MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

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Results from a newly published study highlight the growing spread of drug resistance across 14 African countries, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen laboratory testing, data systems, and health planning to tackle hard-to-treat infections.

The study, known as the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Africa. It was led by a coalition including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), One Health Trust, and other regional partners.

Researchers reviewed more than 187,000 test results from 205 laboratories, collected between 2016 and 2019 across Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Drug resistance occurs when bacteria change in ways that make antibiotics—medicines used to treat infections—less effective. This means that common infections become harder to treat, more expensive to manage, and more likely to spread.

The study examined bacteria that commonly cause serious illness, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. One of the most concerning findings was that resistance to a powerful group of antibiotics, known as third-generation cephalosporins, was especially high in Ghana and Malawi.

In six countries, more than half of the Staphylococcus aureus samples were resistant to methicillin—an antibiotic commonly used in hospitals. In Nigeria and Ghana, resistance levels exceeded 70%.

The research also showed that some groups are more likely to have drug-resistant infections. People over the age of 65 were 28 per cent more likely to have resistant infections than younger adults.

Patients already admitted to hospitals had a 24 per cent higher risk, likely due to increased exposure to antibiotics. Previous use of antibiotics was also linked to higher resistance.

However, the study also revealed serious gaps. Fewer than 2 per cent of health facilities were equipped to test for bacterial infections, and only 12 per cent of drug resistance records were linked to patient information. Without this kind of data, it is more difficult for health officials to understand how and why resistance is spreading.

The quality of data varied between countries. Senegal had the strongest systems, while Sierra Leone struggled with data collection. Many laboratories still use handwritten records, and most lack reliable digital systems.

Supported by the UK’s Fleming Fund and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study calls on governments to make drug resistance a national priority by investing in better laboratories, routine testing, and stronger digital systems. Without action, the threat of drug resistance could reverse decades of health and development gains.

“For African countries, AMR remains a wicked and complex problem, leaving countries with a million-dollar question: ‘Where do we start from?’ This study brings to light groundbreaking AMR data for African countries. We must act now—and together—to address AMR,” said Dr Yewande Alimi, the One Health Unit Lead at Africa CDC.

– on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Source: APO – Report:

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Reviews of Sustainable Development Goal policies and progress have helped to bring young people, women, communities and marginalized groups into the sustainable development policy making and implementing process. This key message came from the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Lab hosted by ECA, the Regional Commissions New York Office, and the other four Regional Commissions – ECE, ESCAP, ESCWA and ECLAC.

Every year at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, the regional commissions host a VNR lab to highlight best practices and lessons to learn from across the globe. This year’s lab focused on “Harnessing SDG interlinkages through the VNR”, and brought together representatives, policy makers and stakeholders from five countries – The Bahamas, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Qatar and Uganda.

Presentations by VNR representatives delved into detail on how the review process engages with stakeholders and civil society, enhances data collection and analysis, and links with ongoing and planned national development plans. Attention was also paid to local level – where implementation and impact are most important – through local reviews that link to the VNR.

The countries presenting their VNRs were also clear that support from the UN Regional Commissions was extremely helpful throughout the VNR process – in providing technical advising and supporting, bringing in peer countries for exchange and learning, and providing venues through the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development.

ECA looks forward to continuing and strengthening its partnerships with the other regional commissions to support countries preparing National and Local Reviews of sustainable development.

– on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) is set to kick off action towards strengthening and harmonising the framework of policies, procedures, and practices that ensure healthcare data is managed, protected, and used responsibly throughout its lifecycle — health data governance — across the continent.

The landmark commitment on health data governance was made at the 2025 Africa Health ExCon, held in Cairo, Egypt, during a roundtable on ‘Strengthening Health Data Governance in Africa in the Artificial Intelligence Era’, co-hosted by Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD and Transform Health.

Africa CDC announced that it will lead efforts to develop a Continental Health Data Governance Framework, to be tabled for endorsement by Member States at the AU Summit in February 2026.

“Such a framework would establish an agreement between Member States around optimal legislation and regulation for the effective and equitable governance of health data, and build continental alignment and collaboration around a harmonised African position on health data governance that supports cross-border data flows, with the needed protections in place,” said Dr Martha Terefe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Africa CDC, in her welcome remarks.

“Data is king, but governance is the throne,” said Dr Esperance Luvindao, Minister of Health and Social Services in Namibia.

Dr Luvindao couldn’t have been more urgent. In today’s era of digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, it is crucial to treat data as a valuable asset rather than allowing it to become a liability. Health data should inform decision-making, help predict disease outbreaks, and guide policy development. However, without reliable, ethical, and coordinated governance, we risk losing control over this invaluable resource.

“Health data is powerful. When governed well, it can strengthen health systems, improve health outcomes, support real-time decision-making, and close equity gaps. It can enable what we call precision public health — the ability to tailor interventions based on real, timely, and localised data,” said Dr Terefe.

The Framework will be informed by the AU Data Policy Framework and existing good practice and approaches currently employed by countries, while building on existing norms and standards, including the equity and rights-based principles set out in the widely endorsed Health Data Governance Principles.

 Africa CDC, at the request of Member States, has further committed to providing technical assistance and normative guidance to Member States to strengthen local capacity and support the development or enhancement of national health data governance legislation and regulation.

“The commitment reflects the collective resolve of the continental agency to strengthen the governance, protection, and responsible use of health data as a cornerstone for equitable, resilient, and people-centred health systems,” said Judith Nguimfack, Principal Digital Delivery Specialist, Africa CDC, who moderated the session.

In the face of a fast and ever-evolving governance landscape in the era of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, Africa CDC is marking a turning point in Africa’s digital and health transformation agenda. It anchors health data as a strategic asset to drive evidence-based policymaking, ensure data sovereignty, enhance public health outcomes, boost innovation, streamline the industry, and uphold the rights and trust of African citizens.

The commitment towards a harmonised Continental Framework will foster the exchange of experiences and good practices across the continent, establish a common understanding and agreement around essential legislative provisions, support legal coherence across jurisdictions, enhance trust and facilitate cross-border data sharing and promote the development and scaling up of innovations across countries.

The commitment builds on the African Union’s existing instruments like the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (2014), the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034), the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030), the Africa CDC Digital Transformation Strategy (2023), The AU Data Policy Framework (2022), and the AU Continental AI Strategy (2024–2030). It complements ongoing initiatives under Africa CDC, the Africa Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies – APET, AUDA-NEPAD, and the African Union Commission.

The ongoing work of the Africa CDC Flagship Initiative on Health Data Governance, launched in 2023, aims to support regional efforts to strengthen health data governance.The initiative will support these efforts, including leveraging recent resources, tools, technical support packages, research, and the collective support of flagship partners.

“This commitment by Africa CDC represents an important milestone on this journey. As one of the Flagship co-chairs, Transform Health is committed to continuing to support these efforts — towards more robust health data governance that safeguards rights, strengthens systems, and unlocks the potential of data for health for all in the digital age,” said Mathilde Forslund, Executive Director, Transform Health.

– on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Source: APO – Report:

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Authorities in Niger should immediately release former President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains arbitrarily detained two years after he was ousted in a military coup, Human Rights Watch said today.

On July 26, 2023, Nigerien army officers of the self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (Conseil National pour la sauveguarde de la patrie, CNSP), led by Brig. Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, overthrew Bazoum’s government and arrested him and his wife, Hadiza Bazoum. The couple remain in custody at the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey, with no access to family members or lawyers. Bazoum also faces an impending trial after the ruling junta lifted his presidential immunity in 2024.

“Niger’s military junta demonstrates its contempt for the rule of law every day it detains former President Bazoum and his wife,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. “His politically motivated detention and prosecution discredit any junta claims to a more democratic Niger.”

In August 2023, the junta announced plans to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining national security but never brought him before a judge for preliminary hearings.

In September, Bazoum filed a petition with the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing violations of human rights against him and his family during his detention. In December, the ECOWAS court ruled that Bazoum was arbitrarily detained and called for his release. In January 2025, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, formally withdrew from ECOWAS.

In April 2024, the authorities initiated legal proceedings against Bazoum to lift his presidential immunity so he could be prosecuted for alleged crimes committed during his presidency. In June, a court ruled against him following a proceeding that failed to meet basic due process and international fair trial standards. With Bazoum’s immunity removed, the junta announced its intention to prosecute him for high treason. A trial date has not been set.

In February 2025, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent expert body that investigates deprivation of liberty, found that the detention of Bazoum and his wife was arbitrary, in violation of international human rights law, and called for their immediate release.

“Bazoum has been cruelly and unlawfully locked away for two years: without charge or trial, unable to speak to his children, his supporters, or even his lawyers,” said Reed Brody, a member of Bazoum’s legal team. “Despite clear rulings from international courts and UN bodies demanding his release, he remains the hostage of a military junta.”

The abuses against Bazoum are emblematic of a military junta that has cracked down on the political opposition, peaceful dissent, and the media, and that appears to intend to solidify its power, delaying a transition to civilian rule and credible, free, and fair elections, Human Rights Watch said.

“Each day Bazoum spends in detention moves Niger further away from a democratic path,” Allegrozzi said. “Two years on, Niger’s authorities should reconsider what type of message his continued detention sends across the region and the world.”

– on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO – Report:

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The aim is to increase assistance for communities over the next three months, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday.

The updated plan focuses on food, healthcare, water, sanitation, shelter and protection, and requires $120 million for implementation.

Spread of diseases

The health situation in North Darfur has also been deteriorating, with humanitarian partners on the ground warning that cholera, measles, malaria and trauma cases are surging in Tawila, El Fasher and Kebkabiya.

Insecurity has forced the more than 32 health facilities in the region to close, and the lack of rapid diagnostic tests along with widespread Internet outages are also severely hindering disease surveillance.

Critical shortages of surgical supplies, essential medicines and vaccines are “pushing the health system to the brink, leaving thousands without access to the care that they need to stay alive,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during his daily press briefing from New York.

Deadly civilian toll

Displacement continues to take a deadly toll on civilians seeking safety.

Last week, 17 displaced people reportedly died of thirst and dehydration after their vehicle broke down in the desert, according to officials in Northern state.

OCHA also reported that markets in South Darfur are reeling from sharp price increases due to flooding and seasonal rivers cutting off supply routes from Chad and Northern state.  

Meanwhile, the UN remains “deeply concerned over escalating violence in the Kordofan region,” Mr. Dujarric said, after five civilians were reportedly killed and several others injured in drone strikes on fuel markets in Al Fula and Abu Zabad towns in West Kordofan state.

The UN called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, unimpeded access across conflict lines and borders, and increased international support to address the spiraling humanitarian needs across Sudan.

– on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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As part of ongoing efforts to reform and modernize public finance management and to foster market-based deficit financing through domestic-currency Treasury bills and bonds market, the Ministry of Finance has published its first three-month Treasury-bill issuance calendar.

This milestone supports the government’s “reset, reform, and relaunch” agenda, deepening the domestic debt market and improving transparency. By giving market participants clear visibility of upcoming auctions, the calendar enhances predictability and builds investor confidence. It also underscores the government’s commitment to borrow domestically in ways that limit inflation and safeguard macroeconomic stability.

The calendar embodies the shift toward a genuinely market-based approach to Treasury-bill issuance. This compliments the opening of the secondary market and the introduction of more competitive retail auctions open to a wider range of investors through the Ethiopian Securities Exchange.

The Ministry of Finance will continue to build on this momentum by promoting openness, broadening investor participation, and aligning Ethiopia’s debt-management practices with international best practice.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia.

Source: APO

Food insecurity in Southern Africa is worsening, driven by erratic weather patterns, pest outbreaks, and economic shocks. An estimated 46.3 million people across seven countries -Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, South Africa and Tanzania— are projected to fate acute food insecurity during the 20205/26 consumption period. As shocks intensify, timely and harmonized vulnerability assessments remain critical to inform early action, response planning, and policy development.

To this end, representatives from 11 Southern African Development Community  (SADC) Member States, joined by regional and international partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Regional Support Unit, gathered virtually from 14 to 16 July 2025 for the Annual Dissemination Forum of the SADC Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (RVAA) Programme. The event was followed by the 29th Steering Committee meeting on 17 July 2025.

Despite data collection and budgetary challenges, seven Member States successfully completed their national assessments and presented findings at the forum. These findings contributed to the finalization of the 2025 Regional Synthesis Report on the State of Food and Nutrition Security in SADC, validated by the Regional Vulnerability Assessment Committee (RVAC).

The report highlights a concerning uptick in food insecurity, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and low-income urban areas, underscoring the compounded impact of the 2024 El Niño-induced drought, ongoing conflict, and high food prices. At the same time, the region experienced normal to above-normal rainfall in many areas during the 2024/25 season, supporting a modest recovery in cereal production and grazing conditions, particularly in countries like Tanzania, Lesotho and Eswatini.

FAO’s technical support and way forward

As a long-standing partner of the RVAA system, FAO continues to support Member States in enhancing the quality and use of vulnerability assessments. This includes contributing technical expertise to the Regional Vulnerability Assessment Committee, promoting alignment with IPC frameworks, and strengthening links between data and early action.

Looking ahead, FAO will continue engaging with SADC Member States and partners to improve the quality and coverage of vulnerability assessments across the region. This includes supporting harmonization of tools and methodologies, promoting digital data collection systems, and fostering cross-country learning and peer-to-peer exchange. FAO is committed to working alongside the SADC Secretariat to strengthen the institutional sustainability of the RVAA programme and integrate early warning into broader disaster risk management systems.

The outcomes of the 29th Steering Committee meeting reaffirm the urgency of accelerating investment in regional food security analysis. The Committee called for renewed efforts to mobilize resources for the upcoming landscape analysis of existing national frameworks, which will inform the development of a harmonized vulnerability assessment framework for the SADC region by 2026. FAO will remain a key technical partner in this process, offering expertise to ensure that the proposed framework is scalable, inclusive, and responsive to the complex drivers of vulnerability facing Southern Africa today.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Mhondoro-Ngezi District Agricultural Show Society, successfully hosted a ‘Digital Fair’ in the Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The Digital Fair was held under the auspices of the Fostering Digital Villages Initiative (FDiVi).

This strategic blending of digital innovation with traditional agricultural exhibitions marks a significant step in Zimbabwe’s journey towards agrifood systems transformation as it showcases tools and services that significantly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural practices.

The event served as a dynamic platform to introduce digital service providers to rural communities, enabling farmers, youth, and local leaders to explore and evaluate digital tools tailored for agricultural productivity and rural development. The digital fair is part of the broader global FAO Digital Villages Initiative, which aims to transform agrifood systems in rural Malawi, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe using effective digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Digital Fairs are platforms for raising awareness as well as conduits for digital literacy for rural communities on one hand and rural market entry points for digital service providers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

“Collaborating with Agricultural Show Societies is a step in the right direction. The success of the digital fair in the Mhondoro-Ngezi where we partnered the Mhondoro-Ngezi District Agricultural Society sets the stage for future integration of digital fairs into national and sub-national agricultural shows, amplifying outreach and fostering inclusive access to innovation,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.

“This approach aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader goals for sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment, and rural development, and is more sustainable,” added Talla.

“The Venice Digital Fair has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the Mhondoro-Ngezi farmers, extension staff and stakeholders, with a lot of interest shown on the services that were being exhibited. We wish to continue to synchronize our future agricultural shows with these digital fairs as this has shown a positive impact on attendance, knowledge sharing and exchange.” said Spiwe Goto an extension officer with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

The digital fair brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including Government officials; digital service providers; local traditional leaders and community members; and youth organizations, rural development groups, and digital champions.

“I have learnt a lot through being part of this initiative. Digital innovation isn’t just for urban centres. It’s for every farmer, every youth, and every rural entrepreneur ready to grow. We’re building bridges between technology and tradition,” Maria Chinyoka a Digital Champion trained under the FDiVi project who is also the Kushinga farmer group leader.

The Digital Fair delivered tangible results, reinforcing the value of integrating digital innovation into Zimbabwe’s agrifood systems. The digital fair contributed to increased awareness of digital tools among rural stakeholders, showcasing their potential to drive agricultural productivity and rural transformation. It also strengthened engagement between digital innovators and grassroots communities, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

“These series of Fairs are a vital bridge between us as digital innovators and grassroot communities that we often overlook in tech-driven agriculture” said Tafadzwa Chikwereti (Co-founder of eAgro).

“As a financial institution, we witnessed opportunities for our company to penetrate the under-banked community. We will be partnering with local agents to offer our micro-finance services,” Kanukai Madende the Managing Director of Village Finance.

The digital fair enhanced the visibility of digital solutions within sub-national agricultural platforms, laying the groundwork for broader adoption and policy integration. FAO remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s digital transformation journey, ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of modern, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.