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President Isaias Afwerki met Special Envoy of China

Source: APO


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President Isaias Afwerki met this morning in Adi Halo with a Chinese delegation led by Mr. Hu Changchun, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China.

At the meeting, President Isaias underlined the imperative for China to foster ties of constructive engagement with Africa and to strengthen capacity-building in these crucial times of global change in a manner not encumbered by a sheer competitive perspective.

President Isaias further referred to China’s potential role in contributing positively to the resolution of conflicts in the Horn of Africa region, which are often fomented and exacerbated by the intervention of major external powers. He also affirmed that Eritrea will strive to consolidate the warm, 70-year-old, all-rounded bilateral ties with China.

Mr. Hu Changchun, for his part, conveyed President Xi Jinping’s message of goodwill to President Isaias Afwerki and reaffirmed China’s readiness to enhance its strategic partnership with Eritrea. The Special Envoy further elaborated that China will reinforce its partnership with Africa, which is anchored on capacity building and self-reliance. He also reaffirmed China’s stance that mutual respect relies on upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Joint Statement at Conclusion of Visit of HH the Amir to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Source: Government of Qatar

Riyadh, December 08, 2025

Building on the deep-rooted historical ties and fraternal relations uniting the leaderships of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar and their brotherly peoples, and in furtherance of the steadily advancing bilateral relationship between them, HH the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, paid a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 17 Jumada II 1447 AH, corresponding to 8 December 2025, at the gracious invitation of HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

HRH the Crown Prince welcomed HH the Amir of Qatar, at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The two leaders held an official session of talks during which they reviewed the close bilateral relations between the two countries, explored prospects for joint cooperation, and discussed avenues for further strengthening the relationship across various domains.

Both sides commended the positive outcomes of the reciprocal fraternal visits exchanged between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and his brother, His Highness the Amir of Qatar, which have significantly contributed to enhancing the level of cooperation between the two states.

Amid an atmosphere of cordiality, fraternity, and mutual trust, the Eighth Meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council was convened during the visit, co-chaired by HH the Amir of Qatar and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and attended by Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and distinguished members of the Council. The co-chairs reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations, praised the achievements realized within the Council’s framework, and affirmed the importance of sustaining and further developing joint coordination in priority areas, including political, security, and military; energy; industry; economy; investment; trade; technology; infrastructure; culture; tourism; and education.

Both sides lauded the strength of bilateral economic ties and the scale of inter-trade, noting that trade exchange reached USD 930.3 million in 2024 (excluding the value of re-exported goods), marking a remarkable 634 percent increase compared to 2021. They underscored the importance of enhancing joint efforts to diversify and expand trade exchange, facilitate commercial flows, overcome any challenges that may arise, and capitalize on available opportunities in priority sectors within Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030-transforming these opportunities into tangible partnerships that reinforce economic and commercial integration for the benefit of both countries and their brotherly peoples.

The two sides welcomed sustainable bilateral investment cooperation through partnerships between sovereign wealth funds and investment companies. They affirmed the importance of intensifying reciprocal visits by officials from both the public and private sectors and holding investment meetings and business forums.

They also highlighted the importance of enhancing the reliability and stability of global energy markets and ensuring the security of supply across all energy sources in service of the interests of producers and consumers alike, thereby supporting global economic growth. Both sides expressed their desire to explore ways of strengthening cooperation in energy fields, including electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the development of related projects in a manner that yields mutual benefits for both economies.

The two parties stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation in developing and sustaining energy-sector supply chains and enabling collaboration between companies to maximize the use of local resources, thus contributing to more resilient and efficient energy supplies.

They agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on climate policies within international agreements and regional and international bodies, and affirmed that such policies should focus on emissions rather than sources.

Both sides further agreed on the importance of enhanced cooperation in the following areas:

1. The digital economy and innovation.

2. Industry and mining and intensifying joint work toward industrial integration.

3. Youth, sports, and cultural programs and activities.

4. Education, including the development of high-quality joint academic programs.

5. Media, including elevating the reliability of media content, promoting joint media production, and enhancing media coverage of events and occasions hosted by both countries.

6. Cybersecurity.

7. Health.

In the defense and security fields, the two sides affirmed their determination to strengthen and develop their defense partnership in a manner that serves their shared interests and supports efforts to enhance regional and international security and stability. They emphasized coordinated positions in confronting regional challenges to help ensure the security of the region and bolster its readiness. Both parties commended the existing level of security cooperation and coordination across all domains, including the exchange of expertise and security visits at all levels, information sharing related to traveler security, the organization of training courses, participation in cybersecurity conferences held in both countries, border security, counter-narcotics efforts, and combating extremism, terrorism, and their financing, as well as fighting crime in all its forms. They expressed their aspiration to further strengthen this cooperation in a manner that enhances security and stability in both brotherly states.

The two sides welcomed the signing of the High-Speed Electric Rail Link Agreement between the two countries, which will connect Riyadh and Doha via Dammam and Al-Hofuf. They noted that this project constitutes a major strategic initiative aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030, contributing to the facilitation of tourism and trade flows and deepening linkages between the two brotherly peoples.

They also welcomed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding during the visit, covering railway transport, investment promotion, food security, media cooperation, and collaboration in the non-profit sector.

On international affairs, both sides reaffirmed their resolve to continue coordinating and intensifying efforts aimed at safeguarding international peace and security. They exchanged views on issues of mutual concern at both regional and international levels. The Saudi side expressed its appreciation for the State of Qatar’s ratification of the Charter of the World Water Organization, which aims to unify and strengthen global efforts to address water challenges and develop comprehensive solutions.

At the conclusion of the visit, HH the Amir of Qatar expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and to, HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation. HRH the Crown Prince voiced his best wishes for continued health and well-being to HH the Amir of Qatar, and for ever greater progress and prosperity to the brotherly Qatari people.

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MSGBC 2025: Africa Needs $375B to Develop Natural Gas Sector, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Says

Source: APO

Africa requires an estimated $375 billion over the next 10 to 12 years to adequately fund upstream and midstream gas development across the continent, according to non-profit organization the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

According to Dr. Riverson Oppong, Africa Director, SPE, who spoke during a workshop at this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition – hosted by SPE Senegal – Africa is on track to support increased investment through integrated national gas master plans, bankable contractual frameworks, robust infrastructure and institutional capacity building.

“Africa is a gas market,” Dr. Oppong stated. “But at the same time, despite our immense potential – holding 8% of global reserves – we don’t participate on the global stage. Our constraint lies in policy, commercial frameworks, infrastructure and financing conditions.”

“Our aim is to foster technical discussions between the oil and gas players in Senegal and across Africa,” added Dr. Rose Ndong, Dakar Section Chair, SPE.

During the presentation, global technology company SLB noted that digital technology investment can improve exploration and drilling, enhance production efficiency and optimization, and improve supply chain optimization and resilience.

IoT, analytics and AI were highlighted as key enablers to improve Africa’s upstream value chain, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, enhance decision-making and improved safety and environmental compliance.

“Data is a key focus-area for improving the upstream value chain in Africa,” stated Larry Velasco, Africa New Venture Manager, SLB. “The cost of bad data can result in the loss of approximately 15-25% of revenue for most companies.”

SLB indicated that oil and natural gas demand is expected to grow by approximately 20% by 2050. This comes on the back of key oil and gas discoveries across the continent in 2025, with 17 high impact wells having been completed this year.

“Energy demand is rising rapidly, and Africa’s oil and gas industry requires a rapid deployment of investment in order to offset declines and meet peak demand,” stated Paul Freeman, Global Exploration Advisor, SLB.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 to Examine Infrastructure and Investment as Drivers of Libya’s Energy Growth

Source: APO

Tripoli will host the fourth annual Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 from January 24-26, 2026, in an expanded three-day format designed to fast-track infrastructure development and unlock large-scale investment required to drive Libya’s next phase of energy growth. Organized by Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com) and officially endorsed by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Oil & Gas, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya, this year’s summit takes place under the theme Infrastructure & Investment Driving Energy Growth.

LEES 2026 will spotlight the infrastructure projects underpinning Libya’s production ambitions, from the modernization of oilfields to the expansion of pipelines, refineries and export facilities. Central to the agenda is Libya’s renewed upstream momentum following the 2025 exploration bidding round – its first in 17 years – which offered 22 on- and offshore blocks across prolific basins such as Sirte, Murzuq and Ghadames. The summit will provide dedicated sessions for investors, international oil companies (IOCs), financing partners and engineering firms to examine these opportunities and align with national development priorities aimed at raising oil production toward 2 million barrels per day.

Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa’s most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth. Visit www.LibyaSummit.com to secure your participation. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Natural gas and midstream infrastructure will feature prominently, with discussions set to cover export-oriented gas development, associated gas capture to curb flaring, and domestic power generation improvements. The technical program will dive into engineering requirements for upstream rehabilitation, digitalized operations, pipeline expansion and modular processing facilities. Renewable energy infrastructure – including large-scale solar initiatives like the 500 MW Sadada solar project – will also be in the spotlight as Libya advances plans to diversify its energy portfolio.

The summit brings together major international operators and investors – including Eni, TotalEnergies, Repsol, OMV and ConocoPhillips– alongside global service companies such as SLB, Halliburton and Baker Hughes. Key institutional players including the American Chamber of Commerce in Libya, EnerGeo Alliance and the Libyan Council for Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy, will support engagement around local content, SME development and investment facilitation.

By strengthening cooperation between government institutions, IOCs, financiers and service providers, LEES 2026 aims to catalyze Libya’s infrastructure renewal – spanning exploration development, processing, transport and renewable integration. With over 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 53 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and with major companies re-entering the market, Libya is positioned to reassert itself as a critical energy hub connecting Africa and Europe.

“This year’s summit is designed to convert investor attention into tangible infrastructure progress – ensuring that capital, expertise and technology are deployed directly into projects that modernize Libya’s energy systems and support long-term economic stability,” says James Chester, CEO, ECP.

Through collaboration, capacity-building and targeted investment partnerships, LEES 2026 underscores Libya’s commitment to using infrastructure development as the cornerstone of sustainable energy growth and economic revitalization.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Cabo Verde Inaugurates Major Expansion of Cabeolica Wind Farm and Battery Storage, Enabled by Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) Catalytic Financing

Source: APO – Report:

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced the inauguration of the expanded Cabeolica Wind Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Cabo Verde- an achievement made possible through AFC’s catalytic €55million bridge financing provided in 2024. The ceremony, officiated by Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, marks a major step forward in the country’s renewable energy ambitions.

AFC’s early financing enabled rapid implementation, bringing the expansion and BESS online sooner to enhance grid stability, support renewable integration, and advance Cabo Verde’s emissions-reduction and energy-security objectives. The expansion delivers 13.5 MW of new wind capacity on Santiago alongside 26 MWh of battery storage across four islands, significantly enhancing the stability and resilience of Cabo Verde’s national grid. The BESS is already contributing to improved frequency regulation and higher renewable penetration, reducing curtailment and strengthening energy security across the archipelago.

Since 2010, AFC has been a majority investor in Cabeolica S.A, supporting its evolution into one of Cabo Verde’s strongest corporate institutions and the first commercial-scale renewable PPP in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past decade, the company’s 25.5MW wind farms across four islands have generated more than 800,000 MWh of affordable electricity, contributing approximately 25% of the country’s total power generation while offsetting over 560,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. With this new phase, Cabeolica further consolidates its role as a cornerstone of the country’s clean-energy system.

The newly inaugurated BESS, expected to reach nearly 30 MW of storage capacity upon final completion in January 2026, marks a significant advancement in stabilising Cabo Verde’s grid, allowing greater integration of intermittent renewables and reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels. AFC’s bridge financing was pivotal in fast-tracking construction activities and ensuring alignment with the Government’s clean-energy delivery timelines, while long-term financing from senior lenders, including the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank, is being finalised.

“From the early days of the Cabeolica project to this milestone inauguration, AFC’s mission has remained unwavering: to catalyse renewable energy solutions that enhance the reliability and resilience of power systems across Africa,” said Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation. “Our innovative financing accelerated this expansion, and the successful integration of new wind capacity with one of the continent’s most advanced grid-stabilising battery storage systems stands as a clear testament to AFC’s position as Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider,” he added.

Ayotunde Anjorin, Chairman of Cabeólica and Chief Financial Officer of AFC said: “As the first renewable energy commercial scale PPP in sub-Saharan Africa, Cabeólica is again proud to partner with AFC to lead this transformative expansion project comprising additional wind capacity and battery energy storage. This project underscores the Cabeólica’s deep commitment to delivering reliable, clean energy infrastructure in line with national goals and priorities and continues to set a replicable model for the region.”

AFC is committed to accelerating Africa’s energy transition, by deploying capital, expertise, and innovative solutions that strengthen grids, enhance energy security, and drive climate-resilient growth across the continent. Most recently, the Corporation’s portfolio company, Infinity Power, Africa’s largest independent renewable energy provider, reached financial close on the 200MW Ras Ghareb Wind Farm in Egypt, which will power over 300,000 homes.

– 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 power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 47 member countries and has invested over US$17 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

www.AfricaFC.org

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Vestergaard and Harvestfield break ground on landmark Ogun State facility to boost malaria prevention with cutting-edge mosquito net production

Source: APO – Report:

Vestergaard Sàrl (www.Vestergaard.com) and Harvestfield Industries Limited today marked a historic milestone with the ground-breaking of a first-of-its-kind joint venture to transform malaria prevention and strengthen health security through direct investment in mosquito net manufacturing in Nigeria. The new joint venture, named SNG Health, will manufacture PermaNet® Dual, Vestergaard’s latest, dual active-ingredient pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr net designed to combat insecticide resistance. Production at the state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with at-scale annual capacity of 10 million nets, creating 600 skilled jobs.

The ground-breaking ceremony took place at the site in Ogun State, with contributions from Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the President’s Value Chain Initiative (PVAC); Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, Director and National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme; Ms Cornelia Camenzind, Consul General, Consulate General of Switzerland in Lagos, Nigeria; and Mr Onoriode Ezire, Task Team Leader, World Bank Nigeria.

Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, said: “Nigeria is signalling that we are ready to lead the next frontier of malaria control in West Africa. This facility is a direct outcome of the Federal Government’s commitment to industrialize our health sector and anchor critical health products within the country. Every mosquito net produced here represents a Nigerian job, a Nigerian skill strengthened, and value created within our economy. This joint venture between Vestergaard and Harvestfield shows what responsible, future-focused partnership looks like. Today’s ground-breaking reaffirms our determination to ensure that lifesaving tools like PermaNet Dual are manufactured at scale, to global standards, and with long-term sustainability built into the system.”

Nigeria shoulders the world’s highest malaria burden, accounting for a quarter of all global cases and tragically, two out of every five children lost to malaria are Nigerian. While these are daunting statistics, new evidence from the Malaria Atlas Project shows we know what works: insecticide-treated nets have been instrumental in the fight against malaria, responsible for 72% of all malaria cases prevented (https://apo-opa.co/3KjuMEr) globally between 2000 and 2024. Notably, dual active-ingredient nets including PermaNet Dual have alone stopped 40 million cases from 2019 to 2024. These findings underscore that, though the challenge is immense, scaling up access to these proven, life-saving tools can unlock progress towards both national and global malaria control targets.

In March 2024, Nigeria signed the Yaoundé Declaration, pledging that “no one should die from malaria given the tools and systems available.” Today’s ground-breaking ceremony turns that pledge into action, building on the momentum from the memorandum of understanding (https://apo-opa.co/3KjuNbt) that was signed between the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Vestergaard last year, and turning technological advancements into tangible progress for a malaria-free generation.

Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, said: “This facility embodies Vestergaard’s commitment to long-term partnership with Nigeria, demonstrating that private sector leadership can drive lasting impact. By directly investing in local production of PermaNet Dual—and putting our brand’s reputation behind this venture—we are not only delivering world-class innovation, but also ensuring families across Nigeria have quality protection against malaria. We believe that responsible enterprise must support African leadership in health by investing in local systems, training professionals and strengthening the capacity needed for countries to have the autonomy to protect the health of their own people.”

Martins Awofisayo, CEO of Harvestfield Industries, said: “Today marks an important step in strengthening Nigeria’s health security and industrial capacity. By partnering with Vestergaard to establish this facility in Nigeria, we are creating a reliable local source of world-class mosquito nets that will support malaria prevention efforts across the country. This investment is a testament to our commitment to saving lives, empowering communities, and building a sustainable manufacturing base for essential public health tools.”

Prosper Ndayiragije, Managing Director, SNG Health, said: “Today’s ground-breaking opens a new chapter of malaria control for Nigeria, underlining this country’s steadfast commitment to defeating this devastating disease. We are honoured to have the unwavering support of PVAC as we work together with Vestergaard and Harvestfield to make this initiative a reality. By manufacturing Vestergaard’s latest mosquito net innovation – PermaNet Dual – we are committed to doing our part to ensure that no Nigerian family will have to endure the burden of malaria in the future.”

– on behalf of Vestergaard Sàrl.

Media contacts:
Vestergaard
Sarah-Jane Loveday
Director of Communication & Marketing
media@vestergaard.com

Harvestfield Industries
Morenikeji Lannisa
Compliance Manager
morenikeji@harvestfield-ng.com

About Vestergaard Sàrl:
Vestergaard is a social enterprise making innovative fabrics that have life-changing impact. Our PermaNet® insecticide-treated mosquito nets are a mainstay of global malaria elimination programmes, and our agricultural products safeguard harvests and protect high-value crops. Founded in Denmark in 1957, today the company is based in Switzerland and the USA, which leads all our research and innovation. Our manufacturing and quality testing operations are located in Vietnam, and we have teams across Africa, with facilities including a vector control research laboratory in Ghana. We have been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2006 and a certified B Corporation since 2021.

More information: www.Vestergaard.com

About Harvestfield Industries Limited:
Harvestfield Industries Limited (HIL) focuses on the importation and distribution of agrochemicals (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and store fumigants), provision of malaria vector control products and services to the Roll Back Malaria Programme in Nigeria, and agricultural spraying equipment used in the crop production value chain. HIL currently has offices and warehouses in 26 locations in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, with a multi-billion naira agro-chemical formulation and manufacturing factory in Ogun State and Head Office in Lagos State.

More information: www.Harvestfield-ng.com

About SNG Health:
SNG Health is a first-of-its-kind joint venture between Vestergaard Sàrl and HarvestField Industries Limited, created to transform malaria prevention and strengthen health security through direct investment in mosquito net manufacturing in Nigeria. The state-of-the-art facility will manufacture PermaNet® Dual, Vestergaard’s flagship dual active-ingredient mosquito net designed to overcome insecticide resistance. Facilitated by the Nigerian President’s Value Chain Initiative (PVAC), SNG Health combines Vestergaard’s long-term vision for sustainable, locally anchored solutions with Harvestfield’s extensive distribution network and manufacturing excellence, setting a benchmark for quality, safety, and resilience in regional supply chains.

More information: www.SNG-Health.com

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A New Era, New Icons: TikTok Honours Africa’s Biggest Creators of 2025

Source: APO – Report:

The TikTok (www.TikTok.com) community has spoken, and Africa has crowned its newest icons. The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa lit up Johannesburg on 6 December, marking a powerful moment in the continent’s rapidly evolving creator landscape. Under the bold theme “New Era, New Icons,” TikTok honoured the creators who are reshaping culture, storytelling, and digital influence across the region.

Guests were treated to an electrifying night of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable performances from top African talents, including Ciza, Lord Kez, Thuli P, DJ Fif_Laa and Thabsie. Popular creator and entertainer Bontle Modiselle-Moloi commanded the stage as host, bringing unstoppable energy to the awards, while Red Carpet presenters Keegan Gordon and Zayaan Noorani captured every moment of fashion and flair. South African favourite Mihlali Ndamase made a surprise appearance to present the Video of the year award, while famous sports athlete Akani Simbine presented the Sport Creator of the Year Award.

Supported by partner brands like NIVEA, inDrive, Coca-Cola, PEP and Dis-chem, the event highlighted the diversity of the region’s creator landscape. Winners crowned hailed from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, reflecting TikTok’s commitment to elevating the voices shaping entertainment, education, and social impact across the continent.

Reflecting on the evening’s festivities, Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa said, “Tonight’s ceremony was a gathering of the trailblazers who have redefined what it means to be a creator in Africa. From Sokoto to Nairobi, and Accra to Pretoria, we honoured the creators who turned 60-second clips into cultural movements. We are honoured to celebrate them as they amplify their voices and take their stories from Africa to the world.”

Audiences across Africa will get another chance to experience the glamour, performances, and emotional acceptance moments when the ceremony is rebroadcast exclusively on TikTok LIVE on 11 December at 20:00 SAST on the @ tiktok.africa (http://apo-opa.co/49Xn8tI) account.

And the 2025 Winners are:

Creator of the Year (Sponsored by NIVEA)

Winner: Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim @ diaryofanortherncook (https://apo-opa.co/48nHsTU) (Nigeria)

Taking the night’s most prestigious title, @ diaryofanortherncook (https://apo-opa.co/48nHsTU) was recognised for her mastery of visual storytelling through food with the rich sounds of northern music. Based in Sokoto, the creator has captivated a global audience by documenting Northern Nigerian cuisine with that kind of cinematic flair that draws global attention to Nigerian food.

Storyteller of the Year (Sponsored by inDrive)

Winner: Brian Nwana @ briannwana (https://apo-opa.co/4poE4hp) (Nigeria)

Based in Abuja, @ briannwana (https://apo-opa.co/4poE4hp) claimed the Storyteller of the Year award through his food content. From street interviews to compelling personal narratives woven into his food adventures, Brian has a rare gift for capturing the human experience bite by bite. His content keeps audiences hooked from the first second to the last. His Guinness World Record (https://apo-opa.co/4pUqBxI) for the most fast-food restaurants visited in 24 hours is just the latest example of his bold, inventive approach to content.

Speaking while receiving his award, Brian Nwana said, “Every single creator is a storyteller. We all tell stories that help drive the local communities, our cities, and our countries, and when we do that we change the perception that the world has about us”.

Video of the Year

Winner: Fanuel John Masamaki @ zerobrainer0 (https://apo-opa.co/4oEfLuE) (Tanzania)

Tanzanian sports creator @ zerobrainer0 (https://apo-opa.co/4oEfLuE) makes a triumphant return, winning Video of the Year after securing Sports Creator of the Year in 2024. He has become a continent-wide fan favourite thanks to his signature beige blazer and his unique, silent comedy spin on football moments.

I am truly grateful to my fans and the love I have received from Tanzanians. Thank you so much . This win was for all of us.” Said John Masamaki while receiving his award.

Rising Star of the Year

Winner: @ tunero_animations (http://apo-opa.co/4oEfMic) (Kenya)

The future of African storytelling is animated. Celebrating the next generation of talent, the Rising Star award went to Nairobi-based @ tunero_animations (http://apo-opa.co/4oEfMic), who has carved out a niche with animated characters like Bob Kichwa Ngumu, whose clever, sarcastic and stubborn traits resonate with Kenyans and the world.

  • Runner-up: Esther Francis @ estherfrancisbackup (https://apo-opa.co/49Ze2N7) (Nigeria), adds a creative and relatable flair to health information that empowers users on the platform with credible information.

Social Impact Creator of the Year (Sponsored by Dis-chem)

Winner: Dejoke Ogunbiyi @ noositiwantiwa_ (https://apo-opa.co/4oEfNTi) (Nigeria)

Using the platform for good, @ Noositiwantiwa_ (https://apo-opa.co/4oEfNTi) is driving conversations that matter. From Ibadan, she tackles social issues with grace and impact, mobilising her community for positive change.

  • Runner-up: Sinethemba Masinga @ ufarm_julia (https://apo-opa.co/3XGQ5CN) (South Africa) – A champion for agriculture and sustainability, proving that farming is the future.

Food Creator of the Year (Sponsored by Coca-Cola)

Winner: @ malumfoodie (https://apo-opa.co/3XCGNrz) (South Africa)

Pretoria’s self-taught cook, @ malumfoodie (https://apo-opa.co/3XCGNrz) took home the trophy thanks to the flavour and fun his videos bring to the kitchen. His approachable recipes and charismatic delivery using South African street language called Spitori and native South African languages bring a fresh, entertaining twist to his recipes and meals.

“From my humble beginnings of Haamanskraal, to Soshanguve and to all of South Africa, now we are in Africa!”, says Malume Foodie, reflecting on the significance of the award.”

  • Runner-up: Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye @ chefabbys (https://apo-opa.co/4iMKnsM) (Ghana) – Showcasing the best of Ghanaian cuisine to the world with style. She was recently named amongst Time Magazine’s 2025 list of the 1000 most influential creators in the World

Sports Creator of the Year

Winner: John Maingi Mbugua  @ zozasportscast (https://apo-opa.co/4ayvs3d) (Kenya)

From Nairobi to the world, the @ zozasportscast (https://apo-opa.co/4ayvs3d) team delivers football analysis with passion and precision. They represent a new wave of sports journalism, which is fan-led, authentic, and always on the ball.

“Winning isn’t the finish line, it’s fuel for the next chapter. Every piece of content, every discussion, every moment captured was driven by passion, and receiving this recognition means that passion is resonating far beyond my expectations.” Said John Mbugua as he received his award

  • Runner-up: Victor Ademola @ ademolavictortv (https://apo-opa.co/3KEQrqv) (Nigeria) has kept the Super Eagles and global football conversation alive with energetic commentary.

Entertainment Creator of the Year (Sponsored by PEP)

Winner: Belove Olocha @ beloveolocha (https://apo-opa.co/493iAjx) (Nigeria)

A dominant force in content creation, Lagos-based @ beloveolocha (https://apo-opa.co/493iAjx) was awarded for her consistent ability to entertain and engage audiences with relatable movie content. She also stands out for incorporating her love for movies, sharing film moments and recommendations that resonate with her community.

  • Runner-up: Jabulani Macdonald @ jabu_macdonald (https://apo-opa.co/44VGig1) (South Africa) is a staple of South Africa’s entertainment scene, known for his quick wit and engaging presence.

Education Creator of the Year

Winner: Izzi Boye @ izziboye (https://apo-opa.co/4oRKXHi) (Nigeria)

Making tech accessible to the masses, @ izziboye (https://apo-opa.co/4oRKXHi) is the go-to guy for gadget reviews, hacks, and digital tips. He proves that TikTok is a powerful classroom for the digital age.

  • Runner-up: @ michelle_expert (https://apo-opa.co/3KDvY5A) (South Africa) empowers her audience with expert advice and actionable insights from career development and financial literacy to personal growth and everyday decision-making.

Artist of the Year

Winner: Crown Uzama @ theycallmeshallipopipp (https://apo-opa.co/4pwc1gm) (Nigeria)

2025 was the year of the “Plutomania”. Shallipopi (https://apo-opa.co/4pwc1gm), popularly referred to as “Pluto Presido” by his fans, “plutomanians”, dominated the soundwaves and the platform, with tracks that sparked viral challenges and became the soundtrack of the year across the continent.

The platform has also played a significant role in spreading culture through music in 2025. “Thank you, TikTok, for supporting all upcoming artists and giving them a spotlight to shine. “said 2025 Artist of the Year and “Laho” hit-maker, Shallipopi (https://apo-opa.co/4pwc1gm).

– on behalf of TikTok.

Additional Images: https://apo-opa.co/3MKll1k

About TikTok Awards: 
The TikTok Awards are our annual celebration of the most impactful and inspiring creators across Sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s event will highlight the extraordinary ways our creators have engaged, inspired, and connected communities on and off TikTok.

About inDrive:
inDrive is a global mobility and urban services platform. The inDrive app has been downloaded over 360 million times, and has been named the second most downloaded mobility app for the third consecutive year. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of services, including intercity transportation, delivery, and financial services. In 2023, inDrive launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm.

inDrive operates in 982 cities in 48 countries. Driven by its mission of challenging injustice, the company is committed to having a positive impact on the lives of one billion people by 2030. It pursues this goal both through its core business, which supports local communities via a fair pricing model; and through the work of its impact programs.

For more information visit http://inDrive.com

About Coca-Cola:
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.

Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About PEP:
PEP is the largest single retail brand in Southern Africa, with over 2,700 stores. Providing families with clothing, footwear, home, cellular and financial services at the lowest prices.

For more information, please visit www.PEPStores.com

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Protecting the game: Fighting piracy to keep African football alive

Source: APO

On the evening of 21 December 2025, a football match will kick off between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat. It will be the opening game of the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations (TotalEnergies CAF AFCON) tournament. The game will have an audience of millions.

There will likely be a full house of 68,000-odd fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, but the overwhelming majority of fans will watch the game via streaming and television, from across the African continent – and the world.

At the previous TotalEnergies CAF AFCON tournament in 2024, the semi-final match between South Africa and Nigeria had a record-breaking audience (https://apo-opa.co/4rJl26Z) of 10.3 million. The tournament itself had an estimated cumulative total viewership of 1.4 billion TV viewers.

The sale of broadcast rights to reach this enormous audience provides the income that makes the tournament possible. Media businesses invest billions in securing the feed for their home markets. In sub-Saharan Africa, those rights (https://apo-opa.co/4iGjuXm) have been secured by MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, through SuperSport, its sports broadcasting affiliate.

Beyond rights payments, media investment sustains an entire economy that runs for the duration of the month-long tournament. Film crews, accommodation, logistics, and catering are hired by broadcast teams.

Media funds football

Broadcast licence fees also finance the Confederation of African Football (CAF) itself, the body that administers football on the continent. In many ways, media coverage funds football. Revenue from broadcast rights underpin the development programmes that find talent at youth level, and help to nurture it.

Media income funds infrastructure that makes football possible – the fields, the kits, the match officials, the transport, the administrators. At the top level, media income funds national teams, the coaching teams, and the elite training camps, so they can attend the continental showpiece, where they carry hopes and dreams of their nations.

However, the entire football edifice is a precarious one, heavily dependent on the ability of official media partners to recoup the multi-million-dollar costs of broadcast rights. If broadcaster income from subscriptions, contracts and pay-per-view sales does not cover rights fees, then ultimately, football dies.

Only large media businesses, with the advantage of regional scale, are able to fund the costs of media sports coverage. Perversely, their business model is threatened because the same sports events they bring to their viewers are prime targets of content piracy.  

Viewers might not see the harm of accessing a pirate stream, but the impact runs deep. Where a subscription paid to a legitimate rightsholder would help to fund African football, any income earned by a pirate stream goes directly to criminal syndicates in other parts of the world.

Content piracy undermines football. It robs football associations of the funding they desperately need to survive, to develop youth structures and to compete at the highest level. It’s therefore critical that sports fans understand the damage they do to the sport they supposedly love when they use pirate streams.

The impact is global. In Spain, LaLiga (https://apo-opa.co/4oC1TRL) reported that audiovisual fraud was costing Spanish football €600 and €700-million. In the UK, the Premier League blocked more than 600,000 illegal live streams (https://apo-opa.co/4pt6VRU) in a single season in its fight against piracy.

Pirate websites also place users at risk, exposing them to malware, hacking and identity theft, as well as unwanted pop-ups, viruses, fraud and adult content. When football content is spread across hundreds of thousands of sites, it also becomes harder to measure audiences, and makes the sport less attractive to sponsors.

Fight to save the game

Helping to fight sports piracy and keep football alive are initiatives such as Partners Against Piracy, which work to strengthen legal frameworks to prosecute pirate sites and pirate users, and to educate fans about the consequences of piracy.

Cybersecurity organisations like Irdeto harness tech and digital solutions (https://apo-opa.co/4aB6nog) to protect streams and track the source and the users of pirate feeds. For instance, a new innovation enables continuous renewal of authentication keys, which degrades the pirate experience and shifts users back to legal platforms.

The best partner in the fight to save football from piracy is the African public. Knowing how piracy destroys the football ecosystem empowers fans to make ethical choices in how they support their sport and makes them more likely to access games through legitimate channels.

As a fan, when you watch football content, the choice is yours: Will you be part of destroying football, or building it up? Choose wisely, the future of your sport depends on it.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

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The the Standards for Official Statistics on Climate – Health Interactions (SOSCHI) Conference Calls for Stronger Climate–Health Indicators to Guide Policy and Protect Communities

Source: APO

A Conference bringing together African government officials, scientific institutions, development partners and global organisations from 23 countries, issued a clear call to strengthen climate–health intelligence. It emphasised that countries will remain vulnerable to climate hazards unless they build and sustain systems that measure how climate change affects human health. The call followed three days of dialogue and technical exchange at the Standards for Official Statistics on Climate – Health Interactions (SOSCHI) Conference held in Kigali from 3 to 5 December 2025.

Climate change is already driving severe health impacts across Africa, yet most countries collect data in those fields in isolation. To effectively quantify risk of climate change impacts on health and protect vulnerable populations, comparable indicators are needed to guide preparedness, shape policy, or allocate resources for adaptation.

The joint communiqué adopted in Kigali emphasises that enhancing climate–health intelligence will strengthen existing national strategies and unlock new possibilities for targeted interventions, resilience building and the development of early warning. It highlights the “urgent need for more robust information on the health impacts of climate hazards to strengthen national policies and to guide target interventions.”

Delegates agreed that robust climate–health interactions indicators are essential to move from reactive responses to proactive, evidence-based planning. They emphasised that data alone is insufficient: decision-makers require harmonised indicators that reveal where climate hazards are affecting health, how disease patterns are shifting, and where adaptation efforts will have the greatest effect. Participants therefore committed to embedding the SOSCHI indicators into national statistical systems, with particular focus on extreme weather, water-related disease, vector-borne disease and mental health.

A major theme across the discussions was sustainability. Participants highlighted that climate–health interaction monitoring cannot depend on short-term projects, but must be rooted in long-term domestic financing, skilled personnel and systems that persist across political and funding cycles. Strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems, improving the timeliness of health data, and enhancing environmental and meteorological monitoring were identified as critical foundations for sustainable climate–health intelligence. Collaborative data sharing and system interoperability were also deemed essential, given that climate–health indicators rely on multi-sectoral datasets that are rarely analysed together.

Technical demonstrations from Rwanda, Ghana and the UK showed how the SOSCHI indicators reveal emerging vulnerabilities and shifting disease burdens. Rwanda’s results illustrated spatial changes in malaria risk linked to temperature and rainfall patterns, while Ghana’s results highlighted how diarrhoeal disease, air pollution and heat-related mortality can be quantified and tracked over time. These findings underscore the value of harmonised methods for informing policy and supporting adaptation planning.

Participants left Kigali with a shared commitment to advance the scaling and institutionalisation of the SOSCHI framework. The communiqué invites national statistical offices, health ministries, research institutions and funders to join this effort, noting that together they can “deliver validated climate-health metrics that inform policy, strengthen resilience, and safeguard population health in the face of climate change.”

The Kigali meeting affirmed that Africa is not only experiencing the most immediate impacts of climate change but is also shaping the global standards required for effective climate–health action. The collective commitment expressed by participants represents a significant step towards building the climate–health intelligence necessary for a safer and more resilient future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Research and Innovation Centre.

Media contact:
Joseph Ndiritu
Programs delivery and reporting
AIMS Research and Innovation Centre
Email: jndiritu@aimsric.org
Phone: +250 780 440 935

About the SOSCHI Partnership:
Standards for Official Statistics on Climate – Health Interactions (SOSCHI) is a collaboration between the UK’s Office for National Statistics, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Research and Innovation Centre (AIMS-RIC) in Rwanda, and the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) at the University of Ghana, supported by global partners and funded by Wellcome Trust. The project provides a harmonised statistical framework and open-source platform enabling countries to generate actionable climate– health indicators.

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La Conférence Standards for Official Statistics on Climate–Health Interactions (SOSCHI) mobilise l’Afrique pour renforcer les données climat–santé et orienter des décisions publiques plus éclairées

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Une conférence réunissant des responsables gouvernementaux africains, des institutions scientifiques, des partenaires de développement et des organisations internationales provenant de 23 pays a lancé un appel fort en faveur du renforcement de l’intelligence climat– santé. Les participants ont souligné que les pays resteront exposés aux aléas climatiques tant qu’ils ne disposeront pas de systèmes robustes permettant de mesurer l’impact du changement climatique sur la santé humaine. Cet appel conclut trois jours de dialogue et d’échanges techniques tenus à Kigali du 3 au 5 décembre 2025 lors de la Conférence sur les Standards for Official Statistics on Climate–Health Interactions (SOSCHI).

Alors que le changement climatique entraîne déjà des conséquences sanitaires majeures à travers l’Afrique, la plupart des pays continuent de collecter séparément les données liées au climat et à la santé. Pour quantifier de manière fiable les risques et protéger les populations vulnérables, des indicateurs comparables sont indispensables afin d’éclairer la préparation, d’informer les politiques publiques et de guider l’allocation des ressources pour l’adaptation.

Le communiqué conjoint adopté à Kigali souligne que le renforcement de l’intelligence climat–santé consolidera les stratégies nationales existantes tout en ouvrant de nouvelles possibilités pour des interventions ciblées, la construction de la résilience et la mise en place de systèmes d’alerte précoce. Il met en avant “la nécessité urgente de disposer d’informations plus robustes sur les impacts sanitaires des aléas climatiques afin de renforcer les politiques nationales et d’orienter les interventions ciblées.”

Les délégués ont convenu que des indicateurs fiables sur les interactions climat–santé sont essentiels pour passer d’approches réactives à une planification proactive, fondée sur des données probantes. Ils ont rappelé que les données brutes ne suffisent pas : les décideurs ont besoin d’indicateurs harmonisés permettant de comprendre où et comment les aléas climatiques affectent la santé, comment les schémas de maladies évoluent, et où les efforts d’adaptation peuvent produire le plus grand impact. Dans cette optique, les participants se sont engagés à intégrer les indicateurs SOSCHI dans leurs systèmes statistiques nationaux, en accordant une attention particulière aux phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes, aux maladies hydriques, aux maladies à transmission vectorielle et à la santé mentale.

La question de la durabilité est ressortie comme un thème transversal essentiel. Les participants ont souligné que le suivi des interactions climat–santé ne peut dépendre de projets à court terme, mais doit s’appuyer sur un financement national durable, des compétences renforcées et des systèmes capables de perdurer à travers les cycles politiques et financiers. Le renforcement des systèmes d’état civil et de statistiques vitales, l’amélioration de la rapidité des données sanitaires et le développement de la surveillance environnementale et météorologique ont été identifiés comme des piliers pour une intelligence climat–santé pérenne. Le partage de données et l’interopérabilité des systèmes ont également été jugés incontournables, dans la mesure où les indicateurs climat–santé reposent sur des ensembles de données multisectorielles rarement analysées conjointement.

Les démonstrations techniques présentées par le Rwanda, le Ghana et le Royaume-Uni ont montré comment les indicateurs SOSCHI permettent de mettre en évidence des vulnérabilités émergentes et l’évolution des charges de morbidité. Les analyses du Rwanda ont montré les variations spatiales du risque de paludisme en lien avec les tendances de température et de précipitations, tandis que celles du Ghana ont illustré la possibilité de quantifier et de suivre, dans le temps, les maladies diarrhéiques, la pollution de l’air et la mortalité liée à la chaleur. Ces démonstrations ont mis en valeur l’importance de méthodes harmonisées pour informer les politiques et soutenir la planification de l’adaptation.

Les participants ont quitté Kigali avec un engagement collectif renouvelé en faveur de la mise à l’échelle et de l’institutionnalisation du cadre SOSCHI. Le communiqué invite les offices statistiques nationaux, les ministères de la santé, les institutions de recherche et les bailleurs à rejoindre cet effort, en soulignant qu’ensemble, ils peuvent “fournir des métriques climat– santé validées qui éclairent les politiques, renforcent la résilience et protègent la santé des populations face au changement climatique.”

La réunion de Kigali a réaffirmé que si l’Afrique figure parmi les régions les plus exposées aux impacts immédiats du changement climatique, elle joue également un rôle déterminant dans l’élaboration des normes mondiales nécessaires à une action climat–santé efficace. L’engagement collectif exprimé représente une avancée majeure vers la construction d’une intelligence climat–santé essentielle pour un avenir plus sûr et plus résilient.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Research and Innovation Centre.

Contact presse :
Joseph Ndiritu
Programs Delivery and Reporting
AIMS Research and Innovation Centre
Email : jndiritu@aimsric.org
Téléphone : +250 780 440 935

À propos du Partenariat SOSCHI :
Les Standards for Official Statistics on Climate–Health Interactions (SOSCHI) constituent un partenariat entre l’Office for National Statistics du Royaume-Uni, l’African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Research and Innovation Centre (AIMS-RIC) au Rwanda, et le Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) de l’Université du Ghana, avec le soutien de partenaires mondiaux et un financement du Wellcome Trust. Le projet fournit un cadre statistique harmonisé ainsi qu’une plateforme open source permettant aux pays de produire des indicateurs climat–santé exploitables.

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