MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

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For years, the beaches in the Gambia were simply a weekend spot for families and friends to relax. That changed when the first Perreh Bi Fest transformed the beach into a scene of cultural parades, music, sports and entrepreneurship – creating a new attraction for Gambian tourism.

The festival featured live music, traditional wrestling, volleyball, art exhibitions and small businesses showcasing their products and services. Families and visitors came together to celebrate Gambian creativity.

For small businesses, the event offered a unique opportunity to showcase their products, gain exposure and make money. Vendors sold pressed juice, fashion, crafts and food, all contributing to a lively marketplace that combined culture and commerce.

Events like Perreh Bi are one way that the International Trade Centre (ITC) supports small businesses so that they can create jobs, through the European Union Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries.

‘I am currently being trained in bakery and pastry through the EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries,’ said Bernadette Jatta, a young entrepreneur who exhibited at the festival. ‘This platform is helping me put my skills into practice and reach new customers.’

New ways of thinking about Gambian tourism

Ya Awa Nyassi, an ITC specialist in Monitoring and Creative Industries Development, noted that the event represents a shift in how Gambians engage with their coastline.

‘The Perreh Bi Fest will transform the coastline into a hub of cultural celebration and economic activity,’ she said. ‘The festival aims to provide a significant boost to local businesses by offering a dedicated marketplace for vendors, from fruit sellers and juice pressers to craftspeople. It also seeks to celebrate The Gambia’s rich cultural heritage through curated performances while promoting environmental sustainability with eco-friendly practices at all events.’

Tourism is a key driver of the Gambia’s economy, contributing approximately 20% of GDP and providing jobs for nearly one in five Gambians. The creative industries also hold significant potential for youth employment, with estimates suggesting up to 50,000 jobs by 2026. Perreh Bi Fest is strengthening domestic tourism while supporting small businesses.

The festival ran monthly from November 2025 to January 2026. This gave consistent platforms for artists and entrepreneurs to connect with visitors and grow the tourism and creative industries.

The event was made possible through the support of the European Union through the EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries project, implemented by ITC in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture with a focus on promoting the inclusiveness, sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism and creative industries.

– on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: APO – Report:

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In line with ECOWAS Vision 2050, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, has allocated USD 719,733 to the Republic of Togo to support refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers, returnees, and host communities.

The humanitarian assistance project was officially launched on Monday, 26 January 2026, during a symbolic ceremony in Lomé, where the ECOWAS Representative to Togo, Ambassador Deweh Emily Gray, formally presented a cheque to Commissioner KADJA Hodabalo-Pitemnèwèa, representing the Minister of Security and Civil Protection of Togo.

The ceremony reaffirmed ECOWAS’ strong commitment to solidarity, regional cooperation, and humanitarian action, in line with Vision 2050 — an ECOWAS of the People, Peace and Prosperity for All, where borders do not limit opportunities and every citizen has a voice.

Funded by ECOWAS, the intervention is implemented and coordinated by the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) under the authority of the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection of Togo, with technical support from the World Food Programme (WFP). The project seeks to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable populations while mitigating the impact of humanitarian crises.

The initiative aims to strengthen the livelihoods and production capacities of displaced persons and host families, improve access to safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation services and provide food and non-food assistance to 10,000 vulnerable people, including refugees, IDPs, and members of host communities.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow SARR, the ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, called for shared responsibility in supporting populations affected by conflict, crises, climate change, and other disasters.

She outlined the programme’s phased approach, combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term recovery and community resilience, and urged governments, partners, and communities to uphold protection, solidarity, and inclusion.

“Humanitarian support is not charity; it is justice. It is the recognition that every individual, regardless of circumstance, has the right to safety, dignity, and hope,” she stated.

In his welcome address, the Director General of the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC), Lieutenant-Colonel BAKA Yoma, reaffirmed ANPC’s commitment to the transparent and effective implementation of the project in line with ECOWAS guidelines and WFP standards. He highlighted its strategic importance in strengthening social cohesion in the Savanes and Kara regions through urgent humanitarian support and sustainable resilience-building efforts.

On behalf of the Government of Togo, Commissioner KADJA Hodabalo-Pitemnèwèa called on all stakeholders to take full ownership of the project, stressing that such commitment is essential to its success and sustainability. Underscoring the initiative as a reflection of the Government’s continued determination, alongside its partners, to leave no one behind while reinforcing stability and social cohesion in affected communities.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

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Nationals residing in Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden have conducted various activities aimed at strengthening organizational capacity and awareness.

According to a report, Mr. Tewolde Yohannes, Head of Public and Community Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy in the UK and Ireland, conducted a seminar for nationals in Newcastle on 25 January, focusing on the objective situation in the homeland as well as regional and global developments.

Mr. Tewolde stated that at a time when the global system shows little respect for world order, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the only assurance lies in strengthening awareness, harmony, unity, and organizational capacity.

Noting that under the current objective situation it is crucial to enhance Eritrean national identity as well as strengthen harmony and unity, Mr. Tewolde said that the most significant instrument for consolidating these important pillars is strengthening organization.

Mr. Habtom Tesfagergis, Secretary of the National Committee in the UK and Ireland, and Mr. Biniam Embaye, Chairman of the Eritrean Community in Newcastle, gave briefings on the progress of the construction of the Tio boarding school.

In the same vein, Ms. Leul Tewolde, Head of the Frankfurt and its environs branch of the National Union of Eritrean Women, conducted a seminar for members of the union branch on 17 January.

Ms. Leul, explaining the history and contribution of the National Union of Eritrean Women at various stages, said that the union is earnestly working, as in the past, to enhance organizational capacity and participation in national affairs.

Underlining that Eritrean women are at the core of the existence and continuity of the country, Mr. Teame Haile, Head of Public and Community Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy, said that Eritrean women are carrying out significant activities organized under the umbrella of the National Union of Eritrean Women.

Mr. Kibreab Tekeste, Head of Consular Affairs, on his part expressed confidence that Eritrean women in Germany will strengthen organizational capacity and play their due part in national affairs.

At the event, Ms. Bisirat Woldai, Head of the union branch in Frankfurt, presented an activity implementation report.

Likewise, Mr. Habtom Zeray, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Switzerland and Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Commission, at a seminar he conducted for nationals in Lucerne on 25 January, spoke on the contribution of national organizations to the successful implementation of national development programs.

Mr. Habtom also answered questions raised by participants focusing on the objective situation in the homeland as well as regional and global issues.

The Eritrean National Committee in Sweden also conducted its annual activity assessment meeting on 24 January.

On the occasion, Ms. Zaid Okbazgi, Chairperson of the National Committee, along with members of the task force, presented reports focusing on activities implemented and challenges encountered.

The participants also adopted a plan of action for 2026.

Mr. Mohammed-Ali Mohammed-Seid, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in the Scandinavian countries, called on nationals to work with commitment in the implementation of the set-out programs.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today welcomed the assignment of ‘A’ long-term and ‘A-1’ short-term issuer credit ratings, with a Positive Outlook, by S&P Global (S&P) Ratings, following the rating agency’s official announcement.

According to S&P, the ratings reflect AFC’s strong institutional and financial risk profile, underpinned by robust liquidity buffers, disciplined risk management, and the institution’s ability to mobilise private capital for complex, cross‑border infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa. The ‘A’ category assessment represents the highest rating assigned to AFC by a major global ratings agency, reinforcing its position as one of the highest-rated investment-grade African financial institutions, strengthening its standing in global capital markets and supporting continued access to diversified, long-term funding sources.

In its published analysis, S&P emphasised AFC’s expanded scale, broadened mandate and established operating model, underscoring the institution’s leadership in delivering infrastructure and industrial assets that are central to Africa’s long‑term growth. The agency pointed in particular to AFC’s capacity to structure and execute complex transactions, and to deploy capital across priority sectors where private financing alone is often insufficient.

S&P also referenced AFC’s growing continental footprint, with the institution having disbursed US$18.5 billion across 36 African countries since inception. Investments span energy, transport and logistics, natural resources, heavy industry, telecommunications and technology, with flagship projects including the Lobito Corridor, linking Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo — a strategically important trade and logistics corridor supporting regional integration and supply‑chain resilience. S&P commented, “Given its mandate and emphasis on financing critical infrastructure, AFC plays a strategically important role that is not easily replicated by other development finance institutions (DFIs) or commercial lenders, in our view.”

Further AFC investments include ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, supporting the development of industrial zones that anchor local value addition in sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing and logistics, and the Kamoa–Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the world’s highest-grade and fastest-growing copper projects. The Corporation has a history of successful asset exits, including partial exits from ARISE and from Ghana’s Takoradi Port, demonstrating AFC’s ability to originate, scale and responsibly reinvest capital. Together, these investments underline AFC’s capacity to combine long-term development impact with disciplined execution and capital stewardship.

The Positive Outlook reflects S&P’s expectation that AFC will continue to broaden its shareholder base — which currently comprises 60 shareholders, including sovereigns, financial institutions, pension funds and multilaterals — strengthen its capital position, and sustain strong liquidity and asset‑quality metrics as it delivers on its medium‑term strategy.

“This S&P Global rating is a strong validation of AFC’s financial strength, governance, and strategic role in financing Africa’s infrastructure and industrial transformation,” said Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation. “It reflects the institution we have built: a solutions-oriented, execution-driven platform with disciplined balance-sheet management and a track record of delivering complex, high-impact projects. Just as importantly, it reinforces AFC’s commitment to work in lockstep with sovereign priorities, supporting long-term national development plans with bankable structures, catalytic capital, and measurable outcomes that accelerate growth, competitiveness, and jobs across the continent.”

S&P highlighted AFC’s experienced management team, its successful capital-raising programme and track record of maintaining very strong liquidity coverage ratios, even under stressed market conditions. S&P commented, “Based on end-2024 data, our 12-month liquidity ratio was 3.1x (including scheduled loans disbursements), while the six-month ratio was 5.5x. These ratios compare favorably with peers. Under stressed market conditions, we consider AFC’s liquid assets sufficient to service its borrowing and maintain operations through the next year without slowing the pace of planned disbursements.”

The S&P ratings are expected to further reinforce AFC’s role as a catalyst for private investments, as it continues to finance infrastructure, industrialisation and trade-enabling assets critical to Africa’s long-term economic transformation.

Structured Credit International Corp. (www.4SCIC.com) acted as a ratings adviser to AFC. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of energy, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested over US$18.5 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

AFC is also rated A3 (Stable Outlook) by Moody’s Ratings, A+ (Stable Outlook) by Japan Credit Rating Agency, and AAA_spc (Stable Outlook) by S&P Ratings (China) Co., Ltd.  and AAA (Stable Outlook) by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd. (CCXI). www.AfricaFC.org