MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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The President of the Republic, Dr. Patrick Herminie, met with members of the Seychelles community residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a community engagement event held yesterday on the margins of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, which the President is attending. 

The meeting brought together Seychellois citizens living, working, and studying in the UAE, providing a valuable opportunity for direct interaction with the Head of State. Currently, an estimated 437 Seychellois reside in the UAE, employed primarily in aviation, tourism, health, entrepreneurship, and related service sectors. Some members of the community have been resident in the country for over two decades, reflecting a long-standing and well-integrated diaspora presence.

Addressing the gathering, President Herminie underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties between Seychelles and its diaspora, noting that Seychellois abroad remain an integral part of the nation’s social and economic fabric. He commended the community for the positive image they project of Seychelles internationally and for their meaningful contribution to the UAE economy, particularly in the hospitality, tourism, and aviation sectors.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mr. Barry Faure also addressed the community, outlining the mandate and objectives of the newly established Diaspora Division within the Ministry. The Ministry is tasked with reviewing existing frameworks and reassessing policies, legislation, and regulations to facilitate the return and reintegration of Seychellois abroad, while also strengthening mechanisms through which the diaspora can contribute to Seychelles’ development. 

These reforms will be guided by an Inter-Ministerial Diaspora Council, whose responsibilities include examining issues raised by Seychellois overseas and proposing policy, regulatory, and legislative changes to Cabinet. The Minister emphasised that diaspora engagement is now a strategic national priority and encouraged community members to actively participate in consultations as this work progresses.

The meeting also acknowledged the presence of Seychellois students in the UAE. There are currently 16 students pursuing studies in the country, the majority of whom are government funded. Students welcomed the recent increase in stipends, particularly considering the high cost of living in cities such as Dubai.

The event was organised by the Office of the Seychelles Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of Ambassador Gervais Moumou. 

The engagement reaffirmed the new Administration’s commitment to a more structured and sustained engagement with Seychellois living overseas, as well as to the creation of enabling conditions for those wishing to return home or contribute to national development through skills transfer, investment, and knowledge-sharing. It further underscored the Government’s resolve to strengthen dialogue with the diaspora, ensuring that Seychellois abroad remain connected, supported, and actively involved in shaping the country’s future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO – Report:

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H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, announced today, Thursday, the disbursement of €1 billion in concessional development financing from the European Union under the first tranche of the second phase of the Macro-Financial Assistance and Budget Support Mechanism (MFA). This disbursement follows the announcement upgrading relations between Egypt and the European Union, signed by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in March 2024.

This financing forms part of the broader package signed in October during the first Egypt–EU Summit in Brussels, which resulted in the Memorandum of Understanding governing the second phase of the EU’s Macro-Financial Assistance and Budget Support Mechanism for Egypt, amounting to €4 billion.

Dr. Al-Mashat confirmed that the first tranche of the second phase is linked to the implementation of 16 structural reform measures that Egypt has already completed under the National Structural Reform Program, in coordination with relevant entities, including the Central Bank of Egypt, and the Ministries of Finance; Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Investment and Foreign Trade; Electricity and Renewable Energy; Water Resources and Irrigation; Environment; and Industry.

She explained that these reforms contribute to strengthening macroeconomic stability through improved public financial management, development of medium-term budgetary frameworks, enhanced financial risk management, and governance of public investment. They also support competitiveness and the business environment by improving industrial land allocation mechanisms and streamlining investment licensing procedures. In addition, the reforms advance the green transition through strengthening sustainable water resource management, developing waste-to-energy policies, improving energy efficiency, and protecting the natural capital of the Red Sea—thereby supporting the achievement of sustainable economic development.

Dr. Al-Mashat added that, with this tranche, Egypt has implemented a total of 38 reform measures under the National Structural Reform Program within the framework of the strategic partnership with the European Union. This includes 22 measures under the first phase, disbursed in January 2025 for €1 billion, and 16 measures under the tranche disbursed this week. She noted that €3 billion remain, to be disbursed in two tranches during 2026.

She further clarified that this tranche comes as part of the continued implementation of the Macro-Financial Assistance and Budget Support Mechanism, which totals €5 billion. Egypt received the first phase of €1 billion in January 2025, while the second phase consists of three tranches—the first tranche of €1 billion, disbursed today, and the second and third tranches scheduled for disbursement during 2026. This reflects ongoing efforts to secure concessional and lower-cost financing alternatives compared to international markets, in order to support the state budget and expand fiscal space for spending on development programs and projects.

Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that this development reflects the depth and strength of Egypt–EU relations, which are witnessing strong momentum with the support of the political leadership. She noted that the Macro-Financial Assistance and Budget Support Mechanism is part of broader government efforts to implement the National Structural Reform Program, aimed at consolidating macroeconomic stability, improving the business and investment climate, and accelerating the transition toward a green economy.

– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

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Today, the European Commission disbursed €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to Egypt, an important commitment of the EU-Egypt Strategic Comprehensive Partnership signed in March 2024.  

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “Egypt is an important strategic partner for the European Union. Today’s €1 billion payment shows both the EU’s commitment to this partnership and Egypt’s efforts to build a stronger and greener economy. This funding is going where it is needed most: economic stability, democracy, sustainability, and the rule of law. And as Egypt advances reforms and strengthens its economy, we continue to work together to make our shared Mediterranean home more secure and prosperous.” 

This financial support, the first of the expected three instalments under the ongoing €4 billion MFA operation, will help Egypt cover part of its ongoing financing needs and ensure macroeconomic stability. It will also support progress within the country’s economic reform agenda in conjunction with the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. This support will contribute to addressing Egypt’s balance-of-payments pressures, including those stemming from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.  

In its assessment, the Commission concluded that Egypt fulfilled all the required conditions for the disbursement: first, Egypt met all the economic policy conditions agreed with the EU for this payment; second, the country has taken concrete and credible steps towards respecting effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring respect for human rights; and third, the IMF programme remains on track as required for the disbursement of MFA funds.  

As regards the economic policy conditions, Egypt has implemented economic reforms to strengthen macroeconomic stability and resilience, including improvements in the public financial management and the functioning of the foreign exchange market. Progress has also been made in enhancing the business environment and competitiveness, notably through competitive bidding for industrial land allocation and streamlined online licensing. Further progress has also been made in fostering the green transition, including in the areas of water management and energy.  

Background 

The Macro-Financial Assistance package, comprising this operation (€4 billion) and the short-term MFA of €1 billion disbursed at the end of 2024, is a fundamental part of the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership concluded in March 2024, totalling €5 billion in MFA support. Since it was signed, the EU and Egypt have achieved good progress on the implementation of the Partnership across its six key pillars. The first ever EU-Egypt summit in October 2025 elevated our relations with Egypt as a key and strategic partner and boosted the implementation of the partnership.

– on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Matsumoto Yohei. The meeting was attended by Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, Japan’s Ambassador to Egypt Iwai Fumio, Director-General for International Affairs at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Kitayama Kouji, also from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mr. Kobataki Yasu.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the President welcomed the Japanese minister and asked him to convey his greetings to His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan and to Her Excellency Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The President emphasized that Egypt holds in high esteem its close and longstanding cooperation with Japan in various fields, particularly education. The President commended Japan’s significant contribution to the Grand Egyptian Museum project and the success of the Egyptian-Japanese Schools project, noting Egypt’s interest in increasing the number of these schools in various governorates and enhancing the participation and increasing the number of Japanese principals and experts managing them.

The Japanese Minister of Education noted this was his first official visit abroad since assuming office, which reflects Japan’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Egypt in the field of education. He emphasized that the Egyptian-Japanese Schools project represents a successful model of developmental cooperation and the support Japan provides to its partners in Africa and the Middle East. The Japanese minister also offered his congratulations on the election of Dr. Khaled El-Enany as Director-General of UNESCO, noting that Japan looked forward to further strengthening cooperation and coordination with UNESCO and Dr. El-Enany.

The meeting addressed prospects for developing educational relations between the two countries, including cooperation in developing Egyptian curricula, introducing software studies for approximately 750,000 students according to the Japanese curriculum, as well as cooperation in technical education and training Egyptian teachers to teach the Japanese language and curriculum, and supporting education and rehabilitation programs for people with special needs. Both sides also discussed means to expand the Japanese schools in Egypt to serve as a model that could be replicated in Africa and the Arab region.

The President expressed his appreciation to Japan for its cooperation with Egypt in all fields, especially education, and looked forward to doubling the targeted number of Japanese schools in Egypt in the next five years, as well as to increase the number of Japanese experts managing those schools. The President stressed the importance of benefiting from the distinguished Japanese experience in discipline and educational vision, and working to intensify student exchange programs between the two countries.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

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Guyana is entering a new stage of local content development as its oil and gas economy expands rapidly. In late 2025, the Government of Guyana announced that, effective January 2026, companies seeking local content certification under the Local Content Act will benefit from faster, more structured processing times. Sole proprietorships and landlords can expect applications processed within five working days (renewals in three), 100% Guyanese‑owned entities within 15 days (renewals in ten), and all other firms within 21 days (renewals in 15), once documentation is submitted. The government has also committed to publishing an updated document list, launching online portals and encouraging use of a Local Content App to streamline access to procurement and employment opportunities.

This administrative reform builds on efforts to strengthen the 2021 Local Content Act, a cornerstone of the country’s strategy to ensure its oil boom delivers broad-based benefits. In 2024 alone, approximately $743 million in local content expenditures flowed to Guyanese companies across designated service areas, highlighting the law’s early impact on domestic participation.

In parallel, the government has initiated a formal revision process for the Local Content Act. The Local Content Secretariat began stakeholder consultations in late 2025 to increase the categories of work reserved for Guyanese and adjust existing targets, broadening local economic opportunities and addressing gaps identified since the law’s inception. Policymakers are also exploring ways to expand local ownership of high-value assets such as supply vessels, which remain constrained by capital intensity and access to finance.

These developments reflect a broader evolution: from establishing basic participation requirements to creating an implementable, agile framework responsive to industry needs and aligned with long-term national development objectives. Updated timelines and digital tools are expected to reduce friction in the certification process, boosting confidence among local firms seeking contracts and partnerships with international oil companies operating in the Stabroek and other offshore basins.

As the Caribbean’s energy landscape matures, Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026, scheduled for 30 March to 1 April in Paramaribo, will feature a dedicated Local Content Track to exchange lessons learned, explore best practices and build regional cohesion around inclusive value creation. Sessions such as “From Discovery to Development: Maximizing Local Value Creation in the Caribbean’s Emerging Oil Economy” will examine how policies can translate natural resource wealth into sustained socioeconomic advancement, while “The Anatomy of a Viable Local Content Decree: Key Principles to Consider” will unpack legislative and practical elements that balance attracting foreign investors with ensuring meaningful local participation.

The trajectory of Guyana’s Local Content Act illustrates that legislation alone is not enough; implementation, institutional capacity and stakeholder engagement determine whether local content delivers tangible benefits. As Guyana transitions from foundational rules to efficiency-oriented regulation and stakeholder-driven revisions, the lessons learned offer a benchmark for other Caribbean and Atlantic Basin producers.

In this way, the next stage of Guyana’s local content journey – characterized by process reform, legislative refinement and digital enablement – sets the tone for regional collaboration. CEW 2026 will serve as a high-profile forum to share insights, forge partnerships and align Caribbean nations around a shared vision of inclusive energy growth.

Join us in shaping the future of Caribbean energy. To participate in this landmark event, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.