MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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The World Bank Board of Directors approved the Second Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP2) which will strengthen the country’s social protection systems and scale up safety net support to twelve million citizens, including elderly, women, adolescents, children and other age specific vulnerable groups–while advancing human capital development and economic inclusion.

The KSEIP2, a successor to the recently completed Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP), will build on the success and lessons learned from the relevant interventions implemented to enhance delivery systems for inclusive access to social and economic inclusion. It is financed by a $127.5 million investment from the International Development Association (IDA).

“Inclusive growth and poverty reduction are realized when there are more and better jobs as well as more accessible jobs for the poorest and most vulnerable populations,” said Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director for Kenya. “The project’s innovative elements will prepare today’s children and adolescents for healthy and productive adulthoods, help poorer families with sustainable livelihood enhancement, and ensure that hard-won gains are not lost to food insecurity during the times of drought or other crises.”

The project will scale up cash-plus programs for targeted age groups, complementing the existing cash transfers provided under the government’s flagship National Safety Net Program (NSNP). KSEIP2 will promote inclusive and sustainable employment through the introduction of climate-resilient income-generating activities and by linking beneficiaries to government social insurance schemes for long-term savings and resilience.

Given Kenya’s vulnerability to recurrent droughts in the North and Northeastern Counties, the project will also strengthen the efficacy of social protection system through investments in modernization and provision of emergency social assistance as temporary support to offset the adverse impact of such crisis.

“The Government of Kenya is committed to supporting opportunities for every Kenyan family to sustainably exit poverty and vulnerability. The KSEIP2 Project supports the government’s ambition on disrupting the vicious cycle of poverty by focusing on investments in children and adolescents, as well as households with productive capacity,” said Shubha Chakravarty, Senior Economist and the Task Team Leader, World Bank. “This objective will be achieved by working in synergy with other relevant government programs.”

The project is consistent with the FY23-FY28 World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF), particularly with the objectives of increasing household resilience, national preparedness for shocks response, and priorities around human capital development and jobs agenda. It is also in line with Kenya’s vision 2030 while supporting the constitutional commitment to “provide social security for all Kenyans who cannot support themselves”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama has announced that, beginning with the next cocoa season, Ghanaian cocoa farmers will receive no less than 70 per cent of the prevailing world market price for their produce.

Addressing a grand durbar of chiefs and residents in Juaboso on Tuesday, the President declared: “Let me be clear: we will honour our promise to pay our hardworking farmers 70 per cent of the world market price of cocoa. The sweat of our cocoa farmers deserves dignity and a fair reward.”

Key highlights

1. 70 % price guarantee: The new pricing formula will be reflected in the producer price set by the Producer Price Review Committee ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 crop year.

2. President Mahama announced that construction works will commence this quarter on the Juaboso–Asawinso trunk road, along with 120 km of feeder roads that link farming communities to key buying centres.

3. Government will distribute five million hybrid seedlings and scale up fertiliser subsidies to increase yields and maintain Ghana’s position as the world’s leading cocoa producer.

An additional 10,000 young people are being enrolled in the Cocoa Rehabilitation & Youth Entrepreneurship Programme to rejuvenate aged farms and create decent jobs in the sector.

President Mahama described cocoa as “the lifeblood of our rural economy” and emphasised that sustaining farmers’ livelihoods is central to Ghana’s growth agenda. The chiefs commended the President for honouring his pledges and called for continued collaboration to improve health, education, and market access in cocoa-growing areas.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has reinforced its support to Tanzania’s post-Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) recovery by handing over essential medical equipment worth over TZS 112 million to health authorities in Biharamulo District, one of the areas most affected by the outbreak.

The equipment package includes personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic tools, hospital beds, and emergency medical kits, critical to restoring routine health services and enhancing outbreak preparedness at the district level.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony, Dr. Galbert Fedjo, acting WHO Representative in Tanzania, reaffirmed WHO’s long-term support: “This handover is part of a broader commitment to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities in Tanzania. We are proud to stand with the Government and the people of Tanzania on the road from recovery to resilience.”

The donation is part of a larger post-Marburg support package made possible through funding from the Government of the United Kingdom via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Beyond medical supplies, the support has also contributed to risk communication, psychosocial recovery, and training of health workers across affected regions.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Government, The Director of Emergency at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Erasto Sylvanus, expressed appreciation to WHO and partners: “This support comes at a critical time as we continue to strengthen our health systems and ensure our frontline workers are equipped to handle future health emergencies. We thank WHO and the UK Government for standing with us.”

The Marburg Virus Disease outbreak was officially declared in March and successfully contained through rapid response efforts led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and partners. Today’s handover marks a significant step in the recovery phase and in enhancing Tanzania’s long-term public health emergency preparedness.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.

Source: APO

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On July 16, the first Invest Zambia International Conference was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. The three-day event, themed “Driving Generational Transformative Investments through Joint Ventures and Partnerships”, attracted participation from government departments, enterprises, financial institutions, industry organizations and diplomats from over 20 countries, totaling more than 1,500 attendees.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. He stated that Zambia has created a stable, predictable, and investor-friendly environment with immense development potential in sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and processing. Investors from various countries, including China, have made significant contributions to Zambia’s economic and social development. The Zambian government will strive to foster a better business environment and welcomes global investors to establish joint ventures in Zambia, boosting economic growth, job creation, value addition and technological innovation.

Ambassador Han Jing was present and delivered remarks. He noted that the practical cooperation between China and Zambia has flourished dynamically under the strategic guidance of the two head of state. China is Zambia’s largest source of investment, second-largest trading partner and the largest sponsor of this conference. Chinese enterprises, active across all sectors of Zambia’s economy and society, are vital participants and contributors to the nation’s development. The Chinese government consistently requires all Chinese enterprises to operate in compliance with laws and regulations and actively fulfill social responsibilities. Simultaneously, Ambassador Han stated China’s expectation that the Zambian government and all sectors of society will create a more favorable environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in Zambia.

Prior to the opening ceremony, Ambassador Han Jing accompanied President Hichilema on a tour of the Chinese enterprises exhibition. During the opening ceremony, they jointly witnessed the signing of multiple investment cooperation agreements between Chinese enterprises and Zambian counterparts in fields including power construction and new energy vehicles.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.

Source: APO

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Sierra Leone has taken a critical step toward advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the convening of a high-level policy dialogue on the draft Sierra Leone Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SLAUHC) Bill. Organized on 6 May 2025 by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the one-day engagement brought together over 60 senior leaders in Freetown, including ministers, directors, and technical heads from across the health sector.

The proposed SLAUHC Bill outlines the establishment of a dedicated agency that will integrate and manage two major national health financing mechanisms, the Free Healthcare Initiative (FHCI) and the Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance Scheme (SLeSHI). The unified governance structure aims to address current fragmentation, improve the efficiency of health financing, and accelerate the country’s progress toward achieving UHC.

“This Bill is a transformative step in Sierra Leone’s journey toward sustainable health financing,” said Dr. Ibrahim F. Kamara, speaking on behalf of the WHO Country Representative. “It will strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability, and ensure equitable access to health services, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.”

The engagement served three key objectives: a comprehensive review of the draft legislation, consensus-building among stakeholders, and alignment with the Ministry of Health’s UHC Roadmap and SLeSHI implementation framework. The outcome is a consolidated and informed policy position ahead of the bill’s submission to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Sartie Kenneh emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to UHC: “the name and scope of the bill must reflect the broader dimensions required to achieve UHC. While health financing is a critical pillar, it is only one part of the equation. No healthcare service is truly free, while it may be free at the point of delivery, someone ultimately bears the cost. Therefore, we must collectively design a sustainable health financing model that ensures long-term viability. It is also prudent to allow the Free Healthcare Initiative and the Social Health Insurance Scheme to operate in tandem, to optimize coverage and ensure the full spectrum of healthcare costs is addressed.”

The proposed SLAUHC Agency responds to longstanding structural challenges in the health financing landscape. Currently, out-of-pocket payments account for 56% of total health expenditure, well above the sub-Saharan Africa average of 30%. Less than 1% of Sierra Leone’s population is covered by any social health protection scheme, exposing many to catastrophic health spending and pushing households further into poverty. Moreover, with 75% of health financing reliant on donor contributions, ensuring coherence with national priorities remains a pressing issue.

The draft bill is grounded in the Ministry’s Health Financing Strategy 2021–2025, which calls for the creation of a Universal Health Coverage Fund, integration with SLeSHI, and the development of operational and regulatory systems to support long-term health sector sustainability.

WHO has reaffirmed its full technical support to the Ministry in the finalization and operationalization of the SLAUHC Bill. This includes support for institutional design, capacity strengthening, cost-containment mechanisms, and the establishment of care quality and priority-setting frameworks.

Once enacted, the SLAUHC Agency will serve as a central institution for resource mobilization, regulation of financial flows, and oversight of major health benefit programs. It is expected to play a pivotal role in improving efficiency, transparency, and equity in health service delivery.

This high-level dialogue marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s health sector reform agenda. It paves the way for the establishment of a National Health Insurance Scheme and reinforces the country’s commitment to achieving health for all, leaving no one behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.