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bp Bets Big on Namibia’s Deepwater Frontier with New Offshore Blocks

Source: APO – Report:

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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) has welcomed bp’s acquisition of a 60% operating interest in three offshore exploration blocks in Namibia, describing the move as a strong endorsement of Africa’s frontier basins and the continent’s growing role in global energy supply.

The transaction, which gives bp operatorship of blocks PEL97, PEL99 and PEL100 in Namibia’s Walvis Basin, marks a significant expansion of the UK supermajor’s African upstream footprint. The assets were acquired from Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas, with bp stepping into a position that places it closer to Namibia’s rapidly evolving deepwater exploration corridor adjacent to the Orange Basin.

The deal reinforces the shift in Africa’s exploration narrative – from perceived frontier risk toward increasingly competitive global opportunity, underpinned by geological potential, improving partnerships and rising investor confidence.

“Credit must be given to bp for recognizing the scale of opportunity in Namibia, and equally to Gil Holzman and Eco Atlantic for pioneering early exploration efforts that helped position these blocks on the global radar,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “This is what African energy development should look like – international majors and African-focused companies working together to unlock value, build knowledge and accelerate development.”

Namibia has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most closely watched frontier exploration provinces, following a wave of offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin by operators including Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp. These discoveries have repositioned the country as a potential multi-billion-barrel deepwater oil province and triggered a surge of international interest.

The Walvis Basin, where bp has now established operatorship, remains less explored but is increasingly seen as a geological extension of the same broader petroleum system. Early indicators point to comparable reservoir characteristics, positioning it as a potential next frontier for exploration-led investment. While appraisal and development timelines remain long-cycle, Namibia is expected to see first production from offshore discoveries by the end of the decade, assuming continued exploration success and infrastructure alignment.

bp’s move reflects a broader rebalancing in global upstream portfolios, as international oil companies prioritize high-impact exploration opportunities capable of delivering long-term reserves growth.

Africa is increasingly benefiting from this shift. As mature basins face declining output and rising costs, frontier regions such as Namibia are emerging as strategic alternatives offering scale, geological upside and relatively open acreage.

Under the agreement, Eco Atlantic will retain a minority stake alongside Namibia’s national oil company NAMCOR, ensuring continued local participation in the development of the blocks. This model is critical to ensuring that exploration success translates into domestic value creation, local capability development and long-term production capacity.

While Namibia remains in the exploration phase, the pace of activity points to a rapidly evolving basin trajectory. bp’s entry adds technical expertise and financial capacity that could accelerate appraisal drilling and future development planning.

The deal also reflects a broader validation of Africa’s upstream sector as a central pillar of future global energy security, particularly as supply diversification becomes a strategic priority for international markets. bp’s investment, alongside the groundwork laid by Eco Atlantic under Gil Holzman’s leadership, underscores a collaboration model that positions Namibia not just as a frontier play, but as an emerging cornerstone of Africa’s deepwater future.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Merck Foundation declared Gabon First Lady as Ambassador of “More than a Mother” to build healthcare capacity, break infertility stigma, and support girl education

Source: APO – Report:

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of Gabonese Republic, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2024 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education in Gabon and the rest of Africa.

The program was chaired by The First Lady of Gabon, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej. The program took place at the State House, Gabon.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “It is a great honor to meet my dear sister, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of Gabon. We officially declared her as the Ambassador of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign. We also formally launched the Merck Foundation programs in the country and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape transformation, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp added, “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program.”

H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of Gabonese Republic & Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO to our country. Together we officially launched our joint programs and also celebrated important milestones of the great success of our joint programs to build healthcare capacity, transform patientcare, break infertility stigma and support girl education. This is the first time that we are working on such impactful programs, it is history in the making. We have achieved a lot in a very short span of time, through our long-term partnership, which started in 2024.

I am very proud to share that through our partnership, we have provided 16 scholarships for our local healthcare providers who will be the future healthcare experts of Gabon, who have either graduated, undergoing or will be starting soon the Merck Foundation scholarships of training in critical and underserved specialties such as Fertility, Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes and Hypertension.”

“I am also very happy to share that together with The First Lady of Gabon, we are also supporting girl education by providing annual scholarships to support the education of 40 high-performing yet underprivileged schoolgirls, till they graduate, so that they can reach their potentials and achieve their dreams”, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.

Merck Foundation has provided more than 2600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

Out of the total 16 scholarships provided in Gabon, Merck Foundation has provided:

  • 4 scholarships for Fertility and Embryology. These were hands on practical trainings in India. The first ever embryologist of the country has been trained through the program.
  • 4 scholarships for Diabetes & Hypertension, including a special 3 months Diabetes Mastercourse in French language and Clinical Fellowship in Diabetes and Hypertension. Upon completion of the training, these specialists will have the expertise to establish dedicated clinics in hospitals and health centers, significantly enhancing the prevention and management of diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, bringing immense benefits to the people of Gabon.
  • 8 Scholarships for Oncology Nursing, which is very critical for cancer care.

During the launch program, the beneficiaries of the Educating Linda program were also present, where a few of them shared inspiring testimonies on how the scholarships have changed their lives.

“I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger & prosperous”, added Senator Kelej.  

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Gabon has launched seven children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, ‘Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future”, “Sugar free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure”. These books address critical social and health issues to young children. Few copies of the storybooks were signed by The First Lady of Gabon, Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO. Thousands of copies of these storybooks will be distributed to schoolchildren.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has conducted two editions of their Online Health Media Training for the Gabonese journalists in order to empower them to raise awareness about sensitive issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, ending Child marriage and FGM and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension prevention and early detection.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Gabon has also announced the Call for Application for their 8 important annual Awards for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Details of the Awards:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026:  All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.

6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.

7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.

8. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.

Apply here: https://apo-opa.co/4tdXYha

Entries for all the awards are to be submitted via email to:

submit@merck-foundation.com

– on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4t8IStr
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Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4cl1RK5
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4vHkAZc
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4tj3XkP

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4t8IStr), X (https://apo-opa.co/4vpnzoK), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4vqWXnv), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4voH54Q), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4cl1RK5) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4vHkAZc).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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Changpeng Zhao (CZ) lança Freedom of Money (Liberdade do dinheiro), um livro de memórias que aborda a ascensão das criptomoedas e a história por trás da Binance

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Poucas figuras estiveram tão estreitamente associadas à ascensão da indústria das criptomoedas como o cofundador da Binance (www.Binance.com), Changpeng Zhao (CZ). No seu novo livro de memórias, Freedom of Money, A Memoir of Protecting Users, Resilience, and the Founding of Binance (Liberdade do dinheiro, memórias sobre a proteção dos utilizadores, resiliência e a fundação da Binance), CZ oferece um relato franco dos primeiros tempos das criptomoedas, da rápida expansão da Binance e das consequências pessoais de estar no centro da criação de uma das indústrias de crescimento mais rápido das finanças modernas.  

Disponível a nível mundial a partir de 08 de abril de 2026, no Amazon Kindle e em capa mole, Freedom of Money acompanha o percurso de CZ desde a sua juventude e a sua trajetória pouco convencional até à tecnologia, passando pela fundação e o rápido crescimento da Binance durante um período em que a indústria das criptomoedas assistia a uma expansão a um ritmo sem precedentes.

Parte autobiografia, parte reflexão sobre a evolução dos ativos digitais, o livro oferece aos leitores a perspetiva de quem esteve à frente do desenvolvimento de uma plataforma global numa nova indústria onde as regras ainda estavam a ser definidas.

“Embora muitas pessoas me tenham felicitado por ser o número um, houve algo que me deu mais satisfação”, escreve CZ no livro. “Recebi mensagens de utilizadores de todo o mundo a agradecer-nos por lhes proporcionarmos acesso financeiro ou até liberdade financeira.”

O livro de memórias também aborda os desafios inerentes à construção a um ritmo tão acelerado, incluindo as pressões de expandir uma empresa global, o controlo regulamentar à medida que a indústria amadurecia, e a experiência pessoal de CZ que cumpriu uma pena de quatro meses numa prisão federal dos EUA.

“Este livro de memórias não é uma história empresarial higienizada”, afirmou CZ. “Reflete sobre como foi construir numa altura em que a indústria das criptomoedas ainda estava a tomar forma – os sucessos, os erros e as lições retiradas de ambos.”

Além dos eventos que definiram a carreira de CZ, Freedom of Money explora temas mais amplos como dinheiro, tecnologia e responsabilidade, e como a sua perspetiva sobre a liberdade financeira evoluiu ao longo do tempo.

Reflexão sobre um período decisivo das criptomoedas

Ao longo da última década, a Binance desempenhou um papel importante no crescimento do ecossistema de ativos digitais, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento da infraestrutura utilizada por milhões de utilizadores em todo o mundo.

Freedom of Money oferece a perspetiva pessoal de CZ sobre esse período de rápida inovação e expansão na indústria das criptomoedas.

Nas palavras de Richard Teng, co-CEO da Binance: “A história da Binance está estreitamente ligada à evolução inicial da indústria das criptomoedas.” Freedom of Money oferece a perspetiva de um fundador sobre os desafios e as oportunidades que moldaram os ativos digitais durante os seus anos formativos.”

Yi He, Co-CEO da Binance, acrescentou: “Os primeiros dias das criptomoedas foram acelerados e cheios de possibilidades, embora nem sempre totalmente compreendidos.” “Este livro capta a energia de construir nesse momento e o incrível progresso que a indústria alcançou desde então.”

Rachel Conlan, Diretora de Marketing da Binance, afirma: “Para muitas pessoas, a história das criptomoedas foi contada através de manchetes e ciclos de mercado. O que este livro oferece é um relato na primeira pessoa de alguém que ajudou a construir a infraestrutura por trás do crescimento da indústria.”

Disponibilidade:

  • Freedom of Money (https://apo-opa.co/4muGafd) está disponível a nível mundial a partir de 08 de abril de 2026 no Amazon Kindle e em capa mole.
  • O livro é publicado em inglês e chinês, estando a ser consideradas outras traduções.
  • Todas as receitas da autoria do livro de CZ serão doadas a instituições de caridade.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Binance.

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Changpeng Zhao (CZ) publie « Freedom of Money », un ouvrage autobiographique qui revient sur l’essor de la cryptomonnaie et l’histoire de Binance

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Dans ses nouveaux mémoires, Freedom of Money, A Memoir of Protecting Users, Resilience, and the Founding of Binance (Liberté de l’argent : Mémoires sur la protection des utilisateurs, la résilience et la création de Binance), CZ livre un récit sans concession des débuts de la cryptomonnaie, de l’explosion fulgurante de Binance (www.Binance.com) et des conséquences personnelles liées au fait d’avoir bâti son empire au cœur de l’un des secteurs les plus dynamiques de la finance moderne.

Disponible dans le monde entier à compter du 8 avril 2026 sur Amazon Kindle et en livre de poche, Freedom of Money retrace le parcours de CZ, depuis ses débuts et son cheminement atypique vers la technologie jusqu’à la création et la croissance fulgurante de Binance, à une époque où le secteur de la cryptomonnaie connaissait une expansion sans précédent.

À mi-chemin entre les mémoires et une réflexion sur l’évolution des actifs numériques, cet ouvrage offre aux lecteurs le point de vue d’un fondateur sur ce qu’a représenté le développement d’une plateforme mondiale dans un secteur naissant où les règles étaient encore en cours d’élaboration.

« Alors que beaucoup de gens me félicitaient d’être numéro un, c’est autre chose qui me procurait davantage de satisfaction », écrit CZ dans son livre. « Je recevais des messages d’utilisateurs du monde entier qui nous remerciaient de leur avoir donné accès à des services financiers, et bien plus encore, de leur avoir offert une certaine liberté financière. »

Ce récit autobiographique revient également sur les défis liés à une croissance aussi rapide, notamment la pression liée au développement d’une entreprise d’envergure mondiale, le contrôle réglementaire à mesure que le secteur prenait de l’ampleur, ainsi que l’expérience personnelle de CZ, qui a purgé une peine de quatre mois dans une prison fédérale américaine.

« Ce livre n’est pas une histoire d’entreprise édulcorée », a déclaré CZ. « Il revient sur ce qu’a été cette période de développement alors que le secteur de la cryptomonnaie était encore en train de prendre forme : les succès, les erreurs et les leçons tirées de l’un et de l’autre. »

Au-delà des événements qui ont marqué la carrière de CZ, Freedom of Money explore des thèmes plus larges tels que l’argent, la technologie et la responsabilité, et explique comment sa vision de la liberté financière a évolué au fil du temps.

Retour sur une période charnière dans l’univers de la cryptomonnaie

Au cours de la dernière décennie, Binance a joué un rôle majeur dans la croissance de l’écosystème des actifs numériques, en contribuant à soutenir le développement d’infrastructures utilisées par des millions d’utilisateurs à travers le monde.

Freedom of Money présente le point de vue personnel de CZ sur cette période d’innovation et d’expansion rapides dans le secteur de la cryptomonnaie.

Richard Teng, co-PDG de Binance, a déclaré : « L’histoire de Binance est étroitement liée aux débuts de l’industrie de la cryptomonnaie. Freedom of Money offre le point de vue d’un fondateur sur les défis et les opportunités qui ont façonné les actifs numériques au cours de leurs premières années. »

Yi He, co-PDG de Binance, a ajouté : « Les débuts de la cryptomonnaie ont été marqués par une évolution rapide et regorgeaient de possibilités, même si celles-ci n’étaient pas toujours pleinement comprises. Ce livre rend compte de l’énergie qui animait cette période de construction et des progrès incroyables que le secteur a accomplis depuis lors. »

Rachel Conlan, directrice marketing chez Binance, a déclaré : « Pour beaucoup, l’histoire de la cryptomonnaie a été racontée à travers les gros titres et les cycles du marché. Ce livre offre le témoignage à la première personne de quelqu’un qui a contribué à bâtir l’infrastructure sous-jacente à la croissance du secteur. »

Disponibilité

  • Freedom of Money (https://apo-opa.co/4muGafd) sera disponible dans le monde entier à compter du 8 avril 2026 sur Amazon Kindle et en livre de poche.
  • Le livre est publié en anglais et en chinois, et d’autres traductions sont à l’étude.
  • L’intégralité des recettes tirées de la vente du livre dont CZ est l’auteur sera reversée à des œuvres caritatives.

Distribué par APO Group pour Binance.

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Changpeng Zhao (CZ) Releases Freedom of Money, a Memoir Reflecting on the Rise of Crypto and the Story Behind Binance

Source: APO

Few figures have been as closely associated with the rise of the cryptocurrency industry as Binance (www.Binance.com) co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). In his new memoir,  Freedom of Money, A Memoir of Protecting Users, Resilience, and the Founding of Binance,  CZ offers a candid account of the early days of crypto, the rapid explosion of Binance, and the personal consequences of building at the centre of one of the fastest moving industries in modern finance.  

Available globally from 08th April 2026 on Amazon Kindle and Paperback, Freedom of Money traces CZ’s journey from his early life and unconventional path into technology through the founding and rapid growth of Binance during a period when the cryptocurrency industry was expanding at unprecedented speed.

Part memoir and part reflection on the evolution of digital assets, the book offers readers a builder’s perspective on what it was like to grow a global platform in a new industry where the rules were still being written.

“While many people congratulated me on being number one, something else gave me more satisfaction,” CZ writes in the book. “I was getting messages from users all around the world thanking us for providing them with financial access or even financial freedom.”

The memoir also reflects on the challenges that came with building at such speed, including the pressures of scaling a global company, regulatory scrutiny as the industry matured, and CZ’s personal experience serving a four month sentence in a U.S. federal prison.

“This memoir is not a sanitized corporate story,” CZ said. “It reflects on what it was like to build during a time when the crypto industry was still taking shape – the successes, the mistakes, and the lessons that came from both.”

Alongside the events that defined CZ’s career, Freedom of Money explores broader themes of money, technology and responsibility, and how his views on financial freedom have evolved over time.

Reflecting on a Defining Period in Crypto

Over the past decade, Binance has played a significant role in the growth of the digital asset ecosystem, helping support the development of infrastructure used by millions of users globally.

Freedom of Money provides CZ’s personal perspective on that period of rapid innovation and expansion in the cryptocurrency industry.

Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, said: “The story of Binance is closely tied to the early evolution of the crypto industry. Freedom of Money offers a founder’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities that shaped digital assets during their formative years.”

Yi He, Co-Ceo of Binance, added: “The early days of crypto were fast-moving and full of possibility, even if not always fully understood. This book captures the energy of building in that moment and the incredible progress the industry has made since.”

Rachel Conlan, Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, said: “For many people, the story of crypto has been told through headlines and market cycles. What this book offers is a first person account from someone who helped build the infrastructure behind the industry’s growth.

Availability

  • Freedom of Money (https://apo-opa.co/4muGafd) is available globally 08 April 2026 on Amazon Kindle and Paperback.
  • The book is published in English and Chinese, with additional translations under consideration.
  • All proceeds from CZ’s authorship of the book will be donated to charity

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Call from Iran FM

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, April 13, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has received a phone call from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi, to discuss recent regional developments.
During the conversation, the two sides stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire between Iran and the United States in a bid to enhance regional stability.
HE Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the need for all parties to respond positively to ongoing mediation efforts, calling for dialogue and peaceful means to address the root causes of the crisis and reach a sustainable agreement that prevents renewed escalation.
He also underlined the importance of keeping maritime routes open and ensuring freedom of navigation, warning against using them as a bargaining chip.
His Excellency further cautioned that any disruption to shipping lanes could have serious consequences for countries in the region, as well as for global energy and food supplies, with wider implications for international peace and security.

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Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets French Official

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, April 13, 2026

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, met in Doha on Monday with HE Director-General for Political and Security Affairs at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Frederic Mondoloni.

The meeting discussed areas of bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance and develop them, as well as the latest regional developments, particularly de-escalation efforts.

Both sides highlighted the strategic partnership between Qatar and France across various fields, as well as their continued cooperation on regional and international issues. 

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Electric minibus taxis: the challenges and gains facing Cape Town’s transition

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By MJ (Thinus) Booysen, Professor in Engineering, Stellenbosch University

The minibus taxi is ubiquitous in southern Africa. These vehicles are the backbone of the urban economy, providing affordable mobility for millions. In Cape Town, South Africa’s second most populous city, they are central to the transport landscape.

Around two-thirds of the city’s public transport users rely on paratransit services (which respond flexibly to demand), carrying about 830,000 daily passengers across 1,466 routes, and run by private individuals or associations rather than the state.

Minibus taxis in Cape Town, South Africa.

But because these vehicles run on petrol and diesel, they also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, poor urban air quality and rising fuel costs.

The global shift away from internal combustion engines is accelerating, and public transport must be part of it. Bringing the electric vehicle transition to this sector, however, is not simply a matter of replacing one vehicle with another. In African paratransit systems, electrification raises a harder question: how do you change the vehicle without undermining the service on which so many people depend?

Electric minibuses would change how these vehicles operate, where and when they stop, how they interact with the grid, and driver decision making. They also require charging infrastructure that fits into the rhythms of taxi ranks, neighbourhoods and routes without disrupting service.

With Cape Town expected to launch its first few fully electric minibus taxi routes in Century City later in 2026, electrification is no longer a distant possibility. It is now urgent to understand whether it can work in practice for operators, passengers and the electricity grid.

We are a team of engineering researchers studying transport electrification in sub-Saharan Africa. In a series of studies, we have examined environmental and financial viability of electric vehicles under current mobility patterns, including charger placement, access, and adapted driving and charging behaviour.

Our new research found that electrifying minibus taxis is both necessary and possible. But it is also a complex challenge, with environmental trade-offs, grid constraints, operator costs and equity questions. Although our work focuses on Cape Town, the lessons are relevant to other African cities where paratransit dominates daily mobility.

Environmental perspective

The global narrative around electric vehicles often assumes they are a simple win for the climate. But this does not hold everywhere, especially where electricity still comes largely from fossil fuels. In South Africa, coal accounts for approximately 83% of electricity generation.

Petrol minibus taxi converted to electric. MJ (Thinus) Booysen, CC BY-NC-ND

Using real minibus taxi mobility patterns in Cape Town, our research compared the energy use, emissions and costs of electric and conventional minibuses. It found a counter-intuitive result: under current grid conditions, an electric minibus taxi has about a 14% higher carbon dioxide equivalent footprint than a standard diesel minibus. In other words, charging an electric taxi on a coal-heavy grid can currently produce more greenhouse gas emissions than running a diesel vehicle.

That is not the end of the story. Electric minibuses still offer major environmental and health benefits. They eliminate tailpipe particulate pollution, reduce brake wear, and cut noise. These local benefits matter in dense urban areas where people live close to busy roads. As South Africa’s electricity system shifts towards more renewable energy, the climate case for electric minibus taxis will strengthen too.

So the real conclusion is not that electric taxis are a bad idea. Rather, they are a long-term climate solution whose immediate value lies especially in cleaner air, lower noise and better urban health.

Energy perspective

Electrifying Cape Town’s minibus taxi fleet would add substantial new electricity demand. In one study, the typical vehicle required about 50.8 kWh per day, scaling to roughly 460 MWh a day across a fleet of about 9,000 vehicles, or the equivalent of about 65,700 homes. The key issue is not just how much energy is needed but where and when vehicles charge.

Here, the newer work changes the story. It is tempting to think the answer is simply to install faster chargers at taxi ranks. But our modelling suggests that access to charging matters more than charging speed alone. Home or secure neighbourhood charging has the biggest effect on whether current mobility patterns can be sustained and on how well the system performs when driver behaviour adapts.

A typical daily charge of around 50 kWh might take roughly two to three hours on a 22 kW charger, or just over an hour on a 50 kW charger, though real charging times vary. But faster charging does not solve the real problem: drivers still need reliable places and enough stationary time to charge without undermining service or losing income.

The studies also show that chargers should not be planned only for formal taxi ranks. Infrastructure stops and informal stops matter too, because that is how paratransit actually works.

Viability of maintaining internal combustion engine mobility patterns for different charging scenarios. DOI:10.1038/s41893-026-01808-9, CC BY-NC-ND

Nor will the effects be shared equally. Because apartheid-era geography still shapes where people live and work, operators in historically marginalised areas are more vulnerable when home charging is unavailable. Charging infrastructure is therefore not only a technical issue, but also an equity one.

There is also a grid challenge. Depot-only charging creates early-morning and daytime peaks, while home charging shifts demand into the evening residential peak. Unmanaged charging could therefore worsen stress on an already fragile electricity system. But time-of-use tariffs, managed charging, and better alignment with solar and other renewables could integrate electric taxis far more intelligently.

Operators’ perspective

For taxi operators, the economics of switching to electric vehicles are complicated. In one comparison, the electric option cost about 1.5 times as much as the diesel Toyota Ses’fikile – a 16-seater minibus – that currently dominates the market. Many operators already work on thin margins and face expensive finance.

The economics of switching to electric vehicles are complicated. DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2025.101892, CC BY-NC-ND

There are also financing costs: typically a 10% deposit and a 20% interest rate over a 72-month repayment period. Many operators may also be seen as high-risk by lenders, making finance difficult to access.

At the same time, the running-cost case for electric minibuses is much stronger. Energy costs are generally 33% to 57% lower than diesel fuel costs, and electric motors require less maintenance. For operators, then, this is a story of higher upfront cost set against lower operating cost, with the outcome depending heavily on electricity tariffs, finance terms and access to affordable charging.

Preparing for electrification

Careful planning and simulation are needed to roll out electric minibus taxis at scale. Policymakers need to understand the interactions between vehicle energy demand, charging infrastructure, grid capacity, driver behaviour and passenger service.

That is why we modelled driver behaviour in an electrified paratransit system. Unlike formal bus services, minibus taxi drivers adapt routes, stops and charging to passenger demand and competition. Our simulations show that constrained depot charging increases waiting times and reduces trips served. But with home charging, depot congestion falls sharply and service quality is largely maintained.

This matters because electrification is not just about vehicles and chargers, but about how informal transport systems actually work. If planners treat taxi operations like centrally controlled bus fleets, they will design the wrong interventions. The better approach is to plan around real mobility patterns, charging behaviour and neighbourhood inequality.

It is therefore crucial to bring taxi operators, municipalities, energy providers and communities together. Cleaner air and lower noise must be weighed against the grid’s current emissions profile. Operator economics must improve through better tariffs and financing. And charging infrastructure must be placed not only at depots and ranks, but also in the neighbourhoods and informal stops that shape paratransit every day.

With targeted subsidies, better overnight charging access, investment in renewable energy and clear policy support, Cape Town can begin building a public transport transition that is cleaner, more realistic and more just. If it gets this right, it could offer a blueprint for cities across Africa.

– Electric minibus taxis: the challenges and gains facing Cape Town’s transition
– https://theconversation.com/electric-minibus-taxis-the-challenges-and-gains-facing-cape-towns-transition-278808

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Nelson Mandela was a towering global symbol – but how effective was he as a president?

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anthony Michael Butler, Professor of Political Studies, University of Cape Town

Nelson Mandela remains one of the most revered political leaders of modern times. He is widely credited with guiding South Africa through a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. He embodied racial reconciliation, and lent moral authority to a fragile new state. Yet admiration for Mandela the symbol has often obscured a more difficult question. How effective was Mandela in the day-to-day exercise of presidential power?

Most assessments of political leaders focus on their impact in terms of economic success and policy achievements. Some are also assessed through their character, integrity and moral vision. Both approaches have value, but they risk missing something essential: how leaders actually use the power of their office.

I am a professor of political studies. In a recent study, I proposed a simple framework for analysing presidential leadership across four dimensions – the relationships between:

  • executive and symbolic power

  • party and state

  • domestic and international roles

  • formal authority and informal influence.

Applying this framework to Mandela’s presidency between 1994 and 1999, I derive a more complex, and more critical, assessment than is often offered. Such an analysis is useful at a time when Mandela’s legacy is increasingly contested.

A powerful symbol, a limited executive head

Mandela’s symbolic authority was extraordinary. He helped to stabilise a deeply divided society and reassured anxious minorities fearing a loss of power and privilege. He gave moral meaning to the new democratic order. His gestures, such as donning a Springbok (South Africa’s national rugby team) jersey at a world cup final and embracing former adversaries, were not incidental. They were central to his political project of reconciliation.

But Mandela showed far less interest in the executive dimension of leadership. He delegated most of the core work of governing to his deputy, Thabo Mbeki. He also allowed cabinet ministers considerable autonomy. As a result, key areas of policy were shaped without sustained presidential direction or public accountability. This mattered because the presidency in South Africa’s system combines both head-of-state and head-of-government roles. The potential synergy between symbolic authority and executive control was therefore left largely unrealised.

The consequences were especially visible in moments of crisis. The HIV/Aids epidemic, which intensified during Mandela’s presidency, required both decisive executive action and strong public leadership. Mandela delivered neither of those, and he later acknowledged his failure to act more forcefully.

Blurring party and state

Mandela also struggled to manage the relationship between the governing African National Congress (ANC) and the state. South Africa entered democracy as a dominant-party system, and the ANC’s authority was both a source of stability and a potential danger.

Rather than drawing clear institutional boundaries, Mandela endorsed practices that blurred them. The policy of “cadre deployment” – placing loyal party members in key state positions – was intended to transform a state inherited from apartheid. But it also weakened institutional autonomy and contributed to longer-term problems of patronage and politicisation.

Mandela was not alone in shaping these developments. Many of the ideas originated with colleagues such as Mbeki. But as president, he lent his authority to them and did little to mitigate their risks.

Foreign policy: ideals and inconsistencies

Internationally, Mandela was expected to champion human rights and democratic values. Early statements under his name suggested that these principles would guide South Africa’s foreign policy.

In practice, however, foreign policy was often inconsistent. The government maintained close relationships with authoritarian regimes that had supported the anti-apartheid struggle. There were also tensions between proclaimed values and strategic or financial considerations. Efforts to isolate Nigeria after human rights abuses, for example, generated backlash within Africa. Relationships with countries such as Libya and Indonesia raised questions about the role of party funding in diplomatic decisions.

Mandela’s global stature brought South Africa visibility and goodwill. But this was not systematically used to advance clear domestic or economic priorities.

The hidden world of informal power

Finally, Mandela’s presidency illustrates the importance of informal power. Beyond formal constitutional authority, leaders shape outcomes through networks, appointments, and the mobilisation of financial resources.

Mandela was deeply involved in fundraising for the ANC, both domestically and internationally. Some of these practices blurred the line between party and state, and between legitimate support and undue influence. He also relied on personal relationships and informal interventions to shape economic and political outcomes. For example, he gave R2 million (hundreds of thousands of US dollars) to embattled politician Jacob Zuma in 2000, followed by another R1 million on 23 June 2005, days after Mbeki had sacked Zuma as deputy president and prosecutors had announced he would be charged with corruption.

Such practices were not unique to Mandela, nor to South Africa. But they helped establish patterns that would later become a problem, particularly as competition within the ANC intensified and access to resources became central to political power.

Rethinking a legacy

None of this diminishes Mandela’s historic role in ending apartheid or his contribution to national reconciliation. He set an important precedent by stepping down after a single term, and he helped to anchor South Africa’s constitutional order in its formative years.

But a focus on leadership practice rather than rhetoric, symbol and myth reveals a more uneven record. Mandela was an exceptional symbolic leader. He was less effective in integrating that symbolic authority with the demands of executive governance, institutional design and policy leadership.

Reassessing Mandela in this way is not an exercise in revisionism for its own sake. It is a reminder that even the most admired leaders operate within constraints. Understanding how they use power is essential if we are to learn from their successes, as well as their limitations.

– Nelson Mandela was a towering global symbol – but how effective was he as a president?
– https://theconversation.com/nelson-mandela-was-a-towering-global-symbol-but-how-effective-was-he-as-a-president-279599

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South Africa: Select Committee to Undertake Oversight to Municipalities in the Free State, North West and Gauteng

Source: APO


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The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (including Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements, and Water and Sanitation) will undertake oversight visits to municipalities in the Free State, North West and Gauteng provinces from 14 to 17 April 2026.

These visits form part of Parliament’s constitutional mandate to oversee interventions in municipalities and ensure that they are functioning effectively to deliver essential services to communities.

Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mxolisi Kaunda, emphasised the importance of functional municipalities in fulfilling their constitutional obligations. “Municipalities play a critical role in delivering services to the people of South Africa. When they fail, communities are deprived of their basic rights to reliable and quality services. Our oversight seeks to ensure that no effort is spared in restoring proper governance and service delivery,” he said.

In the Free State, the committee will visit Masilonyana and Nketoana Local Municipalities, where interventions have been implemented in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. These interventions follow serious concerns, including financial mismanagement, governance failures, mounting debt and adverse audit outcomes. The committee will engage with stakeholders to assess the effectiveness and legality of these interventions and to gather input from affected communities.

In the North West, the committee will assess the situation in Ditsobotla Local Municipality, which was placed under national administration in September 2025 due to persistent instability, service delivery failures, and financial challenges.

In Gauteng, the committee will visit Emfuleni Local Municipality, which continues to face significant challenges, including poor service delivery, environmental concerns related to the Vaal River system and financial distress linked to outstanding debt owed to Rand Water.

The oversight visits aim to evaluate the state of governance, financial management, service delivery and public participation in these municipalities. The committee will also assess the support provided in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution.

Mr Kaunda highlighted the importance of community involvement in the oversight process. “Public participation is central to the work of Parliament. Engaging directly with communities and stakeholders ensures that our decisions are informed, credible, and reflective of the lived realities of the people,” he said. The committee will interact with political parties, labour unions, civil society, representatives of local businesses, youth and women structures and municipal leadership.

The committee is committed to identifying practical solutions to address the challenges facing municipalities and to contribute towards restoring their functionality and improving service delivery for all residents.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.