MIL Africa Engine

June 19, 2025

Are Chinese investors grabbing Zambian land? Study finds that’s a myth

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Yuezhou Yang, Research Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science

Media coverage of Chinese land investments in African agriculture often reinforces narratives of a “weak African state” and the “Chinese land grab”, highlighting power imbalances between the actors involved in these land deals.

Are Chinese actors grabbing land in Africa and jeopardising local people’s land rights and food security?

China’s “Agriculture Going Out” policy, launched in 2007 as part of its broader “Going Out” strategy, was reinforced by the Belt and Road Initiative from 2013. Backed by these policies, Chinese foreign direct investment in Africa rose from US$74.81 million in 2003 to US$4.99 billion in 2021. By 2020, US$1.67 billion was invested in African agriculture, with nearly two-thirds targeting cash crop cultivation. Zambia ranked among the top ten African countries receiving Chinese foreign direct investment and loans.

My research on Zambian agriculture finds that Chinese land grabbing is a myth. Instead, Chinese investors have preferred different investment models according to the specific rules of land access, transfer and control of three land tenure systems in Zambia.

What ties the three types of Chinese agricultural investments together is this: land institutions matter. Whether it’s central government rules or traditional authority, these systems shape how foreign investment happens and what impact it has.

Each of the three models raises new opportunities and challenges for rural development and land governance. These findings matter because they offer insights into the future of land rights, livelihoods and state-building in African countries.

Not all land is the same

After independence, all land in Zambia was vested in the president, held in trust for the people. Today, the country still operates under a dual land system, as outlined in the 1995 Lands Act. State land, managed by the central government, includes both private and government leaseholds. Customary land, on the other hand, remains under the authority of traditional chiefs. The exact proportion of state and customary land in Zambia is contested, with estimates of customary land ranging widely from 94% to 54%.

This tenure distinction is significant because each type of land is governed by different rules regarding foreign access and ownership, which shape how foreign investors choose their investment models.

Over four months of fieldwork in Zambia, I gathered data on 50 Chinese agricultural projects (41 remained active) through 96 qualitative interviews. These projects were spread across three types of land tenure: private leasehold (37), government leasehold (1), and customary land (3).

Model 1: Commercial farm on private land

My fieldwork data showed that the majority of Chinese agricultural investments in Zambia are located on private leasehold land, typically following the commercial farm model. This type of land functions much like private property, held under 99-year leases that can be bought, sold or transferred. Investors use it for large-scale farming operations, such as maize, soybean and wheat production.

Even in these seemingly privatised spaces, however, state power remains influential. When Zambia proposed a draft National Land Policy in 2017 aimed at tightening rules for foreign land ownership, Chinese investors responded strategically. Many began aligning their projects with Zambia’s development priorities, emphasising contributions to local food security, donating to charities, and promoting themselves as responsible corporate actors.

Model 2: Farm block on government land

In northern Zambia, for example, a Chinese company partnered with the government to develop a farm block on state-owned land that had been converted from customary tenure for national development. Unlike the commercial farm model, the government played a central role, selecting the investor, managing the land and negotiating the deal. The project promised infrastructure and jobs, enhancing the political standing of local officials.

But this kind of state-led development works only when the promises are delivered. In other areas where farm blocks failed to materialise, traditional chiefs reclaimed the land. In the northern case, actual physical infrastructure investment helped reinforce state authority.

Model 3: Contract farming on customary land

The third model is very different. For instance, a Chinese agribusiness company arranged contract farming deals with over 50,000 smallholders in Zambia’s Eastern Province. Instead of buying or leasing land, the company provided seeds and bought cotton from farmers after harvest. This let the company access land informally, without triggering the legal and political risks of converting customary land to leasehold.

Operating on customary land posed challenges for investors. When farmers defaulted on loans or engaged in side-selling, companies had limited legal recourse and often had to negotiate with chiefs and local communities rather than the state. In such contexts, traditional authorities – not the central government – wielded the decisive power over land and its governance.

Why this matters

In a world where land deals are often controversial, understanding how local rules shape global investment is crucial. It’s not just about who buys the land, but under what terms, and how those terms are enforced. African governments are not just passive bystanders; they’re active players who use land institutions to negotiate power and development.

This research urges us to look beyond the headlines about “land grabs” and instead focus on the everyday politics of land. If African states want to steer rural development on their own terms, understanding and strengthening land institutions – both statutory and customary – is key.

– Are Chinese investors grabbing Zambian land? Study finds that’s a myth
– https://theconversation.com/are-chinese-investors-grabbing-zambian-land-study-finds-thats-a-myth-257644

June 19, 2025

Stone tools from a cave on South Africa’s coast speak of life at the end of the Ice Age

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Sara Watson, Assistant Professor, Indiana State University

The Earth of the last Ice Age (about 26,000 to 19,000 years ago) was very different from today’s world.

In the northern hemisphere, ice sheets up to 8 kilometres tall covered much of Europe, Asia and North America, while much of the southern hemisphere became drier as water was drawn into the northern glaciers.

As more and more water was transformed into ice, global sea levels dropped as much as 125 metres from where they are now, exposing land that had been under the ocean.

In southernmost Africa, receding coastlines exposed an area of the continental shelf known as the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain. At its maximum extent, it covered an area of about 36,000km² along the south coast of what’s now South Africa.

This now – extinct ecosystem was a highly productive landscape with abundant grasslands, wetlands, permanent water drainage systems, and seasonal flood plains. The Palaeo-Agulhas Plain was likely most similar to the present day Serengeti in east Africa. It would likely have been able to support large herds of migratory animals and the people who hunted them.

We now know more about how these people lived thanks to data from a new archaeological site called Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1.

Archaeologists at Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1. Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)

The site sits 23 metres above sea level on the southern coast of South Africa overlooking the Indian Ocean. You can watch whales from the site today, but during the Ice Age the ocean was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the site looked out over the vast grasslands; the coast was 75 kilometres away.

Archaeological investigation of the cave began in 2014, led by Naomi Cleghorn of the University of Texas. This work shows that humans have been using the site for much of the last 48,000 years or more. Occupations bridge the Middle to Later Stone Age transition, which occurred sometime between about 40,000 and 25,000 years ago in southern Africa.

That transition is a time period where we see dramatic changes in the technologies people were using, including changes in raw materials selected for making tools and a shift towards smaller tools. These changes are poorly understood due to a lack of sites with occupations dating to this time. Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1 is the first site on the southern coast that provides a continuous occupational record near the end of the Pleistocene (Ice Age) and documents how life changed for people living on the edge of the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain.

Before the Ice Age, people there collected marine resources like shellfish when the coastline was close to the site. As the climate began to cool and sea levels dropped, they shifted their focus to land-based resources and game animals.

Archaeologists working at Knysna Eastern Heads site. Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)

I am one of the archaeologists who have been working here. In a new study, my colleagues and I analysed stone tools from the cave that date to about 19,000 to 18,000 years ago, and discussed how the techniques used to make them hint at the ways that prehistoric people travelled, interacted, and shared their craft.

Based on this analysis, we think the cave may have been used as a temporary camp rather than a primary residence. And the similarity of the tools with those from other sites suggests people were connected over a huge region and shared ideas with each other, much like people do today.

Robberg technology of southern Africa

In human history, tools were invented in a succession of styles (“technologies” or “industries”), which can indicate the time and place where they were made and what they were used for.

The Robberg is one of southern Africa’s most distinctive and widespread stone tool technologies. Robberg tools – which we found at the Knysna site – are thought to be replaceable components in composite tools, perhaps as barbs set into arrow shafts, used to hunt the migratory herds on the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain.

Stone tools, Robberg technology. Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)

We see the first appearance of Robberg technology in southern Africa near the peak of the last Ice Age around 26,000 years ago, and people continued producing these tools until around 12,000 years ago, when climate conditions were warmer.

The particular methods and order of operations that people used to make their tools is something that is taught and learned. If we see specific methods of stone tool production at multiple sites, it indicates that people were sharing ideas with one another.

Sites in southern Africa where Robberg technology has been found. Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)

Robberg occupations at Knysna date to between 21,000 and 15,000 years ago, when sea levels were at their lowest and the coastline far away.

The Robberg tools we recovered were primarily made from rocks that were available close to the site. Most of the tools were made from quartz, which creates very sharp edges but can break unpredictably. Production focused on bladelets, or small elongated tools, which may have been replaceable components in hunting weapons.

Some of the tools were made from a raw material called silcrete. People in South Africa were heat treating this material to improve its quality for tool production as early as 164,000 years ago. The silcrete tools at Knysna were heat treated before being brought to the site. This is only the second documented instance of the use of heat treatment in Robberg technology.

Silcrete is not available near Knysna. Most of the accessible deposits in the area are in the Outeniqua mountains, at least 50 kilometres inland. We’re not sure yet whether people using the Knysna site were travelling to these raw material sources themselves or trading with other groups.

Archaeological sites containing Robberg tools are found in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, indicating a widespread adoption by people across southern Africa. The tools from the Knysna site share many characteristics with those from other sites, which suggests people were sharing information through social networks that may have spanned the entire width of the continent.

Yet there are other aspects that are unique to the Knysna site. Fewer tools are found in the more recent layers than in deeper layers, suggesting that people were using the site less frequently than they had previously. This may suggest that during the Ice Age the cave was used as a temporary camp rather than as a primary residential site.

Left with questions

Stone tools can only tell us so much. Was Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1 a temporary camp? If so, what were they coming to the cave for? We need to combine what we learned from the stone tools with other data from the site to answer these questions.

Something we can say with confidence is that we have a very long and rich history as a species, and our innovative and social natures go back a lot further in time than most people realise. Humans living during the last Ice Age had complex technologies to solve their problems, made art and music, connected with people in other communities, and in some places even had pet dogs.

Despite the dramatic differences in the world around us, these Ice Age people were not very different from people living today.

– Stone tools from a cave on South Africa’s coast speak of life at the end of the Ice Age
– https://theconversation.com/stone-tools-from-a-cave-on-south-africas-coast-speak-of-life-at-the-end-of-the-ice-age-258317

June 19, 2025

Les hauts fonctionnaires des pays membres régionaux déterminés à renforcer la mise en œuvre des opérations du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement

Les directeurs du protocole des ministères des Affaires étrangères et les points focaux des bureaux des gouverneurs des pays membres régionaux (PMR) du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org), réunis les 12 et 13 juin 2025 à Abidjan, ont adopté une plateforme numérique qui leur permettra de partager les informations afin de renforcer la mise en œuvre des accords d’établissement des bureaux pays et des opérations de l’institution dans les différents pays.

Réunis dans le cadre du deuxième atelier de haut niveau sur le Cadre de collaboration avec les États membres régionaux, les membres du Réseau des points focaux des bureaux des gouverneurs des PMR du Groupe de la Banque et les directeurs du protocole des ministères des Affaires étrangères ont échangé sans détour sur les entraves à la mise en œuvre efficiente des accords d’établissement des bureaux pays, des dispositions pertinentes sur le Statut de la Banque, les privilèges, immunités et exemptions accordés à l’institution et à son personnel, et leurs impacts sur les projets et programmes du Groupe de la Banque dans les pays régionaux ainsi que du déploiement de certaines de ses activités.

Afin de faciliter la circulation des informations et surtout le partage d’expérience, les participants ont adopté la plateforme numérique, conçu par la Banque, comme l’un des meilleurs outils de partage d’expérience et d’information. Ainsi, ils sont convenus de mettre en place une banque de données qui comprendra les directeurs de protocole, les points focaux des bureaux des gouverneurs, les directeurs généraux, les directeurs généraux adjoints et les responsables pays du Groupe de la Banque ainsi que les chargés de protocole régionaux de l’institution. D’autres parties prenantes pourront faire partie de la base de données pour renforcer l’action de la Banque sur le terrain.

« Nous sortons de cet atelier avec de nombreux acquis » s’est félicité le secrétaire général du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, Vincent Nmehielle. « Vous êtes les principaux points de contact pour continuer à maintenir cet état esprit de collaboration afin que les opérations mises en place par le Groupe de la Banque transforment davantage la vie des populations », a insisté M. Nmehielle.

Au cours des deux jours de réunion, les participants ont exploré les difficultés liées à la mise en œuvre des privilèges, immunités et exemptions prévus dans les accords entre les États membres et la Banque ; par exemple, la réticence persistante de certains pays africains à reconnaître le Laissez-passer de la Banque, comme ils le font pour d’autres organisations internationales, ou encore les exemptions de la TVA.

« La mission première de la Banque est de contribuer au développement de nos pays membres et pour cela, nous devons créer un environnement propice en facilitant la libre circulation qui est aussi essentielle pour l’intégration africaine, le commerce inter-africain et le développement du continent », a insisté M. Nmehielle.

Lors d’une présentation de la stratégie de décentralisation mise à jour par la Banque, les participants ont eu des échanges enrichissants sur les difficultés qui entravent la mise en œuvre efficace et efficiente de certains projets.

Plusieurs hauts fonctionnaires de l’institution ont fait des présentations sur les Conseils d’administration du Groupe de la Banque, leur structuration et leur mode de travail, la politique de la Banque en matière de prêts et de recouvrement des arriérés de prêts souverains et non souverains, mais aussi sur le système de sanctions de la Banque pour les employés et les autres parties prenantes, le processus de décentralisation pour permettre à la Banque d’être près de ses clients ainsi que le calendrier des futurs événements, et la manière dont les PMR peuvent contribuer à leur succès.

Tout en maintenant le format du Réseau avec ses réunions annuelles, les participants ont décidé de tenir des réunions régionales en 2026, avant une globale en 2027.

« Cette rencontre a été enrichissante pour chacun de nous. Et nous pouvons dire que nous repartons avec beaucoup d’informations qui nous permettront de renforcer notre collaboration avec la Banque », a déclaré notamment la responsable du protocole au ministère des Affaires étrangères du Kenya.

La rencontre a surtout permis à la Banque de sensibiliser les parties prenantes sur ses actions et de fournir des informations utiles pour une collaboration plus efficiente.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Les photos de l’atelier le :
1er jour : https://apo-opa.co/3HKGy8X
2e jour : https://apo-opa.co/4jXFWds

Contact médias :
Romaric Ollo Hien
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures
media@afdb.org

Media files

June 19, 2025

Altos funcionários dos países membros regionais reforçam implementação das operações do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento

Os diretores de protocolo dos ministérios das Relações Exteriores e os pontos focais dos gabinetes dos governadores dos países membros regionais (PMR) do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (www.AfDB.org), reunidos a 12 e 13 de junho de 2025 em Abidjan, adotaram uma plataforma digital que lhes permitirá partilhar informações a fim de reforçar a implementação dos acordos de estabelecimento dos escritórios nacionais e das operações da instituição nos diferentes países.

Reunidos no âmbito do segundo workshop de alto nível sobre o Quadro de Colaboração com os Estados-MembrosRegionais, os membros da Rede de Pontos Focais dos Gabinetes dos Governadores dos PMR do Grupo Banco e os diretores de protocolo dos ministérios das Relações Exteriores trocaram opiniões francas sobre os obstáculos à implementação eficiente dos acordos de estabelecimento dos escritórios nacionais, das disposições pertinentes do Estatuto do Banco, dos privilégios, imunidades e isenções concedidos à instituição e ao seu pessoal, e do seu impacto nos projetos e programas do Grupo Banco nos países regionais, bem como na implementação de algumas das suas atividades.

A fim de facilitar a circulação de informações e, sobretudo, a partilha de experiências, os participantes adotaram a plataforma digital, concebida pelo Banco, como uma das melhores ferramentas para a partilha de experiências e informações. Assim, concordaram em criar um banco de dados que incluirá diretores de protocolo, pontos focais dos gabinetes dos governadores, diretores-gerais, diretores-gerais adjuntos e responsáveis por país do Grupo Banco, bem como os responsáveis regionais de protocolo da instituição. Outras partes interessadas poderão fazer parte da base de dados para reforçar a ação do Banco no terreno.

“Saímos deste workshop com muitos ganhos”, congratulou-se o secretário-geral do Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, Vincent Nmehielle. “Vocês são os principais pontos de contacto para continuar a manter este espírito de colaboração, para que as operações implementadas pelo Grupo Banco transformem ainda mais a vida das populações”, acrescentou Nmehielle.

Durante os dois dias de reunião, os participantes exploraram as dificuldades relacionadas com a implementação dos privilégios, imunidades e isenções previstos nos acordos entre os Estados-Membros e o Banco; por exemplo, a relutância persistente de alguns países africanos em reconhecer o Laissez-passer do Banco, como fazem com outras organizações internacionais, ou ainda as isenções do IVA.

“A missão principal do Banco é contribuir para o desenvolvimento dos nossos países membros e, para isso, temos de criar um ambiente propício, facilitando a livre circulação, que é também essencial para a integração africana, o comércio interafricano e o desenvolvimento do continente”, apontou Nmehielle.

Durante uma apresentação da estratégia de descentralização atualizada pelo Banco, os participantes tiveram trocas enriquecedoras sobre as dificuldades que impedem a implementação eficaz e eficiente de alguns projetos.

Vários altos funcionários da instituição fizeram apresentações sobre os Conselhos de Administração do Grupo Banco, sua estrutura e modo de trabalho, a política do Banco em matéria de empréstimos e cobrança de empréstimos soberanos e não soberanos em atraso, mas também sobre o sistema de sanções do Banco para funcionários e outras partes interessadas, o processo de descentralização para permitir que o Banco esteja próximo dos seus clientes, bem como o calendário de eventos futuros e a forma como os PMR podem contribuir para o seu sucesso.

Mantendo o formato da Rede com as suas reuniões anuais, os participantes decidiram realizar reuniões regionais em 2026, antes de uma reunião global em 2027.

“Este encontro foi enriquecedor para todos nós. E podemos dizer que partimos com muita informação que nos permitirá reforçar a nossa colaboração com o Banco”, afirmou a responsável pelo protocolo do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros do Quénia.

O encontro permitiu sobretudo ao Banco sensibilizar as partes interessadas para as suas ações e fornecer informações úteis para uma colaboração mais eficiente.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Fotos do workshop:
1.º dia: https://apo-opa.co/3HKGy8X
2.º dia: https://apo-opa.co/4jXFWds

Contacto para os media:
Romaric Ollo Hien,
Departamento de Comunicação e Relações Externas,
media@afdb.org

Sobre o Grupo do Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento:
O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento é a principal instituição financeira de desenvolvimento em África. Inclui três entidades distintas: o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento (AfDB), o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento (ADF) e o Fundo Fiduciário da Nigéria (NTF). Presente no terreno em 41 países africanos, com uma representação externa no Japão, o Banco contribui para o desenvolvimento económico e o progresso social dos seus 54 Estados-membros. Mais informações em www.AfDB.org/pt

Media files

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June 19, 2025

De la stratégie à l’action : la Banque africaine de développement et Google explorent l’avenir de l’Intelligence Artificielle (IA) en Afrique lors des Assemblées Annuelles 2025

En marge de ses Assemblées Annuelles 2025, le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) et Google AI Research ont organisé un événement parallèle visant à exploré l’utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) comme un outil puissant pour faire progresser le développement inclusif et durable sur le continent africain.

La session qui s’est tenue sous le thème : « La révolution de l’IA : comment l’IA soutiendra-t-elle la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie décennale 2024–2033 de la Banque africaine de développement et la transformation des économies africaines ? », a réuni des intervenants de premier plan de divers secteurs.
Les discussions ont été centrées sur la question suivante : « Que faudra-t-il pour que l’Afrique soit prête pour l’IA ? »

Solomon Quaynor, vice-président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement chargé du Secteur privé, de l’Infrastructure et de l’industrialisation, a insisté dans son discours d’ouverture, sur le rôle crucial de la transformation numérique dans la construction de l’avenir de l’Afrique : « L’IA n’est pas un luxe — c’est une nécessité pour la compétitivité, la résilience et la prospérité à long terme de l’Afrique », a-t-il lancé.

Plaçant la discussion dans le contexte de la Stratégie décennale 2024–2033 de la Banque (https://apo-opa.co/3HHbqaC).

Caroline Kende-Robb, directrice principale de la stratégie et des politiques opérationnelles au sein de la Banque, a insisté sur le fait que « l’investissement dans la jeunesse et les infrastructures de données n’est plus une option ; ce sont les fondations sur lesquelles l’Afrique doit bâtir son avenir en matière d’IA ». Ses propos font écho à l’appel de la stratégie visant à accélérer le développement grâce à l’innovation, ancrée dans les réalités africaines et portée par les talents africains.

Abdoulaye Diack, responsable de programme chez Google AI Research Africa, a souligné le potentiel transformateur de l’IA pour relever les défis structurels et favoriser les progrès dans les domaines de l’agriculture, de l’éducation, de l’adaptation au changement climatique et de la santé publique. Il a insisté sur l’importance de contextualiser l’IA aux réalités africaines. « Sans données locales et modèles inclusifs, l’Afrique risque de devenir un simple consommateur passif au lieu d’être un créateur actif de solutions d’IA », a-t-il indiqué.

Le ministre ivoirien de la Transition numérique et de la Digitalisation, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, a plaidé en faveur d’une coordination régionale et des cadres politiques harmonisés pour permettre une mise en œuvre responsable et transfrontalière des technologies d’IA.

Robert Skjodt, PDG du groupe Raxio, a insisté sur le besoin crucial d’une infrastructure numérique robuste, notamment de centres de données locaux pour soutenir l’ampleur et la rapidité requises par les ambitions africaines en matière d’IA.

Ousmane Fall, directeur de l’appui aux transactions du secteur privé à la Banque africaine de développement, a appelé au développement de projets d’infrastructures numériques bancables et évolutifs, capables d’attirer des investissements à long terme.

Moustapha Cissé, PDG de Kera Health Platforms et chercheur pionnier respecté dans le domaine de l’IA en Afrique, a souligné la nécessité de bâtir des cadres éthiques et de systèmes d’IA qui reflètent les contextes sociaux, culturels et sanitaires africains.

Muthoni Karubiu, directrice des opérations chez Amini, a appelé à renforcer la souveraineté des données, en particulier dans le contexte de l’agriculture et de l’action climatique, en garantissant l’accès à des données environnementales localisées et adaptées aux contextes.

Exploiter la puissance de l’IA pour la réussite de l’Afrique

Au terme des échanges, un fort consensus s’est dégagé: pour que l’Afrique puisse tirer parti de l’IA de manière efficace, elle doit se concentrer sur trois piliers fondamentaux :
– Capital humain : doter la prochaine génération de compétences et d’une expertises professionnelles en IA.
– Infrastructures de données : construire une infrastructure numérique pour la connectivité, le stockage et l’échange sécurisé de données.
– Données localisées : former les systèmes d’IA aux réalités africaines, notamment les langues, la culture et les besoins sociétaux.
Alors que l’Afrique ne détient que seulement 1,3 % de la capacité mondiale de stockage de données et accuse un retard en matière de préparation numérique, les intervenants ont conclu que le continent se trouve à la croisée des chemins et doit de toute urgente, faire le choix d’investir dès maintenant, au risque de prendre encore plus de retard.

Au moment où l’Afrique avance dans le domaine de l’intelligence artificielle, la Banque africaine de développement réaffirme son engagement à façonner un avenir numérique inclusif, souverain et ancré dans la prospérité partagée.

Pour plus d’informations ou pour revoir cette session, cliquez ici (https://apo-opa.co/4eu3i9P) pour accéder au site web des Assemblées annuelles 2025.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media files

June 19, 2025

G Wellness Company Limited Partners with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to Launch the First Internationally Branded Hotel in Banjul, The Gambia

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

G Wellness Company Limited, a subsidiary of MP Trading Group, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (www.WyndhamHotels.com), the world’s largest hotel franchising company, to debut the first internationally branded resort in Banjul, The Gambia, under the globally recognized Ramada by Wyndham brand.

This landmark development marks a significant milestone for The Gambia’s growing tourism and hospitality sector, reinforcing its status as a rising destination in West Africa. Located on the Atlantic coast, The Gambia is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and natural beauty. As the smallest country on mainland Africa, it has made impressive strides in recent years to position tourism as a key pillar of national development. In 2019 alone, the country welcomed over 620,000 visitors, with the government continuing to invest in infrastructure and travel-related services to boost its global appeal.

The new Ramada Resort by Wyndham Banjul will be situated in the popular coastal town of Kotu, a well-established tourist hub known for its scenic beaches and lively local markets. Conveniently located approximately 22 kilometers from Banjul International Airport and about 15 kilometers from Banjul city center, the resort will feature 65 elegantly appointed guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, lounge bar, ocean-view swimming pool, wellness spa, and meeting facilities — offering both leisure and business travelers an elevated stay experience.

“Partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for this landmark project in Banjul marks an important milestone for us,” said Mr. Manish Tilokani, Chairman of MP Trading Group. “Bringing the first internationally branded resort in The Gambia is a meaningful step in our growth, and with Ramada by Wyndham, we are committed to delivering high-quality hospitality standards. We look forward to welcoming guests to the resort by mid-2026.”

“This collaboration with G Wellness Company Limited represents a significant addition to our portfolio in West Africa,” said Govind Mundra, Head of Development – Middle East & Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “It reflects our ongoing focus on expanding into high-potential, underserved markets and supporting our partners in delivering trusted, branded hospitality. We value our relationship with Mr. Manish and his team and see strong potential for further development across the region.”

– on behalf of Wyndham.

Contact:
Mr. Manish Tilokani
G Wellness Company Limited
Phone: +220 336 5900
E-mail: emailmanishtilokani@gmail.com

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June 19, 2025

From Strategy to Action: African Development Bank and Google Explore Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Future at the 2025 Annual Meetings

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

One side event at the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) 2025 Annual Meetings unpacked the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool to advance inclusive and sustainable development across the African continent.

Held under the theme: “The AI Revolution: How Will AI Support the Delivery of the African Development Bank’s 2024–2033 Ten-Year Strategy and the Transformation of African Economies?”, the 90-minute session convened leading voices from across sectors. The event was co-hosted with Google AI Research.

At the heart of the discussion was the question: What will it take for Africa to become AI-ready? which was the central theme of the high-level panel discussion as part of the event.

In his opening remarks, Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization of the African Development Bank underscored the critical role of digital transformation in shaping Africa’s future: “AI is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for Africa’s competitiveness, resilience, and long-term prosperity,” he said.

Caroline Kende-Robb, Senior Director of Strategy and Operational Policies at the Bank, framed the conversation within the context of the Bank’s 2024–2033 Ten-Year Strategy (https://apo-opa.co/3ZFWakh).

She stressed that “Investing in youth and data infrastructure is no longer optional—these are the foundations upon which Africa must build its AI future.” Her remarks echoed the strategy’s call to leapfrog development through innovation, anchored in African realities and driven by African talent.

Following her intervention, Abdoulaye Diack, Program Manager at Google AI Research Africa, highlighted the transformative potential of AI to address structural challenges and unlock progress in agriculture, education, climate adaptation, and public health.

Diack emphasized the importance of contextualizing AI for African environments, warning that “without local data and inclusive models, Africa risks becoming a passive consumer rather than an active creator of AI solutions.”

Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, advocated for regional coordination and harmonized policy frameworks to enable responsible, cross-border implementation of AI technologies.

Robert Skjodt, Group CEO of Raxio Group, focused on the critical need for robust digital infrastructure—especially local data centers—to support the scale and speed required for Africa’s AI ambitions.

Ousmane Fall, Director of Private Sector Transaction Support at the Bank, called for the development of bankable, scalable digital infrastructure projects that can attract long-term investment.

Moustapha Cissé, CEO of Kera Health Platforms, and a respected pioneer in African AI research, stressed the need for ethical frameworks and AI systems that reflect African social, cultural, and healthcare contexts.

Muthoni Karubiu, Chief Operations Officer at Amini, concluded the panel with a call to enhance data sovereignty, especially in the context of agriculture and climate action, by ensuring access to localized and context-specific environmental data.

Harnessing the power of AI for Africa’s success

A strong consensus emerged across the panel – for Africa to harness AI effectively, it must focus on three foundational pillars:

– Human Capital: Equip the next generation with AI literacy and professional expertise.

– Data Infrastructure: Build the digital backbone for connectivity, storage, and secure data exchange.

– Localized Data: Train AI systems on African realities, including languages, culture, and societal needs.

With Africa holding just 1.3% of global data storage capacity and lagging in digital readiness, speakers agreed that the continent is at a crossroads and must urgently make the choice to invest now, or risk falling further behind.

As Africa moves forward in artificial intelligence, the African Development Bank reaffirms its commitment to shaping a digital future that is inclusive, sovereign, and anchored in shared prosperity.

For more information or to revisit this session, click here (https://apo-opa.co/4eu3i9P)

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Chara Tsitoura
Communication and External Relations
media@afdb.org

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June 19, 2025

Tanzania celebrates and honors Akinwumi Adesina’s impactful legacy as President of the African Development Bank

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

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, on 14 June, has honored the President of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) Dr Akinwumi Adesina describing him as “a visionary leader, a tireless son of Africa who has dedicated his life to transform the narrative of the continent.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised Adesina’s vital role in the development of her country’s economy, singling out large-scale infrastructure projects financed by the Bank.

During a two-day visit to Tanzania that began on Friday, Bank president Dr Akinwumi Adesina was invited on a tour of some of the Bank-financed infrastructure projects that are transforming Tanzania’s economy and strengthening its regional and international roles. This includes a new international airport and a major highway that encircles the administrative capital of Dodoma.

The Tanzanian leader highlighted projects in other sectors, such as agriculture and energy, that are financed by the Bank.

“This is in addition to the construction of a modern Standard Gauge Railway line that will link Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said President Suluhu Hassan.

The African Development Bank Group has invested $9 billion in Tanzania since it started its operations in the country in 1971. Total financial support over the last 10 years under Adesina’s leadership stands at $4.73 billion, equivalent to 53% of the Bank’s lending to Tanzania over the past 54 years.

“On behalf of the people of Tanzania, I express our gratitude to the African Development Bank for being a dependable partner of our country’s development journey,” the Tanzanian President said.

Referencing the Bank’s transformative impact, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan told Adesina, “Your visionary leadership has brought significant socio-economic change to Tanzania and across Africa.”

To cheers from the crowd President Suluhu Hassan announced, “I have accepted a recommendation by the Ministry of Works to rename the Dodoma Outer Ring Road as the Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road.”

Adesina, accompanied by his wife, Grace Yemisi Adesina, was visibly moved to tears.

The newly named 112-kilometer dual carriageway is a strategic link in the Cape to Cairo continental corridor. It will decongest Tanzania’s fast-growing administrative capital and enhance regional connectivity.

The Bank provided $138 million in funding for the project, with an additional $42 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund and $34.69 million from the Government of Tanzania.

Earlier, Adesina surprised the crowd when he delivered a lengthy portion of his speech in Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania, which is widely spoken in East and Central Africa. After recognizing all dignitaries in Kiswahili, he went on to thank President Suluhu Hassan for the warm and generous hospitality accorded to him, first in the City of Peace, Dar es Salaam, and in the attractive city of Dodoma.

“Mheshimiwa Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan, ningependa kukushukuru kwa mapokezi yako ya upendo na ukarimu tuliopewa jana katika jiji la amani, Dar es Salaam na hapa pia katika jiji lenye mvuto la Dodoma. Nimefurahi sana kuwa hapa Dodoma,” Adesina said as the crowd cheered him on.

Earlier, on Friday 13 June, Adesina was awarded a Doctor of Science Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa) from the prestigious University of Dar es Salaam.

The citation highlighted Adesina’s leadership and “lifelong dedication to public service, evidence-based policymaking, and pan-African progress.”

It read further: “Dr Adesina exemplifies the rare blend of academic brilliance, visionary leadership, and practical impact that honorary doctorates are meant to recognize. His emphasis on inclusive growth, innovation, and economic resilience makes him a beacon of integrity, excellence, and servant leadership.”

The honorary degree was bestowed on Adesina by the Chancellor of the University and former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who said, “I would like to tell Tanzanians, the African Development Bank has been a major anchor of Tanzania’s development sector. When it comes to infrastructure, no institution comes close to the African Development Bank.”

Addressing the graduating class, Adesina spoke of his humble beginnings, emphasizing resilience, character, and unity. “Success cannot be achieved alone,” he said, inviting the students to rise, link hands, and repeat together: “Together, we will succeed and make a difference.”

In his congratulatory remarks, Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said, “Tanzania is proud to stand among the nations celebrating this remarkable journey and enduring legacy.”

From Dar es Salaam, Adesina, accompanied by former President Kikwete and Finance Minister Nchemba, took the Standard Gauge Railway train for the three-hour, 450-kilometre journey to Dodoma.

The African Development Bank Group has established a syndication strategy to mobilize $1.2 billion in conjunction with Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, and other partners for the 651-kilometre extension of the electrified Standard Gauge Railway that will connect Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The project financing, signed during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum Market Days and includes more than $85 million from the Bank’s concessional financing window, the African Development Fund, a mix of Partial Credit Guarantees totaling $994.3 million across some sections of the railway, complemented by $247 million from the Government of Tanzania in counterpart financing. Initial disbursement from the African Development Fund and partner, the OPEC Fund, is expected by July 2025.

Adesina said, “This railway line is a cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration vision, aimed at delivering a modern, cost-effective, and high-capacity transport system anchored on the port of Dar es Salaam and linking landlocked nations.”

“Our shift from traditional road systems to integrated transport solutions is helping position Tanzania as a key logistics and trade hub in the region,” he added.

Accompanied by Adesina, President Suluhu Hassan travelled across more than 30 kilometers of the Dodoma Outer Ring Road, stopping along the way at the Bank-funded Msalato International Airport which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The state-of-the-art airport features a 3.6-kilometre landing strip—one of the longest in East Africa, with a capacity to accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft.

The African Development Bank has provided over $198 million to finance the Msalato International Airport project with $23 million coming from the African Development Fund and $50 million from the African Grow Together Fund.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Christin Roby
Regional Communication Officer for East Africa
Communication and External Relations
Email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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June 19, 2025

SIU freezes property allegedly bought with misappropriated lottery funds

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a freezing order from the Special Tribunal against a property allegedly purchased using funds misappropriated from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).

The funds were initially earmarked for community development initiatives.

The tribunal’s order prohibits the sale or transfer of the agricultural holdings property in Centurion, Gauteng, pending the conclusion of civil proceedings to recover the misappropriated funds.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the property is registered under Black Tshisimba (Pty) Ltd, a company owned by Collin Tshisimba, who has been implicated in other instances of NLC grant misappropriation, as part of ongoing investigations.

“The SIU’s investigation revealed that Make Me Movement NPO, which received grants totalling approximately R17.5 million from the NLC for cycling development in rural areas, diverted substantial sums to entities linked to Tshisimba and his associates,” Kganyago said.

Key findings of the investigation include:
•    R3 million was paid to Thwala Front CC, owned by Fhulufhelo Kharivhe, Tshisimba’s life partner, within days of receiving NLC funds.
•    R1 million was transferred to Black Tshisimba (Pty) Ltd, which was later used to purchase the frozen property.
•    Over R8 million of the initial R14 million grant disbursed to companies controlled by respondents, despite their lack of affiliation with the NPO.
•    The NLC deposited the second tranche of R3 558 400.00, which had a balance of R1 371.35 before this deposit. From January to April 2019, a total of R2 500 000.00 was allocated in instalments for property purchases. This amount was distributed as R2.5 million to Thwala Front CC, along with an additional R1 million.

Kganyago said the freezing order of the Special Tribunal is part of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions due to corruption or negligence.

“The order forms part of a broader investigation into corruption involving NLC grants intended for community development projects. The SIU is empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by corruption, fraud, or maladministration.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action,” Kganyago explained. – SAnews.gov.za

June 19, 2025

Deputy President calls for solidarity as global landscape changes

Source: South Africa News Agency

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has highlighted the importance of solidarity and collaboration in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.

Delivering a public lecture at St. Petersburg State University, the Deputy President explained that South Africa’s Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) comes at a time characterised by geopolitical tensions and economic disparities.

“As we gather here today, amidst the tumultuous global crises characterised by rising geopolitical tensions, trade wars, unemployment, inequality, poverty, armed conflicts, and climate catastrophe, it has become very clear that the world needs solidarity now more than ever,” the Deputy President said on Thursday.

Deputy President Mashatile arrived in Russia this week for a working visit aimed at strengthening economic and trade ties between the two nations.

The visit focuses on enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries in sectors such as agriculture, automotive, energy, and mining industries, as well as cooperation in science and technology.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency

Deputy President Mashatile’s speech highlighted South Africa’s role as the current chair of the G20 and its commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” articulates the necessary principles of fostering a more inclusive global community.

“Only through exercising solidarity and identifying with each other’s struggles can we do justice to the notion of international community or ‘Ubuntu’.”

Deputy President Mashatile reiterated the importance of global solidarity, urging those present to work together to create a more equitable world.

“We aim to capitalise on the prospects of globalisation while limiting its risks and ensuring that the benefits of economic progress and technological advancement are shared by all,” he said.

He called for unity, adding that “we must build upon that legacy and strengthen our cooperation in science, technology, research, and innovation”.

Universities like St. Petersburg State University can play a pivotal role in bridging the priorities of BRICS, the African Union, and the G20.
“Our future lies in knowledge economies, and your institution is a natural partner in this effort,” Mashatile added.

The country’s second-in-command praised the university’s Faculty of International Relations and the Institute for African Studies for their engagement with scholars across Africa.

He extended an invitation for deeper collaborations with leading South African institutions, emphasising the mutual benefits that such partnerships could foster.

The Deputy President highlighted the university’s impressive legacy, noting that it has produced numerous renowned figures, including President Vladimir Putin and the Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin.

“The presence of so many renowned scholars, leaders, and diplomats here today is a testament to the university’s continued relevance in shaping discourse on global affairs.”

The Deputy President reflected on the historical ties between South Africa and Russia, expressing gratitude for the support received during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Despite the prevailing geopolitical environment, he said South Africa is steadfast in its commitment to this course.

“… And with our G20 Presidency, we possess a unique opportunity to influence the global discourse on critical issues.”

Sustainable Development Goals

The G20 has a significant role to play in fostering global cooperation, collaboration and partnership to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

He announced the country’s G20 Presidency will, through its four overarching priorities, seek to address challenges that stifle the ability of the Global South to achieve desired levels of growth and development.

In addition, South Africa will take steps to enhance disaster resilience and response.

The country also aims to ensure debt sustainability for low-income nations, mobilise financing for a Just Energy Transition, and seek to leverage critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. – SAnews.gov.za