MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

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The regulatory service in the Gash Barka Region has conducted seminars on food safety for both humans and animals, targeting farmers and owners of social service-providing institutions in the sub-zones of Sel’a, Kerkebet, Laelai Gash, Gogni, and Mogolo.

At the seminars, Mr. Meaze Neguse, an animal resources regulatory expert, warned that unsafe food could endanger the lives of both humans and animals. He emphasized the need for safety and cleanliness throughout the entire food production chain—from farm to consumer—and highlighted the direct link between food safety and environmental protection. He urged all stakeholders in food processing and supply to collaborate with regulatory experts.

Mr. Hadish Gebremeskel, from the plant regulatory service, gave an extensive briefing on the direct and indirect adverse effects of improper pesticide use. He pointed out the critical consequences of using unapproved or unsafe agricultural medicines without consulting experts, stressing that such practices harm both the environment as well humans and animals. He encouraged farmers to use only approved pesticides and to adopt natural production systems.

Sub-zone administrators, for their part, stated that the seminars significantly contribute to the goal of “Ensuring Nutritious Food for All and Everywhere.” They called on farmers and food processing enterprises to apply the knowledge gained through the training in their daily operations.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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On July 3, the 4th Japan-Tunisia Security and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue was held in Tokyo. At this dialogue, Mr. Hiroyuki MINAMI, Representative of the Government of Japan (Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Admiral Abderraouf ATALLAH, Senior Advisor to the President of the Republic of Tunisia, served as representatives for their respective governments.

During the dialogue, the two sides discussed the international and regional security environment, including the terrorist threat, counter-terrorism measures in both countries, and possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of counter-terrorism, public safety, and security.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO – Report:

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• The IMF Executive Board has completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The decision allows for an immediate disbursement of US$ 261.9 million towards international reserves, to continue building buffers.
• The DRC’s economy has been resilient in a challenging environment amid the escalation of the armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, which placed significant strains on the budget. The authorities have made good progress on the structural reform’s agenda, but a few quantitative targets were missed.
• The recent peace agreement signed between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States, is encouraging for the prospect of a peaceful resolution of the conflict and renewed focus on development goals.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) approved on January 15, 2025 (see PR 25/003). The completion of the first review allowed an immediate disbursement equivalent to 190.4 million SDR (about US$ 261.9 million) to support balance-of-payment needs, bringing the aggregate disbursement to date to 380.5 million SDR (about 523.4 US$ million).  

The DRC has been facing significant challenges amid the intensification of the armed conflict in its eastern part since end-2024. The escalation of hostilities has claimed thousands of lives and caused severe social and humanitarian damages, including disruptions in access to essential services such as food, water, and electricity. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure a cessation of hostilities and ensure sustainable peace in the region. The signing on June 27, 2025, of a peace agreement between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, under the mediation of the United States, is encouraging for the prospect of a peaceful resolution on the ongoing conflict and renewed focus on addressing development goals.

Despite the challenging environment, economic activity remained resilient, with robust GDP growth of 6.5 percent in 2024, driven by continued dynamism in the extractive sector.  External stability has strengthened, as the current account deficit narrowed and the accumulation of international reserves continued. Inflationary pressures continue to ease, and year-on-year inflation declined from 23.8 percent at end-2023 to 11.7 percent at end-2024 and [8.5] percent at end-June 2025.

Performance under the program was mixed, as the intensification of the conflict has placed significant strains on the budget. Despite strong revenue collection, the domestic fiscal deficit reached 0.8 percent of GDP in 2024, exceeding the program target of 0.3 percent, owing to spending overruns linked to the escalation of the conflict, including on exceptional security spending and public investments. The program target on the Central Bank of the Congo (BCC)’s foreign exchange assets held with domestic correspondents was missed as well, due to higher-than-expected tax payments in foreign currency on government accounts. Other quantitative performance criteria of the ECF were met. Most indicative targets were also met, except those related to the floor on social spending and the ceiling on spending executed through emergency procedures—owing to elevated exceptional security spending linked to the conflict intensification. Appropriate corrective measures are being implemented by the authorities.

In completing the first review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities’ request for waivers of nonobservance of the performance criteria on the floor on the domestic fiscal balance at end-December 2024 on the basis of corrective actions, and the continuous ceiling on the levels of foreign currency assets of the BCC held with domestic correspondents on the basis of the temporary nature of the deviation which has since been remedied. Further, the Executive Board completed the financing assurances review under the ECF arrangement. No reform measures under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement, approved in January 2025, were due for review at this time.

At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Chair stated:

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been confronted with heightened security challenges since late 2024. The escalation of the conflict in the eastern part of the country has caused serious human, social and economic damage and induced the government to increase spending. Despite these difficulties, the macroeconomic environment of the DRC remained broadly stable. Growth has remained robust, due to the resilience of mining production. Inflation continues to decrease, and the external position has strengthened. The economic outlook remains positive, but is fraught with downside risks related to the persistence of the conflict, declining external humanitarian assistance, global economic headwinds, and potential escalation of geopolitical conflicts. The authorities are committed to closely monitor these risks and to respond proactively to evolving challenges.

“Budget implementation remains challenging in a difficult security context. As a result, the domestic fiscal deficit is projected to be larger than initially projected for 2025, but is expected to return to the path envisaged at program approval starting in 2026, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to carry out measures to enhance domestic revenue mobilization and strengthen the budget implementation process. Additionally, to guard against unforeseen adverse shocks, the authorities have adopted a contingency plan.

“The Central Bank of the Congo (BCC) has maintained a tight monetary policy stance, thereby helping bring inflation down to single digits for the first time in three years. The accumulation of international reserves has continued, on the back of the narrowing of the current account deficit. Efforts must continue, to strengthen the monetary policy implementation framework, refine the foreign exchange intervention strategy, enhance the governance and safeguards of the BCC and ensure its adequate recapitalization.

“The authorities have committed to accompany these efforts to preserve macroeconomic stability with an acceleration of structural reforms in key areas, including strengthening the AML/CFT framework, improving the business climate, enhancing transparency and governance, combating corruption and upgrading national statistics. Efforts to lay the groundwork for a timely implementation of the reform measures underpinning the RSF arrangement approved in January should be stepped up.”

– on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Executive Board of the National Union of Eritrean Women conducted a meeting on 1 and 2 July to review the implementation of programs during the first half of this year and to discuss plans for the second half. The meeting was attended by heads of departments and regional office of the union.

During the meeting, the board held extensive discussions focusing on activities aimed at enhancing organizational capacity—particularly among young women—strengthening the Union’s economic capacity, vocational training programs designed to improve women’s skills, progress in development programs, and the role of mass media in raising overall awareness among women.

Ms. Tekea Tesfamicael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women, commended the successful implementation of various activities over the past six months and called for strengthened participation in executing programs scheduled for the second half of the year.

The board stressed the importance of reinforcing ongoing efforts, including enhancing the organizational capacity of women and promoting their active participation and awareness.

The meeting concluded with several recommendations, including organizing training on financial and material management and reporting, completing the renovation of Union buildings, and establishing an official website for the Union, among other initiatives.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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His Excellency Mr. Olishegone Ajadi Bakary, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin, met with Mr. Safar bin Mohammed Al-Hajri, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Benin.

During the meeting, they reviewed the cooperative relations between the two countries.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO – Report:

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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with its African National Society members, fully supports the African Union (AU) and its member states in their efforts to eliminate cholera across the continent. 

Forged during a high-level meeting of AU member states in June, this new commitment centers on strengthening community-based health services and epidemic preparedness, working closely with local communities to achieve lasting solutions.  

The IFRC commends the leadership and united commitment demonstrated by the Heads of State, Government, and Delegations, who gathered in June under the AU’s framework to advance a strong and coordinated response to the ongoing multi-country cholera outbreaks, which in 2025 are affecting approximately 20 Member States.  

The IFRC and its African National Society members, fully endorse the priorities outlined in the Call-to-Action to End Cholera and Achieve Elimination by 2030 with particular emphasis on: 

• strengthening national and regional preparedness,

• scaling up investments in sustainable water, sanitation and health (WASH) infrastructure,

• placing communities and civil society at the heart of cholera elimination agenda. 

A deep community presence

As auxiliary partners to public authorities in the humanitarian field, Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in Africa bring unique value through their deep community presence, trusted local networks, and mandate to complement government action. 

With operations in all AU Member States, the IFRC and its African National Society members are uniquely positioned to deliver localised, people-centred responses that translate policy commitments into life-saving action.  

Recognising the cross-cutting impacts of cholera on already strained health systems—the Red Cross Red Crescent Network has scaled up its efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks through high-impact, community-driven interventions such as:  

• Community-based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT): Delivered at the household level via Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), ensuring timely access to lifesaving care.
• Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: Implemented in affected households and surrounding areas to stop transmission.
• Support to Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaigns: Including community mobilization, social mobilization, and logistics assistance.
• Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE): Embedded across all pillars of response to promote behaviour change, drive surveillance, and enable early action.
• Cross-border collaboration facilitated to prevent, control and recover from cholera outbreaks at community level in collaboration with local authorities. 

In addition, the IFRC hosts the Country Support Platform (CSP), the operational arm of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which supports AU Member States in developing and implementing National Cholera Plans, accessing technical expertise, and mobilizing domestic and external resources. 

Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Framework for Cholera Elimination, IFRC is also investing in multi-hazard anticipatory action to prepare authorities, communities and other concerned stakeholders ahead of Cholera outbreaks. 

This is done in part through the development of Early Action Protocols, systems that trigger preparatory actions before a crisis hits. Such protocols empower African National Societies to act early by pre-positioning supplies, training volunteers, and accessing forecast-based financing enabling faster, more cost-effective responses before outbreaks escalate. 

With more than 3.8 million trained volunteers across Africa and a presence in every community, the Red Cross Red Crescent Network is well-positioned to bring life-saving interventions to those most at risk before, during and after outbreaks.  

Together, we can eliminate Cholera

Cholera is preventable, and together, we can eliminate it. Our volunteers are trusted members of the communities they serve. Through early action, health education, and emergency interventions, we are proud to contribute to this continental ambition to eliminate cholera and protect lives. 

Through these efforts, the IFRC and African National Societies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to support AU Member States in achieving national and continental targets for cholera control and elimination. 

The IFRC is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, Member States, and other partners to build resilient health systems, empower communities, and end cholera as a threat to public health and development across the continent. 

Together, we can defeat cholera and ensure that no one is left behind. 

– on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Source: APO – Report:

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Africa’s railway sector is undergoing a renaissance, with strategic transport corridors rapidly expanding to unlock the continent’s mineral wealth and strengthen global trade ties. In June, the Africa Finance Corporation secured a €250 million (http://apo-opa.co/3Tje8ph), 10-year loan from Italian development finance institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to accelerate the development of the Lobito Corridor – an essential mineral transport network linking Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to global markets. The loan will finance the procurement of goods and services from Italian companies for both the corridor and associated renewable energy projects.

The Lobito Corridor is among several strategic projects that will feature prominently at African Mining Week (AMW), taking place October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town. AMW will showcase high-impact investment opportunities across Africa’s mining and infrastructure value chains, with a focus on how rail logistics are transforming landlocked mineral-rich regions into competitive, export-oriented hubs.

Simandou Rail Hits Construction Milestone

In West Africa, Guinea-Conakry marked a key milestone in June with the completion of a 903-meter tunnel on the 650-km Simandou Railway (http://apo-opa.co/45SkT8V). Once operational by early 2026, the line will transport up to 120 million tons of high-grade iron ore annually from the Simandou deposit — home to an estimated 2 billion tons of reserves. U.S. company Wabtec (http://apo-opa.co/4l9hRlk) was awarded a $248 million contract in February to supply locomotives for the project. At AMW 2025, a high-level panel, “From Mines to Markets: Strengthening Trade and Connectivity for Africa’s Mineral Future (http://apo-opa.co/44sE5Yv),” will explore how megaprojects like Simandou are strengthening Africa’s mineral value chain.

Mauritania Advances Iron Ore Rail Expansion

Mauritania has also made strides in rail development, securing a €113 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) (http://apo-opa.co/45SWH6n) in June to co-finance the expansion of a key iron ore railway between Zouérat and Nouadhibou. The project – backed by a total €461 million investment involving national mining company SNIM, EIB and private investors – will optimize exports of Mauritania’s iron ore to international markets. AMW 2025 will provide a platform for global investors to engage with opportunities emerging in Mauritania and similar markets.

Cameroon Strengthens Bauxite Logistics

In Central Africa, Australia’s Canyon Resources acquired a 9.1% stake in Cameroon’s national rail operator, Camrail (http://apo-opa.co/4kn52D4), to bolster logistics for the Minim Martap Bauxite Mine (http://apo-opa.co/3TnW8Kn). The acquisition – from TotalEnergies and Société d’Exploitation des Bois du Cameroun – aims to enhance rail access from the mine to port infrastructure, facilitating the export of up to 6.4 million tons of bauxite annually. AMW will feature investment-ready opportunities tied to bauxite and other critical minerals (http://apo-opa.co/45SkV0x) driving the energy transition.

China Deepens Rail Footprint in Africa

In East Africa, the China Railway Engineering Group signed a $2.15 billion agreement in February with Tanzania and Burundi (http://apo-opa.co/3ZYN8Pz) to build a 282-km cross-border railway. The line is expected to support the export of up to 3 million tons of minerals annually, improving regional and global market access. In Nigeria, the China Development Bank (http://apo-opa.co/3TZOrdr) provided a $254.76 million grant in January to finance the Kano-Kaduna rail line – a vital link between the Lagos-Ibadan and Kano-Maradi corridors. This project will enhance mineral and energy transportation across West Africa. At AMW 2025, the China-Africa Cooperation on Minerals Roundtable (http://apo-opa.co/45SkWl7) will convene public and private sector leaders to strengthen bilateral ties, while the Invest in Nigeria Infrastructure session (http://apo-opa.co/4la5V2L) will further spotlight opportunities like the Kano-Kaduna rail project as cornerstones of Nigeria’s mining and logistics growth.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week: 
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.