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Afreximbank to avail $75 million to Central Bank of The Gambia in a cross-currency swap

Source: APO

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed an agreement to avail a US$75-million five-year cross-currency swap to the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) for the financing of strategic projects undertaken in The Gambia by the Government, through the National Roads Authority (NRA).

The agreement, signed in Abuja, Nigeria, as part of activities to mark the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) held from 25 to 28 June, provides for Afreximbank to use the local currency proceeds to purchase NRA-issued bonds, which will serve as the swap securities for the transaction, to finance strategic projects undertaken by the Agency.

Signing the agreement for Afreximbank was Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, while Mr. Buah Saidy, Governor of Central Bank of The Gambia, signed for his organisation.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Elmaayergi said that the transaction reflected Afreximbank’s commitment to driving trade finance in Africa by supporting its member countries to achieve much needed liquidity to enable them finance trade-enabling infrastructure in their countries.

“Through this facility, Afreximbank is using its resources to leverage financing to Africa by unlocking capital and creating additional capacity in support of trade transactions into Africa,” he explained. He noted that this partnership comes at a pivotal time in The Gambia’s development trajectory, as the country intensifies efforts to upgrade its transport infrastructure to meet growing trade and connectivity needs. The cross-currency swap is expected to support the construction and rehabilitation of both rural and urban road networks, reinforcing the Gambia’s commitment to building a more connected, productive and inclusive economy.

According to him, this initiative will enable more efficient movement of goods and services, reduce travel times for commuters and businesses, and improve road safety. Over the long term, these developments will contribute to a more reliable and extensive national road network, helping to deepen regional integration, enhance agricultural and industrial output, and promote sustainable, broad-based economic growth across the country. This transaction underscores Afreximbank’s ongoing commitment to supporting African countries in mobilizing innovative financing tools to unlock development and trade potential.

On his part, Governor Buah Saidy acknowledged the need for development financing to address supply-sided constraints to development in The Gambia.  This swap, he said “will relax the binding constraint of a challenging transport network, by enabling NRA to build many more roads that H.E. President Adama Barrow has instructed them to build to ease the movement and lives of Gambians”.

Governor Saidy noted that the financing made available through the swap will allow NRA to build roads that will open up the economy by connecting the production areas in the rural parts of the country to the markets in the urban centres.

CBG is a founding shareholder of Afreximbank while NRA, established in 2006, is responsible for the administration, control, construction and maintenance of all roads in The Gambia.

Oakwood Green Africa served as transaction adviser to the NRA and CBG for the transaction, providing them guidance on the structure and facilitating the swap.

AAM2025, which attracted an estimated 7,000 participants, including Heads of States, Prime Ministers, ministers and business leaders, from across Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, ended with the Annual General Meeting of Afreximbank Shareholders where Dr. George Elombi was appointed the incoming President of the Bank to replace Prof. Benedict Oramah whose tenure is ending after two five-year terms at the helm.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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La Banque africaine de développement et Casablanca Finance City organisent une rencontre stratégique dédié à l’accélération de l’intégration économique africaine conclue par l’appel de Casablanca

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) et Casablanca Finance City (CFCA), premier centre financier africain, ont organisé le 23 juillet 2025 à Casablanca, une rencontre stratégique de haut niveau sur le thème suivant : « Connecter l’Afrique – la voie ZLECAF ».

L’évènement a réuni des dirigeants du secteur privé africain ainsi que des représentants d’institutions régionales et panafricaines parmi lesquelles l’Union du maghreb arabe (UMA), Afreximbank, l’Agence de développement de l’Union africaine (NEPAD), la Banque ouest africaine de développement (BOAD), la commission Afrique de la Confédération générale des entreprises du Maroc (CGEM), OCP Group, Attijariwafa Bank, Africa 50, Tanger Med Zone, Orange, Africa Properity Network ainsi que des experts du Boston Consulting Group.

Les sessions thématiques ont permis de faire un diagnostic sur l’état d’avancement de la ZLECAf. Les participants ont insisté sur la nécessité de renforcer la compétitivité du secteur privé, de financer les infrastructures propices au commerce et d’opérationnaliser les chaînes de valeur régionales. Ils ont également souligné la nécessité de renforcer l’intégration régionale en adoptant une approche pragmatique axée sur la circulation des biens et des personnes, des biens et des idées, ainsi que sur la libération des opportunités d’investissement et de commerce.

Cap sur un marché de 3 400 milliards de dollars à structurer

Avec une population de plus de 1,5 milliard et un PIB combiné de 3 400 milliards de dollars, l’Afrique, recèle un potentiel économique considérable. Selon les projections, la mise en œuvre effective de la ZLECAf par la levée des obstacles tarifaires et non-tarifaires, entraînerait une augmentation de 52 % du commerce intra-africain d’ici 2035.

Cette dynamique s’inscrit dans un contexte plus large de réorganisation des chaînes de valeur mondiales, où l’Afrique, qui compte 11 des 20 économies à la plus forte croissance selon les dernières données du Fonds monétaire international et de la Banque mondiale, occupe désormais une place stratégique.

Une première pierre posée à Casablanca

« Nous sommes ici pour poser la première pierre d’un partenariat avec CFCA, un acteur clé capable de fédérer des opérateurs d’envergure au Maroc et en Afrique pour exploiter tout le potentiel de la ZLECAf. Ce sont les acteurs régionaux qui construiront les réseaux d’affaires en mesure de catalyser les investissements, d’intégrer les chaînes de valeur régionales et de dynamiser le commerce », a déclaré Joy Kategekwa, directrice de l’intégration régionale du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement.

Lamia Merzouki, directrice générale adjointe de Casablanca Finance City Authority a souligné que « la mise en œuvre réussie de la ZLECAf passe nécessairement par une mobilisation efficace du secteur privé. C’est tout l’enjeu de la discussion que nous lançons aujourd’hui avec la Banque africaine de développement pour réfléchir à des outils concrets pour stimuler les échanges intra-africains, identifier des opportunités d’investissement pertinentes et faciliter l’intégration des entreprises africaines dans les chaînes de valeur continentales. »

« Cette approche régionale est efficace. Nous la soutenons d’ores et déjà sur tout le continent par des investissements stratégiques dans des infrastructures structurantes — routes, ports, chemins de fer, corridors logistiques — ainsi que des lignes de crédit dédiées à la facilitation du commerce extérieur », a déclaré Achraf Tarsim, responsable pays de la Banque pour le Maroc.

Les participants ont relevé la nécessité d’intensifier les efforts afin de combler le déficit annuel estimé à plus de 130 milliards de dollars dans le financement des infrastructures sur le continent afin de transformer les opportunités offertes par la ZLECAf.

L’appel de Casablanca

A l’issue de la rencontre, les participants ont appelé à la création d’une plateforme dédiée au secteur privé qui s’articulerait autour de quatre priorités opérationnelles :

  • Accélérer l’accès au marché africain pour les entreprises en instaurant un dialogue structuré entre secteurs public et privé et en mettant à disposition des outils concrets, tels que des données de marché, des guides pratiques d’entrée sur les marchés africains, des recommandations politiques, et un répertoire de projets bancables qualifiés à l’échelle continentale.
  • Compenser les déficits d’infrastructures au service du « Made in Africa » en soutenant le développement de corridors économiques intégrés et durables (routes, ports, rails, infrastructures numériques) et en créant un environnement juridique et réglementaire attractif pour mobiliser les capitaux privés, les expertises techniques et les opérateurs régionaux.
  • Renforcer l’intégration financière régionale en soutenant l’harmonisation des marchés de capitaux africains, le développement de solutions de financement du commerce et la mobilisation d’instruments innovants tels que le blended finance, les fonds panafricains ou les garanties adaptées, pour faciliter la montée en puissance des projets structurants.
  • Positionner les centres financiers et pôles d’affaires comme leviers d’accélération de la ZLECAf en créant un environnement propice aux affaires, en attirant les talents, en mettant en place les bons écosystèmes et en valorisant l’opportunité africaine à travers des actions de sensibilisation, de formation et de promotion.

La plateforme servirait d’outil stratégique pour amplifier la voix et l’engagement du secteur privé dans la mise en œuvre de l’AfCFTA.

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

Contacts médias :
Casablanca Finance City Authority
Service communication
events@cfca.ma

Banque africaine de développement
Fahd Belbachir
chargé principal de la communication et des relations extérieures
media@afdb.org

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Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento e Casablanca Finance City organizam Diálogo Estratégico para acelerar a integração económica africana concluída pelo Apelo à Ação de Casablanca

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (www.AfDB.org) e a Casablanca Finance City (CFC), o mais proeminente centro financeiro africano, organizaram um diá. estratégico de alto nível em Casablanca para acelerar o envolvimento do setor privado na Zona de Livre Comércio Continental Africana (AfCFTA).

O diá., com o tema ‘Conectar África – o roteiro da AfCFTA’, decorreu a 23 de julho de 2025.  Reuniu líderes do setor privado africano e representantes de instituições financeiras regionais e pan-africanas, incluindo a União do Magrebe Árabe (UMA), o Afreximbank, a Agência de Desenvolvimento da União Africana (NEPAD), o Banco de Desenvolvimento da África Ocidental (BOAD), a Comissão Africana da Confederação dos Empregadores Marroquinos (CGEM), o Grupo OCP, o Attijariwafa Bank, a Africa 50, a Tanger Med Zone, a Orange, a Africa Properity Network e especialistas do Boston Consulting Group.

As sessões temáticas permitiram fazer um diagnóstico sobre o estado de avanço da AfCFTA. Os participantes insistiram na necessidade de reforçar a competitividade do setor privado, financiar infraestruturas propícias ao comércio e operacionalizar as cadeias de valor regionais. Também sublinharam a necessidade de reforçar a integração regional, adotando uma abordagem pragmática centrada na circulação de bens e pessoas, bens e ideias, bem como na libertação de oportunidades de investimento e comércio.

Rumo a um mercado de 3,4 biliões de dólares a estruturar

Com mais de 1,5 mil milhões de habitantes e um PIB combinado de 3,4 biliões de dólares, África possui um potencial económico considerável. De acordo com as projeções, a implementação efetiva da AfCFTA, através da remoção de barreiras tarifárias e não tarifárias, resultaria num aumento de 52% no comércio intra-africano até 2035.

Esta dinâmica insere-se no posicionamento de África no contexto de um cenário em rápida mudança no comércio global, com 11 das 20 economias com maior crescimento a estarem em África, de acordo com os últimos dados do FMI e do Banco Mundial, ocupa agora uma posição estratégica.

Primeira pedra lançada em Casablanca

“Estamos aqui para lançar a primeira pedra de uma parceria com a CFC, um interveniente fundamental capaz de reunir operadores de renome em Marrocos e em África para explorar todo o potencial da AfCFTA”, afirmou Joy Kategekwa, diretora de integração regional do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento. “São os atores regionais que construirão as redes de negócios capazes de catalisar investimentos, integrar cadeias de valor regionais e dinamizar o comércio”, acrescentou.

Lamia Merzouki, diretora-geral adjunta da Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFCA), afirmou: “A implementação bem-sucedida da AfCFTA passa necessariamente por uma mobilização eficaz do setor privado. É disso que se trata a discussão de hoje com o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento: analisar ferramentas concretas para estimular o comércio intra-africano, identificar oportunidades de investimento relevantes e facilitar a integração das empresas africanas nas cadeias de valor continentais”.

Achraf Tarsim, responsável do Banco para Marrocos, salientou que “esta abordagem regional é eficaz. Já a apoiamos em todo o continente através de investimentos estratégicos em infraestruturas estruturantes – estradas, portos, caminhos de ferro, corredores logísticos –, bem como linhas de crédito dedicadas à facilitação do comércio”.

Os participantes salientaram a necessidade de intensificar os esforços para colmatar o défice anual estimado em mais de 130 mil milhões de dólares no financiamento de infraestruturas no continente, para aproveitar as oportunidades oferecidas pela AfCFTA.

O Apelo à Ação de Casablanca

No final da reunião, os participantes apelaram à criação de uma plataforma dedicada ao setor privado com base em quatro prioridades operacionais:

  • Acelerar o acesso ao mercado africano para as empresas, estabelecendo um diá. estruturado entre os setores público e privado e disponibilizando ferramentas concretas, tais como dados de mercado, guias práticos de entrada nos mercados africanos, recomendações políticas e um repertório de projetos bancáveis qualificados à escala continental.
  • Compensar os défices de infraestruturas ao serviço do ‘Made in Africa’, apoiando o desenvolvimento de corredores económicos integrados e sustentáveis (estradas, portos, caminhos de ferro, infraestruturas digitais) e criando um ambiente jurídico e regulamentar atraente para mobilizar capitais privados, conhecimentos técnicos e operadores regionais.
  • Reforçar a integração financeira regional, apoiando a harmonização dos mercados de capitais africanos, o desenvolvimento de soluções de financiamento do comércio e a mobilização de instrumentos inovadores, tais como o financiamento misto, os fundos pan-africanos ou as garantias adaptadas, a fim de facilitar a expansão de projetos estruturais.
  • Posicionar os centros financeiros e os pólos de negócios como alavancas para acelerar a AfCFTA, criando um ambiente propício aos negócios, atraindo talentos, implementando os ecossistemas adequados e valorizando a oportunidade africana através de ações de sensibilização, formação e promoção.

A plataforma vai atuar como uma ferramenta estratégica para amplificar a voz do setor privado na implementação da AfCFTA.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contactos para os media:
Casablanca Finance City Authority
Serviço de comunicação
events@cfca.ma

Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento
Fahd Belbachir
responsável principal pela comunicação e relações externas
media@afdb.org

Sobre o Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org

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Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cassava Technologies, ranked among the top 50 chief executives globally

Source: APO

Cassava Technologies (https://www.CassavaTechnologies.com/), a global technology leader of African heritage, is proud to announce that its President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Hardy Pemhiwa, has been recognised as one of the world’s top 50 chief executives driving digital infrastructure transformation. This global honour highlights his leadership in advancing connectivity and digital inclusion across Africa.

Compiled by The Tech Capital, a leading digital infrastructure intelligence platform, the inaugural CEO 50 (https://apo-opa.co/4f1FYjK) list highlights outstanding leadership across areas such as data centres, fibre networks, towers, and edge computing.

“It is a privilege to be recognised alongside esteemed global peers in The Tech Capital’s CEO 50. This honour reflects the work being done by the entire Cassava Technologies team to advance Africa’s digital future through inclusive, innovative, and locally led solutions. It reaffirms progress towards our vision of being the leading digital solutions provider in our chosen markets, and our commitment to transforming lives and accelerating social and economic development across the continent,” said Cassava Technologies’ President and Group CEO, Hardy Pemhiwa.

The comprehensive CEO 50 list, which showcases executives from both publicly traded corporations and privately held companies, is a testament to the diverse and exceptional leadership, innovation, and strategic vision driving the advancement of digital infrastructure finance, investment, and development.

Hardy’s inclusion in the CEO 50 list is a testament to Cassava Technologies’ global impact and continued growth. The company’s innovations in digital infrastructure, which include over 110,000 km of fibre that provides African users with world-class connectivity, Africa’s largest network of carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre facilities, and the continent’s first NVIDIA-powered AI factory, are empowering communities, organisations, and individuals on their digital transformation journeys. This recognition not only honours his leadership but also reassures all Cassava employees of the strong and visionary leadership at the company’s helm.

     

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a technology leader providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Through its business units, namely, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, Distributed Power Africa, Sasai Fintech, Cassava has operations across key growth markets like Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Cassava provides its customers in 94 countries with offerings that will help them grow, transform, and expand their operations. https://www.CassavaTechnologies.com/

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African Development Bank and Casablanca Finance City Host Strategic Dialogue to Accelerate African Economic Integration concluded by the Casablanca Call to Action

Source: APO

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and Casablanca Finance City (CFC), Africa’s leading financial centre, have jointly organized a high-level strategic dialogue in Casablanca to accelerate private sector engagement in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The dialogue, under theme “Connecting Africa – The AfCFTA Pathway,” was held on 23 July 2025. It brought together African private sector executives and representatives from major pan-African institutions, including Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Afreximbank, the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Africa Commission of the Moroccan Employers’ Confederation (CGEM), OCP Group, Attijariwafa Bank, Africa 50, Tanger Med Zone, Orange, Africa Properity Network and experts from the Boston Consulting Group.

The sessions focused on evaluating the current state of AfCFTA implementation and emphasized the need to enhance private sector competitiveness, financing trade-enabling infrastructure, and operationalizing regional value chains. Participants also highlighted the need for a pragmatic approach to regional integration, anchored in the free movement of goods, people, and ideas, and unlocking new investment and trade opportunities.

Unlocking a USD 3.4 Trillion Market

With a population exceeding 1.5 billion and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, Africa holds significant economic potential. Projections indicate that full implementation of the AfCFTA, through the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, could boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2035.

This momentum comes as Africa positions itself within a rapidly evolving global trade landscape, with 11 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies located on the continent, according to the IMF and World Bank.

Laying the Foundation in Casablanca

“We are here today to lay the foundation for a partnership with CFC, a key player capable of bringing together major operators in Morocco and Africa to harness the full potential of the AfCFTA,” said Joy Kategekwa, Director of Regional Integration at the African Development Bank. “It is regional actors who will build the business networks capable of catalysing investment, integrating regional value chains, and driving trade.”

Lamia Merzouki, Chief Operating Officer of Casablanca Finance City Authority, stated: “The successful implementation of the AfCFTA hinges on the effective mobilization of the private sector. That’s what today’s discussion with the African Development Bank is all about, looking at concrete tools to stimulate intra-African trade, identify relevant investment opportunities and facilitate the integration of African businesses into continental value chains.”

Achraf Tarsim, Country Manager of the Bank for Morocco, noted: “This regional approach is effective. We are already supporting it across the continent through strategic investments in transformative infrastructure — roads, ports, railways, logistics corridors—as well as dedicated credit lines to facilitate trade.”

Participants reiterated the urgency of bridging Africa’s annual infrastructure financing gap, estimated at $130 billion, to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

Casablanca Call to Action

At the end of the meeting, the participants called for the creation of a platform dedicated to the private sector based on four operational priorities:

  • Accelerate market access for African businesses through structured public-private dialogue and by providing practical tools such as market data, market entry guides, policy recommendations, and a continent-wide directory of bankable projects.
  • Bridge infrastructure gaps to support “Made in Africa” by developing integrated and sustainable economic corridors (roads, ports, rail, and digital infrastructure) and by creating an attractive legal and regulatory environment to mobilize private capital, technical expertise, and regional operators.
  • Enhance regional financial integration through capital markets harmonization, development of trade finance solutions, and mobilization of innovative instruments, including blended finance, pan-African funds, and tailored guarantees to scale up transformative projects.
  • Position financial centres and business hubs as accelerators of the AfCFTA by creating an enabling business environment, attracting talent, building conducive ecosystems, and promoting Africa as an opportunity through awareness-raising, training, and advocacy initiatives.

The platform would act as a strategic tool to amplify the voice of the private sector in the implementation of the AfCFTA.

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

Media Contacts:
Casablanca Finance City Authority
Communications Department
Email: events@cfca.ma

African Development Bank Group
Fahd Belbachir
Principal Communications and External Relations Officer
Email: media@afdb.org

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Nelson Mandela Bay, UNISA forge groundbreaking library partnership

Source: Government of South Africa

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has launched a pioneering partnership with the University of South Africa (UNISA) to dramatically expand access to library services for students and the broader public within the metro.

Launched on Tuesday at New Brighton Library, the collaboration aims to enhance educational opportunities by transforming municipal libraries into resource hubs that support both UNISA students and lifelong learners.

Under the agreement, municipal libraries will provide free internet and computer access, designated study spaces, and serve as convenient delivery and collection points for UNISA library materials.

Through this collaboration, the municipality’s libraries will offer internet and computer facilities, provide study spaces, and serve as convenient delivery and collection points for UNISA library materials.

As part of the agreement, the following areas of collaboration were outlined:
•    Reciprocal participation in annual events and programmes.
•    ICT training and support, primarily facilitated by UNISA.
•    Distribution of UNISA brochures, posters, and event announcements in municipal libraries, and vice versa.
•    Free internet access and usage of electronic resources for students, including Wi-Fi, databases, electronic reserves, journals, and books.
•    Collaboration on courier services and information dissemination.
•    Provision of study spaces for UNISA students.
•    Joint efforts in marketing and communication to assess student satisfaction.
•    Collaboration on sponsorships, such as provision of computers.
•    Sharing of reports, statistics, and information.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, hailed the initiative as a transformative moment for the metro’s education agenda.

“We are not only opening library doors, but we are opening pathways to opportunity, to education, and to a better future for all. By extending the access to knowledge and technology, especially in our undeserved communities, we are affirming that education is the foundation of dignity, progress, and equality. This fits well in our efforts to build a people-centred and inclusive metro,” Lobishe said.

UNISA Executive Director for Library Services, Professor Mpho Ngoepe echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying the initiative marks the beginning of a journey and contributing to closing the inequality gap that leads to poverty, through knowledge and empowerment.

“In this digital era, libraries must take intentional steps to reach users where they are. We are moving towards a time when UNISA library services will be accessible to everyone, including those who are not enrolled with UNISA.

“This is the end of the era where universities were seen as inaccessible ivory towers. Through this partnership, we will also explore the dissemination of research outputs,” Ngoepe said.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Sinesipho Kwatsha, emphasised the broader social impact of the initiative.

“This partnership is about more than logistics, it is a social contract and a clear commitment that every learner matters, “no matter where they come from. Through this collaboration, learners from disadvantaged communities, who might not otherwise have access to conducive learning spaces and resources, will now be supported through our network of municipal libraries across the metro,” Kwatsha said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Africa’s Business Heroes dévoile les 50 finalistes de l’édition 2025 Un nombre record de candidatures, couvrant les 54 pays africains

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), l’initiative philanthropique phare d’Alibaba Philanthropy, est fière d’annoncer les 50 finalistes de son concours 2025, marquant ainsi une année record en termes de participation et de représentation régionale.

Cette année, l’ABH a reçu 32 000 candidatures, le plus grand nombre de l’histoire du concours, avec des candidatures provenant des 54 pays africains,  renforçant ainsi le statut de l’ABH en tant que l’un des concours d’entrepreneuriat les plus importants et les plus inclusifs du continent.

Le Top 50 2025 donne un aperçu du paysage entrepreneurial africain. Les entreprises africaines tirent de plus en plus parti de la technologie, notamment de la fintech, de l’IA et des plateformes numériques, pour transformer des secteurs tels que la finance, l’éducation et la santé. Les innovations axées sur le développement durable dans l’agriculture et les énergies renouvelables relèvent des défis critiques tout en favorisant une croissance respectueuse de l’environnement. Ces tendances ont des impacts socio-économiques importants, favorisant la création d’emplois, l’inclusion financière et l’amélioration de l’accès aux services essentiels. Les données mettent en évidence les opportunités d’entreprises évolutives, technologiques et durables, prêtes à stimuler la croissance économique inclusive de l’Afrique.

Maintenant dans sa 7e année, ABH poursuit sa mission de mettre en lumière et d’autonomiser les entrepreneurs qui stimulent l’innovation et construisent un avenir plus inclusif et durable pour l’Afrique. Chaque année, le concours attribue 1,5 million de dollars américains en subventions à 10 entrepreneurs exceptionnels. En plus du financement, ABH offre aux 50 finalistes un renforcement des capacités, un mentorat et une meilleure visibilité.

Croissance spectaculaire de la portée

L’appel à candidatures 2025 a non seulement battu des records de volume, mais a également marqué une augmentation de plus de 300 % des candidatures provenant de pays traditionnellement sous-représentés dans les compétitions panafricaines, notamment l’ Algérie, la Tunisie, le Togo, le Gabon, le Soudan du Sud, la Somalie, la Sierra Leone, le Mali et l’île Maurice. Cette augmentation signale l’approfondissement de l’attrait et de l’accessibilité de l’ABH, ainsi que la santé impressionnante de l’entrepreneuriat sur le continent africain.

Amener ABH sur le continent : tournée de présentation dans 9 villes

Dans le cadre de sa campagne 2025, l’équipe d’ABH s’est lancée dans une ambitieuse tournée de présentation dans 9 villes, en se connectant en personne avec des entrepreneurs et des leaders de l’écosystème à Casablanca, Le Caire, Addis-Abeba, Kampala, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan et Dakar, la ville hôte de la demi-finale de cette année , prévue les 10 et 11 septembre.

Ces engagements sur le terrain reflètent l’engagement d’ABH à être plus qu’une compétition, c’est un bâtisseur de communauté et un catalyseur d’écosystème. La tournée a permis d’activer les écosystèmes entrepreneuriaux locaux, d’engager d’anciens héros de l’ABH, d’organiser des séances d’information et de faciliter les liens entre les investisseurs, les innovateurs et les acteurs du changement.

Exploiter la technologie pour étendre l’impact

L’année 2025 a également marqué une étape importante dans l’adoption de l’innovation par ABH. Pour la première fois, ABH a présenté ABi, son co-hôte alimenté par l’IA construit sur Qwen Turbo et dévoilé pour la première fois lors du 6e ABH Summit & Finale qui s’est tenu à Kigali en mars 2025, afin d’améliorer l’expérience des candidats et de rationaliser les opérations. ABi a soutenu le concours en fournissant un service client en temps réel à des milliers de candidats et en aidant à vérifier l’éligibilité des candidatures, démontrant ainsi comment la technologie peut améliorer à la fois l’efficacité et l’inclusivité.

Célébration du Top 50 de 2025

Les finalistes du Top 50 2025 représentent la prochaine génération d’acteurs du changement africains. Ils couvrent 16 secteurs et sont originaires de 17 pays, avec une représentation féminine de 36 % et 10% un pourcentage d’entrepreneurs francophones, ce qui reflète l’engagement continu d’ABH en faveur de la diversité linguistique et de genre. Ces entrepreneurs ont été sélectionnés pour leurs solutions audacieuses, leur impact mesurable et leur potentiel d’expansion à travers l’Afrique.

Dans le cadre de la prochaine étape de la compétition, les 50 meilleurs participeront à l’ ABH Virtual Bootcamp, un programme de formation intensif comprenant des ateliers animés par des leaders de l’écosystème, des investisseurs et des héros de l’ABH. Les sujets abordés comprendront la constitution d’équipes résilientes, la préparation aux investissements, l’exploitation de l’IA et le marketing numérique pour la croissance.

« Le prix ABH 2025 a placé la barre plus haut, une fois de plus. Nous constatons une plus grande profondeur, une plus grande diversité et une plus grande innovation dans l’ensemble des applications », a déclaré Zahra Baitie-Boateng, directrice générale de l’Afrique chez ABH. « Cette année record témoigne de la pertinence de l’ABH dans tous les coins du continent. Ces 50 finalistes résolvent de vrais problèmes au potentiel mondial, et nous sommes ravis d’amplifier leur travail.

En plus de la formation et du mentorat, le Top 50 bénéficiera d’une exposition médiatique et d’un accès à un réseau dynamique de héros ABH, d’anciens élèves et de partenaires.

Regard vers l’avenir

Le Top 50 va maintenant faire l’objet d’une deuxième série d’évaluations par le biais d’entretiens approfondis avec les juges de l’ABH Round 2.  22 entrepreneurs seront présélectionnés pour faire l’objet d’une due diligence dirigée par PlusVC. Ceux qui se qualifieront seront révélés comme les 20 finalistes du Top 20 en août, avant de se rendre à Dakar pour la demi-finale en septembre.

Les 10 finalistes sélectionnés à Dakar se rendront ensuite à la Grande Finale à Kigali en décembre, où ils se disputeront leur part de  la subvention de 1,5 million de dollars US et seront couronnés les héros des affaires africaines de cette année.

Pour en savoir plus sur les finalistes du Top 50 de l’ABH 2025 et le concours, rendez-vous sur www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org.

Distribué par APO Group pour Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

Pour les demandes des médias ou les demandes d’entrevue, veuillez communiquer avec : 
pr@africabusinessheroes.org

À propos d’Africa’s Business Heroes :
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) est l’initiative philanthropique phare de la Fondation Jack Ma en Afrique. Il soutient des entrepreneurs visionnaires dans les 54 pays africains qui construisent des économies inclusives et durables. Pendant 10 ans, ABH reconnaîtra 100 entrepreneurs, en leur accordant des subventions, une formation et une plateforme pour amplifier leurs histoires. Chaque année, les 10 finalistes s’affrontent lors d’une finale télévisée pour une part de 1,5 million de dollars américains.

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Fuels Africa’s Mining Ambitions as Silver Sponsor of African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

Source: APO


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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading multilateral finance institution, has joined the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 as a Silver Sponsor. Held under the theme, From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, AMW offers a strategic platform for AFC to engage with African and global mining stakeholders to advance the continent’s mineral development agenda.

As part of the conference program, AFC will feature in a dedicated finance panel: “The Investor Perspective – Financing Africa’s Mineral Industrialization.” The session will explore how tailored financing solutions can drive local beneficiation, industrialization and inclusive economic growth across Africa’s mining value chains.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The AFC’s involvement in AMW 2025 comes at a time of expanded capital mobilization efforts. In June 2025, the Corporation secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to catalyze Italian investment in African mining and energy infrastructure projects – particularly the strategic Lobito Corridor, enhancing mineral transport between Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative complements a proposed €320 million EU financing package supporting the same corridor.

In February 2025, the European Investment Bank committed $750 million to AFC’s Climate Resilient Infrastructure Fund, targeting climate-focused projects including energy transition metals and sustainable logistics infrastructure. The same month, AFC also secured a $400 million Shariah-compliant facility from Islamic financiers, following a $500 million hybrid bond issuance in January and a $30 million equity investment from the African Development Bank in December 2024.

AFC’s capital base has also grown with a $184.8 million equity injection from Angola, reflecting the country’s continued collaboration with AFC following over $1 billion in investments in mining, energy and transport. Meanwhile, a €100 million loan extended to construction group Mota–Engil is enabling the execution of three major gold mining contracts in Ivory Coast and Mali – Africa’s second- and third-largest gold producers.

Against this backdrop, AMW 2025 provides a timely opportunity for the AFC to showcase its financing strategy, highlight its role in advancing Africa’s mineral beneficiation and connect with mining ventures in search of capital.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Africa’s Business Heroes Unveils Top 50 Finalists for 2025 Edition Record-Breaking Number of Applications, Spanning all 54 African Nations

Source: APO

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Alibaba Philanthropy, is proud to announce the Top 50 finalists of its 2025 Prize Competition—marking a record-breaking year for participation and regional representation.

This year, ABH received 32,000 applications, the highest in the competition’s history, with submissions from all 54 African countries – reinforcing ABH’s status as one of the continent’s largest and most inclusive entrepreneurial competitions.

The 2025 Top 50 provides an overview of Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. African businesses are increasingly leveraging technology, including fintech, AI, and digital platforms, to transform sectors such as finance, education, and healthcare. Sustainability-driven innovations in agriculture and renewable energy address critical challenges while promoting eco-friendly growth. These trends have significant socio-economic impacts, fostering job creation, financial inclusion, and improved access to essential services. The data underscores opportunities in scalable, tech-enabled, and sustainable businesses poised to drive Africa’s inclusive economic growth.

Now in its 7th year, ABH continues its mission to spotlight and empower entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and building a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa. Each year, the competition awards US$1.5 million in grant funding to 10 outstanding entrepreneurs. In addition to funding, ABH provides the Top 50 finalists with capacity-building, mentorship, and enhanced exposure.

Dramatic Growth in Reach

The 2025 call for applications not only broke records in volume but also marked an over 300% increase in applications from countries traditionally underrepresented in pan-African competitions, including Algeria, Tunisia, Togo, Gabon, South Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Mauritius. This surge signals the deepening of ABH’s grassroots appeal and accessibility, as well as reflecting the impressive health of entrepreneurship across the African continent.

Bringing ABH to the Continent: 9-City Roadshow

As part of its 2025 campaign, the ABH team embarked on an ambitious 9-city roadshow, connecting in person with entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders in Casablanca, Cairo, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan and Dakar—the host city for this year’s Semi-Finale, scheduled for September 10–11.

These on-the-ground engagements reflect ABH’s commitment to being more than a competition—it is a community-builder and ecosystem enabler. The roadshow activated local entrepreneurial ecosystems, engaged past ABH Heroes, hosted info sessions, and facilitated connections between investors, innovators, and changemakers.

Harnessing Technology to Scale Impact

2025 also marked a milestone in ABH’s embrace of innovation. For the first time, ABH introduced ABi, its AI-powered co-host built on Qwen Turbo and first unveiled at the 6th ABH Summit & Finale held in Kigali in March 2025, to enhance applicant experience and streamline operations. ABi supported the competition by providing real-time customer service to thousands of applicants and assisting in screening the eligibility of submissions—demonstrating how technology can improve both efficiency and inclusivity.

Celebrating the 2025 Top 50

The 2025 Top 50 finalists represent the next generation of African changemakers. They span 16 sectors and hail from 17 countries, with 36% female representation and 10% Francophone entrepreneurs, reflecting ABH’s ongoing commitment to gender and linguistic diversity. These entrepreneurs were selected for their bold solutions, measurable impact, and potential for scale across Africa.

As part of the next stage of the competition, the Top 50 will participate in the ABH Virtual Bootcamp, an intensive training program featuring workshops led by ecosystem leaders, investors, and ABH Heroes. Topics will include building resilient teams, investment readiness, leveraging AI, and digital marketing for growth.

“The 2025 ABH Prize has raised the bar, yet again. We are seeing greater depth, diversity, and innovation across the span of applications,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director, Africa at ABH. “This record-breaking year speaks to the relevance of ABH in every corner of the continent. These 50 finalists are solving real problems with global potential, and we’re excited to amplify their work.”

In addition to training and mentorship, the Top 50 will benefit from media exposure and access to a dynamic network of ABH Heroes, alumni, and partners.

Looking Ahead

The Top 50 will now undergo a second round of evaluations through in-depth interviews with ABH Round 2 judges.  22 entrepreneurs will be shortlisted to undergo due diligence led by PlusVC. Those who advance will be revealed as the Top 20 finalists in August, before heading to Dakar for the Semi-Finale in September.

The Top 10 finalists selected in Dakar will then progress to the Grand Finale in Kigali in December, where they will compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant funding and be crowned this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes.

To learn more about the 2025 ABH Top 50 finalists and the competition, visit www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: 
pr@africabusinessheroes.org

About Africa’s Business Heroes:
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic initiative in Africa. It supports visionary entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries who are building inclusive and sustainable economies. Over 10 years, ABH will recognize 100 entrepreneurs, awarding them with grant funding, training, and a platform to amplify their stories. Each year, the Top 10 finalists compete in a televised pitch finale for a share of US$1.5 million.

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SASSA conducts grant outreach campaign at Malamulele

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is today conducting an outreach campaign at Malamulele Crossing, helping beneficiaries of the R370 grant with enquiries or issues related to their grants. 

In a statement, the agency said this initiative is part of SASSA’s ongoing commitment to bring services closer to the people. 

“Beneficiaries with questions, concerns, or unresolved matters regarding the R370 grant are invited to attend and engage with SASSA officials directly,” the agency said. 

The R370 grant refers to the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide temporary assistance to unemployed individuals, who are not receiving any other form of income or social support. 

The grant was initially set at R350 but was increased to R370 earlier this year following public outcry over the rising cost of living.

Over the years, the SRD grant has become a crucial lifeline for millions of South Africans, especially young people and informal workers, many of whom struggle with limited access to digital platforms or face long delays in receiving assistance.

In June, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe confirmed that the R370 SRD grant would continue following the approval of draft regulations published on 26 March 2025. This extension, supported by the Minister of Finance, is intended to provide a safety net, while long-term solutions to poverty are developed.

SASSA’s outreach efforts are aimed at bridging this gap by offering face-to-face support, particularly in remote or underserved areas like Malamulele, where access to online or regional offices may be limited. 

Today’s outreach includes assistance with applications queries, payment queries, appeals and general information. 

The agency has encouraged community members to take advantage of the opportunity to resolve outstanding matters and ensure their continued access to this vital support. – SAnews.gov.za