MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) today announced the publication of Instances of Exceptional Moments of Hunger, a compelling new anthology of short stories emerging from the 2024 CANEX Creative Writing Workshop, an initiative under its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, designed to discover, develop, and elevate bold new literary voices from Africa and the Caribbean.

Bringing together nineteen exceptional writers from Global Africa, representing sixteen countries, the anthology is a rich tapestry of contemporary storytelling, spanning geographies, languages, and lived experiences. Originally developed through an intensive and highly selective workshop process, the stories have been carefully curated and, in some cases, translated from Arabic, French, and Portuguese into English, expanding their reach to a wider global readership.

Published in collaboration with Narrative Landscape Press (http://apo-opa.co/4d883qa), an independent African publisher based in Nairobi and Lagos, Instances of Exceptional Moments of Hunger explores themes of identity, resilience, longing, and transformation—offering readers a rare glimpse into the emotional and cultural landscapes shaping a new generation of literary talent.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development commented: “This anthology represents far more than a compilation of stories—it is a strategic investment in Africa’s creative future. Through initiatives such as the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop, Afreximbank is not only nurturing talent but also building a pipeline of globally competitive intellectual property capable of crossing borders and formats – from literature to potentially film and TV – while further strengthening the African narrative.”

Dr. Eghosa Imasuen, publisher, Narrative Landscape Press added: “When we gathered in Aburi, Ghana, in August 2024 for the inaugural CANEX Book Factory Creative Writing Workshop, we had a clear purpose: to give emerging prose writers from the continent and the diaspora a protected space for craft, discipline, and growth. These writers are announcing themselves and we know that readers will find in this anthology, their arrival.”

Beyond its literary significance, the anthology represents an important milestone in Afreximbank’s efforts to position African storytelling within the global creative economy. As copyright holder, CANEX Creations Inc. (CCInc), the intellectual property investment subsidiary backed by Afreximbank’s equity impact subsidiary, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), will support the anthology’s commercialization and visibility, while exploring opportunities to extend select works into films, television series, and other formats.

Further underscoring the quality and ambition of the anthology, the African works within the collection have been submitted for consideration for the Caine Prize for African Writing, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in African literature.

The CANEX Creative Writing Workshop forms part of Afreximbank’s broader Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, which seeks to catalyze the growth of the continent’s creative industries as a driver of economic development, job creation, and export diversification. With this publication, Afreximbank through its CANEX Programme continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering emerging talent, unlocking new markets, and amplifying African voices on the global stage.

Instances of Exceptional Moments of Hunger is available now on Amazon (http://apo-opa.co/3OPpkLE) in paperback. and through Narrative Landscape Press (http://apo-opa.co/4d883qa).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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

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ccinc@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), and. Moody’s (Baa2). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Source: APO

Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org), a pan-African nonpartisan survey network operating in more than 40 countries, and the Government of the Republic of Ghana have formalised an agreement establishing the network’s headquarters in Ghana. This follows Parliament’s approval of the headquarters agreement in December 2025.

Afrobarometer’s quarter-century of research, representing the views of more than three-quarters of the African population, provides reliable data on citizens’ experiences and views on democracy, governance, and quality of life. The headquarters agreement provides a structured framework to support operations of Afrobarometer’s secretariat in Ghana while ensuring full respect for the laws of Ghana.

Speaking at the official handing-over ceremony in Accra, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, chief director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that the agreement reflects Ghana’s continued commitment to democratic governance, evidence-based policy making, and support for credible, independent research institutions.

“Ghana’s democratic journey, spanning over three decades of constitutional rule, continues to be anchored in transparency, accountability, and citizen participation,” she said. “Central to this progress is the recognition that sustainable governance must be informed by the voices and lived experiences of the people. It is in this regard that institutions such as Afrobarometer play an indispensable role.”

Afrobarometer Board Chair Amina Oyagbola described the bipartisan parliamentary endorsement of the agreement as an important milestone that reflects more than two decades of shared commitment to amplifying African voices.

“This agreement is far more than a legal instrument; it is a vote of confidence in our work and a recognition that amplifying and listening to the voices of African citizens is a cause worthy of national support,” she said. “It gives us the foundation and the stability to continue doing what we do best: producing rigorous, trusted evidence that strengthens democracy, accountability, and development across Africa.”

Since its inception in 1999, Afrobarometer has worked in Ghana through its Core Partner, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which has conducted all 10 rounds of surveys in the country and oversees survey implementation across West, Central, and North Africa. Over the past 26 years, Afrobarometer has helped strengthen Ghana’s research and policy capacities by training numerous Ghanaians in survey research, data analysis, and communication. Its pre-election surveys, implemented with CDD-Ghana, have also become a pillar of Ghana’s electoral ecosystem, providing critical insights that enhance transparency, build public trust, and support the credibility of elections.

In 2019, Afrobarometer established its secretariat in Ghana, citing the country’s favourable operating environment. Since then, all grants for the network have been received and managed through Ghanaian financial institutions, contributing to foreign-exchange inflows. The organisation invests significantly in local operations and boosts Ghana’s economy and visibility while also supporting the hospitality, tourism, and services sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny
Director of communications
Telephone: +233243240933
Email: jappiah@afrobarometer.org

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About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 440,000+ interviews in 45 countries, representing the views of more than 75% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent’s data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website (www.Afrobarometer.org) and may be analysed free of charge using AB’s online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.co/421j72d).

Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org.

Source: APO – Report:

The Royal African Society (https://RoyalAfricanSociety.org) is pleased to announce the co-option of four distinguished leaders to its Council: Ifrah Hassan Ibrahim, James Benoit, John Butt, and Tammy Brophy. Their appointments further strengthen the Society’s leadership as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, bringing together expertise across finance, sustainability, policy, investment, education, and global development.

Chairperson’s Welcome

Ms. Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society, said:

“As we mark 125 years of the Royal African Society, we are reminded of our enduring mission to deepen understanding of Africa and amplify African voices globally. The exceptional leaders we welcome to our Council embody this mission. Their diverse expertise, passion for the continent, and track records of excellence will strengthen our ability to serve as a bridge between Africa, the United Kingdom, and the wider world.”

CEO’s Remarks

Stella Okuzu, CEO of the Royal African Society, added:

“I am thrilled to welcome these four distinguished leaders to our Council. Their combined experience in finance, investment, sustainability, education, and leadership will greatly enhance our ability to deliver impactful programmes and expand our reach across Africa and the United Kingdom. Their insight and strategic guidance come at a crucial moment in our growth as an organisation.”

Profiles of the Newly Co-opted Council Members

Ifrah Hassan Ibrahim

Ifrah Hassan Ibrahim is the Founder of Protea Advisory Limited, a London-based consultancy advising African and Emerging Market sovereign clients on debt management, sustainable finance, and access to international capital markets.

She brings over 15 years’ experience in global investment banking, having started her career in Zurich at UBS, and later held senior roles at Credit Suisse and Barclays, where she led Sub-Saharan Africa coverage and worked closely with Ministries of Finance, central banks, and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank.

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Ifrah combines deep technical expertise in international finance with a strong commitment to Africa’s and broader Emerging Markets’ long-term economic development. Her work focuses on supporting primarily African, as well as other Emerging Market sovereign borrowers, in strengthening their access to global capital markets, giving her valuable insight into the economic and policy challenges facing the continent.

Born to Somali parents and raised in Switzerland, she brings a genuinely international perspective and strong diaspora connection. Fluent in French, English and Somali, and conversant in German, she is based in London and is well placed to support the Royal African Society’s mission of connecting African expertise with UK audiences and institutions. Her experience at the intersection of finance, public policy and international development would offer valuable strategic insight into the economic trends shaping Africa–UK relations.

James Benoit

James Benoit is a Canadian–Mauritian banking executive with more than two decades of global leadership experience across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), he has built a distinguished career connecting African markets with international capital and financial institutions. 

As Managing Director and CEO of FCMB Bank (UK), James led the transformation of the institution into a fully licensed UK-regulated bank, expanding services across corporate, retail and diaspora markets while strengthening its role as a bridge between African and UK economies. He has also played a foundational role in AfrAsia Bank and has held senior leadership positions in international banking, capital markets and regulatory strategy. 

James has extensive experience advising financial institutions and governments on market entry, regulatory frameworks and capital-raising strategies, alongside a strong commitment to inclusive and ethical finance. His global networks span investors, policymakers, financial institutions and diaspora entrepreneurs. 

With deep personal and professional ties to Africa, James brings strategic vision and international networks that would strengthen the Royal African Society’s work in fostering partnerships and investment relationships between Africa and the UK.

John Butt

Born in Cameroon, John Butt has built a career driven by curiosity, pursuing the frontiers where disruption meets opportunity for growth. As General Partner of Conduit Ventures Ltd, a regulated UK-based investment firm backed by sovereign and institutional capital, he sets the strategic direction of funds that deploy innovative solutions in energy transition, water risk, and food security to catalyse sustainable economic growth. He pursues these themes with particular conviction across Africa, alongside select markets in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

His career spans policy and investment banking at Citigroup Global Markets and Price Waterhouse in Washington DC, Europe, and the former Soviet bloc, where he worked with governments and the private sector, building on early foundations at the Bank of England. Having lived and worked across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, including China and Japan, he draws on a distinctive cross-border lens. His work is informed by an appreciation that culture, innovation, consensus-building, and partnerships are as decisive as capital in driving positive outcomes across transition and established economies alike.

He holds a Biochemistry degree from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, USA.

Tammy Brophy

Tammy Brophy is Associate Director of the Oxford MBA at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, where she provides strategic leadership for one of the world’s leading business education programmes. She leads Oxford Saïd’s Africa Initiative, developing partnerships across academia, government and industry to strengthen engagement with African business ecosystems. 

With over a decade of experience at Oxford and earlier professional experience in South Africa, Tammy has built a strong record of connecting academic insight with practical leadership and enterprise development. She has played a key role in expanding African participation in the Oxford MBA and securing more than £1 million in scholarship partnerships for African and female students. 

Tammy’s work focuses on inclusive growth, leadership development and knowledge exchange, and she has led major initiatives including the Oxford Africa Business Forum and programmes supporting gender equity in business education. 

A dual South African–British national, Tammy brings deep experience of building partnerships across sectors and borders. Her expertise in education, leadership development and Africa-focused collaboration would support the Royal African Society’s mission to promote knowledge, dialogue and connections between Africa and the UK.

– on behalf of Royal African Society.

Media Contacts: 
Uchechi Eke  
ue3@soas.ac.uk

Tracy N. Walakira of APO Group  
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com

About The Royal African Society:
The Royal African Society, established in 1901, is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected institutions and the only Royal Charter dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and fostering stronger relations between the UK, Africa, and the wider world. Our Royal Patron is HRH Prince Williams, Prince of Wales.

Through conferences, cultural festivals, publications, and policy dialogues, the Society brings together business leaders, artists, academics, policymakers, and civil society to showcase Africa’s achievements and address its challenges. 

Source: APO

Emirates’ (www.Emirates.com) flagship A380, long celebrated as one of aviation’s most iconic aircraft, is set to reach new heights as the first installation of next-generation Starlink Wi-Fi onboard has just been completed.

The Emirates A380 was one of the first commercial aircraft in the world to offer internet to its customers, with first generation systems offering a total aircraft bandwidth of less than 1 Mbps.  Emirates’ installation of three Starlink antennas on each A380 will improve the Wi-Fi available onboard a thousand-fold – offering a ‘better than at home’ connectivity experience for customers, while flying at 40,000 feet.

The first Emirates A380 aircraft equipped with Starlink made its return to Dubai this week, after its installation and certification was accomplished in Newquay, UK. With more A380s scheduled for accelerated installation throughout 2026, Emirates customers will soon enjoy a transformative leap in onboard connectivity with the ability to stream, game, browse, and work throughout their journey on personal devices. The service will be complimentary for all customers, across all cabins, with easy sign up and access. Future enhancements will include Live TV streaming over Starlink, initially on personal devices and later integrated into seatback screens.

From its celebrated Onboard Lounge to its signature First Class Shower Spa, the Emirates A380 has consistently redefined long-haul travel, beloved by customers from all corners of the globe. With the addition of Starlink’s seamless connectivity across all cabin classes, the Emirates A380 experience evolves once more, delivering a fully connected journey in the sky.

A technical first for the world’s largest passenger aircraft

As the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380 presents unique engineering challenges and opportunities. This industry-first Starlink configuration is designed to meet the demands of the A380’s ‘double-decker’ layout and high passenger capacity and is capable of delivering more than 2 Gbps of total aircraft bandwidth across the cabin.

Compared with the Emirates Boeing 777, the Emirates A380 features additional wireless access points and a third antenna to deliver an enhanced connectivity experience for its higher passenger capacity. Optimised inter‑deck integration supports a seamless Wi‑Fi experience, with customers able to enjoy high speeds depending on usage and device capability.

Accelerated rollout across an industry-leading fleet

Starlink installations will soon begin at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai to accelerate deployment across the fleet. Emirates is committed to bringing the best possible connectivity to its entire fleet at the earliest opportunity, with 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft already equipped with Starlink and the first A380 now joining service.

So far, more than 650,000 Emirates customers have already flown on Starlink‑equipped flights, experiencing the benefits of next‑generation onboard connectivity firsthand.                                       

Emirates continuous investment into elevating customer experience

The introduction of Starlink on the A380 builds on Emirates’ ongoing investment into redefining the customer journey, including one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes in aviation history. To date, 93 Emirates aircraft have been fully refurbished (https://apo-opa.co/4d9Ldyo) featuring the installation of the widely acclaimed Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class suites, upgraded interiors and finishes in Economy Class and throughout all aspects of the cabin, and expanded and upgraded inflight systems that can offer more than 6,500 channels of entertainment.

To complement the significant upgrades across all hardware, Emirates also continues to invest in its training programmes and facilities that are instrumental to customer experience. In mid-2025, Emirates opened an US$ 8 million facility – ‘Centre of Hospitality Excellence’ (https://apo-opa.co/3QpE9VP) to train its 25,000 cabin crew in the art of hospitality onboard – bringing together both the tangible and intangible elements of an outstanding travel experience.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

Source: APO – Report:

The Royal African Society (https://RoyalAfricanSociety.org) is pleased to announce that its members have unanimously elected Professor Benedict Okey Oramah as the Society’s second Patron at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

Professor Oramah joins the Society as Second Patron at this significant moment in the Society’s history, as it marks its 125th anniversary.

A globally recognised economist and development finance leader, Professor Oramah served as President and Chairman of the African Export–Import Bank from 2015 to 2025. Over the decade at the institution, he played a central role in its evolution into one of Africa’s most influential financial institutions.

His contributions have been widely recognised through numerous honours, including Forbes Africa Person of the Year and multiple African Banker of the Year awards. Across government, finance, and the private sector, he is regarded as one of the principal architects of modern African trade finance. 

During his tenure, he led major initiatives that have reshaped Africa’s trade and financial architecture, including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, the Intra-African Trade Fair, and programmes supporting industrialisation and the creative economy. He has also been instrumental in strengthening ties between Africa and the global diaspora.

For the Royal African Society, Professor Oramah’s Patronage comes at a particularly significant moment and deepens its focus on Africa’s economic transformation, creative industries, and global partnerships. His longstanding commitment to pan-African cooperation, institutional innovation, and the Global Africa vision aligns closely with the Society’s mission of fostering informed engagement between Africa and the world. 

Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society, said:
“Professor Oramah’s election reflects the Society’s commitment to engaging with leaders who are shaping Africa’s economic future. His exceptional experience, global perspective, and longstanding commitment to pan-African cooperation will significantly strengthen our work and broaden our impact.”

Professor Oramah’s Patronage will support the Society’s strategic priorities, including advancing dialogue on trade, investment, cultural exchange, and Global Africa partnerships.

– on behalf of Royal African Society.

Media Contacts: 
Uchechi Eke  
ue3@soas.ac.uk

Tracy N. Walakira of APO Group  
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com

About The Royal African Society:
The Royal African Society, established in 1901, is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected institutions and the only Royal Charter dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and fostering stronger relations between the UK, Africa, and the wider world. Our Royal Patron is HRH Prince Williams, Prince of Wales.

Through conferences, cultural festivals, publications, and policy dialogues, the Society brings together business leaders, artists, academics, policymakers, and civil society to showcase Africa’s achievements and address its challenges. 

Source: APO

Implementation of a WTO initiative to strengthen use of the ePing SPS & TBT Platform is now under way, helping governments, exporters and other stakeholders better track and engage in evolving product requirements affecting international trade. Funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), the three year project focuses on five African countries and aims to enhance transparency, predictability and market access.

The project is being implemented by the WTO in Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. It brings together governments, the private sector and international partners to improve how regulatory information is shared, accessed and used in sectors affected by sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT).

At its core, the initiative seeks to improve the use of the ePing SPS & TBT Platform to enhance transparency for market access, with a strong focus on raising awareness of the platform, especially in the five African countries where national workshops will take place. These in-country workshops are designed to strengthen practical use of ePing among regulators, enquiry points, exporters, trade associations and other stakeholders who rely on timely regulatory information to access markets.

“Timely access to regulatory information is essential for trade,” said Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam. “As project implementation gets under way, improving how ePing is used on the ground and upgrading the platform based on user feedback will help traders – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises – avoid costly surprises at the border and make better use of market access opportunities.”

Governments worldwide continue to introduce and revise regulations related to food safety, animal and plant health, product quality and technical standards. Keeping track of these changes can be challenging, especially for exporters operating in multiple markets. ePing, a tool developed by the WTO, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), helps address this challenge. ePing is a free, global platform that allows users to follow notified draft SPS and TBT measures in real time, receive tailored email alerts, and engage with regulators before new requirements enter into force.

The urgency of strengthening ePing use is underscored by growing volumes of regulatory activity. In 2025, more than 7,000 SPS and TBT notifications were issued globally, the highest number on record, with African members accounting for an increasing share. As notifications continue to rise, missing or late information can result in rejected exports, compliance costs and lost market opportunities. Effective use of ePing can help mitigate these risks by improving transparency and facilitating early dialogue domestically and with trading partners.

National and regional workshops form a central pillar of project implementation. These workshops will combine hands-on training, peer exchange and needs-assessment sessions to better understand how different users interact with ePing. The workshops will also build on synergies with other projects and tools from international partners, such as ITC’s global trade helpdesk.

The workshops will gather structured feedback from users on challenges they face in navigating large volumes of notifications and identifying information that matters most to them. This feedback, to be complemented by a survey among all WTO members, will feed directly into technological and functional enhancements of the ePing platform, aimed at making it more intuitive, responsive and user-friendly.

Project implementation builds on momentum generated at a regional launch event in Nairobi in December 2025, which highlighted the role of digital tools in supporting regulatory transparency. Activities are now moving into a national phase, starting with a workshop in Arusha, Tanzania, from 28 to 30 April 2026, to be followed by similar events across the other participating countries.

By strengthening capacity, raising awareness and incorporating user-driven improvements, the WTO aims to ensure that ePing delivers even greater value – not only in the five participating African countries, but also for WTO members as a whole, contributing to safer, more predictable and more inclusive trade.

More information on ePing is available here.  Information on the STDF project for improving the use of ePing SPS&TBT Platform to enhance transparency for market access is available here.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Trade Organization (WTO).