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Senqu Bridge launch a key achievement in Lesotho Highlands Water Project 

Source: Government of South Africa

Senqu Bridge launch a key achievement in Lesotho Highlands Water Project 

The recently launched Senqu Bridge in Mokhotlong in the Kingdom of Lesotho represents a landmark achievement under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Cabinet said on Wednesday.

The new bridge will ensure uninterrupted access to Mokhotlong, Sani Pass and surrounding areas.

Addressing a post -Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said the project has contributed significantly to the upliftment of the economy of Lesotho with South Africa constructing hundreds of kilometres of roads to improve access to remote dam sites and providing royalty payments of approximately R3.8 billion annually to the country’s fiscus under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

“The Lesotho Highlands Water Project ensures Gauteng has access to bulk water through the Vaal Water system whilst Lesotho generates hydropower and supports the provision of potable water, irrigation, fisheries, and the promotion of tourism,” Ntshavheni said.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the official launch of the bridge saying it is a testament of the deep-seated relationship between the two countries. 

The Senqu Bridge, constructed at an estimated cost of R2.4 billion, is the largest of three major crossings being developed under Phase II of the LHWP. 

Measuring approximately 825 metres in length and rising about 90 metres above the river valley, the bridge will play a critical role in maintaining connectivity across the Polihali Reservoir once water levels rise. 

The Senqu Bridge forms part of the broader LHWP, a multi-phased, treaty-based partnership between South Africa and Lesotho established on 24 October 1986 to address water security, energy generation and socio-economic development.

Last week, President Ramaphosa called for urgent, coordinated action across all three spheres of government to resolve South Africa’s deepening water crisis, warning that poor municipal performance is placing an increasing burden on ordinary citizens. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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Cabinet updated on Hammanskraal Clean Water Project

Source: Government of South Africa

Cabinet updated on Hammanskraal Clean Water Project

Cabinet has at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday received a progress report on the Hammanskraal Clean Water Project that is driven by Magalies Water under the Department of Water and Sanitation and the City of Tshwane. 

Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on completion, the project will provide potable water to approximately 47 550 households, serving an estimated 180 679 residents.

“Cabinet noted that all four modules on the part of the project which is delivered under Magalies Water has been constructed and tested, enabling the system to produce up to 50 ML of treated water per day,” Ntshavheni said. 

The Minister of Water and Sanitation will later in the week inspect the project and outstanding works by the City of Tshwane to ensure full access to water for the communities of Hammanskraal. 

The Department of Water and Sanitation also updated Cabinet on progress with regards to unblocking water projects and the status of municipal debt to water boards, which pose a severe risk to water security and the financial viability of these boards. 

Winter Electricity Outlook 

Meanwhile, Cabinet welcomed the Winter Electricity Outlook presented by Eskom, which indicated that load shedding is unlikely between April and August, marking a significant turning point in the nation’s energy journey.

“Cabinet further welcomed progress in addressing load reduction with 352 968 customers no longer affected by load reduction during peak periods,” Ntshavheni said. 

The Minister said load reduction has been eliminated in Northern Cape and Western Cape.

The next five provinces are due for load reduction elimination in 2026 and then Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal will have their load reduction challenges eliminated by 2027. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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Cabinet condemns fake videos of attacks on foreign nationals amid protests

Source: Government of South Africa

Cabinet condemns fake videos of attacks on foreign nationals amid protests

Cabinet has condemned the viral circulation of fake videos and images claiming to be of attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. 

“The fake videos and images… are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally and undermine South Africa’s pursuit of a better Africa agenda.

“South Africans are within their right to protest against the spiralling illegal immigration challenge, but violence linked to those protests in the past is not acceptable and law enforcement must deal with the instigators of such violence,” said Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Thursday at a post Cabinet briefing in Cape Town.

This as demonstrations against undocumented immigrants have spread across several major cities in South Africa.

Cabinet, Ntshavheni said, condemned the opportunistic attempts to “hijack the genuine concerns of South Africans about high unemployment and limited economic opportunities by mobilising South Africans to destabilise the country, including mobilising attacks on foreign nationals and tribal mobilisation”. 

The Minister reiterated that there is ongoing work to address the problem of illegal immigration, which includes strengthening border management through the work of the Border Management Agency (BMA), speeding up deportations, dealing with criminality within the émigré communities, and protecting jobs and opportunities for South Africans.

Cabinet has directed the Department of Employment and Labour to intensify inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with employment laws across vulnerable sectors such as hospitality, farms, trucking and construction, amongst others.

“Cabinet further directed municipalities to ensure the enforcement of municipal by-laws, with priority on trading by-laws. South Africans must also play their part by refraining from sub-leasing their business licences.

“On a policy level, the Revised White Paper on Immigration addresses constraints with current immigration laws by introducing provisions of ‘first country of safety’ principle, moving refugee reception centres nearest to the border, and a clause to enable relevant departments to designate certain trades, professions, and businesses only for South Africans and refugees,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Indaba places rural infrastructure and inclusive economy under spotlight

Source: Government of South Africa

Indaba places rural infrastructure and inclusive economy under spotlight

Advancing rural infrastructure development and building an inclusive economy will take centre stage as Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso, presides over the National Integrated Rural Development Indaba in Bloemfontein.

The two-day Indaba, held from 7 to 8 May 2026 at Lemo Green Park in the Free State, brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to shape strategies aimed at transforming rural economies and improving livelihoods through targeted infrastructure investment and inclusive growth.

The indaba seeks to ensure meaningful participation from grassroots rural communities alongside government, traditional leaders, the private sector, civil society, academia, and development practitioners.

The engagement is designed to encourage shared ownership of local economic transformation initiatives and rural infrastructure developmental initiatives tailored to address their specific needs and contexts, for an integrated and inclusive rural economy, leading toward sustainable development.

The event is expected to attract between 2 500 and 3 000 delegates representing various sectors.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, is also participating in the indaba. His participation underscores the department’s mandate to promote integrated planning, monitor the implementation of government priorities and evaluate the impact of government programmes and interventions.

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation emphasised that rural development remains a key cross-cutting priority requiring coordinated planning, effective implementation, and strong intergovernmental collaboration to achieve meaningful developmental outcomes.

“The engagement is consistent with the priorities of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) and the National Development Plan (NDP), both of which emphasise the importance of inclusive economic growth, reduced inequality, improved livelihoods, spatial transformation, and the development of capable and responsive institutions. 

“Accelerating rural development remains central to government’s efforts to build an inclusive, equitable and prosperous South Africa,” the department said in a statement.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to deliver the closing address on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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SAPS mourns loss of two Tactical Response sergeants

Source: Government of South Africa

SAPS mourns loss of two Tactical Response sergeants

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is mourning the tragic loss of two Tactical Response Team (TRT) sergeants, who lost their lives in a single motor vehicle accident in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

At the time of the accident, the members were travelling to Pretoria on Tuesday evening to testify in cases before court when the State vehicle they were travelling in reportedly lost control, resulting in the fatal crash.

At the time of their passing, both members were deployed as part of the eManguzi Task Team in KZN, where they were actively involved in combating cross-border crimes.

The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, friends and colleagues of the deceased members.

“The loss of these dedicated officers is a devastating blow to the organisation. They served the country with commitment and courage. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones during this painful time.” said Dimpane.

SAPS also extended sympathy to the colleagues of the fallen members, particularly those within the eManguzi Task Team, who worked closely with them in the fight against crime.

The names of the deceased will be released once all immediate family members have been informed. 

The SAPS Employee Health and Wellness unit has been dispatched to provide psychosocial services to the families and colleagues of the members. – SAnews.gov.za

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Canon et SOS Villages d’Enfants au Sénégal s’associent pour soutenir la nouvelle génération grâce au programme Miraisha

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com), leader mondial des solutions d’imagerie, a conclu un partenariat stratégique avec SOS Villages d’Enfants au Sénégal, une organisation non gouvernementale soutenant les jeunes vulnérables, afin d’étendre son initiative phare de développement des compétences, Miraisha. Cette collaboration souligne l’engagement de Canon en faveur de l’autonomisation durable de la jeunesse et d’un impact social concret, le Sénégal étant identifié comme un marché stratégique clé pour 2026.

Étendre la présence de Canon en Afrique

L’expansion de Miraisha au Sénégal s’inscrit dans la continuité de l’engagement de Canon depuis plus d’une décennie à associer innovation et impact concret au sein des communautés africaines. Grâce à cette initiative, les jeunes vulnérables et les équipes des ONG bénéficient d’un accès à des formations pratiques, à du mentorat et à des plateformes réelles d’expression, favorisant le développement de compétences en photographie, vidéographie et narration visuelle.

Rashad Ghani, Directeur de la Business Unit B2C chez Canon Central and North Africa, a déclaré :

« À travers l’Afrique, les jeunes sont créatifs, ingénieux et déterminés à raconter leurs propres histoires. Notre responsabilité est de leur fournir les outils, les compétences et la confiance nécessaires pour transformer ce potentiel en moyens de subsistance durables. Le Sénégal représente pour nous un marché clé, et ce partenariat renforce notre engagement à long terme en faveur de l’employabilité des jeunes tout en aidant les organisations à amplifier leur impact grâce à une narration visuelle percutante. »

Miraisha en action : la créativité des jeunes au service des opportunités

Ancrée dans la philosophie Kyosei de Canon – vivre et travailler ensemble pour le bien commun – l’initiative Miraisha propose aux jeunes âgés de 18 à 35 ans une formation pratique en photographie, vidéographie et narration numérique.

En combinant expertise technique, mentorat et expérience concrète, le programme transforme le potentiel créatif en véritables perspectives de carrière et en opportunités durables.

Ce partenariat s’inscrit naturellement dans la mission de SOS Villages d’Enfants au Sénégal. Depuis le milieu des années 1970, l’organisation soutient les enfants et les jeunes grâce à des programmes de protection, d’éducation et d’accompagnement communautaire dans huit régions du pays, en mettant l’accent sur le développement de compétences créatives et professionnelles favorisant la résilience et l’autonomie.

Points clés du programme

Conçu pour générer un impact mesurable et durable, ce partenariat prévoit des formations ciblées et du mentorat pour les jeunes ainsi que pour les équipes des ONG.

Les équipes de communication de SOS participeront à un atelier intensif de trois jours consacré à la photographie et à la vidéographie au service du plaidoyer, afin de renforcer leur capacité à communiquer leur impact à travers des visuels puissants.

Des ateliers destinés aux jeunes seront organisés à Dakar et à Kaolack, accueillant 20 à 25 participants par site. À l’issue de la formation, deux participants seront sélectionnés pour bénéficier d’un mentorat de trois mois avec un formateur Canon dédié, afin de perfectionner davantage leurs compétences.

Afin d’assurer la durabilité du programme, des clubs de photographie seront également créés au sein des sites SOS Villages d’Enfants, favorisant l’apprentissage entre pairs, la collaboration créative et le développement continu des compétences.

« Ce partenariat offre aux jeunes vulnérables bien plus que des compétences techniques : il leur donne confiance et une voix », a déclaré Papa Daouda Diop, Directeur national de SOS Villages d’Enfants au Sénégal. « La narration visuelle est essentielle pour notre plaidoyer et nos activités de collecte de fonds, car elle nous permet de partager les réalités auxquelles nos enfants sont confrontés ainsi que leurs progrès. Au-delà de renforcer nos communications, ces compétences ouvrent de nouvelles opportunités d’emploi et d’indépendance. »

S’appuyer sur un succès déjà établi à travers l’Afrique

L’expansion de Miraisha au Sénégal s’appuie sur une décennie d’impact transformateur à travers l’Afrique, où le programme a déjà permis à des milliers de jeunes de développer des compétences en photographie, vidéographie et narration numérique.

Au Kenya, des ateliers organisés à KCA University ont permis à des étudiants de se lancer dans des carrières de freelances et dans l’entrepreneuriat créatif.

Au Nigeria, des sessions de photographie de rue à Lagos ont aidé des participants à constituer des portfolios professionnels leur permettant d’obtenir des missions rémunérées.

Au Maroc, la collaboration avec SOS Villages d’Enfants a renforcé les capacités de communication des ONG tout en ouvrant des opportunités de travail indépendant pour les jeunes.

Ces réussites illustrent la capacité constante du programme Miraisha à transformer les talents créatifs en moyens de subsistance durables tout en renforçant la manière dont les communautés et les organisations racontent leurs histoires.

Le Sénégal : un marché stratégique

Avec plus de la moitié de sa population âgée de moins de 25 ans, le Sénégal présente à la fois un immense potentiel et des défis importants. Seuls 48,2 % des jeunes participent au marché du travail, contre 69 % des adultes, ce qui reflète des obstacles persistants à l’emploi ainsi qu’un accès limité à des formations pratiques et à des compétences dans les industries créatives.

Les ONG et les organisations communautaires ont également besoin d’outils de communication plus solides pour renforcer leur plaidoyer et mobiliser les donateurs.

L’investissement de Canon au Sénégal répond directement à ces besoins interconnectés, renforçant l’importance stratégique du pays comme marché prioritaire pour ses initiatives d’impact social en 2026.

Perspectives

Le partenariat entre Canon et SOS Villages d’Enfants au Sénégal souligne l’investissement continu de l’entreprise dans la jeunesse et les industries créatives du pays. À mesure que Miraisha se développe en Afrique de l’Ouest, Canon ambitionne de devenir un véritable moteur de développement des compétences et d’autonomisation des communautés. En permettant aux jeunes de raconter leurs propres histoires à travers la narration visuelle, l’entreprise contribue à ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives économiques tout en générant un impact social significatif à travers le continent.

Distribué par APO Group pour Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Electoral Commission launches journal on African elections

Source: Government of South Africa

Electoral Commission launches journal on African elections

Ahead of the Local Government Elections to be held in November, the  Electoral Commission in partnership with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) have launched the inaugural Special Issue of the Journal of African Elections.

Launched in Johannesburg on Wednesday, the special issue is a continuation of the national dialogue on political funding framework. 

The publication tackles key challenges in political finance, including tensions between public and private funding, risks of undue influence, and regulatory gaps. 

It also underscores the need for stronger institutional capacity and sustained political will. 
The Commission said the edition brings together nine double blind peer-reviewed academic articles, each contributing to a richer and more nuanced understanding of political funding in South Africa.

Collectively, they are organised around four interrelated themes: 
• The first theme explores the theoretical foundations of political financing engaging with key conceptual questions. 
• The second theme focuses on public funding of political parties. 
• The third theme examines private financing an influential yet often less transparent area. 
• The fourth theme provides a comparative analysis of political funding approaches. 

Speaking at the launch, the Electoral Commission’s Chairperson Mosotho Moepya, said: “Democracy is expensive. But the cost of authoritarianism is higher and comes at the cost of personal freedoms and in economic stagnation resulting in harsh living standards for the majority in society.” 

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sy Mamabolo who is also one of the co-editors of the special edition said the publication is intended to serve as both a scholarly resource and a catalyst for ongoing debate, policy innovation, and the strengthening of democracy. 

“What emerges from this collection is not a single, unified conclusion, but rather a textured and dynamic conversation. The strength of this special issue lies in its diversity of perspectives, methodological, theoretical and normative,” Mamabolo said.

In his remarks Mamabolo said political financing remains one of the most consequential and contested dimensions of democratic governance. 

“It shapes the competitiveness of elections, the accountability of political actors, and ultimately the trust that citizens place in democratic institutions. Yet it is also an area marked by complexity, opacity, and persistent reform debates. It is precisely for this reason that sustained scholarly engagement is both necessary and urgent,” he said.

He added that “that democracy is never a finished project.”

“The regulation of political finance will continue to evolve, shaped by legal reforms, political realities, and societal expectations. It is our hope that this special edition will serve not only as a scholarly resource but also as a catalyst for ongoing debate, policy innovation, and democratic strengthening,” he said.

The launch coincided with the 15th anniversary of EISA, marking a moment of reflection on its role in strengthening electoral integrity, advancing research and promoting democratic practice and dialogue across the region. 

The print edition Journal of African Elections Special Issue will made available at institutions of higher education, libraries, community libraries, community centres and an online version is available and can be accessed through the Electoral Commission’s official platforms as well as EISA website. 

It can also be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/37b3366n 
Members of the public, researchers and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the publication to deepen their understanding of political funding and its impact on democratic governance. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming Local Government Elections, setting the stage for political parties and voters to begin preparations.

The Commission has welcomed the announcement of the date for the country’s upcoming Local Government Elections, describing it as a key milestone in preparations for the polls. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Thinking of a gift for Mother’s Day? Support equal nationality rights for mothers for the well-being of African families

Source: APO

This Mother’s Day, countries across Africa will celebrate mothers and the importance of family life. Yet as we honour motherhood and the important role of families, seven countries in Africa continue to be among the 24 globally with nationality laws (https://Legal-Atlas.EqualNationalityRights.org) that deny women the right to confer nationality on their children on an equal basis with men. Additionally, nationality laws in approximately 40% of African countries (https://apo-opa.co/4tlbZZO) do not provide women with the same rights as men to confer nationality on a noncitizen spouse.

Gender-discriminatory nationality laws undermine African women’s equal citizenship, cause other wide-ranging rights violations and hardships, are a leading cause of statelessness, contribute to gender-based violence, including child marriage and human trafficking, and inhibit sustainable development. Children denied their mother’s nationality (https://apo-opa.co/3QWnN79) face obstacles in accessing education, healthcare, social services, employment as adults, property rights and even family unity. Some are rendered stateless, not counted as citizens of any country.

The Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights (GCENR) (www.EqualNationalityRights.org), a coalition of national and international organizations dedicated to ending gender discrimination in nationality laws, recently joined with longstanding partners Equality Now (https://apo-opa.co/49hkZru), the Global Alliance to End Statelessness (https://StatelessnessAlliance.org), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (www.IPU.org), the UN Refugee Agency (https://apo-opa.co/4tgU4Dz), and UN Women (www.UNWomen.org) to hold the Africa Multistakeholder Convening on Achieving Gender Equality in Nationality Laws to expedite action to realize gender equality in nationality laws across the continent.

Equality in nationality rights is not only a legal obligation – it is fundamental to human dignity and to the protection of families. When women are denied the equal right to confer nationality, the consequences are profound: children risk statelessness, families face separation and hardship.

“Discriminatory nationality laws perpetuate exclusion across generations. But we at UNHCR know that change is within reach. By working together with States, civil society, and international partners, we can end this injustice, uphold every child’s right to a nationality, and build more inclusive, resilient societies for all.” – Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR

“My children, born of my body, raised with my love, rocked by my stories of our native land, were considered as foreigners at home. Our household was divided in two: the citizen mother; and the stateless children. It was not only an administrative problem. It was an intimate wound… I felt less of a citizen than my father, than my brothers. The law sent me back the image of a second-class woman, incapable of protecting her own offspring.

“When the President promulgated the reform, something magical happened in me. It was not just a new rule in a code. It was a recognition… For the first time, the State looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘You are a citizen fully. Your place in the nation is as legitimate as that of a man. Your link with your child is as sacred and recognized as that of the father.’”
– Clarisse Nirinasoa, Impacted Madagascan Mother

Momentum for all nationality laws to uphold women’s equal citizenship

We have seen the willingness of African governments, parliamentarians, and civil society to address this man-made problem that is holding countries back. The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa provides a clear legal and political framework for reform and firmly grounds the imperative to end gender discrimination in nationality laws in Africa’s own human rights system.

Anna Mutavati, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, UN Women, explains, “Gender discrimination in nationality laws is first and foremost a gender equality issue. We therefore call on all Member States to embody the principle of gender equality in line with CEDAW, and the new African Union Protocol on the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness, across all aspects of their legal systems, including by reforming discriminatory laws.”

At the Africa Multistakeholder Convening on Achieving Gender Equality in Nationality Laws, held in Nairobi in February, participants, including government, parliamentary and civil society representatives from Burundi, Eswatini, Mauritania, Somalia and Togo affirmed their strong commitment to mobilise support for reforms to uphold women’s right to confer nationality on an equal basis with men. The convening resulted in the development of clear roadmaps for multistakeholder action to achieve the reforms needed for gender-equal nationality laws.

“Gender-equal nationality laws are not only the right thing to do – to uphold women and men’s equal citizenship – but they are the smart thing to do, to support inclusive, sustainable development and secure, peaceful societies. Several African countries with gender-discriminatory nationality laws have already demonstrated their commitment to uphold equal nationality rights, including through constitutional provisions upholding equality. Now reforms are needed in those countries to bring nationality laws into alignment to clarify this commitment to gender equality.”
– Catherine Harrington, Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights Director

Parliaments called to action to end gender discrimination in nationality laws

On Mother’s Day and the International Day of the Family, we urge African governments and parliaments to act now by amending discriminatory nationality laws and ratifying and domesticating the African Union Protocol on the Right to a Nationality.

“We must no longer let gender discriminatory nationality laws condemn women and men, girls and boys from our continent to statelessness and exclusion. Parliaments have the tools and opportunity to make a change. They can foster strong political will. As decision-makers, parliamentarians can push for legislative reforms on nationality laws, even amidst complex and sensitive settings. Parliaments can be the voice of the voiceless. They are well-positioned to listen and address misconceptions, alleviate misunderstandings and lead by example. Addressing gender inequality requires a societal change and parliamentarians can be the champions of such a change.” – Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General

Women’s equal nationality rights will protect families and prevent statelessness

African mothers and their children cannot wait: equal nationality rights must be guaranteed in law and in practice to protect families, uphold women’s equal citizenship, and prevent statelessness. We pledge our support to realising gender-equal nationality rights across Africa and beyond.

“Discriminatory laws are not only founded on stereotypes; they also reinforce stereotypical roles for both women and men. When gender-equal nationality laws are guaranteed, they create ripple effects that transform societies. Our rallying call is for Member States of the African Union to repeal and/or amend sexist nationality laws to ensure that women are able to pass on their nationality and all its benefits to their children and spouses on the same basis with men. We also urge them to sign and ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa to fulfil their obligations on equal nationality rights.”- Esther Waweru, Associate Director, Legal Equality

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now.

For media requests, please contact:
Catherine Harrington
Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights Director
catherineh@wrcommission.org

Michelle Tuva
Regional Communications Officer
mtuva@equalitynow.org

About The Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights:
The Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights is a coalition of national and international organizations, independent activists and UN partner agencies working to end gender discrimination in nationality laws and housed at Women’s Refugee Commission.

About Equality Now:
Equality Now is an international human rights organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of all women and girls around the world and is a founding steering committee member of the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights.

About The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. It promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works with peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.

About UNHCR:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and others forced to flee conflict and persecution. It is also mandated to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness, and to protect stateless persons.

About UN Women:
UN Women advances women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead United Nations entity on gender equality and secretariat of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (https://apo-opa.co/4weGBPf), UN Women shifts laws, institutions, social norms, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. Partnerships with governments, women’s movements, and the private sector (https://apo-opa.co/42mHjfD), coupled with our coordination of the broader United Nations (https://apo-opa.co/48PuxtM), deliver lasting changes.

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Canon and SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal Join Forces to Empower the Next Generation Through Miraisha

Source: APO

Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com), a global leader in imaging solutions, has forged a strategic partnership with SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal, a non-governmental organisation supporting vulnerable youth, to expand its flagship Miraisha skills development initiative. This collaboration underscores Canon’s commitment to sustainable youth empowerment and meaningful social impact, with Senegal identified as a key strategic focus market for 2026.

Expanding Canon’s African Footprint

Miraisha’s expansion in Senegal builds on Canon’s decade-long commitment to blending innovation with tangible community impact across Africa. Through this initiative, vulnerable youth and NGO staff gain access to hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world platforms that nurture creative expression and strengthen skills in photography, videography, and visual storytelling. Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa, said, “Across Africa, young people are creative, resourceful, and driven to share their own stories. Our responsibility is to equip them with the tools, skills and confidence to transform that potential into sustainable livelihoods. Turn those talents into livelihoods Senegal is a key market for us, and this partnership reinforces our long-term commitment to advancing youth employability while empowering organisations to amplify their impact through compelling visual storytelling.”

Miraisha in Motion: Youth Creativity Meets Opportunity

Rooted in Canon’s philosophy of Kyosei, living and working together for the common good. The Miraisha initiative equips young people aged 18–35 with practical training in photography, videography, and digital storytelling. By combining technical expertise, mentorship, and real-world experience, the programme transforms creative potential into tangible career pathways and sustainable opportunities. This partnership serves as a natural extension of the mission of SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal. Since the mid-1970s, the NGO has supported children and youth with care, education, and community support across eight regions, emphasising the importance of developing employable and creative skills for resilience and independence.

Programme Highlights

Designed to deliver measurable long – term impact, the partnership provides targeted training and mentorship for youth and NGO staff. SOS communications teams will participate in an intensive three-day workshop focused on advocacy-driven photography and videography, strengthening their ability to communicate impact through powerful visuals. Youth workshops in Dakar and Kaolack will host 20–25 participants at each site, by the end of the training two chosen students will go on to receive a three-month mentorship with a dedicated Canon trainer to further enhance their skills.  To ensure sustainability, photography clubs across SOS Children’s Villages sites will be established to encourage peer learning, creative collaboration, and continuous skills development.

“This partnership empowers vulnerable youth by giving them more than just technical skills – it gives them confidence and a voice,” said Papa Daouda Diop, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal. “Visual storytelling is crucial for our advocacy and fundraising, helping us share the realities our children face and the progress they make. Beyond stronger communications, these skills open new opportunities for employment and independence.”

Building on Proven Success Across Africa

The expansion of Miraisha in Senegal builds on a decade of transformative impact across Africa, where the programme has equipped thousands of young people in photography, videography, and digital storytelling. In Kenya, workshops at KCA University have enabled students to transition into freelance careers and creative entrepreneurship. In Nigeria, street photography sessions in Lagos enabled participants to build professional portfolios that led to paid assignments. In Morocco, collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages strengthened NGO communication channels while opening freelance opportunities for youth. These success stories demonstrate how Miraisha consistently translates creative skills into livelihoods and stronger community communications. Collectively, these success stories highlight Miraisha’s consistent ability to convert creative talent into sustainable livelihoods while strengthening how communities and organisations share their stories.

Senegal: A Strategic Focus Market

With over half its population under 25, Senegal faces both promise and challenge. Only 48.2% of youth participate in the labour market, compared to 69% of adults, reflecting persistent barriers to employment and limited access to practical training and skills in the creative industries. NGOs and community groups also require stronger communication tools to advocate and engage donors. Canon’s investment in Senegal directly responds to these interconnected needs, reinforcing the country’s strategic importance as a priority market for its social impact initiatives in 2026.

Looking Ahead

Canon’s partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Senegal underlines its ongoing investment in the country’s youth and creative industries. As Miraisha grows in West Africa, Canon aims to serve as a driver of community skills and empowerment. By enabling young people to tell their own stories through visual storytelling, the company is helping unlock pathways to economic opportunity while advancing meaningful social impact across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://apo-opa.co/4tYj6IP) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

For more information: www.Canon-CNA.com

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Polygon launches first full-scale Display & Video (DV) campaign in Nigeria, marking a new milestone for data-driven outdoor in Africa

Source: APO

Polygon (https://PDOOH.co.za), Africa’s largest aggregated programmatic digital out of home (pDOOH) publisher network, has announced the launch of its first full-scale Display & Video 360 (DV360) campaign in Nigeria; a milestone that highlights the growing maturity of pDOOH across the continent.

The campaign, executed in Lagos State for Schweppes, represents the first time a Google-based enterprise media buying platform has been used to deliver a pDOOH campaign at scale in Nigeria. It also marks Polygon’s first fully realised campaign in the market, following a series of earlier test runs.

At the centre of the campaign is a highly localised dynamic creative optimisation (DCO) approach, which sees the development of more than 500 unique creative executions, each tailored to the precise location of a billboard and its surrounding retail environment. Consumers are served context-specific messaging that directs them to nearby Schweppes stockists, with copy dynamically calling out store names and proximity – for example, “Get yours at Sessy and Folly Enterprises – just 140m away!”

Says Remi du Preez, Managing Director at Polygon: “This campaign is an exciting example of where the medium is heading in Africa, as we move beyond static messaging into something far more responsive and relevant.”

The campaign is currently live across Lagos, with screens strategically positioned in high-traffic roadside environments. Polygon’s infrastructure enabled the geofencing of retail locations within a defined radius of each screen, ensuring that messaging remained locally relevant and actionable. The campaign roll-out also saw the use of one of West Africa’s largest digital screens – a 600sqm large-format site – creating an even greater sense of presence for the brand.

Beyond its immediate impact, Du Preez says the campaign serves as a broader proof point for the African market. “Programmatic DOOH in Africa is now fully operational, scalable and delivering at a global standard. What we’ve demonstrated here is that markets like Nigeria can support geo-targeted, data-driven, dynamic campaigns in the same way more mature markets do. The infrastructure works.”

He adds that unlocking new markets often depends on early adopters willing to test and learn, but that success tends to accelerate momentum quickly. “In every new market, you need a client that’s willing to lead. Once that first campaign proves itself, confidence follows – and we’re already seeing increased interest from advertisers looking to enter the Nigerian pDOOH space.”

Polygon currently has access to the majority of roadside DOOH inventory in Nigeria, spanning key urban centres including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano,  positioning the network to scale future campaigns rapidly.

Du Preez says that this latest campaign forms part of Polygon’s broader strategy to build a unified DOOH ecosystem across Africa, offering advertisers a single point of entry into a fragmented but rapidly evolving media landscape.

“And now – by linking media exposure to real-world proximity and behaviour – we’re moving closer to bridging the gap between brand and performance in OOH, which is something advertisers have wanted for years,” concludes Du Preez.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Polygon.

About Polygon:
Polygon is a programmatic aggregated digital out of home (DOOH) publisher network, making up a network of thousands of screens. The network is specifically designed to maximise performance in omni-channel advertising campaigns while integrating accredited audience data using world-class technology. Polygon offers advertisers a single point of entry into the continent’s largest network of DOOH inventory, allowing them to target audience sets across multiple touchpoints and venues along the customer journey.

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