Source: Government of Qatar
Bangkok, November 11, 2025
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Tuesday with HE Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Vijavat Isarabhakdi.
The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to enhance and develop them, in addition to topics of mutual interest.
Source: APO
As starved people continue trying to flee atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, Sudan, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are providing urgent care to those who have reached the town of Tawila. Here, MSF is witnessing extreme levels of acute malnutrition, in what is now the most severe example of the malnutrition crisis that has gripped Sudan since the start of the war.
For months, MSF teams in Tawila have been treating malnutrition among patients who fled El Fasher, but malnutrition rates are now staggering. Among children under the age of five who reached Tawila between 27 October, when RSF seized control of El Fasher, and 3 November, over 70% were acutely malnourished, with 35% suffering from severe acute malnutrition. At the same time, 60% of the 1,130 adults MSF screened were acutely malnourished, 37% of whom were severely acutely malnourished. Malnutrition rates are even higher among pregnant and breastfeeding women.
MSF’s findings corroborate fears that famine has devastated people in El Fasher, which was besieged for more than 500 days. They also correspond with the recently released IPC report that found famine in El Fasher and in Kadugli.
Survivors arriving in Tawila have described to MSF teams how life had become unbearable in El Fasher. People report having had no access to food, as community kitchens shut down, humanitarian aid was blocked, and markets were shelled and depleted. In September, seven kilograms of millet cost SDG 500,000 (US$208) and one kilogram of sugar was SDG 130,000 (US$54).
In desperation, people were left with no choice but to turn animal feed into human food.
“We were so hungry we began eating ambaz (animal feed),” says a displaced woman in North Darfur. “At first it was free, then we had to buy it for SDG 20,000 per 1.5 kilograms (US$8), rising to SDG 50,000 (US$20) in June.”
Those trying to bring food into El Fasher were shot by the RSF. Dozens of those who survived managed to make it to Tawila, where they were treated by MSF.
“My cousin disappeared in June while trying for the first time to bring food, and since then we have had no news,” says a woman who fled El Fasher in October. “At the exit of El Fasher, they faced RSF fighters on motorcycles who shot at them.”
MSF fears many people in and around El Fasher remain stranded, held for ransom, and unable to escape. The RSF and its allies must halt mass atrocities and provide safe passage for the survivors to flee.
People’s struggles are far from over once they reach Tawila. Since the start of the year, half of the 6,500 pregnant women MSF has seen for prenatal care were acutely malnourished, 15% with severe malnutrition and 35% with moderate malnutrition. This puts their children at serious risk of being born underweight or malnourished.
Beyond El Fasher, MSF teams across Sudan have seen a widespread deterioration in children’s nutrition status in recent months. The crisis is being fuelled by overlapping factors, including inadequate food, disease, insecurity, lack of livelihoods, and unsafe living conditions.
“Right across Sudan there is more that can be done to reduce the suffering caused by malnutrition,” says Myriam Laaroussi, MSF emergency coordinator. “We call on all warring parties to allow humanitarian organisations safe and unimpeded access to increase services and help reduce this crisis.”
Displacement, either for people moving within Sudan or from other countries, also plays a significant role in driving malnutrition. In Blue Nile state, eastern Sudan, the arrival of Sudanese returnees from South Sudan since June has pushed fragile resources to their limits.
Thousands of families live in makeshift camps with little access to clean water, food or hygiene services, leading to an ongoing outbreak of cholera and a surge of preventable deaths among children. Between July and September, MSF treated 1,950 severely malnourished children at the Damazin teaching hospital; 100 children died, many from combined cholera and acute malnutrition.
Even when people can return home after being displaced, they often face significant challenges in finding or affording food or accessing services such as medical care. In Khartoum state, malnutrition has worsened since June, as more than 700,000 returnees have moved back into war-torn neighbourhoods with limited access to water and healthcare.
Al-Buluk hospital in Omdurman, in Khartoum state, admitted 351 malnourished patients in September, while Al-Banjadeed hospital in Khartoum city found 46 per cent of children screened during consultations to be malnourished. The humanitarian response in Khartoum is still far below people’s needs, with few organisations present and major gaps in both emergency aid and longer-term recovery efforts.
What’s more, the true scale of the crisis is likely far worse than reported. Without warring parties granting safe and unimpeded access to people at risk, combined with increased funding and humanitarian support from international organisations, more children will be vulnerable to Sudan’s protracted malnutrition crisis.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
Source: APO
Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), has joined the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum – taking place November 21 in Johannesburg – as a speaker. Connecting global finance with African energy projects, the forum will chart new pathways for strengthening the continent’s energy value chain. Kragha’s participation underscores the growing emphasis on downstream development as a catalyst for industrialization and is expected to support dialogue around Africa’s path towards energy security.
Increasing investments in Africa’s downstream sector has emerged as a top priority for many nations. The continent’s refined product demand is set to rise from 4 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to 6 million bpd by 2050, driven by population growth and increased economic activity. Gasoline consumption is projected to reach 2.2 million bpd by 2050, diesel consumption will rise 50% and jet fuel and kerosene is expected to expand 65%, reaching 465,000 bpd during the same timeframe. To meet anticipated demand growth, the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook highlights that $20 billion in investment in downstream infrastructure is required by 2050. The G20 Forum will serve as a bridge between global capital and African downstream projects.
Recent months have seen a series of milestones achieved across Africa’s downstream sector, with advancements in refining and pipeline projects supporting regional distribution. Nigeria’s Dangote oil refinery is advancing towards full operational capacity following the start of operations in 2024. The 650,000-bpd refinery is Africa’s largest facility and is assessing expansion plans which would double output to 1.4 million bpd. Angola inaugurated the Cabinda oil refinery in 2025, introducing 30,000 bpd to the market. The country is also seeking investment to support the development of the 200,000 bpd Lobito facility while pursuing the construction of a 100,000-bpd facility in Soyo. Senegal is exploring the development of a second refinery – paired with a petrochemical plant – at its Société Africaine de Raffinage facility. The project aims to increase capacity from 1.5 million tons per annum (mtpa) to 5 mtpa. In the Republic of Congo, the Fouta Refinery is on track for production by the end of 2025 with a capacity of 2.5 mtpa, while South Africa has announced plans to rehabilitate the SAPREF facility, with goals to increase capacity from 180,000 bpd to 600,000 bpd once operations resume.
Beyond refining, African states are advancing pipeline projects with a view to increase exports and strengthen regional trade systems. The 1,443-km East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline – connecting Uganda’s Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields with the Port of Tanga in Tanzania – is underway and will start operations in 2026. The $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is nearing the start of construction, with the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Project Company established in October 2025. The pipeline will traverse 13 African countries along the Atlantic coast, connecting Nigerian gas fields with European markets. Agreements have also been signed between the Republic of Congo and Russia for the construction of the Pointe-Noire-Loutete-Maloujou-Trechot oil pipeline and between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea for the development of a joint natural gas pipeline, designed to increase cross-border gas trade. These developments will not only increase regional fuel distribution but lower costs and support economic development across Africa.
Kragha’s participation comes as African nations rally behind downstream infrastructure development under broader efforts to reduce fuel imports, increase storage and refining capacity and strengthen intra-African supply chains. Platforms such as the upcoming G20 Forum offer a strategic opportunity for African nations to connect with global investors, addressing key challenges across the downstream industry and implementing actionable strategies for improving fuel security.
“Africa cannot build a secure energy future if it remains dependent on imported fuels. Investing in our downstream sector is how we create real value. By refining our own crude, building local industries and ensuring energy access that supports economic growth, Africa can reduce costs, enhance fuel security and support long-term economic growth,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
To register for the Forum click here (https://apo-opa.co/4ozitCH).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
Lors de la 15ème Assemblée générale annuelle de l’Union AMAN, organisée à Djeddah par la Société islamique pour l’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org/) – la branche assurance du groupe de la Banque islamique de développement (BID), l’Union a organisé une cérémonie spéciale de remise de certificats pour récompenser les professionnels qui ont terminé avec succès les programmes de formation en ligne spécialisés. M. Silvan Said – directeur général de l’Institut RISC DMCC – et M. Al-Tayeb Abbas Fadlallah – président de l’Académie de l’Union AMAN – ont remis les certificats à M. Abderrahim Belkacemi de Dhaman et à M. Samir Zaky de la SIACE, en reconnaissance de leur dévouement exemplaire au développement professionnel.
Cette initiative souligne l’engagement de l’Union AMAN à renforcer les capacités institutionnelles, à promouvoir l’excellence professionnelle et à favoriser l’échange continu de connaissances entre ses institutions membres dans toute la région de l’OCI. Grâce à ces efforts, l’Union continue d’investir dans le développement du capital humain au sein de l’écosystème islamique du crédit à l’exportation et d’assurance des investissements, en veillant à ce que les professionnels soient dotés de l’expertise technique et de compétences mondiales nécessaires pour faire face à l’évolution des demandes du secteur.
Dans le cadre de sa stratégie plus large visant à favoriser le renforcement durable des capacités, l’Union AMAN, en collaboration avec l’Institut RISC DMCC, a lancé un programme de développement professionnel en ligne menant au certificat professionnel en assurance (Cert. CII™), une qualification mondialement reconnue décernée par l’Institut officiel britannique des assurance (Chartered Insurance Institute – CII) au Royaume-Uni. Le programme est conçu pour former une nouvelle génération de professionnels qualifiés au sein des institutions de crédit à l’exportation et d’assurance des investissements de l’OCI, en intégrant à la fois des bases théoriques et des connaissances pratiques.
Le parcours de formation comprend trois modules complets – Attestation en assurance générale, les Fondamentaux de la souscription et les Fondamentaux de la gestion des sinistres – couvrant des domaines critiques tels que les principes fondamentaux du risque et d’assurance, les pratiques de souscription, la réassurance, la gestion des sinistres, la prévention de la fraude et la conformité réglementaire. À l’issue de la formation, les participants obtiennent le certificat professionnel en assurance (Cert. CII™), renforçant ainsi leur crédibilité professionnelle et leur ouvrant de nouvelles possibilités d’avancement international dans les secteurs de l’assurance des investissements et de crédit.
Commentant cette étape importante, M. Mourad Mizouri, Secrétaire général de l’Union AMAN, a déclaré: « Chez l’Union AMAN, nous pensons que la force de notre industrie réside dans les connaissances et le professionnalisme de nos collaborateurs. Notre partenariat avec l’Institut RISC reflète notre détermination à construire une communauté compétente, connectée et compétitive de professionnels de l’assurance et du crédit à l’exportation dans nos pays membres.»
Distribué par APO Group pour Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).
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À propos de l’UNION AMAN :
L’UNION AMAN est un forum professionnel regroupant les assureurs et les réassureurs des risques commerciaux et non commerciaux des pays membres de l’Organisation de la coopération islamique (OCI) et de la Société arabe de garantie des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (DHAMAN). L’Union AMAN a été créée le 28 octobre 2009, suite à un accord bilatéral entre DHAMAN et la Société islamique d’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE) pour unir leurs efforts afin de créer une plate-forme qui renforce la coopération entre les assureurs et les réassureurs opérant dans leurs pays membres respectifs.
En en savoir plus, veuillez consulter le site www.AMANUnion.org
À propos de la Société islamique d’assurance des investissements et des crédits à l’exportation (SIACE) :
En tant que membre du Groupe de la Banque islamique de développement, la SIACE a commencé ses activités en 1994 avec pour mission de renforcer les relations économiques entre les États membres de l’OCI et de promouvoir le commerce et l’investissement intra-OCI en fournissant des solutions d’amélioration des conditions de crédit et d’atténuation des risques. La SIACE est le seul assureur multilatéral islamique au monde et s’est imposée comme un acteur de premier plan dans la fourniture d’une gamme complète d’outils de réduction des risques au service du commerce et des investissements transfrontaliers pour ses 50 États membres. Pour la 17ème année consécutive, la SIACE a maintenu la notation de solidité financière «Aa3» attribuée par Moody’s, la plaçant parmi les leaders de l’industrie de l’assurance-crédit et d’assurance des risques politiques. En outre, la SIACE s’est vu attribuer pour la deuxième année une notation de crédit à long terme de «AA-» avec une perspective stable par S&P Global Ratings. La résilience de la SIACE repose sur des pratiques de souscription rigoureuses, des accords de réassurance solides et un cadre de gestion des risques performant. Depuis sa création, la SIACE a assuré cumulativement plus de 121 milliards de dollars américains en opérations commerciales et en investissements, soutenant des secteurs clés tels que l’énergie, l’industrie manufacturière, les infrastructures, la santé et l’agriculture dans ses États membres.
Pour plus d’informations, Veuillez visiter https://ICIEC.IsDB.org/
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
Depuis 2016, le Bénin s’illustre et s’impose comme un modèle du numérique responsable sur le plan africain. C’est dans cette même dynamique qu’une nouvelle ère s’est ouverte le lundi 10 novembre 2025 à Cotonou à travers le lancement officiel du projet « JaimeMaLangue ».
Né d’une collaboration stratégique entre l’ASIN et l’Institut IIDiA, ce projet inédit qui allie inclusion, culture et technologie ambitionne de donner aux langues béninoises une existence numérique. Mieux, il vise à doter le Bénin d’une intelligence artificielle propre, capable de comprendre, interpréter et valoriser la parole citoyenne.
Placé sous le thème : « Le Bénin parle au futur », l’évènement qui a réuni les principaux acteurs du numérique, de la culture et de la recherche, marque le point de départ d’une mobilisation nationale pour la collecte des voix. Ce projet qui veut faire de chaque citoyen un acteur du futur numérique du Bénin repose sur trois piliers majeurs à savoir l’inclusion, l’innovation et l’héritage.
Selon les concepteurs, le fonctionnement de la plateforme dont la phase pilote démarre avec la langue ” Fongbé “repose sur un processus participatif :
– L’utilisateur s’inscrit et sélectionne sa langue en se rendant sur le : jaimemalangue.bj ;
– Il lit ou répète des phrases dans sa langue
– Sa voix est enregistrée et envoyée de façon anonyme vers une base nationale
– Un comité d’Experts assure la validation et le traitement des données.
« Ces données sont ensuite utilisées pour entraîner des modèles d’intelligence artificielle capables de comprendre les langues locales. À travers ce projet, nous voulons permettre à chaque citoyen de dialoguer avec la technologie dans sa langue maternelle. Nous appelons à la mobilisation de tous pour la réussite du projet. Partagez le lien autour de vous », ont déclaré les présentateurs.
Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.
Source: APO
During the 15th Annual General Meeting of the AMAN Union, hosted in Jeddah by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org/)—the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group—the Union held a special certificate presentation ceremony to recognize professionals who successfully completed its specialized online training programs. Certificates were presented by Mr. Silvan Said, Managing Director of RISC Institute DMCC, and Mr. Al-Tayeb Abbas Fadlallah, Chairman of the AMAN Union Academy, to Mr. Abderrahim Belkacemi of Dhaman and Mr. Samir Zaky of ICIEC, in acknowledgment of their exemplary dedication to professional development.
This initiative underscores AMAN Union’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, promoting professional excellence, and fostering continuous knowledge exchange among its member institutions across the OIC region. Through such efforts, the Union continues to invest in developing human capital within the Islamic insurance and export credit ecosystem—ensuring that professionals are equipped with the technical expertise and global competencies required to navigate the evolving demands of the industry.
As part of its broader strategy to foster sustainable capacity building, AMAN Union, in collaboration with RISC Institute DMCC, launched an online professional development program leading to the Professional Certificate in Insurance (Cert. CII™), a globally recognized qualification awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in the United Kingdom. The program is designed to cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals across OIC export credit and investment insurance institutions, integrating both theoretical foundations and practical insights.
The training pathway comprises three comprehensive modules—Award in General Insurance (W01), Underwriting Essentials (WUE), and Claims Essentials (WCE)—covering critical areas such as risk and insurance fundamentals, underwriting practices, reinsurance, claims handling, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance. Upon successful completion, participants earn the Cert. CII™ designation, enhancing their professional credibility and opening new opportunities for international advancement within the insurance and credit guarantee sectors.
Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Mourad Mizouri, Secretary General of the AMAN Union, stated: “At AMAN Union, we believe that the strength of our industry lies in the knowledge and professionalism of our people. Our partnership with RISC Institute reflects our determination to build a skilled, connected, and competitive community of insurance and export credit professionals across our member countries.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).
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About AMAN UNION:
The AMAN Union is a professional forum that brings together insurers and reinsurers covering commercial and non-commercial risks in the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman). The Union was established on October 28, 2009, following a bilateral agreement between Dhaman and the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) to unify their efforts in creating a platform that enhances cooperation among insurers and reinsurers operating within their respective member countries.
Read more at www.AMANUnion.org
About The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
As a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States and promote intra-OIC trade and investment by providing credit enhancement and risk mitigation solutions. The Corporation is the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world and has been at the forefront of delivering a comprehensive suite of de-risking solutions to support cross-border trade and investment for its 50 Member States. ICIEC has maintained its “Aa3” rating with a stable outlook from Moody’s for 17 consecutive years, positioning the Corporation among the leaders in the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) industry. Additionally, S&P has reaffirmed ICIEC’s “AA-” rating for the second year with a stable outlook. ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting practices, global reinsurance network, and strong risk management framework. Since inception, ICIEC has cumulatively insured over USD 121 billion in trade and investment, supporting key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture in its member states.
For more information, Visit https://ICIEC.IsDB.org
Source: APO
In an innovative move set to revolutionise how people send and spend money across East Africa, Rwanda and Tanzania have commenced bi-lateral discussions on technical modalities to link their national retail payment systems switches. The move marks a crucial step toward enabling instant, low-cost cross-border money transfers for citizens and businesses across the region.
This landmark initiative, which moved into its technical implementation phase at an ongoing high-level meeting in Kigali, will connect Tanzania’s Instant Payment System (TIPS) with Rwanda’s National Payment Switch (RSWITCH). Once operational, the linkage will allow individuals and businesses in both countries to send and receive money between bank accounts and mobile money wallets seamlessly and in real time.
“This preparatory work marks a pivotal milestone in our regional payment system integration agenda, moving us closer to a single regional instant payment ecosystem that will facilitate secure, affordable, and real-time transactions across borders,” said Eng. Daniel Murenzi, EAC Principal Information Technology Officer.
In his remarks, the Chairperson of the meeting, Mr. Fabian Ladislaus Kasole, Assistant Manager, Oversight and Policy, National Payments Directorate, Bank of Tanzania, reaffirmed the collective commitment. “As a region, we remain committed to establishing a robust technical and operational framework that will ensure the successful interlinking of our national retail payment systems, ultimately enhancing cross-border payment efficiency and financial inclusion across the region.”
The integration of Tanzania’s TIPS and Rwanda’s RSwitch forms the core of a strategic Proof of Concept (POC) pilot. This pilot is designed to demonstrate the technical and operational feasibility of a direct, functional cross-border payment switch within the EAC. This crucial bilateral (Tanzania-Rwanda) model, serves as a pioneering model for future expansion to all EAC Partner States. The initiative serves as a practical and scalable first step, laying the foundational groundwork for the future aspiration of a fully integrated, centralised regional digital payments market.
For the citizens of Rwanda and Tanzania, this integration promises to transform everyday financial interactions. Individuals will be able to transfer funds to family, friends, or businesses across the border directly from their existing bank accounts or mobile money wallets in real-time, eliminating the delays and complexities of current systems. Importantly, by establishing a direct pathway between the national switches, the initiative is projected to significantly lower transaction costs, making cross-border payments more affordable and accessible for everyone.
The economic implications for businesses and traders are equally profound. The ability to make and receive instant, secure payments will greatly enhance trade and commerce, allowing businesses to settle invoices with suppliers and partners seamlessly. This efficiency reduces operational friction and unlocks new opportunities for growth and market expansion within the region.
Furthermore, by leveraging the digital payment platforms that millions already use daily, this initiative represents a major leap forward in financial inclusion. It extends the reach of formal financial services by making cross-border transactions as simple as a domestic transfer, thereby empowering a broader segment of the population, from small-scale merchants to individual consumers, to participate more fully in the regional economy.
The ongoing technical preparations for the interlinking represent the first tangible implementation of the EAC Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan and directly support the strategic aspirations of the EAC Heads of State for deeper regional financial integration.
The Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), funded by the World Bank and coordinated by the EAC Secretariat, will play a key role in supporting the implementation of the EAC Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan. As a flagship regional initiative, EARDIP is supporting the building of the foundation for a modern and connected regional payment ecosystem by strengthening the linkage of payment systems between Partner States.
The project is also supporting the development of cross-border and local digital networks, ensuring that even rural and remote communities can benefit from faster, safer, and more affordable money transfers. This includes supporting real-time payments, cross-border mobile money services, and instant transactions between banks and financial platforms across the region.
EARDIP is also supporting the harmonisation of policies and standards that guide digital financial services in East Africa. By promoting common rules, shared standards, and strong cybersecurity and data protection systems, the project will ensure that cross-border payments are secure and trusted.
In addition, EARDIP will provide technical support and capacity building to help national institutions strengthen and manage their digital payment systems. Through these efforts, EARDIP will make it easier for citizens and businesses to send and receive money across borders, helping drive regional trade, inclusion, and economic growth.
The 10th – 14th November, 2025 technical meeting in Kigali, Rwanda has brought together representatives from the Central Banks, National Payment Systems, AfrikaNenda, Mojaloop Foundation and the EAC Secretariat. The technical teams are expected to hold a series of meetings to cover various matters, including an interoperability framework to address technical integration and operational designs as well as legal and regulatory alignment, governance and institutional arrangements, economic and business model, and strategic and regional alignment among others.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).
Source: APO
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, extends heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Angola on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the country’s independence.
The Chairperson described the golden jubilee as a moment of pride for all Africans, marking five decades of Angola’s sovereignty, resilience, and remarkable progress. He pays tribute to the courage and unity of the Angolan people, recalling Angola’s historic role in the struggle against apartheid and colonialism, which contributed decisively to the liberation of Southern Africa and the advancement of freedom across the continent.
The Chairperson commended Angola’s unwavering commitment to continental integration and economic transformation, notably its active role in investments in regional infrastructure development and promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
Mr. Youssouf further highlighted the special significance of this milestone as H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, currently serves as Chairperson of the African Union. He lauded President Lourenço’s steadfast leadership in promoting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region and in supporting dialogue and mediation efforts towards the resolution of the conflict in Sudan.
The African Union Commission reaffirms its solidarity with the Government and people of Angola as they celebrate this historic occasion and look ahead to an even more peaceful, prosperous, and united Africa, guided by the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Source: APO
The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia have concluded a financing agreement to support Tunisia’s energy sector modernization agenda through the Tunisia Energy Reliability, Efficiency, and Governance Improvement Program (TEREG). This five-year program of US$430 million— including US$30 million in concessional financing — aims to support the Government of Tunisia to deliver a sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity supply by accelerating renewable energy deployment, strengthening the performance of the national electricity utility (STEG), and enhancing overall sector governance.
Aligned with the Government’s updated Energy Transition Strategy, TEREG aims to strengthen STEG’s operational and financial performance, attract private investment, and lower the carbon intensity of power generation, all while ensuring reliable electricity access for households and businesses. It supports ambitious reforms to accelerate renewable energy deployment, enhance energy efficiency, and modernize the electricity sector.
“By fostering renewable energy development, TEREG will strengthen Tunisia’s position in clean energy, creating economic opportunities and ensuring long-term energy security,” said Alexandre Arrobbio, World Bank Country Manager for Tunisia. “This project reflects our strong partnership with Tunisia and supports its sustainable development goals. It builds on our long-standing engagement in Tunisia’s energy sector and complements ongoing initiatives like the Tunisia-Italy Electricity Integration Project (ELMED), the Energy Sector Improvement Project, and advisory services from the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, aligning with Tunisia’s Country Partnership Framework and its commitments under the Paris Agreement.”
The TEREG program is expected to support Tunisia in achieving its goals to mobilize US$2.8 billion in private investment to add 2.8 gigawatts of new solar and wind capacity by 2028, and create over 30,000 jobs, primarily during the construction phase of renewable projects. It will also help reduce electricity supply costs by 23 percent, improve STEG’s cost recovery from 60 to 80 percent, and reduce subsidies by TND 2.045 billion.
“This is the first project to benefit from the World Bank’s Framework for Financial Incentives, receiving rewards for its size and long-term benefits in recognition of its impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Amira Klibi, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank and Task Team Leader for the project. “The program’s reforms—such as reducing technical and commercial losses and increasing the share of renewables—are expected to deliver lasting improvements in the operational and financial performance of the sector, making electricity more affordable and reliable for households and businesses across Tunisia.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
Source: President of South Africa –
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Thursday, 13 November 2025, virtually address the Garden Route Economic Coordination Roundtable Dialogue, taking place in Knysna, Western Cape Province.
This high-level engagement, organised by The Yona Yethu Initiative, in partnership with the Knysna Municipality, represents a significant milestone in advancing intergovernmental coordination, private sector collaboration, and regional investment partnerships.
The Roundtable Dialogue is a lead-up to the Regional Investment Conference scheduled to take place early next year. The theme for the Roundtable Dialogue is “Strengthening Intergovernmental Coordination and Private Sector Collaboration for Inclusive Economic Growth in the Garden Route District.”
The Garden Route Economic Coordination Roundtable Dialogue will be an invite-only engagement, bringing together government leaders, business chambers, institutional partners, and key stakeholders from across the region.
To ensure broad inclusivity, the session will also be hybrid, enabling virtual participation for all interested partners, institutions, and members of the public who wish to follow and contribute to the discussions (Link will be made available).
All interested organizations, businesses, and development stakeholders are encouraged to register for virtual attendance, ensuring that their voices are part of this historic Dialogue on the future of the Garden Route economy.
Members of the media are invited to cover the Deputy President’s address as follows:
Date: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Time: 10h00
Platform: Virtual link for the Deputy President’s address as well as link for registration will be provided.
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
