They may wear resilience on their sleeve.
– Cricket’s great global divide: elite schools still shape the sport – https://theconversation.com/crickets-great-global-divide-elite-schools-still-shape-the-sport-261709
President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday, joined President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia to celebrate their 178th Independence Day celebration in Monrovia. The event held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia, Montserrado County, was attended by heads of states from the subregion including the Presidents of Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau. There were also representatives of the governments of Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Gambia. Liberia used the occasion to recognise ECOWAS member states that contributed troops to the multinational peacekeeping force, ECOMOG, which played a key role in ending the civil war as well as securing humanitarian corridors during the Liberian war. President Mahama received Ghana’s honour from the Liberian President on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of Ghana for the contribution of its gallant soldiers. President Boakai in a spirit of national reconciliation said Liberia must heal itself, unite for a common purpose and inspire all for a faster development of the country. He called on all his citizens to leverage on technology to transform Liberia. The celebration as on the theme “One people, one destiny, healing the past and building the future the ceremony reflected on the past, need for stock taking, reconciliation, a united national identity to rebuild a peaceful Liberia, endowed with rich natural resources”. The President was accompanied by the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. General William Agyapong and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Ghana in Liberia.
Recognizing the critical role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in driving the implementation of continental fisheries policies and addressing region-specific priorities, AU-IBAR is hosting the Fifth Annual Dialogue with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) from 30th July to 1st August 2025 in Naivasha, Kenya. This critical gathering has brought together fisheries experts, policymakers and development partners to review progress on the Fisheries Governance Project Phase 2 (FishGov2) and chart the way forward for sustainable fisheries management across the continent.
In her opening address, the Director of AU-IBAR, Dr Huyam Salih (represented by Mrs Hellen Guebama, AU-IBAR Fisheries Officer), emphasized the pivotal role of RECs in implementing continental fisheries policies while addressing regional priorities. She acknowledged the European Union’s continued support through FishGov2, which is currently in its final extension phase running until October 2026. The Director highlighted the project’s achievements in policy harmonization, capacity building, and the development of regional Blue Economy strategies, while stressing the need to modernize outdated legal frameworks that still govern fisheries in some member states.
Participants at the dialogue are focusing on key recommendations to strengthen fisheries governance, including deeper involvement of RECs in decision-making processes, adaptation of continental policies to local contexts, and sustained financial and technical support for regional initiatives. The discussions are laying the groundwork for a potential third phase of the FishGov project, with RECs advocating for continued investment in Africa’s fisheries sector.
The meeting is reinforcing the African Union’s commitment to collaborative governance, recognizing RECs as essential platforms for coordinating fisheries management across the continent. As the Director notes, this annual dialogue serves not only as a procedural requirement but also as a vital space for joint reflection and planning to ensure Africa’s fisheries are governed sustainably and equitably.
Looking ahead, stakeholders focus on finalizing the FishGov2 extension phase, developing proposals for a potential third phase and scaling up regional Blue Economy initiatives to enhance food security and coastal livelihoods. The dialogue will conclude with a renewed commitment to transforming Africa’s fisheries sector through strengthened regional cooperation and governance. This gathering marks another important step in Africa’s journey toward sustainable fisheries management and blue-economic development.
The dialogue is part of annual meetings held with RECs to strengthen project implementation on Fisheries Governance issues. Read about similar meetings on AU-IBAR’s work with Regional Economic Communities on fisheries governance:
Members of Parliament have backed a motion thanking President Yoweri Museveni for the State of the Nation Address, delivered to the House and country on June 5, 2025.
Hon. Faith Nakut (NRM, Napak district) who moved the motion during the House sitting on Thursday, 31 July 2025, highlighted the President’s achievements, including support for small businesses and increased national revenue. Legislators including Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa (NRM, Sheema Municipality) and Hon. Jane Avur (NRM, Pakwach district), seconded the motion, citing economic growth, job creation, and macroeconomic stability.
Annually, Parliament debates and passes a motion appreciating the President for the clear and precise exposition of government policy as contained in the address.
The members praised the government’s initiatives, such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, for transforming lives and boosting the economy. The MPs also commended the President’s efforts in promoting women’s leadership and stabilizing fuel prices.
“These interventions increased Ugandan participation in production and trade. More Ugandans are into business now,” Nakut said.
She added that national revenue has grown from Shs5 billion in 1986 to Shs31.9 trillion, while electricity generation has increased from 156 to 2,052 megawatts. She also praised the stabilisation of fuel prices and investment in mineral processing, which she said had created jobs and boosted the economy.
“In 1986, our economy was US$3.92 million. It is now projected to hit US$ 60.4 billion,” he said, noting that Uganda is expected to grow at 7 percent in the coming financial year.
He credited the government’s wealth creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Project for transforming lives.
“Some people have touched a million shillings for the first time in their lives,” he said. On tourism, he cited growth in receipts from US$ 562 million in 2020 to US$ 1.4 billion in 2024, attributing the improvement to peace, infrastructure, and Uganda Airlines’ new international routes.
Hon. Jane Avur (NRM, Pakwach District Woman Representative) also seconded the motion, commending the President for maintaining macroeconomic stability.
“The Ugandan shilling has appreciated by 6.1 percent over the past year, and inflation is under control. Uganda has Africa’s second-lowest inflation rate over the past decade,” she said.
Avur emphasised the importance of price stability, calling it a “crucial enabler of investment and economic predictability.”
She also applauded export growth, noting a 26 percent increase to US$ 9.3 billion, and highlighted the impact on sectors like cosmetics, which employ over two million Ugandans, mostly women and youth.
Speaker Anita Among welcomed the contributions, saying, “We have a stable economy. We have peace. And when you look at the development that is coming up, it is out of the exports and services that are creating jobs.”
Hon. Hope Grania Nakazibwe (NRM, Mubende District) thanked the President for his role in promoting women’s leadership, noting that many women now hold key positions in government. “That came as a result of affirmative action,” she said, prompting applause from female MPs.
Speaker Anita Among welcomed the contributions, emphasizing the importance of a stable economy and peace in driving development.
The debate on the motion was deferred pending a statement in response to the President’s address from the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, notes and welcomes the report issued by the Health Ombudsman into the treatment and deaths of psychiatric patients at two Northern Cape hospitals.
Dr Dhlomo said, the report tabled on Wednesday by the Health Ombud, Dr Taole Mokoena is concerning and disturbing as it reveals a deep lack of care at Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital, and Robert Sobukwe Hospital. “The findings of the report are unacceptable, they exposed patients did not receive the quality care that they duly deserve,” said Dr Dhlomo.
Mental healthcare is of paramount importance and must always remain under public scrutiny, especially in the light of the tragic event at Life Esidimeni, stated Dr Dhlomo. The report highlights the necessity of ensuring that mental health should always be placed under the microscope as it affects vulnerable people.
The committee commends the proactive steps initiated by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi who lodged a complaint to the Health Ombud. “This demonstrates a commitment of accountability by the Minister and the department to uncover challenges within psychiatric hospitals and the healthcare system,” added Dr Dhlomo.
In ensuring that the committee provides adequate oversight, the committee will schedule a meeting and invite the Department of Health so that Members of the committee receive a comprehensive briefing. “The transformation of mental health needs to be safeguarded so that patients are treated with dignity,” emphasised Dr Dhlomo
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
L’édition 2025 du Rapport pays de la Banqueafricaine de développementpour le Burkina Faso (www.AfDB.org), déclinaison nationale des Perspectives économiques en Afrique, a été officiellement lancée le 18 juillet 2025 à Ouagadougou.
La cérémonie s’est déroulée sous la présidence de M. Souleymane Nabolé, conseiller technique, représentant le ministre de l’Économie et des Finances, en présence de M. Daniel Ndoye, responsable pays du Groupe de la Banque. Organisée en format virtuel, la session a réuni plus de 80 participants issus de l’administration publique, des partenaires techniques et financiers, du monde de la recherche, du secteur privé, ainsi que des cadres de la Banque.
Dans un message vidéo, le Professeur Kevin Urama, économiste en chef et vice-président chargé de la Gouvernance économique et de la Gestion des connaissances de la Banque africaine de développement, a rappelé que les rapports-pays ont pour vocation d’éclairer les politiques nationales et alimenter le dialogue entre les États et leurs partenaires.
L’édition 2025 du rapport met l’accent sur le thème : « Tirer le meilleur parti du capital du Burkina Faso pour favoriser son développement ». Le document analyse les performances macroéconomiques récentes du pays dans un contexte de crise sécuritaire et humanitaire, tout en présentant des perspectives à moyen terme et des orientations stratégiques pour accélérer la transformation économique.
Selon la Banque, l’économie burkinabè a poursuivi son expansion en 2024, en dépit de la persistance des défis sécuritaires, humanitaires et climatiques. Le Burkina Faso est doté d’un potentiel considérable en termes de capital naturel, humain, d’entreprise, et financier dont la mobilisation et l’utilisation efficiente pourraient combler le déficit de financement du pays.
Cette analyse est partagée par le gouvernement burkinabè. Selon M. Nabolé, « les indicateurs macro-économiques s’améliorent, avec notamment une croissance estimée à 5 % en 2024. Pour des répercussions significatives sur le plan social, il y a nécessité de réfléchir à la manière dont la transformation de l’économie burkinabè peut s’opérer en s’appuyant sur les ressources humaines, naturelles, financières, les infrastructures socio-économiques et la gouvernance ».
Pour combler le déficit de financement, le rapport propose plusieurs actions, notamment : améliorer la productivité agricole et promouvoir l’agro-industrie, renforcer les mécanismes de collecte des revenus miniers et lutter contre les flux financiers illicites, améliorer l’accès à l’éducation et à la santé, à la formation technique et professionnelle, et renforcer les capacités des administrations fiscales, douanières et du ministère en charge des Mines. Il recommande également de renforcer les organes de contrôle de l’État, de moderniser le système judiciaire, et d’améliorer la gestion forestière.
M. Abdoulaye Diop, président de la Commission de l’Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine, a salué l’approche holistique de la Banque, qui vise à exploiter au mieux toutes les formes de capital, estimant qu’elle « permet de maximiser les conditions de réussite et d’amélioration des performances des économies nationales ». Il a également relevé la résilience de l’économie burkinabè, malgré un environnement sécuritaire difficile. « En matière de mobilisation des ressources domestiques, le Burkina est aujourd’hui le meilleur performeur de notre Union avec près de 19 % de taux de pression fiscale. En outre, depuis plusieurs années, il est l’un des pays les plus engagés dans la mise en œuvre des textes communautaires. Cela mérite l’attention des partenaires ».
Des communications spécifiques ont porté sur la nécessité de renforcer la mobilisation des ressources domestiques afin de compenser la baisse des aides et financements extérieurs, de mieux exploiter le capital humain, de valoriser les ressources minières pour financer le développement, et d’améliorer la gouvernance dans la gestion des différentes formes de capital.
A la fin de la session, M. Daniel Ndoye, responsable-pays de la Banque, s’est réjoui du niveau élevé de participation et de la qualité des échanges. « Nous saluons les performances du pays, notamment en termes de mobilisation des ressources. Nous avons noté une convergence entre les conclusions, les recommandations du rapport et les stratégies en cours au Burkina, notamment avec un focus sur le capital humain », a-t-il conclu.
M. Nabolé a également réitéré la satisfaction du gouvernement burkinabè quant à la qualité de sa coopération avec la Banque africaine de développement.
Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Contact médias:
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures media@afdb.org
À propos du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement :
Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement est la principale institution du financement du développement en Afrique. Il comprend trois entités distinctes : la Banque africaine de développement (BAD), le Fonds africain de développement (FAD) et le Fonds spécial du Nigeria (FSN). Représentée dans 41 pays africains, avec un bureau extérieur au Japon, la Banque contribue au développement économique et au progrès social de ses 54 Etats membres régionaux. Pour plus d’informations: www.AfDB.org
Les pays africains ont pris des engagements audacieux pour faire face à la crise de la mortalité maternelle et infantile sur le continent, alors qu’un paysage sanitaire difficile, la diminution des ressources, le changement climatique et les conflits menacent d’annuler des décennies de progrès en matière de survie infantile.
Près de cinq millions d’enfants (https://apo-opa.co/44TWUFA) meurent chaque année de causes évitables avant l’âge de cinq ans. Près de 60 % de ces décès surviennent en Afrique, souvent causés par des maladies infectieuses telles que la pneumonie, la diarrhée, le paludisme et la méningite. Et ce, malgré l’existence d’interventions éprouvées, comme les vaccins, qui ont sauvé 154 millions de vies (https://apo-opa.co/4l6542n) au cours des 50 dernières années.
Alors que l’échéance des Objectifs de développement durable (ODD) de 2030 approche, les gouvernements africains redoublent désormais d’efforts pour mettre fin aux décès évitables d’enfants de moins de cinq ans, comme le prévoient les objectifs mondiaux au cours des cinq prochaines années.
S’exprimant lors du Forum sur l’innovation et l’action pour la vaccination et la survie de l’enfant 2025 (www.ChildHealthForum2025.com) qui vient de s’achever à Maputo, au Mozambique, des représentants de divers pays africains se sont joints aux gouvernements co-organisateurs du Mozambique et de la Sierra Leone et à des partenaires, notamment le gouvernement espagnol, la Fondation « la Caixa », la Fondation Gates et l’UNICEF, pour partager leurs engagements à donner la priorité à la survie de l’enfant.
S’adressant aux participants lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture officielle, S.E. Daniel Chapo, Président de la République du Mozambique, a déclaré : « La Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant stipule que tous les enfants ont le droit de survivre et de grandir en bonne santé. Le Mozambique a réalisé des progrès notables dans la protection de ces droits, réduisant la mortalité infantile de 201 à 60 pour 1 000 naissances vivantes entre 1997 et 2022. Ces progrès sont le fruit de décennies d’investissements structurels dans la santé maternelle et infantile, l’un des piliers clés du Plan quinquennal 2025-2029 de notre gouvernement. »
Malgré ces progrès prometteurs, l’Afrique abrite encore la majorité des pays qui sont en retard sur la réalisation des ODD. Constatant ce fait, les représentants gouvernementaux et les partenaires ont appelé à des mesures audacieuses pour renforcer le leadership régional, établir une responsabilisation solide, lutter contre les inégalités et mobiliser des financements durables.
« C’est un moment décisif pour l’Afrique ; c’est l’une des plus grandes opportunités de résilience et de leadership africain fort. Ce forum nous a réunis non pas pour discuter des défis, mais pour inspirer l’action et sauver des vies d’enfants. Nous disposons des outils, de la science, des vaccins, des diagnostics et des traitements. Ce dont nous avons besoin maintenant, c’est d’un engagement politique, d’un accès adapté, de soins rapides et d’investissements soutenus tout au long du parcours de soins pour nous permettre d’accélérer les progrès vers l’avenir que nous envisageons », a déclaré le Dr Austin Demby, ministre de la Santé de la Sierra Leone.
Les parties prenantes du forum, qui s’est étalé sur trois jours, ont également plaidé en faveur d’une collaboration multipartite plus approfondie et plus efficace pour améliorer les ressources consacrées aux soins de santé primaires et l’intégration des services de survie de l’enfant.
« Nous appelons les parties prenantes à privilégier les interventions à fort impact et à fort rendement, tout en mobilisant des ressources pour la survie de l’enfant afin de renforcer la durabilité et l’efficacité des systèmes de santé. Cela se traduira par des gains significatifs non seulement pour les familles et les communautés, mais aussi pour les économies et le continent dans son ensemble », a déclaré le Dr Ussene Isse, ministre de la Santé du Mozambique.
Reconnaissant le besoin urgent de donner la priorité aux communautés les plus vulnérables et marginalisées avec toute la gamme des interventions en matière de santé maternelle et de survie de l’enfant dans les programmes de soins de santé primaires, de vaccination, de nutrition et de prévention des maladies, les pays et les partenaires se sont unis dans un appel à l’action commun et des engagements à :
Renforcer le leadership régional: Favoriser les partenariats entre les organisations de santé nationales et régionales, notamment l’Union africaine, les Centres africains de contrôle et de prévention des maladies (CDC Afrique), l’Organisation ouest-africaine de la santé (OOAS), la Communauté de santé de l’Afrique de l’Est, centrale et australe (ECSA-HC) et d’autres parties prenantes ayant la capacité de contribuer à la survie de l’enfant.
Établir une responsabilisation solide : Veiller à ce que les gouvernements, les partenaires et la société civile soient tenus responsables de leurs engagements en matière de survie de l’enfant aux niveaux national, régional et mondial, et rendre compte régulièrement des progrès accomplis.
Lutter contre les inégalités: Se concentrer sur les enfants les plus vulnérables, en particulier en Afrique subsaharienne et en Asie du Sud, en supprimant les obstacles aux soins, en améliorant l’éducation maternelle et en s’attaquant aux facteurs de risque tels que la malnutrition, le manque d’accès à l’eau potable, à l’assainissement et à l’hygiène, et la pollution de l’air, en particulier dans les ménages.
Mobiliser des financements durables: Augmenter le financement national et international pour la survie de l’enfant, en privilégiant les interventions rentables et les produits vitaux qui renforcent les systèmes de santé, et en garantissant des solutions de financement durables pour atteindre les groupes les plus vulnérables, notamment dans les États fragiles et touchés par un conflit. Veiller à la flexibilité de ces ressources afin de réduire la fragmentation et d’orienter les fonds là où ils sont le plus nécessaires.
Investir dans les soins de santé primaires (SSP): Accroître les investissements nationaux dans des systèmes de soins de santé primaires résilients, notamment au niveau communautaire. Cela implique de garantir la continuité des soins, des systèmes d’orientation appropriés et la qualité des soins aux niveaux primaire et d’orientation ; de doter les établissements de santé d’outils de diagnostic et de médicaments essentiels contre la pneumonie, le paludisme et la diarrhée, ainsi que de sources d’énergie durables et d’Internet pour soutenir le diagnostic, les traitements et le partage des données ; de renforcer les partenariats multisectoriels et de former les agents de santé au diagnostic et au traitement rapides des infections infantiles et de la malnutrition.
Investir de manière décisive dans la prévention, la préparation et la réponse aux urgences de santé publique, en particulier le choléra, en tant que priorité stratégique: Cela comprend le renforcement de la coordination multisectorielle, du financement national, des infrastructures EAH, des fournitures essentielles, de l’engagement communautaire et de l’accès humanitaire. Sans ces investissements, les services de santé courants resteront vulnérables à des perturbations répétées et graves.
Accélérer la couverture vaccinale: Atteindre et maintenir une couverture vaccinale vitale supérieure à 90 %, notamment le vaccin conjugué contre le pneumocoque (PCV), le vaccin contre la diphtérie, le tétanos et la coqueluche (DTC), la rougeole, le rotavirus, le paludisme, la méningite et la typhoïde, en donnant la priorité aux enfants n’ayant pas reçu de dose et en intégrant l’administration des vaccins à la nutrition et à d’autres services de santé infantile à fort impact, avec des partenariats facilitant la collaboration intersectorielle, pour atteindre les plus vulnérables.
Intégrer la prestation de services de survie de l’enfant pour améliorer l’accès, l’acceptabilité et la rentabilité :Explorer les opportunités de fournir des interventions et des innovations en matière de survie de l’enfant par le biais de plateformes communautaires existantes et identifier où des soins continus peuvent être dispensés dans le cadre des soins de santé maternelle, néonatale et infantile.
Améliorer la surveillance et l’innovation: Exploiter les données d’initiatives telles que le réseau de surveillance de la santé infantile et de la prévention de la mortalité (CHAMPS) pour anticiper et répondre aux tendances épidémiologiques, éclairer les interventions ciblées et accélérer le développement et le déploiement de nouveaux outils.
« Nous avons la responsabilité commune de garantir à chaque enfant une chance de vivre et de s’épanouir. Alors que nous faisons ces promesses aux enfants africains, nous devons – gouvernements, partenaires et société civile – nous responsabiliser mutuellement quant à ces engagements en faveur de la survie de l’enfant aux niveaux national, régional et mondial, rendre compte régulièrement des progrès accomplis et agir résolument pour combler les lacunes en matière de survie de l’enfant afin qu’aucun enfant ne meure d’une maladie infectieuse évitable », a déclaré Theo Sowa, président du Forum.
Pour consulter l’appel à l’action détaillé et les engagements des 13 pays, cliquez ici (https://apo-opa.co/4fc6hDQ).
Distribué par APO Group pour Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025.
Pour tout demande d’interview, prière de contacter :
Pour les médias basés au Mozambique : maider.mavie@ins.gov.mz
À propos du Forum Innovation et Action pour la Vaccination et la Survie de l’Enfant 2025 :
Le Forum Innovation et Action pour la Vaccination et la Survie de l’Enfant 2025 a réuni des acteurs de plusieurs pays d’Afrique subsaharienne et d’autres régions, dont de hauts responsables de ministères de la Santé, des agences de développement, des donateurs, des universitaires, la société civile et le secteur privé. Il s’est concentré sur les outils nouveaux et sous-utilisés pour progresser en matière de survie de l’enfant, sur des stratégies plus efficaces d’atténuation et de surveillance des risques de maladies infectieuses, sur des modèles de prestation de services plus efficients, sur la nécessité de procédures rigoureuses de priorisation, notamment pour les systèmes de vaccination systématique et l’introduction de nouveaux vaccins, et sur des options innovantes de financement de la survie de l’enfant.
Le forum a été organisé conjointement par les gouvernements du Mozambique et de la Sierra Leone, ainsi que par des partenaires tels que le gouvernement espagnol, la Fondation « la Caixa», la Fondation Gates et l’UNICEF.
Os países africanos assumiram compromissos corajosos para enfrentar a crise de mortalidade materno-infantil no continente, num momento em que um panorama de saúde desafiante, a redução de recursos, as mudanças climáticas e os conflitos ameaçam reverter décadas de progresso na saúde infantil.
Quase cinco milhões de crianças morrem de causas evitáveis antes dos cinco anos de idade todos os anos. Cerca de 60 por cento destas mortes ocorrem em África, muitas delas provocadas por doenças infecciosas como pneumonia, diarreia, malária e meningite. Isto acontece apesar da existência de intervenções comprovadas, como as vacinas, que salvaram 154 milhões de vidas nos últimos 50 anos.
Com o prazo de cumprimento dos Objectivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) de 2030 a aproximar-se, os governos africanos estão agora a redobrar os seus compromissos para acabar com as mortes evitáveis de crianças com menos de cinco anos, tal como previsto nas metas globais para os próximos cinco anos.
Durante o recém-encerrado Fórum de Inovação e Acção para a Imunização e Sobrevivência Infantil 2025 (www.ChildHealthForum2025.com), realizado em Maputo, Moçambique, representantes de vários países africanos juntaram-se aos Governos co-anfitriões de Moçambique e Serra Leoa, bem como a parceiros como o Governo de Espanha, a Fundação ”la Caixa”, a Fundação Gates e a UNICEF, para partilhar os seus compromissos em priorizar a sobrevivência infantil.
Ao discursar durante a cerimónia oficial de abertura, Sua Excelência Daniel Chapo, Presidente da República de Moçambique, afirmou: “A Convenção sobre os Direitos da Criança estabelece que todas as crianças têm o direito de sobreviver e crescer com saúde. Moçambique registou avanços notáveis na protecção desses direitos, reduzindo a mortalidade infantil de 201 para 60 por cada 1.000 nascidos vivos, entre 1997 e 2022. Estes progressos são fruto de décadas de investimentos estruturais na saúde materna e infantil – um dos pilares fundamentais do Plano Quinquenal do Governo 2025–2029.”
Apesar destes progressos encorajadores, África continua a ser o continente com a maioria dos países que estão fora da trajectória para alcançar os Objectivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS). Tendo isso em conta, representantes governamentais e parceiros apelaram a acções audazes para reforçar a liderança regional, estabelecer mecanismos sólidos de responsabilização, enfrentar as desigualdades e mobilizar financiamento sustentável.
“Este é um momento decisivo para África; uma das maiores oportunidades para demonstrarmos resiliência e uma liderança africana forte. Este fórum não nos reuniu para debater desafios, mas sim para inspirar acção e salvar a vida das crianças. Temos as ferramentas, a ciência, as vacinas, os diagnósticos e os tratamentos. O que precisamos agora é de compromisso político, acesso adequado, cuidados oportunos e investimentos sustentados ao longo de toda a linha de cuidados, para que possamos acelerar o progresso rumo ao futuro que idealizamos“, declarou o Ministro da Saúde da Serra Leoa, Dr. Austin Demby.
Durante os três dias do fórum, as partes interessadas também defenderam uma colaboração multissetorial mais profunda e eficaz para reforçar o financiamento dos cuidados de saúde primários e a integração dos serviços de sobrevivência infantil.
“Apelamos aos intervenientes para que priorizem intervenções de alto impacto e alto retorno, juntamente com a mobilização de recursos para a sobrevivência infantil, a fim de garantir sustentabilidade e eficiência nos sistemas de saúde. Isto traduzir-se-á em ganhos significativos não só para as famílias e comunidades, mas também para as economias e para o continente em geral”, disse o Ministro da Saúde de Moçambique, Dr. Ussene Isse.
Reconhecendo a urgente necessidade de priorizar o alcance às comunidades mais vulneráveis e marginalizadas com o conjunto completo de intervenções para a saúde materna e sobrevivência infantil, abrangendo cuidados primários de saúde, imunização, nutrição e programas de prevenção de doenças, os países e parceiros uniram-se numa chamada conjunta à ação e compromissos para:
Fortalecer a liderança regional: Promover parcerias entre organizações nacionais e regionais de saúde, incluindo a União Africana, os Centros Africanos de Controlo e Prevenção de Doenças (Africa CDC), a Organização da Saúde da África Ocidental (WAHO), a Comunidade de Saúde da África Oriental, Central e Austral (ECSA-HC) e outros intervenientes com capacidade para contribuir para a sobrevivência infantil.
Estabelecer uma responsabilização robusta: Garantir que governos, parceiros e a sociedade civil sejam responsabilizados pelos seus compromissos em relação à sobrevivência infantil a nível nacional, regional e global, reportando os progressos regularmente.
Abordar as desigualdades: Focar nas crianças mais vulneráveis, especialmente na África Subsariana e no Sul da Ásia, removendo barreiras ao acesso aos cuidados, melhorando a educação materna e enfrentando fatores de risco como a desnutrição, falta de acesso a água segura, saneamento e higiene, e poluição do ar, especialmente no ambiente doméstico.
Mobilizar financiamento sustentável: Aumentar o financiamento doméstico e internacional para a sobrevivência infantil, priorizando intervenções custo-efetivas e produtos essenciais para salvar vidas que fortaleçam os sistemas de saúde, assegurando soluções financeiras sustentáveis para alcançar os grupos mais vulneráveis, incluindo estados frágeis e afetados por conflitos. Garantir que estes recursos sejam flexíveis para reduzir a fragmentação e direcionar fundos onde e quando forem mais necessários.
Investir nos Cuidados Primários de Saúde (CPS): Incrementar o investimento nacional em sistemas resilientes de CPS, incluindo ao nível comunitário. Isso inclui assegurar a continuidade do cuidado, sistemas de referência apropriados e qualidade nos cuidados primários e de referência; equipar as unidades de saúde com ferramentas diagnósticas e medicamentos essenciais para pneumonia, malária e diarreia, assim como fontes de energia sustentáveis e internet para apoiar diagnósticos, terapêuticas e partilha de dados; fortalecer parcerias multisectoriais e formar profissionais de saúde para diagnosticar e tratar rapidamente infecções infantis e desnutrição.
Investir decisivamente na prevenção, preparação e resposta a emergências de saúde pública, especialmente à cólera, como prioridade estratégica: Isso inclui fortalecer a coordenação multisectorial, o financiamento doméstico, infraestruturas de WASH (água, saneamento e higiene), fornecimentos críticos, envolvimento comunitário e acesso humanitário. Sem esse investimento, os serviços de saúde rotineiros permanecerão vulneráveis a interrupções repetidas e graves.
Acelerar a cobertura vacinal: Alcançar e manter cobertura superior a 90% das vacinas que salvam vidas, incluindo a vacina conjugada pneumocócica (PCV), difteria, tétano e pertussis (DTP), sarampo, rotavírus, malária, meningite e febre tifóide, priorizando as crianças zero-dose e integrando a vacinação com nutrição e outros serviços de saúde infantil de alto impacto — com parcerias que facilitem a colaboração intersetorial — para alcançar as crianças mais vulneráveis.
Integrar a prestação dos serviços de sobrevivência infantil para melhorar o acesso, aceitação e custo-efetividade: Explorar oportunidades para entregar intervenções e inovações de sobrevivência infantil através de plataformas comunitárias existentes, e identificar onde pode ocorrer o cuidado contínuo entre os serviços de saúde materna, neonatal e infantil.
Aprimorar a vigilância e a inovação: Aproveitar dados de iniciativas como a Rede de Vigilância da Saúde Infantil e Prevenção da Mortalidade (CHAMPS) para antecipar e responder às tendências epidemiológicas, informar intervenções direcionadas e acelerar o desenvolvimento e a implementação de novas ferramentas.
“Temos uma responsabilidade partilhada de garantir que cada criança tenha a oportunidade de viver e prosperar. Ao assumirmos estes compromissos com as crianças de África, devemos — governos, parceiros e sociedade civil — responsabilizar-nos mutuamente por estas promessas, a nível nacional, regional e global, reportar regularmente os progressos e agir de forma decisiva para suprir as lacunas na sobrevivência infantil, para que nenhuma criança morra de uma doença infecciosa evitável”, afirmou Theo Sowa, Presidente do Fórum.
Para a Chamada à Ação detalhada e os 13 Compromissos dos Países, clique aqui (https://apo-opa.co/4fzFPEJ).
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025.
Para pedidos de entrevista, contactar:
Para a imprensa de Moçambique:
maider.mavie@ins.gov.mz
Para a imprensa regional e internacional:
wgaitho@globalhealthstrategies.com e wkariuki@globalhealthstrategies.com
Sobre o Fórum de Inovação e Acção para Imunização e Sobrevivência Infantil 2025:
O Fórum de Inovação e Acção para a Imunização e Sobrevivência Infantil 2025 reuniu participantes de diversos países seleccionados da África Subsariana e de outras regiões, incluindo altos responsáveis dos ministérios da saúde, agências de desenvolvimento, doadores, academia, sociedade civil e sector privado. O encontro centrou-se em ferramentas novas e subutilizadas para promover avanços na sobrevivência infantil, estratégias mais eficazes de mitigação de riscos e vigilância de doenças infecciosas, modelos mais eficientes de prestação de serviços, a necessidade de processos sólidos de definição de prioridades — incluindo para sistemas de imunização de rotina e introdução de novas vacinas —, bem como em opções inovadoras de financiamento para a sobrevivência infantil.
O fórum foi coorganizado pelos Governos de Moçambique e Serra Leoa, com o apoio de parceiros como o Governo de Espanha, a Fundação ”la Caixa”, a Fundação Gates e a UNICEF.
