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“West Africa has the potential to sustainably transform its food systems,” says Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, Acting Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Subregional Coordinator for West Africa


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The 2025 Regional Report on Food and Nutrition Security in the Sahel and West Africa, reveals that nearly 52 million people in the region are affected by food insecurity. In an interview with the African Press Agency (APA news), Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, Acting Subregional Coordinator of the FAO Office for West Africa said that despite the alarming figures reported, “the region has all it takes to sustainably transform its food systems,” said.

Recently appointed to head the office overseeing 15 West African country programs, she focuses on innovation, resilience, and inclusion to address the structural and cyclical challenges facing West African agriculture.

During the interview, Ms. Tchicaya presented the priorities of her mandate. She outlined her vision and ambition for the subregion to “build more inclusive, sustainable, competitive, and nutrition-sensitive food systems, based on the “Four Betters” strategy promoted by the FAO: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.”

She also emphasized that despite the combined effects of conflict, climate change, and economic volatility, viable solutions can be found. These include participatory approaches such as Farmer Field Schools (FFS), support for nutrition-sensitive agricultural policies, and the implementation of green hubs as part of the Great Green Wall initiative. “In Senegal, for example, we contributed to updating the agro-sylvo-pastoral orientation law, which now includes the fisheries sector, food systems and the climate change dimension,” she explained.

“On the operational front, FAO has developed participatory approaches such as Farmer Field Schools and Dimitra clubs, which after years of implementation, have proven effective in driving behavior change and strong community engagement. These approaches are now being scaled up by the government and civil society organizations”, she said, adding “On the environmental front, the FAO supports the Senegalese government in implementing the Reforestation Agency and the Great Green Wall program, a bold initiative aiming to establish seventy resilient green hubs across arid and semi-arid areas between 2023 and 2032.”

Faced with the decline in traditional funding, Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya calls for increased and diversified resource mobilization, focusing on: “Public-Private Partnerships, a multi-donor approach, climate and green financing, strengthened engagement with non-traditional donors (emerging countries, philanthropic foundations, regional financial institutions), increased inter-agency cooperation, community and civil society involvement, as well as South-South and triangular cooperation.”

Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya also emphasized FAO’s strategic role in strengthening early warning systems, supporting agricultural governance, and using digital technologies and artificial intelligence to increase productivity, improve livestock traceability, and combat livestock theft, a phenomenon that is on the rise in the region.

“FAO actively contributes to surveillance and early warning, particularly in the area of ​​food security, through its participation in the regional system for the prevention and management of food crises (PREGEC), coordinated by the CILSS. FAO also has tools such as the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), which enables precise monitoring of the agricultural season and provides harvest forecasts. FAO will continue this support while investing more in disaster risk prevention and reduction, particularly through anticipatory actions implemented before crises worsen. FAO’s true added value in the region lies in this connection between early warning and rapid response.”

Furthermore, Ms. Tchicaya emphasized the importance of digital solutions for securing pastoral livelihoods: “We are convinced that the digitalization of the livestock sector constitutes an innovative and essential solution to protect pastoralists in the face of this unprecedented phenomenon in West Africa,” she argued.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Tchicaya issued a strong call for collective mobilization. “We must act together—governments, technical and financial partners, the private sector, and civil society—to build resilient and sustainable food systems that meet the aspirations of West African populations,” she pleaded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

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Government honours Mama Abigail Kubeka with tribute concert

Source: South Africa News Agency

Government honours Mama Abigail Kubeka with tribute concert

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), through its Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, will host a landmark tribute concert in honour of the iconic Mama Abigail Kubeka, celebrating an extraordinary 68-year contribution to South Africa’s music, arts, and cultural landscape.

This tribute forms part of the department’s ongoing commitment to “give them their flowers while they can still smell them” — a core principle of the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series. 

Launched in 2023, the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series recognises artists whose work has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s cultural heritage. It also provides sustainable support through platforms such as the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust (LLLFT). 

This one-night-only event will unite more than 25 legendary performers, all offering their time and talent in tribute to a woman whose voice, grace, and artistic influence have helped shape the soul of South African culture.

Directed by renowned saxophonist and composer Khaya Mahlangu, the concert will feature performances from luminaries, such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Faith Kekana, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, and Stella Khumalo. 

The audience can also look forward to musical contributions from icons, including Sipho Mabuse, McCoy Mrubata, Babsy Mlangeni, and Fana Zulu, with a powerful opening performance by Zenzi Makeba Lee alongside the Miriam Makeba Band.

“Mama Abigail Kubeka is more than a performer — she is a living archive of our nation’s cultural memory. For nearly seven decades, her voice has carried the spirit of resistance, healing, and hope. Honouring her is both a duty and a privilege, reminding us that our greatest cultural treasures still walk among us, guiding us with wisdom and unmatched artistry.

“The Van Toeka Af programme is about legacy, memory, and dignity. It says to our artists: we see you; we thank you, and we honour you. It ensures that future generations know whose shoulders they stand on and gives recognition to those who created beauty and meaning during some of South Africa’s darkest hours,” the department said.

Kubeka’s career began in the 1950s, and she remains one of the last surviving artists to have performed alongside greats such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela during the apartheid era. Her body of work spans film, television, jazz, theatre, and activism — a legacy that continues to uplift and inspire generations.

The concert will take place on Saturday, 5 July 2025, at 6pm at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.

This tribute follows in the footsteps of past Van Toeka Af honours bestowed on cultural giants, including Dr John Kani and Dr Tete Mbambisa. 

These recognition events serve not only as emotional homecomings for the honourees, but also as national moments of reflection on the country’s cultural journey and future – SAnews.gov.za

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Le Président Ndayishimiye a participé dans la prière du dernier jeudi de juin à Shombo


Le Chef de l’État Burundais et Président du Conseil des Sages du CNDD-FDD, Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye s’est joint aux membres du parti CNDD-FDD de Gitega pour une prière d’action de grâce de ce dernier jeudi de juin, dans les enceintes du Centre de Formation Polytechnique et de Reconversion Professionnelle de Rusi (CEFORE-RUSI).

“Nous devons laisser notre passé lourd s’endormir dans le passé et ainsi regarder, tous ensemble, dans la même direction d’un futur meilleur”, a martelé le Numéro Un Burundais appelant les élus à servir de vrais leaders et non des politiciens.

Cette prière a également offert l’opportunité au Chef de l’Etat, d’exhorter les bagumyabangas à rester fidèles à la promesse de Dieu, à chercher la justice de Dieu et à être serviables envers le peuple, rappelant que les Burundais ont amorcé une marche paisible vers la vision dans l’unité.

La prière oecuménique du jour a vu la participation d’une foule nombreuse venue particulièrement de la commune Shombo, la première à avoir voté en faveur du CNDD-FDD dans la province de Gitega.

Dans sa prédication, le Curé de la paroisse Sainte Marie Madeleine de Shombo Abbé Jérémie Ndagijimana a saisi l’occasion d’appeler les Bagumyabanga pour la crainte et le respect de Dieu en évitant toute sorte d’iniquités. Il n’a pas également manqué de saluer le leadership du Président Ndayishimiye, avant d’appeler tous les Burundais à son soutien en faveur du développement durable.

Distribué par APO Group pour Présidence de la République du Burundi.

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World Bank Approves Health Resilience Project to Protect Lives and Strengthen Emergency Response in Mozambique


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The World Bank has approved the Mozambique Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project, an initiative to strengthen the health system’s ability to deliver essential services consistently and equitably. The project targets underserved and climate-vulnerable areas by investing in human resources, infrastructure, and systems that ensure continuity of care during emergencies. This project is part of a regional program to strengthen health security across Eastern and Southern Africa.  

Mozambique faces frequent floods, cyclones, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies that disrupt health services and put lives at risk. Many communities lack sufficient and trained health workers, access to essential medicines, and the tools to detect and respond quickly to crises. The project seeks to address these gaps by:

  • Strengthening the health workforce capacity, particularly in high-risk areas, by improving recruitment, training, and retention systems;
  • Improving pharmaceutical supply chains by supporting the regulatory agency in bringing more transparency and speed to procurement processes, lowering and standardizing prices of health commodities to ensure access to medicines, particularly during crises; and
  • Enhancing disease surveillance and laboratory capacity to improve early warning and response systems to quickly detect and respond to health emergencies like cholera outbreaks or heatwaves.

The project also supports the development of climate-adaptive infrastructure and emergency preparedness plans, recognizing the growing health risks posed by climate change.

“Mozambique is already experiencing the health impacts of shocks and emergencies,” noted Luc Lecuit, World Bank Acting Division Director in Mozambique. “The program supports the government’s efforts to strengthen core health service delivery by investing in preparedness and resilience, ensuring services remain operational during floods, storms, and epidemics.”

Financed through a $201 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA)*, the initiative will be implemented over five years, concluding in September 2030.

“By prioritizing practical investments in the foundational pillars of the health sector, the Government of Mozambique is driving greater efficiency across the system and strengthening its emergency response capacity to protect lives,” said João Pires, World Bank Senior Health Specialist and Task Team Leader. “These efforts are paving the way for bold reforms to ensure the health system remains resilient and responsive, even under pressure.”

In parallel, the World Bank, together with other development partners, is increasing its support to the Mozambique health sector through a $63.7 million top-up to the ongoing District and Community Health Services Revitalization Project. This additional financing—comprising $8.7 million from IDA, $5 million from the Global Financing Facility, and $50 million from a multi-donor trust fund supported by Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland—will expand the project’s impact across the most vulnerable 63 districts of Mozambique. The operation focuses on improving access to quality primary health care, particularly for women, children, and adolescents, and strengthening service delivery at the district and community levels.

Both projects align with the forthcoming Mozambique’s Health Sector Strategic Plan (PESS, 2025-2034)  (PESS 2020–2024) and the National Adaptation Plan (2023), and complement regional efforts to strengthen health security across Eastern and Southern Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

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Key Policy Debates Shaping Africa’s Mining Future at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025


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As Africa positions itself at the forefront of the global energy transition, the continent’s mining sector faces pivotal policy decisions that will determine its role in the future supply of critical minerals. African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, taking place in Cape Town from October 1-3, emerges as a premier platform for stakeholders to engage in these crucial discussions, fostering collaboration and investment across the mining value chain.

Enhancing Value Addition and Local Content

African countries are increasingly focusing on in-country mineral processing to maximize economic benefits. Gabon, for instance, has reformed its mining code to offer tax holidays and modest royalties, aiming to boost the mining sector’s contribution to GDP to over 30% by the mid-2030s. South Africa is also encouraging investors to participate in local beneficiation initiatives, emphasizing the mining industry’s role in job creation and economic development. AMW 2025 will spotlight these initiatives, providing a platform for stakeholders to explore opportunities in value addition and discuss policies that promote local processing and industrialization.

Addressing Energy Challenges and Infrastructure Gaps

Reliable infrastructure and energy access are critical for mining operations. Projects like the $15.6 billion Lagos-Abidjan Highway, slated for construction in 2026, aim to connect multiple West African countries, facilitating the transport of minerals and boosting regional trade. AMW 2025 will explore innovative solutions and investment opportunities to enhance energy security and infrastructure, ensuring sustainable and efficient mining activities across the continent.

Formalizing Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) plays a significant role in Africa’s mining landscape, yet it often operates informally, leading to environmental degradation and social challenges. Efforts are underway to formalize ASM operations: Ghana is actively formalizing its ASM sector through a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing regulation, environmental sustainability and economic integration. Key measures include the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board, which centralizes the purchase and export of gold from licensed small-scale miners to curb smuggling and increase state revenue. At AMW 2025, sessions will focus on strategies and policies adopted by mineral-rich nations to empower small-scale mining operations, promoting responsible practices and integrating these operations into the broader mining economy.

ESG Compliance: Aligning with Global Standards

As global scrutiny around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices intensifies, African mining companies face mounting pressure to align with evolving sustainability expectations. According to an EY survey, international mining executives identified ESG as the top risk to their business in 2024, underscoring its growing strategic importance. At AMW 2025, dedicated sessions will explore how African operators can strengthen ESG compliance – minimizing environmental impact, promoting fair labor practices and aligning operations with global standards to remain competitive and responsible in a shifting investment landscape.

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.

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

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Former attorney convicted of stealing RAF payouts

Source: South Africa News Agency

Former attorney convicted of stealing RAF payouts

A former attorney has been convicted on four counts of theft by the Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after defrauding clients of their Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela, committed the crimes when she was practising as a sole practitioner between June 2019 and March 2022.

“The accused lodged claims against the Road Accident Fund on behalf of her clients, which were subsequently paid out. The money was paid by the Road Accident Fund into the trust account of Mmela Incorporated Attorneys for the benefit of her clients, totalling an amount of over R4.1 million.

“The incident came to light after one of the victims reported that Mmela failed to pay her. An investigation ensued and led to the arrest of the accused in 2022,” the NPA said in a statement.

Mmela was subsequently granted bail. However, after absconding, she was re-arrested and remained in custody.

“During trial, the accused pleaded not guilty, and Senior State Advocate Henry Nxumalo presented evidence of the witnesses to prove the allegations levelled against her. The accused was convicted on four counts of theft, and the matter was postponed to 21 August 2025 for sentencing in the same court.

“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction as a significant step in the fight against the theft of trust monies by attorneys as breach of trust, more so the victims of motor vehicle accidents. The collaboration against fighting such crimes yielded positive results in this matter. 

“The NPA remains committed to fighting financial crimes and ensuring that those who deprive claimants of their monies are prosecuted,” the NPA said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Russia advocates for multilateralism and stronger UN at G20 Sherpa meeting

Source: South Africa News Agency

Russia advocates for multilateralism and stronger UN at G20 Sherpa meeting

Russia’s G20 Sherpa, Svetlana Lukash, has highlighted the importance of multilateralism for ensuring global stability and sustainability, calling for ongoing dialogue and the strengthening of the United Nations.

“Multilateralism is the only thing that can keep the world together today and save us from collapse, save the economy from complete fragmentation, and ensure global growth and sustainability,” she said. 

Despite the current challenges of economic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions, Lukash said she remained optimistic.

“We must continue dialogue, no matter what divisions exist in our minds and policies.“

Lukash was speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Sherpa meeting on Thursday, where the world’s largest economies and organisations are convening at Sun City Resort in the North West.

Lukash is the Deputy Head of the Presidential Expert Directorate within the Presidential Executive Office of Russia. 

“I think the G20 is very well placed to keep multilateralism as a flag for all humanity. But indeed, what we always keep in mind is that we have the United Nations, and that is the main platform that we need to cherish and need to strengthen.“

She also cast the spotlight on South Africa’s groundbreaking G20 Presidency as a pivotal moment for inclusive international dialogue.

Lukash believes that the strategic vision of multilateralism extends beyond traditional diplomatic frameworks.

By inviting diverse stakeholders and opening dialogue with African neighbours and Global South representatives, Lukash said South Africa aims to create a more representative international platform.

“I think just having the Presidency in Africa for the first time and putting the interests of Africa and of the Global South on the top of the G20 agenda already gives the strongest signal to the world community that the time has changed.” 

She is of the view that the G20 should not be a closed forum where only 20 economies discuss issues that matter to the entire world.

“What South Africa’s Presidency did is help open the G20 in the interests of the global majority. That is amazing. So, I really praise what the Presidency is doing this year.”

The Sherpa said the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November represents a critical opportunity to demonstrate how multilateral approaches can address complex global economic challenges.

Lukash also recognised the ongoing geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions, which include sanctions and tariff wars. 

However, she believes that the key multilateral priorities should focus on reforming global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), addressing geopolitical tensions, and developing more inclusive mechanisms for economic cooperation.

Despite geoeconomic fragmentation and tensions, Lukash said Russia sees the G20 as crucial for global economic cooperation, particularly in trade, energy, and finance.

She told journalists that Russia’s key priorities for the G20 agenda align with South Africa’s goals, focusing on inclusive global growth, job creation, artificial intelligence governance, and critical minerals. 

The Sherpa also praised the bilateral relations between South Africa and Russia, particularly in economic cooperation and investments, and expressed full support for South Africa’s G20 priorities.

She said she was also grateful that South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile recently attended the St Petersburg International Economic Forum during his working visit to Russia. 

“We, as Russia, tried to ensure that he spent that time very productively, ensured a lot of discussions with all the government of the Russian Federation, aimed at increasing our cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations by ensuring investments and common economic cooperation between all countries. 

“[The Deputy President] very rightly points out the main issues that the investments need to be shifted to the countries of the Global South, and that’s what our President and the Deputy President discussed.”

Lukash has assured the South African government that Russia will support them “completely” in all their priorities and goals.

“We will do our best to make your G20 Leaders’ Summit a success.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa’s development banks are being undermined: the continent will pay the price

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Danny Bradlow, Professor/Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria

Ghana and Zambia’s official creditors are pressing them to default on loans to two African multilateral financial institutions: the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB).

These creditors, in effect, are demanding that the two countries prioritise repayments to themselves over payments to these two banks.

As academics who have worked on the challenges of financing sustainable development in Africa, we believe this action is short-sighted.

The action by Ghana and Zambia’s official creditors has two significant implications.

First, they are demanding that the two countries treat Afreximbank and the Trade and Development Bank as commercial creditors. This would undermine the banks’ credit ratings and increase their borrowing costs. It would also reduce their capacity to finance sustainable development in Africa.

Second, pressing Ghana and Zambia to default, rather than supporting pragmatic restructuring aligned with their strong growth prospects, exacerbates Ghana and Zambia’s financial vulnerability. Either they would have to use scarce resources to pay these debts or default on their obligations, in which case, the banks might well sue them.

Quotes from Ghana and Zambia’s ministries of finance suggest the decision to default is their own. However, they faced intense pressure from their official creditors to treat the two African multilateral financial institutions differently from all their other multilateral creditors.

Why does this differential treatment matter?

Preferred creditor status

Multilateral financial institutions, including the World Bank and African Development Bank, have a preferred creditor status. This is in recognition of the special role they play. They are expected to provide relatively low-cost funding for public investment, economic stability and long-term sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries.

Their preferred creditor status ensures that, when countries experience debt distress, their development mandate is prioritised over the concerns of commercial creditors. Commercial creditors normally only fund commercially viable transactions. They charge high interest rates to compensate for the risk of default on these transactions.

Both Afreximbank and Trade and Development Bank were created to fill a gap in Africa’s access to critical development finance. They provide financing for projects and transactions that commercial institutions and other multilateral financial institutions cannot – or will not – provide, because of capital limits, regulations or perceptions of risk.

For example, Afreximbank’s charter notes that

the decline in African exports has impacted adversely on the economies of African states and hindered their ability to achieve a self-reliant development.

It further recognises that stimulating economic development

can best be achieved through the creation of a trade financing international institution whose principal purpose is to provide and mobilise the requisite financial resources.

Historically, it has enjoyed preferred creditor status to support its role in meeting this purpose.

Why preferred creditor status is being challenged

The two countries’ official creditor committees, the rating agency Fitch and other commentators are challenging the preferred creditor status of the two African institutions. They argue that the two banks are different from multilateral financial institutions like the World Bank and the African Development Bank that only have states as shareholders. They suggest that the private shareholders in the two African banks should not benefit from preferred creditor status. Instead, they should receive the same status as commercial creditors.

Read more: Ghana and Zambia have snubbed Africa’s leading development bank: why they should change course

This view ignores the reason that Afreximbank’s and the Trade and Development Bank’s member states authorised them to have private shareholders. It was a deliberate, pragmatic measure designed to fill a gap in Africa’s access to affordable development finance.

The idea was to create new multilateral institutions that could raise capital flexibly and quickly on terms that the individual African states could not match on their own. Several other regional development banks have this hybrid model, including CAF, a highly rated development bank in Latin America.

It is perverse that this creative and pragmatic approach to filling a gap in the global financial system is now being used against the two African banks.

The consequences

The cost of capital for the two African financial institutions will increase if they are treated like commercial creditors. This will reduce their capacity to lend and their financing will become more expensive. It will also deepen inequality in the global financial system. Lastly, it will increase the risk of future African sovereign debt defaults.

In other words, downgrading their status risks undermining the very stability that official creditors claim to safeguard. It will also create another obstacle to Africa’s efforts to access stable, predictable and affordable flows of development finance.

The eventual outcome of the official creditors’ action will ultimately depend on negotiations between Ghana and Zambia and their creditors. This will include the two African institutions. It will also be influenced by how these different groups of creditors behave in other African sovereign debt restructurings.

However, the international community can seek to influence the outcome by taking actions in appropriate international settings.

Global leaders are searching for ways to scale up and strengthen the capacity of regional and subregional development banks like Afreximbank and the Trade and Development Bank. This requires respecting their preferred creditor status and increasing their access to affordable capital.

This is precisely the opposite of what is unfolding.

There is still time for the creditor governments to change course by demonstrating their support for African multilateral financial institutions.

– Africa’s development banks are being undermined: the continent will pay the price
– https://theconversation.com/africas-development-banks-are-being-undermined-the-continent-will-pay-the-price-259404

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10ème édition de la Journée africaine de la Fonction publique à Addis-Abeba : Le Bénin renforce ses capacités dans la gestion de la fonction publique territoriale


Le Bénin a pris une part active à la 10ème édition de la Journée Africaine de la Fonction Publique (JAFP), tenue du 21 au 23 juin 2025 à Addis-Abeba, en Éthiopie. Ce rendez-vous continental a offert à notre pays l’opportunité de s’enrichir des expériences d’autres Nations africaines et de consolider ses acquis en matière de gestion de la fonction publique d’État et territoriale. 

Conduite par Monsieur Raphaël AKOTEGNON, Ministre de la Décentralisation et de la Gouvernance locale, la délégation béninoise était composée des Secrétaires Généraux des Ministères en charge de la Fonction publique et de la Décentralisation, ainsi que de Son Excellence Hervé D. DJOKPE, Ambassadeur du Bénin près l’Éthiopie. 

Organisé sous la houlette technique du Département des affaires politiques, de la paix et de la sécurité de l’Union Africaine, cet évènement a rassemblé, aux côtés du Bénin, des délégations des États membres de l’Union Africaine, des Institutions publiques, Universitaires, du secteur privé, des médias et de la société civile. 

Chaque année, la Journée Africaine de la Fonction Publique est l’occasion de saluer la contribution essentielle des agents publics dans le développement des Nations. L’édition 2025, axée sur le thème : « Renforcer l’adaptabilité et la résilience des institutions publiques pour parvenir à une gouvernance équitable et combler rapidement les lacunes historiques dans la prestation de services », a permis d’approfondir la réflexion autour des défis et des perspectives de la réforme administrative en Afrique. 

Trois objectifs clés ont guidé les travaux : 

– Promouvoir la justice et les réparations comme levier de résilience pour l’Afrique ; 

– Valoriser l’inclusion, la responsabilité et la justice sociale comme piliers du développement durable ; 

– Inciter les institutions publiques à adopter des politiques centrées sur le citoyen, basées sur la transparence et une gouvernance réactive. 

En complément au thème principal, cinq sous-thèmes ont été abordés en ateliers : 

– Inclusion et équité dans la prestation des services pour corriger les inégalités historiques ; 

– Réformes juridiques et structurelles pour une gouvernance équitable ; 

– Numérisation au service de la transparence, de la responsabilité et de l’accès à l’information ; 

– Collaboration multipartite et rôle de la société civile pour une gouvernance inclusive ; 

– Études de cas illustrant la résilience institutionnelle face aux déficits de service public. 

Des visites de terrain ont enrichi les échanges, avec notamment : le musée commémoratif Adwa d’Addis-Abeba, les stands d’exposition thématique, le musée des sciences, le centre de services à guichet unique MESOB (« Service éthiopien pour les Prestations organisées »). 

Ces moments d’observation ont permis aux délégations de s’imprégner de dispositifs innovants en matière de délivrance de services publics. Une perspective majeure pour le Bénin. 

À l’issue de cette rencontre, les Institutions participantes bénéficieront d’un renforcement de leurs capacités en matière de lutte contre les inégalités systémiques, de transparence administrative et de gouvernance éthique. L’accent est également mis sur la digitalisation du service public, gage d’un service de qualité au profit des populations. 

Une reconnaissance continentale : Cotonou bientôt hôte d’un atelier technique 

Au regard des efforts remarquables du Bénin en matière de réforme administrative, l’Union Africaine envisage l’organisation prochaine, à Cotonou, d’un atelier de formation sur l’utilisation de l’outil d’évaluation des États parties à la Charte africaine des valeurs et principes de la fonction publique et de l’administration. Cette proposition, formulée en marge des travaux de la JAFP, est née d’une séance du Comité technique spécialisé (CTS) n°8 de l’Union africaine, à laquelle a participé la délégation béninoise conduite par l’Ambassadeur Hervé D. DJOKPE. 

Le choix porté sur le Bénin s’explique par son statut de pionnier : il figure parmi les premiers pays à avoir ratifié la Charte, le 28 mars 2019, avec le dépôt officiel de l’instrument de ratification le 14 mai 2019 auprès du Bureau du Conseil juridique de la Commission de l’Union africaine. L’objectif de ce futur atelier est de doter les participants d’une compréhension approfondie de la Charte, de ses lignes directrices en matière de reporting, et de l’outil d’évaluation comme levier pour un suivi rigoureux et pertinent de sa mise en œuvre.

Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.

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Coffee exporters from Africa, the Pacific, Latin America, and Southeast Asia showcase at World of Coffee Geneva 2025


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The International Trade Centre (ITC) is showcasing its longstanding leadership in sustainable coffee development at the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee – Europe’s largest coffee trade show – hosted for the first time in Geneva from 26–28 June 2025.

For over two decades, ITC has worked closely with the International Coffee Organization and regional institutions to support coffee value chains and SMEs across Latin America, Africa and Asia. From its flagship publication, The Coffee Guide – now in its fourth edition and widely regarded as the industry reference – to its deep partnerships promoting circular economy and inclusive business models, ITC supports building resilience, competitiveness and sustainable value chains for SME development..

This year’s presence at the World of Coffee spotlights how ITC is investing in value addition, technical capacity building, regional trade, and youth and women-led entrepreneurship – with a focus on accompanying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to benefit from trade while securing better market access and stronger returns. 

ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: ‘Coffee is more than a commodity – for the many small businesses we support in countries across the world, the ability to improve the quality of their beans, process at origin and meet sustainability requirements in the face of rising climate concerns means they’re able to adapt to changes to tap into new markets and compete at the global level.’

ICO Executive Director Vanusia Nogueira said: ‘No one can tackle the coffee sector’s challenges alone. We need expertise, funding, capable people and strong partnerships for collective action. The ICO and ITC have worked together for many years, and Pamela and I have deepened this collaboration – going beyond The Coffee Guide to drive calls to action across numerous coffee-producing countries. Together, we’ve supported efforts ranging from EUDR compliance and new field procedures to market access and boosting local consumption – each critical to increasing incomes where coffee is grown.’

Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said: ‘Uganda reaffirms its ambitious commitment to transform its export trajectory—from $50 billion to $500 billion—through strategic value addition. Coffee will be one of the primary drivers for achieving this target, reinforcing not only our economic competitiveness but also our national transformation agenda. Additionally, the Government of Uganda has set aside $100 million to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports in a bid to generate more revenue and income for the farmers and the country as a whole.’

In a separate meeting with ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo and her team, Hon. Bwino explored the possibility of a partnership with ITC focusing on value addition through science and technology transfer for sustainably increased coffee processing production.

ITC at World of Coffee

Booth 1359 | Palexpo Geneva | 26–28 June

At Booth 1359, visitors can taste unique coffees from across the globe, connect directly with producers, and learn how ITC programmes are enabling sustainable and inclusive coffee growth from seed to sip.

ITC will also co-host national booths with coffee sector stakeholders from:

  • Booth 1359: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana 

  • Booth 2469: Burundi

  • Booth 2365: Kenya

  • Booth 2531: Lao People’s Democratic Republic 

  • Booth 2467: Papua New Guinea

  • Booth 2271: Rwanda

  • Booth 2377: United Republic of Tanzania

  • Booth 2371: Uganda

ITC Programmes represented

  • ITC Window I Trust Fund, related to the development of methodologies associated with accompanying SMEs in the green transition

  • European Union-East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) II, funded by the EU, will support over 40 coffee companies from East Africa to exhibit and engage with buyers.

  • African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Business-Friendly, funded by the EU and Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, empowers small businesses through value addition, circular economy and trade development.

  • Netherlands Trust Fund V, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, supports coffee producers in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal to grow exports and secure livelihoods.

  • United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP), funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, aims to increase trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union by maximizing the benefits of respective Economic Partnership Agreements and the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.