MIL Africa Engine

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2025 in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, with a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to improving and revolutionizing healthcare access across Africa, Asia and beyond through their Scholarships and Capacity Building Program.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation shared, “For over last 13 years, our efforts at Merck Foundation have been to ensure equitable access to healthcare through education, training and awareness initiatives that not only helps transform the patientcare landscape in Africa and Asia but also empower communities and medical professionals.

I am proud to share that together with our Ambassadors, the First Ladies of Africa, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care landscape. We achieve this by providing more than 2282 scholarships to young doctors providers across 52 countries in Africa, Asia, and beyond, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health and many more.”

As per a WHO, African region has a ratio of only 1.55 health workers including physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 people*. This is below the WHO threshold density of 4.45 health workers per 1000 people needed to deliver essential health services and achieve universal health coverage. Therefore, the Merck Foundation scholarships are highly significant, as they provide doctors with specialized training, helping to bridge healthcare gaps and improve patient care in underserved communities.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “Before the launch of Merck Foundation programs in 2012, many countries—including The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh—had either no or very few specialists in critical fields such as Oncology, Fertility and Reproductive Care, Diabetology, Respiratory Medicine, and Intensive Care.

I am proud to share that many of our alumni have become, or are on their way to becoming, the first specialists in their respective countries. We are building a lasting legacy in Africa.”

Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities.

Dr. Kelej shared, “This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ aligns perfectly with our initiatives to educate young minds on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, as well as diabetes and hypertension awareness. Together with First Ladies of Africa, we have launched two storybooks on these health topics and adapted them into engaging and inspiring animated films”.

Watch Sugar Free Jude Animation Film: https://apo-opa.co/3ZUNRkM

Watch Mark’s Pressure Animation Film: https://apo-opa.co/44jfBSV

Merck Foundation also launches awards for the best media, film, fashion designs, and songs on these themes to encourage local artists and young talents to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle in their communities, through their everyday work.

Merck Foundation believes that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is key to ensuring equitable and quality healthcare across Africa.

“I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for our 2025 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors. These include one-year diploma and two-year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs and Online Diploma programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country,” shared Senator Dr Rasha Kelej.

To Apply for In campus Scholarships:

• Fertility: https://apo-opa.co/3I6TGFN
• Oncology: https://apo-opa.co/3I6TGFN
• Capacity Advancement: https://apo-opa.co/3I6TGFN
• Diabetes : https://apo-opa.co/3I6TGFN

To Apply for Online Scholarships, visit:

• https://apo-opa.co/4l5CYVF

The selection for each scholarship will be based on request by First Lady Office, Ministry of Health and / or Medical Society with the aim to fill the gaps of public healthcare system in each country.

The selection will be based on eligibility criteria fulfillment of each training Institute and Foundation, scholarship availability and fund availability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/44cb5FK
X: https://apo-opa.co/4ewccDB
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/449YO4C
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/40jgKYf
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4kYFQ6O
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4nszzBQ
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4et0wS4

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/44cb5FK), X (http://apo-opa.co/40vRspw), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3ThTOVm), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/449YO4C), Threads (http://apo-opa.co/3GkCY5d) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/4nszzBQ).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO; Chairman and CEO: ISHIGURO Norihiko; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) (www.JETRO.go.jp) is pleased to announce that the official website of the TICAD Business Expo & Conference has opened for registration of participants. TICAD Business Expo & Conference will be held from 20 to 22 August 2025, as one of the Thematic Events of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). This event will comprise four areas—Japan Fair, Africa Lounge, Event Stage, and Thematic Exhibitions—aiming to further invigorate Japan-Africa business exchanges on multiple levels. 

Download Africa Lounge participating country list : https://apo-opa.co/3GmVQk0
Download Event Stage programme document: https://apo-opa.co/4evJhj9

At Japan Fair, 195 Japanese companies and organisations will be introducing their latest initiatives, products and services for the African market. Exhibits will be focused on responding to the social issues facing contemporary African society, including Transforming Infrastructure, Advancing Health Care and Sanitation Standards, and Food Value Chains, with participating exhibitors showcasing solutions based on their particular strengths. Exhibitors include many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Japan Fair promises to bring together a diverse range of Japanese business operators, making it an attractive opportunity for any visitor. 

At Africa Lounge, government entities from more than 40 African countries will be presenting information on the investment environment and business opportunities in their countries. Through the event visitors will be able to learn about the diverse attractions and potential of African countries, and for Japanese businesspersons in particular, it will be an opportunity to find new contacts within African markets. 

At the Event Stage a total of 68 events are planned over the course of the three-day programme. The theme of the JETRO-hosted plenary session will be “Forging a new era for Japan-Africa relations,” which will explore the latest developments at the cutting edge of rapidly changing African markets. In addition, panel discussions featuring key figures from the African financial and business sectors and a variety of other programmes on the themes of innovation, pop culture, hydrogen and renewable energy, and space are also planned, providing an opportunity to deepen dialogue and co-creation between Japan and Africa. 

In addition to JETRO’s own programme of events, more than 40 companies and organizations are planning events where they will introduce specific case studies and initiatives through practical business sessions.  

At the Thematic Exhibitions JETRO will be putting the spotlight on the two themes of “Pop Culture” and “Innovation.” At the Innovation exhibition, Japanese companies will be introducing advanced technologies and ideas designed to transform social issues into drivers for economic growth. In particular, based on the three key phrases “Value chain development,” “Youth empowerment,” and “Urban development,” models for sustainable growth based on Japan-Africa collaboration will be proposed to visitors from Africa. In addition, companies involved in Japan Tech Africa Challenge (JTAC), a programme that supports globally successful Japanese startups in opening up the African market, will also be exhibiting, showcasing their innovative technologies and business models. These include solutions that are directly relevant to local challenges, including drone and AI-powered infectious disease countermeasures, initiatives to boost agricultural productivity, plant-based leather made from discarded plant leaves, and biodegradable water retaining hydrogels for agricultural land. 

Through TICAD Business Expo & Conference JETRO aims to create new opportunities for partnership between Japan and Africa, and support medium- to long-term business development for Japanese companies engaged in African markets. 

Overview  

TICAD9

1. Name: Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9)  
2. Date: Wednesday 20 – Friday 22 August 2025 
3. Organiser: Led by the Government of Japan, and co-hosted by the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union Commission, and the World Bank 
4. Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 
5. Official website: (English) https://apo-opa.co/4er7gzX
(Japanese) https://apo-opa.co/44kTYA9

TICAD Business Expo & Conference  

1. Date: Wednesday 20 – Friday 22 August 2025 
2. Organiser/Co-Organiser: JETRO, Japan Business Council for Africa (JBCA) 
3. Supported by: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
4. Venue: Pacific Yokohama, Hall B & C 
5. Total area: 10,000 m2  
6. Zones: Japan Fair, Africa Lounge, Event Stage, Thematic Exhibitions 
7. Visitor registration / Official website: (English) https://apo-opa.co/46rfp58
(Japanese) https://apo-opa.co/4lcrSP0
(French) https://apo-opa.co/4npwdzx
8. Target visitors: Government leaders, including Ministers and other senior officials from Japan and African nations, representatives from business communities and industry professionals, members of the press, etc.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Inquiries about this press release:
Business Frontier Development Division
Overseas Business Development Department, JETRO 
(Yamada, Ishikawa) 
Ark Mori Building, 6F 12-32, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6006 Japan

E-mail: ticad9-jf@jetro.go.jp
Tel: 03-3582-5170

About JETRO:
JETRO is a policy implementation organisation that aims to contribute to the further development of Japan’s economy and society through trade and investment promotion and research on developing countries. With an international and domestic network comprising over 70 overseas offices and approximately 50 domestic operating hubs, including Tokyo Headquarters, JETRO Osaka, the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE) and regional offices, JETRO contributes to Japan’s corporate activities and trade policy through surveys and studies, working agilely and efficiently to support the creation of innovation, exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foodstuffs, and the overseas expansion of Japanese enterprises. 

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Vinay Somera, CEO of South African fuel cell component manufacturer Isondo Precious Metals has joined the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders – as a speaker.

Somera will join a high-level panel, South Africa’s Strategic Influence in the Global Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) Market, where he is expected to highlight efforts to maximize PGM production in South Africa. With the country supplying roughly 80% of the world’s PGMs –essential for electric vehicle and clean energy development – AMW 2025 will unpack the country’s strategic position in the global market, especially as the world enters its third consecutive year of supply deficits – expected to reach 848,000 ounces in 2025.

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

At AMW 2025, Somera is set to showcase how Isondo Precious Metals is producing membranes for green hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers using South African-sourced PGMs. Under his leadership, the company is scaling its fuel cell manufacturing capabilities and working with international partners on infrastructure development and workforce training. Isondo Precious Metals recently acquired hydrogen reduction equipment from U.S.-based Camco Furnaces and two test stations from Greenlight Innovations, where it is also conducting workforce development initiatives.

As such, AMW 2025 represents an ideal platform for Somera to provide an update on Isondo Precious Metals’ strategy to deploy hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen-powered buses and vehicles in South Africa. As Isondo Precious Metals advances its proof of concept for a new ammonia cracking generator, AMW 2025 offers a strategic platform for Somera to present the company’s investment and expansion plans to a targeted audience of South African, regional and global investors and partners.

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

The project partners on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG development – situated on the maritime border of Senegal and Mauritania – have started commercial operations. The Gimi FLNG vessel – owned by maritime infrastructure company Golar LNG and situated at the project site – reached its Commercial Operating Date (COD) in June 2025, signaling the start of a 20-year Lease and Operating Agreement.

Spearheaded by energy majors Kosmos Energy and bp (operator), alongside Petrosen and Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures – the respective national oil companies of Senegal and Mauritania – the GTA project represents one of the lowest-cost greenfield projects in the world. The project achieved first LNG production in February 2025, with the maiden LNG cargo lifted in April 2025. According to Kosmos Energy, COD comes as the partners currently load a fourth cargo, with plans to export a fifth at the start of Q3. Kosmos Energy is a Diamond Sponsor of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, taking place September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

The first major offshore LNG project in the broader MSGBC region, GTA is expected to unlock more than 15 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas resources. The project reached a final investment decision (FID) in 2018, with the respective governments of Senegal and Mauritania declaring that the project is of “strategic national importance” in 2021. To date, the project partners have ramped up production volumes to a level equivalent to the annual contracted volumes of approximately 2.4 million tons per annum (mtpa). This represents 90% of the nameplate capacity of 2.7 mtpa. A second phase is also planned, which seeks to double production capacity to over 5 mtpa. Focus has now shifted to phase two FID, which will largely depend on continued cross-border cooperation, regulatory alignment and additional investment.

Beyond GTA, Kosmos Energy holds a strong presence across Africa. The company is engaged in upstream oil exploration, production and development, with a focus on unlocking the continent’s deepwater assets. In Equatorial Guinea, the company is working towards increasing oil production through well work and drilling. Alongside its project partners, Kosmos Energy recently completed an infill drilling program on the Ceiba and Okume fields and is now working to reprocess existing seismic data with modern technology to high-grade future infill drilling potential. In Ghana, the company has pledged $2 billion in upstream operations. The funding is expected to be allocated to expanding exploration, improving infrastructure and driving technology development to boost efficiency in the upstream sector. Kosmos Energy currently holds stakes in the country’s Jubilee and TEN fields.

Looking ahead, these developments are expected to unlock significant benefits for the countries in which Kosmos Energy operates. By unlocking greater value from Africa’s deepwater oil and gas basins, the company is enhancing revenue generation, job creation and broader economic growth in Africa. Kosmos Energy’s AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 sponsorship reflects its commitment to monetizing Africa’s deepwater resources. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 takes place under a mandate to make energy poverty history. The event convenes stakeholders – from global investors and project developers to technologies providers and service firms – to engage in dialogue and sign deals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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Martin Gama Abucha, Minister of Mines of South Sudan, has joined the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference as a speaker. Minister Abucha will take part in the Ministerial Forum, where he will share insight into South Sudan’s policy frameworks, investment incentives and infrastructure plans aimed at unlocking the full potential of the country’s mining sector. 

As South Sudan seeks to increase mining investments and drive projects forward, AMW provides an ideal platform for Minister Abucha to outline the country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with global public and private stakeholders to build a robust and competitive mining value chain. As the premier gathering for mining stakeholders in Africa, the event connects global financiers and project developers with African mining opportunities, facilitating collaboration and deal-signing. Insights shared by Minister Abucha will support future deals. 

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

Under Minister Abucha’s leadership, South Sudan’s Ministry of Mines has been accelerating geological mapping to identify exploration hotspots and reduce investment risk. In April 2025, the Ministry hosted a delegation from Qatar, including government officials and mining investors, to discuss opportunities in seismic studies, gold refining and the extraction of lead and critical minerals. The meeting follows Qatari firms such as United Gold investing across South Sudan to establish gold marketing stations. The stations aim to formalize artisanal mining by integrating informal production into the formal economy. 

Collaborations are also underway with South Africa to leverage the country’s mining expertise, investment portfolio and technology to better understand South Sudan’s mineral landscape. Other partnerships include with Russia’s ROSGEO, the U.S.-based REE-Magnesium and Canada’s CVMR to map the country’s mineral resources and better understand the geology. In November 2024, South Sudan’s national oil company Nilepet announced the discovery of critical minerals following a geological survey conducted in the first half of 2024 and revealed plans to establish a national mining company to support sector growth. 

Amid these developments, AMW 2025 offers a timely opportunity for Minister Abucha to engage with global geoscience firms, mining investors and African stakeholders to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations. AMW 2025 panel discussions and project showcases will position South Sudan as an emerging mining destination on the continent. 

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.