Instituto Ubuntuverse lança PlayBook estruturante para destravar oportunidade industrial verde de 3 biliões de dólares para África

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Instituto Ubuntuverse (https://Ubuntuversal.org/) publicou hoje The 3 Trillion Corporate Advocacy PlayBook: Africa’s 10× CAMPs Accelerating Just Clean Energy’s Green Industrialisation, um quadro estruturante que delineia como os atores corporativos podem destravar a oportunidade de 3 biliões de dólares em energia limpa para o continente. Baseando-se em dados da AIE, da IRENA, do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, da União Africana e da BloombergNEF, o PlayBook identifica um défice de investimento privado de 2,25 biliões de dólares que, se for colmatado, poderia comprimir o cronograma de industrialização de África dos históricos 50 a 100 anos para 20 a 40 anos — colocando o continente no centro da Transição Energética Justa global, e não na sua periferia.

Baixar documento 1: https://apo-opa.co/49bsOyZ
Baixar documento 2: https://apo-opa.co/4ukzbss

África detém aproximadamente 30 por cento das reservas mundiais de minerais críticos e 60 por cento dos melhores recursos solares do mundo, mas atrai menos de 3 por cento do investimento global em energia limpa e capta apenas 1 por cento da capacidade solar global. O PlayBook defende que esta assimetria não é uma falha de mercado mas sim uma falha de coordenação — que a advocacia corporativa pode resolver mais rapidamente do que o capital sozinho. Introduz um mecanismo coerente: os Pioneiros da Mobilização para a Advocacia Corporativa (CAMPs) operando através das Cinco Zonas Icónicas de Energia Renovável de África (FIREZs), para converter os 75 por cento de ineficiência atualmente estimados na despesa de advocacia num retorno decuplicado sobre a ação, capturado na fórmula âncora do quadro: CAMPs × FIREZs = 75% → 10× → $3tn!

Construído em torno de cinco setores prioritários — fabricação de tecnologias limpas, desenvolvimento de energias renováveis, minerais e mineração de transição, aço verde, e agricultura e transformação agrícola — o PlayBook traça uma estratégia de sete manobras que alinha capital, política e parceria em concerto, e não em sequência. Recorre ao contributo colaborativo de catorze organizações parceiras, incluindo a 350.org, a African Energy Foundation, a FILE Foundation, o Global Wind Energy Council, a Just Share e o Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, e é financiado pelo Pooled Fund on International Energy Africa.

As cinco FIREZs estendem-se por seis países-âncora identificados através da análise geográfica do PlayBook — territórios onde recursos renováveis excecionais se encontram com procura industrial, potencial manufatureiro e maturidade política. O PlayBook é explícito: estas zonas não são mapas aspiracionais mas iniciativas contestáveis onde a advocacia corporativa coordenada pode agir primeiro, permitindo que o impulso continental se construa a partir de um pequeno conjunto de plataformas decisivas. O quadro trata a geografia como estratégia, e não como simbolismo.

Seiscentos milhões de africanos continuam sem electricidade fiável, mesmo quando o continente contribui com menos de 3 por cento das emissões globais. O PlayBook reenquadra esta assimetria como a maior oportunidade de energia limpa subvalorizada do mundo: uma janela projetada de implementação de 300 gigawatts de energia limpa que nenhuma outra região de grande escala pode igualar em termos naturais, sociais e económicos coerentes. O Instituto posiciona África não como receptora da Transição Energética Justa mas como uma das suas principais arquitetas — e o PlayBook como o manual operacional dessa arquitetura.

O PlayBook completo, juntamente com o seu vídeo de lançamento, está abertamente disponível através do Zenodo e no portal PlayBook do Instituto Ubuntuverse. O Instituto está a convocar diá.s com atores corporativos, da sociedade civil e políticos em toda a África e a nível global durante todo o período de lançamento.

«As barreiras que bloqueiam o futuro de energia limpa de 3 biliões de dólares de África não são técnicas nem financeiras — são institucionais e relacionais. Os Pioneiros da Mobilização para a Advocacia Corporativa — a que chamamos CAMPs — são o fator decisivo. Este PlayBook mostra-lhes exatamente como passar do alinhamento à ação», afirmou o Dr. Andani Thakhathi, autor do PlayBook e Fundador do Instituto Ubuntuverse.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Ubuntuverse Institute.

Recursos de lançamento para a mídia e partes interessadas:
– Portal do PlayBook: https://apo-opa.co/49azCgm
– PlayBook completo (DOI / Zenodo): https://apo-opa.co/4dPDaal
– Vídeo de lançamento: https://apo-opa.co/4dyxJLG
– Ubuntuverse Institute no LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4wDt1oA

Contacto de imprensa:
Dr. Andani Thakhathi
Fundador e Director Executivo, Instituto Ubuntuverse
E-mail: institute@ubuntuversal.org
Web: https://apo-opa.co/4ufze8H

Siga-nos:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3Pstidu

Sobre o Instituto Ubuntuverse:
O Instituto Ubuntuverse é um instituto de investigação independente e enraizado em África, fundado pelo Dr. Andani Thakhathi (Dr. rer. pol.) para desenvolver e partilhar quadros estruturantes para a Transição Energética Justa do continente. A sua missão é mobilizar atores corporativos, da sociedade civil e políticos em torno da Industrialização Verde Corporativa — convertendo as dotações naturais, sociais e industriais de África em prosperidade partilhada e equitativa. O trabalho do Instituto sobre The 3 Trillion Corporate Advocacy PlayBook é financiado pelo Pooled Fund on International Energy Africa. Mais informações: https://apo-opa.co/4uey0ut. LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3Pstidu.

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Ubuntuverse Institute Launches Field-Defining PlayBook to Unlock Africa’s $3 Trillion Green Industrial Opportunity

Source: APO – Report:

The Ubuntuverse Institute (https://Ubuntuversal.org/) today released The 3 Trillion Corporate Advocacy PlayBook: Africa’s 10× CAMPs Accelerating Just Clean Energy’s Green Industrialisation, a field-defining framework charting how corporate actors can unlock the continent’s $3 trillion clean energy opportunity. Drawing on evidence from the IEA, IRENA, the African Development Bank, the African Union and BloombergNEF, the PlayBook identifies a $2.25 trillion private investment gap that, if closed, could compress Africa’s industrialisation timeline from the historical 50 to 100 years to 20 to 40 years — placing the continent at the centre of the global Just Energy Transition rather than at its periphery.

Download document 1: https://apo-opa.co/49bsOyZ
Download document 2: https://apo-opa.co/4ukzbss

Africa holds approximately 30 per cent of the world’s critical mineral reserves and 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources, yet attracts less than 3 per cent of global clean energy investment and captures only 1 per cent of global solar capacity. The PlayBook argues that this asymmetry is not a market failure but a coordination failure — one that corporate advocacy can resolve faster than capital alone. It introduces a coherent mechanism: Corporate Advocacy Mobilisation Pioneers (CAMPs) operating across Africa’s Five Iconic Renewable Energy Zones (FIREZs) to convert today’s estimated 75 per cent inefficiency in advocacy expenditure into a tenfold return on action, captured in the framework’s anchor formula: CAMPs × FIREZs = 75% → 10× → $3tn!

Built around five priority sectors — clean technology manufacturing, renewable energy development, transition minerals and mining, green steel, and agriculture and agri-processing — the PlayBook charts a seven-manoeuvre strategy that aligns capital, policy and partnership in concert rather than sequence. It draws on collaborative input from fourteen partner organisations including 350.org, the African Energy Foundation, the FILE Foundation, the Global Wind Energy Council, Just Share and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and is funded by the Pooled Fund on International Energy Africa.

The five FIREZs span six anchor countries identified through the PlayBook’s geographic analysis — territories where exceptional renewable resources meet industrial demand, manufacturing potential and policy readiness. The PlayBook is explicit that these zones are not aspirational maps but contestable initiatives where coordinated corporate advocacy can move first, allowing continental momentum to build outward from a small set of decisive launchpads. The framework treats geography as strategy, not symbolism.

Six hundred million Africans still lack reliable electricity, even though the continent contributes less than 3 per cent of global emissions. The PlayBook reframes this asymmetry as the world’s largest under-priced clean energy opportunity: a projected 300-gigawatt clean energy build-out window that no other large-scale region can match in cohesive natural, social and economic terms. The Institute positions Africa not as a recipient of the Just Energy Transition but as one of its principal architects — and the PlayBook as the operating manual for that architecture.

The full PlayBook and its accompanying launch video are openly available via Zenodo and at the Ubuntuverse Institute’s PlayBook portal. The Institute is convening dialogues with corporate, civil-society and policy actors across Africa and globally throughout the launch period.

“The barriers blocking Africa’s $3 trillion clean energy future are not technical or financial — they are institutional and relational. Corporate Advocacy Mobilisation Pioneers — what we call CAMPs — are the decisive factor. This PlayBook shows them exactly how to move from alignment to action,” said Dr Andani Thakhathi, author of the PlayBook and Founder of the Ubuntuverse Institute.

– on behalf of Ubuntuverse Institute.

Launch resources for media and stakeholders:
– PlayBook portal: https://apo-opa.co/49azCgm
– Full PlayBook (DOI / Zenodo): https://apo-opa.co/4dPDaal
– Launch video: https://apo-opa.co/4dyxJLG
– Ubuntuverse Institute on LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4wDt1oA

Media Contact:
Dr Andani Thakhathi
Founder & Managing Director, Ubuntuverse Institute
Email: institute@ubuntuversal.org
Web: https://apo-opa.co/4dgW9KV

Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/42Ir4tq

About the Ubuntuverse Institute:
The Ubuntuverse Institute is an Africa-rooted, independent research institute founded by Dr Andani Thakhathi (Dr. rer. pol.) to develop and share field-defining frameworks for the continent’s Just Energy Transition. Its mission is to mobilise corporate, civil-society and policy actors around Corporate Green Industrialisation — converting Africa’s natural, social and industrial endowments into shared, equitable prosperity. The Institute’s work on The 3 Trillion Corporate Advocacy PlayBook is funded by the Pooled Fund on International Energy Africa. More information: https://apo-opa.co/4uey0ut. LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/42Ir4tq.

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L’Institut Ubuntuverse lance un PlayBook fondateur pour libérer 3 000 milliards de dollars d’opportunités industrielles vertes pour l’Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

L’Institut Ubuntuverse (https://Ubuntuversal.org/) a publié aujourd’hui The 3 Trillion Corporate Advocacy PlayBook : Africa’s 10× CAMPs Accelerating Just Clean Energy’s Green Industrialisation, un cadre structurant qui montre comment les acteurs corporatifs peuvent libérer l’opportunité de 3 000 milliards de dollars que représente l’énergie propre pour le continent. S’appuyant sur les données de l’AIE, de l’IRENA, de la Banque africaine de développement, de l’Union africaine et de BloombergNEF, le PlayBook identifie un déficit d’investissement privé de 2 250 milliards de dollars qui, s’il était comblé, pourrait comprimer le calendrier d’industrialisation de l’Afrique des 50 à 100 ans historiques à 20 à 40 ans — plaçant le continent au cœur de la Transition énergétique juste mondiale plutôt qu’à sa périphérie.

Télécharger le document 1 : https://apo-opa.co/49bsOyZ
Télécharger le document 2 : https://apo-opa.co/4ukzbss

L’Afrique détient environ 30 pour cent des réserves mondiales de minéraux critiques et 60 pour cent des meilleures ressources solaires du monde, et pourtant elle attire moins de 3 pour cent de l’investissement mondial dans l’énergie propre et ne capte que 1 pour cent de la capacité solaire mondiale. Le PlayBook soutient que cette asymétrie n’est pas une défaillance du marché mais une défaillance de coordination — que le plaidoyer corporatif peut résoudre plus rapidement que le capital seul. Il introduit un mécanisme cohérent : les Pionniers de la Mobilisation pour le Plaidoyer Corporatif (CAMPs) opérant à travers les Cinq Zones d’Énergie Renouvelable Emblématiques d’Afrique (FIREZs), afin de convertir les 75 pour cent d’inefficacité actuellement estimés dans les dépenses de plaidoyer en un rendement décuplé sur l’action, capturé dans la formule d’ancrage du cadre : CAMPs × FIREZs = 75% → 10× → $3tn!

Construit autour de cinq secteurs prioritaires — fabrication de technologies propres, développement des énergies renouvelables, minéraux et mines de transition, acier vert, et agriculture et agro-transformation — le PlayBook trace une stratégie de sept manœuvres qui aligne capital, politique et partenariat en concertation plutôt qu’en séquence. Il s’appuie sur l’apport collaboratif de quatorze organisations partenaires, dont 350.org, l’African Energy Foundation, la FILE Foundation, le Global Wind Energy Council, Just Share et le Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, et il est financé par le Pooled Fund on International Energy Africa.

Les cinq FIREZs s’étendent sur six pays d’ancrage identifiés par l’analyse géographique du PlayBook — des territoires où des ressources renouvelables exceptionnelles rencontrent la demande industrielle, le potentiel manufacturier et la maturité politique. Le PlayBook est explicite : ces zones ne sont pas des cartes ambitieuses mais des initiatives concrètes où un plaidoyer corporatif coordonné peut agir en premier, permettant à l’élan continental de se construire à partir d’un petit ensemble de plateformes décisives. Le cadre traite la géographie comme une stratégie, et non comme un symbole.

Six cents millions d’Africains sont encore privés d’électricité fiable, alors même que le continent contribue à moins de 3 pour cent des émissions mondiales. Le PlayBook recadre cette asymétrie comme la plus grande opportunité sous-évaluée au monde en matière d’énergie propre : une fenêtre de déploiement projetée de 300 gigawatts d’énergie propre qu’aucune autre région à grande échelle ne peut égaler en termes naturels, sociaux et économiques cohérents. L’Institut positionne l’Afrique non comme bénéficiaire de la Transition énergétique juste mais comme l’une de ses principales architectes — et le PlayBook comme le manuel opérationnel de cette architecture.

Le PlayBook complet ainsi que sa vidéo de lancement sont librement accessibles via Zenodo et sur le portail PlayBook de l’Institut Ubuntuverse. L’Institut organise des dialogues avec les acteurs corporatifs, de la société civile et politiques à travers l’Afrique et dans le monde tout au long de la période de lancement.

« Les obstacles qui bloquent l’avenir énergétique propre de 3 000 milliards de dollars de l’Afrique ne sont ni techniques ni financiers — ils sont institutionnels et relationnels. Les Pionniers de la Mobilisation pour le Plaidoyer Corporatif — ce que nous appelons les CAMPs — sont le facteur décisif. Ce PlayBook leur montre précisément comment passer de l’alignement à l’action », a déclaré le Dr Andani Thakhathi, auteur du PlayBook et fondateur de l’Institut Ubuntuverse.

Distribué par APO Group pour Ubuntuverse Institute.

Ressources de lancement pour les médias et les parties prenantes :
– Portail PlayBook : https://apo-opa.co/49azCgm
– PlayBook complet (DOI / Zenodo) : https://apo-opa.co/4dPDaal
– Vidéo de lancement : https://apo-opa.co/4dyxJLG
– Ubuntuverse Institute sur LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/4wDt1oA

Contact média :
Dr Andani Thakhathi
Fondateur et Directeur général, Institut Ubuntuverse
Courriel : institute@ubuntuversal.org
Web : https://apo-opa.co/4ufze8H

Suivez-nous :
LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/42Ir4tq

À propos de l’Institut Ubuntuverse :
L’Institut Ubuntuverse est un institut de recherche indépendant, enraciné en Afrique, fondé par le Dr Andani Thakhathi (Dr. rer. pol.) pour développer et partager des cadres fondateurs au service de la Transition énergétique juste du continent. Sa mission est de mobiliser les acteurs corporatifs, de la société civile et politiques autour de l’Industrialisation verte corporative — convertissant les dotations naturelles, sociales et industrielles de l’Afrique en prospérité partagée et équitable. Les travaux de l’Institut sur The 3 Trillion Corporate Advocacy PlayBook sont financés par le Pooled Fund on International Energy Africa. Pour plus d’informations : https://apo-opa.co/3RczZRv · LinkedIn : https://apo-opa.co/42Ir4tq.

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Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets Diplomatic Advisor to Italian Prime Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Rome, May 18, 2026

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met Sunday in Rome with Diplomatic Advisor to Prime Minister, Fabrizio Saggio.

The meeting reviewed bilateral cooperation relations and discussed regional developments, particularly those related to the ceasefire between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as efforts aimed at de-escalation to enhance security and stability in the region.

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of the close strategic relations between the two countries and Qatar’s aspiration to elevate them to broader horizons of cooperation across various fields. 

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meets Albanian Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs

Source: Government of Qatar

Tirana, May 18, 2026

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met in Tirana on Monday with HE Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Ferit Hoxha.

During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries, along with ways to support and develop them, in addition to a number of topics of mutual interest.

Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Pakistani Prime Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | May 18, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, received Monday a phone call from HE Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif.

Discussion during the call, focused on bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them as well as the latest developments in the region, and Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in order to enhance security and stability in the region.

During the call, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all parties involved in the mediation and good offices that contributed to reaching a ceasefire between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His Excellency affirmed the State of Qatar’s full support for the Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at ending the crisis through peaceful means, stressing the need for all parties to engage with these efforts in order to create the right atmosphere for progress in the negotiations, leading to a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region.

Mining Review Africa webinar on African mining skills shortage now available on demand

Source: APO

Vuka Group’s Mining Review Africa (https://WeAreVUKA.com/) recent webinar on workforce development in the mining sector is now available to watch on demand for free.

Titled Learning curves: Addressing the skills shortage in African mining, the webinar brought together leaders from industry and academia to discuss the growing skills gap facing Africa’s mining sector and the practical steps needed to prepare a future-ready workforce.

As mining operations continue to evolve through digitalisation, automation and changing sustainability requirements, the discussion explored how companies, institutions and technology providers can work together to strengthen workforce development across the continent.

The webinar unpacked several key topics shaping the future of mining employment and training, including the drivers behind Africa’s mining skills shortage, bridging the divide between academic learning and workplace readiness, and the impact of emerging technologies on workforce requirements.

Panelists also discussed practical approaches to skills transfer, talent retention and leadership development, while highlighting the growing role of immersive technologies in mining training programmes.

The session formed part of Mining Review Africa’s ongoing webinar series focused on the key opportunities and challenges shaping the mining industry across Africa.

Special thanks to our esteemed panelists:

The full webinar recording is now available to watch on demand here: (https://streamyard.com/watch/2ZExBuZEHpqt)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Rasha Kelej, emphasizes the transformative power of creativity in driving social change through their ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ Community

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks World Art Day 2026 through their Pan-African “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community, established by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. On this occasion, the Merck Foundation also proudly celebrates the 6-year anniversary of this impactful community, which continues to harness the power of art and fashion to address critical health and social issues in Africa and beyond.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019 – 2025 shared “I am happy to mark World Art Day 2026, and I firmly believe that art, fashion, and media are powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues. We also proudly celebrate the 6-year anniversary of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ Community, established in 2020. Through this dynamic community, we continue to raise awareness on important health and social issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending FGM & child marriage, stopping gender based violence, women empowerment and diabetes, hypertension & cancer awareness, while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their day-to-day creative work as a powerful tool for awareness, education, and driving a meaningful cultural shift within their communities.

Our community today brings together talented members from more than 25 countries. I am proud of what we’ve built together and the positive social impact it continues to create.”

Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives including their first-ever pan-African TV program, ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of their ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

“Our Africa” has been broadcast on prime TV stations of many countries, and is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4uVAy0u, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4uVXlJF, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3POrnQz and YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4uUAONa) and Merck Foundation (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/42DgwMe, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/42HjDTq, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3RfS1Ck and YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4dhieZN).

Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4uUPsE6

Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Entries for the 2026 Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

A significant part of Merck Foundation’s “Art and Fashion with Purpose” Community is made up of the talented winners of Merck Foundation annual Fashion, Film, and Song Awards.

“I am proud and delighted to share that in partnership with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, we have so far recognized and celebrated 175 exceptional talents as our winners from 25 countries through our Fashion, Film, and Song Awards. Each winner has become a valued member of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ Community. Together, they continue to use their voice, art, and influence to spark meaningful conversation, challenge deeply rooted perceptions, and raise awareness about sensitive social and health issues across their communities,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

The 175 winners include 102 Fashion Award winners, 53 Song Award winners, and 20 Film Award winners, selected for their outstanding creativity and impact from 25 countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 9 Children’s Storybooks in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted their storybooks to create 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili, with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

https://apo-opa.co/4wHXB0G

https://apo-opa.co/3Rykovz 

Distributed by APO Group 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/4uT0z0e 
X: https://apo-opa.co/4uXc333
Youtube: https://apo-opa.co/49UgNhA
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4uYYFvp
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4tGxBzI
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4dxqwvo
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3RfRQqE

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/42DgwMe), X (https://apo-opa.co/3RfS1Ck), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/42HjDTq), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/49UgNhA), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4tGxBzI) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4dxqwvo).

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 endeavours.

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President of Albania Meets Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

Source: Government of Qatar

Tirana, May 18, 2026

HE President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj met on Monday with HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.

During the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to HE the President of Albania, and His Highness’s wishes of good health and happiness to HE the President and continued progress and prosperity to the government and people of Albania.

For his part, HE the President of Albania entrusted HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to convey his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing His Highness continued good health and happiness, and the State of Qatar further progress, development and prosperity.

The meeting explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and discussed several issues of mutual interest.

Africa Finance Corporation Approves US$100 Million Commitment to Africa-Focused Technology Fund Managers to Accelerate Africa’s Digital Industrialisation

Source: APO

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced that its Board has approved a commitment of up to US$100 million to invest in Africa-focused technology fund managers.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Africa. The continent’s digital economy is projected to contribute over US$700 billion to GDP by 2050, driven by a fast-growing, digitally connected population and accelerating enterprise adoption of technology. Yet despite this momentum, a persistent gap in long-term institutional capital continues to constrain the development and scaling of high-potential technology businesses across the continent.

Through this commitment, AFC will deploy catalytic capital in leading Africa-focused technology Funds and in particular African-owned fund managers. In doing so, AFC aims to address the underrepresentation of local capital in venture funding by catalysing greater participation from African institutional investors and deepening local ownership within the ecosystem.

Africa’s venture capital ecosystem has demonstrated real potential – the continent has produced nine unicorns, some of its leading fund managers have generated returns of up to 128 times the capital originally invested, and African start-ups raised US$3.8 billion in 2025 alone. Yet local institutional capital remains significantly underrepresented across many fund cap tables, with the majority of venture funding continuing to flow from international sources. AFC’s commitment is designed to shift that dynamic.

Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of AFC said: “Across the continent, young Africans are not waiting for the digital economy to arrive; they are seizing the moment — adopting technology, creating markets and solving real economic problems faster than infrastructure has kept pace. That is the investment signal. AFC’s US$100 million Africa-focused Technology Fund will accelerate the convergence of growing demand, rapid technology adoption, youthful demographics and the enabling infrastructure we are building. Digital infrastructure is now as fundamental to Africa’s transformation as roads, rail, ports and power — enabling productivity, payments, logistics, services, data and cross-border trade, while creating jobs and industrial scale.”

As part of the initial deployment, AFC has made anchor commitments to Lightrock Africa Fund II and Future Africa Fund III, positioning the Corporation across the full innovation lifecycle – from early-stage venture capital through to growth-stage scaling. These initial commitments represent the first tranche of a broader deployment, with AFC actively evaluating a pipeline of additional Africa-focused funds spanning a range of strategies and stages, with further commitments expected in the near term.

Pal Erik Sjatil, Managing Partner & CEO, Lightrock, said: “We are delighted to welcome Africa Finance Corporation as an anchor investor in Lightrock Africa II, deepening a strong partnership shaped by our collaboration on high-impact investments across Africa, including Moniepoint, Lula, and M-KOPA.

This commitment reflects a shared conviction in the opportunity to back high-growth, technology-enabled businesses with proven business models, strong fundamentals, and clear pathways to profitability. With aligned capital, a long-term perspective, and a shared focus on value creation, we are well positioned to support exceptional management teams and scale category-leading businesses that deliver attractive financial returns alongside measurable environmental and social outcomes.”

Future Africa is a venture capital firm that backs founders building technology-enabled solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges, with a portfolio that includes some of the continent’s most celebrated technology companies. AFC’s investment in Future Africa Fund III strengthens the pipeline of innovation at the early-stage end of the market, backing founders solving important problems spanning financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, consumer technology and education.

Iyin Aboyeji, Founding Partner, Future Africa, said: “Young Africans are not waiting for the digital economy to arrive; they are already among its most active participants globally. What they need now are the skills, productive assets and infrastructure to build and scale within it. By investing in AI-native skills, financing productive tools such as phones and laptops, and expanding energy, connectivity and compute infrastructure, we can convert Africa’s greatest asset — its people — into critical participants in the new global economy. AFC’s US$100 million commitment is the anchor this moment demands. As our first multilateral development bank partner, AFC is sending a clear signal that digital is as fundamental to Africa’s transformation as agriculture, manufacturing and physical infrastructure. We trust that other development finance institutions, insurers, reinsurers and pension funds will follow AFC’s lead.”

Overall, the commitment builds on AFC’s broader strategy to deploy capital across integrated infrastructure systems, where digital platforms increasingly complement physical infrastructure to unlock value across sectors. By combining its balance sheet strength, structuring expertise, and pan-African network, AFC aims to establish itself as the leading institutional investor in Africa’s technology ecosystem – mobilising capital at scale while delivering sustainable, long-term development impact across the continent.

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$19 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

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