MIL Africa Engine

July 17, 2026

As reformas do Sudão do Sul visam um novo impulso ao investimento, com o apoio da Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC) à revitalização do setor petrolífero

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Sudão do Sul está a tomar medidas para se reposicionar como um destino estratégico para o investimento estrangeiro, com um foco renovado na atração de capital ao longo de toda a cadeia de valor do petróleo. Durante uma visita de trabalho a Juba, a Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) — que atua como porta-voz do setor energético africano — reuniu-se com responsáveis governamentais e partes interessadas da indústria para identificar reformas prioritárias destinadas a estimular novos fluxos de capital, aumentar a produção e impulsionar projetos nos segmentos a montante e a jusante.

A visita reflete um reconhecimento comum de que, embora o Sudão do Sul continue a ser uma das fronteiras petrolíferas mais ricas em recursos do continente, a falta de investimento tem impedido o país de explorar plenamente o potencial das suas reservas de hidrocarbonetos. O governo procura dar resposta a este desafio através da implementação de novas reformas destinadas a reforçar o clima de investimento, garantir quadros regulamentares mais claros e incentivar uma maior participação de operadores tanto internacionais como regionais.

Com reservas comprovadas de petróleo de 3,5 mil milhões de barris, o Sudão do Sul é um produtor de petróleo de longa data e, atualmente, o único grande produtor de petróleo na África Oriental. A produção é liderada, em grande parte, pela empresa petrolífera nacional Nilepet, a par da Dar Petroleum Operating Company, da Greater Nile Petroleum Company — operada pela China National Petroleum Company — e da Sudd Petroleum Operating Company. O Fundo Estratégico de Combustíveis da África do Sul detém também uma participação de 90% na concessão do Bloco B2, com planos para avançar na exploração, ao mesmo tempo que avalia oportunidades para o desenvolvimento da refinação.

A produção atual oscila entre 70 000 barris por dia (bpd) e 100 000 bpd, com uma produção estimada entre 8,5 milhões e 12,2 milhões de barris entre agosto e novembro de 2026. O governo pretende aumentar estes números, atraindo investimento em toda a cadeia de valor do petróleo, facilitando o aumento das exportações e, ao mesmo tempo, dando resposta a desafios nacionais fundamentais, tais como a segurança do abastecimento de combustível e a produção de energia. O petróleo representa a espinha dorsal da economia do Sudão do Sul, e o governo procura consolidar esta posição através da introdução de reformas destinadas a atenuar a crise energética do país.

Para tal, o governo comprometeu-se a reduzir as barreiras ao investimento, a melhorar a execução de projetos e a criar um ambiente mais previsível para as empresas do setor energético. As discussões exploraram também oportunidades nos setores do gás natural, da produção de energia e das infraestruturas associadas, reconhecendo que o investimento diversificado no setor energético será essencial para apoiar o desenvolvimento económico a longo prazo. A AEC reafirmou o seu compromisso de promover o Sudão do Sul na cena global, levando a história energética do país a um público mundial.

Para além da produção de petróleo e gás, um dos principais focos da visita de trabalho foi o reforço do conteúdo local. As partes discutiram estratégias para aumentar as oportunidades de emprego para os trabalhadores do Sudão do Sul, ao mesmo tempo que desenvolvem cadeias de valor locais e garantem que os futuros projetos gerem benefícios económicos mais amplos, para além das receitas da produção. Ao aumentar a visibilidade internacional, a Câmara pretende posicionar o Sudão do Sul ao lado de outros mercados energéticos africanos emergentes que competem por capital para exploração e infraestruturas.

«O Sudão do Sul possui o potencial de recursos para se tornar um dos destinos de investimento de fronteira mais atraentes de África, mas atrair capital requer um envolvimento sustentado com a comunidade de investimento global. A Câmara irá defender as oportunidades do Sudão do Sul na cena internacional, ligando os investidores aos líderes governamentais e do setor, ao mesmo tempo que apoia reformas que criem um setor energético estável, competitivo e atraente para o investimento, capaz de proporcionar crescimento a longo prazo», afirmou NJ Ayuk, Presidente Executivo da AEC.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

July 17, 2026

President Ramaphosa to participate in Mandela Day Walk and Run 2026

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 19 July 2026, participate in the Mandela Day Walk and Run 2026 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

The President, an avid walker in his free time, will join thousands of South Africans in the annual event and participate in the 5-kilometre walk in support of Nelson Mandela International Day, which is commemorated annually on 18 July.

Nelson Mandela International Day, officially recognised by the United Nations in 2009, honours the life and legacy of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and serves as a global call to action for individuals, communities, governments, civil society and the private sector to take responsibility for building more just, inclusive and equitable societies.

This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day will be commemorated under the theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,” with the call to action, “It is in your hands now.”

The theme reflects Madiba’s enduring belief that each person has the power to make a meaningful contribution towards addressing poverty, inequality and social injustice through acts of service, solidarity and compassion.

Mandela Day encourages people across the world to dedicate 67 minutes of their time in service to others, symbolising the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to the struggle for freedom, justice, equality and human dignity. While 18 July remains the focal point of the global campaign, Mandela Day also encourages sustained acts of community service that create lasting and meaningful social impact.

The Mandela Day Walk and Run has become one of South Africa’s flagship commemorative events, bringing together people from all walks of life in celebration of Madiba’s values of active citizenship, unity, healthy living and service to others.

The event provides an opportunity for South Africans to honour Madiba’s legacy not only through participation, but by recommitting themselves to building stronger, more caring and more resilient communities.

President Ramaphosa’s participation reaffirms Government’s commitment to preserving and advancing Nelson Mandela’s legacy, while encouraging all South Africans to embrace the values of compassion, service and active citizenship in helping to combat poverty and inequity.

President Ramaphosa will participate in the Mandela Day Walk and Run 2026 as follows:
Date: Sunday, 19 July 2026
Time: 06:00
Venue: DP Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Media Accreditation:
Members of the media wishing to cover the event are requested to RSVP for accreditation by emailing Sienna Nyembe at: sienna@optimize.org.za / 076 762 0236.

Accreditation Collection:
Friday, 17 July 2026
Saturday, 18 July 2026

Collection Venue: Melrose Arch Piazza, Johannesburg

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

July 17, 2026

South Sudan Reforms Target New Investment Push as African Energy Chamber (AEC) Backs Oil Sector Revival

Source: APO

South Sudan is taking steps to reposition itself as a strategic destination for foreign investment, with a renewed focus on attracting capital across the oil value chain. During a working visit to Juba, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) – which serves as the voice of the African energy sector – engaged with government officials and industry stakeholders to identify priority reforms designed to stimulate new capital flows, increase production and advance projects across both upstream and downstream segments.

The visit reflects a shared recognition that while South Sudan remains one of the continent’s most resource-rich oil frontiers, lack of investment has disrupted the country from unlocking the full potential of its hydrocarbon reserves. The government seeks to address this challenge by implementing new reforms aimed at strengthening the investment climate, ensuring clearer regulatory frameworks and incentivizing greater participation from both international and regional operators.

With proven oil reserves of 3.5 billion barrels, South Sudan is both a legacy oil producer and currently the only major oil producer in East Africa. Production is largely led by the national oil company Nilepet, alongside Dar Petroleum Operating Company, Greater Nile Petroleum Company – operated by China National Petroleum Company – and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company. South Africa’s Strategic Fuel Fund also holds a 90% stake in the Block B2 concession, with plans to advance exploration while assessing opportunities for refining development.

Current production ranges between 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) and 100,000 bpd, with approximately 8.5 million to 12.2 million barrels of production estimated between August and November 2026. The government seeks to raise these numbers by attracting investment across the entire oil value chain, facilitating greater exports while addressing key national challenges such as fuel security and power generation. Oil represents the backbone of South Sudan’s economy, and the government seeks to cement this position by introducing reforms aimed at alleviating the country’s energy crisis.

To achieve this, the government has committed to reduce barriers to investment, improve project execution and create a more predictable environment for energy companies. Discussions also explored opportunities across natural gas, power generation and associated infrastructure, recognizing that diversified energy investment will be essential to supporting long-term economic development. The AEC reaffirmed its commitment to promote South Sudan on a global stage, taking the country’s energy story to a global audience.

Beyond oil and gas production, a major focus of the working visit was strengthening local content. Parties discussed strategies to increase employment opportunities for South Sudanese workers, while developing local value chains and ensuring that future projects generate broader economic benefits beyond production revenues. By increasing international visibility, the Chamber aims to position South Sudan alongside other emerging African energy markets competing for exploration and infrastructure capital.

“South Sudan possesses the resource potential to become one of Africa’s most compelling frontier investment destinations, but attracting capital requires sustained engagement with the global investment community. The Chamber will champion South Sudan’s opportunities on the international stage, connecting investors with government and industry leaders while supporting reforms that create a stable, competitive and investable energy sector capable of delivering long-term growth,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

July 16, 2026

Keynote Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Conference Presidential Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau,
Deputy Minister, Mr Zuko Godlimpi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Mzwandile Masina,
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli,
Mayor of eThekwini, Councillor Cyril Xaba,
Premiers and MECs,
Executive Mayors and Councillors,
Distinguished International Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening.

Tonight we gather not only to celebrate excellence, but to celebrate possibility.
We celebrate the possibility of a South Africa that manufactures more, exports more, innovates more and creates far greater opportunities for its people.

We celebrate the men and women who are transforming ideas into industries, investments into factories, and factories into jobs.

Above all, we celebrate our shared determination to build an economy that is competitive, inclusive, resilient and capable of delivering prosperity for all.

This evening’s awards therefore represent far more than recognition for outstanding performance.

They aﬃrm our belief that industrialisation remains one of the most powerful instruments available to us to overcome poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Special Economic Zones are not simply designated industrial sites.

They are engines of economic transformation.

They are places where policy is translated into production, where investment becomes enterprise, where innovation becomes competitiveness, and where hope becomes opportunity.

Investment remains the lifeblood of every growing economy.

It finances new factories, expands productive capacity, opens access to international markets and creates sustainable employment.

Investment strengthens domestic industries, deepens value addition, expands exports and generates the resources that enable governments to improve the lives of their citizens.

This is why South Africa continues to place investment promotion at the centre of our economic programme.

Just over three months ago, at the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference, we secured a record R890 billion in investment commitments.

These commitments span strategic sectors including mining and mineral beneficiation,
automotive manufacturing, agro processing, tourism, renewable energy, digital technologies and the green economy.

Much of this investment will find its home within our Special Economic Zones.

In the automotive sector alone, approximately R12 billion of planned investment is destined for our SEZ programme.

The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone stands as compelling evidence of what can be achieved when government and business work together.

The investment by Ford and its component manufacturers has already created more than 3,000 permanent jobs while strengthening South Africa’s position as a globally competitive automotive manufacturing hub.

Our Special Economic Zones programme has become one of the cornerstones of our national investment strategy.

Through modern infrastructure, secure industrial sites, reliable utilities, eﬃcient logistics and integrated one-stop investor support, our SEZs reduce the cost of doing business and improve investor confidence.

They help transform investment commitments into productive enterprises that create lasting economic value.

This Second International Special Economic Zones Conference takes place at a defining moment in our country’s economic journey.

South Africa has recently completed a comprehensive recalibration of its industrial policy through the adoption of our new Industrial Development Strategy.

This strategy responds directly to the structural challenges of low growth, de-industrialisation and unemployment.

It is built upon three strategic pillars:
Decarbonising our industries, diversifying our export markets, and accelerating digital industrialisation. Complementing this is our new Spatial Industrial Development Strategy, which introduces a strengthened SEZ model designed to ensure that industrial development generates greater benefits for surrounding communities, supports local enterprise development and advances inclusive regional growth.

Independent evidence confirms that this approach is delivering results.

A recent World Bank assessment found that South Africa’s Special Economic Zones have attracted more than R34 billion in investment, created over 30,000 direct jobs, and generated more than R14 billion in revenue for the fiscus.

These achievements are encouraging.

Yet they also remind us that our greatest opportunities still lie ahead.

The World Bank has proposed several important reforms, including enhanced investment incentives and the introduction of privately owned Special Economic Zones.

Government will carefully consider these recommendations as we continue strengthening the programme and ensuring that it remains globally competitive.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Industrial development today is no longer defined only by the production of goods.

It is increasingly about technological capability, innovation, sustainability and resilience.

Around the world, nations are reshaping their industrial policies to strengthen supply chains, improve competitiveness and secure strategic industries.

South Africa must do the same.

Our Special Economic Zones are central to this eﬀort. They will play an increasingly important role in advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, renewable energy technologies, green hydrogen, battery manufacturing, digital industries, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing and the beneficiation of our abundant mineral resources.

They will enable us not merely to export raw materials, but increasingly to export higher-value manufactured products.

They will help position South Africa as a leading industrial economy on the African continent.

We are equally determined to ensure that our investment climate continues to improve.

We are reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.

We are accelerating approvals for permits, licences and environmental authorisations. We are strengthening customs systems and expanding one-stop investor services.

We have made significant progress in restoring energy security.

We continue to improve freight logistics, modernise our ports and rail infrastructure, and strengthen transport corridors that connect our industries to regional and global markets.

These reforms are making South Africa an increasingly attractive destination for productive investment.

Our Special Economic Zones should not be islands of prosperity.

Their success must benefit the broader economy. They must create opportunities for small businesses. They must support localisation. They must develop new generations of skilled workers.

They must empower women and young entrepreneurs.

They must stimulate surrounding towns and communities. And they must become centres from which innovation and prosperity radiate throughout our country.

I am especially pleased to welcome the many representatives from across our African continent.

Your presence reflects our shared commitment to building an integrated African economy.

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build regional value chains, strengthen intra-African trade and position Africa as a globally competitive manufacturing destination.

South Africa’s Special Economic Zones will continue working closely with our continental partners to realise this vision.

Tonight we recognise excellence.

We honour institutions that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, governance and performance.

We celebrate those who have successfully attracted investment, created employment, developed industrial capability and managed their zones to the highest international standards.

Whether receiving an award this evening or not, every Special Economic Zone, every oﬃcial, every investor, every engineer, every planner, every entrepreneur and every worker has contributed to the remarkable progress of this programme.

You have helped build industries. You have strengthened investor confidence. You have created opportunities for thousands of South Africans.

You have demonstrated what is possible when vision is matched by commitment and hard work. For that, our nation thanks you.

To all our award recipients, congratulations.
Your achievements set new benchmarks for excellence.

May your success inspire every Special Economic Zone to innovate further, perform better and reach even greater heights.

As we look to the future, let us remember that excellence is never a destination. It is a continuous pursuit.

Let us therefore continue building Special Economic Zones that compete with the very best in the world.

Let us continue attracting investment that changes lives.

Let us continue building industries that create lasting prosperity.

And let us continue working together to build a South Africa that is more industrialised, more competitive, more inclusive and more prosperous for generations to come.

I thank you.

July 16, 2026

African Newspage et Africa Prosperity Network s’associent pour faire progresser l’agenda de l’intégration africaine

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

African Newspage (www.AfricanNewspage.net) a conclu un partenariat stratégique avec Africa Prosperity Network (APN) afin de promouvoir l’engagement du public autour de la libre circulation, de l’intégration régionale et de l’agenda du marché unique africain.

Officialisé par un Protocole d’Accord (MoU), ce partenariat vise à promouvoir l’agenda de l’intégration africaine, avec un accent particulier sur le mouvement « Make Africa Borderless Now! » et la ZLECAf.

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Président exécutif d’Africa Prosperity Network, a déclaré : « Ce partenariat constitue une étape importante pour renforcer la compréhension du public des initiatives qui favoriseront la transformation économique de l’Afrique. »

Adam Alqali, Directeur général et Rédacteur en chef d’African Newspage, a déclaré : « Chez African Newspage, nous pensons que le journalisme a un rôle important à jouer dans le soutien au parcours d’intégration de l’Afrique. »

À propos d’African Newspage : African Newspage est une plateforme multimédia panafricaine publiée par Newspage Africa Media Limited.

À propos d’Africa Prosperity Network : Africa Prosperity Network (APN) est une organisation panafricaine à but non lucratif dédiée à la promotion de l’agenda du marché unique africain.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Newspage.

Media files

July 16, 2026

African Newspage and Africa Prosperity Network Partner to Advance Africa’s Integration Agenda

Source: APO – Report:

African Newspage (www.AfricanNewspage.net), a leading Pan-African multimedia platform focused on Africa’s development and integration, has entered into a strategic partnership with Africa Prosperity Network (APN) to advance public engagement around free movement, regional integration, and Africa’s single market agenda.

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership establishes a framework for collaboration to amplify Africa’s integration agenda, with particular emphasis on APN’s Make Africa Borderless Now! movement and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking on the partnership, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Chairman of Africa Prosperity Network, said: “This partnership with African Newspage is an important step toward strengthening public understanding of the ideas and initiatives that will drive Africa’s economic transformation.”

Adam Alqali, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of African Newspage, said: “At African Newspage, we believe journalism has an important role to play in supporting Africa’s integration journey.”

Under the partnership, African Newspage and Africa Prosperity Network will collaborate to foster informed conversations around Africa’s integration agenda and encourage greater citizen engagement.

– on behalf of African Newspage.

About African Newspage:
African Newspage is a Pan-African multimedia platform published by Newspage Africa Media Limited.

About Africa Prosperity Network:
Africa Prosperity Network (APN) is a pan-African not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing Africa’s single market agenda.

Media files

July 16, 2026

Modernisation de l’administration publique : Le Bénin prend une part active au 17ᵉ Forum ministériel panafricain du Conseil d’Administration du Centre Africain de Formation et de Recherche Administratives (CAFRAD) à Rabat

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

En prélude à la 61ᵉ session du Conseil d’Administration du Centre Africain de Formation et de Recherche Administratives (CAFRAD), le Ministre délégué auprès du Ministre de l’Économie et des Finances, chargé du Budget et de la Fonction Publique, Monsieur Rodrigue CHAOU, a pris part, le mardi 14 juillet 2026 à Rabat (Maroc), au 17ᵉ Forum ministériel panafricain sur la modernisation de l’administration publique et des institutions de l’État.

Placée sous le thème « Leadership, catalyseur essentiel du pilotage de l’action publique en contexte VICA(P)D », cette rencontre de haut niveau réunit les Ministres en charge de la Fonction Publique, des Experts internationaux ainsi que des responsables d’institutions publiques africaines. Elle constitue un cadre privilégié de réflexion et de partage d’expériences sur les réformes administratives, la gouvernance publique et la transformation numérique des États africains.

Créé en 1964 et basé à Rabat, le CAFRAD est une organisation intergouvernementale panafricaine de référence en matière de formation, de recherche et d’appui à la modernisation des administrations publiques. Il accompagne les États membres dans le renforcement des capacités institutionnelles, l’amélioration de la gouvernance et la promotion d’une administration plus performante et plus proche des citoyens.

Les travaux du forum ont été articulés autour de deux communications majeures :

• « Leadership dans l’environnement VICA(P)D : styles et méthodes de pilotage de l’action publique », présentée par Dr Dieudonné Assouvi, Directeur général du CAFRAD ;
• « Leadership politique et souveraineté numérique », animée par le Professeur Sehl Mellouli, spécialiste en management des systèmes d’information à l’Université Laval (Canada).

Les échanges ont permis d’approfondir les enjeux du leadership public dans un environnement caractérisé par la volatilité, l’incertitude, la complexité, l’ambiguïté ainsi que par les profondes mutations liées à la transformation numérique. Les participants ont notamment mis en évidence la nécessité de développer un leadership capable d’anticiper les changements, de conduire les réformes et de renforcer la résilience des administrations publiques face aux défis contemporains.

Une session ministérielle a également offert aux représentants des États membres l’occasion de partager leurs expériences nationales en matière de gouvernance des données numériques, de digitalisation des services publics et de modernisation de l’administration. Les échanges ont porté sur les bonnes pratiques susceptibles d’accélérer la transformation des institutions publiques et d’améliorer la qualité des services rendus aux citoyens.

La participation du Bénin à cette rencontre traduit la volonté du Gouvernement de poursuivre les réformes engagées en faveur d’une administration publique plus efficace, plus innovante et davantage orientée vers la performance. Elle s’inscrit dans la dynamique de modernisation de l’action publique et de renforcement de la gouvernance numérique, au service du développement économique et social du pays.

À l’issue du forum, les travaux se poursuivront avec la 61ᵉ session du Conseil d’administration du CAFRAD, au cours de laquelle les États membres examineront le bilan des activités de l’institution, ses orientations stratégiques ainsi que les perspectives de renforcement de la coopération panafricaine en matière de gouvernance publique et de développement des capacités administratives

Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.

Media files

July 16, 2026

What helps young children learn? Adults who take an interest in their homework and reading

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Pearl S. Kyei, Senior lecturer, University of Ghana

Across Ghana, thousands of children start formal schooling every year full of promise. Yet many struggle to master basic reading and numeracy skills in the early grades.

Six in ten Primary 4 pupils in Ghana perform below basic proficiency in mathematics and half fall short in English. Primary 4 pupils are students in the fourth year of primary school, usually about 10 years old.

As researchers studying what helps young children learn better in Ghana, we wanted to understand something that is often overlooked: the home. Our study sheds new light on the importance of the resources available at home, the involvement of caregivers and the type of family structure.

We found that young children do better in school when their caregivers take an active role in their learning, even in families with fewer resources. The findings suggest that improving school performance in low-income settings may not always require expensive investments.

The early years are critical for children’s development. Skills acquired during kindergarten and the first years of primary school form the foundation for future learning. Children who struggle during these years often find it difficult to catch up later.

Home is where learning starts

In low-income countries, education discussions often focus on school resources and teachers. Learning does not begin and end in the classroom, however. Research has shown that learning begins long before a child goes to school, and caregivers are children’s first and most influential teachers.

The home environment, including what children do after school and how caregivers support learning, plays a critical role.

Caregivers don’t always know what a difference they can make to their children’s learning, though, particularly if they have limited education themselves.

Parental involvement in early education thus remains relatively limited in Ghana.

Home and school in Ghana

The study collected data from 3,742 children aged 4-8 years in Kindergarten 1 to Primary 1. Pupils were sampled from 62 public and private schools in the Greater Accra and Central regions.

We examined several home-related factors, including household resources (books, toys, information technology devices and so on), caregiver engagement (reading to children or helping with homework), and family structure (living with parents).

Children’s academic performance was assessed using grade-specific workbooks aligned with the Ghana Education Service curriculum. We tested literacy, numeracy and reasoning skills appropriate for the three grade levels:

simple matching activities, such as shapes, letters, animals, and picture halves (Kindergarten 1)
matching, counting, identifying patterns, and selecting odd items (Kindergarten 2)
matching, basic arithmetic, shape recognition, word formation, picture sequencing, identifying living and non-living things, and colour-by-number activities (Primary 1).

Not surprisingly, children from better-resourced households tended to perform better academically. Homes with books, toys or digital devices offer more opportunities for learning.

But what caregivers did at home significantly affected children’s learning.

Children whose caregivers read with them or helped with homework scored 9% higher on tests than children whose caregivers were not engaged, after accounting for factors like age, grade, and home resources. These interactions with caregivers likely stimulate children and help them practice what they learn in school.

Children in first grade scored higher than children in kindergarten, and the differences by grade were even greater for pupils whose caregivers were actively involved in their learning.

Reading with children was especially helpful in Kindergarten. Combining reading with helping with homework had the strongest positive association with performance in Primary 1.

Caregiver engagement partly explained why children from better-resourced households performed better. It also bridged the gap between resource-rich and resource-poor homes. This means that even in homes with limited resources, caregiver involvement can support learning.

Does family structure matter?

Children from single-parent households are sometimes expected to be disadvantaged in school. Our study, however, found no direct link between family structure and children’s academic performance. Children in two-parent, single-parent, or other living arrangements performed similarly once home resources and caregiver engagement were considered.

In sub-Saharan Africa, extended family systems often play an important role in child-rearing. Grandparents, aunts and older siblings may all contribute to a child’s learning, when a parent is absent.

Implications for policy and practice

Programmes aimed at improving early learning should not focus solely on schools. They should also provide practical guidance to caregivers on supporting children’s learning at home.

Interventions do not need to be expensive. Encouraging caregivers to ensure a capable household member reads with children, talks about school, and monitors homework could have meaningful benefits.

Initiatives that empower families to be part of children’s development have the potential to yield lasting benefits for children, schools and society.

– What helps young children learn? Adults who take an interest in their homework and reading
– https://theconversation.com/what-helps-young-children-learn-adults-who-take-an-interest-in-their-homework-and-reading-286669

July 16, 2026

Issakaba: what a 1999 Nollywood classic reveals about Nigeria’s security crisis today

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mark Tekena, Associate Professor, Theatre and Performance Studies, The Rivers State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria is grappling with banditry, kidnapping and insurgency amid renewed debates over community policing and the creation of state police. A Nollywood classic released more than 25 years ago remains strikingly relevant today.

Released in 1999, Issakaba was inspired by the real-life Bakassi Boys vigilante movement. It became one of Nollywood’s defining films, attracting audiences in Nigeria and across West Africa. The story centres on a community overwhelmed by violent crime and let down by an ineffective police force. When a vigilante group steps in to restore order, its success comes at the cost of operating outside the law. The film anticipated many of today’s debates about security, state authority and citizenship.

I research Nigerian theatre, film and popular culture, with a focus on how media and performance shape ideas about politics, governance and citizenship.

In my recent research on Issakaba, I analysed the film as a cultural text to examine how it represents justice, state authority and vigilantism. Rather than simply depicting crime and insecurity, the film explores the relationship between security, citizenship and the state. My analysis shows that it does more than dramatise crime fighting: it reveals how citizens negotiate legitimacy, justice and political authority when the state struggles to provide security.

My research drew on historian and political theorist Achille Mbembe’s work on power, violence and governance in postcolonial Africa. His work suggests that political authority is often fragmented and exercised through multiple centres of power rather than solely through formal state institutions. This helps explain why Issakaba portrays vigilante groups as acquiring legitimacy when the state is unable to provide security.

The film remains relevant because many of the conditions that gave rise to the Bakassi Boys persist. Across Nigeria, persistent insecurity has fuelled the emergence of vigilante groups like Amotekun, Ebube Agu and the Civilian Joint Task Force. Communities turn to these groups when they believe state security institutions have fallen short.

In many respects, the frustrations with state security that Issakaba captured in south-eastern Nigeria are now evident across other parts of the country.

Nollywood as a storyteller of governance

Nollywood is more than one of the world’s largest film industries. It is one of Africa’s most influential cultural industries. The films it produces contribute to public conversations about politics, justice and public life.

I found that Issakaba transformed the wave of armed robbery, violent crime and public distrust of the police that gripped south-eastern Nigeria in the late 1990s into a compelling political narrative. It did not present governance as an abstract concept. Instead, the film asks a practical question: who deserves public trust when the state can no longer guarantee security?

In the film, legitimacy depends less on formal authority than on performance. The vigilante heroes are portrayed as legitimate because they succeed where official institutions fail. Rather than presenting constitutional authority as the basis of legitimacy, the film suggests that governments earn public trust by protecting lives and property. Put simply, in times of crisis, people often judge governments more by whether they can provide security than by whether they possess formal authority.

Issakaba‘s appeal reflected more than its action-packed storytelling. It emerged at a time when many Nigerians were frustrated by rising insecurity and what they perceived as the failure of state security institutions. In the film, justice is presented as immediate and community-centred. The vigilante group identifies suspected criminals, acts swiftly against them, and restores order where the police have failed. At the same time, the film invites viewers to consider the ethical tension between effective security and the rule of law.

The film therefore offers an important insight into governance. Citizens judge institutions not only by their legal authority but also by their capacity to solve everyday problems. When governments are perceived as unable to provide security, alternative actors can acquire public legitimacy. This can happen even when their methods raise profound legal and ethical concerns.

My analysis also shows that Issakaba presents citizenship as an active rather than passive relationship with the state. Faced with insecurity, communities do not simply wait for government intervention. They organise, mobilise and participate in their own protection. This reflects broader realities across Nigeria and many African societies, where citizens frequently rely on collective action when public institutions appear inadequate.

At the same time, the film exposes a fundamental dilemma. If citizens lose confidence in formal institutions, should they support alternative systems of justice? The real-life history of the Bakassi Boys illustrates the risks of doing so. Human rights organisations documented allegations of torture, unlawful detention and extrajudicial killings linked to the movement. This demonstrates how groups established to protect communities can themselves become sources of abuse when accountability is absent.

Why the film still matters today

The questions raised by Issakaba remain remarkably relevant. Nigeria continues to face insecurity in many regions. Vigilante groups have emerged in response to banditry, kidnapping and communal violence. At the same time, policymakers continue to debate reforms, including the creation of state police forces under the control of individual state governments, as a way of strengthening local security.

More than 25 years after its release, Issakaba reminds us that public confidence in government depends not only on legal authority but also on the state’s ability to provide security effectively, fairly and in accordance with the rule of law. As Nigeria continues to debate policing reforms, Issakaba offers a timely reminder that security without accountability carries its own dangers.

– Issakaba: what a 1999 Nollywood classic reveals about Nigeria’s security crisis today
– https://theconversation.com/issakaba-what-a-1999-nollywood-classic-reveals-about-nigerias-security-crisis-today-286830

July 16, 2026

PME et artisanat au Bénin : La Ministre Awaou BACO au contact de l’ADPME et du FDA pour booster l’impact des projets gouvernementaux

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Dans la dynamique de suivi rigoureux des actions de son département ministériel, la Ministre des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises et de la promotion de l’Emploi, en charge de la formation professionnelle, Madame Awaou BACO, a effectué, le mercredi 15 juillet 2026, une visite de prise de contact stratégique à l’Agence de Développement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (ADPME) et au Fonds de Développement de l’Artisanat (FDA).

Cette descente s’inscrit dans le prolongement de sa tournée nationale entamée la semaine dernière dans les départements du Mono, du Couffo, du Zou et des Collines. Elle marque la volonté de l’autorité de maintenir une proximité constante avec ses équipes techniques pour garantir l’efficacité de l’action publique. Cette descente sur le terrain a également permis à la Ministre de s’enquérir du bilan d’étape de la mise en œuvre des projets et programmes prioritaires du gouvernement, d’identifier avec précision les goulots d’étranglement qui freinent l’action des équipes, et de faire part des défis.

Lors de ses échanges avec les cadres et personnels de l’ADPME dirigée par Madame Alvyne ALIA et du FDA dirigé par Monsieur Cletus Nestor GUEZO, la Ministre a procédé à une revue minutieuse des réalisations. Elle a prêté une oreille attentive aux difficultés opérationnelles quotidiennes auxquelles sont confrontées les équipes sur le terrain, réaffirmant son engagement à y apporter des solutions managériales et structurelles adaptées.

Tout en saluant le travail déjà accompli par les directions respectives et leurs collaborateurs, la Ministre Awaou BACO a tenu à remobiliser les troupes. Elle a profité de cette tribune pour décliner les grandes orientations stratégiques de son ministère et rappeler l’urgence des défis qui attendent le secteur.

Pour ce qui concerne l’ADPME, la Ministre déclare : « Il faut que les entreprises au Bénin ressentent l’appui de l’ADPME; il faut également renforcer la synergie au niveau de tous les acteurs; et le troisième point, c’est la transition vers le formel. Nous devons faire aussi des petites entreprises, des entreprises championnes de demain. Nous ne laisserons personne de côté », a martelé la Ministre avant d’inviter l’equipe à travailler pour un fort taux d’exécution des projets.

Au niveau du FDA, les défis pour Madame la Ministre se décline comme suit : « L’artisanat constitue un pilier majeur dans l’économie de notre pays. Le FDA joue un grand rôle. Il y a donc trois défis que nous devons relever ensemble à savoir l’accès au financement plus inclusif; le renforcement des capacités des artisans ; et la digitalisation des procédures …».

Pour l’autorité ministérielle, l’heure est à l’accélération. Elle a solennellement appelé l’ensemble des cadres de l’ADPME et du FDA à une synergie d’action renforcée et à un engagement sans faille pour relever les défis de croissance, d’accompagnement des PME et de structuration du secteur.

Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.

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