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Radisson Hotel Group leads with Verified Net Zero hotels and highlights Think People, Community, and Planet actions in its 2025 Responsible Business Report

Source: APO – Report:

In a rapidly evolving operating environment shaped by shifting guest expectations, climate risk, and increasing regulatory requirements, sustainability continues to guide the Group’s strategic direction. Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) remains committed to supporting careers and communities, as well as achieving Net Zero by 2050. The Group focuses on strengthening the long-term competitiveness of its hotels and owners through sustainability and contributes to the transition toward a low-carbon hospitality sector.

The report highlights how this strategy is being embedded across the business through a structured five-year plan and operational priorities focused on energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and responsible resource use.

A key milestone in 2025 was the launch of the Group’s first Verified Net Zero hotels, establishing a scalable model for reducing emissions across both existing and new properties. These projects demonstrate that meaningful decarbonization can be achieved within operational hotel environments.

The report also provides a transparent view of performance across Radisson Hotel Group’s Think People, Think Community, and Think Planet pillars, translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes across its global portfolio. This ensures that sustainability remains embedded in decision-making, building trust with guests, owners, partners, and team members, while supporting long-term value creation.

Highlights from the report include:

Think People

People are at the heart of Radisson Hotel Group’s success, with a strong focus on investment in talent development, well-being, and inclusive career growth across its global team of more than 75,000 team members in over 100 countries. The Radisson People Foundation, launched in 2024 to support team members in times of need, assisted more than 250 team members globally. Additional progress includes:

  • 84% team member engagement score, outperforming the industry average by 18%
  • 31% of women in leadership positions, supporting greater gender balance
  • 206 hotels certified by Safehotels, strengthening safety and security for guests and teams

Radisson Hotel Group continues to invest in learning and growth, with its Radisson Academy delivering more than 8.5 million learning hours and 40% of job openings filled internally, reflecting a clear commitment to career progression.

Think Community

The Group continues to create shared value in the wider value chain and communities it is part of through local initiatives and global programs. Its partnership with Just a Drop has helped provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene access to more than 34,000 people. Further impact in 2025 includes:

  • €890,000 in cash and in-kind donations globally
  • 79,000 volunteer hours contributed by hotel and corporate teams
  • EcoVadis Silver Medal, with 76% of global suppliers assessed, reinforcing responsible sourcing practices

These initiatives support community access to essential resources and bolster the Group’s commitment to ethical and inclusive business practices.

Think Planet

Radisson Hotel Group is transitioning to Net Zero by 2050, focusing on the adoption of sustainable building standards, renewable energy, and resource-efficient hotel operations. The new Verified Net Zero program provides a practical, scalable model for reducing emissions across the hotel portfolio. Key milestones include:

  • 23% reduction in emissions intensity per square meter versus the 2019 baseline
  • 6% reduction in total Scope 1 and 2 emissions versus 2019 (24%), while the portfolio grew by 20%
  • 78 hotels operating on 100% renewable electricity, with aims to continue expansion of renewable energy sourcing

In 2025, the Group opened its first Verified Net Zero Hotels in Manchester City Centre and Oslo City Centre, demonstrating how existing and new hotels can operate with significantly reduced carbon emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3, and still maintain high guest experience and operational standards.

The 2025 report marks an important step forward in transparency and accountability. It is the Group’s first Responsible Business Report aligned with the European Union’s Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME) reporting framework, based on a double materiality approach that identifies and manages key environmental, social, and governance impacts, risks, and opportunities.

To explore how Radisson Hotel Group is making a meaningful impact every day, download the full report here (https://apo-opa.co/49wpLkZ).

– on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.

Media Contact:
Saadiyah Hendricks,
Director Global Corporate & Area PR and Social Media (MEA, MED, SEAP) 
Saadiyah.hendricks@radissonhotels.com

 Or connect with Radisson Hotels on:
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Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/493S6PJ
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YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4cSqwaj 
WhatsApp: https://apo-opa.co/4tg8i7u
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About Radisson Hotel Group:
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with more than 1,600 hotels in operation and under development in +100 countries. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.

The Radisson brand portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson — brought together under one commercial umbrella brand, Radisson Hotels.

Radisson Rewards (https://apo-opa.co/42iRhhZ) is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 27 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Radisson Meetings (https://apo-opa.co/3QRR7vA) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions, placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional, and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated.

At Radisson Hotel Group, we care for people, communities, and planet (https://apo-opa.co/3R6AfBg) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as carbon-compensated Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.

For more information, visit our corporate website (https://apo-opa.co/48KPB4v).

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Benoît Faraco, envoyé spécial français pour le climat, participera à l’African Energy Week 2026 alors que la France renforce son partenariat énergétique avec l’Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Benoît Faraco, ambassadeur chargé des négociations climatiques, de l’énergie décarbonée et de la prévention des risques climatiques au ministère français de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères, participera à l’African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, prévue du 12 au 16 octobre au Cap. M. Faraco devrait échanger avec les décideurs politiques, les investisseurs et les dirigeants d’entreprise africains sur l’évolution de l’approche française en matière de diplomatie climatique et sur sa stratégie d’investissement énergétique à travers le continent.

Sa participation intervient à un moment où les pays africains cherchent à mobiliser des capitaux importants pour élargir l’accès à l’énergie et développer de nouvelles capacités de production dans les énergies renouvelables, le gaz naturel et les carburants verts émergents, alors que plus de 600 millions de personnes sur le continent n’ont toujours pas accès à l’électricité. Parallèlement, la France renforce son engagement auprès des marchés énergétiques africains grâce à une stratégie 2026 renouvelée, axée sur le financement climatique, les partenariats en matière d’infrastructures et la coopération industrielle à long terme.

La transition énergétique de l’Afrique représente l’une des plus grandes opportunités inexploitées à l’échelle mondiale. Le continent recèle un potentiel solaire estimé à 482 000 GW, un potentiel éolien annuel d’environ 180 000 TWh et environ 10 % des ressources hydroélectriques mondiales, dont près de 90 % restent inexploitées. L’Afrique se positionne également comme une future plaque tournante de l’hydrogène vert, avec une capacité de production potentielle estimée à 30–60 millions de tonnes par an d’ici 2050. Dans ce contexte, la France s’éloigne progressivement d’un engagement au niveau des projets pour se tourner vers le soutien de systèmes énergétiques intégrés qui relient le développement de l’approvisionnement national aux marchés régionaux et orientés vers l’exportation.

Les investissements français dans le secteur des énergies renouvelables en Afrique continuent de se développer grâce à une combinaison de financements publics, de prêts concessionnels et de participation du secteur privé. L’Agence française de développement (AFD) joue un rôle central dans l’accélération du déploiement, la réduction des risques pour les investisseurs privés et le soutien aux infrastructures de transport et de réseau. Par le biais de son programme « African Renewable Energy Scale-Up », l’AFD apporte entre 20 et 100 millions d’euros par projet, soutenant des développements solaires, éoliens et géothermiques sur de nombreux marchés, notamment en Mauritanie, en Tanzanie, au Kenya et en Ouganda.

Au-delà du financement, les entreprises énergétiques françaises restent parmi les développeurs internationaux les plus actifs dans le secteur de l’électricité en Afrique. EDF Power Solutions vise à multiplier par cinq son portefeuille d’énergies renouvelables sur le continent entre 2024 et 2026, avec l’ambition d’atteindre 3 GW de capacité installée à court terme.

ENGIE continue d’étendre sa présence dans les projets éoliens, solaires, de dessalement, de stockage par batterie et d’hydrogène vert, tandis que TotalEnergies fait progresser des développements énergétiques intégrés sur des marchés tels que le Mozambique, l’Afrique du Sud, la Libye, la Mauritanie, le Maroc, le Rwanda et l’Ouganda – reflétant l’empreinte croissante de la France dans le paysage plus large de la diversification énergétique en Afrique.

« Le potentiel de l’Afrique en matière d’énergies renouvelables représente une opportunité non seulement pour les entreprises françaises, mais aussi pour renforcer la sécurité énergétique à long terme de l’Europe grâce aux échanges d’électricité et de carburants verts », a déclaré NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie. « L’AEW offre une plateforme essentielle pour aligner les stratégies d’investissement, harmoniser les approches politiques et établir des partenariats mutuellement bénéfiques entre l’Afrique et la France. »

Au-delà des énergies renouvelables, la France soutient le développement à long terme de l’énergie nucléaire à travers l’Afrique dans le cadre d’un mix énergétique diversifié. En tant que l’un des principaux producteurs d’énergie nucléaire au monde, elle s’efforce de renforcer les capacités institutionnelles et techniques par le biais d’initiatives telles que le programme INSC Africa, qui aide des pays comme l’Afrique du Sud, l’Égypte, le Ghana, le Kenya, le Maroc et le Nigeria à développer des cadres réglementaires, des systèmes de sûreté et la formation de la main-d’œuvre.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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As empresas globais de tecnologia Unified Digital Group (UDG) e Era juntam-se à primeira edição da vertente de Inteligência Artificial (IA) e Centros de Dados da African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Leo LaBranche, CEO da Unified Digital Group (UDG) – uma empresa global de consultoria e assessoria empresarial – e Geoffrey Levene, sócio da Era – uma empresa de investimento focada em IA – foram confirmados como oradores de destaque na African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 deste ano. Durante o evento, participarão na sessão inaugural sobre IA e Centros de Dados – NexaGrid: Criar. Capacitar. Construir os melhores centros de dados de África para o futuro. A sua participação reúne duas perspetivas influentes sobre a forma como a infraestrutura digital em grande escala, a alocação de capital e os sistemas energéticos estão a convergir nos mercados globais e africanos.

A AEW 2026, agendada para 12 a 16 de outubro na Cidade do Cabo, irá alargar o seu foco na infraestrutura digital através desta sessão dedicada, que se situa na intersecção entre energia, computação e desenvolvimento industrial. O programa irá examinar como os centros de dados estão a evoluir para ativos de procura âncora para os sistemas de energia, a par de discussões sobre estruturas de nuvem soberana, redes inteligentes e a integração da IA no planeamento energético nacional nas economias africanas.

A UDG, liderada por LaBranche, está posicionada na vanguarda desta convergência, focando-se no desenvolvimento de infraestruturas de IA de ponta a ponta que abrangem o planeamento energético à escala de gigawatts, a implantação de centros de dados hiperescaláveis e a conectividade via satélite para operações remotas. A recente orientação estratégica do grupo inclui sistemas de IA agentiva concebidos para a automação empresarial, bem como a integração de tecnologia física, como infraestruturas de redes privadas e robótica, com forte ênfase na implantação em mercados fronteiriços e emergentes, incluindo África.

A Era, onde Levene desempenha funções como sócio, opera como uma ponte entre o capital familiar global e a camada de infraestruturas físicas da IA, com um forte enfoque em centros de dados, sistemas energéticos e cadeias de abastecimento de computação. A empresa trabalha em estreita colaboração com o ecossistema mais alargado da IA para identificar oportunidades de investimento ligadas ao crescimento de infraestruturas de hiperescala, apoiando simultaneamente empreendimentos em tecnologia de defesa, sistemas climáticos e plataformas de IA de próxima geração que dependem de capacidade de computação de alta densidade.

«O que estamos a assistir é a uma mudança estrutural em que a infraestrutura digital se está a tornar tão crítica quanto a geração de energia tradicional na promoção do crescimento económico. A participação da LaBranche e de Levene reflete esta convergência acelerada entre infraestruturas energéticas e sistemas digitais em toda a África. Esta vertente estratégica centrada na IA e nos dados reúne a tecnologia e a liderança necessárias para transformar essa convergência em projetos reais e financiáveis em todo o continente», afirma NJ Ayuk, Presidente Executivo da African Energy Chamber.

Em toda a África, o desenvolvimento da IA e dos centros de dados está a ser cada vez mais incorporado em quadros de planeamento energético de longo prazo, a par de projetos convencionais de produção e transmissão. Estas instalações estão ligadas a requisitos de aumento da procura de eletricidade para novas adições de capacidade, bem como aos esforços contínuos das empresas de serviços públicos e dos operadores para melhorar a eficiência da rede através de monitorização e análise baseadas em dados. Estão também a ser discutidas em relação aos requisitos de infraestruturas digitais soberanas para apoiar a atividade industrial, os sistemas de serviços financeiros e os serviços digitais do setor público.

A vertente de IA e Centros de Dados da AEW 2026 reforça o papel crescente da Cidade do Cabo como ponto de encontro para o diá. sobre energia e tecnologia no continente, reunindo decisores políticos, investidores e líderes de infraestruturas. A participação da UDG e da Era sublinha uma mudança mais ampla no sentido de modelos de investimento integrados, em que a computação, a energia e a mobilização de capital estão alinhadas para acelerar a transformação digital e energética de África.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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Banco Angolano de Investimentos (BAI) Backs Angola’s Financing Drive as Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Silver Sponsor

Source: APO – Report:

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Angolan financial institution Banco Angolano de Investimentos (BAI) has been confirmed as a Silver Sponsor of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, reinforcing the growing role of domestic financial institutions in underwriting the country’s next phase of hydrocarbon and energy infrastructure development. Taking place on September 9–10 with a pre-conference day on September 8, AOG 2026 is increasingly positioning Angolan capital as a critical lever in converting project pipelines into bankable investments.

The sponsorship signals a broader shift in Angola’s oil and gas financing landscape. While international capital continues to play a central role in large-scale upstream developments, domestic banks are becoming more active in structuring and supporting mid-sized and early-stage projects, particularly in onshore exploration and independent operator activity. This is a segment where capital access remains uneven, despite strong geological potential and a steady pipeline of licensing opportunities.

The financing gap is most visible in downstream infrastructure. Angola’s Lobito Refinery alone faces an estimated $4.8 billion investment shortfall, underscoring the scale of capital required to close the country’s refining deficit and reduce reliance on imported fuels. For local institutions such as BAI, this represents both a challenge and a strategic entry point, as domestic lenders look to syndicate financing, co-invest alongside international partners and deepen exposure to energy-linked assets with long-term revenue profiles.

At the same time, Angola’s upstream strategy is evolving. Independent operators are playing an increasingly prominent role in advancing marginal fields and onshore blocks, but these projects often fall outside the traditional financing frameworks used by major international oil companies. This creates a structural opportunity for domestic banks to step in with more tailored financing solutions, particularly as regulatory reforms and licensing rounds continue to expand access to acreage.

AOG 2026 is designed to address these opportunities. The event serves not only as a dealmaking platform for international investors, but increasingly as a marketplace for domestic capital allocation. By convening operators, project developers and financial institutions, the conference facilitates direct engagement between those structuring projects and those capable of financing them locally.

BAI’s presence at AOG 2026 reflects this trend. As Angola works to sustain production, expand refining capacity and build out its gas and power value chains, the ability to mobilize local capital alongside international investment will increasingly determine which projects move forward and at what pace.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Global Tech Firms Unified Digital Group (UDG) and Era Join African Energy Week (AEW) 2026’s Inaugural Artificial intelligence (AI) and Data Center Track

Source: APO – Report:

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Leo LaBranche, CEO of Unified Digital Group (UDG) – a global business consulting and advisory firm – and Geoffrey Levene, Partner at Era – an AI-focused investment firm – have been confirmed as featured speakers at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026. During the event, they will take part in the inaugural AI and Data Center Track – NexaGrid: Create. Enable. Build Africa’s Finest Data Centers for the Future. Their participation brings together two influential perspectives on how large-scale digital infrastructure, capital allocation and energy systems are converging across global and African markets.

AEW 2026, scheduled for October 12–16 in Cape Town, will expand its focus on digital infrastructure through the dedicated track, which sits at the intersection of energy, compute and industrial development. The program will examine how data centers are evolving into anchor demand assets for power systems, alongside discussions on sovereign cloud frameworks, intelligent grids and the integration of AI into national energy planning across African economies.

UDG, led by LaBranche, is positioned at the forefront of this convergence, focusing on end-to-end AI infrastructure development that spans gigawatt-scale energy planning, hyperscale data center deployment and satellite-enabled connectivity for remote operations. The group’s recent strategic direction includes agentic AI systems designed for enterprise automation, as well as physical technology integration such as private network infrastructure and robotics, with a strong emphasis on deployment in frontier and emerging markets, including Africa.

Era, where Levene serves as Partner, operates as a bridge between global family capital and the physical infrastructure layer of AI, with a strong focus on data centers, energy systems and compute supply chains. The firm works closely within the broader AI ecosystem to identify investment opportunities linked to hyperscale infrastructure growth, while also supporting ventures in defense tech, climate systems and next-generation AI platforms that depend on high-density computing capacity.

“What we are seeing is a structural shift where digital infrastructure is becoming just as critical as traditional power generation in driving economic growth. The participation of LaBranche and Levene reflects this accelerating convergence between energy infrastructure and digital systems across Africa. This strategic AI- and data-focused track brings together technology and leadership needed to turn that convergence into real, bankable projects across the continent,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

Across Africa, AI and data center development is increasingly being incorporated into long-term energy planning frameworks alongside conventional generation and transmission projects. These facilities are linked to increased electricity demand requirements for new capacity additions, as well as ongoing efforts by utilities and operators to improve grid efficiency through data-driven monitoring and analytics. They are also being discussed in relation to sovereign digital infrastructure requirements for supporting industrial activity, financial services systems and public-sector digital services.

AEW 2026’s AI and Data Center track reinforces Cape Town’s growing role as a convening point for energy and technology dialogue on the continent, bringing together policymakers, investors and infrastructure leaders. The participation of UDG and Era underscores a broader shift toward integrated investment models where compute, power and capital deployment are aligned to accelerate Africa’s digital and energy transformation.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Response to Hantavirus case was swift – contact tracing began within hours

Source: Government of South Africa

Response to Hantavirus case was swift – contact tracing began within hours

South African officials worked with speed to detect, contain and respond to the case of Hantavirus detected in the country.

This according to Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health on Wednesday morning.

The Minister’s update followed the confirmation of Hantavirus in a critically ill British national in South Africa, and in a woman who collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport. She later died in South Africa. Her husband, a third patient, passed away in St Helena.

The three were passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was sailing from Argentina to the Canary Islands via Cape Verde.

Motsoaledi explained that contact tracing continues, with 62 people already identified. 

“The lady who arrived at OR Tambo flew in from St Helena… we needed to know the people who were there at the airport before she collapsed (sic). The third contact traces are healthcare workers in Kempton Park where the lady went. 

“The fourth contact traces relate to the gentleman in a hospital in Sandton (and the ambulance crew). He was airlifted directly and didn’t come by commercial flight. 

“The total number of people who were traced and who could have come in contact with them were 62. [Some] 42 of them have already been traced and they are being observed.  The work is ongoing,” Motsoaledi said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is also conducting contact tracing internationally.

Addressing questions on how one of the patients had been allowed to come into OR Tambo International Airport, the Minister explained that the woman had not presented herself as ill to airline staff in St Helena, making it difficult to flag her in advance.

“On a routine basis, air staff are in touch with countries to report any person who might be sick in the aircraft to warn them…

“In this case, there was no warning coming in because even the staff did not pick up anything. When she arrived at the airport, she came in just like any traveller, not as a sick person. When people arrive, especially from international destinations, we have a temperature measuring [machine] but it does not mean that every human being who is sick [has a high] temperature. 

“This lady went through the scan. It did not record anything from temperature (sic). It cannot be said that South Africa’s safety mechanisms were so lax that they just allowed people in without screening,” Motsoaledi said.

The other patient currently in hospital was medically evacuated from Ascension Island to a South African private health facility in Sandton.

Hantavirus

There are 38 strains of Hantavirus. The Andes strain, which is predominant in South America, is the strain which was the cause of the infection detected in the patients who died in South Africa.

“Person-to-person contact is very rare and it has happened under specific conditions, namely: there must be very close person-to-person contact for transmission to occur from one human to another. Not surprising [is] that the first persons who died are husband and wife.

“It happens to be the only strain out of the 38 that is known to cause human-to-human transmission. But… such transmission is very rare and only happens due to very close contact,” Motsoaledi told the committee.

The Minister explained that Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease transmitted from wild animals to humans and is endemic to the Americas.

 “Whether South African rats carry this… as far as I know, I have never been told of any presence of Hantavirus on the African continent.

“From the information I have, South African rats do not carry Hantavirus because it’s a virus that is found in the Americas… Europe [and]… India,” he said.

South African response

At the same briefing, infectious diseases expert at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Professor Lucille Blumberg, told the committee that South African authorities had confirmed detection of the virus “within 24 hours of alert” from international colleagues about concerns about the cruise ship.

“On a ship, it’s not unusual for elderly people to travel… and deaths do occur. The first three cases are elder persons, all of whom have comorbidities. [A colleague] alerted me to patient 3, who was admitted to a hospital in Johannesburg as a pneumonia patient… Within 12 hours, we had an international call and we had a number of players discussing this. It is quite a remarkable effort to make that diagnosis of a most unusual pathogen in a most unusual setting in such a short time.

“As a country, we’ve done extremely well. Patients don’t come and say, ‘I’m part of [this]’ and it does take a bit of time to get all the facts. Within 24 hours, we knew what we were dealing with and we had a large amount of information,” Blumberg said.

Furthermore, contacts were identified and contact tracing began.

“All the names of people who were involved – at OR Tambo, those at the hospital close to the airport and all of those who either transported or admitted the patient – were put on a list and contact monitoring was started.

“It was started even before we knew what we were dealing with. That is in progress and is really working quite well. The incubation period is quite long… and they will have to be monitored. We will go back and identify who is a high risk and decide what we are going to do, and maybe intensify monitoring on those people,” Blumberg explained.

Collaboration with experts in other countries is also underway.

“We have had a number of consultations with counterparts in South America, who have a lot experience of Hantavirus. There’s been lab consultations. The international community have come together to support…in an extraordinary way and all of this has been coordinated through the WHO.

“This is quite an extraordinary response to what was an unknown, unusual virus in an unusual setting,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Les entreprises technologiques mondiales Unified Digital Group (UDG) et Era rejoignent le premier volet « Intelligence Artificielle (IA) et centres de données » de African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Leo LaBranche, PDG de Unified Digital Group (UDG) – une société mondiale de conseil en gestion et de conseil – et Geoffrey Levene, associé chez Era – une société d’investissement spécialisée dans l’IA – ont été confirmés comme intervenants phares de l’African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 de cette année. Au cours de l’événement, ils participeront au premier volet consacré à l’IA et aux centres de données – NexaGrid : Créer. Faciliter. Construire les meilleurs centres de données africains pour l’avenir. Leur participation rassemble deux perspectives influentes sur la manière dont les infrastructures numériques à grande échelle, l’allocation de capitaux et les systèmes énergétiques convergent sur les marchés mondiaux et africains.

L’AEW 2026, prévue du 12 au 16 octobre au Cap, élargira son champ d’action sur les infrastructures numériques grâce à ce volet dédié, situé à la croisée de l’énergie, de l’informatique et du développement industriel. Le programme examinera comment les centres de données évoluent pour devenir des actifs de demande phares pour les réseaux électriques, parallèlement à des discussions sur les cadres de cloud souverain, les réseaux intelligents et l’intégration de l’IA dans la planification énergétique nationale à travers les économies africaines.

UDG, dirigé par M. LaBranche, se positionne à l’avant-garde de cette convergence, en se concentrant sur le développement d’infrastructures d’IA de bout en bout qui couvrent la planification énergétique à l’échelle du gigawatt, le déploiement de centres de données hyperscale et la connectivité par satellite pour les opérations à distance. L’orientation stratégique récente du groupe inclut des systèmes d’IA agentique conçus pour l’automatisation d’entreprise, ainsi que l’intégration de technologies physiques telles que les infrastructures de réseaux privés et la robotique, avec un accent particulier sur le déploiement dans les marchés pionniers et émergents, y compris l’Afrique.

Era, où Levene occupe le poste de partenaire, sert de passerelle entre le capital familial mondial et la couche d’infrastructure physique de l’IA, en mettant fortement l’accent sur les centres de données, les systèmes énergétiques et les chaînes d’approvisionnement informatiques. La société travaille en étroite collaboration au sein de l’écosystème plus large de l’IA pour identifier les opportunités d’investissement liées à la croissance des infrastructures hyperscale, tout en soutenant des entreprises dans les domaines des technologies de défense, des systèmes climatiques et des plateformes d’IA de nouvelle génération qui dépendent d’une capacité de calcul à haute densité.

« Nous assistons à un changement structurel où l’infrastructure numérique devient tout aussi cruciale que la production d’électricité traditionnelle pour stimuler la croissance économique. La participation de LaBranche et de Levene reflète cette convergence accélérée entre les infrastructures énergétiques et les systèmes numériques à travers l’Afrique. Cette piste stratégique axée sur l’IA et les données rassemble la technologie et le leadership nécessaires pour transformer cette convergence en projets concrets et bancables sur tout le continent », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie.

Partout en Afrique, le développement de l’IA et des centres de données est de plus en plus intégré dans les cadres de planification énergétique à long terme, aux côtés des projets conventionnels de production et de transport d’électricité. Ces installations sont liées à l’augmentation de la demande en électricité nécessitant de nouvelles capacités, ainsi qu’aux efforts continus des services publics et des opérateurs pour améliorer l’efficacité du réseau grâce à une surveillance et une analyse fondées sur les données. Elles font également l’objet de discussions en lien avec les besoins en infrastructures numériques souveraines pour soutenir l’activité industrielle, les systèmes de services financiers et les services numériques du secteur public.

Le volet « IA et centres de données » de l’AEW 2026 renforce le rôle croissant du Cap en tant que point de rencontre pour le dialogue sur l’énergie et la technologie sur le continent, en réunissant des décideurs politiques, des investisseurs et des leaders du secteur des infrastructures. La participation d’UDG et d’Era souligne une évolution plus large vers des modèles d’investissement intégrés où le calcul, l’énergie et le déploiement de capitaux sont alignés pour accélérer la transformation numérique et énergétique de l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Western Cape activates disaster preparedness measures ahead of severe weather

Source: Government of South Africa

Western Cape activates disaster preparedness measures ahead of severe weather

The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), in coordination with municipalities and emergency services, has activated monitoring and preparedness measures across affected districts, as the province braces for severe weather conditions.

Members of the Provincial Legislature convened on Tuesday evening, 5 May 2026, to assess the state of readiness of disaster risk management teams in anticipation of an intense weather system expected to impact several regions.

The Western Cape Government expressed confidence in the level of preparedness among disaster management agencies and stakeholders. Discussions included the latest operational updates from the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), which has been activated through the PDMC.

The briefing followed an extended Premier’s Coordinating Forum (PCF) meeting, where mayors and municipal managers from affected areas gave the assurance that all emergency resources have been mobilised.

The principals indicated that continuous monitoring of dam and river levels is underway, particularly in areas where storage capacity is already under pressure.

During the JOC briefing, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) confirmed that a cut-off low system remains in place and is expected to affect parts of the Western Cape, including the Garden Route, Central Karoo, and other inland regions.

In addition to heavy rainfall, the system is expected to bring strong to gale-force winds, very rough sea conditions, especially between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay, and dangerous wave activity that may pose risks to coastal infrastructure and public safety.

Cold conditions are also expected, with the possibility of snowfall over high-lying areas and mountain passes.

Acting Western Cape Premier, Dr Ivan Meyer, said all provincial departments are on high alert, with the South African Police Service expected to deploy necessary resources.

“Daily JOC meetings will continue until the severe weather subsides. Our highest priority is to protect lives. I strongly encourage all residents to stay safe and avoid taking unnecessary risks,” Meyer said.

He added that the provincial government and other role players will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as required.

Residents have been urged to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines, including, including avoiding non-essential travel during peak of the weather event, staying clear of rivers, streams and flooded roadways, refraining from coastal and marine activities, securing loose household items that may be displaced by strong winds, and adhering to official warnings and updates issued by authorities.

School closures

As a precautionary measure, the Western Cape Education Department has announced school closures on Wednesday and Thursday in selected circuits within the Eden and Central Karoo Education Districts. Affected areas include George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, and surrounding areas.

Learner transport services in affected circuits have also been suspended. The full list of school closures is available on the WCED website: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/education 

The Provincial Legislature has expressed appreciation to all officials and stakeholders who are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of communities during the adverse weather conditions. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Six months to go to Dakar 2026: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leaders ready to turn Olympic values into action

Source: APO – Report:

In exactly six months, eight International Olympic Committee (IOC) (www.Olympics.com) Young Leaders (http://apo-opa.co/4dngApr) from Africa, Europe and the Americas will head to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) (http://apo-opa.co/4dngBtv) to turn the Olympic values into action. On site, they will work directly with young athletes and local communities, delivering hands-on sport-based activities designed to spark confidence, promote inclusion and create meaningful connections through sport. “This is about finishing what we began,” said Zouzar Bouka. “Everest demands humility and perseverance. Last year taught us hard lessons. This year, we return as a family, carrying Madagascar with us every step of the way.”

KEY FACTS

  • Eight IOC Young Leaders from Africa, Europe and the Americas will be present at Dakar 2026, engaging directly with the competing athletes.
  • Based at Athlete365 House in the Youth Olympic Village, the IOC Young Leaders will highlight how sport and the Olympic values can positively impact well-being, inclusion and education, every day and everywhere.
  • The IOC Young Leaders will also engage with local communities across Dakar, extending the legacy and impact of the Youth Olympic Games beyond the competition venues.

The group of Young Leaders brings together a diverse range of changemakers using sport as a tool for social development in their respective communities, and includes strong representation from Africa:

Audrey Oronda (http://apo-opa.co/3QI8gYJ) (Kenya)

Jordan Joel (http://apo-opa.co/4evpaDG) (Nigeria)

Nadine Taderera (http://apo-opa.co/4dngDl7) (Zimbabwe)

Sara Moamen Abdelsamie (http://apo-opa.co/4cSX04d) (Egypt)

Shereif Kholeif (http://apo-opa.co/42lDxmG) (Great Britain/Egypt)

Jacqueline Simoneau (http://apo-opa.co/4eAsM7v) (Canada)

SunMin Park (http://apo-opa.co/48MsarE) (Canada)

Rafael Valdivieso (http://apo-opa.co/4d8YaY8) (Dominican Republic)

A MOMENT OF PRIDE AND CONNECTION

At Dakar 2026, the energy of the YOG will go beyond competition. For the IOC Young Leaders, the moment is about people, connection and impact.

“Being part of Dakar 2026 represents far more than participation; it is history in the making,” said Sara Moamen Abdelsamie. “As an African, standing on home soil of the first Olympic event ever to be held on our continent fills me with pride, purpose and deep gratitude. It is an extraordinary privilege to be part of this legacy”.

For Jordan Joel, being present in Dakar carries a deeply personal meaning.

“As a Nigerian, it is an honour to contribute to the first Olympic event held in Africa. I hope to inspire young people to see how sport can be used to support communities and address important challenges. It’s more than a game.”

Jordan Joel

IOC Young Leader

Audrey Oronda highlighted the opportunity Dakar 2026 represents for young people: “For me, Dakar 2026 is a moment to amplify youth voices, celebrate inclusion, and inspire long-term change across communities.”

Nadine Taderera, emphasised the importance of connection.

Being part of Dakar 2026 means getting the opportunity to engage with people from diverse backgrounds in celebration of the power of sport.

Nadine Taderera

IOC Young Leader

YOUNG LEADERS CONNECTING WITH YOUNG ATHLETES

United by a shared commitment to social impact through sport, the IOC Young Leaders’ projects address key challenges aligned with the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy to build a better world through sport, including access to education, gender equality, inclusion, peace-building, well-being and youth empowerment.

Their initiatives range from supporting people living with chronic conditions through sport, to empowering women and girls, strengthening community cohesion, creating safer environments and promoting the holistic development of student-athletes.

Inside Athlete365 House in the Youth Olympic Village, the IOC Young Leaders will create a space where athletes can pause, engage and reflect. Through simple, interactive moments – including games, conversations and short learning experiences – they will introduce the athletes to the ideas behind the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy (http://apo-opa.co/3P7W6Yz), showing how sport can shape lives far beyond the field of play.

Outside the Youth Olympic Village, the Young Leaders will also engage with local communities across Dakar, ensuring that the impact of the Games extends beyond the competition venues and resonates throughout the host city.

The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026.

IOC YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTING TO OLYMPISM 365 DAYS A YEAR

Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders Programme empowers young people to leverage the power of sport to make a positive difference in their communities. The programme contributes to Olympism365 (http://apo-opa.co/3P7W6Yz), the IOC’s approach to using sport as an important enabler of sustainable development, and specifically to Olympism365’s Innovation portfolio, which aims to identify, sustain and scale innovative sports-based approaches that deliver concrete impact in targeted communities.

– on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Media files

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Basic Education explains textbook process amid transparency concerns

Source: Government of South Africa

Basic Education explains textbook process amid transparency concerns

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has defended the integrity of its textbook catalogue development process, rejecting claims of impropriety and maintaining that its system is designed to ensure fairness, quality and cost-effectiveness.

This follows criticism from some sections of society questioning the transparency of the processes underpinning the catalogue. 

“The department firmly rejects any insinuation of impropriety and reiterates that its catalogue development framework is founded on a rigorously controlled, anonymised screening process designed to ensure objectivity, fairness, and accountability at every stage,” it said on Tuesday. 

The DBE explained that its catalogue development framework is anchored in a blind screening methodology, which removes all non-curricular identifiers such as publisher and author details during the evaluation process.

“This blind screening methodology not only safeguards the integrity of decision making but also plays a critical role in fostering competitive pricing, thereby directly advancing the department’s strategic objective of achieving more cost-effective and equitable procurement of learning and teaching support materials,” it said.

According to the department, all submitted materials undergo a multi-stage quality assurance process, where they are assessed solely on curriculum alignment and pedagogical merit.

“Only materials that meet this stringent quality standards are considered for inclusion in the catalogue,” the DBE said.
Once materials meet the required standards, pricing is then taken into account, with the most cost-effective options selected.

“Thereafter, pricing considerations are applied, with the three most cost-effective compliant titles selected. In instances where fewer than three submissions meet the required standards, the qualifying one or two titles are automatically included,” the department explained.

Addressing concerns around the Tshivenda Home Language materials for Grades 1 to 3, the DBE said only two submissions met the required standards, making price comparison at the selection stage unnecessary.

“In the specific case of Tshivenda Home Language materials for Grades 1–3, only two submissions met the required quality and curriculum standards. As a result, price comparison at the point of selection was not applicable and a moot exercise.”

The department also responded to concerns regarding pricing by Fulu Publishers, noting that while the issue has been flagged, it did not influence inclusion in the catalogue. 

“While concerns regarding the pricing of materials submitted by Fulu Publishers have been noted, it is important to clarify that such pricing was not determinative for catalogue inclusion and is being addressed through established catalogue processes,” the department said. 

However, the DBE acknowledged that the pricing in question does not align with the intended objectives of the framework.

“The department considers the pricing in question to be excessive and inconsistent with the intent of the catalogue framework, which is to ensure cost-effective access to quality learning materials.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

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