MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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The “Cezeri Laboratory Techniques and Applications Training” organized within the framework of the Cezeri Laboratory established by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in the governorate of Tataouine, Tunisia, has been successfully completed.

The training program brought together academics and students from the Tunisian City of Sciences, the Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Tataouine, and the Higher Institute of Arts and Crafts. Throughout the program, participants received both theoretical and practical training in digital manufacturing technologies, design thinking, innovation, and hands-on production processes.

The training aimed to strengthen participants’ skills in innovative thinking, problem-solving, design development, and practical production. Thanks to the technical infrastructure provided by the Cezeri Laboratory, participants had the opportunity to transform their ideas into tangible projects using modern manufacturing technologies.

At the end of the program, certificates were awarded to 26 academics and students who successfully completed the training. Through the knowledge and skills gained during the course, participants enhanced their competencies in the fields of technology, manufacturing, and innovation.

The Cezeri Laboratory established in Tataouine contributes to helping young people and academics adapt to digital transformation processes while also promoting a culture of innovation and production in the region. Through its training, research, and practical activities, the laboratory serves to strengthen the technology-oriented capacities of local human resources. The Cezeri Laboratory and the training activities conducted within its framework support local development and the enhancement of human capital by equipping young people with the technical skills required in today’s world.

Located in the southernmost part of Tunisia and considered one of the country’s relatively less developed regions, Tataouine faces various challenges, including youth unemployment and limited access to qualified technical education opportunities. In this regard, the project aligns with the Tunisian government’s priorities of promoting regional development and equal opportunities, while contributing to the expansion of technology- and innovation-focused educational opportunities to the country’s inland and disadvantaged regions.

In line with Tunisia’s development priorities, TİKA continues to support projects aimed at strengthening technology-, innovation-, and production-oriented skills and competencies, while helping young people prepare for the professions of the future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Source: APO

African countries are stepping up efforts against agricultural plastic pollution. Gathered at FAO’s regional webinar “The Voluntary Code of Conduct for plastics in agriculture: African experiences and the way forward”, experts from across the continent shared practical solutions and emerging initiatives to reduce the environmental impacts of plastics while maintaining agricultural productivity.

Plastics play a growing role in food production across the continent, yet inadequate waste management carries environmental and health risks. FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa, Ayman Omer, pointed to FAO’s Provisional Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Sustainable Use and Management of Plastics in Agriculture (VCoC) as the framework for country action.

“The VCoC provides practical guidance to support countries in developing policies and strategies for agricultural plastics throughout their life cycle. By working together, we can accelerate its implementation and support the transition towards more efficient, inclusive, resilience and sustainable agrifood systems,” Omer said.

Country action on the ground

Country experiences demonstrated both the scale of the challenge and the opportunities for innovation. In Kenya, the FARM project improves lifecycle management  of agricultural plastic waste through collaboration among government agencies, producer responsibility organizations, and stakeholders across the agrifood value chain.

For Annastacia Vyalu, Senior Compliance Officer at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a practical tool for reducing agriplastic pollution while promoting circularity and resource recovery across agricultural value chains. The FARM pilot, currently running in three Kenyan counties, is expected to expand nationwide and eventually across East Africa.

As Kenya builds up its collection systems, attention is also turning to specific plastic packaging  in the value chain. Fertilizer bags, for example, are a common source of plastic in agricultural systems, yet what happens to them after use often goes unmanaged. Killian Banda, Senior Specialist for Market Development and Intelligence at the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), presented findings from a multi-country study examining this gap.

While the study found broad awareness of plastic pollution among value-chain actors, it also revealed persistent challenges, including weak enforcement of regulations and limited recycling infrastructure. Recommended actions included promoting reusable packaging, strengthening recycling incentives, and exploring biodegradable alternatives.

Testing alternatives

Innovative alternatives to conventional plastics were another highlight of the webinar.  Results from field trials in pineapple production demonstrated that coconut coir mulch can serve as an effective alternative to conventional plastic mulch. Presented by Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Associate Professor at Aston University in the United Kingdom, the project, which took place in Ghana, showed that biodegradable alternatives can deliver comparable agricultural performance while reducing plastic waste. With support from FAO, a new phase will test biodegradable seedling bags in cocoa nurseries through 2026.

Participants also pointed out the importance of innovation in fisheries. Drawing on pilot experiences in Kenya, Emma Algotsson, CEO of South African company Catchgreen, presented results from three years of trials, where biodegradable ropes, nets and traps matched the performance of conventional gear. “The challenge is not simply about replacing plastic. The challenge is designing fishing gear that performs reliably during the use but does not remain in the environment for decades,” said Algotsson.

The discussions reinforced a shared message: recycling alone will not solve agricultural plastic pollution. Participants called for affordable alternatives, stronger policy frameworks, improved collection systems, and greater collaboration among public and private stakeholders.

Building on the experiences shared on the webinar, FAO will continue supporting countries in implementing the VCoC, including through FARM in Kenya and the next phase of the Ghana coconut-coir project, to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable agrifood systems across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Source: APO – Report:

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In the nomadic settlement of Mandjafa, on the outskirts of N’Djamena, Afia travelled with her four-month-old daughter, Fatma, to benefit from services provided during an integrated outreach activity for nomadic communities. For this mother of five, these interventions play an essential role in protecting her family’s health.

“Vaccines help keep my children healthy. As soon as they become ill, I take them to the health centre,” she said.

Like many nomadic families in Chad, Afia lives in a pastoral community where livestock are central to household livelihoods. Seasonal mobility and the distance from health facilities can make access to essential services challenging. Nomadic populations account for approximately 3.5% of the country’s population.

To address this reality, the government has progressively implemented the One Health approach, which brings together the health, livestock, environmental and agricultural sectors to deliver services tailored to pastoral communities.

In Mandjafa, on 9 June 2026, this approach enabled integrated services to be provided to 134 beneficiaries, including 11 children. The intervention combined human and animal vaccination, with 96 animals vaccinated, alongside other preventive and health services. Community members also received vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatment and insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

According to Dr Mahamat Béchir, National One Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention and Permanent Secretary of the platform, the approach emerged from evidence that nomadic communities were not being adequately reached through conventional services.

“Studies conducted in the early 2000s showed that access to vaccination was very limited in some nomadic communities. We realized that our strategies needed to be adapted to their way of life,” he explained.

Teams also observed that livestock keepers were already making regular use of veterinary services. By combining animal health interventions with services for women and children, it became possible to reach more families during a single campaign while reducing the number of journeys required.

In Mandjafa, the approach benefits both families and their livestock. Among the beneficiaries is Youssouf Idriss, a livestock keeper living near the site and owner of sheep, cattle and camels. “My animals are essential to my family’s life. They provide us with food and income. Their health is therefore a priority for us,” he said.

For pastoral households, animal health has a direct impact on income, nutrition and well-being. Joint campaigns therefore address multiple essential needs through a single intervention while improving access to preventive services. On the ground, this collaboration is reflected in outreach activities conducted in nomadic settlements.

Raphaël Neni, a veterinary officer at the Ministry of Livestock who has worked in the field for five years, regularly supports campaigns targeting nomadic communities. “Since we strengthened vaccination activities, some diseases have become less common. Livestock keepers themselves can see the improvement in the health of their animals,” he said.

Beyond the benefits for livestock, these interventions also help reduce the risk of diseases transmitted between animals and humans, strengthening health security within communities.

At the national level, the One Health platform coordinates actions across the health, livestock, environmental and agricultural sectors to strengthen prevention, surveillance and response to health threats. “Health challenges can no longer be addressed by a single sector. Zoonotic diseases, climate change and environmental issues require close collaboration to better protect populations,” explained Dr Béchir.

World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the government’s efforts for several years. This support includes strengthening the One Health platform, conducting International Health Regulations assessments, supporting implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security and building the capacity of key stakeholders.

For Dr Tamadji Mbaïhol, who leads routine immunization activities at WHO in Chad, these communities are well known. For nearly 20 years, he has supported health activities among nomadic populations and has observed their willingness to use services when they are adapted to their way of life. “Nomadic populations are receptive to health services. The challenge is reaching them where they are. When interventions are adapted to their reality, participation is strong,” he said.

The ability to bring together multiple services during a single outreach activity is one of the key strengths of the One Health approach, particularly in areas where communities move regularly. Over the years, implementation of the approach has relied on collaboration between different ministries and several technical and financial partners.

“WHO support has contributed to strengthening the One Health platform and consolidating collaboration across the sectors involved. This momentum now allows us to move forward together on shared public health priorities,” said Dr Béchir.

While the teams continued their work with other families and livestock keepers, Afia prepared to return home with Fatma. Like many parents present that day, she was able to access several services through a single visit. The advice she wishes to share with other parents is simple:
“When a child is sick, they should be taken to a health centre quickly. This helps protect them and keep them healthy,” she said.

In Mandjafa, the One Health approach is bringing essential services closer to nomadic communities. By facilitating access to integrated services, it is helping to protect both human and animal health while supporting the livelihoods on which these communities depend.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Chad.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Mrs Maria Azemia as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Mrs Azemia holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business Administration from Amity University, India, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management and Marketing from Edith Cowan University, Australia.

She brings over 10 years of experience in leadership, management, strategic planning, and tourism development across both the public and private sectors. Throughout her career, she has held several senior positions within the tourism industry, including Director of the Seychelles Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai, Director of Destination Development at the Seychelles Tourism Board, and a range of marketing leadership roles at both local and international levels.

Prior to her appointment, Ms Azemia served as Executive Director in the Office of the Principal Minister within the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and the Blue Economy.

Her appointment takes effect on 1 July 2026.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.