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Studia Inc renforce son développement en Afrique et conclut un partenariat stratégique avec D.IA Advisory pour accélérer le déploiement local de ses solutions d’état civil

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Forte de la numérisation de près de 10 millions d’actes d’état civil à Madagascar, Studia Inc (https://STD-Inc.mg) dispose aujourd’hui d’une capacité opérationnelle éprouvée pour traiter, structurer et fiabiliser des volumes massifs de données critiques, constituant le socle indispensable à toute stratégie d’identité numérique. La modernisation de l’état civil s’impose comme une priorité pour les États. Dans ce contexte, Studia Inc se distingue par la maîtrise complète de son cœur de métier : la digitalisation industrielle des registres d’état civil, y compris dans des environnements complexes caractérisés par des archives dégradées, dispersées ou difficilement exploitables.

Les chiffres sont sans appel : selon le rapport The Right Start in Life de l’UNICEF (décembre 2024), seulement 51 % des enfants de moins de 5 ans sont enregistrés en Afrique subsaharienne — une région qui concentre à elle seule la moitié des 90 millions d’enfants sans identité légale dans le monde. La situation est encore plus critique en Afrique de l’Est et Centrale, où ce taux tombe à 41 %. Sans accélération significative, le continent pourrait compter plus de 100 millions d’enfants non enregistrés d’ici 2030. Ces individus demeurent invisibles aux yeux de l’État, sans accès aux droits fondamentaux ni aux services publics.

Une expertise technologique au service de la fiabilite des donnees

Studia Inc, entreprise spécialisée dans la numérisation et l’indexation de données à forte volumétrie, s’affirme comme un acteur de référence dans ce domaine. Dans le cadre du programme national à Madagascar, l’entreprise a conduit l’inventaire, la numérisation et l’indexation de près de 10 millions d’actes d’état civil, mobilisant 500 personnes sur 7 mois — soit 70 000 jours/hommes — pour couvrir 1 695 communes à travers 11 régions prioritaires, jusqu’aux zones les plus isolées du territoire, grâce à des unités mobiles autonomes équipées en connectivité satellite et énergie solaire.

L’approche de Studia Inc repose sur l’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle au cœur des processus de digitalisation.

Ses modèles d’OCR spécialisés permettent l’extraction automatisée de données manuscrites complexes et la segmentation intelligente des registres en actes exploitables. Cette capacité à transformer des archives physiques en données structurées constitue un levier déterminant pour les États. Un dispositif de double saisie aveugle, combinant traitement algorithmique et validation humaine indépendante, garantit un niveau de fiabilité élevé, conforme aux exigences des systèmes d’identité nationaux.

Un partenariat structuré autour de la complémentarité des expertises

Le partenariat avec D.IA Advisory, entreprise de services numériques basée au Sénégal, repose sur une répartition claire des rôles.

Studia Inc conserve la pleine responsabilité des opérations de digitalisation et d’indexation des registres d’état civil, cœur de son expertise métier.

D.IA Advisory intervient en appui sur les dimensions d’intégration locale et de déploiement, notamment pour :

  • l’intégration des données dans les systèmes d’information existants
  • l’interopérabilité avec les plateformes nationales
  • l’adaptation aux cadres réglementaires et aux exigences de souveraineté
  • l’accompagnement des institutions

Cette organisation permet d’assurer à la fois un haut niveau d’expertise technique et une exécution efficace au plus près des réalités locales.

« Notre expertise repose sur la maîtrise de la digitalisation à grande échelle des registres d’état civil, avec un niveau d’exigence élevé en matière de qualité et de fiabilité des données. Ce partenariat avec D.IA Advisory nous permet de renforcer notre capacité à déployer nos solutions dans des environnements locaux variés. » JEAN-CLAUDE FIORAVANTI — DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL, STUDIA INC

« Notre rôle est de garantir une intégration fluide et durable des solutions dans les systèmes existants, en tenant compte des spécificités institutionnelles et réglementaires locales. » ABDOULAYE DIA — FONDATEUR, D.IA ADVISORY

En combinant expertise métier, capacité opérationnelle et ancrage local, ce partenariat vise à accompagner concrètement les gouvernements africains dans la modernisation de leurs registres d’état civil, tout en contribuant au développement d’infrastructures d’identité numérique fiables, inclusives et durables.

À l’occasion du Sommet ID4Africa 2026 (12–15 mai 2026, Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), les deux partenaires présenteront leur vision commune et les solutions développées à destination des États et institutions du continent.

Distribué par APO Group pour Studia Inc..

CONTACTS PRESSE :
JEAN-CLAUDE FIORAVANTI
Directeur Général — Studia Inc
jean-claude.fioravanti@studia.fr
+261 38 49 138 00  (WhatsApp)

ABDOULAYE DIA
D.IA Advisory
adia@dia-advisory.com
+33 7 82 35 31 30 
+221 78 961 80 95

À propos de Studia Inc :
Studia Inc est spécialisée dans la numérisation, l’indexation et la valorisation de données complexes et volumineuses. Elle accompagne les institutions publiques et privées dans leurs projets de transformation digitale, notamment dans le domaine de l’état civil, en proposant des solutions innovantes, sécurisées et adaptées aux enjeux de souveraineté des données. www.Studia.fr

À propos de D.IA Advisory :
D.IA Advisory est une ESN sénégalaise spécialisée dans le conseil stratégique et le déploiement de solutions numériques en Afrique. Elle accompagne les organisations publiques et privées dans la conception et la mise en œuvre de projets technologiques à fort impact social et institutionnel. www.DIA-Advisory.com

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Uganda: Opposition calls Sovereignty Protection Bill, redundant and unconstitutional

Source: APO

The Opposition has rejected the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026 describing it as unnecessary, legally redundant and potentially harmful to Uganda’s democratic and economic environment.

The Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi while appearing before a joint committee scrutinising the Bill on Friday, 24 April 2026, said the proposed law duplicates provisions in statutes such as the Penal Code Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Public Finance Management Act and the NGO Act. 
“We have a plethora of laws that touch critical concerns that anyone would have; the Penal Code Act captures a number of those provisions, so it is redundant,” Ssenyonyi said.

He explained that crimes such as treason, illicit financial flows and unlawful foreign funding are already criminalised under existing frameworks.
“If a foreign embassy tries to fund a violent coup, the Penal Code Act already criminalises treason. If someone launders illicit foreign money, the Anti-Money Laundering Act already mandates declarations of source of funds,” he added.

Ssenyonyi warned that the Bill introduces harsh provisions that could negatively affect Uganda’s economy and civic space. 
He cited a clause capping foreign funding at Shs400 million where by receiving higher amounts without ministerial approval attracts penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
The LoP raised concern over Clause 2(2) which criminalises influencing the public against government policy, arguing that it undermines the constitutional role of the Opposition.

Similarly, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) through its General Secretary Francis Ebil called for the withdrawal of the Bill, describing it as unconstitutional. “By reclassifying Ugandans as purely foreigners based on residence, the Bill is by passing the 1995 Constitution which guarantees that every person who was a citizen at the commencement of the Constitution remains a citizen,” Ebil said.

Ebil criticised the proposed penalties, including jail terms of up to 20 years and fines reaching Shs4 billion, saying they violate protections against cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.

He noted that definitions such as ‘economic sabotage’, ‘foreigner’ and ‘foreign agent’,  should be described with precision as they could be abused to suppress press freedom and free expression.
“A New Vision journalist could be prosecuted for publishing an accurate report… if the report leads to a drop-in company shares or investor confidence,” he cautioned.

The committee called for further engagement on the Bill rather than outright rejection with Bugabula County North MP, Hon. John Teira noting that the Bill targets subversive activities against the interests of Uganda rather than applying broadly.

Kibale County MP, Hon. Richard Oriebo maintained that consolidating sovereignty-related provisions into one law might be more effective than amending multiple existing statutes

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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Uganda: Gov’t suspends trade order enforcement

Source: APO

The Minister of State for Trade, Cooperatives and Industry (Industry), Hon. David Bahati has revealed that government has suspended the trade order across the country.

Bahati made the revelation during the plenary sitting on Friday, 24 April 2026 following concerns raised by Members of Parliament (MPs).

In February this year, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and local government authorities across the country started a major crack down on roadside vendors and illegal kiosks in a bid to create orderliness.

The move has however, sparked public outcry and lawmakers have added their voices, urging government to reconsider the action.

Bahati told the legislators that government is consulting on how to better manage the matter, following the concerns raised by religious leaders and traders. 
“We shall have a final meeting at the end of June so that at the beginning of July we have a refined way of operating. We did apologise to the religious leaders because some people while carrying out evictions made reckless statements against various religions,” Bahati said. 

He also clarified that the suspension does not negate the evictions that have already been carried out. “We are suspending where we had not reached but where we have covered, it will remain, but by June, we shall have a better way of handling this matter,” he said.

The matter was first raised by Hon. Solomon Silwanyi, (NRM, Bukooli County Central) who said that the evictions have disrupted so many livelihoods. 
“Since the minister has committed and says that they have suspended the evictions, a letter should be written to the town councils because the evictions are still going on,” he said.

Speaker Anita Among urged government to exercise caution in implementation of such livelihood altering decisions. 
“The trade order is not bad but government should not use goons to evict. This should be done progressively; make these people understand that they are operating in road reserves and where we need markets to relocate these people, we put them there,” she said.

Kira Municipality MP, Hon. Ssemujju Nganda wondered what plans are in place to restore the businesses that have already been destroyed. 
“What happens to lives you have already ruined? Next time you want to restore trade order, can you do it with a human face?” he asked. 

Erute County South Representative, Hon. Jonathan Odur welcomed the suspension and asked government to always consult before implementing decisions that affect people’s sources of income.  
“Everyone wants this country to be orderly but there was no consultation and I am happy now that you are going to consult,” Odur said. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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Studia Inc strengthens its African expansion and concludes a strategic partnership with D.IA Advisory to accelerate the local deployment of its civil registration solutions

Source: APO

Building on the digitisation of nearly 10 million civil registration records in Madagascar, Studia Inc (https://STD-Inc.mg) now possesses proven operational capacity to process, structure, and secure massive volumes of critical data — the indispensable foundation for any digital identity strategy. The modernisation of civil registration has become a priority for states. In this context, Studia Inc stands out through its complete mastery of its core business: the industrial digitisation of civil registers, including in complex environments characterised by degraded, dispersed, or difficult-to-use archives.

The figures are unambiguous: according to the UNICEF report The Right Start in Life (December 2024), only 51% of children under 5 are registered in sub-Saharan Africa — a region that alone accounts for half of the world’s 90 million children without legal identity. The situation is even more critical in East and Central Africa, where the rate falls to 41%. Without significant acceleration, the continent could have more than 100 million unregistered children by 2030. These individuals remain invisible to the state, without access to fundamental rights or public services.

Technological expertise at the service of data reliability

Studia Inc, specialised in high-volume data digitisation and indexing, is establishing itself as a leading player in this field. As part of the national EC-MADA programme in Madagascar, the company conducted the inventory, digitisation, and indexing of nearly 10 million civil registration records, mobilising 500 people over 7 months — 70,000 person-days — to cover 1,695 communes across 11 priority regions, reaching the most isolated areas of the territory through autonomous mobile units equipped with satellite connectivity and solar energy.

Studia Inc’s approach is built on the integration of artificial intelligence at the heart of digitisation processes. Its specialised OCR models enable the automated extraction of complex handwritten data and the intelligent segmentation of registers into exploitable records. A blind double-entry mechanism — combining algorithmic processing with independent human validation — guarantees a high level of reliability, consistent with the requirements of national identity systems. This combination of AI speed, human rigour, and mobile deployment makes it possible to operate at scale where the urgency is greatest, before this identity heritage disappears.

A partnership built on complementary expertise

The partnership with D.IA Advisory, a digital services company based in Senegal, is built on a clear division of roles. Studia Inc retains full responsibility for digitisation and indexing operations — its core business. D.IA Advisory provides support on local integration and deployment: integrating data into existing information systems, ensuring interoperability with national platforms, adapting to regulatory frameworks and data sovereignty requirements, and supporting institutions. This structure ensures both a high level of technical expertise and effective execution close to local realities.

« Our expertise is built on mastering large-scale digitisation of civil registration records, with exacting standards for data quality and reliability. This partnership with D.IA Advisory strengthens our capacity to deploy our solutions across diverse local environments. » Jean-Claude Fioravanti — CEO, Studia Inc

« Our role is to ensure the fluid and lasting integration of solutions into existing systems, taking into account local institutional and regulatory specificities. » Abdoulaye Dia — Founder, D.IA Advisory

By combining core expertise, operational capacity, and local presence, this partnership aims to concretely support African governments in modernising their civil registers, while contributing to the development of reliable, inclusive, and sustainable digital identity infrastructures.

At the ID4Africa 2026 Summit (12–15 May 2026, Abidjan Exhibition Centre, Côte d’Ivoire), both partners will present their shared vision and the solutions developed for states and institutions across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Studia Inc..

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A Studia Inc reforça a sua expansão em África e conclui uma parceria estratégica com a D.IA Advisory para acelerar a implantação local das suas soluções de registo civil

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Com base na digitalização de quase 10 milhões de actos de registo civil em Madagascár, a Studia Inc (https://STD-Inc.mg) dispõe hoje de uma capacidade operacional comprovada para tratar, estruturar e garantir a fiabilidade de volumes massivos de dados críticos — base indispensável para qualquer estratégia de identidade digital. A modernização do registo civil impõe-se como uma prioridade para os Estados. Neste contexto, a Studia Inc distingue-se pelo domínio completo do seu núcleo de actividade: a digitalização industrial dos registos civis, incluindo em ambientes complexos caracterizados por arquivos degradados, dispersos ou de difícil utilização.

Os números são inequívocos: segundo o relatório The Right Start in Life da UNICEF (dezembro de 2024), apenas 51% das crianças menores de 5 anos estão registadas na África subsariana — uma região que por si só representa metade dos 90 milhões de crianças sem identidade legal no mundo. A situação é ainda mais crítica na África Oriental e Central, onde a taxa desce para 41%. Sem uma aceleração significativa, o continente poderá ter mais de 100 milhões de crianças não registadas até 2030. Estes indivíduos permanecem invisíveis aos olhos do Estado, sem acesso a direitos fundamentais nem a serviços públicos.

Experiência tecnológica ao serviço da fiabilidade dos dados

A Studia Inc, especializada na digitalização e indexação de dados de grande volume, afirma-se como um actor de referência neste domínio. No âmbito do programa nacional EC-MADA em Madagascár, a empresa conduziu o inventário, a digitalização e a indexação de perto de 10 milhões de actos de registo civil, mobilizando 500 pessoas durante 7 meses — 70 000 dias-pessoa — para cobrir 1 695 comunas em 11 regiões prioritárias, até às áreas mais isoladas do território, através de unidades móveis autónomas equipadas com conectividade por satélite e energia solar.

A abordagem da Studia Inc assenta na integração da inteligência artificial no cerne dos processos de digitalização. Os seus modelos de OCR especializados permitem a extração automatizada de dados manuscritos complexos e a segmentação inteligente dos registos em actos exploráveis. Um dispositivo de dupla entrada cega — combinando tratamento algorítmico e validação humana independente — garante um elevado nível de fiabilidade, conforme com as exigências dos sistemas de identidade nacionais. Esta combinação — velocidade da IA, rigor humano, implantação móvel — permite operar à grande escala onde a urgência é maior, antes que este património identitário desapareça.

Uma parceria estruturada em torno da complementaridade das experiências

A parceria com a D.IA Advisory, empresa de serviços digitais sediada no Senegal, assenta numa repartição clara de funções. A Studia Inc mantém a plena responsabilidade pelas operações de digitalização e indexação — núcleo da sua actividade. A D.IA Advisory intervem em apoio nas dimensões de integração local e implementação: integração dos dados nos sistemas de informação existentes, interoperabilidade com as plataformas nacionais, adaptação aos quadros regulamentares e às exigências de soberania dos dados, e apoio às instituições. Esta organização garante simultaneamente um elevado nível de especialização técnica e uma execução eficaz próxima das realidades locais.

« A nossa experiência assenta no domínio da digitalização em larga escala dos registos civis, com padrões rigorosos de qualidade e fiabilidade dos dados. Esta parceria com a D.IA Advisory reforça a nossa capacidade de implementar as nossas soluções em ambientes locais diversificados. » Jean-Claude Fioravanti — Director-Geral, Studia Inc

« O nosso papel é garantir uma integração fluida e durável das soluções nos sistemas existentes, tendo em conta as especificidades institucionais e regulamentares locais. » Abdoulaye Dia — Fundador, D.IA Advisory

Ao combinar experiência de base, capacidade operacional e presença local, esta parceria visa apoiar concretamente os governos africanos na modernização dos seus registos civis, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de infra-estruturas de identidade digital fiáveis, inclusivas e duradouras.

Por ocasião da Cúpula ID4Africa 2026 (12–15 de maio de 2026, Centro de Exposições de Abidjã, Costa do Marfim), os dois parceiros apresentarão a sua visão comum e as soluções desenvolvidas para os Estados e instituições do continente.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Studia Inc..

CONTACTOS DE IMPRENSA:
JEAN-CLAUDE FIORAVANTI
Director-Geral — Studia Inc
jean-claude.fioravanti@studia.fr
+261 38 49 138 00  (WhatsApp)

ABDOULAYE DIA
D.IA Advisory
adia@dia-advisory.com
+33 7 82 35 31 30 
+221 78 961 80 95

Sobre a Studia Inc:
A Studia Inc é especializada na digitalização, indexação e valorização de dados complexos e voluminosos. Acompanha as instituições públicas e privadas nos seus projectos de transformação digital, nomeadamente no domínio do registo civil, propondo soluções inovadoras, seguras e adaptadas aos desafios da soberania dos dados. www.Studia.fr

Sobre a D.IA Advisory:
A D.IA Advisory é uma empresa senegalesa de serviços digitais especializada em consultoria estratégica e na implantação de soluções digitais em África. Acompanha as organizações públicas e privadas na concepção e implementação de projectos tecnológicos com elevado impacto social e institucional. www.DIA-Advisory.com

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Ghana’s fuel payment strategy works for now: how to fix longer term problems

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ishmael Tingbani, Associate Professor in Accounting, University of Southampton

Ghana introduced a new payment arrangement for petroleum imports in 2023, using gold instead of scarce US dollars. The policy was designed to ease pressure on the cedi by reducing the need for upfront dollar purchases to settle fuel import bills.

In an import-dependent economy, rising demand for US dollars usually weakens the domestic currency. Importers must exchange local currency for dollars. As the local currency loses value, the local cost of imports rises, driving inflation.

Ghana’s petroleum-for-gold strategy delivered short-term benefits. It reduced immediate demand for foreign exchange, supported relative stability in the cedi and contributed to moderating fuel price pressures and inflation.

The country is still vulnerable to global oil price shocks, however. That has become evident with the latest surge in oil prices triggered by instability in the Middle East. For oil-importing economies such as Ghana, geopolitical risks like this translate directly into higher fuel import costs and greater pressure on foreign-exchange reserves.

I am a scholar who has served as a technical adviser to Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and major oil firms. This article argues that Ghana’s current stabilisation measures are helping to manage short-term pressure, but they have not removed the country’s exposure to oil shocks. That matters because temporary relief should not be mistaken for structural reform.

The structural gaps are limited refining capacity, weak storage infrastructure and an underdeveloped downstream petroleum sector.

As long as these constraints remain, oil shocks will continue to transmit quickly into the exchange rate, inflation and the broader economy.

What’s working

Ghana is one of Africa’s largest gold producers, with output exceeding 120 tonnes annually.

The creation of the Ghana Gold Board, under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 Act 1140, improves the state’s ability to mobilise gold through official channels. This is not a solution to Ghana’s energy problem. But it is a more credible stabilisation strategy than relying on politically driven fuel price interventions and implicit subsidies. Those strategies, seen in earlier periods, contributed to fiscal losses and market distortions.

Inflation has eased significantly over the past year, falling from peak levels in 2023 to around 3%-4% in early 2026. Fuel prices have moderated, with pump prices declining by over 20% year-on-year in Febuary 2026. This indicates that short term pressures are being managed.

But relief is not reform. Policies such as gold-for-oil cannot eliminate Ghana’s dependence on imported refined fuels.

The gaps

Ghana’s vulnerability to global oil shocks stems from the structure of its energy system. Despite producing crude from offshore fields such as Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa-Gye Nyame, the country remains heavily dependent on imported refined fuels priced and settled in US dollars. That mismatch ties the domestic economy directly to global oil markets.

In practice, this dependence is substantial. Domestic refining meets only a small share of demand, with roughly 72% of refined petroleum products supplied through imports in recent years. In other words, most of the fuel actually consumed in the economy is sourced from international markets rather than processed locally, reinforcing the country’s reliance on foreign currency.

These imports are concentrated in a few critical products that underpin everyday economic activity. Diesel accounts for the largest share, used extensively in transport, logistics, construction and backup power generation. Petrol (gasoline) supports road transport, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is widely used for household cooking and some commercial purposes. In effect, Ghana’s import bill is not abstract. It underwrites the economy’s core energy needs, from moving goods and people to powering businesses and households.

This dependency on imports is driven by three factors.

  • Limited refining capacity. Ghana’s ability to process crude oil domestically is constrained by the limited and unreliable operation of its main refining asset, the Tema Oil Refinery. Although installed capacity exists, it has operated intermittently for years due to financial constraints, maintenance challenges and operational inefficiencies.

But expanding domestic refining capacity on its own won’t insulate Ghana from price dynamics. Domestic fuel prices remain linked to international benchmarks, meaning global oil shocks would continue to pass through to inflation.

Where refining could make a difference is on the financing side. It would lower demand for US dollars.

  • Weak storage infrastructure. Ghana has limited strategic storage capacity for petroleum products, reducing its ability to build reserves and manage supply over time. The country must rely on frequent imports to meet demand, increasing exposure to external supply and financing shocks.

  • An underdeveloped downstream petroleum sector. Beyond refining and storage, inefficiencies in the movement and sale of petroleum products constrain how effectively supply is managed within the domestic market. Distribution remains fragmented across importers, bulk distributors and retail outlets, with limited coordination and logistical bottlenecks in transportation and depot infrastructure. Regulatory rigidities in pricing and market participation further reduce flexibility. As a result, even when supply is available, it is not always efficiently allocated, and global price shocks are transmitted quickly and with limited buffering through the domestic economy.

What needs to be done

Four priorities now stand out.

First, recent gains must be consolidated through continued macroeconomic discipline and a firm avoidance of policy reversals.

Second, foreign-exchange buffers should be strengthened to better absorb future oil-price shocks and contain exchange-rate pressures.

Third, gold and foreign exchange strategies need to be integrated so that gold mobilisation directly reinforces external liquidity.

Finally, dependence on downstream imports must be reduced through credible investment in refining, storage and broader energy infrastructure.

The real test of Ghana’s fuel strategy is not whether it can withstand a single episode of oil-market volatility, but whether today’s stabilisation measures can be converted into a more resilient energy system.

– Ghana’s fuel payment strategy works for now: how to fix longer term problems
– https://theconversation.com/ghanas-fuel-payment-strategy-works-for-now-how-to-fix-longer-term-problems-281076

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PM Advisor and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Meets Head of British Office Sudan, UK Special Representative to Sudan

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | April 26, 2026

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, met in Doha on Sunday with Head of the British Office for Sudan and UK Special Representative to Sudan, Richard Crowder.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance it, in addition to discussing the latest regional and international developments, particularly in Sudan, as well as several issues of mutual interest. 

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Minister announces withdrawal of draft AI Policy

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister announces withdrawal of draft AI Policy

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has announced the withdrawal of the Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy following an internal process.

“Following revelations that the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy published for public comment contains various fictitious sources in its reference list, we initiated internal questions, which have now confirmed that this was the case. 

“This failure is not a mere technical issue but has compromised the integrity and credibility of the draft policy. As such, I am withdrawing the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy,” the Minister said.

The draft AI policy was approved by Cabinet on 25 March 2026 (combined with the Special Sitting of Cabinet on 01 April 2026), for public comment. In the Government Gazette dated 10 April, the public had until 10 June 2026 to comment on the bill.

The document extends the initial AI policy framework by embedding principles of intergenerational equity, ensuring that AI-driven innovation prioritises the well-being of current and future generations.

Speaking at the launch of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) lab and a Centre of Specialisation in Mpumalanga for artisan training earlier this month, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the government is developing a comprehensive response through the policy. He added at the time that the policy will establish national priorities, norms, and sector-specific strategies across manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, transport, and trade.

On Sunday, Minister Malatsi said the withdrawal comes as South Africans deserve better.

“The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies did not deliver on the standard that is acceptable for an institution entrusted with the role to lead South Africa ‘s digital policy environment. The most plausible explanation is that AI-generated citations were included without proper verification.

“This should not have happened. In fact, this unacceptable lapse proves why vigilant human oversight over the use of artificial intelligence is critical. It’s a lesson we take with humility. I want to reassure the country that we are treating this matter with the gravity it deserves. There will be consequence management for those responsible for drafting and quality assurance,” said the Minister. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Qatar Condemns Attacks on Several Areas in Mali

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | April 26, 2026

The State of Qatar voices its condemnation and denunciation of the attacks that targeted several military and civilian areas in the Republic of Mali, including the capital Bamako, and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm stance against violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of the motives or reasons.

The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the Republic of Mali, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

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Ambassador Yin Chengwu Delivers a Lecture at the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute of Liberia

Source: APO


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On April 24, Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, delivered a lecture entitled “How the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) proposed by China could benefit developing countries”, at the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute(FSI) of Liberia. More than 100 people attended, including Hon. Reginald Goodridge, Director General of the FSI, H.E. George Wallace, H.E. Olubanke King-Akerele, H.E. Monie R.Captan, former Liberian Foreign Ministers and other former high-level officials, as well as current officials and trainees.

Yin introduced the development process and key connotations of the BRI, as well as the fruitful results of China-Africa and China-Liberia Belt and Road cooperation, elaborating on how the BRI benefits developing countries in areas such as economic development and global governance. Yin stated that China will further implement the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) and promote China-Liberia high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to a new level during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. Yin also answered questions.

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