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Mashatile reaffirms government’s commitment to economic growth, job creation

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed government’s commitment to driving economic growth, fostering job creation, and reshaping South Africa’s legislative landscape. 

Speaking during a Questions for Oral Reply session in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Deputy President detailed ongoing reforms while addressing doubts about implementation and inclusivity.

He said the Government of National Unity (GNU) remains focused on key priorities to enhance the South African economy, including rapid and inclusive economic growth. 

“Together with members of the Executive, we have been working on an investment drive to market our economic policy and to attract foreign direct investment to our economy,” the Deputy President said on Tuesday. 

He told Members of Parliament (MPs) that the GNU has adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, which focuses on three strategic priorities – driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental State. 

The Deputy President said the MTDP is guiding the work of the GNU for the next five years in pursuit of these strategic priorities, which are informed by the Statement of Intent.  

“The government’s goal of attaining sustainable and rapid economic growth has historically been a priority of the ANC-led government. Even before the seventh administration, we have introduced critical legislation and policy reforms to support this objective.” 

He told the MPs that in October 2020, government introduced Operation Vulindlela, a significant initiative, aimed at accelerating economic reforms. 

Operation Vulindlela focuses on enhancing the country’s growth trajectory and improving its overall economic performance through various strategies.

The Deputy President also noted that the infrastructure reform remains a key focus area. highlighting steps being taken to strengthen State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

“Through the National State Enterprise Bill, we are introducing reforms to strengthen our State-Owned Enterprises, focusing on improving governance, unbundling monopolies and introducing competition to reduce costs and boost efficiency, whilst at the same time transforming SOE boards to be fit for purpose,” he said. 

In addition, he said government recently took steps to ensure more effective government service and transparency.

“The NCOP passed the Public Administration Amendment Management Bill. Rather, the Bill has been sent to the President for ascent. All these reforms demonstrate our commitment to deliver on the Medium-Term Development Plan and the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity,” the Deputy President said.

The Deputy President also reaffirmed government’s commitment to reviewing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation to ensure it benefits the majority of South Africans. 

“We want legislation that will ensure that we benefit the majority of South Africans. I will not support legislation that seeks to benefit a few, as you are saying, we want to benefit the majority of the people.”

On challenges in education and persistent unemployment, the Deputy President underscored an urgent shift in strategy. 

“We have the Human Resource Development Council, which the President has asked me to lead. We work with labour, with business and non-governmental organisations. 

“We are putting the issue of education and skills on top of the agenda of what we do, particularly amongst young people, so that we don’t have people called unemployed graduates and so on. So that’s a very important thing.”

On crime, government will continue with coordinated efforts to dismantle criminal networks and curb the flow of drugs into our country. 

“We call on all of society to continue to collaborate in these efforts.” 

During the 2024/25 financial year, the Hawks were successful in dismantling 19 clandestine drug laboratories, making 45 arrests at 18 of those sites, with at least two cases involving identified international actors and ongoing investigations. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa Must Produce Oil and Gas to Develop, Whether Western Nations Like It or Not (By NJ Ayuk)

Source: APO


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By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org/). 

In an opinion piece for The Guardian Fiona Harvey and Matthew Taylor wrote that it was time for gas exploration in Africa to stop.

“Africa must embrace renewable energy and forgo exploration of its potentially lucrative gas deposits to stave off climate disaster and bring access to clean energy to the hundreds of millions who lack it, leading experts on the continent have said,” they wrote.

This is hardly new. For several years now, wealthy nations and their environmental organizations have been strong-arming African countries to leave their petroleum assets in the ground.

The stance of the African Energy Chamber has been consistent: Yes, African oil and gas-producing countries should and will do their part to support global emissions-reduction goals. Yes, the dangers of climate change should be taken seriously.

However, we refuse to let the world set the timing for when Africa will ease up on oil and gas exploration and production. We are convinced that oil and gas production, when managed strategically, provides a pathway for economic growth and energy security, and we are determined to help Africa realize those benefits.

This is the message that we urge every African leader to take to COP30 in Brazil: African countries have to produce every drop of hydrocarbons they can fine and they have every right to set the timing for their energy transitions. And like nations around the world, African states will be exercising those rights.

Africa’s Miniscule Contribution

The world must understand that African countries cannot be on the same energy transition timeline as Western countries. Africa still needs time – time that the Western world has already had and, frankly continues to milk – to resolve energy poverty and industrialize.

Let’s first address the proverbial elephant in the room: When it comes to global emissions, Africa is NOT the problem.

In 2023, global CO2 emissions hit 37.12 billion tonnes. China ranked first in contributing 11.47 billion tonnes; the entire continent of Africa contributed 1.45 billion tonnes, only 4% of global carbon emissions. In fact, over the last two decades, Africa’s total contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions has never been above 4% — by far the smallest share in all the world. Africa has the lowest per-capital emissions of all continents, averaging 1 tonne of CO2 emitted annually by each individual. The average American emits as much CO2 in one month as the average African does in an entire year.

And yet, Africa is disproportionately being punished for the climate catastrophe that, let’s be honest, it was initiated and is perpetuated by Western and developed economies.

“The story of Africa or the developing world is not really an energy transition story, it’s a development story,” Andrew Kamau with the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University said in a recent interview with Energy Intelligence.

“You hear a lot about all these technologies that are being developed, but where are they at scale?” Kamau asked. “And has somebody industrialized using wind and solar only? I don’t know. We wait to see if it’s possible.”

Kamau also questioned where all the international funding is. The West has made grand financial promises, but the level of support truly needed to undertake a transition to renewables at the pace dictated by the West has yet to materialize.

Using the Resources at Our Feet

While we at the African Energy Chamber agree that it’s important to develop affordable and sustainable green technologies to supply our energy, we strongly disagree with being pigeonholed into accepting the West’s one-size-fits-all timeline.

I hear from Africans who are skeptical about the benefits of oil and gas because they have seen the problems caused by the energy sector. You could make the same arguments about the Internet, which has been blamed for harming social relationships, decreasing our safety and security, and damaging children’s cognitive development. Yet, used wisely, the Internet does considerable good as well, and I’m not hearing widespread calls to get rid of it. My point is, oil and gas can and does do good (I’ve written whole books on the subject!) — the key is to be smart about how we capitalize on our resources.

Some 600 million people on the continent still lack adequate electricity access or even clean cooking technologies. These Africans aren’t focused on the fact that reliable energy infrastructure facilitates economic growth by generating jobs, increasing productivity, and reducing the cost of doing business. Most would be elated to have light in their homes after dark or the ability to refrigerate their food.

But think about Africa’s abundant energy potential!

By 2050, the continent will be home to 11% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) market and the second-highest growth supply of gas. By tapping into the vast stores of natural gas at our feet, we can first work to eradicate energy poverty from the continent, and then secure our economic growth as we transition toward renewables.

I agree with Mohamed Hamel, the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, in his description of the argument that Africa should not develop its natural gas resources as “misguided.”

“A prosperous Africa will be more capable to protect its environment. The right of Africa to develop its vast natural resources can be preserved, and its access to finance and technology, facilitated,” Hamel said.

Turning the Pressure into Partnership

At the previous COP, I made it clear that, while African nations would not be continuing oil and gas operations indefinitely, with no movement toward renewable energy sources, we Africans should be setting the timetable for Africa’s transition.

“What I’d like to see instead of Western pressure to bring African oil and gas activities to an abrupt halt, is a cooperative effort,” I wrote at the time. “Partnerships, relationships rooted in respect, open communications and empathy. What does that look like? It begins with the belief that when African leaders, businesses, and organizations say the timing is not right to end our fossil fuel operations, we have a point. That when we are discussing our own countries, we know what we are talking about.”

Clearly, we still have progress to make. Too many outsiders suggest that African leaders are being manipulated or influenced by greed when they work to foster oil and gas exploration and production in their countries. Few seem to believe that, when countries establish and fine-tune local content laws, adapt investor-friendly fiscal regimes, and promote policy that protects human dignity, they are making reasoned, strategic moves to create better futures for their people.

That saddens me, but it also strengthens my resolve. We will continue to fight for what’s right, for what’s ours. We are not giving up on a just energy transition for Africa — a transition on a timetable that benefits and uplifts Africans.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Managing Director Joins MSGBC 2025 as Nation Seeks New Upstream Partners

Source: APO


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Baboucarr Njie, Managing Director of the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), will speak at the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference and Exhibition, taking place December 8-10 in Dakar, Senegal. Njie’s participation comes as the country seeks to advance frontier exploration (https://apo-opa.co/49fLBKn) and is expected to strengthen discussions around MSGBC upstream investment opportunities – from seismic data acquisition to frontier drilling to cross-border collaboration and petroleum distribution.

As a frontier oil and gas market situated in close proximity to regional discoveries, The Gambia is promoting exploration across its offshore basins. Most notably, the country lies south of the Sangomar Basin, home to the Sangomar oilfield development which began operations in June 2024. With a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, the project is a testament to the viability of large-scale oil projects in the region. While it remains unproven whether the Sangomar Basin transcends the border into The Gambia, enhanced geological surveys could reveal the extent of the basin, thereby supporting new exploration campaigns in The Gambia.

To determine the country’s offshore potential, various drilling campaigns have been launched in recent years. Independent oil and gas company FAR (https://apo-opa.co/48fjEjV) drilled the Bambo-1 prospect in 2021, following by a sidetrack well (Bambo-1ST1). The drilling showed indications of oil shows, confirming an oil source is present in the area. However, subsequent analysis determined that the prospect was not commercial. The company also completed regional and detailed subsurface studies within the broader A2 and A5 blocks. An agreement was also signed in 2023 with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, involving geological studies, seismic data analysis and potential drilling. Looking ahead, the country is seeking new partners to invest in exploration prospects. Currently, eight offshore blocks and two onshore are available for investment, with approximately 80% of offshore data coverage acquired.

Beyond exploration, regional collaboration has become a cornerstone of the GNPC’s development strategy, with the corporation establishing close ties with West African oil and gas producers in recent months. In June 2025, The Gambia signed 14 bilateral agreements with Mauritania (https://apo-opa.co/47yVPnW), aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of energy, hydrocarbons, mining, water and trade. A trade agreement was also signed with Guinea-Bissau. Under efforts to enhance capacity building, the GNPC has strengthened ties with regional counterparts. A knowledge-exchange partnership with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation has been established, whereby Gambian staff were trained in Ghana. Senior officials from Ghana also conducted a lecture series in 2024 in The Gambia in support of the company’s 2024/2025 work program.

As the premier event for the region’s energy sector, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 offers a timely platform for The Gambia to not only strengthen regional collaboration but advance its exploration agenda through engagement with international operators and investors. Njie’s participation is expected to create new avenues for potential partners seeking in-roads into the country’s upstream sector, supporting future investments across the country’s energy value chain. 

“The Gambia’s upstream ambitions signal a new chapter for frontier exploration in West Africa. GNPC’s engagement at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 reflects the country’s drive to attract strategic partners, advance offshore exploration and strengthen regional collaboration in unlocking shared prosperity across the MSGBC basin,” stated Sandra Jeque, Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

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Africa International Advisors to Host High-Level Session on Regional Energy Integration at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025

Source: APO


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The upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition – taking place in Dakar on December 8-10 – will feature a strategic session entitled Unlocking West Africa’s Energy Potential Through Greater Integration, hosted by business management consultants Africa International Advisors. The session will take place during the pre-conference day on December 8 at the Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD).

Led by Henry Gilfillan, Partner and Integrated Energy Practice Leader, and Lwandle Fakazi, Partner and Africa Practice Leader, Africa International Advisors, the session will explore how greater regional collaboration can accelerate energy access, infrastructure development and investment across the MSGBC basin.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The MSGBC region is rapidly emerging as a major global energy hub. New oil and gas projects such as the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project and Sangomar oil development are positioning the region as a key LNG and crude exporter. Meanwhile, large-scale renewable projects in solar, wind and hydropower are advancing national electrification targets. With initiatives like Mauritania’s green hydrogen programs and The Gambia’s 23 MW Jambur solar plant, countries are pursuing a dual strategy of leveraging hydrocarbons for growth while transitioning toward clean energy.

The session is likely to unpack these dynamics under four key focus areas: understanding regional energy dynamics; clear priorities for integration; actionable collaboration pathways; and strengthened regional relationships. Discussions are set to highlight how cross-border infrastructure projects, power pool integration and regulatory harmonization can transform West Africa’s energy landscape.

Flagship integration projects – such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (https://apo-opa.co/3LsoN0f), expected to reach FID by the end of 2025, and the Mauritania-Mali Interconnection, financed by financial institution the African Development Bank – demonstrate growing regional collaboration. These initiatives are complemented by efforts from the West African Power Pool to create a unified electricity market, enabling countries with surplus power to trade efficiently with neighbors.

As such, the Unlocking West Africa’s Energy Potential Through Greater Integration session will unite policymakers, financiers and private sector leaders to identify actionable strategies that can unlock new efficiencies, attract investment and accelerate sustainable industrialization across West Africa. The session also reinforces MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation under the theme Energy, Petroleum and Mining in Africa: Synergy for Inclusive Economic Development.

“Regional energy integration is the key to unlocking West Africa’s full economic and industrial potential. This session will showcase how collaborative infrastructure and policy alignment can transform shared resources into shared prosperity,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.

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

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Cassava Technologies launches Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Multi-Model Exchange to advance local AI development

Source: APO

Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com), a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced the launch of its Cassava AI Multi-Model Exchange (CAIMEx), a first-of-its-kind platform designed to make the world’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) tools and large language models (LLMs) easily accessible to mobile network operators (MNOs) across Africa.

The platform serves as a one-stop shop for accessing multiple AI models from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others. Instead of navigating complex integrations or cost-intensive infrastructure, African MNOs can now connect to the most powerful AI technologies through a single, easy-to-use platform, managed and supported locally by Cassava.

“With its growing AI ecosystem Africa has the potential to be more than a consumer of AI technologies imported to the continent. Through CAIMEx, Cassava is creating a bridge between global innovation and African ambition, giving every MNO the ability to offer subscribers world-class AI tools and LLMs easily and affordably,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, CEO of Cassava AI.

CAIMEx supports:

  • Anthropic’s Claude models
  • Google’s Gemini models
  • And others

Together, these models make CAIMEx a versatile and future-ready AI hub. The platform enables mobile network operators to choose the model that best fits their subscriber and enterprise needs, from fast, real-time intelligence and advanced reasoning to trusted, ethical decision-making and open-source flexibility. Whether driving customer engagement, streamlining operations, or building innovative digital experiences, CAIMEx delivers speed, scalability, and security to help organisations unlock the full power of artificial intelligence.

CAIMEx also ensures that data stays within Africa, addressing data sovereignty, privacy, and compliance requirements. All services are hosted in Cassava’s regional AI factories, guaranteeing access to high performance compute, data security, and compliance with local data protection regulations. Additionally, the platform unlocks access to AI tools to the millions of mobile subscribers and SMEs across Africa, and not just large enterprises.

This ongoing commitment to Africa’s digital future aligns with Cassava’s mission to provide appropriate digital solutions that enable enterprises to transform the lives of their customers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a technology leader providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Through its business units, namely, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, Distributed Power Africa, Sasai Fintech, Cassava has operations across key growth markets like Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Cassava provides its customers in 94 countries with offerings that will help them grow, transform, and expand their operations. https://www.CassavaTechnologies.com/

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Africa Tech Festival 2025: Government and tech leaders forge a shared vision for responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa

Source: APO


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Africa’s technology leaders opened the 28th annual Africa Tech Festival 2025 (https://AfricaTechFestival.com/) in Cape Town with a powerful message of unity, calling for responsible, inclusive, and people-centred innovation to drive the continent’s digital future.

Leaders from government, global tech firms, and the startup ecosystem stressed that the continent’s digital future must be built on ethical governance, inclusive access, and meaningful social impact. The opening day saw strong alignment among key stakeholders, including South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, Deputy Minister, Hon. Mondli Gungubele, and representatives from Cassava Technologies, OpenAI, and Meta, who pledged to champion a collaborative digital transformation that ensures no African country is left behind in the age of AI.

Reinforcing the government’s focus on equitable digital transformation, Minister Malatsi called for coordinated action to harness technology for social impact. He reiterated that for South Africa to benefit from and participate in the next wave of innovation, particularly AI, three foundations are essential: affordable connectivity and devices, reliable digital public infrastructure, and digital literacy. When these foundations are strong, everything else accelerates.

Building on the Minister’s call for inclusive digital development, Cassava Technologies announced that it is now Africa’s first NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP), deploying NVIDIA GPUs across five sites to power the continent’s Al innovation. Emphasising that Africa will not be left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Cassava Technologies, shared how strategic partnerships with Google, Anthropic, and others are enabling access to world-class Al tools and solutions designed for African industries,  

Speaking on the AfricaTech main stage, this vision was echoed by Hon. Mondli Gungubele, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. In his address Building Digital Nations – Governance for a Tech-Driven Africa, he championed the use of digital systems to build transparent, citizen-centric governments, noting that Africa is not waiting to be connected, but building its own digital future that is sovereign, interoperable, and human centred. The country’s national AI policy was used as an example of a governance blueprint to ensure that innovation in artificial intelligence is safe, inclusive, and transformative.

On the AI Summit Cape Town stage, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Africa Lead at OpenAI, joined Akim Benamara, Chief Editor & Founder of TechAfrica News, and Thabo Makenete, Head of Public Policy for Southern Africa at Meta, in a session titled OpenAI for an Open Africa, exploring open-source innovation, language diversity, and equitable AI access.

The AI Summit programme also included a session titled Unlocking Agentic AI – The Next Leap in African Innovation, Moderated by Dr. Santiago Erroz Ferrer (Lufthansa Group), panellists Katarzyna Hewelt (Resolutiion), Abdul Kader Baba (Infrastructure South Africa), and Ravi Bhat (Microsoft Africa) examined how autonomous AI systems can transform industries and service delivery while upholding ethical design principles.

Reflecting on the opening day, Kadi Diallo, Portfolio Manager for Africa Tech Festival, said, “Africa Tech Festival has always been more than an event. It’s a movement that celebrates Africa’s ingenuity and ambition to lead in the digital age. This year’s edition is about ensuring that innovation is responsible, inclusive, and anchored in real-world impact. From AI and cloud to connectivity and policy, the conversations taking place here in Cape Town this week reflect a continent that is not only participating in the global digital economy but shaping it on its own terms. We’re proud to provide a platform for the continent’s tech visionaries, investors, and policymakers.”

Framed by the central themes of responsible innovation, inclusive investment, connectivity for development, and policy harmonisation, the festival showcases the strength of Africa’s growing digital ecosystem across four flagship programmes: AfricaCom, AfricaTech, The AI Summit Cape Town, and AfricaIgnite.

The official event was preceded by AfricaIgnite Founder Day on Monday, 10 November, a showcase of African innovation that drew entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and founders, setting the tone for the rest of the week.

The day concluded with AFest at Grand Africa Café & Beach, where delegates, founders, investors, and policymakers gathered for an evening of live music and networking.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival:
Now in its 28th edition, Africa Tech Festival 2025 will take place from 11 to 13 November 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), bringing together more than 15,000 technology leaders, policymakers, investors, startups, and visionaries. The Festival encompasses four anchor events:

  • AfricaCom – The continent’s largest telecoms and connectivity event
  • AfricaTech – The hub for technology, innovation, and enterprise growth
  • AfricaIgnite – Driving growth and impact in Africa’s startup ecosystem
  • The AI Summit Cape Town – Where commercial AI comes to life

With over 500 speakers, 300 exhibitors, and extensive networking opportunities, Africa Tech Festival remains the continent’s most influential gathering for those shaping Africa’s connected future.

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Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Energy Chamber’s G20 Forum Amid South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) Formation, Operational Restructuring

Source: APO


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Sesakho Magadla, Interim CEO of the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) will speak at the upcoming G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum – hosted by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) on November 21, 2025 in Johannesburg. As a follow-up to African Energy Week and a precursor to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the forum provides a strategic platform for PetroSA to engage global investors as the company strives to revitalize legacy assets and advance fuel security across the country.

Magadla’s participation comes as the company undergoes a strategic restructuring, with the entity being incorporated into the newly-established South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC). The launch of the SANPC signals an important shift in South Africa’s oil and gas landscape and is expected to significantly improve the sector’s operational capacity and efficiency. The SANPC officially opened for business in April 2025 as a fully-fledged subsidiary of the Central Energy Fund (CEF), formed through the merger of three state-owned entities – iGas, PetroSA and the Strategic Fuel Fund – and operating under a lease and assignment model. The move allows the SANPC to lease select assets from the merging entities while isolating PetroSA’s legacy liability and the operational challenges at its gas-to-liquids (GTA) refinery in the Western Cape.

For PetroSA, being incorporated into the SANPC enables the company to enhance its operational efficiency while making its assets more commercially viable. A key focus is the Mossel Bay GTL refinery which has been closed since 2020 due to lack of feedstock. When operational, the refinery produces high-value products from methane and condensate, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, propone and more. Work is currently underway with the support of the CEF to reinstate the facility and resolve its operational constraints, with the most pressing challenge being finance. While Russian gas giant Gazprom International secured a contract to revitalize the facility in 2023, the contract has since collapsed, underscoring the need for a new investment partner to restart operations. The G20 Forum offers a strategic platform for PetroSA to engage global investors, aligning its refinery revitalization plans with Africa’s broader natural gas and industrialization agenda.

“Natural gas has a critical role to play in South Africa’s energy future, not only as a cleaner, more efficient fuel but as a catalyst for industrial growth and energy security. Revitalizing the Mossel Bay GTL refinery represents more than just restarting an asset; it’s about building a bridge between South Africa’s upstream gas potential and its downstream fuel needs. With the right investment and policy support, PetroSA can position the refinery at the heart of a diversified and resilient energy mix that powers industries, creates jobs and strengthens national self-sufficiency,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Through high-level dialogue and dealmaking, the G20 Forum supports PetroSA’s objective to attract capital for feedstock supply, infrastructure upgrades and downstream integration – all of which are key to ensuring South Africa’s sustained fuel supply, reducing reliance on imports and reinforcing the country’s resilience against global energy disruptions. The forum also offers a strategic opportunity for South Africa to engage international energy companies to advance offshore gas projects, most of which have been stalled due to environmental opposition. For the country’s energy future, the development of upstream natural gas – and its associated downstream infrastructure – represents a top priority, paving the way for enhanced fuel access and sustainable economic growth.

To register for the Forum click here (https://apo-opa.co/4oZJ0ZC).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Minister Godongwana to present MTBPS

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, will deliver the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) at a sitting of the National Assembly at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, today, Wednesday, 12 November 2025.

The MTBPS plays a critical role in the overall budget process, as it sets out the policy framework for the budget that is presented every February.

“It also provides the country and its elected representatives with an update on the National Treasury’s economic forecasts, adjusts the budgets of government departments, and makes emergency changes to spending,” Parliament said.

At the sitting, the Minister is also scheduled to table the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill, the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, and the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill.

The MTBPS makes it possible for Parliament and the public to interact with the government’s budget through committee oversight over government departments, when committees review the effective and efficient use of available resources.

The process is known as the Budget Review and Recommendations Reports, which must be tabled in the National Assembly before the MTBPS reports are adopted. 

The address will be broadcast on various television channels and live streaming platforms at 2pm. – SAnews.gov.za

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Hurra Coalition lance un appel à la réforme du droit de la famille au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

À travers le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique du Nord, des lois familiales discriminatoires privent les femmes et les filles de droits égaux en matière de mariage, de divorce, d’héritage et de tutelle.

Les membres de la Coalition Hurra (http://Hurra-Coalition.net/), composée de 13 organisations féministes et de défense des droits humains du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord (MENA),  se sont réunis lors de leur assemblée annuelle à Istanbul pour évaluer les progrès de leurs campagnes communes et élaborer des stratégies pour une réforme globale du droit familial. Les discussions ont porté sur les trois axes majeures de la Coalition : mettre fin au mariage des enfants, garantir les droits économiques des femmes, et assurer aux mères le droit  à la garde et  à la tutelle après le divorce.

En tant que membre fondateur de la Coalition et secrétariat élu, Equality Now (http://EqualityNow.org) a renouvelé son appel aux gouvernements de la région MENA pour qu’ils prennent  des mesures concrètes et urgentes pour mettre fin aux lois familiales discriminatoires qui sapent les droits à l’égalité et à la justice des femmes et filles.

Dans son discours d’ouverture, la Dre Dima Dabbous, représentante régionale MENA d’Equality Now, a souligné : « Cette rencontre est un moment crucial pour renouveler notre engagement commun à réformer les lois qui institutionnalisent la discrimination contre les femmes. Ensemble, nous construisons un front civil uni qui exige l’égalité, la justice et la pleine citoyenneté des femmes et des filles dans le monde arabe. »

Mariage des enfants – changer les mentalités et les lois

Les membres de la Coalition Hurra ont souligné que le mariage des enfants constitue l’une des manifestations les plus préjudiciables de la discrimination basée sur le genre, privant les filles de leur éducation, de leur sécurité et de leur dignité.

Hala Abdelkader, directrice exécutive de la Fondation égyptienne pour le développement de la famille (Egyptian Foundation for Family Development) (http://apo-opa.co/4r065xe), a présenté la campagne nationale de l’organisation contre le mariage des enfants dans les communautés rurales autour du Grand Caire. Grâce à des ateliers interactifs visant les familles et les leaders locaux, l’initiative a permis de faire évoluer  les perceptions, Abdelkader notant que « Les communautés commencent à reconnaître le mariage des enfants comme une forme de violence et de discrimination, et non comme une coutume sociale. »

En Palestine, Sama Aweida, directrice du Women’s Studies Centre (http://apo-opa.co/485jdcR), a partagé les résultats de sa campagne nationale contre  le mariage des enfants menée à travers Naplouse, Jérusalem et Hébron. Depuis 2023, la campagne a organisé plus de 250 ateliers et dialogues avec des membres de la communauté et des élèves pour sensibiliser aux dangers du mariage des enfants. Elle a averti que « Les exceptions judiciaires permettant les mariages d’enfants sous des prétextes légaux restent une faille dangereuse qui doit être comblée. »

Houda Mouqer, coordinatrice de projets à Mains Libres (http://apo-opa.co/43W0X36) au Maroc, a présenté la campagne menée par l’organisation pour abolir les exceptions liées à l’âge légal du mariage dans les amendements proposés à la Moudawana ou Code de la famille. Elle a indiqué que plusieurs rencontres  de dialogue ont été organisées avec des organisations de la société civile et des groupes parlementaires: «Nous appelons à l’abolition totale de cette exception et  à  l’élévation de l’âge minimum du mariage à 18 ans pour tous, sans aucune exception, conformément aux conventions internationales.”

Par ailleurs, Gulshan Sijlam, directrice du Besme International Group (http://apo-opa.co/4p3FWeZ) au Liban, a souligné le rôle de l’institution dans le plaidoyer national pour la mise en œuvre des décrets juridiques suspendus tels que la Décision n° 62 de 2020 des tribunaux de la charia sunnite, qui fixe à 18 ans l’âge minimum du mariage  pour la confession sunnite.

Renforcer les droits économiques des femmes dans la région arabe

Les discussions ont également porté sur les barrières juridiques et procédurales persistantes que rencontrent les femmes pour obtenir leurs droits financiers après le divorce ou le  décès de leur conjoint, notamment la pension alimentaire, le partage  des biens et une compensation équitable.

Ghinwa Chinder, Responsable des campagnes au Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Women (http://apo-opa.co/4oDYeno) a expliqué que les femmes subissent souvent « de longues et coûteuses batailles judiciaires » pour obtenir une pension alimentaire ou une part des biens acquis conjointement, appelant à une réforme légale systémique et à un meilleur respect de la loi.

En Tunisie, Samia Melki Fessi, directrice générale de Kadirat (http://apo-opa.co/4oBUZgk), a présenté les conclusions d’une consultation de haut niveau sur les lacunes dans l’application des lois sur le partage des biens communs, appelant à des amendements garantissant l’égalité entre époux.

Depuis le Kurdistan, Irak, Lara Maarouf d’ASUDA (http://apo-opa.co/4qSog7S) a évoqué les efforts entrepris  pour relancer le fonds d’entretien  pour les femmes divorcées et explorer de nouveaux cadres de collaboration afin d’assurer des mécanismes de soutien durables.

En Palestine, Faten Nabhan du Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (http://apo-opa.co/488L8bU) a évoqué les défis pratiques de la sensibilisation à la question du partage des biens matrimoniaux.  Le centre a mené des campagnes de sensibilisation numériques et des formations spécialisées pour les avocats intervenant auprès des femmes, insistant sur la nécessité de simplifier les procédures légales et d’assurer une application  effective des jugements afin que les femmes puissent accéder à la justice.

Dans ce contexte, le juriste  Nasser Al Rayes a présenté une étude approfondie sur les droits à la pension alimentaire dans le monde arabe, identifiant les lacunes législatives et les défis d’application. Il a insisté sur le fait que la justice économique pour les femmes nécessite « une approche juridique et sociale globale ».

En provenance du Bahreïn, l’experte juridique et en jurisprudence islamique Zahra Saleh Ibrahim a présenté les résultats d’une étude sur l’application du principe du « Kadd and S‘aya » (ou travail et effort), qui reconnaît la contribution des femmes au revenu familial même en l’absence de contrats formels. Elle a expliqué comment ce principe puise ses fondements dans la jurisprudence sunnite et jaafarite, tout en exposant les difficultés d’accès des femmes à la justice sur la base d’expériences concrètes.

Réformer le droit de la famille et le droit de garde  dans les pays MENA

Les membres de la Coalition ont également discuté des défis persistants entourant la garde des enfants, insistant sur la nécessité de lois qui privilégient l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant et protègent les droits des mères.

Rabha Fathy, présidente de l’Association for Egyptian Female Lawyers (http://apo-opa.co/4qSZaph), a mis en lumière la campagne juridique en cours soutenant les femmes en situation de handicap et leur droit à la garde et à la pension alimentaire, plaidant pour des amendements au projet de loi actuel en Égypte et prenant en compte leurs besoins spécifiques.

En Algérie, Nadia Ait Zai, directrice exécutive du Centre d’information et de documentation sur les droits des enfants et des femmes (http://apo-opa.co/4qTwz3p), a souligné que «Les travaux sont en cours pour plaider l’abrogation du paragraphe 1 de l’article 66 du Code de la famille, qui prive une épouse de son droit à la garde si elle se remarie après un divorce.»

Badriya Al Marzouq, responsable de l’unité de droit de la famille à l’Union des femmes bahreïniennes (http://apo-opa.co/4qW1Jam), a noté que l’Union a soumis une proposition au Parlement bahreïnien pour modifier certains articles de la loi sur le statut personnel. En attendant l’examen lors de la session en cours, l’Union prépare un nouveau ensemble d’amendements, notamment sur la garde, qui seront présentés une fois les propositions actuelles approuvées.

Construire un mouvement de jeunesse dans la région MENA pour l’égalité des femmes

La Coalition Hurra s’engage à créer un espace pour l’intégration des jeunes à travers la région arabe, à les former en plaidoyer juridique et médiatique, et à les aider à constituer des réseaux régionaux avec d’autres organisations.

Six jeunes femmes d’Égypte et de Jordanie ont participé à la réunion de cette année. Rahaf Al Obaidat du Darbna Network (http://apo-opa.co/4qUozip) pour les jeunes femmes en Jordanie a déclaré : « Faire partie d’un groupe d’organisations travaillant sur les droits des femmes dans divers pays arabes est une opportunité importante et inspirante qui me permet d’aborder l’égalité des genres sous un angle plus large. Je ne la vois plus seulement comme un enjeu national dans les frontières de mon pays, mais comme faisant partie d’une cause humaine plus vaste dans laquelle nous avons tous un rôle.»

Vers des lois justes et égales pour les femmes et les filles

Pour conclure la réunion, Naglaa Sarhan, conseillère juridique MENA d’Equality Now et coordinatrice de la Hurra Coalition, a souligné que la véritable force de la Coalition réside dans « la diversité de ses expériences et son objectif commun de réforme descodes de la famille dans la région arabe fondés sur l’égalité et la justice ». Les organisations membres ont réaffirmé leur engagement pour une  coordination continue, le partage des connaissances, ainsi que le lancement de nouvelles initiatives régionales pour faire avancer la justice légale et sociale en faveur des femmes et des filles.

Distribué par APO Group pour Equality Now.

Pour les demandes des médias, y compris les demandes d’interviews, veuillez contacter :
Zeina Khalil,
conseillère régionale en communication,
Equality Now Middle East and North Africa,
zkhalil@equalitynow.org

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À propos de :
Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) est une organisation mondiale de défense des droits humains dédiée à obtenir le changement légal et systémique nécessaire pour mettre fin à la discrimination envers toutes les femmes et filles, partout dans le monde. Depuis sa création en 1992, elle a contribué à la réforme de 120 lois discriminatoires à l’échelle mondiale, impactant positivement la vie de centaines de millions de femmes et filles, leurs communautés et nations, aujourd’hui et pour les générations futures.

En collaboration avec ses partenaires aux niveaux national, régional et mondial, Equality Now s’appuie sur une expertise juridique approfondie et une diversité de perspectives sociales, politiques et culturelles pour continuer à diriger et à favoriser le changement nécessaire pour parvenir à l’égalité de genre durable, au bénéfice de toutes et tous. En tant que membre fondateur de la Coalition Hurra, Equality Now a été nommée secrétariat en 2023. Equality Now a renforcé les capacités des membres dans divers domaines, notamment la stratégie de campagne, le plaidoyer juridique et médiatique, l’engagement auprès des décisionnaires politiques et la promotion de la participation active des jeunes militant·e·s dans la région MENA.

Pour plus de détails, consultez www.EqualityNow.org  

À propos de :
La Coalition Hurra est un réseau régional d’organisations féministes et de défense des droits humains du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord œuvrant à la réforme des lois familiales discriminatoires et à l’assurance de l’égalité et de la justice pour les femmes et les filles. Créée en 2019 à l’initiative d’Equality Now et de six membres fondateurs, elle sert de plateforme de solidarité, de plaidoyer juridique et de campagnes régionales coordonnées.

Aujourd’hui, Hurra compte 13 organisations nationales de défense des droits des femmes issues de neuf pays arabes, regroupant des associations juridiques, des centres de recherche, des institutions anti-violence et des organisations de développement. Cette diversité permet à la coalition de s’appuyer sur une expertise nationale approfondie et des stratégies régionales collectives pour faire avancer la réforme.

Pour plus d’informations, visitez https://Hurra-Coalition.net

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Hurra Coalition calls for reform of family law in the Middle East and North Africa

Source: APO

Across the Middle East and North Africa, discriminatory family laws deny women and girls equal rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and guardianship.

Members of the Hurra Coalition (http://Hurra-Coalition.net), comprising 13 feminist and human rights organisations from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), convened their annual meeting in Istanbul to assess progress in their joint campaigns and strategies for comprehensive family law reform. The discussions focused on the Coalition’s three key pillars: ending child marriage, ensuring women’s financial rights, and securing mothers’ rights to custody and guardianship after divorce.

As one of the Coalition’s founding members and its elected secretariat, Equality Now (http://EqualityNow.org) reaffirmed its call on governments across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to take concrete and urgent steps to end discriminatory family laws undermining women’s and girls’ rights to equality and justice.

In her opening remarks, Dr Dima Dabbous, Equality Now’s Regional Representative for MENA, emphasised: “This gathering is a critical moment to renew our shared commitment to reform laws that entrench discrimination against women. Together, we are building a united civil front that insists on equality, justice, and full citizenship for women and girls across the Arab world.”

Child marriage – changing minds alongside changing laws

Hurra Coalition members highlighted child marriage as one of the most harmful manifestations of gender discrimination, depriving girls of education, safety, and dignity.

Hala Abdelkader, Executive Director of the Egyptian Foundation for Family Development (http://apo-opa.co/4r065xe), presented the organisation’s national campaign against child marriage in rural communities surrounding Greater Cairo. Through interactive workshops targeting families and local leaders, the initiative has helped shift perceptions, with Abdelkader noting that “Communities are beginning to recognise child marriage as a form of violence and discrimination, not as a social custom.”

In Palestine, Sama Aweida, Director of the Women’s Studies Centre (http://apo-opa.co/485jdcR), shared the outcomes of their national campaign on ending child marriage conducted across Nablus, Jerusalem, and Hebron. Since 2023, the campaign has engaged over 250 workshops and dialogues with community members and school students on the dangers of child marriage. She warned, “Judicial exceptions that allow child marriages under legal pretexts remain a dangerous loophole that must be closed.”

Houda Mouqer, Project Coordinator at Mains Libres (http://apo-opa.co/43W0X36) Organisation in Morocco, presented the campaign led by the organisation to abolish the exceptions related to the legal age of marriage in the proposed amendments to the  Moudawana or Family Code. She noted that several dialogue meetings were organised with civil society organisations and parliamentary groups, saying:

“We call for the complete abolition of this exception and for raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 for everyone, without any exceptions, in line with international conventions.”

Meanwhile, Gulshan Sijlam, Director of Basme International (http://apo-opa.co/4p3FWeZ) Group in Lebanon, highlighted the institution’s role in national advocacy to implement suspended legal decrees such as Decision No. 62 of 2020 from Sunni Sharia courts, which sets a minimum marriage age of 18 for the Sunni sect.

Strengthening women’s financial rights across the Arab region

The discussions also focused on women’s persistent legal and procedural barriers in securing their financial rights after divorce or the death of their husbands, including maintenance, shared property division, and fair compensation.

Ghinwa Chinder, Campaigns Manager of the Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Women (http://apo-opa.co/4oDYeno) explained how women often endure “long and costly legal battles” to obtain alimony or a share of jointly acquired assets, urging for systemic legal reform and stronger enforcement.

In Tunisia, Samia Melki Fessi, Director General of Kadirat (http://apo-opa.co/4oBUZgk), presented findings from a high-level consultation on gaps in the enforcement of joint property division laws, calling for amendments to guarantee equality between spouses.

From Kurdistan, Iraq, Lara Maarouf of ASUDA (http://apo-opa.co/4qSog7S) discussed efforts to reactivate the alimony fund for divorced women and explore new collaboration frameworks to ensure sustainable support mechanisms.

In Palestine, Faten Nabhan of the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (http://apo-opa.co/488L8bU) discussed the practical challenges of raising awareness on the issue of marital property division. The centre has carried out digital awareness campaigns and specialised training for lawyers on providing legal aid to women in such cases, stressing the need to simplify legal procedures and ensure the effective implementation of rulings so women can access justice.

In this context, legal expert Nasser Al Rayes presented an extensive study on alimony rights in the Arab world, identifying legislative gaps and enforcement challenges. He emphasised that achieving economic justice for women requires “a comprehensive legal and social approach.”

From Bahrain, legal and Sharia expert Zahra Saleh Ibrahim presented the results of a study on applying the principle of “Kadd and S‘aya” (or toil and effort), which recognises women’s contribution to family income even in the absence of formal contracts. She explained how the study rooted this principle in Sunni and Jaafari Shiite jurisprudence and discussed the challenges women face in accessing justice based on real-life experiences.

Reforming family law and child custody rights in MENA countries

Coalition members also discussed the ongoing challenges surrounding child custody, emphasising the need for laws that prioritise the best interests of the child and protect mothers’ rights.

Rabha Fathy, President of the Association for Egyptian Female Lawyers (http://apo-opa.co/4qSZaph), highlighted the ongoing legal campaign supporting women with disabilities and their rights to custody and alimony, while advocating for amendments in Egypt’s current Family Law draft that address their specific needs.

From Algeria, Nadia Ait Zai, Executive Director of the Centre for Information and Documentation on the Rights of Children and Women (http://apo-opa.co/4qTwz3p), emphasised that “Work is ongoing to advocate for the repeal of Paragraph 1 of Article 66 of the Family Code, which deprives a wife of her right to custody if she remarries after divorce.”

Badriya Al Marzouq, Head of the Family Law Unit at the Bahraini Women’s Union (http://apo-opa.co/4qW1Jam), noted that the Union has submitted a proposal to Bahrain’s Parliament to amend specific articles of the Personal Status Law. While awaiting review in the current session, the Union is preparing a new set of amendments, including those related to custody, to be presented once the current proposals are approved.

Building a youth movement in MENA for women’s equal rights. 

The Hurra Coalition is committed to creating space for integrating young people across the Arab region, training them in legal and media advocacy, and helping them build regional networks with other organisations.

Six young women from Egypt and Jordan participated in this year’s meeting. Rahaf Al Obaidat from the Darbna Network (http://apo-opa.co/4qUozip) for Young Women in Jordan stated: “Being among a group of organisations working on women’s rights from various Arab countries is an important and inspiring opportunity that allows me to approach gender equality from a broader perspective. I no longer see it only as a national issue within my country’s borders, but as part of a larger human struggle in which we all have a role.”

A shared path toward just and equal laws for women and girls

Concluding the meeting, Naglaa Sarhan, Equality Now MENA Legal Adviser and Hurra Coalition Coordinator, emphasised that the Coalition’s true strength lies in “its diversity of experiences and its unified goal, reforming family laws across the Arab region based on equality and justice.” The Coalition’s member organisations reaffirmed their commitment to continued coordination, knowledge sharing, and the launch of new regional initiatives to advance legal and social justice for women and girls.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now.

For media inquiries, including interview requests, please contact:
Zeina Khalil,
Regional Communications Adviser,
Equality Now Middle East and North Africa,
zkhalil@equalitynow.org

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About:
Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) is a worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls, everywhere in the world. Since its inception in 1992, it has played a role in reforming 120 discriminatory laws globally, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls, their communities and nations, both now and for generations to come.

Working with partners at national, regional, and global levels, Equality Now draws on deep legal expertise and a diverse range of social, political, and cultural perspectives to continue to lead the way in steering, shaping, and driving the change needed to achieve enduring gender equality, to the benefit of all.

As a founding member of the Hurra Coalition, Equality Now was appointed its Secretariat in 2023. Equality Now has bolstered members’ capacities in various areas, including campaign strategy, legal and media advocacy, engagement with policy and decision-makers, and fostering active participation among young activists in the MENA region.

For more details, go to www.EqualityNow.org

About:
The Hurra Coalition (https://Hurra-Coalition.net) is a regional network of feminist and human rights organisations across the Middle East and North Africa working to reform discriminatory family laws and ensure equality and justice for women and girls. Established in 2019 as an initiative by Equality Now and six founding members, it serves as a platform for solidarity, legal advocacy, and coordinated regional campaigning.

Today, Hurra includes 13 national women’s rights organisations from nine Arab countries, encompassing legal associations, research centres, anti-violence institutions, and development organisations. This diversity enables the coalition to draw on deep national expertise and collective regional strategies to advance reform.

For more information, visit https://Hurra-Coalition.net  

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